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The command ship set down anchor nearby and two rowboats were lowered. Six men bearing arms accompanied a commanding officer in the first. Two more men followed in the second.
Roderick watched as the rowboats closed the distance. As he did, he tried to plan for every possible outcome, but until he knew what had led them here, he could not even begin to decide how to act.
The naval officer stood up. “Captain Cameron of the Libertas,” the offic
er bellowed.
“We’re behind you, Captain,” one of his men called out to him. “Just say the word if you want us to take action.”
Roderick approached the railing with a deep sense of misgiving. Something was badly amiss. The number of men and vessels was unprecedented for a simple case of excise evasion. As he pondered it, his thoughts went to Maisie. Had they come to try her? Was she known in London, and was that why she had to leave so hastily?
“I am Captain Cameron,” he shouted down.
The officer stared up at him, sour-faced and disapproving. “We believe you have a passenger aboard, a young lady by the name of Margaret.”
Roderick’s heart sank. He would rather they’d come for him.
“They have come for the witch,” one of the men close by said to another. Whispered conversations began and Roderick’s tension grew as he realized his men were pleased. He was not. “We do not carry passengers,” he announced.
“You were observed taking a young woman aboard this ship in Billingsgate,” announced the officer. “Her guardian seeks her safe return, and if you deliver her to us unharmed, we will be lenient when addressing the extensive list of excise charges against your name.”
Roderick was relieved that no mention of arresting her on a charge of witchcraft had been made. However, if this guardian of hers was well-meaning, why had she run away? Was it the same man who wanted to keep her? He tried to recall if she had referred to him as her guardian. If only she had confided more in him, he would be able to judge and know how best to respond.
Meanwhile, at his back, the men were already taking action. “Fetch her up. Let them take her and we’ll be rid of her and her twisted ways.”
“Stand your ground,” he instructed, shooting the order back over his shoulder.
“If you do not hand the young lady over,” the naval officer continued, “a charge of kidnap will also be listed against your name, and no mercy will be shown to you or your men as we come aboard.”
“Look at the trouble she has brought upon us,” a shipman spat.
“She is a crime against God, that woman,” another one agreed. “Let them deal with her.”
Roderick’s heart thundered against the wall of his chest. He was trapped. There was no way they could escape the navy. Neither could he decide whether Maisie would be safer with them than she would be with his own men, who had turned against her.
If only he’d managed to get her to dry land before this occurred.
He addressed the officer below. “The woman you seek is safe and well.”
“So, you do have the young lady. If you do not take passengers, we must assume that you have indeed kidnapped her.” His sour expression altered into a sly grin.
Roderick’s mind raced. From what little Maisie had revealed, he had been able to glean that the man who wanted to keep her had wealth and influence. Influence enough to set the Royal Navy on them? If that was the case, then they intended to take her back to London. Torn, he considered the dilemma. She would be safer with the navy—who apparently were unaware of her forbidden craft—than with his own crew. But could she escape the master from whom she had run before if the navy took her back to him? Roderick could only hope.
He had to be sure they were not acting on behalf of witch hunters. “I have a duty to ensure the young lady is safely delivered onto land. Are you charged with the same duty?”
The naval officer turned to pass comment to a man behind him, before he answered. “Given that we are rescuing the lady from you, that is somewhat of a strange question, Captain Cameron.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
Behind him, Roderick heard his crew whispering, and there was laughter, too. At least the mood had lightened amongst them, he thought wryly.
Brady came closer to his side. “Don’t be a fool, Roderick. Let her go. She will be their problem and they’ve assured you our men won’t be harmed.”
“And you believe that?” Roderick lifted his eyebrows.
Brady scowled at him. “I have a family to feed. I have to believe it.”
As I have to believe Maisie will be safe once she is dispatched to the navy.
“Bring her up from the hold,” Roderick commanded.
