Page 64 of The Worst of Them

“It seems he didn’t.” He took her hand and shook it. “Frederick Henry.”

“Pirate?” she asked.

He nodded, then jerked his chin to Killian. “We’re with the same crew, but we’re vying for our own ships.”

Fay traipsed to Killian, who looked at Cecily with inquisitive, slightly vacant eyes. “Perhaps one day we’ll rival Copson,” he said, his voice as thin. “The next one, not the current.”

Frederick smirked. “If Jack gets his own ship by birth, we’re sure as hell going to make him earn the name.”

Greyson barked a laugh from nearby. Hester was tucked under his arm, dressed in new clothes as well, though they weren’t much different from what she’d worn previously. However, both she and Greyson seemed pleased.

“He’ll earn it well enough,” Greyson said.

“Best hope he does before we make better names for ourselves, or we’ll never let him live it down.” Frederick nodded to a thin trail through the trees. “Speakin’ of the prick, Jack’ll be late. He’ll meet us at the top.”

“Late to what?” Cecily asked as the seven of them took to the forest.

Walking behind her, Frederick said blithely, “Reconnaissance.” He offered no further explanation. “You know, a skirt might not’ve been the best choice to wear out here.”

“I can do anything as well as you can, and even better in a skirt,” Cecily said. Thankfully, the fabric swishing gloriously around her legs was thick enough to withstand brambles and twigs. “I won’t slow you down.”

Frederick snorted. “Jack said you were fiery.”

She laughed once, like she wasn’t shocked. It seemed far less extreme than the kinds of words she thought Jack might use to describe her. “What else did he say about me?”

Ahead of her, Killian turned around, walking backward as he said, “He claimed you killed six men in a night.”

“He’s preoccupied with death,” Frederick said, nodding to his friend. “We call him Killian for a reason.”

Killian’s face didn’t change as he looked at Frederick. “My mother named me.”

“Call it precognition,” Frederick said. “Must be why you and Fay get on so well. Still, Cecily, emphasis on the kill.”

“Was it really six?” Killian asked, his gaze dark with interest.

“It was,” she said with no pride or regret.

Frederick snorted again. “My first time, I only got through two before I panicked and hid.”

Killian faced forward. “I’ve never had that problem.”

“Oh, we know,” Frederick said, then mumbled, “Soulless bastard.”

“I still have half,” Killian replied woodenly.

“Oh, apologies, you half-soulless bastard.”

Cecily chuckled. Certainly if Jack had scorned her, it appeared they were kind enough to doubt him.

“Where is Jack anyway?” she asked.

“With the captain,” Frederick answered. “Trying to get information outta old Robin. But they’re not getting far—man’s gone mad and wouldn’t know where he put his trousers, let alone his treasure, and that’s only if he even had it in the first place.”

She remembered the story Stede had told her about how Robin had stolen incredible treasure from the captain’s father. “You don’t think he has Copson’s treasure?”

“You’ve gotta understand how big this haul is,” Frederick said.

“Legendary,” Killian threw back at her.