Inside the carriage, Lady Diana clapped her hands. "Well done, My Dear." She rapped on the roof of the carriage and asked for the address of Juliet's tailor.

Once the destination was decided, Lady Diana returned to the matters at hand. "Now, has my husband given you a letter of introduction as he promised? I quite neglected to tell him I was to accompany you." Her merry grin told Juliet that the lapse had been intentional.

Juliet handed the missive over. "My, this is rather thick, for a single letter of introduction," remarked Lady Diana. "Let us see what the old bird has to say, shall we? 'Pirating your father's ship', indeed!" She snorted her annoyance and used a finger to break the packet's seal in order to open it.

A second, smaller packet fell into her lap. "I thought that looked a bit heavy. 'My Dear Danvers'," Lady Diana read, "'bearing this missive is one Juliet Drake, to whom my lady wife has taken fancy. Miss Drake was found to be in possession of the estate of Captain John Drake. Please forward both the enclosed and the bearer to Sir Henry, whose eldest son is, I believe, Jack's legal heir. We shall settle up at our next meeting; most sincerely, Commander Nathan Harris, HMS Bristol.' My, my, doesn't that sound ominous?"

Lady Diana sat the missive aside and took up the smaller one. "This is addressed to Sir Henry Cooke. I believe he's one of Lord Andrew Chisholm's landholders." She opened the letter and began to read. "'Dear Sir Henry, standing before you is a woman who claims to be the only surviving child of Jack Drake, whose cousin you married first. Her son is, I believe, Jack's heir.

'Knowing the tension that exists between you and your eldest son, as well as certain obligations you have financially, you may wish to consider your options carefully. I am willing to accept the ship itself as a finder's fee and offer you the contents of the hold as well as the till, which remains unopened in my private office. As I understand the crew to have been at sea and not reimbursed for several years, surely the coffers must be rather full.

'As for the girl herself, I will leave you to take care of her as you see fit. She does have a small, though legitimate claim. I shall remain in port for several weeks while the Bristol is refitted and stocked for her next voyage; Yours, Cmdr. Nathan Harris, HMS Bristol.' Oh dear, my husband has been rather busy, hasn't he?"

Lady Diana didn't sound particularly distressed by her husband's show of perfidy as she clucked her tongue and shook her head as if over a naughty child. "He knew better to entrust the details to Lord Andrew, for the baron is an honest man. I think we shall show him both letters and ask Lord Andrew how he thinks we ought to proceed. He had met your father on occasion and enjoyed his company immensely."

The carriage slowed. "Oh, we are here. I had thought to lunch at Harrods after we do our business." Speechless with shock, Juliet could only nod and allow Lady Diana to lead the way.

Juliet's tailor was delighted to see them. "Of course, I still have your measurements," the tailor assured Juliet. Lady Diana presented her list, which Juliet insisted on going over with the tailor. After a good deal of negotiation, a suitable travel-wardrobe was agreed on and the tailor set his assistants to work. With a small cash incentive, the tailor agreed to deliver the completed wardrobe to Danvers Hall with due haste.

"We might set out for Northampton straight after lunch," Lady Diana offered. "I took the liberty of seeing your trunk packed as well as my own things."

"How long is the trip?" asked Juliet uncertainly.

Lady Diana considered it. "About twelve hours if the roads are in decent shape."

"I would very much like to see my crew before I leave the city. Do you care to lunch on board the Sea Sprite?" Juliet grinned at her new friend, who rather liked the idea of an adventure. Of course, that the idea of Lady Diana's lunching aboard the Sea Sprite would likely annoy her husband was an added bonus.

Soon, they were aboard a hired rowboat, making their way toward the Sea Sprite. Juliet showed Lady Diana how to climb the rope ladder that was lowered for them to board the craft. At the top, the ladies were met by the entire officer's corps, dressed in their new uniforms. The crew also looked much tidier than usual.

Mr. Smyth greeted the two ladies. "I saw the boat coming and ordered lunch, Cap'n," he grinned. "With all those skirts, it could only be you."

Juliet grinned at his logic. "Thank you, Mr. Smyth. May I present to you all Lady Diana Worthington Harris? She has become a close friend rather quickly."

