Convictions (22 page)

Alice leaned in to tell Kate about their rescue. Nate passed by and touched Jennie lightly on the shoulder.

“You did well with Kate. See you later.” He headed in Meadows’ direction.

A feeling Jennie couldn’t identify spread through her like a warm tide. She hugged the feeling to herself.

Not long after, the captain appeared, carrying his tin drinking mug. He walked unsteadily and his face was flushed.

When he spied Lieutenant Davis deep in conversation with Red Bull, he bellowed, “Lieutenant, get these people moved into the hold. Though God in heaven only knows where you’ll put them. This is a merchant vessel, not a bleeding passenger ship.” He belched and made his way to starboard, where he leaned heavily against the bulwark.

Jennie didn’t know where everyone would go either, but she was surprised by the captain’s sudden change in demeanour. She wondered if Captain MacGregor had fallen ill, or he was overwrought with concern over something more than not having enough food or space for everyone.

There were about eighteen people from the shipwreck with the crew, guards and women. The injured with the broken arms and legs would have to stay above board.

Would she have to ask Captain MacGregor’s permission to stay on deck with them? She could say she needed Alice and Sarah to help her. Jennie hoped he’d let them stay above board, especially if the weather held. She didn’t want to be crammed into the dark stench of the hold, lying on the floor with the rats, under the smelly men in hammocks. And she did not want to be anywhere near Red Bull.

So far the evening was mild and the ocean calm. A pastel pink sunset floated on the horizon. She’d never been allowed to stay on deck this late before. And here she was without any restraints. It was almost like being on that exotic voyage she’d imagined so many times while trudging in endless circles on the deck of the
Emily Anne
.

“Oooh, my head is swimming. I feel like I’m going to heave.” Kate was trying to sit up, aided by Alice, who held a basin under her chin.

“Breathe through your nose, Kate,” said Jennie, dropping back down beside her. She turned to Alice. “Would you mind getting some drinking water for her?”

Alice jumped to her feet and went in search of Angus.

As soon as Alice was gone, Jennie made sure Kate was comfortable, then said, “Lie still. I’ll be right back.”

She approached the captain, still leaning against the bulwark with his elbows on the railing. His eyes were closed and he breathed heavily, hands propping up his chin.

“Captain McGregor,” she said softly.

He let out a snort. His eyes popped open. He blinked and leaned toward her. “Just taking in the night air, lass.” His words came out slurred.

Jennie recoiled. The man reeked of rum. She stared at him with her mouth open. When he tilted his head, she could see his bloodshot eyes and his red nose. He reminded her of her family’s drunken landlord. This was obviously not a good time to ask for any favours.

“I’m going to my quarters now.” He took another drink and swayed, sloshing some liquid from his cup. As he passed her, he stumbled.

“Uh, do you want some help, sir?” she asked.

“Certainly not.” His empty mug dangled loosely from his fingers. Jennie caught it when it fell and handed it back to him. He wobbled off, listing to one side all the way to his quarters.

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Alice, joining her.

“Too much rum.” Jennie turned toward the bulwark to hide her shock. She’d hoped the captain would be someone she might count on, someone who might help them.

“Are you all right?” asked Alice. She peeked at Jennie’s face.

“What’s this all about then?” asked Sarah, coming up to them.

“Our new captain is a drunk,” Jennie whispered to them.

Sarah’s eyes opened wide. “Lord love a duck, what next?”

Jennie realized that must be why Captain MacGregor’s ship was in such a state of disrepair and the crew was in disarray. It was probably also why Davis had such a superior air, more like that of a bull – Red Bull. The captain was probably drunk most of the time.

She straightened as she saw Davis, Meadows and Nate coming their way. Red Bull trailed nonchalantly behind at a distance. The captain’s drunkenness might not bode well for any of them, if Davis was in charge while his master slept.

“What’s the status of the injured woman?” asked Lieutenant Davis, stepping right up to Jennie.

