“A privateer?”
“Possibly.” Emmaus nodded. “If I take it, they say it will be mine.”
“You get your spoils without them having to give you anything at all.”
Emmaus snapped his fingers. “Two problems solved.”
“It’s suicide.”
“Maybe, maybe not. The ship’s crew have been transferring goods to smaller vessels and receiving goods in return. Customs intercepted one of the cutters and the resulting interrogation led the vice admiral to believe the captain is a person they’ve sought. The captain, however, is not currently aboard the ship. In fact, he’s been absent for some time.” Emmaus drummed his fingers against the table. “With a proper plan, and an adequate number of skilled men, I’d have a fighting chance.”
“You are going to attempt to take the ship?”
Emmaus had always wanted his own vessel.
“I’ve spoken to a few men who are willing to assist. But my decision depends.”
“On what?”
“On you.” He leaned forward. “I swore to Lady Cheverley that I would not leave until I was certain she and Thaddeus were safe. Before I commit, I want your word you intend to claim your place, your life.”
Chev turned his gaze toward the hearth, eyeing a man he almost killed.
What if he failed? What if he claimed his place and the duchy remained in chaos, with a possible murderer in their midst?
And was he just supposed to forget about the pirate? Allow her to roam free and harm others?
Tu n’es rien.You are nothing.Je te possède maintenant en entier.I own every part of you, now.
He spit into the coals; They hissed and steamed in reply.
“While you were gone,” Cheverley said, “Thaddeus nearly lost a limb by stumbling into a man-trap for poachers.”
“What?” Emmaus exclaimed.
Chev rubbed his forehead. “I needn’t ask if you set it.”
“Thelastthing I’d do is use a trap designed for an animal on a man.”
“I know,” Chev replied. “Which can only mean you were right about Piers’s death not being an accident. But what I cannot understand is, if Anthony planned to kill his way to the top of the inheritance line, why is he courting Pen?”
“As I suggested before—what if it’s as simple as lust?”
“Possible. But”—Chev’s blood ran cold—“he could satiate lust without marriage.” Anthony—if the murderer was Anthony—had to have another reason. “When did Anthony first show interest in my wife?”
Emmaus considered. “Not until she moved to Ithwick.”
Chev was missing something, something that connected Pensteague and Ithwick, Anthony and Pen. The answer remained elusive.
“If you revealed who you are you’d have all the resources of the duchy at your disposal. Two lives will stand between Anthony and his prize. Even Anthony isn’t mad enough to attempt to stagetwomore accidents.”
Chev ran his hand over his face. “It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it?” Emmaus asked. “It seems simple enough to me. However, I am not you. I haven’t land. I haven’t a wife. And I most certainly do not have a son.”
Cheverley swallowed, accepting the bitter censure.
Their gazes locked. Outside, rapid footsteps sounded in the gravel.
