He raised an eyebrow. “I’ll bet you do,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll bet you know exactly what yer doin’.”
“Excuse me. I need to get my things and leave.”
The man licked his lips as he surveyed her from breast to toe. “What ship are you sailin’?”
Dear God, no. What if this man was a sailor on the ship? “I never said I was sailing anywhere. Perhaps I just arrived and happen to be waiting for my coach.”
“Awfully long wait, if yer askin’ me.”
Jennette drew herself up to her full height and looked him directly in his bloodshot eyes. “I don’t believe I was asking you anything.”
The other men in the room chuckled as this sailor’s cheeks became as red as his eyes. Before he could say another word, she walked around him and up to her room. Once the door locked behind her, she let out a long-held breath. She lifted the black veil covering her face. This entire situation was mad.
How could she take such a long voyage without incurring another sailor’s attention? She had no protector, not even a maid with her. Hugging herself, she glanced around the pitiful room. With only a small bureau, bed, and nightstand, the room was still twice the size of the cabin she’d secured.
How could she do this?
How could she leave him?
She shook her head and tensed her muscles. This was all his fault. His mistress announced to the world what she’d done and the only way Vanessa could have discovered the truth was if he’d told her.
She should hate him.
Or at least try.
Instead, all her soft heart could imagine was Matthew lying beside her in bed. His heart beating softly in her ear. His strong arms comforting her.
“No! I will not let him do this to me any longer,” she shouted in the empty room.
Digging her watch out of her gown pocket, she realized that the ship departed in four hours. The man who sold her the ticket had told her that she could board now. The time had come to start her life anew.
A new life…a new identity. No one would be able to find her now.
She lowered her veil again, then picked up her valise and with a quick look in the mirror, she started her new life.
Matthew rushed into the next shipping office. They had been searching half the day with no luck at all. Selby had decided to try a different agency. As Matthew raced into the room, the man behind the counter cringed.
“I need your help,” Matthew said when he reached the counter. “Did a woman come in here today seeking passage on one of your ships?”
The man scrutinized him. “Why do you want to know?”
“She’s my wife. We had a terrible argument but I now realize that I was wrong. I must apologize and get her back.”
The man laughed. “We’ve all been in that situation.”
“Can you help me?”
“Yes. A woman dressed as a widow came in here this morning and wanted to exchange a ticket to Livorno to anything that would sail this morning. A Mrs. Talbot.”
Matthew clenched his fists. He’d missed her. She had already sailed and now he had no way of reaching her. He just had to get through this—then he could return to his dilapidated home and drink himself to oblivion. But for Selby’s sake, he had to find out where she went.
“What city did she depart for?” he whispered harshly.
“New York.”
“Thank you.” He turned to leave but stopped as the man spoke up again.
“Sir, she hasn’t left yet.”