“You look tired,” Sam said. She handed Alicia a cup of tea and came to sit beside her on the couch.
“Thank you,” Alicia said, accepting the cup. “I am. I don’t know why but I suddenly feel exhausted.” She’d already unlaced her shoes and now she tucked her stockinged feet underneath her as she sipped her tea.
“I’m sorry.” Sam rubbed Alicia’s arm. “The race and the party were enough excitement for one day. The letters certainly didn’t help.”
“No, but having the men hover throughout the party was almost as unnerving. I felt as though I couldn’t breathe with Joe hanging over me.”
Sam shook her head. “And then he spilled his rum all over you.”
“I sneezed, for goodness’ sake, and he jumped like a firing cannon. He acted as if I’d been attacked.”
“And Luke was no better,” Sam acknowledged, folding her legs beneath her. “I don’t think he smiled all night.” Sam sighed. “What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a nightmare. The way Luke scowled and refused to let me answer even the simplest of questions. I’d be surprised if anyone ever stepped foot near us again.”
“Well, their attitude certainly kept the party from lasting too late.”
Sam groaned. “Within two hours they managed to scare everyone off. Even with the amount Joe and Aidan can eat, we’ll have food for a week. It’ll spoil before we can get through it all.”
Alicia finished her tea. “Blake’s crew can take some. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”
“Is he still planning on leaving tomorrow?”
“I don’t know,” Alicia said. He’d figured out early in the evening that something was amiss and had asked her, on more than one occasion, what it was. Each time she’d had to lie or evade answering, it ate at her until she couldn’t eat any supper because her stomach was in knots. “He’s angry at the moment. He knows things aren’t right and that I’m keeping the reason from him.”
Sam found a loose thread on the sleeve of her gown and began wrapping and unwrapping it around her finger. “As much as I hate to say it, maybe it would be best if you did leave. Then I wouldn’t worry about you.”
“I’m not the one in danger, Sam.”
“We don’t know that. And I don’t want to take the chance of you getting hurt because of something I did.”
Alicia set her cup onto the side table, needing a few moments to gather her thoughts and emotions. Blake had spoken to her of leaving St. Kitts soon but they’d been too busy and too many people had been around for them to have a proper discussion about it. And the truth was, she wasn’t ready to leave.
“Sam,” Alicia began, her voice cracking. She waited a moment, started again. “I’m not ready to say good-bye.” Her eyes stung as tears filled them. Inside her chest her heart was tearing in two.
Her sister drew her into her arms, held her firmly. “I know, the thought makes me queasy. But it won’t be forever, Alicia. We’ll just have to make a point of getting together as often as we can manage it.”
“Luv,” Luke said, stepping into the room and drawing their attention. He leaned against the doorframe and for the first time all night appeared at ease. “The doors are locked and Aidan fell asleep as soon as I doused the lamp.”
“And Blake?” Alicia asked, coming to her feet.
Luke hesitated a moment. “Gone with Nate and Vincent back to his ship. He said to say good night.”
Alicia swallowed the hurt. If Blake had something to say, he would be the one to say it. It wasn’t in his personality to speak through someone else.
“I appreciate the lie, Luke, but I know the truth. He’s angry with me and I don’t blame him. If I were in his shoes, I’d be furious as well.”
“I’m sorry I had to put you in that position,” Sam said.
“I don’t blame you, Sam. We need to keep this secret to keep you safe.”
“I know, but I didn’t want my safety to come at the expense of your happiness.”
Sam went to Luke, leaned into him, and Alicia felt both a twist of envy and a stab of fear. She had to make things right with Blake.
“It won’t. Tomorrow, when I’m not so tired and he’s had some time to calm down, we’ll work it out.”
“He’s going to want to know what we’re hiding,” Luke warned.
“I’ll think of something.” Then, before she could control the sudden rise of despair, tears were cascading down her cheeks and she was once again crushed in Sam’s embrace.
“Don’t cry, Alicia,” Sam begged, her own voice thick with sadness.
