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“What of Caney’s load?” another man asked.
“We’ll have to dump it. Or return to Jack’s ship. We can’t very well hide it on the beach.”
“Wait,” Pippa said. The thread of an idea weaved through her mind. “I think you can hide it on the beach.”
William did not wait for her to say more. He directed the men to leave and they were off, the wagon rattling along. “Do not take it home,” William called softly. He turned for her, and she could see how pained his expression was, how eager he seemed to get her off the beach. “Where?”
Pippa explained about the cave she’d found during her climb a week before. William didn’t appear to completely agree that it was ideal.
“It is worth trying,” his brother said.
Mr. Caney’s boat landed on the surf, and the men formed a line to relieve the boat of the barrels. Pippa led William toward the rock. She began to climb and his hand went around her wrist.
“I know where it is,” she argued.
“I will not have your blood on my hands, Pip. I’m climbing. Tell me where to go.”
She swallowed her argument. They didn’t have time to quarrel. She directed him to the right location and pointed out where the narrow cave was.
“This just might work.” William sounded pleased, and the men made quick work of heaving the barrels up the beach. When William landed on the sand again, he took her hand and squeezed her leather-clad fingers.
“You broke your promise.”
“Aren’t you glad I did?”
He chuckled, the warm sound having lost the edge of concern he held earlier. “I will not dignify that comment with a response.”
“Are you planning to introduce me?” a man asked, stepping up to William’s side. The sliver of moon provided enough light to make out his sharp jaw and dark hair.
“Jack, this is my friend, Miss Sheffield.”
“Friend?” Jack asked.
Pippa and William were both silent, and Jack laughed. “Ah, I see. Well, I look forward to the day we can meet in the sunlight, Miss Sheffield. You sound absolutely lovely.”
She grinned. From what she could make out, Jack did look very much like his brother. Handsome and dashing, though not quite as handsome as William.
“It will be my pleasure,” she said, dipping a soft curtsy.
William clapped Jack on the back. “We need to get you to your ship.”
Light appeared at the top of the cliff and Pippa’s body stilled. A handful of men walked the cliff path toward the cove, torches held high above their heads.
“Ainsworth is back.”
