Disclaimer: All characters from The Queen of Swords are copyrighted by the producers, Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No infringement or revenue is intended. The story plot is original and copyright to the author.

Chapter Thirteen

Marta tensed as a stealthy sound alerted her to someone behind her in the villa kitchen. Holding the knife more firmly, she turned abruptly and exclaimed, "Oh, it's you!" Advancing with the knife, she snarled, "Where is Tessa? What have you done with her?"

The man backed away, wary of the knife. He was a scurvy-looking creature, with lank dark hair, his cheeks grizzled with several days' growth of beard and rheumy blue eyes that widened in fear as Marta waved the knife toward him. He was the same man who had delivered the ransom note the week before. "I come to collect the ransom, señora," he said. "When we get the money, you get the girl. That was the deal."

"If anything has happened to her, I will find you and I will cut out your heart!" She lowered the knife, her face pale with the effort to control her rage, her breathing audible and harsh. "I have the money. How do I know you will deliver it to your master and not just run away with it? It is a lot of money."

With more bravado, the man said, "I guess you don't. You have no choice but to trust me. Now hand over the gold. The sooner I get it, the sooner your girl will be released."

Marta glared at the man, his arrogance grating her already flayed nerves. "I curse you all!" she said in a harsh whisper, advancing toward him threateningly. "If anyone has harmed my baby..." Visibly quaking, he swallowed hard, too frightened to move. Composing herself with great effort, her voice hoarse, Marta said, "The money is hidden. Meet me at the stable, and I will give it to you there."

Relieved, the man hurried out of the villa, finding the stable without difficulty. In a few minutes, Marta joined him, carrying a heavy satchel which she reluctantly handed over. "Muchos gracias," he said with heavy sarcasm, then he mounted his horse and galloped off. The moment he was out of sight, Marta led Chico out and leaping into the saddle took off in pursuit, keeping enough distance that she could see his dust trail, but he could not see her following him.

For several hours, Marta kept up the chase, always maintaining her distance as the man seemed to be following the coastline to some destination. Eventually, as the day wore on, he slowed then stopped near the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Marta halted, hiding behind some rocks, and used Tessa's telescope to see what he was doing.

From her covert, Marta watched him through the glass as he busied himself with collecting kindling, then branches as if for a fire. A signal, she thought. He is going to light a signal fire. Sudden hope flared in her breast as she thought she might soon see Tessa again. But what did Mary Rose say, the pirates would likely kill Tessa as soon as they had the ransom money. If they have not done so already. Forcing herself to concentrate on her quarry, Marta waited and watched. He had finished building the woodpile and seemed to be waiting for darkness to light the fire.

Going to the saddlebag, Marta pulled out the Queen of Swords costume and put it on. As dusk turned to darkness, she left Chico, tying his reins to a bush, and began to edge stealthily toward the site of the signal fire.

The man suddenly struck a flint, sparking the tinder, and soon the woodpile began to blaze brightly. He continued adding more fuel to the fire as the sparks rose high into the night sky. Marta closed the distance, careful not to alert him to her presence. He seemed unaware of any danger as he worked on the fire, pushing more wood in, piling more on. Marta was sure the light must be visible for a great distance at sea, so large was the fire. She could already feel its heat as she crept up to within twenty yards of the man.

Pulling out the pistol from her belt, she stepped into the firelight and shouted, "Move away from the fire, and keep your hands where I can see them. I will shoot you if you do not obey me."

The man yelped with sudden fright, and the whites of his eyes showed vividly in the firelight as he turned and saw the apparition in black confronting him with a gun. "Who are you?" he croaked. "What do you want?"

"The money. And I will kill you, if I have to, to get it. It is your choice." The urge to shoot almost overpowered her as Marta moved closer to the man; her finger hovered over the trigger, twitching with almost a will of its own to squeeze out the shot and give her revenge for the agony of loss she was enduring. She took a deep, steadying breath, and said, "Lie down on the ground and put your hands behind you." One look in her eyes convinced him. He dropped immediately, and Marta pulled a cord from her pocket, tying his hands securely behind him. She found the money satchel still attached to his saddle. Taking his horse's reins, she led the horse to the prostrate man, and said, "Get up. We are going for a ride."

