If looks could kill, Nick knew he would have been skewered by Gerrod's malevolent glare.
Eventually the captain turned his angry focus to the other men in the room. "You obviously have been duped, my lords. I tell you, this man is not Brandon Deverill but a convicted pirate – "
"This stale claim is beginning to bore me," Dare remarked. "Would you like a gag for the good captain, Luce?" Drawing out a clean handkerchief, he handed it to Wycliff.
Gerrod recoiled in horror. "Damn you, you will pay for this!" he threatened. "I will charge you all with treason!"
"I doubt you'll succeed," Lucian said mildly. "You'll find that my word carries more weight with the Admiralty than yours. The navy owes me a few favors, in any case. And Lord March is considered a war hero."
Almost wildly Gerrod looked to Aurora. "You will regret it if you go with that criminal, my lady. You will be considered a fugitive in England. You will never be able to return."
She met Nicholas's gaze across the small cabin. "I don't care," she said staunchly, her blue eyes soft.
He felt joy well within him, and it was all he could do to refrain from lunging across the room and taking her in his arms.
Just then Wycliff raised the gag to the captain's mouth.
"You cannot do this!" Gerrod exclaimed, beginning to struggle.
Lucian simply grasped the captain by the throat and stared at him with narrowed eyes. "I hope you won't put me to the trouble of dispatching you to your Maker. You could easily find yourself alone at sea, with no rescue ship insight."
Immediately Gerrod ceased his struggles.
Barbaric but effective, Nick thought with satisfaction.
Gerrod looked as if he had swallowed bile.
Lucian gagged the captain, then hauled him to his feet. "We should be on our way and leave you two to prepare to sail."
"Thank you, my lord," Aurora said to Wycliff, her smile including Clune as well. "Our thanks to you both."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "For helping save his skin? You needn't thank me. I'm rather fond of the rogue. If you wish, I will make your apologies to your acquaintances for your sudden departure."
Nicholas saw Aurora's smile fade. "What is it, angel?"
"Raven… I wasn't able to say farewell. And I am apprehensive about leaving her alone in England."
He glanced at his cousin. "Will you look after Miss Kendrick for me, Luce?"
"I would be happy to."
"And I," Dare volunteered, "would be pleased to offer my services as well."
"Forgive me," Nicholas retorted, flashing a grin, "but asking you to safeguard a lady is like expecting a wolf to protect a flock of sheep."
"In this instance you have nothing to fear. I vow I will be as chaste as an elderly brother."
"If I hear anything to the contrary," Nick threatened, only half in jest, "I'll string you up by your thumbs."
"Point taken. Well then, farewell and good journey, my friend."
When the two noblemen had shepherded their prisoner from the cabin, only March was left. Nicholas watched as Aurora went to the earl and took his hand. With the softest of smiles, she raised her lips and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.
Nick found himself clenching his jaw… but he willed himself to endure it. He no longer had reason to be jealous of the nobleman, he told himself. Not when he was the one claiming Aurora as his wife.
March murmured a farewell and then fixed his gaze pointedly on Nicholas. "You had best take good care of her, Sabine, or you can be certain I will be paying you a visit in America."
"Be assured, I will guard her with my life," Nick vowed solemnly.