Free Enchantress by Constance O'Banyon Page A

blue as the skies. Can that be?”
    “Shh. I am trying to hear what is being said,” Brittany scolded her maid. “They are speaking English,” she said in amazement.
    “Pity I do not understand the English,” Ikaia said wistfully. “I would know what this handsome man wants with Lord Simijin.”
    Brittany looked at the dark-haired man. She wasn’t certain, but she thought he might be American because of the way he spoke English. Her interest intensified since she knew her own father had been American. All the men Brittany had seen, besides Simijin and the eunuchs, had been viewed at a distance, so she was not one to judge if the man was handsome; but yes, she would certainly call this man interesting.
    She heard Simijin’s voice drift up to her.
    “Thank you for coming, Captain Stoddard. I am sure you question my motives for asking you here today.”
    “I admit I am curious.”
    “I have a great favor to ask of you, and even though you will be well paid, I want to impress upon you the gravity of my request.”
    Thorn nodded. “I am listening.”
    “I did not just pick you at random, Captain Stoddard. I made inquiries about you, and I found that you are highly esteemed by other captains. I have been told that you are honorable and trustworthy.”
    Thorn smiled. “I would say that would depend on who you ask. And I believe I should point out to you that my cargo hold is full now. If you have goods you wish to ship, you will have to wait until my next voyage.”
    Brittany knew Simijin well enough to realize there was a tenseness about him. “You do not understand what I want of you, Captain Stoddard. But before I speak, can I count on your discretion?”
    Thorn could hardly conceal his bafflement. “Yes, of course you may.”
    Simijin lowered his voice, so Brittany could barely hear what he was saying. “The cargo that I wish you to transport, is…one of the women from my…harem. Will you agree to take her on board the Victorious and transport her to England?”
    Thorn shook his head. So the important matter Lord Simijin had wanted to discuss concerned a woman from his harem, Thorn thought in disgust. “My destination is America, Lord Simijin,” he snapped. “You will have to find another ship to transport your lady to England. I happen to know that there are three ships in harbor at this time that are headed for that destination.”
    “That is so, Captain. But the English ships will not be sailing for at least a fortnight. Out of desperation, I was forced to seek you out. If money will change your mind, I am willing to pay whatever you ask.”
    From her vantage point, Brittany was mystified as to which lady from Simijin’s harem he would be sending to England. With heightened interest, she listened to the American captain as he spoke.
    “ If my destination were England, and if I took passengers on board, Lord Simijin, your lady would pay the same passage as anyone else—for I have never yet taken advantage of any man. But as I said, my destination is America, and that will not change. Even if you wanted to send your lady to America, I would have to refuse, for the Victorious is not equipped to accommodate a woman passenger.”
    Simijin looked into steely blue eyes and knew this man could not be bought for any price. “Very well, Captain Stoddard, I see that I cannot change your mind. But I am grateful to you for coming all the same.”
    Brittany’s eyes followed the tall American as he moved across the room. She thought it would be wonderful if she could talk to him about the land of her father. After the captain had disappeared, she watched Simijin nervously pacing, and she was more certain than ever that he was distressed about something. She was still mystified as to which woman from the harem he wanted to send to England. She would ask her mother if she knew anything about the strange incident.
    She turned to her maid. “Let us leave, Ikaia. I do not believe we should disturb Lord Simijin at