Hannah said, "Isn't that Captain Pickering's ship? Do you see? The figurehead he told us about, the Lass in Green."

"So it is," said Nathaniel. "The Isis." Elizabeth saw him send Hawkeye a look over the child's head.

"What are all those little clapboard windows?" Hannah carried on.

"Gunports," said Robbie. "She's armed tae the teeth, is the Isis. Ye see, lass, she carries a valuable cargo but she doesna always sail in convoy as do most o' the merchantmen. She's broad bottomed for cargo, and square-rigged, too--that means that she canna run verra fast, and so she mun be able to protect hersel', for there are privateers enough on the seas these days and a new war wi' France, forbye."

Overhead a great shuffling and Pickering's voice raised in a series of quick orders, the groan of chains and a splash as the last anchors were dropped. A calling of voices from the wharf to the quarterdeck, and back again.

"Look, Elizabeth, your cousin Will." Hannah tugged at her sleeve.

"Yes," said Elizabeth, heaving a great sigh. "Thank heavens." And then she saw that Will was not alone. A lady waited on the dock beside him. She wore a round gown of Mantua silk the color of green pippins, with a long emerald-green sash. A matching cape billowed in the wind, and with one gloved hand she held down a straw-colored gipsy hat tilted to expose coiled dark blond hair. It was tied under her chin with a silk handkerchief the same color as her sash. The cost of the silk alone would have paid a sailor for two years. Elizabeth could not make out the lady's face, but the tension in Nathaniel's hand on her shoulder told her what she already suspected.

Hannah tugged on Elizabeth's sleeve. "Who is that?"

"That is Miss Somerville," Elizabeth said calmly. She smiled at Nathaniel, wanting him to see that she was not worried, or even curious. At least the first was true, but she did not know if she could convince him of that. "Will accompanied her here to Québec as a favor to her father."

"She looks a very fine sort of lady to be out among the boats," said Hannah, taking Miss Somerville's measure. Elizabeth wondered how much she had heard about Giselle's history.

Curiosity clicked softly with her tongue. "You remember, child. Pickering told us about Miss Somerville. They're set to marry, and soon." A sliding glance to Elizabeth and her mouth turned down at one corner; Curiosity knew, if Hannah didn't, but Curiosity was not the kind to judge a woman harshly on the strength of men's stories.

"Will we get to meet her?" asked Hannah.

"I doubt it," said Nathaniel. "She'll have other things on her mind."

And so will we, added Elizabeth to herself, for she had caught sight of a schooner, moving fast on the water. Not nearly so fine a vessel as the Isis, far smaller and in need of paint. On deck stood her captain with a long glass in his hand. The Jackdaw.

Runs-from-Bears caught Elizabeth's eye, and raised a shoulder in a question she could not answer.

12

My dearest Husband Galileo Freeman,

Runs-from-Bears leaves for home shortly and he will fetch this letter to you. God grant we follow, and not long after. We hope to sail tomorrow, in what ship we don't know yet, to what port we ain't yet sure, but Hawkeye and Nathaniel are firm in their faith that it can be managed. Bears will tell you the story of how we came to be in this frenchified place, as it is too long and tiresome a tale to put down on paper.

To the Judge word that his grandchildren are in rude good health. His daughter's spirits have come up too since she has Nathaniel with her again. Little Hannah bids me tell you that the leather purse you worked for her does good service. She wishes you well as do all our friends here.

My loving greetings to our children. I trust our daughters have not forgot the lye barrel as it is high time to set soap. This year more pompkin and yellow onion should be put out, for last we ran short. Husband, remember your long underwear, for all that it itches. Otherwise the night damp will be sure to bring on your Miseries and I ask you, which is worse?

Your Loving Wife of these Many Years,

Curiosity Freeman

writ by her own hand this Fifth Day of

May, 1794

Bas-Québec, on board the Nancy

Dearest Many-Doves,

Nathaniel and Hawkeye are now restored to us in good health, and so I understand very well your joy as your husband comes home to you after so long an absence. Runs-from-Bears will give you all the news that prudence prevents me from putting to paper, but know that we will be with you as soon as it is in our power.

The children thrive, for which we thank Providence and pray the same is true of young Blue-Jay. Hannah bids me tell you and her grandmother that she has learned to bind a sprained ankle and that she is very sorry to have missed the maple festival, and so are we all. I fear she misses you more than she will admit, although the twins are a comfort to her and she takes great interest in everything she sees.

I write to beg you to visit the schoolchildren, or send them word. Summer session will begin as soon as we are returned. To Liam, my fond regards and gentle reminders that he should not neglect his reading, writing, or ciphering while we are gone. I hope to see evidence of his industry and good progress.

Hawkeye, Robbie, and Nathaniel send their greetings and loving affection to you, your mother and brother, as do Curiosity, Hannah, and I. You are always in our thoughts. With deepest affection

Elizabeth Middleton Bonner

5th of May in the Year 1794

Québec