To her surprise, a little yellow-haired fellow suddenly appeared between the canvas curtains. He wore tight white pantaloons, a dark-blue frock coat, and a big grin.
“Are you feeling better, ma’am?” he asked cheerfully.
“No, actually … my whole body hurts. And I feel ill, but perhaps that is a result of the horrendous smell about this place.”
“I am sorry about that. Dr. Braden has opened all the gunports for you, with the exception of the one by your head, but I’m afraid, whether the ports are opened or not, most of the ship carries with it an awful odour.”
“Could I ask you to open this port as well? It may alleviate some of my suffering.”
Emily watched the boy closely as he worked to lift the heavy port into place. When he was done, the bracing air that instantly found her corner did much to improve her temperament.
“Dr. Braden says you broke your ankle and that you were shot in the shoulder. I hope it wasn’t one of our men that shot you.”
“It was definitely not one of yours.” She smiled up at him. “And what is your name?”
“Augustus Walby, but everyone calls me Gus. May I ask yours?”
“It’s Emily, but I should like it if you called me Em.”
“Should I not address you as Miss … something?” he asked, looking uneasy.
“No, please, just plain Em. Now tell me what it is you have in your hands.”
“A novel. Mr. Austen gave it to me. Have you been introduced to Commander Austen yet?”
“I may have been. Does he go by the name of Fly?”
“He does. Dr. Braden calls him that. I understand they have been friends for a long time; grew up in the same town in England. It was Mr. Austen that suggested you might like it if I read to you.”
“And what is the title of your novel, Gus?”
“Sense and Sensibility. It was written by Mr. Austen’s younger sister, Jane.”
Emily’s eyes brightened. “I know it! I would be happy to have you read it to me.”
“It would be my honour, ma’am.”
“Remember, Mr. Walby, it is Em.”
“I fear the captain would send me to the flogging post should he overhear me addressing you by your first name.”
Emily narrowed her eyes. “He wouldn’t dare while there’s still breath in me.”
Gus laughed, showing a line of perfect white teeth, a rare thing in the navy.
“Who taught you to read?” she asked.
“My mother did when I lived in England. Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Austen help me now when they have some free time. They help all we young midshipmen with our letter writing, too. Mr. Austen is a particularly good teacher, although this war keeps him awfully busy. I don’t really care for Mr. Lindsay. He has no patience when we make mistakes.”
“Where in England does your family live?”
“They lived in London.”
“Lived?”
“My parents are both dead.”
Emily’s face softened. He was so young.
“I live with my uncle. He’s a sea captain and expected me to enter the navy.”
All at once, Emily felt fiercely tired. “I would love to have you read Jane Austen to me, Gus, as long as you’re not offended if I should drop off to sleep. But before you begin … could I trouble you for a cup of water?”
“Right away … Em.”
* * *
“MAY I INQUIRE, SIR who this woman is?” asked Octavius after Captain Moreland had rejoined his men in the wardroom.
“She’s a mystery, Mr. Lindsay,” said James, cutting into his meat. “From her speech, we have deduced that she is an Englishwoman, and from her manner of clothing, a gentlewoman. Whether she really was a prisoner of war on the Serendipity is yet to be confirmed. Regardless, it confounds me why any woman would be fool enough to be on the Atlantic with war raging all round.”
“Might it seem likely her father has a large plantation in Jamaica, or Antigua, perhaps, and she was travelling there to meet him?” asked Leander.
“Or, perhaps she was en route to Canada to be with relatives who have already settled there,” suggested Fly. “War and politics are driving many away from the United States as well as from our England.”
James gave Leander and Fly a thoughtful nod.
“Whatever the case may be, you will leave her in Bermuda, will you not, sir?” asked Octavius.
“I have not yet made that decision,” said James.
“But having a woman like her on board, sir …”
Leander looked up quizzically from his supper. “Yes, Mr. Lindsay? The problem with that is … ?”
“Why, the men will become unruly. They will fight over her.”
Leander frowned. “But I understand they have Mrs. Kettle to look after their needs.”
“Doctor, you may be older than thirty, but surely you can see through those spectacles of yours.”
“Mr. Lindsay … the woman is injured. Removing her to shore would be unwise.”
“Ah, our doctor does have eyes. More wine please, Biscuit.” Octavius waited until his goblet had been refilled. “And would she not receive better medical attention in a proper hospital?”
“In Halifax, yes,” said Leander. “The conditions in Bermuda do not impress me.”
“But we’re fighting a war, Doctor. She can only get in the way. Why not leave her in Bermuda and allow a merchant ship to carry her home to England?”
Running a finger around the edge of his wine glass, James piped up. “She’s an attractive woman, Mr. Lindsay – that is evident to us all – but no man shall harm her or neglect his duties as a result of her presence on this ship; otherwise, they’ll be duly punished. No. She’ll remain with us until such time as we reach Halifax. In the meantime, we must find out who she is.”
“What if she’s a spy?” Octavius ventured unhappily.
There was a roar of laughter that rivalled the thunder of the sea beyond the windows, and the men unanimously agreed that the wine had gone to Octavius’s head.
“Perhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to discover if our guest has appetites to rival those of Mrs. Kettle’s,” quipped Fly. “And, should this be true, I daresay you’ll be parting with a good portion of your pay.”
While his messmates snickered, Octavius rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re quite a boor, Mr. Austen.”
“Tell me, Doctor, when might I be able to speak with her?” asked James. “She may have valuable information regarding the Serendipity.”
“Ah, so my spy theory holds weight, does it?” cried Octavius, lifting his chin.
“Perhaps, Mr. Lindsay,” James said patiently. “Either way, she may be able to tell us whether or not there were any Royal Navy deserters on board that American ship.” He looked over at Leander and repeated his question.
Leander clasped his hands and regarded him over his spectacles.