The Blue Ruby (eBook)

A Cape pirate adventure, Book 15

Gerrie Radlof, Pieter Haasbroek (Autoren)

Pieter Haasbroek (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
82 Seiten
Pieter Haasbroek (Verlag)
9780000727473 (ISBN)

Infos

A kingdom on the brink.

A pirate legend on a mission.

A swashbuckling adventure on the high seas begins.

Plunge into the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1720), where the treacherous waters of the Cape of Good Hope are just the beginning of a worldwide adventure.

When France's crown jewels vanish, the fate of a nation falls into the hands of one man. Oloff the Pirate, a legendary outlaw summoned from the shadows. With the king dead and Prince Etienne's coronation at risk, Oloff must chase down ruthless marauders across oceans where betrayal lurks at every turn.

From the glittering palaces of Paris to the lawless ports of the Caribbean, Oloff navigates a deadly world of cutthroats, conspiracies, and shifting alliances. But danger is not only on the water. Within the French court itself, enemies plot to seize power, and a forbidden bond with the spirited Rynette du Bois threatens to unravel Oloff's mission.

As treason weaves its deadly web and the coronation looms, Oloff must embrace the pirate he once was to outwit his enemies. Failure will cost him more than jewels or crown. It will cost him the woman he loves and plunge France into tyranny.

Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, C.S. Forester, and classic swashbuckling adventures. The Blue Ruby is a gripping tale of high-seas adventure, political intrigue, and unforgettable romance.

Step aboard for danger, betrayal, and heart-pounding action. Discover the fifteenth book of the Oloff the Pirate saga today!

Textauszug

Chapter 2

The massive chandeliers cast an almost blinding light in the endless reflections in the large gilded mirrors that adorned all the walls of the large dance hall. The colored marble tiles were cold under the feet of hundreds of dancing couples. Necklaces glittered and the colorful stones of rings on a multitude of fingers flashed delightfully. The royal ball in the main dance hall of the palace was in full swing.

A doorman with a countenance as haughty and stern as the greatest of the nobles who were present there, took the gold-bordered invitation letter from the young man who had just appeared at the door with the lady on his arm. Along his crooked nose, his gaze settled on the names. Quickly, like one who had been slightly startled, he looked at the man again. He saw the cool, blue eyes that wandered half-languidly over the crowd, but in which there was nevertheless a watchfulness hidden that sent a slight shiver through the doorman, for he had recognized the name on the letter immediately.

He hesitated for only a moment before he announced them. Of all who had walked past him here tonight, this man aroused an interest in the doorman that almost threw him off balance. He saw the flaming red unpowdered hair that was tied in a knot in the man’s neck. His whole posture was relaxed and yet proud. There was a strength in the shoulders over which the jacket of the admiral’s uniform of the Dutch fleet was taut.

Apart from the coronation of Prince Etienne which was to take place in a few months’ time, little else had been talked about so much at the French court lately as the arrival of this man. In the high circles whose intimate affairs and gossip the chief doorman of the palace probably knew more about than anyone else, the news of the man’s intended visit had caused a great stir. For the lady with him was the best friend of Princess Marie-Celeste. Her marriage would be an event that would receive widespread attention next to the coronation, the marriage of someone so close to the royal family with a man who had been known for years as the notorious Oloff the Pirate.

“Captain Oloff van Wagenaar and Miss Rynette du Bois!” the doorman announced.

The couple followed one of the assistant doormen. The chief doorman leaned slightly over to one of his other assistants. His face was stern and haughty, but in an excited whisper he informed the other.

“That is him. That is the man they call Oloff the Pirate.”

A jolt went through the assistant’s body. His lower jaw suddenly hung limp when he realized how close he had been to the sensational figure a moment ago. He stared after them.

The two did not speak further. They both knew the story that had now been discussed over and over for weeks.

The beautiful Rynette du Bois with her dark hair and soft eyes that could sparkle and laugh so suddenly and yet flash so sharply, had made her appearance in Paris a few months ago. A year or so before, she had left for India with her father. He was to take over the governorship there, but on the way they had been attacked by pirates and the nobleman had been killed. His daughter had grieved and nothing was heard of her for a long time. After that, various rumors had arisen. It was told that she was in the power of Oloff the Pirate. There was even talk that she had been forcibly married to him. Then came the report that Oloff van Wagenaar was not in fact a pirate, but in the service of the Dutch fleet. But that he and Oloff the Pirate were one and the same person was not in doubt.

With Rynette du Bois’s arrival, everyone had overwhelmed her with congratulations on her escape. She had smiled. Her calm answer had set the French court buzzing like a beehive. Not only was there no question of escape, but Captain Oloff van Wagenaar would soon follow her and it was their plan to be married here in France.

And now he was here. Most likely, he had only arrived today or perhaps the previous day. The doorman would have known if he had been in Paris earlier. The invitation letter had also only been sent that morning. He had seen it by the date.

