Lady Sarah by Lyn Cote
Chapter Four
A week later
Inside Sarah’s cabin, McKuen stood at the bolted door with his ear pressed against its louvers.
Fists clenched in her lap, Sarah perched on her berth with Janine huddled close. "This is intolerable," the lady hissed.
Yes, is is,” he agreed wholeheartedly, his own irritation hopping in his stomach.
"If there were only something we could do--" she went on.
"That is what makes it intolerable," he said with as much calmness as he could muster. "Just think how Captain Simpson must feel,” he said the last to test her.
"He must feel worse than dreadful," Sarah admitted.
McKuen swung to look at her. He’d expected her to show no compassion for their irascible captain who’d been consistently rude to Sarah. Since her eyes were downcast, he could not read her expression. He spoke again, this time to comfort her, "Someday we will not have to endure the indignity of allowing the British Navy to commandeer our American sailors at will--"
The sound of angry voices from the deck beyond stopped him. He pressed his ear harder against the door to catch each word. Then he continued in a hushed voice, "Captain Simpson is arguing with them again. He says he's known the sailor for more than ten years. That he was born near Boston."
Then McKuen let loose a sound a disgust. "The English officer says the man matches the description of an English sailor that deserted."
Janine began to weep softly onto Sarah's shoulder. "The poor man. Why can't they leave us alone?"
"Because they have a large navy to man," he replied, his voice redolent with his own heated frustration.
"But why must there be British frigates so far from home? I don't understand," Janine said plaintively.
"Because there are English colonies in the West Indies,” he explained. “And the French insist on trading with Spanish colonies and America too. And England wants to stop this, cripple their trade and ability to wage war. "
“War? What war?” Janine asked.
"It was just beginning when we set sail. Austria is fighting France to try to overthrow the Revolution. A new French general by the name of Napoleon...” He leaned close to the door again. “They're taking the man and leaving," McKuen finished with disgust.
Sarah pulled Janine closer, locking gazes with McKuen. He was shocked at the sadness there. For a spoiled brat she had unexpected reactions at times. Fleetingly he recalled Janine's story of being in dire straits on a London dock and meeting Sarah and her kindness. And now the former beggar-maid and heiress had become business partners. Sarah was backing Janine’s dress-making venture in New Orleans. He shook his head, trying to understand what made Sarah Belmond tick, trying to ignore how attractive she was.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Oh," he stalled, unwilling to tell his true thoughts, "I was just thinking what chance the impressed seaman would have to get away."
"They will probably be watched closely for a long time, but after that...." Sarah grinned suddenly. "Americans are not easily cowed."
He grinned in return.
And Janine stopped crying. "Vive l'Amérique," she said, dabbing her eyes.
McKuen grinned. "I'll be right back." He opened the door, stepping outside. A few minutes passed and he returned. "The English frigate is back on its course to Jamaica. The captain thanks us for our cooperation in remaining in our cabins."
