“Naturellement.It is not far out of our way.”
“And my ship, this ship, you will return it also?”
Lafitte chuckled. “You ask a great deal.”
“Only what is mine. You may have the cargo. It appears you have transferred some of it to the other ship anyway. You were making too great a speed to be heavily loaded. I want the original crew returned to this vessel as soon as you are safe from being spotted by American Naval ships.”
The taunting grin returned. “You are most kind, Alex, to be thinking of our safety.”
Alexis curled her lips in the exact image of Lafitte’s smile, and she did not alter it when he broke into laughter, seeing the expression and realizing it was his. “I was thinking of my own safety, Monsieur,” she said. “I have no desire to be captured with your men and thrown into a prison or perhaps hanged.”
“Always practical.”
“Always.”
Lafitte stood and walked toward the door. “This Captain Travers, Alex. Do you think you can accomplish what you plan?”
“Yes.”
“But you want this ship to aid you.”
“Yes, but I will do it with or without this ship. It would only save me time if you would return what belongs to me.”
“Do you have something you would like to offer in trade for the ship?” He scanned her slender figure, wrapped tightly in the sheet.
Alexis chuckled softly. “I made that offer to Captain Cloud for my return to the island. He refused. I think you would do the same.”
Lafitte sighed. “But you are not sure.”
“No. I am not sure. Therefore, I will not even suggest it.”
“Bien,because I am not sure either, demoiselle.” His eyes sparkled brightly at a game played and lost. “I have already said I would take you to Tortola, but we shall not discuss the return of your ship again.”
“That is fine. I do insist upon working for you, however,” she said with finality.
Lafitte suddenly realized all that Cloud had been up against but he was already prepared to help her. “Of course. But wait until your things dry. I would be as angry as Captain Cloud if you chose to climb the rigging in that sheet and I cannot vouch for your safekeeping among my men.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“That,” Lafitte said firmly, “I never doubted for one moment.”
During the time it took to reach Tortola, Alexis proved Lafitte’s judgment correct again and again. He continued the fencing instructions until he declared she was as good as many of his men and better than some. He refused, however, to allow her to fire a pistol, telling her he had seen too many misfire. Alexis wondered if that was the complete truth. She thought it was possible he feared her taking back her ship by force. She let it pass and concentrated on the other things he could teach her. Because he seemed to understand her need for the kind of justice she had chosen, he encouraged her to learn methods of deception that would enable her to board a ship before her intent was made clear.
It was in the Roadtown harbor that he revealed his wish to return her ship.
“Why are you so surprised, Alex?” he asked when her eyebrows arched in an astonished curve. “As you pointed out so quickly when we first met, the ship does indeed belong to you.”
“I was not aware it made a difference in your profession,” she answered.
“It usually does not. You, Mademoiselle Danty, are an exception.”
“Merci.”She thanked him for seeing her as an exception, not for her ship.
“I will hear from you?”
“You will hear of me, Monsieur. You can be sure of it.”
They parted then, quietau revoirssealing their friendship and leaving the possibility of meeting again to chance.
