Page 103 of A Castaway in Cornwall
“I agree. We are not going to wander aimlessly. We are going to Penzance. I know someone there who might help.”
A few minutes later, Treeve and Pucky rowed them ashore in the tender, then Treeve took her aside. “What do I tell your family?”
Her family was all gone, but she knew he meant the Brays.
“Tell them I am well and grieved to worry them—that I have gone to visit my parents’ grave and will return when I can.”
Eagerness widened his eyes. “You need only write and I’ll sail back for you. I regret I cannot take you there and back now.” He pressed her hand. “I am sorry we failed you, little turnstone.”
Hearing his sweet, silly pet name for her, nostalgia squeezed her heart. “Don’t be. I will forever be grateful for your help.”
He gave her a rueful grin. “Better wait and see how grateful you feel when all this is over. I hope you don’t live to regret it.”
Laura managed a wobbly smile in return. “Me too.”
From June 1810 to June 1812, a total of 464 officers broke their parole, of which 307 made it across the Channel aided by smugglers.
—PAULCHAMBERLAIN,THENAPOLEONICPRISONOFNORMANCROSS
Chapter 19
Laura followed Alexander up the steep rocky path from the cove, his knapsack bobbing gently on his back. In the distance, she saw a few humble cottages and the public house Mr. Dyer had mentioned.
She eyed it hopefully. “Might it have a room to let?”
Alexander frowned. “Too risky. If the authorities find Kent’s boat and begin searching for us, wouldn’t that be the first place they’d look? We had better go farther.”
“You are no doubt right.” Laura forced a smile and trudged on. She didn’t understand why she felt so very weary. She supposed it was all the tensions and trials of the last few days.
As they walked eastward through the twilight, rain began to fall. The damp wouldn’t harm Alex’s leather knapsack, but to protect her fabric traveling bag, she slipped it under her cape with a sigh.
After a mile or so, they reached Porthcurno. The village consisted of a two-story building signpostedSeaview Innand a cluster of low cottages huddled in a narrow valley.
“Shall we stay the night here and continue on in the morning?” she asked, her legs like lead.
He hesitated, wearing a grimace. “I think we should press on and get farther away from the ship.” Then he looked at her, his eyes widening in concern.
“Laura, you look tired. Forgive me. Of course we shall rest here if they have rooms. What a day this has been for you.”
He opened the door for her. Stepping inside, they greeted the innkeeper, who stood behind a counter.
“Good evening,” Alexander said. “Have you rooms available?”
“I have one room, sir, with two sturdy beds. Just right for you and your missus. Well I remember when my good wife was expecting. How she tossed and turned, striving to be comfortable.”
Laura stared dumbly.Why does he think...?She glanced down at her bulging midriff, and her face flamed. “Oh! I am not, that is...” She reached beneath her cape and pulled forth her traveling bag. “I was simply shielding this from the rain.”
The publican reddened and chuckled awkwardly. “A thousand apologies, madam.”
“That is all right. An understandable mistake.” Laura swallowed and sent a nervous glance toward Alexander. “But he and I are not—”
“We are not particular,” Alex interjected. “Are we, my dear?” He laid his hand over hers, covering the fact that it wore no ring. Brows high, Alex asked her, “Will one room suffice? I shall endeavor not to snore.”
She looked at him, blinking with uncertainty. Then understanding dawned. “Oh, em, yes. I am so tired I could sleep through a gale.”
The publican looked from one to the other. “Very good. And shall I send up a bit of supper on a tray?”
“Yes, thank you. You are very kind.”
