Swallowing his wine, he looked steadily at her for a minute. “Then you would know the name of the fastest ship in his fleet,” he said.
“The Sweet Siren, a Baltimore clipper, very near to this one. He purchased it two years ago. Please, you must help me get back to my fam—”
A knock interrupted her.
The captain’s probing stare remained fixed on her as he gave permission to enter.
When the door flew open, Stuart marched in. Relief slid over his face when he saw her. “By God! I have been searching everywhere for you.” He slid his gaze to the captain and his lips formed a grim line.
“Stuart,” Jack said in a steely tone. “Did the lady board this ship willingly?”
Stuart hung his head.
Jack’s eyes glittered. The vein in his neck throbbed. He was a panther ready to strike. “Is she Lord Amersleigh’s sister?”
Stuart’s jaw tightened. He turned away.
“Now I understand why you felt the need to fake your death,” Jack said, then drained his glass.
CHAPTER 23
Nicholas slid from the saddle and marched into the Stenwick townhouse. “I need to speak with Raines,” he told the butler. Removing his gloves, he glanced around and frowned at the disrepair. Dust covered the floor, there were missing paintings and statuary, and the house smelled stale. Obviously, Charles had a desperate need for blunt.
Charles’s secretary scurried forward and bowed low. “Your Grace.” His nasal voice grated on Nicholas’s nerves. “What can I do for you?”
“You can tell me the location of my wife.”
The man took a step back. His trembling hand brushed his brow. “I-I don’t know what—”
Nicholas reached out and gripped the man’s lapel. “Tell me!” The rat knew something, and Nicholas prepared to rip it out of the man if necessary.
Raines’s shoulders slumped. “L-Lord Stenwick owes a great deal of money. Tens of thousands of pounds.” His voice dropped. “If he doesn’t come up with it soon, it will be debtor’s prison for him.”
“Where is my wife?”
The man’s eyes went round. “P-Please believe me. All I know is she is on some ship.”
Nicholas took a menacing step forward.
The little man paled. “Lord Stenwick hired some men to take your wife. I know where they are.”
After obtaining the information, he turned to leave, but halted. “Does Charles know a woman named Angela Cooper?”
Raines jerked with surprise. “Yes.”
“Is she involved?”
“Yes.”
He gritted his teeth. “Tell me everything.”
Nicholas rode back to Kenbrook, his energy nearly spent. He pushed the weakness aside as his thoughts settled on Megan. From what he learned from Raines, the bastards who took his wife were close. And they had information. He handed the reins to the groom as Julian hurried forward. “Where have you been?”
“Come.” He started for the house. “I have news.”
He told Thomas, Joseph, and Julian all he’d learned. “I’m sure we can sneak up on them. Raines said there were only two of them.”
“Why aren’t there more men?” Julian asked.
Nicholas almost growled. “That’s all the bastard could afford.” He tamped back the swell of fury about to rob him of good sense and told them of his plan.
They had to strike immediately. Daylight was nearly spent and Nicholas would not wait another day. The villains could disappear any moment. With twenty of Thomas’s men, the two within the old tanner’s cottage did not stand a chance.
When Nicholas stepped into the cool interior, he found the prisoners bound and seated on wooden stools. He recognized the same men who had taken his wife. His teeth felt near unto cracking as he clenched his jaw. Only the knowledge that they had information concerning Megan’s whereabouts prevented him from tearing the scoundrels apart with his bare hands. Joseph sat in the chair before the larger of the two men. “Where is she?” he demanded.
The man glared. His eye patch had gotten lost during the scuffle, exposing a sunken hole. “I dunno what you be talkin’ about,” he said, exposing his rotted teeth.
“You will tell me, or you will die,” Nicholas replied.
A gasp sounded from the other man. He turned and speared the ruffian a look of pure poison. “Lord Stenwick ain’t paid us ‘alf wot ‘e owes us anyway, Spike.”
Joseph rose and approached the smaller man. He rested his hands on his hips. “What is your name?”
“Oliver J. Marsh, milord. But I go by Ollie.”
