Claimed By Chaos (32 page)

Chapter 59

Merde.
Giselle thought the word for probably the hundredth time in a week. It had always been her favorite word but it had become a mantra. She discreetly swished tea in her mouth to get rid of the taste and smell of the bitter acid she cast up in the potted palm in Lady Gasden’s hallway. Her stomach clenched angrily as she swallowed it. Giselle centered her focus on breathing steadily in and out of her nose until it was time for them to depart. Once they did, she clenched her jaws as Mirabelle chatted away in the carriage until they reached Spencer Place.

“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go lay down for a bit. My head feels like it’s going to split open.” Giselle lied as they entered the hall.

Finally alone and in her room, Giselle quickly stripped down to her chemise and crawled into bed. She could no longer ignore what her body was telling her. She’d been either nauseas, exhausted, famished or in urgent need of a chamber pot for the last two weeks and her courses were more than a month late.

Giselle pulled a pillow over her face and screamed. When that was done, she considered trying to smother herself.
You let this happen, you stupid girl.
She cursed as she pressed her hands to her stomach. Why did she let this happen?
Because you’re weak and selfish.
She reminded herself. It had been impossible for her to resist Alastair. Her body needed his as much as food and air. She wanted all of him. Giselle loved the taste of his saliva, the feel of his sweat on her skin and the explosion of heat inside of her when he filled her with his seed. Despite her fears, she had offered herself to Alastair every chance she could and greedily wrapped herself around him when he spilled himself in her.

What was she going to do? As soon as he knew he would demand that she marry him. Giselle wasn’t as afraid of the idea as she used to be but she still needed more time. She wanted to make the decision for the right reasons, not because she’d forced herself into a corner.

She couldn’t do anything before Weering was dealt with. If Alastair knew that she was carrying his baby, he’d refuse to let her continue. Giselle felt her eyes grow wide when she realized that she didn’t want to be actively involved with the investigation anymore. Could she stay behind and let Alastair, Gilles and Lucien handle Weering without her? Giselle frowned. They were all capable but what if something happened to any of them? What if her not being there made the difference? She shook her head. She brought this into their lives, it was her responsibility to see it to the end, no matter what it cost her personally. She wouldn’t fail Elise, Mirabelle or The Mothers. She would do all she could to protect their men.

Giselle stared at the ceiling and cursed herself for falling in love with Alastair. Then, she cursed herself for falling in love with his entire family. Then, she fell asleep.

Chapter 60

“It looks like we got here just in time.” Alastair said as his eyes scanned The Chimera and its crew. “They’re just about ready to depart.” The last of the cargo was being loaded onto the brigantine and secured.

“There’s Weering.” Gilles whispered as he nodded toward the dock at the bottom of the gangplank. Alastair nodded as he looked over the ship again.

“It’s light and built for speed. I’d wager he keeps all of his documents on board. I think he runs everything from there and is always ready to slip away at a moment’s notice.” Alastair saw Lucien checking his pistols, preparing to move as soon as they received the signal that Digby had arrived and had his men in place. Gilles handed Giselle two pistols. She tucked them into the waist of her breeches and started twisting her hair into a tight bun. Alastair felt his gut clench and fought the urge to tell her to stay behind. As if she read his mind, she leaned in close, resting her hand on his shoulder as she stared at the ship.

“I think we should move now. If he boards and they pull that gangplank, we’ll have to wait for a ship to board. We risk losing him if he makes it to open sea.” Giselle’s eyes remained fixed ahead, watching the crew. Alastair shook his head and his lips pulled tight.

“We should wait for Digby, they have us outnumbered. I count twelve, including Weering. They’ll cut us down as we try to cross the gangplank.” He tried to sound as firm as he could while whispering. Suddenly her eyes flicked to the dock and she cursed. Weering was moving up the gangplank. “Where the hell is Digby?” Alastair swore as he scanned the docks behind him.

“Let’s try to take the ship while it’s docked. I’d like to avoid jumping onto a ship while being fired at. I’ve never enjoyed fighting at sea.” Gilles mumbled. Lucien chuckled as he crouched down.

“This will be my first time taking a ship. All of my fights have been on land.” Lucien said as he tossed his coat over a crate. Alastair nodded as he started to unbutton his own.

“God damn it!” Gilles hissed as he started looking around. It only took Alastair a second to realize what had his brother cursing. Giselle was gone. Every muscle in his body tensed and his heart started pounding as he searched for her. He was scanning the piles of ropes and crates along the dock when Lucien groaned. Alastair looked up to see him pointing at The Chimera. Giselle was crouched against the side of the ship, on a ledge over the captain’s cabin. She waited until a sailor passed before she grabbed the bulwark above her and leapt over it. She pressed herself against the ship as another walked by. Alastair held his breath. The man was huge, at least two heads taller and built like a bear. As soon as he had his back to her, she jumped on him. Her legs locked around his arms and she wrapped herself around his head and turned her body, twisting his neck. The man fell and she sat on her bottom and used both of her feet to push him against the side of the ship.

“The two of you have no control over her whatsoever!” Lucien hissed in frustration.

