Captive Hearts Read online

  “Talbot and some of his associates will help me deal with Rudman.”

  “They couldn’t influence him before.”

  “I don’t think you understand how much sympathy and support your situation has garnered, Katherine.

  Talbot was already receiving offers of help from many of his associates the day after you left. By the time we reach London, perhaps he will have some good news for us.”

  “I hope so.”

  An instant surge of anxiety raced through her body as a brief tap came on the door. Matthew moved to rise, and she grasped his arm to hold on to him.

  “’Tis just Webster reporting in. He is on watch.” She forced her fingers open to release him. The combination of events in the past days had her so on edge that she suspected an attacker around every corner and imagined a threat at every sound. She supposed it would

  take her some time to recover her balance.

  He slipped into the breeches again and armed himself with the flintlock on the bedside table.

  Visions of Jaime Stone bursting through the door ran through her mind. She rose to follow him.

  Webster’s voice outside the door eased her anxiety a little.

  “All’s well, Cap’in. ‘Twas just as you believed.”

  “The men?” Matthew asked.

  “They’re on their way.”

  “You impressed on them how much care must be taken, Webster?”

  “Aye, Cap’in. There was no need. After everything that’s happened, they have an interest in seeing it through.”

  Matthew nodded. “Good.”

  Katherine crept closer, curious about their conversation. As she peeked around Matthew’s shoulder, Webster bobbed his gray head in a nod of acknowledgement His toothy grin, nestled in a thick, grizzled beard, further eased her anxiety.

  “All’s well, Miss Kate.”

  “I am glad to hear it. What else are the two of you planning?”

  “Two of the men are going ahead as scouts and to apprise my uncle of everything that has happened,” Matthew explained.

  “Oh.”

  “Change the watch, Webster and get some sleep.

  We’ll be leaving at first light.”

  “Aye, Cap’in.” The man tipped his head to Katherine then he moved down the hall.

  “There is something more.” It was a statement not a question, and she hoped he would settle her concerns by explaining.

  Matthew closed and barred the door. “The air is chilled, get into bed.”

  The pressure of his hand against her waist urged her forward.

  “Tell me.” She slipped beneath the covers and turned back to him.

  “There’s nothing to tell, Katherine.” He tossed the

  breeches at the foot of the bed and got in beside her. “’Tis only a few hours until we’ll be leaving. We both need to sleep.”

  “You are getting back at me for not being open with you earlier.”

  “No. I’ve told you before, I don’t go in for petty reprisals.”

  She gave a sigh and flopped on her back. She winced as her neck muscles protested the movement.

  He turned her on her side and moved to cradle her back against him. His thighs tucked beneath hers, and his manly parts nestled against her buttocks. She became distracted as a familiar lassitude invaded her lower limbs and she suppressed the urge to push back against him.

  Every muscle in her body felt sore, her ankles were blistered and bandaged, and she was covered in bruises.

  And still she wanted him. The change in Matthew’s condition in response to her had her smiling.

  “If you are very still, it will go away,” he whispered.

  She laughed, the sound reduced to a snicker because of her throat.

  His hand crept beneath her shift and followed the rounded curve of her hip. When he pressed his cloth covered hand against the flat plain of her belly, Katherine’s mouth went dry with desire and it took all her control not to wiggle against him.

  “It is a constant source of aggravation to me that I can’t touch you, Katherine.” He bent his lips to her shoulder.

  She swallowed against the knot of emotion that rose in her throat. “You do touch me, Matthew.” She reached back to run an encouraging hand up the length of his upper thigh and heard him catch his breath.

  “If we move very slowly, very carefully, perhaps, we can make love without causing any further harm to one another,” he suggested, his breath warm against her ear.

  She shivered and guided his hand upward to her breast. With a movement of her hips, she felt the heated length of him slide between her legs. “Take your time, my lord; I am not in any rush.”

