Page 46 of The Swan Syndicate #1

The ringing of a bell woke Beckworth from a dead sleep.

He barely remembered stumbling to the cabin and falling fully clothed onto the bed. His constant need to stay busy while not worrying about Stella, which only worked for five minutes at a time, had completely exhausted him.

When the clanging of the bell continued, he popped up, Stella’s robe still clutched in his hand. He held it to his nose. Her scent was a balm, and he sucked in a final deep breath before tossing it on the bed and racing from the cabin.

The top deck was a flurry of activity. He searched for Jamie or Fitz but spotted Lando first. By the time he reached the bow, Jamie and Fitz were there. He didn’t need to use a spyglass to see The Horseman .

The Daphne was bearing down on it.

“What’s happening?” Beckworth shouted as he approached.

No one turned around, their eyes fixed on the ship that appeared to be turning to port. When he reached the railing, Lando gave Beckworth his spyglass.

“We think Stella is on deck.”

“We thought they were turning to fire on us, but they’re too close to the shore,” Jamie said.

“Either a sheet came loose or the canvas tore.” Fitz used his own spyglass. “It’s hard to tell with the men working to fix it.”

“Where are we?” Beckworth glanced at the shore that seemed rather close, but he was still disoriented after waking so quickly.

“Langland Bay is right around the point,” Lando answered.

“Is it possible they’re aiming for a cove?” he asked.

“There’s nothing more than a short beach before the point.” Jamie turned around and yelled, “Heave to.”

“We’re stopping?” Beckworth asked. He felt like an idiot with the questions, but he was playing catch up.

“Her gunports are open. Until we know what they’re doing, we need to stop. I don’t want to get too close if they’re attempting a turn to fire.” Jamie held out his hand for the spyglass Beckworth was holding.

“The captain must have lost his senses if he’s trying to turn to port just before the point.” Fitz scratched his beard. “Turning starboard is the only thing that makes sense.”

Beckworth remembered his binoculars and pulled them out, focusing them as he slowly scanned the deck of The Horseman . He caught sight of the auburn hair immediately. Stella. The air rushed out of him. She was alive. Thank god. But what was she up to?

She turned her head toward the Daphne . Then she faced the shore and watched it for a long minute before glancing up at the sails. When her attention turned toward what he assumed was the crew, his gut roiled in turmoil.

She was up to something. He didn’t know how or why, but his gut told him the loose top sail hadn’t been an accident.

With the glasses still glued on her, Beckworth said, “You’d better prepare a jolly boat.”

“Why?” Jamie asked.

“I don’t know. But something tells me whatever happens next will be a surprise for both ships.”

The words barely left his mouth when all hell broke loose.

S tella dragged the bucket toward the back of the ship, hoping she hadn’t jinxed herself with her thoughts on who’d have the last laugh. She grinned when she noticed how close to shore they were. Cheval had unwittingly positioned her exactly where she wanted to be.

She leaned over the railing first gauging the distance to the thin strip of beach and then toward the bow. Though the ship had slowed, the rocky point wasn’t far away. If she was going to do something—something really stupid—she needed to do it now.

Once she had her bucket placed, she turned to look at the Daphne . It appeared that Jamie had also slowed. Maybe he suspected Cheval would be crazy enough to fire its guns.

“Fire!” someone yelled, and then everyone was yelling.

Her mind snapped back to her current dilemma as her distraction paid off.

Not knowing if any of the shouts had anything to do with her, she began ripping the torn material from her dress. She tore off as much as she could, not worried about modesty, only knowing extra material would weigh her down.

She grabbed the railing and took a last look at the Daphne .

It was close enough for her to see the men on the bow and thought she’d seen Beckworth, but he’d turned and ran off.

Then she noticed a jolly boat being lowered.

She didn’t have time to contemplate the why, though she had noticed two men with spyglasses.

Most likely Jamie and Fitz. She waved her arms before taking another look over the railing.

The water was farther away than she’d expected. She’d once jumped from a ship that had docked. It was from an open gunport, and her landing on the wooden pier had sprained her ankle. She and Sebastian had still gotten away. Would she be as lucky this time?

She glanced over her shoulder to see Cheval running for her. The ship heaved backward at the perfect time and with enough force that he lost his balance and had to grab onto the mast to stop his fall.

