The afternoon sun was almost at a point where she wouldn’t be able to catch its reflection. Another half hour and it would be beyond her reach. She calculated the angle where it would be seen by the most people, then put her arm out the window and prayed.
* * *
When Hal and Anne arrived at the docks, the sun was already in its descent. It would be dark in not much more than an hour and it would be difficult to find their way around, not to mention locating one woman in the crowd.
“I suggest we split up, my lord,” said Anne.
“Out of the question. The docks are a dangerous place, especially for a lady.”
“Ah, but I am not one. And while it’s been a while since I’ve been here, I still have the instincts of someone used to the streets, whereas you look every inch the wealthy lord. If anything, I should be protecting you. There’s no time to argue. We shall split up then meet here in an hour. I will brook no opposition. And remember, I have the pistol.”
Anne disappeared into the crowd before Hal could object, so he decided to make the most of his time and set off for Captain Clinch’s ship.
He found the Cassandra in a flurry of activity, as her crew made final preparations for their morning departure. The first mate told him the captain was not aboard, which was disappointing news. But then he remembered Rodgers’s telling him about the journal entry for April the second. He set out for the harbor master’s office.
As fortune would have it, he spied Captain Clinch along the way. The captain was giving orders to several sailors, then waved him over. “I was just about to send word to you, Kellington,” he said. “I believe I’ve made a discovery. There’s a schooner in Dover that I believe may be the one you’re looking for. There’s something quite odd about the registry, and I met an old tar who’d seen her sailing into Mediterranean waters earlier this year through territory I would never dare to visit.”
“But wouldn’t Dover be an unusual place for her to dock?”
“Not if the villains knew the Home Office was on to them. Don’t underestimate them. They’re rather like your Miss Sutton. Ingenious and a force to be reckoned with.”
“Have you seen Miss Sutton today?” asked Hal.
“As a matter of fact, yes. She came by not two hours ago.”
Hal’s relief was profound. “Do you know where she is now?”
Captain Clinch looked apologetic. “I’m afraid she may be on her way to Dover.”
“What!” said Hal, panic rising once more.
“I tried to discourage her, of course, but once I told her about the ship in Dover, she was set on travelling there herself. What’s even worse is that she planned to do so alone. She was very upset about something that had happened which made her all the more determined to do this on her own. I’m so sorry – I tried to stop her. I even said I would send someone with her, but she insisted on setting out on her own.”
“Thank you, Captain. I must be on my way to try to intercept her. I only hope there’s time. Do be so good as to send word to the Duke of Lynwood for me.”
“Of course,” said the Captain. “Godspeed. I can only pray you’re on time.”
As Hal turned, something caught his eye. A flash from somewhere out on the water.
“What is it?” asked Clinch.
Hal looked again, but the flash did not repeat. “I’m sure nothing. My eye caught on the reflection of something out there by those ships.”
Clinch turned in that direction and frowned. “It’s a rather common experience, I’m afraid. Sunlight reflecting off glass. It was a pleasure to meet you Lord Hal. Until next time.”
Hal shook hands with the captain then turned to leave.
“Lord Henry! Have you noticed the flashes from that ship?”
Hal turned to see Anne approaching. Good. He could tell her about Mel before departing for Dover. He only hoped he would be in time. He had to be.
“Anne, I’m glad you’re here. But…what’s wrong?” He reached a hand out to steady her as she’d suddenly lost all color in her face. She began shaking, but did not move from the spot. She only stared at something over his shoulder. “What is it?”
She couldn’t say a word. Could only gesture behind him. He turned to see if Captain Clinch could help, only to see the captain was holding a pistol trained on him, but his gaze was on Anne. Hal instinctively pulled her behind him.
“Clinch, what the devil are you doing?” asked Hal, wishing he’d brought a weapon.
But the captain only had words for the woman behind him. “I thought you’d died,” he said. “But with a face like that, I imagine you hoped you would.”
Anne said not a word, but Hal could feel her trembling behind him. “You’re the bastard who did this to her.” he said.
“Yes, Kellington, she used to be mine.”
“I was never yours,” Anne said quietly.
“But I did leave a lasting impression on you, didn’t I? Oh, don’t look so offended Kellington. She’s just a bloody whore. Worth no more than the others. Actually, considerably less with a face like that.”
“The scars you gave her, you mean,” said Hal, wanting nothing more than to charge Clinch. But as they’d been talking, sailors had surrounded them. And he knew this was about more than Anne. “You’re the one, aren’t you? The ringleader.”
“Yes. And now you’ll come with me to the Amber Moon. You won’t, however, be making the trip to the Barbary Coast. I imagine you’ll only make it as far as the depths of the Channel. But come with me now and I may let the whore live.”
“What have you done with Mel?”
“She is also on the Amber Moon, if that makes it any easier to move you there quietly. But I warn you, Kellington, if you try anything, I’ll kill the whore here, then your Miss Sutton soon after. Shall we depart?”
Hal couldn’t risk harm to Anne and if there was any chance Melanie was alive, he had to do as Clinch said. So he put his arm around Anne and pulled her close. Somewhat surprisingly, she let him. She was shaking, but she calmly placed one foot in front of the other until they were at the Amber Moon.
