Excerpt of Dangerous Weakness by Caroline Warfield

“No gold until we talk to His Lordship.” For a man who would rather be a farmer, Will managed aristocratic hauteur well enough. Hamidou’s men searched the boat and the terrified English sailors. They found nothing. Richard watched his friend take control of the situation after Hamidou demanded gold “Or your English lord will die on this beach.” Keep it up, Will. These animals don’t respect weakness. “Harm any of us, and the HMS Boreas will reduce this island to gravel,” Will retorted. He and Hamidou took each other’s measure for a fraught moment. “Understand me,” Will went on. “Your blood money is aboard ship. When we have the marquess and his lady safe, you will have it.” “They stay until we have the gold,” Hamidou spat back. “And know this. Your lord promised safety to the people of this island. If he does not deliver that, I cannot promise the safety of his wife.” Hamidou looked slowly up to the top of the rise, slow enough for Will to follow, and fixed on Lily who stood pale and shaking in the clutches of a Berber pirate. Will’s eyes widened at the word “wife,” but he looked where Hamidou pointed. He paled slightly at the sight of her and looked at Richard in surprise. “Nothing happens until my colleague and I speak with His Lordship. Privately.” Hamidou waved a hand, and Lily’s captor led her downhill. “Very well,” he said. Another gesture and Scarface raised his pistol to place it against Lily’s head, hatred in his eyes “You may talk,” Hamidou concluded. Richard’s captors dropped his arms. His first instinct consisted of a murderous need to push Scarface into the sand. Only one thought held him back. If I jump him, the gun may go off. The man’s knowing smirk almost broke his resolve, but he forced his feet forward toward two of the men he respected most in the world. “You’re a pair of fools,” he murmured. “But I’ve never been more glad to see anyone than the two of you.” He took them both into a two-armed embrace. The three stood facing one another in a tight circle, heads in. “Where is our friend the major?” he asked. “Jamie disappeared before you left London. He never turned up.” No time, Richard thought. No time to worry about Jamie Heyworth now. “Ransom?” he asked. He pitched his voice low. Andrew’s eyes flickered behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Of course.” Richard started to ask them how they did it so fast, but he had no time for explanations. “Most of it,” Andrew went on in a whisper. “They’ll have to count fast or look carefully to find the lack.” “On the Boreas,” Will added. “Did you really promise them safety?” Richard nodded. “Most of these people are just going about their miserable lives. Hamidou and his crew—” “Hamidou is dead!” Andrew snapped. “This man begs to differ. He commands in that name, have no doubt of that. Leave the islanders alone. Let him and his crew leave this place. What happens on the high sea in a fair fight is up to His Majesty’s Navy.” “Good luck convincing the captain of that ship.” Will indicated the Boreas with a shrug of his shoulder. “Tell him the Marquess of Glenaire commands it,” Richard said. Damn but it feels good to command something! “That should work,” Will said with a grin. “What next, Richard? How do you want us to play this?” Andrew asked. “You two go back to fetch the gold. Demand to take Lily with you. He won’t let us both go without payment, but he might send her.” A slight smile played on his brother-in-law’s mouth. “Your wife, Richard? And from appearances, in an interesting condition.” “As good as, Andrew, and don’t say differently. She’s about to birth that baby any day now. I need to get her out of here.” Will looked over Richard’s shoulder. “Our host looks impatient. Let’s get this over with.” The three men turned back to Hamidou. “Nice suit, by the way,” Will put in, looking at Richard’s tattered robe. “Get us out of here and you may tease me the rest of your days.” “I plan to.” Will’s grin passed quickly. He approached Hamidou.