“She’s awake, but in pain. She’ll live,” Jennie replied, staring boldly at Davis.

“The captain will be pleased,” said Davis, giving her a wry, almost sarcastic smile.

Behind him Red Bull scowled.

“Well done,” Meadows said.

“She can’t be moved though, sir,” Jennie added to Davis.

He nodded. “She’ll stay deckside tonight, then. And you with her.” He stated it as a fact not a request.

Jennie agreed, grateful not to have to argue for it. Alice looked at her wistfully. “It would be good if Alice could stay as well, sir,” she said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

“You may have her with you,” he answered. “And you?” He turned to Sarah. “I suppose you’d like to remain with your daughters?”

Sarah didn’t correct him. Instead, she bobbed, “Well, yes, of course, if I may. Yes, sir, thank you.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

Jennie slid a sideways glance at Sarah and Alice, then at Nate. He rolled his eyes at them behind the lieutenant’s back, but didn’t say anything. Surprisingly, Meadows didn’t either.

“We already have the women with the broken bones up here too. You will be responsible for them as well as any others who are not able to get down the ladder on their own.” Davis looked at them gravely, as if daring them to protest. “There isn’t anywhere to put them in the hold in any regard.”

Jennie nodded. “I understand, sir. We will take good care of them.”

“Right then. We’ll hope the weather holds.”

“Perhaps you’d be good enough to allow myself and my man here,” Meadows indicated Nate, “to also stay on deck.”

“I’m sure you’ll be quite comfortable in the stern,” said Davis.

Red Bull made a movement as if to request the same, but Meadows pretended not to see. “My other men will go below deck to keep watch over the women.”

Red Bull’s face suffused with scarlet. Jennie watched him clench his fists at his side. Coombs didn’t look happy either, but he didn’t protest, nor did Edwards.

A frown creased Davis’ forehead for an instant, and his eyes turned cold. “I can assure you, my crew can take care of the women below. Your men will find more room on deck.”

Meadows acquiesced. “As you wish.”

Red Bull’s demeanour cheered considerably.

Davis continued with a frosty scoff. “How we’ll feed you all in the morning is another problem. We’re two days – three days maximum – out of Tenerife by my calculations, so we’ll have to manage somehow.”

Jennie knew that feeding them all had been one of the things the captain had worried about. But this didn’t make sense to her. Why were they so short of food? Surely, if Tenerife hadn’t been a planned stop, they would have more stored on board for a long voyage. Why were they in such dire straits? Or was there something more sinister afoot?

“Have you not seen the stores we’ve brought from the rafts then?” Meadows inquired.

Davis looked mystified. “All I saw was the barrel of wet gunpowder and a few odds and ends of broken ship gear.”

Nate motioned toward the jolly boat. Jennie looked to where the crew had turned it upside down after stacking its contents against the mainmast railing some distance away. “Those crates and barrels hold salt pork and oatmeal and other food.”

Davis stared hard at Red Bull. “I was not made aware of these provisions.”

Red Bull looked away.

Jennie was pleased they had found something useful to share with the Scottish crew. But when had Nate and the others found the food? Had they been holding it back like she worried they might? But there wasn’t anywhere they could have hidden it. Then she recalled the men hurrying back when the
Lady Margaret
suddenly arrived. They hadn’t had time to unload their finds. They must have brought it to the ship when they rescued Kate. Hopefully the food contribution would put them in a favourable position with the captain. Red Bull’s reluctance to mention it to Davis was curious, however. She thought the two of them had seemed quite chummy.

Jennie glanced at the sky. Dusk had fallen quickly with twilight bringing out a dusting of stars and a slit of golden moon suspended just above the calm glistening waters that stretched to the horizon. The rest of the women called out good night as they descended into the belly of the ship. Fanny was the last to file past. She grinned at Jennie as Iris began reciting her evening prayers even louder than usual.

