He brought senses and nerves that could be instantly useful … he was obeyed.
Lieutenant St. Clair hesitated. “With respect, Sir Laurence, I fail to see how that matter concerns you.”
“It is not a matter of concern, but curiosity. We are all so fortunate that you happened to be aboard, and happened to observe our mishap.”
“I was aboard to meet with Captain Tourner.”
“Indeed? As we have just heard, Captain Tourner is not here. He must have forgotten your appointment. Did he send a boat for you, to bring you out to the ship? Perhaps we can all use it to return to land, since he is not available to steer the vessel into the harbor.”
“I doubt the ladies will want to hazard another small boat on these waters.”
“Hmm. I suppose you are correct in that.” He glanced toward the door through which Georgiana and Miss Ashford had passed. “So, this meeting that was to have taken place. Is that why you were in his cabin? Were you awaiting his return?”
“His cabin?”
“Yes, Lieutenant. His cabin. The cabin we all saw you dive from. Through the gun port.” He looked pointedly at St. Clair’s shirt. “And in which, I wager, we would find your coat and waistcoat, were we to look. Shall I ask Miss Darcy whether they are in there?”
The baronet’s gaze was direct and unyielding; the officer’s shifted to the cabin entrance.
“Yes, I was waiting for him, and watching out the window for his return.”
“What were you to meet about?”
“Again, sir, I do not see where—”
“Indulge me.”
“I had hoped to persuade him to hire me on as his first mate,” St. Clair said.
“Indeed? How fortuitous! Then you will not mind taking the wheel now and guiding us into the harbor.”
St. Clair regarded the baronet incredulously. “You are suggesting that I take control of a ship without its master’s permission?”
“This is an emergency, Lieutenant. We need to get the ladies to shore, and as you noted, they cannot endure transport on another small boat. Do not worry—I know one of the owners of this vessel. If there is a problem, I will make it right. And if you do well, I will put in a word for you. Consider this an audition for the job.”
Elizabeth thought Sir Laurence was being incredibly presumptuous, both in the authoritative tone he was taking with the man who had just saved all their lives, and in his commandeering of the ship. He was clearly jealous of St. Clair—jealous that the lieutenant had rescued Georgiana from the sea when the baronet could not, jealous that it had been St. Clair who had happened to be standing close enough to catch her just now, and to whom she had cleaved during her emotional collapse. Elizabeth was, however, so wet and weary, that she did not care what motivated the baronet, or what connexions he flaunted, or how pompous he had to become, if it meant they could get off this ship and onto land one minute sooner.
“Very well,” St. Clair said, “but I will need the crew’s cooperation.”
“I will take care of that, too.”
Lieutenant St. Clair assumed command of the wheel, and they raised anchor. Despite the choppy sea, it was a smooth, short, uneventful trip into the harbor. Until they reached the dock.
And a scream came from the captain’s cabin.