Echoes of a Promise Read Online Free PDF

hoot. ‘M’lady is almost ninety years old, bless me! And just listen to her in there now flirtin’ with her gentlemen visitors. Failing? Never!’
    She placed a fourth cup on the tray, which Victoria picked up while Mrs Potts went ahead to open the door of the drawing room.
    ‘Victoria, my darling girl! So you’ve crept in by the kitchen again to surprise me!’ The old lady, wearing lavender silk and cream lace, was sitting like a queen in a high-backed chair with a handsome courtier on either side.
    Both visitors, dressed in blue naval jackets with gleaming brass buttons, stood as Victoria walked into the room and one, a tall young man with fair hair, stepped forward to take the heavy tray from her hands and set it down on the table.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said. His face was bronzed by sun and wind, his eyes the brightest blue she’d ever seen, and, when he flashed a smile,Victoria caught her breath. She looked away quickly and saw the sparkle in Honoria’s eyes.
    ‘How delightful it is to have you here again,’ the old lady said and they kissed. ‘Gentlemen, let me introduce my great-niece, Miss Victoria Shelford. My dear, here before you are two of the bravest, most handsome and gallant seamen ever to sail from Devon.’ The pair stood side-by-side, smiling, and looking not in the least abashed by Lady Honoria’s extravagant words.
    ‘My dear, this is Captain Henry Latham, who has voyaged around the world a dozen times, facing hurricanes, pirates, monsters of the deep and all kinds of terrifying things.’
    The older man, whose age was perhaps fifty, gave an amused smile and acknowledged the introduction. ‘Delighted, Miss Shelford,’ he said, and took her hand. He was of stocky build, with a bluff and hearty man-of-the-world air.
    ‘And this gentleman, dear, is Captain Latham’s nephew, Peter, who, I’ve just learned, is now also a captain – or master – or something very important. Did you happen to notice their vessel under repair in Strickland’s shipyard on your way here?’
    ‘Indeed I did see the Fortitude .’ She shook hands with him. The young man’s skin was tough, his grip firm, and his second smile was just as heart-jolting as the first. Her fingers seemed unwilling to lose contact with his. ‘May I ask, Captain—’
    He interrupted. ‘Sorry, Miss Shelford, there can only be one captain on board a ship, and that’s my uncle. Yes, I’ve just received my master’s papers, but I’ll be sailing alongside him as first officer.’ Did she imagine it, or did his pressure on her hand increase momentarily before he released it?
    ‘Oh, I understand.’ She wriggled her fingers to restore their circulation and, with a sudden need to busy herself, lifted the teapot and began filling the cups. ‘And where will you be sailing off to?’
    ‘We’re heading to the East Indies.’ Peter picked up the first cup andhanded it to Lady Honoria with a courtly bow. ‘I’ve never sailed in those waters, but this old sea dog knows them well.’ He and the captain exchanged a warm look. ‘I’ve been working on Yankee clippers for the last five years, but my uncle and I always had a plan to go into partnership one day and buy a trading vessel of our own.’
    ‘How exciting. I wish every success to you and the Fortitude .’ Victoria took the chair he was holding for her and when her teacup rattled on its saucer she was surprised to find how unsteady her hand had become. ‘How long do you expect to be away from England?’
    Captain Henry answered. ‘These trading voyages usually take about two years, Miss Shelford. I’ve sailed to the Spice Islands several times and the shipowners have always made a healthy profit when we took out a cargo from our British iron foundries and brought back a hold full of silk, tea, exotic timbers, and anything else that commands a high price here.’
    ‘And so now you, yourselves, have become shipowners. How splendid.’ Victoria was aware that the nephew hadn’t