“Hopefully we’ll continue to have wind in the sails. But if we don’t, then yes, we’ll have to burn what we can to keep moving.”

She stifled another yawn.

“Come now.” He motioned toward the spare bunk. “You really must rest.” Though he was tempted to help her up into the bed, he’d maintained extraordinary self-control during her confinement and had refrained from any physical contact.

There were moments his mind reverted to his time holding her while they were in steerage together, to the memory of how soft and womanly she’d been. He could ill afford another incident like that. Rather, he needed to honor her and their friendship in every way—no matter how many temptations might come his way. He was a strong man. Surely this time with her had proven it.

“Mercy?” came Sarah’s weak voice.

Mercy bent and pressed a kiss upon Sarah’s brow. “Hush now, dear heart.”

“Take this.” Sarah slipped a ring off her thumb and held it out to Mercy with a shaking hand. The narrow gold band was devoid of any engraving or jewels.

“Stuff and nonsense.” Mercy knelt, took the ring, and attempted to put it back on Sarah’s thumb. The girl’s hands were skeletal after the poor nourishment of the long voyage, especially the past two weeks with her eating next to nothing.

“’Tis the only thing I’ve got that was my mum’s,” she rasped out through labored breaths.

“You’re keeping it, d’ye hear me?” Mercy said sternly.

Joseph dropped to his knees next to Mercy. Sarah was dying. Deep down he’d known it. He just hadn’t wanted to say it, to give up hope for Mercy’s sake. She was so desperate to save Sarah, and he didn’t want to see her disappointed.

Even now, he sensed Mercy would fight for the girl’s life until the very end.

“I want you to have it.” Sarah’s eyes were glassy with the fever that still ravaged her body.

“No,” Mercy whispered almost harshly. “You’re gonna get better, Sarah. Just you wait and see. And then you’ll wear it again right proud, that you will.”

Joseph wished there was something more he could do for the orphan. His mind scrambled for a solution, another concoction or tincture, anything to save the girl. But even as he searched for an answer, his experience told him he’d done all he could.

“Mercy?” Sarah said, this time more faintly.

Mercy placed another kiss upon the girl’s cheek. “Don’t say any more, my lamb. You must save your strength.”

Sarah struggled to turn herself so she was facing Mercy directly. Then she thrust the ring into Mercy’s hand again. “You’re like her. My mum.”

Mercy gently smoothed the girl’s forehead, brushing away lusterless hair.

“I’d be right happy knowing you’ll be wearing her ring.”