Chapter 4
Mr. Ashby returned just before our departure time with a horse that seemed full of energy. Patrice and I readied our horses, and we took off toward the port of Leith. It would take all night to reach it, so we paced ourselves, riding mostly in silence.
When we finally arrived, Mr. Ashby told us to tie off our horses and follow him.
He led us through a maze of buildings at the edge of the docks and eventually stopped at the shoddiest one of them all.
It hid within an alleyway and was littered with garbage and barrels that smelled of gutted fish.
It was an effort to stop myself from holding my nose.
But I knew my squeamishness was only the first of many things I’d have to overcome on this journey.
Mr. Ashby knocked on the door and someone immediately swung it open.
I needed to keep my assumptions in check, because the man who stood there did not match the man I’d imagined to find.
He was a gentleman. His cravat, neatly tied and starched white, would have been enough to know it, but the way he carried himself was equally noble.
He swept his gaze over the three of us before settling on Mr. Ashby.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Ashby. Did you not just arrive two days ago?”
“A snag in my plans, Sir Ector. This lady here is Graham’s betrothed. He sent her a letter saying he means to go after the privateers who sunk our ships.”
Sir Ector’s eyes widened, then his brows pinched and he shook his head. “That daft Scot. He would take on the King of England if he had a mind to. What can I do for you, then?”
“We need passage.”
“We?” Sir Ector looked at Patrice and I skeptically. “Surely not.”
I stepped forward before Mr. Ashby could respond. “I’m terribly sorry, Sir Ector, but I will have to trouble you. I must give my betrothed a piece of my mind, and I cannot do so from Scottish soil.”
That made him laugh, which I interpreted as positive. “You’re humorous, I’ll give you that.” He stroked his chin. “You might as well come in. I’ll have a look at the list of ships departing.” He walked into his office and we followed him. “Where do you need to go?” he asked.
“Basseterre, as soon as possible,” Mr. Ashby replied.
Sir Ector clicked his tongue. “Not many ships going there these days.”
“I don’t suppose so…” Mr. Ashby’s voice sounded bitter.
Sir Ector didn’t respond to him, but opened a ledger and glided a finger down a few pages before closing it and opening a second. Eventually he stopped, tapping his finger on an entry. “Here. We have one leaving in two days. Eric Selton’s merchant ship, the Katarina. Have you met him?”
Mr. Ashby nodded, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve worked for him before, but it’s been many years. I recall he’s a decent man.” He glanced at Patrice and me as if considering something, then he looked back at Sir Ector. “How’s his crew?” he asked seriously.
Sir Ector tilted his head in thought. “I’m not sure. He acquired a few new members six months ago…” He opened another ledger, trying to find something else, then pushed it toward Mr. Ashby. “Any of these names look familiar?”
I looked over Mr. Ashby’s shoulder as he read through what seemed to be the crew list. He ran his finger over two names at the bottom, Charlie Horton and Harry Jonas. He shook his head. “Can’t say that these two do.”
“Does it matter if you know everyone on board? As long as you know the owner of the ship…” I said, though I knew it probably sounded naive.
“There isn’t much to be said for knowing Captain Selton.
He’s originally a gentleman, but the sea changes a man.
” Sir Ector made a pained expression. “The next ship headed for Basseterre won’t depart for three weeks.
Might as well meet with him. Explain the situation.
Since you’ve worked for him before, he must know your skills.
He might hire you on.” He looked at Patrice and me again.
“As for your companions, I believe this vessel has a small private cabin they would be able to use. Most brigantines of that year do.”
Mr. Ashby nodded. “Thank you, Sir Ector. I’ll go see him now.”
“You might find him at The Anchor. Though it is early and he might be hard to wake. Heard he had quite a night.” Sir Ector chuckled and bid us goodbye.
I walked beside Mr. Ashby for a moment before speaking. “Do you trust this Captain Selton?” I asked.
“I don’t have a reason not to. He treated me well when I sailed with him years ago. What was it, five years ago? Perhaps six.” He seemed lost in thought, so I didn’t pepper him with all of my questions. Not yet.
We entered an inn called The Anchor. It was much like the rest of the port I’d seen so far.
Was every port this shabby and smelly? It was just past dawn, and I was exhausted.
Patrice yawned and I mirrored her. Mr. Ashby must have been tired, too; he had dark circles under his eyes as he looked at me.
“Why don’t you sleep while I speak with Selton? ”
I shook my head. “We’re in this together. I should meet him, explain my situation. That way he will understand why you insist on bringing two young ladies with you.”
He sighed but didn’t argue. I followed him to the innkeeper’s desk as he asked where he might find Captain Selton. The innkeeper didn’t seem inclined to tell him.
So I caught his attention. “If you will help us, we’d be most grateful. We have no ill wishes toward him. We simply need passage to Basseterre.”
