A Rogue in Sheep’s Clothing (37 page)

She nodded.

“At least,” he continued. “Allow me to walk you to the ferry. The dock is very close by.”

After some hesitation she nodded once more. “If it will help to put your mind at rest, I accept. A short walk in the open would be unexceptionable.”

“This way.” He hefted her trunk onto one shoulder and grasped both her carpet bags with the other hand.

As they walked he explained which offers of transport could be trusted, which to avoid, and how to find the best lodging. He saw her safely settled on the ferry and wished her well.

A mix of worry, regret, and relief tugged at his chest as the vessel disappeared into the fog. Why had he pushed to insert himself into Mrs. Smithfeld’s business? She was a presentable female, so some amount of attraction was understandable, but that was hardly reason enough to desert Smiley and risk having their informant get away.

That porter had information about human cargo being secretly brought to San Francisco aboard Trahern-Smiley vessels. The flesh trade disgusted Dutch for personal as well as moral reasons. Horrifying as white slavery was, he knew that he couldn’t stop it. What he could do was ensure that neither he or his business and associates had any involvement with flesh peddlers. Dutch was determined to halt the use of his ships for anything other than legitimate business. Only his brother Trey was more important than the business that anchored their respectability. Dutch could not explain why he allowed one solitary woman to distract him from protecting that respectability. Shaking his head, he turned his back on the approaching fog and set off to discover if Smiley had caught the porter.

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