Enchantress by Constance O'Banyon Page B

third was a thirty-six-gun frigate.
    Because of the wind shift, Thorn changed directions, and it soon became apparent that the three ships also changed directions and were gaining on him.
    The Victorious neared the end of the Golden Horn, where the Turkish shoreline loomed just ahead, and a heavily armed fortress was perched on the highest cliff. Thorn knew he must pass within range of the shore batteries to reach open sea. Training his spyglass on the vessel that was immediately behind him, he saw that she carried the banner of the Turkish Navy.
    Again he changed directions and saw that the three ships did likewise.
    Thorn was beginning to have the uneasy feeling that he was being pursued, though he could not think why. It was at that point that one of the vessels fired a cannon shot over the bow of the Victorious , confirming his suspicions.
    Cappy had rushed on deck and stood beside Thorn, while the crew tensely waited for orders from their captain.
    Thorn spoke to his first mate. “What in the hell is going on, Cappy? To my knowledge, we have done nothing to provoke the Turkish Navy.”
    “I don’t know, Captain, but look—they are beginning to form a line of battle!”
    It was true—the Turkish ships were sailing three abreast, and had been joined by a fourth, larger ship, a seventy-four gun man-of-war.
    “If it’s to be a fight,” Cappy observed, “we are badly outnumbered, but we have the best gunners. Each man’s been trained by a master, and they all know their assignments. The Turkish Navy is notorious for their inferior gunners.”
    Thorn’s face was grim as he stared straight ahead. “Even if they are inferior, with all their firepower they are likely to land a fortuitous shot. Our only hope is to make it into open water. There we have a chance—slim though it may be.”
    Quickly Thorn signaled to have all sails set, gambling that the Turkish ships would not dare carry a full sail in the wind that was quickly becoming gale force.
    In the belly of the ship, Brittany heard the sound of an explosion, and she looked at Achmed, her eyes wide with terror. “What was that? What can be happening?”
    The black giant shook his head. “I do not know. It sounded like cannon fire. Stay hidden while I go topside and inquire into the matter.”
    Brittany blinked her eyes and nodded. She was terrified to be left alone. She was in a hostile world which she did not understand, and she had no one to cling to except her steadfast Achmed.
    Thorn saw the huge black man the moment he stepped onto deck. Turning to Cappy, the captain’s eyes snapped with anger. “What in the hell is going on, Mr. Hamish? What is that man doing on board the Victorious ?”
    “Sir, you were occupied with other matters when he came on board. I forgot to tell you about him. You will remember him. His name is Achmed, and he has booked passage for America.”
    Thorn’s eyes narrowed. “Of course. I didn’t recognize him at first because of his plain garments. There can be no mistake he is the Grand Vizier’s servant.” Thorn looked past hisfirst mate to the oncoming warships. “It just might be that I know why we are being pursued by the Turkish Navy, Cappy. Did the man bring a woman on board with him, Cappy?”
    “No, Captain. He was alone.”
    Thorn glanced back to see the frigate gaining on him. He turned to the starboard so quickly, his top mast almost touched the plunging waves. “Something is not right here, Cappy. Unless I am mistaken, that eunuch smuggled a woman on board while you weren’t looking,” Thorn said grimly.
    “Nay, Captain. All he brought was a leather satchel with his belongings and a large crate containing a gift to you from the Grand Vizier.”
    Thorn’s blue eyes darkened, and he stared at his first mate in irritation. “Could the crate be large enough to hold a woman?”
    Cappy looked bemused. “I…suppose so, but—Yes, it would have been a tight fit, but it would have been large enough.”
    There was