Twilight of a Queen by Susan Carroll Read Free Book Online Page A

swore at the freckle-faced lad who in his eagerness had lowered the pennant too soon. The
Miribelle
was not yet in range to discharge the culverins to any effect.
    Dominique shrank from the captain’s fierce bellow, but there was more exasperation than anger in Xavier’s voice. Despite the frantic activity aboard the
San Felipe
, there was no way the vessel would escape. The
Miribelle
might be older and less seaworthy, but she was lighter and faster than the Spanish ship, which rode low in the water, pregnant with the promise of a rich cargo.
    Fists planted on his hips, Xavier regarded the narrowing distance with grim satisfaction. All around him, the
Miribelle
was a hive of activity. His crew might be a collection of strays gathered from the gaols, alehouses, and wharves of a dozen different ports, but Xavier knew he could count on his men to pull together with the precision of the best trained naval ship.
    Sea dogs readied grappling hooks, loaded muskets, and prepared the cannons, grizzled faces flushed with anticipation of the fight to come. Only Xavier did not stir, waiting … waiting for just the right moment to open fire. He was annoyed when his concentration was broken by a tug at his sleeve.
    Scowling, he glanced down at the fresh-faced young man at his side. Another of his strays, but one Xavier could have done without, especially at a moment like this. Father Bernard was one of those missionaries who had venturedto Brazil with grand notions of saving the souls of the natives.
    Xavier had been obliged to rescue the priest from a tribe of Indians who were less than enthusiastic about being baptized into the Catholic faith. But the earnest priest had proved such a nuisance, there were times Xavier wished he had let the Tupi have him.
    “Captain, I must protest,” Father Bernard said. “I thought you meant to forsake these—these military engagements and pursue a different course, one of exploration and enlightenment.”
    “So I did until the French queen
enlightened
me by the paltry size of her purse. Besides, I don’t consider this a military engagement, merely a commercial transaction.”
    “It is an act of war, my son, and France is at peace with Spain.”
    “Perhaps back in the civilized courts of Europe. But you have sailed with me long enough to know that beyond the latitude that marks the borders of the New World, there is only one law.
No peace beyond the line
. Now you will oblige me by returning below.”
    Xavier added in an irritated afterthought, “And I am not your son.”
    He strode away, roaring out the command to fire. The
Miribelle
shook as the cannons discharged the first salvo. The
San Felipe
issued a thunderous response, neither ship causing any damage, all smoke and noise. Cannons were not as effective on the open sea as they would have been if Xavier had been able to corner the Spanish vessel in a cove.
    Clapping his hands over his ears, Father Bernard trailed after Xavier. “Your men are such fierce fighters and you outnumber those Spanish merchants. This will be murder.”
    “Not if they can be persuaded to be reasonable.”
    “And will all your crew remain likewise?”
    The priest gestured anxiously in the direction of Pietro. Stripped to the waist, his dark cheeks streaked with paint, the tall Cimmarone armed himself with both a pistol and a cutlass. The fierce expression on Pietro’s usually gentle face gave even Xavier pause.
    He stalked closer, placing a cautioning hand on Pietro’s arm. “Just remember, we are not out to settle old scores. If these men surrender, I don’t intend for this to be a bloodbath. So keep your temper in check, my friend. We don’t want to horrify the good father here by behaving like—”
    “Pirates?” Pietro cut in.
    “I was going to say Spaniards.”
    Pietro bared his teeth in a grin. “I will answer for my temper, Captain. You just look to your own.”
    Something whistled through the air, a pistol ball splintering the wood of the mizzen