HE HADN’T SEEN HER in days. In quarters this snug, that was likely by design. Hers?
Had the kiss embarrassed her? Angered her? Disappointed her? Left her indifferent? He could think of nothing other than her and that kiss—didn’t mean she couldn’t.
She may have simply been playing at nursemaid, a way of passing the time when naught much other was available. Now that he was on his feet, she had no use for him?
Maybe she’d been curious. Consort with the lower sort and all that. Now she’d satisfied her curiosity and had negated the need for more. Well then, maybe his curiosity was satisfied as well, and he’d negated his need for more.
“Have ye heard a word I’ve said, Davey?”
“Sure, ye said ye willna be missing home.” Best pay attention on who was in front of him; stop worrying over who wasn’t. “I can’t think on it too much, though, Liam. I’ve no sense what life will be like once we’ve landed. There’s no anchor to it, aye?”
“Hmmph, well, Mr. O feels like home to me, and ye’ll be around, so I’ve no worries on that score. Ye’ll be my anchor if I be needing one. I can count on that; I can count on you. Look, here comes your uncle.”
“Morning, Uncle John, what brings ye up so early?
“It’s Sunday, and it looks to be a fair day. Mayhap we should have service up on deck.”
“That’s a grand idea,” Liam said. “Reverend, have ye by chance met Elisabeth’s da?”
“I have. Why is it you ask?”
“I’ve seen neither him nor the lass on deck in some days now. I was thinking it would be the Christian thing to ask him to service also. He’s the type would appreciate a personal invitation.”
Ahh, hell, Liam. All the pains he’d taken to keep his uncle from guessing he was partial to the lass.
“I miss the lass. We grew . . . ahh . . . close. Whilst nursing Davey here, ken?
Taking care to keep his own face impassive, David watched his uncle’s as the man’s eyes darted from Liam to David, then back to Liam. Uncle John was no fool.
“Aye, well, surely ye know the Hales are Catholic, Liam. I’m not so certain he would accept the invitation, personal or not,” Wilson said.
What? David’s head whipped around to Liam. He hadn’t known that. Liam had?
“Oh, to be sure, he wouldna,” Liam said. “But he couldna deny his daughter outright the chance to worship, should she choose to, do ye think? It’s the same God, right?”
Wilson laughed outright. “There’s a bright future for you, Liam, I’ve no doubt of it. Very well, I’ll extend the offer personally to Mr. Hale. I’m heading back below. You lads join me shortly to begin preparations?”
“Aye,” David said. He turned to Liam.
“Can’t have ye losing focus, man. Like I said, ye’re my anchor.” Liam shrugged. “’Sides, I do miss the lass.”
Forget the missing her. Everyone knew this but him? “She’s papist, Liam? How long have ye known that?”
“Dinna ken, no’ exactly. Does it matter?”
“Does it matter? Are ye daft?”
How could Liam even think that? Hell, he’d have thought someone could have mentioned this before . . . before what?
“Pete’s sake, Davey.” Liam looked at him, bright blue eyes assessing. “Same God, right?”
No. Well . . . yes. Mayhap. Hell, he didn’t know.
ELISABETH HAD COME to the service, alone as Liam had predicted, and was sitting with Annie a short distance away. And was paying heed to Uncle John, just like everyone else.
Or mayhap the others were just outwardly showing respect, and their thoughts were occupied elsewhere while their blood danced about with frustration. Liam frowned pointedly at him, cuffing his knee to point out he’d noticed the fidgeting.
Sean ran to greet Elisabeth as soon as it was over.
“Elisabeth, where have ye been? Ye missed my reci . . . my recit. . . I memorized my six times multi’cation and told the class yesterday. Only ye weren’t there to hear it, and ye helped me learn them!”
Elisabeth grabbed Sean, laughing. “I’m sorry, Sean, my Papa had some work he needed my help with these last few days. Would you like to recite them for me now?”
“Now? Nay, it’s Sunday. Dinna have to know them on Sunday; ye’re supposed to rest on Sundays. Ye don’t rest on Sundays?”
“Yes, yes I do. I suppose I was thinking it was more like talking than work at this point, since you’ve already memorized them.”
“Nay, ye have to wait till the morrow. Are ye coming to class then? Is your Da done with ye?”