Stella hung onto the railing at the unexpected movement. While the ship settled, she climbed onto the railing. Cheval had recovered his step and ran for her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Without a second thought, she flung her arms wide and leaped into the air.

B eckworth was still on the bow standing next to Jamie, Lando, and Fitz, as they watched a second sail falter. It wasn’t enough to stop the ship or even slow it down.

“Someone must have cut the lines.” Lando’s voice was one of confusion and perhaps wonder.

“There’s smoke coming from the starboard side,” Fitz added. “There’s a fire onboard.”

Beckworth ran to mid-ship where the men were lowering the boat. He hung over the rail, watching its slow descent. When it appeared it would take another five minutes before he could climb down, he pushed away from the railing and moved forward to get a glimpse of The Horseman .

Lando ran up to him. “The fire seems to be spreading. They’re heaving to.” He glanced over the side to check the progress of the boat and nodded. “How did you know that would happen?”

Beckworth shrugged, unsure what was happening or what he thought a jolly boat would do.

But he had to do something. This might not work out at all—nothing more than a fool’s mission.

Jamie might put the ship under sail again, leaving him stranded on a beach.

At least he’d be close to a port. He’d have to put his faith in Jamie to save Stella.

Before he answered, he glanced at the other ship, then laughed. It also terrified him as he swung around and headed for the boat.

Lando followed him. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m not sure who to be sorry for. Stella, who’s preparing to do something both courageous and stupid, or Cheval when he realizes he was a fool to bring her onboard.

Whatever’s happening on that ship, you can bet Stella had a hand in it.

” He climbed over the railing to the rope ladder.

“Now it’s time to save the damsel in distress. ”

He climbed halfway down before jumping the rest of it. Michelson had taken a position at one of the oars.

Beckworth shook his head. “Sorry, mate. You’re needed on the Daphne .”

Michelson shook his head in return. “Captain’s orders. And even if they weren’t, you can’t row to shore without help.”

He could argue but the man was right. It would be a helluva row, and he’d be exhausted when he got there. He took the other oars and pushed off.

“Man overboard.”

It sounded like Fitz. He didn’t have to look to know who it was, but he glanced back just the same.

Now that she was in the water, the only thing they could do was row.

And that’s what they did. Neither glanced around.

They kept their heads down and rowed to the closest point.

They could have steered for Stella, but they needed to stay away from The Horseman in case someone fired a shot.

He couldn’t help it, and he stole a quick glance. Cheval was lowering his own jolly boat. He paddled faster.

It took longer than he expected against the outgoing tide. Before they reached the shore, he laid down the oars and stood.

“The tide’s going out. It will be an easier row back.”

Michaelson shook his head. “Jamie meant for me to go with you to shore.”

Beckworth took in the unfolding scene. Both ships had come to a stop but The Horseman appeared too close to the point. He doubted they hit rocks, but it was still a dangerous position to be in. The fact they’d lowered a boat told him everything he needed to know.

“Go back and get more men. I’ll get Stella.” Then he jumped out, pushed the boat toward the outgoing wave, and waded through the waist-deep water toward shore. He didn’t look back. His focus was solely on the water and any sign of Stella.

She hated ships because she got seasick, but could she swim? He racked his brain to remember if that was one of the items he’d added to her list of phobias or things she wouldn’t do. It had become a running joke between them.

When they’d been on Gemini’s ship and had discussed their options to escape, there had been a possibility they’d have to jump in the water and swim for the dock.

They’d never discussed swimming since then.

Surely she wouldn’t have jumped if she couldn’t make it to shore.

Who was he kidding? She might be one of the most intelligent women he knew, but she didn’t always think things through before listening to her gut.

He had to grin. Sometimes they were too similar for their own good.

He ran up and down the shoreline, searching the waves. Michelson was almost back to the Daphne , and men were lined up on deck, no doubt ready to come ashore. He turned to run back the other way, considering swimming out in search of her, when he stopped short.

Cheval stood on the beach. He was soaking wet from head to toe. He must have decided not to wait for the boat. But why had he beaten Stella ashore? That question would have to wait as he noted the man had a dagger and pistol tucked in his belt and a crossbow dangled in his left hand.