"Make your arrival known, Ram," Dane said in a low tone. "Give the men leave into the town, yet little coin."

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He dragged his gaze back to the captain, then nodded agreement. Too many tankards lifted could cost them their lives. "Shall I hoist the Jolly Roger, sir?" Ram quipped dryly.

Dane's gaze shot to where Tess was conversing with Mr. Thorpe, then back to Ram. His lips twisted in a wry smile. "Though it seems to be your forte of late, O'Keefe, 'tis unnecessary to resort to such dramatics."

Ramsey took the barb with an easy grin. "The la.s.s seems to enjoy them," he returned while plucking imaginary lint from his sleeve.

"Unlike the addlepated b.o.o.bies you are accustomed to-"Dane chuckled quietly-"Lady Renfrew is wise to your ploys."

Only Ram's eyes shifted. "I fail to recognize your purpose in deceiving her, Dane. Methinks you take your oath too far."

Dane stiffened. "The less knowledge of our mission she possesses, the safer she will be."

"You cannot mean to take her there? Sweet heaven, 'tis naught but home for murderers and thieves!"

Dane folded his arms over his chest, resting his weight on one leg. "I am well aware of the danger. What do you propose I do, leave her on the Witch?" Dane had no intention of letting her out of his sight.

"I will give you that," Ramsey said after a moment, his shoulders relaxing. He hated to think of her under the guard of mere seamen. "Shall I pay a visit to the governor?"

"If there is one, aye, he is suspect. As well as any authority. We've a duty to discover who is financing these attacks on our ships." Dane rubbed the back of his neck. "Fly no colors, Ram. 'Tis best we not show 280.

overmuch. We will weigh anchor on the eastern side with this night's tide."

For the next few moments they discussed their plan, sending the quartermaster ahead for accommodations, where to rendezvous, pa.s.swords, who would act as courier. Dane offered a map of the island, points marked in thin black ink. Ramsey frowned as he examined the thin striped paper, then stuffed it in his pocket, said his goodbyes to Tess, and made to depart.

"How will you explain her presence?" The words were laced with a challenge.

Dane's expression hardened. "Again you trod into matters that are none of your affair, O'Keefe." His voice was cool with quiet rage.

"Afraid she'll rebuke a proposal?" Ramsey's brow lifted with the question as he adjusted his grip on the rope, then not waiting for his answer, pushed off the rail.

Dane looked in her direction and knew she would. She'd made that clear. Did Tess value her freedom so dearly, he wondered, or did she not want the ties to this time? Dane realized he wanted her bound so tightly to him that she'd never want to go back. But with the woman's strong independence, he simply did not know how. For one wild instant Dane considered the pleasure of making love to her until she became with child, the joy over creating a life with this woman making his blood sing, before he cast the absurd notion aside. If she were not already from their first and only time, she would never forgive him for such a debase deception. And perhaps question his feelings toward her. Then he recalled she was a b.a.s.t.a.r.d or at least had no notion of her parentage, therefore she might not believe being 281.

pregnant and unwed a scandal. Not if her painful past was any indication of what the la.s.s could endure. Sweet Neptune, but you-sound like a desperate fool! Naught will keep her here if her time wants her back, he realized sadly, his heart sinking to his boot heels.

d.a.m.n and blast!

A sailor suddenly lost his grip on a crate, and it hit the deck, wood splintering, its contents spilling. He heard her gasp of surprise and hastened his step as she lifted her skirts and descended the ladder.

Tess was already beside the sailor when Dane arrived. Dane's gaze moved to the box, to Tess, then to the seamen. His captain's look was d.a.m.ning. He'd recognized the crate's markings.

She stood motionless, then slowly lifted her gaze to Dane. "You lied to me," she whispered.

Pooled at her feet were the uniforms of the Continental Marines.

Tess pushed between the crewmen, heading for the cabin, Dane hot on her heels. She slammed the door behind her, nearly in his face. His shoulder hit against the oak, sending it banging against the wall.

"Woman!"

"In my father's office there was this print," she said, ignoring his anger. "It was ent.i.tled Changing to the Green." She whirled on him. "Continental Marines changing from red uniforms to green! What are you, Blackwell, Marine or pirate?"

He stared at her for a tense moment before he said, "Both." "Boy, do you have some explaining to do." She folded her arms over her middle. Dane sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Why was 282.

he hesitating? Didn't he already trust her? Without another word, he moved to his desk and opened the bottom drawer, removing a box. Tess had seen it before, but it had been locked, or she would have snooped there, too. Dane flipped back the lid and lifted out papers sealed with wax. Breaking the imprint, he handed them to her. Tess unrolled the stiff parchment, her eyes widening until they absorbed her face. They were Letters of Marque, giving Dane the right to protect American interests as he saw fit. And it was signed by none other than George Washington. Her body trembled, her hands shaking with the impact of her discovery. The President wrote this himself. Why had she never heard of it?

"Why did you let me believe you were a pirate?" she asked, unable to tear her eyes from the letter.

" 'Twas not my right to tell."