“You have met her, Lucien.” Gilles replied. “And it's not as if you’re good at controlling women.” He argued. Alastair felt his temper stir.

“This is not the time or the place, you two!” Alastair stayed crouched as he tried to move closer to The Chimera while watching for Giselle. He couldn’t see her but a sailor fell silently over the bulwark, into the water.

“If we give her enough time, the ship will be empty when we board.” Lucien whispered. “That’s ten now, the odds are getting better. If we can get on that ship, it should be easy.” Lucien stopped as Gilles gestured for them to lean in close.

“We can’t let that ship leave with her on it. She’ll set it on fire or sink it if it clears the Thames.” Gilles’ eyes held Alastair’s and he was worried. Alastair cursed as another body fell overboard. They were running out of time, The Chimera was about to set sail and the crew was going to notice they were losing people or Giselle would be discovered. He prayed that she would create a distraction so they could get on board. Once they were as close to the gangplank as they could manage without being exposed, Alastair searched the deck for Giselle. He didn’t see her but he found Weering talking to the captain. The captain nodded and started yelling orders.

There was a large snap and a mast fell as the boom swung. The crew started yelling and running. Everyone froze when a body was propelled from the poop deck. The man was on fire and screaming, bodies scattered and dove as he landed on the deck.

“Jesus Christ!” Lucien gasped. Alastair grabbed him as he ran toward the gangplank. Gilles was sprinting ahead of them and was already halfway across. With the commotion on board they were able to gain the deck before Weering turned and yelled.

“Stop them!”
He pointed as he ran toward Gilles. He pulled a pistol but froze when he recognized him. “You?” He started to back away when he spotted Alastair and Lucien. All three men had their pistols drawn and were closing ranks as the crew started to surround them. Alastair counted eight men. If Giselle could draw their focus again, they stood a chance. Unless they could talk their way out of it and convince Weering to surrender. Alastair didn’t think it likely. He considered shooting Weering first but he knew it would result in the crew firing and the likelihood of he, Gilles and Lucien being shot was very high.

“We know what you did, Weering. We’ve been investigating you and the War Office is prepared to bring charges.” Alastair announced. He saw Giselle drop onto the deck. She kept her back against the ship as she moved behind the crew. Weering sneered as he stepped closer.

“I’ll be far away by tomorrow morning. They’ll never find me.” He grinned at Alastair. “They will find the three of you though, floating.” Weering laughed as he turned. “Kill them and throw them overboard.” As soon as he finished, one of the men surrounding them screamed and staggered forward before falling face down. A small blade was buried between his shoulder blades. Men started spinning and scattering.

Alastair ran at the man closest to him and dropped his shoulder, crashing into his chest, knocking the wind from him as they collided. Alastair rose on his knees and pulled back. His fist drove into the man’s face and his head slammed against the planks. His eyes rolled and Alastair ducked as he heard a pistol fire.

Alastair spotted Gilles as he kicked an attacker in the stomach, sending him flying. He ducked as another man swung clumsily. Gilles delivered several blows to his opponent’s ribs before his fist connected with his jaw and he fell back. Lucien was wrestling with a beast of a man that had managed to get behind him. He had Lucien’s arms pinned behind his back and Alastair was about to make his way over when Lucien jumped and swung his head back, stunning the man as his skull crushed his nose. He let go and Lucien spun and launched himself at him. They fell to the deck and Lucien’s fists swiftly pummeled the brute’s face. As soon as his opponent was limp and still, Lucien staggered to his feet and looked around. A man yelled as he ran at him. Lucien looked out of breath as he raised his gun and fired at the man, dropping him a few paces away.

Just as he turned, Alastair saw Giselle fly through the air and tackle a man as he fired his pistol. The bullet went wide, missing Alastair by inches. Two men dove on top of Giselle and he ran toward her. Weering stepped in his way, his pistol raised at Alastair’s face.

“Don’t move.” Weering warned. Alastair stepped back but kept his eyes on the scuffle behind Weering. Once they were able to subdue Giselle, the men rose and pushed her forward. “What do we have here?” Weering asked as he pulled Giselle close. His eyes flared and he looked at Alastair in shock.

“Let her go.” Alastair growled. “You let her go now.” His body had grown cold and was tense. He could barely hear over the pounding of his heart. Gilles stepped close, his pistols trained on Weering and the man to his left. Lucien had his remaining pistol trained on the man to Giselle’s right.

“I don’t think so, Spencer. I think she’s going to help me escape.” His hand reached behind her and pulled the pistol from her waistband and threw it to the side. Giselle cursed as she stomped on Weering’s foot and tried to pull her arm free. He yelled as he hopped but held on to her arm. “That’s enough, whore!” Weering hissed as he pulled her close and pressed his pistol to her head.

“No!” Gilles yelled and tensed to move but Lucien grabbed him. Alastair’s heart stopped and his limbs became numb. He felt heat wash over his body and his clothes started to cling.

