“How did he get here?” Anne asked.
“He hid on a ship. Alastair found him one morning at the docks and offered him a job.”
Alastair drew in a deep breath. “He was stolen from his home by the foulest and cruelest of men. Brought to a strange land where he was beaten and starved and held in the same rank as horses and cattle.” Alastair shook his head. “It’s barbaric. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.”
Anne couldn’t begin to imagine the terror Benjamin must have felt. Forced to withstand torture that she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy. The fact that he’d actually survived and escaped such circumstances spoke about his strength and spirit. It made her view her own situation in a much different light.
Back in England, she’d been scorned and reviled, but not to the extent that Alastair was describing. She’d heard stories about slavery, but had found it difficult to conceive that anyone would ever feel a sense of ownership over another human being. “My father made a trip to the islands sound wonderful. Adventurous. I always thought I could find my family members.” But wouldn’t her mother have had the same hopes and dreams? To return to them? To share her culture and history with others?
Beth covered Anne’s hand with her own. “I’m sorry. But you should prepare yourself for the worst.”
“That’s not to say that you have no future here,” Alastair said quickly.
At the moment, Anne’s future was bleak. Until she heard from her solicitor, she had no money. She hadn’t been sure what kind of situation her relatives might be in, which was why she’d planned to steal so much from Drummond. She’d taken a goblet and cutlery, and any of the coins she’d had left over from the market. The most valuable piece she’d taken had been the spyglass belonging to Drummond. But it had all been for naught. Margery had caught her and sent her off on the Providence penniless, unable to help herself, let alone her relatives.
If any of them were alive, she would help them in whatever way she could, including purchasing their freedom. She never imagined finding her family might mean rescuing them from the hands of slavers. But she’d do it, even if it meant using the rest of her inheritance. She hadn’t allowed herself to think that she was the only one left of her entire family, but it was a definite possibility.
Anxiety crept in once more and Anne pushed the bowl away. “Thank you.”
“You’re free to stay for as long as you like.”
That, at least, was something. Sitting up straight, she met Alastair’s eyes. “I can help in the tavern. Or back here in the kitchen with Beth. My mother taught me how to cook.”
“Beth has all the help she needs in the kitchen. But I could definitely use your help out in the tavern.” He paused, once again exchanging a knowing glance with Beth. It almost seemed as if the two of them could communicate without the use of speech. “They’re a rowdy lot, but I’ll pay you well, and I’ll do all I can to keep you safe.”
Working in a tavern wasn’t Anne’s first choice for employment, but at the moment, it was her only one. At least it provided her with a place to stay until she knew where Teach was. “All right. When shall I start?”
“Tonight will be soon enough. You can keep me company in the kitchen until then,” Beth said. “Or you can still rest if you need.”
As much as Anne wanted to crawl back into bed, she knew it wouldn’t do her any good. For someone who always liked to plan ahead, she’d felt adrift since setting foot on shore in Nassau, not unlike when she first arrived in the Drummond household. Then, the loneliness and sadness had nearly overwhelmed her. Everything had been so similar and yet so very different from her earlier life growing up in her father’s household. After a few weeks, she’d managed to overcome the loneliness and fight back.
Here in Nassau she could do the same thing. Although her surroundings were unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, she wasn’t alone, and that gave her courage to fight and move on. Despite the rough introduction to the island, perhaps the Bahamas wouldn’t be as bad as Anne had first feared.
CHAPTER 8
Anne
The patrons of The Laughing Fox enjoyed their ale. Anne’s arms ached from carrying heavy trays laden with foaming tankards. As soon as one group left, another noisy crowd swarmed in, demanding drinks.
Coyle and Benjamin stood at different ends of the room, keeping an eye out in case anyone became too unruly. Cara wove through the tables with amazing ease, laughing and flirting with the men where they sat speaking loudly and singing off-key.
Anne tried to tell herself that her present situation wasn’t much different from working in Drummond’s household. Instead of food, she simply served drinks. Alastair had confirmed that many of the patrons were indeed pirates, although Anne had a hard time differentiating between normal sailors and the more outrageous seamen. None of them looked as hardened and cynical as the group of men she’d seen in the streets of Bristol. They’d been taken to London and died on the noose. None of the clientele in the Fox appeared concerned about capture.
Rolling her head from side to side to loosen the tension in her neck, Anne stopped next to the bar and called out to the barkeep to give her three more tankards. Coyle caught her attention and winked at her. Anne rolled her eyes. Coyle might find their present situation entertaining, but Anne did not. Unless anyone caused a problem, he didn’t have to contend with the thirsty mariners and dockworkers. Anne and Cara did, and it was obvious who did a better job of it. Cara’s pockets jingled with coins. Anne’s were decidedly bare.
Gritting her teeth, Anne returned with another round of drinks. She longed for her bed, but the tavern would be open for another three hours. Rest would have to wait.
The door to the Fox opened, allowing a fresh ocean breeze to blow through the smell of unwashed bodies and tallow. Four men walked in, dressed in simple breeches, their shirts and waistcoats were more ostentatious and colorful than any of the present occupants. Two of them wore wigs, but the headpieces didn’t fit properly. Their appearance caused a stir. The din in the room lessened and the occupants of the nearest table stood up and vacated their chairs. The men took the empty seats without question. Several people eyed the newcomers, their voices lowered.
Anne looked to Benjamin to see his reaction to the strangers. He’d worked for Alastair for some time and knew many of the regular patrons. At the moment, his face was inscrutable, but he no longer lounged against the wall. Instead, he stood straight, his arms folded across his chest as he inspected the table.