“Richard, I cannot…”
“You can, and you will.” His cousin’s jaw set with familiar stubbornness. “He is not much to look at, I will grant you, but there is no horse in England with more heart.” Richard’s hand moved to his chest, where Darcy knew a scar marked where a French saber had nearly found its mark. “If I do not make it home, I would prefer he go to someone who understands what he represents. Pemberley’s pastures would be a good place for him to retire from service.”
The gesture's magnitude hit Darcy hard. Richard was offering him a living symbol of courage, loyalty, and survival against impossible odds. “I am honored by your trust.”
Richard clapped him on the shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “That is what family is for, Cousin. Weface whatever comes together. And speaking of together, have you considered that your Miss Elizabeth is likely standing at the rail looking at the same sunset?”
Darcy gasped. He had not. But he would from now on.
The next day at sea,Elizabeth found Mrs. Bell busy in the galley again. “Do you never go up and watch the sunrise or the sunset?”
“I do.” She requested a cup of tea for Elizabeth. “However, I am careful to spend my time up there when there is little activity on deck. Each ship has its own routine. I would do nothing to interfere with the jobs Captain Morrison and his crew must perform. The few times I have been on other ships, I have had to step in, though I do it cautiously. Each ship is like its own little kingdom. The captain is to be obeyed, or the cost is dear. A hint here or there makes it more palatable for him to accept a bit of guidance. I was not a captain’s wife all those years for nothing.”
“For how many years?”
“As the youngest of three sisters, I was encouraged to marry young. I had known Garrison Bell my whole life. Although he was years older than me, whenever he was home, he shared tales of the sea that created a desire to experience the same. At twenty-eight, he received his captain’s commission and took the most convenient wife possible—me. I was eighteen. We spent almost four years together on theFlury. When I suspected I was with child,he left me ashore and ended up at Trafalgar.” She sighed deeply. “I lost him and the babe. It was a difficult time.”
The tale crushed Elizabeth’s heart. “I am grieved for you.”
“That was seven years ago, my dear. Time heals most wounds. My point was that I have been on one ship or another for over a decade. I have seen and done things that still cause me to marvel. Of course, this is not the life for every woman. But I would not change it for the world.”
Boldly, Elizabeth asked, “What about marriage?”
Mrs. Bell’s arms swept wide. “What man could compete with this? I still have the house in Portsmouth that Garrison bought for me. I have a small fortune that your uncle has invested for me in the four percents. If I married, my husband would gain everything I worked for, and he could do with it as he pleased. No, I will never marry again. I am set in my ways.”
“Then I look forward to the two of us becoming particular friends, Mrs. Bell.”
“Do call me Prudence, dear.”
“And I am Elizabeth.”
A lady with no desire to wed was an anomaly, but the idea appealed to Elizabeth. Her mother would be shocked speechless. Chuckling to herself at the thought, Elizabeth realized she might have discovered a means by which she could achieve financial independence for herself. It would ease the pressure from her parents and allow her to see more of the world.
With a new goal in mind, she asked questions.
Samples of soapfrom Elizabeth’s crates covered the galley table, alongside her graphite pencils and pastel chalks. She studied the pristine supplies her uncle had purchased in London with new optimism. The chalk felt smooth between her fingers, its colors bright and promising.
Prudence set a fresh cup of tea in front of her, the steam curling between them. “Do not give away your valuable commodities cheaply. Wait until you see a piece of art that takes your breath away, that you cannot imagine living without. Then negotiate.”
Elizabeth fingered a piece of blue chalk, considering. Prudence’s recommendation made sense. These art supplies could be traded for local artwork.
“There is another piece of information you should know before we arrive in Portugal.” Mrs. Bell moved to the doorway and called out, “Tommy, would you spare us a moment?”
The ship’s boy appeared, his usual confident swagger tempered by uncertainty as he entered the galley. Mrs. Bell beckoned him with an encouraging smile. “This youngster knows the tricks of port cities better than most grown men.”
Tommy shuffled his feet, color rising above his collar. “Beggin’ yer pardon, miss, but Mrs. Bell says I’m to teach ye about…well, about keepin’ yer belongings safe from them who’d take them.”
Elizabeth set her teacup down with a delighted clink. At Longbourn, her education had been confined to drawing rooms and libraries. This would be knowledge born of life experience.
“I am all attention.” She settled herself on a stool,arranging her skirt like an eager pupil. “Please proceed as if I know nothing at all…which is the truth.”
Tommy brightened at her obvious interest. He straightened his shoulders, adopting the manner of an instructor. “Right then, miss. The first rule is never wear any o’ yer best things. Makes ye look like someone worth robbin’, see?”
He pulled coins from his pockets and jangled them conspicuously, and then quickly tucked them away. “Keep yer purse here, close to yer heart, where slippery fingers can’t reach easily.” His palm pressed against his chest.
Fascinated, Elizabeth asked, “And what of jewelry?” Her fingers moved instinctively to the small pearl pendant at her throat.
“Leave the fancy bits on the ship, miss. Every port has some characters with right clever fingers, and they can take a brooch off yer gown before ye know it’s gone. And always, always keep one hand on yer reticule. Don’t matter how pretty the trinket someone’s showing ye. As soon as you let go…whoosh!” He demonstrated with a swift grabbing motion.
