“Certainly! But…” She frowned with concern. “Have we the funds to purchase those items?”
“Of course.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer so as not to be overheard. “Butcher left an abundance of coin on thePandora, and the hold was full of pilfered goods that Donovan is selling today. As the captain, I receive a portion of those sales. Funds will not be an obstacle.”
“Excellent. Then the challenge would be convincing the men to make the journey and engage in the farce. Maybe you could offer them the choice to remain here and join another crew? Orthey can join us. ThePandoraand her crew need remain in the Pool of London only long enough for us to disembark with our things.”
Percy’s pulse picked up speed as he considered the option. It could work. If they were to sufficiently disguise thePandoraand the men, they could disembark, and thePandoracould sail away before anyone was the wiser.
“I believe you’ve just solved our predicament with that brilliant mind of yours, Heather.” He grinned at her. “We’ll see you home yet.”
She returned his smile, squinting up at him through the sunlight. “When shall we begin?”
“Immediately, I daresay. The crew will unquestionably spend the afternoon and evening carousing at the brothels and pubs, so we shall reconnect with Donovan on the morrow to discuss our plans. For the moment, you and I must do some shopping.”
A shiverof unease travelled up Heather’s spine as they strode along the darkened, wood-planked sidewalk of San Luis. The sun was setting, lending orange and pink hues to the sky. But they were walking among the shadows, between roughly constructed buildings with missing chunks of wall and holes in every roof.
A sharp twinge raced along Heather’s ankle, and she hid a wince. They’d been walking all afternoon, and at some point, between purchasing a new flag and ordering clothing for the pirates, she had twisted her ankle on the boardwalk. She was well, of course, but the dratted uneven boards of the walk made her continuously miss her footing. Of course, her clumsiness was also due, in part, to her being entirely unused to walking on land.
“Here,” Percy said softly. “This inn will do.”
Heather followed his gaze to the building before them. Light shone from around the crooked door, slats were missing from the roof, and the entire building tilted ever so slightly to the left. “Why do we not return to the ship?”
“We’ve walked too far, I’m afraid,” Percy replied with a shrug. “We could easily make the journey, but with nightfall imminent, we would undoubtedly be attacked. And while I don’t doubt your ability to defend yourself, it might be best to bed down rather than risk injury.”
Her ankle gave a timely throb, and Heather nodded. “Very well.”
Stiffening her spine and tightening her grip on her dirk’s handle at her hip, they entered the inn’s taproom. Loud laughter and a bawdy shanty reached her ears first, before the overwhelming scent of body odour, ale, perfume, and urine assailed her nose and brought tears to her eyes.
“Blimey,” she whispered.
Percy nodded and gripped her elbow, guiding her toward the innkeeper.
“Good evening, sir,” Percy began. “I require a room.”
The innkeeper’s bleary, reddened gaze looked them both up and down, and his lip curled in a sneer. “How many hours ye be wanting?” he asked in a thick West Country accent.
“The night,” Percy replied brusquely.
The innkeeper’s brows lifted, and he shook his head. “I’d say yer a mite too auspicious, but ’oo am I t’ say?” He tossed a set of keys on the rough wooden countertop. “Room’s yers. Top floor, first door on yer left.”
Percy touched his index finger to his eyebrow in a mock salute and tossed some coins on the counter before taking up the keys.
Another shiver raced up Heather’s spine as she watched Percy move. Law, but he was as lithe as a wildcat hunting its prey and just as dangerous. She wanted him again, but… She sighed internally. Oughtn’t they discuss…this, whatever it was? There were scant weeks until they reached London, and she didn’t want it to end. They’d spent so much time discussing their interests, and yet she still felt as though she didn’t know enough about him. What were his hopes for the future? Did he see her there?
Realization hit so suddenly that her stance faltered. The truth of it was,shesawhiminherfuture.
“If’n I live an’ breathe!” a voice shout-whispered in awe. “It’s Percival! I thought yedied!”
Heather’s skin prickled in a wave of gooseflesh as silence fell over the room and every gaze turned toward Percy. Some of the men looked fearful, others awestruck, and one or two seemed utterly gleeful.
Of course. With the events of the past weeks, she’d entirely forgotten that many pirates on Butcher’s ship had also recognized Percival Baxter. And yet, in all their time together, she’d not questioned it. Nor had he offered information.
WhowasPercy?
CHAPTER 17
Pulse drumming painfully against his ribs, Percy took in the faces of the men in the taproom. He’d known there would be seafaring men around, but he hadn’t anticipated being noticed without his tattoos visible. What could he do now?
“Aye, I’m Percival,” he confirmed, gripping Heather’s hand and leading her between the tables toward the stairs.
