Taken by You (37 page)

“Do you have any qualms about doing what I ask?” Morgan inquired once he had laid his plans before the lawyer.

“Let me get this straight,” Thornhill said slowly. “You wish to pension off your servants at Scott Hall and give them a generous severance. Are you planning on closing the hall permanently?”

“I’m leaving the country, perhaps for good,” Morgan confided. “I’ll be honest with you, Thornhill, because you deserve it. This likely my estates will be seized by the crown I don’t want my servants to suffer, especially Clyde Withers. He’s a good man, and loyal.”

Thornhill’s eyes widened. “You’re a hero. Captain, why would your estates be confiscated?”

“It’s a long story, and I certainly will tell you, but first, are you willing to follow my instructions?”

“Of course, did you doubt it? What else can I do for you?”

“Plenty. I will be turning all my assets into gold and transferring it aboard the
Avenger.
If you can find a buyer for Scott Hall within a week’s time, fine, but if not, It’s of no consequence.”

“It may be difficult but not impossible. Several prospects have already come to mind. Is that all?”

“No. I want you to continue as my London broker for the lumber I ship from Andros. Take your fees from the profits and bank the rest under the name of my first mate, Stan Crawford. He will be free to come and go from England at will.”

Thomhill searched Morgan’s face. “This certainly sounds like you are severing ties with England, Captain Scott. Are you certain This is what you want?”

“Circumstances make it necessary. I would not have chosen this course if the queen weren’t making it all but impossible for me to remain in England.” He stretched to his feet. “Time grows short, and there’s much yet to be done. Send word around to the
Avenger
when you’ve completed the tasks I’ve set for you. Nothing is private at court and I wish to keep my plans secret”

“You’ll be hearing from me soon, Captain Scott”

Later that day Stan Crawford made his way to Morgan’s chamber with little fanfare. His discreet knock was answered immediately, and he slipped inside the moment the door opened.

“I hope to God this works,” Stan said, grinning mischievously. “I still say you should do your own dirty work.”

Morgan sent him a quelling look. “It’s not as if you won’t be pleasurably rewarded for this night’s work.”

Crawford raised a well-shaped brow. ‘I’ll let you know later. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I need to buy time, Stan, and I certainly don’t want to bed Lady Jane. I couldn’t touch her without thinking of Luca every minute I was with her. I don’t want to betray my wife. This is the only way I can think of to placate Jane and not to betray my marriage vows. Jane’s a hot little piece. I think you’ll enjoy her. I was sorely tempted to try her on more than one occasion, but something always stopped me.”

“This a foul trick, but I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint the lady.”

“Just one thing, Stan,” Morgan reminded him. “I don’t want you to leave Jane with a babe in her belly when neither you nor I will be around to claim it. I don’t want to hurt her, she’s not a vicious person, just a determined one. She’s not a virgin, so you won’t be stealing anything from her that she hasn’t already given away. Just be sure to give her enough pleasure to satisfy her.”

The corridors were deserted. It was long past midnight; a time when the darkest hours of night pulled a blanket over the sleeping world. Stan and Morgan slipped quietly from the chamber and crept down the hallway to Lady Jane’s room. They paused outside the door for the briefest moment, then Morgan turned to Stan and placed a finger over his mouth. Stan stood aside as Morgan opened the door and stepped inside. A single candle, burnt nearly down to a stub, cast the room into a shadowy haven for lovers. The flickering flame was dangerously close to sputtering out.

“Morgan, is that you? What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for hours.” Her pouty tone revealed her vexation.

“Aye, ‘this me, Jane.” He moved toward the bed, pausing near the dancing candlelight a few seconds so Jane could get a good look at him.

“Hurry, love,” she breathed raggedly, “and for God’s sake close the door.”

Turning swiftly, Morgan made certain he created enough breeze in passing to douse the dying flame. The room was plunged into darkness.

“Morgan, what happened?”

“Nothing,” Morgan assured her. “The candle sputtered out. We don’t need a light. I’ll be with you as soon as I close the door.” He walked to the door, slipped into the hall, and motioned for Stan to take his place. Once Stan was inside the chamber, Morgan closed the door.

“I’m waiting, Morgan,” Jane said peevishly. “Can’t you light the candle, I want to see you.”

The bed dipped and Stan eased beneath the sheets beside Jane. “Forget the light, I want to learn you with my hands.” His voice held a rough edge of anticipation, so Jane did not question the slight change in tone. She was experienced enough to recognize the gruff impatience of a man’s passion.

Stan did not disappoint Jane, nor did his love-making damage Morgan’s reputation. If anything, Morgan’s virility was enhanced by Stan’s magnificent performance as a lover. Stan knew immediately that Jane was well-acquainted with passion, for her performance left him breathless. By the time he’d aroused Jane to stunning rapture, he was blessing Morgan for giving him this enjoyable chore. Not only did Stan please Jane exceptionally well, he did it more than once. Unlike Morgan, there was no other woman in his life, and he enjoyed Jane to the fullest keeping in mind Morgan’s warning about not leaving Jane with chili He crept from her bed just before dawn, after Jane had lapsed into an exhausted sleep.

Stan returned to find Morgan pacing his chamber with a marked lack of patience.

“Well, how did it go? Did Jane suspect anything? You sure as Hell stayed long enough.”

Stan stretched and yawned. “Lady Jane isn’t a woman you can easily leave once she has you in her bed. Bloody Hell, Morgan, she came damn close to wearing me out”

Morgan suppressed a grin. “Are you complaining?”

