To Catch a Pirate (7 page)

Sipping her tea from a china cup, Annalisa stood at the railing on the quarterdeck, the wind billowing her skirt out behind her. To the east the sun was just coming over the horizon. She loved this time of morning, particularly today. Last night Sterling had stood at her desk and charted a route that would give them enough leagues to cover for today if the wind held true. He’d not plotted the entire course toward their destination, but he’d set them in the right direction.

“Drinking tea on the quarterdeck?” a deep voice asked.

Turning, she smiled slightly at Sterling. He looked less ragged. Having the freedom of the ship seemed to agree with him.

“It makes me feel civilized,” she answered.

“I heard once that Black Bart sips tea on the deck of his ship.”

“Black Bart is a ruthless pirate. I have nothing in common with him. I’m a privateer. There’s a distinction.”

“Subtle, to be sure. Some would argue none at all.”

“I’m not doing anything dishonorable. I’m trying to recapture what was stolen from us.”

Sterling leaned forward, his forearms resting on the rail, his hands clasped in front of him. His long hair was pulled back, held in place with a strip of leather. The wind toyed with his white lawn shirt, causing it to flutter slightly.

“Perhaps whether one is seen as a pirate or a privateer depends upon where the one looking is standing,” he said. “You kidnapped me.”

“You’re not innocent. You have a bounty on your head. Any action taken against you is justified.” She felt a spark of guilt. Not everything she was doing was sanctioned by the Crown.

“Does Black Bart sail these waters?” she asked, to change the subject.

“From time to time. His ship is
Royal Fortune
. His Jolly Roger is black. It has him and death holding an hourglass. If you should spy it, you’ll want to head in the other direction.”

“I think I’d rather face him.”

“Trust me, m’lady, he’s much worse than Crimson. He takes no prisoners.”

“Have you ever fought him?”

“Nay, and I have no desire to. It’s a sure path to death.”

As was the path he was currently traveling, but she saw no point in reminding him of that.

“You’re up early,” she said to lighten the mood.

“Your quartermaster snores.”

“You could always return to the brig.”

“I think not. I’ll adjust.”

Taking another sip of tea, she studied him over the rim of her cup. “You don’t speak in the manner I expected of a pirate. You speak almost like a gentleman who would fancy drinking tea in a garden in the afternoon.”

Keeping one arm resting on the railing, he faced her. “That’s Crimson’s doing.”

“The barbaric pirate? He taught you to speak like a gentleman?”

He shrugged, a corner of his mouth lifting.

“That’s not an answer,” she said. “Did he or didn’t he?”

“What will you trade me for the tale?”

“Give it to me with no bartering.”

“That’s not the pirate way.”

“Yes, well, right now you’re serving aboard my ship, so you’re not a pirate.”

“I’m always a pirate, m’lady.”

Her stomach dropped. Why did he have to be so constantly difficult? And why did she always find him extremely intriguing? Why did she like it when they parried words back and forth?

“I order you to tell me or spend a night in the brig.”

He grinned. “You’re a hard captain.”

Her breath caught. Was he flirting with her? Was she flirting with him?

“Your tale?” she prodded.

“I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Crimson was educated at Oxford.”

“A gentleman pirate?” She almost scoffed, but she didn’t want to offend him. To her mortification, she enjoyed talking with him. “I don’t believe you. I heard him calling out for you on the
Horizon
. He sounded uncouth.”

“Playacting.”

She waited but he said nothing else. She gave him a pointed look. “You’re not going to leave it at that, are you? So he thinks the sea is his theater, a ship nothing more than a stage?”

“In a way I suppose he does. When we’re at sea, he dresses like a gentleman.” He dropped his gaze to her china cup. “He drinks tea. But when a ship is spotted on the horizon, he goes belowdecks and changes. When he reemerges, he’s different. His clothes are the colorful garb of a pirate. His language is coarse. He talks as though he has no education at all.”

“You do realize he’s a madman?”

