Then, as Cassian started to walk back to his people, he heard one of the officers say to the other, “We need one or two more men to help with this lifeboat. But it looks as though there aren’t any other seamen around. At least, no one I recognize.”
Heart stuttering, Cassian froze as hope swelled in his chest. Maybe this was their chance. Maybe he and James could finally enter a boat. After all, the officers in charge had no way of knowing that he wasn’t an experienced yachtsman of some sort. Or even that James wasn’t as well, for that matter.
But then, as Cassian opened his mouth to volunteer, his eyes found Ethel’s in the small crowd nearby. She was clinging to the man she loved, her hands clutching one of John’s arms. John was speaking to her, and even though Cassian couldn’t hear him, heknew that the man was likely murmuring warm, comforting words to her. Because that was who John Quinn was. He was thoughtful and honest and kind. And if given the chance, he’d keep Ethel safe. He’d take care of her. Here, in the lifeboats, and later, for the rest of their lives.
Cassian realized, then, who ought to be offered a spot in that lifeboat.
He whirled back around to face the officers.
“I know someone,” Cassian said to them. He then looked over his shoulder and called out to his former valet. “John! John Quinn! Come over here!”
John and Ethel came over. John’s forehead was creased with confusion.
Cassian said to the officers, “Mr. Quinn here was a cadet once. Isn’t that right, John?”
“Yes, Mr. Livingston, Cassian, sir, I was,” John spluttered. “But only for a little while. And it was a long time ago. With the Revenue Cutter Service.”
“Good enough,” one of the officers said. “Come aboard. You’ll have to row, of course, and help work the falls as we launch.”
John’s eyes bulged. “I can have a spot?!” he spluttered and then immediately looked over at Ethel. “And what about my fiancée? Is there room for her as well?”
“Yes, there is,” the officer said. “Get in, both of you. Quickly.”
John and Ethel looked at each other, and smiles split their faces. Both of them breathed out happy laughs, their eyes immediately welling with tears. But then, simultaneously, their faces fell, and they turned toward Cassian.
“What about you?” Ethel said.
Cassian shrugged. “I’ll catch another one.”
“But I thought the officer said that maybe they could usetwomen.”
“I have no formal sea training,” Cassian admitted. “Besides, I can’t leave now. Not... without James.”
Ethel’s forehead creased in bewilderment, but then her hand flew to her chest as her eyebrows shot up.
“Oh,” she said through an exhale. “I see.”
Ethel could think what she wanted of him. All that mattered now was that she was safe. Cassian lifted his chin, gesturing toward the waiting lifeboat.
“Get in, Ethel,” he instructed.
“Right.” She nodded vaguely. “Yes. Right.”
Ethel entered the boat, her face still a mess of confusion. John Quinn caught Cassian’s eye.
“Thank you,” he said. “For everything.”
Cassian nodded once. “Good luck out there.”
After a pause, John moved to enter the boat, but before he could, Cassian realized that there was one more thing he needed to do. He caught John’s arm.
“John, wait,” he said. Moving swiftly, he pulled out the cash from his pocket and handed it to John. “It’s money. For New York. Don’t count it now. Just put it in your pocket. Trust me when I say that it’ll be enough for you and Ethel to find your footing.” John’s eyes blew wide, and he immediately shoved the wad of bills into his pants pocket. Cassian smiled approvingly. “You’re a first-class man, John. Remember that.”
“I will.”
John climbed into the boat. And Cassian breathed a long sigh of relief.
He walked back over to James.
