He cleared his throat. “Any man who makes the crossing will receive double the normal payment. If things do go wrong, your family will receive a lump sum settlement from the Duke of Monsale. The articles of Bartholomew Roberts will apply.”
While Gus hadn’t wanted to accept the offer from his friend, Monsale had insisted. He hadn’t ever imagined quoting the rules of death benefit payments drawn up by the pirate Black Bart, but if it gained him a crew, then he was prepared to do it.
Forgive me, father. I know there is nothing honorable in being a pirate, but I must get to France.
The promise of compensation seemed to do the trick. No one else left.
He nodded to Captain Grey. “The ship is under the captain’s command as of this minute. I will work alongside the rest of you as a member of the crew until we reach Saint-Brieuc. Take the time now to avail yourself of a gun and shot and store them in a dry and secure place.”
Gus headed to the ladder. Captain Grey could deal with any last-minute questions or men who were still in two minds. He needed time alone to gather his thoughts.
And fresh air.
After stepping out onto the deck, Gus made for the bow of the yacht. It faced onto the harbor, affording him his favorite view of blue water. For a moment, he stood staring at one of the nearby ships as its sails billowed in the breeze.
Am I doing the right thing in putting these men’s lives in danger just to help my friends? And what if we arrive in France and things are worse than Evangeline said they were—what will I do?
The need to get to Evangeline, to confirm that she was safe, occupied his mind almost constantly. Evangeline La Roche was a strong young woman; she wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble of sending a letter to England if she hadn’t genuinely feared for her and Armand’s well-being.
“If I have to row the whole bloody way myself, I will,” he muttered.
Footsteps on the deck had him stirring from his private musings. He glanced back over his shoulder.
Captain Grey stood a few feet away. “Mister Jones, the men are ready to sail to France.” He pointed at Gus’s left arm. “I don’t expect you will be strong enough to help with the sails, but if you could work the ropes, we should be able to leave port without too much difficulty.”
Their gazes met. Silence followed. Neither had to give voice to their concerns about the expedition. They were likely sailing into a bloody battle, from which some of them may not return.
“I meant it when I said that you are to leave Saint-Brieuc at the first sign of strife. The Lamballe gang are former soldiers, hardened by war. They have much to gain by taking over the smuggling operations.”
Captain Grey scowled, clearly unhappy with Gus’s order. “How about we make a pact? If you run into trouble, I shall take theNight Windfarther up the French coast to Binic. It’s close enough to Saint-Brieuc, and we know people there. I can keep the boat in port for a time. If you don’t make it to Binic and signal me there within a week, then I shall sail for England. That is my final offer—take it or leave it.”
The idea of being stranded in France with a band of cutthroats on the hunt to kill him held little appeal. If things did go awry, having a way to escape could well mean the difference between life and death.
Gus held out his hand. “You drive a hard bargain, but yes, we are in accord. Now be a good chap and show me which ropes you want hauling; I want us to sail the minute the tide turns.”
Chapter Five
Silence was the order as theNight Winddrew up alongside the small, private dock below Château-de-La-Roche. The château itself sat at the top of the hill, hidden from view by a cluster of tall pine trees. Only the topmost part of its spire could be seen as they’d sailed up the Gouët river.
It was mid-morning, and the night crossing of the English Channel had gone without incident. Gus was praying that their luck would hold.
While three members of the crew held guns trained on the track leading up to the main house, Gus made ready. He dropped over the side of the yacht and landed on the wooden jetty with a thud.
Loaded pistol in hand, he made for the cover of a nearby cluster of boulders, staying low as he ran. With his back pressed against the rocks, he watched as the crew and captain scanned the surrounding area. When Captain Grey pointed to the path and nodded, Gus crept out from his hiding place and headed up the hill.
He didn’t need to look behind him to know that theNight Windwas drawing away from the jetty and turning about. If they had to make a hasty exit, they couldn’t afford to waste valuable time in getting the boat ready to sail.
His heart was thumping hard in his chest. The last time he stood on the side of this rise, he had been close to death. It took a great deal of effort to push those memories away, to fight the rising panic.
Move. Find Evangeline and Armand.
At the edge of the courtyard leading to the château, he stopped and hid behind a tree. There was little activity about the grounds. A stray chicken wandered out from the kitchen garden, followed by one of the château’s housemaids.
Nothing seemed out of place.
The stone walls of the château looked the same as they had always done. As he took in the welcome sight of the round central turret, with its gray slate tiled roof and griffin-topped spire, a grin came to his lips.
It’s good to be here again.
