“Can you make it to the chair?”
“Nay…” She buckled under the weight of him and together they slid to the floor.
Frustration, pain and anger roared out of him. “Blast it to hell.”
Annalise was pinned beneath him and valiantly attempting to keep him upright. “Oh, Jaxon, are you all right?”
“No, woman, I am far from all right.” He pulled deep breaths into his lungs to steady his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve no cause to snap at you.” He shifted so he was no longer sitting on her.
She held him. Slipping his head to her shoulder, the sweet smell of her gave him comfort.
“You must try to be patient.”
“How many times in the last days have those words come from you?”
“How many times have you listened to them?”
“All I want to do is put my clothing on.” Jaxon shook his head. “I must be half-dead. I’m lying in your arms thinking about putting my britches on.” He pressed a kiss to her neck.
Annalise held his head to her. “Well, you did mention something about not leaving our bedchamber for a month.”
“This wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Let me help you back to bed.” She kissed his hair. “I’ll lay with you.”
“No. Help me up.”
“You need--”
“I need to be on deck.” He raised himself to look at her.
“Jaxon.” She shook her head.
“I am still Captain of the Scarlet Night. We are ready to make port and everyone on shore is going to be watching. Bonchette vowed to kill me and my men before he sailed from Port Royal. They’re waiting to see who returns. Try to understand, I can’t show the tiniest bit of weakness, or they’ll pounce upon us like a hawk on a mouse. My crew needs to have confidence in my strength, as well.
“I will be standing on deck when we dock as I have always stood. I’ll leave this ship on my own two feet, and they’ll know we are the victors. The Scarlet Night will remain undefeated. I owe it to my ship and my crew.”
Annalise’s gaze held his for a long moment. She set her stubborn chin. “Then, Captain Steele, let’s get you off this floor.”
CHAPTER 23
By the time Cookie arrived with food, Jaxon had washed, dressed, and shaved. He was shaky as hell and Annalise looked like she’d been pulled backward through a knothole. They’d rigged a sling of sorts to hold his arm tightly bound to his side. His body thrummed with a deep, dull ache.
“Well, look at ye.”
“I’ll be needing your help to get on deck.” Jaxon sat at his desk.
“Aye, Capt’n. Shall I just slip ye over the rail, or are ye plannin’ te jump.”
“Do I look like I’m of a mood for your jests?”
“Nay, ye look like ye’ve just come off a two-week drunk.” Cookie handed him a bowl of thick broth and a hunk of hard bread. “Eat some. It ain’t much, but each man offered up his last ration of dried beef for ye. Should help give ye back a bit of yer strength.”
Cookie offered a bowl to Annalise, but she shook her head. “No. The men gave that to their captain. He needs it far more than I.”
“You’ve got to keep your strength up too.”
“I’m fine with this.” She held up a bit of bread.
“Tell the crew…no, I’ll tell them myself.” Jaxon spooned some of the soup. “How far from Port Royal do you figure we are?”
“Quinn believes we should sight land anytime now.”
“That would put us at dock before sunset. We’ll need to revise the plan to get Annalise off the ship.”
Cookie agreed. “Don’t ya worry. I got it figured.” He looked toward Anna. “Ye’ll only need hide one more time, but it may be a bit of a wait.”
“I’ll do whatever I need to do.”
“Good lass. Once we dock, Quinn will come to pull the bounty chests. He’ll take longer than a toothless bitch chewing a cow, I’m sure.” He shrugged toward Jaxon, “but ye’ll be here to oversee. I’ll be off hirin’ a cart for ye. After Quinn’s counted every coin, we’ll move ye out.”
“I’ll leave without aid,” Jaxon grumbled.
“Sure, sure, but Robbins will be next to ye should ye need any. I’ve already talked to the boy. He’s to take ye to the governor’s house. I’ll wait ’til dark and slip the lass out after everyone’s left.”
“I’ll be happy once she’s out of here and safe with me.”
Annalise gave him the smallest of smiles, but there was no mistaking the love in her eyes.
