“Oh, tell us, Mr. Latimer!” said Charlotte’s brother, Albert. “Tell us, please!”

Asa smiled. “All right—but you must stop me when you’ve heard enough. I have seen many British ports, of course. Torquay, Madeira, Salvador.” He paused, like he hoped that was enough, but the entire group was rapt. “Havana, Martinique, Nevis.” His eyes came to me. “Grand Bahama.”

“What did you think of Grand Bahama?” The question shot out of me, unbidden.

His gaze slid back to me. “In truth, it disappointed me.”

A high-pitched ringing began in my ears and my face went numb. Everything suddenly seemed very distant and flat, like I was staring at a painting of a ship’s cabin filled with friends and family.

As soon as I saw a chance, I slipped away and hurried outside.

Duncan followed behind me. “Miss Coates, are you all right?”

“Yes,” I said. “I just need some air.” I did need air; I felt faint. And I needed to get those words—In truth, it disappointed me—out of my head.

On the main deck, two long tables had been set up for our dinner. Servants—who appeared to be the ship’s crewmen—lit candles and set out platters of fragrant food. Creating something beautiful right where I could imagine myself reading Miss Coates’s journal, Tom Hackett swaggering by swinging his bosun’s baton.

“Shall we walk?” Duncan said, offering his arm.

I took it eagerly. “Yes, thank you.” We wandered past the dinner tables and climbed to the forecastle deck. A cool breeze swept off the river, cooling my overheated cheeks. Fort George glowed in the distance. Several large warships floated in the waters around it.

“Are those Royal Navy?” I asked. I desperately wanted to put Asa out of my mind. Instead, I found myself wondering how he had escaped after he’d been pressed into service.

Duncan peered into the distance. “Yes, they are.” He turned toward me. “I worried this might strain you. The judge might’ve been more sensitive to your past when he decided to host a dinner here tonight.”

“Thank you, but I am fine, Lieutenant. I would have declined the invitation had I been uncomfortable with it.”

“Of course, I didn’t mean—” He smiled. “Forgive me. I have gone through tonight a dozen times in my mind, thinking how to make it perfect.”

“Perfect?” I smiled. “That is a high standard, sir. However were you going to achieve that?”

“Well, I thought I might compliment your beauty, cater to your every comfort, say charming things to entertain you, and seize upon any other opportunities to impress you. But now you know my strategy and I must abandon it and improvise.”

“Oh dear. I daresay you’re out of weapons. What’s left—shot and shell?”

“I was thinking honesty.” He placed his hand on top of mine, a comfortable heat seeping through my glove. “I am very happy to be with you again.”