What is a privateer?
That’s an important thing to know when reading book three in my Other Pens series, Mary: To Protect Her Heart.
This is the definition of privateer from the Online Etymology Dictionary:
1660s, “private man of war, armed vessel owned and officered by private persons, usually acting under commission from the state,” from private (adj.), probably on model of volunteer (n.), buccaneer. From 1670s as “one commanding or serving on a privateer.” As a verb, 1660s (implied in privateering) “to cruise on a privateer, to seize or annoy an enemy’s ships and commerce.”
Why would you need to know what a privateer is before reading Mary Crawford’s rather bumpy road to happily ever after?
Because the hero of her story owns and has sailed on privateers, which makes both him and the ships he owns privateers. 😉 Yes, it is a word that refers both to people and things.
And if you read that definition thinking that privateering sounds a lot like piracy, you wouldn’t be alone in that opinion. Even at the time when privateering was being practiced, there were those who did not see privateers as defenders of the country but rather no more than legalized pirates.
How is privateering different from piracy?
To state it simply, a privateer sailed under a letter of marque from the government which allowed them to legally attack and capture vessels from a nation with whom the government was at war. When a vessel and its cargo were captured, they were brought back to a port and the prize was evaluated as to whether or not it was legitimate and then, if it was a clean capture, it was listed and sold. The privateer owners and crew shared in the amount of money brought in by such sales.
If you look up the history of privateering you will see that there were rules the privateers were supposed to follow and that there was also often confusion over whether things were done legally or illegally. It was definitely not always all neat and tidy.
And that describes the hero of Mary: To Protect Her Heart pretty well. He was a man of stalwart integrity, don’t get me wrong. However, he was also someone with whom few, who were wise, would wish to tangle.
But before we meet him, let’s look at story connection.
When I was researching for this book, my husband and I took a trip down to Liverpool, NS. We had hoped to visit Perkins House Museum, which was built and owned by a gentleman who was actively involved in privateering. Unlike Mr. Durward in my story, Simeon Perkins did not sail on any privateers, but, similar to Gabe, he co-owned a privateer and was financially involved in five of the six privateers Liverpool sent out. Also like Gabe, Perkins was more than just a privateer. He was also a business man among other things. (biographi.ca)
We actually didn’t get to tour the inside of the house on our first trip down to Liverpool. (It was undergoing some structural work) It wasn’t until 2021 when museums were once again open that we got to walk through the house.
Mary and Gabe’s story was already published by then, but touring the house with that completed story in my mind was quite enjoyable. I kept thinking things like “I bet Gabe would have a desk like that.” Or “Mary would love this tea set.”
And now for an excerpt from Mary: To Protect Her Heart (which is actually the full second chapter, where Gabe and Mary meet for the first time. An event that happens thanks to Tom Bertram.
(I thought the full chapter would help you get to know Gabe more fully and give you the chance to see that the Mary in my story is changed and changing.)
Mary: To Protect Her Heart, Chapter 2
Gabriel Durward glanced up from the paper in front of him and gave a nod of welcome to his friend, Tom Bertram, but continued his conversation with the gentleman seated at the table with him.
“She’s American then?” he asked.
“She is,” the man replied. “A beauty, too.”
Gabe studied the manifest in front of him. “You say she was taken clean?”
His companion nodded. “She’ll pass the prize court.”
If the document he was looking at was correct, the contents of this ship could net him a healthy profit.
“She’s worth refitting,” his companion suggested.
Another ship? Gabe rubbed his chin. Was he ready to take on another? “I will take a look at her tomorrow, but that’s all I can promise. However, as far as her cargo is concerned, I am extremely interested, and you know I pay well.” He folded the document he had been reading and tucked it in his pocket. “Of course, you know I must compare this inventory with the one presented to the court before our agreement is finalized. I do appreciate the copy and your consideration. It is not that I do not trust you, but there are those who would attempt to take advantage.”
The man across from him laughed. “Take advantage of Captain Durward? They’d have to be a fool to try.”
Gabe inclined his head. “There are plenty of fools in this world.” He had met several over the years. A few had attempted to take advantage of him. One or two had succeeded, but they would not be trying to do so again. He had made certain of that.
“Tomorrow?” his companion asked.
Gabe nodded.
“Then I had best get back to the dancing.” The man across from him rose and gave a small bow.
“Business at a ball?” Tom asked as he settled into the chair vacated by the gentleman to whom Gabe had been talking.
