Page 23 of The Swan Syndicate
It had been two days since they’d jumped. If anyone had told her she’d be boarding theDaphne Mariein search of smugglers, she would have considered them mad. What would AJ think?
She barely heard the carriage drive off after Beckworth’s trunk had been removed. Her eyes were locked on the ship, her focus on her whirling emotions.
“If you want to change your mind, there’s still time.” Jamie waited patiently by her side. “The carriage is close by, waiting on Beckworth’s orders.”
She shook her head. “To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel. Mixed emotions, I suppose. The first time Beckworth told me we had to cross the Channel to escape Gemini, I freaked out. It wasn’t that I feared the sea, although I had second thoughts when the storm almost tossed me overboard.” She rubbed her stomach, thankful she remembered to take her seasickness pill. “I’ve always had a sensitive stomach, whether it was road trips in a car or on a boat.”
“And now?”
“The second trip across the Channel wasn’t as bad, and I’d been locked in a cage in the hold for the entire trip. The herbs Beckworth bought me and eating smaller meals seemed to be the solution. I guess we’ll find out if that holds true.”
They stood side by side as they gazed at the ship.
“She’s a beautiful ship. I haven’t seen her since that day on the dock at the Westcliffe Inn in Baywood. Finn had taken AJ for a sailing lesson on a smaller sailboat. We’d only just met him and when I hadn’t heard back from AJ within our agreed timeframe, I drove to the dock to wait.”
“Was there trouble?”
She laughed. “They simply forgot about the time. Although she returned with damp hair and clothes while Finn was dry from head to toe. At the time, Finn passed it off as ocean spray, but she confided later that she almost fell out of the boat.”
“You said you had mixed emotions.”
“I’m not as scared as my first trip now that I know what to expect. My worry is about getting in the way.” Her gaze scanned the other ships and the sailors running back and forth either loading or unloading cargo. The crew of theDaphnewere working the sails. Stella rocked back and forth between her heels and toes then glanced up at Jamie and grinned. “But this will be quite the adventure.”
He laughed. “That’s the spirit. We’ll find you something to keep you occupied while onboard. And our first port isn’t that far.”
She touched his arm. “I appreciate you trusting me.”
“You know his only concern is for your welfare.”
“I know all about worry. It was with me each time AJ went through the fog, but she had Finn. When they returned and I heard about their journey, while at the time never wanting to experience it, I was sorry I didn’t have a true sense of what she’d been through. I got a closer glimpse when we traveled to France to visit the monastery. Then I was kidnapped and forced back to this time. It wasn’t as bad as I expected.”
“Weren’t you scared being kidnapped?”
She considered the question before snapping out a response. “Terribly, but at the same time, I was so angry. But I didn’t freeze up. I wanted to, but I guess my survival instincts are stronger than I expected.”
“And then Beckworth came along.”
She laughed. “He didn’t have an easy time with me.”
Jamie could only shake his head. “And I don’t think he would have appreciated it any other way.”
“I suppose.”
“So, one cabin or two?”
She took his arm as he led her to the gangplank. “Let’s assume he’ll get over his anger and go with one. But we could use extra blankets in case he ends up sleeping on the floor.”
Jamie was still laughing when Lando greeted them on the deck of theDaphne.
Lando bowed his head and gave her an apologetic grin. “It’s good to have you onboard, Lady Stella…”
“Just Stella.”
He nodded and glanced out to sea before continuing. “Stella. I hate to ask, but Fitz mentioned you’d offered to help while onboard. After I show you to your cabin, we could use your help in the galley. The stores came in late, and if we’re going to make tide I could use as many of the men as I can get.”
She rubbed her hands together. “I can find the cabin later. Take me to the galley.”
Lando lifted a brow and looked at Jamie.