The men bowed and Juliet introduced them in turn. "This is my first mate, Mr. Smyth; Purser, Mr. Headly; Quartermaster, Mr. Pondu, Doctor Marin . . ." The list continued as they walked past the line of uniformed officers, right down to the carpenter and the cooper. Beyond the officers, the remainder of the crew was lined up for inspection.

Juliet grinned at them. "And these," she said with a sweep of her hand, "are my boys." Every man among them right down to the cabin boy bowed grandly. Juliet chuckled. "We shall dine in my quarters, Lady Diana."

Lady Diana eyed the grinning crew. "You are the hostile savages my husband decried?" she asked. "Indeed, he must be jealous of such a clean and well-ordered ship." Her merry smile and easy compliments won them over.

Over lunch, Juliet explained their travel plans to her crew. Mr. Smyth immediately made plans for a short excursion. The talk turned to the planned trip, which Lady Diana listened to intently but said little. Finally, when the plans seemed settled, she offered, "Northampton is far closer to Oxford than it is London." The comment set off another round of discussion, with the officers agreeing to sail down the Thames to Oxford rather than London upon the return.

"There is one more bit of business to bring up," Juliet told them over the main course. "Cmdr. Harris is looking into the matter of my father's heir. I think it best if you avoid him at all costs. We all know who the true owner of the Sea Sprite might be, but he seems determined to see me grounded to England permanently."

Lady Diana frowned delicately. "Lady Juliet, are you aware that women are not legally allowed to hold property in England? The Sea Sprite is registered in England, which makes her a tiny, floating bit of England."

Mr. Smyth winked at her. "Aye, but women are allowed their dowries as their own, are they not?"

"Well, yes. I suppose so, if their husbands don't seize it for their own use."

"Cap'n Drake drew up a legal will, of which I have the original, which places the Sea Sprite, all her fittings, her coffers and her cargo as Cap'n Jules' dowry. As the Cap'n's legal guardian, that makes it my responsibility."

"But my husband has the coffers in his possession!"

Juliet grinned and shook her head. "No, he asked for the lockbox. My coffers are quite hidden elsewhere. The lockbox he asked for contains small coin, a copy of my father's will, a copy of the ship's charter and a copy of the ship's logs. Every document therein has been clearly marked with the word 'copy'." She caught her friend's eye and held it. "From the first I met your husband, My Lady, I knew him to be as false as in the tales I'd been told all my life. Truly, his deception was no great surprise."

With every head nodding their agreement, Lady Diana took a swallow of wine to steady her. "You all know . . . the truth?" she asked faintly.

"We've never made it any secret," the doctor admitted. "Cap'n Drake wanted Cap'n Jules to know the truth- and your husband makes an excellent cautionary tale." Even Lady Diana had to laugh at that. After toasting Juliet's father, the talk turned to other, far more pleasant topics until Juliet felt it far past time to go.

"We've a twelve-hour drive ahead of us," she explained. "Mr. Smyth, Mr. Headly should have enough left of what I entrusted him to purchase a suitable cargo. Keep her light on the water in case you are chased."

"Aye-aye, Captain," he acknowledged. "You can trust us to be in Oxford no later than two months from now and we'll wait for you there." He paused and winked. "Although I must say, Oxford is no farther away than it will be in two months. Why not sail there now? 'Twill shorten your trip."

Lady Diana was delighted by the prospect. "We can hire a carriage in Oxford to take us to Northampton! Oh, do let us send for the baggage, Lady Juliet?"

An hour later, the men weighed anchor and set their course for Oxford. Lady Diana enjoyed the short sail. She and Juliet sat in chairs on the quarterdeck and watched the terrain slide by on either side of the Thames while Juliet entertained her with tales of her life at sea. The ship docked shortly after dinner was over.

Juliet led the way out on deck; where there were few crewmen were about. "Tell the boys I promise we'll set sail for Barbados as soon as I return." The first mate agreed but Maddy had overheard and was already on his way to the fo'c'sle with the news. Juliet allowed Lady Diana to descend first. She was reluctant to leave the ship and her crew again, knowing it would be many days before she saw them again.

"Aw, get on wi' ye!" ordered a sailor teasingly. "'Tis likely the only 'oliday ye'll get from the likes o' us."

"That be all fine and dandy, Marduc," Juliet shot back, "but who said I needed one? You mind those cannons now; grease them proper, you hear?"

