Damnation, Knigh had been quiet too long. He cleared his throat. “Although FitzRoy and one other are in on the plan, the rest of the crew, Vice included, believe they are privateers working for Her Majesty. I’m travelling with them to ensure compliance on their end as well as to take her in to Portsmouth myself and ensure all proceeds according to plan once there.”

At least that was the current plan. And although her guilt was printed in black and white on the arrest warrant folded in his breast pocket, black and white didn’t feel so certain as it had a couple of weeks ago.

“Portsmouth?” Mercia raised an eyebrow.

“Once they’ve taken a decent prize, they’ll return to Albion—ostensibly to present it to the Queen. However, upon arrival in Portsmouth, Vice will be arrested to stand trial immediately.”

Unless … What if he were to put in a request to the Admiralty to issue a pardon for Vee’s crimes? Would they make her a privateer with all sincerity, rather than as part of his ploy?

“And the noose will be ready for her.” The narrow smile returned to Mercia’s mouth as he nodded. “Most cunning, Villiers. That woman has been a thorn in the side of civilised society too long—the songs and stories swell with each month that passes. She’s in danger of becoming a folk hero—you can’t walk through Lunden now without hearing The Song of the Pirate Queen, you know.” His jaw tightened and the corner of his eye twitched. “I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that the crown is expecting a great deal from this mission.”

Wincing, Knigh inclined his head. Perhaps turning his plan in a new direction wouldn’t be as easy as he hoped. But at least it sounded like they were edging towards the end of this conversation.

“However”—Mercia leant in, eyebrow raised—“don’t let her charms distract you from your duty.”

Knigh froze, blinked, took a shallow breath. How had Mercia picked up on his troublesome feelings for Vee? They’d barely been in front of him for ten minutes across the whole day, and Knigh had maintained excellent control, even when Mercia hadn’t been there.

But Vee had called him ‘Knigh’ back on The Morrigan. And he’d touched her elbow just now. Lifting one shoulder, Knigh scoffed. “She’s a pretty chit, but it takes more than that to tempt me.”

“Ah, yes”—Mercia’s eyes narrowed—“Knighton Villiers, the Un-Temptable. Such a crying shame you weren’t always so in possession of your self-control, isn’t it?”

Knigh’s heart stuttered in his chest, raising the hairs on the back of his neck.