Surrender the Heart (34 page)

Noah’s jaw tensed. Would anyone be so cruel as to use a man’s son against him? Yet after what he’d witnessed today, he wondered if any honor and kindness existed among these British officers. “Rest assured, we won’t tell anyone,” Noah said. “Right, men?”

“Aye,” Weller muttered.

“Of course.” Luke nodded.

Daniel leaned in and shifted eyes alight with glee over the men. The lantern above them squeaked as it swayed in its hook. “You should know my father used to be a pirate.”

“Indeed?” Luke’s brows lifted and again he winced as if the action pained him. From the look of the swollen puffy skin around his eye, Noah could see why.

“Sink me, ain’t nothin’ to be proud of, son.” Blackthorn leaned back, scanned the table, then shook his head when he noticed all eyes were riveted on him. “Only for a year. Sailed wit’ a vile man by the name o’ Graves. A fittin’ name, to be sure, for he put many people in theirs.” He let out a sigh. “Some o’ the worst years of me life.”

“Unimaginable, man.” Luke’s tone was incredulous. “Surely you enjoyed the freedom, the adventure?”

Blackthorn blew out a sigh. “At first, mebbe, but it is a lifestyle without honor, and without honor, what does a man possess of any value?”

Luke grunted. “So you quit?”

“Nay, I wasn’t strong enough for that.” Blackthorn fingered his stubbled chin. “I met Daniel’s mother and she reformed me, so t’ speak.” He smiled. “I was settin’ me life straight, tryin’ to obey God’s
commands and make an honest livin’.” The lines on his face fell. “But then our merchant ship got captured.”

Daniel looked up at his father with such affection it caused a lump to form in Noah’s throat and made him wonder what it would be like to have a son of his own someday. Would his son look at him with similar admiration or would he look at Noah with the same disgust with which Noah looked upon his father?

“It ain’t your fault, Pa.” Daniel glanced at Noah. “Pa thinks this is punishment for his time as a pirate.”

“I killed men.” Blackthorn hung his head.

A vision of Jacob lying on the deck, blood pooling beneath his head, filled Noah’s thoughts. So had he. If there was one thing he understood, it was the weight of such guilt.

“God forgives you, Pa. He told me.”

The words pierced Noah’s heart as if the boy had directed them at him instead of Blackthorn. Did God forgive Noah as well? And if He did, would that make the guilt go away?

Blackthorn patted the lad’s head. “My son fancies himself a prophet.”

Weller gave a cynical laugh, then stared at the boy. “Perhaps you can tell us if we’ll ever get off this ship.”

Daniel sat tall. “I can, mister. And we will. In Antigua.”

“Isn’t that one of Nelson’s dockyards? The main British port in the Caribbean?” Luke frowned.

“Aye.” Weller’s brown eyes seemed to darken, even as his golden tooth gleamed in the lantern light. “The place is brimming with naval officers and marines. Ain’t no way we can escape there. We’d be picked up for sure. Then hung for desertion.”

The ship tilted, creaking and groaning. The lantern above them swayed, shifting its light back and forth over the group as if searching for one worthy of its brightness. The bulk of its glow settled on Daniel.

“Not for sure, mister.” Daniel’s eyes sparkled with youthful exuberance.

Blackthorn sipped his drink. “Though I ain’t too sure I believe it anymore, I’d listen to me son, if I were you. He’s rarely wrong. In fact, he’s a miracle hisself.”

“How so?” Noah asked.

Blackthorn rubbed a finger over the gaping holes where two teeth had once stood. “My wife could bear no children, being past the age. We resigned ourselves to being childless. So, I went off to sea. She took a position as governess in the mayor’s home. But she never stopped praying for a baby. Then a little more than eight months after I left Daniel came along. The physician called it a miracle.” Blackthorn put his arm around the boy and seemed to have difficulty containing his emotions. “He’s been the light o’ our lives e’er since. Though I’m sure your ma is right furious at me for takin’ ye to sea.” He swallowed and glanced away. “She must be overwrought with worry o’er what happened to us.”

“A miracle child, eh?” Noah elbowed Daniel and the boy grinned.

“My son inherited his strong faith from his ma,” Blackthorn gazed with pride upon the lad. “Me? Me feet stand on more solid ground.”

The boy’s features crumbled. “But God told me Miss Denton and these men would come to free us.” He looked up at Noah. “It’s what you’re supposed to do.”

Whether God sent him here or not, Noah knew all too well what he had to do. He had to find a way to get Marianne and his crew off this ship. “It may be our only chance.” Noah eyed each man in turn. “What have we got to lose?”

“Our lives,” Weller grumbled.

“You call this life?” He paused, looking at each man in turn. “I’d rather be dead.” Noah leaned toward Daniel. “Tell Miss Denton that we shall make our escape in Antigua.”

Marianne stepped onto the weather deck. The evening breeze, stiff with the scent of brine, swirled around her, cooling her perspiration. Pressing a hand against her back, she tried to stop the ache that had
taken residence after yet another day of scrubbing and polishing and buffing and listening to the mindless chatter of the captain. Thankfully he made no mention of her tucking him into bed the night before or of his disclosure of his preference to be a farmer. She hoped he had forgotten, but after his foul mood and gruff mannerism all day, she doubted it, for he exhibited all the signs of a man with wounded pride.

Despite the captain’s belligerent behavior, Marianne found her spirits lifted after Daniel gave her Noah’s message. Did he have a plan? Could they really escape? She dared not allow her hopes to rise for she didn’t think she could survive another disappointment. However, if she did hope just a little, if she did believe they might get off this ship, that meant she would have to put her trust in Noah. She cringed at the thought of trusting anyone again.

