Where Seagulls Soar (25 page)

‘Only if your uncle says so.’

‘He will if
you
ask him. But he’s not in.’

‘Very convenient.’ Joanna stifled a chuckle and emerged from the bath smelling sweetly of scented soap.

There was a gasp when the maid saw the purpled flesh on her side. ‘Oh, my goodness. Did you have a fall, miss? Can I get something to put on that?’

Kate’s eyes widened. ‘I had a bruise once, on my arm.’

Dimity told her sharply, ‘You shouldn’t be in here with Mrs Morcant in her altogether. Turn your back, young lady.’

Kate did as she was told, but continued chatting. ‘Poor Joanna. Does it hurt?’

Joanna wrapped the bath sheet around herself. ‘Not any more. Where are my clothes, Dimity?’

‘Mr Adams said they had to be laundered. He bought you some new ones, went out and got them himself.’ Dimity tried to stifle a giggle when she picked up a froth of white lacy
petticoats to wear under the sedate ankle-length blue skirt. The matching bodice was trimmed with lace and ribbon. There was a paler blue shawl fashioned from the softest wool, for warmth.

‘Right, you can turn back now, Miss Kate.’

As her hair dried before the roaring fire Joanna brushed it, using a silver-backed hairbrush she found on the dressing table. Afterwards, she quickly braided it. Then she realized she had
nothing to secure the braid with.

‘I have a blue ribbon you can have,’ Kate told her. ‘Shall I fetch it for you?’

Joanna kissed the girl’s cheek. ‘That’s kind of you.’

‘What shall we do after? Would you like to see the house? I can show you.’

Setting aside the niggle of guilt she felt at duping this friendly little soul, she whispered, ‘I’d like that very much.’ At least she’d be able to satisfy herself that
Seth wasn’t still working for Durrington, and he didn’t have Toby hidden here.

Although Seth had kept the place under surveillance for a week, there was no sign of an infant having taken up residence in Charles Durrington’s London home.

Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. The peer came and went as usual, sometimes with Bisley in attendance, sometimes not. There was the normal number of domestic suppliers using the
tradesman’s entrance – including a couple of Seth’s own. Questioning the house staff revealed nothing untoward. Seth reached the conclusion that the child wasn’t there.

He questioned Joanna again. ‘Is there anything you haven’t told me, however unimportant you consider it to be?’

‘It happened so quickly, and events were confused.’ She shook her head from side to side in despair. ‘Perhaps Toby’s dead. Bisley might have killed him and thrown him
into the sea.’

‘You mustn’t think that way. Bisley wouldn’t harm Toby while Durrington is still alive. Let’s go through it again.’

So they did, Joanna’s forehead furrowed with anxiety while she tried to relive the moment when her child was snatched from her. Seth appreciated that she was doing her best to stay calm.
But he sensed her emotions were on a knife edge, for there was a nuance of desperation in her voice.

Suddenly, she said, her eyes full of the horror she felt at the thought, ‘There was no sign of Toby’s carriage when I woke. It might have been thrown over the cliff.’

He kept his voice as calm as possible. ‘Or it might have been kept for Toby to sleep in. A man wheeling a baby carriage is unusual, so somebody would have seen him. Durrington might have
hired an accomplice in Portland. Can you think of anyone who would harm you?’

‘On the island? No, why should they?’ For a moment she hesitated, as if something had teased a thread from the edge of her memory. Then she shook her head – obviously the
thought had slipped away again. She gazed at him. ‘Has the
Joanna Rose
sailed yet?’

‘That’s the third time you’ve asked me that question this week. Do you think it’s possible that Toby might be hidden aboard?’

‘
God no!
Captain Staines was loyal to the Darsham and Morcant Shipping Company. He wouldn’t do anything to harm Toby.’

‘But he’s working for Durrington now.’

Her chin lifted. ‘Not for much longer, the clippers are to be sold and Edward Staines laid off. This next voyage is to be his last Australian run. I was going to—’ Her lips
pressed tightly over the remainder of the sentence.

‘Going to what?’

Her eyes flickered away from his. ‘Wish him a safe journey.’

She was lying, and that saddened him. ‘Is that why you’re so interested in whether the ship has departed or not?’

Placing her hands on her hips she gave him a look that could only be described as frustrated. ‘Do you always talk so much? I’m not interested in whether the ship sails or not,
I’m only interested in finding Toby.’

