Free Forgotten Fragrance by Tea Cooper Page A

in the all-enveloping darkness until Mina stopped and reached for her hand once more. Raising it she ran it against the bulkhead until Charlotte’s fingers recognised the cold metal of a latch.
    â€˜He’s there,’ Mina hissed, knocking lightly against the wall. ‘We heard them. Throw him in. Tie him up.’
    â€˜How could you tell?’
    â€˜We hear shouting.’
    â€˜Knock.’
    In unison Mina and Charlotte rapped on the damp timbers then pressed their ears close.
    â€˜He’s not there.’ A wave of crushing disappointment swamped Charlotte.
    â€˜He is. We hear them.’
    Frustrated beyond measure Charlotte threw caution aside, cupped her hands and pressed her mouth to the greasy timber. ‘Christian! Are you there?’
    No answer.
    With her knuckles clenched she rapped out a long-forgotten pattern from her childhood. Ratta tat tat ratta .
    After an agonising pause the reply came: Ratta tat tat ratta tat tat tat .
    Charlotte’s heart leapt. ‘Christian?’ The splintered timber grazed the skin of her cheek as she pressed closer.
    â€˜Who is it?’ His voice sounded strong and deep, unharmed. Her blood soared.
    â€˜Charlotte.’
    â€˜Are you in the hold with the blackbirds?’
    â€˜Yes.’ She cupped her hands against the groaning timbers.
    â€˜There’s a latch — see if you can open it.’
    Together Charlotte and Mina ran their hands over the boards until they located the latch again. Straining against the swollen timber they pulled until it swung up and slipped forwards. Christian appeared in a pool of light and stepped through into the hold with a grin on his face and his hands outstretched.
    â€˜Now untie me.’
    â€˜What are you going to do?’
    â€˜Untie me while we have some light.’
    Charlotte’s shaking fingers fumbled with the heavy ropes until Mina pushed her aside and, with a flash of her agile fingers, untied the knots and loosened his bonds.
    â€˜Thank you. I need to get back on deck. Henk should be at the wheel by himself. It is my chance to get the ship back. Have you a knife or a pistol?’
    â€˜A knife, a pistol? No, of course not.’
    Christian lifted the hatch and replaced it, then turned into the darkness. ‘I have to get to the deck and get a weapon. Henk is armed. Surprise won’t be enough.’
    The cold touch of metal crossed Charlotte’s palm and her fingers closed over a small curved blade. ‘Mina?’
    â€˜Give it to him. He is the captain. He must take his boat from the Dutch pig.’
    Charlotte held the knife out to Christian. His smile of gratitude twisted her belly. ‘Your concern for others is paying off.’
    â€˜Christian, is this the best plan? Wouldn’t it be better if I roused Marcus and together you could approach the crew, talk to them, reason with them?’
    â€˜No. This is something I must do alone. Marcus is not the man for a fight.’
    â€˜Does it have to be a fight? You may get hurt.’ The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Standing so close to him, sensing the rise and fall of his chest and almost hearing his heart beat sent a surge of familiarity sweeping through her. She’d been here before, felt these emotions before. The thought of him throwing himself in the face of such danger was more than she ever wanted to remember.
    â€˜I must do this alone. It is my ship and my command. I must reclaim the Zephyrus or lose the crew. Henk is the ringleader. I can sail the ship without him but not without my crew.’
    Stretching up onto her tiptoes she ran the palm of her hand down his cheek. What had possessed her? She pulled back, ashamed by the boldness of her touch.
    â€˜I will take care, angel. Trust me.’ He slipped into the shadows and made his way through the swaying hammocks to the hatch.
    Christian’s words hammered in Charlotte’s head.
    I will take care, angel. Trust me.
    Only one