The Pursuit (2 page)

Edward Steele loved sea travel. He knew of people who became dreadfully ill when the waters were rough—Henry had experienced a bit of trouble—but Edward weathered it like a Viking. Indeed, as he boarded the ship dressed for cooler temperatures in an overcoat and top hat, traveling bag in hand, he breathed deeply, letting his lungs fill with sea air. Some of the odors on deck were not so pleasing, but that didn’t hinder Edward’s pleasure in his surroundings.

Traveling alone, no servant in attendance, Edward gained directions to his cabin on the
Red Dragon
and settled in, knowing the ship would be docking briefly in Lisbon, Portugal. In a cabin with two bunks but no roommate, he stowed his bag and then went out on deck to watch the activities before getting underway.

Captain Spencer, an Englishman and a man Edward had met on one other voyage, joined him at the railing where Edward watched the loading of cargo.

“Headed home, Mr Steele?”

“Yes, Captain Spencer. It’s time.”

The captain smiled. Having spent most of his life on the sea, he knew that feeling well.

“Were you told we’ll be stopping briefly in Portugal?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

“If you need anything, Mr Steele, you need only ask.”

“Thank you, sir. Is some of this cargo intended for Lisbon?”

“That is the plan, yes.”

“What are you carrying this voyage?”

The captain explained some of the shipment, pointing to certain bales and crates as they swung on board with the aid of hooks and ropes. Edward could have listened to him for the next hour, but the captain was needed just a short time later and moved on his way.

Edward strolled about, not wanting to miss anything. The ship rocked gently under his feet, and for a moment his mind moved to his brother. Edward wondered if Henry had enjoyed his voyage home. He knew he’d arrived safely back in England, but not if he’d been ill or uncomfortable during the journey.

Edward chose another place at the railing to lean against, his head tipping back as he took in the mast high over his head. The whole concept of sailing was a fascination to him, and he enjoyed thinking about those sails at full mast, billowed with the wind.

In the midst of all of this Edward suddenly realized he was in the way. Sailors were moving past him, having to skirt his body to do their job. Not wanting to make more work, he moved back to his cabin. The moment he entered he knew something had changed.

Glancing around, he found that his own gear was just as he left it, but someone had taken the top bunk. He hadn’t expected a roommate, but that wasn’t what confused him. What surprised him was that he hadn’t noticed a single man come on board. He’d seen a family—father, mother, and two children—and two women traveling together, but no man who appeared to be alone.

With a mental shrug, he dismissed his poor observation skills and moved toward his large satchel. He’d sent most of his things separately so he could travel light. He opened the catch and reached for his book and Bible. When he had his Bible in hand, a paper fell out.

Edward smiled as he picked it up and saw that Walter and Victoria had drawn a picture. Edward studied the childish drawings and words, remembering their last night together in Africa.

“Will the ship be large?” Walter wanted to know. That little boy had sailed many times in his life, and the larger ships were always his favorites.

“I’m not sure. What do you think?”

“I think I should go with you,” Victoria interjected.

“Why is that, Victoria?”

“You might be lonely and sad.”

Edward leaned to kiss her small, smooth brow.

“That’s very sweet of you, dear, but I have a book to read, and the journey doesn’t take that long. I shall be home in no time at all.”

“Will you visit again soon?” Walter asked.

“Not for a time, old chap. I shall never forget the fun we’ve had and all the adventures we’ve shared, but I’m going to stay home in England for a time.”

“Our vacation is over, and we’ll be going after Christmas,” Carolyn Middleton reminded her son. “So it won’t be many weeks before we follow Edward home to England.”

“Will we see you in England?” Victoria asked next.

“I think you shall. I’m not exactly sure when, but I’m sure we will see each other.”

Victoria, always warmed by his smile, climbed into his lap.

“Is it story time?” Edward asked, knowing their father held the book.

“I think it is,” Lucas answered, opening the book to read.

The children stayed close to Edward—he was always such fun—and listened to the story until their lids began to droop. Edward kept his place as Lucas and Carolyn scooped their children up to take them to bed. He wouldn’t see them in the morning as he was leaving very early, but he hoped they would remember this last night as long as he would.

The door opened suddenly, bringing Edward back to the present.

“Excuse me, sir.” A gentleman’s gentleman bowed as he shut the door. “I won’t be a moment.”

“That’s fine. I’m Edward Steele, by the way.”

The servant bowed again. “Denley, sir.”

“Are you traveling alone, Denley?” Edward asked as the man went to his bag, opened it, and fetched a small case.

“I am not, sir. I am in the employ of Mr Osborne in the next cabin. If you’ll excuse me, sir.”

“Of course.”

Denley, who reminded Edward a little bit of Jasper at home, exited just a moment later. Edward spoke to the empty room. “Well, Edward, not only did one man come aboard, but two. You missed them both.”

