Captive Hearts Page 10

  you.” “Your duty must first be to protect your family.” Her eagerness to thrust aside any connection to them made Matthew uneasy. “My aunt and uncle have embraced you as my wife, Katherine. You made certain of that this morning.”

  She moved restlessly upon his thigh and braced a hand against his chest keeping some space between them.

  “That was not what I planned.”

  She had duped him, no matter what her reasons.

  Surely, she understood she couldn’t continue to take advantage of his good graces indefinitely. “You knew what you were doing when you placed the blood upon the sheets. I don’t remember being awakened and taken into your confidence before you did it. Now that we are caught in the trap, we’ve no choice but to make the best of it.” She stiffened visibly and her violet gaze darkened then shifted away.

  “I didn’t appreciate waking this morning to your absence and not knowing where you were or when you would return either. I expect to be apprised of your whereabouts from now on.”

  “And may I expect the same, Captain?” Her attempt at formality made him angry.

  “Certainly.” He inclined his head. “There is little hope of an annulment, Katherine.”

  “If you were to seek out some other woman, I could seek a divorce decree.” Katherine said.

  Her eagerness for him to be unfaithful struck him as insulting. His jaw grew tight as he fought back the tide of anger. “You might not find the idea of being wed to an adulterer distasteful, but I find the idea of being one so.” Katherine grew still, watchful.

  He drew a deep breath. “Talbot can arrange a meeting for you with the court appointed administrator.”

  “I would appreciate that.” Her voice took on a husky note. “You do not think Edward has been honest about my inheritance, do you?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  He ran a hand in a circular movement over her back then immediately regretted the gesture. She felt so fragile and feminine beneath the pressure of his hand. He didn’t

  want to stop.

  “I am not surprised. I guess it is obvious that I do not particularly trust him either.” She tucked a long strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and folded her arms against her waist pressing together the rounded weight of her breasts, exaggerating the cleavage between. Such a display of warm creamy flesh had his palm tingling with a desire to touch. He searched her face, but found no evidence that she knew what she was doing. He tamped down the burgeoning need that brought a hitch to his breathing and made his breeches feel uncomfortably tight.

  Her throat worked as she swallowed. “What Edward will never understand is how unimportant the money is. I almost pity him because of that. He cares nothing about losing his brother.”

  The statement struck him as more telling than any other she had made. He had known the pain of grief, but had not known it in reference to one of his brothers. They were related through blood, their bond forged more through a wealth of shared experience and years of caring. The knowledge that he was loved and accepted by them somehow made him more than what he would have been without them. Katherine had been stripped of that.

  She was left with an uncle, whose care had been questionable at best, and whose attitude had solidified her suspicious beliefs against men. He wanted to throttle Edward Leighton and hang his scrawny carcass from the front balcony of Willingham’s.

  He ran a hand down her arm and discovered the warm satin of her skin. His arousal tripled bringing sweat to his brow and a heavy beat to his heart. He reminded himself that she was recuperating from a brutal attack and the loss of her family. She didn’t need, nor would she welcome, the advances of a randy husband. Those thoughts steadied him. He dragged his attention back to the problem at hand.

  “You said my duty was to protect my family. It would be better if you would share your concerns with me now so I might do that.”

  “They will come, eventually.”

  He tensed at the certainty of her tone and probed her expression. No fear appeared evident only an unwavering

  acceptance that brought a hollow feeling to the pit of his stomach. If she felt she had nothing else to lose, what would she do? He didn’t care for the answer he derived.

  “I’ve already made arrangements to insure your safety, Katherine.”

  Her brows rose.

  “When you go out, several of my men will accompany you. Until others are hired, the grooms here at Willingham’s will patrol the grounds in shifts at night.”

  “You do not intend to lock me away?”

  “Not yet.” He purposely adopted a stern expression.

  He cupped her chin to insure he had her attention. “The first hint that you’re deliberately placing yourself in harms way, I’ll do so.”

