“What is it?” Kyle asked. Hal had his spyglass out, searching for the identity of the ship in the distance.
“The Amazonia. Pirates like us.” Hal collapsed the spyglass and looked over at Guy, who was at the wheel. “It’s the Amazonia, Mister Gardner. Hoist the colors and take us in slowly. Don’t want to provoke them.”
“Will they attack us?” Kyle asked, wide-eyed. A cargo ship might give up, but he doubted another ship full of pirates would surrender so easily.
“They’ll only attack if we give them a reason to,” Hal said.
“Not hard to do,” Guy muttered under his breath.
Kyle frowned. “So why approach them at all?”
“Trade.” He slipped the glass into his pocket. “Captain Prince may have something I need and I may have something she needs.”
He turned to go down the stairway to the deck and Kyle followed. Then it hit him what Hal had said. “She?” he exclaimed as they went down the stairs to the captain’s cabin. “The captain is a woman?”
Hal grinned. “She may be a woman, but I can honestly say she’s the only captain — pirate or Navy — I genuinely respect. I’m not even sure the Lantern could save us if she decided to remove us from this life. She’s a genuine Amazon princess.”
“An Amazon?” Kyle snorted. “They’re just myths in some dusty old Greek books.”
“That’s what they want you to think. But she’s the real thing.” Hal pulled off his coat and shirt. “So if you’re coming along, you might want to clean up.”
Kyle looked down. His shirt was sweaty and dirty, and, like his hands, spattered with tar. Not exactly appropriate for meeting an Amazon princess. “Do I have to call her ‘Your Highness’?”
Hal shook his head. “Just ‘Captain’ will be fine. Diana’s not one for ceremony.”
Kyle stripped down to wash, then dug his good clothes out of his trunk. He hadn’t worn them since becoming part of the crew, content to run around in shirt, breeches and bare feet like everyone else.
When they returned to deck, they were already close enough to the Amazonia to see the crew lining her rails. Kyle stared in amazement at the ship as they came abreast with it. “They’re all women…”
Hal nodded. “There’s been a lot of men who have unwisely underestimated the abilities of Captain Prince and her crew. A few of them even lived to tell the tale.” He waved across to the other ship. A woman on the ship’s quarterdeck waved back. “Permission to come aboard, Captain Prince?” Hal called out.
The woman held out her arms in welcome. “Permission granted, Captain Jordan.”
A boat was lowered and Hal turned to Guy. “You have the ship, Mister Gardner,” Hal said. Then he lowered himself down the rope ladder into the small boat.
Kyle followed after him, wobbling a little when he stepped into the boat. He sat down hard and looked up at Hal. “Anyone else coming?”
Hal picked up the oars and shook his head. “They don’t usually allow men on board. Not any that will make it off alive, anyway. But Diana and I are old friends.”
Kyle looked over at the ship. The women were lining the rail, watching them. They were all in shirts and trousers, and many of them had swords strapped to their sides, a few had pistols at the ready, and one had a crossbow that Kyle was certain was pointed right at his head. They were unlike any women Kyle had ever seen.
They reached the side of the ship and lines were thrown down so they could secure the boat. Then Kyle followed Hal up the ladder.
“Welcome aboard, Hal.” The woman who came towards them took Kyle’s breath away and he truly believed what Hal said, that she was an Amazon princess. It was as if a goddess had stepped from a painting by Rubens and onto this ship. She was an elegant woman, tall and regal, and she smiled graciously as Hal took her hand to kiss it.
“It’s good to see you again, Diana.”
Captain Prince looked past Hal at Kyle. “And who is this?” she asked flatly, her dark eyes studying him.
Hal turned to him and lay his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “This is Kyle Rayner. I can vouch for him.” Hal winked at him. “He’ll be a perfect gentleman on your ship.”
The captain nodded to him. “Welcome to The Amazonia, Mister Rayner. I am Captain Prince.” She looked at Hal again. “If you’ll follow me.” Kyle followed along behind the two captains, trying not to stare at the strange women around them. “I have something that might interest you,” Captain Prince was saying as they made their way across the deck. “The question is, do you have anything that might interest me?”
They went down the steps and into the cabin. Kyle raised his eyebrows in amazement. He had thought Hal’s cabin was richly furnished. Captain Prince’s cabin made Hal’s look like a poor hovel. Drapes covered every wall and there were soft couches along the walls along with neatly stacked chests. In the center of the room was a mahogany table laid out with a silver tea service.
