Chapter 10

To Eden’s disgust, it took Devlin all of ten minutes to charm Reverend Johnston, a usually perceptive man. Apparently the minister had a blind spot when it came to devious sea rogues.

“Have you never considered giving up your lawless ways?” Johnston asked as the three of them piled into the carriage, on their way to Finster’s office.

“Well, I did have what you might term a spiritual encounter recently that made me look at myself in a new manner,” Devlin admitted, tongue-in-cheek.

“Was it at all enlightening, young man?”

“Fairly blinding, sir,” Devlin granted, ignoring the sharp poke Eden administered to his rib cage.

“Good. Good. And will you be staying in Charles Town, perhaps seeking a new means of earning a living?”

“For a time, though I must point out that pirating is not something one can quit at the drop of a hat.” At the reverend’s questioning look, Devlin went on to explain. “You see, sir, I have my crew to consider, some thirty men who have no other employable skills. ’Twould take a while to see them set up in other work. To be perfectly frank, many might not easily convert to lawful society. Buccaneering is a daring, exciting profession, and once in the blood it is not readily quelled.” 

Johnston nodded. “I can understand your dilemma. But do work on it, won’t you? Piracy is a dangerous career, and not long-lived if our government has much to say about it. In short order, our sea-lanes will be cleared of brigands, so they claim, and I would hate to see such a man as yourself laid to waste in the process.”

Seated between the two men, Eden gave a violent quiver at the thought of Devlin killed or hanged. Aware of this, the good minister was immediately contrite. “Oh, dear! I fear I have served you quite a fright with my thoughtless words. Still, ’tis something both of you need to contemplate. You must keep it uppermost in your mind, Miss Winters, if you are tempted to entertain Captain Kane as a suitor. And you, Captain, must not trifle with her tender emotions unless you can see your way clear to spending a lifetime with her.”

His sermon delivered, Johnston settled back for the ride, leaving the younger couple to ponder his wisdom.

Though at Jane’s suggestion Devlin was merely posing as Eden’s suitor at the moment, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. Had the minister somehow divined his intentions to entice Eden into his bed? Was he warning him against it? Reminding him just how detestable such an action would be? Tweaking his conscience?

Devlin shook off that thought. His conscience was conveniently at bay, right where he wanted it, and there it would stay until he’d bedded the lovely spinster. He’d made up his mind to have her, and nothing would deter him. Certainly not a mere preacher spouting morals.

Furthermore, when it did happen, which it most surely would, Eden would be more than willing. She would be as eager for him as he was for her, equally responsible and therefore unable to lay the whole blame upon his head. Besides, it wasn’t as if she wouldn’t be gaining her own sweet pleasure from it as well. He would see that she did, would make damned sure it was the most marvelous, memorable experience she’d ever known.

For her part, Eden was stunned at just how much Reverend Johnston’s comments had affected her. Lands! She’d known Devlin but three short days, and already she was devastated at the thought of harm coming to him. Still, the thought of him as an actual suitor was preposterous! While he seemed serious in his intention to lure her into his bed, the idea of him seriously courting her was laughable. The man was a rover. An itinerant charmer! Here today, gone tomorrow. In more ways than one!

Sweet heavens, the man was the closest thing to a ghost she was ever apt to meet! Not precisely choice pickings as a husband, by any stretch of the imagination. A life together? Not likely! Magnificent as he was, beguiling as he might be, he was an impossible fantasy, and best left at that. 

If only he’d cease tempting her so!

When Eden entered his office, Finster came half out of his desk chair, his thin lips stretching into a parody of a smile. “My dear Miss Winters, I could scarcely believe my ears when Mr. James told me you were here to see me. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

It was only then that he noticed the two men alongside her, and his smile faded in confusion. “And you, sirs? Might I inquire why you are here as well?”

Eden plunked her fat purse onto Dudley’s desk, the coins inside clinking noisily. Gesturing toward it, she said, “I have come to pay off Papa’s loan, Mr. Finster, as agreed. Captain Kane and Reverend Johnston are here to bear witness to that fact, and to remind me to collect the canceled note and a proper receipt.”

