As much as I wanted to help him, this was Marcus’s moment to take back his life.
The captain’s age was wearing on him. I could see it in the exhausted lines of his body. And when Captain Zale stumbled, Marcus used it to his advantage. He swiped at the captain’s cutlass, and it flew out of his hand as the captain fell to the ground.
The captain’s cutlass spun across the floor, stopping by my feet. I stood and grabbed it as Marcus put his foot on the captain’s chest and placed his blade next to his throat.
“You won’t ever touch the lass again,” Marcus said as his chest rose and fell. “She isn’t yours, or anyone else’s, to command.”
I could hardly breathe as I watched Marcus, my heart pounding from both fear and elation at his success. He’d defended me, as he promised, and he had not backed down or let my captor go like Lewis had.
“I suppose you’ll kill me now,” the captain snarled at Marcus, “so you can have control of my ship.”
Marcus shook his head. “Nay. ’Tis time we both faced our fate.”
Captain Zale frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means that as soon as we lay anchor in Boston Harbor, we’re going to pay a visit to the royal governor of Massachusetts. Just the two of us.” Marcus noticed Hawk and Timothy and paused, probably wondering what Hawk might do. The two were friends, but Hawk had been under the captain’s command until now.
Hawk turned to Timothy. “Grab one of the ropes in the outer room. Captain Marcus Zale is now in charge, and Edward Zale is his prisoner.”
Respect filled Marcus’s gaze as he gave his old friend a quick nod.
Soon, Edward was tied up, and the crew was gathered on the main deck to hear of the change in command.
Darkness had fallen, and with it, more rain. Boston Harbor was now in sight, though it was hard to see the city on a hill through the fog and mist. I stood on the quarterdeck with Marcus and Hawk, terrified that there would be an outcry from among the men. But instead, after Marcus made the announcement, a cheer arose that startled me.
I had not gotten close to the pirate crew and wasn’t aware of the dislike they had for the ex-captain until that very moment.
“Prepare to lay anchor in Boston Harbor,” Marcus shouted at his men after telling them the news. “There is much to be done.”
The crew went to work as Hawk turned to Marcus. “What would you like me to do with Edward?”
“Keep an eye on him,” Marcus said. “I must prepare to leave the ship at first light. We can take turns guarding him, but I doubt anyone will try to help him escape.”
“Will you move to the captain’s quarters tonight?”
Marcus glanced at me, a dozen questions in his eyes, but he said, “Nay. We’ll decide what to do tomorrow.”
Hawk nodded. “I’ll start the first watch.”
“Thank you.” Marcus patted Hawk on the shoulder and then said, for his ears alone, “And I trust you won’t mention anythingabout Miss Caroline to the rest of the crew? At least until tomorrow?”
Hawk’s grin was wide. “I knew the truth about her back in Nassau. I saw how protective you were and how you had your hand on her back.” He laughed and shook his head. “There’s no fooling Hawk. I won’t say anything.”
Marcus smiled and then said, “Can you please have Timothy bring her a plate of food? She didn’t get a chance to eat.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
I smiled at Hawk as Marcus motioned for me to proceed him up the steps and into his old cabin.
It felt good to get out of the rain. Marcus moved ahead of me and lit the lamp to allow a bit of light.
I was soaked and trembling, more from the excitement of the night than the cold rain.
Marcus didn’t say a word as he took a blanket off his cot and wrapped it around my shoulders.
The moment his gentle hands touched me, I could no longer hold back my tears, and I clung to him.
He wrapped his arms around me, whispering into my ear. “There’s no need to cry,” he said. “’Tis done.”
