by Amelia Grey
Chelly noticed that Austin seemed to have unlimited patience with the young man when teaching him to tie knots or work the sails, but every time she saw Bradley he was always in an agitated state because of something Robert hadn't done or hadn't done right.
Her admiration for Austin had grown, even though she tried to make no further judgments about him. His involvement in the kidnapping should have clinched her unfavorable feelings for him. But no matter how hard she tried to ignore him, she found herself watching him, admiring him, just as she was doing right now.
Chelly laid her mending in her lap and looked at Jubal and Bo. Their heads were bent together, both intent on the task at hand. One of the men working the sails walked over and joined Austin and the captain. They pointed toward the southern sky again. A prickle of excitement touched her. There would never be a perfect time to search Austin's cabin. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Now was as good a time as any.
Bradley was the only one not accounted for, and he was probably in his room either sleeping as he was prone to do, or on the other side of the ship in the dining hall sipping tea laced with brandy.
She rubbed her hands together, fighting for the courage she needed to get up off her seat and go invade Austin's privacy. She moistened her lips and looked out at the beautiful, dark-blue water. If she escaped with Bo and had no money, they'd be no better off. She had to be prepared when they neared their destination.
"Jubal, would you mind watching Bo for me?"
"No, Miss. We'll be right here working on this when you get back."
She smiled and laid her stitching aside, trying to act perfectly normal when inside she'd already started to tremble. She didn't look at Austin or the other men as she went through the doorway which led to the steps that took her to the cabins below.
Her stomach jumped. She denied her feelings of fear and forced her legs to move quickly. At the bottom of the steps, she waited for a minute to see if Austin or anyone followed her. She listened and heard nothing. Quickly, she turned and hurried down the companionway, past her own room. If she were gone a long time, Austin or Jubal might get suspicious and come looking for her.
Austin's office was dark. Like all the staterooms she'd been in, it had only one porthole. She went straight to Austin's desk, hoping to find both the items she need there so she could get out quick. The desk was the typical early-Georgian style with a shallow drawer in the middle and three matching drawers running down each side.
Opening the center drawer first, Chelly saw it contained only pen, ink, and paper. The second drawer she pulled on was locked. She hesitated only a moment to glance at the door before passing it and going on to the next. That drawer contained various records about the ship and its crew members.
She listened for sounds other than the creaking of the ship as she continued to search for a money pouch or pistol. The last drawer on that side held several bottles of liquor and glasses. Hardly daring to breathe, Chelly glanced at the doorway again and moved to the other side of the desk to search the three drawers. They contained nothing but papers, maps, and charts of varying sizes. She'd come up empty-handed for the two things she had to have to aid her escape with Bo.
She looked at the locked drawer again. Should she simply assume Austin kept the money and his pistol under lock, which, she agreed, would be the logical and safe thing to do, or should she take a chance on trying to open the lock with a knife? The only problem with that was the possibility of breaking the lock and giving Austin reason to be more cautious. Reluctantly, she decided that the best thing to do for now was to wait.
Chelly started to leave, but something made her stop and scan the room. Now that her immediate search was over, something inside her made her want to linger and look around Austin's cabin. Her heartbeat settled into an easy rhythm, and she started to breathe easier.
Austin's cabin was larger than the others she'd seen on the ship. His bunk sat fastened to the far wall as in all the cabins she'd seen. Two leather wing chairs sat to the side with a small game table between them. In the corner behind the chairs stood a tall chest which she assumed held Austin's clothes. A shaving plate and mirror and pitcher and basin sat on top of it. She walked over to the chest and opened it. Austin's coats hung neatly in a row. She closed the door, and then picked up his shaving plate. She breathed in deeply and inhaled the clean smell of soap. Austin's scent.
Bookshelves lined the wall behind the desk. Slowly she let her fingertips glide along the spines of the books on the middle shelf as her gaze scanned the room again. It surprised her that she didn't feel odd about searching through Austin's things. There was the fear of getting caught, but for some strange reason she felt comfortable in his room.