“Have a seat,” the captain said, waving her hand towards the table. She didn’t sit down herself. Instead she went to a trunk near the back of the cabin, bending over to search through the contents.
A blonde woman came into the room and shut the door behind her. She turned and grinned at Hal. “It’s been a while, Hal.”
“Dinah.” Hal went to the woman, taking her hands and kissing her cheek. “You look lovely as ever. And how is Ollie?”
“Still on Barbados, trying to instigate revolts against the British. I’m sure he would love to see you next time you’re in port.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “As long as you keep your hands to yourself.”
Hal laughed. “I have no intention of stealing him back, Dinah.”
Kyle blinked and stared at Hal. Stealing him back?
Hal must have caught the look on Kyle’s face. “I was involved with Dinah’s husband. Before he was her husband, I might remind her.” He looked back at Dinah defiantly. “I don’t get involved with husbands.”
“It doesn’t stop Ollie,” she said with a slight shake of her head. Then she looked at Kyle, as if seeing him for the first time. “Who is this? Your cabin boy?”
“No.” Hal put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “This is Kyle Rayner. He’s my lover.” He gestured towards the woman. “Kyle, this is Dinah Lance. First Officer of this ship and another old friend.”
Dinah looked at Kyle, eyebrow raised, and snorted. “Your lover? He’s just a child, Hal! Did you snatch the cradle along with him?”
Kyle bristled. “I’m twenty! I’m not a child!”
The woman laughed and stepped forward to cup Kyle’s cheek in her hand. “Don’t worry, sweet. I’m just having a jest.” She ran her eyes over him, then turned to smile at Hal. “He’s a very pretty boy. Don’t let Ollie get a hold of him.”
Hal’s arm slid around Kyle’s waist, pulling him tight against his side possessively. “I won’t be letting him out of my sight anywhere near Ollie.”
“If you two have finished your banter,” Diana said behind them, “I have some business to discuss with Captain Jordan.”
They took their seats at the table, Kyle next to Hal and Dinah across from them. Diana remained standing. She lay a leather map case on the table in front of Hal and opened it.
Hal leaned forward to study the maps inside. The first was a map of the Atlantic, with lines drawn between the Americas, Europe and Africa. Hal ran his eyes over it, then flipped to the next map. Kyle recognized a map of the Caribbean. All the writing on the maps was in French.
Hal whistled and looked up at Diana. “Where did you get these?’
“That is none of your business,” she said. “But I will tell you that the maps are believed lost at sea, so they aren’t likely to change their plans.”
Hal stared at the top map of the Atlantic, his chin resting on his folded hands. “How much?” he finally asked.
“What have you got?”
Hal leaned back in his chair, his eyes still on the maps. “A few casks of Madeira. Some bolts of silk. And let’s say … five hundred guineas.” He looked up at Diana. “Is that enough?”
“I think we can strike a bargain,” Diana said. She closed the map case and picked it up. “What would you do with them?”
Hal chewed his lip in thought for a few moments. “Take them to Wayne. Doesn’t hurt to make the Crown indebted to my help whenever I can.”
Diana shook her head. “Last I heard, he had a prominent position in Jamaica. Can you even trust him?”
Hal shrugged. “I don’t really have a choice. Anyone else, I know they’d arrest me on the spot. I at least have—well, had a friendship with Bruce.”
“Were you involved with him, too?” Kyle asked under his breath. Hal turned to look at him and Dinah giggled. Kyle felt his cheeks grow warm. He hadn’t meant to say it loud enough for anyone to hear.
Hal frowned. “No, I was not.” He stood up and turned to Diana. “I’ll have the items sent over.”
“And I’ll give you the maps as soon as you’ve done so.” She smiled. “It’s always a pleasure doing business with you, Captain Jordan,” she said, nodding her head slightly.
“Likewise,” Hal said, gallantly kissing her hand again.
Kyle followed Hal down the ladder into the boat, stewing a little over what he had learned today. Hal had never talked about former lovers. But apparently he was still friends with them. And their wives.
When they were back in Hal’s cabin, after Hal had sent Salaak and Soranik over with the cargo, Kyle spoke up. “How long were you with Ollie?”
Hal shrugged as he pulled off his jacket. “Almost two years. Though I wouldn’t really call it ‘with’. We weren’t exactly exclusive, just … having a lot of fun together. Ollie more so, since he spent a lot of time on land. He always had stories of his ‘conquests’, both male and female.” Hal chuckled. “Ollie’s a bit of a trollop, if you ask me.”
