Page 83 of The Swan Syndicate
“We think Stella is on deck.”
“We thought they were turning to fire on us, but they’re too close to the shore,” Jamie said.
“Either a sheet came loose or the canvas tore.” Fitz used his own spyglass. “It’s hard to tell with the men working to fix it.”
“Where are we?” Beckworth glanced at the shore that seemed rather close, but he was still disoriented after waking so quickly.
“Langland Bay is right around the point,” Lando answered.
“Is it possible they’re aiming for a cove?” he asked.
“There’s nothing more than a short beach before the point.” Jamie turned around and yelled, “Heave to.”
“We’re stopping?” Beckworth asked. He felt like an idiot with the questions, but he was playing catch up.
“Her gunports are open. Until we know what they’re doing, we need to stop. I don’t want to get too close if they’re attempting a turn to fire.” Jamie held out his hand for the spyglass Beckworth was holding.
“The captain must have lost his senses if he’s trying to turn to port just before the point.” Fitz scratched his beard. “Turning starboard is the only thing that makes sense.”
Beckworth remembered his binoculars and pulled them out, focusing them as he slowly scanned the deck ofThe Horseman. He caught sight of the auburn hair immediately. Stella. The air rushed out of him. She was alive. Thank god. But what was she up to?
She turned her head toward theDaphne. Then she faced the shore and watched it for a long minute before glancing up at the sails. When her attention turned toward what he assumed was the crew, his gut roiled in turmoil.
She was up to something. He didn’t know how or why, but his gut told him the loose top sail hadn’t been an accident.
With the glasses still glued on her, Beckworth said, “You’d better prepare a jolly boat.”
“Why?” Jamie asked.
“I don’t know. But something tells me whatever happens next will be a surprise for both ships.”
The words barely left his mouth when all hell broke loose.
Stella dragged the bucket toward the back of the ship, hoping she hadn’t jinxed herself with her thoughts on who’d have the last laugh. She grinned when she noticed how close to shore they were. Cheval had unwittingly positioned her exactly where she wanted to be.
She leaned over the railing first gauging the distance to the thin strip of beach and then toward the bow. Though the ship had slowed, the rocky point wasn’t far away. If she was going to do something—something really stupid—she needed to do it now.
Once she had her bucket placed, she turned to look at theDaphne. It appeared that Jamie had also slowed. Maybe he suspected Cheval would be crazy enough to fire its guns.
“Fire!” someone yelled, and then everyone was yelling.
Her mind snapped back to her current dilemma as her distraction paid off.
Not knowing if any of the shouts had anything to do with her, she began ripping the torn material from her dress. She tore off as much as she could, not worried about modesty, only knowing extra material would weigh her down.
She grabbed the railing and took a last look at theDaphne. It was close enough for her to see the men on the bow and thought she’d seen Beckworth, but he’d turned and ran off. Then she noticed a jolly boat being lowered. She didn’t have time to contemplate the why, though she had noticed two menwith spyglasses. Most likely Jamie and Fitz. She waved her arms before taking another look over the railing.
The water was farther away than she’d expected. She’d once jumped from a ship that had docked. It was from an open gunport, and her landing on the wooden pier had sprained her ankle. She and Sebastian had still gotten away. Would she be as lucky this time?
She glanced over her shoulder to see Cheval running for her. The ship heaved backward at the perfect time and with enough force that he lost his balance and had to grab onto the mast to stop his fall.
Stella hung onto the railing at the unexpected movement. While the ship settled, she climbed onto the railing. Cheval had recovered his step and ran for her.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Without a second thought, she flung her arms wide and leaped into the air.
Beckworth was still on the bow standing next to Jamie, Lando, and Fitz, as they watched a second sail falter. It wasn’t enough to stop the ship or even slow it down.
“Someone must have cut the lines.” Lando’s voice was one of confusion and perhaps wonder.