Alicia clung until her eyes burned. Then she sniffled and pulled back. She couldn’t remember ever being so weary.
“I must be more tired than I realized. I’m not usually this emotional.”
“Can I get you anything?” Sam asked, worry lurking in her eyes.
Alicia shook her head, wished them good night, and trudged up the stairs. In her bedroom she drew back the covers and slipped in fully dressed. Her thoughts were scattered; she couldn’t seem to nail one down long enough to consider it. Then, with her head spinning, with every part of her body drained, she tumbled into sleep.
Consciousness crept slowly over Alicia. Judging from the brightness behind her closed eyes, it was daylight. She tried to move her legs but they felt tied. She gave a sound kick and untangled herself, only then realizing it was her skirt she was caught in. Flopping onto her side, she opened one eye. Through the curtain she’d been too tired to draw last night came a thick slab of sunlight and from outside came the sound of birds twittering from the treetops.
Neither the light nor the sound was welcome and Alicia tugged the covers over her head. Maybe if she pretended it was still night, she wouldn’t have to face an angry Blake, wouldn’t be forced to lie to him yet again. Wouldn’t have to say good-bye to Sam.
When the air became hot and her lungs needed air, Alicia yanked the blankets down. The rising scent of food drifted from downstairs. Alicia inhaled deeply, wrinkled her nose at the smell of frying sausages, and immediately jumped from the bed when her stomach pitched.
Scrambling, Alicia reached for the bedpan with no time to spare. On her hands and knees, feeling much as she had on the first days on Blake’s ship, Alicia retched until her face ran with sweat and her hands shook. When she was spent, she rolled onto her side and curled into a ball. She flitted back into sleep.
“Alicia,” Sam called, knocking softly on the door and waking her. “Breakfast is ready.”
When Alicia opened her mouth to answer, she had to slam it closed again before she got sick. She answered in the only way she could, with a moan. The door creaked open.
“Alicia!” Sam exclaimed. Her heels clicked as she ran across the room. Alicia felt the coolness of her sister’s palm on her forehead. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?” She must have seen the bedpan then. “Oh, poor thing. Can I get you anything?”
“Do you have ginger tea?” Alicia croaked, her stomach clenching again. Sam rubbed her back while she was sick, then helped her to the bed. She tucked a light blanket around Alicia and took out the bedpan.
“I’ll be right back,” she said after bringing in a clean pan. “Just rest.”
Alicia dozed again and was awakened by the coolness of a damp cloth being placed across her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open.
“Thanks.”
Sam sat beside her, teacup and saucer in her hand. “You’re not so worried about me that it’s making you sick, are you?”
“No, I’m not sure why I’m sick. We all ate the same food. Is anyone else ill?”
“Not that I know of. Joe’s keeping watch outside. Aidan and Luke went to check on our ships.”
Alicia sat up, rearranged the pillows at her back, and leaned into their softness. “I was sick on Blake’s ship but that was due to the motion. By drinking the tea and getting accustomed to the movement, I was fine.” She frowned. “It feels the same but why would I have motion sickness on land? It doesn’t make sense.”
Sam was handing the tea to Alicia when she rattled the cup in its saucer. Alicia grabbed it before it spilled and scalded her lap.
“I don’t mean to overstep, or insult you, but is it possible you could be with child?”
The cup rattled again and Alicia was vaguely aware of Sam taking it back and placing it on the bedside table.
“Alicia?” Sam placed a hand on her cheek. “Can it be?”
“I—” Alicia swallowed the panic and pressed a hand to her unsettled stomach. If she admitted this was a possibility, it would confirm she’d been with Blake outside of marriage. A burning flush crept over her face and into her ears.
Sam giggled. “You love Blake, Alicia. I won’t judge you. Besides, I did the same thing. Well,” she amended quickly, “not with Blake.”
Alicia grinned. “I should hope not.”
Sam grabbed her hand. “Then it is possible? You could be with child?”
“I don’t know,” Alicia said. “Anna died when I was a young girl and Jacob certainly never told me anything. Besides, we only just … um … well … it hasn’t been that long since we …” Mortified, she closed her eyes.
