Free The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Page B

again and force herself to read. When he finally did unlock the door and rap, she dropped the book and shot out of her seat in pure nervousness. She made herself sit again and calmly called admittance. He opened the door, stepped in and turned to lock it. In his hand was a tray bearing her tea.
     
    "I brought you the tea, miss. It's good and 'ot." He smiled and started to come forward to bring it to her.
     
    Now was her chance. She raised the pistol from the desk and pulled back the lock.
     
    "Don't move, George, or I shall have to shoot," she said. Her voice sounded strange to her ears.
     
    George glanced up from the tray and found the huge bore staring at him. He didn't think a gun in a woman's hand was a laughing matter. They never realized the full danger of one. He turned a few shades paler.
     
    "Please drop the keys on the table, George, and do be careful," she pleaded. She watched as he did so, leaning against the desk to ease her shaking limbs.
     
    "Now very carefully walk to the window seat," she directed and did not take her eyes off him as he made his way hence.
     
    He moved slowly, deliberately, and with a great deal of caution across the room. He knew when to be careful. When he stood in front of the window, Heather's breath slipped from her in a long sigh.
     
    "Please sit," she commanded, feeling a bit of confidence return.
     
    She moved to the table, picked up the keys, not taking her eyes from the old man facing her and backed to the door. Without turning, she felt for the lock and thrust the key in and turned it. The feeling of prison slid away with the latch.
     
    "Please, George, to the locker and inside. And don't try anything for I'm quite nervous and the pistol is really very delicate."
     
    George dropped his idea of quick assault. It was true, she was nervous. She had trouble holding the gun steady in her hands and she had her lip tightly clenched between her teeth. She would shoot if he made a move to stop her, he concluded. He wondered if the pain of his captain's rage would be less than that of a shot from the pistol the girl held in her hands. He knew the man's anger could burn to great heights when provoked. He had been with him for a long time. He was fond of his captain and admired him; he was also afraid of him at times. But he doubted if Captain Birmingham would kill him and he was sure the pistol could easily send him to his grave if he tried to take it from the frightened girl. He walked to the locker, stepped into the cramped space and pulled the door closed behind him.
     
    Heather had stood watching the servant, ready to run if he made a move toward her. She breathed a sigh of relief when he was safely closeted and crept to the door of the locker and pushed it closed until she heard a click. It had no latch on the inside so she would have time to get away before an alarm could be sounded. She went to the desk and opened the drawer where she had found the bag of money and took her one pound, leaving the empty pistol on top of the desk.
     
    It didn't take her long to reach the door. It opened very quietly. No one was about in the companionway and she hurried to the door at its end. She had not thought about getting off the deck of the ship, and when she cracked the door a slit, her escape looked impossible. There were many people aboard, and she would not go without notice. These must be merchants inspecting the cargo, she presumed, for quite a few prosperous looking gentlemen wandered about.
     
    Closing the door, she rested her head against the cool wood of the ship, feeling despair.
     
    What would happen when she tried to leave the ship? Only the captain and a couple of his men knew that she was aboard. What did these men here know of her? Why not be brave for a change, she argued with herself. Just walk out in the midst of them.
     
    Fledgling hope returned. This time without hesitation she opened the door. Her heart beat so, it threatened to burst within her breast. Forcing a