Gabrielle’s wide, pleading eyes reached for Cadan, and it took everything in him to not jump into the water and rescue her.But they’d both be easily overcome by Allard’s men.
All he could do was stare at her, feeling as though his heart were being ripped from his chest.
Then with a loud groan, she jabbed Allard’s chest with her free elbow, struggled from his grip, and leapt to her feet in the wobbling boat.
Shocked, Cadan could only watch as, without hesitation, she threw her baby toward him.
The bundle swooped through the air, teetering and gliding on the morning breeze, blanket unraveling as it went—heading for the rippling waters of the harbor!Dropping his pistol, Cadan jumped into the bay, shallow enough for his feet to barely reach bottom, and flung out his arms to catch him.
Chapter 20
What was Cadan going to do with a baby?And a wailing one at that?Especially when he had a battle to fight.He attempted to bounce the babe up and down as he’d seen Lady Fox do, but the child would not cease.How could they sneak up on theResoluteundetected with such an annoying racket!?
Water bubbled down the side of the cockboat as his men shoved off from the dock and headed toward the ship.He’d know soon enough whether theResoluteremained under his command or whether his most hated enemy had taken that from him as well.First his wife, then his freedom, and now Lady Fox.He’d be damned if he’d also lose his ship to that spineless squid.
Morning sun caused him to blink as water from the oars splashed his breeches, cooling his skin.If only it would cool his fury.
“Here.”He handed the infant to Pell, sitting beside him.“Quiet him.”
Pell snorted.“Do I look like a nursemaid?”
Cadan’s eyes drifted down to Pell’s cross.“Maybe pray to your God.”
“Humph.”Pell swung the babe back and forth in his arms, only causing young Matthew to scream all the louder.“I think he’s hungry.”
Smity chuckled.“Looks like yer out o’ luck in that department, Cap’n.”
Durwin smiled, but his eyes were seeking out theResolute.
As were Cadan’s.It remained at anchor, bobbing in the incoming surf, which was a good sign, indeed, for if Allard’s men had taken her, she’d be setting out to sea.
Sharp rays of golden sun speared her three bare masts, set her lines aflame, and angled across her deck.She was a beauty.The only woman who had never betrayed him.And he would not lose her.
Wind whipped him, cooling the sweat on his neck and flapping his shirt as they rounded the hull of a nearby schooner.The chime of swords and shouts of battle finally met his ears.Good.They were not too late.
Yet the element of surprise would be lost to them with both the daylight and the incessant howling of the babe.But it couldn’t be helped.He would not stand by and allow his ship to be taken.
But what to do with the child?He glanced around the boat, and his eyes landed on a wooden chest that carried knives, pickaxes, and extra rope.
“Empty the box,” he ordered Durwin.
Pell arched a brow.“You aren’t thinking…?”
“I am.What else can I do?”
Pell frowned but offered no alternative.
After the box was emptied, Cadan coiled the rope to form a cocoon, then laid Matthew inside and shut the lid.A few holes on the side would provide air.
Oddly, the baby ceased screaming.
“See?”He shot Pell a satisfied smirk.Then facing forward, Cadan checked his flintlock, and gripped the hilt of his sword.
They were but yards from the ship now.Shouts and grunts, along with the crash of blade and pop of pistol serenaded the squawk of birds and slap of waves.A distant horn blared from the fort.
Over the starboard rail, a pirate spotted them and shouted over his shoulder.
“Faster!”Cadan ordered.They had to reach the hull, or they’d be peppered with gunshot.
