“Jack?” Teach whispered.
“Yes?”
“How did you get out of Madeira?”
Jack cleared his throat. “If I tell you, you have to swear not to tell a single soul. I’ve never told anyone, for fear of it getting back to my ma. I promised her I’d make something of myself. I don’t want to be just a sailor like my pa and my older brother. I promised her I’d make captain one day.”
“I swear I won’t tell a soul,” Teach said, his curiosity piqued by the earnestness in Jack’s voice.
“Before I joined the Deliverance, I crewed on a pirate ship. I was only with them for a few months when the Spanish navy caught us off the coast of Madeira. Our captain managed to escape and left us to die. Have you ever been in a Spanish prison, Captain?”
“No.”
“You never want to be, trust me. They did things to us there . . .” Jack’s voice was hard. “Sometimes I can still hear the other men screaming.”
Teach didn’t know how to respond. At that moment, Jack sounded far older than his twenty-three years. Teach doubted he could say anything that would erase Jack’s memories, and so he kept silent.
“I finally told them where they could find the pirate. He’d been stealing from them for years, and I took them right to him and all of the gold he’d hidden. His life for mine. I think that was a fair trade, don’t you?”
“Aye, I do.”
“I would never do that to you. I would never betray you. You’re a good leader and the men trust you.”
The crew had proven that by supporting Teach. “And as your leader, I would never abandon you.”
“We know. Things have a way of working themselves out, Captain Blackbeard. Just you wait and see. Some opportunity will present itself, just like it did for me in Madeira.”
Teach smiled at the nickname Jack had given him, wishing he shared the man’s confidence, but he didn’t trust Webb at all. “It might not be easy.”
“I have no intention of dying here, Captain.”
“Neither do I, Jack,” Teach whispered. “Neither do I.”
CHAPTER 14
Anne
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Anne? It might do you good to get out.” Cara stood in the doorway to the kitchen of the Fox, her eyes concerned.
Anne had somehow managed to sleep the night before, but only because she suspected Beth had added something to her tea.
“I want to be here in case Alastair sends word.” Alastair had already left early that morning to go to the fort.
“All right. We won’t be long. Coyle thinks I’m buying material to make breeches for him, which I am. But I also plan to make each of us a pair as well.” Cara’s smile was mischievous. Ever since she’d seen Reva dressed in men’s attire, she hadn’t stopped talking or thinking about it.
“Be careful,” Anne said, cutting up some of the fruit on the table.
Cara blew her a kiss before leaving.
Using a knife, Anne speared a piece of pineapple. She’d grown quite fond of the fruit in the time that she’d been in Nassau. But she wasn’t very hungry at the moment, and after just one bite, she pushed the food aside. Standing, she paced around the table, the pistolman’s pouch hanging low on her hip. Ever since she’d met Webb’s wife, Anne made sure to keep the pistol with her at all times.
“You’re going to wear a hole in my floor if you keep that up,” Beth said.
Anne looked up, startled. “Morning.”
Beth held a basket overflowing with long stems of grass. “Good morning. How did you sleep last night?”
“Surprisingly well. The tea definitely helped.”
“I thought you could use the rest. I only added a bit of chamomile.”
“My mother used to do that when I was younger.”
“So did mine,” Beth said, her voice warm.
A part of Anne was grateful to Beth. She had indeed slept soundly. But Anne also felt guilty. Teach had spent the entire night locked up at the fort, and she’d done nothing to help him. “Can I help you with anything?”
“I just need to dry this fever grass. Alastair woke up with a bit of a headache and I used the last of my supply for him this morning. You can help me tie it up if you like.”
The two women worked in silence. Anne kept glancing at the doorway leading out to the courtyard, but there was no sign of Alastair.
“I understand what you’re going through, Anne. There was a time when Alastair was locked up and I didn’t know if I would ever see him again.”
“What happened?”
