“So, how long have you known Graham?” I asked Mr. Ashby as he led me along the dance floor.
He raised his eyes as hethought. “Just over two years. We have been in business together for nearly one year.” He then looked at me with a smile. “I’d ask you the same, but I am familiar with your history.”
“Are you?” I blushed, which wasn’t like me. I supposed Graham had that effect on me. “Does he speak of me often?” I met Mr. Ashby’s eyes again with a thrill, keen to know what Graham had said about me. Our heights were closely matched, so looking into his eyes was easy and comfortable.
When Mr. Ashby laughed, I was struck by its peculiarity. He chortled with abandon, as if he had no scruples about being unusual. The sound of a true boffin, someone who’d rather be reading than dancing. Although one would not think so by the capable way he guided me around the dance floor. “You seem to be very amused by it,” I said, smiling broadly at his singular oddity.
“Indeed. Very amused. You need not worry, however. Everything he says about you comes across in your favor. Words spoken with love, even while criticizing, will always sound like praise.”
“So he does criticize me, then.”
“Most ardently.” His rueful smile was somehow genuine.
Mr. Ashby led me away from the dance floor, where Graham stood waiting for me. He was so handsome and tall, I almost lost all my breath. He had spoken of me with love. I had already learned he had thought of me while we’d been separated these past two years, but now I knew he had spoken of me to his friends. That made his confession a few days ago in Vauxhall Garden even more moving. What was I to do with all this joy inside of me?
Then Graham pulled me aside and announced his trip to the West Indies. I thought my heart would crumble into a thousand pieces. What a night it was for my emotions; the highest of highsand the lowest of lows.
What power first love had over a person’s heart. Some would do anything to protect those memories, that everlasting feeling. One might even go so far as to neglect one’s family and travel across the world in order to reclaim that love.
Chapter 4
Mr.Ashbyreturnedjustbefore our departure time with a horse that seemed full of energy. Patrice and I readied our horses, and we took off toward the port of Leith. It would take all night to reach it, so we paced ourselves, riding mostly in silence.
When we finally arrived, Mr. Ashby told us to tie off our horses and follow him. He led us through a maze of buildings at the edge of the docks and eventually stopped at the shoddiest one of them all. It hid within an alleyway and was littered with garbage and barrels that smelled of gutted fish. It was an effort to stop myself from holding my nose. But I knew my squeamishness was only the first of many things I’d have to overcome on this journey.
Mr. Ashby knocked on the door and someone immediately swung it open. I needed to keep my assumptions in check, because the man who stood there did not match the man I’d imagined to find. He was a gentleman. His cravat, neatly tied and starched white, would have been enough to know it, but the way he carried himself was equally noble. He swept his gaze over the three of us before settling on Mr. Ashby.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Ashby. Did you not just arrive two days ago?”
“A snag in my plans, Sir Ector. This lady here is Graham’s betrothed. He sent her a letter saying he means to go after the privateers who sunk our ships.”
Sir Ector’s eyes widened, then his brows pinched and he shook his head. “That daft Scot. He would take on the King of England if he had a mind to. What can I do for you, then?”
“We need passage.”
“We?” Sir Ector looked at Patrice and I skeptically. “Surely not.”
I stepped forward before Mr. Ashby could respond. “I’m terribly sorry, Sir Ector, but I will have to trouble you. I must give my betrothed a piece of my mind, and I cannot do so from Scottish soil.”
That made him laugh, which I interpreted as positive. “You’re humorous, I’ll give you that.” He stroked his chin. “You might as well come in. I’ll have a look at the list of ships departing.” He walked into his office and we followed him. “Where do you need to go?” he asked.
“Basseterre, as soon as possible,” Mr. Ashby replied.
Sir Ector clicked his tongue. “Not many ships going there these days.”
“I don’t suppose so…” Mr. Ashby’s voice sounded bitter.
Sir Ector didn’t respond to him, but opened a ledger and glided a finger down a few pages before closing it and opening a second. Eventually he stopped, tapping his finger on an entry. “Here. We have one leaving in two days. Eric Selton’s merchant ship, theKatarina. Have you met him?”
Mr. Ashby nodded, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve worked for him before, but it’s been many years. I recall he’s a decent man.” He glanced at Patrice and me as if considering something, then he looked back at Sir Ector. “How’s his crew?” he asked seriously.
Sir Ector tilted his head in thought. “I’m not sure. He acquired a few new members six months ago…” He opened another ledger, trying tofind something else, then pushed it toward Mr. Ashby. “Any of these names look familiar?”
I looked over Mr. Ashby’s shoulder as he read through what seemed to be the crew list. He ran his finger over two names at the bottom, Charlie Horton and Harry Jonas. He shook his head. “Can’t say that these two do.”
“Does it matter if you know everyone on board? As long as you know the owner of the ship…” I said, though I knew it probably sounded naive.
“There isn’t much to be said for knowing Captain Selton. He’s originally a gentleman, but the sea changes a man.” Sir Ector made a pained expression. “The next ship headed for Basseterre won’t depart for three weeks. Might as well meet with him. Explain the situation. Since you’ve worked for him before, he must know your skills. He might hire you on.” He looked at Patrice and me again. “As for your companions, I believe this vessel has a small private cabin they would be able to use. Most brigantines of that year do.”
