Lilah rode as she had never ridden before in her life. Speed was of the essence, she knew, because her absence would be discovered before the day was very old. Jane usually escorted Betsy in with her breakfast around nine. By that time she had to have found the ship-what was its name? the Lady something, Jasmine, that was it-and the man named Scanlon. She had to tell him her story, and where to find Joss, and hope that he could help them.
It was perhaps an hour before dawn when she crested the hill where she and Joss had rested their horses some two weeks before. This time she didn't even pause, didn't even look at the beautiful panorama of sleeping town and undulating ocean glittering beneath the stars. She rode at a full gallop to the very edge of town, and then only slowed her pace because she feared attracting too much attention. Even at this hour, the wharves were awake. Small fishing boats were putting out to sea, cargo was being loaded on ships set to sail with the tide. Lanterns lit the worn wooden docks, gleamed off the skin of men laboring to roll barrels up long gangplanks. Bits and pieces of sea chanties, sung as the men labored, spiced the cool salt wind that blew in off the sea.
Candida trotted along the edge of the wharf while Lilah strained to read the names of the tall ships that bobbed gently at anchor alongside. During the wild ride the pain in her abdomen had returned. Resolutely she ignored it.
The Lady Jasmine did not appear to be among those tied to the wharf. Ah, there she was at last! She was the second to last ship, anchored just beyond the spot where two Bajans argued spiritedly over the price to be paid for a barrel of "kill-devil," as the local rum was called.
Sighing with relief, Lilah slid from the saddle, and tied Candida to a post with the fervent hope that she would not be stolen by any of the disreputable-looking persons who took advantage of the dark hours to roam the quay. Then she hurried across the wharf, skirting the increasingly acrimonious quarrel, to the Lady Jasmine's gangplank. It was blocked by two barrels rolled across it for just that purpose. A guard had been posted, but sat on the gangplank, leaning against the barrels, sound asleep. Much good he did…
Ignoring a sudden sharp cramp in her belly, she edged around the guard and the barrels, hurrying up the gangplank. Another pain struck her at the top, causing her to clench her teeth.
"Who goes there?" The brusque hail came just as the pain subsided. The Lady Jasmine was totally in shadow and Lilah had to strain to see who was addressing her. She gulped down nervousness and stepped onto the deck.
"I… I've urgent business with a Mr. Scanlon. It concerns Joss San Pietro."
"Indeed?" There was a scraping sound. A light flared, was touched to the wick of a lantern, caught and spread. The lantern was lifted so that the light shone on her face. The man holding it remained veiled in darkness. "And who are you?"
"Does it matter?" Lilah was both anxious and frightened. "I have to see Mr. Scanlon. It's quite urgent, I assure you."
"I'm Scanlon," said the figure, and as he lifted the lantern higher Lilah saw the glow of butter-yellow hair. "How can I help you?"
"Joss-Joss is in gaol, at St. Anne's Fort. My-my father had him arrested for horse thieving. He's in love with me, you see, and… Ah! Oh!
"What's wrong?" Mr. Scanlon said sharply as Lilah doubled over, clutching her stomach. "Are you ill?"
"I think I'm losing my baby," Lilah gasped, and felt a warm rush between her legs even as she crumpled senseless to the deck.