LITMIR.BIZ

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exercises, I’m going to need far more men. Even more telling, we’ll need to go in simultaneously at two different locations—the mining compound and the settlement. I can’t see any way around a two-pronged approach. And while it’s helpful that Caleb recruited Lascelle on his way down there, if we’re to get the captives out safely, we’re going to need overwhelming numbers.”

      His gaze on the papers, he went on, “Between them, Caleb and Lascelle have given us a detailed account of the threats, dangers, and obstacles we’ll face. Add in the reports from inside the compound—from Dixon and Hillsythe—and the need to ensure that, once we initiate an attack, the mercenaries cannot reach the captives is clearly paramount. Exactly how we’ll accomplish that is impossible to say, not without viewing the compound ourselves and assessing the possibilities, but one thing is clear—we’ll need significant numbers, more than Caleb’s, Lascelle’s, and my crews combined.”

      Royd glanced at Robert and Declan, then waved the point aside. “We can discuss numbers and how we get them later. The first thing we need is the basic framework of a plan to successfully carry off this mission.”

      Isobel’s gaze rested on his face. “You’ve already got a framework in mind. So tell us.”

      She knew how his mind worked—that he was quick to process information and define the necessary steps to achieve his desired goal. He looked around the group, then told them the outline of his plan.

      He wasn’t surprised by his brothers’ enthusiasm, but their ladies’ enthusiasm almost made him renege. Then he noticed Isobel regarding him with a certain light in her eye—as if she could read his thoughts—and he decided his brothers were transparently able to look out for their ladies themselves.

      “How soon can we leave?” Isobel asked, and the others looked his way.

      “As soon as possible, which means after getting my orders from Melville—he has to formally request my assistance and give me a letter of authority, which he won’t want to do.” Royd glanced at Robert and Declan. “It’s one thing to direct Decker to render all possible support—quite another to put the vice-admiral directly under my orders.”

      Robert smiled cynically. “Melville will give you whatever you ask.”

      Royd tipped his head. “As well as dealing with Melville—and Wolverstone, too—we need to sit down and work out those numbers. Most likely, I’ll need to call in some others, and that means at least a few days to learn who’s available, where they are, and get any new orders out to them.”

      “Lachlan would be an obvious choice,” Declan volunteered.

      “I checked before I left Aberdeen,” Royd said. “With luck, he should be sailing into Bristol any day.”

      “Who else are you thinking of?” Robert asked. “Are you going to reach further than our own fleet or...?”

      Royd grimaced. “The problem with reaching to others is that I can’t be sure of command. Lascelle and Caleb have worked together before, so I foresee no problems there. But with others, especially of the caliber we need? I’d rather stick with our own captains.”

      “Kit?” Declan asked.

      Royd pulled a reluctant face, but nodded. “For one particular aspect of this exercise, she and her crew are the best suited, so yes. I’m not sure she’ll reach Bristol in time to leave with Lachlan, but that won’t matter—she can follow and come in behind the rest of us.”

      Isobel knew of whom they spoke; Kit Frobisher was an anomaly in the seafaring world—a female who commanded a ship and had for the past eight years. Isobel had met Kit several times on the Aberdeen docks and had always found her—and her rather startlingly direct way of dealing with the world—quite fascinating.

      Edwina was staring at Isobel. “Have you met Kit?”

      When Isobel nodded, Edwina glanced rather pointedly at the clock on the mantelpiece, then declared, “It’s nearly time to change for dinner. Aileen and I will take Isobel up and show her to her room.”

      Edwina rose, bringing the three men to their feet, along with an eager Aileen. Perfectly willing, Isobel rose, too. It was time she learned more about the other two ladies. Regardless of what eventuated between her and Royd, these ladies were, or would shortly become, Frobishers, and therefore Duncan’s aunts-by-marriage.

      Aside from any friendship she might strike up with ladies who, on the basis of just the past hours, seemed of similar bent, they might also be of additional support—even mutual support—whatever their future relationship became.

      After waving Isobel and Aileen to precede her, Edwina stated, “Dinner will be at seven, gentlemen. Don’t be late.”

      Royd watched Edwina sweep out of the room in Isobel and Aileen’s wake and resisted the urge to shake his head. Declan was never going to rule his roost, not with such a force of nature as his wife...

      When it came to forces of nature, Isobel had all the others trumped, even her scarifying grandmother.

      With that reflection sinking into his mind, he looked at his brothers and arched a brow. “We need to send word to Wolverstone and Melville that Caleb’s report has reached us. The sooner I can meet with Melville and get the orders I want from him, the sooner we’ll be able to get down there, join Caleb, and get those people out.”

      Declan exchanged a glance with Robert, then waved to the door. “Come to the library—you can write your missive to Wolverstone there.”

      Composing a note to Wolverstone, stressing the need for an immediate meeting and holding out the lure of information just received, was quickly done—Royd knew how to pique the ex-spymaster’s interest. Once the missive was dispatched via Declan’s senior footman, Royd leaned back in the chair behind the desk and waited for the inevitable interrogation.

      It commenced the instant the door clicked shut.

      Robert fixed Royd with a direct look. “What the devil is Isobel doing here?”

      In his mildest tone, Royd replied, “She’s searching for one of her cousins—Katherine Fortescue.” Briefly, Royd outlined Katherine’s story as Isobel had related it to him. “When Isobel and Iona finally got word of Katherine’s disappearance, Isobel presumed on our past to ask that I take her to Freetown. I’d just received Wolverstone’s summons, so...” He waved. “Here we both are.”

      Neither of his brothers knew quite what to make of that.

      Eventually, Robert humphed. “A happy coincidence, then, that Caleb actually met Katherine, so he could report that he spoke with her and heard directly from her that she was well.” Robert grimaced. “As well as could be in such circumstances.”

      Royd nodded. “Which, of course, means that Isobel knows where Katherine is.”

      Declan stared at him—whether in horror or shock, Royd wasn’t sure. “You’re not going to take Isobel into the jungle with you? To the compound?”

      Royd opened his eyes wide. “Do you think I could stop her? Or that I’m fool enough to waste time and effort trying? Now she knows her cousin’s in that compound, she’s going to be by my side every step of the way.” Because of Katherine, and for another reason entirely, but his brothers didn’t need to know about that. They’d be taken aback, but for Royd’s money, they should look to their own ladies before concerning themselves with Isobel.

      He would lay odds that, at that very moment, the three women were exchanging confidences. And once the other two learned that Isobel would sail with him—and would go into the jungle to the mining compound, too—he seriously doubted Edwina and Aileen would settle for any more-restricted roles. From their reactions to his plan, he’d gathered they, too, were committed to the mission—that like his brothers, they felt a burning desire to see the captives released and justice done. Although he’d met Edwina before, those encounters had perforce been on a social stage. Now he’d learned of her contribution during Declan’s leg of the mission, he was leaning

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