Romancing the Pirate (22 page)

“That’s as sorry an excuse as I’ve ever heard,” Luke said. “Slipped on the deck. You couldn’t come up with something better than that?”

“It was slippery,” Vincent contested. “Tell him, Nate.”

Nate held up his large palms. “I’m trying to accept defeat gracefully, Vincent.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it, lad,” Joe said, thumping Vincent on the back, which sent the dwarf stumbling forward. “Luke hasn’t managed that task well himself either.”

“That’s because I never bloody lose,” Luke answered.

“What about the time—”

“Aidan,” Luke warned with a narrowing of his eye.

Squawk.
“Aidan bring food. Aidan bring food.”

The boy grinned, danced on his toes. “Right. Never mind.” He strolled to the cage, passed the bird something to nibble on.

“ ’Tis shameful the way you teach the lad to lie.”

“It’s called diplomacy, Joe, and if the boy ever hopes to get himself married one day, it’s best he learn that skill early. Right, luv?” Luke lifted Sam in his arms, kissed her soundly, then set her onto her feet. His gaze slid over the table. “Is there a problem?” He gestured to the cutlass.

Sam looked to Alicia, then to Luke. “No, we found it on the ground. Can I talk to you upstairs a moment?” she asked, grabbing the sword and note.

Luke studied his wife, and Alicia saw by the tightness around his mouth that he didn’t believe Sam’s story. Nodding, he took her hand and they disappeared through the doorway.

“Sunshine?” Blake asked, but she felt the eyes of everyone else in the room on her. “Is everything all right?”

His hands were on her shoulders, his gaze tender. She forced a smile, prayed it looked better than it felt.

“Yes, everything is as it should be.” The words weren’t an outright lie but they nonetheless left a bitter taste in Alicia’s mouth.

This had better work, Lewis thought later that afternoon as he leaned against one of the palm trees that skirted the market. While he’d been encouraged by how quickly Samantha had ripped the cutlass out of the door earlier that morning, it wasn’t enough. He needed a more concrete confirmation that she was Steele. There couldn’t be any doubt, not if he was to going to convince her to give him her fortune. And Lewis had no intention of failing.

He watched the boy he’d paid press a note into Samantha’s hand before cutting through the crowd. There was no chance of her following; the boy was gone by the time she opened the paper to read the words. Lewis leaned forward, his hands curled into fists. He smiled at the distress that had her reaching for her husband.

Luke took the note, read the words. Though Lewis couldn’t hear him, he was able to read the curse on the pirate’s lips. Luke’s gaze ripped over the crowd, but it didn’t worry Lewis. Luke had no idea whom he was looking for, and Samantha was too busy trying to pull her husband out of the marketplace.

From a safe distance, Lewis followed as they raced back to their house. He slowed as they approached their home, and he melted back into the small group of people making their way to the beach. He chose a piece of waterfront that wasn’t cluttered with noise and people and sank into the sand to think.

It had been a frustrating few days, watching them repair the ship. He’d caught Blake making his way back to the house on occasion, but each time he stopped to ask him about the treasure, he was told the repairs came first and that Lewis would just have to wait for his money.

He thumped a fist in the sand, wished it was Blake’s face. He had a stake in that treasure and the fact that Blake was being deliberately slow about sharing it was infuriating! Especially since he kept someone from the crew watching over it at all times, which kept Lewis from fetching it himself. When he could, he’d ensure Blake paid for that, among other things, but he had to remember that as much as his former captain enraged him, he wasn’t Lewis’s main target.

Bending his knees and digging his heels into the sand while a few gulls flew low over the frothing surf, Lewis planned his next move. It was clear by the firm hand Luke had kept on Samantha, and the way he’d growled at everyone to get out of his way, that he’d been concerned for his wife. And only people who held secrets had reason to worry.

She was Steele, he knew it. Her reaction was too strong. He couldn’t prove it, not with the changes she’d made to his father’s ship, but she didn’t need to know that. Besides, he’d had time to think it all through while he’d been on his damn hands and knees scrubbing Blake’s ship and he’d worked through all the possibilities. They may be pirates, he thought, but they weren’t the only ones who could be ruthless.

And once Blake had given him his share of the treasure, they’d find out just how ruthless Lewis Grant could be.

