The Pursuit (12 page)

Porto, Portugal

Porto, on the banks of the River Douro, was an active destination for the three weary travelers, but at least part of Niki’s wish came true. They found an inn, a clean one, near the docks. Two rooms were available, and they settled Denley inside one of them before walking toward the ship that was in the harbor. They were told that the vessel was headed in the wrong direction but also informed that the
Henderson
was due in the next day. It was headed for England.

“Which means it might not be leaving until Sunday,” Edward told Niki as they walked back to the inn. “You’ll be stuck in the role of my servant until we leave here.”

Niki idly wondered if Edward might think of sparing her by taking all his meals in his room but didn’t voice this.

Edward glanced at Niki’s enigmatic little face under the flat gray cap and wondered what she was thinking. Taking a second look, he decided not to ask. At any rate, it was more interesting to watch the people who walked past and around them. To a person, no one gave Niki a second glance. She looked like a male servant walking with his employer, and they took that at face value.

Back at the inn, Edward almost stopped and let her precede him inside but remembered just in time and went ahead. In the common room the innkeeper was on hand, and he asked after their accommodations. Edward stopped to speak to him.

“Ready my clothing for dinner,” Edward ordered Niki casually and then turned away as she went silently up the stairs.

He didn’t linger over his conversation with the innkeeper, telling him that for the moment all was in order. He did ask about the regularity of passenger ships headed for England and learned a little more. He then took the stairs two at a time and went to the room where he’d last seen Denley. He entered without knocking.

Standing in the middle of the room, Niki rounded on him and glared. Edward just held his laughter as he commented, “I take it my clothing isn’t ready.”

“You know it’s not.” Her voice was cold.

He smiled then, his sense of humor still in place.

“You look the part, but I was right, you make a dreadful servant.”

Not waiting for her to reply, even though her mouth opened in outrage, Edward walked to the bed and put his hand on Denley’s brow. The servant was cool to the touch, his breathing easy.

“It looks as though he’s out of the worst of it. You’d better order him some food before we go down for supper.”

When there was no answer, Edward looked at Niki. She was in the same place, looking none too happy with him, her mouth set in a grim line. It looked as though she might be ready to give him a full view of her anger, but Edward spoke first.

“I don’t know exactly what you have at stake,” Edward shocked her by saying, his voice compassionate. “If Osborne has been followed, you’ll never be spotted. The change is that drastic. If you want me to go below and dine on my own, I can do that, but I dare say you’re better at spotting these chaps than I am, and as I said, you certainly must have more at stake than I.”

Niki’s shoulders slumped with the truth of it all.

“Do you really need me to see to your clothing?” she asked.

“Not at all. I’ll take my time changing, so you can see to Denley. We’ll go down when you’re ready.”

Niki only nodded, unbelievably relieved that he wasn’t going to be impossible after all.

“My tea is cold. See the kitchen about a fresh pot,” Edward ordered Niki an hour later, nearly unrecognizable with his bored looks and condescending air.

Niki lifted the cool pot but did not immediately move from the table near the window where he was the lone occupant. Her eyes spoke volumes, and seeing them, Edward’s voice dropped.

“If you dump that over my head, you’re sure to be noticed.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much,” she hissed at him.

“Do you think?” he asked, his eyes growing so large with feigned innocence that she had to turn away or laugh out loud.

She moved to the kitchen—her third trip—and returned with the hot tea. She noticed for the first time that he was nearly done and hoped that meant she could eat next. The incongruity of it all suddenly hit her, and she had all she could do not to howl with emotion.

Edward, a near stranger, ate in comfort while she waited on him. Her servant ate in the privacy of their room, with no need to take care of anyone but himself. Niki thought she might last another few minutes but no longer.

“I’ll order a tray for you,” Edward said quietly, not even looking at her.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her shoulders slumping again and thinking he was the better actor. The thought sent her eyes to him. She looked at him a moment too long and was caught.

Edward’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as though he could read her mind, before he shifted to greater comfort in his chair and reached for his tea, seeming for all the world like a man with nothing on his mind.

Denley stood by the side of the bed to stretch his legs. He didn’t think he would ever be well again, but there was no denying that his body was finally on the mend. Those hours in the carriage and sleeping in beds he couldn’t even remember were blurry just now, but they still managed to bring a vague, unsettling memory.

