Page 84 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“Yes. You’ll set theLarkon fire so we can escape. After which you are rewarded with treasure.”

Marco rolled his eyes at me.

Someone had to come up with the idea. It might as well be me. My ideas stolen from the history books and loaned out for the greater good seemed responsible.

“Set a ship in my fleet afire?” He threw his head back and laughed without loosening the knife at my neck.

“It’s clearly the right answer.” I tried not to swallow in fear as the movement of my throat might cause fatal injury.

“Clearly.” Vane snickered at his men.

“You’re outgunned and outmanned. Sail theLarkunder the flag of truce toward Rogers’ blockade. At the last minute, set theLarkon fire, jump free, swim to a waiting rowboat, board theRanger, and we can be on our way.”

“Use the smoke as cover.” Rackham’s tone sounded encouraging. “Sail theRangerand theSea Stormpast Rogers’ ships. Not a bad idea.”

“I’ll no run.” Vane glared at me, pushing the blade deeper into my flesh. Warm blood trickled down my neck. Damn, that would leave a mark Jake would notice. Marco’s face went rigid, his jaw tight.

“You’re not running, kind sir.” Ace bowed to Vane as if addressing royalty. “Merely regrouping.”

“You can find the treasure and come back with enough gold to take Nassau from Rogers,” Marco added.

“I’ll man theRangerwhilst you ready theLark,” Rackham said, his tone hopeful.

Vane relaxed the blade at my throat, considering.

“Make haste,” I shrieked like some Myles Standish wannabe. “Move the crew from theLarkto theSea Storm. Time is of the essence. Nightfall approaches.”

“Take him below.” Vane motioned at Marco. “He’s mine until I have treasure in my hold.”

“Alert theSea Stormof your new vision andmyplan.” He pushed me toward the ladder leading down to the rowboat.Jeez. His plan.

Ace stepped toward me.

Vane blocked his way.

“My manservant must accompany me.” I demanded.

“Wingman,” Ace mumbled.

“He weel be on theLarkwith me, and Crunch. If anything goes amiss”—Vane pointed his blade at Ace—“he dies.”

Ace gulped. “Brilliant plan, Jen.”

Twenty-Eight

Vane deposited me back on theSea Stormand kept Marco hostage on theRanger. He took Ace and Captain Kirk with him to theLarkto aid him in “the plan.”

After a verbal flogging, first from Rowan about ditching Shrug and then from Max over his obvious dislike of me wearing a man’s stolen clothes, I’d convinced both men ofVane’sintentions.

Max had ordered me to change clothes immediately. Apparently, I smelled like “the fish in the sea.” Had he smelled his crew lately?

And didn’t either man care I had a been held at knifepoint by Commander Crazy and now had a cut across my throat? How was I going to explain that to my mother?

After a quick wash with room-temperature water, I opened the trunk I recognized from the auction. The seafoam green wedding dress was folded neatly on top. I ran my fingers over the soft fabric and sighed. One day, Max would find the right girl. I just had to keep him alive long enough to make the search. If Vane’s plan, a.k.a. my plan, went awry, Max might never have his bride or his ship.

I picked a simple burgundy cotton dress out of the trunk. Ivory lace ran along the low scoop neck. Matching pantaloons made me feel about five, but I chose them for easy maneuverability and comfort.

I examined myself in the small, mottled mirror. The dress was a bit snug, and the low neckline barely covered my nipples. Jeez. A red, crusty cut ran across my throat, so close to my jugular that I almost fainted looking at the reflection.

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