As they walked on board, Hal looked about for a possible weapon. He had to make a stand before they took him below deck. But then he remembered Anne’s pistol. Just as they were about to go below, Hal swung at the sailor nearest to him. That created a diversion and as he fought two others who rushed him, he saw Anne pull the pistol from her pocket and take aim at Clinch. Unfortunately, another sailor shoved her arm up just as she fired. Hal hoped someone on the docks would investigate the noise. But it probably wasn’t the first time shots had been fired in the area.
Clinch turned to Anne in a rage. He picked up a bottle and broke it against a barrel, then rushed at her with the glass.
“Run!” Hal yelled at Anne, as he desperately tried to break free. Anne was able to scurry under a mast that slowed Clinch. She kicked a bucket of hot tar and Hal heard Clinch scream when it splashed on him.
Hal was being pummeled by one sailor as the other two held him. But he was able to adjust his weight and bring one foot up, solidly connecting with the sailor’s bollocks.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Clinch closing in on Anne. Suddenly, a man tackled Clinch and began beating him.
It was Richard Parker. And for once, Hal was pleased to see him.
A moment later, Stapleton was attacking one of the men holding Hal. Bow Street Runners were streaming on to the ship, even as armed sailors were coming up on deck attacking them. Out of the corner of his eye, Hal saw Liam, Ned and Arthur join in the fight.
Maybe Liam could get some of his anger out that way.
But all Hal could think about was finding Mel. He picked up a dropped knife, then went below deck. It was mostly deserted since the men must have figured that fighting their way out was the only way to avoid hanging if apprehended by Bow Street.
He opened one cabin door after another, until he found one that was locked. He pounded on it. “Mel?”
“We�
�re here!” She said from within.
And no words were ever sweeter to hear.
“Stand back!” he yelled. “I’m going to break down the door.” He stepped back and kicked the door three times before it finally gave way. As he entered, Mel threw herself into his arms. He didn’t want to ever let her go.
“My lord,” said an amused Miss LaRue from behind them. “Thank you for the rescue. But there’s others that need us down below.”
They quickly made their way down into the hold where the other women were being held. The young guard who’d been left to attend them was only too glad to obey Hal’s order to let them go. The women were in remarkably good health, given their ordeal. He told them to stay below until the deck was cleared, but not one of them obeyed. They each picked up whatever weapon they could find, then made their way to the deck.
The fighting was still going on, though it was clear Bow Street had the upper hand. That didn’t stop the women from adding their blows to their former captors. Hal ushered Mel and Miss LaRue to a relatively quiet corner.
“Susan!” They turned to see Conrad Patton and his men board the ship. Patton took Miss LaRue in his arms and held her tight. Hal could hear the woman’s laughter in the embrace.
“Is that Anne?” asked Mel.
Hal turned to see Anne standing with Parker, Stapleton, Liam, Ned and Arthur, who were all looking at a body on the deck. As Hal and Mel joined them, they saw the body was Captain Clinch, with his throat slashed.
“It wasn’t Mr. Parker, Inspector,” said Anne. “I did it. He was about to stab Mr. Parker and I used the only weapon I could find.” She indicated the broken bottle that Clinch had used to come after her. “I shall take whatever punishment is coming to me.”
“The only thing that is coming to you, Mrs. Cartwright,” said Stapleton, “is likely a commendation.” He turned to see the women who’d gathered on deck. “I need to take their statements and see about getting them shelter for the evening.”
“They can stay at Mitchell House,” said Anne.
“Thank you, madam, but are you sure you can accommodate them?”
“Anyone who can’t fit there is welcome to stay at Dill’s,” said Miss LaRue. “Ain’t that right, Conrad?”
Conrad Patton had no choice but to agree, since Miss LaRue was already telling the women to collect their things. “Lord Henry,” he said. “I know you said you’d pay Francis’s vowels. But there’s no need. I am in your debt. And will be for some time.”
Hal held his hand out, then the two men shook.
When Patton left, Liam asked “Francis’s debt?”
“I will explain later. I want to get Mel home and it has been a long day for Mrs. Cartwright, as well. And, Parker, I suppose.”
“I shall see Mrs. Cartwright safely delivered,” said Parker.
Hal wanted to object just because he wanted to object to everything the man did, but he grunted his assent.
“I wasn’t asking,” said Parker. “I was informing you. But perhaps you and I can settle this right now.”
“No!” said Melanie. “Richard, thank you for escorting Anne home and for coming to my aid.”
“I was here before he was,” said Hal petulantly.
“Nevertheless, I thank Richard and all of you. But, if it is all the same to you, Henry – Hal – I do wish to go home.”
“Then you shall have your wish,” said Hal. “Now and always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Anne lay in her bed, unable to comprehend the enormity of everything that had happened. Worrying about Mel, fearing she’d never see her again. Then coming face to face with a monster.
And killing him.