“Lower your gun now.” Alastair ordered. He felt rage and panic boiling within him and his body started to shake. Giselle’s eyes found his and they were calm.
It’s over.
He shook his head and swallowed as bile crept up his throat. “I swear to you, Weering, if you don’t let her go…”

Men started to recover and gain their feet. Alastair’s eyes scanned the deck quickly and he cursed silently. They had enough men to set sail. They’d be slowed by the damage to the ship but they could still get away. Weering laughed as he pulled Giselle against him.

“You’ll do nothing but get off my ship, Spencer.” He jeered as his hand slid around her waist. Giselle swallowed and her eyes flared for a moment. Alastair clenched his jaw to keep from roaring. Her eyes stilled and stared into his.
Goodbye.
He felt Gilles’ hand close around his arm and he tried to pull him back. Alastair shook his head wildly. He couldn’t leave her. He knew that as soon as Weering reached the sea, he would kill her and throw her over. Her eyes held his and he knew she was willing him to get off the ship. Alastair refused to consider that as an option.

His mind started rushing through scenarios and there was only one that ended with the four of them getting off the ship. He didn’t like it but he would die before he abandoned her. Alastair prayed as he slowly raised the pistol in his hand.

“What are you doing Spencer? I’ll shoot her.” Weering hissed.

“Grab your knives.” Alastair whispered. Gilles and Lucien dropped to the deck as Alastair leveled the pistol, aiming it at Giselle and pulled the trigger. He tensed as bright light and pain ripped though his head when the muzzle flared and a loud crack filled the air. The musket ball ripped through Giselle’s shoulder and her and Weering flew backwards onto the deck.

“Alastair! What did you do?”
Gilles screamed as he fired at the men before them. Lucien threw his knife and it hit its target in the chest.

Alastair threw his pistol as he ran for Giselle. He dropped to his knees as she rolled and grabbed the pistol from Weering’s hand. She raised it in Alastair’s direction and he froze. There was a flare as she pulled the trigger and he was paralyzed as the pain streaked through his skull. For a moment, he thought she’d shot him before he realized it was the concussion from the gun firing. A body fell to his left and he turned to Giselle. She tried to rise to her feet but her arm failed her and she fell back onto the planks.

The deck exploded with gunfire and bodies. Alastair dove for Giselle and covered her with his body. He heard Digby yelling as runners overtook the crew. A moment later, everything was quiet and Alastair lifted himself from Giselle. She was writhing and clutching at her shoulder. Her teeth were clenched and she breathed rapidly through her nose. Alastair felt his gut twist and fought the wave of nausea and dizziness that tried to pull him under.

“I’m so sorry!” He whispered as he carefully helped her sit up. Her eyes were wide and frantic but she nodded as she grabbed his hand with her good arm.

“It’s alright. You saved my life.” Giselle gasped. She looked over at Weering. Blood drained from his mouth and the large hole in the center of his chest. As Alastair had intended, the ball passed through her shoulder and because of her height, hit Weering in the center of the chest. He had considered aiming for Weering’s face but he didn’t trust the pistol to be accurate enough, that close to Giselle’s head. Gilles slid next to them and groaned when he saw Giselle’s shoulder. She smiled at him weakly. “I’m fine.” She said softly. Gilles turned to Alastair, his eyes were large.

“You could have killed her!” He whispered. Alastair nodded grimly.

“We have to get her out of here. Now.” Alastair scooped Giselle into his arms and tried to close his ears to her moans as he carried her down the gangplank. Gilles and Lucien rushed ahead of him to have the carriage ready. Digby ran after him.

“I’ll have my men take care of everything and I’ll report to you in the morning.” He said when he caught up. Alastair shook his head.

“I don’t give a damn. It’s over.” He nodded to Gilles as he opened the carriage door. Digby protested.
“I still have to get your account and you’ll probably have questions. You always have questions.” He looked to Gilles and Lucien.

“The day after tomorrow. We need to take care of the lady first.” Gilles stated. Digby nodded.

“About the lady…” Digby looked to Alastair. He glared.

“I don’t care what the crew tells you. The lady wasn’t involved in the fight, do you understand?” His voice was hard. Digby nodded slowly.

“What was she doing here?” He asked cautiously.

“Weering attempted to abduct her. We rescued her but she was injured during the fight.” Lucien declared. Alastair nodded in agreement as Gilles climbed into the carriage.

“That is all you will record.” He said as he carefully handed Giselle to Gilles and ducked into the carriage. “Get in or I’m leaving you, Lucien.” He called as he pulled Giselle into his lap. She whimpered as she pressed her face into his chest and pain burst within him. As soon as Lucien sat, Gilles beat on the roof and the carriage lurched forward.

“I’m so, so sorry.” Alastair whispered as he pressed his lips into her hair. He shut his eyes and repeated it over and over as he held her. She was rigid in his arms and her hand clutched at his coat and shirt desperately. “God, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t let him take you.” His eyes stung as she moaned.

“For God’s sake, stop saying you’re sorry.” Giselle said weakly. “You had to do it.”

Lucien and Gilles were staring at them, both shocked and silent. Alastair searched their faces for understanding. Lucien frowned and shook his head slowly.