"Aye Cap'n," he retorted. "When've I ever let me beauties down? You mind yer forks 'n spoons, and don' let 'em landlubbers tie ye down." His warning for her to mind her manners and return with haste had her laughing as she descended the ladder. "You can always trust family to either put the wind in your sails or take it out!" she called by way of a parting shot.

He wasn't to be outdone. "Aye, and ye've a big enough family waitin' fer ye here, so come back soon!" The rowers were out of voice range before Juliet could think of a suitable reply.

Lady Diana was laughing too hard to be of any help. "Do you always tease so?" she asked. "My husband would say it breeds disrespect."

"I think your husband is overly fond of being respected and not fond enough of returning the favor," observed Juliet dryly. "Those men would lay down their very lives for me and I for them. They are the only family I've known since I was seven years old."

"Seven?"

"I was seven when the Port Royal earthquake destroyed our home and killed my mother, my brothers and sister. The entire port was destroyed so the only thing left for me to do was go aboard the Sea Sprite. I haven't painted, embroidered or anything similar since. Father and the officers taught me everything else I know- except fishing. That one I figured out all on my own."

~~~

The carriage ride was all that Lady Diana had warned and worse. After some fourteen hours in the hired carriage, having been hampered by heavy rains and the resulting mud, the weary travelers finally pulled up in front of Danvers Hall the following morning.

Lady Danvers met her guests in the morning room. "Lady Diana!" As soon as Lady Diana was properly inside the room, she was enveloped in an exuberant hug. "I had quite despaired of seeing you at all this season!" When Lady Danvers stepped back, she noticed Juliet. "Oh, you have a companion with you. Do introduce us?"

"Lady Jane Chisholm, Baroness Danvers, please meet my newest friend, Lady Juliet Lisette Margeaux Gereau du St. Denis Drake, Captain of the SS Sea Sprite." Lady Diana's formal introduction was made hastily and followed immediately by, "Lady Jane, we have urgent business with your noble husband. Is he about?"

Despite her apparently overwhelming urge to gush on about Juliet's title, Lady Jane managed to focus on the business at hand. "Oh, dear!" she fretted. "Danvers has just ridden out on business and won't be back until late this afternoon." Brightening, Lady Jane added, "but that will give you time to rest and refresh yourselves. Shall I ring for refreshments, or have you shown to your rooms first?"

"My Lady, we've driven through the night, only stopping once since yesterday evening and that to mend a broken wheel," Juliet explained. "As hungry as I am, I don't think I could stay awake long enough to eat should I sit. Please would you show us to where we are to stay?" Beside her, Lady Diana was too tired to do more than nod her agreement. Soon, both ladies were shown to their rooms, undressed and put to bed.

It was nearly dinner before either lady awoke again. Juliet dressed in her dinner gown and emerged to find her companion. By the time both Ladies Diana and Juliet were ready to descend the stairs, dinner was being announced. Lady Jane met them at the foot of the stairs. "How timely of you," she teased. "Are you quite rested?"

"Yes, thank you," replied Lady Diana. "Has Danvers returned home yet?"

Lady Jane grinned. "He did, about two hours ago. But Diana, you know the rules- no business at the table! It's bad for the digestion."

Lady Diana appeared disappointed as she capitulated but it was merely an act on her part, teasing her friend. "Oh, if you insist; Dear Jane. I suppose since we aren't thrown out of the house as yet, our business can wait."

"Oh, thank you, Diana!" Lady Jane clapped her hands with excitement. "Danvers has his mind on entirely too much business as it is, he needn't discuss it at dinner as well. Come on then! Such a merry supper we shall have!"

Dinner was, indeed, a splendid affair. The family was gathered for the meal, of course, but also several friends that Lord Chisholm had invited. Lady Diana found herself opposite a gentleman she'd had occasion to meet in London several times while Juliet's seat-mate was a young gentleman who was on holiday from his studies as a barrister.

"He'll go far, this one," Lord Chisholm said upon introducing the young man. "Keep your eye on him, Lady Juliet."

Lady Jane giggled. "Are you trying your hand at matchmaking again, Danvers?"

"If I were," he returned affectionately, "I'd have invited different gentlemen!" The teasing continued on through dessert when Lord Chisholm broke his wife's ban. "Tell me, Lady Diana, what brings you away from London during the season?"

Lady Diana seized the opportunity. "It was to be a social call, Lord Andrew, but events have conspired to present a most urgent matter, on which I find myself needing your advice."

