Scoundrel by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-10-25T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Faith stood on the dock, the boards of the wharf rough under her feet.

Chase, Mr. Robertson, Rowena, and the girls were standing with her, and she supposed they painted an odd picture. Two dour, frumpy nuns. Three pretty little girls, their blond hair curled, their petticoats swishing. And two dashing gentleman who might have been bandits.

They were dressed in trousers, flowing white shirts, and were both heavily armed, appearing much as they had when they’d burst in to rescue Faith from slavers. Chase in particular looked very lethal. He had a pistol on each hip, a long sword and a short dagger in a sheath slung over his back. She couldn’t imagine there was a miscreant in the world who would dare to cross him.

Once Chase had decided to leave Africa, plans had quickly fallen into place. A ship had been found, though it was taking them to Portugal. They’d hire another ship there that would convey them all the way to England.

Their exit from the villa had been heartbreaking, with the servants actually crying over Chase’s exodus. Even Akmed, the terrifying man with the tattoos, had shed a few tears. They’d liked Chase very much, much more than the prior owner who apparently had been a brute.

The parting had left her distraught, the girls too, so the trip to town had been stressful. The girls had bickered, and it was unbearably hot. Mr. Robertson and Chase had ridden on horseback so they’d been spared the children’s quarrels in the carriage. Rowena had done her best to placate them, but nothing had worked.

“All right, ladies,” Mr. Robertson said, “let’s board, shall we?”

He was always such a happy fellow, but his overture had no effect. No one moved, so he said, “We just climb this plank. It’s easy.” He smiled at the girls. “You’ve been on a ship before, haven’t you? You’re old hands at this. I shouldn’t have to show you.”

He turned and marched up, pausing occasionally to wave at everybody. The children watched him warily, but none of them commented.

Rowena jumped in with, “Come, girls. Who’ll be first?” Still, none of them moved, and she chided, “Well, I’m not staying here. I’m going with Mr. Robertson.”

She marched off too, expecting them to follow, but they didn’t.

Faith scowled at Mary and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“We don’t want to ever travel on the ocean again.”

“Why not? Are you afraid?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you afraid? If it’s because of what occurred when we—”

“It is!” Mary vehemently replied. “What if people get sick again? What if we get sick?”

“You won’t.”

Martha added, “What if bad men find us? Last time Mr. Hubbard sailed, pirates attacked him.”

Faith frowned at Chase. She hadn’t realized the girls were aware of that dangerous story. She glanced down at Martha. “Where did you hear that?”

“Everyone at the villa talked about it.”

“They shouldn’t have,” Faith griped.

“What if they chase after us too?” Martha asked. “What then?”

“Mr. Hubbard will protect us. You know that.” She gestured to the ship. “You’re being silly. Now let’s go.

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