Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jack

Jack watched James help Anna from the hatch and he knew…James Bancroft had chosen Anna.

The very fact the man had not appeared all day, spoke volumes. Bancroft was the first man up every day and the last to bed. He worked tirelessly as a ship captain.

Jack would guess that with Bancroft's ship gone, the other man would now work tirelessly to keep his new bride safe and happy. His days as a captain were over.

He quirked a small smile as he pulled Kate closer. "He's marrying your sister."

"How do you know?" she asked, as Bancroft helped Anna from the hatch.

"I don't need to explain, I know you already know." He slid a hand up her spine. Kate was far too astute not have noticed James's absence today.

She smiled, soft and gentle, as she turned back to him, not denying his statement. "I'm glad. Anna doesn't have the same stubborn streak that Isabelle does."

His brows lifted. One of the sisters had a spine of iron, he wasn't certain it was Isabelle. But he didn't tell Kate she might be the strongest of them all.

With a small kiss to her temple, he whispered close to her ear. "I've some plans to discuss with James and the Smiths. I know you want to stay, but I still think James should leave the ship with Anna."

Kate nodded. "I agree. I don't want to separate from her, but I also don't think she's up for fighting. The last thing she needs is more reason to be afraid."

He pulled her closer. "We could go with them."

Her brows drew together. "But…you told me that catching the king was your goal. Why would you leave?"

He looked back at Bancroft. Jack knew all about war. He'd fought his father, he'd fought for the King of England. Hell, he'd fought villains like the one they faced now. But he knew so little about love.

He looked back at Kate, her back straight and her chin titled at a curious angle. Was that what this was?

He'd thought lust.

And duty. And a desire to make something right in this world, which might have gone wrong.

But as he stared at her, he realized that it might be love.

And suddenly, he hated his promise. The one where he'd agreed to allow her to stay here. She was precious and she should be safe. Away from danger and…protected.

He understood all her reasons for wishing to be more independent. But what he wanted to do was to keep her safe.

He'd never find another Kate as long as he lived.

He held her tighter. "I don't care about that." He meant the words. He could hardly believe them, but he meant them. "All I care about is you."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You don't…"

"Other men will catch him. I want you to be safe."

She shook her head as she touched his cheek. "First of all, you don't know other men will catch him. Some men are special. And they do the jobs other men can't. Like set traps and bait criminals."

His chest tightened as he realized she was speaking of him, and it was a great compliment. "I know that. But you are even more special?—"

She placed a finger over his mouth. "And I am strong enough to help you. I promise."

His kissed her fingertip. Because he understood. And though he hated it, she wasn't wrong. They could fight together.

James stepped up next to him, Anna at his side. "Well?"

He looked to his friend. "Well, what?"

"Will it be a double wedding then?"

A slow smile spread across his lips. "I think it just might."

James gave a nod. "I do have some of the best men for brothers-in-law."

Behind them, a throat cleared. All four of them turned to see Fulton standing behind them with his hands clasped in front of him. Next to him was his brother, Gris.

"Sorry to interrupt," Fulton said with the sort of grin that made it clear he wasn't sorry at all. There was nothing Fulton liked better than disturbing the peace. "But perhaps the ladies could take a turn on the deck while we all talk?"

Kate began to pull away, but Jack held her for a moment, just feeling her body against his, before he let her go.

Anna thread her arm through her sister's and the two of them began to walk to the far side of the deck.

Jack watched them go, not able to look away for several seconds.

"Jesus," Fulton coughed. "A couple of lovesick puppies."

"Leave them be," Gris answered with a chuckle. "I remember how you acted the first time Sophie came around. You had the most ridiculous grin I've ever seen."

One of Jack's eyebrows rose. "Fulton, soft over a woman?"

"Always," he answered with a wink.

Jack turned to face the man he respected a great deal. "Has she ever been in danger at your side?"

"A few times," he answered, the smile disappearing. "I don't love it. But she's strong and capable and she makes me proud every time she weathers a storm."

Jack nodded, his gut tightening with understanding. He needed to give that to Kate. He could see that.

"So what are we going to do about the boat bearing down on us?"

"Well…that's part of the problem. They are not…not that I can tell."

"What?" his gut was twisting for a new reason.

"We picked up speed and lost them."

Jack drew in a deep breath. The king of these thieves was not a man to be trifled with. Was he laying a trap?

"We lost them…" He ran a hand through his hair, looking back at Kate. From across the deck, she watched him too.

Fulton shook his head. "Triston won't be here for three or four days with reinforcements."

Jack shifted, trying to think. "Is there any way he can surprise us? Is he fast enough to get in front of us, for example?"

"I don't think so," Fulton answered.

"I'd be surprised," Bancroft concurred. "Those double masted sail boats don't have the same speed."

"Does he have other ships lying in wait? Are we sailing into a trap?"

"He has a large fleet. He could have suspected we'd break for Scotland." Fulton winced. "Where does that leave us?"

Jack looked back at the women. "We could hide in a harbor. See who passes by."

All the men stopped to consider those words.

"We could hug the coast, in case we need to abandon ship." Bancroft added, his eyes also moving to Anna.

Fulton crossed his arms over his chest. "We need to protect the women. We do. But we'll protect them best by ridding England of this threat."

Jack felt the truth of the words sink in. Fulton was right. But also, they had to make certain they weren't sailing into a trap. "He fell back so quickly because he's got ships ahead. I'd bet my earldom on it."

Fulton nodded. "I agree. Otherwise, he would have given an honest effort to the chase."

"So what does that mean we should do?" Gris asked.

Fulton scratched his chin. "Let's find a sheltered harbor. If it comes to a fight, we'll do best with land at our backs. If they attack the ship, you get your women off."

Jack's shoulders sank with relief. "I've only got one request."

"What is it?"

"While we're still out to sea, think you could facilitate a few weddings?"

All the men laughed at that, but Jack was serious.

Whatever lay ahead, he'd face it with Kate at his side as his wife.