Deciding not to worry about it, Edward removed and hung his coat and jacket and stretched out on his bunk, his book and Bible near at hand. He picked up his Bible first, thinking he would read until the ship was underway, completely unaware of the fact that he was the main topic of conversation in the cabin next door.

“Did I hear voices?” Mr Osborne asked his man, his voice naturally soft.

“Yes. I have a roommate, a Mr Steele.”

“An Englishman?”

“Yes.”

“Did he say how far he was going?”

“No. I didn’t ask any questions.”

Mr Osborne looked at Denley in thoughtful silence. He was a man Osborne trusted with every fiber of his being. The servant was privy to his every plan and action, nearly to his every thought.

“How old is Mr Steele?”

“I would guess mid-twenties.”

“This might be helpful.”

“How is that, sir?”

“We’ve been traveling as a duo for a very long time. A threesome would certainly throw people off our path.”

Denley nodded. “A fine point, sir. I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Go ahead now and make sure we haven’t been followed on board. Let me know when we’re underway, and I’ll go on deck for a time.”

Denley obeyed without further comment or question. He was tempted to check on his roommate, just to gain another glimpse of him, but was afraid that would look odd. Working not to be in the way and scanning everything with the most surreptitious of movements, Denley went about his job. When the boat was finally out to sea, he returned to Osborne’s cabin to tell him all was in order.

“Excuse us, sir,” a female voice spoke from behind Edward, who had been watching the swiftly receding shoreline of Africa. He turned to find he was being addressed and bowed after removing his hat.

“Did you need something?” he asked good-naturedly, not missing the way both women smiled and relaxed a little under his kind gaze.

“We were wondering,” the shorter of the two offered, “if you’ve been to Lisbon before. We have not and would like to know what to expect. Oh, I should have told you, I’m Berneen Ryan, and this is my sister, Maura.”

“It’s nice to meet you, ladies. I’m Edward Steele, and I must tell you that I’ve only been to Lisbon one time, but I do remember a little about it.”

The three of them standing near the railing, Edward gave as much detail as he could recall. He’d been to one inn and one tavern, both respectable but probably not suitable for women traveling alone. Edward remembered a statue in the square—not who it was, but where—and had only just finished describing it when Captain Spencer joined them.

“How are you ladies faring?” he asked solicitously. With their pretty faces peeking out of bonnets and their fine cloaks, they had caused something of a stir among his men. He wanted to make sure they felt safe.

“We’re very well, Captain,” replied Berneen, taking the lead. “Mr Steele was telling us about Lisbon. He said that we should probably stay on board when you dock.”

“I think that’s wise counsel, ladies. We have no plans to be overly long, and you will be able to see something of Lisbon from the railing.”

“Thank you, Captain. Thank you, Mr Steele.” This said, the women smiled at both men and moved on their way.

“I was hoping Mr Steele would offer to take us ashore,” Maura admitted when they were safely out of earshot.

“So was I.”

They laughed a little and talked about going into Lisbon on their own but decided against it. Talking their father into allowing this trip had been difficult enough. If something were to happen, they would never be allowed to set foot out of Ireland again.

Overcoat and top hat in place, Osborne made his way along the deck, his eyes missing nothing. Denley had told him that things were secure, but the life Osborne had chosen to live never allowed him to get too comfortable.

He passed the Ryan sisters, giving them a small smile that did not invite interaction. Up ahead, he could see the captain and the man he assumed was rooming with Denley. He knew there was also a family on board, but he had yet to see them.

Reaching Edward and the captain, Osborne would have nodded and kept moving, but the captain stopped him.

“Are you settled in, Mr Osborne?”

“Yes, thank you.”

The softness of his voice was nearly lost on the wind, but the captain didn’t seem to notice.

“Have you met Mr Steele?”

“I have not, sir.”

The two men were introduced and bowed in polite fashion. Osborne bowed again, and as soon as he could manage it, moved on his way.

“Royalty?” Edward questioned the captain.

“He doesn’t have an entourage, so I can’t attest to that, but I’d be willing to guess he’s an aristocrat at the very least,” Captain Spencer answered. “I’ve not sailed with him before, but he carries a certain air, does he not?”

“Indeed.”

“And so young,” the older man observed.

Edward smiled, thinking,
You don’t learn to carry yourself like that in an afternoon. This one surely carries a title of some sort.

And for Edward that was the end of it. He found it a bit curious but knew it wasn’t his business and could find no reason to pry. He found out in a hurry, however, that not everyone had that frame of mind. When he regained his cabin, his roommate was there, and he was in a very talkative mood.

“Are we off?” Denley asked, as if he didn’t know.

“Yes. I was just speaking to Captain Spencer. He said we left ahead of time.”