NOTE from the author: To those lovely people who have said they are missing their weekly fix of my GaMM chapter fics:

"Let There Be Love" has completed its run and has been replaced by "Ghost Of A Chance."

The first chapter of "Chance" was posted last week. It will now alternate with "Cottage" as we did before.

"The Past Is A Foreign Country" has returned for now, a few more chapters to go before the final HEA!

Please enjoy!

Chapter Fifty-Two

Sailing Into Danger

Nathan Jarvis frowned as he kicked at the large bundle of roped deck cargo with the toe of his sea boot. "This lot was a late addition to our manifest, Captain," he said to Daniel. "It almost didn't make it aboard. It's marked for delivery to Tunis."

Daniel nodded as he consulted the manifest documents in his hand. "Yes, I see it's been signed aboard under Claymore Gregg's name, which doesn't make it sit any easier with me. I suspect he's covering for someone else."

Mr Jarvis kicked the load again. "Well, the cargo hold is already full to bursting. There's no room below for this lot until we reach Marseilles."

"His loss." Daniel shrugged. "If these goods are damaged during the voyage, the fault is not ours. Claymore should have made a better deal."

Jarvis shook his head. "What do you suspect, Captain? Or should I ask, who?"

"I'm not sure…" Daniel turned his head to frown at the Rebecca sailing bow to bow beside them. He saw Lucius waving to him from the bridge and he waved back. "That Countess Beauvoir is a deep one with too many secrets. As we were boarding, I saw her leaving the harbourmaster's office followed by my cousin. That sight alone made my spine crawl with unease. Those two are up to no good, mark my words."

"Aye, Sir…" Jarvis knuckled his forehead. "Claymore Gregg has never been trustworthy."

"Yes…" Daniel looked back at the deck cargo. "We have to hope this is not one of the countess's many unsavoury secrets." He walked from side to side, studying the cargo for any further clues.

Mr Jarvis followed him and shrugged. "Then, as deck cargo, if we suspect foul play, it can soon find a watery grave. If that's your wish, Captain."

"No, not yet. Leave it be, for now." Daniel shook his head before he turned away and headed below to his cabin.

※※※※※

Martha unlocked the front door and opened it. She frowned in puzzlement at their unexpected visitor. "Miss Hall? How may I help you at this late hour?"

"I need to see your mistress on an urgent matter," Sally Hall replied, stripping off her gloves as she stepped into the house before Martha could prevent her. "It couldn't wait until the morning."

"There is a very efficient telegraph service," Martha replied repressively as she shut the door. "It is not a good time. Mrs Gregg is presently entertaining her parents who've come down from Philadelphia."

"Then I will endeavour to take up only a small amount of her time and patience," Sally replied quickly. "But I must see her immediately."

"See me about what?" Carolyn appeared in the doorway of the living room. "Miss Hall… I mean, Sally. What brings you here at this time of night? Nothing bad, I hope."

"May we talk in private?" Sally urged, hurrying to take her arm. "I have urgent news."

Carolyn's hand crept up to her suddenly pale cheek. "Is it about Daniel?"

"I fear it may be…" Sally shook her head as she handed her gloves and bonnet to Martha. "But I cannot say out here."

Bradford walked out of the living room and frowned at them. "What is the matter, my dear? Is it bad news?"

"Good evening, Mr Williams," Sally said formally. "I wish to speak with your daughter alone, if I may."

"If it's bad news I would prefer it if my father was with me," Carolyn replied, taking the other woman's arm to usher her into the living room and take a seat on the couch. "Please, out with it, Miss Hall. I don't like to be kept in suspense."

"What's going on down there?" Emily Williams called from the staircase, peering into the living room. "What civilised person comes calling at this time of night when decent folk should all be abed and sleeping."

"Oh dear…" Carolyn rolled her eyes. "Father, please?"

"Leave her to me, my dear…" Her father patted her hand comfortingly. "I shall be but a moment then I shall return for this urgent news that Miss Hall bears to us." He hurried from the room to deal with his wife.

Martha carried in the silver tray with the decanter of Madeira and four cut crystal glasses. "I think we may all have need of a nip or two," she said, shaking her head. "If it is bad news about the Captain. Which we will all pray it is not." She set the tray down on the coffee table and poured a goodly measure into each glass.

