Kennan imagined the tall tales the lad had spun. “The isle is not but a den of thieves since the governor’s office was sacked ten years past.” Groaning, he looked to the lantern, gently swaying from its hook in the ceiling. What if she were hurt? He’d never forgive himself. “Besides, I’m nay stepping ashore for pleasure. I’ll not be stopping at the markets or bartering for cloth. I’m seeking information and that is all.”

She stepped in front of the bloody door and spread her arms as if she could stop him from leaving. “Very well, but I see no reason why I cannot tag along. I promise ye’ll hardly ken I’m about. Besides, ye might need an errand boy.”

“Not on Nassau. There’s no chance I’ll let you out of my sight amongst those slippery snakes—I wouldn’t trust a one of them.”

“Did ye say out of your sight?” She beamed—a glorious smile that made the freckles across her nose stretch and her eyes sparkle like a shallow sea. “So ye’ll let me go with ye?”

Kennan eyed her, a low growl rumbling in his throat. How was a man to resist such a face, especially when those eyes continually bewitched him?

“Have I ever given ye cause to doubt my loyalty?”

“Nay.” He tugged down the sleeves of his coat, kicking himself for being so bloody soft. “Come along, then, we haven’t much time.”

It wasn’t long before his men pulled the skiff onto the beach and Kennan hopped out with Divana and Lachie Mor. It nearly killed him not to carry her through the ankle-deep water, but bare feet and all she leaped over the side of the boat and waded to the shore with the others. Clearly, she’d taken Runner’s lessons to heart. In truth, having the cabin boy with him might make people less suspicious.

“I’ll head for the taverns,” said Lachie Mor. “See what I can uncover there.”

Kennan straightened his sword belt. “And I’ll hunt down an honest merchant in this den of thieves.”

The quartermaster snorted. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Perhaps, but I ken someone who isn’t overly fond of Jackson Vane.”

“I wish ye luck, then,” said Lachie Mor as he headed for the din of the town.

Kennan placed his hand on Divana’s shoulder and tilted his lips toward her ear. “Stay near.”

“Who are we going to see?”

“There’s a woman I can trust.”

“A woman?” Not one for hiding her emotions, Divana crossed her arms and scrunched her nose. “I thought ye said not to trust anyone here.”

He headed up the beach toward the market. To be honest, Kennan had his reservations about visiting Helen Evans for a host of reasons. “Let’s just say she hates Jackson Vane as much as I.”