Barrelhoop will update the events onboard the Jellyfish.

We sailed fast, hoping to beat Jennings to Jamaica. We needed time to recruit help before Jennings arrived with Captain Peanut Butter. I was troubled thinking about the task awaiting us, but we had to do whatever it took to rescue the Cap’n. Or die trying.

“Ship! Portside,” came the call from the crow’s nest. I pulled out my spyglass and took a look. It was the Dark Raider. Lock’s ship.

Another trap, I thought. Then a curious thing happened. They raised the white. I was leery, but I was desperate for information about Captain Peanut Butter, so we cautiously steered toward the ship. As we approached, I saw only five pirates onboard. We sailed close, and a pirate called out, “Parley.” I returned the call, and we both dropped anchor. Jonas and I boarded the Dark Raider, muskets loaded.

“Have mercy on us,” a pirate said before I had a chance to speak. The crew looked half-dead.

“Where is Captain Peanut Butter?”

“I cannot say.”

“You will say, or you will walk the plank.”

“I cannot say because I do not know.”

“Tell me everything you do know.”

“Jennings had Peanut Butter on his ship. We were sailing for Jamaica when three French frigates appeared. They took to chasing us. We couldn’t outrun them, so Jennings blew up Bersheba in their path. We escaped on the Dark Raider and The Falcon. While we were escaping, Peanut Butter jumped overboard. The French were too close, so we couldn’t stop to get him. I suspect the French have him, or he drown. He was in irons when he jumped.”

“How did you end up here with only five crew?”

“After escaping the French, Jennings and Garra secretly decided Lock would take Peanut Butter’s place as prisoner. They grabbed Lock and put him in irons. Those of us loyal to Lock tried to stop it. A mighty battle raged. The blood of dead pirates coated the decks of both ships, including Lock’s. He managed to break free and make it back to the Dark Raider but fell to Garra’s musket. With great difficulty, we managed to sail away, but as you see, we are few. And we have no fight left in us. Nor a Captain. We ask for mercy and a place in your crew.”

“Mercy? After your Captain captured the Jellyfish and then our Captain? Mercy would be a swift death. But I am not in a merciful mood. You spoke truthfully and saved us a wasted crossing, so I will allow you to live. But you will not be joining the Jellyfish crew.”

“You would condemn us because we were loyal to our Captain?”

“No. But I will not help you, either. Find a new crew or find a new life. I care not. The parley is done.”

We returned to the Jellyfish, leaving Lock’s crew to their fate.

The crew gathered around, and I shared the news. “The Captain may yet be alive. We need to find out. We sail for France.”

Lunch at the Hôtel de Honneur

I will continue the telling of the tale.

After the Grand Duke finished his meeting with Monsieur Boissonneau, he returned to the hotel. We were all eagerly awaiting his report of the meeting and pummeled him with questions.

“Let us discuss it over lunch. I am quite hungry, and my report will provide sufficient table talk for the meal,” Goatbeard replied to our inquiries.

We entered the Hôtel de Honneur dining room and requested a table. Aside from the Grand Duke, we were all inadequately dressed for the opulent surroundings.

The maitre d’ made a face as if he had smelled something unpleasant. The Grand Duke handed him a large tip, and we were shown to a table.

The Grand Duke started the conversation.

“My meeting with Monsieur Boissonneau went well. I reasoned with him, and he seemed open to my explanation. He asked for time to consider what he had heard. Which I find encouraging.”

“So he is not going to report me to the police?” I asked.

“I do not think so. But I think it best if you stay out of sight for a while. In fact, I think it may be a good time for you to continue on to Versailles. Your business meetings are concluded. I will stay here and continue to reason with Monsieur Boissonneau.”

“That is a splendid idea. I am eager to see the King and Queen again.”

“And I so want to see home,” Maria added.

“Then it is settled,” the Grand Duke stated.

“Not quite,” I said. “Elise, I would like to invite you to join us. The palace and the grounds are a marvel. What do you say?”

“I say, I don’t have anything to wear to meet a King and a Queen.”

Maria laughed. “We can go gown shopping together.”

“I’d like that,” Elise said. Then she turned to me. “Of course, I would love to visit Versailles. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Excellent. We will have a grand time. I am sure of it.”

“As long as you stay out of balloons,” Andelbert said, and we all laughed.

Then a thought came to me.

“Elise, what if we invite your father to join us and meet the King? Perhaps that would earn me some respect in your father’s eyes?”

“I think not. My father believes the King is too extravagant. And his taxes too burdensome. Plus, I do not think he is ready yet to accompany you anywhere.”

“I suppose you are right. He will allow you to go, will he not?”

“I am capable of making my own decisions. I do not need my father’s approval.”

“I am sorry. Of course, you don’t. I believe I shall stop talking now before I dig the hole any deeper.”

Elise laughed. “You are learning.”

After lunch, Elise and Maria left to go clothes shopping.

The Grand Duke looked at Andelbert and me.

“Perhaps you should go clothes shopping also.”

“There is no need. We can borrow suits from Lafayette.”

“Ridiculous. You don’t even know if he will be there. We are going to a tailor this very minute. I insist.”

And so Andelbert and I spent the afternoon being measured and poked by pins. Afterward, we were assured that our new suits would be ready in two days.

As I stepped out of the tailor shop, I smiled at the thought of Elise joining us in Versailles. I would get to spend time with her in a magical setting. Versailles was where Maira and Andelbert fell in love. Perhaps this will be my chance. This trip was starting to look promising again.