“Rufus and I hire out as couriers for the traders. They always need to get information or goods from one place to another.”
“We have been traveling in France and Spain. I will be glad to be home among my own,” Rufus said.
“It’s the language. He’s uncomfortable with anyone who he can’t argue with,” Scully said.
That made everyone laugh, even Rufus. Donald drained his tankard, glanced at the cups on the table, grabbed them, and made his way to the cask at the side of the room.
“Mademoiselle, where are you off to?” Scully asked.
“We’re on our way to Bamburgh Castle. And you?”
“Berwick.” Scully smiled. “Perhaps we can travel together. The two aren’t far apart. There is a good sturdy coach for hire at the barn. Unless Donald’s brother keeps one here.”
“We have passage on a ship to Alnwick. Perhaps you can join us.”
Donald made his way through the crowd and returned with the filled tankards.
“Do you think Captain Howard has room for two more?” she asked Donald.
“Mademoiselle invited us to join you since you’re going to Alnwick and we’re on our way to Berwick.”
“You can ask the captain yourself.” He set the tankards on the table.
“What do you want to ask me?” Captain Howard walked up behind him with a tankard in his hand.
“If you have room for two more to Alnwick.” Scully said.
“Know that the Always Faithful is not a pleasure boat but carries cargo. If you’re willing to sleep with the men below or on the deck you’re welcome to join us.”
Scully glanced at Rufus who gave him a nod. “We thank you Captain. That will save us a great deal of time.”
“I came to let you know the cargo is loaded.” He put his empty tankard on the tray of a passing serving girl. “I want to be away and get distance between the Always Faithful and Dover as soon as possible. A storm may be brewing. If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to leave until the storm blows over. We leave as soon as Mr. Percy, my first mate finishes his final check. I cannot wait for anyone.”
The captain left. The others gathered their things and boarded the ship a few minutes later.
The deck was crowded with baskets, sacks and barrels making it difficult to find a place to stand that was out of the way of the crew. The activity on board was fierce.
Howard invited them to stand with him on the aftcastle, the platform that was the roof of the cabin below.
Andrea stood at the rail and watched the men on deck move the ship away from the dock. Others perched on the mast unfurled and set the sail.
Donald stood with his friends not too far away. His deep baritone laugh made her smile. The Always Faithful left the English Channel and sailed smartly into the North Sea. They headed north and traveled along the coast.
Chapter Fifteen
With the ship on course, the crew relaxed. Andrea looked at Donald, Scully and Rufus from her vantage point on top of the aftcastle.
“You seem at a loss.” She hadn’t heard the captain come up to her.
“After so much time together, I miss…his attention.” Andrea glanced at the captain. “That is a wretched thing to say.”
“No, it’s not. I’ve noticed him glance here. It certainly isn’t my face he is looking at.”
“Oh, Captain Howard.” She spun to face him. “You have a most handsome face.”
They both laughed. The captain leaned in close to her. “You are most generous. My wife seems to think so. At least that is what she tells me every time I come home. Then again it is right after I present her with a gift.”
That sent her into rolls of laughter.
“Andrea.” Donald walked toward her.
The captain glanced as Donald came toward them then leaned close to Andrea again. “No need to thank me.”
She stared at him, her mouth agape. “I will buy your wife a gift.”
“Donald is a fortunate man.” The captain smiled as Donald stepped next to her.
“I thought we would take a turn around the deck now that things have calmed.” Donald held out his hand. “You will excuse us Captain.”
“By all means.” Howard dipped his head.
They walked the deck and enjoyed the sea air. The gentle motion under their feet was both soothing and invigorating. But the weather was changing and towards nightfall the air cooled. The crew was busy once again.
The small group of friends joined the captain on the deck expecting to see the sun peeking over the horizon brightening the clouds with tinges of red and orange.
Instead, a gray watery sky filled with dark clouds marched across the heavens hiding any hint of blue. The air carried the clean smell of rain coming. The wind turned from pleasant to urgent, battering them as they moved along the deck. They were in for a storm.
“Donald, take Andrea to the cabin,” the captain yelled over the building wind. Howard stepped away trying to keep his balance as the ocean swells built. “Mr. Percy, get everything on deck below. Make sure the sails are tightly tied.”
As Donald moved Andrea across the deck, she noticed Scully and Rufus working with the crew.
Storm clouds rolled in, cutting off what little sun light was left. The crew worked at a mad rush, scrambling across the lurching deck to their assigned positions. The ocean swelled and blocked whatever view they had had of the shore. The comfort of the horizon was lost to her.
The air was thick with a briny mist, the deck awash with salty waves. The wind rammed against the ship gathering strength. It was a sea storm promising nothing but hardship.
In every direction Andrea saw the tempest, blue green water laced with white. The ship dipped and climbed. The waves made it difficult to stand.
“You can’t stay here,” Donald shouted above the roar of the storm. “You need to get into the cabin.”
He didn’t wait for her to agree but