Not bloody likely. You have nothing to worry about, my friend, I gave us both a good accounting. Your reputation with the ladies will flourish after last night”

Morgan gave a shout of laughter. “A modest fellow, aren’t you? Nevertheless, I’m grateful. There is only one woman for me, Stan, and she’s in Spain.”

“I should be getting back to the ship,” Stan said, staring longingly at the bed. He hadn’t slept a wink. “If you have need of my services again, let me know. I’ll be happy to oblige.”

“You’re a true friend,” Morgan chuckled. “I hope I’ll have no need of such a deception again. Now that I’ve proven myself, Jane can’t accuse me of avoiding her bed.”

“You’re an amazing lover,” Stan said, tongue in cheek. “Well, I’ll be off then. Any instructions?”

“Keep the men working on the ship. Well slip from Billingsgate on the evening tide the night before my wedding day. Meanwhile, I’ll make all necessary arrangements and try to avoid Jane. Trunks should be arriving daily with the bulk of my wealth. Store them in the hold with the cargo.”

Later that day Morgan tried to slip away from Whitehall without being noticed. As luck would have it, Lady Jane hailed him as he approached the gate. Having run all the way to catch up with him, she was panting for breath when she reached him. Morgan could not help but note how her eyes sparkled; her lips appeared slightly swollen and red from her night’s exertions, no doubt. Stan hadn’t exaggerated, Jane looked like a woman who had been thoroughly tumbled.

“Morgan, where are you going?”

“Business, Jane,” Morgan replied. The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement as he bent low and whispered, “Are you displeased with me?”

“Displeased? God, no! You lived up to my expectations and more. You were magnificent, Morgan, I cannot begin to tell you how well you pleased me. Will you return tonight?”

“Greedy, aren’t you? I have pressing business in West Sussex. Don’t look for me until the day before the wedding.”

“But Morgan, the queen says you haven’t signed the annulment document yet. And what about the prenuptual festivities?”

“I will return in plenty of time to sign the document and attend the festivities, Jane. Unless you keep me here talking and delaying my journey.”

“Hurry back, darling,” Jane said, grasping his head and pulling it down for a hard kiss.

Jane remained at the gate until Morgan stepped into a waiting hack. When she finally turned away, she walked into the arms of Lord Harley.

“Where is your betrothed going?” Harley asked curiously.

“To West Sussex.”

Harley gave her a leering grin. “Does he intend to stay long in West Sussex?”

Jane tilted her head, regarding him with interest. “Long enough. What do you have in mind?”

“You should be marrying me, you know.”

“I am but following the queen’s wishes. Perhaps she’ll find you another heiress.”

“Do you suppose you might take pity on a poor rejected suitor?’

“Whatever do you mean?” Jane asked coyly. She had nothing against Harley. He was a good lover, though not as good as Morgan, but then Morgan was not here, was he?

‘Tonight,” he whispered urgently. “After the queen releases you from duty. Meet me in the arbor, it should be deserted at that late hour.”

Executing a courtly bow, he pressed a kiss into her upturned palm and took his leave. Harley knew Jane would meet him. Their past relationship had been of a passionate nature, and he had learned during their association that she was a hedonist who derived great enjoyment from sexual encounters. Besides, Harley thought as he strolled away whistling a jaunty tune, he would gain enormous pleasure from making a cuckold of Morgan Scott.

Chapter 19

M
organ hastened along the quay to the
Avenger,
where he had been staying since leaving Whitehall six days before. He ventured out into the streets of London only when it was necessary for him to conduct business. It would be dangerous to risk recognition when he was supposed to be at Scott Hall. He had made a fast trip to Scott Hall to confer with Clyde Withers and had returned the same day. After Morgan explained his predicament to his faithful steward, Withers promptly asked for and received a berth aboard the
Avenger,
expressing his willingness to throw in with Morgan rather than remain behind and look for a new employer.

During his short visit to Scott Hall, Morgan gathered up a few family heirlooms and pictures he couldn’t part with and had them sent on to the
Avenger.
When he returned to London he found an urgent message from Thornhill, his solicitor. A buyer had been found for his property, and the transfer deed awaited his signature. As much as he loved Scott Hall, Morgan felt little remorse over selling it, for he knew how unhappy Luca had been there. Finding no reason to delay the inevitable, Morgan called on Thornhill immediately.

Within a short time the transaction was completed to everyone’s satisfaction, and the documents now rested safely in Morgan’s vest pocket With his house sold and his gold safely transferred aboard the
Avenger,
Morgan knew he could no longer delay his return to Whitehall. If he failed to return at the appointed time, the queen would quickly figure out what Morgan intended and dispatch the palace guards to Billingsgate to apprehend him. Morgan didn’t want the queen or anyone else to know that the
Avenger
was taking on stores for a very long journey.

Unbeknownst to Morgan, someone did know. Lord Harley and Lord Bainter, out for a drive, had seen him leave his solicitor’s office. Since both men were of a curious nature, they decided to follow. Harley knew that Morgan was supposed to return to Whitehall today to attend his prenuptual festivities and wondered why he was still wandering around town. When Morgan’s hired hack turned toward Billingsgate, they followed in their own conveyance. They watched as Morgan strolled up the gangplank and disappeared into his cabin.

“What do you suppose he’s doing?” Harley wondered.

“Damned if I know,” Bainter drawled, “but I’d like to find out.”

“Wait here,” Harley said, springing lightly from the coach. “There seems to be a lot of activity taking place around Scott’s ship.”