Where Seagulls Soar Read Online Free

otherwise. At least the
Joanna Rose
is free of debt. I insisted that the ships were insured for the sum required, and was able to prove it, so
Joanna Rose
wasn’t included as collateral.’
    ‘Aye, there’s that, but you can be sure they’ll seize her too if the need arises. We’ll have to try and keep her at sea, with a quick turnaround every time she’s in
port, Henry. Fetch the books. It looks as though there’s going to be some hard work in front of me before the company’s solvent again.’
    ‘You could take in a partner, sir, cut your losses. I know Lord Durrington is interested in purchasing a share of the company.’
    Alex tried to keep a sour look from appearing on his face. Durrington was the man who’d fathered him, but Alex detested him, and knew he’d never publicly acknowledge him as his
father.
    ‘I could, except for one thing.’ He smiled broadly at his manager. ‘I married Joanna Darsham, and my wife has recently presented me with a healthy son. So, you see, I have his
future to prepare for. That future doesn’t include Lord Durrington, believe me.’

2
    May had ticked over into a flawless June when Joanna threw the door wide to allow Tilda Lind inside the house.
    She stared hard at her childhood companion and friend, amazed by the change in her over the previous year or so. The last time they’d met, Tilda had still been building up her strength
after being reduced to the point of starvation and degradation by her family. Joanna could hardly believe this was the same woman.
    Tilda had always been considered plain, with her brown, heavy-lidded eyes and angular face. Now she was glowing. Apart from her trim figure, Tilda’s other claim to beauty was a glossy
sweep of brown hair, now almost hidden under her dark blue bonnet.
    ‘Oh, Tilda, you look wonderful.’ Joanna took her in a crushing hug. ‘I’m so happy to see you again.’
    The pair clung to each other, their eyes moist, Joanna remembering a time when they’d only had each other to rely on.
    Eventually, Tilda pushed her to arm’s length and looked at her severely. ‘I should be angry with you for going off to Melbourne without a word. The continent of Australia is so far
away and you missed my wedding.’
    ‘There was a good reason for it, Tilda, one I couldn’t tell you about at the time.’ And she still couldn’t tell Tilda all of the story, for the fewer the people who knew
the truth, the better. ‘Alex told me all about your wedding. Being married to the Reverend David Lind obviously agrees with you.’
    Tilda’s smile was the most spontaneous and engaging that Joanna had ever seen from her friend.
    She gazed from her to the grave-faced child clinging to Tilda’s skirt. The girl was named Grace and was a child born to Tilda’s elder sister. Mary Rushmore had died from a disease
brought about by plying her trade as a prostitute on the streets, when Grace was about four years of age. It was Grace’s good luck that Tilda had been in a position to offer the girl a
home.
    Joanna shuddered at the thought of being forced to live such a life. She was thankful she’d had someone to turn to when she’d been in trouble. Neither she nor Tilda would have
survived without help.
    ‘Hello, Gracie,’ she said. Smiling at the little girl, Joanna held out the rag doll she’d made for her on the ship. She’d just been stitching the eyes when she’d
seen her visitors come up the path. ‘I don’t think you’ll remember me. You look very pretty.’ Grace
was
pretty, with her dark curls and glowing brown eyes.
    Smoothing her hands down over her smock, the girl gazed up at Tilda.
    ‘It’s all right, dear,’ Tilda said. ‘This is my best friend, Joanna. Remember, I told you all about her?’
    Grace gave her a shy smile as she took the doll and held it tight against her. ‘Joanna went away on a ship,’ she whispered and hid her face in Tilda’s skirt.
    ‘Now I’m back home again, and we’ll soon become