You’re not working her too hard, are you now?”
“Hardly. Instead of sending word, why not simply stop by and
surprise her?” Teach knew it was a terrible suggestion, but perhaps 116
John would then see for himself what kind of girl he was marrying.
John smiled, transforming his formidable face. “I think I
will, if I can find the time this week. I’ve missed her something fierce. Now, mind telling me why you’re here?”
Teach walked to the mast and ran his hands along the
smooth wood and ropes. “I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to pay
you a visit.”
“You didn’t come to see me.”
“Of course I did. Why do you think I’m here?”
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” John asked, laughing.
“What?” Teach’s head snapped up at John’s words.
“You’re in love with the Deliverance already. Don’t bother denying it. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” Teach murmured, his heartbeat
returning to normal. He continued along the deck, his footsteps echoing through the night air. “How have you been? Have
you had any trouble?”
“Nah, it’s right quiet around here. A bit boring, if you ask
me. But down the dock a ways, every once in a while, they get
a bit of excitement.”
“Really? How so?”
“Several men show up and empty the belly of a ship.”
“That’s nothing unusual,” Teach said. “These are the docks,
after all.”
“Right, but why wait till the middle of the night to unload
your cargo?”
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Teach shrugged. “Maybe their laborers were delayed. The harbor master still has to inspect the ship.”
“Aye, but it might be easier to hide things in the dark.”
“Do you think they’re hiding something?”
“I think they’re unloading something they don’t want
nobody else to notice.”
Intrigued, Teach took a few steps in the direction John had
indicated, searching for any sign of movement in the distance.
“Have you seen anything tonight?”
“No, nothing. I never know when they’ll come.”
“Do they ever bother you?” Teach asked.
John grinned, his teeth flashing in the dark. “I’d like to see
’em try.”
“Well, let me know if they do. Or if you’d like more help,”
Teach said.
“I’ll be fine, but you’re more than welcome to stay for a bit.”
Teach had left the confines of the house hoping to find a
distraction from his home life and his impending marriage, as
well as a particularly disturbing maid under his father’s roof.
Since he’d arrived home, the walls of the estate had seemed to
be closing in on him for more than one reason, and he was
searching for a way to let loose some of his pent-up frustration.
But since the Deliverance was simply another point of contention with his father, Teach wondered about his decision to come here. Perhaps a tavern would have been a better choice.
“Care to share a pint?” Teach asked. John was a simple,
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hardworking type, and Teach enjoyed his company. In the past year he and John had become fast friends, much like Teach and William had been at Eton. Both William and John knew of
Teach’s struggle to please his father, while at the same time trying to assert himself and make his own decisions, and they were sympathetic to his plight.
But unlike with William, there was nothing about John
that annoyed Teach.
“And have your father sack me? No thanks, mate. But drink
one for me, will you?”
“Anything for a friend,” Teach said, giving a mock salute
and turning to leave.
“Hold on. You can’t go into one of these taverns dressed like
that. People might recognize you, and your father would hear
about it for sure.” After shrugging out of his jacket and picking up a large, floppy hat from the deck, John walked over and placed the items in Teach’s arms and took Teach’s cloak. Once
Teach was back on the dock, John pulled the plank after him,
preventing others from surprising him like Teach had.
“Stay out of trouble,” John said with a final wave.
“Always,” Teach replied before striding away.
Walking in the direction John had indicated, Teach scanned
the area, but there was no movement at the moment, just the
gentle splash of water hitting the stone dock.
Disappointed, Teach followed the unmistakable sound of
a rowdy crowd coming from a tavern in the distance. It was
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several blocks away from the Deliverance but still within sight of the waterfront.
In the gloomy, smoke-filled interior, every corner was
packed with lively games of cards, drawing plenty of interest
from the raucous crowd, and Teach picked a seat near the back
wall, enjoying his anonymity. The fact that nobody could recognize him beneath his disguise was reassuring. The floppy hat
pulled down low over his forehead prevented anyone from getting a good look at his face, and the rough jacket John had