Page 71 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

Georgie drew in a breath. “Has the ship sailed?”

“No. It will not leave for a fortnight, but he was sent there to get familiar and begin work on the ship until it sails.”

Everything in her relaxed. They were only three days behind and her sister would not leave for another two weeks. Certainly, they could arrive in Greenock in time to stop her.

“How quickly can we get to Greenock?” she asked Damian.

“Do you even know where that is?” he asked with a chuckle.

“No, nor does it matter because that is where we are going.” She turned her attention to Chisholm. “We really need to reach my sister before she sails. How far away is Greenock?” Georgie asked while dread surfaced at the idea of spending even more time on a mail coach.

“Two hundred and fifty miles,” Chisholm answered and Georgie nearly groaned. That was even farther than when they had traveled from London.

“How long by mail coach,” she asked with defeat.

“Three or four days. Your sister and brother-in-law are likely to arrive there soon, if they have not already.

Tears threatened at the very idea of enduring such a long journey among strangers even though Damian would likely insist on accompanying her. Except, at least she knew that Grace would be at the destination when they did arrive, instead of hoping that she was there, which helped.

Chisholm chuckled. “There is a more comfortable way to travel,”

“Ship?” Damian asked.

“My recently acquired steamboat. The longest it has taken to reach Greenock has been forty-eight hours due to inclement weather, but the trip is usually made between twenty-four and thirty-six hours, which is why I now use it to travel back and forth instead of a post chaise.”

“Only a day?” she asked in disbelief.

“Or two, at the most,” Chisholm reminded her.

Even two days on a ship were far better than days in a mail coach.

“May we book passage, please?” Georgie asked.

“I heard they are not always safe,” Damian said, dampening some of her enthusiasm.

“There have been accidents with some and it is a new way to travel,” Chisholm acknowledged.

“What were the accidents and was anyone injured or killed?” Georgia asked.

“In April, the Telegraph exploded killing and injuring several people in Norwich,” Damian answered.

Georgie gasped as her eyes grew large with alarm.

“The stress of the steam was greater than the boiler was capable of sustaining. We have inspected ours and are confident we do not have the same issue or risk,” Chisholm assured them. “In fact, it has made the same trip back and forth to Greenock many times without incident.”

“What about the Regent?” Damian asked.

“Another steamship?” Georgie asked with concern.

“Yes. It caught fire in July, but no one died.”

“There was not sufficient fireproof lining between the chimney and deck beams. It is something we do not lack,” Chisholm promised.

“Two steamships,” Georgie clarified, rather alarmed, and not so certain that she wanted to travel by steamboat. If Damian decided that it was unsafe, then she would go by mail coach no matter how long a journey or uncomfortable she would be.

“I can assure you that we have taken every precaution so that our steamships are safe, nor do we attempt foolish acts as trying to race another steamship. That is certain to cause an overload and overtaxing that could lead to an explosion. The ships are too expensive to risk them being destroyed.”

Damian studied his friend for a moment and then nodded. “How soon can we leave?”