  His mouth, open and parted, found the sensitive area between her neck and shoulder. She twisted around, her

  lips seeking his. The hot, torpid kiss went on and on. She wondered if she would ever get enough of him. She hoped not. She hoped they’d never get enough of each other.

  The velvety hardness of him brushed her thigh and she turned to push back against him, her fingers guiding him to the opening of her body. With a gentle push, Matthew entered her. His hand cupped her lower abdomen holding her back against him as he thrust up inside her, seating himself to the hilt. The slow thrust and counter-thrust of their joined bodies ebbed and flowed, binding her closer and closer, pressing him deeper and more tightly inside her. He was around her, inside her, possessing her, loving her. She felt as though she never wanted this touching, giving, sharing to end. She cried out in joy, in regret as, with a hot pulsing rush, it did.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Matthew braced his feet against the sway and bumps of the coach and adjusted the shade on the window, so the light would not beam directly into Katherine’s face.

  The same thoughts had played through his mind since they had turned over Jaime Stone’s body to the local constable and answered his questions. The man Matthew’s men were trailing had to be involved. If they lost him, they would not get another chance. They had to

  succeed

  .

  “You have been quiet for nearly and hour. Is there something disturbing you?”

  He looked down into Katherine’s deep violet eyes and smiled. He was besotted with his wife. The prim cut of the gown she wore did nothing to dampen the immediate response that quickened his heartbeat every time he looked at her. He felt amazed by the courage and resilience she had shown throughout the last few days.

  “I was just wondering how Clarisse and Talbot will respond to everything we have to tell them.”

  “They will find it all difficult to believe, I am sure.” She drew a deep breath. “I am more concerned about how I will react when I see Edward.” He frowned. “You have to find a way to hide your feelings, Katherine. Until we find a way to prove he was there, it will just be your word against his. If you confront him with what you remember that night, he may find a way of covering his tracks more completely.”

  “I know. I keep seeing him as he was that night.” She covered her eyes with her hands as though that would block out her memories. She shuttered then dropped them in her lap.

  He tucked her fingers in the bend of his arm in a show of comfort. He wanted to share what he was doing with her, but if it didn’t work, she would be disappointed once again. “Perhaps Talbot and the barrister have found

  something.”

  “Perhaps.”

  She fell silent, her gaze focused out the window. A frown flitted across her face. “There are British soldiers riding along side the coach, Matthew.” He raised the leather shades and looked out. Four men rode parallel to the coach on each side.

  She clutched his arm, her eyes wide with fear. “You don’t suppose something has happened to Talbot or Clarisse?”

  Concern lanced through him. “I hope not.” Willingham’s gate came into view, and they pulled through the entrance and came to a stop before the house.

  His stomach muscles knotted with concern as the troops surrounded the coach.


  Webster hastened to climb down and lower the steps.

  Matthew swung down from the coach and offered Katherine a hand. The sound of several muskets being cocked gave him pause. He looked up to see the assembly of eight armed soldiers pointing their guns at him. “Stay where you are, Katherine.”

  One man dismounted, his uniform designating him an officer. His livery appeared snowy white against the deep red of his coat. His blond hair hung straight down each side of his face. He strolled rather than marched to stand before Matthew. He doffed his hat and tucked it beneath his arm.

  “Captain Matthew Hamilton?”

  “Yes.”

  “Lieutenant Marshall Endicott. You are under arrest for the murder of Lady Jacqueline Rudman.” For a moment his mind could not grasp what the man had said.“Jacqueline is dead?” Lieutenant Endicott frowned but pressed on. “Will you surrender your arms, sir?”

  Katherine stepped down from the coach between him and the men, and Matthew’s heart clenched as eight muskets came to bear on her.

  “My husband has been in Birmingham with me for several days, sir. There has been some sort of mistake. He cannot be responsible for this.”

  “Step aside, Madame.” The man reached out to grasp

  Katherine’s arm, and Matthew caught his wrist preventing him from touching her.

