Page 19 of A Little Bit Dangerous
She slipped her hand around Mr Chance’s arm for reassurance.
Touching him only made her heart race faster.
He looked at her with a mix of surprise and an unreadable emotion. “I’ve fought with my brothers enough times not to fear these men,” he said, anticipating the cause of her anxiety.
“Having me as a partner will be a hindrance.” Thugs always preyed on the weakest member. Perhaps she should start carrying a weapon.
“From what I’ve heard, you’re resourceful enough to escape volatile situations. And if all else fails, run.”
“Are you not afraid of anything?” She had never met a man so strong and capable. “There must be something that sets you on edge. What is your worst fear?”
She expected an arrogant reply, but the corners of his mouth curled into a doleful expression. “It’s not something I wish to repeat aloud. Besides, two scenarios spring to mind. I’m unsure which one bothers me most.”
“Perhaps you fear being lumbered with a woman as prim as a governess,” she teased.
He smiled. “I thought we’d established you have wickedness in your blood, though I’m still waiting to see the evidence.”
He would have a long wait, though something about him made her lower her guard. “It sounds like you’re tempting me to sin, sir.”
“If you were anyone else, I might tempt you to do many things, Miss Lawton. And don’t call me sir.”
They happened upon a man blocking the walkway, a surprisingly young man with a mane of dark hair and a full beard. He stood with his hands braced on his hips, watching the crew inspect the rigging of a white-sailed brig.
Isabella notedThe Marigold’s name-board and then cleared her throat. “Captain Snell?”
The handsome fellow turned to them, annoyed at the distraction. He scanned Mr Chance’s impeccable clothing and frowned. “If you’ve come to nag me about Norwegian ice, you’ll have to log your interest at the shipping office. The next lot of cargo has been bought and paid for.”
Mr Chance straightened to stand a head taller than the captain. “Do I look like a man who cares about frozen spring water?”
The captain shifted nervously. “Then state your business. As you can see, I’ve a ship leaving on the morning tide.”
“We’re archaeologists,” Isabella said, finding her nerve, “and need to charter a ship and crew to take us to Egypt. We plan to bring treasures home and will pay a premium, perhaps even a percentage of the bounty if you agree.”
Captain Snell took one look at her and chuckled. “I doubt you know the difference between sand and sawdust. I don’t know who told you to come here, but I’ve never ventured farther than Algiers.”
Mr Chance snorted. “And yet Mr Quigley chartered your ship to ferry men from the Society of Antiquaries to Egypt. The artefacts were sold to the British Museum four weeks ago.”
The captain seemed surprised they were so well informed and fought to maintain his indifference. “That’s nonsense. You’ve got my vessel confused withThe Mayweather. It makes frequent trips to the Orient. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve work to do.”
“We’ve seen the documentation,” Mr Chance persisted, his tone sabre sharp. “And we’ve studied the artefacts. If it’s a case of money, I can pay double what you charged Quigley and will pay half in advance.”
Any normal man for hire would have jumped at the chance to line his purse. But Captain Snell merely shook his head. “It’s a generous offer, but I can’t take you to Egypt.”
“We can wait until you return from Norway,” Isabella added.
The captain firmed his jaw and glared at them both. “Are you hard of hearing? My ship ain’t for hire. And I don’t know anyone named Quigley. I suggest you leave before a footpad spots your tidy gold watch. You wouldn’t want the lady getting hurt in a robbery.”
A growl rumbled in Mr Chance’s throat. He grabbed Captain Snell’s coat lapels and lifted the man a few inches off the ground. “I don’t take kindly to threats. Perhaps I’ll throw you in the Thames and see if you float.”
A few of Captain Snell’s crew heard the commotion. One man hurried down the gangplank, quick to come to his master’s aid. “What’s going on, ’ere?”
Mr Chance shook the captain. “I’m not done with you. You’re hiding something. I can smell a rat from a hundred yards, and you stink like vermin.”
“Put me down, fool!” The captain tried kicking Mr Chance’s shins but merely dangled like a marionette.
“Call me a fool again and I’ll knock those rotten teeth out.”
“Mr Chance,” Isabella interjected, the sudden panic making it hard to catch her breath. “Perhaps we should leave before matters get out of hand.”
