Free To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

you. Crimson was educated at Oxford.”
    “A gentleman pirate?” She almost scoffed, but she didn’t want to offend him. To her mortification, she enjoyed talking with him. “I don’t believe you. I heard him calling out for you on the Horizon . He sounded uncouth.”
    “Playacting.”
    She waited but he said nothing else. She gave him a pointed look. “You’re not going to leave it at that, are you? So he thinks the sea is his theater, a ship nothing more than a stage?”
    “In a way I suppose he does. When we’re at sea, he dresses like a gentleman.” He dropped his gaze to her china cup. “He drinks tea. But when a ship is spotted on the horizon, he goes belowdecks and changes. When he reemerges, he’s different. His clothes are the colorful garb of a pirate. His language is coarse. He talks as though he has no education at all.”
    “You do realize he’s a madman?”
    “Depends where you’re standing.” He held her gaze. “Are you aware that pirates are a democratic lot? We elect our captains. Who elected you, m’lady?”
    “It’s my ship, my quest. Therefore, I issue the orders.” She angled her chin. “I daresay I can’t say much for the intelligence of a crew who’d elect a man such as Crimson to oversee them.”
    “He’s clever, he’s brave —”
    “He’s brutal. Is it true he drinks the blood of his victims?” She couldn’t believe she was asking.
    “Crimson once told me that the reputation for doing something can be as effective as doing it.”
    “Have you ever seen him do it?”
    He slowly shook his head. “But don’t tell a soul. Else he might decide he does have to do it.”
    “Do what?”
    They both turned at the unexpected question. Nathaniel stood there, his blond hair long enough to curl playfully beneath his tricornered hat.
    “We were just discussing Crimson Kelly and whether the rumors of his disgusting habits are true,” Annalisa told him.
    “I don’t think Sterling should have free rein of the ship,” he said sternly.
    “I’m not interested in escape, mate. At least not yet.”
    “It’s not your escape that concerns me but your ability to sabotage the ship.” He looked at Anna, holding her gaze. “I don’t trust him, Anna.”
    She nodded. “You’re right, of course. Assign someone to watch him closely, but no shackles.”
    “Kane!” Nathaniel called over his shoulder.
    The burly man stepped forward. “Aye, sir.”
    “Put Sterling to work swabbing the deck.”
    “Aye, sir. This way, mate.”
    Annalisa knew that Nathaniel had ordered the lowest form of duty for the pirate. It was an insult of the highest regard, something offered as punishment or because a man didn’t possess the skills for anything else. So she wasn’t surprised when Sterling objected.
    “This wasn’t part of our arrangement,” he said.
    “Every man on the ship pulls his weight or he goes in the brig,” Nathaniel said.
    “I provide the course.”
    “I’m not sure I trust it. You could take us in circles before we caught on.”
    “What would I gain?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Nathaniel, we all agreed to this arrangement yesterday,” she reminded him.
    “I don’t like it.”
    “Yes, well, that’s the way it is. Is there something else you needed?”
    “It’s time for your morning practice.”
    “Oh, yes, of course. I’d forgotten. Laddie!”
    A young boy stepped forward smartly, took her cup, and scurried away.
    Annalisa drew out her cutlass. She suddenly felt self-conscious with Sterling standing there, giving her a speculative look.
    “You should go down below, Sterling, to avoid getting nicked,” Nathaniel said as though reading her unease.
    Annalisa wasn’t surprised that Sterling simply crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the railing. “I’d rather stay and watch.”
    “Nathaniel’s right. The lessons can get quite vigorous.”
    “I’ll take my chances.”
    “Very well.”
    She stepped forward to the middle of the deck and took her