“Did they give you a reason?” I asked.
“Some bluster about persons of interest, whatever that’s supposed to mean. I’ve been ordered to sit tight and wait for word.”
James’s gleeful words shot through my head. I can’t stop wondering how long it will take before the king has you arrested.
“There must be a mistake,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
“No mistake at all, Miss Kilbrid. The customs master was very specific in his orders to detain the Callisto. If anyone leaves the ship, my cargo will be confiscated in the name of the king.”
My knees began to wobble beneath me, and I gripped the doorknob for support.
Captain Saunders continued with his angry tirade, oblivious to my altered state. “I’ve got a hull full of timber and wheat almost a month overdue and I’ve been ordered to sit tight!” He pounded a fist on the table, making the quill and inkpot jump.
Shouts came from the upper deck, followed by hurried footsteps along the passageway behind me. A crewman soon appeared at my shoulder, a piece of parchment in one hand.
“What is it now?” the captain yelled.
The crewman handed the parchment to the captain. “The customs master sent a boat for some of the passengers.”
Captain Saunders read the note then looked at me. “It says your party is to be brought directly to shore.” He glanced over my shoulder at the crewman. “Have their belongings loaded at once.”
I could hardly see straight for thoughts of being arrested, not to mention what would happen to the other people in my party. What if the soldiers decided to arrest poor Lucy Goodwin for no more than association? Her nerves would never survive such an ordeal. “But Captain,” I sputtered. “Our safety is your responsibility. You can’t just release us to strangers.”
“I can and I will,” the captain said. “My responsibility ended the moment you became a person of interest to the king. I will not jeopardize my livelihood on your behalf.”
“Then at least let the rest of my party stay aboard. The king has no interest in them.”
Captain Saunders gave me a curious look. “That may be the case, but your entire party has been ordered to shore. To do anything less could mean the loss of my cargo. Possibly even my ship. Is that what you are asking of me?”
He made me sound like an unreasonable twit. “Of course not, Captain. We shall go willingly.”
The captain nodded, his relief evident. “Please escort Miss Kilbrid to the deck,” he directed the crewman. “And notify the other passengers that they need to disembark within the quarter hour. I’ve no intention to keep the king waiting.”
Chapter Three
Eyes Too Many
We were a subdued lot as the boat slid across the water toward the dock. Two burly men pulled the oars, their thick necks jumping with cords of muscle from the effort it took to move our party of five and accompanying trunks to shore. Though the men seemed pleasant enough, smiling and inquiring about our journey, I stared straight ahead, my eyes searching the docks for any sign of soldiers. Nora sat quietly beside me on the wooden bench we shared with her mother. It was James who answered the men’s questions, his voice joyful behind me. No eyes were needed in the back of my head to be sure of the smug expression on his face.
Less than an hour ago, I couldn’t wait to get ashore. Now my stomach felt like I had swallowed a flagon of ice. Before leaving the Callisto, I explained to Nora how the boat had been sent on behalf of the king. Her eyes had grown wide with curiosity, then narrowed slightly when I feigned ignorance as to his majesty’s purpose. I disliked lying to Nora but at this point I would do anything to prevent the Goodwins from being arrested with me. My plan, if it could be called such, was to discreetly approach the nearest soldier, offer my name and ask to be taken into custody. If all went well, I would be out of sight and on my way to the Tower before anyone was the wiser. During the voyage, James had always been friendly toward Nora, and I assumed he would make sure she and her mother were settled in my absence.
The river fell away, bringing us alongside the dock. One of the men jumped out to secure the boat, and I breathed a sigh of relief when no soldiers rushed forward. Thankfully, they had opted to wait above on the street, which would give me more time to get away from the others. Once the boat was tied, the man turned to help each of us onto the dock. I went first, giving my feet just a moment to adjust before starting up the wooden ramps. At street level, I glanced around for the soldiers, expecting to see them at the ready.