Jane had been right. The look of surprise and dismay that crossed Finster’s mouselike features was priceless! Why, the man appeared about to swoon, as if the brush of a feather could have sent him fluttering to the floor in a faint! His face turned ashen, his tiny eyes bulged, and his mouth worked soundlessly as his stunned brain struggled to comprehend her blunt announcement.

Finally he blustered, “We-well, fine!” He gestured toward the chairs set opposite his. “Please, be seated. I’ll just run this out to Mr. James and have him tally up the total.”

As Finster’s scrawny fingers reached for the money bag, Devlin’s came down hard atop it “I think not, Mr. Finster,” he drawled. “Miss Winters would much prefer that you count it here, so there is no mistaking the amount.”

“And who are you, sir? Her appointed keeper?” Finster dared.

“Mr. Finster!” Rev. Johnston protested, before either Devlin or Eden could speak. “Kindly recall that you are in the presence of a lady, sir! Captain Kane is merely watching out for Miss Winters’s best interests, as am I.”

Properly chastised, Finster resumed his seat, while Devlin took up a defensive stance behind Eden’s chair, his hand resting lightly upon her shoulder to maintain the contact necessary to keep him visible.

As Dudley spilled the coins from the cloth and began to count them, Reverend Johnston did his best to ease the tension in the room. “Have you heard the news, Mr. Finster? Miss Winters’s mother has regained the use of her legs. My wife is visiting with her as we speak, and I shall be going over to tender my own congratulations upon leaving here.”

Dudley frowned, his concentration broken. “Yes. I had heard, though I’ve not yet had the opportunity to extend my best wishes.” He shot a hard glance at Eden from across his desk. “How did this miraculous event come about?”

“It’s really Mother’s tale to tell,” Eden replied, neatly sidestepping his question. “Suffice it to say that Captain Kane had something to do with it, and that we are all extremely grateful to him.” She turned limpid eyes toward Devlin, much enjoying her rare chance at flirtation.

“Oh? And is he also the person responsible for your abrupt turn of fortune?” Finster insinuated nastily, waving a hand over the pile of gold before him.

“Whyever would you think such a thing?” Eden asked in an offended tone. “I informed you weeks ago that I would pay the debt, long before Captain Kane ever set foot in Charles Town.”

Finster made a production of separating the coins into several neat stacks. “Forgive me if I made an incorrect assumption. Still, it does seem peculiar that you should suddenly come by the necessary funds, when everyone is well aware that your warehouse is failing. Also, does it not strike you queer that there are thirty coins in this lot? An odd coincidence, I’m sure, but quite Biblical, wouldn’t you say, Reverend?”

“As you say, a coincidence, Mr. Finster, and surely lacking the same interpretation as those thirty pieces of silver paid out to Judas,” Johnston answered with a severe frown. “Might I also take this opportunity to remind you that ’tis not at all Christian to make rash judgments of your neighbors, lest ye too be judged.” 

“Amen,” Devlin intoned softly, hiding a smirk.

Eden was still trying to deal with the fact that Devlin had placed thirty coins into her purse, though these were gold rather than silver. A shiver ran up her spine. Had he intentionally presented her with this traditional sign of betrayal? But who was she betraying? She’d simply made a bargain with him, a fair agreement. If she were betraying anyone at all, placing anyone’s soul in jeopardy, it was hers alone. Still, it was an eerie thought.

Devlin’s voice brought her out of her dark musings. “Your concern about Miss Winters’s business is misplaced, Mr. Finster,” he was saying. “And not entirely correct. The warehouse is simply mismanaged, a situation the lady is currently taking steps to rectify”

“Ah, yes! I have heard that she has replaced a number of long-standing workers with new ones. Would these be members of your own crew by some chance, Captain?” Finster inquired with a snide look.

“News does travel fast in a small town, doesn’t it?” Eden remarked frostily. “And just how did you come by this information so quickly?”

“I . . . uh . . .” Finster made a pretense of being caught up in his accounting. “Why, I ran into Mr. Tilton last evening. He was concerned with the drastic measures you have suddenly employed.”