Chapter Fourteen

Helm paced the deck, restless after days on board with very little to do. The storm had abated and the sea returned to calm just after midnight. He couldn't sleep. Somewhere in that vast darkness a band of cutthroats held Tessa captive. Was she still alive? Unhurt? His stomach curdled at the horrific thoughts that floated through his tired brain. He'd seen firsthand what men could do to helpless women. Brushing his hand over his eyes, he tried to steer his thoughts away from those scenes, and returned his gaze to the ocean. He disliked being at sea. Give me a horse anytime, he thought. At least you have some control over it, unlike the elements.

He looked up, above the chattering sails, into the dark sky. The thin moon seemed to be rushing across the sky, towing streamers of clouds, hurrying towards dawn. Helm drew a deep breath, gripping the rail, a sudden stab of anxiety catching him off guard as he thought again of Tessa, her ship coasting these waters somewhere out of sight. Why did he care so much? He knew what she was, what she was doing. But as much as he tried to push her away, keep her at a distance, he also longed to hold her close, as he had the night he rescued her from the sea. A wry smile stretched his thin lips, almost unwillingly, as he recalled that eventful night. A peaceful evening stroll had turned into quite an adventure, its aftermath unexpected. He had held her lithe body close, felt the cool softness of her breasts against his chest. It had seemed as natural and inevitable as breathing that they should cling to each other for warmth, for support. The sudden explosion of passion had shaken him; the ardour of her kiss had nearly undone him. Even now, staring up at the sky, the mere thought of that kiss sent his pulse racing, his whole body heated with desire.

I should know better, he thought, gritting his teeth. She'll bring nothing but trouble. Getting mixed up with someone like her can only lead to disaster. She's taken to the life of a vigilante, a law unto herself. Sooner or later, her luck will run out, and I won't be able to help her. I'm storing up heartache for myself, worrying over her, wondering what mischief she's up to, what scrape she's gotten into. Damn! Why can't I just stay away from that woman, stick to the business of doctoring and leave her to her own devices.

He rubbed his hand through his unruly hair and over his lean features, as if to scrub away the memory of that lovely face, those snapping dark eyes that haunted him from behind that lace mask. Why her, of all women? What is it that attracts me so much? She isn't like any other woman I've known. Is it the element of danger that hangs about her like a veil? Is it the Gypsy influence of Marta that makes her seem so exotic, so enchanting? She almost seems as much Gypsy as Spanish. The thought made him smile.

Helm leaned his elbows on the rail, staring sightlessly ahead. Why can't I just let her lead her double life and stay the hell out of it? He shook his head resignedly. Because, old man, she's gotten to you. From the moment you saw her, it was all over. Admit it, Helm. You've fallen in love! He laughed bitterly at this last thought. Of all the women to fall for, she has to be the worst. Farewell to peace of mind so long as she keeps up this mad quest against Montoya.

He turned his weary eyes to glance over the ocean, then caught his breath and stared. What is that light? A beacon of some sort, or a lighthouse? At almost the same moment, a sailor in the crow's nest shouted to the watch, "Light, ho! Call the captain! Light ho, on the landward side!"

As if by magic, the ship seemed to burst into activity. Mary Rose rushed onto the deck and snapped open her telescope, standing next to Helm. A broad grin spread over her face. "It's a signal fire." She turned to Helm, and said heartily, "We have them. They'll be going toward that beacon on the shore, and then we'll have them." She clapped Helm so hard on the shoulder that he was breathless for a second.

This is her element, Helm observed. Her eyes sparkled and she radiated excitement. She began calling out orders to the sailors to give the ship more sail. "Helmsman, set our course toward that light." She laughed with delight at the prospect of the battle ahead. The doctor only dreaded the casualties he would soon face.

The sea was quiet again as Tessa emerged from her cabin and strode to the rail. Only a slight chop remained of the huge waves of the previous night, and the winds had lessened to a warm breeze. The sun was coming up over the ocean, a vivid display of pinks and reds edging toward the high clear blue of the sky. As Tessa scanned the water, she suddenly drew a quick breath. The early light caught something near the horizon. It looked like a sail. She gripped the rail hard to steady herself. A ship!

