Christine Dorsey - [Sea 01] (25 page)

“What about me?” Henry asked.

“ ‘Bout ye bein’ in on it. And ‘bout ye bein’ hooked up with Jack.”

That all-too-familiar itch was back at the base of his neck, but Jack was too busy thinking to scratch it. He paced across the porch, then back. Someone... and he couldn’t imagine who... was trying their damnedest to get him hung. But he didn’t have time to worry about who it was right now.

Jack grabbed Scar’s arm. “We need to get back to the ship and hope we can get her under sail before—”

“What of me?” Henry hurried to block the door with his body. “If they know I’m involved, they’ll figure out the rest. I’ll be tried for piracy.”

“Come with us then.” Jack lifted him out of the way.

“And Miranda?”

“God’s blood, bring her, too.” This was unbelievable. The constable and his deputies could be at the
Sea Hawk
right now. Or on their way here, and—

“No one is going anywhere.”

Jack cringed when he heard that voice. He turned and saw exactly what he feared he’d see. “Miranda, put down that gun.” His gun. The one he’d carelessly left on the nightstand beside the bed.

“Not until you listen to me. There’s no reason for anyone to go running off. I shall simply tell the constable that I wasn’t kidnapped.”

Jack leveled a look on her. “You’d do that?” It was still fresh in his mind that the motive for kidnapping her in the first place was to prevent Miranda, from talking to the authorities. Could she be trusted now?

“For my father, I would. It appears that he is enmeshed in this thing with you. I can’t let anything happen to him.”

“Miranda.” Henry wrapped his arms around his daughter. She made sure the pistol was still trained on Jack.

Disgusted, he stuck his hands on his hips. “This display of paternal love is charming, but I still think Scar and I will leave. You have your proof, Henry. Your daughter is safe and sound and says she wasn’t kidnapped.”

“I said you’re not going anywhere,” Miranda reminded him. “I need you to make my story credible.”

“What the hell.” Jack started toward her. He’d take that gun from her and be on his way. She wouldn’t pull the trigger. He was
almost
certain. Scar’s frenzied yell stopped him.

“They’re comin’, Cap’n. A whole passel a ‘em.”

“God’s blood!” At least ten men hurried along the street heading straight for Henry’s house. They carried burning brands, and they didn’t look in a pleasant mood. Jack recognized Joshua Peterson, the royal collector of revenues, and the constable among them. They crowded around the doorway to the piazza. Jack shoved Scar toward the back of the house with orders to get to the
Sea Hawk
.

“Henry Chadwick, you in there?”

Miranda squeezed her father’s arm. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

Then, why did he have this almost uncontrollable urge to dig at his neck, Jack wondered. But it was too late to run. There was nothing to do but face the men and hope that Miranda Chadwick was true to her word.

Jack nodded toward Henry. “Let them in.”

Henry opened the door and stepped into the puddle of light thrown off by the torches. There was an angry rumble from the group followed by a hush as Henry held up his hands. “Gentlemen,” he said, his voice betraying no fear. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“ ‘Tis for Jack Blackstone we’ve come. Our understanding is that he’s here.” This from Graham Hicks, the town’s constable.

“Jack? He’s here. But it’s a little late for calling, don’t you think? Perhaps morning would be better.”

“And have him sailing full speed for the Spanish Main by then,” grumbled someone in the crowd, and others joined in the protest.

“It’s not a social visit we’re paying,” Constable Hicks added after hushing the crowd.

“We’ve reason to believe Captain Blackstone is guilty of kidnapping... among other things,” Joshua Peterson said. “And I demand to see him in the name of the king.”

“Well, certainly, if it’s in the king’s name.” Henry threw open the door, allowing the royal revenuer and the constable inside. He slammed the door on the rest of the rowdy throng. “There’s no need for any more men.” Henry motioned toward the drawing room. “Jack’s in there.” At least he hoped he was.

It occurred to Henry that Jack might have made an abrupt departure under cover of all the commotion. That is if Miranda didn’t keep a pistol trained on him.

But when he followed the two men into the room, there sat Jack, looking as relaxed as you please. Beside him, her deep blue eyes wide, was Miranda. There was no gun in sight.