Her eyes caught sight of a horn-shaped instrument on Austin's desk. The brass had a beautiful shine to it. She picked it up and looked through the small end and to her delight found it was a spyglass.
"What are you doing?"
Her heart jumped in her chest. Chelly almost dropped the spyglass at the sound of Bradley's irritated voice breaking through her thoughts. Calming herself, she lowered the instrument and in a strong voice said, "You nearly scared the life out of me. Why did you speak to me in such an angry tone?"
"Who do you think you are to question me?" He sauntered into the room, fully dressed in his jacket, waistcoat, and cravat with his pearl stickpin. "I asked you, what are you doing in Austin's cabin, looking through his things?"
She had to think quick. Her eyebrows rose and her lips rounded as she pretended shock. "Looking through his things? I—I merely came in here hoping to find a book to read and saw this beautiful piece of brass and thought to examine it," she lied, but not without a twinge of guilt.
His keen gaze bore down sharply on her. "Did you hope to find a book inside the spyglass? Or should you have been looking on the bookshelf behind you?"
Chelly could have kicked herself for not leaving the minute she finished searching the desk. But no, she had to look, touch, and smell Austin's possessions. How would she ever explain this to Austin? Bradley wouldn't miss the opportunity to tell him. She gritted her teeth to keep her anger in check.
She replaced the brass tube. She couldn't hurry out of the office as she wanted to; that would indicate guilt, but she couldn't let Bradley intimidate her either. He'd never leave her alone if she allowed him to cower her.
Faking a confidence she didn't feel, she turned to the bookshelf and casually picked up a book. Thumbing through it she said, "It's a very nice piece. I was simply looking at it."
"You have only one mission on this ship, and that is to look after that child."
Bradley was so pompous and rigid Chelly wanted to bend him. She put the book away and took another to inspect. She had to remain calm and not let him fluster her.
"I know my place, Mr. Thornhill. There's no reason for you to be so irate. I know you're unhappy Austin wouldn't take you back to Baltimore, but-"
"You presume too much, Miss Worthington."
Chelly put the second book away, deciding to look at one more, and then politely excuse herself from this horrible man and Austin's office. She might have to justify her actions to Austin, but not Bradley.
She took a large book off the shelf and opened it. Stunned, she quickly closed it again. Her heartbeat increased. Turning her back to Bradley so he couldn't see the surprise on her face, she carefully put the book back on the shelf. Her heartbeat increased. Thank God! She'd found a pistol. How clever of Austin to have hidden it in a hollow book. Forgetting about Bradley, she read the spine of the book so she'd be able to find it again. The Study of Ancient Insects. That should be easy enough to remember.
Masking her face with indifference she turned back to Bradley. "I'm sorry what did you say?"
"I think you were in here looking for something else." Bradley walked so close to her she was forced to lean back against the bookshelf to get away from him.
"What?" It was impossible not to flinch, he was so close. "Wh
at could I possibly be looking for?" She tried to keep the tremor of guilt out of her voice but wasn't sure she had.
"Anything that might help you get what you want. I know how badly you want to return that child to his mother. Maybe it would help you if you knew whom the child belonged to and why Austin is taking him to his father."
Chelly's stomach quaked and her chest tightened. "You're accusing me of having the same thoughts as you. I know how badly you want to return to your wife," she countered, hoping to cast doubt on him. "Were you just passing by this cabin or were you bent on doing what you accuse me of?"
"You little bitch." He grabbed hold of her upper arms.
"Bradley! Chelly. What's going on in here?" Austin walked into his cabin, a scowl darkening his face.
Bradley spun away from Chelly, but didn't let Austin's arrival shake him. "I'm glad you're here, Austin," he said, pulling on the tail of his coat. "I was walking by your cabin and saw her," he pointed at Chelly, "standing here by your desk."
Cringing inside, filled with fear she was trying desperately to hide, she remained quiet, rubbing her arms where Bradley had grabbed her. She couldn't have spoken if she'd wanted to. She felt that her heart had jumped into her throat.