“You look tired,” Sam said. She handed Alicia a cup of tea and came to sit beside her on the couch.

“Thank you,” Alicia said, accepting the cup. “I am. I don’t know why but I suddenly feel exhausted.” She’d already unlaced her shoes and now she tucked her stockinged feet underneath her as she sipped her tea.

“I’m sorry.” Sam rubbed Alicia’s arm. “The race and the party were enough excitement for one day. The letters certainly didn’t help.”

“No, but having the men hover throughout the party was almost as unnerving. I felt as though I couldn’t breathe with Joe hanging over me.”

Sam shook her head. “And then he spilled his rum all over you.”

“I sneezed, for goodness’ sake, and he jumped like a firing cannon. He acted as if I’d been attacked.”

“And Luke was no better,” Sam acknowledged, folding her legs beneath her. “I don’t think he smiled all night.” Sam sighed. “What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a nightmare. The way Luke scowled and refused to let me answer even the simplest of questions. I’d be surprised if anyone ever stepped foot near us again.”

“Well, their attitude certainly kept the party from lasting too late.”

Sam groaned. “Within two hours they managed to scare everyone off. Even with the amount Joe and Aidan can eat, we’ll have food for a week. It’ll spoil before we can get through it all.”

Alicia finished her tea. “Blake’s crew can take some. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”

“Is he still planning on leaving tomorrow?”

“I don’t know,” Alicia said. He’d figured out early in the evening that something was amiss and had asked her, on more than one occasion, what it was. Each time she’d had to lie or evade answering, it ate at her until she couldn’t eat any supper because her stomach was in knots. “He’s angry at the moment. He knows things aren’t right and that I’m keeping the reason from him.”

Sam found a loose thread on the sleeve of her gown and began wrapping and unwrapping it around her finger. “As much as I hate to say it, maybe it would be best if you did leave. Then I wouldn’t worry about you.”

“I’m not the one in danger, Sam.”

“We don’t know that. And I don’t want to take the chance of you getting hurt because of something I did.”

Alicia set her cup onto the side table, needing a few moments to gather her thoughts and emotions. Blake had spoken to her of leaving St. Kitts soon but they’d been too busy and too many people had been around for them to have a proper discussion about it. And the truth was, she wasn’t ready to leave.

“Sam,” Alicia began, her voice cracking. She waited a moment, started again. “I’m not ready to say good-bye.” Her eyes stung as tears filled them. Inside her chest her heart was tearing in two.

Her sister drew her into her arms, held her firmly. “I know, the thought makes me queasy. But it won’t be forever, Alicia. We’ll just have to make a point of getting together as often as we can manage it.”

“Luv,” Luke said, stepping into the room and drawing their attention. He leaned against the doorframe and for the first time all night appeared at ease. “The doors are locked and Aidan fell asleep as soon as I doused the lamp.”

“And Blake?” Alicia asked, coming to her feet.

Luke hesitated a moment. “Gone with Nate and Vincent back to his ship. He said to say good night.”

Alicia swallowed the hurt. If Blake had something to say, he would be the one to say it. It wasn’t in his personality to speak through someone else.

“I appreciate the lie, Luke, but I know the truth. He’s angry with me and I don’t blame him. If I were in his shoes, I’d be furious as well.”

“I’m sorry I had to put you in that position,” Sam said.

“I don’t blame you, Sam. We need to keep this secret to keep you safe.”

“I know, but I didn’t want my safety to come at the expense of your happiness.”

Sam went to Luke, leaned into him, and Alicia felt both a twist of envy and a stab of fear. She had to make things right with Blake.

“It won’t. Tomorrow, when I’m not so tired and he’s had some time to calm down, we’ll work it out.”

“He’s going to want to know what we’re hiding,” Luke warned.

“I’ll think of something.” Then, before she could control the sudden rise of despair, tears were cascading down her cheeks and she was once again crushed in Sam’s embrace.

“Don’t cry, Alicia,” Sam begged, her own voice thick with sadness.

Alicia clung until her eyes burned. Then she sniffled and pulled back. She couldn’t remember ever being so weary.

“I must be more tired than I realized. I’m not usually this emotional.”

“Can I get you anything?” Sam asked, worry lurking in her eyes.

