Ann whirled back into the flow of the dancers, laughing with delight. Mercy couldn’t help but think of the kind of life the girl might be living at this moment if she’d remained in London after being kicked out of the orphanage. She would’ve been homeless and probably ended up in a workhouse or brothel, where she would have wasted away.

This had been a voyage of discovery, courage, and freedom for all of them. Mercy was grateful and yet . . .

She sighed. As she leaned back into the tapestry again, the sight of Joseph in the wide doorway of the hall made her stomach spin like the dancers. Joseph paused in the center, a picture of elegance, distinction, and authority in his full dress coat, white vest, broad rolled collar, and silk hat.

Though their parting at the Marine Barracks on Sunday had felt final, she’d hoped for an opportunity to see him one last time and wish him farewell. However, she hadn’t seen him at any of the festivities throughout the day and had begun to think he’d already boarded the Tynemouth.

The ship was scheduled to leave on the morrow. The girls had gleefully remarked that Mr. Scott and his family had gone out to the Tynemouth today. They were as happy as Mercy to be free of the man’s strict control.

Mrs. Robb and her family were present at the wedding, but the dour matron had more easily given up her role as chaperone once the ship had arrived, and now she was busy settling in and starting her own new life.

Mercy wanted to start over, but somehow she couldn’t make herself move forward quite yet. Maybe once she said good-bye to Joseph . . .

He peered around the room and seemed completely unaware of the attention he was drawing. Commander Verney approached him, as did several other important men who were members of the bride-ship welcoming committee. As Joseph greeted them and made conversation, his attention kept drifting.

Was he looking for someone? Perhaps her?

Mercy stepped out of the shadows of the tapestry and moved into the light spilling across the hall from the chandelier overhead. Did she dare cross to him? And speak to him one last time before he sailed out of her life forever?

He stood at the opposite side of the large room. Even if he glanced in her direction, he’d never spot her through the crowd. If she wanted to say anything, she’d have to go to him.

She took another step and was immediately bumped by a dancer. What if Joseph wasn’t searching for her? What if he had no wish to see her again? After all, if he’d wanted to talk further, he could have sought her out over the past couple of days, especially now that Mr. Scott was no longer interfering.