“Having tried for a long time …” She paused until Alicia opened her eyes. “I’ve had time to gather every speck of information on the matter from friends who’ve had children. It’s not uncommon to be sick, though mostly it seems to pass by midday, and some friends of mine have told me they knew within days of conceiving that they noticed some changes right away in their bodies such as their breasts getting tender. And,” she added with a smile, “expecting women tend to be both unusually tired and emotional.”
Alicia felt the blush drain, and knew all her color had gone along with it. “Oh, my God! It’s true. What do I do now? I know nothing of babies.”
“First,” Sam said, and Alicia felt awful at the sadness that had crept into her eyes. “You tell Blake.”
Alicia’s stomach roiled again, but she fought the nausea. What would Blake say? He was already angry with her. They’d been together such a short time, they hadn’t had a chance to discuss children. She didn’t know how he felt about them.
“Don’t be afraid,” Sam soothed. “He loves you. He’ll be pleased.”
“And you?” Alicia asked, taking her hand.
“I’ll be an aunt, how can I be unhappy about that? But,” she added, wiping a tear from her eye, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t green with envy. I’ve wanted this for so long, and it feels as though it’ll never happen, that I’m the only one who can’t conceive.”
“I’m sorry, Sam.”
She sniffled. “I know you are, but this isn’t a time for sadness. Drink your tea, and I’ll get you some dry bread. I’ve heard that eases a sensitive stomach. Then, when you’re up to it, I’ll walk you to the beach.” She squealed. “A baby! How exciting.”
Alicia waited until Sam had fled downstairs in search of bread before she allowed her own tears to come. It wasn’t that she was sad, she was terrified. She knew how to hammer steel, how to mold iron, but she had no idea how to birth a baby or what to do with it afterward. Sam, on the other hand, was a natural. She was great with Aidan and had nurturing instincts that could be spotted for miles.
And Blake? Alicia pondered that while she finished her tea. She came to the conclusion that Sam was right, Blake would be pleased. The way he’d seen Eric’s body home, the pain he’d felt when Jacob had disowned him, and the remorse he showed upon reading his father’s letter all spoke of a man who, despite his mistakes, treasured family. No, she thought, setting aside her empty cup, Blake wouldn’t be angry about a baby.
But before she told him about that, she wanted to clear the air between them. She hated knowing that he’d been so angry with her last night that he’d left without saying good night. Though she had no intention of telling Sam’s secret, she could tell him there was one, but that it wasn’t her place to divulge it. That way he’d know she wasn’t maliciously hiding anything from him, that she loved him and treasured him too much to do that.
And knowing that, feeling it in the deepest part of her heart, she pressed a trembling hand to her belly. They were going to have a baby!
Seventeen
They were at the table when Luke swept in, radiating agitation the way the sun radiated heat.
“Are you all right?” he asked Sam, taking her arms and staring her down.
“Yes, why? What’s happened? Is it Aidan? Joe?”
Alicia’s heart began to pound.
“Not that I know of,” he said. “I found this on the Freedom.”
He smoothed out the paper that he’d carried in his fist. Alicia, sitting beside Sam, read the words as well.
You may have fooled everyone else by painting it, but I know this is Steele’s ship, just as I know you, Samantha Bradley, were Sam Steele. I hope your life is valuable, because if you intend to keep it, here is what it will cost you. I want the Freedom—or should I call it the Revenge?—loaded and ready for sailing by the end of tomorrow. You are to tie this bag onto the wheel and fill it with doubloons and pieces of eight. If my terms are not met, the Navy will be apprised of your location and your identity. I have also made provisions that should I not make it back to my home, my attorney is charged with delivering the same message to the authorities. You cannot hide any longer, Sam. Your time is up. You have until sundown tomorrow.
“Oh, my God,” Sam moaned, her hands reaching for Luke, “what do we do?”
Alicia was on her feet. “What do you mean? You give him what he wants, Sam. It’s the only way.”
Luke’s gaze cut to Alicia. The fury in it had her taking a step back.