As quickly as the hope flared in her heart, it died again. There must be many ships on the sea. It would be nothing to encounter one near the shipping lanes. Still, as Tessa watched the sail, she wondered. So far, she thought, glancing at the empty crow's nest, she was the only one to see the sail. She prayed hard for that ship to come nearer, almost willing it to turn in their direction. If it came close enough, perhaps she could signal her distress somehow.

"Sail, Captain, off the starboard bow!" the sailor in the crow's nest hollered down to the woman pacing the quarter-deck. Mary Rose snapped out her telescope and aimed it across the ocean. She handed the glass to Helm. "It's the Avenger. I'm sure of it. I'd heard that Captain Stoner has been plying this ocean but much farther south." She laughed shortly. "He had been a privateer on the Atlantic side, but things got too hot for him, so he's been trying his luck around the Pacific." She grinned broadly, and added, "I'd say his luck just ran out."

Helm studied the ship in the telescope for several seconds, trying to imagine Tessa there among those villains. Had she been treated well? What would he find? He swallowed hard, keeping his thoughts to himself as he handed back the telescope. "They're pretty far off. Can we catch them if they see us?"

Mary Rose sent him a look of amused tolerance. "My ship is the fastest on this ocean, Dr. Helm. And, we may have the element of surprise. They won't be expecting anyone to come to her rescue by sea. Especially if what I suspect is true, that this kidnapping was no chance encounter. It was set up by someone. Someone who lives in the area and knows Maria Theresa's habits. Someone who knew she rides every morning along the shore. If we find that someone, we will find the brains behind this abduction."

"What about the ransom money? Isn't that the whole point of this miserable exercise — to extort money from Señorita Alvarado?"

"Five thousand reales is a significant amount of money, Doctor, that's true. The whole crew of the pirate ship could retire in comfort on that. The question is, Dr. Helm, why kidnap Maria Theresa? She is not known for great wealth. In fact, from what I have gathered, she is having a struggle just to keep ahead of the taxes. So why kidnap her and ask such an astronomical ransom?" Mary Rose shrugged. "There is more to this than the money, though I can't figure out what." She subsided into an introspective silence while Helm stared over the ocean in the direction of the sail. It was more distinct now. They were getting closer to it with the fair wind behind them.

"Off the port stern, Captain," Blake said as he handed the captain a telescope. "Sighted it a few minutes ago. She seems to be heading in our direction."

Stoner grimly viewed through the glass and then strode to the helmsman. "Change course. See if she follows." Stoner paced the deck as the ship turned away from the land toward which it had been heading and back out into the open ocean. He slid the glass open again, watching the other ship with trepidation. She was taking an oblique course heading towards the Avenger. Stoner studied the other ship closely as it followed his course change. He sucked in a quick breath as he recognized the ship.

"Damn her eyes!" he shouted. "It's the Mary Rose II. We've played cat and mouse on the Atlantic. I thought she had given up the sea. Curse her for the she-devil she is!" He wrung his hands in agitation. "No point in trying to outrun her. She'll catch us eventually. Our best chance is to stand and fight."

Blake's eyes brightened and he licked his lips, his whole body trembling with anticipation of the battle and the killing. "Your orders, Cap'n. Should I arm the men?"

The captain was taken aback as always by the naked bloodlust in Blake's eyes, the sheer brutishness of the man. He had picked Blake up adrift in a small boat on the Pacific five years earlier, an escapee from a convict ship bound for New South Wales. At first, Blake had been pathetically grateful for his rescue, but of late he had been challenging his captain for leadership of the men. Stoner hesitated, then said, "We'll wait and see if she wants a fight. They may just want to parlay. Have the helmsman resume our course to the pick-up point." With that, he left the first mate glaring after him as he went to the galley for his breakfast.

Entering the galley, Stoner found Tessa finishing a meal. She glanced up questioningly and said, "Is there a ship nearby, Capitan Stoner? I thought I saw a sail earlier."

"I suppose there's no harm in telling you, Se&ntidle;orita Alvarado. The Mary Rose II is pursuing us." He raised his eyebrows at the sudden look of hope on her face, and the smile that flitted across her lips briefly. "Don't get your hopes too high, señorita. Mary Rose is just as much a pirate as I am. For a price, she may just give up the chase. You don't know this woman as I do. She is motivated by greed and the lust for gold. If there's a profit to be made, she is on your side."

