A Pirate's Ransom (16 page)

My heart thundered as I shoved urgently against Edmund’s chest, while struggling to straighten the bodice of my gown. What would happen if we got caught?

“Lieutenant Drake?” the voice sounded closer.

I lowered my legs from around him and lowered my hem into place with trembling fingers. “Edmund, hurry, someone is looking for you, and we must not be discovered like this,” I whispered.

Edmund adjusted his clothes and I ran fingers through my hair.

“Shh,” he whispered. “Allow him to pass the room and when we are certain he has gone, we shall slip out and return to the ballroom.”

He crushed me against him, and I buried my face into his shirt and held my breath.

“Lieutenant Drake?”

The voice sounded just outside of the room, and there was a soft knock on the door I prayed would stay closed. I feared whoever was on the other side of that door had heard me cry out and would now surely hear my thundering heart. But the footsteps moved away from the door and echoed on down the hall. We stood there in silence, my legs trembling. Finally Edmund drew slightly away from me.

“Catherine, I’m going to open the door to be sure the hallway is clear. If it is, allow me to go out. You follow after a few moments have passed. Do you understand?” he whispered.

“Yes,” I answered, swallowing hard. The thought of the danger of being caught in this compromising position made my pulse race and I clung to him.

“Edmund, do something for me,” I whispered.

“Anything, my love.”

“Kiss me.”

His lips took mine, but unlike the passion that had ripped though us mere moments ago, his kiss was gentle and held the tenderness of a promise. Our lips parted and before I knew what had happened, Edmund had slipped out the door and disappeared into the hallway.

The remainder of the evening was a blur. All I could think about was Edmund and the fierce desire he had ignited in me. The strains of music became a vague memory to me now sitting beside him in his coach. Light snow continued to fall, and its chill had permeated the coach. Despite the fact that he had wrapped me tightly in my cloak, a shiver ran over me and, much to my surprise, he pulled me onto his lap.

“Edmund!” I gasped.

“You are cold, my love. Allow me to warm you,” he whispered, cradling me in his arms.

I snuggled into his embrace and rested my head against his shoulder, welcoming the warmth that radiated from him. His soft kiss played upon my hair. Did he just call me his love? My heart fluttered at his words. I lifted my face to his, and his soft lips found mine. His kiss was gentle, and he placed his hand beside my jaw. I could let him kiss me like this for the remainder of my days.

He drew his lips from mine and holding my face now between his hands, he stared deeply into my eyes.

My heart nearly burst with love for him, and despite what had happened between us, I could not tell him of it, for in a matter of weeks, I would be married to the Duke. As the coach pulled up before the elegant house I temporarily called home, I was overcome with a sadness so profound I could not find my voice.

Lifting me from the coach, he held me against him for a long moment.

“Edmund, why do you not you set me down?” I whispered.

“Milady, there is snow here. Allow me to carry you to the door so you do not spoil your gown.”

He did not wait for me to answer but turned and made his way to the house. James opened the door and light flooded our path as we neared the entrance.

“Good evening, Milord, Milady,” James uttered.

“Good evening, James. It is a pleasure to see you,” Edmund said.

“When we received word you would be in London, I wondered if we would be seeing you here at Hartington House.”

I looked from James to Edmund. “You two know each other?”

“Yes, James and I go way back. He’s been like a father to me, and we have quite a history here at Hartington House, don’t we, James?” Edmund replied, but offered no further information.

He set me down in the foyer and after removing my cloak handed it to the butler.

“How do you find your accommodations here, Milady?” Edmund asked.

“My rooms are beautiful.”

“I am happy to hear that. I understand the Marquis had them designed specifically with you in mind.”

“Surely you are mistaken, Lieutenant, as I have yet to meet him.”

“Nay, Milady, of this I am certain.”

“Do you know the Marquis of Hartington, Lieutenant?”

“Extremely well, Milady.”

“Perhaps one day you could introduce me to him.”

“Perhaps.”

“It’s dreadfully cold, Lieutenant, would you care to come in for some tea, or perhaps a sip of brandy before you leave?” I asked, fearful I would not see him again and hoping to prolong our time together.

“Thank you, Milady, but I should be on my way before the weather worsens.”

“I understand. Thank you, Lieutenant, for escorting me and seeing me home safely in the Duke’s stead.”

“It has truly been my pleasure, Milady. I shall see you again before you wed the Duke.”

His words cut through me. He had made love to me, yet he still expected me to marry the Duke.

“Perhaps.” My heart ached so at his words that my voice rose barely above a whisper.

