When Lafitte returned with a tray of food Alexis slipped to the floor at Cloud’s feet and placed the tray on the cushions of the sofa. The two men watched in amusement as she attacked the cold meat, bread, and cheese ravenously. She had no way of knowing what pleasure they derived from watching her do such an ordinary thing. The fact they thought never to see her again made her every move, every word, important in some way.
When she finished eating she put the tray aside and returned to her place beside Cloud, sharing a glass of wine with him. Their conversation, aimed at filling in gaps in information, was almost concluded when it was interrupted by the arrival of Pierre, the doctor, and the lieutenant from theFollansbee.
Alexis dropped the compress from her eye as she rushed to the drawing-room door to greet them, her gaze resting momentarily on the body behind them.
“What happened?” Smith asked as Alexis took him by the arm and led him to a chair.
“I will explain everything to you. First, are you all right? I did not want you to come if it meant endangering you.”
“I’m fine. Nothing could have kept me away. I told you I would be all right.”
“Yes, you did. And do you remember what I told you?”
Smith hesitated, eyeing Lafitte and Cloud.
“It’s all right. They know. Everyone here does except Dr. Jackson.”
Jackson laughed and the action seemed to take years of age away from him. “I know too, Captain Danty. Don’t blame Ian. I wheedled it out of him after you were taken away this evening. After what you told me in the hold I had to find out more. We’ve been able to piece some sort of story together on the little information we had.”
“I am ready to tell you everything now and I am going to take shameless advantage of our short friendship and mutual dislike for your captain. Would you please get a chair, Doctor?”
Alexis made hasty introductions. When everyone was seated in a small circle she explained the situation to the doctor and Smith, starting with her reason for assuming the role of Captain Alex Danty. With Cloud’s reassuring presence beside her she told the story slowly and clearly, knowing this was the last time she would ever have to go over all that happened since she’d met Travers. Jackson and Smith listened thoughtfully, not condoning her actions at any time, but giving the impression they understood the course she’d taken. That was all she wanted from them.
Cloud finished for her. “Your captain told us Alexis was a runaway slave who hid aboard your vessel. Having no idea she was really Danty, his only thought was to get rid of her and hide what he had done to her and her family. As soon as we saw her and her condition, we knew he had mistreated her. I completed what Alexis tried to do aboard your vessel.”
“And I sanctioned it,” Lafitte added, unwilling to place the sole responsibility on Cloud’s shoulders. “It was a fair duel. Your captain fought well. As you can see, Captain Cloud did not escape unscathed.”
Smith nodded and looked at Jackson. “Is there a problem, Hugh?”
“A fair match. There is no problem.”
“I agree. Monsieur Lafitte…Captain Cloud…Alexis,” he addressed them, looking at each in turn. “There are very few men aboard theFollansbeewho will mourn the death of Captain Travers. In a sense you have freed us all. The doctor and I will take care of the body. He will be given a proper burial at sea, and we will falsify the cause of death. No one need ever know what took place here. In return for our silence I would like some assurance that Captain Danty has retired her command. Is that possible?”
“Captain Danty’s career is over, Mr. Smith,” Alexis said quietly, her voice trembling with emotion. “I will not seek out the men who were with him that day. They can live with the guilt of what happened. For them I think it will mean something. You have nothing to fear from me.”
“Good. Monsieur Lafitte, may I have the answer you were prepared to give my commander concerning the reason for his visit?”
“The answer is no. I will not give aid to the British. I suspect I will be asked again but you can tell your superiors I will remain firm.”
Smith nodded, then he turned to Cloud. “And you, Captain? We are at war. Do I have the right to ask that theFollansbeebe able to leave Barataría safely?”
“You have that right. And you have my word.”
Smith stood and ran his fingers through his flaxen hair. Alexis was quick to notice the eager light in his blue eyes. He was ready to assume command and she silently wished him good fortune. “I have need of nothing else, then. We are done here. If the doctor and I could have some assistance with the body, we will return to the ship and sail immediately.”
The goodbyes were brief, but when Alexis stood beside Cloud on the portico, Smith and Jackson each took a turn to whisper in her ear.
“What did they say to you?” Cloud and Lafitte asked her almost as soon as they were out of sight.
“Dr. Jackson told me to put the compress back on my eye.”
“And Smith? What did he say?”
Alexis smiled. “He said he would cherish the scar I gave him because he could say he’d met Captain Danty and lived.”
Lafitte decided the reunion between Alexis and her crew could wait until morning. With Cloud’s assurance that Jordan was well and Peach mending rapidly, Alexis finally admitted her total exhaustion.
Back in the room Lafitte had provided for Cloud, Alexis let him undress her and apply medication to her cuts. Her muscles relaxed under his tender ministrations until she thought she would never be able to move again.
