Trembling, I gathered the hem of Ashley’s shirt high on my legs so that it wouldn’t hinder my movements if I needed to fight. Then I waited.

The door to the hatch closed, and footsteps descended into the hold. One man.

“My lord? What are you—?” His unfamiliar voice gasped and stuttered with the stumble of his boots. “Is that—? Pray, sir, put your hands where I can see them!”

I peered around the barrel, and my heart turned keel-up.

A head taller, the soldier towered over Ashley, holding a cocked pistol to Ashley’s head. The man was bigger, probably stronger than Ashley. But he trembled so miserably his finger bounced against the trigger.

Ashley’s face was one sneeze away from looking like the admiral’s.

He didn’t move. Didn’t appear to be breathing. His aristocratic mien smoothed his features, his unfeeling voice showing no traces of fear or guilt. “Lower your gun, Sergeant, and I’ll enlighten you on the situation.”

There was no explaining this. The blood of three officers coated his face. He murdered an admiral of the Royal Navy, for Christ’s sake.

“Do not presume to give me orders.” The sergeant stiffened his stance. “Your privileges are presently revoked, by God! Where is the prisoner?”

A chill hit my core.

“In the compartment behind me.” Ashley cocked his head. “Did you know the admiral was raping her?”

Oh, no, Ashley. Let it go.

“She’s a pirate. And you, sir, are a murderer.” The sergeant craned his neck, trying to see into the darkness. “Miss Sharp? Come out, if you please.”

“She’s gagged and shackled. See for yourself.”

“You first.” The soldier thrust his chin. “Go on.”

Perhaps Ashley had this under control. But perhaps wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t leave his survival to chance.

Rising slowly, silently, I curled my fingers around the daggers and sneaked up behind the sergeant. Ashley didn’t glance at me as he stepped backward, following the soldier’s orders.

Together, they shuffled into the tenebrous hole. When the soldier coughed, distracted by the stench, I charged.

Blades out, I swung them with all my strength. The steel slid easily into either side of the man’s neck, the tender flesh giving little resistance. A gurgling sound bubbled from his mouth. Warm blood spurted over my fingers, and Ashley caught the waving pistol, wrenching it away.

The man dropped. I pulled the daggers free and heaved a shivering exhale.

Another soldier dead. Another body to hide.

“Thank you.” Ashley’s gaze latched onto mine.

I nodded, breathing heavily. “You were saying…”

“My plan was to acquire clean frocks and breeches.” He stepped to a bucket of water and washed his face. “If we lure two soldiers down here and subdue them without bleeding them”—he cast me a narrowed look—“we can walk out wearing disguises.”

“Oh.” I grimaced at the gore saturating the sergeant’s frock. Blast it.