Richard had been so brave to attack him. She didn’t think someone raised in the church would have quite the fighting skills he’d exhibited. Indeed, she’d been terrified to see their skirmish, knowing as she did how ruthless Clinch was. But Richard had gotten the better of him, pounding him on the deck. But just as he’d left Clinch to check on her, the captain had raised a pistol and taken aim. Without even thinking, Anne had grabbed the bottle and slashed Clinch. She hadn’t meant to kill him, only to throw him off his shot. It had been a shock to feel the glass connect with his throat. To hear his cry and the awful sound of the blood spurting from his body.
She’d been horrified and likely would have fainted, had Richard not pulled her to him and held her. And in one fell swoop she saw the nightmare of her past die away, as she felt the hope for a new beginning.
Not with Mr. Parker, of course. She was too far beneath him. But she felt it was now possible to have a life where she ventured out into the world on occasion. She would be sad when Mr. Parker returned to America, but she’d known all along he would. It would be silly to mourn what she could not have.
There was a quiet knock at her door. It was probably one of the women from the ship. Lydia and Angela hadn’t been too enthusiastic about their guests, and she would have to find homes for them eventually, but she was glad she was able to give shelter to the women.
She picked up her wrapper as she padded to the door. She opened it to find Richard standing there. And he looked nervous.
For a moment neither said a word, then he whispered “May I come in?”
She wordlessly invited him in, then shut the door.
The moonlight illuminated the room enough for her to see the sculpted muscle and angular lines beneath his dressing gown. She could see a triangle of skin near his throat and wanted nothing more than to kiss it.
“Do you need something?” she asked.
She couldn’t be sure, be it seemed he leaned into her just a bit.
“I do,” he said.
“What do you need?”
“You, dear Anne, you.” He leaned in slowly, giving her ample opportunity to turn away. But just as his lips were an inch away, he said “Is this all right?”
“Yes,” she said, right before she surrendered to him.
It was the sweetest kiss of her life and one that lighted a fire throughout her body. In her earlier life, kisses had been few and far between. But as they spent leisurely moments kissing, she almost cried from the sheer beauty of it. She longed for it to never end.
But eventually he did pull back and Anne had to use every ounce of her will to keep from begging him to kiss her again. He placed his hand on her cheek gently, brushed his fingers across the scars. Then he placed his lips at the top, where the knife had sunk in all those years ago and kissed his way down the path. He covered each inch of scar, somehow substituting pleasure and kindness in place of the long ago anger and hate.
“Thank you for letting me do that,” he whispered. “I know what it must have cost you.”
She could say nothing, for the tears which welled up in her eyes and clogged her throat.
He continued onward. “Now I have a greater favor to ask. One I pray to the Lord you will agree to. Marry me, Anne. Come with me to Philadelphia. Be by my side as we continue helping women. Make a true home for me. Grace my bed.”
“I can’t,” she said with tears streaming down her face.
“You must. I do not know what will happen to me without you. I have come to rely on your counsel. I yearn to see your smile, to hear your sweet laugh.”
“But my past….”
“Concerns me not at all. It is your future which interests me. I live a modest life. We shall never have much money, but I will keep a roof over your head and food on your table. You will be safe and will never have any reason to fear me. I’ll protect and love you. I hope to give you children. You believe I deserve a good wife and I am asking you to make that come true. Marry me and be my love.”
She opened her mouth to say something – she had no idea what it would be – but then he lay her gently on the bed, covering her with his body. He took her mouth in a gentle kiss, licking at the seam of her lips until she opened again.
She had little experience in kissing. Her two previous lovers had been more interested in intercour
se than anything as tender as this. Her inexperience must have shown, because he smiled beneath her.
“Just relax,” he said. “We’ll learn each other.”
They continued kissing, pressing into each other. Her body was surging with arousal and she’d already felt the sign of his passion against her hip. But he was in no hurry to continue onward. For a moment, she wondered if he might be a virgin. Perhaps his interest in her was because he could be assured of sexual satisfaction. But before she could allow that unpleasant thought to poison what was happening between them, he began undressing her with a deftness that could only come with experience.
When he’d unbuttoned her gown, she rose from the bed to take it off. But then she remembered. “The scars,” she whispered. “They are not limited to my face.”
“Please,” he said. “There is no reason to be afraid. I want to see all of you. I want to love all of you.”
Anne had never undressed in front of anyone else since the attack. It would devastate her when he saw the scars and turned away. But it was better for it to happen now, rather than later when she would be even more hopelessly in love with him.
She nodded, then trembled as she dropped wrapper and gown to the floor and joined him once again on the bed. He gently – almost reverently – traced the scars on her body. She let her hands and mouth roam as they discovered each other.
Finally, he lay on his back and pulled her on top of him. “Lean in toward me,” he said.
After a moment’s hesitation, she did. She brought the aching nipple of her breast toward his mouth. He suckled it greedily.
She moved closer so he could continue his ministrations. Any doubts about his sexual experience fled in the onslaught of such intense sensations. Her body was on fire.
It turned out he was aroused just as much. “Please forgive me,” he said. “I want you too much to take this slowly.”
He pulled her into a straddle position over him. She reached down to take his very hard cock in her hands, stroking and squeezing until he moaned. She was so wet that he slid into her easily.
Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) Page 27
