The guards were quick to move them all back into their respective cells. After the fresh air and brightness of the day, coming back below was like entering a rotting cave. Tupper couldn’t see. Too bad it didn’t dull her hearing.
Butler and Allan were still spewing their love and joy throughout the rest of the crew. It was the same old argument. Tupper lied to them, she’d lied to them for years. Evidently every time she opened her mouth, another lie spilled out. They’d seen the cabin “boy.” This was all Sam’s fault. They’d been cursed. All bitches were bad luck, blah, blah, blah.
Tupper did her best to ignore them. What she couldn’t ignore was Bump. At first, she was happy to see Samantha. Other than a slight limp, the girl looked good. She was healthy and obviously well cared for. Watching the interaction between her and James, the way he’d pulled her close. She couldn’t help but think perhaps Sam was being a little too well cared for. Tupper wasn’t the only one to think that, either. She’d caught the look on Bump’s face seconds before the young, fair-haired lieutenant had ordered their removal.
Tupper had tried to “talk” to Bump on the way back down to the brig, but the stairway narrowed them to single file, and he’d gotten ahead of her. If the others would settle down, perhaps she could get his attention. There had always been one major advantage to communicating with Bump the way she did—they could “speak” to one another from opposite sides of a crowded deck, “hear” in the midst of a raging battle, even “whisper” secrets at a distance. She was counting on that advantage now. She’d have to bide her time and be patient. Not one of her strong suits.
It wasn’t until hours later and several miles of pacing in her cell that she was able to whisper to Bump through the bars. Most of the others were asleep. She managed to get Bump’s attention, and he moved to where they could see each another.
‘Will you talk to me? About Sam?’
‘Nothing to say.’
Tupper gave a sharp shake to her head. ‘Bullshit.’
Bump crossed his arms over the broad span of his chest and set his jaw. It was a favorite sign of his from when he was younger; his version of the silent treatment. At least he hadn’t turned his back. He might be refusing to “talk,” but he was still “listening.” It was something, at least.
‘Will you cease worrying about her now?’
Bump cross his wrists as if they were shackled, his hands in fists, and pulled them apart. ‘Is she free? Safe?’
Tupper shrugged. She tapped her shoulder with bent fingers. ‘Captain Steele will help her. I want someone to help you.’
He shook his head and pulled his thumb out of a closed fist before pointing to his chest. Tupper was quick to respond. ‘I give a shit what happens to you.’
‘Don’t.’ Bump lowered his gaze to the floor, his hands still by his sides. He drew in a deep breath and raised his eyes. ‘Better this way.’
Tupper frowned. She didn’t like the look of defeat on his face. If he retreated, she’d lose him. That was the last thing she wanted. ‘Better what way?’
‘I’m deaf not blind. She loves him. I’m happy. She deserves a good man. Better than me.’
Tupper signed ‘bullshit’ again. ‘None are better than you.’
It was his turn to sign ‘bullshit.’
She held his gaze. ‘She’d be lucky to have you.’
Bump swept his hands wide before signing, ‘For the hour before I hang?’
‘Don’t remind me.’ Tupper put a hand over the sudden ache in her heart.
‘I’m not a child, Tupper.’
‘Don’t remind me,’ she repeated sadly.
He stood quiet for a long moment before lifting his hands. ‘I want to say thank you.’
‘For what, getting you charged with t-r-e-a-s-o-n?’ She didn’t know a sign for that and had to spell out the word.
Bump shook his head and fixed her with the fathomless gaze he’d given her from the time he was a wee lad of four. He’d been new to the ship and scared to death. All alone in a strange life. They’d bonded like duck and duckling.
He tapped two fingers together. ‘My name. Thank you for my name.’
* * * *
The next morning, Tupper had a surprise visitor. “Captain Steele.” She held her arms wide and did a sweep of the cell, smoothing the straw that lined the floor and collected in the corners. “I’d offer you a drink, but we’re a might dry in this part of the ship.” She checked his hands. “Don’t suppose you brought along anything to wet my whistle and brighten my day.”
He grinned, but shook his head. “It’s a bit early for brandy.”
Tupper scoffed. “It’s never too early for rum. To what do I owe this honor?”
