Grace turned her heavy countenance to me. She hated it when I reminded her about the dangers of flying.
“Very well said, Miss Hope.” Captain Barends smiled.
The sound of violins drifted in from the connected dining saloon where the dance would be held.
“I do hope you will honor me with the first dance, Miss Grace,” Captain Barends said. “I would very much like to talk to you about the third-class passengers and what we might do together to improve conditions for those traveling in steerage. I’ve wanted someone to report on it for a long time but haven’t known who to ask.”
Grace smiled, relieving a bit of the tension around her mouth and eyes. “I would be honored to discuss it with you.”
As the diners stood and started moving away from the table,the captain offered Grace his arm. Luc watched them go, giving me the opportunity to approach him.
“I wish you would stay.” I smiled at him. “Can I persuade you to stay for just one dance with me?”
He studied me, his eyes dark in the dim lights of the restaurant. “Oui. For you I will stay for one dance.”
I couldn’t hide my smile.
Taking his arm, I allowed him to lead me into the dining saloon. The captain was introducing Grace to an important-looking group of people, his eyes glowing as he regarded her.
We watched them as the musicians began the first waltz of the evening. Captain Barends bowed to Grace and then took her into his arms to start the dance. No one else was on the dance floor as they spun to the sound of the music.
Grace was lovely. She personified her name perfectly.
Everyone looked on for several seconds before they joined in. Colorful gowns and sparkling jewels twinkled from the ladies, while freshly pressed tuxedos and crisp white shirts complemented the men.
“Will this waltz do?” Luc asked with a smile that went straight to my heart.
He was a different man when he wasn’t being bombarded by crowds of adoring fans, though he still hid behind an invisible wall I couldn’t seem to climb over. I’d known him for months—but did I really know him?
I lifted the train of my gown and nodded, and he whirled me away onto the dance floor. He was an impressive dancer, so sure on his feet and confident in his grasp of me. All else faded as I lost myself in his eyes. Was he growing to care for me?
What might it take for him to realize he loved me?
The song ended, and the captain led Grace to the side of the dance floor. Luc and I followed, and when we reached them, the captain turned to me and extended his arm. “May I have this dance, Miss Hope?”
I nodded, glancing back at Luc and Grace as the captain led me away. Would Luc ask my sister to dance? It would be the polite thing to do.
They stood awkwardly on the edge of the dance floor for a few moments—and then Luc turned to Grace and said something I couldn’t hear.
Whatever she said in response made him nod with stiff shoulders.
Then he left the room.
7
GRACE
MARCH 8, 1692
SALEM VILLAGE
I slowly opened my eyes. Morning darkness blanketed our cold bedroom above the kitchen. The slanted ceiling in the attic room was close to my face. Hope was still asleep in the bed next to me, her breath coming slow and steady. I closed my eyes again and sighed, drawing warmth from her body, not wanting to greet Father’s wedding day—though hopefully by the end of the day I would have more answers about our mother in this path.
If my plans with Isaac worked.
My mind drifted to the previous day onboard theAmerika. After the dance, Hope and I returned to our stateroom, and she had talked about Luc’s attributes for the rest of the night. I knew she was trying to make me like him, but actions spoke louder than words, and he had yet to show me he was a man of good character. I appreciated how he had warmed up whenhe spoke to Captain Barends about aviation, but that was no indication of his nature. He even asked me to dance, though I knew it was out of obligation, nothing more. I spared him the trouble and told him no.
When he wasn’t talking about aviation, he was cold, distant, and proud.
