Chapter Two #2
“Had we actually caught up to him, I believe you would have been right.” Lieutenant Caldwell took a bite of his fish. “He had shipwrecked them and left them for dead.”
Josephine ignored her food, leaning forward as he recounted the story of catching up to his captain and rescuing him from a coral atoll, then returning to Savannah and tracking Thorne to the coast of Florida, where the pirate finally met his match.
When he finished, she sighed. “You’re very brave.”
He shook his head. “No, I did what any friend would do. Besides, when we finally caught up to Thorne, we had hundreds of men with us. There wasn’t even a true battle—more of a skirmish.”
She smiled. “Well, I wish I had a friend like you.”
Ocean-hued eyes met hers, holding her gaze for a long moment. “I’m sure you have many friends.”
Her father cleared his throat. “How did Thorne escape?”
The lieutenant stiffened. “I believe he had inside help. There’s no other way.”
“What now?”
“Now, we go after him. I have more men and ships being delivered to Savannah as we speak. I’ll set sail shortly after returning. Thorne’s days of terror are soon coming to an end and he will be brought to justice.”
Josephine cocked her head. A very bold and heroic statement. But it sounded too…rehearsed. The small amount of conviction in his voice didn’t match the sentiment. Was he scared?
No. Though he downplayed what he had done, she had seen the determination in him the night he came for the ship. He would have faced anything for his friend without hesitation.
“Where do you think he is?” The words slipped from her lips as he took a long drink of his wine.
Her father gave her a disapproving glance at the blunt question, but the lieutenant didn’t seem to care. “I’m not sure. It’s almost as though he disappeared into thin air. Have you heard anything here? With the number of pirates and smugglers passing through, maybe someone has said something?”
The question was directed at her father but she answered. “No. They only speak of his escape. His ship hasn’t been seen since the night you showed up.”
This got her a raised brow. “His frigate is in possession of the Navy, currently being retrofitted to become one of our own.”
She winced at her mistake. Of course they would have taken his ship when he was captured.
Her father scratched his chin. “I have heard nothing. Thorne is an easily recognizable man; if he had passed through any of the nearby islands, someone would have noticed.”
“Precisely. This confirms my suspicions that he’s somewhere along the coast of America.”
“America? His haunt is here in the Caribbean.”
“Not as many people there have heard of him, so he’ll be able to lie low with fewer chances of being recognized. I have a feeling he won’t be in hiding for long.”
Her father arched a brow. “Why’s that?”
“Just a hunch. And there’s the fact he’s a pirate. He won’t ignore the thrill of plunder for long.”
“Very true. Well, we’ll be glad to see him gone. Anytime there’s even a whisper of his presence, the port clears out. Bad for business, he is.”
The rest of the meal passed faster than Josephine would have liked and the talk shifted to commodities and business. Still, she sat there, transfixed as the lieutenant finished every bite on his plate. He complimented her on each dish and her heart soared.
Her father downed the last of his wine. “Would you like to stay for a glass of spirits and a cigar?”
The lieutenant shook his head and stood. “Thank you, but we leave tomorrow, and there’s much preparation to do before we set sail.”
“I thought you might say that.” Her father wiped his napkin across his lips and he leaned back in his chair. “Josephine, why don’t you see Lieutenant Caldwell to the door? I’m going to have another serving of your banana tart.”
She smiled at her good fortune. The last minutes had passed with her fervently trying to memorize every angle of the lieutenant’s face. Now, she’d won a few more moments with him.
Lieutenant Caldwell bowed. “Thank you for the meal, I mean it when I say it’s the best I’ve had in a long while.”
Her father beamed. “My Josephine is the best cook on the island. I’m lucky to have her.”
The lieutenant raised a brow. “You did all this?”
With a quick nod, she turned toward the door and away from the question in his eyes.
Why was the daughter of a governor cooking meals?
Over the last few years, the number of servants in the household had dwindled—only one housemaid and a valet remained full time.
Josephine didn’t mind helping in the kitchen when their cook was away; working with food came easily to her and helped pass the time.
He followed her from the dining room and she slowed in the hallway.
No need to rush him outside and out of her life.
An ache formed in her chest as she opened the door and he stepped onto the porch. Though she hardly knew him, it felt like saying goodbye to a friend. He turned at the top of the steps when she didn’t close the door. He was being polite and waiting for her, but she couldn’t do it.
