We’d been at sea for nearly six hours, and finally I found my body relaxing with the sweet sway of my ship. I glanced once more at the stars then headed to my cabin for a well-deserved break.
I made my way down the corridor to my room. The men were either on duty at their station or already in their bunks. A peaceful night. We’d have little rest once we docked in two days, better to reserve some of it now.
I swung the door to my cabin open; the candles were already lit on the small table. Talley probably had one of the cabin boys ready the room. I didn’t need light. I needed my bed. I kicked the door shut and shucked out of my boots and jacket.
Tossing myself onto the bed, I didn’t bother with blankets. I sought the comfort of my pillow more. In my mind, I played the plans over and over again. Where’d we drop anchor, how many men to each boat, recalling every detail I’d ever heard of the island paths. The men counted on me to lead them in the right direction, and although none would be so careless as to mention doubting me, if we came up empty again, uncertainty would begin to take root.
The Jacobin Jewels weren’t just a legend handed down through the years. They may be played off as such, but I knew better. And if my calculations were right, it would be the treasure find of my career.
I sighed, content with my plans, and tried to turn my mind off and let sleep in.
A small sound filled my chamber.
I froze, focusing my hearing.
Another noise—a sneeze?
I sat up, looking around. Candlelight threw shadows about the room, but nothing that sneezed.
A third sneeze. My gaze snapped to the chest in the corner. I slid from my bed.
I took soft steps to the armoire. The floorboards creaked and I paused. No movement. I took the last three strides and grabbed the knob. With a quick yank I pulled the door open.
Wide green eyes meet mine. A small squeak sounded, but what consumed me was the barrel of the pistol pointed at me. It shook slightly.
It took a moment for my brain to catch up to my eyes. A woman, crouched in my chest, aimed a pistol at me. A woman. On my ship.
“Stay back,” she ordered, pushing her weapon toward me, as though it were a knife instead of a gun.
My jaw set.
“Just…just back away.” Her voice trembled, but her stare remained steady.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I stated. Compared to the last five years of my life, the danger facing me from the armoire paled. “But you’ll need to give me the weapon if you want out of there.” I held out my hand. I didn’t reach for it, but rather turned my palm upward. She would give it over.
Her delicate throat worked as she swallowed, and I could sense the panic rising in her. She had no escape.
“If I have to disarm you f, things will be more difficult for you,” I promised.
She continued to stare at me in silence. Her options were probably playing on loop inside her mind. A very short loop. There were no options here, no decision to make.
I sighed and lunged forward, snatching the pistol from her hands before she had the chance to pull the trigger. She yelped and pressed herself farther back into the chest. Her foot slipped on one of my shirts, and she slid forward until her feet dangled from her hiding place, and she was seated on a pile of my breeches.
I tucked the pistol into my belt and reached for her. She swatted at my hands, but it didn’t matter. I grabbed hold of her elbows and yanked her out. Several bits of clothing came with her and fell to the floor.
Once I had her on her feet, I took her in. Dark hair, tied up into a mess of a bun. She wore a sorely fitted white shirt and a pair of black breeches held up with a thick rope around the waist. She was barefoot.
“Where are your boots?” I asked.
“Boots?”
I gave her a shake. “Yes, your feet are bare. Where are your boots?” Although it wasn’t uncommon for the men on the ship to go without because of the water on deck, she wasn’t a sailor.
“I took them off,” she said jerking her chin to the left. I followed her gaze and found a small pair of worn leather boots in the chest where’d I found her. “I didn’t want to ruin your things.”
I blinked.
A polite stowaway?
“Stay right there,” I pointed a finger at her then grabbed the boots, and a great cap from the chest. “Is this yours?” I shook the cap at her.
She nodded. Well, that explained the messy hair. My jaw clenched.
“Why are you on my ship?” I asked.
She didn’t look properly frightened. A girl should have the sense to be scared when found stowing away in my cabin. This one, though, looked as though she belonged right where she was and regretted nothing.
“The same reason everyone else is on The Valliant.” She snatched the cap from my hand.
Aye. Not enough fear in this woman.
“And why do you think that is?” I narrowed my gaze at her, stepping closer. The top of her head barely reached the scruff of my beard.
“You’re headed south. I’m thinking to live on a southern island,” she said firmly, chin raised. Little liar. She wasn’t even good at it. Her nose reddened right before my eyes.
“And a passenger ship was too good for you?” I asked.
“I didn’t have…that is to say…I was trying—” The words stumbled over each other as she tried to land on a new story, something more believable or one she could back up.
I tried to stare her into a more honest admission. But all the girl did was look right back up at me wide eyes. Did she think I was going to take pity on her?
“Do you know what I think?” I asked, keeping my voice hard. Her delicate throat worked as she swallowed right before she gave a small shake of her head. “I think you’re a stowaway.”
Her eyes widened. Why she would be surprised by the statement made little sense, seeing as it was the truth of the matter.
“And do you know what we do with stowaways?” I asked, bending forward until I could feel her breath on my face.
