The Captain's Lady Page 21

  “Captain Danty,” said Cloud. His voice was icy, impersonal, and the crew of the Diamond Maria shivered, not only because of the way he said her name, but because he said it.

  “Captain Cloud,” she answered clearly. She lifted her chin as she stepped still closer so she could maintain her gaze on him.

  “I would like to explain…” He faltered. Her eyes would not let him continue.

  As his words died, Alexis smiled. It was anything but a sign of friendship. She thought if he had been anyone but Tanner Frederick Cloud he would have shuddered at the insincere placement of her lips. Some part of her was glad to have him back. There was no other man like him. But she despised him for reminding her of it now.

  “I only have one question, Captain Cloud,” she said evenly. “I would like the answer to it before we discuss the reason for your presence on my ship.”

  Cloud nodded, bracing himself for the query he knew had to be answered.

  “Were you aware of the presence of Captain Travers aboard the Follansbee?”

  He met her quiet fury directly. “Yes, I knew.” There was no apology in his voice. He saw Alexis relax briefly only to gather all the anger she held in reserve. She raised her hand. He made no move to restrain her as her palm swept through the air and made contact with his cheek.

  Alexis’s hand dropped to her side and she watched, fascinated, as the imprint of her hand on his face changed from white to red and then faded completely as his sun-bronzed color returned. She held her ground as his muscles tensed. Still, he made no move toward her. Instead his grin taunted her and his emerald eyes mocked her action.

  Mike started to move toward Alexis. His hand held his blade tightly. No matter what she meant to him and the others he would not let her get away with striking his captain. If he had seen Cloud’s smile he would have known, as Alexis did, that she would pay for it later.

  Alexis dropped her gaze from Cloud when she saw Mike’s threatening stance and subsequent movement. Cloud followed her glance and ordered Mike to hold. Alexis looked at her crew. They were prepared to fight if Cloud had not stopped the advance of his man. Tension hung all around them and both captains sensed it was on the verge of erupting into violence.

  Alexis held up her hand and addressed her crew. “Men! This is Captain Cloud. His name is not familiar to most of you but his old ship is. Captain Cloud and his men are formerly of the USS Hamilton.” Her men understood the significance of her statement. They all knew of the Hamilton, but until now, they had never been given the name of her captain. “I do not understand the presence of the Concord any more than you, but we will hear the captain out before we take any action.” She turned to Cloud, signaling it was up to him now.

  Cloud wanted to talk to Alexis in private, but there was a question of Jordan’s that had to be answered first. “Mr. Jordan asked me why we did not engage the Follansbee. The answer is the United States has yet to declare war.”

  Ned Allison called out. “But you’ll make war on a private cargo ship!”

  Alexis started to interrupt her man but Cloud motioned her to be quiet. “I am well aware of the sort of cargo this ship carries. Your Boston accent betrays you, sailor. It would seem a lot of you have been making war on the British without the sanction of your government.”

  Jordan dropped his clipped accent and when he spoke it was his Charleston drawl that stilled the silence. “And where was my government when I was shackled and serving His Majesty?”

  “Enough!” Alexis’s voice broke through the rousing voices of agreement that followed Jordan’s words. There was instant silence. “Captain Cloud and I will discuss the nature of his visit in my quarters. It would appear we were his objective all along. Mr. Jordan, see that all the captain’s men are extended our courtesy. This will not take long.”

  She motioned to Cloud and walked toward her cabin. He followed without hesitation, watching her purposeful, angry strides. He remembered the things revealed in her eyes when she had first seen him. Anger, frustration, and confusion. All the emotions that would lead to hatred. How long before he had to see that in her eyes the way he had felt it in her palm?

  Alexis opened the door and waited for Cloud to step through before she shut it. Instantly he had her pressed against the door, his face hovered over hers. Just as he had made no attempt to halt the slap she had delivered, she made no attempt to halt his kiss. His lips covered hers, bruising them with the same force her palm had exerted against his cheek. Just as he had given her no response on deck, she gave him no response now. When he removed his mouth she calmly pointed out a chair and told him to sit; her cool taunt was in the way she said it.

  As she placed a crystal goblet before him and poured them both wine she said, “Someday, Captain Cloud, I will have the same control you do.” She sat down and sipped her drink. “I humiliated you in front of your men earlier. Thank you for waiting until we were in private before you humiliated me.”

  Cloud lifted his glass in tribute. “You always understand, don’t you, Alex?”

  “Not always. I am Captain Danty now and I understand none of this. I would like an explanation.” She turned her goblet in her hands and leaned back in her chair, waiting patiently for Cloud to begin.

  “I have orders from President Madison to escort—”

  “Escort?”

  “To arrest you and take you back to Washington.” There was no reaction. Not a flicker of surprise or fear in her face. Cloud went on. “You will be granted a pardon should you agree to aid us in the upcoming war. Your knowledge is considered valuable by the President and some others and they want you on our side.”

  “What grounds do you have to arrest me?”

  “Forcing the issue of war with Great Britain.”

  “But I am English. They are the ones who should arrest me for treason.”

