“Your Grace, surely we can summon them for you,” the rounder of the guards replied, not disguising his incredulity.
Jax shook her head daintily. “No, that’s quite all right. I haven’t had much time to explore the ship, so I’d like to take a look around.”
Exchanging uncomfortable looks, the other guard directed her. “There’s a small entryway tucked under the stairs to the bow, just before the entrance to the dining area. Follow them down a hallway and our quarters will be to starboard.”
Thanking the two men, Jax proceeded to follow their instructions and found herself descending a dark, tight set of stairs taking her deep into the belly of the ship. A long corridor stretched before her as she reached the bottom, sounds and smells of the galley coming from the first archway on the right. Peering inside to catch a glimpse of the kitchen, Jax was mesmerized by the long, slim window, revealing a peek at the whitecaps of the sea. Designed to keep the galley cool and smoke-free, Jax noticed a lengthy wooden panel hovering above the lip of the window, which she guessed was used as cover if the level of the water swelled past the bottom of the window. That was how Master Archer was able to design a cool and comfortable galley below deck. Though smaller than her kitchens back home, Rose of the Sea certainly had adequate quarters for cooking. An unattended pot bubbled over the hearth, the smells of lunch floating through her nostrils.
Pulling herself away from the distracting sight, Jax meandered down the rest of the hallway, passing closed door after door. Finally, she arrived at the last door on the right and knocked. The young men who were on watch last night were likely still sleeping, but she needed her questions answered.
After a few more incessant knocks, the door whipped open, a sleepy-eyed, brown-haired man yawning in her face. “I’m looking for Sebastián and Eduardo, please,” she stated, waiting for the young guard to focus in on her.
“I’m Eduardo, what do you want?” he retorted, his eyes still glassy. She stood silently for a moment, watching recognition dawn across his face. “Duchess! Oh, for Virtue’s sake, please forgive me! What are you doing down here?” His mortification at his behavior was at war with his curiosity as to her presence.
Jax calmly reassured him. “Eduardo, please, nothing to forgive. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have a few important questions I must ask. Have you heard about what happened last night?”
“What’s happened?” Immediate panic settled in the man’s brown eyes.
“Nothing terrible. It’s just that a precious heirloom was stolen from one of the guests,” Jax explained, mindfully monitoring his reaction.
Quick relief flooded his face before a furrowed brow appeared. “Which guest? Do you know what was stolen?”
“Well, it appears that Lady Florence Haulsinger was in possession of a jeweled brooch that is worth quite a sum in gold and emotional value. There are witnesses confirming that she was wearing it at dinner last night, and this morning when she woke, it was gone from her chambers.”
Eduardo took in Jax’s description and pondered it silently for a few minutes. “Well, I remember when everyone came back from dinner. It was just past midnight by the time the last guest entered their cabin. I’ll wake Sebastián to confirm, but no one came out of their rooms once they went in. At least, not during our shift.”
Jax stepped forward, urgency fueling her actions. “What time did you switch shifts with Diego and Ferdinand? Could someone have entered Lady Florence’s room during that point?”
Eduardo shifted uncomfortably on his feet, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. “Well, they took over at about three in the morning. We chatted a few moments about our observations from the night, but I hardly think we were distracted enough to not notice anyone moving about the hallway.”
“But it is possible someone could have slipped quickly into her room without you noticing?” Jax prodded further.
“I mean, I suppose it’s not impossible, Your Grace, but they still would have had to come back out at some point. From the sounds of it, you’ve already spoken with Diego and Ferdinand. Did they see anyone come out of the room?” Eduardo countered.
Jax shook her head, her shoulders slumping. “No, they saw nothing either.” She stared off into the darkness of the corridor’s end, contemplating her next move. “If Lady Florence hadn’t been so adamant that she put the brooch back in her jewelry box last night, I would be inclined to think she simply dropped it on the way back to her room. It’s like a phantom whisked it away.”