“Throw them overboard?” Her voice firmed, not a tremor or waver in her tone or features. She went stiff as a board.
I narrowed my gaze.
“How well can you swim?” I lifted my lips into a grin. She’d beg now. She’d plead for me to keep her safely on the ship, and she’d tell me what she didn’t want to say.
Straightening her back, she retreated a full step, crossed her arms over her chest, and thrust her chin even higher.
“As well as any fish.”
Chapter 3
Elizabeth
The unkept beard didn’t hide the tension in his jaw after the words spewed from my lips. My heart hammered away, warning me to stop, telling me to back off, but the defiant streak in my spine stiffened with his veiled threat.
“Well, let’s hope so.” He nodded curtly at my boast of being an expert swimmer and bent low. With a smooth, swift movement he lifted me from my feet until I doubled over, neatly falling over his shoulder.
He lifted me with no consequence and carried me to the door.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, flailing my legs and pounding my fists into his back. It was as though he didn’t even notice; his stride never broke.
I reached out, trying to grab hold of anything that would slow his step, and failed each time. He took to the stairs, bringing us up on deck. The cool evening breeze blew over me, increasing the panic coursing through my veins.
“No! Wait!” I kicked harder, but re remained unmoved.
“Cap’n?” I heard a sailor ask with curiosity as we moved across the deck, but he made no response other than a grunt.
The man grunted.
I kicked harder.
“What. What!” I called when I made note of the railings coming into view. “Please! No!”
I swung my leg once more, successfully getting out of his grasp. He grunted just before a sharp smack landed on my bottom. I stiffened.
“Keep it up, and you’ll be getting mo
re of that, I assure you,” he growled and rearranged his grasp on my legs.
I doubled my efforts to get away from him as he stepped onto a crate, in prime position to toss me to the sea. I could swim well—something my father taught me at an early age, but I would never be able to swim back to shore. Several hours’ voyage on a ship would be a lifetime of strokes. If the cold water didn’t do me in, exhaustion would.
“Wait. Please,” I cried out, wiggling.
“Do you want to try answering my question now?” He paused, his hand moving to cup my buttocks. Every fiber in my body stilled beneath his touch.
“I—you’ll kill me if you throw me into the water,” I said, forcing the fear from my voice. My insides churned as turbulent as the ocean waves, but I needed to keep a clear head, a strong voice, and a stern demeanor. He could not believe he had the upper hand; even though, clearly, he did.
“Then I suggest you answer my question.” He patted my rump. “With the truth.”
Telling him might get me thrown overboard anyway, but keeping silent would most definitely force him to act.
“Yes! I’ll tell you!” I screamed when he took another step toward the rail.
“Ah, there we are.” He patted me again and jumped down to the deck. This shoulder shoved into my belly as we landed and I groaned.
“Put me down,” I tried to twist around to see him.
“Not just yet.” He walked farther from the rail, which eased some of my worry, but I realized then a crowd had formed. His men were watching the entire affair.
Finally, he lowered me to my feet, and the blood rushed from my face, making me slightly dizzy. I stepped away from him, quickly grabbing onto a barrel to steady myself. When he reached out to grab my arm, I hit it away. He’d touched me enough already.
Apparently not one to be denied, he snagged my arm and yanked me to him. His dark whisper heated my ear. “Do that again, and you’ll regret it, my dear.”
I took a shaky breath and eased myself out of his grip.
“Now. Out with it.” He stood over me, arms folded over his chest and the moonlight from behind him casting a dangerous shadow over his face. The other men crowded behind him, all wanting to see the show.
I pushed the loose strands from my face and squared my posture.
“You’re headed south, looking for the Jacobin Jewels,” I stated. His eyes flashed with surprise. “I have the same goal.” There. It was out there.
I waited for him to grab hold of me again and toss me over his shoulder once more. But he made no move toward me.
“I have need of the jewels. Not all of them,” I quickly added. “I only need a small number.” Just enough to buy Sarah’s freedom, but I wasn’t ready to relinquish that bit of information yet.
“How did you come to be on my ship?” he asked, eyes narrowing into slits. His lips thinned as he pressed them together. “Who gave you leave to board my ship?”
My gaze flickered to the men behind him. It had been a bit of trickery on my part, and they wouldn’t be liking me telling their captain about it in front of the whole lot.
“No one gave me aid,” I said. “I tried to gain employment as a cabin boy, but”—I shuffled back a step—“your crewmen didn’t have a place for me.”
“You snuck aboard my ship, and no one noticed?” He raised his voice. “No one saw you slip across the deck and down to my cabin?”
“Captain, I spoke with the girl, but I didn’t know she was a girl. And we wasn’t on the ship at the time.” The man who’d spoken to me outside Madame Castelle’shouse stepped forward.
“Where did you speak with her?” The captain turned his back to me to address his crewman.
“I had just come out of…” The man paused a beat. “Out of Madame’s house…” He didn’t finish speaking, and when the captain turned his gaze back to me, I understood why. The anger flashing in his expression would give the devil himself a moment of pause.