  “Many of your men are not, Captain. By acting as privateers you have helped to precipitate war.” He recited the reason by rote.

  “You know that is not true. The United States has a list of grievances a mile long now.”

  “I know it. But you asked why I was arresting you. Those are the charges.”

  “And you would arrest me to give credence to a lie?” She placed the goblet softly on the table and folded her hands in her lap. Her voice had not altered in the least as she continued questioning him. It was still soft and lilting, and it had the edge of a steel blade that was cutting through this mockery swiftly and surely.

  “I would do what I was ordered, Captain. My approach would not have been the same but I do not intend to use that to justify myself.”

  “But how would you have approached me?”

  Cloud wanted to tell her he would have waited until she had Travers. It was of no consequence now. He wanted to tell her he had done everything to avoid this confrontation. That also was of no consequence. “It does not matter,” he said finally. “I happen to agree you could be valuable in helping us win the upcoming war.”

  Alexis’s lips curled slightly at the corners. “The end justifies the means.”

  “No.” he said firmly. “But where no choice is given as to the means, the end becomes everything.”

  Alexis was ready to tell him he could have resigned his commission, but she held back, knowing that was something he could not do, any more than she could give up her search. Instead she asked, “Are you satisfied?”

  “Who are you asking, Captain Danty? Are you asking the commander of the Concord or are you asking Cloud?”

  “I was asking Cloud, but I had no right. As captain you do not have to answer that question. I already know the answer is yes.”

  “What do you plan to do? Are you going to permit me to take you into custody or are our men going to have to fight?” He finished his wine and held his cup, tensely waiting her response.

  “What is the agreement again?” Her brows drew together over closed eyes.

  “If you decide to help us fight this war by giving us information that will aid our sid
e all charges against you will be dropped.” Cloud knew he had told no lie. What was it Alexis had told him once? Various shades of the truth? He frowned. It was a lie. He had not mentioned Lafitte, nor did he intend to. Not as long as there was still a chance he could get Howe and his cronies to see how senseless that part of the bargain was.

  Alexis kept her eyes closed, her face serene. “My men? Are they also under arrest?”

  “That depends on you, Captain. I have no orders for their capture. In the event you do not come I will take it upon myself to see that every American on your crew spends time in prison for his actions aboard your ship.”

  Alexis’s eyes flew open and she stared at him to see if he meant what he said. She discerned, with no effort at all, that he was serious. “That’s a large hammer you have held over my head. And what if we choose to fight? You may not win.”

  “Is the risk acceptable?”

  Alexis hesitated only a moment before answering. Her or her men. Certain death for many on both sides if she did not agree to go. And Travers? He was gone for now and preparing him for another trap would take months of careful planning. What would she gain if she fought and won? A chance to pursue Travers? No. If her attack on the Concord were known she would be hunted down by the Americans. They would see that Quinton Shipping was destroyed. Cloud thought he was only using the lives above him as leverage. But it was the Grendons and Scott Hansom and all the others that depended on Quinton Shipping that she included in her answer.

  “The risk is not acceptable. It appears I am to be your prisoner once again. There is no other word for it this time, is there?”

  “There was none before,” he replied.

  “Good,” she said with finality. “Then you also know the same option exists for me as before. I will go with you now but I give you my word I will escape.”

  “I understand.”

  “And, Captain Cloud,” she added thoughtfully, “I realize it will be more difficult this time. But at some point I will succeed. I do not consider it likely that I will be interested in anything your superiors have to say to me. They must know my methods are quite different from anything the navy could use in good conscience. The information I possess is available to any sailor. Why are they not using you to their advantage? You were once my instructor. You know as much about British movements and tactics as I do.”

  Cloud smiled, fully relaxed for the first time since they sat down. “I am being used to their advantage. I have Captain Alex Danty, don’t I?”

  “And you really think I will help your side? Now? Before I do what I have to do and after you threaten me with the imprisonment of my men?” She raised her eyebrows in an arch that feigned interest.

  “I never thought it for a moment. I was ordered to bring you to Washington to meet with the President and the four men who explained this assignment to me. What you tell them is your own affair.” His voice achieved the blandness it strived for.

  “I see.” Her eyes blazed contempt for him.

  Cloud met her gaze and waited for her hatred. When her face still did not become distorted by that emotion, he knew the extent of the love she’d once had for him. Love he had never been able to know fully because in order to have it he had had to release her. He knew then, just how difficult it was going to be to keep her a prisoner.

  “I will go on deck and tell them what you have decided while you collect the things you want to take,” he said.

  Alexis went to her desk. Without looking at him she said, “That would not be very wise. You shouldn’t return without me. My men may not like it.” She smiled when Cloud remained seated. “I have an entry to make in my log; then I will go with you and explain to my crew. Peach will pack my things.” She sat at her desk and opened the log. Dipping her pen into the inkwell, she began writing. “It is the eighteenth of June, Captain. I will not forget that.”

  Cloud said nothing but thought he would not forget it either. In Washington there were many who also thought the date of significance. Not because they had Captain Danty—that they did not yet know—but because Congress had acted on Madison’s written proposal. War had been declared.

