The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

and Miss Pimm’s meant bars on the windows, wrought-iron fences, and a whole minefield of governesses. Whatever Miss Pimm’s girls did all day, they certainly didn’t escape.
    The corners of Mr. Smith’s mouth twitched into a smile. “As it happens,” he said, “we’re not too keen on going to Pemberton, either. We’re in a bit of a tight spot, and if you’re in a tight spot as well, we might be able to assist each other. Only if you’re willing, of course.”
    Behind Mr. Smith, Charlie sucked in his breath. “You can’t possibly be asking her ,” he said. “She’ll never agree.”
    â€œAnd why shouldn’t I agree to help people?” Hilary met Charlie’s stare until he looked down at his trouser legs. “I’m not as horrid as all that, you know. And I don’t care for this cardigan any more than you do.”
    Mr. Smith leaned forward. “So you’ll help us, then?”
    Hilary hesitated. Despite their tailcoats and clean white gloves, something about Mr. Smith and his ward seemed quite unscrupulous indeed. But a true pirate wouldn’t be afraid of these gentlemen, and a true pirate would do whatever it took to avoid Miss Pimm’s. “I could certainly use some help,” said Hilary, “but I’m not sure what I can give you in return.” She thought for a moment. “Do you like egg sandwiches?”
    Mr. Smith looked almost embarrassed. “Actually,” he said, “we’re both rather exhausted, and we hoped you might help us with some magic.”
    Inside the canvas bag, the gargoyle began to tremble, and Hilary held him close. As if being shipped off to finishing school were not infuriating enough! If Mr. Smith thought he could lay a single gloved finger on the gargoyle’s granite ears, he was terribly mistaken. “Do you think I am the Enchantress of the Northlands, Mr. Smith?” she said. “I haven’t got any magic, not an ounce. And I don’t know the first thing about using it.”
    Mr. Smith fumbled in his pocket. “I think you misunderstand—”
    â€œI understand perfectly. If you’re trying to steal magic from me, you’re wasting your time.”
    â€œI knew it,” said Charlie. “We’d better find someone else to ask before she calls the guards on us.” He looked straight at Hilary. “You High Society girls are all the same, aren’t you?”
    Before Hilary could reply that she was not a High Society girl but a pirate—or very nearly a pirate, at any rate—a great screeching noise filled the carriage, and the train rattled to a stop. Hilary was almost thrown to the floor, but Mr. Smith reached out with an elegant arm and steadied her.
    â€œThat’s odd,” he said, once the screeching noise had died away. “We can’t have reached Pemberton yet.” He walked briskly to a window and peered out. “Ah. That explains it. Magic or not, my lad, I believe this is our stop.”
    The train had come to a halt in the middle of a meadow. There was no station in sight, and Hilary couldn’t even make out any towns in the distance. Along the train tracks, however, stood a row of stern-faced men dressed identically in red jackets and gray trousers. A mud-splashed carriage painted with the queen’s emblem waited behind them.
    Hilary stared at Mr. Smith. “Whatever are the queen’s inspectors doing here?”
    â€œDid I mention,” said Mr. Smith, “that we were in a bit of a tight spot? Yes, I’m fairly sure I did. I rather hoped we’d be magicked away before they caught up to us.” He put his arm around Charlie’s shoulder. “But now I’m afraid we must rely on our manners.”
    With a great deal of boot stomping, the queen’s inspectors filed into the carriage. They hardly bothered to look at Hilary, but they paused when they caught sight of Mr.