I hadn’t given the doctor much thought. Antigua and New York were worlds apart and I hadn’t read a single thing about the doctor in Miss Coates’s journal entries. But what if Asa was right?

I couldn’t let it stop me. Alone, knowing nothing and no one, I was vulnerable. And I had to honor my promise to Mama. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life existing hand to mouth.

“There’s risks no matter what I do,” I said, “but the only chance I’ve got at a good life is this—by being her.”

He fell silent as he tied the thread again. His fingertips were covered in my blood, but he didn’t seem to mind. Right then, I already knew no other conversation in my life would be as strange or memorable. “You’re thinking something. I can tell.”

The corners of his mouth tugged up. “Aye. ’Tis the problem with having intelligence.”

“Well, tell me. What is it?”

“There’s a contradiction in your plan. You say becoming Miss Coates is the best chance you have at a good life, but if you become her, then you will no longer be you.”

“That’s the idea. I don’t want to be me. I’ve got nothing, Asa. Not anymore.”

He stilled, meeting my eyes. “I understand that. But…have you truly thought this through?”

“I don’t have to think it through.” Frustration bubbled up; I just wanted him to agree with me. “I can’t go back. I won’t live the rest of my life married to my own stepfather—a drunk who wants me dead!”

Soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. I didn’t want Asa’s pity, nor his disgust. I stood, my brow throbbing, my breath trapped inside me. Hating Sewel. Even now, he could cause agony in my life.

“All done.” Asa set the needle down and washed his hands in the basin. He came back and drew the towel from my forehead. “That’s my best work yet.”

“Thank you.” I swallowed. “It hurt more than I thought it would.”

“You bore it with bravery.” He set the towel aside. “Astonishing bravery, as a matter of fact.” His gaze roamed over my face. “I have many questions, Frannie. Many.”

“You do?”

“Aye. I long to hear the story of your life.”

My eyes blurred. “You may not like it. There’s shipwrecks in it, and sharks, and lots of terrible moments.”

“You disappoint me. I’d hoped for more.”

“Oh, there’s more. There’s hurricanes, horrible things said and done—and even a very broken heart.”

“Very broken.”

“Yes, very.” With every word, knots loosened inside me. I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to unburden myself. Even this little was helping. “But you can’t ask me anything till tomorrow, remember?”

“Ah, right—our trade only begins then.” He crossed his arms. “Well, it won’t trouble me to wait. Patience has never been—”

Outside, the ship’s bell began tolling the hour. Asa’s mouth lifted with a slow smile, and with every ring his eyes shined brighter.