“Surely there’s some other way,” Anne asked, looking between the two of them.
“I’m afraid not. Even if we could, by some miracle, free all his men from the fort, it would be impossible to hide them on some ship sailing out of port. Webb has eyes everywhere, including this tavern. It would only be a matter of time before he rounded the lot of them up.”
Pain unfolded in Teach’s chest at the thought of leaving Anne again so soon. Nor did he like being backed into a corner.
“So what are our options?” Teach asked.
“You take the job with Webb. And we go from there.”
“I’d hoped to marry Anne. Today if possible.”
Alastair shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. The last thing you want is for Webb to know your weakness. And judging by the way you look at her, Anne is very much your weakness.”
? ? ?
The governor’s mansion was a large structure, two stories high, made from local quarried coral stone. Wooden louvered verandas stretched around the exterior, to provide privacy, ventilation, and protection from the sun. Its many windows were shuttered, the roof covered in cedar shingles.
At the front door, Teach gave his name. His footsteps echoed off the marble floor as he followed the footman through the halls of the large house. This time there were no shackles around his wrists and ankles. There could be no doubt in the governor’s mind that Teach would take the job.
The smell of roasted meat wafted through the air from the direction of the kitchen house. With its hot fireplace, the structure stood back from the main building amidst the densely landscaped property. Farther back, barely visible amongst the thick vegetation, was the low roof of the slaves’ quarters.
Frowning, Teach followed the footman into a large office. A mahogany desk dominated the space with potted palms dotting the corners of the room. The books lining the wall mirrored his father’s study back in Bristol. Teach shook off the unwanted memory and glanced out the open windows, grateful for the light breeze that blew through the room.
“The governor will be with you shortly.” With a slight bow, the man left.
Moments later, the door opened and Webb entered the room, followed by another man wearing a powdered wig and ornate long coat. This must be Lord Pelham.
Webb moved to the large leather chair situated beside one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, and sat down, his steps stiff, and halting, as if he was in pain. Once off his feet, his features seemed to relax somewhat. Waving toward Teach, he motioned for him to do the same.
Teach remained standing, as did Lord Pelham.
“Have you thought about my offer?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent. I suppose you’re curious as to what it entails.”
Aside from the clenching of his jaw, Teach gave no response.
“I want you to search for someone.”
“Who?”
Pelham laughed lightly, the sound grating on Teach’s already raw nerves. “Aren’t you going to ask him about the pay? Good Lord, Webb, where did you find this one? He’s willing to do it for free.”
Truthfully, Teach had not considered that fact. He thought his freedom was his payment. “How much?”
“Five hundred pounds. I will pay you five hundred pounds to search for George Easton.”
“Who’s George Easton?”
Webb’s lips thinned. “A pirate. And he’s been plaguing these shores for far too long. I will give you a ship and provisions. All I ask is that you bring the scoundrel Easton to me. Preferably alive.”
“Why me?”
With a quick glance in Pelham’s direction, Webb scowled. “Sir.”
Teach shook his head slightly, not understanding why the governor had addressed him as such. Webb sat up straight in his chair. “You will address me as ‘sir.’ Is that understood?”
“Yes. Sir.”
If Webb noticed the slight hesitation, he chose to ignore it. “As governor of this island, I deserve at least that much from you. Now, you want to know why I chose you. It’s because you’re a fighter. And you’ve proven yourself capable of getting out of a tight scrape.”
“Has anyone else gone after Easton?”
“Yes, but none of them have returned.”
“Is he so dangerous?”
Pelham spoke up again. “The last man Webb sent after Easton came home in parts. The governor received his head on a spit. Is that dangerous enough for you?”
Despite himself, Teach winced at the image. “I wish to use my own crew.”
“Fine. But they will stay locked up until the Triumph is ready to depart,” Webb said.
“That’s unacceptable. The more time they spend in those cells, the weaker they’ll become. If you truly want me to catch Easton, my men need to be ready.”
“I’m sorry, but those are my conditions. I can’t have you getting any ideas in your head about quitting the island before you perform your duties. The ship will leave within the week.”
It seemed to Teach that the governor was posturing in front of Pelham, trying to make himself appear more threatening. “The ship will leave within three days. And you will make sure my men are given adequate food and water until that time. I also want their quarters changed.”
“That’s impossible. That’s a fort, not an inn.”
“Then I want them to be allowed up in the courtyard during the day.”
“You remind me of someone,” Pelham said, his gaze narrowed. “Have we met before?”
Teach shook his head, an alarm sounding in his head. Was it possible Pelham had met Richard Drummond before? It would be disastrous if that were the case. Pelham would most likely contact Teach’s father about his whereabouts, and Teach could find himself on a ship back to England. Without Anne and without his crew. “No.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Webb pursed his lips. “What makes you think I can have everything ready in that time?”
“You’re the governor.”
Tilting his head to one side, Webb’s expression darkened. “I may have underestimated you, Teach.”
“I’m sure you won’t make that mistake again.”
CHAPTER 16
Anne
Standing in the shade of a warehouse lining the docks, Anne eyed the Triumph, a painful knot gathering in her throat. It was clearly a warship, small and maneuverable, with several cannons, built with one purpose in mind. And in less than forty-eight hours, Teach would set sail on it and leave Anne behind. Anne still didn’t know exactly what job Teach was to perform for the governor. She had considered going with him, but it would be impossible to stow away on the Triumph. And if she was honest, she had no desire to return to sea so soon. The crossing on the Providence was still too fresh in her mind.