“Izra, would you please find a clean napkin for Miss Coates?” Mr. Lane said.

“He en’t for you to command, rebel,” Hackett snapped.

“Let it pass, Tom,” said the captain. “I have it, Izra.” He set his pipe down and rummaged in his coat pocket for a white kerchief, handing it to me. “Miss Coates.”

I took it, my face hot with embarrassment. The material in my hand felt soft as a petal and was whiter than anything I’d ever seen. I hated to sully it, but I pressed it to my brow. The pain sharpened and the memory of that night flickered darkly in my mind. Anger at Mr. Lane coiled in my stomach—couldn’t he just have ignored it?

Captain Jansen puffed his pipe a few times, then plucked it from his mouth. “Miss Coates, the time has come for us to discuss your future. Please stop me if I overwhelm you.”

I nodded, wanting him to get on with it. I’d started to feel a little nauseous.

“Your father was a prudent man. He knew the dangers of sailing in these tense times and took exceeding caution to safeguard his fortune—and your future.” He reached into his coat for a letter and set it on the table. The wax seal was broken and the pages fanned open slowly. “This is a copy of his will, which he entrusted to me before we set sail. It describes the conveyance of his estate to you, as well as his plans for your care. Mr. Lane bore witness as I unsealed and read it earlier. He can attest to its authenticity and contents.”

Mr. Lane’s gaze came to me. “You have my deepest sympathy, Miss Coates. ’Tis my honor to be at your service in the midst of this grave and life-altering ordeal.”

Life-altering?

Saints…did he know? He looked relaxed, even a little bored. But I saw something else in his eyes. The flash of a quick mind.

“Mr. Hackett has joined us,” the captain went on, “to provide you with the comfort of a familiar face in this difficult moment. If you would prefer he leave us, you need only nod.”

A thousand pins pierced me suddenly, like I’d leapt into biting-cold water.

A familiar face?

I turned to Mr. Hackett. He ran his tongue over his teeth, grinning as he watched me. He’d been waiting for this very moment.

My mind raced back to the long pause after he’d been introduced, when I’d curtsied a second time. Now I realized the captain had been waiting to see if I’d been pleased that Mr. Hackett was there.

Mr. Hackett sat up and leaned on the table. “I know we en’t well acquainted, madam, but I sailed for your father some ten years and feel a most personal concern for your well-being. We share that special memory, you might recall, when I gave you that starfish in St. John’s Harbor? Never seen a brighter smile than yours that day, if I may say so.” His grin broadened. “Miss Coates.”