※※※※※

"So, the deed is done." Ellsworth Hall smiled as he steepled his fingers beneath his chin with smug satisfaction. "I must say, you have proven yourself to be a useful and efficient tool. Very unexpected in one of your sex."

"It will all go exactly as you've planned." Vanessa nodded as she sat demurely in her chair before the man's huge oak desk. "Our agent will go aboard Captain Gregg's ship after she docks in Marseilles. He will set the charges and leave the ship again in Tunis, along with the man my masters have despatched there."

"And the charges will set off the dynamite we loaded aboard when the ship is well out to sea? Nothing will be traced back to us?"

"Not a single nail nor board of her will ever be found," Vanessa replied, smiling with feminine malice. "But if there is an investigation of any sort, the trail of evidence will lead back to the Bey. He will be seen as the injured party in all of this. Then we shall both finally have what we want."

"Hell hath no fury, right?" Ellsworth smirked nastily. "That Gregg must have really ruffled your female feathers. I must admit, I had my doubts when you came to me with your plans. I usually dislike working with women. My daughter, in particular, is being very stubborn."

Vanessa shrugged. "It's a simple fact. If I cannot have Daniel, then no one else shall. Certainly not that wan-faced chit he married. It's to Davy Jones' locker he will go, with my blessing. I will not be scorned by any man."

"Females…" Ellsworth shook his head in disgust. "At least, a man is honest in his hatred. Gregg's wife is my target. Two birds with one stone, as they say. Without her, my Sally will come to her senses and know her place in the world."

"Yes, she will be in mourning for quite some years, I suspect. And out of your way for good." Vanessa's dark brows arched. "Ah, there is still the small matter of my payment…"

"I have it here." Ellsworth grimaced as he sat up to unlock a drawer in his desk and drew out a hefty cloth bag that clinked with coins. "I believe this is the sum of your worth." He tossed it onto the desktop with a look of distaste.

"Thank you…" Vanessa stood to take the bag, hefting it in her palm and smiling. "Yes, I do believe we have the correct measure of each other."

"It is a rare pleasure to do business with a woman who knows her place and her abilities," Ellsworth sat back. "I may yet have further use for you. I will telegraph you if anything more comes along."

Vanessa put the bag down long enough to pull on her gloves and tie her bonnet over her dark curls. "Do not make it too soon. I plan on spending some of this money on an extended shopping trip in New York. It is beyond time since I indulged myself."

"Females…" Ellsworth sighed brusquely. "Ah, as always, you're still a mere woman, driven by emotions. A pity. I had expected better from you."

Vanessa shrugged as she picked up the bag and tucked it away in her large reticule. "And yet, you men cannot seem to do without us women to do your bidding while you smile upon the world." She lifted her chin as she turned and left the man's office, shutting the door behind her with a snap.

※※※※※

"What is it?" Carolyn asked Sally in a low tone. "What have you come to tell me?"

"I fear that my gut instinct says all is not well." Sally shook her head as she accepted the glass of Madeira that Martha held out to her. "My father has been making a fresh push to take over the magazine. He will not be stopped this time. He has already threatened to put me away if I do not agree."

"That confounded Ellsworth Hall is your father?" Bradford asked brusquely as he re-entered the room and shut the doors behind him. "That man dared to invade my house in Philadelphia and set your overwrought mother against the very idea of your becoming a published author, my dear," he said to Carolyn. "He was quite adamant that we should make every move to prevent you from travelling down such an unworthy path."

He grimaced. "I was forced to send him away with a very large flea in his ear for daring to intrude and upset Emily's delicate sensibilities. She was quite overwhelmed with concern for weeks afterwards. She found the whole idea of your writing for a living as quite appalling and beneath the family name. She feared her church ladies would uncover the truth."

"Yes, I remember that incident," Carolyn nodded jerkily. "How is Mother? Where is she?"

"She is resting in bed, somewhat mollified," her father replied as he helped himself to the wine. "I explained that this young lady is an old friend, who has recently come to town on business and needed to speak with you. Emily was too tired to argue and accepted the news with equanimity. But, I fear, if you stay too long, she will come down again to nosy into our doings."

