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to the Hampton home was twelve miles there and back, but if Clare left the Sullivans’ place early enough on Sunday morning, she could spend most of the day with Sarah and Ben before having to return. The idea of never seeing them again was something she didn’t want to contemplate. They were her world. Finding a way to gain their liberty gave purpose to her life. She didn’t believe that anyone should be made to spend the entire time on earth as property of someone else. No matter what it took, she was determined to see them free before she went to her grave.
    Now, however, she was the unwilling captive of pirates on a ship heading to only the Ancestors knew where. Outside of convincing the captain to send her home, she had to escape. Her hope was that the opportunity would present itself soon. In the meantime, the only person she had to rely on was herself. With that in mind, she curled up on the pallet, tightened her cloak around herself, and waited to be delivered into the arms of Morpheus.
     
     
    After leaving Clare in the cabin, Dominic took the dishes to the galley. He then spent time walking the ship, checking on the welfare of his crew, and letting them know how much he appreciated their fine conduct during the encounter with the frigate. He called up his thanks to the men in the riggings inspecting the sails, and gave a good word to others going about their duties keeping the Marie in good sailing shape. With no battles ahead or prey to focus upon, many were relaxing, playing cards or listening to the merry tunes of the ship’s fiddler, a Frenchman named Pierre Tait.
    Below decks now, Dominic spotted one of the powder monkeys, fifteen-year-old Richmond Spelling, the grandson of his mother’s old friend Anna. The monkeys were responsible for loading the cannons.
    “You handled your chores well today, Spelling.” Richmond was one of the youngest of the crew.
    In response to the praise, he smiled through the grime and powder covering his young face. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Anyone injured that you know of?”
    “Not in my crew, sir. I hear Watkins got a bump on the head when he tripped over the rigging but Dr. Early would know better. How’s the lady, sir?”
    Dominic was caught off guard by the question. The crew knew of his reputation with the softer sex, but no one had ever asked questions about who might be sharing his cabin. Until now. “She’s fine. Why do you ask?”
    Looking uncomfortable, Richmond dropped his eyes. “No offense meant, sir. It’s just we’ve never taken a woman as a prize before. I—I was worried about her.”
    “I see. She’s faring well, and don’t worry, she isn’t a prize. For now, she’s a guest.”
    Richmond seemed relieved. “Thank you, sir. I’ll pass the word. I know that some of the crew had questions, too.”
    “Please do. Now, finish your duties and get some rest, you’ve earned it.”
    Richmond nodded, and Dominic went on his way.
    As the Marie’ s quartermaster, Gaspar had many duties, and one of the most important was divvying up the profits among the crew.
    “How much gold was the frigate carrying?” Dominic asked Gaspar upon entering the small, shadow-filled room near the hold. The light sputtering from the candle stubs placed on the scarred worn table where Gaspar worked offered just enough illumination for him to see to the task. Also at the table were Dr. James Early and the ship’s pilot and navigator, a Spaniard named Esteban da Silva.
    Gaspar looked up from the gold coins he was stacking. “More than we expected. About ten thousand, wouldn’t you say, James.”
    The doctor agreed, “Aye, by the weight of the strongboxes, it’s ten easily.”
    Dominic was pleased. His men would be well paid for this voyage.
    “Is the petite Clare bedded and well?” Gaspar asked while he continued to stack and count. Esteban was entering the numbers into the ship’s tattered leather ledger.
    “No.”
    “No?” the men crowed in unison.
    Dominic knew