Free Ransome's Crossing by Kaye Dacus Page B

risk of death. But there are also lessons to be learned about duty, loyalty, and honor that cannot be taught in a schoolroom or even on a plantation. My forebears have been sailors as far back as we have family records. I want my sons to follow in my family’s tradition.”
    Julia’s frown increased.
    “We do not need to decide the question tonight.” He smiled at her. “But in a year or so, when you give me my first son, we shall have this conversation again.”
    Her lips twisted up at the corners, and her brows raised. “Your first son? How many do you intend me to give you?”
    “Oh, a full compliment of lieutenants for a seventy-four, at least.”
    “Six?”
    “Aye. And then perhaps a daughter. After all, Collin and Susan’s son will have need of a wife.”
    “If their child is a son.”
    William knew his friend well. After twelve years of marriage and disappointment after disappointment, Collin claimed that he cared not whether the child Susan now carried was a son or daughter. But all Collin could talk about were the things he wanted to do with his son when he arrived. “Collin will have a son.”
    Julia shook her head and started down the stairs again, pulling William with her. He had no desire to return to the gathering below, but he did so to please Julia. His wife. His beloved. The mother of the sons of whom, until now, he’d never allowed himself to dream.
    She paused once more before leaving the stillness of the unused wing of the house. “What think you of Charlotte’s accompanying us to Jamaica as my companion?”
    Charlotte—a lovely, unmarried seventeen-year-old—aboard a ship crewed by seven hundred sailors and marines for two months? He pressed his lips together while he conjured up an appropriate response. “I shall speak with my mother if you like, but I believe it would be better for my sister to remain in England. You yourself commented on the advantageous opportunity presented to her by the Fairfaxes’ invitation.”
    Julia nodded. “Yes, you are correct. I am being selfish, wanting her with me so I can get to know her better.” With a sigh she said, “We had best return before someone comes looking for us.”
    William could not resist the advantageous opportunity now presented to him by the privacy of their surroundings. He bent and kissedher once more, appalled at the memory of the men’s unguarded reactions—the stares, the murmuring, the neglect of their duties whenever she was in sight—to Charlotte’s brief visit to Alexandra yesterday and at the same time pleased by Julia’s desire to know his sister better.
    Upon reentering the ballroom, William looked around for Charlotte. When he did not see his sister amongst the dancers, his concern rose. If Fairfax, or one of the other men who’d swarmed around her all evening, had invited her for a stroll in the garden…He glanced down at Julia beside him and almost smiled. He knew all too well the kinds of conversations that took place in gardens during balls.
    Ned Cochrane appeared out of a knot of officers gathered near the card room. Julia excused herself and crossed the room to join her mother-in-law, Collin, and Susan.
    “Have you seen my sister recently?” William asked his first officer without preamble.
    “No, sir. Not since Miss Fairfax took her away after our dance. She said something about refreshments, sir.”
    The knot in William’s chest eased. He was correct to have trusted Ned to keep an eye on Charlotte in his absence.
    “Sir, as it is near midnight, the boys and I were preparing to take our leave.”
    William snapped his gaze to the large clock in the corner. “I had no idea the hour had grown so late.” He shifted his gaze to Julia and sighed. He could not leave now, and the harbor lay at least half an hour’s carriage ride from Brampton Park. “The ship is yours for one more night, Lieutenant.”
    Ned’s gaze also slid to Julia, and he grinned when he looked back at William. “Aye, aye,