Kyle nodded. Todd had the same attitude, coming home from London and talking about his lovers in the city as if Kyle would be interested in hearing about them. “Didn’t that bother you?” Kyle asked.
Hal furrowed his brows. “Why would it? ”
“Because …” Kyle sighed and shook his head. Hal obviously felt the same as Ollie and Todd. “Nevermind.” He bowed his head. “Are you going to go see him?”
“Someday, I suppose. When we’re near Barbados and …” Hal reached out to touch Kyle’s chin, to lift his face to look him in the eyes. “Kyle, is something bothering you?”
“Just …” Kyle closed his eyes. “If you’re going to have any ‘conquests’, I’d rather not hear about them.”
“What are you talking about? Kyle? Look at me.” Kyle opened his eyes. Hal was frowning. “Is this about Ollie? Are you jealous?”
Kyle shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Kyle…” Hal shook his head. “That was a long time ago. And don’t forget you’re on my ship because the father of your lover arranged it! You’re not exactly a blushing virgin yourself.”
“But I doubt I’ll ever see Todd again,” Kyle said. “You’re getting invitations to go see your ex-lovers!”
Hal reached for Kyle, taking his hand and pulling him close, then sliding his hands over Kyle’s arse. “Ollie is still a dear friend. But I don’t have any desire to be his lover again. Or anyone else’s.” He wrapped his arms around Kyle and pulled him tight against his body. “Not when I have you.” He kissed Kyle deeply, his tongue pushing into Kyle’s mouth, then he pulled back to look at him. “Now, I’m going to go speak to Guy and John and make sure we’re not disturbed.” He reached up and pulled out the ribbon holding back Kyle’s hair at the nape of his neck. “While I’m gone, I want you to get undressed and into bed.” He combed his fingers through Kyle’s hair. “And when I come back, I’m going to show you just how much I want you. All right?”
Hal left and Kyle went into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt on the way. He stripped naked and lay back on the bed. Kyle wanted to believe him, that Hal wouldn’t want anyone else. But Todd had told him the same thing when he’d first gone to London. That he wouldn’t forget him. Then he started spending more and more time in London, and coming back with stories about his friends — and lovers — there.
Hal returned and when he stepped into the bedroom, his shirt hanging open, he smiled appreciatively at Kyle. “Dinah was right. You are a very pretty boy.” He shed his clothes and climbed on top of Kyle. “Just lie back and enjoy this,” he said softly.
Kyle sighed as Hal’s explored his body, hands and mouth touching and tasting every inch of him. Kyle arched his back, sighing as warm kisses alternated with cool night air on his skin. And when he thought he couldn’t bear it any longer, Hal pushed his legs up and slowly entered him. “You’re mine,” Hal whispered and Kyle shivered. Hal’s hands stroked Kyle’s cock as he thrust into him, and Kyle watched his lover’s face. Hal was watching himself move inside Kyle, his mouth slightly open as he panted with the effort of their joining. Then he threw his head back and grunted as he came.
Watching his lover’s orgasm pushed Kyle over the edge and he writhed under Hal, spurting over Hal’s hands.
Hal bent over the edge of the bed to wipe his hands on his shirt, then he lay down next to Kyle. “Feeling better now?”
“Yes.” And he meant it. He felt wanted, and maybe even loved, here in Hal’s bed. And he decided he owed Hal an explanation for his behavior. “Todd called me a diversion.”
Hal rolled over to look at him. “What?”
Kyle took a deep breath. “When I confronted him, when I told him I didn’t like it that he slept with other men in London, he got angry with me. He said I had no place to make any demands on him. He said I was just a diversion when he had to come home to the ‘wretched countryside’.” He looked at Hal. “When my father found the painting, it was already over. I just …” He closed his eyes when tears started to prick at the corners. “I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to let go. Then my father found out about me, and Lord Scott sent me on the ship...” He shook his head. “It hurt to lose him.” He looked at Hal. “I’d probalby still be pining after him if I hadn’t met you.”
“Ah, love…” Hal wrapped his arms around him, pulling Kyle onto his chest. Kyle sighed, relaxing in Hal’s embrace. “He was an idiot to treat you that way,” Hal murmured into his hair. “but I won’t say I’m sorry about it, because it means you’re mine now. All mine.”