Charlisse squared her shoulders and returned Royce's challenging glare.
Shifting his stance, he chewed his tobacco then spit a black glob onto the deck. "What's it to me if ye takes a boat? I reckon I can help ye lower it."
"That's more like it," she said in a gruff voice as Rusty popped above deck, brandishing two brass-tipped pistols.
Thanking him, she grabbed them. "Rusty, help Royce with the boat."
"What are you going to do?" Isabel rushed to her.
"Find Sloane." Charlisse stuffed one of the pistols into the sash of her gown. "And ask him why Merrick is not with his ship."
"Surely, you don't intend to leave me with these … pirates." Isabel gulped as she surveyed the two men working to lower the boat.