An icy sweat of sheer hatred washed over James as he saw the boy struggling to comprehend this, the puzzled frown on his young face, as the faithless father told the boy that his mother was faithless too.

“I don’t think she does know,” Rob said tentatively. “She would’ve told us when we asked where you were.”

“Well, you’re doing well enough for yourself anyway,” his father said cheerfully. “Fine clothes and fine friends.” He turned to James. “I’m Zachary Reekie,” he said. “Captain of the coastal trader Jessie.”

“I’m James Summer,” James said, not offering his hand. “Tutor to Master Walter Peachey here, and to your son, who is his lordship’s server of the body and companion.”

“In the Peachey household?” Zachary demanded of his son. “Didn’t I say there was no need to worry about your mother? What did she have to do to get you in there? Imagine I know! Is Mr. Tudeley still the steward there?”

Rob flushed scarlet. “My mother keeps the stillroom for the Priory,” he stumbled.

“It was I who asked for Rob to be Master Walter’s companion,” James said, making sure that his cold rage did not creep into his smooth tone. “Mrs. Reekie was wise to accept the place for him. He is in service and paid by the quarter, and when Master Walter goes to university I hope to get Rob apprenticed to a physician. He is skilled with herbs and medicines and he’s studying Latin with me.”

“Oh, aye, that’s what we say, is it?” Zachary said unpleasantly. “I’m glad it has turned out so well for us all.” He turned as if he thought they might let him go, but at once Rob laid hold of his arm.

“But you will come home now, Da? Now that you’re not in the navy anymore?”

“I can’t immediate,” he said, looking again to James for help. “I got out of the navy when they went over to the prince. When the ships went to Prince Charles, I got away. I couldn’t have looked your uncle Ned in the eye if I had served the king! Now could I? But I had to indenture myself to the ship Jessie and so I’m bound to serve in her for another year. She’s a coastal trader, all around England and all around France. I’m never here. Never stop sailing. But as soon as I’ve served my time I’ll come back to you, for sure.”

“But what shall I tell Ma?” Rob pressed him.

“Tell her that! Ask this tutor of yours to explain. He understands, don’t you, sir?”

“Very well,” James said levelly.

Rob looked at him with hope. “You do?”

“I understand that your father was bound to the navy and is now bound to a trading vessel. That’s quite usual. He’ll be able to come home when his term is over, but we can tell your mother that he is alive and well, and will return.”

“If it suits her,” Zachary said. He turned to James and, unseen by his son, closed his eye on a wink.

James swallowed distaste. “But you must have a drink with us and talk with your son now we have so luckily found you,” he said heartily. “It’s such a chance! We only came to Newport to see the sights of the island and catch a glimpse of the king, and we have found you.”

Walter did not look as if it were much of a treat for him, but Zachary brightened at the invitation to take a drink. “We can go in here,” he said, indicating one of the quayside alehouses. “I have a slate here and I wouldn’t mind bringing them some trade.” He winked again at James. “Gentry trade,” he said. “Carriage trade. That’ll surprise them.”

“Certainly,” James said pleasantly, and led the way into the room, looking around quickly to ensure that although it was a poorhouse, serving fishermen and the harbor traders, it was not bawdy or unsafe for the boys.

Walter and Rob took their seats at a small table in the corner while the men stood at the doorway to the kitchen to order their drinks. Zachary entered into a brief whispered discussion with the landlord that James cut short by saying, “Tell him I will clear your slate.”

“Kindly of you,” Zachary said, instantly suspicious.

“I may have work for you,” James said.

“Happy to help a friend of the Peacheys. Or perhaps you’re a friend of my wife?”

James was stony-faced at the slur on Alinor. “This is for the Peacheys,” he said. “I think I may be able to put some business your way.”

“Oh, aye,” Zachary said, agreeably. “Boys, would you take a slice of beef and bread? I know boys are always hungry.”

Walter, uncomfortable, shook his head.

“We just dined,” James explained. “They’ll take a glass of small ale and then they’ll go back to our inn.”

“Fair enough,” Zachary said. “I’ll take a measure, since you’re buying.” He nodded to the landlord, who poured a spirit from a blackened bottle under the table. Zachary raised his earthenware cup in a toast to his son. “It’s good to see you, my boy,” he said fondly. “And looking so fine!”

The boys were awkward at the table. Rob did not take his eyes from his father’s face but asked no more questions. After a while, James told them that they could make their way back to the inn and go to bed. “I will make arrangements with your father,” he promised Rob.

“Will you, sir?” Rob’s brown eyes were trustingly on his face. “Shall we see him tomorrow?”

“I’ll ask him to breakfast with us.”

“Thank you, sir, because . . . I have to ask him . . . I have to be able to explain to my mother how it was.”

James thought of Alinor’s poverty and the terrible risk to her reputation since this man had abandoned her and their two children. “I’ll speak to him,” he promised, and was ashamed at his own duplicity when the boy’s face cleared.

The men waited until the boys had left and the door had closed behind them.

“What d’you want with me?” Zachary said bluntly. “You needn’t cony-catch me.”

“I need your ship,” James said. “I agreed with a coastal trader to meet me here, but he has failed. I need to commission a voyage out to sea.”

“Which way?” Zachary asked sarcastically. “For this is an island. It is out to sea in every direction.”

“South, towards France.”

“That’s what I do, once a week.”

“You’re the ship’s master?” James confirmed. “You can sail when and where you want?”

“Provided I have a load and can turn a profit,” Zachary said. “My owner trusts me to manage the business.”

“I want you to meet a ship offshore and transfer some goods,” James said. “You don’t need to know more.”

“Smuggling?” Zachary asked quietly. “It can be done, but it is expensive.”

“I will pay you,” James promised him. “I will pay you well.”

“Would this be a barrel sort of goods? Or a chest sort of goods? Or more like a person?” he asked.

“You don’t need to know that,” James said. “All you need to know is that you will be well paid, and set sail a few minutes after midnight. I will come with you. Not the boys.”