“Be quick about it, Clyde.” It was Brady and he was annoyed.
“The British navy have come for you.” Clyde peered into her ey
es, observing her closely. “Your guardian?”
“My tormentor.” It was a whispered comment that she couldn’t withhold, but Clyde heard her.
He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
Compassion, from this man who had recognized something different in her that first morning they set sail? It touched her deeply. Her lower lip trembled as tears gathered in her eyes. They were so close to landing in Scotland. She’d begun to believe Roderick would be able to see her onto land, after all. Now this. Cyrus had taken action. He’d sent people to hunt her down.
“They wanted to charge our captain with kidnap,” Clyde said, and she felt the hand on her shoulder tighten.
This was important. Maisie listened even more closely.
“Said they wouldn’t press charges or harm any of the ship’s crew, though, if you are safely delivered to them.”
A deal had been done, and Maisie felt as if it had been made directly with her. If she went willingly, Roderick would be safe. Given such a good cause, she would do so.
Brady had set about tugging down the rope from the beam.
Pain shot through her shoulders as her arms were lowered, pulling her back from her thoughts. She was prodded, encouraged to move. Clearly, the men did not want to touch her.
Clyde, however, guided her with one hand still on her shoulder.
“I knew there was something not right about you,” Brady commented from behind them. “But as long as you’re gone from this ship with your witchcraft and your wicked ways, I’ll be happy.”
“Good luck to them, I say,” the third man said. “Once they realize, they will hand her over to a magistrate.”
They were glad to be rid of her. Did Roderick know what this meant? she wondered. How could he? He wouldn’t guess that Cyrus was capable of swaying people in power to pursue her.
Staggering up the rungs, she rubbed her sore wrists and then felt her way with her hands. Fresh air reached her. Blinking in the bright light as she emerged, she found all hands were on deck, and yet an eerie silence encompassed them. Scanning the small crowd, she quickly sought out Roderick’s familiar face amongst the gathered men, and saw immense concern creasing his brow.
Then she looked beyond him, and what she saw made her gasp aloud.
Even though she’d been told about the navy ships, she hadn’t been prepared for the sight of them. A great array of masts on one side of the Libertas. Glancing around her, she saw that the three much larger navy vessels caged them in, with the coastline on their free side. As she scanned the closest ship she caught sight of uniformed men with raised weapons. Stepping closer to the railing, she saw that many cannons were pointed in their direction, too.
Roderick came to her side.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“They haven’t mentioned your magic,” he said quietly. “They have come to escort you back to your guardian.” He put his hand on her upper arm, gently embracing it. “If you go with them you’ll be safer than with my men. But if you don’t think you can outwit them and escape your persecutor in London, say the word and I will put up a fight to keep you.”
He knew. He’d unraveled the puzzle. Maisie looked into his eyes, saw his determination, and her heart nearly broke. “Roderick, I am no expert in such matters, but even I can see you would stand little chance against three much larger ships with their cannons trained on you. Your offer is kindly appreciated, but do not concern yourself. I will go with them. I will find my way to the Highlands, somehow. As you know, I am set on doing so.”
Tension was building around them, and an impatient voice called out, requesting information.
Roderick’s grip on her arm tightened. “Promise you will do that...and that you will protect yourself with your magic.”
She nodded.
“If you need me, I believe I would know.”
“I believe you would.” She smiled at him. “Let me go and all will be well on the Libertas once more.”
Roderick stared at her with blazing eyes, the breeze lifting his hair. Studying him for a moment, Maisie absorbed the precious memory, then turned away quickly.
Clyde gestured to her. A rope ladder had been rolled over the side in preparation for her departure. She nodded and accepted his hand in guidance.