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“You’re learning how to be a target?” I spin around, furious.
“He’s teaching me.” His tone is too matter-of-fact for my taste. “And he will be watching over you.”
“And you!” I shout.
Lady Eleanor murmurs, “Silence, Lady Bentwood, we do not want to draw attention to this discussion. The poor man cannot be in two places at once.”
It suddenly makes sense. “That is why you suddenly want me in your cabin.”
“Did.” Bentwood draws a deep breath, no doubt preparing for a quarrel I’m tensed to offer. “The situation has changed. It’s better that he watches all three of you.” Before I can counter, he appeals to Lady E., “You women should stay in one cabin.”
“I don’t think the attack on Jenny has anything to do with this,” Lady E. says.
“No, we don’t either, but it does mean that there is another element on this ship to be wary of, especially for you women.”
“And then there’s the question of Montague,” she muses.
“I’ve been trying to get him alone, to ask him just that,” Bentwood admits.
“You knew he hadn’t left?” she asks.
“He trailed us to Athwart.” The Captain and first mate are stepping up on the poop deck. Bentwood pulls us aside, out of earshot. “He’s taking a terrible risk. Creditors can be vicious. Debts outstanding, it will be worse for his mother and sisters as well.”
“Whyever didn’t he leave?” I bite my finger, suddenly realising. “Wait, if you’ve had him followed, you know I haven’t spoken with him.”
“Yes. He did try to contact you, but in all the mayhem, it was never delivered,” Bentwood admits. “It only came to my attention as we were leaving.”
“You intercepted a message for me?” I’m too stunned to be livid.
“No, as I said, it was delivered to me, by accident, as we were leaving. Moot by then.” He is giving me his full attention. “But I wonder if he isn’t here because of you.”
Crushed, I snap, feeling defensive. “I am of no benefit to him.”
Bentwood’s lips tighten. “Perhaps his creditors are at the bottom of all this.”
“To what purpose? It’s Montague they want.”
“Or the pockets that cover him,” Bentwood reminds.
Like naïve children, plotting adventure, CeCe and I planned Montague’s downfall, ignoring risks.
Oh, CeCe, what foolishness have we created? Can it be undone?
Chapter Nine
Trust
Independent promenades are forbidden, which is why I’m diverted from my discourse with the foreigner. After speaking with a cabin boy, Lady Bentwood takes the ladder to the main deck. This, in itself, would not interest me. Assertive in flaunting her husband’s direction, this is different. Furtive even. Precisely why I am watching her follow the path Montague just traversed.
There is a wounded depth to Lady Bentwood, undermined confidence exposed in twists of behaviour. She provokes her husband, drives him away, yet mourns his distance. Clear as day. No hidden agenda. The gal’s motives are pure.
So what is she up to with this rogue?
“Lady Eleanor?” I turn to see Zenji following my distraction.
Lady Bentwood is nearing Montague, who appears to block her path.
“She is lecturing him,” Zenji claims.
