The pirate she’d seen had been a rather large man, so it would stand to reason that his attire would be as well. He was, however, in the habit of pilfering his clothes, so there might be something among his things that had yet to be altered to fit his frame.
She ran her fingers over a fine pair of well-worn buckskin breeches.Soft. She held them up against her legs and realized with astonishment that they might actually fit. They would be a bit snug in the hips, but they were designed to move and stretch with the body, so they were truly a lucky discovery.
What else would a piratical woman wear? Surely if she was expected to be an experienced runner, she ought to be at ease with taking on a character and fitting in where she mightn’t ordinarily. And shewasan experienced runner, drat it. She would make this work. She would take on the role of “dangerous woman” in order to continue their charade and protect her life.
Now, to complete theensemble.
CHAPTER 12
“Ithought we’d thrown all of the dead overboard,” Arnold Fitton, the Earl of Hanley, groused, gazing down at the deceased crewmate in distaste.
The man’s neck had been broken, and lay twisted at an ungodly angle.
“Wehad, your lordship,” replied Sir Rigsby, former officer and new captain of theSapphire. “I don’t know what has befallen Grimsby, but he’s the second member of the crew to perish since the pirates sailed away.”
Arnold shrugged one shoulder, stepped around the fellow, and continued on his way to his cabin. “Mayhap he tripped. The ship rocked rather a lot while theAmericawas drawing up next to us.” At last their partner ship had reached them, and they were able to begin boarding. He could finally set sail after all of this sodding waiting.
The new captain huffed a breath. “That is unlikely, your lordship. Grimsby, like the rest of the crew, was accustomed to life at sea.”
Arnold cut him a sharp sideways glance. “What are you trying to say, man? Spit it out, would you?”
“I’m saying that I believe him to have been murdered.”
The earl stopped walking and spun around. Anger flared in his chest at the prospect of another mutiny on board.What the devil?
“Additionally,” the captain continued, “as the crew was gathering and transferring what few supplies we have left, we could not help but notice that more of our medical supplies have gone missing.”
“What?” Arnold grunted. “What do you mean? Have we not accounted for what the crew required after the battle?”
Sir Rigsby nodded. “We did, your lordship. But more has since disappeared. I’ve questioned the crew and your servants, and we don’t know where the items have gone.”
“If they were taken by someone among the crew, we’ll uncover the truth. We shall search everyone’s personal belongings as they’re transferred, and the culprit shall be keelhauled.”
The captain’s eyebrows rose nigh to his hairline. “Keelhauling is an extreme punishment that I couldneverjustify, your lordship. And, even if I could, once we’re aboard theAmerica, the other captain shall be in charge.”
Arnold grew still, his gaze boring into Rigsby’s until the latter squirmed with unease.
“I shall—just this once—grant you leniency, as this is a new position for you,” Arnold said, his voice low and gruff. “But, I assure you, if you read through your predecessor’s journal, you will find that per a certain royal’s authority,Iam in command of this vessel.” Arnold leaned close, his patience for this man’s weakness as a captain entirely gone. “We shall keelhaul him.”
With that, he turned and stalked toward his cabin to gather the last of his personal items. He might be older than these young fools, but he was just as ruthless as any man. He was not one to underestimate. No matter what his feckless bride-to-be had done.
The bitch had left him!
The anger that had been simmering in his chest pressed behind his breastbone, threatening to crack his sodding ribs. The heat of his fury spread down his arms and up his neck.
“Your lordship.” His valet appeared at his elbow.
“Fuck, where did you come from?”
“My humble apologies, your lordship.” The man bowed deeply. “I came to gather your things.”
Arnold grunted. “Very well. Get on with it, will you?”
The man scuttled past and filled his arms with Arnold’s things, then made to exit. But Arnold halted him when he realized so many pirates had been in the hold.
“Wait,” he said, his voice deadly calm despite the fury burning inside him. “Have my chest of boots brought to my cabin on theAmerica, will you?”
“Of course, your lordship.” The man bowed again, his arms still laden with items, before scurrying out the door.
