"Mornin', Cap'n." He tipped his hat with an awkward gesture that would have been out of place aboard ship.
Zach corrected him. "Not Captain, Sandy. We must be careful."
"Sorry, your grace." He beamed as he got it right.
"Did you get the information I wanted?"
"Yes sir." Sandy opened the door to the coach, lowered the folding step, and stood aside. To anyone observing, they seemed to be exchanging only the customary greeting and response of employer and servant.
"What did you find out about Miss Winslow?"
"I went to the house just as you said, Cap'n." He winced. "Sorry about that."
"Go on." Zach climbed the step, paused to adjust his hat, and took a seat inside.
"With the weddin' only a couple of weeks off, there's all kinds of people comin' and goin' at the house, but I talked to their coachman. He was a real talkative fella. Miss Winslow has been real busy with all the plans."
"What about Barrington?" Zach discreetly watched the street to make certain he wasn't being followed.
"He hasn't been around. But one of the maids at the market first thing this mornin' said its common knowledge Barrington's keepin' a mistress. Some actress, I think. He's been spendin' most of his evenin's with her or at that private club of his."
"Does Miss Winslow ever leave the house? She must have appointments to keep. Most ladies do."
For days Zach had been trying to find some way to meet her again. But after their last encounter, he knew it would have to appear to be an accidental meeting. He was certain she wouldn't accept an invitation. Still, he mused thoughtfully, he did have something she wanted to have back.
"No appointments the last two days, but she left the house anyway. She went out ridin' again this morning, just like yesterday."
Zach looked up from beneath the brim of his hat. He swept it off, glad to be rid of it. "Where did she ride?" An idea was beginning to take shape. He knew it was reckless; still, he wanted to see her again, felt almost compelled to see her.
"A place called Kensington Gardens, usually. There's a big fella always follows along behind."
"Protection?" Zach mused with a smile.
"So it seems. But she usually manages to give him the slip. He's not very good with a horse."
"You've done a good job, Sandy. Does she ride at the same time each morning?"
"Same time every day. She slipped outta the house before dawn this mornin'. I never seen a proper-born lady who likes riding that time of day. And you want to know somethin' else real strange?" Sandy refolded the single step into the coach. "I almost missed her both times."
Zach's gaze narrowed. "What do you mean, missed her? She's not exactly the sort of woman you'd overlook."
"Right ye are, sir," Sandy quickly agreed. "She's one beautiful lady. But that's just it. Both times, when she left the house, it weren't no lady I saw. It was a man!"
He had Zach's full attention now. "What are you talking about?"
"Just that. She weren't a lady at all. She was a man."
"Sandy, what the devil do you mean, she was a man?"
The second mate from theRevengeshrugged. "She was dressed up just like a man, with fancy breeches, jacket, and fine leather boots. And she had her hair all tucked up inside a black cap. Darnedest thing I ever did see. But she sat astride that horse like she knew what she was doin'."
Amusement deepened Zach's gray gaze. "Astride?"
"Yes sir! Full astride, just like a man. You don't think maybe...?" He left the implication unfinished.
Chuckling, Zach met his questioning stare. "No, Sandy. I don't think so at all. She's a woman all right. In every way possible." He sobered. "Let's get going. There's a great deal to be done before tomorrow morning. Suddenly, I have need of a horse."
He came to her... No words were spoken. None were needed. It was as though any words would only give unnecessary voice to that which they knew in their hearts. Elyse turned to him, her questions falling away before the answering promise in his eyes. This moment was as it had been a thousand times in the past and promised to be in the future. But now they came together slowly, almost as if they both feared it might be gone again too quickly.