And now Mr Steele was helping them. Or had he been helping them all along? Denley shook his head. There were a few things missing in his mind. Still testing his legs some, he was moving to the basin to wash his face when the door opened. Edward walked in, Niki behind him.

“How are you?” Niki asked immediately.

“I was wondering that about you. Have you eaten? I can order a tray for you.”

“Mr Steele has done that,” Niki answered. She thought Denley looked pale. She could also see he needed a wash.

“I’ll take my tray in Mr Steele’s room if he has no objection, and that will give you time to clean up.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you be all right alone for that time?”

“Yes.”

Edward had stood back and remained quiet for this exchange. When Niki looked at him, he moved to the door. She followed, her stomach growling a bit. Not until they were across the hall in Edward’s room did Niki wonder what had possessed her to suggest such a thing.

Chapter Seven

“I could just go below and eat,” Niki said in her quiet, deep voice.

The door was shut, and Edward, who had strolled into his room and lit the lantern without a thought, turned to look at her.

“Why would you do that?”

“I just thought of it. There’s really no need to trouble you.”

Edward watched her.

“Where did this come from?”

Niki turned away. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean you’re suddenly nervous and shy with me. I can’t think what I’ve done to cause that.”

Niki’s chin lifted a bit and she faced him. Wishing she’d kept her mouth shut, she still said, “Maybe I’m afraid you’ll want your shoes polished.”

“Actually it’s my boots that need a good rub. You don’t want to see to it?”

Niki’s gaze became stern, and for the first time Edward realized it was what she did when she wanted to avoid a smile or possibly even outright laughter. He took pity on her, turned away, and placed his hat out of the way. He didn’t know who would be delivering the food, but he slipped out of his coat because the room was warm.

“I’ve a letter to write. Feel free to make yourself comfortable and take as long as you like to eat your food.”

Niki didn’t answer.

“I forgot to ask you if there was anyone suspicious downstairs.”

“No, I didn’t see anyone.”

Edward walked to the window. It was dark, but he still looked out and scanned the docks.

“The innkeeper pointed out that my window gives me a fine view of the harbor. I’ll keep an eye out for that ship tomorrow.”

When Niki didn’t answer, Edward looked to her.

“If you recall, the
Red Dragon
pulled into Lisbon only long enough to unload cargo. Maybe tomorrow’s ship will dock and be off all on the same day, and we can be on board when she sails.”

“Maybe,” Niki said, her mind on a thousand different things.

“What happens if someone tracks you aboard? What do you do then?”

“Get off at the next port and keep moving.”

With that type of schedule, no wonder Denley became ill. I’m surprised you’re not both sick.

A knock on the door caused them both to turn. Niki answered it and found Denley there with the tray that had been delivered to his room.

“Where would you like this?” he asked softly.

Niki could see that he’d had time to wash and change.

“Across the hall.” She turned back to Edward. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Edward nodded and watched them leave. He stood for a moment and thought about the last few hours. Finally, he moved to the room’s table. He had been quite honest with Niki: He had a letter to write.

Edward lingered over breakfast the next morning. Denley had come to the dining area to check on him, almost feeling himself again. Edward did not ask about Niki. He knew these two were more than capable of taking care of themselves. He wanted to worry and step in even more than Denley did but this time refrained.

Dismissing Denley and forcing his mind to relax, he spotted a newspaper written in English and settled in to read. An hour passed before he thought he might be needed. He checked first at the window in his room to verify whether a ship had docked. Seeing no vessel, he ventured across the hall.

“Is there a ship?” were the first words from Niki’s mouth.

“No, but I have to mail a letter,” Edward told her, stepping into the room. “Do you want to stretch your legs?”

Feeling more than a little restless, she said, “Yes, I believe I will go with you.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs.”

The two set off a short time later. Niki was tall, just a few inches shorter than Edward’s six-foot frame, and had no trouble matching him stride for stride. As they walked, something came to Edward, causing him to move slower and slower. By the time they reached a nearly empty street, he was at a crawl.

“What’s the matter?” Niki stopped, realizing he had been darting glances at her for some time.