She climbed back into the carriage as bid, legs trembling.
“Are you all right?” Mavis asked.
“Did you see that?” Sophie whispered, feeling torn. “Of course I am grateful, but... such violence. What sort of man is he?”
“He is a soldier, Sophie. A hardened one, by the looks of it.” Mavis squeezed her hand. “Were you frightened?”
“I was more frightened by his reaction than I was of those boys.”
Mavis bit her lip, brow furrowed. “It’s not too late, you know. If you are afraid of him, I could... take you to my sister’s in Bristol. You could have the child there, and then perhaps find a nice young couple to—”
“No. I want to keep my child. Going to Bristol would not solve my problem.”
The captain entered the carriage a few minutes later, the equipage lurching under his weight.
He sent her a sidelong glance and asked darkly, “Having second thoughts?”
Mrs. Thrupton spoke up, “Captain Overtree. Thank you for protecting my young friend. But I’m afraid we find your violent behavior quite shocking. It makes one wonder if you are able to control your temper. Can you give me some assurance that you will treat Miss Dupont in a gentlemanlike manner?”
“If by ‘gentlemanlike’ you mean slow to act, servile, and soft, then no. I’m afraid I cannot oblige you. In my profession, that sort of behavior gets one killed. I haven’t the luxury of a tender conscience.”
“Let us not mince words. I need to know that you will not ill use her.”
“I will not ill use her. You have my word. I shall even promise not to touch her if that will chase the frightened fawn look from her eyes.”
“Not touch her? I would not ask that. You shall be husband and wife, after all. Is that not so?”
“That is up to Miss Dupont.”
Sophie made no reply, and the carriage starting moving again.
A short while later, they reached the Plymouth docks, where they would buy passage on one of the boats waiting there to carry eloping couples across the channel.
When the carriage halted, Captain Overtree grasped the door latch and said over his shoulder, “I shall go and check with the harbormaster about a ship. That will give you five minutes to talk about me between yourselves. Please finish before I return.”
chapter 5
Sophie bid Mrs. Thrupton farewell at the bottom of the gangway.
“You’re certain?” Mavis asked one last time.
Sophie braved a smile. “Yes. Quite certain.” She embraced the woman and resisted the urge to hold on too tight or too long.
She released her friend, avoided meeting the captain’s brooding gaze, and preceded him up the gangway.
Together they crossed the deck, passing two other couples and half a dozen crewmen busy with ropes and baggage. He led her down a steep set of stairs toward the cabin he had purchased for the trip.
“Be forewarned. Even the best cabins are small.” He opened the door for her, set his own kit on the floor, and surveyed the room.
The cabin held a narrow bunk and a porthole high on the outside wall. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the space. Very close quarters indeed. Did he mean to share it with her? He would not fit in that bunk with her—unless their limbs were completely entwined. She swallowed at the thought. The ship tilted as it left its berth and moved toward open water. Her stomach roiled, and she pressed a hand against the wall to steady herself.
“Try to get some sleep,” he said. “I’ll go up on deck and leave you in peace. Lock the door behind me.”
She breathed a sigh of relief when he left. A relief that was short-lived when the ship lurched to the side and then rose and fell. Her stomach lurched in reply. It would be a long night.
The bedclothes looked dingy and smelled less than fresh, so Sophie laid her cloak over the bed and lay down fully clothed. Eventually she fell into an uneasy sleep.
A few hours later, she rose, feeling ill. Bile soured the back of her throat. She quickly scanned the room, swiped up the basin, and held it in her lap.
