Andrea headed back to the cabin. She stared at his satchel on the table. He would have to come and get it. That would be the time to talk to him. She would stay in the cabin all day if necessary.
She went back to bed too tired to think of anything but sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
“You better have a good reason for going into that cabin. What is that in your hand?” Captain Howard stood in front of the man who had just backed out of the passageway and onto the deck.
The deep voice startled Donald as he turned and faced the captain.
“It’s my satchel. I didn’t want to disturb Andrea. She was in a deep sleep.”
The captain relaxed. “I didn’t recognize you. You look as if you’ve had as much trouble sleeping as your Andrea did.”
Donald had slept fitfully that night and woke to see her returning to the cabin. For a moment he thought to go after her but was in no mood to attempt to reason with her. He took out the single piece of map with half a thought to throw the scrap over the side with the other pieces. Even though she wanted to protect the map, he didn’t want all the pieces in one place. Now, he put the scrap away. He would give it to her later and be done with it.
“She walked the deck like a widow last night. I watched her from above,” the captain said.
“I had some difficulty sleeping as well. The journey to Bamburgh will be longer for it. I’ll go clean up.”
Soft footsteps overhead woke Andrea at first light. She stared at the ceiling while gathering her thoughts. Raised on her elbows, she scanned the room then shot out of bed.
Donald’s satchel was gone from the table.
The sail during the night had been uneventful yet she searched the floor and everywhere else. The pouch was nowhere to be found.
The light rap on the door startled her. “M’lady.”
Her heart thundered. She grabbed her shawl and opened the door. Mr. Percy stood in front of her. She glanced over his shoulder but the door to the deck was shut. No one else was with him.
“I hope you slept well,” the first officer said. “The ship is docked and the others are leaving.”
Her face fell. “Leaving?”
“We arrived earlier than scheduled and have most of the cargo unloaded. Once we load the new cargo we’ll be ready to head back to Calais on the afternoon tide.”
“You have my thanks, Mr. Percy. I will only be a few minutes.” With a nod he headed to the deck as she closed the door.
So much for speaking to Lord Eden. Well he can take himself wherever he likes as long as he is far away from her.
She changed into fresh clothes and scanned the room for anything she could have overlooked. It was a habit she developed traveling with her Uncle Claude. He would leave something everywhere if it wasn’t for her. In Tunis he left his belt. In Paris he forgot a tunic.
She pulled the covers away and gawked at a piece of parchment. Her hand shook as she picked up the scrap.
Bringing back horses. D
She sank onto the bed. Her eyes closed, she let the tears that she struggled to keep back fall. He hadn’t abandoned her.
The deck door opened.
“Andrea.”
She wiped her eyes with her skirt, stood, and opened the cabin door.
“Good. I see you got my message.” He nodded toward the parchment still in her hand. “Scully and Rufus are staying in Alnwick. They said they may join us later. I know you may not want to ride, but it’s either a full day’s walk or arrive at the castle by late morning. There is a coach leaving for Bamburgh. I secured two seats for us, the only seats, but we must hurry.”
“Riding would have been fine.”
He raised his eyebrow and tilted his head.
“However, a coach ride sounds lovely.”
From the time he left the ship until he returned all his thoughts focused on what they encountered since they left Châlons. The search for a relic had turned into a deadly game. To request she drop this quest only fell on deaf ears. And, if he were honest, he was drawn into the game. The sword. That made him laugh. But he could not deny his part any more than she.
Now standing in front of her, was not the time to exchange words. They were both raw from their recent battle. Her dare-not-tell-me-I-was-wrong expression confirmed his decision. Neither of them was in a mind to listen. But that wouldn’t stop him from keeping her safe. He would always keep her safe.
He picked up her satchel and gave way for her to leave.
The deck was alive with the crew getting cargo on board and tie down. The sails were inspected especially since the storm and repairs were made. New crewmen came on board while others left. The captain was busy. They waved their goodbye and hurried to their ride.
The coach lumbered out of Alnwick and followed along the cliffs that bordered the coast.
“Every clue we have is related to a church in some way; the Templars in Tunis, Lady Abadia’s chapel in Amiens, even Mother Simone in the abbey in Soissons,” Andrea said staring at the sea. She turned to him. “We should go to the church in Bamburgh.”
“St Aidan’s. It’s as good a place as any to start. What will we look for once we get there?” he asked.
“I have no idea.” She let out a heavy sigh.
They traveled for an hour then stopped in Rennington to take on a woman, Mistress Shield.
“Don’t wander too far. We stop here only long enough to water the horses,” the coachman said.
While