“See to it she comes to no harm along the way.”
“Ye have me word. I’ll have her back with ye before midnight.”
Above them men scrambled. “Land.” Their shouts carried. A boisterous cheer broke throughout the ship and lively music filtered down from above.
“Ye see. I told ye. Finish yer meal and rest easy, Capt’n. By tonight we be snug as ticks on a tit.”
“Go, see to your duties then, Cookie. I want to be topside when we dock.”
“Aye, aye. I’ll be back for ye.”
The door closed behind him and Jaxon pushed his food away.
“Land.” Annalise moved to the glass.
“Take a last look. You must remain clear of the windows now that we are getting close to shore. We’ve made it this far. If you’re seen by another ship as we pass, the crew would still stretch my neck.”
“I understand. I’m just curious to see Port Royal. Is it as unruly a place as you describe?”
“More. Once we are at the governor’s manor house, you’ll be safe, but getting you past the docks and through the litter of thieves, drunken men, and whores may prove a challenge. You mustn’t leave Cookie’s side. Keep your head down and look at no one. One glimpse and any sane man would see you for a woman.”
Annalise came and knelt beside him. “I promise to be careful.”
“And Quinn… He can take hours removing every trunk.”
“I’ll be fine.” She gave him the gentlest kiss. “All will be fine.”
He cupped her sweet face in the palm of his hand and pulled her back for a deep kiss. Was this gnawing concern what came of loving? Caring? When had his thoughts of coming ashore held such worry? All Annalise needed do was look at him, and he had his answer. The love and trust shining in her golden eyes filled him with unfathomable feelings. He would love and care about her for the rest of his days.
Soon the signal cannon fired, and the crew prepared for docking. Many of the ships anchored off shore, but prominent ships secured the coveted dock slips. The Scarlet Night was one of those. As the island’s population increased, so did the need for more docks to accommodate the growing traffic. It was only the Crown’s desire to colonize the island for its wealth and profit that moved the island toward a more civilized settlement. Still, the shoreline was its own ramshackle society where pistols and swords were the only law.
Cookie helped Jaxon up the steps to the deck and heartfelt cheers from the crew. He stood in the bow as always when the Scarlet Night docked. Loud bellows and shouts erupted from those on shore. None noticed the great Captain Steele could barely stand or that his white-fisted grip upon the rigging was the only thing keeping him upright.
Men could be seen passing money as they paid off bets to those wise enough to put their coin up against Bonchette in favor of the might of the Scarlet Night and her crew.
Lines were tossed and crewmen leapt to the dock to secure the ship. To Jaxon, the ship behaved oddly as she moved against her tethers. The Scarlet was at her best when she was cutting through the waves with her red sails bowed full of wind. She seemed wistful at dock, as if sleeping, dreaming of the next adventure, the next storm, the next voyage. But this time, the Scarlet Night returned to port in as poor condition as her captain. Both would need the warm winter months here to recuperate.
Only when the crowded docks began to thin did Jaxon allow Cookie’s help back to his quarte
rs. He’d have just enough time to steal a kiss from his wife.
“I swear to you, once you are away from this ship, you will never have to hide again.”
“Do you promise?”
“Aye.”
Annalise kissed him, “Then I shall be as quiet as dust.” She tucked herself away.
Quinn arrived with several men and began the long process of dividing the ship’s plunder according to each man’s rank and share. Jaxon relinquished his desk to the task while he sat bedside, nursing a small dose of brandy. He needed enough to dull this ceaseless ache but not enough to hinder his long walk down the gangway.
“A lord’s ring, Captain?”
Damn. His head snapped up. “Yes, that’s mine. No need to count it among the bounty.”
“It’s a handsome ring. When did you come by it?”
“It was a wedding gift from my wife’s family.”
More than one set of eyes shot in his direction. “Wife?”
“Yes, and you may figure in a length of gold silk and two jeweled combs to my share, if you will.”
“You’ve said naught about a wife.” Quinn frowned.
“I was wed in London. I wasn’t aware I needed to report to you,” Jaxon snapped.
