To Catch a Pirate Page 10

His tone was mocking, the address not one of respect.

  “You’ve been nothing but trouble ever since we took you captive,” Nathaniel said.

  “Trouble? I led you to the island. The ship came just as I predicted. I organized the assault, during which you lost not a man. I daresay the outcome would have been much different had we followed your plan. What more would you have of me to prove my worth?”

  With swords pointed at each other, they slowly began to circle.

  “I would have you drop your weapon and surrender.”

  “I promised him his freedom!” Annalisa yelled.

  The men had seen to the prisoners, dispatching them all belowdecks and closing the hatch on them. Now they were gathering around to watch the spectacle.

  “I promised him nothing,” Nathaniel said.

  He lunged, cutting his sword through the air. It sang a tune of destruction.

  Annalisa gasped at the swiftness of his motion.

  But Sterling was more than ready. He blocked Nathaniel’s sword with his own. Steel rasped against steel as the men broke apart and rebalanced their stances.

  They circled a bit more. Then Sterling pounced.

  This was nothing like what she’d practiced.

  It was fast, brutal, ferocious, with each man slashing at the other. Sterling ducked to avoid a blow. Nathaniel jumped back to miss a deadly thrust.

  Then they were attacking again. Hard clashes, the vibrating steel echoing through the night. She could only imagine the jarring that their arms were taking.

  The one thing she was grateful for was that they were well matched. Still, it seemed insane for them to be fighting … over her. Surely there was more to it than that.

  She’d always suspected that Nathaniel fancied her. And she liked him immensely. But what she felt for Sterling …

  She couldn’t deny that her heart leaped into her throat each time Nathaniel lunged for Sterling. She didn’t want either man hurt, but if one had to lose, God help her, she wanted it to be Nathaniel. Secretly, she was rooting for Sterling. Wanting him to be victorious. She wanted to share the spoils of this adventure with him. She wanted to give him his freedom, but she wanted it to lead him back to her.

  Sterling and Nathaniel were cautiously circling each other now. Then Nathaniel moved past the main mast, obviously in retreat. Not a very wise action when your opponent was a pirate.

  Suddenly, a heavy netting fell on top of Sterling, dropping him to the deck. He lost the grip on his sword and it clattered at his feet. Nathaniel quickly stepped forward and kicked it beyond reach.

  Annalisa wanted to shout, “Not fair!”

  Nathaniel had obviously set the trap and lured Sterling into it.

  “James Sterling, by order of the royal governor of New Providence, you are under arrest,” Nathaniel declared.

  Annalisa hurried down to the main deck. “Nathaniel, what are you doing?”

  “I know your marque is forged, Anna. Mine isn’t. I have the governor’s endorsement on this little expedition to put an end to piracy on the high seas. He granted pardons. All who didn’t renounce piracy at the time are fair game. I’m declaring them all my prisoners. I’m taking control of the ships.”

  “You knew about my forged marque but you said nothing?”

  “I lacked a ship, you lacked a crew. I think we both gained here, and I knew from the beginning Sterling wouldn’t cooperate with me. We needed the information he possessed to accomplish our mission: to capture Crimson Kelly and regain the treasure.”

  “You used me.”

  “I did what I must for king and country.” He swung around. “Clap him in irons and deliver him along with Crimson Kelly to the brig of The Dangerous Lady.”

  The netting was thrown off and Sterling was jerked to his feet.

  “We’re not finished here, Northrup,” Sterling said.

  Annalisa felt a swelling in her heart at the sight of him standing proud and defiant.

  “I disagree. We won’t bother with shackles in the brig as you’ll only undo them. They say fifty lashes will kill a man, so I’ll spare you that final lash. Forty-nine is all you’ll receive, tomorrow morning and every morning until the treasure is recovered. Sleep well, Sterling,” Nathaniel said.

  Annalisa watched with helplessness as Sterling was dragged away.

  “Don’t look so desolate, Anna,” Nathaniel said. “We’re both after the same thing. The treasure. Your father’s life depends on it. Or have you forgotten?”

