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Not amazing, actually, considering that all the officials were men.
While Jeffreys was unaware of some of the details—Marcelline’s forgery skills, for instance, had best go unmentioned—she’d caught on to the other methods, and had even assisted. As the ambassador’s secretary had warned, several attempts had been made to detain them. The last bit, with the customs officials, was the most difficult.
“We did it,” Marcelline said. “And with time to spare, thanks to your clever gambit with your shoe ties.”
“I vow, I was frantic, madame,” Jeffreys said. “It would have been horrible to be within sight of the packet and not be allowed aboard.”
“And I was about one minute from losing my temper and ruining everything,” Marcelline said.
“You were tired, madame. I don’t believe you slept a wink, all the way from Paris.”
“A wink here and there,” Marcelline said. The French roads were improving, but they remained far from smooth. Between the jolting of the carriage and the plotting how to get through the next phase of bureaucracy and Clevedon’s thrusting himself into her overworked brain when she most needed to be logical, her fitful dozes had provided precious little rest. She’d made herself eat, but they hadn’t time to wait for a proper meal. They’d snatched what they could, and it wasn’t the best she’d ever eaten. Dyspepsia did not aid the thinking process.
Jeffreys had come to her rescue, however. She’d broken a shoe tie accidentally on purpose, and burst into tears. Two officials had assisted her with the repairs. It was hard to say whether her pretty ankles had softened their hearts or they’d feared another weeping fit or they were feeling hurried and harassed, too, thanks to the tumult behind them of another late arrival. Whatever the reason was, the men had waved them on.
Had Marcelline brought Frances Pritchett with her, they’d still be in Paris.
She examined her pendant watch. “We should depart soon,” she said. “I’m going up to take a turn about the deck.”
“I should have thought you’d want to fall into bed,” Jeffreys said. “I certainly do, and I had a great deal more sleep than you did.”
“I need to breathe the salt air and calm myself first,” Marcelline said. “It’s very pretty at night, watching the lights of the town retreat. You ought to come. We arrived from London in broad day. It’s so different at night.”
Jeffreys gave a little shiver. “You’re a better sea traveler than I,” she said. “I hope to be asleep before we set sail. I was sick most of the way coming here. I should rather not be sick on the way back.”
“Poor girl,” Marcelline said. “I’d forgotten. It was dreadful for you.”
“It was worth it, madame,” Jeffreys said firmly. “And I should do it again. I shall pray, in fact, to do it again.” She laughed. “But you go, and enjoy yourself.”
Marcelline left her, and made her way to the deck. The officers and crew were preparing to set out, and the passengers were settling down after the flurry of finding their places and seeing about their belongings. There was a good deal of noise, and a great many people. Night had fallen but the stars were out en masse, along with a bright half moon.
She had no trouble making out the tall figure at the rail, and even before he turned, and the moonlight and starlight traced his features, her heart was racing.
