The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

23

Chapter 23

A week later they limped into Liverpool under sail*. Many passengers were so upset over the storm they chose to remain and took a refund for their passage. Those brave enough took passage on the Britannic and departed for New York City four days later.

Stuart and his wife were among those passengers, as were his two men and their valet. He'd taken on a maid for his wife and purchased several trunks so that she would have everything a lady needed to make such a trip. He wouldn't hear any word of protest and insisted. He promised her that he would see her safely to her brother once he found his sister.

At least, he thought gratefully, he knew exactly where to find his sister. She at least had enough sense to leave word as to where she was staying. When he found her, he would turn her over to Freddie (and a preacher if that's the way the wind blew) and Richard and send her safely back to England. It struck him as odd that he wasn't afraid to leave her alone in England...

But then she wouldn't be alone. Even if she didn't marry Freddie right away, Stu had seen enough of love with James and Bailey to know that Em was headed for the alter. Freddie had that look. Stu chuckled. It wasn't such a bad way to go, he supposed. Jim and Bailey seemed happy enough.

This time their voyage was uneventful if he didn't count the way he'd come to look forward to his morning stroll with Summer or the way he'd grown accustomed to having her on his arm as he went to dinner. The way he'd begun to look for her smile during his day, the way his heart felt lighter as he listened to the sound of her voice, her laughter...

"We'll arrive in New York City tomorrow." Summer smiled up at him as they leaned against the rail watching the waves as they capped gently over the sea.

"It's been a proper trip this time." He smiled back, "No tidal waves or broken engines."

She laughed and he closed his eyes to memorize the sound.

"Ah, but the sail was the most exciting part of the trip, I should think, for an old salt like you! Richard said it was the first time he'd actually sailed in ten years!"

"At least that." Stu nodded thoughtfully, "Although I could have done without the events that made sailing necessary."

"Oh, I don't know." Summer smiled playfully. "I was never really afraid. I'll have you know that I had it on a very reliable source that we wouldn't sink that trip."

"Touché" He chuckled. "What do you want to do first?"

"I want to get a cup of coffee!"

"No tea?"

"I spent my childhood on a ranch in New Mexico Territory. I rather enjoyed coffee. When my mother and I returned to England when I was eleven, she forbid me to drink 'the vile liquid' as she called it." Summer chuckled, "But I never lost my taste for it."

"Then coffee you shall have. Richard said the Washington Hotel has a fine dining room. We can take rooms there and I'll send a whole pot of coffee up to your room. You can drink the whole thing if you like."

"You will join me for a cup before dinner?"

"If you wish." He promised, "But I must look in on my sister first."

"Of course, you must!" Summer agreed. "I shall come with you, if you like. Perhaps you will look less frightening if you have me by your side."

"I am not-" he started then shook his head. "You're right. I can be rather...intimidating. But I should like to have you there. You can provide the soft and quiet to my bluster."