“Never!” he said fiercely. “I mean when my service is up.”
“Then I would be honored to have you on theDark Lady.”Fresh tears threatened to spill over the rims of her eyes, and she blinked in rapid succession to hold them back. When she composed herself she spoke again. This time her voice was laced with renewed determination that had no regard for the bonds relegating her to prisoner status. “And I will have theDark Ladyagain, Harry. Captain Travers will learn I do not make idle promises when I have him at the end of my sword.” The golden braid which had coiled around her neck was tossed to her back in a defiant gesture and she lifted her chin arrogantly to punctuate her statement.
Harry grinned at her. “I would like to be there when it happens, Captain Danty. I surely would like to be there!”
Alexis returned his slanted smile, remembering Harry also had his reasons for wanting to kill Travers. Her smile faded completely when she heard Cloud approaching. “Harry, wipe my cheeks!”
He carried out her request immediately, using the scarf wrapped loosely about his neck. He tucked it into his pocket before Cloud was beside them, knowing Alexis had too much pride to let the captain see she had been crying. Alexis thanked him with a smile for helping her recover and got to her feet. She turned to Cloud, intending to look for some sign that he knew the depths of her recent despair, but he was not looking at her. Instead he was addressing Harry, ordering him to go ashore and get transportation for her. His words jolted her senses, making her realize they were already in the harbor and it would not be long before she was taken from the ship.
After Harry left them Cloud glanced at Alexis. He noticed her controlled features, the tight mouth curved in a suggestion of a smile to hide the clenched teeth behind it. She held herself stiffly, proudly, her arrogant bearing a covering for the traces of fear he had glimpsed earlier.
“If you will give me your word that you will not escape on the way to your quarters I will untie your hands,” he said.
“No, Captain.”
Cloud sighed, understanding her decision. “Very well then. We will be leaving shortly. You will be staying in my home until you see the President, which should be in a few days. Your decision then will determine whether your future quarters will be on board a ship or in jail.”
“I understand.” She glanced around her and saw the men working at a frantic pace to secureConcord.They were as anxious to get off the ship as she. “It won’t be long now,” she added, watching Harry walk across the dock.
Cloud also followed Harry’s movement until he disappeared. “I will have your things brought to you later today. Harry, Mr. Landis, and I will accompany you to my home. I must see Senator Howe afterward. You realize the men will be guarding the house.”
“I expected it,” she said.
Several minutes passed with no words between them. Alexis knew the futility of trying to escape at this moment and Cloud sensed she knew it. There was no way she could avoid the confrontation with the President, and Alexis thought she might even be able to look forward to it. It was going to be such a pleasure to tell them all to go to hell. She smiled, glancing up at Cloud when she heard his laughter.
“I do not want to know what that smile means. It is enough for me to know it signifies trouble.”
“Of course,” she said airily. Alexis stiffened involuntarily when she saw Harry approaching. She did not pull away from Cloud’s hand as he placed it on her elbow and led her toward the gangway. His hand did not force her movements, rather it was a grip of support and she allowed herself the benefit of his strength.
Harry pointed to the wagon on the wharf. “It was the best I could do, Captain. Are you ready to go?”
“Take Captain Danty down. I will be along in a few minutes. There are some details to attend to.”
Harry nodded and Cloud released his hold on Alexis. She moved beside him and they walked toward the wagon together. She ignored the curious stares of the naval officers and sailors crowding the dock while Harry fended them off with a murderous look. She refused his help getting into the rear of the wagon, managing to do it gracefully.
Cloud could not take his eyes from her as she walked away. Her steps were light, easy, and the braid at her back swung softly with her movement. As her long legs carried her with sure strides toward the wagon, she seemed oblivious to the men around her. He shook his head when she refused Harry’s help and chose to climb in the wagon herself. She sat stiffly on the hard bed, and as if she could feel his gaze at her back, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
He had no smile in return. He hated what was happening to her now. He turned to his crew and saw that they were also staring after Alexis—not rudely, as the men on the wharf were doing, but with pride in their eyes, respect for her because she had been able to hold up so well against all they had done to her. Gradually they returned to their work, and Cloud went to his cabin and packed some of his belongings hardly aware of what he was doing. Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he went to the quarterdeck and gave his last commands. He ordered a skeleton crew to remain with the ship and stay alert for Quinton vessels.
“Mike, you and Frank pick out a few others and come to my home at dusk. It will have to be guarded. Captain Danty is not cooperative in spite of her resignation at the moment.” He smiled when his statement brought a round of low chuckles from the men. “Not a word to anyone of who she is. The less known about her the better. Her crew will no doubt be looking for her—we’ve been fortunate so far—but it can’t last. Understood?” After he was assured that it was, Cloud headed for the wharf. Landis followed, seating himself beside Harry in front while Cloud chose to sit across from Alexis in the rear.
The wagon had just gone from sight when the crew of theConcordwas assailed by questions from the curious men on the dock.
“Hey Garrison! Mike!” one of them yelled.
Mike looked up from his work and saw an old friend standing among the group of dock workers. He waved and returned to his business, ignoring the questions and catcalls flying in his direction.
“C’mon Mike! What the hell’s going on? You come in, you leave, you come in again. Since when do you take female prisoners?”
Mike stood up and glanced in his friend’s direction. He was in no mood to reacquaint himself via tiresome explanations he had no right to give. “None of your business,” he answered gruffly.
He heard one of the men whistle and call out, “Sure wish I got orders to take on females! I wouldn’t mind beddin’ down with prisoners if they all looked like that!”
All work stopped on board theConcord.They glared at the men on shore. Oblivious to the sudden cessation of activity, the men continued their taunts.
“Who was she, Mike? The captain’s whore? Can’t he keep her in line without tying her?”
Mike could not ignore the comments any longer. Glancing in Frank’s direction, he saw he was not alone. Before they moved toward the gangway they heard another voice call out.
