The Captain gave a small nod. “We assess from afar. If it’s pirates, we return tomorrow with as many ships as we can muster.”
“If they catch sight of us, they could lay chase or begin an all-out attack on the harbor.” Stone paused for a brief second before making a decision. “Gather your fighters in the hull. We’ll do a dry run of firing the cannons.”
“Yes, my lord.” The Captain turned to issue the order.
There was a change of mood on the ship, Eliza noted. The men had been calling back and forth to one another, laughing as they worked when she and Stone had been above deck. But as she and her father took a turn about the ship, it was quiet. The faces were serious as they hurriedly completed their work.
Her head craned back and forth, trying to catch sight of Stone. Somehow, seeing him would make her feel better. But try as she might, she couldn’t find him. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know,” her father answered. “But I think we should go below deck.”
Eliza nodded. Looking to her right, she saw land. “Are we almost there?”
“Ships on the starboard!” someone called from above.
Eliza turned to see what was happening when a cannonball came hurtling through the air toward the ship. Fear had her frozen in place as she watched it arch across the sky. It sailed over the ship and landed in the water on the other side of the boat.
A scream built in her chest as the sound of another ball whizzed through the air.
Men were yelling but her eyes were glued to the cannonball hurtling at them.
“Eliza.” Her father tugged on her arm but she couldn’t seem to move.
Without warning, strong arms wrapped around her. “Eliza,” Stone murmured close to her ear as he picked her up. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”
Her arms curled around his neck. “Stone,” she cried.
He squeezed her tighter even as he leaned his head away. “Turn the boat to the port side and fire!”
The captain came racing toward them.
“How many ships are attacking?” Stone called.
“Two,” Captain Rice grunted as he ran. “Just enough to keep ships from coming out of the harbor.”
“Good,” Stone gave a nod. “Change of plans. Stay close to the shore. Set two me
n to watch for boulders. The wheelman listens to them.”
He carried her across the deck. She leaned back to look at him. “Where are we going?”
“I am tucking you in the Captain’s quarters. You are to stay down and remain hidden.” His voice was stern, and though that normally might have upset her, it filled her with so much comfort now.
“I don’t want to leave you.” She held his neck even tighter.
His face softened into a small smile and gently, he took her lips with his. “I don’t want to leave you either. But I need to keep you safe and that means I need to fight.”
She wanted to cry in that moment, but that was silly and what Stone needed was her strength, not her tears. His tenderness meant so much but she couldn’t find the words to tell him. “I understand.”
“Promise you’ll stay hidden.” He gave her another small hug then gently set her feet back on the deck.
“I promise.” She knew she was supposed to let go but she couldn’t make her arms unwind from his neck.
He slid his hand up her side to her arms and untangled the limbs, slowly stepping back. “I’ll be back for you, Eliza.”
Then he turned and began shouting orders once again.
She hadn’t realized her father had been behind Stone until he spoke. “Let’s get inside.”