The tavern keeper returned and handed a note across the bar to Damon, who glanced at it before putting it in his pocket. He started to thank the man—until Catherine Meyer walked out of that same back room and came around the bar to stand in front of him.

She was grinning, nearly laughing. “Success at last!” she crowed, then turned her gloating expression on Jacqueline. “My father will be so pleased to finally meet you, Jack. And who are these fellows?” She was giving Jeremy a long, appreciative look.

“Your father’s men make lousy sailors,” Damon said. “I hired a few more in London.”

Catherine’s eyes came back to him. “Where are his men? I didn’t notice any of them on the deck of your ship as you sailed in.”

“You were watching for us?”

“Of course. And his men?” She didn’t exactly look suspicious—yet.

“Last night they celebrated being so close to landing,” Damon said. “They’re likely still sleeping it off. I saw no reason to wake them just to come ashore since we aren’t staying here. And why are you here?”

“I finished my task successfully, too.” She laughed. “Those New York bankers’ wives are so rich! And since it was nearing the time of your return, I decided to wait for you here. I’ve only been here a few days. Good of you to not keep me waiting too long.”

“Again, why?”

“Because I’d rather deliver her to my father, if you don’t mind.”

Damon stiffened. “I do mind.”

“Too bad.” Catherine smirked and signaled to her men.

Nearly half the room stood up!

Jacqueline was immediately shoved behind her escort, which left her standing next to Catherine, who was quickly opening her purse no doubt to get a weapon to detain Jack. Jacqueline socked Catherine’s nose first, which Jack found so utterly satisfying! Catherine slid to the floor, screaming and trying to stanch the blood from her nose.

Jacqueline reached down and pulled the purse off Catherine’s arm to get whatever weapon was in it. She also saw a lot of jewelry in the bag, mostly rings and bracelets, yet another fortune for her damned father.

“Stay down unless you want a boot to your face, too,” Jack told the pirate’s daughter, pointing the little pistol from the purse at her as well.

A lot of fighting was going on in the rest of the room. But the Anderson brothers had made a big dent in the numbers, having taken a lot of Catherine’s men by surprise from behind. Anthony and Jeremy were making quick work of those who’d charged them. Damon wasn’t abandoning his bulwark station directly in front of Jack, merely beating down anyone who got close to him. Mortimer had charged into the middle of the fray. Unfortunately, some of the normal sailors couldn’t resist a fight, either, and didn’t care whom it was against. Some helped, some didn’t. Still, the fight was over rather quickly, considering most of Catherine’s crew was in that room. And Jacqueline had the evidence in her hands that would assure Catherine Meyer would get her just deserts. Now, if apprehending her father could be this easy. . . .

Chapter Forty-Six

STANDING ON THE DECK of The Maiden George, Damon said, “He’s been building a small army, but whether it’s a useful army remains to be seen. If Lacross just wanted numbers in anticipation of dealing with your allies after he killed you, then he might not have been particular in who he sent his captains to hire, and they may not all be willing to fight for him.”

Damon had been asked for any more information about the pirates that he could warn them about, before they debarked. Spotting the anchored ships with no harbor was the only indication they had that they’d found the actual camp. But this island was a jungle thick with foliage, and at a glance, nothing of a camp was sighted.

Two ships from Malory’s fleet had turned about to go ashore farther back, Warren Anderson leading those crews, so the base, if it was in there, would be mostly surrounded to prevent escape. James was giving his in-law time to get into position.

“How many ships are usually anchored at his base?” James asked next.

“I’ve only ever seen one or two, though Lacross’s captains might have taken others out so they could hire more men.”

James lowered his spyglass. “Three are here presently. They will be burned. And no old fort this time, but too much jungle. Whatever he’s built in there is mostly hidden. All I just spotted through the trees is a portion of a wooden wall.” James directed one of his men over the side, then explained to Damon, “He’s going to find out if they have any high walls that need to be knocked down. It was annoying having to get past them the last time I dealt with Pierre.”

“What if he’s not—at home?”

“I will be extremely disappointed. Is Red with him this time around?”

“Who?”

“Never mind. If you’d seen her, you’d know I’m referring to Pierre’s old flame. A pirate herself, she may have retired after he went to prison. Gabby told me Pierre’s obsession with her infuriated Red, so Red probably wasn’t lured in again.” At Damon’s raised brow, James added, “Not pertinent to this fight, Captain. At least Catherine Meyer has already been apprehended, and no other ships left St. Kitts while we were there that might have warned Lacross that we are coming.”

There had been time in the harbor on St. Kitts to unload the pirates on Damon’s ship before it returned to James’s fleet. “I warned the governor to prepare his jail for a lot more prisoners,” James continued. “He wasn’t pleased to hear that after we’d already turned over the fifteen you had in your hold and the lot from the tavern. But he ordered a pen built to contain them all until trial. My in-laws will see to delivering the rest to him, while you and I escort Pierre to his home on Anguilla.”

“Will he be able to walk?”

James raised a brow. “Do you care?”

“No,” Damon said, remembering what had been done to Andrew—and what would have been done to Jack. The man deserved punishment.

“Then I expect he will need to be carried.”

A blast was heard and a bright flash came from the trees as a single cannon was fired. James laughed as the cannonball fell far short of any ship and rolled harmlessly down the beach and into the water.