Page 15 of The Swan Syndicate #1

The carriage arrived in Bristol and stopped on the pier alongside the Daphne Marie .

Beckworth immediately jumped out, said something about returning the horses but most likely wanted to put some distance between himself and Stella.

Jamie had ridden inside with them while Fitz rode on the bench with the coachman.

Lando had ridden ahead to ensure the ship was prepared for sail.

Jamie grinned as he watched Beckworth stride off before helping Stella out of the carriage. He’d engaged Stella in conversation the entire way, ignoring the frosty air between her and Beckworth during the several-hour-long ride from Waverly.

Once her feet were on the ground, she took a deep whiff of sea air and ignored the more unpleasant smells coming from the busy port.

She reached for the opal necklace Beckworth had given her the first time she’d been in London, but her neck was bare.

Concerned about losing it, she’d left it at Waverly, carefully tucked away with the Mórdha stone rings in one of Beckworth’s hidden compartments.

It had been two days since they’d jumped. If anyone had told her she’d be boarding the Daphne Marie in search of smugglers, she would have considered them mad. What would AJ think?

She barely heard the carriage drive off after Beckworth’s trunk had been removed. Her eyes were locked on the ship, her focus on her whirling emotions.

“If you want to change your mind, there’s still time.” Jamie waited patiently by her side. “The carriage is close by, waiting on Beckworth’s orders.”

She shook her head. “To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel.

Mixed emotions, I suppose. The first time Beckworth told me we had to cross the Channel to escape Gemini, I freaked out.

It wasn’t that I feared the sea, although I had second thoughts when the storm almost tossed me overboard.

” She rubbed her stomach, thankful she remembered to take her seasickness pill.

“I’ve always had a sensitive stomach, whether it was road trips in a car or on a boat. ”

“And now?”

“The second trip across the Channel wasn’t as bad, and I’d been locked in a cage in the hold for the entire trip. The herbs Beckworth bought me and eating smaller meals seemed to be the solution. I guess we’ll find out if that holds true.”

They stood side by side as they gazed at the ship.

“She’s a beautiful ship. I haven’t seen her since that day on the dock at the Westcliffe Inn in Baywood. Finn had taken AJ for a sailing lesson on a smaller sailboat. We’d only just met him and when I hadn’t heard back from AJ within our agreed timeframe, I drove to the dock to wait.”

“Was there trouble?”

She laughed. “They simply forgot about the time. Although she returned with damp hair and clothes while Finn was dry from head to toe. At the time, Finn passed it off as ocean spray, but she confided later that she almost fell out of the boat.”

“You said you had mixed emotions.”

“I’m not as scared as my first trip now that I know what to expect.

My worry is about getting in the way.” Her gaze scanned the other ships and the sailors running back and forth either loading or unloading cargo.

The crew of the Daphne were working the sails.

Stella rocked back and forth between her heels and toes then glanced up at Jamie and grinned. “But this will be quite the adventure.”

He laughed. “That’s the spirit. We’ll find you something to keep you occupied while onboard. And our first port isn’t that far.”

She touched his arm. “I appreciate you trusting me.”

“You know his only concern is for your welfare.”

“I know all about worry. It was with me each time AJ went through the fog, but she had Finn. When they returned and I heard about their journey, while at the time never wanting to experience it, I was sorry I didn’t have a true sense of what she’d been through.

I got a closer glimpse when we traveled to France to visit the monastery.

Then I was kidnapped and forced back to this time. It wasn’t as bad as I expected.”

“Weren’t you scared being kidnapped?”

She considered the question before snapping out a response. “Terribly, but at the same time, I was so angry. But I didn’t freeze up. I wanted to, but I guess my survival instincts are stronger than I expected.”

“And then Beckworth came along.”

She laughed. “He didn’t have an easy time with me.”

Jamie could only shake his head. “And I don’t think he would have appreciated it any other way.”

“I suppose.”

“So, one cabin or two?”

She took his arm as he led her to the gangplank. “Let’s assume he’ll get over his anger and go with one. But we could use extra blankets in case he ends up sleeping on the floor.”

Jamie was still laughing when Lando greeted them on the deck of the Daphne .

Lando bowed his head and gave her an apologetic grin. “It’s good to have you onboard, Lady Stella…”

“Just Stella.”

He nodded and glanced out to sea before continuing.

“Stella. I hate to ask, but Fitz mentioned you’d offered to help while onboard.

After I show you to your cabin, we could use your help in the galley.

The stores came in late, and if we’re going to make tide I could use as many of the men as I can get. ”

She rubbed her hands together. “I can find the cabin later. Take me to the galley.”

Lando lifted a brow and looked at Jamie.

Jamie shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I have my own tasks.” With a broad smile, he strode off toward a group of sailors, his head turning left and right as he watched the men at work.

Lando led Stella down the stairs to the galley and introduced her to Michelson, who assumed various roles as part-time sailor, part-time doctor, and part-time cook.

He was a thin man with a receding hairline emphasized by his ponytail and was somewhere in his thirties if Stella had to guess. He had gentle eyes and a soft voice.

“This is Stella. She’s here as part of our mission but willing to help out. I thought you could use a hand stowing the supplies. I’ll be taking your two helpers.”

Michelson stood with hands on his hips as he scanned the galley that was filled with crates and sacks of staples.

He scratched his head. “I’ll use whatever help I can get.

” He glanced at Stella. “Let me show you the pantry. Everything has its place so it can be found quickly. Then we can start moving the stores.”

“Show me the way.”

