Merline Lovelace by The Tiger's Bride

Author:The Tiger's Bride
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The disaster occurred just before teatime.

Sarah had instituted that most English of all rituals, afternoon tea, in an attempt to establish some sort of familiar routine for her siblings in the midst of the sudden upheavals in their lives. Every day for a week now, she’d presided over the small ceremony that took place in the saloon at precisely four o’clock. John Hardesty supplied fresh tea filched from the ship’s cargo. The captain and Mr. Burke and the other senior members of the crew contributed delicacies such as biscuits and precious preserves. Sarah poured for Abby and Charlie and whomever chose to join them.

It was all so polite. So civilized.

Normally.

On this particular afternoon, only Sarah and Abigail convened at the polished mahogany mess table. The captain was busy and Mr. Burke was sleeping, having had the watch all through the night and early morning.

“Where’s Charlie?” Sarah asked, pouring boiling water over the delicate green leaves nestled in a blueand-white porcelain teapot. A cloud of fragrant steam rose to tease and tempt her.

“He’s with John Hardesty in the crew’s quarters,” Abby replied, sniffing appreciatively. “He promised to be here—”

Abby broke off at the sound of the hatch sliding back. The clatter of feet coming down the companionway announced the latecomer’s arrival. A moment later, Charlie burst into the saloon with his usual energy.

“I say, I’m sorry I’m late! I was with John Hardesty, only he had to go fire up the galley stove and then Master Ropes showed me where the extra canvas is stowed and we found a dead rat the size of a dog. You should see it, Sarah! It’s quite the largest rat I’ve ever come across. Master Ropes smashed it with a belaying pin, but I daresay he would let you have a peek at it if he hasn’t thrown it over the side.”

“Yes, I’m sure he would if I wished to, which I most assuredly don’t. Go wash your hands and face, Charlie. And comb your hair. Tea is almost ready.”

The boy spun on his heel and started out, only to whirl back again. “You’ll never guess what else I found in the sail locker.”

“I don’t think I wish to,” Abigail replied with a small shudder.

Eagerly, Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a collection of dog-eared papers. “It’s a book of sorts. I was going to show it to Master Ropes, but then the bells rang and I had to come here. Perhaps we can read it instead of King Arthur?”

“Perhaps,” Sarah replied indulgently. “After you wash.”

He tossed the loosely bound book onto the mess table and dashed to the cabin he shared with his two sisters. While Sarah checked to see if the tea had steeped sufficiently, Abigail idly reached for the thin volume and flicked it open. A small frown marred her brow as she read the handwritten lines. She read further, then gasped.

“Sarah!”

Startled, her sister glanced across the table. “What, love?”

“Look…at…this…book!”

Alarmed by the shock on Abby’s face, Sarah rose and hurried around the table.

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