Grant shook his head andlaughed.
~~~
The rest of the trip to Holyhead wasspent in an unspoken agreement that there would be no moredifferences expressed. Erina didn’t find it challenging. Sheeagerly looked forward to reaching Ireland, and her gratitude toHarry made her light-hearted. His amusing asides had her laughingat the drollest things.
In the afternoon, the curricle sweptdown from the green hills to the water. Buildings hugged the shoreas far as the lighthouse, and sailboats rocked gently on the oceanswell. Erina gasped at the limitless blue. “We have ponds andrivers at home, but this is the first time I’ve seen the sea. It’s…sublime.”
“You are about to see a lotmore of it. It may not seem so sublime then.”
“It will be anadventure.”
“If the seas grow rough,you might feel unwell.”
“The water is as calm as amillpond now. And anyway, I shan’t. I have an excellentconstitution.”
Amusement lit his eyes. “Well, I’mhappy to assist if the need arises.”
She raised her eyebrows. “And I’mhappy to do the same for you.”
“Ah, there is Joe waitingfor us.”
Harry’s groom raised his hand inwelcome.
Harry pulled up the horses and helpedher down. “I gather you enjoyed the stage, Joe?”
Joe grinned. “Not so bad, Mr. Feather.I was squeezed in between two ladies all cozy like.”
Harry laughed. “Take the luggage tothe Lord and Nelson in Stanley Street.” He handed the groom somemoney. “Arrange to stable the horses overnight. And don’t push themtoo hard on the way home. There’s a bed for you at the Blackbirdcoaching inn near Shrewsbury. Rest yourself and the horsesthere.”
As Joe drove the curricle away, Harryoffered her his arm. “Fancy a stroll?”
“The salty sea air is quitebracing.” Erina threaded her hand around Harry’s elbow and theywalked beside the sea wall. Gulls mewled, hovering weightlesslyabove a fisherman’s boat. The breeze carried a strong smell offish.
Harry pointed to the wharf farther outon the point. “That is Admiralty Pier where we’ll board the ship.I’ll purchase our tickets from the City of Dublin Steam PacketCompany.”
Erina widened her eyes. “It’s a steamboat?”
“You’re about to experiencesomething entirely modern.”
She smiled at him. “Howexciting!”
“Depending on the weather,it should be pleasant.”
The next morning was fine, with abrisk wind. Erina stood with Harry on deck as the big boat emittingan unbroken stream of smoke into the gray-blue sky from its twinfunnels, drew away from the wharf. How strange it felt to watchland fade into the distance.
“I’m glad you’re with me,Harry,” she admitted with a grateful smile.
His gaze roamed over her, from thesorry state of her hat to the small cameo on her pelisse, thensettled on her mouth. “Are you?”
His doubtful tone surprised her. “Butof course.”
He nodded and said no more.
An hour into their journey large wavesrolled the ship from side to side. Her stomach did the same, andshe began to regret eating breakfast. She swallowed and hunched hershoulders.
“All rightthere?”
The deck pitched beneath her feet andshe clung to the rail. “Perfectly, thank you.”