  Her fingers folded around his wrist. “It is not my intent to immolate myself in the name of justice, Matthew. My family made too dear a sacrifice, so I might live.” The bottomless well of pain and grief he glimpsed in her eyes stirred his sympathy. For a brief moment, she actually allowed him to draw her close and offer her comfort. But all too quickly, she pulled away.

  She went to the bed to don her robe then strode to the French doors leading out onto the balcony. He rose to stop her. She stood gripping the doorknobs, her forehead resting against the wood, her slender body taut with emotion.

  He laid a hand upon her shoulder. “You can’t run away from your pain, Katherine.”

  “If I could just get clear enough to breathe, maybe it would ease.”

  “Your brother, was he very much like you?” he asked trying to distract her.

  Her throat worked as she swallowed. “In looks, yes.

  Johnny had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He would have enjoyed your ship and would have made a nuisance of himself asking questions about it.” She straightened, and though no tears were in evidence, she appeared pale. “If you will summon a maid to refill the lamp, I can sleep in the dressing room upon the day bed.”

  He wouldn’t allow himself to dwell on why that idea displeased him so much. “You survived last night

  unscathed, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but—“

  “When the servants make the bed in the morning, they’ll believe we are at odds with one another or worse yet, that I’ve mistreated you in some way.”

  “I had not thought of that.” After a pause, she said,

  “Then…I must insist you wear something more to bed than what God blessed you with, Captain.” The stiff formality in her tone made him grin. “I wasn’t aware a little bare skin had caused you such distress, Mrs. Hamilton.”

  “Surely you see the need to be sensible about this, Matthew. Though I had a brother, he was not in the habit of parading about unclad.”

  His grin broke out into a smile. “I suppose not. There was a custom in America that you might find interesting, Katherine. It was a courting ritual between sweethearts that became popular just before the war.”

  “We are not sweethearts.”

  He smiled at the tenacity of her reminder. “But this may solve our problem.”

  She eyed him quizzically as he strode to the bed. He threw back the heavy quilts and folded the sheet in half to one side then spread the covers back into place. “I don’t intend to be stitched into the sheet but this may ease your mind to some degree.” He straightened from the task. “It was called bundling. The man would be stitched into the sheet to insure he wouldn’t touch his beloved during the night. The purpose was to allow them time to know one another in privacy without the proprieties being dismissed.”

  Her violet eyes glinted with disbelief.

  “’Tis true.”

  “You are expecting a great deal of trust on my part, Captain.”

  “No more than I’m willing to give you, Katherine. I didn’t take advantage of you while you slept.” She looked away, two bright red spots of color staining her cheeks. “Are we to travel the same path over and over?”

  He studied her profile. “You said I d
idn’t give you an opportunity to confide in me last night. I won’t make that

  mistake again. As we are man and wife, you may seek my council, if you will.” He paused to give her an opportunity to speak and frowned when she remained silent. ”Should you attempt to make a fool of me a second time, I won’t be so understanding.”

  “One wing-like auburn brow arched to a haughty angle. “Why is it men always offer aid in such a way it insures them control of the situation? Should I want to jump into the Thames, why is it you could not say ‘let me hold your cloak,’ instead of, ‘jump in at this spot and be sure to remove your shoes and bonnet?’” He threw his head back and laughed. He tugged at a long waving curl that fell over her shoulder. “I suppose, as men, we are expected to take control, provide protection, and care for our ladies.”

  “I am not one of your ladies.”

  The resentful gleam in her deep violet eyes and the challenge it represented he found very tempting. “You are for now, Katherine. You are for now.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Katherine slid deeper behind the boughs of the yew bush, the garden wall at her back. A sigh of relief escaped as she listened to the groom’s receding footsteps. The man took his duty seriously for he had passed that way thrice since she had been there waiting. Another ten minutes, and she would have to return to the house. At any moment, she expected to see several servants advance upon the garden in search of her. Anxiety raced through her and she fought the urge to rub her arms.

