The door swung outward, and a footman’s helping hand reached in.
“Get out, idiot girl!” her aunt groused, shoving at Heather’s arm.
Swallowing back her retort, Heather accepted the footman’s hand and stepped down. The scent of decaying fish hit her instantly, and she discreetly breathed through her mouth. Men stomped to and fro around her, carrying boxes and barrels.
The sun heated her through her pale green petticoats, the gentle breeze providing little relief. Even through the clouds, and the undoubtedly rough waters between England and the Americas, the sun would be her constant companion throughthe summer, hovering somewhere above. The sun and her teammates, Percy and Cordelia.
At that moment, Percy ought to be somewhere on the frigate, working alongside the crew. Cordelia, acting as her maid and chaperone, was disembarking from her carriage even now.
Her moment had arrived.
Perspiration dampenedPercy’s skin and stained his uniform. The stale, hot air was nigh unbearable, and he was very much looking forward to the relief of some wind.
He deposited the barrel he carried into the hold and returned to the quarterdeck. Wiping his brow with the sleeve of his coat, he turned his attention to the docks.
Four carriages had arrived carrying the Earl of Hanley, Miss Heather Morgan, their servants, and Cordelia. Few of the earl’s staff would join him and Heather on their frigate; most would journey upon the frigate that would follow. Hanley had apparently bemoaned the expense, but not only did his belongings take up far too much room in the hold, the safest way to travel the seas was in pairs. The second ship would be roughly a half day’s journey behind them, should they encounter any severe inclement weather and require aid.
On the shore, the earl waved his hands about, first blustering at his valet, then turning to shout at Heather. Percy frowned, his gut clenching as he attempted to make sense of the man’s angry gestures.
The earl pointed at Cordelia, then back at his own milling staff and the frigates. Heather retorted, pointing at her chest, then at Cordelia. Heather’s aunt stepped in, gripping Heather’sshoulders and gesturing plaintively at the earl.Fuck.It would appear that he had decided to not permit Cordelia on board.
“Back t’ work!” a man growled behind Percy.
Brow creasing in a scowl, Percy turned and retrieved another barrel. The necessities to sail had already been completed on both ships, with the exception of preparing the oars for their careful navigation through the mouth of the Thames, but the earl had strongly demanded that his particular items be added to their hold throughout the journey. Percy would be amazed if the earl had not demanded the captain’s quarters as well.
Unable to help himself, his gaze darted back toward the docks, and he caught one last glimpse of Heather before he went belowdecks. Bubbles of nervous energy rippled through his abdomen. They’d beenintimatelast night… His heart gave a hard thump at the memory of their tryst.
Focus, Percy, he chided himself.
If Cordelia was unable to continue with her role, Percy would be required to provide additional support. Hanley was a dangerous man, and now was decidedly not the time for Percy to lose sight of their task—and the role he had to play.
Muffledshouting and thumping footfalls filled Heather’s ears as she followed a large man across the upper deck. Fury and frustration stiffened her spine. She must speak with Percy. The earl—her affianced—refused admittance to Cordelia, who’d been meant to act as her lady’s maid. Now, she was down her closest confidante in this assignment. The woman was meant to infiltrate the earl’s staff to glean information, but now the entirety of it was up to Heather.
She stifled another sigh of agitation and attempted to focus on the man ahead of her.Setbacks are to be expected, she reminded herself.I can do this.
The ship—theSapphire—was rather larger than she had expected, with three masts, streams of organized ropes, and cannons spaced evenly along either side of the ship. The helm and three small structures were situated near the rear of the ship. Men strode with purpose about the deck, and young men clung to the masts and sails like children climbing trees.
It was entirely new, this world on a frigate. Undoubtedly, the other decks would prove just as curious.
“M’ name’s Stubbs,” her guide said over one broad shoulder. “This deck is called th’ quarterdeck.” He gestured around them with one arm.
Heather nodded.
He led her to a narrow stairwell that rather seemed more of a ladder, and descended to the second deck.
“These steps r’ called th’ companionway,” he noted. “As y’ can see, this deck’s th’ gun deck.” He pointed toward the rear of the ship. “Them doors lead t’ th’ cap’n’s cabin.”
Heather glanced around the deck. Sunlight shone through the gaping holes in the deck above. Lord knew what they were for, but it certainly brightened the space. Cannons lined both sides of the deck. Next to each was a bucket and a stack of cannonballs. Toward the front was what appeared to be several cook tops and ovens with a chimney stack that rose up through the deck above.
The man named Stubbs led her down another ladder—companionway—onto the third deck. A chill of unease raced up her spine. Hanging lanterns lit the space, swinging slowly with the gentle sway of the ship.Fire. Her pulse skipped, and she swallowed back the groan that threatened. Instead, she forced her attention back to the remainder of the space.
The centre and front of the deck were lined with tables, benches, and buckets, and had multiple sacks that hung from beams above the tables. The rear part of the deck was lined with what appeared to be cabinetry, though they were separated by a wall that divided the last portion of the deck.
“This is th’ mess deck,” Stubbs said. “Th’ men sleep in ’ammocks above th’ tables, an’ there”—he gestured toward the cabinets—“are th’ officers’ cabins. Yours is this’n on th’ end.”
Heather nodded her understanding.
“There’re three cabins in each row, before th’ dividing wall,” the sailor continued. “On th’ other side is th’ wardroom and four additional officers’ cabins on each wall. Each cabin along th’ wall gets larger t’ward th’ bow, yers being th’ smallest, th’ earl claiming th’ largest.”