The innkeeper looked me up and down, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. “I can send someone to wake him. Wait here.”
Patrice yawned again. “I wouldn’t mind resting a bit. Ye should sleep, too, Miss. Have Mr. Ashby take care of things.”
I sent her a look, knowing words were not needed. “Should we stay here to rest after you speak with the captain, Mr. Ashby?”
“It isn’t quite up to your standards, Miss Findlay,” he said. I wished he’d been teasing, but he seemed genuinely concerned.
I folded my arms and frowned. “I am not a princess. I can manage. Besides, it is not as if there will be better quarters on board a ship.”
“That is true. Even a private cabin aboard a brigantine won’t be comfortable after a few weeks.”
Before I could respond, a large man came down the stairs and approached us. He seemed to be in very poor health and swayed as he stood before Mr. Ashby. His voice was gravelly when he spoke.
“Ashby, it is you. I wondered if they meant the boy I’d worked with before. What can I do for you?” He rubbed his face before noticing Patrice and me directly behind Mr. Ashby. “Who are these women you have here?”
Mr. Ashby raised his hand vaguely toward us. “We wish to travel to Basseterre. I was told you were leaving in two days’ time for that port.”
“I am…” He hesitated, just as I imagined he would. “The crew might not like two women aboard.”
“That may well be the case, but I can offer my services to you. Food and passage for us would be the only payment we’d require.” Mr. Ashby held the captain’s gaze for a few moments, giving him time to consider it.
Captain Selton cleared his throat. “Well, I could never turn down a man of your talents. I just lost my purser recently and was in the market for a new one.” He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. “Very well, I’ll give you and your women passage. Come see me later and we’ll discuss the particulars.”
Mr. Ashby shook his hand, glancing toward me with slight hesitation. It was worrisome that Captain Selton referred to us as Mr. Ashby’s women, but there must have been a reason he did not correct him. When the captain left us and went back upstairs, I asked Mr. Ashby why he’d stayed silent.
“Perhaps it is better if the crew believes you to be…mine. If our relationship is more intimate, you will be safer.” He pressed his lips, warily waiting for my reaction.
I nodded. “I’ll trust you to know what’s best. I’ll follow your lead.”
He studied my face for a few seconds before turning toward the innkeeper’s desk once more and asking for three rooms.
Mr. Ashby led the way after hearing the innkeeper’s instructions on where to find our rooms. At my door, he turned to look pointedly at me. “Are you certain you wish to embark on this…” He trailed off, as if searching for the right word.
“Adventure?” My eyebrows lifted as I sent him a teasing grin.
He tilted his head and let out a breath. “You don’t really believe this will be fun, do you?”
I glanced at Patrice and shrugged. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Mr. Ashby nodded before dragging a hand over his face. “Graham is going to kill me.”
“Why do you care what Graham thinks? Aren’t you angry with him for breaking our engagement?”
Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, my pulse raced.
His face was rife with emotions, and I wondered how many of them had to do with his lack of sleep.
When he looked away, he chuckled. “Perhaps I didn’t think this through.
I was shocked, after all, when I saw you in that roadside inn.
A man might agree to foolish things when he’s… bewildered.”
I laughed. “I did take full advantage of your bewilderment.”
He smiled tiredly. “Sleep well, Miss Findlay. Miss Patrice, I wish you a good rest.”
“And you, Mr. Ashby,” we responded simultaneously.
Patrice followed me into my room and helped me get ready for bed. We were both so used to our maid-and-lady relationship, it was only natural that she’d do so. But as she tied my nightgown at the neck, I realized that things would have to change on this trip.
“You know, Patrice, I think you should start acting like my companion instead of my lady’s maid. I won’t be living in luxury aboard a ship and will need to do things on my own.” I held her hands in mine. “And I will need a friend much more than a maid.”
She squeezed my hands, then looked around us. “Are ye sure ye’ll be able to sleep in this room?”
“As I said, we will have to get used to such accommodations. I doubt things will be better than this aboard a brigantine.”
“Aye, ’tis possible. Perhaps we shouldnae have come, Miss. Mr. Ashby would’ve done the job well enough.”
I scoffed. “Please, Patrice. Do not insult my pride in such a way. No one will do a better job at bringing Graham home than I.”
She pulled up a corner of her mouth, smirking. “Aye, Miss. Whatever ye say.”
After she left, I opened the beige curtain hanging over the window.
I had a good view of the harbor. The sun had come out, and the light made the water glitter like jewels.
Suddenly Leith didn’t seem so shabby. Even so, the sight of the shining water made my stomach flip.
From the moment I’d left home until now, I hadn’t had time to myself, to truly think about what I would face upon the seas.
I swallowed against the fear and uncertainty.
But as I stared out into the unknown, a ship sailed past. Its sails looked bright and majestic against the blue sky.
Inexplicably, the fear vanished, and only excitement remained.