Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(13)

“You brought twelve children here?” George asked incredulously, pointing down. “To this house?”

“That sounds like you,” Garrett put in. “How do you like being in trade?”

“I enjoy it very much,” I beamed. “I’ve saved us hundreds of pounds and continue to expand our territory. I’m actually considering a few deals in Hegnen.”

“Hegnen?” Garrett repeated, leaning back in his chair. “Impressive. The men in Hegnen are very cautious. They don’t make rash decisions when it involves new...well, anything. They are very independent on their own.”

I placed my fork down. “Exactly. That’s why I’ve sent over samples of spices and fruits—things they’ve never seen before—in hopes they’ll sign the deal.” One of our servants walked into the parlor, placing more steaming hot coffee on the table.

“Cora, what time is it?” I asked.

“A quarter before ten, my Lady,” she muttered. Thanking her, I popped a grape in my mouth.

“I must be off,” I announced, standing.

“Where are you going?” George inquired through a mouthful of eggs.

“Going to the shipping yard to check on Mr. Torres.”

“By yourself?” George barked.

I turned and frowned. “Yes, by myself. This is Bampshire, a small ocean town. Not Lvon, the capital of whores and gambling halls.”

Garrett chuckled behind his hand while George stood. “A shipping town still has burly men with bad intentions, and pirates.”

“And if they act on those bad intentions, I have a surprise waiting for them.”

“What kind—”

“May I come along? I would like to see this small empire you and your father are building.” Garrett interrupted.

“Absolutely. I would love to show you around.”

“I’m coming as well,” George said.

I rolled my eyes. “Like you’d stay here by yourself.”

Both men followed me out of the small dining room and toward the side of the house. We made our way to the stables, where I saddled my black mare, Onyx. Our ride wasn’t a long one, but through every minute of it, I knew exactly where Garrett’s horse was. A morning chill caused goose bumps to run along my body, and I shivered. I blamed it on the small wind, and not how strapping Garrett looked.

When we entered town, it was already bustling with carriages and people. Fruit markets lined the walkway, and children were running all around, dodging legs as they go. I waved to a few townsfolk I knew, and we continued the short distance to the shipping yard.

The smell of the salty ocean filled my nostrils; it was one of my favorites. The scent of endless possibilities on the open seas. Birds gawked and flew in circles over the unloading ships. Burly men hustled up and down ships, carrying goods and supplies to the front of our inventory building. Mornings were always busy.

“Mornin’, Lady Barlow!” shouted Frankie. The boy creased his brows, looking at the two men at my side.

“Good morning, Frankie,” I greeted. “Where is Mr. Torres?”

Frankie pointed a bony finger at the large storage building. “Last I seen ‘im was in thuh storage buildin’. He was countin’ thuh goods from thuh Maiden.”

“Is that the ship from Corteneza?” I asked, watching the ship’s men unload sacks of goods.

“Yeah.”

“What are they unloading?”

“Grain, corn, beans, meats, some perfume,” he reported, counting with his fingers. “Some spices, lantern oil, funit—”

“Do they have sugar, Frankie?” I interrupted, trying to get to my point.

“Umm…yeah, sugar was one I saw on thuh list,” he replied.

I sighed, grumbling, “I’d asked them not to bring sugar until they’d signed my new agreement.” I said my thanks to Frankie and asked him to meet me in the storage unit in a few minutes. Dismounting Onyx, I tied the reins to a nearby pole that had a flag flying from it with “Barlow Barters,” as well as the company symbol.

“Excuse me, sir.” I walked up to the nearest man, carrying two sacks. The man grinned at me, showing two missing front teeth. “Where is your Captain?”

“Thur Captin’ is on thee deck. Need me to fetch ‘em?” he asked.

“No, I can manage, thank you.” I turned toward the dock, when a hand grabbed my arm.

“You aren’t going on that ship alone,” George asserted, his eyes widening like I’d lost my mind.

“I’m not alone. I have both of you,” I retorted, snatching my arm out of his grasp.

George rolled his eyes. “But you still would have gone if we weren’t here.”

I pretended to think about it. “More than likely, yes.” I looked up at Garrett, who was studying me. “Coming?”

He grinned in response and followed me up the ramp to the ship. Dodging several unloading men, the smell of brine filled my nose, as birds squawked in the air above. Aboard the ship, I scanned the deck for a man with a large hat, barking orders and, more than likely, standing around doing nothing—the captain. A deep voice hollered orders, and I turned toward it, smirking.

“Excuse me, Captain,” I shouted over the noise. “May I have a word?”