“An amazing accomplishment, to be certain.” Captaining a pirate ship would never make Miss Bingley’s list of ladylike accomplishments (more was the pity). “Then I wonder why you would not prefer to be in control rather than always reacting to your crew’s expectations?”
“I’m in control,” Alexandra rebutted.
“Are you really?” Elizabeth pressed. “Do you mean to tell us that your decision to keelhaul Mr. Darcy was not a direct result of your anger and fear?”
“I’m not afraid of nothing.”
“Oh? You were not afraid of your crew’s lessened opinion?”
Alexandra did not reply.
Elizabeth continued, “Tell me how keelhauling Mr. Darcy affected the attitude of your crew toward you.”
“They dare not defy me.”
That was not the point, and Elizabeth would not allow her to believe it was. “No doubt, but how did your rash reaction affect your crew’s view of Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, confident her reasoning was on sturdy ground. She had seen how Cotton, Bauer, and Jean-Christophe treated him.
“They respect him,” Alexandra grumbled.
Feigning surprise, Elizabeth asked, “Really? Why is that, do you think?”
Crossing her arms and pursing herlips, Alexandra said nothing. Either she did not want to own to her mistake or she really did not know.
Elizabeth supplied an answer. “You maintained their fear, but Mr. Darcy won their respect and loyalty. Why do you think that is?”
Still no reply.
“Could it be because he acted boldly in favor of another, selflessly putting their lives before his own?” She sought Fitzwilliam’s gaze, smiling when his eyes met hers. “There is no greater proof of goodness than a person who rises in your defense at the risk of their own life.” No greater proof of love. He had not said the words, but she felt them in the warmth of his contemplation.
Alexandra clapped her hands together, ruining their moment. With a grin, she said, “That’s why I arranged for Darcy to fight me. I knew ye’d be impressed.”
The old adage that one attracted more flies with honey than with vinegar popped into Elizabeth’s mind. She must find praise where she could. Forcing a smile, she stated, “You learn quickly. However, Mr. Darcy is a gentleman. He does not need to prove himself because honor is part of his nature and influences everything he does.” That, and her heart was his long before the dangerous display. Her cheeks warmed under Fitzwilliam’s tender gaze.
Again, Alexandra interrupted their moment. “He’s as fine a man as me Nick. Which is why ye’re here. I need to learn to be more like ye.”
Because Elizabeth kidnapped ladies and dragged them across the country to a pirate ship. She bit back her retort, saying instead, “What would Nick think of your course of action?”
Alexandra squirmed in her chair, grumbling, “He’d say what he always does.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “What does he say?”
“That I ought to use me fool brain and think before I leap into the fray.”
Fitzwilliam’s lips quirked. “A wise man, this Nick. I would like to meet him.”
Alexandra scowled and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’ve made a real mess of things, haven’t I? Ye must think I’m a horrible, unredeemable wretch.”
She looked so miserable, Elizabeth rested her hand on Alexandra’s shoulder. “Do you want to know what I really think?”
“That I’m a selfish pirate who acts rashly and without a thought for anyone but meself?”
Close, but not quite.Elizabeth shot Fitzwilliam another silencing look, ending in a conspiratorial smile because his thoughts were undeniably the same as hers.
Teasing him and consoling Alexandra (without letting her completely off the hook), Elizabeth said, “A gentleman recently taught me that first impressions are not always the most accurate measure by which to judge a person’s character. The proof of a person’s goodness is seen in their actions and the way they treat others—especially thoseinferior to them.”
Alexandra lowered her head to her hands. “If that’s how it is, then I’m a lost cause. I believe in strikin’ before I’m struck. I don’t know if I can change that … or if I want to.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Nobody is a lost cause. Are you willing to try to improve your character?”