  Alexis finished writing and shifted in her chair to face him. “Shall we go?”

  Cloud nodded and followed Alexis through the companionway to the hatch. When they reached the deck Alexis said to him, “Please take your men to one side. I wish to talk to my men alone.”

  “I want to hear what you have to say,” Cloud answered. “I will not allow you to enlist the aid of your men for your escape attempt.”

  “That was not my intention, but you may listen if you wish. I want my men to stand far away. I will escape from you on my own.”

  Cloud motioned his men to the side and they went reluctantly. Since their captain and Alexis had gone below not a word had passed between the two crews. They had filled the silent void with sullen stares.

  When Alexis’s crew had gathered around, she called Peach to her side. “I want you to go below and gather my things. There is a bag in my wardrobe. Put my clothes there. I am going with Captain Cloud.” There were loud protests from her men that drowned out the sigh of relief from the Concord crew. Alexis barely noticed either. She only had eyes for the boy in front of her. He looked at her in bewilderment, completely at a loss to understand why she was leaving. “Go on, Peach. I will need those things right away.” She knew she had disappointed him. He had not been with her long enough to know all that was involved in her decision. She searched his thin face and dark brown eyes. He was willing to fight and she was not. Yet it was she who made the decisions. She watched him hurry off, and faced the others.

  “I have been placed under arrest for acts the United States government thinks have helped to precipitate war with Great Britain.”

  “Captain Danty!” Jordan cried, making no attempt to conceal his anger. “You’re English! This is a mistake! They can’t take you on those charges!”

  “Mr. Jordan! I am fully aware of my citizenship as you no doubt are aware of yours.” Her statement halted all protests as the men realized she was offering herself in their place. She continued softly but none of them questioned that what she said was an order. “I have agreed to go with Captain Cloud. I have not agreed to go as far as Washington, however.” She smiled as her men laughed softly. “This ship is now under Mr. Jordan’s command, and my last order to him is that none of you interfere with the Concord’s progress from here. I want no man doing anything to help me escape. When you return to Tortola explain to Mr. Grendon what has occurred and inform him he is now in complete charge of Quinton Shipping. Each of you is free to decide to stay with him or to return to the United States and fight on her side. Whatever you commit yourselves to, I know it will be the right choice for you. Because I have no intention of aiding the United States after what has occurred here today, I will not be granted a pardon. I expect to be spending a great deal of time in prison—if they can get me that far.” She faced Cloud. “That is all I have to tell my men. We can go now.”

  Cloud was silent, grimly observing her crew. He spun around when he heard quick, light footsteps behind him. It was Peach, carrying Alexis’s bag of clothes. He held out the bundle to her, and she took it firmly in her arms. Cloud knew better than to offer assistance. He started for his ship and Alexis followed, her chin held a narrow margin too high. Instead of her crew seeing their captain being proudly led away, they could not help notice her quivering chin and trembling lips. They were glad Captain Cloud, walking in front of her, could see none of it.

  Cloud jumped to the side while Alexis threw her bag to the Concord. She accepted his outstretched hand because of her dress but she refused assistance in making the leap. Cloud shrugged and jumped first, followed by Alexis, Landis, Mike, and the others. Aboard the Concord, Cloud ordered Alexis taken below. While she was being led away by Harry and Landis, Cloud gave the command for the Concord to sail.

  Alexis was shown to a small cabin. When she was inside Landis shut the door a
nd she heard a bolt slide into place. A prisoner, she thought, in all respects. She leaned against the locked door and slid down its length. When she reached the deck, she dropped the bag she’d clutched so tightly when she’d left the Diamond Maria and clasped her arms about her knees, drawing them close to her chest. She closed her eyes as she felt the Concord pulling away. Above the sound of water breaking against the hull she could hear the familiar voices of her crew cursing her old friends. She dropped her head to her knees, sighing as the tears came again for the first time in two years.

  The curses died and silence remained as Jordan and the others watched the Concord slip from view. Alexis would not have been surprised to learn it was Peach who expressed his opinion first.

  “Mr. Jordan…I mean, Captain. How could she leave us? Why wouldn’t she fight? Is she a coward after all?” His large brown eyes stared helplessly at the new captain, waiting for an explanation of Alexis’s behavior. He wanted to hear something that would vault her back to the pedestal he had placed her on. He did not flinch when Ned Allison shook him roughly by the collar of his shirt and threw him to the ground.

  “Simple brat! You—” Ned started and stopped, interrupted by Jordan who stepped forward and lifted the boy to his feet.

  He set Peach firmly on the deck and turned to Ned. “He doesn’t know what she did, Allison. She sent him away.” He looked down at Peach’s thick mat of brown hair and lifted the boy’s chin so he could see those confused features clearly. “How long have you been with us, Peach?”

  “Three months, I came on the last ship.”

  “And do you think it was Captain Danty’s cowardice that got you away from that frigate?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Captain Danty saved us all from being thrown in prison, Peach. No one would have cared that you’re only twelve or that you’re as English as she. If she had decided to fight, and she knows we all wanted to, most of us wouldn’t be here right now. Do you understand?”