  She shook her head. “No, I haven’t forgotten.”

  “As long as we’re not working at cross-purposes, you may remain captain of The Dangerous Lady and sail her to New Providence. I spoke true when I told you that I thought you could handle her. I’ve never known a lady I think more highly of,” he said.

  “You’re not really going to take a cat-o’-nine to his back again, are you?”

  “If I must. But I doubt I’ll have to. Rather poor planning on Sterling’s part to knock Crimson Kelly out. It delays us getting what we want. Once Crimson awakens, we’ll see if we can convince him to tell us where he buried the treasure.”

  “Sterling told me that grog loosens his tongue.”

  Nathaniel smiled, no doubt because he saw she was willing to cooperate. “Then we’ll treat him to some grog. Are we in agreement that we shall continue to work together?”

  “By all means. Once we’ve finished up here, come to my cabin so we might toast our new — and honest — partnership.”

  James took the bent nail he’d hidden in a plank in the corner of the cell a few days earlier and worked it in the lock of his cell. He’d long ago learned to trust no one save himself. When the crewmen escorted him down here, he’d headed to the cell on the left without complaint. And they’d not objected to him choosing his own quarters for the duration of the journey.

  He heard a groan and a mumbling in the cell next to his. Crimson had been tossed unceremoniously into it by his captors. James had hoped his former captain would sleep until James made his own escape but apparently that was not to be.

  “Well, Sterling, this is a bloody mess you’ve managed to get us into this time.”

  James didn’t glance over as Crimson came to stand by the bars separating their cells.

  “I see you’re up to your usual tricks,” Crimson said.

  “Nice to see you again, Crimson, but I won’t be staying for tea.”

  Crimson laughed heartily. “Still mad at me, boy?”

  “You marooned me.”

  “Aye, but I sent a ship by to rescue ye.”

  “Six months later? I could have been dead by then.”

  “I was just trying to teach ye a lesson. Ye don’t keep the spoils from yer captain. When we get out of here, I’ll make ye first mate.”

  James heard the lock click, and it opened. He removed it, then pushed open the door. It creaked on its hinges.

  He held up the nail. “Sorry, matey, but the key only works in the lock on my door.” He tossed it to the distant corner and sent several rats scurrying.

  “Now, James, lad, what kind of friend are ye to be abandoning me like this?”

  “We were never friends, Crimson.”

  “They’ll stretch me neck, matey.”

  “Maybe it deserves to be stretched.”

  “You always had a weak stomach for the killing.”

  James touched his fingers to his forehead in a mock salute. “So long, Crimson. Good luck to you.”

  “We’ll meet again, matey!” Crimson called after him as James dashed up the steps. “I swear to you, we will.”

  Somehow James didn’t doubt it.

  At the top of the stairs, he stopped, listened, heard nothing. He slipped out onto the deck. He saw no one keeping watch on this ship, no one on the other. Odd. Maybe they were on the other side.

  But bless ’em, they’d moored the Phantom Mist to The Dangerous Lady. Both bobbed side by side in the water, their hulls almost touching.

  “Ferret?” he c
alled out, his voice low.

  “Aye, Cap’n,” came to him from the dark.

  “Where are the lookouts?”

  “I took care of ’em. Only need one arm to deliver a good conk to the skull.”

  “Good man. Weapons?”

  “I watched ’em like you told me to do. They didn’t bring the weapons over from the Phantom Mist.”

  “Very good. I’d say we’re all set. Let’s go.”

  James removed his boots and slipped them into the sack Ferret held out to him. In bare feet, he crept across the deck, making not a single sound. At the railing, he swung over, grabbing hold of the thick rope mooring the two ships together. He threw his legs up and crossed his feet over the rope. Then he began sliding, hand over hand, hanging down, his back to the water, toward the Phantom Mist.

  He’d spent a good part of his life climbing rigging. This was no hard task.

  When he got to the other ship, he went over the side, landing soundlessly on her deck. He waited, looking, holding his breath, listening. Maybe Northrup was daft enough to think no guards were needed here, with the prisoners in the hold.

