“And getting worse by the moment,” Jack said. He took Pim far enough aside that the women couldn’t hear, and hurriedly repeated what Charlie had said. “I won’t ask you to give up your land legs, but our mates are ambushed and need our help. Are you with me?”
“Aye, a course I am.”
“Good. Now listen. I’ve only got the one horse, so I’ve got to warn the ship. You’ll have to walk to Sinner’s Row and scout things out.”
“What about the ladies? Leave ’em here?”
Jack looked at the women a moment, and sighed. “They’ll slow us down, but you better take them.”
“We could get ’em a room here.”
Jack shook his head. “If her father comes, it won’t go well for her and the baby.”
“You truly be the one got her with child?”
“Let’s just move along with our planning.”
Pim smiled. “How much should I tell them?”
“Tell them everything.”
“Hester might not want me if she knows my past.”
Jack took a moment to survey his friend’s appearance. “You think you could sink lower in her eyes?”
Pim shrugged.
Jack said, “Tell them what you like. But make sure they’re safe.”
“You got a plan?”
Jack nodded. “I’m working on it.”
Pim nodded and said, “Okay then. I guess we’ll go together and listen for your whistle.”
Jack walked over to Abby and cupped her chin in his hand. They kissed quickly, and when he broke away he looked her in the eyes. “I must warn my friends,” he said.
“I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t. I’ll have to ride hard. Also, I expect to pass your step-father on the road, searching for you. So look sharp and stay with Mr. Pim.”
Abby’s face went white. “If Philip finds me he’ll kill me.”
“Mr. Pim won’t allow it.”
“You don’t know Philip.”
“And he don’t know Pim. Okay, I’m off.”
Chapter 14
Jack galloped out of town and had gone about a mile when he ran into Philip Winter. Philip angled his horse across the path and held his musket across his chest, bidding Jack to stop.
“Who might you be?”
“Henry Ames. And you?”
“Philip Winter.”
“You the man sold his wife an hour ago?”
“The same. Now I’m looking for my daughter.”
“You planning to sell her too?”
Philip Winter sized Henry up. “Who knows you around here, Mr. Ames?”
“You do, for one.”
Philip aimed his musket at Jack’s face and pulled back the action.
“I’ll have your horse, Henry, and you on the ground, face down until I decide what to do with you.”
“I don’t think so.”
Jack jerked hard on his reign while kicking his horse’s ribs. His horse slammed into Winter and Jack ducked below the gunshot. By then, Jack had his flintlock out and cocked in one hand, and Winter’s reigns in the other.
“I don’t know why you’d wish to shoot a fellow traveler, or steal his horse, but it concerns me enough to ask you to dismount.”
Winter reluctantly stepped down from his horse.
“What do you intend, sir?”
Jack wasn’t sure. His first instinct was to kill Winter. But what would he do with the body? He didn’t have time to deal with this right now.
“I’ll take your horse with me,” Jack said. “You’ll find it at the river crossing, tied to a tree.”
“I have urgent business. My daughter is missing.”
“You’ll have to delay the search. I’m sorry.”
Winters nodded. “If I see you again, I’ll kill you.”
“In that case, I hope not to see you again. But since I’m bound for Georgia, I doubt our paths will cross.”
“You’re heading the wrong way for Georgia, sir.”
“I’m making a detour. I’m a scout for The Viceroy, and have pirates to kill along the way.”
“Wait! Why didn’t you say this earlier? I’m part of the plot.”
“What part is yours?”
“Why, creating the diversion so all the locals would be in town during the roundup.”
Jack nodded. “But you intended all along to sell your wife, did you not?”
“Yes, of course. But the timing added some silver to my pocket.”
“Mayor Shrewsbury?”
“The same. So, can I have my horse back?”
“One thing about being a scout. We don’t trust anyone. You’ll find your horse tethered to a tree by the clearing. You know the place?”
“Ought to, I live not a hundred yards from the spot.”
“Very well. In the meantime, if I come across a young lady I’ll assume she’s your daughter. What shall I tell her?”
“Tell her to get her ass home.”
“Done, sir. Good luck to you.”
“And you, sir.”
Chapter 15
As Jack approached George and Marie’s home, he stopped his horse and whistled loudly. Within seconds he received a welcome whistle in return. The family gathered round. Johanna wore an angry expression on her face even as she cradled Rugby in her arms. The boys were chattering away about something, and George and Marie seemed puzzled. Jack looked at Rose.
“Can you really fly?”
All eyes had turned to Rose. She curled her lips into a humorless smile and said, “Is it the end of days, Henry?”
The way she said it sent a chill down Jack’s spine.
Marie grabbed the boys by their shirts and dragged them to the house, kicking and screaming.
“Henry,” said George. “She’s our daughter. We’ve brought you in and trusted you. What are your intentions?”
Jack said, “You know nothing of the ambush at Sinner’s Row?”
“What ambush?”
“You’ve heard no word of The Viceroy attacking The Fortress?”
“Of course not. Where have you gotten your information?”
“From the lips of a dying man.”
Johanna, less angry now, said, “Henry, what is this about?”
“My men are being hung one by one at Sinner’s Row. My ship is about to be attacked.”
“Your men? Your ship?” Johanna said.
George looked at the two girls.
“Henry’s a privateer,” he said.
Rose’s face grew animated. “I knew it! And no ordinary pirate, are you Henry? I’ll tell you who he is, Johanna. He’s Jack Hawley!”
George’s face went white. “Could that possibly be true?”
Johanna had a different reaction. She seemed to be putting something together in her head. After a moment she said, “Gentleman Jack Hawley? Well that makes sense, now, doesn’t it!”
Rose said, “Do you wish to ravish us, Jack Hawley?”
“Of course not!” Jack said. “Why would someone your age even think to say such a thing?”
“I’m an old soul, Henry. I’m sure George has told you that.”
Indeed, George, who’d been known to exaggerate, had told Jack that Rose didn’t appear to age like their other children. She looked the same four years ago when he found her as she did today.
“What are your intentions, Henry?” George said. “I mean, Mr. Hawley.”
“George, we go way back. I like to think we’re friends. I can see you might not have heard the news since the soldiers came from the north. But you’re either with us or against us, and I’ll respect which it is. But you need to cast your lot now, for time is running out on my men.”
“I’m with you Henry,” Johanna said.
“My family stands at your service,” George said.
“And you, miss,” Jack said to Rose. “Tell me truly. Can you fly?”
Chapter 16
Jack started a smoke fire while George gathered all his weapons into saddlebags and tied them to four horses. Johanna put Rugby in a basket and tied it to her saddle.