The small boat nudged the shoreline and the three men climbed out, pulling up into some grass and scrub. They ran hunched to stay off the skyline as much as possible until they reached the back of the buildings in the town square. A three man patrol marched past their place in the shadows and when it was gone, they stole across the road and into the shadows on that side of the street.

"How do you expect to do this, with the place lit up like that and guards everywhere?"

"That's why he's here. He's familiar with this town and the ways to get around, right?"

"I can get you to the house without being seen but that's all."

"That's all I ask. Let's go."

The three figures slipped into the shadows and made their way up the hill out of sight of the Marine guards and patrols. Once at the edge of the property, they dropped down and studied the terrain.

"This is as far as I can take you."

"It will do. I'll go the rest of the way alone. If you don't hear a commotion, you'll know I succeeded, otherwise follow the original plan and take yourselves away to safety."

He pulled the hood of his coat over his head and began crossing the huge lawn to the rear of the house. The two men watched him go then gave one another a look of uncertain hope.

At the back of the house, he found the kitchen entrance and, testing the handle, slipped inside and stood quite still. A noise from the next room alerted him and he crept to the doorway and peered in at the short woman busily stirring something in a large pot. He looked again when she turned and realized he knew her and called her name softly.

"Who that? I got me a big kitchen knife here."

"It's me, Tandy." He stepped into the light from the lantern and smiled.

"Lordy, me! Mister-"

"Shhh, I don't want any unwanted company.." He approached and gave her a hug. "Are they treating you well, Tandy?"

"I's doin' okay here. The Governor, he ain't none to pleasant but Missy Alicia treats me real well."

"Glad to hear that. I'm going inside so I want you to forget now that you even saw me, okay?"

"Never laid these eyes on anyone, no sir." She winked and patted his arm as he slipped past and into the house proper.

Slowly he made his way up from the kitchen to the main floor and stayed by the door watching the throng of revelers drinking, dancing and generally taking every advantage they could of the Governor's largess. The music changed to a waltz and a lot of the guest moved to the side of the floor, turning to watch the daring few remaining. With their backs to the entry hall, he quickly crossed to the stairs and mounted them two at a time to the second floor where he stopped again to see if he had been noticed. A light shone from under the door at the end of the hall and he made his way there, pausing every few steps to listen. With a cautious hand on the handle, he turned it slowly and opened the door.

He saw Alicia on her knees by the large bed and just back of her, a maid, standing still with her head down and hands folded. Stepping into the room, he pushed the door to, freezing at the squeak it made. The maid turned and her eyes grew wide. He held his finger over his lips, pleading, and she stayed silent but looked to her mistress nervously. Alicia heard the noise and turned on her knees. Her face went pale and she fell back against the bed, her hand clutching the cover.

"Hollick!" It came out in a thick rasp.

"Hello, Alicia." He crossed the short distance and took her hands, lifting her to her feet. "I had to see you."

"Hollick, how- where did you- how did you get here?" The words sputtered out and without waiting for an answer, she pulled his face down and smothered it with kisses.

He held her away and tipped his head toward the maid. Then he looked at the occupant of the bed and felt a pull at his heart on behalf of Alicia.

"I'm sorry about your mother. Was it-"

"It just happened. I don't know what to do. This," she waved a hand at her mother. "You showing up. Everything at once... oh, Hollick." She burst into tears and fell against him.

"Can you help with Mrs. Francorte?" He asked the maid. "The Governor will have to be told."

Fear appeared in the woman's eyes but she knew it was the right thing to do and she nodded and scurried out of the chamber.

Hollick held Alicia in his arms, her hair scent teasing his nose and he closed his eyes for a moment.

"I can't stay now. Your father will be here shortly. I had hoped for a different reunion but that will have to wait. I'm so sorry about your mother, Alicia."

"We had a long talk earlier. I suspected she was failing, just not- just not so quickly. Oh, Hollick, when will I see you again?"