Beth took the bunches of fever grass they had tied and hung them in the pantry. Returning to the table, she picked up several more strands and began to tie them as well. “Alastair overheard someone speaking poorly about me. He nearly beat the man to death. Unfortunately, the other man happened to be a member of the aristocracy.”
Anne gaped at Beth. “They could have hanged Alastair for that.”
The older woman nodded. She stopped working and folded her arms across her chest. “They nearly did. Luckily for Alastair, another aristocrat took a liking to him. He helped Alastair escape, but Alastair’s never been back to Jamaica. And neither have I.”
“Is that where the two of you first met?”
“Yes. My mother and I sold herbs in the Spanish Town market. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him. His clothes were old and worn and his skin was blistered red from the sun, but he was proud and stubborn. He strode right up to the stall and bought our entire stock of aloe. The next day he came and bought all our figs. That continued for an entire week. My mother welcomed the coins he brought, but by the seventh day, she grew suspicious.
“When he came the next morning, she asked him what he wanted from us. He looked her straight in the eye and told her he wanted to court her daughter.” Beth laughed, clearly remembering the encounter. “My mother looked him up and down and told him he would have to prove himself to be worthy of me. He spent the next two months trying to do just that. It was only when she heard how he’d nearly killed the man in my defense that she decided he’d done enough.”
Anne could easily picture Alastair wielding his meaty fists and pounding someone into the ground. The love between Beth and Alastair was obvious. “And so you left Jamaica?”
“Yes. Alastair paid for our passage. My mother came with us.” Tears shimmered in Beth’s eyes. “But she wasn’t long for this world. We landed in Nassau and she passed away shortly after. Alastair decided we should remain here, where I could be close to her. He named the tavern The Laughing Fox, because that’s what she reminded him of. She was always laughing at him and his blustery ways.”
Anne hesitated only a moment before she placed her hand on Beth’s arm.
“Don’t give up hope, Anne,” Beth said softly. “Even a faint light will shine far in the dark.”
The door leading into the tavern swung open. Alastair filled the entryway, his gaze immediately finding Beth. But over his shoulder, Anne caught a glimpse of a familiar face, with green eyes and hair as black as thatch. For a moment, she couldn’t react. Rooted to the spot, the blood coursed through her veins in a dizzying rush.
“You found me,” she whispered.
“Always.”
CHAPTER 15
Teach
Teach’s heart clenched and he was certain it would stay that way until he had Anne in his arms. He was riveted by her. Dressed in a simple blouse and skirt and with her hair hanging in a long braid over her shoulder, she’d never looked more beautiful.
Alastair stepped to the side and Teach reached for her, and only once his face was in her hair, her body pressed tight to his, did the pain in his chest begin to subside, the string of tight knots begin to loosen. He was at peace again, the only peace he had ever known.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Anne,” he murmured against her temple, his voice low and shaken. “I never should have left you. I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head, her voice muffled against his shirt. �
��It’s not your fault. I don’t blame you. I should never have stolen those things. And I shouldn’t have lied to you.”
“I understand why you did it. I’m just sorry I couldn’t protect you from my father. Or those men.” He drew back, his fingers sliding along her arms and wrists as he tried to determine for himself that she was unharmed. Her clear blue eyes glistened with tears, yet the corners of her lips turned up in a tremulous smile. Her velvety skin glowed. There were no discernable marks on her arms or face, but he feared what might lie beneath the surface. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Are you well?”
“I am now that I know you’re safe.” A tear trickled down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb, and then kissed the spot, high on her cheekbone where it had crested.
She gave a small sigh of contentment, of relief, and his lips met hers. She tilted up her chin, and her hands reached around his neck, holding him close as if to assure her that their trials were behind them. He melted into that assurance, holding her tight, breathing her in. Nothing save hell’s gaping gates would keep him from his Queen Anne again. His fury and grief at their separation melted, and it was difficult to believe that he could need another human being as much as he needed Anne.
