He paced the room several times, peering cautiously out each window in turn, before hat and gloves were discarded upon wash stand. Weary, hand came up to press hard against closed eyes before he answered.
"Are you not away this eve as well?" he asked. "I cannot have you risk getting into trouble with William... Captain Brand... for not being at your post when he is ready to weigh anchor. Sit with me awhile now if you can."
He winked at her.
"Will give yer mates and the old goat downstairs something wicked to talk about."