The captain turned away to hide his smile. In spite of his words, her eyes radiated a sudden fire, and he knew she was already planning another escape attempt. What a woman! he thought admiringly.

"Wycombe, arm the men. And station the cannons." Mary Rose addressed the first mate, standing by her side on the quarter deck, then turned to the rest of the crew which was assembled on the lower deck. In a loud voice, she said, "They've resumed their original course, which means they want a fight. So let's give it to them!" She raised her fist and the men cheered, then scrambled to their positions. The first mate distributed guns and ammunition to the marines, while the rest of the crew scurried about their tasks, some ascending the rigging to unfurl the sails.

Under full sail, the Mary Rose II was a beautiful sight, like a bird on the wing. But not to the crew of the Avenger, now also unfurling all of its sails, preparing to manoeuvre for the battle.

The Mary Rose II had the advantage of the windward tack and took full advantage as she plowed the waves toward the Avenger, which had come about, slowly picking up speed as it turned toward its pursuer. Several miles separated the two vessels as each captain watched the other's sails and direction, trying to determine the most advantageous manouevre to gain a good firing position for the broadside cannons.

Aboard the Avenger, Tessa stood by the rail on the starboard side watching in fascination as the Mary Rose II bore down upon them, her white sails billowing like clouds. The captain strode to her side and took her arm, trying to drag her away from the rail. "Get below," he ordered. "You'll be safer there."

She shook his hand off and planted herself more firmly. "No! If I'm going to die on this ship, at least I want to see it coming." With that, she turned back to watch the pursuer closing on them, almost near enough now to distinguish the sailors scurrying about her decks. Where is Mary Rose? Tessa wondered. Is Marta also aboard? she thought worriedly. Surely not. Mary Rose would not let her risk her life in this sea battle.

A sudden splash off the starboard bow, followed by a loud boom, signalled the beginning of the engagement. The captain moved swiftly to the upper deck to direct the crew, leaving Tessa to fend for herself. The captain handed his keys to Blake, and the first mate hurried to the weapons locker and began to distribute the swords and guns. She watched the cannons being primed and positioned, then a flare and a thunderous burst roared from their mouths. The cannonballs fell short of their mark, and the gunners repositioned the cannons while other sailors prepared another charge.

Tessa heard a loud whine and an explosion, then part of the canvas and rigging fell toward the deck as one of the Mary Rose's cannons found its mark, taking out part of the foremast. The Avenger's sailors quickly moved the canvas off the deck, but another broadside from the Mary Rose II slammed into the bow, demolishing the bowsprit. The stays snapped off and whipped madly then dangled having become detached and useless for the sails.

The Avenger's cannons flashed and the cannonballs roared across the deck of the Mary Rose II, destroying part of the rail and sending several sailors into the air. Tessa's fascination turned to horror as she looked on the devastation wrought by the cannon. As the ships closed the distance, the crackle of gunfire added to the din of the cannons. Guns flashed and men fell. Another cannonball toppled the Avenger's mainyard and the sails and yard arms crashed onto the deck, narrowly missing her. Tessa moved away from the rail and stepped carefully, avoiding the snarled rigging and canvas on the deck as she dashed up to the upper deck where the captain stood.

He barely glanced at her, his attention fixed on the Mary Rose II, now only a hundred yards off and closing. Without his sails, Captain Stoner had little control over the ship. He set a course straight for the other ship, hoping to divert her so he could deliver a direct broadside at her, but her captain matched him move for move. Grimly, he watched as the Mary Rose II evaded all his attempts to lure her into giving him a good target, while slamming his ship with cannonballs that demolished his masts. She was after his ship and didn't want to destroy it, just disable it. It was what he had hoped to do as well. A good ship was worth a lot of money, a sunken ship worth nothing.

"Perhaps you should surrender," Tessa suggested, leaning close to the captain's ear, to be heard over the din of battle. Stoner glared at her, then turned away without a word. She staggered, nearly falling as yet another cannonball hammered the Avenger, blasting part of the rail and taking out one of the broadside cannons. The gunners lay still and bleeding, covered by debris from the explosion.