Austin's eyes narrowed and his gaze raked across her face before concentrating on Bradley again. "What was she doing?"
"Well." He pulled on the tail of his jacket again. "I don't know what she was doing before I came in, but she was—looking at your spyglass when I saw her."
Chelly kept her eyes on Austin. If only she'd left as soon as she'd checked the drawers, this wouldn't be happening. Why had she felt the need, the desire, to inspect Austin's things? They didn't matter to her plan. She'd been careless. Now she'd gotten caught, and it would be harder for her to get back in his room to continue her search for some money.
"Is that what you were doing, Chelly?"
"Yes. I was looking at your spyglass," she answered, happy it wasn't a lie. She had a feeling Austin would be able to see right through her if she were not telling the truth. Austin remained composed, but she was keenly aware of his scrutiny.
"She said she came in for a book," Bradley added. "But she wasn't looking on the bookshelf. She was at your desk. I think she was trying to find out more information about that little boy."
Austin didn't take his gaze off her. "Would you like a book to read?"
She nodded. Again, she told the truth and passed his test.
Passing by an irritated Bradley, Austin walked over to the bookshelf and stood beside Chelly. Her heart beat so fast she thought she might get light-headed. His nearness made her tremble inside, but she managed not to flinch. He reached on the shelf and took down two books and handed them to her. "I think you'll enjoy these."
Holding her gaze steady on his she said, "Thank you. I have to get back to Bo, if you'll excuse me."
He looked down into her eyes. "Chelly, the next time you'd like to see anything in my room, would you just ask me?"
"Of course," she said, already moving away from him. "Good day, Mr. Thornhill."
Austin walked over to his desk and sat down, thinking about what he'd just witnessed. He didn't believe Chelly had lied to him about wanting a book to read, but was that the only reason she had come into his office? Bradley's suggestion was a good guess, but Chelly already knew who Bo was. That Bradley and Chelly disliked each other there was no doubt. But they did have a strong desire in common. They both wanted to go back to Baltimore.
He looked up at his brother-in-law. "I can see I'll have no privacy with you and Chelly on board, Bradley. I find it intriguing that both of you had to pass your rooms to get to mine. I don't suppose the two of you are planning anything, are you?" he needled Bradley.
"Planning anything? With her? Absolutely not!" Bradley's words were hissed.
He had a feeling Bradley was in his office to do exactly what he accused Chelly of. Still Austin decided it would be a good idea to keep better watch on both of them.
Austin smiled. "So you're planning something on your own."
"What?" Bradley's face reddened. "Ah—no, of course not. I'm resigned to my fate. I passed by your cabin only because I was stretching my legs. There's not enough walking space on the ship as it is." Bradley turned to go but stopped. "What she was doing in here, I haven't a clue. I'll leave it to you to find out." Bradley turned and stalked away.
Austin rubbed his chin as he sat down at his desk. He checked the drawer on his right where he kept his pistol and cash box. Locked. He looked at it closely. It didn't appear the lock had been tampered with. He rose and looked at the fake book where he kept an extra gun. It appeared undisturbed, too.
He could make a pretty good guess as to what Bradley wanted. He'd love to get his hands on a gun and force them to sail back to Baltimore, but what was Chelly looking for?
He remembered how his body had quickened when he'd walked up beside her. She'd been apprehensive. He'd felt it in her.
She obviously wanted to find out something about him or the kidnapping. But why? It wouldn't change her mind about the act itself or change her mind about him.
It didn't matter how attracted he was to her or she to him, and he had no doubt she was drawn to him, too. She'd never forgive him for his role in this abduction, making any relationship between the two of them impossible.
Chapter 8
The late afternoon dragged by. Bo became irritable when a strong wind and light rain drove them inside. The high waves formed deep troughs, making the ship dip, pitch and roll. At times the waves beat against the ship, rocking it so Chelly almost lost her footing. The drizzling rain made the temperature drop, so Bo and Chelly wore their cloaks to stay warm.
