Alex stomped past, fists clutched in determination, chin lifted to add to her height, talking as she followed the captain. “If ye’d bear up and beat to windward…”
Nick shook his head and chuckled. The captain could not shake her, no matter how fast he walked or how busy he made himself appear. Alex would point out how ineffectively his sails were trimmed, his ill use of port tack on the weather side….
“We’d be there already if ye listened to me,” she huffed.
“Leave the man be, Alex,” Nick called after her.
She ignored him. She never was one to back down. It was one of the many things he loved about her. She’d never give up on him.
Jaffa sidled away from her to kneel beside where Nick stood, watching over his group.
Keeping his eyes on his charge, Jaffa said, “Big changes are coming, Cap’n Nick.”
“That they are.” It occurred to Nick that once he and Alex married, Jaffa would be at loose ends. He wouldn’t wish to accompany them on their wedding tour any more than Nick wished for Jaffa’s looming presence near his wife. “What’ll ye do?” he asked.
Jaffa put his hand on Nick’s shoulder, his grip as firm as the expression in his eyes. “I am not neededanymore. My purpose is complete. Cap’n Alex cannot have two men in her life.”
Amen to that.
“Will you guard her with your life?” Jaffa continued. “Will you protect her as I have done?”
The loyalty Jaffa had displayed since Alex had freed him from the slaver when she was a sprite of a girl filled Nick’s chest with awe. Placing his hand on top of Jaffa’s, he met the man’s gaze with an intensity of his own. “On the stars, I swear I will.”
Jaffa nodded, dropping his hand. “Then, I will return with these men to theFancy. It is the last thing I can do to serve my good cap’n.”
“What’ll ye do when the repairs are finished?”
Jaffa’s face relaxed, and he looked off into the distance. “I will find my family. As you have found yours.” He smiled, meeting Nick’s gaze.
Nick cleared his throat and sniffed. “I wish ye well.”
They both turned to see Alex trailing after the captain. “She’ll miss ye,” Nick stated.
“I will miss her, too. Which is why I must leave quickly, today.”
Nick clapped him on the shoulder, wishing there was more he could do and knowing Jaffa would never accept it.
Mr. Bennet interrupted the moment with another question. “I have never been to this part of the country. What is Lympstone like, Mr. Blackburne?”
By the time Nick looked back overhis shoulder, Jaffa was gone.Farewell, good friend. May you be repaid generously.Alex would send word to Boone, guaranteeing that Jaffa got his share of the treasures hidden in the holds of theFancy. He’d never want for anything. He’d return to his family a wealthy man.
Taking in a deep breath, Nick turned to the curious faces trained on him. So many people eager to listen to him, desirous of his conversation. Even Mr. Gardiner hobbled over to drop into a chair beside his brother-in-law and niece. Nick would do his best to take the gentleman’s mind off the discomforts of sea travel.
“Lympstone’s nestled along the eastern bank of the broad estuary of the River Exe, between cliffs of red breccia.” Mr. Bennet smiled. He was the sort of gentleman who would take an interest in the geology of a site.
Nick continued, “It’s a pretty townlet, a fishing station with a significant trade in ships. The fishermen from Exmouth bring oysters to fatten up on the beds of the estuary. When the tide goes out, maybe we can dig for some.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Only if I am not the one wielding the shovel. I have read about them.”
“Those little buggers’re quick. I’ll dig for ye.”
“Where shall we stay?” asked Lord Matlock, his focus on more practical matters.
“It’s the off-season, so I reckon we’ll have our pick of lodgings. I’d prefer The Swan. I remember theinnkeeper being a kind man who kept up with the comings and goings in the village.”
Richard folded his arms over his chest and stretched his legs in front of him languidly. An officer always on duty never loses an opportunity to relax when he can. “Was not John Nutt from Lympstone?”
Nick had been waiting for such a question. He couldn’t avoid them, nor would he deny his audience satisfaction. It wasn’t every day they could speak freely and openly with a pirate. Aformerpirate.
