They were soon climbing the gangway to theCharlotte Anne,and while inwardly she was terrified, outwardly Ruby showed nothing. However, she did grip the hand that held hers.
“Can I help you, sir?”
A sailor was on the deck when they arrived.
“We are friends of Mr. Harry Sinclair. I am Mr. Deville, this is my brother Mr. Zachariel Deville, and my cousin Mr. Howarth. And this is Miss Knight.”
“Lord Sinclair and Mr. Warwick Sinclair are currently with Captain Sinclair in his quarters, sir. If you will wait here, I will tell them you are on deck.”
“That’s handy,” Zach said.
Ruby’s eyes kept going to the masts she could just see two ships to the right. Was Adam there? If so, was he terrified? Of course he was terrified. She turned when the sound of footsteps approaching reached her. It was one of the men they’d met at Gunter’s tea shop. The one who had helped Ella when her tummy was sore.
“Now what has you all on my ship?”
“So, you’re a Captain Sinclair too,” Zach said. “I thought he was talking about Wolf.”
“It is a trifle confusing. I am captain on board my ships, but Harry Sinclair off it. My cousin deserves the title of captain more than I, as he fought for his country.”
Harry Sinclair’s eyes went around all of them and settled on her. Or more specifically the hand that held hers. She again tried to tug free and failed, but she did not persist and cause a scene.
“Come this way. The others are in my cabin.”
“It will be all right, Ruby.”
“How? I want to get Adam back now.”
“Soon,” he soothed.
The cabin was large, and lamps lit the space.
“What has happened?” Lord Sinclair asked when he looked at her.
“Miss Knight’s brother has been abducted, and we have reason to believe he is on theGodfrey,” Forrest said.
“Why?” Harry Sinclair asked.
“The reason is a long one, but the short version is, the man who took him was using Miss Knight to gain information and run his errands,” Nathan Deville said.
“I’m guessing these errands are not buying pies?” Lord Sinclair asked.
“Have you heard that women are going missing?” Zach said. “Some are off the streets of London, others have arrived by sea and been taken when they disembark.”
They nodded.
“We believe theGodfreyis involved in this,” Forrest said. “Or more importantly, the owner of it.”
“And seeing as you and your brothers involve yourself in such things—”
“Exactly,” Zachariel Deville said.
They, and others, are working for the king.
“The owner of that ship is the Merchant,” Harry Sinclair said. “I have never met him, only those that work for him. I will not have dealings with the man, as his reputation is blacker than Hades. It does not surprise me that he would be involved in something like this.”
“And the women he is kidnapping? Where are they?” Lord Sinclair asked.
“We believe he is putting them to work”—Nathan Deville looked at her—“as prostitutes.”
