Chapter 57

NORA DREW HER cloak tighter around herself and brought her wine to her lips. Looking up, the star-speckled sky stretched into the heavens and went on forever. Only at sea could you see such a brilliant display of stars. Ships’ captains navigated by them, and she had learned to do so, as well.

It had been an eventful day. Jack had finally gotten out of bed after being sick and had ended up throwing two men overboard after she been attacked in their cabin. She had coupled for the first time, and she felt different, like she was more aware of her body, more in tune with herself as a woman. She had felt things she didn’t know were possible. She liked to think she had acquired a certain amount of wisdom and knowledge over the years, but there was still so much she didn’t know and so much to learn.

Arms circled around her and she knew right away it was Jack. First, she knew his scent. Even at sea, he still managed to smell like the forest. Second, he’d killed the only two men who were a threat to her on the ship. After those displays, any other man would be suicidal to try something with her now.

She eased back against his chest, welcoming the additional warmth he brought. He took the wine from her hand, took a sip, and gave it back. Then he pressed a kiss to her exposed neck.

“You weren’t in the cabin,” he stated.

“Neither were you,” she shrugged.

“I was speaking with Ben,” Jack replied. “I have learned much more from him than I have from you.”

“I understand everything is out there now for you,” Nora said quietly, staring out at the inky black before her.

“And you truly believe you have eternal life?” he asked.

“I know I do,” she said. “I have lived the life—two life-times now. Do you want to talk about it then? I would imagine you have more questions.”

“Many,” Jack agreed. “But I want to think on it on my own for a bit. We have nothing but time on the ocean for now. I am more interested in enticing you back to our cabin.”

Nora took another sip of her wine and handed it to Jack. He sipped and returned it to her. Sharing a glass of wine under the stars was a nice way to spend a romantic and intimate evening. Jack kissed along her neck and temple as she gazed up at the sky. They were quiet for a bit, enjoying this moment. It was a new dynamic between them now. They weren’t arguing, the secrets were out in the open—all but one—enabling them to enjoy each other now in a way they would not allow themselves before.

She liked this new version of them. They might have been an unconventional match, but they grew to be a strong team and now a couple. What might her parents have thought about Jack back when they were a complete, loving family? Her father had promised her she could marry for love, but Jack had no employment, no land, no title.
Would it have mattered?

It wouldn’t, she decided. Her father would have given Jack employment. Perhaps he would have a high-ranking position among their guards. Her father would have had a sufficient house for his daughter built for them on his land. It would not have mattered if Jack came to them with nothing.

Just another sadness to layer on the already high pile that reality hadn’t turned out that way.

Instead of opening his arms, her father would try to kill Jack. And as long as Jack hadn’t taken the elixir, he could succeed. Could she get him to take it before their ocean voyage ended? She would need to try. There was no more danger on the ship, but that didn’t mean it didn’t wait for them when they docked in England.

Jack couldn't say what had come over him. He felt like a different person. Things didn’t seem so bleak now. If somebody had told him two months ago that he would be on a ship bound for England with a beautiful woman in his arms, and that he would be content about it, he might have punched them in the face. But there he was, looking at the stars with Nora, sharing a glass of wine between them.

Despite the shock of his conversation with Ben about eternal life, Jack was at ease. He had determined to let that in-formation sit in the back of his mind for a bit. Ben had offered him books to read at night on the subject. The information from Nora would be her personal story, and he wasn’t ready to hear it yet. He wanted to explore this new relationship between them. She had come alive in his arms and he had gone to Heaven. Things shifted inside him, and it felt as if his heart had turned over in his chest. How had that happened? This girl who had in equal parts annoyed and fascinated him on the trip to Boston.

He would take the ocean crossing to learn and experience. Then she would give him the answers to the rest of his questions.
 
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Six weeks into their voyage, Jack and Nora awoke to a deafening boom. The sound of it nearly threw Jack from the bunk, such was the jolt of surprise. Nora sat up in bed.

“That sounded like cannon fire!”

Jack hustled to the porthole and drew back the curtains. In the distance, another ship closed in, and she was flying the skull and crossbones.

“Pirates!” he exclaimed. “Get up and get dressed. “We’ll go topside and find out what’s happening.”

They scurried into clothing, then, grabbing their cloaks, rushed out into the hallway, and were nearly plowed down by running sailors. Jack pushed their way up to the helm, where Captain Hancock stood with a glass scope to his eye.

“Winston Roscoe. They call him ‘The Shadow.’ Or, more accurately, he calls himself ‘The Shadow.’ He’s incompetent at best. I’ve had run-ins with him before.” Hancock drew his scope back in. “The knave. I do not have time for him to try to take my ship again today. Men, to your stations!”

“I didn’t realize there were pirates still,” Nora said, shielding her eyes from the sun and looking out upon the approaching vessel.

“Not like there were decades ago, but there are still pirates out there, aye. Bloody menaces. I am not interested in a fight with this buffoon,” Hancock sneered, then turned to Nora. “You’ll need to get below with Mr. Franklin, dear. Your presence on deck will complicate matters. It’s best they don’t see a woman. If they are able to board the ship, we’ll need to keep them from going further than the deck. Mr. Knot, take the helm.” Hancock stepped away and Nora and Jack followed him. “Mr. Justice, I will need your considerable talents.”

“You shall have them, sir,” Jack assured. “Let me get my weapons and escort Lady Eleanor to safety. I will return post haste.”

Jack led Nora by the elbow below decks and to their cabin, Ben meeting them in the hallway.

“Ben, you are to stay here with Nora,” Jack instructed. “Captain’s orders.”

Ben didn’t argue. He followed them into their cabin and took a seat out of Jack’s way. Jack threw open his trunk while Nora ran to hers. He pulled out his sword, knives, tomahawk, pistols, and swung his musket over his shoulder. He handed one gun to Ben and put two pistols on the bunk for Nora. As he strapped his weapons on, Nora emerged from digging in her trunk with a glass vial.

“Wait, Jack,” she said breathlessly.

“There isn’t time,” Jack said.

“No, wait, it’s the elixir of life,” she said hastily, attempting to press the vial into his hand. “You should take it before heading into this battle. Jack, you could die against those odds!”

Jack gently pushed her hand with the vial away. He would not cede to her fearful pleading. “I have not drawn any conclusions regarding eternal life, and I will not be forced into it because of the situation. If I’m hurt, you can put some on my wounds if they are serious enough, but I’m definitely not taking an unknown substance and then running into battle. Stay here with Ben. I have left you guns for protection if anyone gets through. Do not hesitate to squeeze the trigger, do you under-stand me?”

Miserable, Nora nodded. He grabbed her by the back of the head and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. Nora clung to him, but he broke free and ran out of the cabin back to the deck.