Eden’s brows rose. “So much so that he felt it necessary to tattle all my private dealings to you?”

Finster’s color rose. “Well, I imagine he felt compelled to inform me, since I am courting you, my dear.” 

“Ah, but are you in fact doing any such thing?” Eden countered quickly, a mocking smile on her lips. “Name me one instance to prove your point, Mr. Finster. Have you once been invited to my home for Sunday supper? Have you at any time brought me flowers, or sweets, or quoted poetry to me? Have we been seen promenading the lane, or perched on the porch swing together? Nay, I say. Therefore, I fail to see why anyone would assume that you are courting me, or that I might be at all inclined to allow it of you.”

“I... I’ve sat beside you in church a number of times,” Finster stammered. “Even the good reverend can attest to that.”

Eden gave a humorless laugh. “So has my mother, yet I’m not being courted by her! And Mr. Langford sat down beside me last week, and the Widow Ames the previous Wednesday evening. Am I being courted by them as well?”

Reverend Johnston cleared his throat noisily in a bid for attention. “Another lesson to be learned, I think, Mr. Finster. That of not counting one’s chickens before they hatch. And speaking of counting, could you get on about the business at hand? I told Henrietta I would be along shortly, and time is passing.”

In quick order, the money was counted and found to be the correct amount. Though he had to be reminded, Finster did write up a receipt and produce the loan documents, which he marked as paid in full.

On their way out of his office, one hand placed securely within the crook of Devlin’s elbow, Eden hesitated. Over her shoulder she said, “A final suggestion, for future reference, Mr. Finster. A woman likes to feel precious to a man who courts her. That includes doting attention and small gifts to win her heart. Even if the lady in question appears to be a lonely spinster whom most people consider long past such fanciful dreams.” 

She touched slender fingers to the comb in her hair and turned a loving gaze up to meet Devlin’s laughing black eyes. “Is that not so, Captain?”

“Aye. But I do hope you weren’t alluding to yourself when you mentioned spinsters, sweetling.” His fingers came up to cover hers on the comb, lingering to stroke her silken curls. “I prefer to think you were merely biding your time, awaiting my arrival before offering your heart.”

By the time they reached the street, Eden was nearly choking with mirth, and bursting with a dozen other emotions, not the least of which was a trembling desire conjured up by Devlin’s slight touch. She stood watching, saying not a word, as Devlin politely offered their carriage to Reverend Johnston.

“We’ve a bit of additional business to conduct yet,” he told the minister, “but we know how anxious you are to be off. If you would, please tell Mrs. Winters that we’ll be along shortly.”

“But your carriage, Captain,” the man objected.

“We’ll hire a conveyance.”

Thus it was that Eden found herself alone with Devlin. “What other business have we?” she inquired hesitantly. “Are we bound for the warehouse now?”

“Nay, wench.” He grinned down at her, his earring winking at her. “We’re not.” With that he sketched a bow and proposed merrily, “Would you care to stroll the lane with me, Miss Winters?”

She laughed back at him, the joyous sound rippling from her throat and attracting a few curious stares. “I would indeed, sir.”

Down the street they wandered, arm in arm, her parasol bobbing gaily over her head, a playful breeze tugging at her bright hair.

“What a milksop that Finster is!” Devlin said, shaking his head. “I can’t countenance your letting him court you. I am a much better catch.”

“The man did not court me, as I told all of you just minutes ago.” She sighed. “I am ever so glad Reverend Johnston was along with us today. Now he will tell Henrietta, and she will make certain everyone knows Finster is not my suitor.”

“Greedy little squirrel, isn’t he?” Devlin added.

“The man is a repulsive toad. I shall remain unwed till my dying day, and be thankful for it, if that is the best I am offered.”

“Why settle for codfish, when you can have oysters, duchess?” Devlin suggested with a wag of his brow. “I stand ready to serve you, and serve you well indeed— any time you decide to grace my bed.”

She declined his offer with a shake of her head and a dry smile. “I’m not that hungry, thank you. And I detest oysters.”

