Robert returned to the armchair opposite the sofa. While Declan and Edwina farewelled their unexpected guests, he swiftly reviewed all hed been told.
When Declan and Edwina reentered the drawing room and resumed their seats, he looked from one to the other. All right. Now tell me all.
As hed assumed, the pair had a great deal more to impart to him of society in Freetown, of all the characters who had played even small parts in their own drama, of the sights, sounds, and dangers of the slums, and so much more that, he knew, could well prove helpful, and perhaps even critical, once he was on the ground in the settlement.
The hours slid by unnoticed by any of them.
When the clocks struck one, they repaired to the dining parlor and continued their discussions over a substantial meal. Robert grinned when he saw the platters being brought in. Thank you, he said to Edwina. Shipboard food is good enough, but its nice to eat well when one can.
Eventually, they returned to the comfort of the drawing room. Having exhausted all the facts and most of the speculation applicable, they finally turned to the ultimate question of what purpose lay behind the strange kidnappings.
Slumped in the armchair hed claimed, his long legs stretched out before him, his booted ankles crossed, Robert tapped the tips of his steepled fingers to his chin. You said that Dixon was the first to vanish. Given hes an engineer of some repute, assuming he was chosen for his known skills, I agree that that suggests the enterprise our villains are engaged in is most likely a mine.
Lounging on the sofa beside Edwina, Declan nodded. At least in those parts.
So what are they mining? Robert met his brothers blue eyes. You know that area better than I. Whats most likely?
Declan twined his fingers with Edwinas. Gold and diamonds.
I assume not together, so whats your best guess?
If I had to wager, Id go for diamonds.
Robert had a great deal of respect for Declans insights into all matters of exploration. Why?
Declans lips twisted. He glanced at Edwina. Ive been thinking about why those behind this have chosen to take young women and childrenwhat uses they might have for them. Children are often used in gold mines to pick over the shattered oretheyd be just as useful in mining for diamonds, at least in that area. But young women? They have no real role I can think of in gold mining. But in mining for diamonds in that area?
Gripping Edwinas hand, Declan looked at Robert. The diamonds there are found in concretions, lumped together with other ore. Separating the ore from the stones is fine worknot so much precision as simply being able to work on small things. Young women with good eyesight could clean the rough stones enough to reduce their size and weight so that the final product, while keeping its value, would fit into a relatively small spaceeasy to smuggle out, even by mail.
Declan held Roberts gaze. If I had to guess, I would say our villains have stumbled on a pipe of diamonds and are busy retrieving as many stones as they can before anyone else learns of the strike.
* * *
Later that same day, in a tavern in Freetown located on a narrow side street off the western end of Water Streetan area frequented by clerks and shopkeepers and others more down at heela man rather better dressed than the other denizens sat nursing a glass of ale at a table in the rear corner of the dimly lit taproom.
The tavern door opened, and another man walked in. The first man looked up. He watched as the second man, also better dressed than the general run of the taverns clientele, bought a glass of ale from the man behind the counter, then crossed the room to the table in the corner.
The men exchanged nods, but no words. The second man drew up a stool and sat, then took a deep draft of his ale.
The sound of the door opening reached the second man. His back was to the door. He looked at the first man. That him?
The first man nodded.
Both waited in silence until the newcomer had bought an ale for himself and approached the table.
The third man set his glass down on the scarred surface, then glanced around at the others in the taproom before pulling up a stool and sitting.
Stop looking so damned guilty. The second man raised his glass and took another sip.
All very well for you. The third man, younger than the other two, reached for his glass. You dont have an uncle as your immediate superior.
Well, hes not going to see us here, is he? the second man said. Hell be up at the fort, no doubt busily sorting through his inventory.
GodI hope not. The younger man shuddered. The last thing we need is for him to realize how much is missing.
The first man, who had silently watched the exchange, arched a brow. No chance of that, is there?
The younger man sighed. NoI suppose not. He stared into his ale. Ive been careful to keep everything weve taken off the books. Theres no way to see somethings missing if according to the books it was never there.
