Chapter 27

27

AUGUST 31, 1727 NORTH ATLANTIC

A storm had delayed the Ocean Curse 's journey to Massachusetts, but we were just hours from arriving in Boston as I gathered supper from the galley. Misting rain still hovered in the air, and the dark clouds were low in the immense sky as the ship lifted and fell on great waves.

I balanced the dishes, missing Ned's help, and slowly made my way across the slippery main deck. Thankfully, Hawk saw me coming and met me at the base of the stairs to take a few things out of my hands.

"How much longer until we reach Boston Harbor?" I asked him.

He glanced toward the shoreline, hardly visible in the mist. "Two, three hours at most."

I followed him up the stairs and into the outer room.

It had been just over a week since Lindbergh's arrival in Minneapolis and the news broke about our family. The tent revival meetings had been such a success, they'd been extended from three days to five, ending on Saturday night. Father's messages had been so personal and vulnerable, and they had touched a need within the community. Word had spread, and each night, the tent was more packed than the night before.

The busyness had kept all of us preoccupied, which made me grateful. Thomas and Alice had come over for Sunday luncheon, and things had been awkward and uncomfortable at first, but I admired my parents for extending their love to them. Ruth and her children had moved in with her parents, but she and Andrew were trying to reconcile. Again, Father and Mother offered their support to Ruth and agreed to meet with the couple, if they wanted.

But my other life was not the one occupying most of my attention. We were hours away from Boston, and after that I would be on my way to Salem, which was a little over twenty miles to the north, along the coast. There, I would inquire about Rachel's family—my family—and hopefully I would get some answers.

Hawk and I walked through the outer room and into the captain's cabin. Timothy had been a guest at each of the meals since Captain Zale learned that his father was Jim Ludlow. It had given Timothy a sense of importance, but I prayed it wouldn't encourage the young man to continue with this lifestyle.

Captain Zale had been a tyrant since we'd left Charleston, probably on account of Ned leaving, though he'd never admit it. His behavior had become erratic, and his moods had shifted, sometimes from one minute to the next. He kept Dr. Hartville close, but Marcus told me that there was nothing ailing the captain except the fear of illness.

As we entered the cabin now, the captain said to Hawk, "Why are you helping Carl?"

"He needed an extra hand," Hawk explained as he set the platters of food on the table.

"If you and Marcus hadn't lost Ned, you wouldn't have to serve." Captain Zale's gaze bored into me. "Though, I wonder if he had some encouragement to leave."

Marcus was already at the table, watching the captain with wary eyes. Dr. Hartville was there, as were Jack and Timothy. I set plates down in front of each of them, trying not to meet anyone's gaze.

It was hard not to focus on Marcus. The past eight days had been so bittersweet in his company. The stolen moments, especially at the end of the day, had been the most enjoyable of my life. We talked about our hopes and dreams for the future, always with the knowledge that everything could be taken away in a heartbeat.

Perhaps it was the fact that it could all end in days that made each moment feel so full and satisfying. Being in his arms, enjoying his kisses, and then parting ways to sleep was the hardest of all—yet the sweet possibility of someday helped me endure.

But moments like this, when he was close, the desire to touch him was so strong. I couldn't help but brush against him as I set his plate on the table, or when I served his ale. It felt like electricity, even if the touch was fleeting.

I stood by and waited while they ate, impatient to take my meal to Marcus's cabin and have him join me. It would be late when the ship was anchored in Boston Harbor, so we would wait until morning to disembark. As Timothy brought the captain to his father, Marcus promised to take me to Salem.

From there, the rest was a mystery.

Captain Zale's scowl found me several times throughout the meal, but I always lowered my gaze. Marcus seemed to notice, as he looked from me to the captain whenever it happened.

When they were finally done eating, and the men rose to leave, Captain Zale spoke. "Dr. Hartville, I need you to stay."

The kind doctor looked wary.

I began to clear the table as Timothy, Hawk, and Jack left, though Marcus lingered.

"You may leave," the captain said to Marcus.

"I can help Carl clear—"

"Leave!" the captain bellowed.

Marcus frowned and tossed me a concerned glance, but he nodded and then stepped out of the cabin.

I tried to clear the table as quickly as I could, wanting to stay small and inconspicuous. It wasn't uncommon for me to remain behind and finish my work, though the captain usually left with the other men.

"What seems to be the trouble this time?" Dr. Hartville asked the captain with a sigh.

The captain stood close to the table, his arms crossed, as he stared at me. "'Tis not me that needs assistance," he said. "'Tis Carl."

I paused, holding my breath.

"He has recovered nicely from the diving sickness," the doctor said. "I haven't heard him complain once about another ailment."

"'Tis not an ailment," the captain said. "'Tis a question that has been plaguing me this past week."

The doctor and I waited as my hands began to tremble. I set down the dirty dishes I had been holding, so they wouldn't rattle.