Alicia shook her head, wished them good night, and trudged up the stairs. In her bedroom she drew back the covers and slipped in fully dressed. Her thoughts were scattered; she couldn’t seem to nail one down long enough to consider it. Then, with her head spinning, with every part of her body drained, she tumbled into sleep.

Consciousness crept slowly over Alicia. Judging from the brightness behind her closed eyes, it was daylight. She tried to move her legs but they felt tied. She gave a sound kick and untangled herself, only then realizing it was her skirt she was caught in. Flopping onto her side, she opened one eye. Through the curtain she’d been too tired to draw last night came a thick slab of sunlight and from outside came the sound of birds twittering from the treetops.

Neither the light nor the sound was welcome and Alicia tugged the covers over her head. Maybe if she pretended it was still night, she wouldn’t have to face an angry Blake, wouldn’t be forced to lie to him yet again. Wouldn’t have to say good-bye to Sam.

When the air became hot and her lungs needed air, Alicia yanked the blankets down. The rising scent of food drifted from downstairs. Alicia inhaled deeply, wrinkled her nose at the smell of frying sausages, and immediately jumped from the bed when her stomach pitched.

Scrambling, Alicia reached for the bedpan with no time to spare. On her hands and knees, feeling much as she had on the first days on Blake’s ship, Alicia retched until her face ran with sweat and her hands shook. When she was spent, she rolled onto her side and curled into a ball. She flitted back into sleep.

“Alicia,” Sam called, knocking softly on the door and waking her. “Breakfast is ready.”

When Alicia opened her mouth to answer, she had to slam it closed again before she got sick. She answered in the only way she could, with a moan. The door creaked open.

“Alicia!” Sam exclaimed. Her heels clicked as she ran across the room. Alicia felt the coolness of her sister’s palm on her forehead. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?” She must have seen the bedpan then. “Oh, poor thing. Can I get you anything?”

“Do you have ginger tea?” Alicia croaked, her stomach clenching again. Sam rubbed her back while she was sick, then helped her to the bed. She tucked a light blanket around Alicia and took out the bedpan.

“I’ll be right back,” she said after bringing in a clean pan. “Just rest.”

Alicia dozed again and was awakened by the coolness of a damp cloth being placed across her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open.

“Thanks.”

Sam sat beside her, teacup and saucer in her hand. “You’re not so worried about me that it’s making you sick, are you?”

“No, I’m not sure why I’m sick. We all ate the same food. Is anyone else ill?”

“Not that I know of. Joe’s keeping watch outside. Aidan and Luke went to check on our ships.”

Alicia sat up, rearranged the pillows at her back, and leaned into their softness. “I was sick on Blake’s ship but that was due to the motion. By drinking the tea and getting accustomed to the movement, I was fine.” She frowned. “It feels the same but why would I have motion sickness on land? It doesn’t make sense.”

Sam was handing the tea to Alicia when she rattled the cup in its saucer. Alicia grabbed it before it spilled and scalded her lap.

“I don’t mean to overstep, or insult you, but is it possible you could be with child?”

The cup rattled again and Alicia was vaguely aware of Sam taking it back and placing it on the bedside table.

“Alicia?” Sam placed a hand on her cheek. “Can it be?”

“I—” Alicia swallowed the panic and pressed a hand to her unsettled stomach. If she admitted this was a possibility, it would confirm she’d been with Blake outside of marriage. A burning flush crept over her face and into her ears.

Sam giggled. “You love Blake, Alicia. I won’t judge you. Besides, I did the same thing. Well,” she amended quickly, “not with Blake.”

Alicia grinned. “I should hope not.”

Sam grabbed her hand. “Then it is possible? You could be with child?”

“I don’t know,” Alicia said. “Anna died when I was a young girl and Jacob certainly never told me anything. Besides, we only just … um … well … it hasn’t been that long since we …” Mortified, she closed her eyes.

“Having tried for a long time …” She paused until Alicia opened her eyes. “I’ve had time to gather every speck of information on the matter from friends who’ve had children. It’s not uncommon to be sick, though mostly it seems to pass by midday, and some friends of mine have told me they knew within days of conceiving that they noticed some changes right away in their bodies such as their breasts getting tender. And,” she added with a smile, “expecting women tend to be both unusually tired and emotional.”

Alicia felt the blush drain, and knew all her color had gone along with it. “Oh, my God! It’s true. What do I do now? I know nothing of babies.”