Among Wolves. Nancy Wallace K.

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ now. Did you pack me a change of clothes or will I have to spend the next year in these ratty things?”

      Devin dragged Gaspard’s knapsack up onto the bunk. “I packed very light. We’re going to be doing a lot of walking. If there’s anything you need that I left out, I’ll replace it when we get to port.”

      Gaspard sat for a moment, his hand on his knapsack. “There’s one other issue…”

      Devin twisted to look at him. “What?”

      Gaspard turned out his pockets. “I’m penniless. I spent the last of my money at Antoine’s.”

      Devin shook his head. “That’s not a problem. You had no time to pack.”

      “You did kidnap me,” Gaspard pointed out.

      “I did,” Devin agreed. “To be frank, I couldn’t quite face going without you.”

      Gaspard snickered. “You didn’t think Marcus would show you a good time?”

      Devin laughed. “Absolutely not! Believe me, when I say that I never expected to have a bodyguard assigned to me.”

      Gaspard’s face sobered. “Marcus may be an asset. My father’s a dangerous man, Dev. He is furious with me but now he will be angry at you, too.”

      “He was already angry at me. My father said he was one of the Council members who objected to this trip. We’re on our way. Let’s put that behind us. And as far as money is concerned, this is my trip and I’ll take care of the expenses.”

      Devin was also on the Council’s payroll now, but something kept him from sharing the information. Now wasn’t the time or the place.

      Gaspard’s smile was pensive. “Thank you,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’ve always thought I should be the responsible one. I’m three years older than you. I should be like your big brother; instead, you are always bailing me out.”

      Devin laughed. “I have far too many big brothers! I’m much happier to be traveling with a friend. I’ll go find Marcus while you change. We’ll meet you in the dining room.”

      Devin passed no one in the passageway. Down the hall he could hear the clink of glasses and silverware and the low murmur of voices. Henri LeBeau laughed louder and longer than necessary and Devin cringed as he went up the staircase.

      He braced himself as he crossed the deck. Lowering purple clouds filtered the sun’s rays, sending bright shafts of light to illuminate the water. Feathered fringes glowed gold and orange in a glorious display, unencumbered by the clutter of land, trees, or buildings. Their appetites and the rising wind had apparently discouraged any other passengers from admiring the view. Only Marcus stood on the forecastle, his arms resting on the rail. Clutching his jacket around him, Devin stopped beside him.

      “It’s quite a bit colder but that sunset is spectacular,” he commented. “What did Captain Torrance say?”

      Marcus turned to face him, the wind blowing his hair into his craggy face. He swiped at it with a massive hand.

      “The soldier is the only one who booked passage just before we left. His name is Bertrand St. Clair and he is stationed in Coreé, a member of the Militaire de l’Intérieur.”

      Devin raised an eyebrow. “Does that qualify him as a thief?”

      “Not ordinarily,” Marcus replied. “But his haste to come aboard makes him suspect.”

      “Perhaps René Forneaux sent him.”

      “Perhaps, but I imagine Monsieur Forneaux didn’t know for certain where Gaspard was until your father told him this morning. I think St. Clair’s plans were made earlier. He pretends to be on leave but he doesn’t act like a man on a holiday.”

      “I think it’s possible that René Forneaux may have had Gaspard followed,” Devin said, and then filled him in on what Gaspard had told him.

      Marcus sighed. “You’ve left your father with a pretty mess to sort out.”

      “I’m sorry about that,” Devin said. “But there is nothing I can do about it now. I’ll write him a letter tonight and send it back on the first ship. Surely he knows I wouldn’t have brought Gaspard if I’d known he was forbidden to go?”

      “Oh, he’ll realize it once he’s calmed down but I doubt he’ll be very happy with either of us. I wish I hadn’t encouraged you to bring Gaspard along,” Marcus admitted. “The best thing would be for him to go back and face his father.”

      “He won’t go,” Devin assured him. “If I book him passage on another vessel, he’ll simply disappear. There’s nothing we can do now but proceed as we had planned.” They stood a moment at the rail in silence. “Did you tell the Captain that I’d had something stolen from my cabin?”

      Marcus shook his head. “I decided not to. He would have said it was your own fault for leaving it unlocked. Besides, there might be some advantage to letting the thief think you haven’t missed it yet.”

      “I still think he should know,” Devin protested. “His other passengers may be at risk too.”

      Marcus bowed his head, acquiescing. “Then feel free to tell him, monsieur. You’ve heard my advice on the matter.” He crossed the deck and disappeared down the stairway.

      Devin watched him go. Marcus had made it clear that Devin was in charge but he felt out of his depth. He was facing issues he had never expected to deal with. And now, the missing itinerary seemed less important in light of their other problems. Had he and Gaspard come alone, would he have sacrificed this trip to persuade him to go home? Should he tell the Captain that his itinerary had been stolen or keep the information to himself? He lingered for one more look at the smoldering sunset and followed Marcus below deck.

       CHAPTER 5

       Rough Seas

      The dining room was far more elegant than Devin would have imagined for a ship the size of the Marie Lisette. Paneled in dark wood and trimmed in gleaming brass, the room could have seated forty. But only one table had been lit with burnished oil lamps and set for the inopportune number of thirteen.

      “Ah,” Devin murmured, coming up behind Marcus and Gaspard, “which of us makes it unlucky thirteen?”

      “You, I would think,” Gaspard commented mercilessly. “You arrived last and have kept everyone else waiting.”

      The Captain turned to grace Devin with a smile. “At last, our honored guest has arrived. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present our Chancellor Elite’s youngest son, Devin Roché.”

      Devin saw at once that he had dressed too informally. The rest of the company had donned evening attire for dinner. Only he, Marcus, and Gaspard stood clad in casual traveling clothes. Oh well, it couldn’t be helped. He gave a slight bow.

      “Good evening. I’m sorry СКАЧАТЬ