Page 25 of The Swan Syndicate #1

Stella stood back and scanned the galley as she wiped her hands on a towel. The breakfast dishes were done, the pantry restocked, and she’d left the makings for lunch and dinner on the counter for when Cook was ready.

Beckworth was supposed to take her shopping while in port. Instead, he’d gone off with Fitz for morning sleuthing while most of the sailors on other ships were sleeping off their night in the pubs or caring for ship tasks.

“If you continue to keep the galley spotless, I’m going to think of ways to permanently keep you aboard.”

Stella turned and smiled at Jamie. “I believe we’ve had this discussion before. You know I’m only good if you stay close to shore.”

He frowned. “Have you been getting seasick?”

“No. But I’m not sure I want to chance a trip to Ireland. I understand the sea between here and there can get stormy.”

“Aye. It has its moments.”

“Beckworth was going to take me shopping so I could get more herbs. Do you know how long he’ll be gone?”

“If he was on his own, maybe a couple of hours, but with Fitz along? It depends on what piques their interest. It could be a good portion of the day.”

“You mentioned at breakfast that this was a safe port. Safe enough for me to take a stroll?”

“Yes, but I’m not willing to face Beckworth’s wrath if he knew I let you go alone. Lando has spare time, and there are few items he could pick up for the ship.”

She sighed. As much as she enjoyed her time in this century, her inability to go anywhere without someone trailing behind her grated. She had her dagger and her pistol, but apparently, they weren’t enough, even in broad daylight.

She put on her best smile. “That would be lovely.”

Jamie had watched her wrestle with his offer, and though his lips might have twitched, he nodded. “Lando’s finishing up a repair. I’ll let him know you’ll be up when you’re ready.” He turned, but before he reached the stairs, she called out.

“Thank you, Jamie.”

He looked back, and this time he did smile. “Try to stay out of trouble.”

She winked, and he climbed the stairs, his chuckle floating back down to her.

She took her time, finally settling on one of the day dresses she’d brought from Waverly. Not too fancy, but a step or two up from the dresses she’d worn for the evening pub crawls. It should prevent most of the sailors from pestering her.

Eleanor had created larger pockets for the dress so she could carry her dagger in one and her pistol in the other. The pistol was heavy, and she considered leaving it behind since Lando would be with her, but she needed to get used to carrying it.

While she brushed out her hair and worked on pinning it up, she considered changing into her pants and shirt. Then she could carry her pistol in a holster under her jacket. Would she be safer dressed like that in port?

She decided to stay with the dress and would ask Lando once they were in town.

He had a different way of looking at things, and he never sugar-coated his answers.

Not that Beckworth or Jamie would lie, but they sometimes modified their answers in such a way that made the other person believe they were getting the answer they wanted to hear.

She wasn’t fooled, and she grinned as she turned, trying to get a better look in the small mirror.

The men usually thought they won a verbal discussion with a woman, but they rarely did. It was fun to watch them try, though.

Lando waited at the gangplank, leaning against the railing and watching the people mill about the docks. He had a good view of a few pubs and two inns.

“Notice anyone suspicious?” She stepped next to him and took in the scene. They had arrived after dark the night before and this was the first time she’d seen the port during the day. This town was larger than the last one.

“Everyone.”

She laughed. “That makes finding our targets more difficult.”

“That’s why it’s better to listen rather than look.”

“Wise words.”

He leaned over. “Say that again when Fitz is around. He has a hard time remembering I’m smarter than him.”

She chuckled again. “Have I kept you waiting long after pulling you away from your tasks?”

“No. The men know what they’re doing and don’t need me looking over their shoulders for minor repairs.

Besides, there’s no better way to view a port than aboard a ship.

” He stepped back and studied her. “I think for this walk around town, I’ll act as your bodyguard.

I’ll stick close until you feel safe, then I’ll stay a few steps behind. ”

She took his arm. “I would love a stroll with you by my side. I’ll let you know when I need my space.”

He snorted. “Beckworth must have his hands full with you.”

“Be careful what you say. Before you know it, you’ll have your own hands busy with a lovely lass.”