  Time stood still as several guns were cocked atop the coach. Matthew glanced up. All six men above had armed themselves.

  Talbot stepped out the front door with Clarisse at his side. Elton’s tall figure stood at attention behind them.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Beads of moisture shown on the young officer’s forehead. His gaze strayed upward where the barrel of a musket pointed at him. “Captain Hamilton is under arrest, sir.”

  Talbot’s bushy, white brows rose. “For what?”

  “The murder of Jacqueline Rudman, sir.” Talbot’s face grew red, his features creased in a frown. “That is ridiculous. Jacqueline’s death occurred after Matthew had already left for Birmingham. Avery Rudman has gone too far this time.”

  “I have orders to transport Captain Hamilton to Newgate, sir.”

  Matthew watched the change come over his men’s faces. They had already seen him taken away once. They would not allow it again. He pulled at Katherine’s arm.

  “Get behind me, Katherine.”

  “No. If Lord Rudman is involved, they could just as well have orders to shoot you and say you were resisting.” Endicott’s face stiffened. Several of the soldiers on horseback shifted to a more purposeful posture. “I am an officer in His Majesty’s Army, Madame. I do not shoot prisoners without reason.”

  Clarisse stepped down the stairs to the drive and right into the path of several firearms. Matthew’s heart stuttered. Someone was going to get hurt.

  “Lieutenant,” Clarisse addressed the man, “I suggest you accompany my nephew and his wife into the house, and we will sort this out like civilized people.”

  “It is not my job to sort anything out, Lady Willingham, just to follow my orders.” Katherine advanced on Endicott, and he took a step back. “You are not taking my husband to that—place.” Matthew said the only thing that would put an end to the confrontation before it escalated any further. “Yes, he

  is.” She turned to look over her shoulder at him, her eyes wide with shock.

  “It will be all right, Katherine. We both know I didn’t harm Jacqueline Rudman. I have witnesses that will testify to that.” He swallowed and struggled to retain a calm demeanor as he turned to the Lieutenant. “I am going to order my men to lower their fire arms. I suggest you do the same, before someone gets hurt. We have unarmed civilians in the line of fire. It wouldn’t do your career any good if one of them is shot and killed.” The young soldier couldn’t completely hide the relief that flickered across his face. “I agree, sir.” Matthew glanced upward and met each man’s gaze.

  “Lower your weapons men. I’ll need you to testify as to my whereabouts instead.”

  “Lower your weapons.” Endicott called out to the men on horseback then turned to face Matthew. “I will need your weapon, Captain.”

  Matthew spread his coat wide, pulled out the flintlock pistol at his waist, and offered it to the man butt first. “I would ask you for a moment to speak to my wife and my aunt and uncle, Lieutenant. I will need them to see to my defense.”

  “Of course, sir.” The man nodded.

  “How was Lady Rudman killed?” he asked.

  Endicott studied his face for a moment. “She was strangled, sir, with a blue ribbon.” Katherine caught her breath and bit her lip. As her gaze focused on his face, he read the fear in her expression.

  Matthew motioned for Talbot and Clarisse to join Katherine and him at the base of the stairs.

  “Talbot, you will need to contact Lord Harcourt immediately. I will need him to testify as to the investigation he is leading. Jacqueline came to the Caroline the day I left for Birmingham.” He felt Katherine shift in response to the news. ”My purser on the Caroline, Carson Ray and my first mate, Henry, can testify I sent her on her way in full view of everyone on deck. Carson rowed ashore with me from the Caroline afterward and he saw me mount my horse and ride away. What day was it

  that Jacqueline was killed?”

  “That same afternoon, Matthew,” Talbot said, his brows drawn together in a frown, his worry palpable.

  “They found her body in her coach in an alley just off the docks. Her driver had been knocked unconscious, and she had been molested and strangled.” He met his uncle’s gaze. “They could argue I suppose, that I doubled back, knocked out the driver, and murdered her. There have to be witnesses to what happened, Talbot. If it was broad daylight, someone had to have seen something.”

