Charlisse paced across her father's cabin. The barrage of curses streaming from the pirates on deck only added to her dismay. Perspiration slid down her back with the rising of the afternoon heat. Grabbing the edge of a sheet from the bed, she dabbed her forehead and neck then slumped onto the hard mattress. She feared she was slipping into a despair so deep and dark she would never come out of it.

But what did it matter? According to Edward, Merrick was most likely already ...