The Pursuit (4 page)

“It’s a rough sea today,” Edward commented, thinking the child looked rather forlorn—not seasick, but lonely.

“Yes. My family isn’t well.”

“Do they know you’re out here?”

“I don’t know.”

Edward debated what to do.

“Would you like to walk with me awhile?”

“All right.”

They had no more begun to stroll slowly along when Ralph’s father appeared at a distance. That he was not at his best was very obvious. When Edward raised his hand in acknowledgment, the older Waldengrave raised his in thanks and turned back in the direction of the cabins.

Edward wondered if he might have misjudged the man. He wasn’t the most likeable fellow, but even amid his seasickness, he’d come to check on his son.

“Was that my father?” Ralph stopped and asked, having only just noticed.

“Yes.”

“Did he want me?”

“I believe he was just checking on you, and I would feel better if you were with me or in your cabin. Do you think you can do that?”

“Yes.”

The wind snatched all words away for a time, but the two stalwart strollers did not appear to notice. When Edward saw something of interest, he pointed it out to young Ralph, but for the most part, the two just walked. Not until he noticed that his small companion was shivering did he suggest they head to the dining room and ask for a cup of tea.

Ralph needed no encouragement, and just minutes later the ship’s cook was eyeing Ralph from across the table.

“I just made up a tray for your family, young Master Waldengrave. Are you not feeling sick today?”

“No, sir.”

“A sailor you must be.”

Ralph smiled a little, the first Edward had seen.

“May we trouble you for a pot of tea?” Edward asked, his manner as engaging as ever. For some passengers the cook would decline, saying he was too busy, but not Mr Steele. He wasn’t uppity like that Osborne chap with his sick servant.

“Sit yourself down,” he said rather gruffly. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Do you want your coat off, Ralph?” Edward asked as he removed his.

“No, I’m still cold.”

“Well, this tea will take care of that. Do you drink much tea?”

“A little.”

“I like mine strong. How about you?”

“My grandmother likes it strong,” Ralph volunteered. “She says she likes it strong enough for a mouse to trot across.”

Edward threw back his head and laughed. He’d never heard it put that way, and while the image was slightly revolting, it was nevertheless amusing. Ralph smiled at Edward’s laughter and began to feel a bit warmer.

It was onto this scene that Osborne suddenly appeared. Looking as regal as ever and entering quietly, he removed only his hat before sitting at the end of the table.

“How is Denley?” Edward asked.

“Just now he’s sleeping.”

“Any improvement?”

“I don’t believe so.”

Cook didn’t look overly pleased to see Osborne, but he still produced a third mug and delivered the tea to the center of the table. Edward took pains to make Ralph’s tea palatable, adding great amounts of milk and sugar, and then watched him drink.

“How is it?”

“It’s good. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

A plate of biscuits appeared a short time later, and Ralph took three.

“How old are you?” Osborne suddenly asked.

“Almost nine.”

“You’re very grown-up.”

“My sister is 11,” Ralph told Osborne, not seeming put off by his superior demeanor.

“Is she ill today?”

Ralph nodded around a full mouth. Osborne’s eyes studied the lad as his own cup went to his mouth. He liked children very much, and if Denley had not been so ill, he thought he could remain in the company of this young lad all day. It might help pass the time.

The ship rocked almost violently for the next few minutes. Everyone was aware that Lisbon was the goal for the next afternoon, but going inland and docking in such weather could be tricky.

Edward might have commented on this fact if Ralph had not been in attendance. He had no desire to worry the boy. As it was, Osborne finished his tea—never having touched the biscuits—and exited before Edward could say another word.

A thump in the night woke Edward. He lay for a moment, working to orient himself, and then heard a groan. Rising swiftly out of his bunk and lighting the lamp, Edward found Denley leaning weakly against the wall, a cup of water dangling from his fingers.

“Let me help you.” Edward went to him and, taking the cup with one hand, supported him with his free arm.

“Did you get some?” Edward asked.

“So thirsty,” Denley managed.

Edward held the cup while the man drank. Edward filled it again, and Denley downed that as well. The moment he was done, Edward helped him back into his bunk. The gentleman stood watching him a moment and even in the dim light could see that his eyes were still open.

“Do you need something?” Edward asked.

“Only to get off this ship.”

“I can imagine. Maybe you should go ashore at Lisbon and take a later one.”

“Maybe.”

“Do you want me to get Osborne for you?”

“No, but thank you.”

Edward turned down the lantern, plunging the room into darkness again. He climbed back into bed, thinking the wind might have calmed some. He enjoyed the rocking of the ship—it was soothing to him—and he didn’t think many minutes would pass before he would be sleeping again.

“Mr Steele?”

“Yes, Denley?”

“Did I wake you?”

“No, I wasn’t back to sleep yet.”

