Nicolas has not joined us here. Norrington has promised to see that the warrant is lifted and Nicolas receives a full pardon, but that does not mean he should risk walking into Norrington Hall just yet. He has already talked to Emily, and while they had the longer acquaintance, I feel as if I need to say more, as I was the one who committed the greater betrayal.

“You have known me for less than a day,” she says when I apologize. “I understand that you both did what was best. For the people of the bay and for that poor boy.”

“Yes, but Nicolas did not mislead you. He was truly your ally and your friend. I tricked you from the moment we met.”

“For good cause.”

I give her a mock-stern look. “So this is to be my punishment, is it? You will not let me properly apologize?”

She smiles and puts her hand on mine. “All right. I accept your apology even if you did not need to give it. Whatever your reason, you were kind to me, when I must seem to you a very silly girl.”

“A very silly girl does not help a fugitive. Does not defy her family to do so.”

She rolls her eyes. “It was a small thing.”

“You are as bad at accepting compliments as you are at accepting apologies. You are far from a silly girl, Emily.” I turn to face her. “While I am sorry that I misled you, I am even more sorry about what you had to hear on that ship. About your father and your grandfather.”

“My father and I have always had . . . a difficult relationship,” she says slowly. “He was good to me, but we were never as close as I would have liked. At least I no longer have to feel like an ungrateful child for doubting the sincerity of his love.”

She pats my hand again. “I will deal with this, both the personal and the rest. I know my uncle is not a good man but . . .”

“He is good to you.”

“Yes, and I can use that to advantage, for both my own situation and that of the people of the bay. If I cannot change his mind, then . . .” Her eyes twinkle. “With Nicolas gone, there is an opening for a new Robin Hood of the Bay.”

I lean in to kiss her cheek. “And you would fill it admirably.”

Of course, we will not skip off, leaving poor Emily to clean up the mess. However, I am a strong believer in allowing people to at least attempt to accomplish difficult things on their own, particularly if they are women, too often raised to consider themselves incapable of such achievements.

Emily and Nicolas have discussed a plan of action, and she wishes to attempt it independently, and so we will leave her to that, returning to check on her later, lest she find herself in trouble. I doubt she will. Her uncle is devoted to her—I saw that firsthand. She will be that soft voice in his ear, guiding him to make better choices. While I doubt she will be able to persuade him to make choices for philanthropic reasons, I’m sure he can be persuaded to make ones that will not land him on a gallows for treason.