removing the slaver Kale and his men, Caleb has disrupted the supply of slaves to the mine and, from what Aileen had earlier learned, also the delivery of mining supplies. While those at the mine have alternative routes for delivery available, it will take time for them to realize they’ve lost Kale completely and put new procedures into place.” He paused, then added, “Having no immediate supply of new captives will increase the incentive to keep those they have in good health.”
“Which can’t hurt,” Aileen put in.
Royd nodded. “Viewed from all angles, Caleb’s action in eliminating Kale’s gang in the manner he did was inspired. As he himself wrote, not having to guard against the slavers supporting the mercenaries at the mine will be a significant advantage when it comes to seizing the compound.”
After a moment, he went on, “To return to how their system operated—Undoto identified the adults, and Kale and his men kidnapped them and transported them to the mine. Acting directly, the slavers lured children into becoming captives, too. Although a heartless and ruthless man, Kale treated his captives well, apparently under orders from the mercenary captain actively overseeing the mine.”
“The major cost in running the mine would be the mercenaries,” Robert said.
Royd considered the papers piled before him. “The mercenary captain is called Dubois. In taking the compound and freeing the captives, he will unquestionably be our biggest obstacle.”
Declan had tilted his head the better to study Royd’s face. “You’ve used the terms ‘we,’ ‘us,’ and ‘our’ several times. Does that mean you intend us”—with his gaze he included Robert—“and our crews to be actively involved in your leg of the mission?”
Royd met Declan’s gaze, then his lips curved. “Did you expect to remain here and enjoy”—he waved—“the social whirl?”
“Good God, no!” Declan looked appalled. “But I wasn’t sure if our ships would form a part of your plan or if we’d just be following, tagging along.”
Royd nodded at the documents before him. “Judging from the numbers Caleb has sent, even though my crew are unquestionably the most experienced in such exercises, I’m going to need far more men. Even more telling, we’ll need to go in simultaneously at two different locations—the mining compound and the settlement. I can’t see any way around a two-pronged approach. And while it’s helpful that Caleb recruited Lascelle on his way down there, if we’re to get the captives out safely, we’re going to need overwhelming numbers.”
His gaze on the papers, he went on, “Between them, Caleb and Lascelle have given us a detailed account of the threats, dangers, and obstacles we’ll face. Add in the reports from inside the compound—from Dixon and Hillsythe—and the need to ensure that, once we initiate an attack, the mercenaries cannot reach the captives is clearly paramount. Exactly how we’ll accomplish that is impossible to say, not without viewing the compound ourselves and assessing the possibilities, but one thing is clear—we’ll need significant numbers, more than Caleb’s, Lascelle’s, and my crews combined.”
Royd glanced at Robert and Declan, then waved the point aside. “We can discuss numbers and how we get them later. The first thing we need is the basic framework of a plan to successfully carry off this mission.”
Isobel’s gaze rested on his face. “You’ve already got a framework in mind. So tell us.”
She knew how his mind worked—that he was quick to process information and define the necessary steps to achieve his desired goal. He looked around the group, then told them the outline of his plan.
He wasn’t surprised by his brothers’ enthusiasm, but their ladies’ enthusiasm almost made him renege. Then he noticed Isobel regarding him with a certain light in her eye—as if she could read his thoughts—and he decided his brothers were transparently able to look out for their ladies themselves.
“How soon can we leave?” Isobel asked, and the others looked his way.
“As soon as possible, which means after getting my orders from Melville—he has to formally request my assistance and give me a letter of authority, which he won’t want to do.” Royd glanced at Robert and Declan. “It’s one thing to direct Decker to render all possible support—quite another to put the vice-admiral directly under my orders.”
Robert smiled cynically. “Melville will give you whatever you ask.”
Royd tipped his head. “As well as dealing with Melville—and Wolverstone, too—we need to sit down and work out those numbers. Most likely, I’ll need to call in some others, and that means at least a few days to learn who’s available, where they are, and get any new orders out to them.”
“Lachlan would be an obvious choice,” Declan volunteered.
“I checked before I left Aberdeen,” Royd said. “With luck, he should be sailing into Bristol any day.”
“Who else are you thinking of?” Robert asked. “Are you going to reach further than our own fleet or...?”
Royd grimaced. “The problem with reaching to others is that I can’t be sure of command. Lascelle and Caleb have worked together before, so I foresee no problems there. But with others, especially of the caliber we need? I’d rather stick with our own captains.”
“Kit?” Declan asked.
Royd pulled a reluctant face, but nodded. “For one particular aspect of this exercise, she and her crew are the best suited, so yes. I’m not sure she’ll reach Bristol in time to leave with Lachlan, but that won’t matter—she can follow and come in behind the rest of us.”
Isobel knew of whom they spoke; Kit Frobisher was an anomaly in the seafaring world—a female who commanded a ship and had for the past eight years. Isobel had met Kit several times on the Aberdeen docks and had always found her—and her rather startlingly direct way of dealing with the world—quite fascinating.
Edwina was staring at Isobel. “Have you met Kit?”
When Isobel nodded, Edwina glanced rather pointedly at the clock on the mantelpiece, then declared, “It’s nearly time to change for dinner. Aileen and I will take Isobel up and show her to her room.”
Edwina rose, bringing the three men to their feet, along with an eager Aileen. Perfectly willing, Isobel rose, too. It was time she learned more about the other two ladies. Regardless of what eventuated between her and Royd, these ladies were, or would shortly become, Frobishers, and therefore Duncan’s aunts-by-marriage.
Aside from any friendship she might strike up with ladies who, on the basis of just the past hours, seemed of similar bent, they might also be of additional support—even mutual support—whatever their future relationship became.
After waving Isobel and Aileen to precede her, Edwina stated, “Dinner will be at seven, gentlemen. Don’t be late.”
Royd watched Edwina sweep out of the room in Isobel and Aileen’s wake and resisted the urge to shake his head. Declan was never going to rule his roost, not with such a force of nature as his wife...
When it came to forces of nature, Isobel had all the others trumped, even her scarifying grandmother.
With that reflection sinking into his mind, he looked at his brothers and arched a brow. “We need to send word to Wolverstone and