“Does one not come to balls to speculate on investments?” Gabe leaned back and smiled into his glass of port before taking a drink. “My investments are just more at home on the water than in a ballroom. However, they are still beautiful and wealthy ladies.”
Tom shook his head. “They are ships, not ladies.”
Gabe shrugged. “Perhaps to a land lover such as yourself. How’s the leg?”
“It is only slightly painful. However, I find it grows stronger each day.”
“I am glad to hear it. And did you find the lady with whom you needed to speak?” That was the whole reason Tom had attended this ball – to find some woman who had caused a disaster to unfold in his family through her scheming. He had told Gabe that he wished to learn a few things that would hopefully put his mind at ease.
Tom nodded as a small smile curled his lips. “I am at peace.”
Gabe clapped him on the shoulder. That was excellent news. Gabe was anxious to see Tom finally find some sort of rest for his spirit.
He had met Tom at the docks in London about three years ago now. The fellow’s family had an interest in Antigua, and Gabe had an interest in the goods their interest might supply for him. However, he had found more than just a means of making a few pounds in that meeting. He had found one of his best friends. Tom was not like the majority of the ton. He did not care where Gabe had earned his money or why his eyes were so dark.
He took another swallow of his port. For all the devil-may-care swagger that Tom Bertram portrayed, he was a sensitive soul who was accepting of many whom others might discard.
“You are completely finished attempting to be what you are not?” Gabe asked quietly.
Tom nodded. “As finished with it as you are with adventuring.” He shrugged. “I think we have both found our lot in life.”
“And made peace with it,” Gabe added.
“Yes, finally. Thankfully for you, it did not take nearly dying to discover your path.”
Gabe pulled in a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “I faced death more than once before I came to my senses. You were just quicker to cotton on than I.” He swallowed the last of his port. “In fact, it was my father’s death last year which firmly set my feet on English soil for good.” He had not confessed that to anyone until now, and Tom looked surprised as Gabe expected he would. “My mother arrived while you were attempting to escape the cold clutches of the afterlife.”
“You should write poetry,” Tom teased.
“Who’s to say I do not,” Gabe returned with ease. “Death sounded too crass when speaking of a friend.”
“Is your mother adjusting well?”
“As well as can be expected. My bill for heating will be significant until she adjusts to the lack of warmth in the air, and she is finding it challenging to look so different. However, all the gentlemen who I have had around to do business have been polite, which has helped.” He sighed. “If I could tolerate India as my father did, I would take her back there.” He shook his head. “But I am not a company man as he was. I wish to find my own way in life, and that does limit me.”
“You also love this damp, cold climate,” Tom added. “Not even those of us who have lived here all our lives find it as pleasant as you do. I must say that was the one thing I appreciated about Antigua. It was warm.”
“Has your father…” he stopped as a vision of loveliness in a cream coloured gown with a deep wine-coloured overdress entered the room on the arm of some gentleman. He probably knew who the chap was and could figure it out if he put his mind to it. However, he’d rather just admire the lady on what’s his name’s arm.
“No, he has not disposed of it yet,” Tom answered the question that had only been half-spoken. “Mansfield is still too dependent on the funds.”
Gabe turned his attention back to his friend for a moment. “That is too bad,” he muttered before looking in the direction of the lady who had captured his interest and, to his surprise, was approaching their table.
“Miss Crawford,” Tom said as he pushed up from his seat to stand with Gabe at her arrival before them.
“Mr. Bertram,” Mary said before turning to her escort and sending him away with a whispered word.
Tom moved to pull out a chair for her. “May I present my friend, Mr. Gabriel Durward.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Durward.”
“Gabe, this is Miss Mary Crawford.”
Gabe bowed and extended a greeting before retaking his seat. Miss Crawford looked a bit uneasy as if she wished to say something but was uncertain if she should.
“Was there something with which I could help you?” Tom asked her.
Mary’s eyes shifted to Gabe and back.
“He knows most of my secrets, Miss Crawford.” Tom motioned for Gabe to stay when he attempted to rise, which was satisfactory with him. He would not find it a hardship to sit here with the lovely Miss Crawford. He did not even need to be included in the conversation because just admiring her beauty would be pleasure enough.
“I was thinking about what you said in the garden,” she began.
