Come Looking For Me by Cheryl Cooper Read Free Book Online Page A

glance, and stared at the bandages on her hands.
    â€œI would appreciate your answer before sunrise.”
    â€œSir … please … I do not want … I do not wish to speak of that morning.”
    â€œVery well, then,” James said unhappily. “Was there anyone else, besides yourself, taken prisoner?”
    Emily’s lips quivered, her eyes still on her hands.
    James inhaled in exasperation.
    â€œMay I, sir?” asked Fly. James settled back on his stool and gave Fly his assent with a wave of his hand. Quietly, Fly tried a different tack. “I assume it was Trevelyan who attacked your ship, Emily.”
    She nodded.
    â€œWhat kind of ship were you on?”
    â€œI’m not certain.”
    â€œA large ship-of-the-line? A frigate? A merchant vessel, perhaps?”
    â€œI am guessing … it was most likely a merchant ship, Mr. Austen.”
    â€œBound for … ?”
    Emily looked up suddenly, and tossed her head, as if trying to recapture her previous confidence. “Upper Canada.”
    â€œWhat was this merchantman carrying?”
    â€œBesides human beings? I do not know.”
    â€œGuns … soldiers … food supplies?”
    Emily shrugged helplessly.
    â€œWith whom were you travelling?”
    â€œCompanions.”
    â€œCompanions? And did your companions have names?”
    â€œDoes it really matter, Mr. Austen?” challenged Emily. “Surely their names are of no consequence to you.”
    Angered, James rose from his stool. “That is for me to decide.” He studied her a moment. “Was this merchantman of yours conducting some sort of reconnaissance mission?”
    â€œHow would I know?” Emily snapped, adding with sarcasm, “Perhaps her hold was crammed with crates of gold.”
    James’s voice rose in response to her impertinence. “There must have been some reason why Trevelyan attacked your ship?”
    â€œMy guess is … he attacked it for no other reason than the British colours flew from her topgallants.”
    â€œWhat was the name of your ship?”
    Emily turned towards the darkening sea beyond the open gunport. “I – I don’t remember.”
    â€œ That I find hard to believe,” muttered James harshly.
    â€œSir, as passage was booked for me, I did not concern myself with the ship’s name.”
    James drew nearer to her cot. “Would you perhaps remember the name of this unknown ship’s captain? Surely you were acquainted with him. If you could provide me with this detail, I may then be able to deduce – ”
    At that moment, Leander placed his hand gently on James’s shoulder and said, “Sir, I think we best allow Emily more rest.”
    James rubbed his eyes, causing the baggy bits to redden. “For God’s sake, might we at least know who you really are and why you were on a British merchant vessel?”
    â€œSir, I have told you,” Emily said in a tone that pushed the boundaries of civility. “I am from Dorset. My parents’ names were Henry and Louisa George. They are now both deceased. My father was once a farmer. I was on – what I believe was – a merchant ship. We were bound for Upper Canada. If I have displeased you, I am sorry, but I do not know Trevelyan’s reasons for attacking my ship, or why I was taken prisoner.”
    James gave Emily a cold stare. “I find it hard to believe, young lady, that you are the daughter of a Dorset farmer.” He threw aside the curtain and stalked out.
    With frustration etched on his face, Fly followed, shooting a glance at Leander and mumbling, “We have learned
nothing
at all of importance.”
    From their hammocks, the sailors – those who were conscious – followed with interest the captain and the commander as the two of them marched across the hospital room and stomped up the ladder.
    â€œDoctor,” Mr. Crump called out, “I swear this be more