“No, it’s not. I need to talk to Blake.”
“You’re going to tell him?” Alicia asked, feeling guilty for the relief she felt. If Luke told Blake, then she wouldn’t have to lie to him any longer.
“I bloody have to. Whoever is doing this is someone from his ship.”
“What?” Alicia asked, grabbing a chair for support. “That can’t be.”
“Then you explain to me,” he growled, “how nobody has bothered us until now. You and Blake come here and suddenly Samantha’s life is threatened. I don’t believe in chance.”
Alicia’s mind whirled with the possibility that Luke was right.
“It’s not their fault, Luke. You can’t blame her, nor Blake. They wouldn’t hurt me like that.”
Luke shifted his attention to Sam, but Alicia could still feel his anger toward her. It hung in the air thick as fog.
“I’m not saying they did it deliberately, luv, but it doesn’t change what’s happened. If Blake brought this on us, he bloody well needs to know about it.”
“But—”
“Stay here and lock the door behind me. I’ll be back.”
Squawk. “He’ll be back. He’ll be back.”
And before Alicia could think of going along, which she realized too late she desperately wanted to do, Luke had shot from the room.
“That’s not enough,” Lewis argued. “I deserve more than this!”
They were in Blake’s cabin, along with Nate and Vincent. Blake leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest.
“We figured out the shares, and what you’re holding”—he gestured to the small pouch that Lewis held—“is what you’re entitled to.”
“You’re cheating me out of what I earned!” Lewis raged, spit flying from his mouth.
Blake bit down on his frustration. He’d thought of Alicia and the secret she was keeping all night, which had resulted in very little sleep. Behind his eye his head throbbed and all he wanted was to get Alicia and get back out to sea, where he belonged. Maybe then she’d trust him enough to tell him what was going on. Instead he was here with the lingering smell of the morning’s breakfast and the constant whining of a man he never wanted to see again. They’d been over this already, four times by his counting. He’d shoot the blasted fool before there’d be a fifth.
“You
can take it, or not. But either way, you’ll not be getting any more.” Blake rose, deliberately using his height as intimidation, hoping it would put an end to the tedious discussion. “I’ll warn you now, I’m not in the mood for bartering. You have ten seconds to take your money and get off my ship before I throw you off myself.”
Lewis’s gaze narrowed until his eyes resembled those of a snake. His nostrils flared. “You’ll pay, all right,” he vowed. “You just won’t know how or when.” He spun to leave.
Blake vaulted over the table, grabbed Lewis by the back of his shirt, and slammed him onto the floor. “Don’t ever threaten me again, you little bastard,” he growled. “Do you understand?”
Lewis’s answer was a mewling noise and a jerky nod of his head. As easily as Blake had taken him to the floor, he wrenched him up again, then pulled him upstairs and onto the deck.
They nearly collided with Luke.
“I need to talk to you,” Luke ordered.
“I’m busy,” Blake answered, half dragging Lewis to the gunwale.
“My boat’s over there,” Lewis whimpered, pointing to the other side of the ship.
“Let him swim for it,” Vincent said where he and Nate had taken position next to the main mast.
“Or we could keep it,” Nate suggested. “For our troubles.”
Blake scoffed, pulled Lewis to the port side. “There. Can’t say I wasn’t fair.” Then, with a shove, he pushed Lewis off his ship.
The splash was soon followed by thrashing and cursing as Lewis pulled himself into his boat. The pressure behind Blake’s eye eased and he sighed, leaned against one of the guns, and drew a deep breath, replacing the smell of breakfast with the tang of the sea. Much better, he thought. One problem down, one more to—
“Are you bloody ready now?” Luke grumbled.
Blake squinted. The glare of the sun off the chains around Luke’s neck was enough to blind him.
“And we thought you were ill-tempered this morning,” Vincent chuckled.
Luke didn’t find the comment humorous and spun to Vincent and Nate. “This doesn’t concern you,” he said, glaring.
Blake cursed, rubbed the headache that was coming back with a vengeance, thanks to Luke.
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