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easily had been all he’d needed to know.
    “I never heard the details. I was gone by then.”
    “Well, obviously he thought enough of you to send her your way. Is that why you’re doing this?”
    “I’m not doing that man any favors. And as I told you earlier, I’d already said no to her. But now that she’s here”—he shrugged his shoulders—“I just want to get rid of her. Taking her where she needs to go seems the fastest way to do that.”
    Vincent turned to Nate, his smile so wide, his eyes nearly vanished into his cheeks.
    “I’m not buying that pile of dung, are you?”
    Nate, at least, tried to hide his grin behind one of his large hands. “Not for a second,” he answered. “Besides, he nearly bit my head off when I told him I’d spoken to her in the galley.”
    “I did not,” Blake argued.
    “Yes, you did.”
    Blake shook his head, but he didn’t argue any further. He did, however, cast a glance down the deck, but Alicia remained on her back, unaware they were discussing her.
    “He can’t take his eyes off her,” Vincent teased. “It’s that chivalrous nature coming out again. The maiden needs help and our Blake is riding in to save her.”
    “Remind me to give you more duties, Vincent. It’ll give you less time to wag your tongue.”
    “It would take more than that,” Nate chuckled.
    Blake smiled at Nate, relieved the tension he’d felt earlier was gone. They’d been through too much to have a girl—or woman—come between them.
    Vincent ignored the insult. “What is she like?” he asked Nate.
    “I’ll tell you later,” he said, grinning. Then, standing, he set a reassuring hand on Blake’s shoulder. “If you need any help dealing with her tonight, I’d be more than willing to give you a hand.”
    Blake watched Nate’s long strides carry him to the main hatch. He knew Nate had said that last remark deliberately to taunt him and he was trying very hard to pretend it hadn’t worked. He knew he wasn’t successful by the mirth shaking Vincent’s shoulders as he laughed silently.
    “Go ahead, I know there’s something left you’re itching to say.”
    “Not me,” Vincent answered. Still it took a few minutes before his humor died and he turned serious.
    “Port Royal holds bitter memories for you.”
    Blake didn’t bother answering. They’d known when he’d gone to Port Royal for Jacob’s burial that Blake wasn’t happy to be there.
    “You’ve never said why, but Alicia plays a role in that, am I correct?”
    Blake pressed a hand to his eye. “Not to the extent you think she does.”
    “But she’s involved?”
    “Yes.”
    “And she doesn’t remember that either?”
    Blake shook his head.
    “Then perhaps you should tell her.”
    “Why, for God’s sake, would I want to do that?” Blake argued.
    “Because I think you have the notion that if you take Alicia to St. Kitts, you will not only be free of her but also free of the memories you’re trying to forget.”
    With a last considering look, Vincent, too, slipped under the main hatch.
    Left alone again, Blake returned to the helm and grasped the wheel tightly. His thoughts churned. He didn’t want to talk to Alicia about her precious father. He’d left Port Royal behind for a reason and he didn’t see the need to address that reason now. What purpose would it serve? The man was dead, after all. A little late to go back for explanations and apologies. And too damn late to change the past.
    Blake was honest enough with himself to acknowledge the knot that settled in his chest was one of regret. He didn’t like it, knew the man didn’t deserve it, but it was there as surely as the smooth wood was in his hands.
    Alicia moved then, walked to the bow. In the moonlight her shirt glowed, reminding him of Nate’s words—and Blake’s reaction to them—that she was virginal. She reached for her braid and with deft fingers uncoiled the length of hair until it was a shiny enticement flowing down her back. In