He took a long swallow of his drink. "So, what news do you bring to us, Miss Hall? Out with it."

"Nothing good, I'm afraid." Sally shook her head. "I recently had a visit from my father who made some veiled threats and comments that led me to think he means to do your husband some considerable harm."

She grimaced. "Though, the how or the way of it, I am afraid I have no idea. But he seeks to take over the magazine once and for all, and to do that he would remove all of those who may stand in his way. I am to retire and make babies."

She huffed her disgust as she looked up at Carolyn. "His plans include removing all your works. I knew you would wish to know immediately, and such ideas could not be committed to the telegraph office where everything is open to be read and secrets may be sold."

Her worried eyes tracked to Martha. "I could not commit my fears to such an open forum for fear any word would get back to my father. He has spies and connections all over Boston and beyond. He pays well for information. That is how he runs his empire."

"Very wise of you then to avoid the telegraph," Bradford acknowledged. "But you have no idea of what form your father's twisted taste for revenge may take? His desire to do such evil, to get his own way, astounds me. I thought I had his measure as a boastful windbag."

"I wish I did know his plans," Sally admitted honestly. "But Ellsworth is not one to soil his own hands when he has the means to pay someone else to do his dirty work. He sits like a black spider at the centre of his web and schemes."

"Vanessa…" Carolyn breathed with patent horror then. "And Claymore…"

She waved a hand toward Martha. "You remember? We saw them down at the dock on the very day Daniel sailed. They were leaving the harbourmaster's office together. They seemed as thick as thieves."

"I remember," Martha replied grimly. "Those two are never up to any good when they're together. The countess would seek revenge, as well. She misliked how Captain Beaumont treated her and did not stint on saying so to all who would listen."

"It's a good place to start, then," her father said. "Maybe this harbourmaster of yours has some answers for us. I will walk down to the dock first thing in the morning and make some inquiries."

"No, Father. We cannot wait until the morning. We may already be too late." Carolyn stood up. "No doubt Claymore has more answers. We will go and see him this evening. Catch him off guard and squeeze him for information."

"Is that wise, my dear?" Her father rose to his feet with alarm. "I mean, it is after dark and a woman travelling alone…"

"But I will not be alone," Carolyn reassured him, indicating Sally. "Martha will stay here and look after the children. I must go to town immediately."

She turned to Sally. "You have your carriage outside?"

"Yes…" Sally nodded. "I had thought to take rooms at the inn for the night after I warned you. In case you needed me."

"Excellent," Carolyn said with decision. "But you will stay the night here, with us. I insist."

"Very well…" Sally replied. "Then let us go and see this Claymore of yours. I too require some answers. I will not allow my father to win this dirty game of his. I will delight in making him pay for his misstep in threatening us all."

"I would come with you," Bradford said morosely. "But if your mother suspects I have left the house without her, she will not be able to rest, and we do not need that."

"I can deal with Uncle Claymore, Father…" Carlyn reassured him as she kissed his cheek. "You are better to stay here. But thank you."

"I'll go and get your things. And yours too, Mrs Gregg…" Martha bustled from the room to fetch their bonnets and gloves.

"I am going to enjoy this," Carolyn said quietly as they all walked out into the foyer. "At Christmastime, Claymore claimed to have truly changed. We all said it would not last. Now he shows his true colours yet again. He will be made to regret his misdeeds, along with your father."

She took the bonnet and gloves that Martha held out. She pulled them all on with determined hands.

Sally linked arms with her and smiled with relief. "I would say my father does not know the size of the hornet's nest of feminine revenge he has stirred up with his malice. But then, he has always underestimated me, to his cost."

"Yes…" Carolyn sighed as she took her leave of her anxious-looking father. "Nor will Claymore. He will be made to pay dearly for his perfidy. I can only hope and pray we're not already too late to save those we love…"

※※※※※

Claymore sighed as he stood before his bathroom mirror, turning his head from side to side. He studied his reflected image from all angles, tapping his fingertips against any imperfections he could perceive in his skin or hair. He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he plucked the two grey hairs he found amongst the black strands of his badly receding hairline.