"Diana! You promised!"

"Now, Jane Dear, I asked and she answered."

"Besides, I promised not to discuss business at the table," Lady Diana put in with a grin, "but I cannot recall promising not to tell him it exists!"

"Oh, very well; I shall allow it- but just this once!" Lady Jane's permission was given grudgingly but her smile told the other guests that she was teasing her friend.

"Since you promised not to discuss it at the table, I shall not ask what your urgent matter might be," teased the baron. "May we discuss it after dinner instead?"

"And ruin your pipe and brandy? Perish the thought!" Lady Diana's knowing grin teased her host. Juliet realized that the baron had a well-established routine that Lady Diana was working around. Lady Diana appeared to consider it. "I suppose a few more hours might not hurt anything. The issue is sensitive, but not overly time-sensitive, as it were."

Smothering a grateful expression, Juliet did her best to keep a bland expression. The other guests were strangers to her. It would never do to air her secrets before too many souls. The sailors had several sayings on the matter, all of which were appropriate if more colorful than the present table would allow.

The baron understood immediately. "Very well then, Lady Diana; we shall discuss it immediately after breakfast in my study."

"In the meantime," put in Lady Jane, "we ladies may repair to the music room to chat while Danvers enjoys one of his smelly pipes."

Juliet had always enjoyed the odor of a pipe full of finely-cured pipe-weed, but she suspected that either the baron had yet to taste a fine tobacco or his wife had banned the stuff entirely to his study regardless of quality. Either way, she accompanied her hostess and companion to the music room, where a variety of instruments stood on stands around the pianoforte. Juliet's eyes were drawn to an exquisite, ebony fife. Appreciatively, she ran her fingers along the satiny finish. "May I?" Juliet asked of her hostess.

"Please do," invited Lady Jane. "Very few of our guests play it." She smiled as Juliet piped a favorite jig.

When Juliet lowered the fife, she smiled. "That has an excellent tone, far better than the one I have aboard ship."

"Oh, you must play on!" Lady Diana sifted through her friend's sheet music. "Here, I know this one as well." She laid out the music on the piano and sat on the bench.

Juliet went to stand beside her, eyeing the notes on the pages Lady Diana had spread out. "It doesn't look too difficult. Do you mind if I have a quick run-through first?"

"Not at all," came the answer, so Juliet took her time as she played through the piece. When she was satisfied, Lady Diana began on the piano. Their lively duet soon attracted the attention of the gentlemen, who arrived en masse after Juliet had lowered the fife.

"We must have you back again, Captain Drake," the baron observed. "Not many of our guests make that old pipe sound half so well."

Juliet colored briefly. "It is a fine instrument, Lord Danvers. This ebony makes even my playing sound lovely."

"Such a thing to say!" reproved one of the guests with a smile. "Truly, I have heard plenty of worthy instruments tortured by inexpert playing and yours is not so bad by half!"

Juliet nodded at him to acknowledge the compliment as Lady Danvers called for a tune that everyone could either sing or accompany. Juliet played a lively air in reply, making everyone laugh.

Lady Diana replaced the music from the piano while Lady Jane selected another folder of music. "Lady Juliet, do you know this one?" she asked from where she stood by the bookcase.

Still holding the fife, Juliet joined her to peruse the music. "No, but with a bit of rehearsal I could keep up with Lady Diana's piano playing."

"We should let you choose the music," offered another guest but Juliet shook her head.

"I highly doubt that you would be familiar with anything I could play by rote," she denied quickly, "and since I started off with one and Lady Diana has chosen the last, perhaps another should choose the next?" The idea was met with approval so the group continued until everyone had chosen a tune for them to play. The baron's guests excused themselves shortly after the last song, citing the time and need for sleep. Juliet agreed. "I fear I am rather used to a far earlier bedtime aboard ship," she explained regretfully as the clock chimed the quarter-hour before second watch. Thus, the household of Danvers Hall slowly drifted off to their various beds.

Come morning, Lady Diana presented her husband's pair of letters to the baron, explained the matter and asked her friend's advice. Obviously, the baron was a close confidante or else well-aware of the commander's infidelities. His only surprise seemed to be that Lady Diana was so taken with Juliet. Still, he considered the matter gravely for some time before replying.

