Beautiful Tempest(84)

"You failed to mention he sailed with a bloody fleet," Damon said accusingly.

"Anderson ships and a few extra Father brought as well. He has no intention of letting Lacross escape justice this time. But what difference does it make that we didn't mention it when you intend to parley with him?"

"He's right, Damon," Jack said. "Father's coming with more help than you expected should please you."

"He's rowing over with an army, which means only one thing. He intends to take my ship. There won't be any incentive for him to parley after that."

He was right-unless Damon held them at gunpoint again. But he wouldn't do that. She was sure he was going to put his trust in her and Jeremy to keep their father from killing him. Jack bit her lip. That wasn't the best plan of action considering Jeremy still had an ax to grind.





Chapter Forty-One




JAMES STOOD ON THE main deck of Damon's ship, not far from the ladder he'd climbed up. His men were searching the rest of the ship and had already told him prisoners who appeared to be pirates were in the hold. Jacqueline was clinging to his side, where she'd launched herself the moment he'd stepped aboard, she was so happy to see him!

She hugged him again before saying, "We stowed away."

"We did nothing of the sort," Jeremy corrected.

James leaned down and kissed the top of Jacqueline's head and clasped Jeremy's shoulder. "I'll have an accounting from you two later. Which of those two do I need to have a talk with?"

James was staring at Damon and Mortimer, the two taller, better-dressed men among the sailors forming a line for inspection across the length of the deck. Although her father cut a forbidding figure, wearing the ship garb he preferred-billowing white shirt open at the neck, tall Hessian boots over black pants-he didn't seem angry. Maybe he was a little annoyed because he'd come over for a fight but didn't get one since Damon had directed Mort to hoist a white flag and James and his men had climbed aboard without hindrance.

"That would be me." Damon stepped forward.

James slowly approached him, and no part of his expression warned that his fist was going to connect so brutally with Damon's gut, but it did. Once Damon was bent over from that, it was easy for James to follow with an uppercut to the chin.

It happened too fast. Jacqueline screamed, "Father, stop!"

Mortimer snarled, "Bloody hell," at the first blow and started to interfere, but five of James's crew were suddenly yanking him back in line, and James didn't even spare him a glance.

But Jacqueline pushed past her father and dropped to her knees by Damon's head and tossed back accusingly, "If you've broken his jaw, he won't be able to talk to you!"

"We just had a good talk," James replied. "When he wakes up, we'll have it again."

She growled in frustration at that answer, but her hand was gentle as she patted Damon's cheek to awaken him. James frowned as he watched her and demanded, "Is that, or is it not, the pirate you named Bastard?"

"It is," Jeremy answered for her. "But we formed an alliance with him."

"I gathered something of the sort, since I saw you and your sister on deck without restraints. Which is the only reason he's still breathing."

"I'm not saying he didn't deserve that, but I thought you'd hear him out first."


      ///
       
         
       
        

"To what point? There was an eyewitness to your abduction," James said. "Tony caught up with me to give me an account of it." Then James noticed Percy approaching. "Good to see you've weathered this adventure well, Alden."

"Oh, indeed, Lord M, though I've a much better appreciation for my valet now. Going to have to give the chap a raise when I get home."

"When you get there, do thank your mother and your driver for me. They let my family know what happened near the London Docks."

Jeremy pulled his father aside to give his own account of that, ending with "Yes, we were utterly foolish to think we could capture him. But he was willing to relinquish his upper hand just to protect Jack from Lacross's men. And if you have his ransom note, then you know-"

"I don't have it."

"Ah, well, that explains it." Jeremy nodded toward the still-unconscious captain. "He wrote the note this time, requesting a meeting with you in St. Kitts. He took Jack for leverage because he didn't think you'd cross the ocean again without incentive. Ironically, he wants your help to put Lacross back in prison."

"This isn't the way to ask for help."