Free A Kiss of Lies by Bronwen Evans Page A

There was no way they would have discovered that she’d come north to Canada. Zachary had covered her tracks well. Who would have guessed that the wife of a plantation owner would use the Underground Railroad and escape with runaway slaves? The only difference between her and the runaways was that even though she’d made it to Canada, she was still not free.
    Nor would she ever be free.
    Sarah’s panic grew and she stepped backward, determined to go below. However, she slammed up against a wall of solid muscle. Strong arms reached out to steady her.
    “Are you all right, Mrs. Cooper?” Christian did not release her, and for a moment she grew dizzy from the heat and feel of his hands. She looked up at his face, but it was in the shadow of the upper cabin.
    She pushed herself out of his hold and stepped back against the railing, her face hidden from those on the dock. “I’m fine, my lord. I was heading below deck to unpack. I’d like to get both my cabin and Lily’s sorted out before we reach the open ocean.” She nodded toward Lily. “Just in case.”
    “In case what?” piped up Lily.
    Christian caught on immediately. In case Lily got seasick. He winked at Sarah and held out his hand to Lily. “Let me escort you around the ship while Mrs. Cooper unpacks. I’ll show you where it is safe to play and the areas that are out of bounds.”
    Feeling as if all the eyes on the dock were upon her, Sarah slipped down the hatchway and into the shady bowels of the ship. For once darkness was her friend.
    “Was it her?”
    The tall, bearded man known throughout the Lake Erie territory as “Find Them Jack” was one of the best slave trackers alive. He slowly turned his eyes away from the deck of thedeparting
Doreen
and focused on the man behind him.
    “I didn’t get a good look, but my instincts tell me it’s her.”
    The other man cursed and swung away from the sight of the
Doreen
sailing up the river. “I have to be sure.”
    Jack shrugged and spat. “I’m sure she’s on that schooner. She’s gone. The
Doreen
’s bound for England.”
    The other man’s arm shot out to stop him from leaving. “How do I know you’re not lying? I’ve been tasked with bringing her back alive. What if she’s actually still in York?”
    “She’s not. But you’re welcome to stay and look.” Jack stared hard at the man’s hand until he removed it from Jack’s arm. “Anyway, it’s not my problem anymore. My job was to find her in York. I’ve done that. My contract is complete.”
    “A little late, though. I’m sure my boss will be none too pleased.”
    Jack was a big man. Stretching to his full impressive height and flexing his wide shoulders, he uttered, in a tone that would scare the bravest of men, “If your boss has a problem with my services, tell him to come and see me.” Then he spun on his heel and walked away, calling over his shoulder, “You’d best check with the harbormaster as to what route they plan to take. The
Doreen
’s a cargo ship. They’ll likely be stopping along the way.”
    The other man was pleased at how quickly Jack had found the woman. He’d made the right decision to employ Jack.
    His anticipatory smile deepened upon hearing the ship would likely stop en route to England. He desperately wanted to catch her. Perhaps he hadn’t lost her yet. The monetary reward for her capture was immense.
    With blood racing and heart pounding, he swung around and headed toward the harbormaster’s office. At the entrance, he turned and watched the
Doreen
disappear around the bend in the river before ambling in through the open door and speaking to the nearest clerk. “I’m wondering if you can help me. I’ve just missed the
Doreen
’s sailing and I wanted to pass the captain a message.” He gave a polite smile. “What’s the
Doreen
’s next destination?”
    The young clerk chuckled. “Then your message will get to the ship when she docks at Plymouth. The
Doreen
’s sailing directly to England.