The ship rose over a swell, and she balanced her sore feet over the planks, amazed at how accustomed she had become to the sudden roll of the deck. Now, if she could overcome her fear of the fathomless expanse of blue surrounding them, she might enjoy these trips above. Inching her way to the break of the quarterdeck, she gripped the wooden railing and drew a deep breath of the moist air. The sun waved a farewell ribbon resplendent with peach, saffron, and maroon across the horizon.

She surveyed the ship. A few watchmen sauntered about, paying her no mind. Apparently, she had become as normal a feature aboard this ship as any of the sailors. Whether that was a good thing or not, she couldn’t say. The clamor of voices,
clank
of plates, and
twang
of a fiddle wafted up from below where most of the crew partook of their dinner, or mess as they called it—an appropriate description based on what she’d seen. The captain and his officers ate much better. And thankfully so did she.

Her thoughts drifted to Noah, and she wondered how he fared. She knew the British sailors treated the Americans poorly, and it saddened her to think he was suffering. Odd, when not two weeks ago, she had wanted to strangle him. What had changed? What had
transformed the repugnant brat into a chivalrous gentleman?

She ran the tips of her fingers over her lips and thought of their kiss.

Her belly warmed at the memory.

Truth be told, she wished she could stop thinking about the kiss or about Noah at all. But she could not. And that frightened her more than anything—even more than being trapped aboard this ship. Day and night she wondered about him. How was he faring in the tops? Did they beat him? Did he sleep well? And whenever she came on deck, she searched him out, desperate for a glimpse of him. What was wrong with her? She was behaving like a silly schoolgirl.

She loved him.

The realization stormed through her like a mighty gale. And like a gale, it threatened to tear her to shreds. For Noah had made his desires quite plain. He did not wish to marry her. He had a sweetheart in South Hampton. Marianne was no fool. She knew all too well that any union between her and Noah would only be motivated by his need of her wealth.

But she couldn’t allow him to be so miserably matched just to appease his father’s guilt-induced mandate. She loved him too much.

No, if they ever got off this ship and back to Baltimore, she would grant Noah his wish and break off their engagement. She had done him enough damage, caused him enough pain. That way he could silence his father’s demands and marry Priscilla—beautiful, cultured Priscilla. Her insides crumpled at the thought.

She would find another way to provide for her mother and sister and purchase the medicine her mother needed.
Oh Lord, please heal my mother. Please take care of her and Lizzie in my absence
. Her heart ached to know how they fared.

“Don’t cry, Miss Denton.” The slippery voice sent a chill over her. She knew who it was before she turned around.

“Lieutenant Garrick.” Marianne batted the moisture from her face. “You frightened me.”

The grin on his thin lips turned her stomach sour. “What has you so distraught, my dear?” He slithered beside her at the railing, effectively backing her against the head of the quarterdeck.

Her nerves tightened. She faced the sea. The last traces of the sun slipped below the horizon. “I am concerned for my mother and sister back in Baltimore.”

“Ah yes, apart from loved ones. It is the price we pay to serve in His Majesty’s Navy.” He brushed his coat, drawing attention to the gold stripe and three buttons lining his cuff.

Marianne twisted her ring. Was he trying to impress her? She dared to stare into his narrowed dark eyes. “I am not in His Majesty’s Navy.” Her sharp tone sent one of his eyebrows into an imperious arch.

“I believe you are mistaken, Miss Denton, for last I heard you are aboard the HMS
Undefeatable
serving as Captain’s steward.”

“Not by choice.”

“Don’t be so naive.” He ran a thumb down the whiskers outlining his pointed chin. “Most of these men are not here by choice.”

“Perhaps if they were, you wouldn’t have to strip the flesh off their backs to force their loyalty.” She regretted her brazen statement as soon as it left her lips.

A look akin to a demon’s scowl came over Lieutenant Garrick’s face. Darkness seeped from his eyes.

Marianne’s blood turned cold. She glanced across the deck, now murky in the falling shadows. No one was in sight.

He flashed a superior grin. “How could a woman understand the ways of the greatest navy in the world?”

Marianne thought to tell him she hoped never to understand but decided for once to keep her mouth shut.

“It is a lonely career, Miss Denton. Like you, I miss the companionship of family and friends from home.” He leaned toward her, his eyes absorbing her from head to toe. The stench of alcohol hung upon his foul breath. “The companionship of a woman.”

She backed against the quarterdeck. Her heart thrashed against her chest. The ship plunged down a wave, sending a spray of saltwater
over them. Marianne quivered.

“Ah, you shiver, Miss Denton. No need to be afraid. I will protect you.” He caressed her cheek.

She jerked away. “And who will protect me from you?”

He grinned. “No one, I suppose. Which is why you should simply give me what I want. It will go much better for you.”

Marianne’s feet went numb. She dug her nails into the wood behind her.
Lord. Please. Help me
. If she screamed would anyone come to her aid? Would anyone stand up for her against Lieutenant Garrick?

Raising his arm, he pressed his hand against the quarterdeck, blocking her exit. “Ah, I assure you, no one will cross me, Miss Denton. I am second in command and have the captain’s favor, and everyone on board this ship knows it.”

Her chest heaved for air. She lifted her shoulders. “Then what is it you want, Lieutenant Garrick?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” In an instant, he closed the distance between them and crushed his body against hers.