Rogue Wave (The Rogue Wave Series Book 1)

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright 2021 by Heather Hansen.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form on by an electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  Book Design By Zoe Mellors.

  ISBN 978-1-7355637-2-5

  For my husband. I could not have done it without all of his support.

  As the daughter of one of the richest sugar barons around, she had all the latest and finest gowns. Fashion was nice, but in her heart she craved adventure. To see new lands like the ones her books, that lined the shelves of her room, spoke about.

  She sat at her window seat, looking out past the lavish gardens of their grand estate; towards the soft, sandy beach that looked almost white. The tall ships coming and going in the busy docks were visible. What would it be like to be upon one of those magnificent ships, to feel the waves roll beneath you? She thought.

  She would find a way out. A way to be free, to have an adventure, to discover who she really was. Her father would be leaving in a few days to go accompany a shipment of goods. Perhaps she could find her chance then.

  During her childhood, her father was kind, but also busy. Her mother had died in childbirth and she believed a part of him had gone with her mother that day. Now, at nearly eighteen, her father held extravagant dinner parties and balls when he was home, trying to match her with a suitable young man. They were fun but she was growing tired of batting her eyelashes, waving fans, and flirtatious looks. These walls were closing in on her, becoming tighter than her corsets that she was forced to wear.

  There was a quick knock at her chamber door. “Miss Benedict, your father would like a word with you. He is waiting in his study. I will have your tea brought in there.” Her maid said with a smile.

  “Thank you, Emma. I’ll be right down.” She smiled back at her maid. Emma was her closest friend and the one person she felt she could tell anything to.

  With a quick curtsey, Emma turned and set off to find one of the footmen to ask for the tea to be brought into the study.

  Catherine walked down the hall towards the large staircase. She skipped into her father’s study with a quick, polite knock to let him know she was there. “You wished to speak to me, Father?” She smiled happily as her father turned towards her. He had been looking out the window at the gardens. One of the gardeners was trimming the rose bushes; the roses had been her mother’s favorite.

  “Yes, I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed before I set off in a couple days. I will be gone for a few months this time.” He said with a frown. Catherine knew her father did not like leaving her for that long. It was always hard when he had to go away on business. He would be at sea and in and out of different ports for the next few months.

  “Father, I am almost eighteen. Will you, I mean, that is, would you mind if I came along with you?” She had once asked her father if she could go with him, several years ago. At the time, she was still far too young but now, she did not see any reason he should not say yes.

  He shook his head and looked at the ground for a moment. “I am sorry Catherine; you know I hate leaving you. I am afraid it is not proper and far too dangerous for you to come along. It will be better for you to stay here, with your friends. It is time you start thinking about settling down, meeting a fine young man. There were several of them here the other night, did none of them meet with your approval?” Concern and love lit in her father’s eyes.

  “I am sorry Father. I know I must marry, but I would like to see more of the world, see new places, meet new people. You have travelled so often and seen so much. You used to come home and tell me all about your adventures at sea. I want that!” Catherine felt her anger rising. “Please Father, if I promise to choose a husband, will you take me with you?” She took a step closer to him, resting her hand on his arm.

  “Catherine,” He laughed sadly. “You are so much like your mother, filled with adventure. Her eyes shined with delight the day we set off from England to come here.” His eyes had a faraway look in them. “It is far too dangerous on the ships. There are pirates and rogues, waiting for merchant vessels, like mine. Not to mention storms that can throw strong men from the decks or even sink one in a single night. If the ship were to survive the storm and you were not thrown overboard, then it’s the fevers from the cold, wet air that would become your closest enemy.”

  His jaw clenched and his eyes lost their luster. The doctor had told him that Catherine’s mother was weakened by the fever she had caught on the voyage from England, after a storm had struck them at sea. Her mother’s body had just simply never recovered, and so Catherine’s birth had been too much for her to bear.

  “Oh, Father, I am sorry.” Her heart broke for her father. Even though she mirrored her mother in looks and her sense of adventure, she was strong, healthy, and not with child. It would be different for her to be on a ship, it just had to be.

  “Come now, Child, let us not discuss this anymore. Have some tea and a bit of the sweet cakes. What would you like me to bring you back. Jewels, fabrics, books…you think on it and let me know.”

  Her father gave her a small smile and she sat down in her favorite chair in his study. It practically swallowed her up. It faced out towards the beautiful gardens. Sometimes the sun would shine in directly on that chair, warming it perfectly. Often, when her father was away, she would sit and read for hours about the adventures’ others had at sea. Her favorite books were about the adventures of Captain Nicholas Treadfast. He was a fierce Captain that all other sailors feared and respected. Of course, these books were not at all suitable for a proper lady to be reading, but her father, at least, had indulged her in that respect.

  One time, her governess caught her reading one of the Captain Treadfast books and about fainted on the spot. Her governess insisted she should only be reading about the latest fashions in England and France, practicing her painting, drawing, music, and needlepoint. After that unfortunate event, her father asked her to read the books in secret and not in front of outsiders. He did not need to mention the servants and staff. They understood her and she was close with most of them, Emma in particular.

