Page 86 of The Swan Syndicate
“Just some seawater.”
Tears leaked down her face. Maybe it was water from her drenched hair. She pushed his dripping ponytail off his shoulder, then caressed his face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t go with him on purpose.”
He pulled her to him again, hugging her so tightly it was difficult to breathe, but she didn’t fight it. “I know.”
“I love you.”
“I know.”
She curved into his body as she turned to look forThe Horseman. Smoke billowed from the aft portion of the ship. “I hope they get the fire out before it reaches the gunpowder stores.”
Beckworth settled onto the sand so he had a better view, keeping her close. The jolly boat lowered fromThe Horsemanhad turned around and was heading back to the ship. A flashof motion to his right was from theDaphne’s boat reaching the shore. Michelson had returned with Lando, Fitz, and two other sailors.
“What made you think of starting a fire?” he asked. “And was it you that cut the sheets to the sails?”
She shrugged. “Michelson taught me a bit about the lines and rigging and all that stuff. I wanted to bring all the sails down but that would have been too difficult, and the crew would have stopped me. I had just taken a dagger from one of the sailors.” She shrugged. “I wanted to see how sharp the blade was. The lines weren’t cut through, but I hoped gravity would do the rest.” She laughed. “I needed another option so I thought—what would Beckworth do? The men were busy preparing to turn the ship to fire the guns. I couldn’t let them destroy theDaphne. I lifted a couple powder cartridges from that poor sailor before I took his dagger.” She held up her hand. “Don’t ask. I’m too tired to explain it all but suffice to say, Cheval didn’t realize he’d given me a lesson on how to work the crossbow.” She glanced up at him and gave him her most innocent look then hesitated as she bit her lower lip. “I really didn’t like that man.”
He just stared at her for the longest moment. Then he threw his head back and laughed. “You’re as mad as I am. What a pair we make, Lady Caldway. Or should I say, Lady Swan?”
“Indeed, Lord Beckworth.”
His kiss told her everything she needed to know. They would be okay.
28
Stella hadn’t wanted to let go of the crossbow, but Beckworth pointed out she wouldn’t be able to climb the rope ladder to theDaphne. Once he stepped onto the deck, she immediately took it from him. She was still gripping it when Jamie laid his hands on her shoulders.
“Are you alright, lass?” Jamie’s wrinkled brow seemed contrary with his handsome grin.
“I’m fine. Thank you for the rescue.”
“I’m not sure who rescued who.” Beckworth took the blanket Lando handed him and wrapped it around Stella.
She grasped it with one hand, still shivering but at least her teeth had stopped chattering. Jamie and Lando glanced down at the crossbow but didn’t say anything when Beckworth pulled the blanket over it.
“We need to get the ship underway.” Jamie nodded to Lando, who strode off to where Fitz watchedThe Horsemanthrough a spyglass. “You can get out of your wet clothes and get some rest, then we can talk about what happened.”
“If it’s alright with you…” Stella fumbled with both edges of the blanket. Her fingers were still numb from the cold, and shecouldn’t grasp it tightly enough. Beckworth helped get her fist wrapped around it. “I’d like to get this over so I can just pass out afterwards.”
Jamie glanced at Beckworth before nodding. “Wait in my office. We’ll be down as soon as we can.” He winked at her. “I think there’s a bottle of good Irish whiskey on my desk.”
She snorted. “And if not, I know where there’s a case or two.”
He laughed as Beckworth led her away. She couldn’t blame them for their worry. Beckworth had mothered her from the moment they walked away from Cheval’s body until the jolly boat bumped against the ship. At first, it was comforting, then it became annoying—until she realized it wasn’t all about her. Beckworth must have been terrified the minute he found the first swan. His worst nightmare. Everything he’d imagined about this mission had come true.
She had chuckled to herself. Maybe he was psychic. She pictured him sitting at a table at the annual mystic fair held about twenty miles north of Baywood. He was dressed in a black robe lined in red satin and a tall black hat staring into a crystal ball as he rubbed his chin while predicting someone’s future.
She’d sobered quickly enough when the boat came alongside theDaphnewhere the crew had lined up next to the railing. Their faces had been similar to Jamie’s, a combination of worry, grins, and a few cheers. She didn’t know what their plans had been to rescue her. Maybe she should have waited like her previous kidnappings, but this hadn’t been the same. She’d had the opportunity, and Beckworth had taught her skills—and she had a few of her own.
But that wouldn’t have stopped Beckworth from worrying or wondering if she was still alive.
He settled her into a chair in Jamie’s office. “Are you sure you don’t want to change?” When she shook her head, he poured her a glass of whiskey. “At least let me get you another blanket.” Heplucked at the one around her shoulders. “This one is soaking wet. You need something drier.” Before she could nod, he was out the door.
She took a sip of whiskey and shuddered as the burn worked its way through her, then finished the shot as Beckworth returned. He stood her up and peeled the old blanket away and wrapped the fresh one around her.
“Why don’t I set your crossbow on the table?”
She handed him the empty glass and repositioned the blanket so it covered most of her body, then laid the crossbow across her lap. Her hand trembled until it gripped the cool wood of the crossbow. “I could use another shot.”
