Captured By Love part IV

It was midnight when they landed on the beach. Katherine protested, saying she wanted to say with him. "No, Katherine. I can't concentrate on finding the Black Devil if I have to worry about you getting hurt. I don't want to hear another word."

Katherine got tears in her eyes. Her nights were going to be lonesome without him. Edward gently wiped the tears away. "I'll come back to see you when you least expect it." He leaned down and kissed her. Katherine wrapped her arms around his neck. Edward almost told the crew to go back to the ship, wanting to spend time alone with her. Willing himself, he broke the kiss and climbed into the boat. Katherine watched as they rowed to the ship. Edward saw her get smaller as they went further out.

Only when she could no longer see them did she head up the beach to the house. She entered the house, tears in her eyes. Tess was the first to see her.

Tess got the servants up, telling them to heat water for Katherine's bath. Katherine went to her room and took off her shirt and britches. She saw the bandage on her arm. Doc had just put a fresh one on a the day before they brought her home. Tess came in and saw the bandage. "What happened? We looked all over for you! Your brother was very upset."

The bath was soon ready. Katherine got in the tub. It did feel good to have a warm bath. Tess fussed over her, washing her hair and burshing it till it shone; washing Katherine as if she were a child again. When she was through, Tess helped Katherine slip on a gown and get to bed.

Katherine laid there unable to close her eyes; Edward going through her mind. She felt as if she were lost and alone, missing the feel of his arms around her. Tears ran from her eyes on to the pillow. "Please come back to me soon. I miss you already."

Edward laid in his cabin. His thoughts on Katherine. The bed now seemed cold and empty; her warm body no longer curled beside him. He turned on his side. He hadn't wanted her to leave, but after almost losing her he didn't want to run the risk of losing her again. He knew he had done the right thing, but he was lonely without her. As if he could hear her, he said, "I will be back, Katherine."

Vincent sailed to his hideaway island to dispose of the loot he had gotten. After having the men remove the brush blocking the entry, he sailed up the river. Having the men drop anchor, he walked up the river bank. Rounding the curve he stopped, his crew behind him. They all stared. Vincent could not believe what he saw. His ship blown apart, the whole clearing nothing but a pile of charred rubble where huts and a storage building stood.

They walked through the site. "Where is the guard?" he asked. The crew spread out to look for him. Vincent went through the ashes to see if anything was left. The crew came back saying they couldn't find him. Vincent's brows furrowed together, his voice screaming at the men. All the loot from the ships he had pillaged burnt to nothing.

Vincent turned and looked at them. "What do you mean what now?" He took his whip and started going after them, not stopping till he had gotten all of them. They ran, seeing the look of a mad man on his face. "Whoever did this will pay!" He looked at his ship, which was beyond repair. "Someone somehow found our hiding place, but who?"

Vincent told the crew to get back to the ship. If whoever did it thought it would stop him, they were very wrong. He would prove to them that all they did was make things worse. The first ship they came upon would feel his revenge in the worst way.

They sailed out of the inlet. "Where to?" they asked. Vincent thought. "Let's go to Tortuga." That will be the first stop. We will get provisions there, plus leave a little calling card."

Going below, he slammed the cabin door. He went to a chest and pulled out his black hood. He always kept a spare handy jsut in case. He envisioned Tortuga in nothing but flames, tortured and mutilated bodies everywhere. A maniacal look came on his face as he put the hood on.

Vincent stood on the dock, looking at the buildings burn. The smell of burning flesh permeating the air. He had reached Tortuga late at night, when eveyrone was either asleep or too drunk to move. he had slipped in the harbor unseen. As he docked, he had his gunmen set off the cannon. Those that had not been hit by the first birage were soon found and hacked. It didn't matter who they were or how old they were. He kept up the birage till every building had been blown apart. All those caught inside were dead from the flying debris or from the direct hit. He lead his crew through the town, hacking the bodies of those that showed even the slightest sign of life. "I WANT NO ONE ALIVE!" he told his men. "KILL EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD YOU SEE!"

He stood in the middle of the street, watching his men go from building to building. Sure there was no one around, he removed his hood. He smiled at the destruction. As his men continued searching, he would hear screams from those his mean had found. He walked back to the dock to wait for Hogan and his crew.

In a pile of rubble a man was laying, pretending to be dead. Fortune had been with him. He had gone into the already exploded building to hide amidst the smoke and flame. When the men began searching, he hurriedly hid beneath some rubble. As the men had come closer, he pretended to be dead, not breathing. Vincent had been holding a torch when he removed his mask. The man saw his face, knowing he would never forget it.

