Samantha pointed to the rapier hanging above her bed. “I don’t carry it around for nothing.” Her face had sobered. “I almost killed Christian with one just like that.”
Josephine’s eyes widened. “Surely you jest?”
When Samantha shook her head, Josephine leaned toward her but was met with a raised hand. “Another time. I’m sure Christian and Isaac are waiting for us now. Meanwhile…” She lifted her skirt. “One can never be too prepared.”
A leather sheath hugged her ankle, the hilt of its dagger resting against her calf. Josephine blinked and Samantha chuckled. “I think it might be good to give you some basic swordsmanship lessons. We can start tomorrow if you’d like.”
A thrill ran through Josephine at the thought of learning to wield a real sword. She nodded and Samantha dropped her skirt and motioned toward the door.
“Do many women in America have this… knowledge?”
This time, Samantha’s laugh rang through the cabin. “Heavens no. At least no one respectable.”
Josephine frowned. “Then why do you?”
Samantha opened the door and slid her a sly look. “Who ever said I was respectable?”
Out on the deck, Josephine fell a few steps behind Samantha with a wide grin. No wonder Abigail had mentioned unconventional friends.
“What took so long?” Christian leaned against the railing near the gangplank wearing a deep blue tailcoat. “We’ll be lucky if the party isn’t over by the time we get there.”
Samantha lifted on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Precisely.”
Lieutenant Caldwell stood several paces away with his back tothem, his attention fixed on the lights of the city beyond. When he turned, his gaze found Josephine at once. Heat pooled in her chest as scenes from earlier flashed through her, the ghost of her bold kiss still lingering on her lips. A slow, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes raked over her as if recalling every moment.
The ship rocked gently beneath her feet as she lifted a hand to adjust the ribbon at her neck as he stepped forward to meet her. He came to a stop, too close, the scent of salt and sandalwood settling over her.
“You look…” He leaned back and took her in once more. “Incredible.”
She managed a breathless laugh and dipped into a curtsy, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tremble in her hands. “Abigail picked out the dress. It is lovely, isn’t it?”
He offered his arm and his voice dipped low. “I wasn’t talking about the dress.”
Heat blazed through her as her thoughts tangled with the way his gaze lingered. Instead of replying, she lifted her chin and set her hand on his arm, focusing on the soft wool beneath her fingers. Definitely not the man at her side.
Once settled in the waiting wagon, they jolted forward, iron-rimmed wheels creaking over uneven cobblestones. Josephine sat next to the lieutenant, hands folded neatly in her lap though her pulse still hummed. The lantern hanging from the driver’s perch swung, casting shifting shadows across his profile—highlighting the strong cut of his jaw, the quiet control in his expression. The streets grew livelier the closer they came to the heart of town. Music floated from open tavern doors, laughter spilling into the night air. Carriages rumbled past, their occupants draped in silks and velvets, many bound for the same gathering. The wheels dipped into a rut, sending a jolt through the bench. She grasped for the side of the wagon, but the lieutenant’s hand caught her elbow.
“Careful,” he murmured, the backs of his fingers brushing against her skin before he withdrew.
Her stomach tightened and she stared straight ahead, willing her heart to behave as they came to a stop in front of the grand columns of a large manor. They climbed the front steps with a crowd of other people, and once inside, Christian kissed Samantha’s forehead.
“You two stay together while we see who else we can talk to. Hopefully, it won’t be long.”
Samantha and Josephine chose a spot near a potted palm to wait. Minutes stretched into an hour and though she yearned to dance, Josephine stayed put, forced to observe only. Samantha kept one eye on the dance floor, constantly scanning the room.
“Are you looking for someone?” Josephine raised onto tiptoes to see over the tall hat of a man in front of her.
“I don’t like being in a room full of strangers. Any one of these people could be a foe.”
Josephine cast her gaze over the crowd and the hairs at her nape pricked. “Are you worried about Thorne? I thought you said he would be gone.”
“I’m always worried about Thorne.” A faraway look had come over Samantha’s face, and she gave a quick shake of her head. “No, he’s likely long gone with his new crew. But he’s smart enough to keep ears on everything going on. Especially if he knows we are on his trail.”
A thread of unease curled through Josephine. “So, he could have spies? Here?”
Samantha gave her a reassuring smile. “Probably not. I’ve just learned to never let my guard down where he’s concerned.”
Josephine couldn’t help thinking back to the argument at the dinner table the other night, how Christian had brought up multiple times that Thorne had nearly killed Samantha.