"I'm not vain…" he murmured, fussing with the remaining hairs and patting them forward into place to cover the growing bald spot above his forehead. "I just like to look hale and healthy. Present my best face to the world, so to speak."

He patted the backs of his fingers against the slight sagging of the skin beneath his chin. "After all, I am someone very important in this town."

He shrugged as he turned away from his reflection and reached to undo the silk tie of his dressing gown. He was for his bed and several hours of pious and restful sleep.

He jumped when someone suddenly knocked loudly on his office door. "Business hours are over…" he complained, snatching his watch from the pocket of his gown and peering at it short-sightedly. "Whoever can that be at this time of night?"

He picked up his spectacles from his bedside table. "I will tell them to go away immediately! I need my sleep!"

He frowned as he wrenched open the door to his living quarters and stormed into his office. He paused to light the lamp beside the front door. "I'm coming… I'm coming…" he muttered as the knocking came again.

He lifted the edge of the blind covering the door's window as he held up the lamp and peered out. He recognised Carolyn immediately. But the woman with her was a stranger.

"Oh, I…" A cold feeling of dread crept up his spine and he began to bluster. "I'm not in! There's no one home! Come back tomorrow!" He dropped the blind and shuffled backwards.

"Claymore…" Carolyn said in a warning tone. "Open the door, you coward or it will be the worse for you!"

Claymore jumped as if he had been shot in the rear. "I… what do you want? It's late and I'm not decent." He blew out the lamp. "I'm in bed!"

He stifled a moan as the door handle rattled. "I'm not well. I… I… I have a fever. I'm not fit for company. Go away!"

"If you do not open this door immediately, Claymore…" Carolyn threatened. "I will be forced to go and fetch the constable and tell him of my suspicions."

"No!" Claymore hurried forward again. "No, please. Don't do that…"

He relit the lamp with shaking fingers before he released all the door locks and turned the key. The door flew open, and he was almost knocked over as the two women hurried in. Carolyn slammed the door shut behind them.

"Whatever it is you think I did… Well, I didn't!" Claymore blustered. "I've been here all day. Ask anyone. I never left my office. Not once!"

"We're not here to ask anyone," Carolyn replied evenly, stripping off her bonnet. "We're here to ask you just exactly what you and that dreadful Vanessa Beauvoir have been up to. What evil scheme have you two hatched between you? And do not try to lie to me."

"Scheme?" Claymore's breathless tone rose even higher. "Oh, my dear Mrs Gregg. I can assure you, there is no scheme. We merely concluded a spot of business, that's all."

He waved a careless hand. "It's what I do, business. As far as I'm aware, the woman has gone back to Boston. And good riddance. I say." He laughed weakly, hurrying away to put his desk between them and flopped down in his chair.

Carolyn indicated her companion. "This is Sally Hall, and she has brought me some news concerning her father, Ellsworth Hall." She watched her uncle's expression closely.

"Hall, it is?" Claymore fiddled with his quill pen before he grabbed for his green eyeshade and pulled it in. "That man is a menace. He was unforgivably rude to me the last time we met."

He fidgeted. "What makes you think I have had further dealings with him? I can assure you I have not."

He drew a large X above his heart with a quivering fingertip. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

Carolyn walked to the desk to frown down at him. "If you have, in any way, endangered my husband's life and ship with any of your nasty schemes or underhanded dealings, then it will be your demise. I can promise you that."

Claymore's face blanched near to white. "Oh, really, Carolyn. I could almost be persuaded that you actually mean something by that awful threat." He managed a single nervous titter.

"My father does not play games," Sally told him, walking to stand beside Carolyn. "He was deadly serious this time and he means to take everything away from me. And he will stop at nothing to do so. Removing Carolyn and her works from my magazine is his first step."

"Therefore, you will tell us everything that passed between you and Vanessa Beauvoir and you will leave nothing out," Carolyn told her uncle. "Not by a single word will you deviate from the truth. Is that clear?"

"As crystal…" Claymore grouched, sinking further into his chair like a pricked balloon. "Um, where exactly do you wish me to begin?"

"At the very beginning," his niece replied evenly, settling into the chair before his desk as Sally drew up another and joined them. "We will no longer tolerate you playing games with the lives of those I hold most dear. This is your final warning, Uncle."

※※※※※