Page 106 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
The lady stepped forward, Louisa walking a step behind and to the side. They approached the gangway of theCeres, where two burly men stood guard.
“You must be lost, my lady,” one of the men said in a steely voice. “This ship is a prison hulk, not a pleasure vessel.”
“I am well aware of that,” Edith replied, her chin in the air. “Mr. Campbell is an acquaintance of my family’s. I am here with his blessing.”
Louisa let out a sob. “My lady, they’re not going to help us! What will I do?!”
“It’s all right, Mary. These men will help us unless they wish to incur the wrath of Mr. Campbell and my father, the Earl of Essex.” She stood up straighter and looked down her beautiful nose at the two men who looked alarmed by Louisa’s outburst. “This young woman is my maid, the gentleman, my coachman.”
“What help do you need, my lady?” one of the guards asked, rubbing his hands together awkwardly.
“My maid’s brother is missing. There are rumors in London that he is on this ship.” She handed the guard a newspaper clipping. “Seaman Thomas Wilson is his name. He is not a criminal and is here against his will.”
Louisa began to weep openly. And loudly. “His wife is with child,” she wailed.
“Can you read this?” The guard handed the clipping to the other man.
“It says the man has disappeared, and he’s a veteran. There are three hundred men on this ship. How would we find him if he is aboard, my lady?”
Louisa replied brokenly, “He has a birthmark on his forehead. It is very faint and shaped like an oar.”
“I’ve seen that birthmark!” The first guard nodded several times. “The man has been ill and sleeps a lot. There was talk of his being moved to the hospital ship if he didn’t get better.”
“Oh, my heavens!” Louisa stumbled, and Nathaniel took her arm to steady her. She sniffled as she said, “Please, sirs. Please take me to my brother.”
The first man replied, “Come with me. I’ll warn you, it’s none too fresh smelling on board. You can wait in the common room while I find your brother, miss.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Edith couldn’t believetheir ploy had worked. It had been almost too easy. Their party was shown to a large chamber in the ship’s bow that smelled of sweat and boiled cabbage despite the open windows. Edith shivered in the chilly room as she took a seat on a hardbacked chair, and Louisa did the same.
“You’re both doing splendidly,” Lord Harbury said from where he stood behind Edith’s chair.
“Despite being scared to death,” Louisa replied in a whisper.
Before anyone replied, the sentry was back with another guard, both men holding up a man between them.
