Page 27 of An Imperfect Scoundrel

The third man stumbled, crashing to his knees in front of them. Before he could stand, Mr. Evans appeared behind him and smacked the back of the man’s head with the butt of a pistol. The man collapsed, his body twitching. Mr. Evans glanced up, his black eyes locking with Alana, then touched his hand to his forehead, saluting her.

The two pirates assisting Mr. Evans hooked their hands under the unconscious man, lifted him, and held him upright against the railing. After Mr. Evans aimed his pistol and shot the man in his chest, they tossed the body over the side of the ship. A loud splash followed, flinging blood-stained water droplets across the deck.

Mr. Evans’ gaze dropped to Alana’s shocked face, a smirk tugging at his mouth. Turning, he lurched toward the stern, balancing his pistol on his shoulder.

“Bring me the crew members.”

Mr. Parker nudged Alana’s leg, his eyes on Mr. Evans’ back. “You should have gone with Louisa.”

“I cannot swim,” Alana replied. “Your wife suggested that we dress as men and serve on the ship. She cut my hair, then went across the corridor to grab some of your clothing, but they discovered us before we could disguise her, so she ran.”

“I’m not certain pretending to be a man was a better choice, Miss—”

Shaking her head to silence him, Alana flicked her eyes to Mr. Evans as he dragged another man toward them.

“My name is Sebastian Dubois.”

“Introductions aren’t necessary,” Mr. Evans said, shoving the man to the deck and binding his arms to the mast. He offered them a revolting grin. “I intend to kill all of you within the hour.”

CHAPTER SIX

CEDRIC

“Ladies, thank you for joining me.” Cedric extended his arms, offering a wide smile to the group of petrified women clustered in the dining room.

They’d all retreated to the far side of the space, huddled in a tight circle like cattle before slaughter, the youngest of the women shoved into the corner and hidden by enormous skirts of silk. Varying shades of fear hovered on their faces.

“We didn’t have much choice,” a red-headed woman muttered, earning several hissed shushes from the ladies around her.

Cedric’s gaze flicked to the woman.

Of all the passengers, she’d given them the most trouble, having wounded Mr. Evans’ leg—and pride—in her twice-managed escape from him. Eventually, Mr. Evans had tracked her to the wheelhouse, where she’d barricaded herself inside and shot at him using the spare pistol from a deceased officer.

If Cedric hadn’t threatened to murder Mr. Evans for harming a woman, he was certain the redhead wouldn’t have survived the encounter, but Mr. Evans dreaded the wrath of Captain Shaw, and that fear saved her life… for the moment.

“You will have one shortly, Missus…” He gestured to her.

“Parker.” Pulling free of the arms restraining her, she stepped forward. “Mrs. Louisa Parker, and I demand to know what you have done with my husband.”

“I have done nothing with him.”

“Where is he?” Her fists clenched.

“On deck, I assume.” Cedric shrugged, dismissing her aggressive pose, and turned his head toward the door as Mr. Hayward entered, carrying several sheets of paper.

“Passenger list, Captain.”

He handed the pages to Cedric and glanced over at the collection of ladies, several shrieking under his notice and squishing themselves further away from him.

“Still have that effect on women, I see,” Cedric murmured, perusing the names.

“It’s my delightful personality,” Mr. Hayward retorted.

Someone chuckled. It was a soft sound but a snicker just the same.

Cedric lifted his head, curious to see the origin, and his eyes were immediately drawn to Mrs. Parker, whose lips twitched at the moment his gaze passed over her.

“Mrs. Parker.” He waved to her, then pointed to a spot on the floor three feet in front of him. “Since you are impatient to learn the fate of your husband, I will first ask you.”