“Oh, Percy,” she breathed. The answer was obvious to her, for she’d already begun to think of what she wanted out of her time with Percy. She had his love, and now she would havehim. “Of course I shall marry you.”
A sennightlater
“Row,row,row…”The rhythmic voices of the men on the gun deck echoed up to Percy on the quarterdeck.
The remainder of the crew was still, as though holding their collective breath as thePandorasailed slowly down the River Thames, nearing the Pool of London. High above them, they flew the flag of a previously captured ship,Briar’s Thorn. And the men had donned clean slops, brown or blue coats, and had cleaned their faces and hair. The ship had been cleaned and painted.
It was the best they could manage, and Percy hoped it worked. No one had stopped them yet, which was promising, but they had yet to drop anchor in the Pool.
Early morning light glittered on the rippling water of the Thames and reflected the blues, pinks, and oranges that streaked across the hazy London sky.
“Getting close now, sir,” Donovan said, appearing at his side.
“Indeed,” Percy grunted. “We’ve made it this far without detection, but we must remain alert.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Percy’s gaze slid toward Heather at his other side, her hair knotted high on her crown and shining copper in the golden light. She looked every bit the lady she was, in the mauve morning dress that she’d reacquired from among her things on theAmerica. Pride swelled inside him.
Never in his life would he have thought that he would ask a woman to be his wife. He’d always considered it impossible, not only due to his bastardy, but because he could never consign a woman to a future without the children that she likely desired. But Heather… She both loved himforhis lineage and shared his desire for a childless future. She was utterly remarkable, unlike any woman he’d ever known. Hell, even the few women with whom he’d engaged in meaningless trysts had condemned his use of condoms and expressed a desire for a bairn.
Heather was his perfect partner. She was intelligent, amusing, kind, caring, and so sodding strong. And she would be his.
“Why are you smiling like that?” she asked, quirking one eyebrow.
Percy lifted her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the backs of her fingers. “Just thinking of you, love.”
She huffed a breath. “You know I adore hearing that. But you really must focus on our arrival.”
“So I ought.”
“Row…row…row…” the chanting continued.
“Starboard,” Percy shouted.
“Starboard!” the gun deck’s bo’s’n echoed.
They glided to the right and forward, officially entering the Pool of London. Percy’s gut clenched, and a zing of apprehension went up the backs of his legs. He’d not be so worried if it were justhissafety at stake, but it was the crew’s as well…and it was Heather’s.
Other ships were moored around them, dotting the water’s surface. Men rowed to and from the ships in smaller boats and moved about the docks, numerous naval officers among them.
This is close enough.
“Halt!” Percy hollered, and the gun deck’s bo’s’n repeated. “Uncat the anchor!”
The crew did as they were told but remained carefully silent. It was almost eerie, but Percy understood their reticence to call attention to themselves. They simply needed to get Heather, her many plants, and Percy off the ship. And then they could sail away. Quickly.
“Lower the boats!” Percy called before he turned to Donovan. “The moment I set foot on that rowing boat, you’re the captain. If you would, please see our things to shore and get yourselves safely out of England.”
“Aye, Captain.” Donovan grinned. “I imagine that some men might very well wish to bury their Jolly Roger for good. Afore we came across th’Sapphire, we found an island in the tropics at which many of the crew wanted to remain. But Butcher kept us moving in search of more riches an’ glory. Mayhap we’ll return.”
Percy clapped him on the shoulder. “A capital idea, my friend.” He paused. “Thank you, Donovan, for your support and your aid throughout this journey. It hasn’t been easy, and the work you and the men have done has been appreciated.”
The man’s smile grew. “O’ course, Percival. I’m glad to’ve gotten th’ chance to see y’ again.”
“Likewise.”
The ship slowed to a stop, and the rowing boats were lowered. The crew moved swiftly, bringing Heather’s abundance of plants to one of the boats.
