Come Looking For Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

dead.”
    Emily’s face softened. He was so young.
    â€œI live with my uncle. He’s a sea captain and expected me to enter the navy.”
    All at once, Emily felt fiercely tired. “I would love to have you read Jane Austen to me, Gus, as long as you’re not offended if I should drop off to sleep. But before you begin … could I trouble you for a cup of water?”
    â€œRight away … Em.”
    * * *
    â€œMAY I INQUIRE, SIR who this woman is?” asked Octavius after Captain Moreland had rejoined his men in the wardroom.
    â€œShe’s a mystery, Mr. Lindsay,” said James, cutting into his meat. “From her speech, we have deduced that she is an Englishwoman, and from her manner of clothing, a gentlewoman. Whether she really was a prisoner of war on the Serendipity is yet to be confirmed. Regardless, it confounds me why any woman would be fool enough to be on the Atlantic with war raging all round.”
    â€œMight it seem likely her father has a large plantation in Jamaica, or Antigua, perhaps, and she was travelling there to meet him?” asked Leander.
    â€œOr, perhaps she was en route to Canada to be with relatives who have already settled there,” suggested Fly. “War and politics are driving many away from the United States as well as from our England.”
    James gave Leander and Fly a thoughtful nod.
    â€œWhatever the case may be, you will leave her in Bermuda, will you not, sir?” asked Octavius.
    â€œI have not yet made that decision,” said James.
    â€œBut having a woman like her on board, sir …”
    Leander looked up quizzically from his supper. “Yes, Mr. Lindsay? The problem with that is … ?”
    â€œWhy, the men will become unruly. They will fight over her.”
    Leander frowned. “But I understand they have Mrs. Kettle to look after their needs.”
    â€œDoctor, you may be older than thirty, but surely you can see through those spectacles of yours.”
    â€œMr. Lindsay … the woman is injured. Removing her to shore would be unwise.”
    â€œAh, our doctor does have eyes. More wine please, Biscuit.” Octavius waited until his goblet had been refilled. “And would she not receive better medical attention in a proper hospital?”
    â€œIn Halifax, yes,” said Leander. “The conditions in Bermuda do not impress me.”
    â€œBut we’re fighting a war, Doctor. She can only get in the way. Why not leave her in Bermuda and allow a merchant ship to carry her home to England?”
    Running a finger around the edge of his wine glass, James piped up. “She’s an attractive woman, Mr. Lindsay – that is evident to us all – but no man shall harm her or neglect his duties as a result of her presence on this ship; otherwise, they’ll be duly punished. No. She’ll remain with us until such time as we reach Halifax. In the meantime, we must find out who she is.”
    â€œWhat if she’s a spy?” Octavius ventured unhappily.
    There was a roar of laughter that rivalled the thunder of the sea beyond the windows, and the men unanimously agreed that the wine had gone to Octavius’s head.
    â€œPerhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to discover if our guest has appetites to rival those of Mrs. Kettle’s,” quipped Fly. “And, should this be true, I daresay you’ll be parting with a good portion of your pay.”
    While his messmates snickered, Octavius rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re quite a boor, Mr. Austen.”
    â€œTell me, Doctor, when might I be able to speak with her?” asked James. “She may have valuable information regarding the Serendipity .”
    â€œAh, so my spy theory holds weight, does it?” cried Octavius, lifting his chin.
    â€œPerhaps, Mr. Lindsay,” James said patiently. “Either way, she may be able to tell us whether or not there were any Royal Navy deserters on board