A few minutes later Angus appeared with some dry blankets. They smelled of must and other things Jennie didn’t want to think about.

“Would you have something for Kate to nibble on too?” she asked. “She hasn’t eaten anything yet.”

Angus nodded and disappeared down the hatch. Sarah and Alice spread out the extra blankets on either side of Jennie. The men carried over the woman with the broken limbs and laid her on Kate’s right side. Then the others limped over.

“Ooh, I’m so grateful to be with the lot of you,” said the elderly woman, grimacing with pain as she eased herself down. “Name’s Mary.”

“Which Mary are you?” Jennie smiled, as she helped Kate sit up so she could eat the biscuit Angus brought her.

“Mary Breck,” she said. She added in a breathless rush, “But you can call me May if you like. That’s what my mate used to call me, on account he had a sister and mother called Mary already, bless his soul.”

Jennie had seen May around, of course, but hadn’t come to know her.

The odd gust of cool wind ruffled over them, but once Jennie snuggled next to Alice, she warmed up. Above them, Nate checked the tightness of the ropes on the tarp strung over their heads.

“It will hold as long as we don’t get any strong winds,” he said, frowning at a slightly frayed rope.

“Thanks, Nate,” said Jennie.

“Good night,” he grunted.

“Good night to you too,” said Jennie with a soft sigh.

Alice was already asleep. The others seemed to be dozing. Near the bow, Jennie heard the murmur of men’s voices and clinking of cups, then an occasional laugh. She recognized Red Bull’s harsh accent, Davis’ gruff guttural voice and Meadows’ voice too. After a time, she heard someone stumble off, and then there was silence.

As the night settled down around them, Jennie gazed at the stars, bright pinpricks in the dark, velvet sky. They reminded her of home and her life, so, so long ago. She wiped away the dampness on her cheek and folded away her memories. Closing her eyes, she wondered what the new day would bring.

Chapter Eighteen

“Bloody hell!
There’s a thief in our midst!”

The captain’s roar woke Jennie with a start. She’d been in a deep sleep, the best she’d had for weeks. The women around her might have fared the same, judging by their slowness to wake. It was hardly daybreak.

The crew on watch looked startled and busied themselves with the rigging and sails. Red Bull was among them, restacking the goods they’d brought from the rafts. He stole glances at Captain McGregor, rampaging from the doorway of his quarters.

“Thieving Brits!” The captain bellowed and called for his lieutenant.

Davis appeared from his berth, still buttoning his tunic. He made his way to the captain. MacGregor yanked him inside, cursing and yelling something that sounded like “Madmen, Englishmen and damned thieves,” as he slammed the door.

Davis appeared outside again moments later.

“Meadows!” he shouted.

Meadows quickly approached. Off to the side, Nate stood looking alert though his hair was unkempt. He hurriedly tucked in his crumpled shirt and followed Meadows.

Alice clutched Jennie’s arm. “What is it? What’s happened?” She blinked sleep from her eyes.

Sarah lay tense beside them; Kate and May were wide-eyed and watchful.

“I don’t know,” Jennie whispered. “Shh!”

“One of your thieving charges stole the captain’s gold coins,” Davis spat out.

In shock, Meadows looked at Nate, and then back to Davis. “But none of them had access to the captain’s quarters. They wouldn’t even know he had coins, or where they were kept.”

“Think again,” Davis spat, glancing pointedly toward Jennie’s group.

Jennie gulped. She was the only one who had been in the captain’s quarters. But there must be some mistake.

A slow flush crept up Meadows’ neck.

“Yes, that thieving girl.” Davis glowered.

“But she wouldn’t have!” Nate protested, stepping forward.

“She did go into the captain’s quarters,” said Meadows quietly.

“But only for the medical supplies,” Nate stated.

Jennie leapt up to defend herself. “I was in the captain’s quarters, but he invited me in and he was there the whole time!”