“We will,” Ohr assured her. “Buy, borrow, or steal, we’ll find one in St. Kitts.”
“But didn’t Bixley say Pierre’s island is east of St. Kitts?” she reminded him. “Wouldn’t we save a day or two if we sailed directly for it, rather than pass it and then backtrack after we get a ship?”
“She’s right,” Richard said. “A passenger ship will also stop at other ports along the way, delaying us even more.”
Ohr nodded. “I suppose we would have a better chance of finding our own ship here in London. The harbor at St. Kitts is tiny in comparison. I haven’t heard of any for sale here, though, and I’ve been down on the docks.”
Gabrielle hesitated for a moment. Then a wicked smile curved her lips. “I know of one. It’s not for sale, but it’s sailing in the morning.”
Chapter 21
ASSUMING THE ROLE OF A PIRATEwas rather distasteful, Gabrielle thought after she’d explained her idea to her father’s crewmen. Three years ago the notion of stealing anything, much less a ship, would never have entered her mind. But it had occurred to her now because she was so worried about her father and so angry at Drew Anderson. She still couldn’t believe he’d so recklessly ruined her reputation and her chances of making a good match! Well, she wasn’t just going to steal his ship and become the pirate he’d accused her of being. She was going to have him at her mercy as well.
She owed him. It was that simple. And she wouldn’t have the chance to extract revenge otherwise, not with him leaving. Embroil her in a scandal, then just sail off without a care? Not now he wouldn’t.
It was a brilliant plan. It would solve their current dilemma of how to go about rescuing her father and at the same time it would enable her to get even with the man who’d ruined her. But then she realized that the four of them couldn’t sail a ship on their own.
“We’ll need more men,” she pointed out.
“I’ll see to it,” Ohr replied.
“Where are you going to find men on such short notice who would be willing to steal a ship?”
He laughed. “There’s a whole other side to this town that a young lady of your breeding wouldn’t know about. Leave it to me, I’ll find all the men we need.”
Only Richard guessed that she might have misgivings. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, and even offered him a grin. “It’s not every day one becomes a pirate.”
He laughed. Of course he would find it funny, he was already a pirate. But he wasn’t finished dealing with her reservations.
“You don’t really need to come along, you know,” he told her. “We could find someone who looks like you. As long as Pierrethinksit’s you—”
“No,” she cut in. “If for some reason he needs to talk to me before he allows your ship to approach his fort, I’ll need to be there. I’m not going to take any chances with my father’s life. My presence will give us more options as we figure out a plan to rescue my father.”
“And our captain,” Richard said, his expression turning serious. “You’ve certainly proved your loyalty to him by ordering us to steal this American’s ship.”
“I didn’t order you,” Gabrielle corrected him. “I merely suggested.”
He grinned to show he’d been teasing. “I know, and it is a perfect solution. We can even give the man back his ship when we’re done with it. Actually, I’d as soon not get Malory on our trail if he takes our theft of his brother-in-law’s ship personally. Are you sure you don’t want to ask for his help instead?”
She hesitated before answering. Both Malorys had been very kind and generous to her. As far as she was concerned, James had repaid his debt to her father in full. It wasn’t his fault that she didn’t succeed in her mission to find a husband. That was Drew’s fault.
“No, James Malory has already done enough for me. I’m not about to ask him for more help.”
“I meant Anderson.”
She snorted. “Not a chance. He’d refuse anyway. He doesn’t like me and I despise him.”
She’d said it too quickly, causing Richard to raise a brow. “How did that come about?”
“His aversion to pirates, I suppose. He actually made sure that it became common knowledge that Nathan is a pirate.”
Richard drew in his breath sharply. Gabrielle was more certain than ever that he was English, whether he would admit it or not, because he seemed to understand exactly what that meant. Ohr preferred clarification and asked, “Is that the scandal you mentioned? The man wrecked your chances for a good match here?”
“Indeed. And then he was going to sail away without giving it another thought.”
“Butwhy?” Richard exclaimed.
