He looked at her as if she’d sprouted an extra head. “I’m not a navy sailor. The lieutenant asked for a cabin boy, I was available and told him I’d take the job.”
“But anyone could say they were you. It doesn’t seem like him to be so lax.”
Now, he shrugged. “You should be glad. Isn’t that the point of you being able to take my position?”
It couldn’t be so easy. “So, you just walk up, wave the paper, and say, ‘Hello, I’m the cabin boy?’”
“He took down my name.”
She sighed. “Which is?”
“Jack Barlow”
“Alright, I board the ship, then what do I do?”
“Have you truly not done this before?” He shook his head and laughed. “You’re going to make a complete blunder of this.”
She wanted to throw her hands in the air. “Why else do you think I’m asking you?”
“You’ll get on and head down to the berth deck where you’ll take a hammock. Then, you’ll make yourself useful. Usually, I end up helping the cook and scrubbing the decks. It’s a navy ship so you’ll be doing a lot of that. Of course, your main job is to make sure the lieutenant stays comfortable. Bring his meals, do his laundry. Maybe he’ll want you to help dress him like a valet.”
Her stomach twisted and heat flamed across her cheeks. Dear God, she hoped he wouldn’t. She blew out a breath. It would be fine. No need to keep up the ruse for more than a day at most. Just long enough to be far enough out that he wouldn’t return her.
“Why?” Jack frowned at her unease. “Why do you want this job so bad?”
Suspicion filled his eyes and her mind raced to find an answer. If he suspected her of having ill intentions, he might very well alert the lieutenant’s men and ruin everything.
“My father is sick, so I need to work. But, I’ve no experience. After this job, I’m sure I’ll be able to find a ship willing to hire me on full time.”
He scowled. “Probably for the best. No one in their right mind wants to go after that pirate they’re hunting. Heard he’s real nasty.”
“Well, the lieutenant already bested him once, so I have faith he can do so again.”
With a shrug, he turned. “I’d rather not tempt fate.”
Josephine stood still as he walked away. Her palm drifted over her bulging pocket and she chewed her cheek. “Jack, wait.” She hurried to catch up, pulling out a handful of coins. While she wished she could give all the winnings to him, if she did, he’d be suspicious.
“Here.” She handed them over. “A token of appreciation.”
He paused, but relief filled his eyes as he took them. “What’s your name, by the way?”
She grinned. “Why, don’t you know? Jack Barlow.”
A chuckle answered her cheeky response and he dipped his head. “Maybe you’ll pull this off after all.”
“Oh, one last thing.” Her hand remained extended. “I need your hat.”
*
The window creakedas Josephine climbed in. Her eyes darted to Abigail’s bed, only to find it empty. Ice slid through her veins. What if she’d told her father? Earlier that night, when Josephine had walked in disguised in breeches and a men’s shirt, Abigail had nearly fainted and tried to make her stay. She cursed having to use the window, but the tree outside made getting in and out of the house easy. A scrape camefrom the corner and she spun.
“You gave me a start, even knowing you’d still be dressed in that ridiculous boy clothing.” Abigail rubbed her eyes from where she stood in front of a plush armchair near the fireplace. “Thank heavens you’re alright. I’ve been worried sick.”
Relief rushed through Josephine and she strode forward. “I need your help.”
Her friend frowned. “Why do I have a bad feeling I’m not going to like what you’re about to ask me to do?”
Josephine waved a hand. “Oh, don’t worry, I just need you to watch Lola while I’m gone.”
