I chose a simple cotton gown, then sat quietly while the maid looped my dark curls into a neat bun. Once she left I went to the table, determined to behave as though it were any other day. My stomach growled its neglect and I focused on the soft-boiled eggs and fresh bread before turning my attention to the newspaper.
A single essay, titled “A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency”, took up the entire front page. Stifling a yawn, I turned the page. The inside contained a sermon that had been delivered the previous Sunday by a renowned Quaker minister on the moral harm of dancing, theater, and other frivolous activities. I skipped the sermon, settling instead on the public notices for employment, lost and found goods, and items for sale.
Reading to the bottom, I turned the page, hoping to find more notices for stray horses and runaway servants, when my eye fell on the list of ships currently docked along the Delaware. While sipping my tea, I began to scan the list more from interest than expectation. The Larkspur, which had docked ten days prior, was departing tomorrow morning. Makepeace arrived three days ago and was advertising for able seamen for its voyage to the West Indies. As I trailed a finger down the long list of arrivals and departures, I gasped, nearly choking on a mouthful of tea.
The Berkshire had arrived yesterday afternoon.
“This can’t be!” But there was no denying the bold black ink.
The mantel clock read a quarter past ten. I jumped up for my hat and gloves, frantic to be off at once. Best case, Samuel would be staying at a guesthouse for a few days to make any necessary purchases before leaving the city. Worst case, he had left Philadelphia and was already halfway to Brighmor. My only hope was that he had not departed the ship without first informing Captain Harlow of his plans.
At least I had the presence of mind to get Ben on my way out of the inn. Mrs. Bradford would still be well put out once she got word of this outing, but there was no time to waste in finding the woman.
I refused to wait for the carriage, choosing instead to walk the three blocks to the river. The vast number of ships at anchor offered an impressive sight. Under normal circumstances I would have appreciated such evidence of our modern times if not for the great inconvenience they posed for finding The Berkshire and Captain Harlow. Luckily for me, Ben was not so easily discouraged. Taking my elbow, he led me through the bustling crowd. He stopped only twice to ask about The Berkshire and in no time had me in front of the right ship.
A group of men stood nearby, but I paid them no heed as I debated the best way to get a message to the captain. Deep in thought, I didn’t notice Ben had left until a minute later when he came back with a gentleman at his side. Although I hadn’t seen the man in years, his appearance was little altered and I recognized him at once.
Captain Harlow removed his hat and bowed gracefully. “Good Morning, Miss Kilbrid.” “Good morning, Captain Harlow,” I said, returning the greeting with a small curtsy. “I have come to enquire about my cousin, Mr. Samuel Kilbrid. Do you know if he took up residence in town or left straight away for Hopewell when you arrived yesterday?”
The captain looked nervously at Ben and then back to me. “I’m afraid neither, Miss Kilbrid.”
I blinked in confusion. “Well, then where is he? Did he remain on the ship?”
“No, miss, your cousin is no longer onboard,” the captain said, slowly shaking his head. “He was struck with the palsy and died at sea.”
Chapter Two
The Lesser of Two Evils
Captain Harlow began to waver and fade as darkness pushed in on all sides, threatening my field of vision. I must have stumbled forward since the next thing I knew Ben had one arm around my waist and the other at my elbow to keep me from falling to the ground. Guiding me to a nearby wooden crate, he helped me sit before kneeling down to have a good look at my face. Captain Harlow knelt beside him.
“She’ll be all right,” Ben said. “A little rest, and then I’ll see her back to the inn.”
“But she’s gone white as a sheet,” the captain said. “Should I send for a doctor?”
“No, no,” I protested, even though he wasn’t talking to me. “Just give me a minute, and I’ll be fine. Your news caught me unaware.” The fainting spell had passed, and with my vision restored there was little risk of tumbling from the crate.
“I fear your visit took me by surprise, Miss Kilbrid, and I handled the matter with little delicacy. Please accept my apologies.”
“There is no need, Captain Harlow,” I assured him.
“I felt horrible when the lad took sick under my watch, especially since he was a close relation to Jonathan Kilbrid.” The captain quickly glanced around. “Did your father send you alone to meet your cousin?”
A dull ache swelled in my chest. Last night I’d ignored Mrs. Bradford’s inquiries rather than give voice to the truth. But as my father had given me specific instructions in this case, I inhaled a deep breath through my nose and proceeded the best I could. “I’m sorry, Captain. He recently passed away.”