we shall set sail in the morning.”
“We will set sail in the morning.” Anything less was unacceptable. “In a month’s time, we shall pass through the strait.” And once they arrived in the Mediterranean, she would decide what to do next.
Now he gave a laugh. “Should we free India from her father’s prison and take her with us?”
“Ha. I’ll not have Cantwell sending anyone after me. Poor India will have to make her own way, I’m afraid.” She began to feel a little giddy, drunk like William, but with anticipation. The first order of business would be to strip off this gown and put on her tunic and trousers.
Anne would be so pleased. She hated London. She would never have to wear a stiff dress now.
But when she topped the stairs, there were voices coming from the direction of the rooms. In front of Anne’s chamber, two trunks sat on the floor and Dodd stood arguing with Miss Bunsby, who blocked the door with her arms folded across her chest.
“What is this?” Katherine demanded.
“Anne is asleep,” Miss Bunsby said.
“I gave orders for our things to be packed immediately. Move aside.” Katherine pushed past her and reached for the door. It was locked. The nerve in her temple became a vicious pounding. “Unlock this door at once.”
Miss Bunsby was unmoved. “You’ll not take her to your ship, only to raise her hopes and then realize you’ve made a mistake. It would be cruel.”
“How dare you.” Katherine turned on her. After what had happened tonight she would never, ever change her mind.
The faint ringing of the bell sounded below. “Someone is here, your ladyship,” Dodd said.
“Do not answer.” She held out her hand to Miss Bunsby. “The key.”
“She has hidden the key, your ladyship,” Dodd said irritatedly. “My set is below stairs.”
“Uppity baggage you’ve got here,” William said.
Miss Bunsby scorched him from head to toe with disapproving eyes. “I am Anne’s governess.”
“And I am her mother,” Katherine snapped. Below, the bell rang incessantly. “You will bring me the key, get your things and leave this house at once.”
“With all due respect, your ladyship has tried that before.”
“I shall have you thrown bodily into the street!”
“Keep your voice down. You’ll wake Lady Anne,” Miss Bunsby hissed.
Katherine turned on Dodd. “Answer the bloody door and kill whoever is on the other side. And bring your keys.”
“You mustn’t do this,” Miss Bunsby said firmly as Dodd hurried away. “What will she think when you tell her you’re returning to the ship? Anyone can see you’re in a state, your ladyship. Please—wait until morning when you’ve calmed yourself.”
William grabbed her by the arm. “Best show me where that key is—”
“Unhand me!”
“—then I’ll escort you out, bags or no.”
As if the devil himself were orchestrating some hellish play, Captain Warre strode down the hallway with Dodd on his heels. “I’ll be bloody damned if I’ll let you return to that ship,” he said to Katherine, pointing that finger at her. “What in God’s name do you hope to accomplish by this?”
Miss Bunsby was still trying and failing to pull herself from William’s grasp.
“Sailing back to the Med and having done with all this nonsense,” William told him. “Perhaps you have a mind to join us?”
“William,” Katherine said sharply.
Captain Warre looked at him. “You’re drunk, Jaxbury.”
“Perhaps.” William shrugged a little. “Wouldn’t get in her way if I was you.”
“Make her see reason, your lordship,” Miss Bunsby begged. “Do not let her wake Anne for this.”
Captain Warre glared at Katherine. “Is what happened with Winston what’s prompted this? For God’s sake, the man would proposition a stone if he could figure out how to get his cock inside it. It’s nothing to take personally.”
“Mama?” Anne’s faint cry came through the locked door.
“Now you’ve done it,” Miss Bunsby whispered harshly.
“Mama?”
“Get the key.” Katherine’s voice was ice.
William released Miss Bunsby, who disappeared into an adjoining room and returned seconds later with the key. Katherine snatched it from her and shoved it in the lock with shaking fingers. Like night settling over the city, reality slowly chilled her temper. Behind her, Miss Bunsby and Captain Warre and William crowded in.
“Your ladyship, please,” Miss Bunsby begged.
She shut the door in their faces and went into Anne’s room alone.
“Mama?”
“I’m here, dearest.”
“I heard shouting.”
Katherine went to the bed and gathered Anne in her arms, suddenly fighting back tears. “A small disagreement. Nothing to worry about.” She imagined the servants streaming into Anne’s darkened room in the middle of the night to pack her things, waking Anne to dress her quickly and whisking her away to the ship...
What on earth had she been thinking?
“Is something happening?” Anne asked.
“No, sweetling. I’ve just returned home later than expected.” She smoothed Anne’s hair from her face and held her close, breathing in her comforting little-girl scent. No sound came from the hallway now. “I’m sorry I woke you.”
“It’s all right, Mama.” Anne sighed. “I had such fun today. Do you think Lord Deal will really take us in his phaeton when we get to Scotland?”
“I’m sure he will, darling.” Anne had loved the phaeton ride they’d taken with Lord Deal earlier a bit too much, but it was the first time Anne had laughed since leaving the ship. Just like her grandpa, she’d wanted to go faster and faster. It made Katherine want to take her in a phaeton every day, just to see the light on her face.
Katherine’s chest felt so tight it was hard to draw breath. She would do anything for Anne. Anything in the world.
Even marry?
“Miss Bunsby says a phaeton is dangerous, but I think it is such fun.” Anne snuggled against Katherine’s side. “Miss Bunsby always worries.”
“I