Quinn held up a hand. “Nay, I didn’t mean to question. I’m surprised, is all. I’d have liked to offer my personal congratulations.”
“You just did.”
Quinn nodded. “That explains the bit of odd mood of late.” He nodded again, slower than before. “I hated leaving my wife behind. God rest her.”
Jaxon knew little about Quinn’s past, save the fact the man lost both his son and his wife while at sea. “It is a curse, leaving those we love behind.” Jaxon set his glass aside. “Any more brandy and ye’ll be having me wax poetic about our demanding mistress, the sea. If you’d see to those few items I mentioned, we can finish our business and let the rest of these men get to the women who wait for them.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Activity continued, and the ship’s stores settled within hours. As soon as the door shut behind Quinn, Annalise emerged from hiding with a small groan.
She pressed a hand to her back. “You did promise, no more hiding?”
Jaxon grabbed her hand and tugged her to him. “I did indeed. Turn round.”
“Why?” However, she did as he asked.
He leaned and laid a kiss upon the small of her back, slipping his hand around to caress her stomach. As he slowly made his way to stand, he kissed a path upward along the length of her spine. He nuzzled the side of her neck. “Cookie and Robbins will be back soon.”
She turned in his arms. “I wish I could leave with you.”
“It won’t be long to wait. I’ll dismiss the men and as soon as the docks are clear, Cookie will slip you into a cart and you’ll be back in my arms.” He gave her another small kiss. “I’ve told you this before, but it’s important you remember. Don’t leave his side. Do everything he tells you. Port Royal is no place to wander about.”
“Don’t worry. I have only one plan in mind.”
Jaxon frowned as she ran her fingertips into his unbound hair. “You and your plans make my eye twitch.”
“My only wish right now is to love my husband, see him whole and well again, and be a good wife.” Annalise covered his mouth with hers and kissed him soundly.
He wound a slip of her hair around his finger. “Wife. A few weeks ago, I didn’t know your name and now you have me captured. Was that your plan as well?”
“I believe we are the victims of fate.”
“So there’s no hope for us?”
“I fear we are doomed, for I believe I shall love you forever.” She laid a kiss upon his chest, just over his heart. “Come, sit. I see the pain etched on your face. You may be able to fool those people on the dock, but I see the truth.”
Three knocks sounded on the door. “No time to sit.” The worry on her face touched him deeper than the passion in her kisses. “Come,” he called out.
Cookie and Robbins entered. “There be a carriage waitin’ at the end of the pier. I canna bring it any closer without suspicion. The men are all topside. Are ye ready?”
Jaxon nodded and steeled himself for the long walk.
“Robbins will carry yer cloak if ye need an arm. None will see. But ye best be wearing yer baldric. Few of those boys down on the dock are none too happy ye bested Blood-Eye. They missed seeing us land and be waitin’ to see ye with their own eyes.” Cookie loaded both pistols, eased the heavy belt over Jaxon’s head, then secured his cutlass.
The added weight felt three times its normal pull. “Damn.”
“Are ye gonna make it?”
Jaxon gritted his teeth and growled, “Of course. Everything set to get Annalise off?”
“Aye, a load cart.” Cookie spoke to Anna. “Ain’t fancy, but it will raise less eyebrows.”
“It will be fine, I’m sure.” She was holding tight to Jaxon’s arm.
Robbins stepped closer and handed her his hat. “Here. This’ll help hide ye some.”
Annalise took hold of the hat as if the boy handed her the crown jewels. She gave him a kiss upon his dirty cheek. Robbins flashed as red as their sails.
“We’re ready then.” He gave Anna a long gaze before turning. “Get me on deck.”
With loud cries, shouts of laughter, and singing, men leapt to the docks to begin their merriment moments after Jaxon issued the order to dismiss the crew. Cookie continued the ruse by promising, loudly, he’d stay behind to finish packing up the captain’s belongings and bring them straight away to the manor house. Silent communication between the two eased some of his worries. Cookie wouldn’t let him down.
