The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock

Author:Grace Hitchcock [Hitchcock, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781643522371
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.

~ Rembrandt

Bane scowled, his gaze fixed on the unreachable island that was veiled in fog. His steps sounded hollow on the dock as a seagull’s cry pierced his thoughts along with the clanging of a ship’s bell. He marched down the dock and returned to Miss Birch, who was waiting impatiently for Doctor Hawkins while keeping a safe distance between herself and the dockworkers. “The ticket master just informed me that the first ferry left before its scheduled departure time. From what I was able to gather, some rich gentleman paid the captain a preposterous amount, but the man wouldn’t officially confirm the rumor even though he has no qualms of spreading it.” He gritted his teeth. “We’ll just have to find another means of reaching the island this morning.”

“This is utterly ridiculous.” Miss Birch crossed her arms, emitting an exasperated sigh. “I have never heard of someone hiring an entire ferry. I mean, if it were a yacht or even a small boat, certainly, but a giant, filthy, flea-ridden ferry? Nonsense.” She checked her jeweled ladies’ watch pin. “Doctor Hawkins should be here soon, but how will we get to the island if there is not a ferry to take us?”

Bane dug his hands into his pockets and fished around for coins, wishing he had enough to hire a ferry himself, or even a boat. Grunting at his stinging pride, he looked at his companion. “Miss Birch? Do you have sufficient funds to hire a boat? Perhaps if we combine our efforts?”

She opened her reticule and withdrew her coin purse, giving it a shake and grimacing at the jingle of two lonely coins. “I don’t have much pin money left from my recent shopping trip, but I’m sure if we do not have enough together, the good doctor will be more than happy to oblige.”

She dumped the contents of her money pouch into his hand, and they counted out their meager amount before approaching the nearest vessel large enough to accommodate them with a man working it. Miss Birch pressed her lace-trimmed handkerchief over her mouth and nose as the scent of rotting fish grew with every step, but Bane couldn’t fault her for it, as he had to swallow to keep his own stomach under control.

The gruff sailor regarded them and hoisted a bucket to the rail, wide-eyed fish heads and guts sloshing to the floor of his boat, causing Lavinia to turn her head and moan into her puffed yellow sleeve, a ridiculous color to wear to an asylum. Was she trying to provoke the inmates?

Bane cleared his throat. “Excuse me, sir, would you be willing to take us to Blackwell’s Island in your—” He motioned to the rowboat, searching for the right words. “Fine vessel? The ferry departed ahead of schedule.”

“So you think I can drop everything and attend to your needs since you are a gentleman?” He took in Miss Birch’s extravagant gown along with Bane’s plain suit, no doubt determining the price.

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