Page 126 of My Highland Love

Marcus closed the door to Miss Lisa Poteck's cabin aboard the Josephine, then followed the narrow corridor to the captain's quarters. With a perfunctory knock, he entered. Captain Garret sat at a large table, studying navigation maps that covered the large oak surface. He looked up as Marcus approached.

“How is Miss Poteck?” he asked in a refined English accent.

Marcus seated himself opposite him. “She will be fit enough for the meeting. All is in readiness?”

“It is, Lord Ashlund.”

A loud knock sounded at the door and Steven entered.

Marcus came to his feet when he recognized the man behind Steven as one of those hired to watch Danvers Hospital.

“Ardsley has gone to Danvers,” Steven said.

“When?”

The man answered, “I rode the moment he arrived. Less than two hours ago.”

Adrenaline coursed through Marcus.

Steven was already consulting his pocket watch. “It is twenty-five past one.” He stuffed the watch back into its pocket. “Price did just as you said he would.”

“Aye, lad. He had no choice.” Marcus turned to the messenger. “Wait for me on deck.”

The man nodded, then left.

Marcus waited for the door to shut, then faced Steven. “The board members are ready?”

“They're waiting at a nearby tavern.” He shook his head in obvious disbelief. “I thought you were wrong. Had I gone to Danvers as I wanted…”

His brother-in-law had no notion of the will it had taken Marcus to remain idle on the Josephine. He, too, wanted nothing more than to catch Price Ardsley on the road to Danvers, but he couldn't chance Elise being hurt in the gunfight. Justin would follow her. If worse came to worst, he would attack and take Elise from Price.

“Ardsley had to be sure you and I were aboard the Josephine,” Marcus said. “You can be sure he knows of our continued presence here.” Marcus faced the captain. “Captain Garret, please have your doctor prepare Miss Poteck.”

“As you say,” Garret replied crisply.

Marcus started for the door, Steven on his heels. Once in the corridor, Steven closed the door and called out to Marcus. He halted.

“Did you inform your cousin of your plan not to sail back to Scotland with Elise?”

“Instructions await him on the ship they are to sail on,” Marcus replied.

“He will not be pleased. As for Elise—”

“Elise will be well looked after. Justin knows what he's about.”

“And if you don't make your ship?”

“I will.”

* * *

Elise's hand shook as she pressed a palm against the iron door. She pushed gently. The door swung open. A cry of surprise rose in her throat before she could stifle the sound. Why was her door unlocked? They believed she was still in a stupor!

She stepped as far as the doorway and peeked into the hall. The long corridor was empty. She stepped from the room and stopped two paces into the hallway. A single light lit the hallway near where she stood. Doors lined both sides of the corridor. She looked left, then right. Both directions turned into what seemed yet another hallway. Which way was out? Out—out to where? Where was she going? Marcus. No. She would not endanger him.

Blood roared through her veins; her head pounded. Panic rose. Which way? Choose a way, any way! She started forward. Her courage grew with each infinitesimal step forward. Near the end of the hallway, the tip of a banister extended out to where the hallway turned left. Stairs.

A scream shattered the silence. Elise bit back a shout and hugged the wall. Another cry, fainter this time but close, rent the air again. She peered in the direction she had been moving. A door stood three feet from her. She edged toward the room. The door stood slightly ajar and she peered inside.