Jaxon stood at the top of the gangway. A small crowd of men waited at the bottom. While some lifted their fists in congratulations, others watched with narrowed eyes, waiting for the tiniest misstep, a limp, some indication the great Captain Steele hadn’t come through his toughest battle unscathed.
“I’ll cover yer back, Capt’n,” whispered Robbins.
“Not too close, lad.”
Jaxon stepped onto the dock, staring down those men who dared to challenge him. He moved with steady steps through the group. Pirates shouted out to him. Whores called his name and offered themselves as spoils to the victor. The sun was setting and their red-tinged lamps were being lit as he worked his way toward the waiting carriage.
A drunk man stumbled into him, “Good show, Capt’n Steele, ga-glad te, te see ye made it back, I t-tell ye t-true.” Before Robbins could get between him and the drunkard, the man thumped Jaxon hard on the back, “Yep, glad to see ye, I am.”
The air left Jaxon’s lungs in a whoosh. Pain ricocheted through his body. One knee threatened to collapse. An agonized groan stuck in his throat as he ground his back teeth to dust. He reached back and grasped Robbins’ shoulder to steady himself.
“Boy,” he spat, “a coin.”
Robbins watched him with wide eyes until he understood. “Aye, Capt’n.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a doubloon, and handed it to Jaxon.
Jaxon tossed the coin to the drunk and spoke loud enough for those gathered around to hear. “Get ye some decent rum, sir, and lift a toast to the Scarlet Night and her mighty crew.”
While the men around him were singing his praises and enjoying their prize, Jaxon walked the remaining, excruciating distance to the carriage. When his legs balked at lifting him into the open coach, Robbins rushed to help him.
“No, lad, stand aside. They still watch.”
“Aye, Capt’n.”
With his remaining strength, he pulled himself into the carriage. Robbins swung up next to him and picked up the reins. A single stout horse tossed his head and stomped a heavy foot with impatience.
“Be away. Quick.” His head reeled, and his stomach threatened to disgrace him, but he’d done it. From under the seat, Robbins pulled a full bottle of brandy, w
renched out the cork with his teeth, and handed the bottle to him.
“If I were a king, I’d be giving you a knighthood, Robbins.” He took several strong pulls on the bottle. The liquor burned into his belly. Jaxon drank more and moaned as the brandy’s welcome relief began to spread through him.
He handed the bottle back to Robbins. “No more bitter rum for you. Drink up.”
Robbins tipped the bottle and swallowed. “Sit back, Capt’n, I’ll have ye there in no time.” He returned the brandy and flicked the reins.
Jaxon drank some more. His mind began to get past the pain in his body. Night closed in around him as they moved away from the taverns, whorehouses, and rickety merchant stalls near the shore. The damp air of the tropics was sweet with flowered perfume as they traveled toward the more civilized lands of the growing English settlement with its wide roads and endless fields of sugar cane and tobacco.
He breathed deep. In a few hours, Annalise would be in his arms again.
CHAPTER 24
Annalise sat in the dark of the cabin and waited for Cookie to return. The empty ship creaked around her as she listened to the sounds of Port Royal filling the air. Men yelled and argued, others laughed and jeered. Music played and the smell of wood fires and roasting meats reached her. The glow of cook fires cast an orange blush over the water.
Cookie returned less than an hour later. He handed her a thin length of ragged fabric. “Ye need to bind that hair of yers. Tuck it the best ye ken under the lad’s hat.”
She set to the task, winding her hair atop her head and wrapping the strip to secure it. After donning Robbins’ hat, she pushed any loose pieces up under the wide brim. Once finished, Cookie pulled the chimney off Jaxon’s desk lamp, pinched off the blackened wick, and rubbed the oily char on her cheeks and hands.
“That’s the best we can do, lass. Any questions? Best to ask ’em now as we’ll not be speakin’ until we are far from the docks.”
She shook her head.
“Good.”
He scanned the cabin once more, probably making sure all trace of her was gone. “I’ll go ahead and motion if it be clear for ye to follow. Keep yer eyes down and just follow me thump.”
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