Chapter Twenty-Four

B roderick's mind turned numb. This couldn't be right. His uncle wouldn't betray Broderick's trust. Would he?

He swung in his uncle's direction, still holding Emmie against him. Henry, who had been standing with his head lowered, suddenly looked up and glared at Lieutenant Mercer.

"How dare you tell that outright lie." Henry squared his shoulders. "I'm not your good friend, Lieutenant Mercer. And the only reason I agreed to bring Broderick to you was because you threatened to kill my daughter if I didn't heed your command."

Henry turned and looked at Broderick. "You must believe me, Broderick. I would never hurt or betray you, but…" A tear slid down the older man's cheek as he swallowed hard. "Lieutenant Mercer told me he would kill Rebecca if I didn't bring you here. Please, forgive me."

Broderick's heart tugged from his uncle's pleading. He'd already been hurt by his friend. Yet things added up where Phillip was concerned. When Broderick pieced together all the times he had thought there was a traitor on his ship, at least he knew he was right to suspect someone . But things didn't add up with his uncle. That could only mean one thing.

Broderick nodded. "I believe you, Uncle. And I forgive you." He turned and glared at Mercer. "Only men like this can sink low enough to threaten family members to go against each other. Lieutenant Mercer, you are not human. You have no heart."

The man marched up to Broderick with hatred in his evil eyes. "It's because of you that I have no heart. You killed my brother."

Broderick shrugged. "I can only assume that your brother deserved to die, because I don't kill unless to protect myself or my friends. Who was your brother, may I ask?"

"He was one of Napoleon's soldiers. His name was Harold Mercer, but you probably don't even remember him."

"You're correct, I don't recall that name, but if he was one of Napoleon's soldiers, and he tried to harm me or one of my friends, then indeed, he deserved to die."

Growling, the lieutenant lifted his pistol and pointed it to Broderick's forehead. Broderick held his breath, tightening his embrace of Emiline.

" You deserve to die," Mercer ground out through his teeth. "Right here and now."

"Oh, but you forget," Broderick quickly said. "You were not going to kill me right away. Remember?"

The other man scowled and jerked his weapon away from Broderick's head. He dared breathe in relief. Now, if he could only figure out a way to get out of this situation without being killed, he'd be doing better than he first thought.

He surveyed the other three men standing around them, their pistols aimed at Broderick and his uncle. It surprised him to see Phillip wasn't with them, but he figured his first mate wasn't present because he was trying to remain the traitor amongst the crew. Well, Broderick would deal with him soon enough. First things first. He needed to somehow figure out how he could draw his own pistol and kill at least one of these idiots here without getting Emiline or Uncle Henry shot in the process.

Slowly, Broderick moved his hand toward his pistol, but Lieutenant Mercer saw and shook his head.

"Tsk, tsk, Captain Hawk. I would not do that if I were you. Keep your hand away or the woman dies now, in your arms." The lieutenant tilted his head. "Wouldn't that be romantic ?"

If Broderick could strangle the man at this moment, he would, but a quick death would be more to his liking. He must remember the lessons in patience his friends William and Marcus had taught him.

"Then again," Mercer continued, "perhaps dying in each other's arms would be more romantic? Eh, Captain Hawk?"

Subtly, Emiline's hand slid into the pocket of his overcoat… the same pocket where he had tucked one of his pistols. His heartbeat quickened. This would get her killed, and he couldn't let that happen.

"I'm not going to die, and neither is Lady Sarah." Broderick hoped to keep Mercer and the other three focused on him and not Emiline. "Is that not correct, Uncle? None of us will die tonight—only the ones with the lieutenant."

"Uh, yes."

Broderick's ploy worked, because all four men switched their attention to Henry. Emiline slowly slid the pistol out. Broderick sneaked his free hand around his back as she handed him the weapon.

"It's not my intention to die tonight." Henry lifted his chin. "And from all the things I have heard about Captain Hawk, I happen to think that my nephew will prevail this evening as well. Haven't you ever heard that the bad guys always receive their comeuppance?" His gaze moved from one man to the other.

