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have every right, Gil,” Lady McKean said using his given name. “My dashing captain, sweeping down with cannons blazing away. You have all the right.”
    Anthony half heard the bell. Dinner was being called, and he could feel the guests closing in.
    “I have to see you!”
    “I’ll send you a message,” she replied.
    Then they were caught up in the crowd headed to the dining room. Looking for his place card, Anthony realized that the admiral was not present. Anthony was seated to the right of Commodore Gardner, and to the left was Harvey, the admiral’s flag captain. He looked at Anthony and said, “Sir Lawrence is ill this evening and sends his regrets.”
    Commodore Gardner made a little speech once again honoring Anthony and the men of Drakkar for their bravery and wishing them future success. A toast was then made to recognize Anthony’s broad pennant. Then the meal was over. No further contact with Lady McKean had been possible.
    As the more senior officers took their leave from the ladies to enjoy cigars and discuss the situation with the pirates, Anthony observed Gabe, then Buck, as each departed. Each man left with a beautiful lady on his arm, creating a touch of envy in him. Mr. Markham was much in his cups and was in tow with Mr. Earl. Hopefully they’d make it back to Drakkar safely.
    “Well, Lord Anthony, we hope you enjoyed your evening.” Mrs. Gardner, the commodore’s wife, was speaking.
    “Er—yes, madam. It was a wonderful evening. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess.”
    “Not at all, sir. We must thank you for bringing a little excitement into our lives.”
    As Anthony took Mrs. Gardner’s offered hand he felt her press a small slip of paper into his hand. He continued his bow and kissed the back of her hand. As Anthony straightened, he thought he caught a wink from Mrs. Gardner.
    “I do hope you have a rewarding time while you are at English harbor, sir.”
    “Thank you again,” Anthony said. Then he turned to bid the commodore goodnight.
    “Could we lunch tomorrow, Gil?”
    “It would be a pleasure, sir,” Anthony responded, then walked out into the night. It was warm outside, but still much cooler than it had been inside the house.
    Bart was standing beside the coach as Anthony approached. “It’s not over far to the jetty, sir, if you care to stretch your legs. I has yer pipe and Dagan gave me some good smelling tobaccy.”
    “Good idea, Bart,” Anthony said, taking the pipe. Bart had already filled the bowl so he lit up and they started their journey down the hill.
    “Ye seems to be in a good mood tonight, sir. It appears things are to ya ‘likin’.”
    “Aye, Bart, that it is. This island may have some promise to it.”
    Bart looked at Anthony. “I left Dagan at the jetty. We ‘ad us a wet or two together and now he’s waiting on Gabe.”
    “Might be a long wait,” Anthony answered.
    “Nay, sir. Dagan says ‘ell be along in an hour.”
    “He does, does he?”
    “Aye,” Bart said. “Dagan also said we’d be seeing some big changes in you soon.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Yes sir!”
    “Any specifics?”
    “No, sir. I didn’t ask and ‘e didn’t laborate.”
    Anthony looked at Bart smiling, “You mean he didn’t elaborate.”
    “Nay, sir, ‘e didn’t laborate a’tall.”
    Anthony took another puff on his pipe, tasting the gentle sweetness of Dagan’s tobacco. He watched as the smoke drifted on the wind, the aroma of the tobacco intermingling with the smell of salt in the air. Watching the smoke rise and fade away as he exhaled, Anthony pondered Dagan’s predictions. Could it have anything to do with the paper in his pocket? Could Dagan really see the future? Was he a soothsayer?
    Chapter Seven
    F our bells in the forenoon watch the next day found Anthony, his officers, warrants and midshipmen gathered around his dining table for a meeting. Silas, with the help of a wardroom servant, was pouring lime juice as refreshment. Anthony nodded to