Page 32 of An Imperfect Scoundrel

“That was your decision,” he hissed, his sour breath washing over her.

Her nose wrinkled. “I’d like to reconsider my position.”

“Would you?” He tilted his head. “Captain’s already made his judgment.”

“Please inform him that I wish to speak with him.” If he didn’t move away from her, she was going to vomit.

She gagged, swallowing the bile that rose into her throat.

“Please?” Mr. Evans snorted. Rising, he bowed, extending his arms in a wide mocking gesture. “Of course, my lord. Is there anything else I can do to make your stay with us more comfortable?”

“No, that will be all.”

Mr. Parker kicked her, signaling for her to stop antagonizing the ruthless pirate.

“You are extremely lucky the captain liked you, Dubois, or we would not be having this discussion. However, since he did request you as his manservant, I will ask if he wishes to give you a reprieve. Wait here.”

Laughing at his joke, he turned and ambled across the deck.

Mr. Parker leaned closer, murmuring, “Are you certain you want to do that?”

“They are going to kill us,” Alana replied, her voice just as soft. “If we work for them, there’s a chance we will outlast this ordeal.”

A melancholy smile touched Mr. Parker’s face. “That doesn’t bother me. Without Louisa, I am lost.”

“She could survive,” Alana replied, trying to bolster his mood. “She’s an excellent swimmer.”

“No.” His red-rimmed eyes glanced out at the dark ocean. “She didn’t want to come on this trip, said she had a terrible premonition, and begged me to stay in London for another fortnight, but I made her come with me.”

Sighing, he turned back to Alana. “I should have listened.”

“You cannot give up hope.”

“Either she will drown, or she will be shot. How can I live, knowing I caused my wife’s death?”

“This is notyour fault.” She bumped him with her foot.

“Changed your mind?” Captain Shaw’s chuckle carried across the moonlit deck.

Alana’s head jerked up as he approached. Behind him, flames flickered in the darkness, incinerating the stern of the ship, licking their way toward the bow. He drew his gun as he approached.

“I daresay you have the temperament of a woman.”

She glowered at him. “I didn’t realize that if I refused, you were going to shoot me.”

“I’m not going to shoot you.” He crouched beside her, trailing the muzzle of his pistol across the underside of her chin. “Evans is.”

“I would prefer Mr. Evans didn’t shoot me.”

“You would prefer I shoot you instead?” He raised his eyebrows.

“No, I would prefer not to be killed.”

“You gave up that choice.”

“I did not.” She shook her head. “I asked what my other option was, and you offered toshow me.”

“I did say that…” Captain Shaw rubbed his temple with the muzzle of the pistol, considering her statement. “I never break my word.”