Peach did not have to answer. Flames shot up in the distance, outlining the piles of lumber. “That’s it. No, don’t go yet,” he said as Cloud started toward the door. “Wait. I’m supposed to make sure most of the guards head in that direction.” The flames were bright enough now to let Peach see figures flurrying toward their origin. “Okay. Now we go.”
Cloud stepped aside and let the cabin boy, who had the presence of an admiral, lead the way. When Peach started running for a house in the distance Cloud stayed right behind him. Peach reached the far side of the house and caught his breath. They both stiffened when they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Peach put a hand on Cloud’s pistol, signaling him not to be hasty.
“Peach? Captain Cloud?” It was Peters.
“Over here,” answered Peach. Peters and Wilkes joined them. Both men towered over Peach and even Cloud found himself having to look up, something he was not used to doing. Peach turned to face Cloud. “These men will take you to the ship. Captain Danty says you are to go with them.”
Cloud shook his head. “Where is your captain? You said she’d be waiting for us.”
“She’s waiting for me. I have to circle around and let her know you’re all right.”
“Damn! Do you mean she’s out there by the fire?”
“Yes, and don’t argue. Go with these men.”
“I’m going with you,” Cloud corrected. The boy was becoming just a little too authoritarian. “I won’t leave until I know she’s safe.”
Peach looked at Peters, who was becoming restless. He looked back at Cloud. “Captain Danty said you might not obey orders. She’s taken care of that too. Peters. You know what you have to do.”
Cloud realized too late what was going to happen. Peter’s fist connected with the side of his head and he was knocked against the wall of the house. He struggled to his feet in time to see Peach running to his rendezvous with Alexis. As he lunged at Peters his only thought was to get away from her men and make sure she was safe. It was his last thought as Wilkes finished off the job Peters had initiated.
They carried Cloud to the waiting wagon and headed for the ship.
Alexis watched from her hiding place as Davie Brandon and his helpers escaped the flames they had just started. The grounds were in chaos as guards moved in to fight the fire. Alexis and her men had little time to enjoy the sight. They ran toward the place designated to meet Peach.
The flames rose higher and higher, casting their light in sharp, jagged patches across the compound. Away from the light, in their hiding place amidst some straggly shrubbery, Alexis and her crew waited to discover if Peach had been successful. It was not long before they realized their diversion was bringing them an unexpected piece of luck. People from nearby homes, seeing the flames, were hastening to the area.
“They’ll be helpful,” Jordan observed dryly “They’re bound to get in the way.”
“As long as they don’t get in our way,” Brandon answered. “Where the hell is that boy? I hope he took advantage of that magnificent fire.”
Alexis shifted her position to get a better look in the direction Peach was supposed to come from. “He’ll be here, Davey,” she assured him as well as herself. She focused her attention on the people hurrying past them on the way to the fire. “Oh my God!” she gasped, clutching Jordan’s arm.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Alexis pulled the hood of her cape over her head, released Jordan’s arm, and slipped further back into the shadows. She pointed to a man on horseback not more than twenty feet from them. He was staring intently at the fire. Occasionally the light flickered across his face and his wheat-colored hair.
“That’s Bennet Farthington,” she whispered to her men. “He’ll suspect something!”
“C’mon, Peach!” It was a reverent prayer the way Ned Allison said the words.
A few tense moments passed then Farthington made them realize their worst fears. He jerked the reins of his horse and pressed heels into his mount’s flanks. He muttered a few curses and galloped in the direction of the prison.
“Damn him! He knows!” Alexis groaned as she watched him ride off.
“It’s Peach!” cried Allison, clapping Davey Brandon on the back.
Alexis turned and saw Peach mingling with the crowd, trying to get to them. She was on her feet immediately. “Ned! Get him! The rest of you, follow me!”
Allison singled out Peach and grabbed him tightly by the wrist. “This way, you little pickpocket!” he said, chuckling. “You did get what you came for, didn’t you?”
“I did,” the boy answered proudly.
Peach and Ned met the others on the far side of the compound. After Alexis made sure that Peach had been successful she held back her questions and praise. A shot originating from the area of the prison halted their short celebration. The men needed no encouragement to follow her as she lifted her dress and began running. She smiled when she passed familiar faces as she ran through the streets and alleys—familiar faces that seemed to shout their thanks and encouragement though they remained silent, as if they were oblivious to everything but their drunken camaraderie.
As they raced up the gangway of theDark Lady,Alexis gave the order to sail. The task was undertaken more quickly than she had ever dreamed possible. She strained to hear above the voices of her men, intent on learning how closely they were going to be pursued. But the docks remained quiet. There was no unusual commotion from the harbor asDark Ladyslipped away.
Jordan stepped to the rail beside her. He was also listening for the sounds that would mean a pursuit. “I think Captain Cloud’s men kept their word,” he said at last. “We’re not going to be followed.”