Just as Oloff and Rynette were being led by the assistant doorman along the wall to the seats of the Royal Group, the music stopped. The couples nearest to the door had heard the chief doorman’s announcement. From ear to ear, the names of Oloff and Rynette were whispered. While they walked back to their seats, the people stared unabashedly at the couple who had just entered. In some there was a look of hostility, but in most, intense interest. Then, in many of the young men it turned into a measure of jealousy and in the ladies admiration as they saw the neat figure in the uniform.

Rynette smiled when they walked past the acquaintances. She greeted them cheerfully with eyes that shone with pride and happiness and a flush of excitement in her cheeks. She knew that in the whole of France, in the whole world, there was not a man who could be called the equal of the one at her side.

And Oloff was aware of the attention that was focused on him. Occasionally, his cool blue eyes rested in those of someone who was staring at him impudently. Mostly he looked ahead and there was only a slight smile on his lips.

And then Rynette made a charming curtsy. A girl of her age stood up from a silver-trimmed chair and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Oloff stood diagonally behind Rynette. He knew that it was Princess Marie-Celeste. Calmly, because he had so often stood before the doors of death that few things except his own personal feelings caused excitement in him, he observed the high silver wig and he wondered what color hair the princess had. Her light blue eyes rested in his only fleetingly, but then she stepped back and Rynette turned to the young man in the high-backed chair. He looked at them smilingly. She bowed deeply again and the young man indicated that she should get up.

“I am delighted that you have come, Rynette,” he greeted her without any condescension in his attitude. It made Oloff realize for the first time in what esteem his beloved was held at the royal court.

“Fortunately, Oloff arrived in time,” she replied. “May I introduce my fiancé, Captain Oloff van Wagenaar, to you?”

Prince Etienne nodded. Oloff bowed deeply.

“It is a pleasure, Captain Oloff.” The Crown Prince smiled almost apologetically. “Forgive me,” he said jovially. “I am so used to everyone referring to you as Captain Oloff that I find it quite natural.”

“I am just as used to it, Your Highness,” Oloff assured him.

“That you now...” and it seems as if the Prince casts a quick, congratulatory glance at Rynette when he hears the composed and deep, cultured voice. It is clear that he, aside from her conviction, surely just like all the others who had heard of Oloff, still harboured considerable reservations about her decision. Now they see this man with his bearing that confirms he is from the aristocracy of Holland and they hear the voice of someone with calm authority, like the ruler of a kingdom.

“You are welcome,” says the Prince then. “Allow me to congratulate you on your proposed marriage. Rynette is our dear friend and we were all deeply saddened when she lost her father. His Majesty, my father, considered it a personal loss and it is my desire that you regard me in all respects as Rynette’s guardian.”

“It is an honour,” Oloff answers simply, for he is impressed by the seriousness of this young man who will soon officially assume leadership of his people. Yet he is not much more than a boy. “I would have understood if you had forbidden the marriage, my reputation remains a thorny matter.”

The Crown Prince smiles. There is an almost mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

“I know you through Rynette.” He smiles again. “I know Rynette through my sister. Let me introduce you. Her Royal Highness, Princess Marie-Celeste.”

Again, Oloff bows. For the first time since that fleeting glance, he looks into her light blue eyes. Her greeting is almost excited. It is as if she shares her friend’s happiness.

“There is so much you will have to tell us, Oloff,” she says informally. “People talk and talk and I just know how blind Rynette is. I never know when I can believe her.”

“There are things that are sometimes difficult to believe,” Oloff concedes and he means it as a compliment to Rynette, as if he is hinting that her love for him is almost incomprehensible.

“I am officially here this evening,” the Crown Prince adds while leaning in confidentially. “Tomorrow morning, when my sister and I go for a ride in the park, we would be delighted to have you join us.”

“That will be lovely,” Rynette assures him.

“Rynette,” Prince Etienne is suddenly formal again. “Have you already met my cousin?”

Only now does Oloff become aware of the man on the other side of the Crown Prince. He is considerably older and there isn’t really much of a family resemblance between them. His expression is almost sullen and his eyebrows are sharp above his dark eyes.

“His Highness, Count Rouen de Auvergne.”

The Count nods. His lips just barely curve into a smile when he looks at Rynette.

“We are pleased that you came,” he says somewhat superfluously.

Rynette turns to the princess again and Oloff follows her example. They assure each other once more of further conversation even during the evening and then Oloff and Rynette’s seats are indicated, right next to the Royal Group. The music of a waltz flows from the orchestra on the large gallery and the couples glide across the floor. Rynette squeezes Oloff’s hand when he takes her in his arms and starts to...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 27.8.2025
• Übersetzer: Pieter Haasbroek, Ai
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Krimi / Thriller / Horror
• ISBN-13: 9780000727473 / 9780000727473