Page 118 of Debtor’s Daughter

Chapter 23

“Wherein parts are played, and neither actors nor audience find pleasure in the performance.”

Henri stood on deck. She had passed a restless night listening to Annie snore and the ever-present rush of water against the moving ship. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking of Lawrence chained below deck.

Tired and dispirited she had risen early, hoping a new day might bring a more hopeful outlook. Indeed it would be a callous heart and soul that failed to find some pleasure in the scene before her. Once more the winter sky was clear and a sharp blue, crisp and defined with cold clarity in the sunlight. The air was clean and pure, imbued with a sweet, icy chill that made it almost painful to breathe and certainly chased any lingering dullness from her tired mind. The sun hadn’t long risen and was now climbing in the blue.

She looked up at the sails, full and sleekly fat with the steady breeze that seemed to lay its hand so gently upon them. Everything was so still and quiet, the sails so perfectly distended that there wasn’t the faintest ripple to be found in the canvas, the bright white gleaming in the sunlight, as smooth and softly rounded as sculpted marble.

“It is a lovely sight is it not?”

She turned as a deep voice broke the silence and curtsied to the earl as he approached her.

“It is quite breathtaking,” she agreed, returning her gaze heavenwards. “And so very high. I feel the mast must be scraping the heavens as we pass, it rides so very proud.”

Alex nodded, following her gaze. “Indeed, in fact, that very upper most sail is called the sky sail, so that is an apt enough description.”

“You love it here I think?” she said, gesturing vaguely to the expanse of horizon before them. “You and Lawrence both, you live for this freedom.”

He nodded and offered her his arm to continue with him as he walked the deck. “Yes, in fact I am discovering we are more alike than perhaps either of us had realised. And certainly as stubborn,” he added.

She looked up at him and saw concern in his eyes that was a reflection of her own fears. “We cannot let him go.”

“No,” he said, his expression grim. “We cannot.”

She watched as he returned his gaze to the horizon.

“He has changed too you know,” he said, his voice heavy with sadness. “He was always laughing as a boy. Everybody loved him, adored him in fact. Wherever Lawrence went there was laughter and mischief. You see, he was always in trouble of some sort or another, and yet none seemed to think the worse of him because he was always so sorry to have caused trouble, always so ready to make amends that no one ever wanted to scold him.” He snorted, shaking his head. “Little devil got away with murder. But now I see such a serious mind behind his eyes, and it troubles me. I’m afraid the boy I knew is gone.”

She laid her hand on his arm so that he looked down at her.

“He’s still there,” she said, smiling at him and remembering the merry blue eyes and the wicked smile of the pirate she had first encountered. “I know he is still the same at heart, but he feels such guilt, and he fears any harm coming to us.” She sighed as frustration got the better of her once again. “So, he must make us all miserable, himself included, to satisfy his stupid honour.”

He looked at her with a measuring glance that made her skin prickle.

“Miss Morton, perhaps I have done you a disservice,” he said at length. “I have no doubt any marriage between us would be a disastrous one, but I believe you will suit Lawrence very well.”

Henri couldn’t help but laugh at his words, so begrudgingly given and none too flattering. She put her hand up to her bonnet as an icy wind tugged at it and made the ribbons dance.

“Oh, it’s nothing I am unused to I assure you. I’m not expected to have a thought in my head beyond the next ball and new roses for dancing shoes, so it is hardly surprising. In fact I am astonished that you would own the fact at all, let alone apologise for it.”

“Did I apologise?” he asked, one eyebrow raised and the mocking smile firmly in place, and then she saw his gaze catch something beyond her and return to her once more, his smile a little more fixed in place. “Henri, I instructed that Lawrence be brought up for some air and a turn about the deck. He is watching us.”

“Oh,” she said, as anxiety began to flicker in her heart. “And so ...”

He stepped a little closer to her, holding her gaze. “And so, if we are to proceed with our plan,” he said, pitching his voice low for intimacy. “It would be well if we are seen to be ... trying to make the best of things.”

He reached out a finger and caressed her cheek and she shivered, fighting the urge to step away from him.

“Yes, I see.”

She forced herself to stand in place and saw amusement in Alex’s eyes.

“I am obviously more of a monster than even I had assumed. You look positively terrified,” he said dryly.

Henri huffed out a breath. “Oh dear,” she said, a smile tugging at her mouth. “I’m afraid I am a very poor actress, but I hate deceiving him like this.”

Alex moved beside her and, with a hand placed lightly on her back, steered her to stand with him at the rail, looking out over the sparkling blue water. “I have no doubt, but it is our only course unless you have any better suggestions?”