Page 37 of My Gentleman Spy
The cabin boy scurried off to tell the cook that the gentleman passenger was awake and ready to take hisbreakfast.
Will sipped his coffee, watching as the boy disappeared back inside thegalley.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone. Remember what the captain said about not knowing his crew verywell.”
Hattie was on the verge of explaining to Will that she regularly walked the dangerous streets of London on her own, but decided against it. Memories of lying awake in the early hours of the morning while Will slept beside her were still warming herheart.
“Sorry. I forgot. The captain has been up on deck most of the time I have been out here, and I haven’t wandered away from this vicinity. I won’t do it again,” shereplied.
The truth was, she was so used to being in the violent and unsafe streets of the Parish of St Giles that she had become somewhat indifferent to all but the most obvious signs of danger. After the fourth time she had been accosted and robbed on the street in the early days of their mission, she stopped bothering to tell her parents. Risk came with the territory of giving aid to thepoor.
“I just want to ensure that you get home safely to your uncle. I don’t mean to be overbearing. If we can agree that you don’t venture from the cabin without me, I will becontent.”
Hattie agreed. For what was only a matter of days, she was prepared to concede to as many of Will’s demands as she felt necessary. She told herself it was purely for the sake of ensuring they both enjoyed a cordial and pleasant journey home. Her heart however was beginning to beat to the sound of a differentdrum.
With mugs of coffee in hand, they followed the cabin boy into thegalley.