"I'm rather glad you decided to come along with her, Diana, My Dear," he finally said. Juliet breathed out marginally, realizing she'd been holding her breath. "If you had not, most certainly I would have taken your husband's missive at face value and done as he asked without a second thought since he makes no mention of her noble blood. The implied threat is enough to cause me alarm, both for the captain here and for her father's heir."

Juliet couldn't entirely mask her quick intake of air. "My father was the only son of an only son. How can there be another heir?" she asked

"Your father was an only son, My Dear, but he was hardly an only child as his father was. You had several aunts; three, to be precise. One died of influenza before she was fully grown, another married but is childless and the third married a colonist and removed herself to the Americas." His tone of voice clearly conveyed his opinions regarding the colonies. Juliet wisely hid a grin.

"Since your grandfather was an only child, we must then look to his father, Sir Jefferson Drake. Sir Jefferson was the youngest after four sisters, whom all married well. It is the oldest with whom we must be concerned. Young Lady Gretchen Drake married one Sir Jacob Habersham and bore him a daughter, Lady Evelyn Habersham, before she died in childbirth along with her second babe.

"Lady Habersham was married at a young age to Sir Aldous St. Claire. She bore her husband several sons and a couple of daughters, of whom we will follow Sir Bertram St. Claire. Sir Bertram died in a duel shortly after fathering a son by his mistress, who laid claim to his inheritance. That son, in turn, sired a daughter and endeavored to provide his daughter with a suitable dowry.

"Miss Susan Weaver married Sir Henry Cooke and bore a son before dying- supposedly of pneumonia- almost two years after. So you see, legally, your father's heir is the oldest son of Sir Henry Cooke, Sir Avery Charles Cooke. Your father's father was also the only surviving heir of a small fortune including some lands here in Northamptonshire.

"As the only male heir, Mr. Avery- or should I say, Sir Avery Cooke, is to inherit the title of Baronet as well as the estate his father currently manages. If Sir Avery dies with no heir, then his entire estate will go to his father."

Juliet took advantage of his pause. "And yet, as fascinating as it to hear, not one bit of this affects me at all. You see, the ship, her coffers and her cargo are my dowry and as such, mine to do with as I wish. Mr. Smyth is my legal guardian. Father had a will drawn up and filed with the governor of Grand Bahama, which as you know, is one of the queen's territories, making it legal on English soil. The originals are filed on Grand Bahama, with copies in the strongbox on the Sea Sprite and in the lockbox that Comdr. Harris demanded of me upon docking in London."

Lord Danvers was completely nonplused by her announcement. He held up one, restraining hand. "Let me finish, Lady Juliet. This does affect you, more than you know. You see, shortly after Susan Weaver-Cooke died, Sir Henry married his mistress, now Lady Harriet Cooke. Lady Harriet has borne not one but two sons to Sir Henry and would very much like to see one of her sons inherit his title, minor though it may be.

"As grasping and conniving as she is, I highly suspect that she has her eye also on Sir Avery's fortune, which she and her husband have been enjoying for some time now. Unfortunately, Sir Avery came of age not long ago and is now old enough to take possession of his inheritance."

He paused to allow Juliet comment, but she waited silently for him to continue. "Cmdr. Harris is a close, personal friend of Sir Henry. As you may see, they are of like mind in many ways." He took up the missive to Sir Henry and began to read aloud.

"'Knowing the tension that exists between you and your eldest son, as well as certain obligations you have financially, you may wish to consider your options carefully'. Lady Juliet, does that not tell you anything? Let me continue. 'As for the girl herself, I will leave you to take care of her as you see fit.' If I had sent you along, as Cmdr. Harris intended, no doubt Sir Henry would have taken care of you all right, straight to the bottom of his millpond, or worse!"

He paused again to be certain that Juliet understood. She nodded for him to continue. "There is more that you should know. You see, some time ago, Sir Avery took a nasty spill from the back of a horse. It was claimed to be a hunting accident but based on these letters, I'm beginning to have my suspicions.

"My attempt to visit Sir Avery after the accident was most unsuccessful. He was knocked cold by the fall and reportedly suffered not only a concussion but a broken hip that kept him bedridden. Sir Avery should have been up long ago and the fact that he is not suddenly worries me to no end.