It was two days later when Edward arrived at Tortuga. he looked at what there was left. He had hoped to take on supplies, but knew he would have to look elsewhere. The crew was staring at the destruction.

Bennie sterred the ship in as close as he could. Tying up, they threw down the gangplank. Being cautious, they slowly went through the town. The hot sun had already started to rot the bloated bodies. The smell was overwhelming.

"He said they were attacked a couple of days ago, around midnight. They were hit by cannon fire, then a bunch of men went through the town, killing anyone they thought was alive. he must have hid under some of the rubble till they left. He said something very interesting before he went blank. He saw a man wearing a black hood. Then he saw him take it off."

"The man didn't know the name, but he would never forget his face. That's when he went blank. We tried to get him to describe the man, but so far he hasn't responded."

The men found a few things that were salvagable. After loading, they shoved off. Edward at least now had a lead, but unless the man came out of his stupor, he was back to square one. There was only one place he could go. That was back to Jamaica. He had to make contact to report what had happened. Maybe while he was there, he would pay a visit to a certain someone. Even now he could feel her warmth, making him anxious to get there.

Katherine had always been puzzled by her brother's long absences. Where could someone go for so long? The strange part was that Hogan would disappear also.

She finished dressing for the party. This time it would be at Muriel's home. It was a formal party, announcing her engagement to the governor. Thank goodness she hadn't tried to go after Vincent. She didn't think she could have stood having Muriel as a sister-in-law.

Katheirne arrived with the party underway. She entered the house, Muriel and the governor greeting the guests. She congratulated the couple then went into the ballroom. Several men were standing around. Among them was Admiral Huntington.

Katherine then noticed a tall, red-haired man standing with his back to her, talkding to the Admiral and the other men. There was only one man she knew of with that color of hair and built like that. "It couldn't be. he wouldn't show himself here," she thought. "But then he would dare anything."

Edward took Katherine's hand and kissed it, flicking his tongue quickly. Katheirne sucked in her breath. "How do you do, Miss Stafford." The look in his eyes told her to be careful.

Katherine nodded. Edward led her to the floor, wanting to hold her close. Katheirne smiled while they danced. "Edward, what are you doing here? Don't you realize you could get caught?" she whispered.

Edward could barely contain himself. He longed to take her someplace private. Katherine saw his thoughts in his eyes. She began to blush. She too wanted to be someplace private.

Vincent entered, seeing Katherine dance with the tall stranger. There was something oddly familiar about the man. Putting it aside, he concentrated on having some fun. He made the rounds, watching his sister and Edward out of the corner of his eye.

Vincent made his way over to Muriel and the governor, still watching his sister and the tall stranger. When he neared the couple he turned to talk to them, taking his eyes off the dancing couple.

As Edward and Katheirne were dancing, he motioned with his eyes to go out the side door. Katherine slightly nodded. They danced their way over to the side door, dancing onto the balcony. When they thought no one was looking, he took her by the hand and led her to a dark place just out of sight of the door. As soon as they entered the arbor, Edward swept her up in his arms, his lips claiming hers. Katherine returned his kiss, her hands clutching his coat.

When they parted, Edward held her tight. Katherine leaned her head on his chest. For several minutes they stood just holding each other, no words spoken.

He tilted her chin up. "I could never stay away from you." He bent and kissed her again. "The ship was very lonely without you there." Katherine lowered her eyes. Then a thought came to her. "Edward, you came in with the Admiral. He has to know that it's his ship in the harbor."

Katherine smiled. She could see the reaction of her brother. He was definitely going to be surprised that she actually got someone to call on her. "It would be my pleasure."

Katherine and Edward stood quiet till they went by. As soon as they were far enough away, they went back up the path to the side door. They entered and danced their way over to the Admiral.

Vincent went down to the dock the next morning to check on his ship. As he walked the dock, he passed the frigate, the crew busy doing the usual chores. Doc was on deck, walking the man they had brought with them from Tortuga. As Vincent walked past, the man happened to look at him as he walked by. The man began to shake uncontrollably, his mouth opening as if he were about to speak, but no words coming out, and pointed at Vincent.

"What's the matter, man?" Doc followed the man's finger. He saw him pointing at Vincent. He turned and saw terror in the man's eyes. Doc hurriedly took the man below to one of the cabins to calm him. Once he got him calmed down, he went to see Edward.