“You are one of Madame Castelle’s girls?” he accused. Disappointment scattered across his features.
“No.” I shook my head. I didn’t want him thinking of me that way, though seeing as many of his men adventured into the madame’s business, I couldn’t see why he’d be bothered by it. Especially since he was a close friend of the Madame himself.
“Then who are you?” he asked, his hands resting on his hips. I stared at him a long moment, unsure of where to begin and how much to divulge.
His lips smacked closed, and he turned to the gathered crew. “I’m sure you have other duties to be seeing to,” he snapped. “So, see to them. Tulley!” he called.
An older man, the one I’d seen before and looked to be in charge of the others, stepped forward as the other men scattered off back to her posts.
“Aye, Cap’n?” He gave me a quick glance.
“It would seem we have a passenger for the foreseeable future. I want the men on alert to stay away from her. I’ll have more instructions for you in the morning, but for tonight, bring her back to my cabin and be sure she stays there.”
“Aye, Cap’n” He waved me over to him. “C’mon. I’ll see you back to his cabin.”
When I didn’t move, the captain turned his blazing gaze back on me.
“I have many questions for you, my little stowaway. Go with Tulley and gather your story into a believable tale because when I return to the cabin you’ll be telling me the whole of it.” He stepped closer again, lowering his voice. “And if you tell me one single lie, no matter how small or insignificant, you’ll feel the thick of my belt across your bare ass.”
I sucked in a breath.
“Now go.” He jerked his head at Tulley. I shuffled forward.
“And find her some decent damn boots before her feet get cut to pieces!” he bellowed over the wind and creaking of the ship. Tulley said something in return, but I was already moving toward the steps. I didn’t need an escort. I knew my way around already.
It had been hours since I first made my way into the captain’s quarters. And it had been purely accidental, though I doubt he would believe me.
I needed a plausible story.
Something he would believe and make him help me. Make him want to share the jewels.
Madame Castelle swore to me Captain Sebastian Treach was honorable at heart. So far I hadn’t seen a sign of such an attribute. Other than he hadn’t fed me to the sharks.
And, for now, that would have to be enough.
Chapter 4
Sebastian
Snidely wasn’t much help in getting information about our stowaway. She’d presented herself to him outside Madame’s establishment as a boy looking for work. Snidley, sated from his time between the thighs of his favorite girl, hadn’t paid close enough attention to her to realize she was a girl. Although he hadn’t given her a position on the ship, he’d settled her curiosity about the direction we were headed.
I had only my imagination to figure out the rest of the story. But now it was time for her to spill the rest.
I shoved the door to my cabin open and found her standing next to my bed. On the floor beside her sat a pair of small boots. Her hair was no longer pinned up. It lay about her shoulders in large waves of darkness.
She jumped slightly when I slammed the door.
“Your name,” I demanded, leaning against the door.
Her mouth opened and shut so many times I was beginning to think she was more fish than woman.
“It’s a name. How much can that give away?” I pointed out.
She sighed.
“Elizabeth Townshed,” she stated matter-of-factly.
My heart stopped cold for a long beat.
“Where do you come from?” I asked, but I was sure I already knew.
“Bath, North Carolina. Well, just outside, a bit north.” She flittered her fingers in the air.
“Your father’s name?”
Her face paled slightly.
“My father died a long time ago, but his name was Wallace Townshed.�
�� She lifted her chin again, in that small act of defiance I’d already come to notice and loathe.
“Your mother?”
“Died when I was a babe,” she shot at me. “What does my lineage have to do with anything? What of you, Captain Treach? Where do you hail from? What was your mother’s name? Your father’s or do you even know?”
Her slender fingers covered her mouth as soon as the last of her words fell from her lips. She’d let her emotions speak for her and surprised herself with the result.
“I didn’t mean—”
I put up a hand. “I am what I am and take no shame in it.”
A light blush covered her cheeks.
“So, tell me, how did you come to be on my ship?” I asked not moving from my spot at the door. The war of indecision peaked in her eyes but finally, her shoulders dropped.
“Madame Castelle knew my father many years ago. I’ve spoken with her from time to time when intown on errands. She helped me get aboard.”
“The offer of a companion for my voyage.” I nodded. While the conversation had been suspect, I didn’t think she’d be aiding a stowaway.
“Yes.” She wrung her hands. “I don’t need anything from you.”
“Other than an escort to the island and then help finding the jewels, and I assume you’ll be needing place on my ship to go home?” I shoved off the door. “Tell me…why do you want the jewels?”
She swallowed hard.
“The truth now or, I promise you, you’ll be breeches down over my knee before the lie leaves your lips.”
She stumbled back a step with her hands covering her ass. Her wonderfully round and full ass. The few smacks I had given her while carrying her had given me ample information about the beauty beneath the fabric.
“My friend needs it,” she stated simply.
I narrowed my gaze. “Your friend?”
“Yes. She was…well…” Her shoulders dropped again, and she heaved a sigh. “She was sold. I need to buy her freedom, but my father left me no funds. I have nothing, and, truth be told, if I return home now I’ll have even less.”
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