The Charlotte Series: Book 1: The Pirate's Treasure

chapter 01

Bombay 1850

Lord James Grayson stood looking out from the quarterdeck. His broad shoulders and long strong legs were well defined by his gentleman's coat and trousers. He stood tall and straight looking very stern with his feet spread and his hands clasped behind his back. His hair, which he usually wore a trifle long about his collar, was long overdue for a cut as it fell just past his shoulders.

During the past weeks he wore it tied back with a ribbon foisted from one of the sailors. It was not fashionable to wear one's hair so long, but he never put much effort into appearing fashionable to the everlasting annoyance of his wife. Ah 'therein lies the rub' as Shakespeare would have it. Grayson was a gentleman returned home and he expected to see his carriage.

Alas, there was no one to meet him. As the last days of his voyage progressed he found himself growing eager to see her-and to hold his child. A smile tugged at his lips. He'd left Dorthea heavy with their first child and nearing the time of her confinement. She begged him not to leave her alone in this "God-forsaken place". He sighed as his frown returned.

His father's business interests in the area were extensive. Like more than half of the lords in parliament he invested in the East India Company. However, he also had other interests and those required attention. The last man was lazy and stupid. He invested too heavily in a single trade-Indigo. It was a profitable market, but in Europe it was an unstable one.

Three years past the bottom fell out of the European Indigo market and his father suffered heavy losses. Shortly after that James and his then new-bride arrived as replacements. James was grateful for the position. As the third son of a duke his options were limited. Unlike his brother Henry, the second son, James was no soldier. Neither did he wish to join the clergy or practice law.

India appealed to James as it removed him from the immediate realm of his father's influence and allowed him a modicum of autonomy. He liked father better when three continents and a few seas and oceans separated them. The trip by way of Gibraltar and Said took 50-60 days depending on weather or other delays. He frowned.

His thoughts weren't particularly pleasant ones and his frown only added to his imposing presence. The crew and passengers milling about gave him wide berth.

"Your lordship." The captain said as he approached.

"Captain." He turned from the rail and nodded.

"Are you sure you will not allow my man to summon a coach for you?"

"Nay. She'll come."

"Perhaps your letter was diverted? She may not be aware that you are home. You are early by your own admission."

"Thank you Captain, but I shall wait a while longer."

"As you wish. If you tire of waiting her here you are welcome to join me in my cabin."

With a nod the captain left him to his thoughts. James sighed and searched the crowds milling around the wharf but his carriage wasn't there. At length he gave up and decided to make his way home. He paid his respects to the captain and arranged to have his things taken ashore. As he descended to the docks he looked about for one of the boys that always lurked about.

"Boy!"

"Yes Sahib." A poor but relatively clean boy answered as he scurried over.

"Do you know me?"

"You are called Grayson, Sahib. You are gone a long time."

"Aye. Collect my trunks then and see they are delivered to my home. Do you know the place then?"