“Tell me what you know, Ollie.”
“No…” the other roared and began to struggle against his bindings.
Joseph turned to a guard. “Gag that man.”
Ollie swallowed hard. “The seaman took the wee missy ter Scotland for a ransom exchange.”
Nicholas felt a twinge of relief. A ransom meant she was alive.
Julian stepped forward. “Is this seaman’s name Stuart Williams?” he asked then gave a description of his first mate.
“Aye.”
A flash of pain crossed Julian’s face. “What ship is he using?”
“The Enigma,” Ollie answered.
Julian’s eyes blazed. “The Enigma belongs to Jack Townsend.”
Panic seized Nicholas. “Wasn’t he accused of murdering his father?”
Julian nodded gravely. “He fled soon after his father was found. All attempts at his capture have proved unsuccessful. And the only ship we have as swift as the Enigma is the Sweet Siren.”
Weakness settled into Nicholas’s body, as if Julian’s words had sucked all the energy from him. He sagged against the wall. They might find Megan, but they couldn’t catch her.
“This wasn’t a sudden event. It was planned. And how does Charles know Stuart?” Julian asked.
The little man’s eyes grew fearful. “I swear on me dear mum’s grave I says all I knows.”
All eyes shifted to his companion. Nicholas grabbed the man’s shirt and pressed him to the wall. “Tell me everything that you know,” he bellowed, ripping the gag from his mouth. He made a fist and pulled it back. “Then I might allow you to live.”
Spike shook his head, his eyes round and full of terror. Julian reached for Nicholas’s cocked arm, causing Spike to close his eyes and slump forward in relief. “Nick, wait. He may wish to answer a few questions now.”
Nicholas threw the man back onto the wooden stool, then leaned against the stone wall, his shoulder on fire. “The game is up. Say what you know,” Julian demanded.
Spike spat to remove the woolen fibers and dirt from his tongue. He looked at Ollie. “Fool. Ye can’t trust nobles. We’re going to swing fer sure.”
Nicholas threw his fist back and struck the large man. The thud sounded sickening in the silence. He hardly felt the pain that vibrated up his uninjured arm as he watched the ruffian tumble to the ground. Spike lifted a hand to his cheek. Nicholas took a step forward, but Julian, obviously reading his intent to pounce, grabbed his arm. “Tell us everything, man, or so help me, you will be drawn and quartered,” Nicholas said.
Spike spat blood and part of a tooth out before looking around the room. “Lord Stenwick ‘ired us to take the lady. She was supposed to be sent ter Claremont while the duke an’ duchess were on their way ter America, but she was sent ter Lun’un instead.”
Julian narrowed his eyes. “How does Stenwick know Stuart Williams?”
Spike shook his head. “I dunno.”
“Where is Stenwick to meet Stuart after the ransom exchange? How is he to get his share of the gold?” Julian demanded, an undercurrent of deadly intent in his voice.
Spike squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
Nicholas stepped forward, his fist raised with murder blazing in his eyes. “Tell us!”
“A tavern on the dock. The Neptune.”
Nicholas breathed in deeply. “Are you certain they plan to release my wife after the ransom
exchange?”
Spike wiped the blood off his chin. “Lord Stenwick fancies the lass. ‘E ain’t letting ‘er go.”
****
Nicholas gazed at the huge orange ball of the sun as it lifted from the reflective waters of the sea. The last crate of gold had just been loaded into the hull of the Wind Song, and they were off. His hands tightened on the starboard rail. If his wife was harmed in any way… He closed his eyes. Be damned, he wished the ship had wings.
A hand squeezed his shoulder. He popped his eyes open and jerked his head around.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, Nick,” Julian said.
He shook his head. “It is I who must apologize. I’m tense.” He glanced over at the color-reflective sea. “God, Julian, I miss her,” he whispered. “What if she’s hurt?”
“I’ve known Stuart for years.” Julian shook his head. “I’m sure he wouldn’t harm her.”
“How can you know what that bastard is capable of after this?”
Julian paused, his brows drawn. “You’re right, my friend. The man I thought I knew doesn’t exist.”
