Page 21 of The Cornish Widow

Oh well. Too late now. He nodded. “I did.”

Caroline looked at Mrs. Penhallow. “And you agreed to this?” A slight hint of accusation tinged her voice.

Mrs. Penhallow shook her head with vehemence. “I did nothing of the sort. It was merely a suggestion by the captain that Theo took to mean was a definite arrangement. I don’t mind Theo seeing what it’s like on board a ship, but I do object to him going out to sea. He’s never been on a ship in his life and can’t even swim.”

“Best not to be able to swim,” Yves interrupted. “Then you drown quicker. That’s what Tom Pascoe, our groom, told me.”

Nat wagged a finger at him. “A remark not guaranteed to set Theo’s mother’s mind at ease.”

“But true,” Yves protested. “And you always want me to tell the truth.”

Jack snorted. “I suppose if Mrs. Penhallow allows it, you boys can come aboard the next time The Fly is round in harbor at Bessie’s or Prussia Cove. But you’re not going to sea in her unless Mrs. Penhallow and Caroline allow it.”

“Which’ll be never,” Theo muttered, loud enough for them all to hear.

“And not if you’re rude,” Jack amended. “Best to apologize to your mother, young Theo.” Now he was behaving like a parent himself, when he’d rather have congratulated Theo on standing up for himself. What was he doing? What was the close proximity to Mrs. Penhallow doing to him?

Theo hung his head. “I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

Mrs. Penhallow met Jack’s eyes for a brief moment. “Thank you, Theo. You will allow Mrs. Treloar and me to decide what is right for you boys and abide by our ruling.”

Head still down, Theo nodded. But was that a spark of boyish rebellion Jack spied in his eyes?