“Depends where you’re standing.” He held her gaze. “Are you aware that pirates are a democratic lot? We elect our captains. Who elected you, m’lady?”

“It’s my ship, my quest. Therefore, I issue the orders.” She angled her chin. “I daresay I can’t say much for the intelligence of a crew who’d elect a man such as Crimson to oversee them.”

“He’s clever, he’s brave —”

“He’s brutal. Is it true he drinks the blood of his victims?” She couldn’t believe she was asking.

“Crimson once told me that the reputation for doing something can be as effective as doing it.”

“Have you ever seen him do it?”

He slowly shook his head. “But don’t tell a soul. Else he might decide he does have to do it.”

“Do what?”

They both turned at the unexpected question. Nathaniel stood there, his blond hair long enough to curl playfully beneath his tricornered hat.

“We were just discussing Crimson Kelly and whether the rumors of his disgusting habits are true,” Annalisa told him.

“I don’t think Sterling should have free rein of the ship,” he said sternly.

“I’m not interested in escape, mate. At least not yet.”

“It’s not your escape that concerns me but your ability to sabotage the ship.” He looked at Anna, holding her gaze. “I don’t trust him, Anna.”

She nodded. “You’re right, of course. Assign someone to watch him closely, but no shackles.”

“Kane!” Nathaniel called over his shoulder.

The burly man stepped forward. “Aye, sir.”

“Put Sterling to work swabbing the deck.”

“Aye, sir. This way, mate.”

Annalisa knew that Nathaniel had ordered the lowest form of duty for the pirate. It was an insult of the highest regard, something offered as punishment or because a man didn’t possess the skills for anything else. So she wasn’t surprised when Sterling objected.

“This wasn’t part of our arrangement,” he said.

“Every man on the ship pulls his weight or he goes in the brig,” Nathaniel said.

“I provide the course.”

“I’m not sure I trust it. You could take us in circles before we caught on.”

“What would I gain?”

“I don’t know.”

“Nathaniel, we all agreed to this arrangement yesterday,” she reminded him.

“I don’t like it.”

“Yes, well, that’s the way it is. Is there something else you needed?”

“It’s time for your morning practice.”

“Oh, yes, of course. I’d forgotten. Laddie!”

A young boy stepped forward smartly, took her cup, and scurried away.

Annalisa drew out her cutlass. She suddenly felt self-conscious with Sterling standing there, giving her a speculative look.

“You should go down below, Sterling, to avoid getting nicked,” Nathaniel said as though reading her unease.

Annalisa wasn’t surprised that Sterling simply crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the railing. “I’d rather stay and watch.”

“Nathaniel’s right. The lessons can get quite vigorous.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“Very well.”

She stepped forward to the middle of the deck and took her stance.

Nathaniel did the same. “Ready?”

She nodded.

When he swung his sword around, she deflected the blow, as always surprised by the force of the impact and the way her arm shook. They both pulled back. She struck. His sword met hers.

She jumped back. Circled slowly, watching him, watching his sword.

Then she became aware of the laughter. It started as a low rumble of amusement and grew louder. She turned to glare at Sterling.

“You find this amusing?” she asked.

“I do. You fight as though you’re standing in a parlor.”

“I’m still learning.”

“The problem isn’t you, m’lady. It’s your tutor.”

“I suppose you think you could do a better job,” Nathaniel said.

“Have you any experience fighting pirates?” Sterling asked.

“Of course. I fought several when you attacked the
Horizon
.”

“Ah, that explains your immense dislike of me.” He stepped forward, held his hand out to Anna. “Give me your sword. I’ll demonstrate what you can truly expect when you come up against pirates.”

“You’ll never carry a weapon on this ship, Sterling,” Nathaniel said.

Sterling moved swiftly, snatching Anna’s sword from her fingers before she knew what he was about. He arced it over his head and brought it down on Nathaniel —

Annalisa gasped in horror.