‘Then you won’t object if I go on board and question Staines?’

She gave a short laugh. ‘Do what you like. If you accuse Edward of anything underhand, like as not you’ll be thrown overboard.’

Seth raised an eyebrow. The man could only try.

‘Why can’t we just call in the constables and demand to search Durrington’s house?’

‘It would reveal our hand. Besides, I’m almost certain Toby isn’t being kept there.’

‘And I’m almost certain he wouldn’t be on the
Joanna Rose
.’

‘I just want to look at the passenger list to see if there are any children on it, in case Toby is one of them. All the better if he knows what Toby looks like. Has Captain Staines met
him?’

‘Yes, he came to the house not long ago, with Captain Scott and James Stark.’

Seth’s nostrils narrowed as he drew in a deep breath. Why would the master of the
Joanna Rose
visit her in Portland? Why would James Stark, who’d been the legal
representative for the Darsham and Morcant shipping company, visit with him. Seth smelled a conspiracy.

‘What are you keeping from me, Joanna?’

Her shrug was too casual.

A remark she’d made was unleashed from the depths of his memory.
You should take her abroad, where she can grow
up without fear
. Slowly, he said, ‘You were going to
sail on the
Joanna Rose
, weren’t you?’

There was something bruised about the eyes that engaged his. She was nearly at the end of her tether.

‘Yes . . . what of it?’

He turned away, trying to ignore the hollowness inside him at the thought of losing her. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I thought you were working for Lord Durrington.’

‘And you didn’t trust me?’

‘How could I allow myself to trust you when Toby is so precious to me?’

She was entitled to think that, God knew; under the same circumstances he’d have thought the same. But even while he was able to rationalize it, it didn’t lessen the size of the
wound she’d inflicted on him. ‘So why did you come to me?’

‘I couldn’t think of anyone else who was likely to know Lord Durrington’s business better than you, and there was a possibility that you were involved and might lead me to
Toby.’

Joanna Morcant could crush a man without even trying. More fool him for falling in love with her, Seth thought bitterly. He should walk away from this now, before he got in any deeper. But Seth
knew his pride would keep him there, if nothing else. He’d find her son for her, then he’d watch her sail off and leave him broken-hearted. And he’d love her for ever.

A thought shot into his head, removing the self-pity that had tried to take root there. Like hell he would! He wasn’t giving the woman up that easily.

‘Please feel free to search my home in my absence.’ He walked away, only to be arrested at the front door by her voice, as soft and regretful as a sigh. ‘I’ve already
searched it.’

He turned, saying without heat, ‘Damn you, Joanna Morcant.’

Tears filled her eyes. ‘I don’t think you understand, Seth. Without Toby, I’m already damned.’

Halfway between his home and the
Joanna Rose
an idea suddenly hit Seth. No . . . it was too preposterous. But the more he thought about it the more feasible it became. He grinned, and
his stride lengthened.

‘Someone wishes to see you, sir.’

Edward Staines looked up from the passenger list he’d been checking. ‘Who is it?’

‘His name is Seth Adams.’

‘What does he want?’

‘The gentleman asked me to present his card and tell you he’s a friend of Mrs Morcant.’

Seth Adams. Agent of enquiry
. Edward’s eyes sharpened as he remembered Joanna Morcant mentioning an investigator. ‘Show him in, would you.’

When Seth presented himself, Edward waved him to the chair opposite. ‘Are you here on Joanna’s behalf ? Where the devil is she? The passengers are coming on board in three days and
I’ll have to set sail, even though we’re short of cargo. I’ll be berthing at Portland before going on to Ireland. Will she be coming on board there?’

‘Joanna’s son was abducted over a week ago. I’m working on her behalf to find him. So far nothing of use has turned up and I wondered if I could look over your passenger
list.’

‘There’s no child of Toby’s age coming on board if that’s what you’re getting at.’ The captain pushed a sheaf of paper towards him, then lifted a brandy
decanter and raised an eyebrow.

Seth shook his head before allowing his glance to skim over the list of passengers. He wanted to keep his wits about him. ‘Thanks, but too early in the day for me.’

‘Likewise.’ Staines placed it back on the tray. ‘Mrs Morcant has been through enough of late, without losing her son. How’s she taking it?’

