the Company. It is odd that he traveled upon one of His Majesty's ships and not one of the Company's own.”
Lieutenant Crawford ate four full bites of food before he spoke again. “This passenger was not with the Company. Not officially at least. He represented other interests, I think.”
Powerful ones, if they could gain him a berth on one of the king's ships. She itched for him to go on. When he did not, she sought to encourage him.
“I have always been interested in the other interests in the China trade. Besides the Company's, that is. Legally they are the only traders between China and
England, but there are ways around that. And, of course, there is trade between the countries in the East itself.”
He noted her suggestion with a confidential, meaningful nod. “I know nothing for certain. I merely had cause to speculate. It would not do to be overheard, however.” He appeared so serious that one had to assume the revelations were dangerous. He dipped his head closer. “There should be less of a crowd on the terrace. Would you honor me by taking some air with me, Miss Montgomery?”
If it meant hearing tales of secret visitors to Canton, she would. He excused himself. After a few minutes she did the same. She aimed for the terrace doors.
She did not see Lieutenant Crawford upon exiting to the terrace. Finally she spied him at its far end, deep in the shadows.
When she joined him, he took her arm. “This way, if you do not mind. It is bad for one's career to be considered indiscreet.”
She allowed him to guide her down the terrace stairs and into the garden. They found a bench beneath an ivy-covered arbor. The sounds of the party came as so many muffled laughs and hums out here.
She wrapped her shawl closely and looked at the shadowed face of the man who sat beside her.
“I do not seek to force any indiscretions,” she said. “I have cause to believe that there are men in England engaged in illicit trade with China, however. Theyoperate through intermediaries. Do you think that your passenger was such an agent?”
“He might have been.”
“You said that you had cause to speculate. Was that the direction that your speculations took?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“You suppose? If you speak of your speculations, should you not know what they were?”
He shifted slightly. He faced her now, and suddenly seemed very close.
“I may have exaggerated, to engage your interest,” he said. “I find myself incapable of remembering if I did or not, or what those speculations were. You are even more lovely in these shadows than in the candlelight inside, and I cannot take my eyes off your ripe lips. I must.…” He bent closer yet. “I must.…taste.…”
Incredulous, Leona angled away as Lieutenant Crawford's face moved closer. His arms suddenly embraced her, keeping her from falling off the bench but also imprisoning her. She struggled to free herself.
“Sir, you forget yourself.” She twisted her neck so her mouth would be out of reach. “I demand that you—”
“Lieutenant Crawford, are you good with a sword?”
The question came out of nowhere.
Lieutenant Crawford froze. For a moment they stayed like that, a statue depicting a man pressing a kiss on an unwilling woman.
A sound rustled in the garden. A few footsteps could be heard. A figure emerged. A tall one, in dark garments and longish hair framing his face.
Lieutenant Crawford released her and moved away.Leona had recognized the voice, and was relieved that Easterbrook had managed such a timely interruption.
“Does ardor make you mute, Crawford? I asked if you were good with a sword.”
“More than fair.”
“That is unfortunate. If I discover that you importuned Miss Montgomery, and call you out, your chance will only be more than fair if you choose swords.”
Lieutenant Crawford went very still. Then he stood. “I would not choose swords.”
“Ah. Well, with pistols you would stand no chance at all. None of which
Lieutenant Crawford ate four full bites of food before he spoke again. “This passenger was not with the Company. Not officially at least. He represented other interests, I think.”
Powerful ones, if they could gain him a berth on one of the king's ships. She itched for him to go on. When he did not, she sought to encourage him.
“I have always been interested in the other interests in the China trade. Besides the Company's, that is. Legally they are the only traders between China and
England, but there are ways around that. And, of course, there is trade between the countries in the East itself.”
He noted her suggestion with a confidential, meaningful nod. “I know nothing for certain. I merely had cause to speculate. It would not do to be overheard, however.” He appeared so serious that one had to assume the revelations were dangerous. He dipped his head closer. “There should be less of a crowd on the terrace. Would you honor me by taking some air with me, Miss Montgomery?”
If it meant hearing tales of secret visitors to Canton, she would. He excused himself. After a few minutes she did the same. She aimed for the terrace doors.
She did not see Lieutenant Crawford upon exiting to the terrace. Finally she spied him at its far end, deep in the shadows.
When she joined him, he took her arm. “This way, if you do not mind. It is bad for one's career to be considered indiscreet.”
She allowed him to guide her down the terrace stairs and into the garden. They found a bench beneath an ivy-covered arbor. The sounds of the party came as so many muffled laughs and hums out here.
She wrapped her shawl closely and looked at the shadowed face of the man who sat beside her.
“I do not seek to force any indiscretions,” she said. “I have cause to believe that there are men in England engaged in illicit trade with China, however. Theyoperate through intermediaries. Do you think that your passenger was such an agent?”
“He might have been.”
“You said that you had cause to speculate. Was that the direction that your speculations took?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“You suppose? If you speak of your speculations, should you not know what they were?”
He shifted slightly. He faced her now, and suddenly seemed very close.
“I may have exaggerated, to engage your interest,” he said. “I find myself incapable of remembering if I did or not, or what those speculations were. You are even more lovely in these shadows than in the candlelight inside, and I cannot take my eyes off your ripe lips. I must.…” He bent closer yet. “I must.…taste.…”
Incredulous, Leona angled away as Lieutenant Crawford's face moved closer. His arms suddenly embraced her, keeping her from falling off the bench but also imprisoning her. She struggled to free herself.
“Sir, you forget yourself.” She twisted her neck so her mouth would be out of reach. “I demand that you—”
“Lieutenant Crawford, are you good with a sword?”
The question came out of nowhere.
Lieutenant Crawford froze. For a moment they stayed like that, a statue depicting a man pressing a kiss on an unwilling woman.
A sound rustled in the garden. A few footsteps could be heard. A figure emerged. A tall one, in dark garments and longish hair framing his face.
Lieutenant Crawford released her and moved away.Leona had recognized the voice, and was relieved that Easterbrook had managed such a timely interruption.
“Does ardor make you mute, Crawford? I asked if you were good with a sword.”
“More than fair.”
“That is unfortunate. If I discover that you importuned Miss Montgomery, and call you out, your chance will only be more than fair if you choose swords.”
Lieutenant Crawford went very still. Then he stood. “I would not choose swords.”
“Ah. Well, with pistols you would stand no chance at all. None of which
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