“What now?” Rhea asked.
“Adam. He picked up another load in London and is on his way to Spain. What part of get home now doesn’t he understand? He’s blatantly disobeying me and the company.”
“I thought you fired him,” Rhea said.
“I did, and this is his act of defiance,” Sam said. “It’s difficult to fire someone when they’re hundreds of miles away and they ignore you.”
“Is there nothing we can do?”
Sam paced the floor. He stopped suddenly. “I’d contact the maritime police in Spain and have him taken forcefully off the ship, but then my ship would end up docked in Spain with valuable cargo still onboard.”
Rhea touched her husband’s arm. “Adam would never forgive you.”
“He isn’t going where he’s supposed to. He wasn’t scheduled to pick up cargo in London and take it to Spain. I don’t understand what he’s doing.”
“How do we get him to return to Philadelphia?”
Sam rubbed his temples. “I have to contact the maritime police, and Isaac or Levi will have to get Adam’s clipper and bring it home.”
Rhea gave Sam a worried look. “Adam will be furious.”
They looked up to see Greta in the doorway.
“Greta, dear,” Rhea said, “come—sit down. I’ll pour you some tea.”
Greta sat and took the offered teacup. “I don’t want Adam to come home if he’ll be furious. It won’t help our situation at all.”
Sam sat beside her and patted her arm. “I’m thinking of a way to solve that, too. Don’t you worry.” He lifted her chin. “Just keep smiling.”
“Where’s our beautiful granddaughter?” Rhea asked.
“She’s still asleep. We were up all night, but the new tooth finally broke through. Priscilla is sitting with her.”
“How is Priscilla working out as a nanny? Is she better than Abigail?” Rhea asked.
“Oh, much better. Priscilla is wonderful with Beth.”
Rhea studied Greta. “You don’t look happy dear. You aren’t smiling as much anymore.”
Greta bit her bottom lip before blurting it out when she couldn’t keep it inside any longer. “How long do I have to be lonely for... well, romantic attention? I’m still young and with amorous feelings. Having had a small taste of love and companionship, I’m aching for it. Miles Tanner has asked me to the barn dance this week, and I had to refuse… again.”
Rhea and Sam exchanged looks. “We’re trying to get Adam home. Once he sees you, I know he’ll be smitten. You are so lovely, Greta. How can he not fall for you?”
Greta stood and pushed her chair in. “I can’t wait much longer. I’m thankful for all you have done for me and Bethany, but I’m nearly twenty-three now, and I need a life. If Adam doesn’t return soon, I’ll see an attorney about having the marriage annulled.” Greta turned and left the room.
~~~***~~~
Adam watched the last of his crew scramble down the ladder to the small boat that would take them ashore. He knew he wouldn’t see them again until they sailed in two days. They always enjoyed the nightlife in Algeciras, Spain.
Before he had the chance to pull the ladder up, a redheaded woman boarded his clipper and asked if she might have a word with him. He shrugged and nodded.
The woman moved close to Adam and whispered sensuously, “My name is Charisse, and I’m on a goodwill mission. I need to get used clothing to poor people in London. Please, allow me to deliver boxes of clothes to the unfortunate.” She touched his cheek. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
She was a beautiful, voluptuous woman, but he met beautiful women in every port. He thought about Proverbs five, verse three: For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
No matter where he was in the world, he read his Bible nightly. That’s not to say he never sinned, for he had, and temptation had won him over many times. Life at sea was tough, and he’d partied with his crew in different ports, but the sins weighed on his heart, and he knew he couldn’t continue. He stopped going into the ports and stayed on his clipper. Now, he was, for all intents and purposes, a married man, which made for a better excuse to give to his crew than that he didn’t want to sin any longer; no one liked to be laughed at.
His parents had reared him in the faith, and he loved God, trying hard, despite his rough lifestyle, to obey Him.
Now, this she-devil was tempting him into making a delivery for her, and his father was threatening him. Though he loved the sea, he had to return to hash things out with his folks. ‘Honor thy father and mother’ kept running through his head, but the sea continued to call to him. At first, he was tempted to do a run for the lady, but he just couldn’t.
Adam stepped away from her, bumping against the ship’s railing. “I’m a married man. I’ve just received an order to return with my ship to Philadelphia. I’m sorry. There are other ships in port who might oblige.”
Seemingly sweet, beautiful Charisse pulled a pistol from her pocket and pointed it at his head. “I think not, sweetheart.” She motioned for others to come aboard.
Before Adam could react, two men jumped aboard the ship, pushed him below deck and into his cabin, and tied him to a chair. One of the men said, “We’ll take over from here. Ramon—get ready to sail to London at dawn. Hugo and Bruno are loading the cargo now.”
Adam pulled on his ropes, but they were tight. He gazed around his cabin. There was a cutlass in the cabinet across the room, if he could only get to it. Unfortunately, all the furniture had
