Enchanted by Your Kisses (31 page)

"You did what was necessary, Nathan. War is never pretty, never black and white, never cut and dried. That people must die sometimes in their fight for freedom is a fact that cannot be denied. I applaud your country for taking the steps necessary to become independent."

He stared down at her in shock, in utter disbelief, in wonder. She amazed him with her total honesty.

"Ariel, I—"

His words were cut off by the sound of footsteps. Many footsteps. They both turned. Nathan stiffened.

"Do not move," said a uniformed man, pointing a bayonet at his chest. Two more men stood behind him.

Nathan froze, disbelief holding him immobile. And then he spied Lord
Sarrington
standing behind them. "What have you done?"

"I've caught you, you bloody patriot. Now, step away from my cousin."

But rage propelled Nathan's legs forward. The hat fell to the floor. One of soldiers raised his musket. Nathan prepared to be shot, wanted to be shot, anger and disappointment near choking him.

"Nathan, no!" Ariel screamed.

He hesitated just a fraction of an instant, but it was enough. Instead of firing at him, the soldier raised his weapon higher. He swung it.

Blackness claimed him.

"How could you?" Ariel accused him. "How could you do this to me, Reggie?"

"I did it for the family, cousin. What would your father say if he found out we'd helped a known enemy?"

They were back in the sitting room they had left less than an hour ago, only this time Nathan wasn't present. Ariel felt tears come to her eyes at the thought. Heavens, the way he'd fallen to that floor. . .

"He is my friend," she cried.

"Ariel, calm down," Phoebe said, wringing her hands. She raced forward, the hoops of her emerald-colored gown swaying. "What Reggie did he did for your own good. Can you not see that?"

"No," Ariel gasped, turning to the window, tears escaping. "No, I cannot. Nathan will think I was involved. You do not understand the man as I do. He does not trust easily, and now he will never trust again."

Phoebe's blue eyes clouded. "Ariel, please. Only remember. The man fooled you into thinking he wanted to be your friend. How could you trust
him?"

She recalled the way he had looked at her as he begged for her help, the way he'd stared down at her so earnestly as he'd told her the story of the woman who'd betrayed him. "I trust him because no matter what you might think, the man is desperate to find his brother. That fact cannot be denied. And now he can no longer search for him."

"Where are you going?" Phoebe asked.

Ariel hadn't even realized she'd turned. "I have an errand to run."

"Dressed like that?"

She stopped, looked down, her vision blurring once again as she recalled the look on Nathan's face when he'd seen her in the clothes. She was not a total innocent. He'd found her attractive.

"You're correct. I should change." She moved again.

"No, Ariel," Phoebe pleaded. "Don't go. It can't be wise to go out alone."

"Will you go with me, then," she asked.

"Ariel," Reggie warned her.

"No," Ariel said to Phoebe, "I thought not. Truth be told, you should probably stay here. 'Twill be safer."

Phoebe stared up at her intently before turning to her husband. "Reggie, say something."

"I'm sorry if things did not go as planned," Reggie offered.

She whirled on him. "Sorry are you? Sorry for having a man captured for doing nothing more than wanting to find his brother? Or sorry for not telling me of your plan to make me look a betrayer in that man's eyes?"

He didn't say anything. Ariel wouldn't have cared if he had. Fifteen minutes later, dressed in a primrose-colored gown, she left.

But it took hours to track down the magistrate, the man with the power to set Nathan free. The lateness of the day when she arrived at his office had ruined her chance to see him. When she finally found him at his home, the sun had disappeared from the sky, the evening air was heavy with foggy moisture. She'd forgotten a cape in her haste to leave, had neglected, even, to pile her hair atop her head. The curls fell down her shoulders now, wild and in disarray. But Ariel cared little for her appearance. Nor did she care that it was highly inappropriate of her to visit a single gentleman on her own. Given her past, she thought, she had very little reputation to uphold. But as a footman led her into a study, the magistrate rising from behind his desk, she felt distinctly nervous.

"What did you want to see me about, Lady
D'Archer
, that is so important you would interrupt my dinner?"

Was it dinner time? She hadn't noticed. He glared at her from above double chins. His blue eyes were cold, his wig had very obviously been put on in haste, for it listed to one side.

"I beg your pardon, my lord, but this could not wait."

He settled himself in his study chair. The desk he sat behind was littered with paper. "Very well, then, what is it?"

"Nathan
Trevain
," was all she said.

The magistrate looked at her as if she'd escaped from one of his goals. His wig dipped down practically to his eyebrows. "What of Nathan
Trevain
?"

"I want him released."

"Surely you jest."

"No, sir. I am completely serious."

