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Sophia chewed her lip And when it was revealed that she was not a mission-minded Christian and the cooperative did not co then? But she couldn’t worry about that now

Bel asked, "Are you sure we should not tell Mr Wilson you’ve arrived?"

"No," Sophia blurted out "Not if he’s advising your brothers I must seem perfectly impartial, you see" That was all she needed, for this poor Mr Wilson to contradict her story--or worse, becoled in her deceit Bel stared at her hands, loosely linked on the railing "He wants toof disappoint a playful tone, wondering how this young woman could be unaware of her beauty and its power over ht marry whomever she pleased? "What man would not wish to marry you?"

"Perhaps e" Bel crossed her aresture Ah She was not so unaware after all

Sophia asked, "Do you wish to marry Mr Wilson?"

"I don’t know He is a kind, decent ood life together I don’t love hi But then, I don’t wish to marry for love"

Sophia laid a hand on Bel’s wrist "You deserve to be loved And that is all Gray wishes to give you You needn’t marry the first man to offer you coladly provide for all your needs He wants so desperately to hed "He wants to take me to London, dress me up in silks and jewels, and parade me before the aristocracy--the very people who profit from every instance of human misery on this island How could thatthe clouds turn vibrant shades of pink and orange in the glow of the setting sun "I do sympathize with you More than you know"

Of course, she had fled England forher home Neither of theuardians’ behest But now Sophia understood that Gray’s plans had nothing to do with currying society’s favor and everything to do with his deep love for his sister, and his desire to give her the best life he could It was impossible not to wonder--had her parents wanted the sa machinations truly been born of love?

Perhaps But now she would never know

"Miss Grayson, please pro After tomorrow, promise me you will sit doith Gray and tell him …" Sophia stopped She had meant to say, tell him honestly what you’ve told me, tell him all yourhopes and dreams And then listen to him, allow him to explain hisdreams for you, for the fa Gray needed to hear--and then the rest would fall into place The sa for her

"Tell him you love him," she said "He needs to hear it"

"Of course I will"

"You must promise me"

Bel smiled "I promise you"

"Good" Sophia squeezed Bel’s ar it Good A sense of relief descended on her as evening turned tonight With that pro would be set right So long as Gray knew he had his sister’s unconditional love

Now, Sophia just needed to do her part:sure he lived to hear it By the break of dawn, Gray kneas a dead man One way or another

He’d paced the cell’s peri like his feet She was gone, he knew it He felt it It was still within his power to trace her, with ships and old at his disposal But deadto do? He could argue his case, ally, Gray kneas in the right But if Fitzhugh was truly determined to make him an example, the facts mattered little His fate would already be sealed And Gray’s fate was not just his, but Bel’s, and Jacob’s, and Joss’s Could he gamble his entire family’s future on an atte to the floor, he nudged his brother awake "Joss Joss"

Joss stirred and rubbed his eyes "What do you want, Gray?"

"I want you to listen to ht When we

’re in this hearing today, I want you to let "

"Do I ever have a choice?" Joss stretched "I don’t expect either one of us will be offeredyour way out of this one"

"I’ It’s your skin I’ to save I mean it Joss, not a word There are papers, already drawn up in England The business, the ships--if I die, my will leaves it all to you There are trusts for Bel and Jacob" Gray let his head fall back against the stone wall and rubbed his temples "Had it drawn up the san them this year"

"Now I’m awake" Joss’s eyebrows lifted "What are you on about? Don’t turn , Joss Don’t you understand? Where would that leave Bel and Jacob?" Gray rose and began to pace the cell with agitation "One of us needs to walk out of here alive, for thee for your freedom, and that of the crew I’ll say you objected, but I coerced you into engaging the ship Beyond that … you never boarded the Kestrel, Joss They’ve got no evidence against you So just keep quiet and play along"

"You ro incapable of thinking for himself" He drew his knees to his chest and stacked his arms atop the He looked his brother in the eye "Yes, Joss That’s exactly what I mean"