Fortunately, before the conversation could go further, her brother’s butler announced dinner, and Eugénie steered the conversation to safer ground. “You asked what we will do next.” She waited until Will held her chair and lowered herself gracefully into it. “If it is the two of them, and we do not have to worry about other family members Lettsome might be using as weapons, I shall write to a friend of mine who is from Tortola and is a member of our group.” She placed her hand on Will’s arm. “I have had an opportunity to speak with the Duchess of Wharton, and she has expressed an interest in our cause and might be able to assist us as well.”
They were in the smaller family dining room, which had a round table. Will sat next to her and Frits next to Adeline. She sipped the chilled white wine that had been poured. “What will she do?”
“Aside from having a great deal of information and contacts on Tortola,” her sister-in-law smiled, “she can also help to arrange for employment and sometimes training in a new profession.”
“Isn’t she also invested in a shipping company?” Frits asked.
Eugénie glanced at him sharply. “That is not at all well known.”
He shrugged. “All ships must have repairs. It’s the nature of the business. I own a shipyard.”
Good Lord! What did he not own? Adeline could not help but hear how wealthy he was. Although, she’d had no idea of the details. “Why?”
“As I said, all ships require maintenance. Once we had the ships, it made more sense to my grandfather to buy a shipyard than to pay someone else.”
It made sense to her as well. “And you work on other ships as well.”
“Yes.” He smiled. “It keeps us busy when our ships are out.”
Dessert in the form of fruit and cheese had been set on the table when the butler came into the room. “My lady, our guest has arrived. Shall I fetch Peter?”
Eugénie held an orange in her hand. “Not yet. Has she eaten?”
“I do not know. I shall ask, and if she has not, shall we feed her first?”
“Yes, please. Then we shall meet her in the”—she furrowed her brow—“the small drawing room. It is more confortable.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Adeline had taken some strawberries and cheese, but now was not hungry.
“You might as well finish,” Frits said. “She probably didn’t dine before coming here.”
“Of course.” She applied herself to eating what she had taken, and waiting.
Finally, her sister-in-law rose. “Do you gentlemen wish to remain here?”
Frits stood, and pulled out Adeline’s chair. “I do not.”
“You just don’t want to miss anything.” Will pushed back his chair. “We shall accompany you, my love.”
They followed Will and Eugénie to a room next to the morning room, which Adeline had never seen before. It was decorated in light greens, blues, and creams. A flower-patterned silk covered the walls, and the same pattern was used for the curtains, that were closed. However, dozens of candles brightened the room. And, although it was not cold, a fire had been lit. It was cozy. Just the sort of place one could feel free to talk. Will poured four glasses of wine and handed one to Eugénie. Adeline had never noticed before how he always took care of his wife first.
Frits took two glasses and handed one to Adeline. “Now we wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Adeline took the glass Frits proffered and swirled it before taking a sip. “I hope it is not too long.” She had heard about the rescues and settling of former slaves, but she had never been a part of the planning before. “You mentioned Lettsome might have some hold over Peter’s mother.”
“I did,” her sister-in-law said. “If that is the case, we will find a way to rescue them as well.”
Frits’s forehead creased. “Do you ever fail?”
“Non.” Eugénie’s eyes met his. “We cannot afford to be unsuccessful. Fortunately, we have people living in the British West Indies who assist us.”
“The duchess’s family?” Adeline asked. She knew Anna Wharton’s father had married a mulatto lady, and they had several grown children.
“Among others.” Eugénie glanced at the clock. “I will wager she has seen Peter. My staff is very softhearted.”
