Adelaide’s face contorted in anger. How dare he suggest trickery on her part? Any ship’s captain ought to have brains enough to know to keep a constant look out posted, and if his lookout couldn’t see through a sheet of fog was no fault of her own. But she didn’t speak again.<br/><br/>Gareth had come alongside her and clapped his big hand down on her shoulder. “Alright, Missy, you’ve said your part.” And then in a lower voice, still loud enough that the other men could hear, he said, “And you can count on lashings when we return for your cheek in crossing first.”<br/><br/>They had a game they often played, especially when capturing ships. Adelaide would hand over power to Gareth-trusting he wouldn’t abuse it-while she worked surreptitiously as a simple deckhand. Or, in circumstances such as this, a proven crewmember. Gareth cast her a glance that she returned with a sharp glare. Later she’d slap his back and laugh at his threats but for now, she had to play the chastised subordinate.<br/><br/>“You, girl, and you two” Gareth gestured to two other men who were armed with rapiers and muskets, “Search the ship for any crew who might be hiding. And any spoils. Let’s see what these bilge rats are hiding in their cellars.”<br/><br/>He had no sooner issued the order, than Adelaide was rushing across the deck and down to the lower level into a room that was lined with a couple of cells. The bars on the cells were rusted and starting to rot, and all of them were closed-except for one. In that one, a man sat tied to a chair, looking terribly forlorn. It made her grin. So this was their accomplice.<br/><br/>She strode into the cell in a surprisingly casual manner. “Well, what could you have done so bad to be left tied up down here while the ship sinks around you?” She arched her brows curiously as she observed him. He was in good form, even for the blood that ran down his cheek to his chin. His face was purpled with bruises, and yet it was clear that cleaned up he would be stunningly handsome. If she cared about that sort of thing.<br/><br/>A smug grin played at her lips as she circled the chair he was in. “Although if I had to guess, finding you like this, you’d have to be the fool who’s been tossing goods over the side of the ship. Really, what treachery. Your king must be so proud of you. Although I don’t know what you imagined it could have gained you. If you’re callous enough to turn coat on your own country, why on earth would we expect anything more?” And then she kneeled down before him and took his chin in her fingers. “A pretty little thing like you will make a fine addition to my Captain’s collection. But I supposed we’d better get you untied so you don’t drown.”<br/><br/>Adelaide moved behind him and worked on his bindings. They were tied in a simple shackle know but they were well done and tight so that by the time she had freed them, her fingers were raw and blood rushed to the surface. But instead of worry over them, she wiped her hands on her pants and drew her blade. “Come on then, and be quick about it so I don’t change my mind about saving you. It’d be a pity to have to hand you my gun and run my sword through that lovely face on the principle that you were armed.”