"It's about our survivor. I had him on deck walking him around. All of a sudden he starts shaking, his mouth open as if he wanted to say something. He then began pointing at a man walking on the dock. His eyes grew wide, as if he had seen a monster. I took him below to calm him down."

Vincent had just finshed going over the cargo and was supervising the loading. His mind was still on the tall stranger. There was something about him but he couldn't place his finger on it. After the cargo was loaded, he checked the maps in his cabin to see which island he could go to hide. He still wondered how his hideaway had been found. Someone had to have snitched on him, but who.

He left the ship and walked back to stop off at a local tavern. As he walked, three sets of eyes were watching him, one set filled with terror, his body shaking again uncontrollably as he tried to speak. Edward and Doc took the man below. When they got him inside, he started mumbling, then he shouted "BLACK DEVIL!" Doc made the man lay down.


	Lady Takersangel's Domain \| home Captured By Love part IV by Ladycat chapter 1 It was midnight when they landed on the beach. Katherine protested, saying she wanted to say with him. "No, Katherine. I can't concentrate on finding the Black Devil if I have to worry about you getting hurt. I don't want to hear another word." Katherine got tears in her eyes. Her nights were going to be lonesome without him. Edward gently wiped the tears away. "I'll come back to see you when you least expect it." He leaned down and kissed her. Katherine wrapped her arms around his neck. Edward almost told the crew to go back to the ship, wanting to spend time alone with her. Willing himself, he broke the kiss and climbed into the boat. Katherine watched as they rowed to the ship. Edward saw her get smaller as they went further out. Only when she could no longer see them did she head up the beach to the house. She entered the house, tears in her eyes. Tess was the first to see her. "My God, Katherine! Praise be, you're home!" Tess hugged her mistress. "We thought you were dead! Where have you been all this time? You've been gone for over a month!" "Has it been that long? I didn't realize it." "Just look at you!" Tess got the servants up, telling them to heat water for Katherine's bath. Katherine went to her room and took off her shirt and britches. She saw the bandage on her arm. Doc had just put a fresh one on a the day before they brought her home. Tess came in and saw the bandage. "What happened? We looked all over for you! Your brother was very upset." The bath was soon ready. Katherine got in the tub. It did feel good to have a warm bath. Tess fussed over her, washing her hair and burshing it till it shone; washing Katherine as if she were a child again. When she was through, Tess helped Katherine slip on a gown and get to bed. Katherine laid there unable to close her eyes; Edward going through her mind. She felt as if she were lost and alone, missing the feel of his arms around her. Tears ran from her eyes on to the pillow. "Please come back to me soon. I miss you already." Edward laid in his cabin. His thoughts on Katherine. The bed now seemed cold and empty; her warm body no longer curled beside him. He turned on his side. He hadn't wanted her to leave, but after almost losing her he didn't want to run the risk of losing her again. He knew he had done the right thing, but he was lonely without her. As if he could hear her, he said, "I will be back, Katherine." chapter 2 Vincent sailed to his hideaway island to dispose of the loot he had gotten. After having the men remove the brush blocking the entry, he sailed up the river. Having the men drop anchor, he walked up the river bank. Rounding the curve he stopped, his crew behind him. They all stared. Vincent could not believe what he saw. His ship blown apart, the whole clearing nothing but a pile of charred rubble where huts and a storage building stood. They walked through the site. "Where is the guard?" he asked. The crew spread out to look for him. Vincent went through the ashes to see if anything was left. The crew came back saying they couldn't find him. Vincent's brows furrowed together, his voice screaming at the men. All the loot from the ships he had pillaged burnt to nothing. "What now?" Vincent turned and looked at them. "What do you mean what now?" He took his whip and started going after them, not stopping till he had gotten all of them. They ran, seeing the look of a mad man on his face. "Whoever did this will pay!" He looked at his ship, which was beyond repair. "Someone somehow found our hiding place, but who?" Vincent told the crew to get back to the ship. If whoever did it thought it would stop him, they were very wrong. He would prove to them that all they did was make things worse. The first ship they came upon would feel his revenge in the worst way. They sailed out of the inlet. "Where to?" they asked. Vincent thought. "Let's go to Tortuga." That will be the first stop. We will get provisions there, plus leave a little calling card." Going below, he slammed the cabin door. He went to a chest and pulled out his black hood. He always kept a spare handy jsut in case. He envisioned Tortuga in nothing but flames, tortured and mutilated bodies everywhere. A maniacal look came on his face as he put the hood on. Vincent stood on the dock, looking at the buildings burn. The smell of burning