“Yes.” Ashley stared at his hands, his sculpted nostrils pulsing. “One of the many reasons Priest wishes to cut out my liver.” He paced to the unlit fireplace and braced his forearms against the mantle, his gaze on the floor. “That night in Nassau, I saw him in the tavern. You weren’t with him.”

“She went back to the ship to check on the crew,” Priest said. “While I waited for her ashore, I had a dram of rum. It was a stroke of luck that you spotted me.”

“A coincidence I can’t bring myself to regret.” Ashley’s broad, powerful shoulders rose and fell. “It had been two years since we last saw each other.”

“I remember.”

Ashley turned back to me. “Since he was a known pirate and I was a naval officer, we couldn’t be seen together. I discreetly told him where I was staying so we could have a private visit.”

“A private visit?” I blew a harsh sound through my nose. “You mean a visit of flesh.”

“No.” Priest leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and met my eyes. “Ashley and I have been close mates since childhood. Our relationship isn’t carnal at its foundation. When I went to him that night, I did it in secrecy out of concern for his association with me—an outlaw. Not because I intended to bed him.”

“You could’ve told me.” I straightened, frustration rising. “We were married. You should have trusted me enough to say where you were going and who you were with.”

“I gave him my word, Bennett. Long before I met you, I vowed to him that I would never tell a soul about our relationship. Same vow I made to you. I kept our marriage a secret, protecting you, just like we agreed.” A muscle bounced in his cheek. “Then I broke that vow on Eleuthera when I told Ashley you’re my wife.”

Fine. I was a reasonable woman. Reasonable enough to appreciate, albeit angrily, his reasons for the secrecy. He hadn’t tried to be malicious or deceitful. He’d only meant to keep Ashley and me safe.

“But,” I said, “you broke your marriage vow when you bedded Ashley in Nassau. Do you not see it that way?”

“Aye. I do.” Guilt drew up his shoulders as he glanced at Ashley and returned to me. “He and I spent hours talking that night, catching up. Like he said, two years had separated us. But when the conversation ended, I walked to the door, prepared to leave…”

“I told you to go.” Ashley leaned against the mantle with his arms crossed, the hint of a frown bleeding through his stoicism.

“You didn’t mean it.”

“No. Of course, I didn’t want you to leave. I missed you terribly and had no idea you were married. Regardless, what we did was reckless. It’s still reckless.”