Her bold action had startled his friends as much as himself. They were staring at her with varying degrees of amazement.
Aurora clenched her jaw, looking calm but pale. "Did I… Is he dead?"
Nicholas bent over to relieve Gerrod of the pistol and pressed two fingers to the man's neck pulse. "No, just stunned."
His gaze lifted to Aurora. "Once again you surprise me, angel."
"You said sometimes violence was warranted," she declared, her tone defiant. "I considered this to be one of those times. He meant to shoot you."
"He did indeed." Rising to his feet, Nicholas handed the pistol to Dare, then went to Aurora. Taking the
bottle from her, he set it and his glass on the nearby table and enfolded her in his arms.
"I couldn't let him hurt you," she said fiercely, gazing up at him.
"I am very glad, sweetheart," he returned with a smile.
Just then Gerrod stirred, although he didn't wake.
"Much as I regret having to interrupt you lovers, er… Brandon," Dare drawled, "I believe we should decide what to do with our overeager friend."
"We should fetch some line to tie him," Lucian said. "I doubt he will be amenable otherwise."
"Tie him?" Dare asked, amused. "Your ingenuity amazes me."
Lucian flashed his wry half smile. "You might be surprised at the resourcefulness a man can develop when the stakes are high enough."
Releasing Aurora with reluctance, Nicholas turned to rummage in a locker and came back with a length of rope and a knife. His cousin did the honors, kneeling down to bind Gerrod's hands.
"I suppose you have a plan, Luce?" Dare remarked as Wycliff worked.
"I'll take him away and keep him hidden until our friend Brandon sails."
"What about his men?" March asked.
"I will simply order them to return to their posts. I doubt they will challenge me, especially if their captain is wearing a gag and cannot countermand me."
"Gerrod will be livid that you interfered with his duty."
"What of it? I am not about to let him deliver Nick to the hangman's noose."
"It may not come to hanging," Dare mused aloud. "Not if Nick petitions the Prince Regent for a pardon."
"Just what did you have in mind?" Nicholas asked with extreme interest.
"Buying a pardon. Pirate or not, you could no doubt convince Prinny of your innocence if you offer to fill his coffers."
"It is certainly worth a shot," Luce remarked.
He finished tying the knots just as Gerrod awakened.
Groaning, the captain raised his bound hands to his head and winced in pain. When he looked up dazedly, it was to find the Earl of Clune training his own pistol on him.
"You struck me…" Gerrod said in amazement. "You bastard… How dare you!"
"No," Aurora replied, staring down at him. "I am the one who struck you."
At the captain's astonished look, Nicholas couldn't repress a smile. "You should not have threatened me, Gerrod. My – " He stopped at the word wife, remembering the pretense he still had to maintain. "Lady Aurora is like a tigress when it comes to defending her loved ones."