It turned out Billy had used the lump sum he’d received from the Navy—topped up in secret by Knigh—to start a business with a family friend. They’d bought a ship, which Billy sailed with a few modifications for his hand and, of course, help from a skilled crew, most of whom were former Navy. They traded between Arawaké and Europa, mostly Albion, focusing on those commodities that were specialities of the respective areas. By all accounts, the business was successful and currently in the process of financing a third ship.

Billy somehow cajoled him into eating a little and to his surprise, his stomach kept the food down.

It seemed his friend genuinely was at least enjoying some prosperity. Maybe his life hadn’t been completely ruined that day Knigh had cut his hand off.

All this time, Knigh had pictured him shut away, struggling, unhappy. That thought had coiled with the anger for Father, twisting and seething into an anchor cable too heavy to raise.

A half-smile in place, he listened to Billy talking about his latest trip and how there’d been some problems with a passenger attempting to seduce him. If he wasn’t happy, he was at least not miserable.

“But here I am going on about my adventures,” Billy said, shaking his head and setting his cutlery aside. “I haven’t even asked you about your greatest one. Marriage, eh?” He chuckled and took a sip of his ale. “Tell me about the lady, then.”

Knigh’s belly flipped, threatening to bring the little he’d eaten back up. The clock on the mantlepiece said it was nearly one o’clock. “Unfortunately, I can’t linger, but I wonder if you might have the chance to meet her soon.”

Thankfully Billy had only arrived in Portsmouth the day before yesterday, so he wouldn’t recognise Vee from the reports of her trial. Not that she was recognisable at the moment. His stomach twisted again.

He would make this right.

Licking his lips, his gaze slid to the gravy and picked-at slice of pie on his plate. “She arrives in town tonight, and I was actually at the docks to try and secure our transport to Arawaké.”

He swallowed. He’d worked out the story as he’d taken stock this morning and had embellished it as he’d walked down to the docks. But saying it out loud, knowing he was lying to Billy, was a different matter entirely and the words coated his throat.

“I mean to settle her there, so she won’t be far away when I’m working.” Forcing his breaths slow and even, he chanced a look at his friend.