Chapter 26

We made our plans while riding back to the Marshall place that evening. About two-thirds of the way, we ran into Mister Marshall coming toward us. By that point, the sky was a sickly greenish-gray marked by occasional flashes of lightning jumping between the clouds. The wind rose and fell like someone’s breath, as though the world were waiting for something big to happen.

“I was coming to fetch you if you weren’t already on your way,” Mister Marshall said. “Come on—be quick. This one’s going to be bad.”

The rain had just begun when we reached the cabin. Mister Marshall urged Cedric to stay the night and put Lizzie in the barn with the other restless animals. “You don’t know what these storms are like. I saw a couple when I first came to survey this place. They roll in off the ocean, big swirling beasts that grow and grow, with winds that can flatten houses. They’re worse closer to the water, but we’ll still catch some of it here inland before it breaks up.”

I immediately thought of my friends back at Wisteria Hollow. “Will it hit Cape Triumph? It’s right on the water.”

“Depends on what direction it’s coming in from. Lots of times they’re shielded from the coast. If it does hit—don’t worry. They know what to do.”

Cedric was reluctant to stay at first, but as the rain turned into a nonstop sheet of water and the wind wailed around us, he finally conceded. “You wanted a storm,” he told me as we ate dinner. Everyone was tense as the storm grew in ferocity outside. Every so often the little cabin shuddered from a particularly strong blast of wind.

I couldn’t sleep when we went to bed. The little girls around me were scared, and I told them soothing things I didn’t entirely believe, like that the storm was almost over and the cabin would hold. They eventually drifted off, but I still couldn’t manage it and got out of bed. Downstairs, I found I wasn’t the only one awake. Cedric sat on the kitchen table’s bench while Mister Marshall paced restlessly around. He glanced over but didn’t chastise me. “Stay away from the windows” was all he said before resuming his vigil.

I sat down next to Cedric and laced my fingers with his. “Your home won’t survive this. You should have gotten that tarp.”

“I don’t think a tarp could’ve stopped this. But we’ll be okay as long as the gold doesn’t blow away.”

I stared off as the storm raged and felt old memories consume me. “It’s just like the ship.”

“No.” He squeezed my hand. “You’re safe here. Your friends are safe.”

I nodded, but it was hard not to shake that unease. I remembered that feeling of being knocked around at sea, my stomach rolling as the world turned on its side. And off on the dark water, the Gray Gull tossed to and fro . . .

The storm eventually quieted, but I didn’t trust it. “The eye,” Mister Marshall confirmed. “We’re halfway through.”

Sure enough, the lull passed, and the storm renewed its fury. I grew tense again. Cedric sat on the floor (now covered in straw) and put his back to the log wall. He beckoned me down, and I sat between his outstretched legs, leaning back against his chest. Mister Marshall glanced at us but didn’t seem particularly interested, even when Cedric wrapped his arms around my waist.

Cedric smoothed my hair back. “Get some rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

A particularly powerful blast of wind slammed into the cabin, making the walls shake. I flinched, and Cedric readjusted his hold on me.

“The ship,” I said. “I just can’t stop thinking about it. And you know what else? I can’t stop thinking about Tamsin thinking about the ship. I know that sounds weird. But if they’re getting some of this back in Cape Triumph, she must be so scared.”

“She’s in a house better built than this one. And she’s with Mira. Surely Mira can fight the forces of nature.”

“Mira is a force of nature.”

Somehow, amazingly, the raging wind and rain faded to background noise over time. I stopped jumping at every loud sound, and dozed against Cedric. I woke to him gently helping me to stand. “The worst is over. It’s getting quieter. Let’s get to real beds.” Stifling a yawn of his own, he guided me upstairs to the girls’ room. I climbed into bed with them and fell asleep before Cedric even shut the door.

When morning came, the blue sky and bright sunlight would have made anyone believe the storm had been a dream. Closer scrutiny proved otherwise. Trees and limbs had fallen all over the property, but none had hit the buildings. Mister Marshall’s diligent work on the cabin had paid off, though the barn roof had sustained some damage, as had the fence surrounding his fields. He and his family immediately set to work on repairs, and Cedric and I rode off to White Rock.

There, we found a wide array of storm damage. The more hastily thrown-together businesses and homes hadn’t fared well, though most of their owners had been able to seek shelter with neighbors whose structures were sturdier. Residents now worked side by side to rebuild, uniting in a way that stirred up that feeling within me about the promise this new frontier held.

With everyone so busy, it was a difficult time to recruit workers for Cedric’s claim. When we heard that Warren had fought through the storm and arrived late last night from Denham, we decided to change plans and appeal to him directly. We still didn’t know if Elias had been responsible for the harness accident, but Warren had seemed legitimately interested in our success.

The governor’s home was a newly built estate, boasting luxuries like wallpaper and brass sconces. Elias’s snide words rang in my head as a servant led us to a fine rug in the foyer: “From a distance, I wouldn’t even think you’re a woman at all.” My practical attire was worn, my skin darkened from the sun. The only styling attempt I made anymore was halfheartedly tying my hair back.

I felt particularly inadequate when I caught sight of Warren in his typically impeccable attire. He was walking out a man I didn’t know, saying, “I assure you, the rumors are just that. There are no Lorandians moving across the western colonies. No Icori either. Times are becoming stable, and so people start creating phantoms.”

When the visitor was gone, Warren turned his attention to us. A brief, raised eyebrow was his only indication of surprise at our appearance. “I’m so happy to see you again, Adelaide.” Then, belatedly to Cedric: “And you too, of course.”

“How was your journey?” I asked politely.

“Rough.” Warren’s face fell. “The storm blew up while we were crossing the bay last night. We . . . lost a few people.” He studied me a few moments before going on. “I would’ve stayed in Cape Triumph had I known the risks, but here we are. Elias tells me you two have some exciting news.”

Like a conjured demon, Elias slinked into the room. Cedric held out the gold nugget. “I found it after only a little digging.”

Elias took the nugget but held it at arm’s length, like it might be toxic. “Bigger than that last bit you came flashing around. And it seems authentic.”

“Of course it is,” said Warren, snatching it away. Enthusiasm filled his features. “And this could make both our fortunes. Have you told anyone?”

I hesitated. “No . . . but we were hoping to hire some men today now that this is confirmed. Of course, with the storm—”