“I am a freedman, sir. Not a slave.” Frank’s hands were behind his back. His chin was tucked into his collar. “When I say that I cannot allow you to go, I am in full possession of my senses.”
Jane put a hand on Vincent’s arm to stay his reply. “Forgive me, but you must offer a more pressing reason than his lordship’s poor health. Neither of us has reason to grant him any charity.”
Whatever tricks Vincent had learned to govern his expression, Frank seemed to have learned them as well. No hint of his emotions peeked through his smooth fa?ade. He stared at her coolly for a moment, gaze moving between her and Vincent, and then back again. He gave a small nod, as if coming to a decision. “Lord Verbury freed me in exchange for my assistance in hiding him. At the time, I accepted it as a gift, but as a freedman, I will be charged with aiding a traitor to the Crown.”
Vincent cursed, suddenly and liberally. He turned away from Frank and walked to the window. “That is like him. To offer a gift that will then hang you.”
Jane asked, “But why not simply leave, or turn him in yourself?”
“Lord Verbury still has friends in the Admiralty. And even if I could find someone impartial, he has an additional assurance for my continuing aid.” Frank’s control faltered for a moment. He paused to clear his throat before continuing. “Lord Verbury still owns my family. If I cooperate, they stay on the plantation, with a promise of being freed later. If I betray his lordship in any way, including allowing Mr. Hamilton to depart, then they will be sold to different people. In particular, my daughter has been promised to the overseer. He has already expressed his … interest in her.”
Vincent pressed his fingers against his temples. “Did my father offer you suggestions on how to stop us if we choose to go? I presume he told you to play upon our sentiments in this manner?”
Jane was frankly shocked that Vincent’s mind leapt straight to that conclusion. It was true that her motivation to depart had weakened significantly upon hearing that Frank’s family was in danger, but it had not occurred to her that this might be a scheme.
Frank shook his head. “He suggested that a carriage accident would be unfortunate.”
“And you agree?”
“No, but neither will I allow Zeus or Jove to take you to St. John’s.” He studied the floor, and not even his high collar could hide that his jaw was clenched. “I would rather that we worked together to resolve our mutual difficulties.”
Jane took a step closer to him. “Could you give us some time to discuss matters?”
“Of course, madam.” Frank offered her a bow. “Sir.”
He left them standing in the room with no more ceremony than if he were simply a house steward dispatching his duty. Jane bit her lip. His duty. She supposed that was what he was doing. She only wished that his duty did not involve holding them captive.
Six
A Frank Discussion
When the door had shut behind Frank, Jane let her breath out in a rush. Her stomach churned, but the nausea had little to do with her morning ailments. Vincent remained at the window with his hands still pressed to his temples. He would need some time, and, truth be told, so did Jane. She pressed her hand to her mouth, trying to think of what choices they might have. The carriage was out of the question.
How far away was the port? Three hours by carriage, but part of the way had been uphill, so perhaps it would only take four or five on foot. They could take the small case, but they would have to leave the trunk. She sighed. Well, they had lost their clothing before, and Jane would gladly be shed of the mourning clothes.
Vincent dropped his hands and turned from the window. “I think I must talk with him.”
“Your father? To what purpose?”
“To find out exactly what his conditions are for Frank’s family to be freed and for us to be allowed to depart.”
Jane opened her mouth but could not form a sentence to fill it. Confounded, she shook her head and tried again. “You intend to stay?”
“Not willingly, but I do not see another way.”
“We can walk.”
“Muse, I cannot risk your health.”
“I am not proposing that we run to St. John’s, but that we walk. You recall that Melody’s doctor told her to stroll. With the Verres Obscurcis we will be in no danger of being spotted and can stop as needed. There is no more risk than if we were walking to church.”
Vincent sighed heavily, and she could see that she had won the point. “The next packet ship arrives in two weeks. That will give us time to weaken my father’s hold on Frank.”
“The fact that Frank is willing to keep us prisoner does not trouble you?”
Vincent shook his head. “I know what it is to be controlled by the Earl of Verbury. My suspicion, knowing my father, is that he suggested the carriage accident to Frank in order to exert additional pressure, but will not issue the order.”
“Can we not simply free Frank’s family?” She would rather they freed all the slaves.
“I do not have the authority.”