Nicholas closed his eyes in despair and held tight to the rail with both hands. Dear God, let them find her soon. And let her be unharmed.
****
“How can anyone breathe such air? I swear I’m going to suffocate if we don’t leave this cabin soon,” Angela said. “And why must we suffer this dreadful darkness?”
Megan glanced up at the lantern swinging from the ceiling beam and shook her head.
“A lit candle aboard a ship during a storm is dangerous, Angie,” Emily said.
Angela ignored her sister’s comment. “It’s unnatural for a ship to rock about so. I don’t think that daft captain is paying attention to what he is doing.”
Megan closed her eyes and tried to force the nerve-wracking sound of that shrew’s voice from her mind. God’s truth, Angela would not allow a whole minute to pass without spewing forth a complaint. The women were ordered to one cabin when the storm arose last night, and Megan could not bear Angela’s moaning much longer. Perhaps she could stuff a handkerchief in each ear.
“Don’t fret, dearest, I’m certain we shall remain safe,” Emily said.
“I can no longer stand the sound of the rain pelting down—”
Megan jumped to her feet. “That is truly outside of enough,” she exploded and marched to the door.
“Where are you going?” Emily asked.
Megan jerked open the door and held onto the doorframe while the ship tossed again. “I am going to jump overboard.”
Emily chuckled. “But you told me you cannot swim.”
“Exactly my point,” Megan snapped, then slammed the door behind her. She took a step and crashed into the brick wall of a man’s chest. The open door of his quarters allowed enough light for her to see Jack staring down at her. He wore a large smile. “You intend to jump overboard? I must warn you, my lady, these are shark-infested waters.”
“A vast improvement,” she fumed. “I would rather be locked in the hold than to spend one more second in Angela’s presence.”
Jack inhaled heavily through his nose. She could see his lips clamped together as he struggled to keep from chuckling. “All right, my dear. You may stay in my cabin. The hold is no place for such a lovely lady.”
One of Jack’s men moved out from the shadows. His shoulders nearly touched both sides of the companionway at once. Megan could not fathom how such a large man could move so silently, especially with all those knives and daggers he carried. “Problems?” he asked Jack softly.
“No problems,” Jack said, and walked into his cabin.
As she followed, the man said, “Och, Captain, you canna—”
Jack held up his hand. “You worry too much for naught, Connor,” he said, then closed the door on the glowering Scot.
The captain’s room was a lot less dim than her tiny cabin, and she could see fatigue clearly etched on Jack’s face. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in a month. “Captain, you’ve come to rest. Perhaps I should—”
“It’s Jack. And I’ve come for a glass of wine. Please, sit.” He poured the wine and set a goblet before her. “The worst of the storm is over.”
She sipped the Madeira and found it as good as any her father kept in his stores. She looked up and found Jack studying her. Dear Lord, what was she doing alone in a pirate’s cabin…again?
Her face must have been transparent. “Do not worry, Megan. You are safe with me,” he assured her.
“Jack, please return me.”
Regret flickered into his eyes. “I can’t risk a trip to London, my lady.”
“Then allow me to leave this ship once we lay anchor. I shall employ someone to take me home,” she said.
“I am sorry, but you will be much safer in my care.”
“Will I be returned to my family when they arrive with the gold?”
Anger crossed his face momentarily, and Megan knew that Stuart had kept a great deal from him. What kind of pirate was Jack the Black Heart?
“That is the plan,” he answered.
“May I have your word on that, Jack?”
He must have sensed how much his answer meant to her. He pushed a basket of figs in her direction. “You have my word.”
She believed him.
****
The cry of a bird startled Megan awake and reminded her that they had anchored in a secluded cove the night before. She quickly dressed in a dark blue silk gown Jack had found for her and scampered up on deck. She looked at the trees in the distance and smiled. How she longed to walk upon solid earth once again! “Ye smell nice.” Megan spun around. Beak Nose was leaning against a mast, staring at her. She didn’t like the hunger in his eyes. “Like spring flowers.” He took a deep breath and stepped in her direction. “I wonder if ye taste as good as ye smell?”