  “We will find them, I swear it. You will not languish in jail again for something you did not do, Matthew.” Clarisse placed a hand on Matthew’s sleeve, her pale eyes, so much like his, focused intently on his face. “We will do whatever it takes to set you free, Matthew. No matter what that may be.”

  “A coroner’s inquest as soon as possible might be helpful. Isn’t that how things are done here?” He forced a smile to his lips, though he had never felt less like smiling. He turned his attention to Katherine.

  His throat felt thick with emotion as he looked down at her. Her eyes had never seemed so dark, nor her skin so pale. He could think of only one thing to say. “I haven’t wanted any other woman, since the first time I saw you, Katherine.”

  “I know.”

  The open trust in her face was nearly his undoing.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No. We both know Newgate is no place for a lady, sweetheart.”

  “My place is with you, no matter where you are, Matthew.”

  He cupped her face in his bandaged hands and closing his eyes, rested his forehead against hers. “I need you here, fighting for me, covering my back.” He felt her hands grip the fabric of his coat tight. I—” He kissed her, drawing her in against him to feel the imprint of her body against his. When he raised his head, he read in her face the words she had started to say. “Tell me when I’m a free man again.”

  “I will.” Her hand lingered against his cheek.

  “In light of your injuries, we’ll use your coach to transport you, Captain.” Endicott motioned to his hands.

  He released Katherine and stepped away. “Andy, Webster, and Franklin, you’ll stay here with my wife. I’m counting on you to help keep her safe.” He looked from man to man. “All of you.”

  Andy, the quietest of the bunch, said, “Won’t nobody bother ’er whilst we’re around, Cap’in ’amilton.” The men climbed from the coach and moved to stand beside her.

  “I am coming with you, Lieutenant. I will see Matthew settled, and know where he is housed,” Talbot said. He hastened to collect his cloak from Hampton at the door. He swung himself aboard the conveyance.

  Matthew climbed inside the vehicle. He took his seat.

 
His gaze settled on Katherine’s face through the window.

  With a jerk, the coach pulled forward. His last view of his wife was of her standing on the steps with Clarisse, her hand clenched tight against the frogs that held her cloak in place, her body held taut against the golden glow of the setting sun.

  ****

  Katherine watched the coach turn outside the gate. She thought she might scream if she didn’t find some outlet for the rage and fear building inside her.

  “Clarisse, do you know where Lord Harcourt lives?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Good, you may give Andy directions.”

  “Andy.” She turned to the big man directly behind her. “Please go around back to the stables and see that a horse is saddled for each of you.”

  “Aye, Ma’am.” The man started off at a jog.

  “Webster.” Emotion gripped her throat as she read the concern in the man’s face. For a moment, her composure deserted her, and tears threatened. She cleared her throat. She had no time for tears, not while Matthew remained confined in that hell-hole. “I need you to go to Lord Rudman’s house and fetch the driver of the coach who was attacked. Lord Harcourt will wish to speak with him, as do I.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Hamilton”

  “Franklin.”

  The man’s red, bushy hair stood on end as if he had

  been caught in a windstorm. Katherine smiled, despite the fear and worry bringing a hollow feeling to her insides. “Go to the Caroline and find out where Mr. Ray might be. Have him come here immediately. Bring Henry as well.”

  “I’ll be there and back before ye can blink.” She nodded. “I know I may count on you. Do not take no for an answer. If someone is out, inquire where they are, and hunt for them until you find them. As soon as Lord Harcourt and I have had time to speak with everyone, we will decide what can be done.”

  ****

  Matthew listened to the scrape and clamor of metal doors slamming closed deep within the prison. The nauseating smell of urine and filth made his throat burn. The sounds of fear and misery echoed through the halls, more wrenching than any he had ever heard.

  He eyed the filthy cot with its straw mattress with distaste, and took a seat on the only chair in the room.