Page 9 of A Siren for the Duke

“No, you’re up late. We’re supposed to sail in an hour,” Ellis chided.

“I trust you to make sure all the necessary preparations have been completed,” Lionel said, waving a dismissive hand and stifling a yawn.

“How goes it with the landlubbers?” Ellis asked, his tone taking a gentler edge this time. Only Ellis and the boatswain knew that their captain had been facing tragic family business. The rest of the crew assumed this was a routine stop, a respite before they made their way across the Atlantic.

“I am eager to return to the sea,” Lionel pointedly dodged the question. “It is good weather for sailing, and we ought to make use of it. The wind’s been favorable lately.”

That was all Ellis needed to know, he did not protest. Instead, he nodded, accepting Lionel’s taciturn response. The two of them were similar in age and had been sailing together for quite some time now, so they were used to each other’s behavioral patterns. Lionel knew he could always count on Ellis as a friend and colleague.

"You know," Ellis began, looking down at the water over the edge of the ship, "Sometimes I wonder... Is there no respite for men like us? No solace to be found on land?"

Lionel thought back to the funeral and how people acted immediately afterward, especially the ambitious mothers who had just learned that Lionel was to inherit the dukedom. Horace had hardly been in the ground for a full day when the Hunt House started receiving an influx of invitations to balls and dinner parties, as well as letters of introduction for eligible young ladies. It disgusted him. Did people have no decency anymore?

Lionel regarded his first mate with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. He had seen Ellis grapple with the demons of duty and sacrifice countless times. "Land offers many comforts, Ellis, but the sea is where we belong. It's in our blood, coursing through our veins with every tide that ebbs and flows."

“Sometimes I ache for home, for the variety of activity, and the much prettier company,” Ellis said with a wink.

Lionel smiled weakly and shook his head.

“I have never understood your fascination with the ton.”

“We have our adventures on the high seas, sure, but those are rather few and far between. There’s always something new with the ton.”

“Oh? What could possibly be so interesting? Silk versus lace? Dirty looks between young women in the marriage mart?” Lionel teased, although he was quite serious.

“No, not that. There are some wonderfully entertaining rumors–the latest one being that a lady of reputation and means fled her home just last night to escape her marriage today. Everyone is in an uproar. Her maid went into her room an hour ago to start preparing her for this morning’s ceremony and found her bed unmade. A constable just came to the docks to enquire with the night watchman whether anyone had seen a girl walking alone in the streets. Apparently, this is her second scandal. No one can find her. And here's the juicy part: her desperate family has offered a handsome fortune to anyone who can successfully retrieve her and bring her home. Care for some hunting?”

Lionel couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ellis, you gossip like you have five daughters of your own that need husbands.”

The first mate shrugged.

“I do have three sisters. I might have learned from them.”

“Regarding the lady, I say good riddance. All the ton marriages are a sham. If she finds a purpose for herself outside of society, better,” Lionel declared.

“Such a rebel, Your Grace,” Ellis mocked.

Lionel fixed him with a stern glare, and Ellis raised his hands in surrender.

Just then, the sun broke fully over the horizon, setting the world ablaze in beautiful hues of red and orange, which reflected off the water like shimmering crystals.

“Make ready. We ought to be set to sail when the tides rise.”

“Aye, Captain,” Ellis said, standing up straight and saluting. He then barked orders to the rest of the crew. Soon enough, the HMS Regina left the harbor of Portsmouth behind. As Lionel looked out over the bow of the ship at the seafaring city, he realized this would be the last voyage he’d take as the man he was today. Upon his return, a completely new life awaited him. It was daunting. Navigating a ship through a storm on the Atlantic was easy in comparison.

Only God knew what horrors would await him when he returned to the ton.

* * *

Jemima slowly opened her eyes, her surroundings swimming into focus until they were still. She found herself in the small, clean cabin, the gentle creaking of the ship serving as a reminder of her daring escape from the clutches of the Marquess of Kingsbury. A warm ray of sunlight filtered through a porthole, casting a golden glow upon the white wooden walls. As she sat up, careful not to hit her head, a surge of exhilaration coursed through her veins. She had done it — she had successfully evaded the oppressive grasp of her arranged marriage and found refuge on the HMS Regina. This little cabin, her temporary sanctuary, felt like a haven of freedom and possibility.

In the morning light, she took a moment to observe her surroundings. In the darkness of the wee hours of the morning, she had not properly seen everything. The small desk contained a writing kit and an oil lamp. She could smell the fresh parchment from here. Last night, she had not noticed the small blue, white, and tan braided rug on the floor. The thought of it amused her – on a ship full of men, someone had given some thought to decoration. It was a far cry from the opulent grandeur of her former life, but the modesty brought her comfort. She could now live on her own terms, away from the stifling expectations of high society. The rules of the ton did not apply at sea.

With a contented sigh, Jemima swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She stretched her arms above her head, relishing the freedom to move without constraint. Her gaze fell upon the satchel she had brought with her. She’d contemplated stealing some breeches, shirts, and a pair of boots from Ferdinand, but he was much larger, and those garments would have been many sizes too big on her. So, she opted for a plain light brown muslin day dress with poppies and daisies embroidered at the hem and sleeves. No sooner had she taken off her gown than the door opened. She shrieked and held the dress against her body to cover herself.

She never, ever expected to see the face looking back at her ever again.