As the ships closed in for the final engagement, the cannons were silenced, and the rattle of musket fire drummed on her ears. The Mary Rose II hove to within a cable length, and her sailors hurled grappling hooks over the Avenger's rails, hauling the two ships close enough for boarding. Several sailors laid gangplanks between the ships, and Mary Rose's men swarmed across, brandishing their swords to meet the Avenger's sailors.

Tessa now saw her chance. She ran down onto the main deck and picked up a sword laying near a fallen seaman. She grabbed his gun, but it had been fired so she left it and rushed into the fray. She planned to fight her way to the gangplank and help Mary Rose overcome the pirates. The fighting was fierce and bloody. She slipped several times on the blood-greased decks as she made her way through the melee.

Seeing her with a sword, one of the pirates arced his blade at her and died, surprised by a quick parry and thrust. She moved past him, wary of another attacker, searching for Mary Rose. Two pirates came at her, attempting to stop her from reaching her rescuers. Afraid of losing their share of the ransom, Tessa thought as she downed one with a blow to the jaw with the hilt of her sword. The other slashed his rapier at her, and she easily dodged his thrust and stabbed him in the gut. He fell screaming, but Tessa could hardly hear him for all the other moans and yells around her. So this is what war is like, she thought. A vision of hell. She shuddered as she rushed past an disembodied arm, her stomach churning at the stench of gunpowder and burnt bodies.

Finally, she saw Mary Rose, hacking her way through a phalanx of pirates, just barely keeping them at bay. Tessa saw one of the men lift his pistol to aim at Mary Rose. Tessa slammed her sword hilt into the side of his head and he toppled. She grabbed up his gun, then waded into the melee, fighting her way to Mary Rose's side. The pirate queen gave her a quick grin, then concentrated on the three men who were trying to prevent her getting any farther onto their ship. Tessa dispatched one of her attackers with a thrust to the neck, and Mary Rose disarmed another. The third dropped his sword and raised his hands. Mary Rose signalled to one of her men, and he rushed to her side. Breathlessly, she said, "Take charge of the prisoners. Put them below and lock them up."

"Look out, Mary Rose!" Tessa shouted as a small group of pirates, led by Blake, rushed them. Against Blake's fierce mad energy, Tessa had all she could do to fend off his hammering sword blows.

"Now, I'm going to teach you that lesson the Cap'n interrupted, señorita." He laughed insanely and lunged at her with his sword.

He slashed and stabbed, one of his thrusts catching her on the lower rib as she nimbly kept out of his reach. The sudden pain sent a shockwave of fury through her, and she turned the tide quickly, no longer defensive. A volley of rapid thrusts drove him back toward the broken rail, and as he neared the edge, he lost his balance. Screaming, he fell between the two ships. Tessa spared him no thought as another pirate attacked, and she was once again fighting for her life.

Her sword arm was tiring and her lungs hurt from the effort to breathe in that smoke-laden air. Almost staggering, Tessa gave up all pretense of style, just parrying and thrusting, looking for an opening to finish him. A quick stab to the chest ended the duel. Looking around, she saw Mary Rose joining some of her men fighting against the remaining pirates. It was almost over.

A thought occurred to her. Where was Capitan Stoner? She hadn't seen him since the fighting began. Stepping past the combatants and over the wreckage on the deck, Tessa made her way to the captain's cabin. Opening the door, she saw him rapidly filling a pouch. He heard the door open and spun around, a pistol levelled at her. Without relaxing his grip on the gun, he said, "Get in and close the door." He lifted the heavy bag and thrust it toward her. "Take this. And now open the door carefully. Do as I say, or I'll shoot."

Tessa opened the door and stepped out onto the deck. The clashing of swords and grunts and yells still filled the air, and smoke from several fires on both ships blanketed the decks. Her eyes burned and she coughed. A prod from the gun in her back forced her to move. "Where are we going? You're outnumbered and defeated, Capitan. Why not just surrender?" Another rough shove propelled her toward the rail nearest the Mary Rose II. She realized what he was doing.

