“Yes, I did. And yes, they did.”
Darcy saw Elizabeth’s lovely face in his mind, so vibrant, so alive. What would she think when she saw him like this? Pale, weak, barely able to stand? He had imagined meeting her in an exotic port, presenting himself as her protector, not as an invalid who could not manage a sea voyage.
“Fortunately, Captain Shanklin plans to stop in Porto for a few days before Gibraltar. As it so happens, theMary Catherineis doing the same.” Richard was sympathetic. “Darcy, seasickness is usually temporary. Your character is not. When we reach port, you will be yourself again. Concentrate on that.”
“What if we do not catch them in Portugal? What if Wickham reaches her first?”
“We will deal with that if it happens.” His cousinspoke with calm authority. “Tormenting yourself over what may or may not lie ahead serves no purpose. Rest now and regain your strength.”
When Richard left the cabin, Darcy stared at the bunk above, listening to the creak of the rigging and the endless rush of water against the hull. Somewhere ahead on theMary Catherine, Elizabeth was being tossed about in these same waves. Would he catch up with her soon? And when he did, would she even recognize the man this cursed voyage had made of him?
When Darcy had made his travel arrangements, he learned theMeridianwas not the only ship setting sail for Gibraltar that day. Since Wickham had been on the docks, he might have booked passage on the other ship, and if it were a faster vessel, he would reach port ahead of them. The man who had once been his childhood friend was now his greatest enemy, and Elizabeth was caught between them. Despite Richard’s words, Darcy worried.
He closed his eyes and tried to summon the strength he would need for the battles ahead. First, he had to survive long enough to reach calmer seas. Then he would protect the woman he loved from a man who sought to destroy him.
Four days into their voyage,Elizabeth remained in the cabin with her father, who was beginning to find his sea legs. Only on rare occasions did she depart. Even then, she rarely saw anyone except Tommy.
An urgent shout from the crow’s nest shattered therelative calm of the morning. “French battleship off the port bow! Three-decker, by the look of her!”
Her father, finally able to sit upright without retching, looked at her imploringly. “We should inquire…” he began, but Elizabeth was already moving toward the cabin door.
On deck, theMary Catherine’s crew burst into frantic motion. She found Captain Morrison standing rigidly at the wheel, his weathered face carved from stone as he studied the distant ship through his spyglass. The French vessel appeared to her as a dark smudge against the gray horizon. She could make out the distinctive three rows of gunports that marked it as a ship of the line.
“Captain Morrison.” She approached him on unsteady legs, her voice higher than intended. “Are we in danger?”
He lowered his glass. Sweat beaded on his brow despite the cool morning air. “Depends on their intentions, miss. The French Navy’s been active in these waters since the peace ended.”
Elizabeth drew comfort from her uncle’s description of Morrison. He was a self-made man who had risen from common sailor through wit and determination. He knew these waters well, and his crew would follow him into hell itself. Now, his legendary composure cracked around the edges.
“What are our options?” She knotted her fingers in her skirt. “My father would like to know.”
“Well, miss, we could run for the open sea, but she’d catch us before nightfall. French seventy-fours got twice our sail and many times our guns.” He gestured towardtheir current heading. “Or we hold our course and act like honest merchants with nothing to hide.”
“But surely if they board us…” The words stuck in her throat.
“Aye, that’s the rub of it.” Morrison wiped his palms on his coat. “They’ll want what we’re carrying, no mistake. But running would only confirm their suspicions.” He raised the spyglass again. “Better to play the part and hope they’ve bigger fish to catch.”
Throughout the long day, the battleship maintained its distance, a dark presence that never quite disappeared from view. Elizabeth was at the porthole every few minutes, her breath fogging the glass as she pressed close. She could not make herself look away for long.
When Tommy brought the evening meal, the tray shook so badly that the plates rattled against each other.
“Will they attack us in the night?” Elizabeth whispered.
The boy’s eyes darted toward the door before he leaned close. “Cap’n Morrison says the French Navy ain’t pirates, miss. They mostly follow the rules of war.” His voice dropped further. “But the lads say we be carryin’ enough powder an’ shot to supply half a’ Gibraltar. Ye might want to speak with Mrs. Bell. She’s in the galley. She’s sailed these seas an’ faced pirates an’ the French…. knows more’n I do.”
Leaving her father to attempt his meal, Elizabeth moved past Tommy to the common room and found a lovely woman of about thirty years reading a novel at one of the tables. Her facial muscles were relaxed, and she held the book lightly. With no one to introduce them, Elizabeth performed the task.
Mrs. Bell’s smile broke wide and warm. “Welcome aboard theMary Catherine.Mr. Gardiner tells me you are his favorite niece. Tommy speaks well of you. I admit that your constant care for your father over the last four days is admirable. I only saw you in passing. But I can see you are concerned about the French. Well, we all should be. They would have much to gain by taking this ship. With that said, they would also be aware that we have a few loaded cannons they would not want. I suspect thecommandantis even now calculating the odds of whether it would be worth his effort.”
Elizabeth slid onto the bench across from her and tried to emulate her companion’s easiness. “You have been in this situation before, then?”
“Too often to count. My late husband was Captain Morrison’s nephew. Once he was given a ship, I often sailed with him. Sadly, I lost him at Trafalgar,” Mrs. Bell said wistfully. She added more brightly, “I am fortunate that your uncle is such a good and fair man. He pays me to be a companion of sorts to female passengers, saving me from a life of servitude to my family. I make one or two trips a year. This keeps me from dying of ennui and fills my coffers until I shall never need to lift a needle and thread for anyone but myself.”
Her light brown hair was braided and then wound into a knot. Her gown was clean and unadorned with ruffles or lace. It was her knowing green eyes and serenity that brought a measure of calm to Elizabeth.
“How wonderful to be so pleased with your situation in life. My uncle attempted to prepare my father and me for the challenges of this journey, but I could not imagine anything other than adventure.”
Mrs. Bell’s laugh lightened her heart. “Then you and I are more alike than we are different. Without the element of danger, the joys would not seem so bright.” She reached over and patted the back of Elizabeth’s hand. “We shall get on well, I believe. For now, I suggest you find a book that might occupy your mind. I trust Captain Morrison implicitly. In time, you will as well.”
