Chapter Six
Lucy was bursting with excitement and desperate for someone to share it with. But as much as she wanted to shout it to the skies, she’d had a lifetime of hiding herself away. Most half children did. She knew she couldn’t go around making noise, but inside she was singing at the top of her lungs.
She’d forgotten how wonderful life could be.
Once upon a time, she’d lived this joy every day. She’d had to hide who she was, of course. She’d dressed as a boy and stood as translator for her master who bartered in the Thirteen Factories district. It was the only place where whites were allowed to bargain with Chinese for goods. And since she was a half person, she was allowed to taint herself by interacting with the English. She learned their language in halting gestures and grunting phrases. And the more she learned, the more capable she became.
That meant she got excellent deals for her master, and within a year, he followed her lead, not the other way around. Indeed, it went much like it had with Lord Domac, and how amazing it felt to be doing that again.
Her sister landed before her, jumping down from wherever she’d been in the sails. ‘How did it go?’ Grace asked. Then she held up her hand. ‘Don’t answer. I can see it on your face.’
‘It was like being back in the factory district,’ she said. ‘Only better.’
‘Better? How is that possible?’
Because of Lord Domac. Because he had watched her with respect instead of criticism, and he’d moved to protect her when he was worried. And because he had seen the girl in the shadows and let her shine, as well.
‘It was so much fun. I got good prices, too.’
Her sister looked over her shoulder at where Lord Domac and a sailor were bringing on two crates. ‘We don’t have room in the hold for that,’ she said.
‘You can find someplace, can’t you?’ She leaned forwards and spoke the rest quietly because it was too wonderful to give full voice to. Good news was always whispered in secret, even though they spoke in Chinese that no one else would understand. ‘Father has said the profits when we sell them will go into my dowry.’ She squeezed her sister’s fingers. ‘I will have a dowry! Me!’
Her sister’s eyes widened. To have money was the dream of all people, but especially the half children. ‘Money,’ she breathed. Then in a more moderate tone, she said, ‘Husband?’ In truth, the word came out more as a question. As if that wasn’t also the dream of every young girl.
‘Don’t you want to be married?’ Lucy asked. ‘To have a home of your own?’ Children all around. Nice clothing and food. These were things she dreamed about at night. Of being part of a family without fear of starvation or being beaten for whatever reason. She dreamed of a mother’s love, if not from a woman to her, then from her to a child.
And she wished for a man who was kind and had a lightness to him. Just like Lord Domac.
‘My home is aboard ship,’ Grace said. ‘I do not need a husband for that.’
No, but she needed a captain who supported her. And people who would protect her when they docked at whatever port. Life aboard ship was not as safe as a wealthy home on land. But Grace was not someone who could remain still. Lucy, on the other hand, looked for safety in the shadows in a place she could call home.
‘I am building my dowry,’ Lucy said, her happiness undimmed by her sister’s skepticism.
‘But where are you going to store that?’ Grace pressed, looking at the two huge crates. ‘There isn’t room in the hold.’
‘We could get one of the crates in our berth, couldn’t we? And the other…’ She looked around. ‘You know this ship through and through. There has to be someplace.’
‘That will keep it safe and dry?’ She shook her head. ‘There is no place except the captain’s quarters. Maybe.’
‘Then we will have to put it there.’ She spoke with certainty, though inside she was fearful.
‘Go to the hold first. Let’s see what we can do.’
They couldn’t do anything. Everything was tied down and bolstered. There wasn’t even room for rats.
Her sister shook her head. ‘Speak nicely to the captain.’ Then she pressed a kiss to Lucy’s cheek. ‘I have to go back to work.’
‘We could keep it in our room, yes? At least one chest?’
‘And do we sleep on it then?’
There wasn’t room in their tiny space. Not if both of them slept at the same time.
Grace patted her sister’s shoulder. ‘Speak to the captain. He may have an idea.’
The captain did not. And even she had to admit that there was precious little space in the captain’s quarters. Which left her at a complete loss. Why hadn’t she thought about storage before she’d purchased so much? But she’d gotten caught up in the negotiation.