But Cara and Coyle were stuck back in Nassau. With Webb. Beth was dead because of Webb’s wife. And because of the governor, Teach was now in pursuit of a pirate. How Anne hated the governor and his wife. She longed for the day they’d be free of the Webbs’ influence.
“What do you think will happen when we catch Easton?” Anne asked.
“I don’t know. Take him back to Nassau, I suppose, just like Webb wants us to. The rest of the men from the Deliverance are still locked up.”
Although he hadn’t said much to Anne, she knew it weighed heavily on Teach. “And then?”
John met Anne’s eyes, his expression somber. They both knew the Deliverance itself wouldn’t be a viable escape for them when they returned to Nassau. It required far too many repairs. “Let’s worry about catching ourselves a pirate first. The rest will come to us as we go along.”
“Webb is a powerful man. Look how many lives he’s ruined. And will continue to ruin. Someone has to stop him.”
“What are you thinking of doing?” John asked, his voice wary.
“Nothing,” Anne said as she picked up the pistol by her side.
“I don’t believe you.”
“John, would you do me a favor?”
“That depends what it is.”
A smile lifted the corner of her mouth. He sounded so suspicious. “Can you please bring some extra powder and balls so I can practice loading my pistols?”
His answer was swift. “Teach wouldn’t like it.”
“Again, Teach is not in charge of me. I’m asking you as my friend.”
“Wolf,” John muttered under his breath.
“I know you don’t want me to refer to you as a goat. I simply wish to be prepared.”
John raised an eyebrow at her. “Prepared for what?”
How could Anne make John understand the fear and vulnerability she felt simply because of the color of her skin and because of her gender? “I want to protect myself.”
“By learning how to shoot?”
“Not just shoot. I already know how to do that. I want to be able to shoot first.”
“And you wish to shoot Webb, is that right? You’re mad.”
Anne’s smiled. “To begin something without fear is the same as victory.”
“That may be, but my ma always said to retreat before an inevitable defeat is not cowardice.”
“I thought you didn’t like her advice.”
“I didn’t always. But I do love her something fierce. I think Marian would like you,” John said, his expression softening.
“Is that her name?”
“Aye.”
“It’s lovely. And I’m sure I’d like her. She raised a fine son. One who doesn’t turn from his friends when they’re in need.”
John whistled under his breath. “You’re a cold one, Anne Barrett. I’ll have to warn Teach about you.”
“So you’ll do it? You’ll bring me the powder and balls?”
“Wait here.” And with that, John stood and exited the room.
CHAPTER 26
Teach
The dappled gray skies signaled an approaching gale. The wind buffeted his hair and shirt, and Teach braced himself, the spray from the ocean dampening his face and cheeks. He had a feel for the sea and its moods and he could tell that the approaching storm was a big one, bigger than some of his men had most likely seen.
“Reef the sails,” Teach called out.
Kitts was by Teach’s side in an instant. “Sir, isn’t it too soon? We need to reach the next cay before the storm hits. Perhaps we should wait.”
By now, Teach was used to Kitts questioning his every move, but it still grated on his nerves. “If we don’t reef now, it will be too late.” A significant gust could easily capsize the ship, especially if it heeled over from the wind.
“But, sir,” Kitts continued, walking with Teach as he strode across the slick deck. “The ship will be more protected in the cay—”
Teach rounded on Kitts, his muscles clenched. “A storm is even more dangerous in shallow waters. Waves become steeper and are more likely to break. We have a better chance by riding it out where we are. Now stop questioning me and do as you’re told.”
Kitts’s nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed. “Aye, Captain,” he snapped.
“Drop the anchor and heave to!” Teach shouted, continuing across the deck as the crew of the Triumph raced to carry out his orders. It was imperative that they turn, with the helm locked into position and the jib backwinded, so the ship could slowly jog along without turning broadside to the waves.
Anne. He needed to warn her. He hadn’t spent nearly as much time with her as he’d wanted, and she would provide him with a little peace before the storm.
Bracing himself against the railing, Teach descended the stairs, bumping into the wall as the ship rose on a large swell. Opening the door to the captain’s cabin, he stopped, experiencing a sharp pang at the sight before him. John and Anne stood at the window looking out at the rolling waves. John’s arm was around Anne’s waist, lending her support. She’d changed into another one of Teach’s shirts. The collar was large, exposing one of Anne’s slender shoulders, but the back hadn’t been removed. Neither of them had heard his approach.
Teach shut the door with a little more force than necessary. Anne jumped. John’s head whipped around. “It’s getting bad out there,” John said. “We’re in for a rough night.”
“You shouldn’t be up. Do you want to rip the stitches?” Teach asked Anne. He ignored John, not liking the poisonous resentment he felt toward his friend at the moment. It wasn’t as if John had strong feelings for Anne. Unlike Coyle.
Anne’s mouth tightened. “My stitches are fine.”
It had been five days since Teach first sewed Anne up. By now her wounds had scabbed over. It was a good sign that she was mobile, but it wouldn’t do to rush her healing. It would be at least another week before the stitches could be removed.
He knew she hated being stuck in the cabin, but they had no other choice. Giving the room a quick sweep, he noticed that the hammock had been removed from the table. “That is the only thing that will keep you safe.” He grabbed the hammock and proceeded to hang it near the armoire in the room.
“I’m aware of that, but I wanted to take a look before it got too bad out there.”
“John’s needed on deck. Now.”
The hint of a smile touched John’s lips. “Aye, Captain.” Turning to Anne, he gave her arm a squeeze. “I’ll be back later.”
“No you won’t.”
Both Anne and John raised a brow at Teach. Feeling like a fool, he returned their gazes. It had been Teach’s idea to have John keep Anne company while Teach was on deck. Technically, Teach didn’t have to perform any manual duties, but he’d found it the best way to gain his men’s trust. He wouldn’t ask them to do anything that he himself wasn’t prepared to do.
This was the first time that Teach felt torn between the two things he loved most. If he devoted his time to captaining the ship, he neglected Anne. But if he devoted all his time to Anne, he neglected the ship and her crew. He felt much like the Triumph as it prepared to meet the coming storm: unsure of which way to go as the two greatest things in his life warred with each other.