Page 69 of Paid to the Pirate

I was ashamed to even voice them aloud to anyone.

Insanity.

And yet…

When I told Charlotte to remain aboard while I attended to some business in town, I said nothing of my true intentions to anyone.

Nonsense.

When Conks asked me what I sought, I shrugged him off.

What foolishness.

Striding through various taverns with a clear purpose and coin in hand, I found what I was looking for in the third establishment. I bought the man a drink and we sat down to chat. I paid him more than he’d hope to see in a week and promised the second half once the task was complete.

I returned toThe Dread Nightwith a young man bearing a passing resemblance to Charlotte and led him to my cabin.

Perhaps I’d lost my mind. But whatever happened, I vowed not to leave my quarters until I had the full truth from Charlotte.

Chapter 31

Charlotte

“How do you do?” I greeted the man accompanying Colt as pleasantly as possible, offering a welcoming smile. “Pleased to meet you…”

“Charlotte,” Colt said, voice as hard as his stare. “Are you really going to play the lady when you haven’t seen your brother in years? He’s just sailed in from Boston. Won’t you give George a true greeting?”

I folded my lips between my teeth to avoid gasping and tried to calm my racing heart.

Brother? What should I do?

“Charlotte?” George asked tentatively. “Is something wrong? Stop this, please.” He held out his arms and crooked the fingers of one hand with acomemotion. His eyes were round and pleading, brow furrowed with confusion.

“I - ”

What to do?

“Please, sister.” He looked so pitifully sad as he spoke. “Tell me what’s wrong and I can help. I’ve missed you.”

The pang in my heart made me gush, “Yes,of course.It’s just been so long. My dear, dear, George.” I threw myself forward, preparing to embrace the stranger as my own relative, when Colt withdrew his sabre and extended the blade perilously close to my throat, forcing me to halt.

I couldn’t help my gasp, but quickly recovered and flashed a fake smile. “What – what are you doing?”

“Who are you?” Colt demanded, face wild with hostility. “What devilry is this?” He advanced, forcing me to back up to avoid the sharp blade.

“What in the hell is going on? A twin? Some kind of witchcraft?” he cried. His rage-filled eyes searched my body. “Have you possessed her? Is this even Charlotte’s body? Speak! Now, witch, or I’ll cut you in two.”

Pressed against the wall, I panted, “I don’t understand. What do youmean?”

“Charlotte has no brother,” Colt growled.

I could actually feel the color drain from my face.Oh God. I’d been fooled.

“Who are you really, what trick is this?” Colt demanded.

I licked my quivering lips as tears formed. My mind, always an asset I could count upon, utterly failed me. Painfully long seconds passed.

Gazing into Colt’s impossibly black eyes, I whispered, “I’m not a witch. At least, not that I remember.” I swiped the back of my hand across my cheeks to remove the tears.

---