When at last he pulled away, he didn’t fully relinquish his hold. Now that she was here, it seemed impossible to keep from touching her. Anne’s face flushed crimson and she glanced over his shoulder. Teach had completely forgotten about an audience. Looking around the kitchen, he wondered when Alastair and Beth had left them alone.
“How did you get away?” Anne asked.
“It was Alastair. He spoke with the governor. I would have been here sooner, but Alastair insisted we stop. He said I couldn’t see you smelling and looking like I did.”
Anne wrinkled her nose. “If I’d known it would take this long, I’d have advised him to forget it. But now that you’re here, I’m grateful to him.” Grasping his freshly clean-shaven jaw in her hands, Anne stood on her toes and brought her mouth to his once more. “I still can’t believe you’re here. When I saw them taking you away yesterday morning . . . what happened?”
Her words dispelled the magic of their reunion. Preoccupied with her warm body and lips pressed against his, it took a significant effort on his part to focus. He had a thousand questions to ask her about her own trip. Alastair had done his best to tell him about the arrival of the Providence, but Teach wanted to hear the story from Anne herself. However, that would have to wait. With John and the rest of his men still locked away in the fort, guilt ate away at him. “There was a mutiny on board the Deliverance.”
Anne sucked in a deep breath, her eyes wide. “And?”
“I took charge. If it had been up to the captain, we would all be dead and the cargo from the Deliverance would be lost.”
“Was the cargo so important that you would risk your life for it?” Anne demanded.
“No, but my men’s lives were.”
Anne shook her head, raising her eyes to the sky. “You take far too many chances.”
“No longer. I’m not going to risk losing you again. I plan on marrying you at the first available opportunity.”
Her face lit up at his words. “Is that a proposal?”
“Patience, my love,” Teach whispered, his forehead touching hers.
Anne tensed in his arms. Leaning back she raised an eyebrow at him. “Patience?”
“What?”
“You called me Patience.”
Teach looked at her blankly. “I did not.”
“You did. Just now.”
He blinked, trying to concentrate. It was hard with Anne so near. Realization dawned on Teach and he cringed at his word choice. “No. No! I didn’t mean . . . what I meant was to wait, to give me time to . . .” Damnation! Marriage was important to Anne, and with one careless word, he’d ruined the proposal. Her father had never married her mother, nor had he ever openly claimed Anne as his daughter. Teach didn’t want there to be any doubt in anyone’s mind that they belonged together.
Anne simply looked at Teach. One corner of her mouth twitched, as if she was trying to hold back a smile.
“The devil take you,” he muttered, reaching for her once more. He kissed her, his lips moving over hers, determined to remove any doubt of his affection. He lost awareness of time, of where they were, as Anne responded in kind.
Eventually he lifted his head, giving a soft, shaky laugh. He couldn’t think clearly. From around his neck, he withdrew the leather pouch he’d carried with him since leaving Bristol. It seemed like an eternity had passed since the day he’d purchased the braided gold ring.
Anne sucked in a quick breath.
Just as he’d hoped, the band fit her perfectly. “Marry me.”
Her eyes sparkled. “When?”
“Now.”
Before Anne could respond, the back door opened and two people entered. Teach recognized the girl. She’d stood with Anne on the barrels at the dock. The boy stopped short when he saw Anne in Teach’s arms, a frown on his face, but the girl rushed forward, a welcoming smile on hers. Despite their differing expressions, there was an unmistakable family resemblance.
“We forgot to take money with us to the market. You must be Teach,” the girl said, her blue eyes sparkling. Winking at Anne, she nodded in Teach’s direction. “I told you everything would be all right. If something needs fixing, Uncle Alastair can fix it.”