Stella trailed behind Michelson and took stock of the pantry and, after five minutes, nodded as she understood their system. Not how she would have done it, but easy enough to follow.

“Let’s start with this stack.” Michelson strode to the first group of items, which was a combination of sacks and small kegs. “Just starting packing everything into the pantry.”

“I know this is my first time onboard, but can I make a suggestion?”

He straightened from the crate he was opening. “Go ahead.”

“Well, the alleyway is kind of narrow. If we end up filling up the front before the back, it will take us longer. If we can find the items that get stored at the back and work forward, we can both haul items at the same time without running into each other.”

He grinned. “I should have thought of that. I’m not the one who normally handles the cargo.”

Stella walked around the stacks. “Here we go. Let’s start with these.” She picked up a sack, straining under what had to be thirty pounds of dried beans. “What do you normally do when it’s time to set sail, if those are the correct words.”

“Close enough, and I’m usually on deck.”

“Well, we should be able to move through this pretty quickly once we set a pace.” She disappeared into the pantry and dropped the sack in its spot, making sure to level it out so several more could be stacked on top.

She wasn’t sure how long they’d been working when she rolled a keg into place and lifted it to its flat side.

“I’ve always said no one organizes better than a woman.”

She turned to find Beckworth dropping a sack onto a growing stack of corn flour. “At least you’re talking to me again.”

He ran a hand through his hair then pulled at his cuffs. “I still believe this mission to be too dangerous, but we are where we are.” He glanced away. “And I’m not sleeping on the floor.”

She grinned. “Jamie told you?”

His lips twitched. “He didn’t have to. I saw the pile of blankets with a pillow on top.”

“Jamie’s kind. I hadn’t mentioned a pillow.” She held her smile, and his shoulders relaxed. “Have you been at the stables all this time?” She glanced at the growing stack of inventory. “It seems like I’ve been down here awhile.”

“I had to make a quick run to the mercantile then looked for you in the cabin.”

Stella moved past him, slowing as she brushed against him in the narrow aisle. “Follow me if you want to talk. We need to get this put away. I felt the ship shift.”

“They’re raising the sails, so I sent Michelson up top. I’ll help you finish this.”

They worked for another two hours, and Stella shuffled behind Beckworth as he led them to their cabin, which, fortunately, wasn’t too far from the galley. She fell face-first onto the bed.

“I think I found the cure for seasickness.”

Beckworth chuckled. “We’ve barely left port, and it will be some time before we leave the river for the sea.”

“Not sure it matters.”

Strong fingers ran over her shoulders, massaging her sore muscles.

She moaned as he worked his way down her back.

He untied her dress, and his warm hands made her skin tingle.

When his lips followed the path of his hands, she snuggled into the covers.

She tried to turn over when he reached her lower back, but her arms refused to work.

One too many sacks of flour. She grunted when he rolled her over and continued his kisses over her belly—her ticklish spot. Her throaty laugh only spurred him on.

He moved off the bed, and she managed to lift her head in time to see him toss his jacket away. She tugged a pillow under her head and continued to watch as he unbuttoned his waistcoat. His gaze was molten.

She glanced behind him. “Did you lock the door?”

“The men will be busy for another couple of hours.” He pulled the shirt over his head and untied his breeches.

She considered her clothing, and though she could muster the energy, decided to let him take the lead. He needed this, and once the mission was underway, they’d have little alone time. Once he was naked, she lifted her arms, and he pulled her up. He kissed her neck before removing her dress.

She ran a hand over his face before pushing her fingers through his hair, pulling strands from his ponytail. “I know I can be difficult, but I love you.”

He kissed her. Nothing quick. It started slow and tender, then it grew bolder as his hand moved between her legs. When he lifted his head, his gaze sparked with humor. “I’m beginning to see the advantages of bringing you along.”

Her sultry laugh turned his merriment back to lust, and he moved down her body inch by erotic inch.

She closed her eyes and gave in to the sensations he drew from her. This was going to be an amazing voyage…then she shrieked when he nipped her.

An hour later, they spooned under the covers. She relished the strength of his arms around her, his chest warm against her back.

He kissed her neck. “It feels like we’ve left the river. The men will be looking for food soon. I heard someone in the galley.”

“I’m not sure I have any muscles left to move.” She had no desire to leave their cocoon.

“I know something that might help.”

The bed shifted as he moved away, and she quietly groaned at the loss of his warmth. She wanted more cuddle time.

The trunk opened and closed. Then he was back, but he hadn’t returned empty-handed.

She turned over and found him sitting up, the covers over his lap. His muscled chest gave her other thoughts.

When he noticed her ogling, he grinned. “None of that. Look what I bought at the mercantile.”

She glanced down. A stack of paper. Her heart swelled. She’d forgotten to pack the papers from her new office at the manor.

She ran her hand over the pages. “For my swans.”

“Of course.” He kissed her nose. “And I dropped off an extra sack of coffee beans in the pantry. I can’t have you drinking all the crew’s coffee.”

She laughed. “Maybe just half of it.” She ran a hand down his chest. “I’m sorry I’m such a bother.”

“I knew what I was getting into. And as I’ve told you many times, I’d have it no other way.” He softly pinched her chin, and his tone turned serious. “But now that the mission has begun, you need to listen to Jamie. He’s in charge, not me.”

“All business. I understand.”

His head tilted to one side, and his eyes moved to the ceiling. “They’re still working the sails.” He picked up the paper and dropped it on the floor. “We should take the opportunity?—”

He never had a chance to finish his words when she tugged him back to bed.