Free A Leap of Faith (The Hands of Time: Book 2) by Irina Shapiro

isn’t he?  A fine figure, indeed.”  Mrs. Collins was eyeing the reverend as he emerged onto the deck from below.  Louisa supposed that if the man remained silent for more than ten minutes, he could be labeled as attractive.  With his shoulder-length dark hair, peppered with gray, and storm-colored eyes, he could be appealing to some.  The reverend obviously took care to stay in shape, his tall form lean and graceful as he made his way toward the ladies.
    “He is, Mrs. Collins, and what a fine husband he would make for your daughter, ” Louisa agreed, smiling blandly. 
    “Oh, you’ve read my mind, my dear.  How perceptive you are.   My Anne would be most honored by a proposal from a man like the dear reverend.  If only she would be more … what’s the word I am looking for … coy, encourage him a bit.  Might you have a word with her, Mistress Jamison, and sing the praises of the reverend?”
    “I will do everything in my power,” Louisa nodded.   The reverend had become even more persistent, and she had to do something to discourage him without making an enemy of him.  Anne Collins would actually be the perfect bride for him; shy and compliant.  Louisa got a sudden image of the reverend performing his husbandly duties.  The man probably wouldn’t even take off his nightshirt, just lift it enough to do the deed.  Her eyes fell on Mr. Sheridan, standing on the bridge.  She suddenly wondered if he was married, and how he performed his husbandly duties. 
    Louisa turned away in embarrassment.  What was she thinking?  This wasn’t the “Love Boat”, for God’s sake.  She was on a mission to find her sister, not snag a seventeenth century husband.  She was distracted from her thoughts by the appearance of Anne Collins.  The girl came up on deck, her eyes firmly glued to the scrubbed planks under her feet.  Anne would be a pretty girl if she wore something other than beige and gray, and didn’t scrape her hair into that severe bun.  Reverend Blackley didn’t even turn his head as Anne came up; concentrating all his attention on Louisa instead.
    “ Mistress Jamison, might I interest you in a stroll?” the reverend asked, offering Louisa his arm. 
    “Thank you, Reverend.  I ’m a little tired tonight, but I think Miss Collins just came up for that very purpose, haven’t you, Miss Collins?  Would you be so kind as to keep Reverend Blackley company?”  The poor girl blushed crimson, but nodded politely. 
    “I would be delighted, Reverend ,” she murmured, and took the reverend’s arm.
    “Well done, Mistress Jamison,” a voice behind her said.  “Well done, indeed.”  Louisa turned around to find Mr. Sheridan standing behind her, studying her with his head cocked to the side.  A smile played about his lips, lighting up those bottomless eyes.  “Are you enjoying the books I lent you?”
    “I am.  Thank you so much.  I ’m almost done with the second book of poetry.  You mentioned that you have “Macbeth.”
    “Yes.  I have several plays.  Should I get them for you now?”  He made no move to leave, but Louisa just shook her head.
    “Tomorrow will be just fine.  I wanted to stay up here a little bit longer.  It’s such a beautiful evening.  I’ve never seen so many stars.”
    “You have an even more spectacular view from the bridge.  Would you like to see it?”  Louisa was surprised.  No one was allowed on the bridge unless specifically invited by the captain, and their previous meeting on the bridge a few nights ago hadn’t been mentioned.  It was their secret.  “My next shift starts at 10 p.m.  If you would join me on the bridge, I can show you how to steer the ship.  Would you like that?”
    “Yes.  I would.  See you then, Mr. Sheridan.”  Louisa went down to the cabin.  She felt suddenly flustered and she wondered why.  She had flirted with plenty of men in her life, but this felt different somehow.  These men were different.  They