I saw the writing all over the wall. He was fishing, hunting for clues about his target. How well did I know the infamous Priest Farrell? Well enough to provide a list of weaknesses, habits, favorite ports, and haunts?

Why yes, I knew him better than anyone. And I just so happened to be wearing his shirt. Because I loved the traitorous bastard.

Unfortunately for me, I would choose endless torture and certain death before I ousted him.

“That feral pirate never beds the same woman twice.” I shrugged carelessly and moved away from Ashley’s grip on my backside. “I was lucky enough to have him all to myself for an entire night.”

I’d had him for a year. Sadly, during my time with him, I hadn’t truly had him to myself.

“Where is he now?”

“That depends.” I stretched my mouth into a yawn.

“On?”

“Is he your next target?”

“Yes.”

“If you go after him, what happens to me and the forty pirates in your hold?”

“You’re free to roam the ship, and I’ll arrange limited exercise and fresh air for the others. They won’t perish if I extend the voyage a little longer.”

Perfect.

“Hm.” I folded my arms across my chest and tapped my lips, toying with him.

“You’re trying my patience, woman.”

“Fine. If I tell you what I know, what do I get in return?”

“I can’t grant you a pardon.”

In 1717, King George issued a proclamation that granted a full pardon to pirates who surrendered themselves to any governor in the colonies. I hadn’t wanted it then. I hadn’t wanted it when the king reissued his pardon in 1718. And now, three years later, the opportunity was gone.

Well, fair riddance. I would hang myself before I traded my vivacious livelihood for a spiritless existence of conformity.

“For your assistance in this matter, you shall receive a reward.” He pointed at one of the royal proclamations on the wall.

Persons who willfully and obstinately persist in their piracies, robberies, and outrageous practices shall be pursued with the utmost severity, and with the greatest rigor that may be, until they and all of them be utterly suppressed and destroyed.

If any person shall discover any other person concerned in the said heinous offenses, above mentioned, so that he or they may be apprehended and brought to justice, such discoverer shall have and receive the sum of one-hundred pounds.

The decree went on to state that pirates themselves would be awarded two-hundred pounds for turning in their own captains.

That amount of coin would provide a luxurious retirement in the West Indies. Yet none of my crewmates had been tempted. If and when I escaped Lord Cutler and recovered my compass, I would find my father’s treasure and reward my men for their loyalty.

Until then…