Free Sea of Fire by Carol Caldwell Page A

Damn, he thought. Elizabeth couldn’t stay holed up in her town house forever—especially after Roderick’s visit. Surely, she’d be on the move again, and soon.
    His eyelids were heavy and wanted to close so badly, but if he allowed it, he knew he’d sleep through the night right there in the carriage parked in the street, and Elizabeth would slip by him. He could have asked his driver to wake him, but nay, this was too important. Somehow he knew when she ventured outdoors again, it would be another even bigger clue into the mystery behind his brother’s disappearance. He had to stay awake for his brother’s sake.
    He opened the carriage door and stepped out into the mist and cold night air. Perhaps, the effect would wake him. He thought of his mother. She had asked him to send word that all was well with Adam when he arrived in Dublin. He had yet to find a way to tell her Adam was indeed in trouble, but she shouldn’t worry. Right. Just the encouragement a mother wanted to hear. Instead, he opted to say naught, and hoped he’d find Adam soon, so he could write to relieve his mother’s fears. She’d forgive him for the delay in sending the message and all would be right with the world. If only it were so simple.
    He glanced at Elizabeth’s door for the hundredth time and as if by merely doing so by itself, it opened. He scrambled back inside the carriage.
    Elizabeth appeared, and this time, instead of taking a carriage with her own personal driver, she started to walk down the street.
    Christian stuck his head out the window of his carriage. “Follow the lady, but a safe distance behind,” he ordered his driver. At times like this he was thankful to have such loyal servants. Not only would they not question his activities, but they would know he had good reason for his unusual behavior.
    He was not surprised when Elizabeth led them to White’s Inn once more. As before, she had changed into her friar garb and proceeded in the direction of the harbor. This time she stopped at Essex Quay not far from Dublin Castle and entered a structure with a sign posted out front which read, Liffey Supply.
    Once she entered the structure, he exited the carriage and ordered his driver to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
    Gingerly, he opened the door to the building. It creaked, and he held his breath. Unnoticed, he continued until he slipped completely inside. The passageway before him was dimly lit, with several doors lined up on either side ahead of him. In the distance, he saw stairs that led to offices or perhaps a workshop on the floor above.
    He listened for a moment. When he heard nothing, he advanced up the stairs to the second level. Cautiously, he poked his head around the landing into the passageway. It was too quiet. Still, he tiptoed to the first door and the next along the way. His heartbeat quickened. He froze in place. He must go carefully and quietly seek the evidence needed against this woman.
    He envisioned Elizabeth’s pretty face, sparkling blue eyes and auburn hair. He recalled the taste of her mouth. Damnation! She had mesmerized Adam, but she would not enchant him. Beauty or nay, he’d not let it happen. She had gotten Adam involved in something illicit. He felt it in his gut. By God, she’d pay.
    “Must you stand over me so closely?”
    Christian’s senses were on the alert. That was Elizabeth’s voice. He put his ear to the door nearest to him.
    “Forgive me. I’m just so excited. You’re doing wonderfully. This will be the best pattern for a shilling we’ve ever had. You’ve such a talent,” the voice stated and giggled as if he’d told a funny joke.
    That was Roderick’s voice. Christian had heard enough to know that Elizabeth was drawing the pattern to counterfeit a shilling.
    “Tell me, Elizabeth. Why did you wear the silly friar garb to come here?” Roderick asked, “ ‘Tis only you and I.”
    ‘Tis late, Roderick, and a woman is not safe un-chaperoned on the streets,