"Who is he, Katy? Who is the phantom of my dreams?"
"Yer grandmother always thought it must be your father, because losin' your parents was such a dreadful shock." Katy held out pantalets for her to step into.
Elyse shook her head. "There are portraits of him and of my mother. He's not the man in my dreams. It's someone else. Someone I know... " If only she could remember. She closed her eyes, experiencing again the overwhelming peace she always felt with the dream, and.... the passion.
"I feel so safe, as if I've finally come to the end of a very long journey." Her voice was sad with longing. "And when he kisses me... "
Katy's head came up, a startled expression on her face. It was the first time Elyse had ever mentioned anything so intimate being in her dreams.
"It's natural to dream of the man yer to marry." Her voice was hesitant as she tied the strings at Elyse's waist.
Elyse wrapped her arms about herself as she crossed the room to stand before the windows. She stared into the early evening darkness as if searching for something beyond the glass.
"I can almost see him." But it wasn't Jerrold. Of that she was certain.
Her throat tightened with inexplicable longing. Sadness always accompanied the dreams, like a foreboding of some loss she couldn't understand.
"You had a saying when I was little—if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. Well, it seems, Katy my love, that I'm without my horse. I've lost him and can't seem to find him."
Elyse smiled then. "It'll be all right, Katy, I promise. I won't spoil this for Grandmother?"
The maid frowned, unable to dismiss the nagging doubts that had plagued her since Elyse's betrothal was formally announced. It was not her place to interfere. What did she know of arranged marriages?
All she was certain of was that a young girl, no matter her station in life, should have the right to make a choice of the heart. Perhaps, she thought to herself, it was one of those things a girl gave up when she became a proper lady. Still, Katy couldn't help feeling it was wrong.
"Come along," she whispered. "Let's finish getting you dressed. Master Jerrold and his father will be here soon. Which jewelry will you be wantin' to wear? How about the diamond and sapphire necklace he gave you for your birthday?" she suggested.
Elyse shook her head. There was only one piece she would wear that evening. She almost felt as if it were a good luck talisman.
"I'll wear the pendant, Grandmother gave me." After all, she thought, tonight was to be a very special night. She should have shared that feeling, but didn't.
* * *
Zach forged the elaborate signature on the contract. At least now he would have a place to store his wool. Only he and his second mate knew the true value of those tightly bound bales, for inside each was a heavy leather pouch containing something far more valuable—gold. It was a deception of course, hiding the gold at the same time, almost keeping it in plain sight.
He looked up as Tobias carefully made his way up the gangplank to step down on the more secure deck. Wiping beads of perspiration from his brow, the older man sat on a nearby barrel.
Zach nodded to his second mate. "Make certain guards are posted, but not conspicuously." He turned to Tobias. "What were you able to find out?"
"Give me a minute to catch me breath," Tobias puffed. Removing the top of an adjacent barrel, he seized a ladle and dipped into the cool water. He took a long drink.
Zach had waited long enough. "Good God, man! What did you find out about the Barringtons?"
Tobias shifted his stout frame. Taking another sip, he narrowed his gaze thoughtfully.
"I found out that if you mention the Barrington name anywhere about London, you're bound to find out something."
"Such as?" Zach shifted impatiently.
Tobias’ gaze dropped to his hands. "London hasn't changed much in thirty years. Most of the businesses are still here, though the faces have changed a bit." He smiled ruefully. "They're all younger." He chuckled to himself.
"Over thirty years," he murmured. "An entire lifetime. God, I didn't realize how much I missed England." There was an odd catch in his voice as he blinked back emotion.
"What about the Barringtons?" Zach repeated.
Tobias’ eyes narrowed. "They're a powerful family, old money, impeccable lineage. The name carried a great deal of power when I was a young man. They're not limited to shipping. They own a piece of the rail system, and mining operations in South Wales."
"I didn't ask for a banker's report," Zach replied and didn't bother to hide the sarcasm. "What about the family?"