The first mans lips curved without humor. Good to know.
Never mind that. The second man focused on the first. Whats this about Lady H? I heard through the office that shes decamped on us.
The first man flushed under his tan. His hands tightened about his glass. I was told Lady H had gone to visit family, and for all I know, that might still be the case. So yes, shes gone, but as she knows nothing about my connection to our operation, she didnt see fit to explain her reasons to me. I asked aroundindirectly, of coursebut apparently Holbrook doesnt know when shell be back.
So we might have lost our ability to vet our kidnapees? The second man frowned.
Yes, the first man replied, but that isnt what most concerns me. He paused to take a sip of his ale, then lowered the glass and went on, Yesterday, I heard from Dubois that Kale claims he lost two of the three men he sent to the governors house to fetch some lady Lady H had sent word to them to come and get.
The third man looked puzzled. When was that?
As near as I can make out, it was fifteen nights ago. Three days before Lady H sailed. I spent the evening in question dealing with dispatches, so I knew nothing about it at the time. The first man paused, then more diffidently went on, From what I could gather, it was Frobishers wife, Lady Edwina, who came to see Lady H that evening, but I cant be certain Lady Edwina was the lady Lady H called Kale to come and get, and I see no point in asking too many questions of the governors staff.
According to Dubois, Kale said that the lady his men picked up was drugged and asleep. All his manthe one who survivedcould tell him was that the lady had golden hair. In their usual team of three, Kales men wrapped her in a rug and carried her out through the slum behind the house, but then they were attacked by four mensailors, according to the survivor. The sailors killed two of Kales men and took the lady back. Kales third man ran, but then doubled back and trailed the sailors to the docks. He saw them get into a tender and be rowed off, but in the dark, he couldnt tell which ship they boarded.
The second man continued to frown into his glass. If Im remembering aright, Frobishers ship was in the harbor that night. It wasnt there the next daythey must have left on the morning tide.
The second man continued to frown into his glass. If Im remembering aright, Frobishers ship was in the harbor that night. It wasnt there the next daythey must have left on the morning tide.
The first man humphed. Word is that theyFrobisher and Lady Edwinawere on their honeymoon and were headed to Cape Town to visit family there. If thats so, then even if it was Lady Edwina who Lady H druggedGod alone knows why the silly bitch would do such a thing, but if she didI cant imagine well hear any more about it.
The third man stared at the first. But...surely Frobisher will lodge some sort of official complaint with Holbrook?
The first man grinned. I doubt it. Lady Edwinas the daughter of a dukevery highly placed within society in London. I really cant see Frobisher wanting to draw attention to his wife being in the hands of the likes of Kales men, in the night, in the slum, no one else about. Not the sort of thing hed want known about his wife.
I agree. The second man nodded. Hes got her back, and by the sounds of it, no harm done. Hell leave it at that. He paused, then added, If Frobisher had wanted to make anything of it, he wouldnt have sailed without pounding on Holbrooks desk. He didnt, so I agreethats that. He cut a glance at the third man. No need to borrow trouble on that account.
The first man leaned his chin on one hand. And I dont think we need to fear Lady H giving us up to anyone, either. She has far more to lose than we do. The only reason she agreed to Undotos suggestion was for the moneythats really all she cared about. And if it was Lady Edwina she tried to drug and send off to Kale, then once she learned that Lady Edwina had been rescued, I can quite understand Lady H wanting to make herself scarce. I would, too. But if thats the case, its better for us that shes taken herself offwe wouldnt want her to be waiting here to be asked any awkward questions if any are ever directed this way.
The second man grunted. She doesnt know enough to point the finger at us, anyway.
The first man dipped his head. True. But she might have pointed at Undoto, or given up her contact with Kale, and that might have started things unraveling... No. Overall, we should be glad shes gone. But if she has done a flit for good and all, then the one thing we do need to work on is how to cover for her expertise. The first man looked at the other two and raised his brows. Any notion how were to vet those we take to make sure their disappearance doesnt set off any alarms?
Silence ensued.
