“I am now the managing owner of a London ship trading to Oporto,” Smith said, “and I’ve sent Captain Hargreaves there in Maid of Kent to test the prices and pick up a cargo. He’ll be off to Virginia when he returns from Portugal, which should give Mrs Hargreaves peace for a couple of months!”
Maid of Kent “A woman is riding up the drive,” Bess interrupted quietly. “She looks to be in a hurry.”
“What sort of woman?” Smith looked up from the trading and smuggling accounts they were perusing.
Bess stood beside the window that overlooked the northern policies of the Spike. “A wealthy woman riding a thoroughbred black horse. A titled lady, I’d say, by her arrogance.”
Smith joined Bess at the window. “Lady Charlotte Fitzwarren,” he said. “What the devil does she want here?”
“She’ll want to