Eduardo bit his lip before backing away from the door. “Let me get Sebastián up. Perhaps he has something else that may help.”
But Sebastián’s story mirrored Eduardo’s perfectly. As Jax left the two young men to return to their slumber, she ran through the scenario over and over again. While she trusted the word of the two guards that they didn’t see anything, the only possible time someone could have entered Lady Florence’s room was during the shift change. Perhaps all the men were afraid to admit a misstep and had seen something, or had their attention diverted from the rooms for just long enough. But until she learned otherwise, she didn’t know how to proceed.
Grimacing to herself at her dark thoughts, she stepped out into the midday sun, hidden for the moment behind some brewing clouds. Gazing at the foreboding sky, she murmured, “Maybe it was a phantom, after all.”
Chapter Five
A subdued mood hung over the room like a cobweb, everyone settling down into dinner after a seemingly endless day. Jax couldn’t remember the last time she had this much free time on her hands, and she was already getting antsy, anxious to be back on land. She’d spoken with Jogan just before dinner, and the young man confirmed that the second copy of the ship’s master key was in his possession. While she was relieved the key had not been stolen, it complicated the puzzle of the brooch’s theft even more.
The sun’s rays had beaten off the threatening clouds, its victory evident in the glowing red of Charles and Giovanna’s pale skin. Uma and Hendrie, too, had a pink hue about them, leaving Jax relieved she had sought shelter in the shade.
Lady Carriena did not bother a toast this evening, signaling her guests to start their meal. Jax could tell her friend was particularly unsettled by the news of the Captain’s illness, as it seemed to shroud a sinister veil over the voyage. George Solomon had spent much of the day questioning the ship’s crew and staff, failing to find out any additional information regarding the stolen brooch. “There’s a skilled liar among us,” he had seethed earlier in the afternoon when recounting his conversations to Jax and Perry.
Watching the group dig into their steaming meals of asparagus and roast beef, Jax slid a knowing look down the table to where George, Uma, and Hendrie sat, waiting for her signal. Ernest Haulsinger gobbled down nearly half his plate before she secretly nodded that it was safe for the Saphire group to begin their meal. Across from her, Perry picked up his fork and pierced the juicy red meat with enthusiasm.
“Lady Carriena, if it would please you and the rest of the table, I would love to sing a new song from my father’s latest production,” Giovanna said meekly, breaking the strained silence.
Carriena smiled, relief flooding her face. “That would be an absolute delight, my dear. Yes, I think some music would do us all a bit of good. Lift the spirits, and such.” Glancing around, she was met with fervent nods of agreement.
“So, we’re just going to be mindlessly entertained while my brooch remains lost?” Lady Florence’s sharp voice cut through the brightening mood. Her cheeks were as red as her dark evening gown, a piece that was well-put together, more so than her previous night’s ensemble.
A muscle in Carriena’s jaw tightened in obvious annoyance. “Lady Florence, please rest assured that we are actively looking into the disappearance of your clip, but please have some compassion for your fellow travelers and let them enjoy themselves a bit.”
“Oh, excuse me for my misfortune ruining this cruise for the rest of you.” The old woman burst to her f
eet, throwing her napkin down. “This voyage is cursed, if you ask me.”
Watching Florence hobble out of the room in a rage, Jax contemplated the woman’s exclamation. A lost brooch was hardly reason to call a voyage cursed, but the poisoning of the Captain did worry the Duchess that Rose of the Sea was not poised for smooth sailing.
“Pay no attention to the woman; she’s hysterical. The brooch was ugly, anyway,” Ernest grumbled, drowning his second helping of beef in a thick, murky gravy.
Jax forced herself to restrain an eye roll. Regardless of his wife’s outburst, she found Ernest’s display just as distasteful. “I, for one, am looking forward to hearing you perform, Lady Giovanna,” she commented, drawing the room’s attention back to the table.