"You're here for two reasons, aren't you?" She looked up, handing him the papers. "This - and to get the guy who killed Desiree."

Dane nodded, replacing the doc.u.ments. "You must swear not to breathe a word of this."

"Like who am I going to tell?" she snapped, insulted.

Dane couldn't soften. "Your oath, Tess."

"I swear." She moved to him, winding her arms around his waist. "Semper Fi, me hearty, Semper Fi."

The pitch-black frigate rounded the tiny island, blending with the night. Her ebony sails at quarter, Dane quietly maneuvered his ship. No one on this section of the island would question the presence of the 283.

dark vessel. There were souls that wished the world would forget they had ever lived. Unable to sail the Witch any closer for the reefs, they let down a long boat on the seaward side of the frigate, coming under her bow. Tess sat in the stern of the rowboat as sailors dipped oars into the water with practiced rhythm. No one spoke. Dane sat behind her, steering the small craft. Water lapped at the hull, a small lantern offering the only light. She heard murmurs of wonder, Dun-can's soft chuckle, and the boat slowed as they slipped beneath the frigate's carved bow. Her brows furrowed, for each occupant was suddenly studying her with an odd fascination, then the ship. She followed the direction of the crewmen's gaze and gasped, a chill making goose flesh plump on her skin. The figurehead of the Sea Witch was visible in the moonlight. And Tess saw a reflection of herself draped in flowing black.

" 'Tis proof, love, you were destined to be here," Dane whispered into her ear. "With me."

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

A bawd in a torn, dirty dress sat on the scarred bar, bare legs dangling over the edge as she munched on a chicken leg. She lifted her ankles when a man slammed into the wood beneath her feet, then slid to the floor in a heap. She bent over, peering between her knees to a.s.sess the damage as another man staggered past. She shoved him back into the brawl with a hearty cheer, waving the poultry limb over her head.

A booted foot connected with Ram's stomach, and he buckled over with a loud groan, staggering backward, but not before catching his opponent's heel and toe, twisting it viciously, then planting a solid kick between the man's thighs.

"Now I'm a.s.sured of no other imbeciles to litter the

earth," Ram gasped, rubbing his stomach as he

straightened. *

The man writhed in agony on the dirt floor, clutching his groin with both hands, spewing curses on Ram's lineage to several species of swine as men toppled over chairs and benches and bodies. Ram fought to catch his breath, somewhat awed as one of his 285.

mates went flying through the smoke-filled air to land on a table laden with food. The impact split the table in half, and young Davey was sandwiched in the middle. Seconds later he sprang to his feet and threw himself into the fray, salad greens hanging from his shirt collar.

Ramsey spit into each of his palms, rubbed them together, then with an eager grin rejoined his comrades.

Dane burst through the tavern door already half off its hinges, then moaned, sagging against the frame.

"He's done it again, Duncan." Dane shook his head.

"Aye, sir."

"I suppose we should come to his aid." Dane winced as Ram took one on the chin. "He doesn't seem to be faring very well this time." "It does appear to be the case, sir." Dane sighed, peeled off his coat, and handed it to McPete, then rolled up his sleeves.

"The lady will be most displeased, sir." "I did not hear that, Duncan," he tossed, grabbing a grimy sot off a Triton crewman by the shirt front, then planting his fist in his nose. Dane released the cloth, sucking on his knuckles as the man slithered to the floor in an unconscious lump. Tis been a while, he thought, then turned to the next degenerate.

Ram sailed over a broken bench, landing with a splintering crash at Dane's feet. Dane looked down, a hand on his hip.

"When I asked you to make yourself known, Ram, 'twas not in this particular manner." O'Keefe grinned, accepting the offered hand.

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"b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, man! 'Tis been this way since we set foot on the docks!"

A window shattered with the impact of a body plowing into it. The poor man hung over the sill like dirty laundry as the captains stood back to back, punching anything that came into their path.

"And I'm certain you did not enter this pesthole with your flags out?" Dane remarked sarcastically, then jabbed.

"You do me an injustice, old friend." Dane glared at him out of the corner of his eye. "Well, 'twas this red-headed wench with a magnificent-Ugh! Sweet Christ!" Ram winced when he heard his finger crack with the last blow. The smarting pain was inconsequential when a man the size of a house charged on them. The two captains separated, allowing the bull to speed past its matadors and crash headfirst into the wall. A woman shrieked, skittering out of the way, then hollered at the unconscious heap that he'd spilled her drink. She rifled his pockets for payment due.

"I swear you live by the needs of your p.r.i.c.k, Ram. Did you, by chance, discover if there is at least any authority on this island?" Dane dealt with a young pup, retrieving a bottle from the bar and cracking it over his head. 'Would be unfair to dress his hide, he thought, dusting off his hands, then turning to Ram. Dane waited patiently for his friend to subdue his brawny opponent, then stepped in when it appeared Ram was about to lose a few teeth.

"Your talents are waning, O'Keefe," Dane quipped, his hands on his thighs, trying to catch his breath.

" Twas three to one, if you failed to notice!"

