Chapter 8 Summary

As Flashy wakes up, Haslam bemoans pulling him from the water two weeks earlier. Flashy is alive only because of his ex-wife, whom Haslam has rescued—not kidnapped—from an unworthy brute who betrays her with Lade. Haslam talks of love at first sight and raves about J.B. being the bloodiest pirate of them all. Flashy realizes that Haslam's wooing is in vain, claims to understand his feelings, and insists that he is a devoted husband.

When Flashy challenges him to let Elspeth decide, a sarong-wrapped Eastern goddess walks in, with Elspeth's blue eyes and bewildered lips and flings herself at Flashy. Haslam leaves; they catch up on news, and are in the midst of sex when Elspeth reproaches Flashy for Mrs. Lade. Flashy swears that it is a lie and switches to concern over what Haslam might have done...