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rickety table near his left elbow. “Now don’t be lookin’ so shocked. Luke’s a damn good man, and last time I saw ’em, they looked right happy enough.”
    “All right, sorry. So, Samantha came into Doubloons …”
    He nodded, a smile softening his face. “She was a sight. All dressed in red, she had every man, includin’ meself, in her net. It was when I said somethin’ that Luke took exception. Said he’d seen her first. I did, methinks, manage to charm her nonetheless. Said she was lookin’ for another pirate named Dervish. ’Course right after that, Luke took her outside. I didn’t see her again until a few months ago.”
    “In St. Kitts?”
    “Yep.”
    “Did she ever find that other pirate?”
    “Hmm,” he said, swallowing more rum. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and set down his mug. “Luke killed him.”
    Captain said it as easily as if he were discussing the weather. Alicia bit her lip. What was she getting into? She was searching for a woman she didn’t know who was married to a man that could kill another person. And their mutual friend, a friend she’d agreed to spend the night with, didn’t think it was wrong. Charles was right—she was mad.
    “Now, before ya pass judgment, let me tell ya somethin’. Luke was a great pirate, but he wasn’t mean. Loot was what he was after, but he didn’t do it like some do. He liked to use his brains and play around a little. Come to think of it, I think he preferred the hunt. But from what I know of Samantha, she wouldn’t ’ave married ’im if he wasn’t a good man. He’s one of few that I’d give me own life to save.”
    “You said ‘was.’ He’s not a pirate anymore?”
    “Nah. Applied for his pardon.” Captain’s face split into a grin as big as his belly. “ ’Course when yer the best shipbuilder to be found in these parts and ya sell the Navy the fastest and strongest, they tend to forgive ya right fast enough.”
    Alicia tasted her tea, which was more like swamp water, and set her full cup aside.
    “It doesn’t matter, really. Mr. Merritt won’t help me and I don’t know where else to look. Being a woman alone, I can’t simply hop on to any ship I please. I was lucky to get here as it was.”
    “What ya need to know about Blake,” Captain began, while rubbing his belly, “is that he can be very stubborn. And when he gets mad, it only gets worse. Fastest way to get Blake to go north is demand he go south.”
    “He’s not a pirate, too, is he?”
    “A privateer, but ’tis all the same, really. Only Blake has the Navy on his side, not trying to hang his backside, see?”
    “Either way, I need to think of another plan.”
    Captain leaned forward and gray eyes fixed on hers. “Ya know what I think? I say ya don’t give him the choice.”
    “But the only way would be to—”
    “That’s right, missy.” Captain nodded. “That’s the only way.”
    Alicia’s stomach twittered. “Why would you tell me to do that? You like Blake.”
    “Aye. I do. But Blake needs some fun in ’is life. He’s too serious.”
    She didn’t see how Mr. Merritt seeing her again would change that.
    “Tell me, Captain. My father clearly thought that Blake was a good man whom I could trust. That’s not been my experience so far. What do you think of him?”
    “Missy, if I didn’t like the man or trust ’im, I’d hardly send you after ’im. Me only advice? Stay hidden until yer well away from port.”

Five
    Lewis Grant smiled in the darkness. He no longer felt the rocks that pushed into the soles of his shoes. He didn’t bother swatting away the bugs that buzzed around his face and gnawed on him until his skin crawled. All he felt at the moment was a glowing sense of satisfaction.
    Thanks to the big oaf’s habit of keeping the windows open, Lewis had heard every word. Now, not only did he know where Samantha was, but he had a means of getting to her. Lewis licked his lips.
    All he had to do now was get onto Blake