The man kept rescuing her and she didn’t wish to be saved by any man, especially one as virile and handsome as the pirate. He was no good for her and there was no future down that road, even if he was the half-brother of the admiral. It was a mess of epic proportions.
And to add to it all was her family. Her mother was a constant concern but now Katrine wasn’t present to help Esta care for the aging widow. Within days of their return from the debacle of the treasure hunt, Katrine had set off to visit Hetty, the witch she had trained under. Katrine was changed since her experience with the crystal and she hoped her old mentor could shed some light on what might have occurred. Apart from the strange glow within her sister’s eyes, something else was upsetting her. She wouldn’t talk of it, just kept saying Hetty would know what to do. Esta hoped the old witch could give her sister solace but worried about the week long journey west to Brightcastle.
Yes, the next several days would be an endurance test but all she could do was to limit the damage as much as possible. That meant getting rid of Samael as soon as she could. Would he tell Nikolas of their link? And if he did, what would happen? She sighed and returned to her breakfast, trying to coax her nervous stomach to accept food before she faced the music.
Esta checked her rooms one last time. There was no point in delaying any longer. It wouldn’t change the fact that she must travel all day in the company of Samael Delacost. She pulled the door closed and made her way down to the Cosara coach which boasted gold leaf design and luxurious cushioned seats—far more lavish than her own humble conveyance.
By this evening, she would be home again, listening to her mother complain of every little thing and with the weight of the estate finances back on her shoulders. Perhaps she should stay in Wildecoast after all and let her mother fend for herself? It was tempting but someone had to run the estate and Esta was the only one putting their hand up for the task. What would she do if she stayed anyway? Worry about the chores that were going undone and the money that was not being earned and the mother whose main conversation involved criticizing Esta for the things she did wrong.
She sighed as she saw the dashing man who stood beside the carriage. Samael Delacost—the most annoying and compelling man she had ever met. Why did he have to be traveling with her? Curse the admiral for suggesting it.
Esta straightened her shoulders and marched up to him. “Good morning, Mr. Delacost. How are you?”
His eyebrows shot up and then he took her hand and kissed it. “I’m looking forward to the trip today, Lady Aranati. Might I say that you look most ravishing?”
Esta stepped closer. “No you may not! That’s hardly the thing to say to a woman you are barely acquainted with. I would appreciate it if you kept a civil tongue in your head.”
“Ah, so that’s the way it’s going to be is it? Is this your way of saying you want nothing more to do with me?”
Esta nearly choked. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that I want naught to do with you, sir!”
“Mm,” Sam said, a smirk on his lips. He did look striking in his grey suede jacket and black breeches. Broad shoulders and muscled thighs were shown to advantage. “Then why did you seek me out to tell me about Vitavia?”
Why indeed? Esta was still trying to work that out herself. “My conscience wouldn’t allow me to keep you in the dark. That’s the only reason.” She stepped even closer. He did smell nice up this close. She peered up at him. “Why didn’t you tell the admiral that Vitavia was your mother?”
“That’s none of your business, my lady.”
“Perhaps not but I’d still like to know. Don’t you want a brother?”
Sam frowned. “Truthfully? I don’t know. Perhaps it would merely add needless complications to my life and I like things the way they are. Maybe he’d expect me to behave a certain way and I don’t wish to please anyone but myself.”
“You’re scared,” Esta snapped, suddenly seeing the child inside the man. “Why don’t you tell yourself it could be wonderful, that you and he could be best friends? That it would be better than this lonely existence you lead?”
Samael walked a few paces away and stood staring out to sea. Esta followed and stood behind him, intrigued despite herself.
“Since I can remember,” he said. “I’ve ordered my life to suit myself, even my parents couldn’t control me. I don’t need a brother telling me what to do, disapproving of my life.” He turned to face Esta. “There’s no way he wouldn’t disapprove of me, no way at all.”
She had no argument for that. Nikolas Cosara would definitely disapprove of Samael. “You could still try!”
“Well, I’m not! It would change everything and I’m not ready for that.”
Someone cleared their throat nearby and Esta turned to find the admiral had ridden up. “Best to be on our way, my lady, Mr. Delacost. It is to be a long day.” With that, he turned and walked his horse toward the gates of the castle.
Merielle hurried forward and embraced Esta, kissing her on both cheeks. “I have enjoyed our time together, Esta. Promise me you will come to stay when you can.”
Esta smiled. It was overwhelming to have this woman accept her and wish to be her friend. “Thank you, Lady Cosara. I look forward to seeing you again.”
She turned and climbed into the coach alongside her maid, cursing the formality of her words which appeared to disappoint Merielle. The thing was, she was perfectly happy being on her own and trust didn’t come easily. Perhaps in time, she and Merielle could be friends. The beautiful redhead seemed lonely. She would try, she really would.
Esta turned her thoughts to the trip ahead which would have them reach her estate after dark that evening. As the coach trundled through the castle gates, escorted by ten soldiers, Nikolas and Samael, she wondered what the trip would bring.