"What question is that, Captain?" Dr. Hartville asked.

"Whether Carl is a boy or a girl. I suppose I could have checked myself, but I thought a professional would be best suited to the task."

Sweat broke out on my brow as I started to back toward the door—but where would I go on a ship?

Dr. Hartville knew the answer to the question, though he said nothing as the captain continued to stare at me.

"Does the doctor need to examine you, Carl?" Captain Zale asked. "Or are you willing to tell the truth?"

I felt like a cornered animal with nowhere to run. I couldn't endure the humiliation of an examination, but I didn't want to admit the truth, either. Not this close to Boston and the answers I needed. If only Marcus had stayed. He could step in and save me from answering.

The captain and doctor watched me. Dr. Hartville lifted a shoulder, as if he was telling me to give in.

"Dr. Hartville," Captain Zale said, "it appears that Carl wants to be examined. Proceed."

"No!" I put out my hand, realizing I had no other choice but to tell him the truth. "I am a woman."

The captain's lips curled up in a satisfied smile. "As I thought. Dr. Hartville, you may leave us."

I shook my head. I didn't want the doctor to leave, but he didn't have a choice, either. He slipped out of the room without a moment's hesitation.

"I've been watching you closely since Ned left." He took a step closer to me, and I backed up. "I started to notice the secret looks you and Marcus gave each other. The subtle touches and the early nights when he went back to his cabin. It all started to make sense."

Where was Marcus now? Had Dr. Hartville alerted him?

"How long has Marcus known?" the captain asked.

I licked my dry lips, trying to decide what to say. Would Marcus be in trouble if I told the captain that Marcus had known almost from the start? I opened my mouth to respond when the door opened, and Marcus strode in.

The captain turned at the arrival, giving me the opportunity to move around him and get out of the corner.

Marcus reached for my hand, and I took it, relief flooding through me.

"I've known the truth for a long time," Marcus said.

"Ahh." The captain paced around us, a snarl on his lips. "I can't fault you for enjoying her company while I had Nadine's."

"'Tis not like that," Marcus said.

Captain Zale laughed derisively, then he became serious. "If you don't enjoy her company, then you won't mind if I take her off your hands."

Marcus's grip tightened, and I stepped closer to him.

"I do mind," he said. "I intend to make Caroline my wife."

"Caroline?" The captain's eyebrows rose, and then he laughed again. "Your wife? And how will you manage that? Your life belongs to me and to this ship and crew. 'Tis no place for a wife . Nadine didn't believe me, but she eventually came to her senses. I can't say I blame her, but she should have had the courage to tell me she was leaving."

I saw the struggle in Marcus's gaze, old lies warring with new found hope. He wanted to believe we had a future together. We both did.

"As your captain," Captain Zale continued, "the crewmen are under my direction, and I am taking what is rightfully mine." He reached for my wrist and pulled me toward him.

I cried out in pain.

Marcus still held my other hand, but he saw my discomfort and let me go.

The captain pulled me closer, my back to his front, reminding me of being in Lloyd's grip.

"Leave us," Captain Zale said to Marcus as he ran his nose up the side of my face. "I will show Caroline her new duties."

In a flash, Marcus pulled his cutlass from its sheath and sliced it through the air, resting it against the captain's neck.

Captain Zale stiffened, his hold tightening around my chest.

"Let her go," Marcus said evenly through clenched teeth.

"You wouldn't dare," Captain Zale sneered.

"Without a moment's hesitation."

I felt as if I was living through the same scene from the Castle Royal, but this time it was Marcus who was defending me. I saw no hesitation, no fear, no uncertainty in his gaze. His hand didn't quiver, and his intentions were clear. He meant to free me and would not back down until he succeeded or died trying.

The captain pushed me away, and I fell just like I had in the caves, but he did not run, like Lloyd. He pulled his own cutlass from his sheath, and the sound of steel rang against steel.

"No!" I cried as the two men began to parry. I didn't want Marcus to get hurt because of me, yet at the same time I sensed that this fight wasn't just about me. It was for the years of abuse Marcus—and the others—had suffered at the hands of Captain Zale.

"Get out of here, Caroline," Marcus yelled as he moved his sword this way and that, hitting the captain's over and over.

They lunged around the cabin, the small blades of their cutlasses easy to maneuver in the tight space.

"You're not safe," he said to me as I lay on the floor where the captain had shoved me.

I should have obeyed his command, but I couldn't leave him.

They were equally matched in strength, height, and skill. Sweat broke out on their brows as they stepped forward and back, around in a circle, their blades ringing.

The door flew open, and Hawk appeared with Timothy at his side.

"Take him!" the captain yelled at Hawk.

I caught Hawk's gaze and saw his uncertainty, but he didn't move to help the captain, telling me all I needed to know.

