Free Hot Winds From Bombay by Becky Lee Weyrich

their meaning.
    “A puppy?”
    “Yes,” Persia replied. “My Salty. Surely you remember him. I’ve just been thinking how this situation is very similar to that one. However, I don’t intend for the outcome to be the same this time. I won’t allow it!”
    Europa’s eyes narrowed and she shot a quick glance at Zack before she looked back to Persia and smiled. “My, my! Is that a threat, sister?”
    Persia smiled back. “No. A promise!”
    Just then, Asa Whiddington came into the room. “Well, it’s been a trying night, but you all look hail and hearty now. Maybe I should take a spot of that tea. Your mother is finally asleep, worn out by the terror of the evening. But I still feel rather shaky—gray about the gills, so to speak.” He nodded his thanks as he accepted the cup Persia offered him. “Europa, you gave us all quite a scare tonight.”
    “I’ll agree with you there, sir,” Zack added. “Me most of all.”
    “Yet you went in to save her. Commendable, young man, highly commendable. I don’t know how we can ever thank you.”
    “Father, we could invite Mr. Hazzard to Sunday dinner tomorrow,” Persia suggested.
    The captain frowned and glanced toward Europa, who suddenly had a stricken look on her lovely face. He guessed the cause. She had already invited a young attorney, Seton Holloway, to dine with the family. Even the charming Europa could hardly juggle two men at one meal. He smiled, thinking it might add a touch of humor to a long, dull Sunday afternoon.
    Yes, it would be highly entertaining to see two young men vying with each other for his daughter’s favors. He could tell already that Seaman Hazzard was smitten. And, too, perhaps the presence of another suitor at table would prompt the shy barrister to make his long-awaited proposal. After all, Europa wasn’t getting any younger. At eighteen, it was high time she found a husband. And there was Persia to think of, too. Although she was still too young to be seriously considering such a matter, she couldn’t even think of marriage until her older sister was wed.
    “What do you say, Mr. Hazzard?” Asa asked. “It’s the least we can do after what you’ve done for us. I’m sure you’re ready for a home-cooked meal after almost four years of subsisting on salt horse, weevil biscuits, and brackish water to wash it down.”
    Zack broke into a broad smile that brought his heavy beard almost up to his eyes. “I’d be more than happy to break bread with you, Captain Whiddington. It has been some time since I’ve sat down to a real family dinner.”
    “Fine! Then, we’ll look for you around one. By the way, where are you staying?”
    Zack shrugged slightly. “I stowed my gear at Jefferd’s Tavern when I came ashore, sir. I suppose it’s as good a place as any.”
    Persia’s heart took a sudden leap. For a moment she thought her father meant to invite Zack to take their guest room. She envisioned staying up all night before the fire in the parlor, listening to the sailor’s tales of adventure on the high seas.
    But instead, the captain said, “Jefferd’s is first rate. The rooms are clean and the prices reasonable. And it’s only a short walk up Main Street to Tavern Hill. Of course, I could have Fletcher drive you up there.”
    “Thank you just the same, Captain Whiddington. But I’d as soon walk. I’m still trying to get the hang of having my feet on steady ground again.”
    Zack realized that Asa Whiddington was not simply making a polite suggestion, he was also giving a gentle hint that it was time Zack was leaving.
    “Well, Miss Europa, Miss Persia, Captain, I’d better be going now. Thank you for the tea and the invitation for tomorrow.”
    “It’s we who thank you, Mr. Hazzard,” replied the girls’ father.
    “I’ll see you out, Zack.” Even as Persia made the offer, she was aware of Europa’s gaze shooting daggers her way.
    The entrance downstairs lay in guttering half darkness. The gilt-draped bronze nymph