Cutlass Anne

Cutlass Anne - Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-nine

"What port is that?" Flynn stared through the eyepiece of our telescope.

"Baltimore." I walked down the steps of the helm. "Drop anchor! We get supplies here!"

The longboat was pushed off the deck and dangled on the side of the ship. Scully and Ryder held the two ropes that kept the dinghy from crashing to the water below. Their muscular arms strained under the immense weight as they slowly let the boat slide down. Another man tossed the Jacob's ladder over the side and stood aside as I climbed over the railing.

"Can I come?" Jane ran from the cabin.

"We are not staying. We are restocking our supplies and heading for Norfolk."

She stuck out her lower lip and pouted. "I have been stuck on this ship for weeks! I would love to get into town."

"Jane, we are not going to be here long enough. I do not want you to get lost."

"But . . ."

"No buts," I said firmly.

"Captain?" Christopher stepped forward.

"Aye?" I asked tentatively.

"If neither of our captains would object, I do not mind escorting the Lady Jane about the town. I am not a part of the crew who are securing supplies, so I would just be sitting about here with the rest of the men."

Flynn tried to suppress a smile, and I dropped my head, sighing heavily. Jane always got her way.

"Fine." I waved my hand in the air. "I hope the rest of you men do not think you can get away with something like this."

The men chuckled. Their captain had a weakness. It was her little sister.

"Thank you, Christopher, for offering to escort me about town." Jane blushed fiercely.

"It is my pleasure, madam." He smiled so hard I thought his cheeks would simply fall off.

"Do you see what I see?" Flynn asked.

"I think I do."

"You may not have to worry about Jane going back to your father."

"Hmm, perhaps not." I furrowed my brows.

"What is wrong, love?" He squeezed my shoulder.

"I am not sure how I feel about my younger sister consorting with a pirate."

"Of all people to say that." He laughed, shaking his head.

"What?"

"You are a pirate who has done more than consort with another pirate."

"She is not me," I said sternly.

"That much is evident," he said, glancing behind us at the pair sitting at the back of our longboat. "And he is not a bad man. He comes from a good family. He does have a good job and nobody knows he has taken to pirating. If you want to call what we do pirating."

"Then what would you call it?" I asked.

"We are uncommissioned privateers."

I smiled and shook my head as the longboat sliced through the water heading toward the shore. We docked and paid our due to the harbormaster. I had never been so far north before. I tightened the sheath around my waist and tried to avoid the stares of men from other ships.

"Tis bad luck to have one lass aboard a ship let alone two!" one man shouted from nearby.

I spun on my shiny boot heels and glared at him. "Tis also bad luck to have a slobbering sack aboard a vessel who adds nothing to the crew!"

His eyes widened and I saw a vein in his forehead protrude a bit as his neck began to turn purple. He was angry. He dropped the crate he was holding and charged at me. I gripped the cutlass at my side and pulled it out a bit. He stopped when he noticed the shining metal at my waist and backed away slowly.

"Let's go, Captain Anne." Flynn glared at the man.

We continued along until we were at the merchant stalls. The men set about retrieving everything we would need, except Christopher. He walked among the stalls with Jane on his arm. They chatted and laughed. They were in complete bliss. Nothing seemed to concern them a bit.

"If I am not mistaken," Flynn stated, "I believe Christopher is infatuated with your dear sister."

"So it seems."

"Would you be happy if she were to marry a pirate?" he asked.

"I thought we were uncommissioned privateers?"

He smiled meekly while staring forlornly at the two.

"Do tell me what is on your mind, love," I said.

"You are going to miss your life of luxury and being Lady Anne."

"No, I am not. I was trapped in that life. I am happy on the seas with you and our crew."

I watched the couple as they walked about the market. They seemed truly happy.

"We shall marry," Flynn said suddenly.

"What?"

"After we kill my father we will go back to South Carolina, and I will make you my wife."

"What?" I repeated.

"If you will have me. Will you marry me, Lady Anne Crowley?"

I nodded my head while wrapping my arms around his neck.

"We should marry aboard the ship." I pressed my lips to his, gently prying his mouth open.

"You do not want to marry in a church?" he asked.

I shook my head vigorously. "They are dreadfully dull."