flesh permeating the air. He had reached Tortuga late at night, when eveyrone was either asleep or too drunk to move. he had slipped in the harbor unseen. As he docked, he had his gunmen set off the cannon. Those that had not been hit by the first birage were soon found and hacked. It didn't matter who they were or how old they were. He kept up the birage till every building had been blown apart. All those caught inside were dead from the flying debris or from the direct hit. He lead his crew through the town, hacking the bodies of those that showed even the slightest sign of life. "I WANT NO ONE ALIVE!" he told his men. "KILL EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD YOU SEE!" He stood in the middle of the street, watching his men go from building to building. Sure there was no one around, he removed his hood. He smiled at the destruction. As his men continued searching, he would hear screams from those his mean had found. He walked back to the dock to wait for Hogan and his crew. Hogan returned, blood spattered all over him, his sword dripping. "It's done, Captain." "Let's get out of here. We have work to do." The entire attack on Tortuga took less than 2 hours. In a pile of rubble a man was laying, pretending to be dead. Fortune had been with him. He had gone into the already exploded building to hide amidst the smoke and flame. When the men began searching, he hurriedly hid beneath some rubble. As the men had come closer, he pretended to be dead, not breathing. Vincent had been holding a torch when he removed his mask. The man saw his face, knowing he would never forget it. chapter 3 It was two days later when Edward arrived at Tortuga. he looked at what there was left. He had hoped to take on supplies, but knew he would have to look elsewhere. The crew was staring at the destruction. "Get ready to land. Have your swords drawn and ready," he ordered. Bennie sterred the ship in as close as he could. Tying up, they threw down the gangplank. Being cautious, they slowly went through the town. The hot sun had already started to rot the bloated bodies. The smell was overwhelming. Edward stopped at what had been the inn. Nothing was left but black wooden splinters. "Captain, over here!" Edward ran to where Doc had been calling from. "Captain, here is the only survivor." The man was pale, shaking, a blank look in his eyes. "He said they were attacked a couple of days ago, around midnight. They were hit by cannon fire, then a bunch of men went through the town, killing anyone they thought was alive. he must have hid under some of the rubble till they left. He said something very interesting before he went blank. He saw a man wearing a black hood. Then he saw him take it off." "Who was it?" he asked. "The man didn't know the name, but he would never forget his face. That's when he went blank. We tried to get him to describe the man, but so far he hasn't responded." "So close. Take him aboard. he may talk yet. See if you can salvage anything. There's nothing more we can do." The men found a few things that were salvagable. After loading, they shoved off. Edward at least now had a lead, but unless the man came out of his stupor, he was back to square one. There was only one place he could go. That was back to Jamaica. He had to make contact to report what had happened. Maybe while he was there, he would pay a visit to a certain someone. Even now he could feel her warmth, making him anxious to get there. chapter 4 "Tess, how long has Vincent been gone?" "I would guess at least 6 weeks now." "Where could he have gone this time?" "Don't know, miss. You had better get ready for the party." Katherine had always been puzzled by her brother's long absences. Where could someone go for so long? The strange part was that Hogan would disappear also. She finished dressing for the party. This time it would be at Muriel's home. It was a formal party, announcing her engagement to the governor. Thank goodness she hadn't tried to go after Vincent. She didn't think she could have stood having Muriel as a sister-in-law. Katheirne arrived with the party underway. She entered the house, Muriel and the governor greeting the guests. She congratulated the couple then went into the ballroom. Several men were standing around. Among them was Admiral Huntington. Katherine then noticed a tall, red-haired man standing with his back to her, talkding to the Admiral and the other men. There was only one man she knew of with that color of hair and built like that. "It couldn't be. he wouldn't show himself here," she thought. "But then he would dare anything." Admiral Huntington saw her and came over, taking her hand. "Ah, Miss Stafford. It is so nice to see you. You look beautiful this evening." Katherine blushed. "Thank you, Admiral." "Miss Stafford, I would like you to meet someone." He took her over to where Edward was standing. "Miss Stafford, I would like you to meet Henry Belham." The man turned around and smiled at Katherine. "Henry, I would like you to meet Miss Katherine Stafford." Edward took Katherine's hand and kissed it, flicking his tongue quickly. Katheirne sucked in her breath. "How do you do, Miss Stafford." The look in his eyes told her to be careful. Gathering herself quickly, she smiled. "How do you do, Mr. Belham." "Would you care to dance?" he asked. Katherine nodded. Edward led her to the floor, wanting to hold her close. Katheirne smiled while they