  On the balls of his feet, he made his way quickly along the side of the ship. He lifted the planking used for disembarking at docks and put it into position, scooting it across to form a walkway between the two ships. He watched as Ferret scurried across like the creature he was named after.

  “Get the men out of the hold,” James ordered.

  Ferret left to see to his task. James hurried to the helm.

  And there she was, stepping out of the shadows in much the same way she’d stepped out of the fog in Nouvelle-Orléans.

  “I see you figured out how to pick the lock on the cell door,” she said quietly. “Although I suspected that you always knew.”

  He quickly looked around, but there was no one else in sight. She was either very brave or very foolish. Brave, he decided.

  “Your Mr. Northrup wouldn’t approve of you being here,” he said.

  “Mr. Northrup came to my cabin and was met with a bottle of wine.”

  “He’s drunk?”

  “No, I didn’t pour it. I hit him on the head with it.”

  He couldn’t help himself. He smiled. And then he grew somber.

  “Are you going to try to stop me, Anna?”

  “No. I gave you my word that I’d grant you your freedom. I intend to keep it.”

  “Then you should get off the ship. I plan to set sail immediately, before my escape is discovered.”

  She took a step nearer. “Don’t go.”

  “I’ve no choice, Anna. I’ll hang otherwise.”

  “Not necessarily. Generally, they only hang the captain.”

  “Not anymore. They’re making an example of all pirates. They hang us, tar us, and cage our corpses in iron gibbets to rot. I’d rather die with a sword in my hand and the wind at my back.”

  “I’ll speak on your behalf.”

  He couldn’t help himself. He reached out and touched her cheek. “And what would you say?”

  “That you’re not a pirate at heart.”

  Slowly, he skimmed his thumb over her lips. “You’re wrong, Anna. I am a pirate. I’ll always be a pirate. I love this life more than anything. The one thing I’ve always lacked is a ship to call my own.” He looked about. “And now I have it.”

  “Cap’n?”

  He dropped his hand to his side. “Yes, Mr. Ferret?”

  “What be yer orders?”

  “Prepare to set sail, quickly and quietly.”

  “And what of ’er?”

  “Captain Townsend will be returning to her ship.” Without another word, he took her hand and led her to where he’d set up the plank for Ferret. “It’s sturdy enough. You can hurry across.”

  “Just like that? Not even the courtesy of a good-bye?”

  “I’ve never been one for saying good-bye.” Perhaps because he’d never before had someone to say good-bye to.

  “I’m giving you a ship,” she pointed out tartly.

  He grinned. “No, I’m taking it.”

  “In either case, I should get something in return. It’s the pirate way.” She placed her hands on either side of his face, leaned in, and kissed him.

  It was the sweetest of kisses. It spoke volumes. It told of moments shared, memories made, and things between them that could never be … but would never be forgotten.

  She leaned back and smiled. “A fair trade, pirate.”

  It seemed an eternity had passed since he’d spoken similar words to her in the hold of a ship. At that time, he’d thought he’d never see her again. This time, he knew, beyond any doubt, he’d never see her again. He swallowed hard, surprised by how unappealing the notion was. But he couldn’t stray from his course.

  “Indeed, a fair trade, m’lady.”

  He wanted to pull her to him, wanted to keep her there, aboard his ship. Instead, he held her steady and helped her climb onto the planking. He watched as she scurried across it, her skirt dancing around her bare ankles.

  A gentleman would look away …

  But as he’d proven, he was no gentleman.

  When she was safely on the deck of the other ship, he pulled back the planking.

  “Weigh anchor and make for the high seas, Mr. Ferret.”

  “Aye, Cap’n. Come along, me hearties, step lively now.”

  The sails were unfurled. James heard them capturing the wind. He heard the grinding as the anchor was hoisted.

  It was harder than he’d expected it to be to turn his back and head to the helm, but he did. The Phantom Mist was his ship now. He wouldn’t consider the cost.

