Standing in the same spot as when she’d given him the fake clue, FitzRoy lifted his open hands. “As such, he requires an appropriate cabin, and if it wasn’t yours, it would be mine.”

And that wasn’t going to happen.

She clenched her jaw, then huffed. “You didn’t even kick me out when …” She stopped short, nostrils flaring and threw a quick look at Blackwood who stood impassively beside her.

She didn’t talk about then, and she certainly wasn’t going to mention Evered in front of him.

A flicker of a frown that looked worryingly like genuine concern crossed FitzRoy’s face. “Vice, I’m not kicking you out now. Perry’s already agreed to share her berth with you, and I’m sure Mr Blackwood will allow you to access his cabin to fetch your belongings.”

His cabin. Just like that, decision made. Vice ground her teeth.

Blackwood folded his arms, fingers resting on the biceps she now knew the feel of. Was that a deliberate flex or—but, no, the overly-smooth smile he gave was fixed on FitzRoy rather than her. “Captain Blackwood is only too happy to allow Miss—madam to enter and gather any belongings she may need.”

FitzRoy stared at the other man, unblinking, then smiled coolly. “Indeed.”

Ha, maybe he was regretting letting Blackwood on the ship after all. Well, he had no one to blame but himself—she’d tried to warn him.

“Vice,” he said, dark gaze sliding to her before finally blinking, “is there anything else?”

Dismissed. She had no say in this.

“Fine, but you owe me. What we spoke about—”

Nodding, he raised a hand. “Of course. Some fine Hesperian galleon or—no, a frigate for you, I think, yes?”

She cocked her head. That was easy. Too easy. She threw a sidelong look at Blackwood, but he gave no response. No surprise there. Cold fish.

Still, part of their remit as privateers would include the license to take cargo from Albion’s enemies, destroy their ships … or take them. And any vessel they took would need a captain.

It might not be the Venatrix, but it would be hers.

“A frigate. A fast one.” She nodded, flashed him a smile, and swept out. “Come on, Blackwood,” she threw over her shoulder, “I’ll show you my cabin.”

Striding back into the night air, Vice scowled at the handful of crewmates nearby who met her gaze, all frozen in place, eyebrows raised. News of her being evicted from her cabin must have burned through the ship like wildfire. Pursing her lips, she lifted one shoulder, confirming the gossip.

Without checking whether Blackwood followed, she threw the door to her cabin open and swept her hand towards it theatrically. “Your cabin awaits, ser.”

“Thank you,” he murmured, ducking past her with a nod.

“A pirate hunter thanking a pirate.” She scoffed and followed him inside, slamming the door. “Wonders will truly never cease.”