No one noticed them as Stoner pushed her toward the gangplank that lay athwart the two ships. "Get across and be quick!" Stoner rasped. Tessa stepped upon the boards and crossed easily, jumping down onto the deck of the Mary Rose II, followed closely by Stoner. Still, there was no one to challenge them. All hands were fully occupied fighting fires and pirates. "Over to the ship's boat on the port side," he said, gesturing with the gun. As they neared the boat, hanging from the davits, Stoner said, "Untie that rope," nodding toward one of the ropes holding the boat up. Tessa untied the rope and Stoner took hold of it. "Now untie the other one and let the boat drop." She did as he directed, letting the rope slide through her fingers, and the boat landed with a loud splash.

"Give me the satchel and move back." For a moment, Stoner studied her face, an unreadable expression on his own, then he said, "Just stay where you are until I'm gone." With that, he climbed over the side onto the rope ladder and descended to the boat.

Tessa turned as Dr. Helm rushed to her side with a pistol in his hand. His face was contorted by rage as he aimed at the captain now taking up the oars, preparing to push off from the Mary Rose's hull.

"I saw him and couldn't get here any faster. I thought he was trying to take you! The bastard!" Helm's hand shook as he squeezed the trigger. Tessa quickly pushed the gun away and the shot flew harmlessly over the ocean. "Why did you do that? He deserves killing!" Helm shouted, his flushed face very near hers.

"Only God decides who lives and who dies," she said calmly, taking his hand. Tessa glanced at the retreating boat, and added, "Justice has been served finally. Leave him to his fate."

Helm stared as if he couldn't believe his ears. "He kidnapped you, placed you in mortal danger, and you let him go? Are you mad? He's a bloody pirate — there's a price on his head!"

"Believe me, Dr. Helm, he has already been punished enough." Tessa suddenly gripped her side as a spasm of pain erupted in her wound.

"You're hurt!" Helm shook his head ruefully. "I was so concerned with vengeance, I didn't notice." Taking her arm, he began to lead Tessa toward the lower deck. "I'll take you to the captain's cabin. We'll clean your wound and bind it there." As if becoming aware of her for the first time, he noted the torn blouse, soiled with smoke and soot, bloody where she was wounded. But what disturbed him most was the sword she clung to, the red stain drying upon the blade. He was shaken by the revelation — she was in the fighting and the killing. How many of the casualties he had tended had she felled with that sword? Who was this woman really?

Entering Mary Rose's neat cabin, Helm helped Tessa to a chair. He filled a basin with water and began to look for some clean cloths. "I'll need to cleanse the wound so it doesn't get infected," he said as much to himself as to her. She merely watched in silence as he prepared to bandage her side. It doesn't really hurt that much, she thought, warmly amused by his concern. Still, it was comforting to be in this quiet cabin, away from the death and turmoil on the decks. Safe for the moment.

Helm seemed a little flustered as he returned to her side. He hesitated, cleared his throat, then said, "You'll have to remove your blouse." Tessa noted with a slight smile that his face was flushed to the roots of his hair. A doctor, blushing. Now that is funny, she thought.

"But, Dr. Helm. I have nothing else to wear but this," she said, indicating her soiled shirt. She felt her own face warming in the intensity of his gaze. "Perhaps Mary Rose has something," she said, standing up abruptly, to go toward a trunk near the far wall. Lifting the lid, she rummaged through the contents and finally pulled out a white blouse. "This should do."

Turning away from Helm, she undid her blouse and carefully pulled it away from her wound where the blood had dried and the material had become stuck. With a harsh indrawn breath she removed it, then covered herself as modestly as possible with the ruined blouse. She returned to the chair and sat down, awaiting his ministrations.

At first, his fingers were clumsy as he tore up strips of cloth from a bolt he'd found, and rinsing them in the water, dabbed at the long cut on her rib. He sucked in a deep breath as he saw the angry weal in her side and shook his head in disbelief. Soon however, the doctor lost his ineptness as his efficient hands carefully cleaned the wound and staunched the bleeding. He tied a long strip around her ribs to hold a pad of cloth over the wound. "That will have to do until later when I can get to my medical bag," he said, standing up. "Try not to move around too much so you don't reopen the cut." He turned away so Tessa could put on the clean blouse.

"Thank you, Dr. Helm," she said, touching his arm and turning him to face her. "You have very gentle hands." Taking his hand in her own, she pressed it warmly. The touch seemed to startle Helm as his hand closed around hers, and he drew her closer, finally enclosing her in his arms.