“How are you gentlemen? This is certainly a surprise.” Jack stood and gave a formal bow. “I realize the hour is late, but would you care for some refreshment... some Madeira perhaps?”

“ ‘Tis not wine that brought us here.”

“I’m arresting you in the name of the king.” Joshua Peterson stepped forward. He was a small man, near a head shorter than Jack, but he puffed his barrel chest out in importance. “You won’t get to slip away this time, Gentleman Jack. We know all about you and Miranda Chadwick.”

Jack arched his brow. “You do?”

“Aye, we do. And once we have you in chains I’m certain we’ll find many other things about your
profession
of interest to the Admiralty.”

Jack wished he hadn’t tied his cravat so tightly. But he didn’t loosen it. He only smiled, the humor not quite reaching his smoky eyes. “My dealings with Mistress Chadwick are private. But as you can plainly see, she is here and perfectly safe.”

“Only because you brought her back,” Peterson countered.

“You know, then.” Miranda stood and pressed a lace handkerchief to her eyes.

Jack turned and gawked at her. He barely resisted grabbing her around her slender neck. They had agreed—actually, he’d demanded—that she be quiet unless it was absolutely necessary for her to speak. And it sure as hell wasn’t necessary now. Besides, she sounded as if she planned to corroborate what the king’s revenuer was saying. “Miranda.” Jack stepped toward her, annoyed when the runty Peterson made a move to protect her. “You needn’t say anything.”

“Oh, but I must.” She lowered the handkerchief enough for Jack to notice there wasn’t a tear in her eyes. But she also kept prudently out of his reach. “I must tell the truth, Jack.”

God’s blood, he could hardly breathe. Jack couldn’t help it. He yanked on the stylish Steinkirk knot of his, cravat. “Henry.” Jack’s tone was tight. Surely he could do
something
about his daughter.

“Miranda, dear, perhaps you should go upstairs and rest,” Henry suggested.

“No.” Miranda managed to evade her father’s hands. “I intend to tell them.” She sniffed delicately, fighting the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. The pirate and her father seemed ready to explode. Miranda turned away from them and faced the king’s men. “I ran away with Jack Blackstone.”

“What?”

Miranda could swear four voices echoed the same word.

“Jack didn’t want anyone to know.” She sniffed again. “He’s so concerned for my reputation, you know. However, that’s the truth of it. I’m a wanton woman.”

Her announcement left the room momentarily silent. Joshua Peterson was the first to speak. “But I had word from someone very reliable that there’d been a kidnapping.”

“Jack himself probably,” Miranda said. “He was adamant about protecting me. He’s the reason we’re here now. The reason we slipped ashore in the middle of the night. Jack insisted upon bringing me back to my father.” Miranda slanted the pirate a look, pleased that he seemed so unsure of what was going on. She decided to make him a little more bewildered, and possibly retaliate just a little for what he’d put her through.

“He, of course, insisted that we marry.” His expression was all she hoped for. “And perhaps we shall... someday.”

“There will be no someday about it.” Henry stepped forward. “The agreement was tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow!” Jack and Miranda turned toward Henry as one.

“God’s blood!” Jack swore.

“Now, Papa, we didn’t actually decide upon a date.” She’d only mentioned marriage to give the pirate captain a fright. Regardless that his touch could make her feel as if she’d taken flight, she had no intention of actually wedding the rogue.

“I’m not seeing what the problem is here,” Graham Hicks said as he accepted the wine Henry offered. “You ran away to be with Captain Blackstone, did you not?”

“Well... yes I did.”

“And it nearly broke my heart, too,” Henry injected, before handing a goblet to Joshua Peterson. He ignored the angry look his daughter gave him.

“Captain Blackstone.” The king’s revenuer took a sip of Madeira. “You brought Mistress Chadwick back to marry her, didn’t you?”

Jack looked at Peterson, then at Hicks. He scratched his neck. “Aye. That was my intent.”

“Then, I see no reason for delay.” This from Henry, who had positioned himself between the two defenders of the law. “Especially under the circumstances.”

Lord, protect him from fathers. Jack clenched his jaw. That’s what this was all about. He had ravished Henry’s daughter, and now he was to pay the price. Marriage. And if they all weren’t careful, he might pay with his life.