"I fear that, if he is still alive at all, he may see a foul end at the hands of his father or his younger brother, who will reach his majority in another year or so and is more agreeable to bowing to his father's wishes. If Sir Avery dies, his next-oldest brother may claim the Sea Sprite as his inheritance over and above your father's wishes and be gone with it or have sold it off long before a proper investigation letter returns from Grand Bahama.

"Of course, we must also consider the threat to your own life as well. If Sir Henry is willing to murder his oldest son, you can be certain he will have no qualms against taking your life as well or forcing you to marry his son. After all, you are an English citizen and unlike in the colonies, he does not need your consent."

"But Mr. Smyth will never agree," protested Juliet, beginning to feel more than a little nervous about the state of her affairs.

"He does not need to. As your father's heir, Sir Avery will also inherit your guardianship."

"I have one more question, if you please, Lord Andrew. How is it that you know my father's lineage and ancestry so thoroughly off the top of your head?" The question was burning in her mind, and Juliet wished to be able to concentrate on the task at hand. She hoped she hadn't offended her kindly host by asking.

Lord Andrew didn't seem to mind in the least. "My Dear, when I'd heard from my dear wife the other morning that you had arrived, I took the liberty of investigating the matter yesterday. Since your father was an old friend of mine, it was no difficult thing."

He winked. "We were schoolboys together and our genealogies were once a school assignment. Remembering that, and knowing your family as I do, it was no difficult thing to find out the rest. After all, it often pays to know exactly who my guests are and when Lady Diana here mentioned last night that she had an urgent matter to discuss, I guessed at what that matter might be."

"Thank you," Juliet told him most sincerely. "Now, My Lord, will you please tell me more about Sir Avery? He is only a distant relative to me and rather unknown."

"He is just over twenty-one years of age, a decent businessman not given much to gambling or drinking heavily. When he has over-imbibed, he is amiable in nature, much as he is when sober. He is a decent sportsman who possesses an excellent seat on the hunt and a keen eye for the trigger, has graduated from Oxford University with honors and manages his estate well. As his lord, I have no doubt that he will go far with even his small holdings." He paused to inspect her with a keen eye. "In fact, My Dear, you could do far worse than to have him as a husband."

Lady Diana laughed. "Lord Andrew, you are an inveterate matchmaker! How do you know the young man has not spoken to someone already?"

He shrugged a little and winked at her. "I suppose that is a risk we must take, not so? Now, to return to the matter at hand, I think the best course of action would be for me to visit Sir Avery and be sure his personage is safe. After that, we will decide further."

"There is the matter of Lady Juliet's wardrobe," Lady Diana felt the need to tell him. "We paid for it to be delivered here sometime in the next week or two."

"Ah, excellent; it may be that long before I have managed to come up with an acceptable pretext for seeing Sir Avery. In the meantime, I am certain that my lady wife has plans for your entertainment."

~~~

Several days after their meeting, Lord Andrew reported to his wife and house guests that his visit to Sir Avery had not gone as planned. The young man was reported by his father to be still indisposed due to his accident and Sir Henry had handled Lord Andrew's business on his own. Having no reason to insist on seeing Sir Avery, Lord Andrew left the premises rather disturbed, though pleased by the business arrangement.

After another week and a half, another visit proved unproductive and Lord Andrew expressed concern. Over the span of several weeks, Lord Andrew attempted to visit Sir Avery a few more times. When every one of his attempts to contact the young man in person proved unsuccessful, Lord Andrew was at a loss and more than afraid for Sir Avery's well-being.

Still, the baron had no real reason to search the house or insist on seeing Sir Avery in person. Every one of his pretexts had been dealt with in a satisfactory manner by Sir Henry and the taxes were paid on time and in full.

Juliet's wardrobe arrived. Ladies Jane and Diana ganged up on their friend and decided to 'finish' her, touching on the fine points of her education that her father and crew had neglected. Several hours of painting each morning was followed by lunch, then dancing and riding lessons in the afternoon.

A message arrived by post from Oxford for Juliet, telling her that the Sea Sprite was docked there and would await her arrival. Juliet suggested that her host and hostess come and visit the ship.