A servant brought in the next course, roast duckling with fingerling potatoes and carrots.
Finn waited while she picked up the bowls and set down clean plates, looking idly at the dead duck with a measure of compassion. He, himself, had about as much prospects.
“Because I told Kelly that theGarrardshould never have sailed. The design was faulty and someone, probably Gilbert, should be held accountable.”
Liam nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe someone already was.”
“What do you mean?”
His host cut up a piece of duck breast and chewed it thoughtfully. “Well, we lost Bradley and Decker. Maybe divine retribution for building a crap ship.”
A shiver of shock ran up Finn’s spine. Those men had only followed orders and had died for it.
“I don’t believe that.” Finn sipped at the new glass of wine set before him. “I think that someone high up should be held accountable. Don’t you? Remember how young some of the apprentices were? Just boys really.” He rubbed a hand over his eyes, wishing he could erase the faces of those young ones, the fear he’d seen ... . “You lost friends, didn’t you?”
Liam set his fork down. “Of course, but I’m awfully glad you’re not one of them. You were my best friend at the yard.”
Finn considered. “Maybe you can help me to get a job.”
He watched an expression dance across Liam’s face, a quick shadow of a thought or a mood.
“No,” Liam said. “Best you should move on. If the higher ups don’t want you, you should go elsewhere. What about Portsmouth?”
So much for best friends. It would have been nice if Liam had offered to put in a word. However, he was probably right about higher ups. If Finn’s name was blackened by Kelly, no one would hire him in the area. However, Finn had no interest in Portsmouth. Not at that moment anyway. Not until everything was settled with Rose, one way or the other. Then, if he were going anywhere, it would be back up to Portland. They were still designing cargo vessels in the Downeaster style that a man could hold his head up high for building.
Finn drained the glass of wine as he realized in his thoughts that he was still hoping there was a way he could hold onto Rose. Hope was a fool’s emotion.
“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?” Liam sounded slightly tense.
Feeling more relaxed by the wine and warm food, Finn nearly laughed. His friend had no way of knowing that nearly every other thought in his head was of a certain lady, and thus, naturally, he wondered if Liam had a woman of his own.
“Have you found someone with whom to share your success?” As soon as Finn said it, he recalled the woman in the North End.
The edge left Liam’s tone when he responded. “Oh, you mean what about me and someone of the fairer sex? I’ve got my eye on one. Maybe two. And I’ve been known to escort a certain well-heeled lady to the opera. Her family isn’t too keen on me, but I may change their minds yet. That is, if I feel like bothering. I’m not really ready to take a rib yet.”
“What about Tessa?” Finn asked. He almost added, “and your son?” though that would be beyond offensive. He’d already crossed the line of propriety by bringing up the woman.
Liam recoiled at the name. “How in the hell—?”
“I apologize.” Finn held up his hands in . I went looking for you at your old digs and met her.”
“I see.” Liam nodded. “She’s a bit rough, don’t you think?”
Finn thought about it. “She had a pretty face. She sent you a message by the way.”
“Oh?” Liam looked unconcerned as he sipped his wine. “What did she have to say?”
“Really? Do you want to know?”
“I do.” Jokingly, Liam braced himself against the arms of his chair as if against a nor’easter.
“She said that she needs money for her boy.”
Liam blanched, his face at once losing all traces of humor. “I don’t even know if he’s mine,” he blurted out. “You saw him. He looks just like her and no one else.”
“So youcouldbe the father?”
