When the coachman, Fenton, left us to find the captain of the Godolphin and secure us cabins, Susannah frowned at his retreating back moving up the ship’s gangway. ‘It is unlike her to leave such a detail undone.’
I shrugged. ‘Is this a river port?’
‘It’s a deep-sea inlet from the Solent, which is the channel between the coast and the island.’
We waited, watching the line of merchant ships out on the water, their sails filled and pennants flying, until Fenton returned trailed by two obviously reluctant sailors press-ganged to carry our boxes.
He bowed. ‘Master, Mistress. The captain can offer the first mate’s cabin or a hammock between decks with the crew for Master Rossi.’
Ah, so all was explained. Lady Sylvia had arranged one cabin for Susannah and her expected female travelling com
