The up and down movement of riding swells had stopped. It had been replaced with a barely perceptible rock. A thrill ran through her. They had arrived in Savannah.
She jumped to her feet and rushed to the windows, pressing her face to a cool glass pane. Another ship blocked the view. Her mind raced as she noted the sun’s position high in the sky. How long had they been in port? Had the lieutenant left the ship already?
She snatched up her blouse and skirt and changed from her nightgown. Sweeping her hair up into a bun, she hurried to the door and opened it. Lola squawked from her perch on the lieutenant’s chair.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
Outside, she squinted in the sun and turned to climb the stairs to the quarterdeck, her bare feet slapping each warm step. Up there, nothing blocked her view. At the railing, she leaned over, her mouth dropping open.
Docks stretched as far as she could see in either direction, lined with a multitude of moored ships. The land rose steeply from the river, with precarious stone stairways snaking up from the thick timber planks lining the water’s edge. Buildings of all sizes lined the waterfront and crowds of dockhands bustled about on the docks along with a multitude of men and mules pulling carts full of crates and lumber.
“Why are you out here?”
The lieutenant’s curt words cut through her astonishment, but she didn’t turn to him.
“If this is small, what does a bigger port look like?”
He stepped forward so that he stood next to her at the railing and she could almost feel his gaze on her in the silence that followed. Still, she could not drag her eyes from the scene in front of her.
Somehow, she’d expected Savannah to be similar to Tortuga. Unease slid through her veins. How would she be able to cross paths with the lieutenant over the next few days in such a large city? She clamped her teeth together as the impossibility of her original plan fully sank in.
“You’ve made it to Savannah. Now what?”
She swallowed as he seemed to read her mind. “I’ll find an inn or boardinghouse to stay at.”
He scoffed. “With all the Navy sailors pouring into town, I’m not sure you’ll find lodging of any kind.”
If he wanted to see her break down into hysterics, he’d be disappointed. Still, her heart beat wildly. “I’m sure I’ll be able to find something.”
“And then what?”
She finally swiveled to meet his scrutiny, blinking at the intensity in his eyes. For a split second, she considered how he would react if she told him her plan to conveniently show up wherever he was—a plan currently smoldering in flames.
A ball had formed in her throat and she coughed before she could speak. “Since you seem so keen to know, what would you suggest?”
The smug look on his face had her regretting the question as soon as it left her lips. She already knew the answer—to get right back on a boat and go back to Tortuga.
A voice interrupted them before he could tell her so. “Isaac, there you are.”
Josephine spun to find a tall man approaching. Dark wavy hair blew in every direction in the breeze. Green eyes locked on her and widened slightly before he passed her and pulled the lieutenant into a rough hug.
“You made good time.”
“Did you expect otherwise?” Fondness shone through Lieutenant Caldwell’s grin, and Josephine couldn’t help her own smile at the camaraderie. This must be the friend he had risked his life to save.
“I see you’ve brought a visitor.” The man’s sharp gaze settled back on Josephine.
“This is Miss Montclair, daughter of the governor of Tortuga. She’ll be staying with you.”
Was he insinuating…? Her cheeks burned. “I told you I could find my own lodging.”
“I would feel much better knowing you were safe with friends. They have plenty of room. Right, Christian?”
His friend’s eyes twinkled. “Of course. Welcome to Savannah, Miss Montclair.” He bowed. “Christian Thompson, at your service. My wife, Samantha, will be glad to have a guest.”
Josephine took a steadying breath. Samantha. His wife. All thoughts of illicit intentions faded and she glanced between the two men. Maybe this would work in her favor. Surely, staying with the lieutenant’s closest friend would give her much better odds of seeing him again.
“I…”