Finally, the second man raked his hand through his thick black hair. Lets leave that for now, but keep alert for any possible other way. As of this moment, Dubois has enough men for his needs.
But he says hell need more, the first man countered. He said Dixons not far from opening up the second tunnel, and once he does, if we want to increase production like weve promised our backers, then Dubois will need more men.
So hell need them soon, but not immediately. The second man nodded. No need to panic. Well find a way.
What about women and children? the third man asked.
Dubois said he has enough of both for now. The first man turned his glass between his hands. He wont need more until they start hauling rock from the second tunnel.
The three fell silent, then the second man humphed. I hope Dixon can be trusted to do whats needed.
The first mans lips quirked. Dubois was very confident that in order to keep Miss Frazier safe and unmolested, Dixon will perform exactly as we wish.
The second man grinned. I have to say that Duboiss notion of using the womens safety to control the men has proved nothing short of inspired.
The first man grunted and pushed away his empty glass. Just as long as the men dont think ahead and realize that, when we have all we need from them, its all going to come to the same thing in the end.
* * *
A gray dawn was breaking far to the east as Robert steered The Trident down the last stretch of the Solent. The day was overcast and blustery, the waves a choppy gray-green, but the wind gusted from the northeast, which made it damned near perfect sailing, at least to him.
Hed risen in the small hours and had jockeyed The Trident into position to be one of the first ships to heel out on the surging tide. With the way clear before the prow, hed called up the sails in rapid succession. Ships like The Trident were best sailed hard, with as much canvas flying as possible; they were designed to race over the waves.
The buoys at the Solents mouth came into view, rising and falling on the swell. Robert corrected course, then, as the first of the Channels rolling waves hit, swung the wheel. He called rapid sail changes as the ship heeled; the crew scurried and shouts flew as the sails were adjusted, then The Trident was shooting into the darker waters of the Channel, prow unerringly on the correct heading to take them out into the Atlantic on the most southerly tack.
Once the ship steadied, he checked the sails, then, satisfied, handed the wheel to his lieutenant, Jordan Latimer. Keep her running as hard as you can. Ill be back for the next change. That would come when they swung even further to the south to commence the long haul to Freetown.
Latimer grinned and snapped off a salute. Aye, aye. I take it were in a hurry?
Robert nodded. Believe it or not, The Cormorant made the trip back in twelve days.
Twelve? Latimer let his disbelief show.
Royd put a new finish on the hull and fiddled with the rudder. Apparently, if running under full sail, it shaves off nearly a sixth in timeDeclans master reported The Cormorant was noticeably faster even on the run from Aberdeen to Southampton.
Latimer shook his head wonderingly. Pity we didnt have time for Royd and his boys to doctor The Trident before we set out. Well never make it in twelve days.
True. Robert turned to descend to the main deck. But theres no reason we cant make it in fifteen, as long as we keep the sails up.
If the winds held steady, they would. He went down the ladder to the main deck, then paced along the starboard side, checking knots, pulleys, and the set of the spars, listening to the creak of the sailsthe little things that reassured him that all was right with his ship.
Halting near the bow, he glanced back and checked the wake, all but unconsciously noting the way the purling wave broke and the angle of the hulls cant. Seeing nothing of concern, he turned and looked ahead to where, in the far distance, the clouds gave way to blue skies.
With luck, when they reached the Atlantic, the weather would clear, and he would be able to cram on yet more sail.
The ship lurched, and he gripped the rail; as the deck righted, he leaned against the side, his gaze idly sweeping the seas ahead.
As hed predicted, it had taken three days for The Trident to sail from London to Southampton and to be adequately provisioned from the companys stores there. Add fourteen more days for the journey south, and it would be eighteen days since hed agreed to this mission before he sighted Freetown. Fourteen full days before he could start.
To his surprise, impatience rode him. He wanted this mission done and squared away.
The why of that had been difficult to define, but last night, as hed lain in his bed in the large stern cabinhis cold, lonely, and uninspiring bedhed finally got a glimpse of what was driving his uncharacteristically unsettling emotions.