His friend’s eyes were like daggers. “Unlike you, he will not be alone, because he is a coward. Do not walk anywhere. Take a hackney there and back, Ash. There is too much danger for you out there.” Baron pointed a finger at him. “We do not know when he will strike.”
“I can look after myself,” he snapped.
“Really? Then how is it you were shot not long ago?”
“I was not paying attention.”
“You should take one of the crew with you.”
“I am the bloody captain of this vessel. I do not need a nanny!” Ash left theFreedombefore Baron could say anything more, stalking down the gangway and onto the dock. Soon he was walking through the throng of people.
Would Radcliff go after the family of a duke and marquis? Ash doubted it, but it still worried him.
Waving down a hackney because he wanted to, not because Baron had told him he must, he headed to the warehouse. But still, his eyes tracked from left to right out the windows. Where would Radcliff strike next? Ash had to get to him first.
He hadn’t told Baron the true reason he’d left theFreedomwillingly. In fact, he had another place to visit. He had decided to employ the services of a private investigator after visiting the warehouse. He wanted Radcliff’s location, and the sooner the better.
After the hackney dropped him off, he made his way to the warehouse he wanted. Stepping inside, he looked down the long rows of tables and shelves piled high with goods.
“Good day to you. I am Mr. Ashford Charlton, captain of theFreedom,” he said to the well-dressed man approaching.
“Good day to you. I am Lord Ryder.”
That had Ash stopping. A nobleman, owning a warehouse?
“I see you are surprised, but I have no wish to live off my brother, who is a duke and has more than enough money should I need a handout, which I assure you I do not.”
He didn’t know how to answer that. The man reminded Ash of Devonshire Sinclair. He had that steady way about him. James too. Men who knew their place in the world and were happy to speak as they wished. He’d once thought he knew his place, but now Ash had absolutely no idea where that was.
A vision of Dorset Sinclair slipped into his head.Damn her.
“We are to take a shipment of your silks and others supplies on board, my lord. However, our ship has been damaged and we are a few weeks from sailing, so I am here to pay for it, but would like to leave delivery until I notify you.”
The man smiled. “Of course, please come this way. I was at the docks the other day and heard there was damage done to theFreedom. I believe a fire was started on the quarterdeck?”
“Yes, it was.” He didn’t want to discuss the damage to his ship; it made him want to hit something, namely Radcliff.
He walked, Ash followed, and they were soon in his office. Lord Ryder made notes about the changes and took payment from him.
“Hello!”
If he hadn’t been looking at Lord Ryder, Ash would not have seen his eyes roll.
“Will, it’s me. Hurry it along, old man. The horse is waiting!”
Ash knew that voice.
“Excuse me for a moment, Captain Charlton.” Lord Ryder stepped back through the door.
“Is there any chance you can show the manners I know your older brother hammered into you?” Lord Ryder demanded.
Ash debated with himself for five seconds. He didn’t need to make his presence known to Cambridge. He could just stay in here.He would stay here.
“Don’t get pious with me, Ryder. I work too you know! Horse, then food! Get rid of your customer and hurry it up.”
Ash couldn’t help it, he smiled. It was suddenly there on his face.
“Apologies, Will. You know how he is when hungry.”
