A knocking at the door brought her around. Captain Tennant wouldn't bother to knock, she was certain of it. That could only mean it was one of the crew. She wore the shirt and a pair of pants that had obviously once belonged to a smaller member of the crew. She rolled back the cuffs so that she wasn't at risk of tripping, then smoothed her hair back.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly, and a graying head poked tentatively around the edge of it. Elyse recognized the man she'd seen in the companionway the day before when she'd tried to make her escape. Now he looked as if he expected a plate or cup to come flying at his head.
"I promise not to throw anything." She decided she'd much rather gain some information before her captor came back. After all, where was she to go in the middle of the ocean? She wanted to know where she was and where they were going.
Faintly reddened eyes twinkled back at her, and the man came around the door and fixed her with a disarming smile. He reminded her of Cedric.
"Tobias Gentry is the name—ship's physician."
Now that she saw him in the full light of day, Elyse's eyes widened. "I know you."
"Aye, we've met before. But at the time, I was dressed a little fancier than I am now."
"You were at the supper party. If memory serves me correctly, dressed as a Spanish marquis."
Tobias winced. "It wasn't my idea. I would've come up with something a little more original."
"Such as Tobias Gentry, ship's doctor?" She suggested, amusement dancing in her eyes. It was good to be able to talk to someone without feeling anger or the need for confrontation.
His eyes narrowed, but the twinkling remained. "Zach said you weren't the shy type. I can see he was telling the truth."
"Zach?" she asked.
"I suppose there's no harm in your knowing. Zachary Tennant is captain of theRevenge.And a fine ship she is. If you like ships. I don't care much for them myself. But if a fella has to sail, this would be the one to sail on."
The beginning of understanding lit Elyse's soft blue eyes. "So, you're a reluctant passenger as well. Were you were abducted?" she paused. "Or did you come aboard willingly?"
Tobias rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose I would have to say that I came aboard willingly."
"You must know Captain Tennant well," she commented.
"Fairly well, I darn near raised the boy—me and his mother." He stopped, realizing the game she played. His eyes narrowed.
"Yer a clever one. I'll have to be careful or you'll have the whole crew mutiny to yer side."
"I don't see how that's possible since I'm being kept prisoner."
"Not at all," he replied. "You may come and go as you please during the day, so long as theRevengeis at sea."
Then I'm not to be locked in here?"
Zach was right. Elyse Winslow wasn't the fainting, simpering type. She was as proud as she was beautiful, and stronger than most any woman he'd ever met, considering what she'd been through.
He cleared his throat as he broached the delicate subject. "Zach said you were to have the use of the cabin. He thought you would be more comfortable here. He'll take the other cabin, once it's been cleaned."
Elyse smiled at him gratefully. She found herself liking Tobias Gentry, in spite of his choice of friends. "Well, if I'm free to move about as I please, is there any possibility of acquiring some breakfast?"
He nodded. "I thought you might be hungry. The sea air does that to a person. And cook saved some of his best ham and biscuits for you. They're the best outside of Minerva's at Resolute."
She looked up. There was a name she hadn't heard before. "Resolute?"
"Home, for these wanderin' seafarers. And I assure you, it will do these old eyes good to see it again." He took her gently by the arm and closed the cabin door behind them.
"Is it far away?" she asked.
He smiled at her and gave her a wink. "Not so far for some."
