The Pursuit (3 page)

Denley began to dig in his bag. He seemed to be searching for something when he asked, “Do you suffer from seasickness, sir?”

“Not usually,” Edward told him. “Do you, Denley?”

“Not unless the waters are very rough. I have a vial of something if I feel it coming on. You’re welcome to use it as well, Mr Steele.”

“Thank you.”

“I understand that we’re bound for Lisbon?”

“Yes, I’d heard that as well.”

“I’ve never been,” Denley told him. He’d gone to work on more things in his case, finding a coat brush and such, but he seemed in no hurry to stop talking.

“You’ll have to come again when we’re going to be docked longer.”

“Is it to be swift?” Denley asked.

“That’s my understanding.”

“Well, maybe there will be time to see a few things.”

“That’s possible.”

Edward watched Denley place a coat on a hanger. He held it to the lamp light in several directions, brushing at it and fussing over a few areas.

“I need to take this next door,” he said absently as he started toward the door. His hand was on the handle when he stopped. “Is that your coat, sir?” He indicated the coat Edward had hung on a hook. “If you’d like, I could give it a brushup when I come back.”

“Thank you, Denley. I would appreciate that.”

Without further ado, Denley slipped out the door and knocked on Osborne’s door. Osborne answered and shut the door behind him.

“You did say you’d met him?” Denley clarified as he hung the coat.

“Yes, on deck with the captain.”

Denley shook his head a little. “He didn’t ask a single question. Not one.”

“Did he speak at all?”

“Nothing worth mentioning. He said we’d only be in Lisbon for a very short time, not even time to go ashore.”

Osborne fell silent—he was thinking again. Denley went about putting a suit of clothes together in case Osborne wanted to change, but no words were spoken. Not until it was time for supper that evening did the two discuss any sort of plan. Osborne confessed that he wanted to relax but knew he mustn’t. The ship seemed safe. The ship made him feel as though he was out of reach, but he knew better. He knew anyone could be watching.

Dinner was served in shifts. The dining area was small, and although some meals might be delivered to cabins, this ship was a working vessel, and passengers were expected to remember that.

Captain Spencer, however, was not without compassion. The Waldengrave family with small children and the Ryan sisters were invited to eat a little earlier. The girls would have enjoyed the company of one of the single men on board but understood the need to keep silent about this.

As it was, Mr Waldengrave did not actually eat with his family. He helped his wife see food into their young children and assisted her with their bedtimes, but when Edward, Osborne, and Denley arrived for their meal, he was also in attendance.

“Waldengrave,” he said as he stood and gave his name, bowing to each man, even Denley.

“Edward Steele,” that man volunteered, and Osborne and Denley did the same. Denley became instantly invisible at one corner of the table, his manner doing nothing to attract attention as he waited. He didn’t have long. Bowls of food began to appear and the men, more than ready for food, began to eat.

“To where are you traveling?” Waldengrave asked Edward.

“England. And yourself, Mr Waldengrave?” he asked out of courtesy. He wasn’t certain he was comfortable with this man. He knew he was traveling with his family and couldn’t understand why he would leave his wife and children alone on this ship.

“I’m headed to London. How about you, Osborne?”

“London also,” he said calmly, using his fork with quiet efficiency and reflecting an unconscious air of royalty.

“Have you lived there long?” Waldengrave wished to know, actually wondering what palace he might be headed to.

“All my life. How about yourself?”

This was all the invitation Waldengrave needed. He began to speak about his life and family. Edward and Osborne were very good listeners, nodding in all the right places and seemingly filled with interest.

“What took you to Africa?” Waldengrave asked Osborne when he finally stopped for air.

“Travel as well. I’d never been.”

“How about you, Steele?”

“Just travel. I have a few friends there.”

Waldengrave was off again after this, telling the men why he’d been in Africa. Edward did his best to attend, but the man changed subjects very swiftly.

“I thought you said you’d been in Africa for four months,” Osborne suddenly interjected, not having raised his voice in the least.

“We have.”

“But you just now said you were in Italy in September.”

Waldengrave looked confused.

