Chapter 47

NORA CONSIDERED THEIR approach to Boston. Would Rogan’s men be there waiting for them again? Or worse, would he be there himself? Her more immediate problem, though, was Jack. She kept her arm bound for show, but the wound had already healed, as Running Bull had noted. She had still foolishly left her mouth shut, fear clamping it closed every time she tried to bring the subject up. And now they were in Boston with the real possibility he wouldn’t go with her, and she had no one but herself to blame if that happened.

As they entered the city limits, Jack reined in closer to her and pulled is rifle off his shoulder, keeping it out of sight under his fur cloak, but ready for immediate use. They had found a spot for her to change back into the infernal dress and for Running Bull to wait nearby. Jack would meet up with him when the decision of whether or not to sail was made.

“Is there something wrong?” Nora asked, recognizing his signs.

“No, not yet,” Jack replied. “Can’t you feel the tension of the people? Mr. Hamilton said things were unstable here, but it feels as if they are about to explode.”

“Maybe we should head for the docks first and find the ship. Perhaps Mr. Hancock can direct us to a safe place to stay.”

“Stay close to me, do you understand?” Jack directed roughly. “Do not allow even a few feet between us.”

“Do you expect my father’s men?”

“I don’t know what to expect, that is the problem.”

As they drew closer to the docks, they dismounted. Jack thrust his rifle back over his shoulder as they walked in between their horses and kept a tight grip on her hand. Once at the docks, they tethered the horses. The harbor was full of ships at anchor and moored to the piers. Angry crowds yelled at the men aboard some of the merchant ships—some people were armed with guns, others held signs demanding the British leave the port. The sailors aboard stood armed, ready to do battle if the crowd got out of hand.

“I think it is worse than Mr. Hamilton thought,” Nora said to Jack.

Jack tapped a man close to them on the shoulder. “Pardon, neighbor, might you direct us to *The Independence*?”

“Down at the end pier,” the man replied, then turned his attention back to the taunting crowd.

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JACK WRAPPED HIS arm around Nora’s waist and led her down the dock. They were jostled from all sides but not accosted. Jack kept alert for anyone who might give them trouble, but no one looked interested in causing them harm. Whether or not that would change remained to be seen.

In the last slip of the docks was berthed *The Independence*. She was the size of the other ships in the harbor—grand and almost imperial-looking, though Jack had expected that when he had learned of how Captain Hancock acquired her—and the ship was armed with canons to ward off attack, which was comforting. Never having set foot on a ship, he didn’t think it looked like it could survive the crossing of an ocean. But this was yet another thing he knew nothing of and one he couldn’t say he had ever had the desire to experience.

“Hello!” Jack called, as they walked up the gangplank. A few men on deck eyed them speculatively. “We’re looking for Captain Hancock.”

“’E’s below decks. Go fetch ’im, Jonas,” said a deck-hand. He sized up Jack, then tipped his hat to Nora. “Me lady.”

Nora beamed a smile at him. “Good day to you. Do you sail with Captain Hancock?”

“Oh, yes, mum. Been wi’ the cap’n for quite a few years now. Been through some scrapes wi’ ’im, I have!”

“Well, that is certainly…encouraging,” Nora replied, throwing Jack an uncertain look.

“Or not,” Jack muttered.

“What ho, Mr. Knot! What have we here?” called a man emerging from below decks.

“Couple ta see ya, Cap’n.”

“Indeed, they are expected!” Captain John Hancock was a tall, lean, handsome, and distinguished looking man, richly dressed and properly wigged. He had a commanding presence—all eyes were drawn to him, all stopped to hear what he would have to say. This, Jack thought, was a man who got things done. “Milady,” Hancock greeted, bending low over Nora’s gloved hand. “Your presence graces us. And you, Mr. Justice, welcome, as well. Please come aft and warm yourselves. We have much to discuss!”

“You know of us?” Nora asked as they followed Captain Hancock below.

“Oh yes, my dear! Your reputation precedes you. I know all about your plight, or as much as the old codger was willing to divulge, that is,” Hancock muttered.

“Old codger?” Jack asked. “Do you mean Ben?”

“Of course! Who else? No, no, I suppose Washington might call himself an old codger, but perhaps not. No one really knows his age, the old fox,” Hancock laughed.

“You have heard from Ben then?” Nora asked. “He is well?”

“Yes, my lady, he is well,” Hancock said, stopping at a cabin door then opening it wide into the room. “But you may judge that for yourself.”
When Jack and Nora looked into the cabin, there sat Ben, seated in a chair before the stern windows with a brandy.

“Ben!” Nora exclaimed and ran across the room.