Gabe attempted to keep his features from giving anything away, but one brow refused to listen and lifted slightly. So this was the lady Tom had been seeking? This vision of loveliness was the cause of so much strife in the Bertram family? Miss Crawford did not look capable of such to him, but then he had learned that a dangerous vessel did not always appear to be hazardous at first blush.
“And have you come to a conclusion?” Tom asked.
“I have.”
“Are you accepting my challenge?”
For a moment, Gabe thought Miss Crawford was going to be ill. Whatever had Tom challenged her to do?
“I am.” She blew out a breath. “But I do not know how. My brother,” she glanced at Gabe uneasily again before dropping her voice lower and continuing, “Henry will not speak to me. I have driven him away.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, but she resolutely blinked them away. She might appear to be soft and delicate, but in that moment, Gabe knew better. Miss Crawford was very much like Tom. She was a sensitive, seeking soul, floundering in the storm, trying to find her way to a safe harbour.
“I have already become what I feared. I just had not realized it until you pointed it out to me.”
“What do you fear?” Gabe smiled at her when she turned startled eyes toward him. “I apologize. I do tend to be direct at times.”
Tom laughed. “And excessively curious, but his intentions are good,” he assured Mary. “However, I think I can answer that one for you.” He looked at Gabe. “You’ve only been home for a short time, but have you heard of Admiral Crawford?”
Gabe’s eyes grew wide. He had heard tales of the admiral’s exploits from several sources. Some of the tales were of conquests made in war that had earned him a handsome fortune, but many of the stories of conquests had nothing to do with war but everything to do with his treatment of women.
“I see you have,” Mary said. “He is my uncle. My brother and I were raised by him and his wife after our parents died.”
“He was a talented sailor.” Gabe could think of nothing else to say about the man that was polite.
“Yes, we can agree on that,” Mary replied. “And we would also likely agree that he is not a particularly agreeable person.”
Gabe shrugged. Not particularly agreeable seemed a bit too soft for a man such as the admiral about whom he had heard tell.
“I loathe him, Mr. Durward. I have for many years. And so, it pains me to realize that I have in some respects become like him.”
Her gaze dropped to the table, and her cheeks flushed.
Tom scratched his cheek. “Go dance with my friend, and I will give some thought to how you might start afresh.”
“I beg your pardon?” Shock suffused Mary’s face.
“Are you already engaged for this dance?” Tom asked.
“No, but…”
“Then I see no reason you cannot drag Gabe away from business for a few minutes while I contemplate your dilemma.”
“I have explained very little of it,” Mary retorted.
Tom smiled and shook his head. “I think I know you better than you give me credit. It is my sister who is now divorced, is it not?”
Mary’s brow furrowed, and her eyes narrowed.
“I am not saying that to condemn you. I know from our discussion earlier that you acted without a thought about the results. I was listening. However, you must acknowledge that I might be able to think about your predicament without further explanation.” He shrugged. “And I have read the account in the paper about the confrontation with your brother and Lady St. James.”
“That was you?” Gabe asked.
“Yes,” Mary said with some force. “That was me. I am the horrid person who treated her brother badly because she felt a need to please her friends.” Her eyes grew wide, and her hand flew to cover her mouth.
“Congratulations, Gabe. I do not think I have ever seen Miss Crawford unsettled.”
“I apologize,” Gabe offered. “That was not my intent.”
Tom leaned forward. “Truly, Miss Crawford, I intend to help you if I can, but I will need some time to think.” He looked at Gabe. “You have no other meetings arranged for this evening, do you?”
“No, one business meeting per soiree is my standard allotment.” He rose from his seat. “I would be honored if you would allow me the privilege of dancing with you, Miss Crawford.” He held up a finger and turned to Tom. “Do I need to approach her chaperone first?”
Tom shook his head and chuckled. “If you were to come to these soirees with more than business on your mind, you might be able to retain the rules of polite society more easily.”
If there were more enchanting creatures like Miss Crawford at these soirees, Gabe would gladly come to them without conducting business. Unlike most of the ladies he had met at soirees, Miss Crawford was interesting. There were secrets that lay behind her dark eyes, and that enticed him.
“No,” Tom continued, “I am a friend and have made the proper introductions. I believe you will not be chastised by Mrs. Grant.”
“My sister,” Mary offered when Gabe looked between them in confusion. “She has accompanied me tonight.”
“Well, then, if I am not being improper, will you dance with me?” He extended his hand to her.
“Yes,” she replied with a smile as she placed her hand in his, “I will dance with you.”
[from Mary: To Protect Her Heart]
