“That’s not it,” Justine said, dismissing my protest with a flick of her hand. “Something’s off about the man. I can’t quite put a finger on it, but he sets my teeth on edge.”
James gestured toward the river. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, our options are currently limited to either the Sea Witch or swimming. You may choose for yourself, but I assure you I will be on that ship before it leaves the dock today.”
Our small huddle fell silent while Julian and Justine decided what to do. My presence on board was a foregone conclusion, so I spent the time instead fuming over James’s insult.
Untrustworthy, my foot! How dare he make such a broad statement? As though every Englishman were devoid of that particular trait. I decided right then to be extra nice toward Master Calhoun for the sole purpose of annoying James and disproving his backward opinions of all things Irish. We might have made progress of late, but Mr. Roth obviously had a long way yet to go.
The rain pinged against the roof before running in streams to the ground. Puddles crept over the soles of my boots, seeped past the seam to find the stockings within. I curled my toes against the cold, anxious to be inside the snug room the man had mentioned.
Justine spoke first. “How do we even know the little wretch and Nora aren’t hiding in Bristol somewhere? Chances are they weren’t able to secure passage so quickly.”
James scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “Because Master Calhoun saw them board a ship a few hours ago at high tide.”
I inhaled a sharp breath. “Are you sure?”
“He recalled a beggar child of Deri’s description accompanied by a young woman with dark brown hair and dressed in a gray gown.”
Even in a town of Bristol’s size, the chances were narrow that two other people would fit such a description.
“Why didn’t you say so from the beginning?” Justine demanded.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head as though trying to clear it. “There were other matters that demanded my immediate attention. I would have spoken sooner if I’d known there was a chance you’d refuse passage.”
A loud whistle pierced the air. We all turned at once toward the dock, where Master Calhoun waved his arms like a madman. “It’s now or never!” he yelled.
Desperation filled James’s eyes. “We have to catch this ship, or wait until the storm blows through. And by then Nora could be...” His voice cracked with emotion, and he fell silent, unable to finish the sentence.
But there was no mistaking what had been left unspoken. In a day or two, Nora could be dead.
Justine blew out a heavy breath. “Let’s go,” she said. “And damn that man if he tries anything funny.”
Chapter Six
An Immortal Truth
Master Calhoun hustled us across a wide plank that extended from the dock to the Sea Witch. Wind tugged at the rigging overhead and nearly stole James’s hat when he turned to help me onto the deck. With both hands in his, I descended the makeshift stairs over the rail, bracing myself for the inevitable sway underfoot. Memories of my last voyage jumped between my nerves, yet this distress inevitably paled to the dread James must have been experiencing. Even in the fairest weather, he suffered from severe seasickness that began the very moment his feet left dry ground. Safely planted on the deck, I glanced up at him to see that he had turned a chalky white. No doubt his inner ear had already detected the watery surface, and it wouldn’t be long before the pallor grew tinged with a sickly green.
“This way,” Master Calhoun said, guiding us to a canvas overhang to shelter from the rain. “We’ll just wait here for Captain Lynch.”
The space was insufficient for five adults, let alone the accompanying bags, though Master Calhoun managed to gain full cover. James and Julian stood on the very edge, their backs still exposed to the elements.
“We’re soaked to the bone,” Julian protested. “Any introductions can be made in the cabin once the captain has completed his duties on deck.”
Master Calhoun chuckled. “Captain’s orders, me lad. Not a soul goes below deck without first being inspected.”
“You can’t be serious!” Julian said. “Does he really consider us such a threat?”
James remained silent, his mouth clamped tight against what I assumed to be an onslaught of nausea.
Something dark flitted through Master Calhoun’s one good eye, lending a sinister touch to his otherwise jovial appearance. “Captain Lynch don’t take kindly to strangers on his ship, mind you. Caution be his best mate, and I don’t reckon he’ll be changing any time soon to spare a spot o’ rain on your backside.” He nodded toward a hatchway in the deck. “If’n you don’t believe me, try to scuttle down and see what happens. Me guess, you’ll be bobbing in the river afore you’ve made the first stair. And that’s assuming the captain be in a fair mood today.”