which he put above and beyond all else. But I would never aid him in the mass capture and murder of my kind. Not even for a pardon. It went against everything I was.
After spending four days with me, he should have gleaned that much.
“Everyone out.” He set down the cup, never taking his eyes off me.
The cabin vacated. The door shut behind the last lieutenant. Then we were alone.
“You stared at this one the longest.” He tapped the sketch of Priest. “He has a dissolute reputation with women. Have you bedded him?”
“Hasn’t everyone?” A hollow thud erupted in my ears. “They call him the king of libertines.”
“Yes, and you mentioned a libertine the other night.”
Me and my big mouth.
He grabbed my arse cruelly through the skirt, wedging invasive fingers into the divide between my cheeks. “Was he the one who took you here?”
A defensive posture and adamant denial would’ve given away my true feelings for Priest. So I loosened my stance and tossed out the answer he would expect from a pirate whore.
“Yes.” I twisted the corner of my mouth into a devious half-smile. “Jealous?”
“How many times?”
“You want a number? Like an actual count?” I blew out a breath, making a splattering noise between my lips. “I don’t know, Ashley. It was a very long night, and he had an insatiable staff that stood near as tall as the mainmast. So if I’m counting strokes, do I include every position, fore and aft and—”
“It was just one night?”
I saw the writing all over the wall. He was fishing, hunting for clues about his target. How well did I know the infamous Priest Farrell? Well enough to provide a list of weaknesses, habits, favorite ports, and haunts?
Why yes, I knew him better than anyone. And I just so happened to be wearing his shirt. Because I loved the traitorous bastard.
Unfortunately for me, I would choose endless torture and certain death before I ousted him.
“That feral pirate never beds the same woman twice.” I shrugged carelessly and moved away from Ashley’s grip on my backside. “I was lucky enough to have him all to myself for an entire night.”
I’d had him for a year. Sadly, during my time with him, I hadn’t truly had him to myself.
“Where is he now?”
“That depends.” I stretched my mouth into a yawn.
“On?”
“Is he your next target?”
“Yes.”
“If you go after him, what happens to me and the forty pirates in your hold?”
“You’re free to roam the ship, and I’ll arrange limited exercise and fresh air for the others. They won’t perish if I extend the voyage a little longer.”
Perfect.
“Hm.” I folded my arms across my chest and tapped my lips, toying with him.
“You’re trying my patience, woman.”
“Fine. If I tell you what I know, what do I get in return?”
“I can’t grant you a pardon.”
In 1717, King George issued a proclamation that granted a full pardon to pirates who surrendered themselves to any governor in the colonies. I hadn’t wanted it then. I hadn’t wanted it when the king reissued his pardon in 1718. And now, three years later, the opportunity was gone.
Well, fair riddance. I would hang myself before I traded my vivacious livelihood for a spiritless existence of conformity.
“For your assistance in this matter, you shall receive a reward.” He pointed at one of the royal proclamations on the wall.
Persons who willfully and obstinately persist in their piracies, robberies, and outrageous practices shall be pursued with the utmost severity, and with the greatest rigor that may be, until they and all of them be utterly suppressed and destroyed.
If any person shall discover any other person concerned in the said heinous offenses, above mentioned, so that he or they may be apprehended and brought to justice, such discoverer shall have and receive the sum of one-hundred pounds.
The decree went on to state that pirates themselves would be awarded two-hundred pounds for turning in their own captains.
That amount of coin would provide a luxurious retirement in the West Indies. Yet none of my crewmates had been tempted. If and when I escaped Lord Cutler and recovered my compass, I would find my father’s treasure and reward my men for their loyalty.
Until then…
“God save the king,” I said dryly. “Tell me about His Majesty’s reward. Shall I receive it before or after I hang?”
He slowly released a breath. “What do you want?”
The smile I concealed between my teeth made me tremble. I was going to send him on a wild chase, thereby delaying the journey to England