Sam rode ahead, his eyes on the passing farmlands but his thoughts on the pickle he was in. He preferred to call it a pickle rather than admit it was more a disaster. For a man who was used to being on the ocean and free as the seagulls, he had taken steps that might see him grounded forever, especially if the admiral discovered his true identity. Already he had spied Cosara frowning at him as if trying to solve a puzzle. The man was no idiot. It wouldn’t be long before he realized Sam’s pirate links. Sam hoped he’d be well out to sea before the penny dropped. At least then, he might be able to elude the King’s man.
Cosara rode beside him, curse him! Unlike Samael, he had his eyes firmly fixed on the dangers that might present themselves on such a journey.
“Anything specific to watch for, Admiral?” Samael asked.
“Dark elves,” Nikolas said. “We’ve been too complacent in the past and the blighters are so damned sneaky. They’ve been more active in the north but have caused trouble close to the city in recent times. Also, those sailors who attacked the womenfolk could take it upon themselves to seek revenge. I won’t be happy until we get Lady Aranati back to her estate.” He looked across at Sam. “How do you know her?”
Sam let out a long breath. He had known it was a mistake to start up a conversation. “We met at the ball. I told her my purpose for being there and when your lady wife mentioned Vitavia, Lady Aranati remembered my quest and sought me out.”
Nikolas shook his head. “Damned nice of her, not to mention foolish. Doesn’t seem the sort of thing you would do when you’d only just met a person—put herself at risk like that. Not to mention my wife.”
“Your lady is pretty good at taking care of herself isn’t she?”
Nikolas frowned. “She thinks she is but Merielle doesn’t understand the dangers women face when they venture into public. She’s still learning.”
“Oh,” Sam said. This was better! Get Nikolas to answer the questions instead of him. “Why does she need to learn?”
“Merielle comes from the country where it is safer and much different. I hope she learns before something really dangerous happens. As you saw, she can be quite impulsive.”
Sam nodded. “Impress
ive though.”
“Keep your eyes to yourself,” Nikolas growled, his turquoise gaze throwing sparks Sam’s way.
Sam held up his hands. “Hey, your lady is safe from me. She is quite unique though.” Sam’s mind wandered to the fight in the street and alley when Merielle had almost held her own against those drunken sailors. “And she’s stronger than she looks.”
Nikolas grunted. “She is and let that be an end to this conversation.” He turned his horse and headed for the back of the column, stopping to speak to Lady Aranati and the soldiers as he passed.
Sam watched him go. Man, the admiral got prickly when questions were asked about his wife. He smiled. That might be the key to avoiding Nikolas’s own questions about himself. Turn the conversation around to the bewitching Lady Merielle and Nikolas would soon give up. He nodded. Yes, that was a tactic well worth trying.
The day had been long and tiring and Esta wished for nothing more than a long soak in a hot tub. The trouble was there was no one to prepare it for her and she certainly would not ask her equally tired maid to do the honors. At least some of the preparations should be done as Samael Delacost and two of the soldiers had ridden ahead early in the evening to announce their imminent arrival.
Esta stepped down from the coach, aided by the admiral who also helped the maid. Now there was a man with impeccable manners! Samael, on the other hand, lounged in a chair on the side porch, a glass in one hand and the red glow of a cigar in the other. Cigars! They would be her late father’s! How dare he!
She turned back to the admiral. “Thank you, Lord Cosara. You’ve been most kind. I shall see that your room is prepared. If you’d like to send your men to the farm manager he will give them beds for the night and a meal. His office is beside the stables around the back of the manor.”
The admiral spoke to his sergeant who then ushered the soldiers away, taking the coach and horses with him.
“This way, Admiral,” Esta said, glancing at Samael from the corner of her eye. As she strode to the front door, the pirate climbed to his feet and ambled over to them.
“You have a lovely home, Lady Aranati,” Samael said, bowing to her.
Esta frowned at him. “Thank you, Mr. Delacost. I hope you have been comfortable in our absence?”
The door swung open and there was her mother, dressed in her best gown and with a broad smile on her face. Her mother rarely smiled.
“Esta!” she said. “I am so glad to see you.” She embraced Esta more warmly than she could remember her ever doing. “And this must be the admiral? Come in, dear sir and make yourself at home in the parlor. I have a room prepared for you and a nice supper and my best wine. I don’t get to entertain very often, stuck out here as I am and with my health …”
Nicolas was swept inside and Esta was left with Samael on the porch. This was to be more of an endurance test than she had anticipated.
“Bit of a livewire, your mother,” Samael said.
Esta shook her head. “Not usually. She never leaves her room and I haven’t seen her dressed up since father died. I wonder what she is up to?”
“Does there have to be an ulterior motive? Perhaps she’s just glad of the company.”
“She has plenty of company,” Esta snapped. She took a deep breath and waited for her temper to subside. “I’ll go and freshen up and then meet you in the parlor, Samael.” She sailed into house and took refuge in her room.