"Soon, I promise. But now I must go, they are coming." He kissed her quickly and then released her hands from his shirt and darted to the window.

"It's too far!" She worried, moving to stop him, but he was gone and the room door opened behind her

"Alicia! What is this about your mother? What's going on here?" Francorte went to the bed and stared at his wife, his mouth moving silently.

"Mother's gone. Diera was here with her at the time and she came and got me."

Francorte frowned and tentatively touched his wife's hand then stood away from the bed and addressed the maid.

"You will prepare Mrs. Francorte in a suitable garb and await the arrival of Doctor Harris."

"What are you going to do, father?"

"I have a house full of important guests that I need to attend." He cast another brief look at the bed and left.

"I'll help you, Diera, I'm sorry about that."

"No need, Miss Francorte, I's used to that kind of duty. Did it for my own mamma and sister."

"Oh... I'm- that's- I'm sorry." She began removing the covers from her mother's bed.

******

"You're back soon, Skipper." The three men huddled in the bushes at the edge of the lawn.

"Her mother died but a short time ago. It was an unfortunate circumstance all around. Let's get back to the boat."

******

The Bright Star had been completely overhauled with all new sail and rigging. The damaged spars and yardarm replaced and a fresh coat of varnish on the hull and decks. Captain van Dught's name carried a lot of weight and the work was done quickly for the sail home. They stopped at the site of the storm and held a brief ceremony for their lost comrades then headed back to Tortuga.

Inside the cavern there was a huge, relieved welcome. Families reunited and tales told with wild exaggeration. Mel was so excited she had kissed Hollick then ran away, embarrassed. The next few days were spent learning about the sorties made by the ships from Port-au-Prince, still searching for their cavern and the gossip in town about Miss Francorte and some Marine Private . Hollick pondered that information with regret. Should he have expected her to wait, not knowing where he was or what might have happened to him? He had to know and the night of the Governor's Ball would be the perfect time.

******

"So what's the plan now, Skipper? Hill and Mullen sat beside the cook fire with coffee.

"We haven't changed anything, lads. Bright Star is practically all brand new and eager to sail. Our goal is to intercept as many slavers as we can and see that their cargo is freed along with all the goods they carry."

"What about, uh, your lady friend." Hill asked.

"I have Cafferty in port to learn about the funeral for her mother. I intend to attend."

"Another risky venture." Mullen sucked his teeth.

"And worth all the booty we've taken, Mister Mullen." Hollick winked and finished his coffee.

"The Star can't afford to lose her Captain." Mullen said.

"It won't happen, but if it did, Mister Hill will take command and carry on blocking slave traders with the same vigor as always." He punched his first mate on the arm with a friendly intimacy.

"Arrgh, may the Almighty save us." Mullen rolled away, just missing the swat from Hill.

"We'll take the Star out today. By the time we return, Cafferty should be back."

******

Diera helped Alicia into her dress and did up the many buttons. her mother's body had been taken away by the Doctor and the funeral arrangements all made. Today they would take the very long walk from the Governor's home, down the hill and through the town proper all the way to the cemetery at the outskirts. She and her father would ride with the minister in the open carriage behind the horse drawn hearse; all other mourners would be on foot. There would be a Marine company front and back of the procession.

Alicia went downstairs and met with her father and the minister. She was still simmering over his crass dismissal of her mother's death when he went back to his party.

"You look quite reverential, Alicia." The minister said.

"Thank you."

"It is a beautiful day for the ceremony, we are quite fortunate not to have rain."

"Yes, we are." She knew he was just being civil but the inane conversation was not helping her mood, and she refused to look at her father.

"The carriage is here, Governor, sir." Diera bowed slightly as she made the announcement.

"Very good. Shall we?" The minister indicated the way and they all left the house and were seated in the open carriage.

The hearse stood eerily still ahead of them. The black horses with the black plumes stood like statues and the driver turned to receive his order to proceed. Francorte nodded briefly and the cortege moved off and down the hill to town.