The women straightened, forcing Joseph’s attention away from Mercy and back to Mr. Scott. “Thank you, Mr. Scott. I hope my services will not be needed by your family, but if they are, I pray I will be of aid.”

“Very true, Lord Colville,” Mr. Scott said. “We hope we shall not need your services either. But I must say that it is my greatest hope you will honor us with your company during the long voyage.”

Once again, Joseph was distracted by the women beyond Mr. Scott and his family, particularly by Mercy. She was in the process of removing her bonnet, lifting it away to allow the sunshine to bathe her entire head. She closed her eyes and smiled—a smile that transformed her face from pretty to utterly alluring.

“As I’ve already mentioned, my daughters are quite accomplished at many things, Lord Colville,” Mr. Scott continued in his even tone. “Not only that, but they’ve been tutored in geography, science, history, and even languages. I’m sure you’ll find their companionship and conversation quite scintillating.”

“Perhaps I shall.” Joseph nodded at Mr. Scott’s daughters, who beamed at him with wide smiles. Like their father, they were both short in stature. Whereas he was thin, they seemed to take after their stouter mother. And although they appeared graceful and poised, Joseph could find nothing remarkable about them to draw his attention.

Unlike Mercy. His eyes drifted to her once again. He had the suspicion that Mercy’s smile was rare, that she had little occasion for it. It was beautiful nonetheless.

He wasn’t surprised to discover she wanted to emigrate. He’d only needed to work in the Shoreditch neighborhood one day during his time in London to witness for himself the worsening conditions for the poor who lived there. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder again why she felt she must join a bride ship. Surely she could find a husband elsewhere, rather than sailing halfway around the world with the purpose of marrying a stranger.

“My daughters are also quite well read, Lord Colville,” Mr. Scott was saying with the utmost gravity. “They have persuaded me to bring along a chest of their favorite books. Perhaps you will join us in the evening for a time of reading aloud? I guarantee you’ll find the time most entertaining.”

At a sharp command, Mercy’s eyes flew open and her smile faded. Joseph searched for the source of the interruption at the same time Mercy did, landing upon Mrs. Robb, who was exiting one of the staterooms farther down.

“Young ladies, you must put your hats back on this instant,” Mrs. Robb called.

Mercy and the girls bobbed a curtsy at the matron and rushed to do her bidding, their fingers fumbling in their haste to don their hats.