  At the sound of horse’s hooves upon the cobbled street outside the gate, she leaned out of her hiding spot to look through the wrought-iron bars. The dark mahogany gleam of the coach looked familiar. Hoping the darkness of her morning garb would catch the driver’s attention, she stepped forward and raised a hand.

  The man perched atop the conveyance pulled back on the reins to stop the vehicle. As he climbed down, his sand-toned hair and dark blue long coat brought a smile to Katherine’s lips, her anxiety receding.

  His feet had barely touched ground when the coach door flew open and a group of roughly garbed boys climbed out. She was puzzled how so many could have fit in so small a space. And what was their purpose in riding about in her family’s coach?

  “Clear the way lads,” the driver spoke from the street behind them.

  She focused upon the man. “William—” The head groom of Summerhaven offered her a smile as he jerked his tricorn from his head. “I know they’re a ragged bunch, Miss Katherine, but they’ll work hard and quick and not cost you as much as men will. They’ll have the likenesses up before anyone knows what they’re about.” He lowered his voice, “They can use the money for food as well.”

  Her attention returned to the children. Their

  clothing, little more than rags, was filthy. Some had no shoes, others did not have coats. Some had neither.

  Hungry eyes stared out of faces gray with grime.

  Pity clenched inside her. She nodded. “A good meal before they start should give them strength to do the job well. And another afterward as a reward.” The man grinned his agreement. “Yes, my lady.” She raised the mechanism to unlatch the gate and held her breath as the portal swung open with the soft rasp of metal on metal. “The bills are here in three bundles. You purchased the tacks and hammers?”

  “Yes, just as you instructed.”

  She withdrew a small pouch of coins from her pocket.

  ”This should cover the cost of their food and leave enough for their pay as well.”

  William tucked the pouch inside his coat. “I went by the Bow Street Agency as you wished. They’ve agreed to handle any reports that may arise from your posting the prints.”

  “Good.” She laid a hand upon his arm. “God willing and with a little luck, justice might yet be served for your brother and my family.”

  He covered her hand with his, his callused fingers rough upon her skin. “It’s a dangerous thing you’re doing.

  Are you certain this is what you want to do?” His hazel eyes studied her face, his expression grave.

  Had Edward been more interested in pursuing the men instead of enjoying her father’s title and money, had anyone else helped her, perhaps she would have a different choice to make. As it was, she had no other.

  “Yes, I refuse to wait any longer.” He gave a brief nod. “You’ve only to send Hannah, and I’ll come for you. If there’s trouble, send for me.”

  “I will.”

  “Come lads, we’ve work to do.”

  Two of the larger boys came forward, hefted the bundled bills, and carried them back to the coach.

  He lifted the last batch then paused. “Thank you, Miss Katherine.”

  Reading the suppressed emotion in his face, she fought the tears that rose close to the surface. “You do not owe me any thanks, William. Your brother died trying to

  protect my family and myself that night. I will do whatever I can to see his killers caught.”

  “They’ll do whatever they can to see that doesn’t happen, Lady Katherine. Have a care for yourself.”

  ****

  “You did well, Mr. Ray.” Matthew closed the ledger and extended a hand to his purser, Carson Ray. “The English didn’t interfere with the sale of the cargo, Captain. In fact, Whitcomb, Lord Rudman’s clerk, was fussy about the books being kept just so.”

  “It was no reflection upon your ability to keep the books, Mr. Ray.”

  The younger man’s features settled into grave lines, his heavy brows drawing together into a frown giving his broad face the pugnacious look of a bulldog. “If the charges against you were any measure to judge him by, its no wonder Rudman must guard his back.” A smile just shy of a smirk curved his lips. “Every crewman aboard knew they were false, Captain. The English knew it as well and tried to intimidate us into testifying against you.

