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‘McGraw. That’s very Scottish.’ Silver leaned back in the chair, fingers skimming the pages of a book.
Closing the cabin door behind him, Flint raised his brows and tried to hide his amusement at seeing Silver pretend that he wasn’t just a little bit afraid of him, still. ‘What are you talking about?’
Silver raised the book to show him. ‘Property of one James McGraw. Found it on your shelf over there.’ He waved at the small collection of books Flint could no longer leave at Miranda’s empty house.
All amusement fell from Flint’s features, the hard line of his jaw tensing as he watched Silver manhandle that book. It was no Marcus Aurelius but it was still something. And Flint had a choice to make: play along or react. One would tell Silver all he needed, baring James to him in a way he was wholly uncomfortable with. He didn’t know what the other would do and that was more terrifying than being seen.
Jamming his thumbs in his belt, Flint stared at Silver, unimpressed. ‘I didn’t invite you to look at my things.’
‘You always tell me to read a book. Now you’re upset that I’m actually taking your advice?’ Silver looked up at him with mock disbelief. But that expression changed as he stared at Flint, awareness dawning on him. ‘You never told me how you became a pirate.’
‘I can say the same for you.’ Flint pulled the book from Silver’s hands and returned it to its home on the bookshelf.
‘Who was James McGraw to you?’
Flint scowled at him as he motioned for Silver to get out of his chair. ‘That’s none of your concern.’
‘Isn’t it?’ Silver grunted as he forced himself onto his one good leg and used the desk to support his journey to the window seat. ‘As your Quartermaster, I’m supposed to protect you from them .’ He gestured to the door, indicating that he was referring to the crew. ‘How exactly am I supposed to do that without knowing the full story?’
Flint took up his place in his chair and leaned back, shedding the weight of two days without real rest. ‘Because that’s not your job.’ He closed his eyes and pinched his brows. ‘Your responsibility is to ensure the crew are content. I can protect myself.’
‘Ignoring all evidence to the contrary,’ Silver said leaning forwards. ‘But this is The Walrus. And what we’re planning to do is more than mere piracy.’ He stared at Flint for another long moment before he said, ‘I’m certain Gates and Mrs Barlow knew who James McGraw is.’
Releasing a heavy sigh, Flint opened his eyes and tilted his head to look at Silver. ‘It’s just a name. It bears no meaning.’ It was the biggest lie he had told, yet. And the only one that Silver dismissed out of hand. The way Flint had reacted to that book told him that the little boy who’d doodled in those pages meant something.
‘Childhood friend?’ Silver said, watching for any flicker of recognition on Flint’s face. ‘Godson?’ He received nothing but a glare of disbelief and agitation. ‘Brother?’
‘Stop.’
‘What’s so bad about me knowing?’ Silver laughed in disbelief, sitting back. ‘If you’re right and James McGraw is no threat, then there’ll be no harm in knowing. And if he is, I’d rather I did.’
Flint rubbed his beard, half considering throttling Silver and being done with it. But reason won out and he decided to let his Quartermaster live. ‘Get out,’ he said, his tone dark.
‘But-’
‘Get out.’
‘I can’t help you if you keep things from me,’ Silver said as he forced himself back onto his foot. The grim mood between them hung thick in the air as he limped out, unsupported by anything but furniture. Flint knew he wouldn’t drop the issue, now. But at least this would give him time to prepare for it.
Standing, Flint returned to the bookshelf and withdrew Le Morte d’Arthur , again. Turning the book over in his hands, he opened it and unpicked pages that he’d sealed a long time ago. At least Silver had not pried that deep.
The concealed page held more neat handwriting that didn’t belong to James McGraw.
◦ Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and thou shalt observe all its directions.
◦ Thou shalt defend the Church.
◦ Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
◦ Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
◦ Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
◦ Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.
◦ Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
◦ Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
◦ Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
◦ Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
Face indecency with propriety. Unholiness with righteousness. Hate with love. Follow this, and when we next meet, I will take you with me.
James ran his fingers over the old ink. Deny all you are, it told him. And play the role of valorous knight. Only then will you be worthy of love. Only then will you be accepted.
Even all this time, James’ father’s words sat like lead in his belly.