Will should have expected that. He didn’t have time to argue with her and, to be fair, it wasn’t right to separate them. “Very well. Get whatever you’re taking.” He started to leave the yacht, then stopped. “Which ship belongs to Henriksen?”
“I’ll take you there, my lord,” Henri said. “I blame myself for not keeping a better eye on the scoundrels.”
“Take the dory, my lord,” the Whitecliffs’ captain said. “TheSwift Windis already at anchor.”
“I’ll send Henri back with the boat to pick up the others.”
Less than an hour later, his ever-growing party was ensconced on board the sleekest schooner Will had ever seen, and they were heading out of the harbor. The quarters were not what he’d got used to on Whitecliff’s yacht, but it was well-appointed and had room enough for everyone. There being no on-deck salon, they all stood at the rail until Henriksen called Will up to the helm.
“I didn’t want to mention it in front of the ladies, but I’ve got guns if we need them.” Henriksen glanced out over the horizon. “You do know we have a storm coming in?”
“I’ve heard. How bad will it be?”
“I won’t know that until morning. If God’s with us, we’ll have Eugénie by then. What are you going to do about getting Nathan Wivenly back?”
Will rubbed a hand over his face. “If my wife has found out where they’re holding my uncle, we’ll rescue him. If not, then I have no problem beating the information out of the blackguards.”
Henriksen nodded. “My thoughts exactly. We’ll get along well, my lord.” He smiled. “You’re a fortunate man to have married Eugénie.”
“I am.” More than fortunate. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him. “And I have no intention of losing her.”
Will’s hand formed a fist, one he’d like to shove into a Villaret face. After which Will would find out what the hell Eugénie was thinking to go off on her own like this. He thought she trusted him to take care of her and her family. Apparently, that wasn’t true.
Eugénie kept an eye on the seas. It was clear neither of her uncles had any knowledge of the Caribbean waters or sailing. Yves had argued with the captain when he’d plotted the route over to St. John. In what could only be an attempt to humor her idiot uncle, the captain had changed course, but gradually turned them east again before heading to St. Martin. From there they would sail down the islands to Martinique.
It had not been difficult at all to convince Uncle Hervé to tell her where Papa was. Hervé honestly thought they were doing the proper thing by ensuring Eugénie and the Villaret family’s financial well-being. Yves, on the other hand, was dangerous. She’d have to make sure she was not near him when William rescued her. She would not put it past her uncle to use her to threaten her husband or kill him.
Last evening, she had pled a headache and excused herself from dining with the captain and her uncles, asking that a tray be brought to her. Perhaps if she continued to pretend she was ill, they would leave her alone. Eugénie ran a hand down her skirt. The dagger she had donned yesterday morning might come in handy after all.
She called for breakfast to be brought to her along with water for washing. As the cabin boy laid out the food, she asked if either of her uncles were awake.
“No, mademoiselle. They were up very late last night.” He tapped his head. “By the number of bottles of brandy, I do not expect to see them until much later.”
This was exactly the news she had wanted. Perhaps they had even contracted mal de mer, and would not be able to take part in the fight, if there was one.
After she’d broken her fast, Eugénie glanced in the passageway. Seeing no one, she went to the helm to ingratiate herself with the captain and find out what weapons were on board. “May I look through the telescope?”
The man smiled indulgently. “Oui, mademoiselle. Shall I show you how it works?”
She returned his smile. “There is no need. I have used one once before.”
Opening it up, she searched the sea, wondering where William was. She had not wanted to ask for a glass around her uncles. The less they knew about her sailing or other skills, the better. Finally three tall masts came in to view. The ship was moving so quickly through the water, it could only be theSwift Wind. William must have asked Mr. Henriksen to help him. Eugénie’s chest tightened with joy. Soon she’d be with her husband again, and he would find Papa.
TheSwift Windwas so close, they must have held off during the night to approach in daylight. She smiled to herself, closed up the glass, and handed it back to the captain.
“Did you see anything interesting? A whale or a mermaid perhaps?” The captain gave her a patronizing smile.
She schooled her expression into one of compete innocence and sighed. “Non, monsieur le capitaine. I see nothing but water. Thank you for its use.” She started to turn, then stopped. “Oh,pardonnez moi.” Eugénie gave him her most winsome look. “It is not that I do not trust your crew, but is there a key to my cabin I may have?”
“Oui, oui, mademoiselle. Of course.” He puffed his chest out. “There is no insult.Naturellementa young lady wishes to lock her door. If you look in my cabin, on the wall by the door, the keys are kept there.”
She widened her eyes. “Inyourcabin, monsieur?”
“Ah,oui. I understand your hesitation, but I assure you no one will bother you.”
“Merci beaucoup.”Eugénie lowered her eyes. “Perhaps I shall feel well enough to dine with all of you this evening.”
He bowed. “It would be my greatest pleasure, mademoiselle.”