“I would very much like to finish the spirited contest we began this evening?”

“I do not know if that would be possible, Lieutenant.”

“Not only will it be possible, Milady, but were I you, I would count on it.”

The sting of color flushed my cheeks.

“And now, sadly, I must depart. But I shall not be far. I shall call upon you tomorrow, if that would be all right.”

I stood in the foyer of the grand mansion momentarily stunned. “Yes, certainly, Lieutenant.”

“James,” Edmund said and nodded toward the butler.

“Good evening, Milord.”

“Good evening, Milady,” Edmund said to me.

“Lieutenant,” I replied.

Then, much to my surprised and despite the fact that the butler stood watching, he leaned closer and kissed me.

I pressed my fingers to my lips while he swept out of the front door and into the night.

“Miss, how was the celebration? Was that Captain Drake?” Mary came bounding down the stairs and rushed to my side.

“The celebration was joyful and yes, that was Captain Drake.”

“I was o’ the mind ye would be delivered home by the Duke.”

“As was I, Mary, but the Duke grew overly tired and wished to retire early. He left Captain Drake to escort me home. You will never believe what I have discovered, Mary. The Captain was never a pirate.”

“No! Well, that explains his gentlemanly ways an’ the aristocratic air wot he gots about him.”

“He is actually a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and posed as a pirate in a ruse to capture Blackbeard.”

“Ye don’t say.”

“You do not seem surprised.”

“Nay, Miss. Tobias confided in me.”

“Tobias knew this?”

“Aye, me Lady.”

“And he told you?”

“Aye, Miss.”

“Yet you saw fit to keep that information from me?”

“Aye, there were no point in tellin’ ye since we was already here.”

“I see. What else has Tobias told you about Lieutenant Drake that you are keeping from me?”

“Miss, wot makes ye think I be keepin’ things from ye? Now come, ye must be cold. There be a warm fire in yer room, and I be bringin’ ye some hot cocoa. We don’t be wantin’ ye to catch your death now, do we?”

Mary was so like a mother to me, and I smiled as I followed her up the stairs.

As promised, the fire was burning in the huge hearth, and the room was toasty warm. Mary placed the cup of hot cocoa on the bedside table and helped me out of my gown to ready me for bed. She held up my bloodied and soiled undergarments. “Me Lady, I don’t mean to be oversteppin’ me place, but be there somethin’ ye be wantin’ to tell me?”

Fire burned in my cheeks, and lowering my gaze, I burst into tears.

“Now, now, Miss. No need to get yerself all in tears.” She crossed the short distance between us and wrapped me in a hug.

“Oh, Mary, I have made such a mess of things,” I sobbed.

“He’s done it, then. He’s stolen yer virtue.”

“Oh, no. It wasn’t like that at all.”

“No? How was it then? Did ye attack him ‘n force him to take that wot don’t rightly belong to him?”

I sobbed heavily now.

“Oh, Mary. What have I done? How can I present myself to the Duke as an untouched maiden now, when it’s a lie?”

“Oh, now, Miss, perhaps the old Duke won’t have his wits about him enough to notice.”

“He would notice, Mary. Look at the soiled mess of the garment in your hand. How would the lack thereof possibly go unnoticed? Besides, there isn’t going to be a wedding.”

“Wot ye be sayin’, Miss?”

“Everything I am belongs to Edmund; my mind, heart, body, even my soul. Tomorrow I shall tell the Duke the wedding is off.”

“Oh, now, Miss, wot of yer father? Ain’t he countin’ on the marriage wot to cure his, er, financial situation?”

“Yes.” I sighed.

“Then ye best think on this, me Lady. Ye best keep mum on the matter. Marriage to the Duke won’t be so bad an’ by the look o’ the ol’ goat, probably won’t be long before ye be a widow. Then mayhap ye can be o’ the mind to marry for love. Don’t ye be frettin’ on it none. There be ways to cover yer indiscretions. No one need be the wiser.”

After she left the room, I slipped into bed and snuggled down under the warm comforter, memories of swirling waltzes and passionate encounters stirring in my mind. I glanced at the cup of hot cocoa, but left it untouched as I drifted off to sleep. My dreams that night were a continuation of my encounter with Edmund in the darkened room at the ball.

When I woke in the morning, the room was still warm. Sighi
ng deeply, I reached for the cup of cocoa, but it was gone.

