“What in Christ’s name are you doing on Butcher’s ship, Donovan?” Percy asked in an undertone.
“There’s a few of us from them years on board. Ye’ll see the others soon, I wager.” The man’s smile slipped, and he glanced over his shoulder. “There ain’t many options for pirates, as there ain’t many of us left. Butcher was a bastard—most o’ the crew hated him, and others wanted t’ kill him—but he kept our necks from the noose.”
Percy clapped his old friend on the shoulder, his lips tight and eyes troubled. “I understand. I should like to discuss this in greater detail later on. But Donovan…will you be my second-in-command?”
“Oh!” Donovan’s eyes lit. “Aye, Percival—I-I mean Captain. Aye!”
“Very good. We must prepare to set sail. I tossed a satchel aside earlier—bring it to my cabin. Heather”—he turned to face her—“do keep your dirk at hand. These men are not to be trusted.”
A jolt of nerves jumped through her abdomen, but she nodded her understanding.
He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Remember your training. You have the skills. You are strong, capable, and damnably formidable when you put your mind to it.”
Then he was gone. And her pulse was thundering.
Holy hell,what am I doing?Percy’s gut twisted as he ordered the pirates about.
“Hoist the sails!” he called. “Scrub the deck!”
The bodies had already been thrown overboard, but blood remained. Luckily, most of the carnage had been sustained on theSapphire, so there was less to clean. Additionally, Percy had to arrange for a thorough inspection of what was damagedduring the battle. Lord knew theSapphirewouldn’t sail again, for its main mast had been downed, but although this ship was able to sail, it had borne damage.
His gaze swung toward Heather, who stood next to the bulwark at the aft end of the fo’c’sle, her elbow resting upon the taffrail and the wind blowing through her red-blonde tresses. He wanted to trace the sun’s path across the bridge of her nose and over her cheekbones, to kiss away the pucker of a frown from between her brows.
He leaned against the starboard taffrail, attempting to better glimpse her features, but from that distance, it proved a challenge.
Hell.Wasshe pregnant with his child? The rush of seawater and wind filled his ears as his extremities grew numb despite the warmth of the day.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.
Despite his fears, imposing his ill pedigree—or lack thereof—on anyone was the least of his current concerns. He’d just felledButcher, for Christ’s sake! He’d taken on the role of sodding pirate captain, once more breaking a vow he’d sworn to uphold. And in doing so, he risked breaking another promise: keeping Heather safe.
His gaze slid her way again, and his gut clenched. Taking on the role of a member of the crew had been necessary…but so hadthis. Icy fear crept up his spine and flapped helplessly in his heart. As much as he despised even sniffing around his old life, he would take that leap again to keep Heather alive. For fuck knew they’d just landed in a tornado of shite and death.
And—sodding hell—how was he to return them to England? He couldn’t risk sailing a pirate ship into the Pool of London, lest he risk not only his and the crew’s necks but Heather’s as well. This would bear ruminating on, for certain.
Christ, he ought to speak with Heather on the matter.
A gust of warm wind rushed past him, and his gaze lifted toward the darkening sky. He must spend time working on navigation, on planning. Never would he have guessed that he’d again require that particular skill. Indeed, he’d imagined himself working for the women on Bow Street, training and sparring while earning a small wage—for he certainly didn’t require a larger one—and living out his life quietly.
“Captain Percival!”
Percy whirled at the voice, and smiled as Donovan approached. It was bloody good to see an old friend. But with that joy came fear…andguilt.
“Yes, Donovan?”
“We’re sea ready. The men belowdecks are accommodating the new crew members and assessing the damage.”
Percy nodded. “Excellent.”
“We are well enough away from theSapphire, Percival. You are free to make your announcement.”
“Very good.” Percy cleared his throat, inwardly cursing the sudden quiver of nerves in his abdomen. He jutted his chin toward the belfry. “Ring the bell.”
CHAPTER 11
The once glistening surface of the water had grown muted, and the sky was a furious shade of grey. Percy eyed Heather beside him. She was blinking against the sharp turn of the wind as it pulled more of her hair free from its pins to blow wildly in front of her face. A lock caught on her lip, and she absently curled it behind her ear. His gut flipped.
Bong, bong, bong, bong.
