A Daughter's Destiny by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

Captain Marksen.”
    Hooking a thumb toward a bench where a trio of men sat, he said, “Middle one.”
    In disbelief, she stared at the man who returned to cooking the food he was hawking. Her money had bought her too little, but at least she knew where to find Captain Marksen.
    She walked to the bench which was set next to a tavern door. Raucous sounds burst from the tavern. When a man reeled out, she moved hastily aside, then turned to see the men on the bench appraising her candidly. In her black dress under the long cape, she did not look like the harlots strutting along the quay. She would not let their stares intimidate her.
    â€œGood afternoon, gentlemen,” she said. A quick look told her all three men were dressed like the seamen who had invaded her salon. She was glad the curve of her plain bonnet hid her cheek and the bruises.
    The man sitting in the middle of the plank balanced on two buckets met her gaze steadily. His narrow face was deeply tanned. Puffing on a pipe, he drew it from his mouth and blew the acrid smoke into her face. As his friends chuckled when she coughed, he said, “Go ’ome to where good little girls should be. We do not need yer preachin’ ’ere.”
    She waved away the smoke and glared at the man whose heart must be as black as his thinning hair. He reeked, and she wondered when he had last washed his clothes. Probably the last time he had bathed, which must have been several fortnights ago.
    â€œI shall be on my way,” she returned, “if you are not interested in earning a few extra pounds, Captain Marksen.”
    â€œA few extra pounds?” he asked, instantly intrigued.
    She smiled as coldly as he had. “Do you always do your business in public?”
    He did not speak, but a glower at his companions must have been some sort of signal. The two men stood. Brienne gasped when one ran his hand along her back and laughed.
    â€œLeave ’er alone,” Captain Marksen ordered. “Cain’t ye see she be a lady?”
    â€œA lady?” The man laughed again, then reeled down the wooden quay, bouncing good-naturedly off stacked barrels and bales of cloth.
    â€œSit yerself down, lady.” Marksen crossed his legs and leaned back.
    Gingerly she did as he ordered. If she let him discover how unsure she was, he would take advantage of her. “Captain Marksen, I need to get to France. If you could arrange passage for me, I will be sure no one knows how I crossed.”
    â€œTwo ’undred pounds,” he announced past his teeth gripping the stem of the pipe.
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œTwo ’undred pounds, and I’ll take ye.” He eyed her up and down. “Yer small. Won’t take up too much room. Got the money?”
    She dampened her lips. “Captain, I cannot pay you such an astronomical fee.”
    â€œAstronom—? What the ’ell does ye mean by that?”
    â€œIt is too much.”
    Grasping her arm, he tugged her to her feet. She started to protest, but he growled a warning to her. He led her along the busy pier. No one appeared to notice them, and she guessed if they did, they would forget seeing her with Captain Marksen.
    He turned her into a dusky alley, and she cried, “Where are you taking me?”
    â€œI thought ye wanted to go to France.”
    â€œBut—”
    His hand over her mouth silenced her. In terror, she tried to pull away.
    â€œBe quiet, lady. If we’re seen ’ere …” He did not have to finish his threat.
    She peeled his fingers off her mouth. In a whisper, she stated, “I understand the danger.”
    Brienne’s bravado vanished as he faced her. Suddenly she realized how alone they were in this narrow alley. She tried to edge away along a brick wall, but his hand against it halted her. Staring at him, she knew it was useless to try to escape. He wanted the money she could pay him, so she should make him a deal to take her to