Lieutenant Mercer moved closer to Henry and gave him an evil stare. "You're too cocky, like your nephew. And your daughter is a lot like you as well—stubborn to a fault."

Henry took a shaky breath. "Where is she?"

The lieutenant nodded down toward the floor. "She is below deck sleeping. I was tired of her complaining, so I knocked her out."

Henry's jaw tightened, and Broderick prayed his uncle wouldn't do anything foolish yet.

"You hit her?"

Mercer shrugged. "How else could I knock her unconscious?" He shook his head. "I'm surprised you haven't done that to your daughter a time or two. She is certainly annoying enough."

Emiline slipped her hand inside Broderick's overcoat this time, sneaking her way to his other pistol. He hoped his uncle kept talking to keep the men focused on him instead of what she was doing.

"I swear, Lieutenant Mercer, if you lay one more hand on her, I'll…" Henry stepped closer to the other man, going nearly nose to nose.

"You'll what , pray tell?" Mercer snickered.

"I'll kill you."

Lieutenant Mercer threw back his head and laughed. "What humor you possess, Mr. Crampton. From what I have learned about you, you cannot harm a flea."

"That is because a flea has never given me the motivation to do so."

Growling, Henry lunged forward and wrapped his hands around Mercer's throat. The lieutenant gasped and dropped his pistol as he tried to pull Henry's fingers away from his neck. Two of Mercer's men stepped closer, pointing their weapons at Henry.

"Let him go," one shouted.

Just as Emiline closed her fingers around one of the pistols, Broderick moved away from her, aimed, and shot the man who was about to kill Henry. Within seconds, the second man swung and aimed his pistol at Broderick, but before he could pull the trigger, Emiline shot him in the chest.

Not wasting any time, Broderick reached for his sword, but the third man had turned his weapon onto Emmie.

"Drop your sword or I'll shoot her," he warned.

Emiline's gaze met Broderick's, and she shook her head. "Kill him. Don't worry about me."

Before Broderick knew what was happening, Henry was knocked to the ground, holding his knee as Mercer loomed over him, still gasping for air. He quickly bent and retrieved his pistol before glancing at the two men who lay dead on the deck in a pool of their own blood.

"Hawk!" he shouted. "You have not won. You will never win again."

"Actually, I think you are wrong, Mercer. Captain Hawk will win."

The familiar voice that boomed through the air was followed by several clicks from pistols. Broderick swung his head to look in the direction of the voice to see Phillip standing with two other crew members, Spencer and Stephens, all holding pistols and pointing them at Lieutenant Mercer and the other man.

"Daughtery, what in the blazes are you doing?" shouted Mercer. "Kill Broderick Worthington. And for heaven's sake, shoot Mr. Crampton and Lady Sarah as well. I'm fed up with this game, and I want them all dead now."

Mercer's last man turned his weapon toward Phillip, but Spencer shot the bloke before he had a chance. He, too, fell by his deceased comrades.

Smiling, Phillip walked toward Mercer, shaking his head. "Looks like you are all alone now."

"What is wrong with you?" the lieutenant yelled.

"I'm not going to kill my best friend, Broderick Worthington, and I'm never again going to do what you tell me to do."

"What?" Mercer asked, and both Broderick and Emiline echoed him.

Phillip glanced briefly at Broderick before focusing on the lieutenant once more. "You see, Mercer, I have never been a traitor. But the only way to bring you to your knees and capture you was to make you believe I was one and, in doing so, helping you to get Captain Hawk."

Spencer took the pistol from Mercer's hand. Phillip turned to Broderick and frowned.

"Please forgive me for putting you through this turmoil. I had to make Lieutenant Mercer believe I was working with him. That was the only way we—you and I and our crew—could finally win and be free of this imbecile."

Broderick's mind whirled with the unbelievable confession. He didn't know whether or not to trust Phillip, yet his heart told him to believe. If Phillip had really been the traitor, he would have been standing with Mercer, not Spencer and Stephens, and the pistol would be pointed at Broderick instead.

Speechless, all Broderick could do was nod at Phillip. Emiline returned to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his chest. Still, he was too stunned to do anything. He couldn't even remember sliding his arms around her shoulders, but how else would she be in his embrace right now?