"Tessa," he breathed against her hair, "I can hardly believe you're all right. I had such horrific thoughts. I was sure you were dead. And now, here you are, safe." He gazed into her eyes, and seeing the warmth there, lowered his head, brushing her lips gently with his. That gentle touch ignited the fire he'd felt with her before, its intensity making him shudder as he pressed her lips harder and felt an answering passion in her. He gathered her closer. He felt her soft breasts against his chest, their peaks hardening, and he longed to touch them, but dared not. He was losing himself in her, and if he didn't pull back soon, it would be too late. Rather shakily, he pushed her gently away, his breathing loud and ragged. "It would seem we are destined to always kiss at sea," he laughed shakily, his own voice sounding unnaturally deep to his ears.

Tessa turned away, touching her heated cheeks, embarrassed by the passion which he seemed to be rejecting. Once again, he pushes me away. "You must have other patients needing your care, Doctor. Please do not let me detain any longer." She held onto the chair for support, her legs trembling and weak, but she refused to let him see it.

A discreet tap at the door prevented Helm from speaking as he went to open it. Mary Rose entered her cabin with a purposeful stride. She looked gloriously triumphant; her eyes blazed with a vivid passion, the thrill of victory. Her clothes were bloodied and besmirched with dirt, but she radiated energy and joy. "We carried the day," she said heartily. "The ship and the pirates are ours! There is a fine reward waiting for us in Monterey."

Sensing the tension in the room as she glanced between Helm and Tessa, she said, "Did I interrupt something?" Since neither responded, she came farther into the room and striding to a side cabinet, pulled out a bottle of brandy and some glasses. Filling her own, she quaffed it down with a quick gulp, then gestured to Helm. "Want a drink, Doctor? It might make your task out there a little easier."

He shook his head and left without a word. Mary Rose watched Tessa for a long while as she refilled her glass, sipping it slowly, reflectively. Finally, she went to the girl and touched her shoulder, making Tessa start. Obviously, her thoughts are far away, or perhaps just walking away, Mary Rose mused. Aloud, she said, "You fought well today, Maria Theresa. A true comrade-in-arms. If ever you get tired of playing the spoiled aristocrat or," lowering her voice, "the Queen of Swords, there is a place for you in my ship's company." Tessa moved away without answering. If she was surprised by Mary Rose's deduction, she hid it well.

"Does Helm know?" Mary Rose asked, gesturing toward the door.

Tessa nodded briefly, then murmured, "But he doesn't like either of us."

"That isn't the impression I got." Mary Rose gave Tessa a shrewd look and added, "That shirt looks familiar. Isn't that one of mine?"

"Yes. I needed to borrow one as mine was ruined. I shall return it as soon as I get home." Just that little phrase, 'get home' began to restore Tessa's spirits. Beaming a wide smile at Mary Rose, she said with great feeling, "I want to thank you for coming to my rescue. I don't know why you came, but from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful."

Mary Rose guffawed loudly. "I had no choice really. Marta came to ask for my help, and you know how persuasive she can be. I didn't dare refuse her." The two women laughed. The pirate queen sipped at her glass, then suddenly said, "Where is the captain of the pirate ship? Captain Stoner, isn't it? I didn't see him anywhere. Wasn't he aboard?"

Tessa looked away, guiltily studying the sea charts tacked to the cabin walls. "He escaped."

"How in the name of Hades did he escape?" Mary Rose moved closer to Tessa, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"In your ship's boat." Tessa drew a deep breath, and turned to face Mary Rose. "I helped him."

"What! You helped that blackguard escape? There's a handsome reward for his head, and you let him escape?"

"You can take it out of my share of the reward for the pirates and the booty on their ship," Tessa said coolly, watching Mary Rose grip her brandy glass convulsively.

"Your share! What nonsense is this? I rescued you. You owe me, girl, not the other way around."

"If not for me, you wouldn't have all this extra gold. Also, I helped you defeat the pirates and am entitled to a share. Don't you agree?"

Mary Rose scowled at Tessa, her cheeks reddening and her blue eyes brilliant with rage. Then, a small smile began to crook in the corner of her mouth, and finally she laughed heartily. "And they call me a pirate!" she crowed. "You're a bigger pirate than I am!"