“Can’t be sure, since we only saw them through the spyglass. Their sails were torn and it looked as if they might have to repair one of the masts. We lowered our canvas and dropped anchor. I simply came down to see what the captain wanted us to do next.”
“Well done,” Teach said. “How far away are we?”
“At least a league, if not more.”
Teach nodded. “Have the men who are awake prepare their weapons. We’ll rouse the second watch as soon as the others are finished.”
“You should rest as well,” John said. “How much sleep have you had in the last twelve hours?”
“There will be plenty of time for sleep when this is over. I’ll take the second watch ashore. Once we land, we can set out and observe Easton from a distance. You remain with the boat. Before sundown, bring the Triumph in closer to the head of the cay. You’ll cut off any plans they might have for escape.”
John nodded and exited the room.
“And what am I supposed to do?” Anne asked, regretting the brandy. Her speech was slurred and her limbs felt heavy.
“Stay here. I’ll send Benjamin to keep you company. Don’t open the door for anyone.”
Mindful of her back, she caught Teach by the front of his shirt and tugged gently. He went willingly, his gaze locked with hers. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him. “Be careful,” she whispered against his lips.
Brushing his knuckle down her cheek, he nodded. This time he didn’t say “always.” It was understood.
? ? ?
To pass the time, Benjamin straightened the clothes in the armoire, while Anne organized the papers and maps from the floor. To Anne’s surprise, she found extra clothing in the crate. John had told her how Teach and Alastair had helped her escape, and Anne ran the material through her fingers, wondering how her friends were doing. They’d risked a lot to get Anne out of the fort. If Webb had done anything to hurt them . . . Her chest tightened at the thought and she closed her eyes. Webb would pay.
“Are you all right?” Benjamin asked, his kind brown eyes watchful. In the brief time they’d known each other, he’d become like an older brother to her. He wasn’t loud or blustering, and his quiet strength was comforting.
Anne nodded, drawing a deep breath. She attempted a smile, grateful for his company.
“You’re tired of being in here.” It wasn’t a question.
“I am.”
Outside the cabin, heavy footsteps traipsed up and down the stairs leading to the deck. The men were preparing to go ashore and they called out to one another.
Benjamin was quiet for a moment. “Would you like me to bring you some water? To bathe?”
“I would like that very much.”
With a nod, Benjamin slid out the door. Anne could hear one of the longboats being lowered over the side. She longed to leave the confines of the ship as well, but she was stuck. What a horrid world in which women were born. Subject to the whims and fancies of men, dependent on them for everything.
Benjamin returned, a bucket of fresh water in his hands. “I’ll go and get you some food as well.”
“Thank you for this.”
Smiling, Benjamin left. While he was gone, Anne cleaned herself the best she could. Hoping to protect her wounds, she ripped Teach’s shirt into strips and wound them carefully around her chest and back. When she was done, she donned one of the smaller shirts that Cara had made.
All the while, the men of the Triumph marched up to the deck and down to the belly of the ship. Another longboat splashed into the water, punctuated by shouts. Once Teach departed with the shore-going party, the men left on board would rest.
A light tap on the door alerted Anne to Benjamin’s presence. Assuming his hands were full, she opened the door, only to slam it shut when she saw the leering face on the other side.
“What’s the matter, love? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
She shivered, the voice giving her chills. She had a clear image of his face now. His bulbous nose looked as if it had been broken numerous times. His neck was thick and his shoulders wide. He pushed against the wood, his hand snaking in, and Anne’s feet nearly slid out from under her.
With her heart in her throat, she realized she’d left both pistols in the hammock. Rage at her helplessness leant her strength and she smashed her back into the panel, forgetting about her stitches. The man howled and Anne grinned with grim satisfaction as he withdrew.
“You’ll be sorry for that. Once I take care of him, I’m coming back for you!”
The door buckled beneath the weight of his fist before his steps faded down the hall. Not trusting that he truly left, Anne waited, holding her breath. She needed to warn Teach. Now that she’d seen the man’s face, she could easily identify him.
Except what would she accuse him of??? Searching the captain’s cabin? If she came out of hiding, then everyone would know she was on board.
But it was clear from the man’s comment that Teach was in danger.
The door behind her opened and Anne practically dragged Benjamin inside, his face startled.
“Teach is in trouble and I’m going to need your help.”
CHAPTER 30
Teach
Teach was quiet as the blades of the oars rose and fell in precise sequence, cutting through the water and leaving bright whorls upon the blue-green surface. The water darkened, but only briefly, as they passed over rocks lurking beneath the surface. It wasn’t long before the turquoise shallows welcomed them into the shelter of the cay.
Looking ahead, his eyes scoured the lush green tree line of mangroves, bougainvilleas, and coniferous pines. Although it would take them a few hours to hike through the vegetation to get to the neighboring cay, there would be plenty of cover for them to observe Easton and his men.
John had been left in charge of the Triumph while Teach had taken Kitts and his men in the two skiffs, armed with guns and swords.
He hated leaving Anne behind, but he’d had little choice. It was safer for her to remain on board with Benjamin and John than to accompany him. Despite what she claimed, Teach knew her wounds were still too fresh. Closing her stitches the second time had been difficult. The sight of those crude gashes marring her beautiful skin had caused him more anguish than his own lashing. The brandy had helped to ease her pain, and for that he was glad, but it hadn’t helped him at all. The memory of Anne’s hands on his scars went straight to his gut.
Sand grabbed the bow of the longboat and they jarred to a stop. Teach leapt ashore, his boots splashing in the water. After days at sea, the land felt hard beneath his feet as the surf rushed up to greet him. His hands were clammy and he wiped them down the legs of his breeches, aware of the oppressive heat. Shading his eyes, he looked at their surroundings.
Anne would love it here. The sand glowed a bright pink, and the sky overhead matched Anne’s blue eyes. The dense tangle of prop roots made some of the trees look as if they stood on stilts. Coconuts littered the ground and there were sufficient fish in the water to provide an endless supply of food. Teach could imagine the two of them living in a place like this, with a small hut and a boat anchored in the sparkling waters.