Dropping to a knee, Nathaniel raised his sword to deflect the blow. The clash of steel echoed over the deck.

“A pirate will never ask if you’re ready,” Sterling said.

Nathaniel shoved him, sending him back, but his balance hardly seemed affected. Nathaniel jumped to his feet.

Sterling struck again and again, but Nathaniel skillfully met each rapid-fire thrust and parry, backing up until he was pressed against the railing with nowhere to go.

“A pirate will attack quickly,” Sterling said.

He leaped away, grabbed Annalisa, snaked his arm around her, holding her close against his chest, the fine edge of the sword hovering beneath her chin.

Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was certain all could hear it.

“A pirate will not fight fairly,” Sterling said near her ear, his warm breath skimming over her cheek. “Do you really want to be taught how to fight pirates by a man with so little experience at defending himself against them?”

She lifted her foot and slammed it down on his toe. Yelping, he loosened his hold, and it was enough for her to slip beyond his reach. “Kane!” she yelled, holding out her hand, and the man who was supposed to be guarding Sterling tossed her his cutlass. She caught it by the hilt, swung it around.

Sterling met her steel with his. The vibration nearly stunned her.

He struck, she struck back. They continued, dancing over the deck, their feet moving quickly, each blow coming faster than the next. All the while she was vaguely aware of Nathaniel calling for the men, the sound of rushing footsteps.

While she concentrated on each move, tried to anticipate where he’d strike, Sterling did little more than smile.

“That’s right, m’lady —”

Clash!

“As fast and hard as you can —”

Clang!

“Attack. With no thought to wound, only to kill. The first blow makes a man your enemy.”

Clash!

“The final blow must ensure he never comes after you.”

Clash! Clang! Clank! Clink!

Over and over he swung his sword. Over and over she met each thrust.

Then she stumbled, found herself pressed against the mast, with the sword again at her throat.

“And never, ever let a pirate corner you,” Sterling said in a low, dangerous voice.

“Step away from her, Sterling,” Nathaniel ordered.

“It seems our lesson has come to an end,” Sterling said.

She nodded, breathless from the exertion, from his nearness. “Until tomorrow, anyway.”

Something danced in his eyes: a challenge, a bit of pleasure, some mischief. He was enjoying this much too much.

To her immense shame, so was she.

“Sterling —”

“It’s all right, Nathaniel,” Annalisa said.

She felt Sterling ease the pressure. With a nod, she stepped aside. The men descended on him like vultures, taking the sword and beating him to his knees, until his hands were bound behind his back and his head bent.

“I warned you,” Nathaniel said. “He can’t be trusted.”

“If he couldn’t be trusted, I’d be dead. Unhand him now,” she ordered.

Sterling lifted his head, his gaze homing in on her as though he couldn’t quite believe the command.

“It was merely a lesson,” she said.

“Anna —” Nathaniel began.

“He was right, Nathaniel. You’ve taught me a good deal about swordplay, but your heart has never been in it. I’m certain that’s because you expect me to hide belowdecks when the time comes. But I shan’t. I’ll stand and fight this time. I need someone with experience at fighting ruthlessly to teach me. Perhaps we all do.”

She glanced at Sterling who was standing, no longer bound. “A little warning next time that it’s practice.”

“As I said, a pirate will give you no warning.”

She nodded. “Go see the doctor. Have him check your back, make sure all this activity didn’t reopen the wounds. Mr. Kane will escort you.”

While the deck cleared of onlookers, Annalisa walked back to the railing. Her heart was only now beginning to slow.

Nathaniel stepped nearer. “I don’t like the attention you give him. You must know that you and you alone are the reason I’m aboard this ship.”

She had known. And she’d used it. She’d used every means at her disposal to get the ship and crew. She’d offered them a meager portion of the gold as a reward — when they reacquired it. The men followed Nathaniel because he earned their respect. He followed her because he cared for her. As a young officer aboard the
Horizon
when she’d traveled on it with her father, he’d shown a shy interest in her.