“Nothing.” He dismissed Baron’s question. They stood on the deck of theFreedom,inspecting repairs.
Arriving in London, Ash had found his ship damaged by fire. Luckily his crew had not been harmed and had put it out before the entire vessel burned, but the repairs were major and would take time.
He’d known who had attempted to destroy his ship. If he’d needed further confirmation that Radcliff was in London, this had given it. The fire and set of cuffs he’d left for Ash to find.
One look at them, and he’d felt them tightening around his wrists. He’d known they were the ones he’d worn as Radcliff’s prisoner.
“It will be at least another two weeks for her to be seaworthy,” Baron told him.
Ash cursed.
“I want men taking shifts to guard theFreedom,” he said. “Radcliff will be back, and I do not want a repeat of what we found when we returned to London. I also want to know immediately if he is sighted.”
“He wants to keep you here to finish what he started that night.”
“If he knows Gus lives, he’ll hunt him down, Baron.”
“He did not know you lived after the fever, and you were searching for him for years. It is pure luck he found you here. But if he should find out, your family is strong enough to keep themselves safe. Especially now we know what they are capable of,” Baron said.
“A bullet will still kill them,” Ash snapped.
“But they have Lady Sinclair.”
“Aye,” Ash said, not sure he’d ever understand what the Sinclairs were capable of.
“You miss them. Miss your brother and Dorrie. It’s like an ache under your ribs you can’t reach.”
It was.“Shut up.”
“Be honest at least with yourself, Ash.”
“Shut up.”
Usually being on his ship calmed him; that wasn’t the case today. He’d earned this ship with Baron’s help.
They’d worked like dogs and then had a lucky break. Investing in the right cargo had seen him yield enough to purchase theFreedom. It had been old, tired, and in need of a lot of work. In fact, the owner had said it wouldn’t float again. He and Baron had worked until it did.
“Take two of the crew and a hackney and go to the warehouse and tell them we need the order to be delayed so the delivery does not arrive,” Baron said. “Don’t come back until your temper improves.”
“My temper is always like this,” Ash stated.
“No.” His friend straightened from the work he was doing on the rigging. “You are even more miserable than usual. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.”
“I have a man who is my sworn enemy wanting me dead, and while I will not lose sleep over that, I will now I have the concern of Gus and the others.”
“Then go and tell them,” Baron said.
“Gus already knows of the threat.”
“But you could tell them about your ship and where to find you. Tell them you are still in London, as they are surely returned from Crunston Cliff now.”
“I will return soon” was all he said, then walked to his cabin. Baron was right; he hadn’t been himself since he’d left Crunston Cliff. In fact, he’d not been calm since he’d left her. Dorset Sinclair with the lovely green eyes and lush body.
Pulling on his jacket and hat, Ash stepped back out on the deck.
“Who are you taking with you?” Baron demanded.
“No one. I want him to come for me.”
