“Nay. I’m carting you home. If you survive the journey, you’ll stand trial on British soil.”

“No. Please,” Vane begged. “I cannot go back to England.”

“England?” Kennan chuckled. “I’ll be dumping your bones at Fort William in my beloved Scotland. From there the colonel will most likely grant you a public hanging. You’ve a month or more to ponder how you’ll shite yourself on the gallows whilst Her Majesty’s dragoons heckle from the crowd.”

When the men led Vane away, Divana approached them midship, a loaded slingshot swinging from her grip. She wore the skirt from the burgundy gown but not the garish bodice. Rather, she’d donned a linen shirt and a leather belt, the ensemble reminiscent of a pirate queen. The wind caught her red tresses and they whipped around her like fire, rendering her a fearsome woman to behold.

Kennan’s jaw twitched. Would she cast her stone and end the pirate’s life? He wouldn’t blame her if she did, even though the man was already condemned.

As Vane passed with guards on either side, she raised her chin and slapped the rock in her palm. “Ye chose the wrong path and soon ye’ll meet your end.”

Filled with pride, Kennan joined her. “Unfortunate he’s injured, else he might sell well on the auction block.”

She flicked the slingshot around, catching it in her palm again. “I’d never sell any man into bondage, especially that one.”

“Oh?”

“He’s a liar, he’s crafty and smart, and I’ve heard tell he’d kill his own mother if it would make him a farthing. Nay, the only place for Jackson Vane is Fort William’s gallows—just as ye said.”

*  *  *

Once Vane was in chains below, Kennan gathered his men. “I have an announcement to make.” He grasped Divana’s hand and pulled her beside him. “I’d like you all to formally meet my wife, Lady Cameron.”

There was an immediate uproar of gasps and laughter, and most every man on deck held forth, blurting out congratulations—except Ethan, of course. Interestingly, the man was standing off by himself. Perhaps the allies he’d claimed stood by him no longer.

Kennan returned his attention to the crowd and held up his hands for silence. “I’ve asked Cuthbert MacDonald to take command of the Silver Mermaid on the voyage home. Baltazar MacGee will act as his quartermaster, and I need at least ten volunteers to man the ship.”

A few hands went up, and with a bit of coaxing, Kennan had nine willing seamen. “Come, lads, I need one more.”