Henry stood no more than an arm’s length away, and though I refused to look at him while speaking to the captain, I felt his gaze firmly locked on my face. “Without my father and cousin I find myself in need of additional help. Ben has already taken up a great deal of extra responsibility, but with the growing season upon us, he needs to spend more time tending to the wheat. Didn’t you say this man could write and figure?”
“Yes, he can. Henry received a very good education before his indenture.”
“Then are we agreed on thirteen pounds?”
“Fourteen pounds!” Mr. Fletcher countered. “And that is my final offer!”
For most of the conversation I had purposefully focused on the captain, but following this outburst, I turned my attention to Mr. Fletcher. Consumed by rage, the man had temporarily lost his senses and now openly stared at Henry in a way that could only be described as carnal. It lasted hardly a moment before the sneer was yanked back into place. But there was no erasing what we had all seen, nor the strong impression that the job at the brickyard would have more to it than just tending the ovens.
“I accept your thirteen pounds, Miss Kilbrid,” Captain Harlow said, extending a hand in my direction. We shook to seal the deal.
“This is unacceptable!” Mr. Fletcher yelled, spraying both the captain and me with spittle. “I offered you more! How could you shake with this girl?”
“Henry will be of more use at Brighmor Hall than in a brickyard. Good day to you, sir.” While the captain spoke he gave a nod to the armed men behind him.
“I demand justice! There are witnesses here who will testify of your behavior.”
“Were there witnesses when that lad stumbled into the oven?” Captain Harlow asked, his voice hard as flint. “Kindly be off before there is need to have you removed.”
Two burly sailors moved in our direction. “This is not over, Captain,” Mr. Fletcher warned. “And as for you, young lady, I will get what is mine.” He spun on his heel and stormed away.
Nobody spoke again until Mr. Fletcher disappeared from view.
“Never liked that man,” Captain Harlow said, not really speaking to any one in particular. “Bad business, what happened to that last boy I sold him, but the bailiff assured me this morning there was nothing anyone could prove.” He shook his head slowly, scowling in the direction Mr. Fletcher had gone.
“Excuse me, Captain, is there anything else you need from me?” I was ready to have this business done and be on my way.
“Just the thirteen pounds,” he said, reaching for a sheet of parchment.
Oh, bugger! In my haste, I had left the inn without a single farthing. “Would you mind if Ben returned with it later? I seem to have forgotten to bring any money.”
“Not to worry. I’ll have your cousin’s trunk delivered to your residence. My man can pick up the money then. Where are you staying?”
“At the Meredith House, but only for tonight. We’ll be leaving for Hopewell in the morning.”
“I will send it this afternoon,” he said, handing me the sheet of parchment. “This contract is good for seven years. Now, let me introduce your new servant, Mr. Henry Alan.”
For the first time since walking away from the crate, I allowed myself to really look at Henry. “Hello, Mr. Alan,” I said, trying my very best to sound business-like. Unfortunately I had very limited experience at this sort of thing as most of my previous transactions had involved dresses and such. “I hope you will be happy at Brighmor Hall,” I added for good measure.
“Thank you, Miss Kilbrid,” Henry said, returning my greeting with a slight nod. His perfect English accent conflicted somewhat with his unkempt appearance, and I wondered if anyone in Hopewell would notice that my Irish cousin didn’t sound much like an Irishman. Aside from this minor flaw, I found his voice to be very pleasant.
“Happy at Brighmor?” the captain repeated back with good humor. “Fate was smiling on you when he sent Miss Kilbrid to the docks this morning. Rather than seven years under that blackguard Mr. Fletcher, you get to spend your time on one of the finest farms in Pennsylvania.” Here his expression turned steely and his voice picked up that flinty hardness. “Mr. Jonathan Kilbrid was a dear friend of mine. I will take it as a personal insult if you cause his daughter harm in any way.” The captain stared at Henry for another moment, then turned his attention back to me. “If he gives you any trouble, Miss Kilbrid, just send him back and I’ll see he’s properly punished. We’ll be docked in Philadelphia for the next two weeks to finish business and make some minor repairs to The Berkshire. After that time, you may contact my agent here in town. He will see things are taken care of in my absence.”
“Your concern is most appreciated, but I’m sure Mr. Alan will be a good servant.”