It was quiet for a moment. Edward nearly questioned the man, but Denley began.

“At this moment in time I fear I won’t live through this.”

“It might help to get you off the ship.”

“That’s true, but if I die, I—” Denley hesitated, and Edward gave him time. “I think, Mr Steele, that you might be a very fine man.” Denley’s voice was weak, and again Edward just waited. “I don’t wish to overstep myself, but please look after Mr Osborne. He has needs. He’s strong, smart, and capable, but he has needs. Please, Mr Steele.”

A note of pleading had entered the man’s voice, and Edward would never have ignored it.

“Of course, Denley. Don’t give it another thought.”

“He’s never dealt with things like burying a servant.” Pain in the man’s voice was all too clear. “I don’t know what he’ll do.”

“It’s all right, Denley. Don’t worry at all.”

“Thank you,” he said, his voice growing even quieter. “If only I could get off this ship. If only the rocking would stop.”

Denley uttered his last coherent word, mumbling a bit after, and then fell asleep. Waiting a moment, Edward got out of bed, his heart pounding, to see if the man had died. His own heart thundered with relief to find him still breathing. He climbed back into his bunk, feeling like he’d run a marathon. Once on his back, he prayed.

You have a plan here, Lord. I’m sure of it. Please help me to know how I fit in. Please touch this faithful servant and heal his body. If that is not Your will, Lord, help me to know how to help Osborne. I can’t see him wanting my help. I’m not sure I would know how to go about it.

Edward prayed for quite some time. He thought sleep would come quickly, but it didn’t. He took time in the darkness of the cabin, with only the ship’s faint noises around him, to commit this entire situation to God and ask for His help in the hours that lay ahead.

“It’s Edward Steele.” Edward stood in front of Osborne’s door for the second day in a row.

“Just a moment” were the words that came from within, and Edward waited until the portal opened.

“How is he?” Osborne asked the moment he saw Edward.

“Very ill but still with us. I don’t wish to overstep here, but we should be docking in Lisbon in several hours. I think we’d better get him off this ship.”

Osborne nodded.

“What will that do to your travel plans?” Edward asked.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll take him ashore as soon as we dock.”

“I’ll go with you. I know of an inn where he’ll be comfortable.”

“Thank you,” Osborne said, adding, “for everything.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll make sure he’s still resting and then go to breakfast. Feel free to check on him whenever you wish.”

Osborne nodded and shut the door. Turning his back on the portal, he leaned against it, his head tipped back as he stared unseeingly at a spot on the wall.

This had never happened before. In all these months and years of travel and being on the move, they had never been forced to contend with an illness.

Osborne thought about Edward Steele. It might have helped their cover to look like the three were traveling together, but not like this, not with Denley unwell.

And then there was the matter of their plans. Steele had asked about those. It wasn’t strictly true that their travel plans didn’t matter. As a matter of fact, Osborne’s plans were very important. It was crucial to be back in England by Christmas, but he could never follow a direct path to his destination. However, there was nothing he could do about that right now.

Realizing he’d been standing there speculating for far too long, Osborne finished dressing—pulling his shoes on and buttoning his vest. After reaching for his coat for warmth, he moved to the cabin next door.

“Good morning, Mr Steele,” Berneen and Maura Ryan greeted him the moment he set foot in the dining room.

“Good morning, ladies. Was last night a little more comfortable?”

“Yes,” they answered, looking very relieved. The seas had calmed in the night.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said kindly, thinking they both looked better.

Edward sat down and began to work on breakfast. A single page of news print had been left on the table, so after Edward had fixed his plate and tea, he began to read. It was a few weeks old and not about England, but he still enjoyed it. He was almost done when he realized the Ryan sisters were watching him. Edward briefly wondered what he had missed but went back to his reading. A moment later, however, he glanced up and found their scrutiny still in place.

“Is everything all right, ladies?”

“We want to be terribly bold,” Maura admitted, “but we’re afraid.”

“Of what exactly?”

“Of asking you to escort us into Lisbon. We know it’s presumptuous and rude, but we would so like to see it.”

Edward smiled his kind smile, the one that usually put hearts at rest.

“As a matter of fact, ladies, I would have no objection to escorting you, but Mr Osborne’s man, Denley, is quite ill. I’ll be going with Osborne when he takes Denley to town.”

“How awful,” Berneen said sincerely. “Do you think you’ll be able to locate a doctor?”

“I think so. It will help to get the poor chap off this rocking boat. I’m certain of that.”

As disappointed as the women were, they truly understood. They didn’t question Edward further, allowing him to go back to the newspaper as he finished his meal and enjoyed one more cup of tea.

The Waldengrave family came for their breakfast as he was leaving, all seeming to be in better shape, but Edward didn’t tarry. He thought Denley or Osborne might need him and headed that way.