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‘I had to experience the whole of sailing, according to Ben,’ he said. ‘Steering the vessel wasn’t so bad. But after working the sails, my arms ached as if I had lifted the masts. The first time I climbed the ratlines, my heart pounded in my ears so loud I could not hear the instructions shouted from below. When I put my feet back on deck, I acted as if I could do it over and over. I didn’t worry I’d end up swimming if I fell, but missing the water and damaging the deck. If I did, Ben would insist I scrub my blood from his precious ship.’
She moved to the sofa and turned back to him. ‘I’m just thankful Ludgate wasn’t along—the three of you would have surely overturned the boat.’
The caring in her eyes comforted him. He’d known Daphne so long and they shared truths that bound them. She’d loved Cassandra, yet she saw her sister’s flaws just as he had eventually.
He shrugged. ‘Never again. Ben’s the mermaid hunter, not me.’
Ludgate’s laugh bounced from the walls. His crutch wobbled and he followed his wife to the sofa. He used the wood as a balance, lowering himself to sit. The tool had been a part of his life since a childhood accident where he’d fallen from a roof. Ludgate seemed no more aware of the stick than he was of his own fingers. In fact, he used the aid as another extremity.
‘Been thinking of investing in a ship myself—though I don’t have a brother to sail for me, of course,’ Ludgate said. ‘Wanted your opinion.’
‘One.’ Warrington held up a finger. ‘Don’t.’
Daphne leaned forward, her voice a whisper. ‘So dangerous. I cannot imagine.’
‘Truly, I am pleased to keep my feet dry. Don’t know how I let myself get talked into it.’ Warrington made himself comfortable on the facing sofa. He shook his head. ‘We saw no mermaids and everyone looks like a sea monster after anything longer than a fortnight from England. Except, of course, Ben. He kept himself dandified. He is more at peace on Ascalon than he will ever be on land.’
Warrington paused. Of course, he was pleased to see Daphne and Ludgate, but this visit had none of the familiarity of before. He felt as if he were talking with two people he had just met at a dinner party and didn’t quite know if he liked them or not. Ludgate kept looking around the room and Daphne’s jaw appeared clenched. Perhaps she suspected he had a question for her.
‘You surely favoured some of it?’ Ludgate asked.
Warrington smiled. ‘It will take a bigger man than Ben to get me from land again. I’ve had enough sea air—everything still tastes like salt to me.’ He made a face as if he had a mouthful of ocean water.
Ludgate chuckled. ‘Can’t be that terrible if you two youngsters can tolerate it.’ He balanced his crutch across his knees.
‘We barely survived. Had a fire when the ship rolled a bit and the bail of a lantern slipped loose from its mooring. The liquid flamed about. I didn’t expect when I departed on the journey I’d be bobbing around in a wooden bowl coated in a resin to keep it watertight—resin that just happens to be easy to ignite, especially with a lantern dashed on to it. Nothing matters once the fire starts—but putting it out. If I had any chance of liking the sea, it burned to ash in the blaze. After that, I decided if I had the need to sail again, I’d reside at Newgate for a while. Same luxuries—without the chance of drowning, or burning to death.’
‘It cannot be as bad as that.’ Ludgate patted a rhythm on his crutch. ‘Adventure at sea.’
Warrington shut his eyes. ‘Misadventure at sea. Not even a good place for ships to be.’
Daphne shook her head, ear bobs dangling, a teasing gleam in her eyes. ‘I think Ludgate should go before the mast if he wishes. Then he would truly know if he enjoys it. Maybe a short trip first, of course.’
‘No trip at sea is short unless you go gills up.’ Warrington nodded. ‘The first day is not terrible. The novelty. But the suffering grows with the days. Your clothing turns to a board from the salt mists drying on the garments. Your face burns from the wind and your hair tangles over your eyes. You listen to the everlasting groans of the ship—the vessel complains, as well.’ He put an arm along the back of the sofa, trying to relax. ‘Ben didn’t even consider it a concern when a wave slammed him into a spar and nearly knocked him over the side.’
Daphne leaned forward, eyes wide and her glove touching her cheek. ‘He is well?’
‘He will be. I’d rue the day I bought the ship with him, but better for him to be sailing on a vessel he knows than risking a rotted one.’ Warrington grimaced and stood, walking to the decanter.
