That was still one problem he needed to deal with. He’d prepared a report to send back to the Admiralty, recommending they make Vee a privateer rather than arrest her. That was a start, and the contact who’d delivered FitzRoy’s original message was here in Nassau, ready to take the report back to Albion. The contact was due to leave first thing in the morning. They were scheduled to arrive in Albion before The Morrigan, in plenty of time to warn the Admiralty to be ready.

But Knigh still hadn’t had the talk with FitzRoy. There was no more delaying it—they’d be leaving for Albion within the week, once they’d stocked up for the voyage. He had to speak to the man tonight.

He sighed. That would be fun.

Vee raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him. “Something wrong?”

Shaking his head, he scoffed. She was the one who’d spent the morning festering on the idea of her crewmates knowing she’d spent the night in his cabin. “Not with me, no, but you’ve been as tetchy as a sabrecat with toothache.”

She blinked, gaze drifting away. “Hmm, I suppose I have, haven’t I?”

“Just a touch.”

Laughing, she shook her head and nudged him with her elbow. “Sometimes I think I preferred it when you were Mr Control and didn’t make any jokes.”

“I can bring him back if you like?” He arched an eyebrow. “Of course, he doesn’t tend to entertain women in his cabin—that’s far too wanton behaviour.”

Her mouth twisted to one side and she cocked her head, narrowed eyes looking up thoughtfully. “Hmm … On second thoughts, I think I can put up with your sarcasm, even when it is at my expense.” She grinned and closed the gap she’d kept between them, her arm against his as they strolled on.

Making her laugh at herself—and at him—seemed to have done the trick, because by the time they reached the grocer’s they were chatting, teasing, flirting, laughing as usual, her easy smile back in place.

They went from shop to shop, stocking The Morrigan ready for the voyage back to Albion, as well as picking up personal items at a much-reduced rate for the crew. Again, the storekeeps had warm welcomes for them both—hugs for Vee and shoulder-slapping handshakes for Knigh when they recognised him from last time.

“Back again,” the brawny timber merchant near the edge of town said when they walked in. Once he’d given the usual greeting, wrapping Vee in a bear-hug, he looked from her to Knigh and back again, eyebrows raised. “You know what, Vice? I always secretly thought you’d end up with me, but”—he gave an exaggerated shake of his head, lifting one shoulder—“I don’t mind losing out when the two of you make such a bloody handsome couple.”