danced. "Edward, what are you doing here? Don't you realize you could get caught?" she whispered. "You needn't worry. I know what I'm doing." They continued around the floor. Katherine was trying hard not to shake or let on that she knew him. Inside she was glad to see him. Edward could barely contain himself. He longed to take her someplace private. Katherine saw his thoughts in his eyes. She began to blush. She too wanted to be someplace private. Vincent entered, seeing Katherine dance with the tall stranger. There was something oddly familiar about the man. Putting it aside, he concentrated on having some fun. He made the rounds, watching his sister and Edward out of the corner of his eye. chapter 5 Vincent made his way over to Muriel and the governor, still watching his sister and the tall stranger. When he neared the couple he turned to talk to them, taking his eyes off the dancing couple. As Edward and Katheirne were dancing, he motioned with his eyes to go out the side door. Katherine slightly nodded. They danced their way over to the side door, dancing onto the balcony. When they thought no one was looking, he took her by the hand and led her to a dark place just out of sight of the door. As soon as they entered the arbor, Edward swept her up in his arms, his lips claiming hers. Katherine returned his kiss, her hands clutching his coat. When they parted, Edward held her tight. Katherine leaned her head on his chest. For several minutes they stood just holding each other, no words spoken. "My Kat, I missed you!" "I thought you would never come back," she whispered. He tilted her chin up. "I could never stay away from you." He bent and kissed her again. "The ship was very lonely without you there." Katherine lowered her eyes. Then a thought came to her. "Edward, you came in with the Admiral. He has to know that it's his ship in the harbor." "Don't worry. I can't explain now, but eveything is fine." Edward smiled. "Do you suppose Henry Belham could pay a call on you at your convenience?" Katherine smiled. She could see the reaction of her brother. He was definitely going to be surprised that she actually got someone to call on her. "It would be my pleasure." They heard voices coming down the path. It was Vincent and Albert. "You saw them leave out the side door?" "Yes, I did." "Where could they have gone? Let's keep looking." Katherine and Edward stood quiet till they went by. As soon as they were far enough away, they went back up the path to the side door. They entered and danced their way over to the Admiral. When Vincent and Albert entered, they saw Katherine talking with the Admiral and the tall stranger. "I thought you said they left out the side door?" "I did see them leave." "If theyd id, then how did they get back in without us seeing them?" Albert shrugged his shoulders. Vincent looked at Edward. he still couldn't place where he had seen him chapter 6 Vincent went down to the dock the next morning to check on his ship. As he walked the dock, he passed the frigate, the crew busy doing the usual chores. Doc was on deck, walking the man they had brought with them from Tortuga. As Vincent walked past, the man happened to look at him as he walked by. The man began to shake uncontrollably, his mouth opening as if he were about to speak, but no words coming out, and pointed at Vincent. "What's the matter, man?" Doc followed the man's finger. He saw him pointing at Vincent. He turned and saw terror in the man's eyes. Doc hurriedly took the man below to one of the cabins to calm him. Once he got him calmed down, he went to see Edward. Edward had just gotten up when Doc knocled on the door. Edward was in the middle of preparing to pay a call on Katherine. "What is it?" "It's about our survivor. I had him on deck walking him around. All of a sudden he starts shaking, his mouth open as if he wanted to say something. He then began pointing at a man walking on the dock. His eyes grew wide, as if he had seen a monster. I took him below to calm him down." "Which way was the man walking?" "He was headed down to a ship that's not far from us. You think our man spotted our quarry?" "He might have, but I have to see it for myself. Let's get him back topside again." Vincent had just finshed going over the cargo and was supervising the loading. His mind was still on the tall stranger. There was something about him but he couldn't place his finger on it. After the cargo was loaded, he checked the maps in his cabin to see which island he could go to hide. He still wondered how his hideaway had been found. Someone had to have snitched on him, but who. He left the ship and walked back to stop off at a local tavern. As he walked, three sets of eyes were watching him, one set filled with terror, his body shaking again uncontrollably as he tried to speak. Edward and Doc took the man below. When they got him inside, he started mumbling, then he shouted "BLACK DEVIL!" Doc made the man lay down. The two men looked at each other. Edward remembered seeing him at the dance. But he also got a sad look also. He was now in a quandry. "Captain? What's on your mind?" "The man he saw is Vincent Stafford, Katherine's brother." "You mean the one that had you whipped?" Edward nodded. Doc raised his brows. "You think she knows?" "I don't know. I don't think she does. How could someone like that be so calm and saddistic and cruel at the same time?" tbc back to time chamber