  The crew stood their ground together.”

  “For their loyalty and yours I’m grateful, Carson.” He retrieved a bottle from the bottom desk drawer. Pouring two fingers of bourbon into short glasses, he extended one to the purser. The two drank in silence for a moment.

  “The return home shall be my last voyage as Captain of the Caroline. If you and Mr. Blevins are still interested, at the end of the passage you may purchase her.” Ray’s smile, though laced with restraint, fairly beamed. “Aye, Sir.”

  “Finish your drink, and go tell Blevins.”

  “Aye, Sir.” Ray tossed back the rest of his drink and hastily excused himself.

  Matthew propped a booted foot upon the chair beside his. It had to be done and at least he would be assured the steady hands of command would pass to those he trusted.

  Through the hardships they survived at sea together, Ray and Blevins had earned his trust as he had earned their loyalty. The Caroline deserved to be passed on to those who would treat her with care and respect.Frowning at the uncharacteristic sentimentality, Matthew set aside the empty tumbler and rose to don his long coat.

  He paused on deck to enjoy the last of the late afternoon sunlight as it fell into the haze of gray-brown smoke hovering low over the London sky. The smells of dank water, pitch, and the stew Webster was cooking in the galley blended with cacophonous familiarity. Life at sea was a combination of beauty and ugliness, excitement and boredom, action and tedium, but it was always a challenge. He wondered if he would find life as a “county farmer” held such a diverse appeal.

  Upon reaching the dock, he found Barlow, the Willingham’s driver, waiting atop the coach in the deepening shadows of the warehouses, two men perched beside him riding shotgun on either side, a footman standing ready by the open door.

  Had there been a disturbance at the house? “Is all well at Willingham’s, Barlow?”

  “Yes. All is well, Captain Hamilton. Lady Willingham thought to save you the trouble of hiring a hackney, sir.” Relief brought a smile to his lips. “Good, I have one more stop to make before going home, Barlow.” Matthew gave the driver directions. He swung himself aboard the coach and
settled back against the leather seat.

  Periodically throughout the day, he found his thoughts wandering to Katherine. Each time, a niggling unease accompanied the lapse in concentration. He hadn’t trusted her promise that morning to stay close to the house unless accompanied by Clarisse and his men. She had seemed too sincere. He had instructed Clarisse, Elton, the butler, and several maids to keep an eye on her movements throughout the day. He wondered how they had fared.

  The coach came to a stop. He shook free of his cloak, took out the flintlock pistol he had tucked in the waist of his breeches then laid it on the seat. To enter an establishment armed so late in the day might be misconstrued.

  By the time he had concluded his business, the afternoon light had waned, leaving the street purple with shadows. He tucked his purchase carefully inside his long coat and approached the coach only a short distance away.

  A man stepped out from behind a rain barrel at the

  mouth of an alley. Matthew stopped every nerve in his body instantly alert. All he could see in the dim light were the rough condition of the man’s clothes and the long stringy hair that hung over his face.

  “Me master sent me to warn ye, gov’na. The girl ain’t worth the trouble she’ll be to ye.” Stunned at the blatancy of the warning, he strained to see the man more clearly and judge what kind of threat he might be. “Obviously your master thinks otherwise or you wouldn’t be here.”

  The man’s voice sounded hoarse and raspy. “She’d be worth more to ye dead than alive. Ye could have all that comes to ‘er and a tidy sum besides. All ye ’ave ta do is turn ’er over to us.”

  He shook his head. “That isn’t likely to happen, my friend. My wife is worth much more to me alive.” Willow thin, his chest rose dramatically as he heaved a great sigh. “I was afeared ye’d say that. It’ain’t worth dyin’ over a woman.” He lunged at Matthew, his approach swift and silent.

  Matthew pivoted to one side avoiding the blade that passed within inches of his side. He settled into a defensive crouch as the two faced off circling one another.