  After tea, she decided to go for a stroll around the garden and for a walk in the stables. She loved visiting the horses and bringing them all sorts of treats. Her favorite was a beautiful Palomino, born in their stables. Ever since the day he took his first wobbly steps in the straw covered stall, she became completely smitten with him.

  In the stable, she slowly walked down the long aisle of stalls, whispering soft greetings. She handed out treats and scratched the heads of the horses that welcomed her. Sunny, her Palomino was kept at the end of the stable. He stuck his head out the stall and gave a quick whinny in greeting.

  “Hello, boy, you are looking well.” She said as he nuzzled her. Catherine laughed and planted a big kiss on his velvety nose.

  “Hello, Miss Benedict.” Catherine had not even heard the stable boy come up behind her. He walked over to her, reaching his hand up to pet Sunny. “Are you wanting to take him out? I can saddle him for you if you’d like.”

  “Not today, thank you, Allen. I need to get back up to the house soon. We are having another dinner party tonight.” She said, scrunching her nose as if she smelled something rotten.

  Allen laughed, “Oh, come now Miss Benedict, the dinner parties can’t be that bad. What is for dessert?” He asked eagerly. Catherine tried as often as she could to save Allen some of the fancy desserts.

  “I believe Cook said she was making Apple Charlotte tonight.” Allen’s eyes grew wide and he licked his lips. Catherine giggled, “I will try and bring you a piece as soon as I get a chance. I should go, I better start getting ready.” Sunny nudged Allen, bringing the boy’s attention back to him and away from the thought of tasty desserts.

  “Alaric, see to it that all provisions are made, and we are ready to sail in the next few days. I do not plan on staying in port very long.” Lucas said to his first mate. Alaric and Lucas grew up on a small village in Ireland. They left at the age of 16 to sail the seas together.

  As they stepped off onto the docks. Alaric gave Lucas a friendly slap on the back and grinned. “I’ll see you later at the Rusty Anchor.” The crew always enjoyed their time in port, no matter how short a visit. Some of the crew had family waiting for them and others simply enjoyed the time away from their duties on board the ship.

  Lucas set off towards the heart of the city. He had some time to look around and get supplies before he needed to be at the Governor’s estate. The Governor of Barbados had sent him a letter asking him to dine with him, as he had some business to discuss. He owed the Governor a debt. He could not think of what the Governor might need to speak to him about. He just hoped that he was not going to take away his Letter of Marque, that was what kept him safe on the waters and kept him from getting his neck in a noose. Without it, he would lose everything he had, his ship, his crew, and quite possibly his life.

  Lucas walked around the d
ifferent stalls and various shops. He did not need anything new; except a spy glass. His current one had a small crack in it from the last battle they had with a Spanish ship a few weeks ago. It was not a particularly brutal battle and was a relatively easy ship to take. There were only minor injuries, including his spy glass.

  Lucas knew of a small shop that sold merchandise for sailors, they might have a spy glass. He stepped inside the small building that looked as if it had seen better days. It was rather worn down and the roof needed patching.

  “Well, good day to you, Captain Harding. It has been awhile since you was last in here. What can I help you with?” The old sailor and his wife owned this place for many years. It was good to see a friendly face.

  “Good to see you again, you don’t look a day older from when I last saw you.” Lucas laughed and reached out to pat the old man on his slender shoulder. “I am glad to see you are doing well, old friend. You wouldn’t happen to have a spy glass I could purchase, would you?”

  “As a matter of fact, we do, we recently just traded for it, a few compasses and a rather nice sextant. We also have a few new maps you can look at, though I am sure you know these waters better than anyone.” He said, his smile revealing missing teeth. “Here, lad, let me grab you that spy glass while you take a look around.” The old sailor walked over to the opposite wall. Reaching up, he grunted as he took a brass spy glass from a rickety shelf. “Here it is.”

  Lucas turned towards him, “Ah, that will do just fine, I think.” He took the spy glass out of the man’s frail hands. Lifting the spy glass to his eye, he looked through it, out towards the rest of the city. He spotted a brightly colored bird in a tree, far on the other end, past the shops, market stalls and shacks. He clipped it closed. “This will work perfectly.” Lucas placed several coins on the counter.

  The man’s eyes grew wide, “Captain Harding, my friend, this is far too much.” He shook his head, his hands trembling a bit as he gestured to the coins.

  “Of course not, you have always had what I needed, when I needed it and I enjoy seeing your friendly face when I come back here. You take it.” Lucas grinned, shook his friend’s hand and walked out, squinting in the bright Caribbean sun. It was about time he started heading back to his ship to get ready for his dinner with the Governor.

  He entered his cabin, setting the spy glass on his desk. Shaking off his shirt, he grabbed a clean one from the trunk at the foot of the bed. After his shirt was on, he ran his razor over his chin and cheeks. He was not particularly looking forward to the meeting, he never much liked dressing in the starched collars and stiff dinner coats.

