Page 131 of Valour

“To friends and failure,” the crew roared back.

Hester remembered being high up with a drink in her hand over two years ago, and her eyes met Septimus’s. She pointed at him and cried, “Charge it all to his tab!”

Fliss laughed, and Septimus rolled his eyes, his face creasing into a smile. He lifted her from the coffee table.

“Come with me,” he said into her ear, setting her down. He took her hand, pulling her from the room, the door closing on the riot inside.

“Where are we going?” Like she didn’t know. She had seen the way he was looking at her.

“You’ll see.” They walked along the hallway.

“The bedrooms are upstairs. Not this way.”

“We’re not going to a bedroom. What’s wrong with you? This is Charlotte’s house.”

Hester smirked. “She would not mind. She would not know!”

He shook his head and drew her into the sitting room. “I have something to show you.”

“In the sitting room? Well, alright. I’d rather a bed but the wall or settee will do just fine.”

“That’s not what I mean. You are insufferable, Hester.”

Hester chortled. He’d said that before, long ago. “If you are not going to show me what I hoped you were going to show me, pray tell, what is it?”

He pulled her to the settee, and laid on the coffee table was a large piece of paper. “I wanted to show you this.”

She focussed on the paper. Fine blue lines traced the outline of a ship. Side views, stern view, layouts, sail plans, rigging plans.

She narrowed her eyes. “The double bracing is well intended, but I would change the line of the bow. What ship is this? I have never seen her.”

“I have commissioned her to be built.”

Hester’s stomach hollowed out. She knew he would eventually buy a new ship. But she didn’t expect this sudden loss to drag her under. He would have a new ship, and she would not.

“How fine,” she murmured, nausea threatening. She didn’t know what else to say. Wanted to cling to him for comfort but couldn’t bring herself to touch him.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “She will be ready in six months. What do you say?”

“She looks wonderful. Congratulations.” The words tasted like tar in her mouth. She longed to live on board a ship again. She had been staying at Septimus’s fine townhouse, but his mother was constantly there, and she did not feel at home among the luxury. But living aboard a vessel now was impossible. The Valour had been a once in a lifetime opportunity. She barely had a penny to her name, could never buy another. Her eyes burned with tears.

He laid a hand either side of her face, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “Whatever is the matter? I thought you’d be thrilled.”

Hester sniffed. “It’s all very well for you. I shall never own another ship. I feel the Valour’s loss like a hole in the head.”

“I don’t think you understand.” He gently turned her head back to the page and pointed. “Look at the name.”

Hester dragged her eyes to the plans. Didn’t want to look at them again. She shut her eyes.

“Hester. Look at the name,” he said, voice low.

She opened her eyes, lips pursed together, and read, ‘Valour II’.

“I bought her for us. For you. Together.”

Together. She opened and closed her mouth, trying to find the words.

He reached into a pocket inside of his jacket and withdrew something that sparkled in his hand. Her gaze snapped down. A ring, diamonds and sapphires winking at her.