Instead, I lifted my face up at the ceiling and laughed. “That disloyalmaorach.” I turned to Melody incredulously and held up the letter. “He has the audacity to end our engagement.”
“Hewhat?”everyone said in unison. I kept my eyes on Melody, who glowered at the letter. Her reaction was a testament as to why we were best friends.
“Let me read it to you all,” I announced. I wanted everyone to know what a coward he truly was.
Dear Miss Findlay,
I hope you are well. I have not received correspondence from you in the past two years, so I feared you may have been punishing me for staying away too long. I have been trying to return home, but things have occurred which prevented that. Perhaps Arthur can explain our situation in more detail if this letter falls short, but I must first tell you how sorry I am to make you angry. For this letter’s intention is to break our engagement.
I paused, looking at Melody pointedly because I knew she would be the most affronted by his words. No one understood my feelings quite so well as Melody. Then I continued reading,
During our time in the West Indies, we were able to purchase two more ships and were doing well, but recently our fortune has been reversed. Pirates have targeted us, and our business is now in shambles. Against Arthur’s wishes, I am preparing to fight the pirates’ tyranny. Not only for me, but for everyone here. A member of the American Navy also has a stake in this, and he is planning to fight along with me and some of our remaining crew. There is a possibility I will not survive, but even if I do, I will be nearlypenniless.
Even though it has been two years without word from you, I imagine you might say it matters not, that you will stand by me regardless, but I could never be happy knowing I could not provide the life you deserve.
Please, forgive me. And please find someone infinitely better and more dependable than I. I wish you nothing but happiness.
Graham
I smiled bitterly at Melody, who looked as if she wished Graham was in the room with us and she could smack some sense into him. I knew I felt that way. He’d said he couldn’t live without me! She took the letter from me to read it again.
One glance at Mr. Ashby told me he’d had no idea what that letter contained. He seemed as shaken as I was.
“How dare he make me deliver such news to you.” He sounded affronted. He shaded his closed eyes for a moment before wagging a finger toward the letter. “I told him to leave those ingrates be, and he assured me he would.” Mr. Ashby’s clear blue eyes met mine, and somehow, I felt a connection to him, as if he were just as distraught as I was.
I could tell the news that Graham was risking his life tore at him as he sighed and shook his head with disbelief. “I should’ve known he’d go after them; it is just like him… But I never imagined he’d end your engagement. Forgive me, Miss Findlay. I certainly never would have agreed to delivering this letter had there been any sign of his intentions.”
His jaw tightened as he glanced at the letter. It was inconceivable that he would worry about me when he had lost his business alongside Graham. Of course, this was only my interpretation of the emotions I saw in his eyes. One could never be certain of another’s feelings. However, something in those eyes assured me that he was sincere.
But his level of sincerity did not matter; the cursed letter Melody had returned to me was the problem. I folded the parchment up and focused on my name penned there, vividly recalling the words Graham had written. I sighed. “I don’t blame you, Mr. Ashby.” I held up the letter. “The fault is his.”
He nodded and ran a hand through his blond hair, messing it up slightly. It made him look wild with frustration. He said his next words in a rush. “I hope you can excuse my abruptness, but I fear I must depart immediately. I cannot delay my voyage if I am to reach him before the worst should happen.” His frown was more than a frown; it was worry, anger, and regret all wrapped into one gesture. I wondered how a face could carry so many emotions at once. He bowed and turned to leave.
I stepped forward and took hold of his elbow, pulling him around to face me once more. “Where did you leave him last?”
He glanced at my hand with raised eyebrows before I dropped it.
“Basseterre, St. Kitts.” He looked directly into my eyes with bold seriousness. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to convince him to return and marry you.”
My brows furrowed. “Why would it matter to you whether he breaks our engagement? Just be sure he is safe. I’ll deal with him reneging on our promises.”
A short laugh left his lips. “If you had been the one listening to him prattle on about you for years, you would understand how ludicrous it is that he would break it. At least one of us should be happy, failed business or not.” He pulled up a corner of his mouth in a show of pity. “Miss Findlay, I will not stand by and see you both hurt by his poor choices. You deserve better.”
I nodded, holding his gaze. I admired his determination and attempted to show him mine in return. “Very well. Find him.” I stifledan urge to say more, lifted my hand toward the door, and said, “Godspeed.”
Mr. Ashby nodded once and then wasted no time getting back into his carriage and driving away. My eyes tracked his progress down the driveway as I stood at the door.
Melody came up beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. I turned away from her abruptly, eager to hide my tears.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said to both Melody and my brother. “I think I’ll go to my room to be alone. No need to follow.” I said the last part to Melody specifically. Had I not, she would’ve trailed after me. We were close enough to share our every thought and feeling, but I truly did not want to share my thoughts as they were.
And I did not want anyone to know what I intended to do.
Chapter 2
Ispenttheremainderofthe afternoon planning. And crying. I read Graham’s letter a dozen times and recalled every word Mr. Ashby said about the situation in Basseterre, which was not much. I should have asked for more details. I should have asked for his help.
My eyes strayed to my armoire more than once, where a carpet bag was stored. It would be just the right size for a quick getaway. Once I began packing it, there would be no going back for me.