Samael stayed on the porch for a moment, enjoying the solitude and the cigar. He had no desire to join the admiral though he was intrigued to speak more to the woman who had produced such a daughter as Moonlight. In the hours he had been here, he had gained permission from Lady Aranati senior to explore the estate though being dark, he hadn’t been able to see much. The stables were small but neat and tidy, the horses were well fed, the fences maintained though many would need replacing soon. Most of the outbuildings sagged under the weight of the years they had stood. The estate house itself needed a coat of whitewash and the interior a refurbishing. There was plenty of evidence that this once fine estate was in need of a cash injection.
Once the cigar was finished, Samael wandered inside and found the parlor. Esta’s mother was deep in conversation with Nikolas.
“Mr. Delacost, please pour yourself a wine. Supper will be served when Esta joins us.” She resumed her conversation with the admiral, giving Samael a chance to observe the man.
He was polished in female company and listened attentively to the lady as she prattled on about court matters. It seemed her sister was the Queen’s seamstress and had made the striking gown that Esta had worn to the ball. The thought of Moonlight in that gown had Sam’s breeches tightening in front. He shook his head. He had to think of her as Lady Aranati or he’d give her identity away.
Sam returned to his study of Nikolas. He would bet the man could carry this conversation while his mind ticked over on other subjects. He was deep was Nikolas Cosara and not a man to be underestimated.
“And what business are you in, Mr. Delacost?” Lady Aranati senior asked.
“Er, shipping, my lady,” Sam said, hoping that would be enough for her.
“Where are you based?”
“Costa is my home but I’m rarely there. I travel a lot, looking after my interests.”
“It seems we might have much in common then, Mr. Delacost,” Nikolas said.
“I know my way around a ship, Admiral.”
Where are you Esta!
Nikolas Cosara smiled but it never reached his eyes. They could best be described as wary and that had Sam’s gut churning. The admiral had plenty of men close to hand if he chose to arrest Sam but he wouldn’t do that unless he had cause to suspect his true occupation.
Time I was back on the seas with my ship and my crew!
“Ah, Esta, there you are,” Lady Aranati senior said. “I was beginning to think you had gone straight to your bed.”
“And why would I do that, Mother?” she said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “It has been a long day but that’s no reason to be any less the hostess.” She picked up a small brass bell and rang it. “We’ll all feel better for some warm food in our stomachs and a nice glass of wine.”
The food arrived and Esta helped the maid lay out the platters. Sam’s mouth began to water. There was fresh bread and butter, soft cheese, a thick lamb stew and a roast suckling pig with potatoes, carrots and greens.
“Help yourselves, gentlemen.” Esta handed each of them a large plate and a fork.
Sam didn’t have to be asked twice and piled his plate high then seated himself at one of the small tables in the room. Half the contents were gone before he drew breath. “This is marvelous,” he said. “All your own?”
“Everything except for the spices we use to flavor the meat,” Esta said.
“And the cook?”
“Has found his rightful station,” Esta said. “He was once a field worker but hurt himself and couldn’t return to the heavy work. I suggested he try the kitchen and he has never looked back.”
“A masterful idea indeed.” Sam admired Esta’s lateral thinking. And if this food was anything to go by, the man had landed on his feet.
Esta inclined her head, accepting the praise. “It’s common sense not to let good and loyal workers slip through our fingers, Mr. Delacost.”
“On the contrary, Lady Aranati,” Nikolas said. “I’ve seen many an occasion when loyal workers have been thrown on the scrapheap through injury and illness or even old age. And then there is the case of the previous general of the King’s forces who found himself on the outer after discovering his elven heritage. He is a brilliant and valuable tool and now his role has been reduced to that of advisor.”
“I’m sure that Kain Jazara will find his place eventually,” Esta said. “He’s not a man to sit back for long. You’re a friend of his, are you not?”
Nikolas nodded. “I am, a close friend.”
Lady Aranati senior cleared her throat. “I admit I am not familiar
with the local gossip, isolated out here as I am. How was your aunt, Esta?”
“She is well, mother. Still creating miraculous gowns. You should have seen the dress she made me for the ball.”
Sam’s thoughts drifted back to that night and the moments he had shared with the woman whom he now knew was Esta Aranati. She had felt right in his arms and he couldn’t get it out of his head. Did the fact she had sought him out mean he had a chance with her. And what did he want? Just a night or two? Something more lasting? He had nothing permanent to offer her, only the life of a pirate or worse, the long wait on land for her lover to return.
He sighed and Esta’s eyes met his. The impact of her gaze brought a lump to his throat. His heart told him to chance it, see what might be between them. The blush that warmed her cheeks gave him hope that there was a small chink in her armor.
The talk of the ball continued until midnight when Lady Aranati senior took her leave. By then, Esta was almost asleep on her feet. As the maid cleared away the dishes, Esta showed Nikolas to his room and then returned to the parlor.
She stood in the doorway, gazing at Samael as he examined the paintings on the wall. There was something about him that drew her, a man who would never be tamed by polite society, a man who didn’t fit in, much like herself. He had saved her life on two occasions and that tied them together with bindings that would be very hard to break.
“I’ll show you to your room, Samael,” she said.
He turned and his green gaze pinned her, stirring a need deep down that she had never acknowledged. “That would be most welcome, my lady.”
They walked together down the hall and she opened the last door on the right, opposite hers.
The Lady and the Pirate Page 9
