Free Sea of Fire by Carol Caldwell

plumpness.
    Still, she stood. “Don’t get comfortable. Say what you have on your mind and leave.”
    “You’re to meet me at Liffey Supply on Essex Quay. Come early. Say nine or ten tomorrow night. I don’t want you tired. You’ll draw the pattern on the dies for a metal-based shilling. What materials will you personally need? And, don’t accidentally forget to mention an item in hopes to delay the inevitable. You’ve never really seen me angry.”
    She sighed. How she hated any part of this. “I’ll need a new shilling—a legal one to compare, and an eyepiece for magnification. Is there anything special you use?”
    “Aye. I’ll bring the tools and whatever else you’ll need. How long do you think it will take you?”
    “I can’t say until I start. The area I must work on is small compared to the space I usually have. The pattern will be life-size and a shilling is not so large.”
    “I have all confidence in you, Elizabeth.”
    Fear suddenly rose in her chest. If her best was not good enough then would Roderick do her father harm. “What if I can’t draw the coin as well as you hoped?”
    “You’ll make a pattern better than I hoped for. You’ve worked with the more intricate lettering. This is no different. You’re far more skilled than Charlotte. She’s shown me your work.”
    Elizabeth wasn’t thrilled by the compliment and needed this conversation to end. “If there is nothing else—leave.”
    “All right.” He stood and replaced his hat on his fair-haired head. “Perhaps, you’ll be in a better mood tomorrow eve. He waved his silly wave, left the parlor, and exited outside.
    She started for the stairs up to her bedchamber. “Hannah,” she called and waited at the foot of the steps. She rested one hand on the rail. “Hannah?”
    “Coming, Bethy,” Hannah answered. She entered from the doorway that led to the kitchen.
    “Mr. Godfrey is gone. I’m going to continue with my invitations. If anyone else calls, please send them away.”
    * * * *
    An entire day and a half had passed. Christian, from his carriage parked a short distance down on Henrietta Street, had watched Roderick Godfrey leave Elizabeth’s town house. Once again, he wondered what the two had planned. The eve before, he had followed Elizabeth’s every move from the time she left her town house until her carriage dropped her off in front of Roderick Godfrey’s silversmith shop. What surprised him was that she hadn’t gone inside but had traveled a short distance away to White’s Inn. Mysterious, to say the least. It was only sheer luck that he discovered her dressed as a friar. He had been seated in a position where Elizabeth could not see him, yet when she passed, he’d see her. When the friar passed, the smell of lavender assailed him. It was then it occurred to him the man was Elizabeth—either that or one odd fellow.
    Fortunately, he managed to hail a noddy as quickly as she had and trailed her to the harbor where she boarded a ship and disappeared below deck. These were strange activities for a young lady. All the more, he believed her involved in some illegal affair that centered around Adam. He truly wanted to confront her, but decided to wait until after her next escapade where he hoped to obtain more concrete information.
    He shifted uncomfortably in the carriage before he glanced at his pocket watch. It was half past eight. Still, no Elizabeth appeared on her doorstep. Neither had her governess, Hannah, in the entire day and a half he watched their home. This was too bloody long. He was tired from lack of sleep and annoyed at the cramped quarters of the carriage. Despite a lap rug, it was too damn cold. At least one matter was in his favor. Thus far, no one had asked why he had been parked so long. Elizabeth as well as her neighbors apparently were too involved in other matters.
    He sighed. The only time he had left the carriage was to relieve himself. His driver brought him food and drink on command.