Read Whirlwind for Free Online Page A

snuck off the ship before we set sail.”
    Her gasp hung in the room for a moment, then she recovered. “The steward—Mr. Tibbs was it?” When Daniel nodded, she continued, “I’m sure he could send for something.”
    “What do you recommend?”
    “A finger of cheese, some diced chicken or shredded pork, and applesauce. He’d do well, though, to have hard biscuits to worry. It helps the teeth to break through.” She bit her lip. “Sir, I have plans for when we reach America. It’s only right that I tell you I’m only able to fill the position for the duration of the voyage.”
    Though Daniel needed someone for the long term, he figured it was highly questionable that he’d find anyone aboard who’d fit the bill. I’d probably do better to hire an American girl for the position—that way she won’t grow homesick and want to leave. “I’ll inspect your letter of recommendation and make a decision after conducting the other interviews.”
    Miss Fairweather left and Mr. Tibbs showed in the next candidate. She looked perfect—short, squatty, and ugly as sin. Mrs. Yannislov smiled and thanked him for the seat he offered. “This is my son, Arthur.”
    “Arthur!” She opened her arms, and his son ambled over.
    “My buddy!” He thrust out the cloth rabbit for her inspection.
    She nodded sagely. “Arthur and Buddy.” Obviously pleased by her acceptance, Arthur crawled up into Mrs. Yannislov’s lap.
    “It seems my son has developed a fondness for that . . . rabbit.”
    Mrs. Yannislov nodded.
    Pleased by how well things were going, Daniel launched into a quick speech. “I’m looking to engage a nanny for my son. The job will last only the duration of the voyage.” He outlined a few duties and ignored a feeling that something wasn’t quite right. “As it’s a six-day voyage, I’ll pay for seven, so in essence, you’ll have a day off. You’ll watch Arthur around the clock. When—” He halted. With almost every sentence he spoke, Mrs. Yannislov bobbed her head. A sinking feeling led him to ask, “Mrs. Yannislov, don’t you speak English?”
    “English!” She smiled again and tapped her breastbone.
    “Czech!”
    Mr. Tibbs arrived with a tray for Arthur. Daniel took it. “Mr. Tibbs, I need a healthy, intelligent, homely old woman who speaks English and loves children. Please escort Mrs. Yannislov out and bring me someone whom I can hire.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Daniel tied the serviette about his son’s neck to form a bib, then sat him on the edge of the parlor table. Knowing his son had been abandoned, scared, wet, and hungry made Daniel furious. He scooped up a spoonful of shredded meat. “Daddy is going to be sure you’re taken care of. Yes, he is.”
    Arthur reached over, grabbed the cheese in one hand and the spoon in the other.
    “Hey. Daddy’s in charge of the spoon.” Juggling the tray, the spoon, and a wiggling toddler proved to be far harder than Daniel had imagined. In the end, he abandoned propriety for practicality. He held the plate and let Arthur poke, grab, and pinch bites, then shove them into his little mouth. Though applesauce wasn’t a beverage, it did slide to the rim of the small bowl—so Arthur was slurping it when Mr. Tibbs arrived yet again.
    “Miss Bernice Crookshank, Mr. Clark. I trust I’ve followed your instructions satisfactorily, sir.”
    “Indeed.” With her salt-and-pepper hair scraped back into a severe bun, a huge beak of a nose, and thin lips, Miss Crookshank’s age and appearance gave Daniel hope that he’d found a nanny. “Please do come in and have a seat, Miss Crookshank.”
    “Thank you.”
    Oh good. She speaks English.
    Perching on the edge of a nearby chair, she set a bag on the floor and clasped her hands in her lap. “I’d far rather mop up your boy than sit here useless; but as Benjamin Franklin said, ‘He that cannot obey, cannot command.’ ”
    And she’s intelligent.
    “More, Dadda. More, peasssss.”
    “It’s an odd time for him