Page 10 of Pirate's Intent
“Fire everything we have,” he roared. His order was repeated by Charles then down the line to the master gunner below.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
His guns went off in rapid succession, and he got lucky. They not only hit Big Devil’s main mast but his hull.
The enemy's ship would sink.
But not the other.
Thomas was out of cannons, and attacking at close range would be unwise. He was outnumbered and unlike his brother, too careful a sailor to risk hand to hand combat in seas this rough. He could sink his ship or lose men to the dark waters before they even had a chance to fight.
Thomas’s men hooted and hollered with approval when Big Devil’s main mast split and crashed down.
“Boom about,” Thomas roared again, cutting the wheel back in the other direction.
Time to flee and flee fast.
Once they were facing away from the ship, the sail was raised again, and they lurched forward.
“Bloody good hit, Cap’n,” Charles praised. “That’ll slow ‘em down for sure.”
He turned the wheel over to his quartermaster and nodded with approval. By hitting Big Devil’s ship, they forced the other vessel to stop and save their leader. Had they hit the other one, Big Devil would have likely kept going, and they would have had a hellish time escaping him.
“They’ll follow soon enough,” Thomas said. “But if we keep this wind, we should reach our destination with time to spare.” He clapped Charles on the shoulder. “Well done, mate. Keep me apprised.”
Charles nodded and took a hearty swig of rum.
Thomas praised his men for a job well done and made his way back to his cabin.
As to be expected, Rose was white as a ghost, clutching his bed of all things. Regrettably, it wasn't the way he wanted her to. When that time came, she would not be trembling in fear but writhing in bliss.
“Is...did you...are we...” she stuttered, taking a swig from his rum bottle.
Amused, he wondered how many she had taken before that.
“Everything is fine.” He drew the curtains, lit a candle, sat behind his desk, and decided the less she knew, for now, the better. “We are clear of trouble.”
Wide-eyed, she stared at him for a moment before she realized where she was and made her way back to the chair, stumbling a bit. Whether that had to do with the storm or the rum was yet to be seen.
She sat and primly adjusted her skirts, her hands shaking ever-so-slightly. After making a project out of smoothing her hair and the rest of her attire, she took another rather lengthy swig, inhaled deeply, and finally looked his way, her words matter of fact. “You are soaked.”
“I am,” he confirmed.
“Are you not going to change?”
Used to being wet, he pulled another bottle of rum out of a drawer and downed several long swallows. “I will eventually.”
Not for the first time, he scanned her person for the bauble. Where was it? His man had confirmed she still had it in her possession in Virginia, or this plan might have gone differently. Yet his informant said nothing about her always wearing it. Hannah’s letters had provided that tidbit.
Hence Big Devil’s pursuit.
Yet he saw no signs of his mother’s brooch. The family heirloom he had given her when he asked her to become his wife. A keepsake he was shocked to discover she never parted with.
“So Hannah is safe?” she said, reverting back to what they were talking about before. Her eyes narrowed. “You said she was with your brother.” Her hand fluttered over her heart in distress. “Please tell me Luke does not have her.”
“He is the only brother I have, Rose, so yes, Luke has Hannah,” he replied. “Which you should be grateful for. He is an exceptional sailor and soldier.” He shook his head. “They will never get close to her.”
“Yet it sounded like Hannah was staying on the island.” She cocked her head in consideration. “If we were just pursued, that means they know you took me.” She offered a dainty hiccup, remarkably level-headed considering the rum was most assuredly having an effect. “Which means they will likely try to track down your brother too.” Her eyes widened. “All the pirates on that island will.”
