The man held his bow for so long, Joseph began to wonder if he should pry him up. Finally he cleared his throat. “I’m pleased to meet you as well . . .”

“Reverend William Richard Scott.” The man popped up so quickly, Joseph was taken aback. “Mr. Scott of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Harlow?” The reverend watched Joseph expectantly. “One of my patrons is the esteemed Lady Carlyle.” Again the reverend waited.

Joseph had known Lady Carlyle his whole life, but that didn’t mean he knew everyone she decided to help.

“She has likely spoken of me or at the very least of my sermons, as I’m told my eloquence is unmatched.”

“I’m sorry to say she has not mentioned you, Mr. Scott.” Joseph glanced past the man to the second- and third-class staterooms that were being readied by the ship’s officers going in and out of the rooms with luggage and linens. While the large majority of passengers, particularly poor immigrants, would reside in steerage, there were a good number of cabins reserved for passengers who could pay a higher fee.

Some of the third-class cabins stretched out beyond the sick bay, just behind the ship’s funnel. Farther aft, behind the mizzenmast, ran another row of slightly larger second-class rooms.

“I do hope you’ll be able to attend services, Lord Colville, and hear for yourself my soliloquies. I have no doubt you will find yourself quite pleased with them, the same as Lady Carlyle, especially since I often read and expound upon Bishop Law’s A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, as well as Bishop Butler’s Sermons. I’m sure you will find my lectures enlightening.”

“I’m sure,” Joseph said politely, even as his attention strayed to the ship’s railing and to Dart Harbor, where a hundred or more ships, fishing boats, coaling hulks, and even naval training vessels were moored along with the Tynemouth.

The port town of Dartmouth and Bayards Cove spread out along the harbor. Rows of tightly packed homes looked as if they were stacked on top of one another like stair steps up the cliff, with the ancient stone Bearscore Castle standing at the base as a stout sentinel.

The harbor was a murky brown-gray due to the recent spring rains clouding the water. Thankfully the waves were gentle, and the sunshine of the May afternoon held a hint of summer.

“I and my family will be occupying one of the second-class cabins on the other end of the deck.” The reverend’s expression remained grave, his voice almost monotone. “I do hope to have the pleasure of introducing you to my wife and two daughters, Lord Colville. I’m told my daughters are quite fetching, intelligent, and accomplished at sewing, embroidery, drawing, painting, and the like.”