He looked down the street and back to her. “Would you like to join me for a bit?”
Josephine’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t want to impose.”
He smiled and her stomach flopped. “My men are very capable. A few minutes won’t hurt. Besides, I never thanked you again for your help that night. Your supplies were very thoughtful and helped us tremendously.”
“It was the least I could do.” Her words came out soft and demure. Why, beneath his watchful gaze, did she feel so shy? She took a long breath, the humid night air tempering her dry throat, and focused on the song of the tree frogs.
Pretend he’s just another pirate or smuggler at the tavern.
Therein laid the problem. He wasn’t just another man.
Even so, she’d better start talking before he decided to leave.
“What’s Savannah like?”
He shrugged. “Same as any southern port city, I suppose.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and fixed her gaze in the dark space behind him. “I’ve never been to America.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I’m so used to it all…I didn’t mean to assume.”
“It’s alright. You didn’t know.” She met his apologetic gaze. “I was only ten when we left France, and I can’t remember much. I’ve never left the island since.” Admitting it left her feeling exposed.
The lieutenant shifted on his feet. “Sometimes, with as much as I travel, I forget not everyone does the same.”
She forced a smile. “Tell me about America and Savannah.”
His lips curved. “It’s not as cultured as Europe, and certainly not built up as much.
We are still such a young country, learning and growing.
I grew up in the north, where the cities are larger and more sophisticated.
Savannah is, well, it’s small. At least the city is.
There’s a lot of large plantations on the land away from the docks. ”
“As small as Tortuga’s port?”
A rich chuckle broke free. “No. It is larger than Tortuga.”
“Do you like living there?”
Silence fell across them for a long moment. “I’m honestly not sure. I spend very little time ashore.”
“So, you enjoy being a captain?” She cringed. Of course he did. Why else would he spend so much time out at sea?
“Well, this is my first mission as commander of a ship. I don’t hold the rank of captain; that will be a long time down the road. Our navy is so newly formed, right now our captains command the frigates, and we lieutenants are sometimes lucky to be in charge of the smaller ships.”
“Smaller?” Tall masts and gleaming cannons filled her mind. “The Tempest is one of the most imposing ships I’ve seen besides…besides Thorne’s.”
Lieutenant Caldwell’s eyes darkened at the mention of the pirate. “Well, hopefully he is at the helm of a much smaller vessel this time.”
“I hope so, for your sake.”
The edges of his lips twitched in the ghost of a smile. “Thank you.”
She took a half step closer, the pleasant scent of sandalwood washing over her. “I will look forward to hearing the news of his recapture, though we often hear about things weeks after they happen.”
“I shall endeavor to make it a story worth telling then. The more interesting news always travels the fastest.”
She laughed when he winked. “Well, lucky for you, any news of Thorne is considered interesting.”
“That’s good. Should mean we track him down quicker once he comes out of hiding.”
A shiver passed over her. “I hope you’re careful, Lieutenant. You’re the only person I’ve ever met that intentionally seeks Thorne out.”
He shrugged. “If not me, then who? I’ll do it so others won’t have to.”
“A noble sentiment. But sentiments alone do not win battles.”
All traces of amusement faded from his face. “The truest statement I’ve heard all day.” He tapped a finger against his forehead. “This is what wins battles.”
She arched a brow. “Good looks?”
His grin returned and a flush of warmth traveled through her. “That, among other things.”
Her laugh echoed into the night. “I see subtlety is not a strong suit of yours.”
“You’d be surprised.” He held her gaze. “As much as I would like to stay and let you inflate my ego further, I’d best get going.
Silas, my first officer, will be worried if I don’t return soon.
I’d rather not disturb the town with a detachment of navy men marching through the streets looking for me. ”
Though she wanted to protest, she nodded. “I’m glad to have met you, Lieutenant.”
“And I, you.” His eyes flickered toward the still-open door, then back to her with a quiet intensity. Her breath caught as he stepped forward and took her hand in his.
While she marveled at the warmth of his fingers clasped around hers, he lifted her hand and pressed his lips behind her knuckles. Then he released his hold, leaving her staring at the spot where his touch had seared her.
“Goodnight, and goodbye, Miss Montclair.”