A pirate ship was a democracy, and a captain could be challenged at any time. It was not up to Hawk to defend the captain from one of his own. The captain must be the strongest, bravest, and fiercest of them all. And if Marcus overtook the captain, proving he was better fit for the job, he would gain the respect of the crew.

As much as I wanted to help him, this was Marcus's moment to take back his life.

The captain's age was wearing on him. I could see it in the exhausted lines of his body. And when Captain Zale stumbled, Marcus used it to his advantage. He swiped at the captain's cutlass, and it flew out of his hand as the captain fell to the ground.

The captain's cutlass spun across the floor, stopping by my feet. I stood and grabbed it as Marcus put his foot on the captain's chest and placed his blade next to his throat.

"You won't ever touch the lass again," Marcus said as his chest rose and fell. "She isn't yours, or anyone else's, to command."

I could hardly breathe as I watched Marcus, my heart pounding from both fear and elation at his success. He'd defended me, as he promised, and he had not backed down or let my captor go like Lewis had.

"I suppose you'll kill me now," the captain snarled at Marcus, "so you can have control of my ship."

Marcus shook his head. "Nay. 'Tis time we both faced our fate."

Captain Zale frowned. "What does that mean?"

"It means that as soon as we lay anchor in Boston Harbor, we're going to pay a visit to the royal governor of Massachusetts. Just the two of us." Marcus noticed Hawk and Timothy and paused, probably wondering what Hawk might do. The two were friends, but Hawk had been under the captain's command until now.

Hawk turned to Timothy. "Grab one of the ropes in the outer room. Captain Marcus Zale is now in charge, and Edward Zale is his prisoner."

Respect filled Marcus's gaze as he gave his old friend a quick nod.

Soon, Edward was tied up, and the crew was gathered on the main deck to hear of the change in command.

Darkness had fallen, and with it, more rain. Boston Harbor was now in sight, though it was hard to see the city on a hill through the fog and mist. I stood on the quarterdeck with Marcus and Hawk, terrified that there would be an outcry from among the men. But instead, after Marcus made the announcement, a cheer arose that startled me.

I had not gotten close to the pirate crew and wasn't aware of the dislike they had for the ex-captain until that very moment.

"Prepare to lay anchor in Boston Harbor," Marcus shouted at his men after telling them the news. "There is much to be done."

The crew went to work as Hawk turned to Marcus. "What would you like me to do with Edward?"

"Keep an eye on him," Marcus said. "I must prepare to leave the ship at first light. We can take turns guarding him, but I doubt anyone will try to help him escape."

"Will you move to the captain's quarters tonight?"

Marcus glanced at me, a dozen questions in his eyes, but he said, "Nay. We'll decide what to do tomorrow."

Hawk nodded. "I'll start the first watch."

"Thank you." Marcus patted Hawk on the shoulder and then said, for his ears alone, "And I trust you won't mention anything about Miss Caroline to the rest of the crew? At least until tomorrow?"

Hawk's grin was wide. "I knew the truth about her back in Nassau. I saw how protective you were and how you had your hand on her back." He laughed and shook his head. "There's no fooling Hawk. I won't say anything."

Marcus smiled and then said, "Can you please have Timothy bring her a plate of food? She didn't get a chance to eat."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

I smiled at Hawk as Marcus motioned for me to proceed him up the steps and into his old cabin.

It felt good to get out of the rain. Marcus moved ahead of me and lit the lamp to allow a bit of light.

I was soaked and trembling, more from the excitement of the night than the cold rain.

Marcus didn't say a word as he took a blanket off his cot and wrapped it around my shoulders.

The moment his gentle hands touched me, I could no longer hold back my tears, and I clung to him.

He wrapped his arms around me, whispering into my ear. "There's no need to cry," he said. "'Tis done."

"Nay." I shook my head and pulled back. "'Tis only just begun. What will happen tomorrow when you take the captain to the governor? You'll be captured, Marcus. I'll never see you again."

He drew me back into his arms and held me for a long time. "This isn't how I wanted things to happen. But 'tis the right thing to do, Caroline. Tomorrow, I'll send Hawk along with you to Salem. I trust him with my life, and if I can't be there with you, he is the one I will send in my stead."

"I won't go," I said. "I'll stay with you. No matter what happens."

He shook his head. "Nay. You must go to your kin. Not only to find answers, but because they'll care for you."

"And what if they don't? What if there's no one left?"

"Then I'll instruct Hawk to take you back to your grandfather."

I grasped the lapels of his coat. "You speak as if you won't be with me."

He brought his hands up to my cheeks and kissed me. When he lifted his lips, he set his forehead against mine and said, "I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I will make sure you are cared for. I've always known that my actions would have consequences. But I wouldn't be any sort of a man if I didn't face them. I hope you can understand."

I did understand, even though I hated every word he said.

Actions had consequences, whether good or bad. I admired Marcus for wanting to do the right thing.

But why did the right thing have to hurt so much?