“What month is this?”

“December.”

With little more than a shrug and a grunt, Waldengrave went back to his supper. Osborne’s and Edward’s gaze met for just a moment before they returned to their own plates. Denley, of course, said nothing, but he hadn’t missed a thing.

Edward was alone in the cabin as he woke the third morning of the voyage. He washed and shaved, an interesting feat with the wind having picked up a bit. He’d only just finished dressing when Denley returned.

Edward watched as that man sat on the room’s one chair, his eyes on nothing. The lighting wasn’t the best, but Edward could tell he was unwell.

“Do you want your bag, Denley?” Edward asked kindly. It never once occurred to him not to help. “Shall I find that vial for you?”

“I don’t believe I’m seasick, Mr Steele, but thank you.”

“Should I tell the captain that you’re unwell, or Osborne?”

“No, but thank you. I believe I’ll just sit for a time.”

Edward took him at his word but still went next door and knocked.

“Denley?” Osborne asked from within.

“No, it’s Edward Steele.”

The door opened.

“I wanted to make sure you knew that Denley wasn’t feeling his best.”

“Thank you.”

“Let me know if there’s something I can do.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Edward walked away thinking that if he hadn’t watched Osborne in action the night before at the supper table, he’d think him a complete snob. Osborne could do things with his voice that only his friend, Bathurst, could pull off. And he was the son of a baron.

Putting both Osborne and Denley from his mind, Edward went in search of breakfast. He wasn’t at his best with an empty stomach and thought his feelings might be more charitable if he had a little food.

“How are you?” Osborne had gone next door to check on his man. Denley had climbed into his bunk, and Osborne’s height gave him a perfect view of the man’s face. There was no mistaking the misery in Denley’s eyes.

“I have the most dreadful headache, sir. I can’t think what’s brought it on.”

“I’ll order some breakfast for you and have it sent.”

“Thank you.”

Osborne placed his hand against the man’s brow. It was hot to the touch. He didn’t linger but went directly for the captain. The boat might only be docking briefly at Lisbon the next day, but Osborne thought he and Denley might be forced to disembark.

“Good morning, ladies,” Edward greeted the Ryan sisters as he took a seat at the small dining table. “I trust you slept well.”

“It was rough last night,” Maura answered, her eyes a bit large.

“Yes, I believe the wind has picked up. Eating might help.”

Both women had cups of tea in front of them but nothing on their plates. Edward had no desire to make anyone feel worse, but he had to have food. He began to serve himself eggs and bacon, aware that the ladies had turned slightly away from him.

He was in the midst of his meal when the captain arrived. He greeted the three at the table but went directly to the ship’s cook. He wasn’t with the cook very long before coming and sitting close to Edward. He spoke, keeping his voice low.

“Denley, your cabin mate, is quite unwell, Mr Steele. Would you like me to move him down with the men?”

“No,” Edward told him without hesitation, thinking that would be most uncomfortable for the man. “I don’t mind, Captain, and I can tell Mr Osborne if Denley needs something.”

“Very well. If you have any concerns, please come to me.”

The moment Edward finished eating, he returned to his cabin. Osborne was on hand, helping Denley eat. Edward did not linger.

“Let me know if I can assist with anything.”

“Thank you,” Osborne said, turning to see him at the door. “Is it going to bother you if he stays in here?”

“No. We’ll get along just fine.”

“Thank you,” Osborne said again, his voice even lower.

Edward didn’t know what he would do for the next few hours. He took himself on deck and stared at the miles of ocean around him, never tiring of the sight. Finding his mind strongly on Denley and Osborne, he prayed for both men.

Chapter Two

“Hello.”

Edward stopped his slow promenade along the deck and turned to the owner of the young voice. He smiled when their eyes met.

“Hello. How are you?”

Ralph Waldengrave, the youngest member of his family, looked back at him.

“I’m fine” were the young man’s words, but Edward wasn’t certain they were true. For three days Edward had seen him on deck and greeted him, but the boy of approximately eight years had said nothing. Now on this day, when Edward hadn’t even noticed him, he spoke.