Ben stood and hugged her tightly. “My God, John, must you be so dramatic?” Ben chided his friend.

“Yes, I must,” Hancock replied, settling in behind the large captain’s desk in the cabin. “I have often been told I have a flair for drama. What is the point of doing anything halfway? Anything worth doing is worth doing right.”

“He sounds just like you,” Jack said to Ben, closing the cabin door and stepping into the room.

“My dear boy, what have I done to you to make you say such a nasty thing?” Ben winked at Nora.

“You are well? Was the trip too harsh?” Nora fretted.

“Nora, dear, I am not infirmed yet,” Ben chuckled.

“But this was a long way to travel,” Jack noted. “It was not an easy journey for us, even when we did stay to the main roads. We were ambushed just a few days ago, and Nora was injured.”

Jack didn’t miss the look that passed between Nora and Ben. It was a silent conversation, and it reminded him how very little he still knew about their business.

“I have a feeling you didn’t come just to see Nora off,” Jack said.

“No, that is true,” Ben sighed. “I sail with her.”

“To France?” Nora asked.

“To England,” Ben replied.

“England!” Nora said. “Why on Earth would you go there?”

“I have petitions to present to the House of Lords, then I will go to France before returning home,” Ben explained. “The voyage will give us back the time that was taken from us when Rogan’s men happened upon the house.”

“I must say, I am looking forward to this trip,” Hancock said.

“We were told you were a pirate, sir,” Nora smiled sheepishly.

“A pirate!” Hancock exclaimed. “Nay, milady! Say not that you have been feeding upon such horrid rumors. Pirates are heartless cutthroats. They care nothing for people, only merchandise and how much they can seize. Nay, milady, I am no rogue. I am, however, an occasional smuggler.”

Enjoying the man’s humor and candor, Jack grinned at Hancock as Nora rolled her eyes.

“We have a cabin prepared for you,” Hancock continued. “I think you will find everything you need for a comfortable voyage. We have acquired a fine wardrobe for you both. I understand it might be needed overseas. And as I am a man who often appropriates things, my friend Ben suggested I might be worthy of the task. I hope you will not be disappointed. We will install your horses in my personal stables, and I will pay you for them. They will not take well to the sea voyage and will only be more work. You can use the money I give you to buy fresh ones when we make landfall. We’ll be moving the ship to anchor further out into the harbor this afternoon. The shore will only be accessible by boat, so if there is anything further you wish to acquire on land beforehand, I suggest you do it post haste.”

“I believe it would be wise for Lady Eleanor to stay aboard, sir,” Jack said. “Boston seems restless today. I would not want Nora caught up in any hostilities.”

“It is true. Boston is a brewing tempest these days. You would do well to remain aboard, especially this evening.”

Jack thought about Running Bull awaiting his decision.

Ben sighed heavily. “I caution you again, John, take heed of your actions. Think about what you and your mentor begin,” Ben said.

“Sam and I are merely pawns, as are the rest of you,” Hancock waved off. “And we have no taste for violence.”

“Says the man with the pilfered ship,” Ben muttered.

“The British took my ship first, thus maneuvering me into the distasteful position of acquiring a new one. I cannot help it if *The Independence’s* previous crew was comprised of half-wits and drunkards. We never even fired a shot.”

“That time anyway.” Ben rolled his eyes.

“If you insist on making me look bad in front of Lady Nora, Ben, you will find yourself spending the voyage in a hammock off the port bow.”

Nora laughed, then accompanied Captain Hancock to see to the cabins and their belongings. Jack turned to Ben and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Interesting that he believes I am also going on this voyage,” Jack said.

“He must have just assumed,” Ben said. He removed his spectacles and wiped them on a handkerchief, holding them up to the light, then repeated the process on the other lens. “You have been posing as the lady’s husband.”

“Uh-huh,” Jack said, unconvinced.

“My boy,” Ben said, rising. “I cannot thank you enough for delivering Nora here safely. The danger doesn’t stop here. Would you consider continuing your employment? She could use a man of your skills. She is still in trouble.”

“I’ll stay until the ship sails. I will even consider sailing with her,” Jack said leaning against a pillar. “As long as I am fully informed of what exactly her trouble is. I will not be kept in the dark any longer. She is hiding something big from me. You both are. If I am to put my life on the line, I deserve to know what it is for.”

“You are correct,” Ben said. “Come to my cabin after supper, and I will tell you what I can.”

Ben turned and left the cabin. Jack looked around, taking in the dark wood and portholes around him. Was he really considering going all the way to Europe? To a place he’d never been, with no guarantee they’d stay safe, at the cost of never seeing his family again? Of never coming home again? It was time for answers, and Jack wouldn’t set sail without them.