I sat up in the bed and looked around the room. A fire burned softly in the hearth and the cup of cocoa sat upon the table next to the armchair before the fire. The chair, however, no longer faced the fire, but rather faced the bed. Pushing the covers aside, I rose from the bed and made my way sleepily toward the chair.

I wondered how my cocoa got over here, and when I looked in the cup I found it to be empty.
Well, I hope the ghost who visited my room last night enjoyed my cocoa
.

Mary bustled into the room then and she seemed in a hurry.

“Good morning, Mary.” I stretched and yawned.

“Miss, ye must hurry an’ get dressed.” She stood beside the dressing table wringing her hands.

“What is it, Mary? What has happened?” My first thought was that somehow the Duke had discovered what had happened between Edmund and me.

“It be the Duke, Miss.”

Were my worst fears about to be realized?

“Has he arrived already? It’s a bit early for him to be calling.” I tried to sound as if my heart were not thundering in my throat.

“Nay, Miss, he ain’t come callin’, and I would venture to guess he ain’t never goin’ to.”

“Good Lord, Mary, has he discovered ...?" I couldn’t even bring myself to utter the words. Had our reckless behavior endangered our lives?

She took a tentative step toward me, and the color drained from her cheeks as she stood there still wringing her hands.

“For heaven’s sake, Mary. What has happened?” A cold dread rushed over me, and the hair on my neck rose. I lowered my voice. “Is it Edmund?”

“Miss, it be awful. The Duke, well, he be no longer with us.”

“What? What do you mean ‘he no longer is with us’?”

“I mean ... the ol’ Duke ... well, he died last night, in his sleep they say.”

I stood there in disbelief. I had no feelings of love for the old man, but still I was overcome by the thought that the man who had shown me kindness, and that I’d been about to marry, had died.

“I’m so sorry, Miss.”

“Oh, Mary. This is dreadful.”

“Aye, Miss. Wot’ll ever become of us now?”

At the funeral, Lieutenant Drake took charge and acted as if he were some relation. Everyone who shook his hand and spoke to him in soft whispers seemed sincere in their condolences. A few came over to me, but I knew the gossips were whispering behind gloved hands.

After the funeral services, I was taken back to Hartington House in a coach with the Duke’s crest upon its doors. I was numb and really did not know how I should be feeling, but despite this, I knew I had to make arrangements for our departure.

“Mary,” I called from my room.

“Aye, Miss,” she answered, popping her head in at the door.

“Mary, please ask Tobias to get our trunks brought up here so that we can pack.”

“Pack, Miss?”

“Yes. We have been here on the good will of Duke Simmons and his son, pending the wedding, but now that the Duke has passed on, well, surely we would be expected to return to the island.”

“Oh, Miss, I ain’t heard no talk o’ that.”

“Regardless, Mary. We are already considered to have been only after the Duke’s money, and I shan’t allow those tongues to wag any further. We have been here on Duke Simmons’ charity and that of the Marquis long enough.”

“I think ye be mistaken, Miss.”

“Mary, please. This is not the time to question me. Kindly ask Tobias to fetch the trunks.

“Aye, Miss.” She turned and scurried out the door.

“Oh, and Mary?”

“Aye?” She popped her head back into the room.

“Did you enjoy my cocoa last night?” I tilted my head toward the empty cup, which still sat upon the table before the fire.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Miss, but it ain’t me wot drunk yer cocoa.”

“Is it some specter then that visits in the dark of night, turns the chair to face my bed, watches me sleep, and then drinks my cocoa?”

“I don’t be knowin’ nothin’ ‘bout no specter, Miss.”

I was beginning to lose my patience. “What do you know of this?”

“Nothin’, Miss. I don’t be knowin’ nothin’. I swear it.” But she wrung her hands, and I knew she was hiding something.

My eyes narrowed. “Mary,” I said in a warning tone, “I want the truth.”

“I ain’t got nothin’ more to say on the subject.”

“Very well, Mary, then please get Tobias in here with the trunks.”

“Aye, Miss,” she replied and hurried out of the room.

Perhaps Tobias would have something to say about the specter that had visited my bedchamber in the night.

Tobias appeared at my door with his cap in his hand and per his usual, danced from one foot to the other.

“Me Lady?”

“Tobias, would you please bring my trunks in here so that we can start packing my things.”

“Pack yer things, me Lady?”

“Yes. With the Duke having passed on, there will be no wedding. We cannot remain here on his charity or that of the Marquis.”

“Well, me Lady, don’t be hasty now. I be o’ the mind the Marquis would be wantin’ ye to remain here.”

“Really? And are you acquainted with the Marquis?”