Elisabeth ran her hand through his mop of red hair, then patted the curls, smoothing them down. She reached for his hand, taking the cap he held, placing it back atop his head. “Yes, I believe he’s finished with his letters, for a few days anyway. Hello, Rob, Liam, David.”
“We’ve missed ye, Elisabeth. Glad to hear ye’ll be back tomorrow,” Rob said.
“Aye, the young ones are a bit harder to handle without ye, that’s the truth,” Liam said. “Were ye feeling poorly?”
“Oh, no. My Papa wanted my help with some of his correspondence. I believe we’ve finished most of it, though, and he won’t have need of me quite as much.”
“Sean! Wait, ye know ye must wait for Liam or me,” Rob said, hurrying after Sean. “It was good to see ye out again, truly, Elisabeth.”
“Thank you, Rob. Goodbye, Sean!”
“Bye Lisabeth. Don’t forget tomorrow.”
“All right, Sean, maybe we’ll have time to start on the sevens,” she said, waving a hand.
“I heard tell Mrs. Reid has taken an interest in ye,” Liam said.
Elisabeth looked back at Liam, surprised. “Is there anything you don’t know, Liam?”
Liam shrugged. “I’ve always found it helpful to keep my eyes and ears open.”
“Who’s Mrs. Reid?” David asked, speaking for the first time since she’d joined them. It was irksome the way her presence had sent his blood racing. He was grateful Sean had gotten to her first. The lad saved him the embarrassment of running to greet her like a lovesick fool. He had the sinking feeling that without Liam there to make conversation he might remain tongue-tied for the duration. He hoped she hadn’t noticed. Of course, Liam had.
“Annie mentioned that the widow Reid was spending a lot of time trying to catch the notice of Mr. Hale and his poor motherless daughter. I gather she tried to ingratiate herself with the father by carrying tales of the daughter?”
“Tales? Of what?” David’s dark brows came together in a scowl. “Are ye meaning this widow made something of Elisabeth spending time with me while I was down? Is that true, Elisabeth? Is that why ye’ve been confined to your cabin?”
“Not confined, precisely, but Papa did suddenly need a lot of help with his correspondence.”
“And?” David said.
She raised her brows, questioning.
“Why was it that he needed ye close, of a sudden?”
Liam excused himself to see if the Reverend needed help.
“Nay, stay. If ye don’t mind, that is. I’ll no’ be the cause of her being shut in again.”
“David, it’s not important, really. Mrs. Reid ended up with much less than she bargained for. Having a daughter around full-time doesn’t make for ease in romancing. She’s the one who convinced Papa I should go to Sunday service, in spite of—never mind. She won’t be bending my Papa’s ears again with tales of my ‘transgressions.’ Quite the opposite, I should imagine.”
“Lisbeth, I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused ye. Ye need to be doing as your father expects.” He put his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her and looked at her, rocking back on his heels.
Her eyes snapped, darkening to a deeper blue. “Oh no you don’t, David Graham. I’m not a small child. I do and have done many things without my father’s express permission. And as of this point in time he hasn’t forbidden me to spend time with anyone, anyone on this ship. If you choose to n
o longer spend time with me, then come out and say so, don’t hide behind my father. Do I make myself clear? As a matter of fact, there’s Sarah standing with Annie. Mrs. Reid was full of talk about—never mind, if I’m not mistaken, Sarah appears to be waiting for you. She’ll be much less troublesome. From my understanding, her father is much too taken with the bottle to know or care who she spends time with.”
She stopped, her hand flying to her mouth and her eyes widening in horror. Flushing, she turned and hurried away.
David blinked, taking a step back. She had made it so easy, he hadn’t even used the words he’d crafted, explaining their differences.
Liam looked at him, grinning. “She told ye, didna she?”
“David? I need you. Can you come over here?”
David scowled at Liam. “Aye, Uncle John.”
Why didn’t he feel relief?
December 7, 1783—Uncle John held a service on deck this morning, which was well attended as the day was fair. Some started music on deck for the afternoon, probably not in keeping with the Sabbath, so I didn’t attend, but enjoyable for others nonetheless.
December 8, 1783—Full moon last night, bright enough to play cards, and a group of us did. I wish Elisabeth had been able to make it. She may have considered it if I hadn’t been there as well.
December 15, 1783—We have had the blessing of a strong wind the last week, and the crew thinks it may be enough to make up for time lost during the gale in November and the stillness after. Many have been ill from seasickness, and the first mate sends us below when the ship rolls overmuch.
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