Horrified, Megan ran to the opposite side of the ship. Her heart hammered in her chest. She heard someone approach and turned with a gasp. Stuart and Connor stormed toward her with distressed expressions. “Take her below,” said Connor. “Captain hasna come up yet.”
Now that the danger had passed, she didn’t want to leave. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not returning to that stagnant cabin until I am good and ready.”
“I’ll remain with her,” Stuart replied, his lips twitching.
She watched the gulls play chase in the sky overhead. How she wished she could speak to them and send them to Nicholas with a message. She would tell her husband how much she loved and missed him. And to please hurry up and rescue her.
“You look lovely.”
Megan frowned at Stuart. “You must cease this.”
“What?”
“Spouting complements and staring at me like that.”
He moved closer and lifted his hand to her cheek. “I like spouting complements and staring at you.”
Megan jerked away. “I am a married woman and I love my husband.” She spun on her heel and marched back to her cabin, much preferring the small, stuffy room to Stuart’s advances.
Ten minutes later, the door flew open, cutting off her thoughts. With a start, Megan jerked her head up. Four of the ugliest, most repulsive crewmen filed into her quarters. One of them was Beak Nose. She blinked, but it was no illusion. Her heart surged into her throat. Megan caught a glimpse of Angela in the companionway just before the door swung shut. The shrew had been glowing in satisfaction. Megan cut her eyes back to the men and felt her skin crawl as they advanced forward.
CHAPTER 24
Megan flew to her feet. “None of you have any right to be here. I demand that you leave at once.”
“Ow, now luv, ‘ave a ‘eart. We was told that ye’d be co-operatin’,” Beak Nose jeered.
“Obviously, you were misinformed. Now leave,” she ordered, trembling so hard that she found it difficult to stand. They raked their eyes up and down her body. She felt exposed, dirty. And terribly frightened. She wrapped her arms
around her middle. Oh, Nicholas. Nicholas! Please, where are you? “If you don’t leave this instant, I will s-scream.” Her voice rose with her panic.
“Ain’t nobody gunna ‘ear ye, luv. ‘Specially if yer muzzled.”
Before she could release the shriek of horror lodged in her throat, Beak Nose surged for her. He threw her onto the bed and covered her with his bulky body. Her breath left her lungs in a whoosh. He slapped a grimy hand over her mouth and held her wrists above her head with the other. He licked her cheek. “Ye do taste like flowers.”
Terror blazed through her. She kicked and thrashed, trying to scream for help. He laughed at her struggle, fanning her face with his sour breath. “Ye like it, ay?” he taunted, rubbing his hardened sex against her.
Oh, God, no. No! Megan sucked back a sob. The others surrounded the bed. Their images blurred as hot, salty tears raced down her face.
The man shoved a dirty piece of linen into her mouth and secured it with twine. It smelled like a chamber pot and tasted of rotten fish. More twine bound her hands above her head. Bile rose from the pit of her stomach when hands covered her breasts. She shook her head and began to fight with all the energy she had left. Their disgusting chants of encouragement rang through the cabin like a death knell. They ripped at her clothes.
She squeezed her eyes shut until pinpricks of light flickered behind her lids. She whimpered when they tugged at the front of her dress. Her heart thudded. The dress tore and cool air rushed over her breasts. The men’s cheers grew. Shame washed over her. How would she ever hold her head up after this? Would she even live after this? She struggled to free her wrists and pain seared her flesh.
Their disgusting hands were everywhere. They tore at the material covering her body and pinched her exposed skin with brutal eagerness. She attempted to kick, but someone held her ankles. For the first time in her life, Megan wished she were inclined to swoon. She didn’t want to be conscious for this.
Nicholas! The oblivion that she wished for hovered near. Sounds muffled and numbness washed over her. She could feel her body sinking down…down…down… Just before losing consciousness, Megan thought she heard Jack’s voice thunder around the room and the men pleading for mercy.
Innocence Lost (Secrets & Scandals Book 1) Page 20
