Page 49 of Paid to the Pirate

“Which only needed saving because I came to save hers!”

Conks shrugged. “That’s not the story you sold to the crew. Johnson emphasizedherheroism. I don’t think the men will ever be voting to let her go, but they’d vote to give her a night’s rest at her request. So I ask again -- do you really want to give them the opportunity?”

I could practically feel Colt’s anger coming off his skin as he released my arm.

I didn’t look back as I brushed past Conks and said, “Good evening, captain.”

“Lock her up tight,” I heard Colt grit through clenched teeth.

You can’t lock me up forever,I thought.Tomorrow when we’re in town, I’ll escape.

Ihadto leave. I couldn’t let Redhands whip me upon departing Nassau and I couldn’t allow myself to succumb to Colt’s nightly… attentions. He’d already tarnished my body. How long until the devil corrupted my heart as well?

Chapter 23

Charlotte

After a fitful night’s sleep in the brig, I was released in the late morning to a bustle of activity as the crew ferried to and fro, transporting men to the boisterous merriment of Nassau’s lawless port, and carrying goods and supplies from town aboardThe Dread Night.

It would be easy to get lost in that bustling town just beyond the beach, but where exactly?And what would I do next?I had no coin nor any items of value to trade. Finding a fellow woman would be wisest. Someone sympathetic to my plight. Someone refined.

I frowned.Or as civil as one could get in a port of such debauchery and corruption.

If I could negotiate assistance in hiding, and the eventual transport back to my settlement, then I could guarantee payment from Mrs. Penningham upon my delivery to whomever helped escort me.

Though staying at the tavern is no longer an option. Colt knows where to find me.

I chewed my lip and resolved to think about that later. Perhaps Mrs. Penningham could help me come up with a plan.

The sun had nearly set by the time it was my turn to stretch my legs, and Colt had cooled down enough to escort me to the docks. Contrary to what I expected, he looked a little excited to share Nassau with me as the captain, Johnson, Conks and I all climbed into the jolly boat and rowed through the calm, sparkling waves of the harbor. In the distance, pelicans swooped and dove from the sky, searching for their dinner amongst the turquoise water.

“We’re headed to a special tavern tonight,” Colt said, with a gleam in his eye and an annoyingly handsome smile tugging at his lips. “Unfamiliar to a lady such as yourself,” he teased, “but I knew a girl once and it was her favorite establishment for their fried cod.”

The captain watched me carefully for a reaction, but I only stared. Eventually, he shook his head and scoffed, gazing up to the skies with awhy mequestion in his eyes, as if I were nothing more than a troublesome burden he’d been forced to contend with, as if he suffered my presence, instead of having required me to be at his side.

Well,I thought, proudly,you’ll soon be rid of me.

It wasn’t a far walk into town and to the dining establishment Colt chose. I ate whilst plotting my escape -- I wasn’t foolish enough to run on an empty stomach -- and the captain was infuriatingly correct. The fish was delicious. As it was placed before me, my mouth watered at the smell, and I had to resist the urge to lick the salty, greasy crumbs from my fingers once I’d finished. Fortifying my courage, I washed my meal down with a generous pint of ale.

Standing quickly, I stumbled a bit upon my feet. Perhaps the ale hit me harder than I thought.

“Excuse me gentlemen,” I said. “I have needs to which I must attend.”

“That way,” Johnson said, tilting his head to the rear of the tavern.

I smiled gratefully and nodded. To my surprise, Colt followed me with his eyes, but allowed me to leave without protest. I supposed he didn’t have much choice, given what I inferred I was going to do. Also, enough patrons saw us dine together, so I doubted a single man would try anything untoward. And I supposed Colt didn’t think me stupid enough to try to run.

Well, my dear captain, you have no idea how wrong you are.

Wait. That sounded wrong.

Brave, bold, clever,I corrected, as I rounded the corner and ducked out of Colt’s sight.

In fact,I thought, gathering my skirts to pick up the pace,I know the best place to hide for a while.The place where Colt would least expect to find a lady.

Under the moonless night, I slipped through the crowded street as quickly as I dared and headed directly toward the flickering torches of the brothel we’d passed on our way to dine.

It was the last place in Nassau Colt would ever think to check. I’d simply hide until he gave up the search for the night, and then find myself a kind ear in the morning.

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