Jax was startled when, about to enter the ballroom to listen to the musical performance, Carriena’s hand gripped tightly around her wrist. “Jax, may I have a word?”
“Of course, what is it?” Jax’s heart grew heavy with worry, sensing all was not well with her friend.
“I could overlook Lady Florence’s missing brooch as bad luck, but after learning Captain Valhalen has been poisoned, I’m beginning to think someone is trying to sabotage my success as hostess.” Carriena wrung her hands, the jewels on her fingers sparkling with menace in the low candlelight. “If the other guests feel they are not safe enough aboard this ship, how will I ever convince them to partner with Isla DeLacqua?”
Jax, not having have an immediate answer, bit her lip in silence.
“I need your help to figure out whatever is going on here,” Carriena pleaded. “I know the guardsmen on board should be looking into it, but they don’t have your experience with this type of thing.”
Jax blushed. “My experience? It’s mostly been just luck.”
Carriena shook her head, her eyes brimming with fierce loyalty. “No, I know you better than anyone in your present company. You are smart and you are clever. You can get to the bottom of this, I just know it.”
“Of course I’ll help, Carriena. But I’m afraid that the little digging I’ve already done has not turned up much,” Jax admitted.
Carriena cringed. “Well, I pray the Virtues watch over the remaining voyage. Jogan said we should make port within three more days if the winds hold strong.”
“That’s wonderful to hear,” Jax said. “Why don’t you retire early this evening, my dear? You look a bit worn out from everything.”
Looking down the hall into the grand ballroom, the young woman nodded, a wall of sadness behind her ducal eyes. “I think you’re right. I’ll see you in the morning, Jax.”
Giving Carriena a quick hug goodnight, Jax grabbed her skirts and rushed down to the entrance of the ballroom, eager to listen to Lady Giovanna’s performance. Barely taking in the immaculately polished wooden floors and breathtaking chandelier that hung from the center of the room, Jax spotted an empty seat next to Perry.
“What was that about?” he murmured, leaning in closely so they were not overheard.
“Carriena wants me to figure out if there’s some sort of plot to sabotage this journey,” Jax whispered, cautious of the other ears around them.
“Well, knowing you, you’ve already said yes, but Jax, darling, you need to be careful. Stealing a brooch is one thing, but the state our captain is in is most troubling. I don’t want anything happening to you.” He placed a warm hand over hers, lifting it to his lips with tenderness.
“I promise.” She smiled, and her cheeks deepened in color as a tingle ran through her.
Their attention was drawn away by Giovanna’s innocent, melodic voice, light as a bird but with the power of a gale. Jax sat mesmerized, stunned that such a small figure could house such a strong voice. The assembled crowd responded so passionately at the song’s end that Giovanna launched into another melody, this one a haunting tune.
Pulling her gaze away from the striking performance, Jax surveyed the rest of the guests. Hazel and Vincent held hands, absentmindedly stroking their fingers with love. Ernest, surprisingly, was watching Giovanna with rapt attention, although Jax shivered at the way the old man’s eyes lingered on the girl’s trim waist. Archer and Charles sat beside one another, Archer clearly smitten with Charles’ sister. The scowl on the young physician’s face told Jax that he, too, was aware of the builder’s affection and not pleased by it.
George Solomon stood in the back of the room by the doorway, keeping watch over the scene. Uma and Hendrie appeared to be enjoying the music, as well as each other’s company, something that immensely pleased Jax as she witnessed it. Only Monsieur Grandeair appeared to be mildly uncomfortable, his seasickness no doubt returning here in the windowless belly of the ship. He wiped his glistening forehead once more with the embroidered Cetachi handkerchief. Pitying the poor man, Jax turned her attention back to Giovanna, who finished the ballad on a beautiful, long note. Through the enthusiastic applause, Jax heard the ballroom door snap shut. A quick glance told her Monsieur Grandeair had left, George giving her an affirmative nod as she looked to him for confirmation. The sea had bested the banker for the evening, it seemed.