‘Tastes can change,” he countered smoothly. He gallantly steered her around a ladder which was propped against the front of a leather shop. “Eden, I think Finster may be behind all of your financial problems,” he said, turning their talk back to the accountant. “Something about him strikes me wrong, and I don’t think Tilton went running to him merely on the assumption that you and Finny were engaged. There is more to it, I’m sure.”

“Like the two of them being in league with each other from the outset? And Finster courting me more to get his grubby hands on the business than for any love of me?” she asked wryly.

He slanted her a solemn look. “Aye. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but—”

“Oh, don’t gnash your teeth over it, Devlin. ’Tis not as if I didn’t wonder about it many times myself. Not the part about Tilton and Finster being aligned, of course,” she clarified. “The reason behind Finster’s attentions. I’m just glad it’s over and done with.”

“It may not be yet.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that I do not believe Finster will give up hope of owning the warehouse that easily. I expect we’ll be hearing more from him.”

“Gad!” she cursed. “You don’t think he’ll still attempt to court me, do you?”

Devlin shrugged. “Perhaps. Or maybe he’ll look for other ways to ruin your business, hoping you will then be forced to turn to him for another loan. Failing that, he might resort to nastier measures.”

“Such as?”

“Threats. Physical harm. Destroying your property or your credibility, or both.”

“Oh, I can’t believe he’d go that far,” she argued. “He’s a mean little weasel, but surely he would not risk darkening his own reputation merely to get back at me, or to gain my business.”

“No, he’d undoubtedly hire someone else, like Tilton, to do his dirty work for him and catch none of the blame himself,” Devlin hastened to point out. “Also, if he’s smart, he’ll try to shift the fault onto some other likely party, someone he deems a threat to him and his plans.”

“Someone like you,” she guessed. “Oh, Devlin, I’m beginning to think you have gotten the worst of our bargain.”

Her concern was touching, but he couldn’t let her burden herself unnecessarily. “No need to fret, fair lady. I’ve butted heads with far worse than Finster in my day, and am more than capable of taking care of myself— and you. However, ’twould be to our benefit to see that Finster continues to underestimate us. If he considers me a brutish dolt, let him keep on thinking so.”

Eden nodded. “And if he considers me a silly old maid, with her head in the clouds and not a lick of sense, then all the better for us. Am I catching your meaning correctly, Devlin?”

He grinned down at her. “For someone who can’t add two plus two, you are a very smart lady, Eden Winters.”

She chuckled. “From you, I will accept that as a compliment, but the credit really goes to my mother.” 

“Partly,” he agreed. “You do take after her.”

Their wandering had taken them down by the docks after all. “Perhaps we ought to look in at the warehouse and see how Nate and the lads are bearing up under Tilton’s supervision,” Devlin mused.

Before they could act on his suggestion, a voice called out his name. “Kane! Over here!”

Turning, they scanned the crowds and finally spotted a man waving to them from outside a nearby eatery. He was a handsome young fellow, though dressed rather garishly in a brightly patterned calico shirt, with several large rings flashing on his fingers.

“Who is that?” Eden whispered, instinctively sidling closer to Devlin.

“That, my dear, is the one and only ‘Calico Jack’ Rackham,” Devlin informed her with droll humor. “Just our luck to encounter him. Not that he’s such a bad sort, as pirates go. ’Tis just that he no doubt wishes to bore me with exaggerated tales of his latest escapades. He’s a fair brigand, but a notorious braggart.”

By now Jack had caught up with them and was urging Devlin along with a hearty clap on the shoulder— dragging Eden with them, as she dared not let loose of Devlin’s arm. “Come join me in a mug or two, Kane. I’d heard the Gai Mer was in port, but no one could tell me where you’d gone off to.” Jack glanced to Devlin’s other side, winking lewdly at Eden. “Now I see why you’ve been makin’ yourself so scarce.”

As it turned out, Calico Jack was not alone. Awaiting them at the outdoor table was a pretty young lass with whom Eden was previously acquainted. Whether Anne Bonny or Eden was more surprised to see the other was anyone’s guess. “Eden Winters! Why, of all the people I’d least expect to see traversing the docks!”

