May 1830
Hours grew into days as days became weeks and Madelyn kept to her promise - working diligently to earn her keep, while setting clear of his path. Thirty-six days and she had never troubled his quiet moments.
She had never troubled any of his moments.
Brand stood with Lawrence and Stephen conversing on their routes and dealings upon docking, but neither his attention nor his thoughts remained in the discussion. They stayed on the small band of men gathering at the lower deck, preparing for another evening of stories and laughter. Their gathering had become some sort of ritual.
At the close of the day's work, each would appear from their corners and plant themselves by the mast, conversing and laughing late into the night until it was decided that it was late enough and the party would break only to converge on the morrow. Brand watched them now; Henry, Jack, John, young Guy, Hartwell, Mrs. Rose and Madelyn.