Lando was true to his word, and they walked along the dockside merchants then strolled several blocks with more shops and fewer pubs. After an hour of viewing the various stores, he stopped in front of the apothecary.

“I need to see the blacksmith. I shouldn’t be long. If you finish before me, you can walk around the mercantile next door.”

After watching him cross the street, she glanced around and not seeing anything suspicious, stepped inside the store.

She restocked her seasickness herbs, added something for headaches, then handed the list of first aid supplies Michelson had given her to the clerk.

While she waited, she added a bag of dried lavender for their cabin.

Lando wasn’t waiting for her outside, nor did she see him at the blacksmith. He must have gone inside. So, she turned for the mercantile. She didn’t have anything else to buy, but it wouldn’t hurt to take a walk-through. Maybe she could find something special for Beckworth.

Without thinking she turned right instead of left, shook her head at her mistake, then stopped when she looked through the shop window.

It was a tobacco and cigar shop, but sitting on a side table was the most beautiful travel-sized chess set.

She clutched her coin purse. Michelson had given her money for the first aid supplies, and Beckworth had left her money for the herbs but had given her extra in case she saw anything else she might want.

And, of course, being the independent woman she was, had also brought her own coins.

For a reason he wouldn’t explain, Barrington had saved a small portion of the coins from Gemini’s treasure chest. When Gemini had been killed during her hostile takeover of Waverly, Stella had made Barrington hide the miniature trunk so the magistrate wouldn’t get his hands on it.

The money was to be used to repair damages to the estate that had occurred during the swift battle to wrestle back the manor, provide bonuses to the staff, and then give the rest to charities.

Why Barrington had thought to save coins for her was a mystery. Yet, he must have expected her to return one day, and the thought still made her tear up.

She entered the shop and, after a short negotiation, took possession of the wrapped chess set with a huge smile. She’d taken a few steps out the door when she stopped. Maybe she should have bought Fitz some pipe tobacco.

She glanced across the street for Lando while turning to go back inside when she heard an “oomph” and felt a foot beneath hers. Her hand flew to her mouth, unsure whether to apologize or laugh. Then her gaze locked with warm amber eyes.

“Oh, god, I’m so sorry.” She blinked, and when she noticed the man’s hand on her elbow, she stepped back until he released her. He was a good-looking man in a roguish way, similar to Finn.

He gave her a long perusal, his grin wicked. “I seriously doubt God had anything to do with it.” He had an accent similar to Finn and Jamie’s, but not exactly.

For some reason, she thought Scot but had no idea why and shook it off.

She returned his grin. “I suppose not, but it was worth blaming it on someone else.”

He laughed out loud, his head thrown back as if he hadn’t heard anything so funny in days. She knew she had a humorous side but rarely said anything that funny. But this was a different era.

“You are a bold one.”

Oh, boy. She had to remember to be more demure around strangers. She shrugged. “My mother always thought I was a bit odd.”

He studied her. “You’re not English.”

“Neither are you.”

He chuckled again. “True enough.”

Suddenly, Lando was at her side. “Lady Swan, is everything alright here?”

Stella, more surprised by Lando’s greeting than his popping out of thin air, juggled her packages while the man studied Lando.

She thought she’d caught the errant packages, but when she felt the chess set slipping, she dropped the bag of herbs rather than take a chance on breaking the chessboard or any of its pieces.

Lando, quicker than the other man, bent over to pick up the package. Before he stood, a paper swan dropped to the ground. Stella caught the drop but couldn’t remember giving Lando a swan. The man’s eyes snapped to the swan but didn’t say anything while Lando hurriedly stuffed it in his pocket.

She placed a hand on Lando’s arm when he attempted to move her along. “It’s alright. I’m afraid it was all my fault. I got turned around and ran into this nice gentleman.” She turned to her new friend. “I’m sorry. My bodyguard tends to be rather overprotective.”

“As he should be for such a beautiful woman.” The man bowed his head to Lando. “These ports aren’t safe for a woman on her own.”

“We must go, my lady. The ship will be leaving soon.” Lando extended an arm, which Stella took.

“You’re traveling?” the man asked as he walked on the other side of her as Lando led them toward the docks.