  Lucas stepped out of the carriage and walked up the steps to the ornate door. The butler opened it, bowed as he entered, and led him to one of the many sitting rooms. “Wait here, if you will, Captain Harding, the Governor will be with you shortly.” The butler bowed again and walked out. Lucas looked around the large room. The dark red walls held book lined shelves. A solitary desk stood in the corner with nothing on it but a bit of blank paper. The door to the sitting room opened. The butler led the Governor in, gave another bow then retreated from the room.

  “Good evening, Captain Harding. I trust you are doing well?” The Governor asked as he walked over to the crystal glasses that sat on a small table. “Care for a glass?” He held up a crystal glass with swishing, amber liquid in it.

  “Thank you, yes.” Lucas smiled politely. The Governor poured them both a drink and handed one to him. “I hope you are doing well yourself.”

  “As well as to be expected, the air in these parts is always hot and sticky. I do not care for it much but then again, it is a small price to pay for such a grand position and estate. Wouldn’t you say?” He smirked and raised the glass, taking a slow sip.

  “I should think so, I suppose, though I am not much bothered by the damp. In Ireland it was always raining. And I have now grown accustomed to the heat.” Lucas demurred smoothly, taking a sip of his own drink.

  “When will your ship and crew be ready to sail?” The Governor asked. He rested a hand on the mantel of the fireplace.

  “In the next few days, Sir.” Lucas felt the conversation shift to the real reason why he was there.

  “Very well, I have something I need you to deliver for me. It is a particularly important piece of parchment. I could not entrust it with a merchant ship, as they are targeted too often, and would not have the means of keeping it out of the wrong hands. I trust you will be able to get it to my man in France safely.” He stared at Lucas intently.

  “France, Sir?” Lucas was stunned. He very rarely travelled out of the Caribbean waters. As a Privateer, he was tasked with stopping trade between enemy merchant ships passing through the West Indies. Occasionally, he was asked to deliver goods or papers between the different ports but nothing as far as France. Certainly nothing that the Governor directly asked him to deliver with such importance. He felt cornered; he had to do as the Governor said or lose his Letter of Marque and risk everything.

  “Yes, you will be meeting with a man by the name of Francois Dupont.” He looked at the mantel again then back at Lucas with the same hard expression. “I expect you will keep this to yourself, no one is to know of this.” He commanded.

  Lucas’s jaw clenched with a slight nod of his head. He did not like the secrecy or the look in the Governor’s eyes. Obviously, whatever was on this piece of parchment was bound to stir up trouble.

  “Come, let us dine.” The Governor set his glass on the mantel. He pulled a long rope that hung against the wall, signaling to the butler to open the door and lead them into the dining room.

  The meal was superb, though Lucas hardly tasted any of it. He was not sure how his crew would feel about such a trip. Many of them would be glad of a change, others would not be happy about leaving their families for so long. As Privateers, they were always sea bound, however this would be potentially more dangerous. Rougher waters, deadlier ships, and a secretive mission from the Governor. This was a risk and as Captain, he was not entirely comfortable forcing his men into such a situation. However he had little choice in the matter.

  “I am thankful I have a man on this island that I can count on. There are not a lot of men that could be trusted with the task.” The Governor eyed Lucas. Lucas knew the Governor could sense his hesitation and discomfort from carrying out this commission. The Governor waved a hand in dismissal as if that explanation should satisfy Lucas and ease his conscience. It only made him feel more unsettled.

  Lucas inhaled the cool night air deeply. He dismissed the carriage back to the ship; he needed a walk to clear his mind. As long as he and his men were not in danger from carrying out the task, it should not matter what business the Governor had with Monsieur Dupont, but he just could not shake the feeling of mistrust and unease.

  He ran a hand over his face and headed towards the Rusty Anchor. There, he could get a drink and maybe play a game of dice or two before heading back to his ship. Many of the men would find a place to stay on land when they went into port, but he always preferred to stay aboard his ship. Three men at a time were always on board in port, he insisted on it.

  “If you will excuse me, I will only be a moment.” Catherine said politely to her guests. The men left to play a game of cards and talk, while the women sat in the sitting room and discussed gowns and the latest gossip. Catherine needed a break; she did not care much about new gowns, or that Miss Whitby was soon to be engaged to Lord Ainsworth but was in fact seen just last night flirting with Mr. Bradley. Not that anyone could blame Miss Whitby. Lord Ainsworth was a perfect gentleman and would make a great match for her, but he was rather a little mouse of a man.

  Catherine smuggled her Apple Charlotte into a cloth on her lap. It was wrapped up tightly, waiting for the perfect chance to get away for a moment. Allen would be thrilled when she gave it to him.

  Allan was a young boy when he first came to the plantation. Her father was on his way home one day when one of the horses, pulling his carriage, spooked. The driver had fallen off the seat and was unable to calm the beast down. Allen, his head hardly even reaching the horse’s nose, watched the whole event unfold. Without a moment’s hesitation, he calmed the horse down with a single touch and humming a simple tune. Impressed, her father insisted the boy come back with him to work in the stables at the plantation. Allen had been there ever since.