“You mean they have her already?” A young, light-skinned man cursed.
“We’ll have none of that around the ladies.” Henriksen followed the young man up the gangway.
“Henri, what are you doing here?” Aunt Sidonie asked.
Jeanne jumped around. “Didn’t you hear, Mama? Marisole said Papa is still alive.”
The color drained from Aunt Sidonie’s face. “Is it true? Nathan is alive?”
Suddenly everyone was there and talking at once. Will bellowed, “Quiet! Whoever has my uncle also has Eugénie, and I need to get her back.” The noise stopped and everyone stared at him. “You, Henri, who are you and what do you know?”
Henri succinctly told them about the plan to marry Eugénie to a Frenchman.
Sidonie held her hands clasped together so tightly her knuckles turned white. “My first husband always told me never to trust his family, but I should have taken better care.”
None of that mattered now. “Which ship are they taking her to?”
“There is a galley,” Henri responded, “anchored not far from the mouth of the harbor.”
“I know the one.” Henriksen took out a spy-glass and put it to his eye. “I see her.”
“My daughter?” Sidonie’s voice was tense with fear.
“No, the ship. Wait a moment. Got Miss Eugénie. She’s in a dory heading toward the galley.” He snapped the glass shut. “My ship,Swift Wind,is ready to go, my lord. I came over here to bid everyone farewell.”
Will sent up a prayer of thanks. Getting theSong Birdready for another voyage would have taken time he didn’t have. “How soon can we set sail?”
“Half an hour. Don’t worry. We’ll catch up to her in good time. I’ve got one of the fastest ships around.” Henriksen dashed back down the gangway.
Will glanced over his shoulder at Josh. “Tell Tidwell to pack a few of my things. Marisole, do the same for your mistress. You have a quarter hour.”
“Wait a moment.” Aunt Sidonie put her hand on Will’s arm. “I’m going as well.”
“Mama,” Adelaide said, “we all want to go.”
Everyone stared once more at him. “Mr. Whitecliff, can you and your wife help Miss Penny take the children back to Wivenly House?”
“Of course, my lord.”
“Will, that’s not fair!” Valérie cried.
“I want to see Papa!” Jeanne began to cry.
“Listen to me.” Will squatted down. “We don’t know exactly where your papa is. If we have to rescue him, it may be dangerous. Having the three of you with us would only distract everyone from putting all our efforts into rescuing your papa and Eugénie. Sometimes the best way to help is by doing what you’re told.” He placed his arms around the children, pulling them into his embrace. “Promise me you’ll remain here and listen to Mr. and Mrs. Whitecliff.”
Though the girls slowly nodded, they appeared none too pleased.
Jeanne asked, “You’ll save Papa and Eugénie like you saved Charity?”
“Yes,” Will vowed to them and to himself. “You can count on it.”
Mr. Whitecliff herded the children back inside the salon.
“Will,” Andrew said, “if you’d like, Cicely and I will stay at Wivenly House and watch the children.”
“Thank you for offering, but I have something else I’d like you to do. Believe me, I hate to ask you this”—Will glanced at Cicely, hoping she’d understand—“but will you come with me? I can use someone handy with a weapon.”
Cicely’s chin firmed. “If Andrew is going then so am I. I can help as well.”