  As it sailed past The Dangerous Lady, he glanced back to see Anna still standing on the deck. She was more dangerous than he realized, in ways he’d not anticipated.

  But not even for her would he risk a hanging.

  * * *

  Annalisa watched the ship slip through the waters like a ghostly phantom. Only when she could no longer see its captain did she turn and make her way to her own cabin.

  Opening the door, she stepped inside. She was greeted with a grunting and a scraping of a chair across the floor, its occupant extremely unhappy. Not that she blamed him. Although, in truth, she felt he’d gotten what he deserved. He’d taken her by surprise on the Phantom Mist. So she’d taken him by surprise here. She’d knocked him out, and with Kane’s help she’d secured him to the chair.

  “Relax, Nathaniel.” She pulled her knife from its scabbard. She walked around behind him and cut his bindings.

  He leaped to his feet and snatched the scarf out of his mouth. “You let him escape, didn’t you?”

  “I gave him my word.”

  While watching Sterling leave had hurt more than she realized possible, she was not about to go back on her word.

  “He had a reward on his head. And that ship —” Nathaniel began.

  “This ship will become yours once we’ve completed our task. I gave you my word. You can’t expect me to keep it to you and not to Sterling.”

  “You and I had an arrangement.”

  “Yes. I’m captain of this ship until we regain the treasure and free my father. To that end, we need to speak with Crimson Kelly in order to discover where on this wretched island he’s buried the treasure. Let’s see if he’s awake and agreeable to giving us the information we need.”

  She knew Nathaniel was angry with her, but his anger would diminish in time.

  “He’s not going to tell us simply because we ask,” Nathaniel grumbled as they made their way down the stairs.

  “We’ll see.”

  Crimson Kelly was awake, sitting in the corner of the cell. He slowly came to his feet. “Well, well, well. I thought ye’d be paying me a visit sooner or later.”

  Oxford educated? He hardly sounded it, and while she was tempted to tell him that she knew all about his playacting, she had more pressing matters on her mind. If he wanted to act, let him.

  “I’m Annalisa Town
send. You stole an ivory chest of treasure from the Horizon more than a year ago. I’m here to reclaim it.”

  “I take so much plunder. Surely ye don’t expect me to remember particulars.”

  “You burned the ship.”

  “I burn all ships.”

  “I was on board.”

  “Ah,” he said, moving his finger through the air. “Now, ye I’d remember.” His grin broadened. “Ye wouldn’t be the lass who gave Sterling that useless trinket he wears on his finger as a reminder of his foolishness, now would ye?”

  She angled her chin. “I would.”

  “I marooned him for that bit of stupidity.” He grimaced. “He took it poorly. Never did have a sense of humor, that lad.”

  “So now you remember the ship?” Anna asked.

  “Aye.”

  “And the chest?”

  “Aye.”

  “Where did you bury it?” Anna asked, getting right to the point.

  “Bury it? How’s a pirate to spend treasure if it’s buried, I ask ye?”

  “Everyone knows you bury your treasure on this island. That you blind men and leave them here to wander until they die. That their souls cry out mournfully —”

  “Now who told ye that bit of rubbish? James Sterling?” he asked before she could answer. “The lad always did have an active imagination.”

  “I heard about you burying your treasure long before I crossed paths with Sterling again. They say you have no maps; that the burial places are all in your head.”

  He laughed. “In my head? Exactly.” He twirled his finger in a circle. “The rumors about me burying me treasure are only a bit of misleading gossip that goes around. People tear up me island from time to time lookin’ fer it — when they’ve the good sense to figure out which one it is. They’ll never find it here, because I keep it in a hidey-hole on me ship. But since the legend of Crimson Kelly says I bury it, no one tears me ship apart looking for it.”

  “You’re lying,” Annalisa snarled. “You’ll tell me where it is or you’ll know the taste of the cat.”

  “No need to threaten me, lass. Ask James Sterling. He can tell ye where it be.”

  Annalisa was struck too dumb to speak.

  Nathaniel wasn’t. “Sterling has escaped, taking your ship with him. Are you saying he knows where the hidey-hole is?”