The breath caught in my throat, and I griped the sides of the crate from the shock of so sudden an inspiration. If only...The cobbles blurred behind a cascade of thoughts that tumbled through my mind, one upon another. Convention, propriety, and even common sense disappeared under the growing pile, and I blinked in rapid succession as a very different future took shape before me. Whether from God or the Devil, I had just found my miracle.
Forcing myself to exhale, I looked back at the young man with an entirely altered perspective. Outrageous couldn’t begin to describe this scheme, but under the circumstances I wasn’t about to sit around being picky. My father had sent me to Philadelphia to get my cousin, and my cousin I would get—or at least a cousin. Excitement surged through me as the idea took hold. Who could dispute the relation all men held in common from our first great progenitors Adam and Eve? Really, I could have picked any man off the dock and called him family. This particular man just happened to be available.
Garnering my strength, I pushed up from the crate and walked toward the captain before I had a chance to reconsider. It was all I could do to appear calm when my insides were churning, threatening to give me away at any moment.
“This way, Miss Kilbrid,” Ben said, turning to guide me back to the inn.
Not trusting my voice, I remained silent while walking the last steps toward the group of men. Ben moved to my side without protest. Positioning myself at the end of the desk, I could easily hear the discussion between the captain and the next buyer.
“I tell you, Mr. Fletcher, I won’t let him go for a shilling less than twelve pounds,” the captain was saying. “The lad can write and figure and is worth more than a common laborer.”
“Come now, Captain Harlow,” Mr. Fletcher replied, keeping his voice as level as the captain’s. “Those skills have no favor with me. I need a strong boy capable of working the brick ovens.”
Bricks were in constant demand, and by the looks of it Mr. Fletcher had seen some success. His black breeches and coat were of decent quality, as were his white stockings and black leather shoes. Change the trimmings, though, and he would be a very different sort of man. Locks of greasy black hair hung to his shoulders, framing his pasty skin and cunning little eyes. One glance and I did not trust this man to be master of anything, least of all another human being.
“If you have no use for his education, then take that fellow instead.” Captain Harlow gestured to a large, solidly built man in his late twenties. “He would do well enough in the brickyard for a few years.”
“I’m not looking to buy an ox,” Mr. Fletcher smoothly countered. “Accidents are costly in my business.”
“And deadly, from what I hear,” Captain Harlow said.
Mr. Fletcher narrowed his eyes at the captain. “What happened to that boy was no fault of mine. He got drunk at work and stumbled into an oven. Now, if you don’t mind I would like to finish our negotiations. My offer is eleven pounds and as I don’t see any higher bidders, you can either sell me the lad or take him back to England.”
Tense silence filled the air between them. “Come here, Henry,” the captain finally said without taking his eyes from Mr. Fletcher.
I watched the young man—Henry—walk toward the desk. It was now or never. “Excuse me, Captain,” I said. “I’ll pay twelve pounds for the lad.”
Completely caught off guard, both Captain Harlow and Mr. Fletcher turned to gape at me. Only a second before I had been invisible, now I was the very center of attention. To make matters worse, Ben clasped my arm and leaned closer to me.
“What are you doing?” he hissed.
“I’ll tell you later,” I hissed back while attempting to keep a pleasant smile on my face. As a servant, there was only so much Ben could do, and I felt him reluctantly let go of my arm. However, he didn’t move an inch from my side, and I was guaranteed a thorough questioning later. Fine with me, I thought, just let me finish here first.
“Miss Kilbrid, this is highly irregular,” Captain Harlow said once he found his tongue. “Your father would never approve of your conducting such business.”
“If you haven’t forgotten, Captain, my father is dead. As is my cousin, after taking passage on your ship.” This was certainly cruel, but I needed some leverage.
“Yes, yes, of course I haven’t forgotten,” he said, his calm composure faltering. “Are you really in need of another servant?”
“Captain Harlow, this is a matter between us,” Mr. Fletcher interrupted. He reached inside his coat for a large purse and started pulling out coins. “I see there is no other choice than to pay the twelve pounds.”
“I’ll pay thirteen pounds,” I said.
“Thirteen pounds!” Mr. Fletcher cried. “I demand you stop these negotiations at once and take my money. Obviously this girl has little idea how business works between men.”