At that moment, Joseph shifted so that he was looking directly at Mercy. His brow quirked as if he hadn’t expected to connect with her and was perhaps doing his best to keep their friendship as secretive as she was.

She quickly turned her attention to the longboat. The sailors had begun rowing it back toward the Tynemouth.

“Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Scott,” Joseph replied, “but I regret I must decline. I’m predisposed to do more sightseeing than shopping.”

Mr. Scott turned unusually silent. Out of the corner of her eye, Mercy saw that the reverend was studying her with furrowed brows.

“I hate to disappoint you, Lord Colville.” Mr. Scott lifted his chin from side to side so as to stretch his neck, something he was wont to do on occasion. “If you are considering sightseeing with one or more of our brides, I must inform you that they will not be going ashore here in the Falklands.”

Around Mercy, the women released cries of protest and dismay. Inwardly she objected just as furiously but managed to bite back her words at the realization that Mr. Scott was still watching her.

Was he preventing their going to shore because he assumed Joseph planned to spend the day sightseeing with her?

If so, he couldn’t be more wrong. Joseph wouldn’t associate with her publicly.

“Not going ashore, Mr. Scott?” Joseph was saying. “Why, is something amiss?”

“Mrs. Robb and I spoke at great length regarding the well-being of our charges,” Mr. Scott responded above the growing clamor of the women. “And we have come to the conclusion they will be served best by remaining on the ship, away from the pernicious aspirations of any man who might try to lead them astray.”

“That is rather severe, is it not?” Joseph pressed.

“I think not, Lord Colville. Some of the women have already proven to be wayward, and we cannot allow them to have any occasion for giving in to their baser instincts.”

Mr. Scott’s eyes darted to Mercy again. Did he believe she was to blame for Joseph’s indifference toward his daughters? Did he think that by keeping her on board the ship, he’d further entice Joseph to accept his invitation for the outing with his family?

The thought made Mercy feel sick. Maybe he and Mrs. Robb had already made the decision long before this incident with Joseph. Nevertheless, Mr. Scott’s message was clear. He didn’t want her interfering with his daughters gaining Lord Colville’s good favor and affection.