Fear lifted the hairs on my arms. I set my book down and hurried to the quarterdeck stairs, desperate for answers. As I weaved past the panicked crew, I looked for Asa’s lean figure or the gray knit cap he’d tugged on that morning, but I didn’t see him.

I shot up the stairs and ran to the rail, where a gust nearly stole my straw hat. I trapped it and scanned the sea, my heart galloping inside my chest.

Somehow, the war had fallen off the map of my mind. As South Carolina had glided by, I’d filled the blank pages in Miss Coates’s journal with the rules of etiquette I learned from Asa, turning it into a commonplace book. Cruising past North Carolina, he’d taught me the figures of the minuet. There’d been other distractions, too. Like Asa’s lips, which turned me liquid, and his chest, which was a perfect place for me to rest my head as I plunged us both into my imagination. “Take me back to the seventh fathom,” he’d whisper. I was more than happy to oblige.

Hackett preoccupied me as well, always circling like a shark, ready to intimidate me. With all that, I hadn’t given a thought—not one—to the possibility of the Ambrosia being seized at sea. What would happen to me if it was?

I spotted the approaching ship. I couldn’t make out its colors, but it was a heavy vessel. A frigate, I was almost certain, charging after us under a full spread of canvas.

“Miss Coates!” Izra ran up. “The captain suggests you return to your cabin, miss!”

I was already on my way. I had to find Asa.

Inside the cabin, I rushed right to the cuddy and pulled the door open. Empty.

“I’m here, Frannie.” I spun as Asa stepped through the main door. “Captain Jansen sent me to see that you’re safe.”

“What’s happening?”

“We’ve been flagged by the Royal Navy. They will board us and check the ship’s log and cargo.” He paused. “And they may press some of the men.”

My stomach tightened. I knew the Royal Navy could force men to serve against their will, but it had never mattered to me before. “Will they take you?”

“Nay. My papers protect me.”

“Papers? That’s what you’re trusting in?” I had no paper in my life. All I knew about paper was it tore easily, burned easily, and turned into pulp when wet.

“They’re orders directly from the British courts mandating my release in Massachusetts. They won’t go against their own laws.” His mouth pulled up on one side. “Are you worried about me?”

“Yes! Very!” The noises were only growing louder outside. I could feel fear humming in the wood around me.

“There’s no need. I promise. You won’t be rid of me for a few days yet.”