Page 92 of A Swirl of Shadows
“I don’t. However, considering whatever black magic you and Mrs. Schuyler used to restore Tsar Alexander to a modicum of common sense, I may have to reconsider.”
“The powers of persuasion have nothing to do with the occult,” said Arianna. “They simply require a devious mind and a silvery tongue.”
The earl chuckled. “Both of which the pair of you have in spades.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
Saybrook looked up at the gulls circling overhead, white specks against an azure sky. “I haven’t quite decided if it was meant as one.”
They were standing close, and the subtle heat of his presence had her tingling with a mellow warmth. “Oh, come, you know you have a soft spot for unconventional women who refuse to remain caged in the strictures that men have created for them.”
Her hand found his. “A fact for which I am profoundly grateful.”
Waves lapped against the hull as the ship gained speed in the freshening breeze. The earl drew her even closer. “It seems your brother finds unconventionality alluring, too.”
Fitzroy and Mrs. Schuyler had been spending a great deal of time together over the last few days. From the snatches of conversation that Arianna had overheard, scientific subjects—astronomy, engineering, mathematics—had been the topics of discussion. But Arianna had also caught the lingering looks that passed between the two of them when they weren’t aware that they were being observed.
“It’s hard to say whether it’s merely a flame ignited by the emotions of the mission that will quickly burn out. Or whether the attraction is something more permanent.” She mused on the thought as the ship tacked around Kotlin Island and headed out to sea. “But whatever happens, I truly think the friendship will be lasting.”
“Lasting friendship?” Wolff appeared from behind the mizzen mast, the collar of his overcoat turned up to ward off the wind. He was still looking a little pale from his time in captivity. “I may have to reconsider my friendship with you two. Skating on the thin ice of mortal danger is no longer as thrilling as it once was.”
He grimaced. “Perhaps I’m getting too old for all this.”
“Ha! You would die of boredom if you weren’t in the thick of some intrigue or swindle, Wolffy,” said Arianna with a fond smile.
“You wound me.” Wolff tried to look injured, without much success.
“Nothing penetrates your thick hide,” retorted the earl.
“Allow me to remind you that a bullet did,” shot back Wolff.
“Ye gods, I suppose we’ll have to hear about that one noble moment until you go to your grave.”
That made Wolff laugh. “You can hardly blame me. After all, my good deeds are few and far between.”
Arianna interrupted the banter by catching him up in an impulsive hug. “On the contrary, your bark is far worse than your bite.” Thinking of how terrified she had been when he had gone missing, she held him tightly for a long moment before releasing him. “I’m informing Grentham that you’re taking a good long break before accepting any more missions.” A pause. “And I’m sure Jelena will thank me for it.”
Mention of his wife stirred a ripple of emotion in Wolff’s eyes. He looked away to the horizon. “It will be good to be home,” he said softly. Under orders from Grentham, the ship was taking a roundabout route back to London in order to drop Wolff in Hamburg.
“Amen to that,” murmured Arianna.
Wolff lingered with them for a bit longer, then excused himself to see if the off-duty ship’s officers wanted to play cards.
She and the earl remained at the rail, watching in companionable silence as the foaming wake of the ship spun out behind them. Arianna drew in a lungful of the sweet-salty air, a myriad of thoughts beginning to flutter inside her head.The past . . . the future . . .
“Ah, there’s nothing like a slap of chill air to clear the fuzziness from one’s brain,” announced Mrs. Schuyler. Squinting against the brightness of the sun, she picked her way over the coiled ropes on the deck and took hold of the ratlines to steady her stance.
“Were you enjoying a nap down below?” inquired Saybrook.
“Actually, I was passing the time in my cabin by playing with a deck of my tarot cards.” She made a face and then slanted a searching look at Arianna. “The oddest combination came up, creating a certain prediction . . .”
“I thought you didn’t take any of that seriously,” said Arianna.
“I don’t.” A sigh. “And yet—”
The deck tiled as the ship hit a patch of rough water, knocking all three of them off-balance.
“And yet,” repeated Mrs. Schuyler, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Grentham and Sophia on the quarterdeck.
