Page 19 of An Imperfect Scoundrel

“They’ll murder us the first chance they get,” Mr. Evans added, rubbing his throat.

Cedric usually left the answer to this question to his men, as they were the ones who’d be keeping an eye on the crew of the Crescent Rose. Allowing them a choice in their futures also helped bond their loyalty to him.

“I’ll allow a vote before I make my decision,” Cedric said, gesturing to Mr. Hayward.

“Those of you who want to offer a choice to the Crescent Rose’s crew to sail with us, state ‘Aye.’” Mr. Hayward’s voice rang out from his position above them.

A smattering of voices answered him.

“Those of you who want to kill the crew aboard the Crescent Rose and leave them to burn, state ‘Aye.’”

Murderers. He was sailing with a bunch of murderers. The resounding cry that went up was deafening. He couldn’t fault them. Any pirate discovered aboard the Crescent Rose would be instantly shot. They were merely returning the hostility.

“The crew of the Crescent Rose will not be sailing with us.” With those words, Cedric sealed the fate of fifty men.

Bile rose in his throat.

Even if he didn’t pull the trigger, the blood coating his hands was so thick, it would take more than a thousand lifetimes to cleanse his soul. His gaze returned to Mr. Hayward, the elongation of the scar on his first mate’s face the only indication of his displeasure with the decision.

Mr. Hayward was not one to shrink from his duties, and had, in front of Cedric, killed when the occasion called for violence. In truth, Mr. Hayward was the reason Charles Ashmore was the only true casualty attributed to Cedric, but that secret was well kept.

Why commit the vile act yourself when there are people willing to inflict harm for you?

It was one of many lessons from Rowland which stuck with Cedric when he took command, but it didn’t make him feel any less guilty.

“As you’ve rejected their help, I expect you all to take on the tasks that would have been assigned to them. And…” Cedric continued, not allowing anyone to protest, “any man who voted for this decision and refuses to carry out the task of murder will be left on the Crescent Rose with the poor souls they’re attempting to save.”

“I didn’t vote for this decision.”

Scrutinizing the deck, Cedric searched for the owner of the voice. A dark-haired man stepped forward, parting the crew, his sinewed arms folded across his bare chest.

“Name?”

“Northcott, Captain.”

“Who else voted against killing the crew of the Crescent Rose?” Cedric asked, his eyes locked on the man. In his peripheral, he noted five hands rose into the air. “You are to remain aboard this ship and assist with the transfer of the passengers.”

“Aye, Captain,” the man answered, melting back into the crew.

Cedric knew Mr. Hayward took note of the men who’d voted against slaughtering the officers. Those men would be given all the tasks involving the care and transport of the hostages, and Evans wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near them.

“I see her!”

Excitement rippled across the deck, and the men rushed to the starboard side, pointing at the regal flags of the Crescent Rose.

Shifting his attention to the horizon, Cedric calculated the distance between them and the ship, which had spotted them again and increased their pace in an attempt to reach port before Cedric caught them.

“Mr. Hayward!” Cedric yelled, whipping his head toward the first mate. “We could use some speed.”

“Shovelers with me.” Jumping from the shroud and landing on the deck, Mr. Hayward hooked his arm over his shoulder, leading six men below deck.

The secret of Cedric’s ship, the reason his vessel was faster than most, was because his ship was also powered with coal.

His hands curled around the railing, an automatic response as he waited for the burst of speed, which was enough to cause the men running about the deck to stumble. The ship lurched forward, zipping across the water like a dart.

They’d overtake the Crescent Rose in less than twenty minutes.

He nodded, pleased with the performance of his ship, and set his mind to finding Mr. Cheswick Harris. Cedric had purposely neglected to mention the importance of Mr. Harris, not wanting to draw attention to the man. He knew Harris would come to him, not only begging for his life but willing to sacrifice someone else in his stead.