“Hear the music?” Logan asked suddenly. He spoke to Roc, who grunted. Skye strained to hear, and the sounds of a fiddle came surely her way. The music grew louder and louder as they walked.
Then she pushed against Roc’s shoulder and saw that they had come to a small shanty village. Sparse, crooked buildings made carelessly of thatch and logs lay about a beach where dozens of longboats had been drawn.
Dozens of spits had been set up on the beach. Joints of beef and pork turned and roasted upon the spits, along with numerous fowl and venison. Huge kegs lay about; kegs of ale, Skye thought.
There was a platform in the center of the shantytown. Edward Teach, Blackbeard, with his chinful of illustrious whiskers, sat there as if he sat upon a throne. Before him stood the fiddlers, tapping their toes to the music.
And upon the platform, a woman danced.
She was black-haired, with a lithe slim figure, a startling grace, and a full, firm bosom that rose high against her cotton blouse. She was barefoot and laughing, and she danced like a young doe, like a healthy young animal. The men watched her and cheered.
She was not the only woman there. Others sprawled about with men, leaning against kegs, falling beneath the platform, sitting on the porches of the shanties.
Logan stood behind Roc and smiled at Skye as she lay high against her husband’s shoulders.
“The ball, milady, the pirates’ grand ball! Welcome. We do not often dare to come so brazenly together on the mainland, but then certain figures of power in North Carolina have been known to turn deaf ears to the sounds of our musicians! Isn’t it grand? Not many silks, not many satins, and the petticoats are limited, but we do enjoy ourselves! Welcome!”
There was something about his eyes so hideous that she shivered.
Roc spun around to face Logan. “Remember,” Logan warned him. “You play anything other than straight with Blackbeard, and I will shoot and kill this girl who means so little to you!”
“I’ll play it fair. Go.”
“You go. I’ll follow behind with my pistol cocked and aimed for the lady’s back. And don’t forget. A good number of the men you see about will be off of my ship.”
“I’ll remember,” Roc said. He started to walk. Skye clung to him. Drunken men pointed their way. Some laughed. Some called out. “It’s the Hawk! It’s the Hawk, and ’e’s brought a lady here, can you imagine.” Chortles rose up, ringing upon the air. “Damme, but the man would dare anything, anything at all.”
“My pistol’s aimed at her back, remember!” Logan said.
Roc kept walking. As they neared the platform, Blackbeard’s attention was drawn to them, and he leaped to his feet. “What? Ho, there, it’s the Hawk, is it not? Aye, and with the lass I was ever so charmed to meet as of late!” His big, bellowing voice rose over the music and over the sounds of the dance. Blackbeard pulled his pipe from his mouth and reached for Roc’s hand. “Welcome! We’d thought you’d avoid this place, since you don’t much care for the Carolinas, sir! Do you see my Carlotta? My latest ‘wife’—she dances for me now. Sit and watch, enjoy. Now there’s some warm blood for you, me boy!”
Logan stepped around Roc. “We’ve come for you to be mediator. The Hawk is my prisoner. He’s to take me to a treasure, if you see the girl home. We’ve agreed it, sworn upon it.”
Roc set Skye down upon her feet. Blackbeard gave her a captivating smile. “Lady Kinsdale—no, Cameron, I’ve heard. Anyway, my lady, you’re most welcome here! A flower among us dregs of humanity, and I do mean it!”
“Teach, will you swear to me to see her home?” Roc demanded.
“With my blood. You carry out your bargain, and I’ll see her home. I’ve no wish to hurt a woman, sir, of that you are well aware.”
“Buthecomes with me!” Logan cried. “I want it agreed in blood!”
“Raise your arm!” Blackbeard commanded to Roc.
Roc lifted his arm. Blackbeard took his knife and Skye could not help but cry out as the pirate slashed her husband’s arm. A trail of blood oozed out. Roc did not protest; he didn’t say a word. Blackbeard slashed his own arm and placed it next to Roc’s. “Sealed in blood. You owe Logan, and by my honor, I owe you. Now tell me, Hawk, how did you let this scurvy piece of dog meat get the best of you?”
“There’s no excuse, Teach. He just did.”
Blackbeard swirled around to Skye. “Come, sit with me, we’ll drink together.
“I’ve no wish to drink with you or any of your kind!” Skye spat out.
“A feisty one, yes, I do say!” Blackbeard laughed. He leaned low against her. “Girl, I’m all the hope you’ve got here, do you understand?” He raised his voice then. “Hawk! You come, too.”
“He’s my prisoner, bound by blood—” Logan began.
“Yes, but this is my party, my pirate’s ball, and I’ll not have you leaving with my guests, not tonight. Hawk, you play out your devil’s bargain in the morning, and God and Satan be with you both! For now, come with the girl, and watch my beloved dance!”
He pulled the two of them along to join him on his platform. Skye was dragged down beside him on the one side and Roc on the other. The fury of the music increased to a tempestuous tempo. The girl danced ever more swiftly.
