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is not one of them.”
    Valoree’s eyes widened in horror at the possibility, and her “aunt” smiled back with quiet malice. Further conversation was cut off as One-Eye opened the door of the coach.
    â€œDamn.” Valoree cursed under her breath as Meg exited, then moved quickly to follow the woman, intent on catching her and shoving her back into the coach. She was not willing to risk Whister’s recognizing her. Surely it was doubtful that he had ever solicited her favors, but one never knew. Unfortunately, in her sudden panic to catch the woman, Valoree used more speed than care in disembarking, and she managed to trounce on, then tangle her foot in, the foldsof her skirt. She ended by tumbling to the ground outside the coach, her hair falling out of its do and tumbling around her shoulders.
    One-Eye blinked his one good eye, then gaped down at her in horror as she tried to struggle to her feet. Henry was a touch more helpful. Leaping from his seat beside the driver, he hurried to assist her.
    â€œWhat are ye doin’, ye silly souse?” he snapped, slapping the other man in the back of the head and knocking the fine new hat he wore askew. He helped Valoree back to her feet. “What were ye gonna do? Leave her lyin’ there till the dolphins swam alongside ye?”
    â€œWell…” One-Eye straightened his cap and hurried to brush down her skirts in an effort to remove the mud that now clung to them. “How was I to know she was to be needin’ help gettin’ up? She ain’t never needed help gettin’ up afore.”
    â€œShe wasn’t a lady before. She was the captain.”
    â€œWell, and so she’s still the captain now.”
    â€œAye, but she’s wearin’ a dress. That makes her a lady. And ladies is more delicate and helpless than captains. Just look at how she tumbled out of the coach like a—Ah!”
    â€œThat is the blade of my knife you are feelin’ at your arse, Henry,” Valoree announced coolly, annoyed by his words. “It’s a little reminder that dress or no dress I am still your captain. I am not helpless. Got that?”
    â€œGot it, Cap’n.”
    â€œAye, sir. Ma’am. Me lady,” One-Eye, added.
    Grunting in satisfaction, Valoree placed her knife back in the bag she had brought along for just that purpose, and waited as the men straightened on either side of her. “Now. You two shall wait here with the hack. My “aunt” and I shall go in and see Mr. Whister. You will not accost any passerby nor talk at all. Youwill stand silent and solemn-faced at your posts. If I come out and find either of you behaving at all in any way that is unbefitting of footmen, I shall have you whipped. All right?”
    â€œRighto.”
    â€œAye-aye, Cap’n. Me lady.”
    â€œVery good,” she muttered, then started up the path to the front door where Meg stood waiting. She knew the men knew her threats were mostly idle—she’d never whipped either of them in all the time they’d sailed together—but she also knew that such threats were the only way to convey the seriousness of the situation.
    Aunt Meg apparently saw it differently. “You should not draw your knife in public, dear . It is most unbecoming in a lady. Should anyone see—”
    â€œNo one saw.”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œYou don’t count.”
    â€œNo, I do not suppose I do,” the woman muttered as Valoree reached to tap at the door. After a moment she added, “There is nothing to worry about.”
    Hand still raised, Valoree glanced at her sharply. “I am not worried.”
    â€œI see. Well, your men told me that when you are cranky it is usually because you are worried and refusing to show it.”
    â€œMy men are a bunch of carpies.”
    â€œThey care for you very much. And I think you care for them, too.”
    The comment silenced Valoree for a moment; then a