When dawn limned the porthole, Juliet stood watch. Her whole world had flipped and become an open ocean, a vast misery of gray swells and sky. But anguished as she was, Leith stayed uppermost in her thoughts. She reached into her pocket and withdrew his letter. If she could not have him, she had his words, penned in his own hand from his heart.
My heart is yours, has been yours since the moment we met. Nothing can alter that, not separation nor silence nor even death.
She had memorized every word, could recite it like a child at prayer. It brought small solace as the unknown ate at her, demanding answers. If Lyrica’s news was true, Leith had by now been executed.
Dear Lord, help me to bear it.
She’d had but a few months of him. Not nearly enough when she’d taken her vows “till death do us part.” She’d envisioned them growing old together with children then grandchildren at the knee. She’d wanted to have children with him—that quiverful of arrows Scripture spoke of. To celebrate their union and find fulfillment in each other and the home they made.
Minette moaned and turned over in her hammock. Ready to abandon the porthole, Juliet paused at a flash of movement. Riding the silvered horizon was a ship bearing straight for them. Three-masted, it cut through the white-capped waves with the authority of a British warship. An armed merchantman? She guessed twenty guns. The cut of its jib held her captive. Soon it would be within hailing distance.
Her heart began to race as she saw its colors. The British union flag?
In response, theBlack Prince attempted to outrun the merchantman’s approach, but being heavily laden, it lagged. After maneuvering within range, the merchantman fired a shot to leeward, signifying friendly intent.
“What is this fracas I hear?” Minette was beside her now, sharing her cramped view, fright scoring her face as she surveyed the guns. “Do they not know we might explode with all this French powder in the hold?”
“See their colors?” Juliet’s gaze ran up the main masthead. “They are not the enemy.”
A bone-jarring shot raked their bow and called her a liar.
“Mon Dieu!” Minette sank to the floor and clutched Juliet’s skirts as if to bring her down too.
Were the British colors false? The ruse was common enough, enabling the enemy to board and rob vessels.
Rattled yet transfixed, Juliet saw the action play out through the porthole as if watching a stage play from a theater box. Orders were shouted and the merchantman’s crew gained theBlack Prince’s deck. Privateers? Was their aim the coveted gunpowder?
She tried to shout their plight through the porthole, but the rising wind flung her attempt away. In moments, hasty footsteps sounded in the companionway. Was someone breaking the lock? Juliet turned toward the clamor as the door flew open so hard it collided with the cabin wall.
There, filling the doorframe, stood Leith.
66
Or bid me love, and I will give
A loving heart to thee.
Robert Herrick
Juliet sagged against the wall when what she wanted was to run to Leith. All the breath went out of her at his appearance. She felt lightning struck, incapable of moving. Every emotion she’d locked inside since his arrest burst open like a storm cloud. He was beside her in an instant, his own relief palpable as his arms went round her.
“You’re unhurt?” He looked down at her in alarm as she wept with relief. “Has anything been done to you?”
She shook her head. All she wanted was a long look at him.Not guilty. Not executed.Just a trifle wan and a stone or so lighter. But still her vital, remarkably braw husband.
“You’re free?” The hopeful question nearly choked her.
His eyes held hers, once ice blue but now filled with a strange, warm light. “Aye, freer than I’ve ever been.”
“Free to go home? To be with me—the children?”
“Aye, all of it. Who told you otherwise? Lyrica?”
She nodded. The coach ride to the docks seemed nightmarish in hindsight. “She said you’d been found guilty and would be executed. Minette and I—” She looked over her shoulder and saw the maid had vanished. “We were taken to a tobacco warehouse and made to board this ship. Leo Tate is being held too.” He held her tighter as the words spilled out. “But all that matters right now is that you’re here—safe—and well.”
“I’ll tell you the rest once we’re safely on my ship.” His arm still around her, he led her out of the cramped cabin and up the stairs to the quarterdeck.
Grappling hooks and lines kept the two vessels side by side. TheBlack Prince’s irascible captain and crew were knotted together under guard in the stern. It took considerable humility for Juliet not to send them a triumphant glance.