“My lieutenant tells me you’re having some problems with your men down here. I witnessed a bit of it on deck yesterday. ”
She cocked her head. “Nothing I can’t handle. Lot of hot air being passed around. They like to bitch and complain, especially when they’re stone cold sober and fixin’ to hang. Ye’ll have to forgive them. They’re not too fond of your British hospitality.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Is that all?”
Tupper shrugged and narrowed her eyes. “Tell me about Samantha Christian.”
James frowned and folded his arms, appraising her. “You saw her. She’s doing well.”
“Have you changed your mind about charging her?”
“No. She’s been charged.”
Tupper jerked back. “Well, I’ll be damned.” She was impressed. He’d done it. She had an odd flush of pride. Not that she had any reason. Annalise and Jaxon should be the ones to be proud. They raised an honorable man. His sense of duty was unquestionable…but there was still that one thing burning a hole in her mind. “If she’s a prisoner, then why is she still in your bed?”
To his credit, James didn’t flinch. “Her health and safety are my personal concerns. I don’t believe it’s safe for her down here. Your men are angry at you, but they blame her for their current predicament.”
Tupper lifted a shoulder again. “They like to flap their jaws.”
“You aren’t denying it. Samantha Christian has been charged, although I’m convinced now more than ever she’s innocent of any wrongdoing.”
She gave him a smug look. “I told you this all along. I’m guessing you have a plan for how to resolve this?”
“I’ll accompany her personally once we reach London. Keep her safely in my custody. Talk directly to the admiral. Explain the situation. Vouch for her character.”
“A solid plan.”
James planted his hands on his hips. “Given the attitude of your men, she’ll stay with me until we reach London.”
Tupper gave him a long hard stare. “You love her.”
“I do.” Damn it if he still hadn’t flinched.
“And what if you can’t convince your supervisors of her innocence?”
“I’m prepared to go all the way to the king if I need to.”
Tupper settled back and folded her arms over her chest. James was a good man. She was proud of him. She liked him. If he weren’t a British officer bringing her to hang, he’d be bloody nigh perfect. “I’m glad she has you to fight for her.”
“What about you? Have you given any more thought to letting me help you?”
Tupper waved the suggestion away. “I told you. You can’t help me.”
James tipped his head. “I could try. I could plead on your behalf as well as Samantha’s. At least try to get you a lighter sentence.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman?” she sniffed.
“No.” He held a hand out toward her. “Because you’re Alice. Aunt Alice.”
Tupper laughed and rolled her eyes. “Ah, yes. Aunt Alice.” She held up a finger. “Let me tell you a little bit about her. It’s time you heard the part of the tale you don’t know.” Tupper took a dramatic pause. “A long time ago, your Aunt Alice killed a man. The story tells how brave and heroic she was. She saved your parents. In truth, there was nothing heroic about it.”
She pointed to the floor. “The moment I took that life, part of me changed. Went cold as winter, as if a shard of ice had pierced my heart.” She gave him a stern stare, shaking her head.
“I didn’t kill him to save anyone. He’d been stopped. I stopped him. The threat was over. It was done.” She brushed a bit of straw from her breeches. “But did I stop? No. I chose to kill the vile bastard and drew the sword to do it. I could have just as easily left it in its scabbard. But I didn’t. I stepped over a line, which could never be uncrossed. It’s haunted my every step to this day. Stained my soul. I should have hanged for the crime back then.
“Instead,” she held her arms wide. “I tried to run and fell headlong into this life. I became a pirate. Not what I’d imagined in my wildest dreams. But damn if I wasn’t good at it. Wasn’t a bad life either. I’ve lived a good long time. Known a great love, suffered a great lost, fought battles, won wars. I have seen both sides of this fathomless ocean more times than I can count and watched the sun rise and set into her blue waters for more years than I deserved. I’ve survived days I had no right to survive and looked into the face of death thousands of times. She doesn’t scare me.”
Tupper sniffed and looked away. “You heard my name in a bedtime fairy tale you were told as a babe. You believe you know who I am, that I’m somehow linked to you and your beautiful mother. I’m not. I stopped being that woman a long time ago. Alice doesn’t exist.” She looked back at James. “Aunt Alice died in a cave on the north side of Jamaica when she pulled a sword out of a scabbard and raised it over her head. Do not misplace your loyalty, James. I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”