Robert and Jubal had checked on them shortly after dark, but she hadn't seen Austin since she'd left him in his cabin mid-afternoon. Apparently he'd accepted her excuse for being caught in his room. She'd really expected him to seek her out and question her again about it when Bradley wasn't around to offer his opinion. Now that she'd found the pistol, all she had to do was find enough money to book passage back to Baltimore. And she had a feeling she would find that locked in the top drawer of Austin's desk. All she had to do was find the right time and a way to get it.
Bo had fussed and whimpered during the early part of the night so she took him in her arms and rocked him as she had the first night he was on board the ship. She knew if he ever quieted long enough, he'd fall asleep. It took an hour of rocking and softly singing to him before he gave up the fight and slept.
For more than an hour Chelly walked the floor, pacing back and forth in front of the bed, hoping the wind and rain wouldn't get any worse. Before he had retired for the evening, Jubal had told her that a storm lay south of them but the captain didn't expect it to reach them. She wasn't so sure he was right.
She remembered every horrible story she'd heard about being lost at sea. She'd heard about too many Baltimore residents who had lost loved ones to the sea, her sister's husband among them.
Chelly wished Austin had come down to their cabin to check on them. It was crazy, she knew, but she wanted him to tell her that everything was going to be all right. She chided herself for coming to depend on him for anything. Even though she found herself attracted to him, she had to remember he was a man without principles or noble character. That he'd shown her a kindness that night she was thrown out of the tavern mattered little when she thought of Bo's mother.
Finally, giving up hope that Austin would come and check on them, she struggled into her nightgown and lay down beside Bo, praying the rain would be over and the sun out when she awakened.
Later that night, Chelly awoke to the ship's creaking and swaying, almost rolling her from the mattress. She lay on the bed beside Bo for a moment longer, but as she awakened fully, remembered that it had been raining when she'd gone to bed. The ship was rocking and pitching harder than at any other time all the days they'd been out to sea. The room brightened suddenly, and she glanced toward the porthol
e.
Lightning.
The rain shower had turned into a storm.
Chelly tensed. She looked at the lamp, set in its holder, hoping the flash of light had been from the flickering flame and not lightning. A quick glance told her she hadn't been wrong. The low flame of the lamp couldn't have caused the bright flash. It had been lightning.
She rose from the bed and immediately had to grab hold of a chair to steady herself. Rain beat against the porthole. The ship tossed and pitched.
Her dismay over not knowing the seriousness of the situation mounted.
When she had agreed to accept this job, she hadn't thought about the possibility of a storm at sea. Now she had to. And, she had to remain calm. It was her responsibility to take care of Bo. It didn't matter that she was frightened.
Determined to find out if they were in any real danger, she grabbed her robe and scrambled into it while trying to keep her balance.
The air in the cabin had gotten much cooler. She rubbed her arms to ward off the damp chill. The room brightened again. In the brief flash of light she saw rain slashing against the porthole. Seconds later, thunder rumbled outside. There was no mistaking it now. No wonder the ship pitched from side to side. They were in the middle of a fierce storm.
Austin would know what was going on. She had to find him.
Her stomach muscles tightened; her anxiety increased. She laid a hand to her chest trying to calm herself. Chelly wasn't afraid of storms, but she was afraid of being on the water in a storm. After belting her robe with a sash, she tied the ribbons that held it together at the neckline. She struggled to keep her balance as she stepped into her slippers.
With cold, trembling fingers she turned up the flame on the lamp and picked it up. Carefully, she walked to the bed to check on Bo. He was sleeping soundly.
She had no idea of the time, but knew she couldn't go back to sleep until she found out if the ship was in any danger of sinking in the storm. Bo slept peacefully. She pulled the blanket up over his slender shoulders and lightly sifted her fingers through his fine hair. A picture of her sister and nephew flashed across Chelly's mind and tugged at her heart. She couldn't let anything happen to Bo. She had to return him to the safety of his mother before the woman did something foolish.