He danced again before me, then answered, “Me Lady, ye can’t be leavin’. Do ye forget yer father be arrivin’ in the mornin’?”

“Oh my, yes, you are right, Tobias. I had completely forgotten the Duke had sent for my father for the wedding.”

“Aye, so there be no sense in preparin’ to be leavin’ just yet. Besides that, I have a matter o’ great importance to see to tomorrow.” He frowned and I wondered if he had let slip some tidbit of information he had meant to keep secret.

“And what might that be, Mister Smith?”

“Well, I-I must accompany the Captain, that is, the Lieutenant as it be, to the ceremony.”

“Ceremony?”

“Aye, me Lady.” He turned to leave the room.

“What ceremony, Mister Smith?”

Facing me once again, he answered, “That be the ceremony namin’ the Marquis as the new Duke a Devonshire.”

“I see. And who will be fetching my father at the docks?”

“Well, the Duke’s son. He made all the arrangements. Ye need not worry.”

“Mister Smith, does the Duke’s son have a name?”

“Aye, me Lady, the Marquis a Hartington,” he said and turned once more to leave the room.

“Mister Smith!” I nearly shrieked. “Where are you going now?”

“I have to get a move on. I be runnin’ behind me time.”

He tugged his old, red cap down over his shaggy gray hair and scurried from the room.

I nearly screamed. That man was trying my patience.

The next morning, after another night of taunting dreams and tossing and turning in sleep tormented by memories of Edmund, I made my way down to breakfast. I was surprised to see Mister Smith, standing in the hallway, hair cut and neatly combed, clean shaven, and dressed in a fine dark coat and matching trousers. He wore a clean white shirt with a neatly tied cravat and even his dark boots shown with the sparkle of a fresh shine. Mary was using a brush to be certain his coat held not a speck of lint.

“My, my, Tobias Smith. You are the picture of a gentleman dressed in your finery.”

“Thank ye, me Lady.” He adjusted his coat and, clearing his throat, he said, “I be pleased to make yer acquaintance.”

“Very good, Mister Smith. Very good.”

We laughed together just as we had that day on the ship.

I burned with the need to question the wiry little man, yet seeing the gleam in Mary’s eyes as she tended to him, I thought better of it. I will question him at length upon his return, I thought as I made my way to the table.

But my day proved to be so full of activity with Father’s arrival that thoughts of interrogating Tobias Smith completely slipped my mind.

I wanted to look just right for my father’s arrival, not impoverished as we were on the island, but not dressed in an exquisite gown either. I selected a simple gown of dusty rose that had a modest neckline and long sleeves.

Father arrived in the early afternoon. We had parted under tenuous circumstances and my stomach danced with a case of the jitters as the coach drew up to the house. So not to appear to be over anxious, I hurried into the drawing room and, taking up my needlework, began to hum the tune of a song the pirates sang while they worked. I heard the commotion of the arriving coach, but I allowed James to get the door and show Father in.

I grew silent at the sound of the front door opening and that of James’s deep voice greeting my father. I squeezed the needle tightly between my fingers, and my heart beat in my ears, keeping time with the ticking clock that sat on the mantel.

“Welcome to Hartington House, Milord, Milady.”

Milady? What? I mindlessly drove the tip of the needle into my finger. Who on earth had father gotten entangled with since I was taken from
The Tempest
?

“Lady Catherine is expecting you,” James said. “She awaits you in the drawing room. Allow me to take your wraps.” After a brief moment, he continued, “If you would kindly step this way.”

The crisp rustle of skirts and staccato heels sounded. The footsteps moved closer to the drawing room, and my stomach tightened. Not quite knowing what to expect, I rose from my chair to greet my father and the woman who had accompanied him. As they entered, my mouth dropped opened.

“
Bella mio
, my little’a stick, I’m so happy to see you.” The Contessa’s musical voice filled the room.

“Contessa? I never expected to see you again. I couldn’t be happier to discover you are alive and well, and here in London.”

“
Si
, it’s all because of you
Captaino
Drake. He rescued me.”

She spread her arms open and I rushed into her embrace. We stood together for a moment, both laughing and crying. Father remained silent as he waited patiently and watched the emotional reunion. Finally he said, “Catherine.”

I turned to face him. He stood there in his brown tweed traveling clothes looking tired and for the first time I had to admit he was starting to look his age. Our eyes met and in that moment I relieved all the hurt he had caused, all the times he had made me feel unimportant and like I was a burden to him. The sting of his cowardice on the day I was captured opened a new wound in my heart. Tears stung my eyes and I realized my hands were balled into fists at my side as I fought for control. Part of me wanted to kiss him and finally be accepted for who I was, and part of me wanted to kill him for always making me feel inadequate and unloved.

