“Trust me, it was quieter before your arrival.”
“That is not what I meant,” she retorted. “Tell me why you are really here?”
“Tell me why you are here?” he countered.
“You already know why we are. Why are you?” she demanded.
He sat in silence as he watched the soldiers swim and Tempest wondered if he would even answer her question or ignore it.
She could demand that he did, but feared their voices would rise, mainly due to her frustration with him, and the last thing either of them needed was for her to bring attention to their hiding place.
“Do you know why the French may have fired on your ship?” he asked quietly.
Was he asking because he had his own uncertainties?
Oh, maybe she should just tell him. Even if he was here just for peace, he was still English and understood the danger of the French finding them.
“You do, do you not?” he asked again.
“I have my suspicions,” she admitted.
“Does it have anything to do with your uncle?”
Tempest blew out a sigh. “You know it does, do you not.”
“How did the French attack your uncle’s cutter when so many ships from the Royal Navy surround Martinique?”
They both knew the circumstances, or somewhat, if he asked her such a question. “We were further away, but when the damage was realized, the captain made for the island. He did not want to put in at the harbor since it is still controlled by the French but did his best to get to this side of the island. Unfortunately, it never got close enough so that those aboard could swim for the shore and from what I understand, we were lucky The Francis remained afloat long enough for me and my sisters to make it into the ship’s boat and row away. Cornelius only accompanied us to make certain we landed where we were supposed to.”
“He never told you I was here?”
“He could barely give me directions because his injuries were so severe. He only pointed and breathed his last before we reached the beach.”
“I assume you know what your uncle and the cutter were about?” he asked.
“I do.”
“We will talk later. It appears the soldiers are done swimming.”
Tempest glanced at the water and her face heated when she saw them in their entirety as they walked toward their clothing littered on the beach.
Men and women were certainly formed differently.
Seven
The fact that Miss Driscoll asked why he was really on the island confirmed his suspicions of what she may know about her uncle’s activities. But Rhys did not know how much and he intended to find out. But, not in front of the children and not when there were four very naked French soldiers sitting at the edge of the beach, likely waiting for their skin to dry before they dressed again.
“Do you think they will come this way and search for turtles when they are dressed?” she asked quietly.
“They did not want to search for them in the first place so I do not suspect that they will, though I hope this does not become a favorite place for them to swim.”
“On that we are agreed,” she said.
“At least we agree on one thing.” He chuckled quietly.
“You will warn me if we must hide and be quiet?” she asked.
“I will.”