“Oh, you two already know each other?” Jack put in. “Good.” Then, as Devlin politely held Eden’s chair for her, Jack proceeded to ignore the women altogether, content to bend Devlin’s ear.

“Hello, Anne,” Eden greeted her. “How have you been? I’ve not seen you at church for a while.”

“And not likely to any time soon, either,” Anne replied tartly. “Bunch o’ goodies who wouldn’t help a body in need if their lives depended on it! I’m shocked no end that you’re willing to be seen talking to me.” 

“Oh, surely not!” Eden protested, though there was more truth than fiction to Anne’s claim. The girl had always been wild, and when she had recently defied her rich father’s wishes and married a common sailor, he had promptly cut Anne off without a farthing to her name. Whereupon, it was rumored, her sailor had slipped away to sea, leaving poor Anne behind to handle the consequences of her rash actions alone.

Apparently, Anne was not spending her days mourning the loss of her bridegroom, nor trying overmuch to get back into her father’s good graces. If the bright color in her cheeks and the determined glint in her eyes was any indication, the girl was smitten with Calico Jack, and bound to see her affections returned.

“What are you doing roaming the dockside? You haven’t taken up the trade, have you?” Anne asked with a toothy grin.

Eden almost sputtered, doubly so when she felt Devlin’s hand tighten over her knee, sending a sensual tingle through her. She slid a glance in his direction, to find him smiling broadly at her. The infernal idiot! Trying not to draw too much attention to herself, she brushed at his hand as she would an insect. He simply shook his head at her, from which she determined that he was taking full advantage of the fact that they had to maintain contact, and had chosen this means to do it.

To Anne Bonny, Eden replied as calmly as she could, “I doubt I would make a credible doxy. As to my reason for being here, Captain Kane and I were on our way to my warehouse.”

“Oh.” The young woman gave a negligent shrug. “I’d forgotten you owned that property.” In the blink of an eye, she changed course and asked, “Is it true that you are going to marry that smug little wart of a moneylender?”

Eden could scarcely believe her ears! However, Anne had never been noted for diplomacy. “If you are referring to Dudley Finster, no. I am not going to many him, no matter what the man might be saying to the contrary.”

“Good. You’d do much better with this one.” Anne motioned toward Devlin. “He’s a damned sight betterlooking, for one thing, and I’d wager he’s a hell of a lot more virile.”

Eden didn’t need to look to know that Devlin wore a gloating smirk. She could feel it echoing between them like a living thing. Neither did she require a looking glass to know her face had turned as red as a boiled lobster.

“Now me,” Anne continued, blithely unaware of Eden’s discomfort, “I’m getting set to weigh anchor with Jackie here. We’re gonna sail the seas together and see the world.”

Eden didn’t know what to say. “Anne, are you serious?” At the woman’s nod, she hesitantly offered counsel, unsolicited though it was. “Hadn’t you better think this through more carefully, dear? What will your father say?”

“My father wouldn’t spit on me if my hair was on fire, and that’s the bare truth of it. You know it as well as I do. The entire town knows how he’s thrown me out to starve. At least Jackie pays me some mind. He’s my passage out of this stinking hole, and I’d be a fool to let him go.” Anne slid closer and winked conspiratorially. “Besides, he’s a handsome jackal, ain’t he? And a regular devil betwixt the sheets, if you take my meaning.”

At long last, Devlin took pity on Eden and made their excuses. With her face aflame, she bid Anne farewell.

“You too, honey,” Anne called out loudly. “And you stick with that dashing rogue of yours. He’ll have you out of those stiff old stays before you know what hit you. And I’m willin’ to bet you won’t regret it, either.”

“I already do.” Eden groaned, pulling her parasol down to cover her face and nearly tripping.

“But, honey,” Devlin mimicked on a husky laugh, “how could you? After all, I’m such a dashing, virile rogue!”

She glared at him from beneath three inches of pink parasol fringe and snarled, “If you don’t want to be an empty suit of clothes standing in the middle of the street, you’ll shut your miserable mouth this instant!”