Nick grabbed a pistol from the deck, encouraging the men to walk to the front of the ship, where a plank had already been set up over the edge. Too far away from the other vessel for it to be of any help to the two condemned men.
Fitzwilliam stepped in front of Nick, caution in his face.
Lord Matlock said, “I cannot condone this kind of conduct.”
Nick grinned. “I’ll not bind their feet or hands.They’ll have as fair a chance of surviving as any with all the debris floating in the water from the blast. They’ll just be mighty uncomfortable for a spell. Ten miles in the currents is a fair swim for any able-bodied man.” His grin widened. “Give ‘em time to think of their mistakes, like.”
Elizabeth liked him. Judging from the twitch in Fitzwilliam’s lips and how he stepped out of his path, she suspected he liked Nick, too. Lord Matlock uttered no more objections.
CHAPTER 29
Nick watched the wharf approach, his attention divided between the crippledFancydragging behind them and Darcy standing at the railing beside his young lady.
Miss Elizabeth was as fine a lass as a man could find. He’d never forget how she’d run to Lexi’s side. She hadn’t balked or swooned at the sight of blood, nor had she cringed at the back of the boat at the first sign of danger. This was a good woman. Nick was pleased for Darcy—for his brother.
Brother. How strange the word felt in his own mind when Nick had always been alone. Strange, but wonderful. Comforting.
He was close enough to the couple to hear Miss Elizabeth speak when she smiled up at Darcy. “After a great deal of consideration, I think it best to keep my letter to my family brief and to the point.”
“Very discreet. If you refusing Mr. Collins was enough to give her the vapors, imagine how her poor nerves would suffer to learn you had been kidnapped by pirates.”
Miss Elizabeth laughed. “Until she learned you were also on board, wherein she would pray for a compromise.”
Darcy went solemn. “Elizabeth, I—”
She nudged him playfully on the arm. “No harm has been done. We are free to make our own choices for our happiness. Why should we not reflect on our adventures with anything but pleasure?”
Darcy’s deepening frown piqued Nick’s interest and warned him that he was now eavesdropping. Leaving the railing, Nick sought the rest of Alex’s crew. He prayed Darcy and Miss Elizabeth would be safe and happy. He’d do what he could to make certain they were. It was the least he could do.
Nicholas stopped, his brief glimmer of happiness dampened with reality. Which was worse: to find his place only to know his existence meant danger to the people he yearned to call family, or to wander the world searching for another place to claim?
At least he had Alex. And he’d care for her the best he knew how.
Boone, Beckett, and Alex stood in a circle with Lord Matlock, their arms crossed over their chests and their expressions grim. Whatever they were discussing was unpleasant for allfour of them.
Boone clenched his hands in front of him. “If I get me hands on Arnold—”
Lord Matlock opened his mouth to protest, but Beckett spoke before he did. “Just as you have yer laws on land, we must abide by a certain code of conduct we swear to uphold the moment we join a crew. If we don’t respect our own code, then mutiny’s born. Arnold broke the code, Yer Lordship. He must pay the consequences.”
Alex nodded tersely. “I hope the sharks eat him, or I’ll shoot the scurvy cur meself.”
“Justice must be meted out. He’ll not make it to shore. We honor the code,” Boone agreed.
Lord Matlock raised his palm. “Tell me no more. He made his choice and shall suffer the consequences the same as any man”—he eyed Alexandra—“or woman.” Looking at Boone and Beckett, he added, “See you serve your captain better than he served his.”
Nick approached, addressing the Quartermaster and First Mate. “Take care of her ship, will ye? I’ll see about hiring caulkers, sawyers, blockmakers, and whatever else theFancyrequires to put her to rights.”
“If you meet with any trouble, you come to me,” Lord Matlock said. “I doubt the prize Connell hoped to receive at my nephew’s hanging shall exceed the damage he caused tonight.”
Nick’s head reeled. His Lordship was a man to be admired, and the ease with which he claimed Nick as his own nephew made Nick’s heart soar and hisstomach twist into knots. It wasn’t right. He might’ve belonged to them once, but Arnold had been right to call Nick a black mark. He’d only tarnish their name and bring danger to their doorstep. He already had.
Alex leaned closer to him, oblivious to the direction of his thoughts. “Never mind that, men. No expense shall be spared repairin’ theFancywhen we’re comfortable on this clipper. She’ll be yers to command, Beckett, once theFancyis returned to me.”
Lord Matlock’s reaction was immediate. “This ship is not yours.”
Oh, Lord!
Alex whipped her head around to face him, and Nick noted how Beckett and Boone disappeared down the deck. Smart men. “I took her fair and square!” Alex said.
