Midnight Star (Star Quartet 2)

“Send him in, Lin.”

Lucas limped into the room. “Excuse me, ma’am. Mr. Del’s ship the Jade just docked. I wanted to tell you that Olaf is outside, if you need him. I’m going to help unload the ship.”

Chauncey stared at him. “Which warehouse, Lucas?” she asked very calmly.

“He had a new one built, off the end of Sansome Street.”

“I see.” Indeed, she did see, everything. “I should like to accompany you, Lucas.”

He looked taken aback, but for only a moment. Miss Chauncey needed to get out, and he would be there to protect her. She couldn’t stay indoors all the time, after all, until they’d caught that man Hoolihan. Still, he felt a bit of uncertainty, concerned about what Mr. Del would think when he saw his wife. “Certainly, ma’am. Could we go shortly?”

“I’ll just be a moment, Lucas.”

Ten minutes later, Lucas helped Chauncey to mount her mare, Yvette. The afternoon was overcast, with thick fog drifting over the hills toward them.

“You warm enough, ma’am?”

“Yes, indeed,” Chauncey said, and urged Yvette to a trot. At last, she thought. At long last. She saw Lucas tip his hat to Olaf as they rode from the house. She’d spoken only briefly to the big Swede. He looked as fierce as Lucas in his own way, and like Lucas, he seemed as gentle as a puppy.

As usual, the downtown area of San Francisco was filled with men, wagons, and horses. She could hear the tinny piano music from a saloon on Kearny Street. She found herself scanning the men’s faces as they rode past, almost smiling in anticipation. Come on, Hoolihan, she thought, her fingers curling about her small derringer.

When they reached Delaney’s large warehouse, she wanted to shout with glee. It was set apart, newly built, a massive wooden building that, she thought, her lips tightening, would burn quickly and completely. She knew well enough every San Franciscan’s fear of fire, but just this warehouse would burn, nothing else. Only Delaney would be hurt. She had learned something of shipping from Thomas Gregory during her two months with him in London. Given that the Jade was returning from the Orient, it must have many, many thousands of dollars’ worth of goods.

They dismounted near the large entrance to the warehouse. Dozens of men, many of them sailors from the Jade, were hauling wooden boxes into the building.

“Chauncey! What the hell!”

She turned at the sound of Delaney’s sharp, surprised voice. He had shed his frock coat and rolled the sleeves of his white shirt to his elbows. Sweat glistened on his face. He strode over to her, his eyes narrowing on Lucas’ face.

“Don’t blame Lucas, Del,” she said quickly. “I . . . I wanted to get out of the house. Please, let me stay.”

As she spoke, her eyes veered to his ship, a large clipper, modern and sleek.

He looked at her closely, seeing the excitement in her eyes, and sighed. It was true, he thought, she couldn’t remain virtually a prisoner. “All right,” he said, smiling at her, “but just for a few minutes.” She appeared to have forgotten their virulent argument of the previous night.

All I need is a few minutes! She could feel the blood pounding and surging through her body. She ignored the brief pleasure the sight of her husband had brought her. He’d left her the previous night and gone to his precious mistress. He’d finally shown her his true colors. He wasn’t honorable, not at all. I will feel no guilt. None at all.

“Tell me about the goods you’ve brought over,” she said, her voice bright.

He conducted her through the warehouse, opening some of the crates to show her bolts of incredibly beautiful silk, old and ornate furnishings, and vases from Chinese dynasties she’d never heard of. So many beautiful things that would cease to exist. Soon. Very soon.

She was charming, radiant, and hung solicitously on his every word. He allowed her to stay longer than he’d planned. When finally she rode away with Lucas, he stood staring after her, his eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful.

20

I’m finally revenging you, Father! Finally I’ll do what I must.

Chauncey stilled all guilt, all doubts, and concentrated on her dinner.

“You’re looking very thoughtful this evening,” Delaney said as he lifted his goblet of wine to his lips.

“Am I?” she asked brightly. She smiled at him, a dazzling smile that made his body leap in response. “I was just thinking about the Jade and what a beautiful ship she is. And all that cargo! When will you move it, Del?”

“Beginning tomorrow. Don’t look so surprised, love. The ship was late, and merchants have been awaiting the goods for nearly a month now.”

Tonight. It must be tonight!

“I suppose the cargo must be worth a great deal of money.” Careful, Chauncey, don’t act too interested.