Page 58 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

A wooden platform had been situated near the bow, and as he climbed the stairs, he could hear the din of voices quiet.

Nash looked out at the faces, some of whom he knew well while others were only slightly familiar.

“Lords, ladies, and gentlemen. It is no small task to commit a vessel to the sea, but to do so for a ship that represents a greater cause—the first of many that will sail under the flag of our newly formed shipping company—seems entirely overwhelming. So I shall keep it short. Both for my sake and yours.” Several smiles appeared throughout the crowd, but none so full of pride and admiration as Cecily’s.

“We name this ship the Heart of London , so that no matter where she goes in this vast world, she may always find her way safely back to the place she first called home. The place where so many of us call home. ”

Applause sounded, and Nash retrieved the bottle of wine near his feet.

He lifted it, holding it above his head, and waited for the crowd to quiet some.

“May God watch over her, her crew, and the cargo she will bear for us.” Readying to bring it down on the hull, Nash extended it outward toward the ship, but his hold was too high on the neck of the bottle, and he worried it would prevent him from having the correct force to shatter it against the wood planking.

In a hasty attempt to resituate his grasp under so many watchful eyes, the bottle slipped.

Haphazardly he grabbed for it, desperately trying to maintain his hold, but the swift movement proved to be the very thing that sealed its fate.

The bottle plummeted into the sea below.

The crowd stood in stunned silence.

Nash peered down at the spot where the bottle had disappeared, uncertain how to proceed.

Surely the mishap was not a sign of anything other than a nervous grasp.

An unfortunate incident, and nothing more.

And yet, a slight feeling of unease wriggled inside him.

No. He would not allow it. There was no point in permitting the thought to take hold.

Mishaps happened. It was a part of life.

He now knew that better than anyone. But how was he to recover?

To make others feel as though this was not some sort of omen of bad luck?

“How wise. An offering to the sea for safe passage,” a familiar voice called from somewhere nearby. Nash searched the faces, his gaze finding Lord Blackstone as he emerged from the crowd. “ And here is the one for the christening,” he said, lifting a second bottle of wine.

With a partially stunned but grateful smile, Nash hurried down the steps toward him and accepted the offering before starting upward again. “Let’s have another go at this, shall we?”

Most in the crowd laughed and a collective agreement was voiced.

“May God watch over the Heart of London , her crew, and the cargo she will bear for us.” This time, Nash ensured his hold on the bottle was sound, and he brought it down on the bow with a force that sent glass shattering and wine running down his hand and drenching the sleeve of his shirt and coat.

He lifted what remained of the jagged neck of the bottle high, for all to see.

Hoots and hollers erupted, and with one last wave, Nash made his way down the platform stairs to where Lord Blackstone awaited him. “Thank you for that,” he said, stopping before him.

Lord Blackstone smiled, his hair askew beneath his hat. “I was going to offer it to you as a celebratory gift.”

“Are you certain you did not bring it in anticipation that I might botch my first attempt?”

In response, Lord Blackstone gave a hearty laugh. “Not at all. My bringing it was nothing more than a bit of good luck.”

“Well, regardless,” Nash said, “it seems you have saved me again.”

Cecily stepped to Nash’s side. “Lord Blackstone, I believe you shall long be remembered as the hero of this day.”

Lord Blackstone chuckled. “I should not mind that at all, I daresay.”

“In that case, I hope you will also not mind choosing the name of our next ship,” Nash said.

“You wish for me to name her?” Lord Blackstone asked, his thick, errant eyebrows lifting.

Nash nodded. “Your support has been instrumental for both me and my father, so I think it would only be fitting if you did.”

“Certainly, then.” Lord Blackstone beamed. “Can you give me a description?”

“She is a real beauty and built from strong, English oak. I purchased her in Dover, but she will be here by the week’s end. If you wish to come take a tour once she’s in port, it might help you decide upon a suitable name.”

“I am honored and will gladly join you for a tour. ”

“I shall send word when she comes in.”

“Capital.”

Nash reached out a hand, and Lord Blackstone didn’t hesitate in returning the intimate gesture of friendship. How grateful Nash was to be a part of Lord Blackstone’s collection of blackballed gentlemen. “Thank you again, for everything. Truly.”

“You are most welcome.”

“Look,” Jamison yelled, pointing at the ship. “It’s moving!”

“There’s Fredrick,” Adelaide said, waving.

Sure enough, Fredrick stood on the side of the ship nearest them, and the rest of their group joined Adelaide in one last farewell.

“I’ll see you all soon,” he called over the sound of the cheering crowd, walking along the railing as the ship slowly made its way forward. His last lingering gaze was reserved for Adelaide.

After a moment, Cecily threaded her arm through Nash’s. “Are you certain you do not wish you were on that ship? Headed back to India with all her exotic charms?”

Nash pursed his lips as though he were honestly considering her question, and she nudged her elbow into his side. He laughed, then drew her to him. “There is nowhere I’d rather be than here with you. Indefinitely.”

And while those around them had their eyes on the ship, Nash kissed her, taking the opportunity to show Cecily exactly how earnestly he meant it.

THE END