A man came from the side, and Dane took a hearty 287.

chop to the gullet with a loud oof, folded over, lost his footing, and fell ungallantly to his rear. He was unable to roll out of the way before Ramsey tumbled on top of him.

"I've a meeting with some Englishman tomorrow," he answered with a b.l.o.o.d.y grin, then quickly rolled off.

"If we should live that long," Dane muttered, leaping to his feet, fists primed.

Clad in a very prim long-sleeved nightgown and robe, Tess worried the already-worn carpet to an early grave with her pacing. How could he just dump me here, then vanish? Leaving me alone? Well, I'm not really alone, she thought. Beyond the sitting-room door were three guards; below in the inn's common room were four or five more of the Sea Witch's crew; outside G.o.d only knew how many loitered throughout the yard and stables. It was a d.a.m.ned fortress, and Dane was out having some clandestine meeting with Ramsey. But before he'd left, Dane had rented the entire top floor of the inn, apologizing for the accommodations, a.s.suring her a house would be at their disposal in the morning. Tess didn't see anything wrong with the place, other than a few fleas, and it could use a decent decorator. She padded into her bedroom and flopped back onto the mattress, pennyroyal crunching beneath the sheets.

She felt like a prisoner yet knew exactly what would happen to her without Dane's protection. When she'd first entered the common room, nearly every leering scuzzbag started toward her until Dane and his men 288.

had stepped inside. Her speech and manners alerted more people to the differences in her, so Tess kept her mouth shut most times. She didn't try to develop speech like Dane's. All those 'tis, 'twas, and 'twere's? Jeez, it made her head hurt to have to think on how to start a sentence. She suddenly longed for the isolation of the frigate. I handled the crew's reservations and suspicions, she thought, but an entire island's?

She stiffened when voices in the hall filtered beneath the locked door: laughter, boots sc.r.a.ping, and a great deal of moaning. Then she heard keys jiggle in the locks and a door bang against a wall. She climbed from the bed and moved to the door leading to Dane's room.

She knocked softly, then heard m.u.f.fled chuckles, whispers, and shushes coming from beyond. Drunk, she decided, her lips pulling in a thin tight line as she quietly opened the door, folded her arms over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, then leaned against the jamb. Over fifteen members of both crews glanced up, expressions freezing. Bleeding noses, purple eyes, torn clothes, cuts, sc.r.a.pes, and blackening bruises marked each man in a variety of areas. Two men were in the midst of helping another toward the table, but upon seeing the woman in the doorway, unceremoniously tossed him in a chair. The man groaned, slumping back and hooking his arms over the chair back to keep upright. Mates chuckled and swayed.

"O'Keefe. Well. I might have known. Can't stop making those grand entrances, huh?"

"Evenin' to you, la.s.s." He grinned, devouring the sight of her from behind swollen lids.

"For your sake, I hope the other guy looks worse."

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That brought a round of laughter, and she eyed the crew into silence. Grown men stared at the floor like regretful little boys. "Jeez, what a mess!" She stepped inside, moving to the nightstand and coming back with a bowl, pitcher, and washcloths.

"We won, m'lady," Gaelan put in, swiping blood from his lip. There was a hearty rumble of agreement.

"Aye, the first mate, here, milled a rascal twice his stone," a sailor admired.

"What would you know of it, Cam, you were the admiral of the narrow seas when I saw you last." The room vibrated with laughter, and the young seaman flushed. Before she got a Marine's version of the barroom brawl, Tess deduced that meant the poor boy retched in someone's lap.

The door leading to the hall opened, and Duncan and Higa-san shuffled in, bandages and liniments filling their arms. The men stepped aside, and her eyes widened. "d.a.m.n!" She set the bowl and pitcher on the table with an angry thump, then pushed bodies from her path. His jacket draped neatly over his arm, Dane stood still as she looked him up and down, then tilted his face to inspect the damage. His jaw was bruised, and his lower lip and knuckles were bleeding.

He glanced at the roomful of men, then frowned down at her. " Tis late, Tess, why are you not abed?"

"Look who's talking. Sit," she ordered, pointing to the chair. Several men backed out of her way when she maneuvered Dane toward the table, then pushed him down.

"Get you to bed, woman, or clothe yourself." He made to put his jacket over her shoulders, but she shrugged it off, glaring at the chuckling Ramsey.

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"You're an unselfish jacka.s.s, Ramsey O'Keefe! How could you involve him in this?"

Dane fought a smile. "Tess, please, 'twas not solely his fault."

"Don't give me that!" She shoved his hand off her arm. "He enjoys instigating trouble. Look at him! He can't decide whether to grin or bleed! Jeez!" She soaked the cloth, then wrung it out with a vengeance. "He makes a pa.s.s at a married woman and can't understand why her husband wants to punch his lights out!"

"Tess, truly. 'Twas not so bad."

"And you!" She rounded on Dane. "You just had to bail him out!" Her gaze shot to Ramsey. "Did you forget he had a concussion?" Despite her anger, she gently blotted Dane's jaw and lips.

Dane jerked his head back from her ministrations. "They are minor, woman, cease."