Novel 1974 - The Californios (v5.0) Read Free Page B

believe we weren’t involved somehow.”
    “You done right. You’d no choice.”
    “She’s got no wedding ring on her finger. I saw that much.”
    He walked forward, trying to think the situation through. He could find no alternative to what he had done. Of course, he could immediately have called ashore and let them come and take her, which would have been neither gallant nor right. She was obviously not a thief. At least, he smiled wryly, dressed as she was she could not have carried much with her.
    He had no choice but to do as he had done. But what if this brought more trouble to his family? I there was some place he could take her—.
    There was no place.
    The sea was picking up and
Lady Luck
was making good time. California was a long way from Acapulco, and even if they guessed that she had come aboard the
Lady Luck
there was small chance of them chasing her all that distance.
    He had not planned to sail until daybreak, but who knew that? And he had no connection with her nor she with him, so it might be some time before anyone tied them together.
    He walked aft again. “You’d better turn in,” Tennison said. “Use my bunk.”
    He
was
tired. At four o’clock he must take over the watch from Tennison. Sean Mulkerin went below and dropped on Tennison’s bunk. He was asleep almost at once.
    At four when he came on deck there was a strong sea running but the
Lady
was taking it gracefully, as always. The sky was overcast and the deck was wet from a recent shower.
    Congo was at the wheel and Tennison was standing in the stern, looking back at the horizon.
    “See anything?”
    Tennison shrugged. “Thought I glimpsed a mast-head back there but I was probably mistaken. Even so it might have been some ship headed up the Gulf for Mazatlán.”
    It was not yet light although the sky was gray along the eastern horizon. With a glance at the canvas, all taut and shipshape, Sean walked to the wheel and glanced at the compass.
    The run from Acapulco to Paradise Cove was something over fifteen hundred miles, two to three weeks sailing if all went well. If the wind held it could be somewhat less, but the sea had a way of making its own rules. Wind and wave could be understood but not predicted beyond a point. There was always the unexpected calm or the unexpected storm.
    It was daylight when he took the wheel and he was still there when the girl came on deck.
    She had contrived a dress from his serape and some pins, and looked incredibly lovely. Her skin was clear and olive-toned, and her hair black.
    “I am Mariana de la Cruz,” she said, “and I wish to thank you.”
    “I am Sean Mulkerin.”
    “You are the captain? And Irish?”
    “Yes. My mother is Irish, my father was Irish and Mexican.”
    “Was?”
    “He was killed about a year ago.”
    “Have you seen anything?” Her eyes searched his. “I mean is anyone following us?”
    “I doubt it. Were you expecting to be followed?”
    She thought for a moment, her eyes wide and dark. Then she nodded, “Yes, I believe he will follow. Andres is a very determined man, and not at all a forgiving one.”
    “Andres?”
    “Andres Machado. I was to have married him today.”
    Andres Machado!
It would have to be him, of all people. A man fiercely proud, and a noted duelist and fighting man. Yes, he would certainly follow. Whether he wanted this girl or not he would never allow her to leave him.
    “It was not my choice…the marriage, I mean. My father is dead, and Andres arranged it with my uncle. I refused him once, and he did not like that.
    “We were to be married in Acapulco. Andres’ aunt and her maid were with us, and my uncle was to come down from our ranch. I hate Andres and I could not bear the thought of marrying him. Then I saw you in the plaza. Somebody mentioned who you were, and that you were going to be sailing back to California.
    “When the maid turned down my bed, she left and I did not think she would be back. It was the only chance I had to escape