Was she the bloodthirsty murderer from the Naval reports, the villain who’d looked ready to cut him down on the deck of The Morrigan less than two weeks ago? Or was she the woman who looked after the ship’s cat, did favours for her crewmates, and was greeted with warmth and open arms by every trader in Nassau?

There was no way she could be both.

The stories about Lady Vice had started over two years ago, when he was on the Duke’s flagship, so The Morrigan’s crew had to know her well. So far, he’d spoken to Wynn and Effie, the sisters he’d shown some knots to, but they’d only sung Vee’s praises. He detected some hero-worship there.

Perhaps one of the men would give him a more neutral account.

In fact, Aedan, the man from Vee’s boarding party, worked several feet away. His brawny arms strained against the mainmast’s lines as he pulled them taut and tied a knot before coiling the ends. Tattoos across his knuckles read that common sailor phrase—HOLD FAST. He could’ve been any able seaman on a naval vessel. Between his work, he kept glancing over the side with a small smile.

Knigh slipped in beside him, working another line. “Good morning,” he said with that same casual nod he’d seen the rest of the crew use with each other.

Aedan grinned. “A very good morning.” He raised his eyebrows and jerked his chin towards the water.

Frowning, Knigh peered over.

The crew had rigged a sail over the side, forming a shallow pool for bathing. Naval vessels did the same in the warmer tropical waters. It kept anyone who couldn’t swim safe from drowning and stopped sharks reaching the bathers.

Half a dozen naked men ducked and scrubbed. Perhaps he would take a—

A woman rose from under the water, back to him, long, dark hair unmistakable. Nakedness unmistakable.

The breath caught in Knigh’s throat, and his heart took up a quick beat.

Despite the men around her, Vee shook the water off, reaching back to squeeze out her hair. He could only see her arms, that near-black hair, the curve of her back, and the two dimples just above her rear, which itself disappeared below the water. The other men, though, they’d be getting a full view.

And she didn’t seem to care.

“What’s got your tongue?” Aedan leant close. They were the same height, so he could easily follow Knigh’s gaze before he tore it away. “Ah.” Aedan chuckled and rubbed his chin, blue eyes staying on Vee. “I suppose the lasses you mix with don’t parade about like ours, eh? Vice especially doesn’t give a damn, so get used to seeing her naked.”

“So I see,” Knigh said, voice coming out hoarse.