Anne introduced the pair. Cara planted an impetuous kiss on Teach’s cheek. Coyle sized him up from across the room, his arms folded across his chest, and Teach wondered at Coyle’s relationship with Anne. Alastair had spoken briefly about his niece and nephew and how they’d befriended Anne on the long journey. Teach was grateful that Anne hadn’t traveled alone and that she was safe. Judging by the expression on Coyle’s face, he clearly didn’t share his sister’s enthusiasm for Teach’s arrival.
Beth entered the kitchen from the door behind Teach. He was beginning to find The Laughing Fox far too crowded for his taste.
“Now that you’ve had some time, Alastair would like to speak with you, Teach. He’s waiting for you upstairs.”
Teach wanted to tell Alastair to go to the devil, but he needed Alastair’s help to free his crew. The Irishman clearly had some sway with the governor, for he’d been able to secure Teach’s release.
“Come with me,” Teach said, tugging at Anne’s hand, her skin warm beneath his touch. Now that he’d found her, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
“I should help Beth in the kitchen.”
“Nonsense. I can handle it. You go ahead,” Cara said, waving an impatient hand.
Teach wasn’t aware Coyle had followed them through the tavern and up the stairs until he heard Coyle’s heavy tread from behind. Glancing over his shoulder, Teach raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m quite sure we don’t need an escort.”
Anne placed a hand on Teach’s arm. “Don’t,” she said.
Coyle shrugged, unperturbed. “I’ve made sure nothing’s happened to Anne since she left England. I’m not going to stop just because you showed up. I’ll leave you alone once you’re in the office.”
Anne smiled. Rolling his eyes, Teach continued up the stairs, wondering again exactly what Coyle was to Anne. It was obvious they cared about each other, but to what extent?
Once inside Alastair’s office, Coyle closed the door behind them. It was a moderate room, with few furnishings, but they were well-made and well-appointed. Teach was surprised at the bookshelves lining one wall. This didn’t resemble an office one typically encountered in a tavern.
“Don’t look so surprised, boy. I may not look like much, but I know the importance of an education. I might have come to it a bit late in life, but it’s never too late. Didn’t your father ever teach you that?”
Teach stiffened at the reminder of Richard Drummond. Did Alastair know who his father was? “Actually, sir, education was very important to my father.” Anne squeezed his hand.
Anne’s cheeks flushed, but she nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Hmm. He’s made quite a mess of things. Did he tell you about the charges?”
“He did.”
“And did he tell you that he could hang for mutiny, unless he accepts a job from the governor?”
Anne raised a brow at Teach. “No, he didn’t.”
Now it was Teach’s turn to flush. Hang it all, he’d meant to tell Anne everything, but they hadn’t had much time alone. He’d wanted to have this conversation in private, but Alastair now forced his hand.
“What kind of job?” Anne asked.
“I don’t know, exactly. He wants me to captain a ship for him.”
Anne frowned. “But how can you accept a job if you don’t know what it entails?”
Alastair’s face hardened. “That’s how Webb operates.”
“And yet you have a working relationship with him,” Anne pointed out.
“I work with him, yes. But I wouldn’t exactly call it a relationship.”
“But you managed to secure my release. Surely that means you have some influence over him,” Teach said.
Leaning back in his chair, Alastair toyed with an ornate brass letter opener. “Webb allowed your release because it benefited him somehow. That’s why you’re standing here and not still locked in your cell. He didn’t do it out of the kindness of his heart.”
A vein pulsed in Teach’s neck. “So you had nothing to do with it?”
“I would never presume to be that influential. From time to time the governor listens to me, and I to him. But we go about achieving our goals very differently. The man looks for weaknesses and won’t hesitate to exploit them.”
Teach wondered what Alastair’s weakness was. It certainly sounded as if he spoke from experience.
“Beth,” Anne said, stepping forward and clasping the pouch at her hip. Her fingers traced the wooden handle of the small pistol. Teach wasn’t surprised she carried a weapon. He’d spent enough time on other islands like Jamaica and Bermuda to know it was necessary in port towns. But it made him angry that she needed it to feel safe.
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