Giovanna performed a few more songs before announcing that she was going to return to her bedchambers. Thanking everyone for their kind words, she was escorted out by her brother. The ballroom emptied in their wake. Jax and her party bid goodnight to the others as they took the staircase leading to the upper deck suites.
As much as she enjoyed the evening’s entertainment, Jax was glad to have the day behind her. Running through the events since their departure from Tandora’s harbor, she fell into an uneven sleep, dreaming about the dark sea thrashing below.
Chapter Six
Jax and Uma were the first to arrive in the dining hall the following morning, as the Duchess was eager to observe her fellow passengers as they entered. With Uma watching from her seat further down the table, Jax kept a close eye on the door. She was surprised to see Lady Florence and Master Archer enter together, laughing. The old woman spotted Jax and Uma and immediately turned her attention to them. “I owe you both a sincere apology for my behavior thus far. Uma, dear, I was wrong to suggest you might be involved with the disappearance of my brooch, and I very much regret my outburst last night. By the time I arrived at my room and sat down for a bit, I realized how childish I was being. A brooch, even a dear heirloom, is simply a brooch.”
Master Archer patted her hand with assurance. “She even came out as we all returned from Lady Giovanna’s performance to apologize last night.”
Jax smiled tightly at the woman, accepting her words with grace, although not entirely putting to bed her feelings of displeasure. Uma, however, appeared to have forgiven Lady Florence for her previous slight, and offered the seat next to her as a peace offering. Jax smirked. Uma was much kinder than she’d ever be.
Hazel and Vincent entered next, bidding everyone a warm good morning, followed by Charles and Giovanna. Carriena glided into the room on the arm of Captain Solomon, Perry and Hendrie right behind them. The group settled into their seats, conversation already much livelier than it had been the previous day. Only Jax seemed to notice that Monsieur Grandeair was absent from the table. Frowning, she hoped the man’s seasickness had not gotten the better of him already.
Carriena leaned over, whispering in her ear. “I ran into Jogan on my way down. It seems the Captain is making a fast recovery. He should be back on his feet by tomorrow.”
“What a relief,” Jax breathed, although a darkness in Carriena’s eyes stopped her. “Is something else the matter?”
Carriena surveyed the table quickly before turning back to her friend. “It’s just that Jogan said the wind has died down significantly. No one else has seemed to catch on yet, but we are not really moving, just rocking in the sea.”
Processing Carriena’s words, Jax took a moment to focus on the ship’s jerky rhythm, cursing her obliviousness. The steady sailing of the vessel was gone, replaced by a barely noticeable swaying. Perhaps if she was on the main or
top deck, it would have been apparent, but she’d been in the dining hall for most of the hour. “What does that mean for our voyage?”
“Well,” Carriena replied, pausing to bite her lower lip, “it means we are stuck here until the wind picks up.”
“Does Jogan know when that will be?” A small burst of panic flooded Jax’s chest. She found the thought of being stranded at sea incredibly daunting. She suddenly wanted off of this boat.
“No.” Carriena shook her head. “All we can do is pray to the Virtues that the wind is restored soon.”
Jax placed her napkin over her platter, no longer hungry for the custard pie that sat atop it, covered in sugary syrup. Taking a look around the table, she felt jittery with worry. Perhaps the stagnant air was the cause of Monsieur Grandeair’s absence from the breakfast table. “We should probably go check on the banker, my dear. With the boat rocking back and forth like this, he might be in serious discomfort.”
Carriena looked surprised at her suggestion. “Goodness, I didn’t even realize he was missing. Bit of a non-event, isn’t he? I’ll keep everyone in good spirits here; the longer they realize we’re not moving, the better. Why don’t you and Perry go check on him? Maybe make a romantic stroll out of it?” Her eyebrows wiggled suggestively, causing the Duchess to roll her eyes.
A Voyage of Vengeance Page 6