Page 109 of The Worst of Them

“You’re a fool,” Copson spat. “But if this is the mistake you wish to make, so be it. If she is your precious wife and you two are so very close, then get her to tell me what she knows.”

Jack huffed a laugh, though his humor was edged. “I don’t make her do anything. I’ve made my peace with her. If you want the same, achieve it yourself.”

“Insolent boy.” Copson faced Cecily. “I won’t play your games, girl. What do you want?”

“Respect,” she said. Now that the captain knew she was allied with Jack and had information he wanted, her nerves had cooled enough for honesty without fear of his reproach.

“Earn it,” Copson bit at her. “You endear me to you in no way by seducing my son and coercing me.”

A laugh burst from her. “Seduction and coercion? I was going to run before Jack went to such great effort to convince me otherwise. I’m under no impression that I can win your respect through charm, so I’ll play the cards I am dealt.” She stepped closer to the captain, invading his space. Her hands shook, so she set them on her hips, giving off the air of power she’d been so deft at showing in prison. “But if you’re so certain we’ve scorned you, then I’ll tell you one thing about this map. Consider it a gesture of goodwill.”

Copson held very still, his gray gaze hot enough to make her wonder if she might regret this. She probably wouldn’t.

“England,” she said. “The map is headed for England.”

His nostrils flared. “Right now?”

She didn’t answer.

He regarded her for a long moment, then the edge of his mouth lifted. “How do I know you’re not lying? Perhaps you’ve inserted yourself into my family and now wish to make me return you to England for your own purposes. Perhaps Robin didn’t tell you anything at all—he died rather quickly, didn’t he?”

“That would be clever,” she said, “if I were willing to jeopardize Jack.”

Copson looked at his son. There was no generosity or pleasure in his gaze, but Jack only leaned against the wall, staring back serenely.

“Suppose Robin lied,” the captain said.

“Maybe,” she allowed. “Though he only told me because he liked the idea of the knowledge belonging to someone you’re not overly fond of.”

When Copson’s gaze whipped back to her, she shrugged.

“Insane or not,” Jack said, “it sounds like something Robin would do.”

The captain ground his teeth. Then he swore and said to Jack, “Get the word out—we leave at dawn. I have another engagement anyway.”

Jack nodded once. “Aye, captain.”

Copson stormed off, leaving Jack and Cecily alone by Robin’s door. When he was gone, Jack swung his head toward Cecily.

“Tell me there’s really a map,” he said, having lost his ease from a moment ago. His eyes drilled into her, the lines of his face drawn into sternness.

“There’s a map,” she said, her voice low as she watched the pirates mill about. She gave a wry smile. “I told the truth. Just not all of it.”

Shoving a hand through his hair, he sighed. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“He’ll get what he wants,” she said. “But so will I.”

Jack stared at her, then a smile broke over his lips. He pushed away from the wall. “You’ll surely irritate my father to pieces, but only for doing exactly as he would. You’re a fine Copson already.” He jerked his head toward the front of the house, bidding her to follow him.

“And you telling him our happy news,” Cecily muttered dryly. “Will we suffer more for that later?”

“Undoubtedly,” he replied. “But the most he can do about it is absolutely nothing.”

They emerged into the yard where Greyson and Hester lingered with a few others. While Cecily pulled in a lungful of fresh air, Jack set to work, parsing out orders to the crew to be back at the ship before dawn, and pass word along to any crew who weren’t present.

As Greyson and Jack had work to do to prepare for departure, Hester and Cecily set off to gather their belongings with promises they would meet the men at the ship later.

“One whole day of not despising him,” Hester said, moseying to Cecily’s side to throw an arm over her shoulders, “and it was so good you decided to marry? Bravo.” She scanned the length of Cecily’s body. “Yet you still carry yourself like a virgin. Maria will be horrified.”