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scheme of things, and forgave him.
    “It would seem we have a mission,” Folkard said. Nathaniel heard words the captain didn’t say. They had another mission in addition to their search for minerals.
    “Do you mind if I… we study this?” Nathaniel asked, pausing to glance at Arnaud.
    “You may.” Highmore took a breath, pinched the bridge of his nose, while squeezing his eyes shut. He chuckled as he opened them. “If you can make a diamond out of that, Stone, you’re most welcome to try.” He winked and smiled, looking from Stone to Fontaine.
    It was only then that Nathaniel realised how they were sitting, Arnaud’s legs crossed, and his ankle looping over Nathaniel’s, gently brushing against his leg as he so slightly swayed his foot up and down. There appeared to be no animosity in Highmore’s wink, but suddenly Nathaniel felt something had gone wrong with the environmental systems. Perhaps he should check the solar boiler and make sure the sun’s rays were focused on the water tank. The steam created not only powered the ship’s turbine and generated electricity; it functioned to keep them all from freezing in the depths of space. Right now, Nathaniel seemed to be generating enough heat of his own. Was his face burning?

Chapter Four
    “In Which Great Men Struggle Against Adversity”
    1.
    “SO THAT IS the notorious Joseph Highmore?” Annabelle said, interrupting Nathaniel’s reading, though how he could read with the noise of the engine as a backdrop was beyond her.
    “I never said he was notorious. I said…”
    What had he said? Some nonsense based on rumours, as she recalled. Now he broke off, before adding, “In the face of the man’s obvious pain, it simply does not matter.”
    “He certainly seems overly concerned with the fate of his…friend.” Annabelle began to pick up books, looking at their contents before closing to put back quite out of order.
    “There are many reasons people form lasting attachments.”
    He refused to look at her so Annabelle placed a hand on the back of his wrist and squeezed. “To be fair,” Nathaniel continued, as if she hadn’t touched him, and Annabelle withdrew, confused, “I have nothing against Highmore personally, and I was not entirely wrong. The man does gamble.”
    “If we were to ostracise every man who gambled we would soon run out of amusing conversation.”
    “You know I do not refer just to g-gambling.” Did he expect her to fill in what he wasn’t saying? “Ignore me. I have become a hypocrite.”
    Seeing Nathaniel at once more in danger of hiding among the pages of the books, Annabelle reached out to brush her fingers lightly against one side of his face, making him draw back. Finally gaining a reaction absurdly pleased her. No doubt he found the caress improper, but since when had she ever cared about all things appropriate, and in some circumstances, certain priorities seemed trivial. Annabelle was quite aware she had no concerns regarding unwanted behaviour from Nathaniel; it should hardly surprise him she would flout established protocol.
    “If what he chooses to do in his personal life is all that concerns you…”
    “It is not.” Having rudely interrupted her, Nathaniel quickly added: “Admittedly, it now appears we have a mutual reason to travel in the same direction; however, I object to our endeavours being subject to the whim of others. I…prefer to have people around me I can rely on.” He flushed. “That sounded pompous. Forgive me.”
    “Indeed, though it was as much complimentary as pompous. Have you noticed he looks a little like you?”
    Her words must have shocked him for Nathaniel gaped, before snapping his mouth shut with an audible click of his teeth. “A hint of ginger peppers the man’s hair, and he is tall.” It sounded as if he simply refused to clutter his head with such nonsense.
    “What are you studying now?” She purposely spoke as if the pursuit of knowledge were tiresome.
    “Without Fenn,