Joseph sensed the captain’s story went much deeper than he was sharing, but already he’d bared his soul and Joseph decided not to press him for more.

“I’m ashamed to admit I loathed your father for a long time for the stance he took with my brother.”

“But you said you respected him—”

“I do now, but it’s too late to tell him so, is it not?” The captain looked overhead to the sails and then to every part of the ship, his experienced eyes not missing a single detail. “He aided my brother. Gave him shelter and employment. Eventually he loaned him money so he could immigrate to Canada and start over there.”

Joseph’s throat closed up with a swell of unexpected emotion.

“As I said, your father was a good man. I was saddened to hear of his passing.”

Joseph tried to swallow but couldn’t get past the tightness.

Captain Hellyer fell silent then as if to allow the steady rhythm of the waves to soothe all regrets.

“My piece of advice, Lord Colville?” he finally said.

Their conversation had come full circle, only this time Joseph was ready to receive the advice. “You have convinced me not to refuse it, Captain.”

“Good.” The captain’s mustache turned up with the hint of a smile. “As a physician, you do not let the barriers of class stand in your way. You have cared equally for every soul aboard this ship regardless of who they are and where they come from. . . .”

Captain Hellyer’s words of affirmation reached deep into Joseph’s heart. He knew his father would have said something similar. His father, who had championed the cause of the downtrodden, labored hard at changing the views of his peers in the House of Lords, who supported many causes he’d hoped would bring about positive change in London’s poorer communities. Yes, his father would have approved of Joseph’s willingness to serve rich and poor alike. A stinging pricked the back of Joseph’s eyes.

“My advice,” said the captain, his voice turning gentle, “do not let the barriers of class interfere with anything. Not work. Not life. And certainly not love.”

With a nod, Captain Hellyer patted him on the shoulder, then strode away, leaving Joseph to stare after him, his thoughts tossing and turning in the captain’s wake.

Love.

Did he love Mercy? He was attracted to her. Of that he had no doubt.

Joseph pictured her when she’d knelt in front of him and cupped his cheek. “I would bear your pain if I could.” He pictured the earnestness in her eyes, her beautiful face. The sincerity, the selflessness, the depth of her kindness . . .

Not only was he drawn to her sweet spirit, but he’d been shaken to the core by the strength of his physical reaction to her. One touch was enough to upend his world and everything he’d believed about himself.