One corner of Norrington’s mouth curls. “If you expect me to care about that, you have certainly come to the wrong person. Emily, yes, but not the cad who stole my sister.”

“I expect you will care about his fate, though, as he is also the one who shot your niece.”

Norrington rocks back. “What?”

“He was aiming at Dr. Dupuis, but he is still the one who took her captive, pretending it had been you. And he killed a cabin boy he thought overheard a conversation you had on the Temerity. The boy did not, but Jenkins locked him in the galley and left him to die, which he did.”

Now Norrington pales. He blinks as if trying to fully understand what I am saying. “A cabin boy?”

“Yes, he murdered a cabin boy. He attempted to murder Dr. Dupuis both today and three days ago. You are unmarried, with no heirs save his daughter. His fortunes are tied to yours, and so he protected yours.” That is a simple version of the truth, and from Norrington’s expression, he accepts it.

“Will you take your niece and tend to her wounds?” I ask.

“Of course.” He calls for someone, and a man appears. Norrington tells him to fetch the doctor from Whitby and be quick about it.

When the man leaves, I say, “Will you handle Mr. Jenkins, preferably in a manner that does not cause undue trauma to his daughter?”

“I will.”

“Will you pardon Dr. Dupuis, as a man who was erroneously targeted for treason—which we both know he did not commit—and who otherwise only acted for the benefit of others?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Finally, we have your papers, which prove what you are doing to the people of Hood’s Bay. We also know what conversation the cabin boy was thought to have overheard—the truth behind why the Temerity’s captain was accused of treason. There has been great damage done here. A boy is dead, and Emily is seriously injured. We do not wish to engage in a campaign of blackmail and threats. May we avoid that and have your word that you will speak to Emily on this matter and come to some agreement with her?”

His brow knits. “With Emily?”

“She knows these people better than we do, and she cares for them more than we can. The situation might change, sir, but for now, she is your heir, and I would suggest you think of her as that. She is quite capable of fulfilling the role. Talk to her. Listen to her. It is only the two of you now.”

A look passes behind his eyes, one that might actually be grief. Then he nods. That is all he does. He nods.

We are in Emily’s rooms at Norrington Hall. The doctor has removed the ball and declared she was most fortunate to have been shot there. I’m not sure I would ever say anyone was fortunate to be shot anywhere, but I understand what he means. The location of the shot means that she has lost blood and will need time to rest and mend, but she is expected to make a full recovery. Her uncle is already preparing to travel to York to find a doctor to confirm the first’s opinion and a nurse to tend to her. Whatever else Lord Norrington might be, he is a loving uncle, and I must accept that.