"You lied to me?" Mercer yelled, and lunged for Phillip.

Phillip tried to ward off the attack, but the lieutenant was able to grip his weapon. They struggled, but Broderick knew Phillip was stronger. Within seconds, the pistol fired. Mercer staggered back clutching his bleeding chest. He stared at his bloody fingers and then switched his shocked gaze back to Phillip before staggering to the ground in a dead heap beside the others.

Finally, Broderick was able to breathe a relieved sigh. Emiline did so as well before hugging him tightly.

"We are alive," she whispered brokenly.

"Yes, we are." Broderick nodded, looking at Phillip as his friend walked closer. "Phillip… I don't know how to thank you."

His friend clapped his hand on Broderick's shoulder. "As many times as you have saved my life, this is the least I can do."

Emiline lifted her head, tears filling her eyes as she stared at Phillip. "You really are not the traitor?"

"No. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about my plans, Broderick, but I had to make Mercer believe I was with him and against you. If Mercer thought I was lying, we would both be dead, my friend."

Broderick nodded. "Very true. You are forgiven this time, but for the love of God, don't put me through that agony ever again."

Phillip chuckled. "I assure you, I went through agony too, and I will never do it again."

"Pardon me," Henry said, walking up to Phillip. "But do you know where my daughter is being held?"

"Yes. I shall take you below deck and show you. Once she awakens, she shall be fine—just with a splitting headache, I'm sure. Hopefully, she has learned her lesson about making deals with the devil."

"I pray you are right," Henry muttered.

Phillip looked at Broderick. "Will you wait for us?"

"I will."

After Phillip led Henry back down the stairs, Broderick moved Emiline away from the dead bodies, over to the corner of the deck behind some crates, where it was more peaceful. He gathered her tighter in his arms and gazed into her beautiful eyes, still watery even through her smile. "I love you."

"Oh, Broderick. I love you so much. The whole time I was kept prisoner, I prayed you would come rescue me, yet I knew if you did, you would be walking into a trap, and I didn't want you to die."

"No, my love." He caressed her cheek. "I would never let you die for me."

She arched an eyebrow. "And it's all right for you to die for me? That makes no sense at all, Mr. Worthington."

He laughed and kissed her forehead. "I have a plan. Let us just forget about dying altogether. We will marry, raise a family, and live together—happily forever and ever."

Sighing, she leaned against him and shook her head. "That does sound wonderful, but I fear I cannot marry you."

Not sure he'd heard her correctly, he withdrew enough to look down into her eyes. "What? You cannot marry me? Pray tell, why not?" His heart clenched. He was not sure he was going to like her answer.

"Because, my dear man, you haven't asked me to marry you yet. And for certain, you haven't asked permission from my parents."

Relief swept over him, and he smiled. He stepped away from her and went on one knee, taking her hands in his. "Lady Sarah Emiline Langston, would you do me the great pleasure of becoming my wife? I promise to spend every waking moment making you as happy as you have made me since we first met. And I promise to move heaven and earth to please you. I will accept the title of marquess if you wish me to, or I can remain Captain Hawk. Your wish is my command."

He glanced up at the sky. The yellow moon floated high in the sky, stars hung suspended around it. The night was beautiful and so perfect. If he listened closely, he knew he would hear heaven's angels singing as well.

"Emiline, my dearest," he continued as he gazed back into her eyes, "say yes and make this night our paradise. Even though we have been through much turmoil tonight, all I want to do when I think back on this night is remember us, and your accepting my marriage proposal."

She sighed and nodded. "Yes, Broderick Worthington, my captain enchanter. I accept your proposal, and I will always remember tonight as our wonderland. I will only want you to be a marquess if that is what you wish. And I will accept your being a pirate if you can promise me you will not get yourself killed." She grinned. "There is no way I want to lose you ever again."

"Whatever our future is, we will decide together." He winked. "Is that all right with you?"

"It's perfect."

Placing his mouth over hers, he sealed the promise with a kiss. A kiss that started out simple, but soon turned into more. Much more.