The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page A

plans.
    The facts lined up, but…
    Coincidence. It had to be. Aside from all else, she couldn’t have known about his leaving…could she?
    Even if she had known, why would she bother changing her plans to follow him? It made no sense.
    A niggle of a suggestion tapped his mental shoulder, but that was self-important arrogance if ever he’d heard it.
    “Let me know if you learn anything more.” Pushing away from the railing, he continued on his rounds.
    7th October, 1822
Morning
Still in my cabin aboard the barge
    Dear Diary,
    I have missed several entries for the simple reason that I have nothing to report. I suppose, in lieu of anything more interesting, I should remark on what I have seen.
    Water. And interminable sandy shores. Barren sandy shores. With the occasional rocky headland. This is not a picturesque part of the world. The sun glints off the water constantly, which is pretty the first time one sees it, but my eyes now ache from squinting so much.
    As intimated, I have endeavored to learn more about Gareth, but he is proving annoying adept at eluding me, even in such a restricted space. When I do manage to run him to earth, he remains stiff, literally, and tries to keep even a conversational distance. It is really most irritating. I have concluded, given he is so determinedly the strong and silent type, that I will need to look to his actions for further revelations of his character.
    Thus my next question: what actions do I need to provoke?
    E.
    Their barge drew into the Mocha docks in the early afternoon.
    With Watson’s help, Gareth had their party formed up and ready to disembark the instant the ropes were cinched tight. Within minutes they were moving swiftly along the wharf and into the town, Emily, Dorcas and Arnia walking quickly before the luggage, with the men positioned around them, all on high alert.
    As Gareth passed Emily, she reached out and clutched his sleeve. Tugged him close.
    Looked up and met his eyes. Hers were narrowed. “What haven’t you told me?”
    He considered, but it couldn’t hurt for her to know. “The cultists might have come on by the inland route. We have to assume they’re here, and we don’t want to meet them unnecessarily.”
    She held his gaze for an instant, searching his eyes, then nodded and released his sleeve.
    He watched her for several moments, but far from exhibiting any degree of fear, she merely scanned the crowds, watchful and now alert. He hadn’t made any conscious decision not to spell out the situation for her as he had for the men. The men had to be on guard. Her…he simply hadn’t thought of it.
    “Where are we heading?” She asked the question without looking at him.
    He, too, kept his gaze on the noisy crowds. “Somewhere you and the others will be safe while I find a schooner to take us to Suez.”
    Bister, scouting ahead as usual, returned at that moment with directions to a small family-run tavern down a narrow side street only a few blocks from the docks.
    When they reached it, Gareth approved. The front was mostly wall, with only one door and a small glassless window covered by a leather flap, presently lowered against the day’s heat.
    They went in. Given the hour, the front room was empty.
    Gareth directed Emily and Dorcas to the front corner furthest from the door. Arnia followed. To his relief, althoughArnia was usually exceedingly reserved, she seemed to have made some pact with Dorcas, and the pair had reached a working accord—which would certainly make his life easier.
    Mooktu, with Mullins, had gone to chat with the proprietor, a middle-aged Arab who smiled and nodded. They returned bearing a tray with a pitcher and mugs. Without words, they pulled together tables, arranged benches, and sat down to refresh themselves.
    And plan.
    Gareth looked at Watson. “You, Mooktu, and I need to go back to the docks and look for a schooner to hire, preferably one that will take us and only us, no other cargo, and so sail to Suez in the