Mr. Ashby nodded. “Thank you, Sir Ector. I’ll go see him now.”
“You might find him at The Anchor. Though it is early and he might be hard to wake. Heard he had quite a night.” Sir Ector chuckled and bid us goodbye.
I walked beside Mr. Ashby for a moment before speaking. “Do you trust this Captain Selton?” I asked.
“I don’t have a reason not to. He treated me well when I sailed with him years ago. What was it, five years ago? Perhaps six.” He seemed lost in thought, so I didn’t pepper him with all of my questions. Not yet.
We entered an inn called The Anchor. It was much like the rest of the port I’d seen so far. Was every port this shabby and smelly? It was just past dawn, and I was exhausted. Patrice yawned and I mirrored her. Mr. Ashby must have been tired,too; he had dark circles under his eyes as he looked at me. “Why don’t you sleep while I speak with Selton?”
I shook my head. “We’re in this together. I should meet him, explain my situation. That way he will understand why you insist on bringing two young ladies with you.”
He sighed but didn’t argue. I followed him to the innkeeper’s desk as he asked where he might find Captain Selton. The innkeeper didn’t seem inclined to tell him.
So I caught his attention. “If you will help us, we’d be most grateful. We have no ill wishes toward him. We simply need passage to Basseterre.”
The innkeeper looked me up and down, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. “I can send someone to wake him. Wait here.”
Patrice yawned again. “I wouldn’t mind resting a bit. Ye should sleep, too, Miss. Have Mr. Ashby take care of things.”
I sent her a look, knowing words were not needed. “Should we stay here to rest after you speak with the captain, Mr. Ashby?”
“It isn’t quite up to your standards, Miss Findlay,” he said. I wished he’d been teasing, but he seemed genuinely concerned.
I folded my arms and frowned. “I am not a princess. I can manage. Besides, it is not as if there will be better quarters on board a ship.”
“That is true. Even a private cabin aboard a brigantine won’t be comfortable after a few weeks.”
Before I could respond, a large man came down the stairs and approached us. He seemed to be in very poor health and swayed as he stood before Mr. Ashby. His voice was gravelly when he spoke.
“Ashby, it is you. I wondered if they meant the boy I’d worked with before. What can I do for you?” He rubbed his face before noticing Patrice and me directly behind Mr. Ashby. “Who are these women you have here?”
Mr. Ashby raised his hand vaguely toward us. “We wish to travel to Basseterre. I was told you were leaving in two days’ time for that port.”
“I am…” He hesitated, just as I imagined he would. “The crew might not like two women aboard.”
“That may well be the case, but I can offer my services to you. Food and passage for us would be the only payment we’d require.” Mr. Ashby held the captain’s gaze for a few moments, giving him time to consider it.
Captain Selton cleared his throat. “Well, I could never turn down a man of your talents. I just lost my purser recently and was in the market for a new one.” He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. “Very well, I’ll give you and your women passage. Come see me later and we’ll discuss the particulars.”
Mr. Ashby shook his hand, glancing toward me with slight hesitation. It was worrisome that Captain Selton referred to us as Mr. Ashby’swomen, but there must have been a reason he did not correct him. When the captain left us and went back upstairs, I asked Mr. Ashby why he’d stayed silent.
“Perhaps it is better if the crew believes you to be…mine. If our relationship is more intimate, you will be safer.” He pressed his lips, warily waiting for my reaction.
I nodded. “I’ll trust you to know what’s best. I’ll follow your lead.”
He studied my face for a few seconds before turning toward the innkeeper’s desk once more and asking for three rooms.
Mr. Ashby led the way after hearing the innkeeper’s instructions on where to find our rooms. At my door, he turned to look pointedly at me. “Are you certain you wish to embark on this…” He trailed off, as if searching for the right word.
“Adventure?” My eyebrows lifted as I sent him a teasing grin.
He tilted his head and let out a breath. “You don’t really believe this will be fun, do you?”
I glanced at Patrice and shrugged. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Mr. Ashby nodded before dragging a hand over his face. “Graham is going to kill me.”
“Why do you care what Graham thinks? Aren’t you angry with him for breaking our engagement?”
