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could be together. Brighmor was a sufficient property to support our needs, though not so grandly as Henry was accustomed. But that didn’t matter. We had been happy at Brighmor and would be happy there again. James, with his need for self-aggrandizing titles, would never understand that I meant more to Henry than all the Dukedoms put together. To the very center of my heart, I knew this was true.
    Loud voices called up from the river. I brushed the moisture from my cheeks and watched while a handful of sailors hoisted Captain Saunders and the accompanying crewmembers onboard. The first mate approached, only to be met by the captain’s thunderous expression. They spoke together in hushed tones then disappeared below.
    I waited on deck, anxious for the captain to reemerge with orders to disembark. More than ever, I needed to see Henry. Not that I believed James, but I needed to feel Henry’s arms around me, to hear him confirm that I was the only woman he loved and would marry. Ten minutes stretched into twenty before my patience was fully spent. Unable to wait any longer, I hurried down the stairs to a gloomy passage that led to the Captain’s quarters. Loud voices passed through the thick wood as I reached up and rapped on the door.
    “Enter,” the captain bellowed.
    I opened the door and stepped into the room. “Excuse me, Captain, I am eager to have my party settled into lodgings while there is still daylight. When will you be ready to ferry us to shore?”
    Captain Saunders exchanged a dark look with his first mate. “I’ve not the slightest notion. The customs master has ordered all passengers and goods to remain on board. Most irregular treatment, I assure you.”
    “Did they give you a reason?” I asked.
    “Some bluster about persons of interest, whatever that’s supposed to mean. I’ve been ordered to sit tight and wait for word.”
    James’s gleeful words shot through my head. I can’t stop wondering how long it will take before the king has you arrested.
    “There must be a mistake,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
    “No mistake at all, Miss Kilbrid. The customs master was very specific in his orders to detain the Callisto. If anyone leaves the ship, my cargo will be confiscated in the name of the king.”
    My knees began to wobble beneath me, and I gripped the doorknob for support.
    Captain Saunders continued with his angry tirade, oblivious to my altered state. “I’ve got a hull full of timber and wheat almost a month overdue and I’ve been ordered to sit tight!” He pounded a fist on the table, making the quill and inkpot jump.
    Shouts came from the upper deck, followed by hurried footsteps along the passageway behind me. A crewman soon appeared at my shoulder, a piece of parchment in one hand.
    “What is it now?” the captain yelled.
    The crewman handed the parchment to the captain. “The customs master sent a boat for some of the passengers.”
    Captain Saunders read the note then looked at me. “It says your party is to be brought directly to shore.” He glanced over my shoulder at the crewman. “Have their belongings loaded at once.”
    I could hardly see straight for thoughts of being arrested, not to mention what would happen to the other people in my party. What if the soldiers decided to arrest poor Lucy Goodwin for no more than association? Her nerves would never survive such an ordeal. “But Captain,” I sputtered. “Our safety is your responsibility. You can’t just release us to strangers.”
    “I can and I will,” the captain said. “My responsibility ended the moment you became a person of interest to the king. I will not jeopardize my livelihood on your behalf.”
    “Then at least let the rest of my party stay aboard. The king has no interest in them.”
    Captain Saunders gave me a curious look. “That may be the case, but your entire party has been ordered to shore. To do anything less could mean the loss of my cargo. Possibly even my ship. Is