He nodded and gratefully took the wedge of buttered bread the captain offered him. “How long before we arrive in Leaudor?” he asked around a mouthful of bread.
The captain rose and wiped his mouth then threw down his napkin. Shoving back his chair, he motioned for Simon to follow him.
The older man ambled over to a pedestal that held a variety of maps and charts. He fished through the stack then drew out one that showed Leaudor as well as the coastline of Belgium.
Smoothing it out, he cleared his throat then pointed to the western shoreline of Leaudor. “This is where we will enter Leaudor.”
Simon nodded and waited for the captain to continue.
“The southern and eastern ports have all been closed, virtually isolating the country. While we could sail around to the north, our chances of docking and the princess disembarking unnoticed are slight.”
Simon frowned. “So docking on the western shore is your suggestion?”
The captain chuckled. “Not exactly, my lord. There are no ports on the western side. The entire coastline is rocky, sparsely populated and the currents are treacherous.” He paused and stared hard at Simon. “We aren’t going to dock. We’ll drop anchor off the shoreline, and my men will row you ashore. Preferably at night when you won’t gain any notice.”
The captain sounded knowledgeable, which gave Simon confidence that he would get them to Leaudor in the safest possible manner. “I like the plan,” he said finally. “It appears that you’ve taken everything into consideration. I’ll apprise Isabella…Her Highness of your plan.”
“I wish you both Godspeed,” the captain said in a grave voice. “The princess has a difficult task ahead of her. Montagne has much support, and the people of Leaudor are just waiting for him to be crowned. If all the princess says is true, he won’t easily allow her to take the throne.”
The captain’s words rang ominously in Simon’s ears. It wasn’t anything he didn’t already know, but hearing it voiced aloud sent a cold chill down his spine. Once he and Isabella reached Leaudor, they were no longer under the protection of the British crown or law. He could do little to help her if they were captured.
“If you will excuse me, Captain, I will inform Her Highness of your intentions.”
The captain nodded. “If the weather holds, I anticipate dropping anchor off the western coast tomorrow evening.”
Simon left the captain’s cabin and strode toward Isabella’s. He paused a moment outside her door, wondering if he wasn’t better served to let her rest. No, she would want to know exactly what was going to occur at the earliest possible moment.
He knocked softly and waited for her response. Almost immediately the door swung open and she stood before him. She presented a glorious sight, a nightshirt clipping the top of her knees, her long, disheveled hair thrown carelessly over one shoulder.
And she looked glad to see him.
She stepped away from the door and gestured for him to come in. As he stepped over the threshold, she shut the door firmly behind him.
“If you’ll excuse me but a moment while I dress,” she said, stepping behind a dressing screen secured to the wall.
He watched as she threw the nightshirt over the top of the screen and clenched his jaw as he imagined her naked behind it. Why was he torturing himself? He shifted uncomfortably and sat down on the edge of the bed, hoping to at least disguise the extent of his discomfort.
Seconds later, she reappeared from behind the screen dressed in a clean shirt and breeches. She smoothed her hands down the legs of her pants and crossed the room to where he sat.
“How are you faring this morning?” she asked.
He could detect a hint of nervousness in her voice and wondered if she was as affected by his presence as he was hers. With a mental shake of his head, he directed his thoughts to the matter at hand.
“I’ve spoken to the captain. We should be in Leaudor by tomorrow evening.”
He quickly recounted all the captain had told him then watched as she absorbed his words.
“It’s a sound plan,” she admitted, chewing the bottom of her lip in concentration. “And we shouldn’t have far to travel to the monastery depending on where we come ashore.”
“You intend to visit the monastery first?” he asked in surprise. He had assumed she hasten to the palace.
“I must see Father Ling first. He can tell me if Jacques has been successful in recovering the relics. He can also tell us exactly what has been going on since the deaths of my family,” she said after a deep breath.
“How far is the monastery from the palace?” he asked.
“Not terribly far by horse,” she replied. “The monastery lies on the western coast. The monks are said to be the keepers of the caves so the entrance is not far from the monastery. The palace is further inland atop Soleil Mountain.”
Mountains, caves—it all sounded difficult, not to mention treacherous. He felt a twinge of doubt nag at him. How could he and Isabella go against an unknown number of forces, practically take on an entire nation to right the wrongs against her family?