He’d already accepted the idea of marrying Miranda Chadwick, if only because of the guilt he felt, but she didn’t seem to embrace the notion at all. Her earlier refusal still rang in his ears. And by the looks of her—her eyes as wide as saucers and her round chin angled up—she was close to voicing her rejection once again.

And what would be the consequences if she did?

Neither Joshua Peterson nor Graham Hicks were stupid men. If Miranda shied away from marriage, they’d wonder why. And eventually come to the fairly obvious conclusion that she was lying about running away with him. Who in their right mind would run away on a pirate ship anyway?

Smiling, Jack stepped closer to Miranda. He ignored her sudden jolt when he draped his arm around her waist. Her eyes shot up to meet his. Hers were dark with impotent anger: His, he hoped, were understanding.

“This is for the best, sweetness,” he said, nearly laughing at her shocked expression.

“Best? But I don’t want to—”

“Aye,” Jack agreed. “ ‘Tis a bit rushed. And I know how you ladies like to gossip and plan such affairs, but I
am
a sea captain.”

“I’ve never gossiped in my life,” Miranda countered indignantly. Gossiping was for silly chambermaids with nothing better to occupy their minds. Whereas her own thoughts were lofty and... and what did she care about that? For heaven’s sake, the pirate captain and her father were maneuvering her into a marriage she did not want.

Miranda sighed. She’d done her share in bringing herself to this point, too. The question was, how could she get herself out of this tangle? She could think better if Captain Blackstone weren’t holding her quite so close.

“Aye, she’s right.” Jack bent to brush his lips along Miranda’s forehead. “She never gossips. Isn’t she a treasure?” His fingers tightened about her waist. “ ‘Tis a pity you gentlemen were dragged out in the middle of the night like this. But as you can plainly see, there was no need.”

 “Especially since there’s to be a wedding on the morrow,” Henry said, adding, as he turned the two visitors toward the door, “I hope you will stop by tomorrow afternoon for the celebration. Hell, come to the wedding, too.” Henry was feeling magnanimous.

Henry closed the door behind the constable and the royal revenuer. The three in the house listened to the grumbles of the men as the constable explained they were leaving empty-handed. The group obviously wasn’t happy, but a suggestion that they visit a dockside tavern quieted most of them.

Jack watched through the drapes as the men wandered off down the street. When he turned, it was to fix his stormy gaze on Henry. The older man took a sip of amber liquid and swallowed before carefully placing his goblet on the mantel. “That was a tight knot we managed to squirm through,” he said.

“Aye,” Jack agreed. “Except some of us didn’t manage to squirm through as easily as others.”

 “Papa, how could you?”

“What?” Henry held his hands up beseechingly. “How could I what?”

“You know exactly what I’m speaking of. This farce of a wedding you’ve arranged.”

“If I recall, daughter, you were the one to first bring up the idea of marriage in front of the constable.”

“You knew I was simply playing a scene to save your partner here from the gallows.” Miranda’s skirts fluffed out as she sank into a chair. “I already made my feelings about the matter known to you.”

“The question now is, what’s to be done?” Jack paced across the room, his hands clasped tightly behind him.

“I think that’s obvious. The two of you will marry tomorrow.”

Jack halted abruptly. “God’s blood, would you stop saying that?”

“Why should I? You already agreed to the match if you recall.”

He had, good Lord, he had. Jack couldn’t argue, so he simply stated the facts. “I’m leaving Charles Town as soon as we’ve taken on fresh provisions.”

“I’ve no quarrel with that.”

Miranda stood and marched over to Jack. “That’s it. You’re agreeing to this?”

“I don’t see as I have a choice.”

“But there must be some way around it. If I could only think on it awhile, I’m sure I could come up with a solution.”

Jack shrugged. He’d already given this entire matter too much thought and time. “I need to get back to the
Sea Hawk
. We’ve cargo to unload.” Jack pointed toward Henry. “The paper I gave you earlier is a fair estimate of what you owe me.”

“I’ll have it for you tomorrow.”

“Aye, tomorrow,” Jack said, unlatching the door and disappearing into the night.

“That’s it, then.” Miranda crossed the room to peek out through the curtains. “The solution.”

“What are you talking about, daughter?”

“The pirate left. You can’t really expect that he will be back tomorrow.”