‘Badly, as you’d expect. I think she’d kill Durrington with her bare hands if she could.’

‘She’s a plucky young woman.’

‘And too passionate for her own good. Sometimes she acts without thinking.’ Seth gazed around the cabin, appreciating the brass fittings and wood panelling. ‘Nice quarters.
They do well by you.’

‘She’s a good ship, the best I’ve ever sailed in. Tobias Darsham of the Darsham and Morcant Shipping Line commissioned her.’

‘Joanna’s father? I imagine he’d have been pleased to see her after all those years.’

The captain’s eyes washed over him for a few moments, then they suddenly narrowed. He frowned, changing tack. ‘Aren’t you Barnard Charsford’s half-brother?’

‘Something I’m reluctant to admit to.’

‘I imagine it would be. And isn’t Lord Durrington your client?’

‘Past tense. Durrington
was
my client. What of it?’

‘I’m surprised Mrs Morcant trusts you.’

Seth smiled mirthlessly. ‘Joanna doesn’t trust me yet, even though she wants to. But she will, eventually. She trusts you, though. She described you as being loyal to the Darsham and
Morcant Shipping Company – yet you still work for Durrington.’

‘A different thing altogether. The Darsham and Morcant families always treated me fairly. They were my friends. Durrington, on the other hand, is a scoundrel who conspired with Barnard
Charsford to rob that young woman of everything she had, including the roof over her head. Not content with that, he’s now stolen her son. And you expect people to trust you?’

‘I’d be obliged if you didn’t hold me accountable for my half-brother’s actions, Captain Staines. What name does Tobias Darsham go under now?’

The man shot to his feet. ‘I don’t know what you’re getting at, mister.’

‘Of course you do. Tobias Darsham is still alive and kicking, and living in Australia, isn’t he?’

Seth thought it prudent to rise to his feet too, but he didn’t see the captain’s fist coming. The next moment he found himself sprawling on his back, gasping for breath and hugging
his stomach. ‘That’s for your trickery,’ Staines said.

‘You’ve demonstrated that you pack a mean punch, but don’t try it again, because I’m capable of taking you apart,’ Seth gasped, when Edward Staines bent over
him.

The man grinned. ‘You don’t look it. I’m of a mind to drop you overboard.’

‘A premature action, and one fraught with peril for me,’ Seth drawled. ‘I suggest you allow me to regain my feet so we can talk rationally. Believe it or not, we’re on
the same side.’

His jacket grabbed roughly in Edward’s large fists, Seth was hauled unceremoniously to his feet and then let go. Calmly he straightened his jacket, satisfied that the man seemed to have
finished flexing his muscles. ‘You mentioned berthing at Portland, Captain. May I ask why? Do you have cargo to pick up?’

‘Durrington has business there before going on to his estate in Ireland. From there I’ll be picking up settlers and migrants heading for the Victorian goldfields.’

Everything fell into place for Seth then. ‘Ah, yes . . . I see.’ He smiled cautiously, when really he wanted to whoop with joy. ‘It sounds to me as though the boy is still in
Portland. My guess is that Durrington intends to pick Toby up there, then take him on to his Irish estate.’

Staines’s eyes sharpened. ‘Durrington has reserved the stateroom for himself, and two cabins for a manservant and maid.’

‘How far does your loyalty to Joanna Morcant stretch, Captain Staines?’

‘To the limit. But I’ll need to consult with the lawyer, James Stark, on this before I set sail. Will you come with me?’

‘Only if you feel you can trust me, and I’m told the whole story.’

‘Mrs Morcant has advised us all of your involvement in this matter. She’s not sure she can entirely trust you.’

‘She can.’ The thought that Joanna trusted him even a little made Seth’s spirits soar. He held out his hand. After a brief moment of hesitation, the captain took it.

Constance Charsford heard voices coming from her husband’s study. Nervously, she looked about her, then, observing that there were no servants hovering about, she crept
to the study door and placed her ear against the panel.

‘How was the couple, Charles?’

‘They performed well. You should have come to watch the show, you would have enjoyed it.’

‘I was breaking in my new little whore.’

‘You should leave the younger ones alone, Barnard. They’re trouble, and they leave a man open to blackmail.’

Constance grimaced, for she remembered how brutally her husband had treated her on their wedding night.

‘Have you got the boy yet?’