“Jaxon, if Grayson is going to go to Charleston, there are some letters I need to write for him to take with him.”
Jaxon pulled his sister against his side and kissed her temple. “I always miss you the most.”
Jaxon and Charlie got up and went through the house saying their good-byes to his family members. When they were back in the rented carriage, Charlie asked him about his side and he insisted he was fine.
“I can see why you like Jayne. She’s sweet.”
“She’s really shy and it takes effort to draw her out, but once she gets comfortable with you, you’ll find she’s incredibly quick-witted.” Jaxon leaned toward Charlie. “Five years ago, when I got hurt, she would come to my bedside and beg me not to die. Sometimes, I’d wake up and she’d be sleeping at the foot of the bed or on the floor.
“I was twelve when she was born so we really had little connection. She was the shy little girl the children at school called Plain Jayne. I think I may have threatened to beat up a couple of them. It wasn’t until after I was hurt that I really understood how special she is. But she is so quiet, she gets lost in the clamor of a large family.”
“I can’t believe anyone would ever call her Plain Jayne. I think she may be the prettiest young lady I’ve ever seen.”
“Really? She’s my sister. I guess I never noticed.” Jaxon put arm around her. “I know someone prettier.”
20
Jaxon waited in the foyer as Charlie rushed to the library to retrieve the letters she had written the night before. Three of the letters were to Dr. Kirk and were all the same. Each letter told how to find her and explained what happened to the ship after he had been shanghaied. One was to be left with the harbormaster, one at the bank and the third at the post office. It was the only thing she could think to do. She wrote a letter to the harbormaster asking to be informed if the Arcadia showed up there. She thought it was a possibility since they tried to come back for her. Charleston was their homeport and several of the men’s families lived there, so at some point the ship should return to Charleston. Unfortunately, Lionel Byron was an Aussie. Since he had assumed the captaincy, he could take the ship anywhere and it would be lost to her forever.
It upset her to think about never seeing the Arcadia again. She was mad because it was her ship—well, half anyway—and it didn’t belong to him. She wanted to hire a new captain and continue running the shipping company. Her father and Brody Kirk had put away enough money to commission the building of brand new ship, but when the Atlantic Ocean became so dangerous, they decided to wait. It saddened her to think her father would never see that ship.
For now, she would leave half that money in the bank in Charleston with a letter to Dr. Kirk.
Just as Charlie rejoined Jaxon in the foyer, there was an urgent knock on the door. A teenaged boy stood on the stoop.
“Your sister, Imelia, asked you to come right away. I was told to tell you it was an emergency.”
“Did she say what was wrong?” Jaxon asked anxiously.
“No sir, I was just told to tell you it was an emergency,” the boy said breathlessly.
Jaxon handed the boy a coin and pulled the door closed behind them after they stepped out.
“Bad timing,” Jaxon said to Charlie as the boy scampered off down the street. “You go ahead and meet with Grayson. I’ll be along as soon as I can. Do you remember where his office is?”
She thought about it. “I’m not sure.”
“I’d walk you there, but Imelia’s home is in the opposite direction. Go two blocks past the dress shop. Take a right and it’s another block down on the corner.”
“She said it was an emergency. Go. I’ll find his office. Should I tell Grayson about the emergency?”
“Aye, but tell him I’ll send for him if he’s needed.”
He gave her a quick kiss before they head off in opposite directions.
Charlie wended her way to Grayson’s office. It was Sunday morning and all the shops were closed and there was almost no one on the streets or sidewalks.
Grayson greeted her at the door. “Good morning, Charlie. I thought you’d bring Jaxon.”
“There was an emergency at Imelia’s. He’ll send word if you’re needed.”
“Fine, let’s get started. Come inside. This is Judge Brady and this is my secretary Robert Evers.”
Each man shook her hand. “Robert will witness your signature and Judge Brady’s signature will be required to declare your father legally dead so you can inherit.”
“Can we get on with this, Bloodworthy,” the judge said. “My wife will never let me hear the end of it if we’re late for church.”