Ethan struggled against his captors. “More lies! The pox on ye, wench! How dare ye smear me good name.”

Kennan shifted his fists to his hips. “How many aboard have not heard this man spew bile? I ken he’s whispered in your ears about mutiny and he’s cheated a few of you at dice as well.”

“Aye,” came the rumbles from the crowd.

“Ethan Crowder, I deem you guilty as charged. And no longer a member of this crew.” Kennan turned to Divana. “Shall I put him in irons and let him keep company with Mr. Vane until the pair of them swing from the gallows?”

“Nay.” She looked across to the isle. “Give him a barrel filled with stores and utensils, a few good blankets, and a shove. Then let him ponder his misdeeds in Hades for a time.”

The man’s eyes grew enormous with fear. “Ye cannot abandon me on a deserted isle. I’ll starve!”

“Would you rather swing from Fort William’s gallows?” asked Cuthbert.

“’Tisn’t so bad especially if ye have a shovel to dig for clams.” Divana brushed her fingers on the rail. “After all, I survived on Hyskeir for two years, and there the winters are fierce and summer lasts but a sennight. Hades would be an improvement over that.”

Kennan took her fingers and kissed them. “I reckon you’re right, m’lady. Cuthbert, I’ll leave it to you to sink the wherry—after all, we cannot make it easy for him to escape.”

Would Ethan survive his punishment? Most likely. Eventually a ship would drop anchor off this isle, but whether they saw fit to take him aboard would depend on how well the scoundrel had learned his lesson.

Chapter Thirty-Three

It took three weeks of days with excellent wind to sail back to Scotland. Three weeks of utter bliss. Kennan treated Divana like a queen throughout the entire journey, her every need catered to. She laughed as he balked when she set out to dust the cabin. God forbid she try to pick up a mop or set foot in the galley, lest the captain accuse her of anarchy. After all, she was a lady now—a member of the gentry.

Her trepidation grew after they disembarked at Loch Eil and worsened throughout the hour’s ride to Achnacarry. It didn’t help that Kennan had grown quiet as well.

“Are ye certain I look presentable?” Divana asked when they rode through the gateway into Achnacarry’s courtyard. She smoothed her trembling hands over the skirts of the blue gown Kennan had purchased at the shop in Nassau.

He helped her down from her mount. “You’re the bonniest woman within a hundred miles.”

She tucked an errant lock of hair beneath her new bonnet and gave him a nervous smile. “Only a hundred?”

Tweaking her nose, he took her hand. “Bonniest in all my travels, I’ll say.”

Together they climbed the stairs toward the keep. “Let me speak to my father.”

“I hope he doesn’t cast me out.”

“He won’t. But if he tries, he’ll be casting me out as well.”