“Come in, come in. Please allow me to have some tea brought in.” My voice sounded cold and indifferent.

James, who had been standing in the doorway simply nodded and slipped away.

“How was your journey?” I asked.

“Long,” my father answered. “Truth be told, the seas are a bit rough this time of year, and I spent much of the trip feeling rather indisposed.”

“Father, I thought I would never see you again,”

Why not cut right to the chase and have it out with him now?

“Catherine, I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”

“Sorry?”

“Yes, for that day on
The Tempest
. I should have rallied the crew and tried to do something to save you, yet I was a coward and did nothing.”

“Yes, you were.”

“I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and then perhaps one day I shall be able to forgive myself.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. “It’s not just that day, Father. You have mistreated me my entire life. You have made me feel as if I am nothing to you but a burden.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears pooled in his eyes. “Looking back now I think it was my way of dealing with your mother’s death and I’m so sorry. I love you, Catherine. Please, can you forgive an old fool and let us start anew?”

Then my father opened his arms and all my misgivings and trepidation melted away. I rushed into his embrace.

He planted soft kisses upon my hair, and I burst into tears, releasing all the emotions I didn’t even realize I had been holding back all this time. We cried together and when I glanced at the Contessa, I saw that she, too, had shed a few tears. When I was finally able to gain a measure of control, I said, “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, Father, but I believe you have made the arduous journey for naught.”

“For naught? You consider the wedding of my daughter to be naught?”

“That’s just it, Father. There isn’t going to be a wedding.”

“No wedding?”

“Father, there is something I must tell you.”

“What is it, my dear? What has happened?” A shiver rushed over him.

“Oh, where are my manners? You’re cold. Please come, sit and warm yourselves by the fire.” Flustered, I ushered them further into the room.

“I must admit, I have forgotten how cold it can be here in London. This frigid, damp climate can chill a man to the marrow,” Father commented as he drew closer to the fire burning in the grate.

“Now, what is it you wish to tell me, Catherine?” he asked.

“Father, it’s the Duke.”

“What about him? Has he tried to renege on his marriage contract?”

“No, Father. It’s .. well ... he ... well ...”

“Spit it out, girl.”

“I don’t know quite how to tell you, but the Duke has died.” Despite myself, my lip quivered.

“
Madonna mio! Morto
!” The Contessa clasped her hands to her ample bosom.

“When? How did it happen?” Father asked.

“He passed in the middle of the night, in his sleep. His funeral was yesterday and Father, I have to tell you, he was a very old man.”

“Surely you exaggerate. At your tender age you think me a very old man.”

“No, Father, he was quite up in years.”

“How old of a man was he?” he asked with a raised brow.

“He looked to be older than your father, or even his father before him. He was in a wheel chair and wheezed as he breathed. A very frail man who took to fits of coughing, and on more than one occasion I feared he would succumb to death before my very eyes.”

“I knew he was somewhat older, but I had no idea. I’m sorry, Catherine.”

“But he was very kind to me, as his son, the Marquis, has been. This lovely home is his son’s residence, but now that the wedding will no longer occur, we should probably make arrangements to return to our home on the island.”

“Please, believe me, daughter, I had no idea the Duke was so on in years when I accepted his proposal.”

“I’m sure you didn’t. At any rate, as I said, I fear you have traveled a very long way for naught.”

Just then, Mary arrived pushing a cart holding the tea service, James following closely behind her.

“Milord,” James said to my father, “this message has just been delivered for you.”

“For me? But who on earth even knows I’m here?”

The cream-colored envelope had a rich look to it and was closed with a wax seal bearing the crest of the Duke of Devonshire. Tearing open the seal and removing the thin slip of paper from the envelope, Father’s eyes flew over the note.

He slid his watch from the pocket in his vest and a frown crossed his brow.

“What is it, Father?”

“A request from the Marquis, the heir apparent as it were, to meet with him this afternoon. His note says there is a matter of urgency and great importance he wishes to discuss with me.”

“I suspect he will be asking us to depart and leave him to his residence,” I said as nerves jumped in my stomach.

“There is no way to know that for certain until I meet with him.”

“What time is the meeting, Father?

“In less than an hour’s time. His note says he will be sending a coach, so if someone would kindly show me to my room, I best refresh my appearance and change my clothes.”