The wig was drawn back up his forehead. His watery eyes filled with disapproval. "Mr.
Trevain
is a prisoner; as such he will not be released."

"But he is
Davenport
's heir. Surely that must count for something."

"We are well aware of his lineage. '
Tis
the only thing that has saved him from a hanging."

"He is not to be hanged, then?"

"No, as tempting as the thought may be. Frankly, we are not sure what to do with him."

Her relief was so great, she almost melted into the plush, green armchair she stood next to. "May I see him?" she asked.

"No."

"But why not—"

"Because," he interrupted, "the man is a criminal and a traitor. He is not fit for the presence of an earl's daughter."

So he recognized her name. She should have known he would. "Let that be up to me."

"No, my lady. I will not allow it."

"But, I—"

"No," he repeated, standing up from his chair. Ariel realized he'd never asked her to sit down. "Now, if you do not mind, I shall get back to my dinner. My footman will show you the way out."

She wanted to protest, truly she did. Instead she gritted out, "Thank you, my lord, for seeing me."

He nodded, motioning for her to precede him. She felt his eyes on her back as she entered the hall, her spine stiff to disguise the disappointment she felt.

Nathan, I've let you down twice today.

It was a downhearted Ariel who entered Phoebe's carriage. Her thoughts ran pell-mell, so much so that she couldn't think where to tell the driver to go. She didn't want to go home, for facing Phoebe and Reggie was more than she could take.

Gracious, if only she could have convinced the magistrate to release Nathan. But, obviously, that would take someone with more power than she. Someone like her father. If only he weren't still out of the country. Sometimes Ariel wondered if he didn't leave on purpose. An attempt to avoid her company, she conjectured. It was not the first time she'd thought such a thing, for a person in her father's position did not need to make voyages. In fact, most of the other admirals elected to stay at home.

She stiffened.

Most of the other admirals.

Oh, gracious heavens, how perfect. How utterly perfect. '
Twas
Thursday.

"
1570
Knightbridge
Street
," she called to the driver, her stomach knotting with anticipation, anxiety and dread.

Pray God they would see her. But if they refused, she would give them no choice.

It was near ten o'clock when Ariel arrived at her destination. She could see the carriages waiting outside Lord Parker's elegant home: Lords Hamilton, Vincent, Gordon and Howell, she recognized. All were present for their Thursday night card game.

The footman who opened the door looked startled to see her. She gave him no time to protest as she barreled past him.

"Beg your pardon, miss, but—"

"I will just be a moment," she answered. The room they used was on the right, the house familiar to her eyes. Lord Parker's daughter had once been a good friend, until her ruination of course. One of many such "friends" she had lost.

"Miss, really—"

She felt the footman tug at her arm, his hand sliding off the satin fabric when she pulled away and opened the door. She entered the room, the footman at her heels, a heavy cloud of cigar smoke almost choking her.

"I'm sorry, my lord. I tried to stop her—"

Lord Parker laid down his cards in shock. So did the other gentlemen. The scent of male sweat filled the air, as did the smell of brandy. "'
Tis
all right, James. Let her stay."

The footman bowed. Ariel watched him go, turning back to the room with an artificial smile upon her face. "My lords, how good it is to see you again."

Five faces, all of which bore a striking resemblance to the others, stared back.

"Lady
D'Archer
," Lord Parker greeted her, half rising, a lock of gray hair falling down his forehead. "Might I ask what we owe the pleasure of this visit to?"

"Nathan
Trevain
," she said with narrowed eyes. She waited for their reactions. There were none. That more than anything convinced her they'd already discussed him this night.

"Have you nothing to say?"

"What do you want with Nathan
Trevain
?" asked Parker, the senior officer there.

She came into the room further, feeling their eyes bore holes in her. "I want him released and failing that, to see him. I would also like the location of his brother."

"Impossible," Lord Howell cried.

"No, it is not, Uncle George." If he minded the old endearment she used to use prior to her becoming a social pariah, he didn't show it. "Each of you has almost the same power as my father. Each of you could release Nathan
Trevain
if you so desired. And each of you could also tell me where his brother is. In fact, I would wager you all have that information in your head."

None of them responded. Smoke from their smoldering cigars rose toward the ceiling. A clock tick-tick-ticked in the room.

"Not going to tell me?" she asked.

"According to our sources in the colonies, he is a criminal and a traitor," Howell snapped. "He belongs in the Tower."

"He is guilty of nothing more than defending his country. If that makes him criminal, my lords, then you are criminals, too."

"You are wrong," Parker contradicted her. "What is more, if you do not leave my house this instant, I will see to it your father hears of your activities."