“My apologies.” Tom gave her one last squeeze before stepping away. “There is a storm coming. I was asking the baroness to stay in her room and I would come for both of you if there is any trouble. Please pack your essentials just in case---”
“In case of what?” Her mother’s voice rose with every word and her hand came to clutch her throat.
“Likely nothing. I simply wish to be prepared for any event.” He stepped towards the door. “If you’ll excuse me, I have much to do but I’ll be back to check on you both.” He winked at Flora and stepped out of the room just as her maid stepped in.
Her mother sat on Flora’s bunk and watched her dress her hair in a simple style. She could see her mother worrying her hands, her brow furrowed. “Mother, I am nearly done. Why don’t you collect some of your belongings? I’ll help you pack them up in just a few minutes.”
“What do I bring?” Lady Segrave choked out, one of her hands moving to her throat again. Her mother had always struggled in a crisis.
“Um, soap, change of clothes, but be sure to keep them simple. Put on your warmest cloak and sturdy boots. A hair brush and your thickest gloves would also help. Maybe a few candles and a tinder if you have one.”
Their maid finished pinning her tresses and stepped back. Flora waved her hand to dismiss the woman. “Collect your things as well, Mary, and meet me back here. We want to be together should something go wrong.”
Mary curtsied. “Yes, my lady.” Then she darted out of the room.
Her mother stood and, crossing the tiny space, hugged her. “How do you keep your head in these situations?”
“I don’t know. I just do.” Flora hugged her mother back.
“So like your father. He was always calm and in control. I miss him dearly.” Her mother sniffed. She straightened, running the back of her hand along Flora’s cheek. “I know you like him and I know you can shoulder a great deal. But, it is still nice to share life’s burden. Keep that in mind as you make your selection of husband.”
Flora tilted her eyebrows up. “If I have any say at all.” She knew Tom had saved her life and she had to admit to a building attraction to him, but marriage? He was a man who took charge of everything while she wanted to keep her destiny firmly in her own hands.
Her mother shook her head. “Regardless of what comes to light, either man will have you. I don’t know how gracious a winner Lord Loudoun will be if he knew what happened last night.”
Flora bit her lip. Now was not the time to ask her mother her true feelings on a bridegroom. But it was obvious that she preferred Tom over Loudoun. In her heart, she knew she did too. Somewhere on this journey she’d realized there was no future with the earl. But what of her plan to run the estate herself? Tom was a prideful man, would there be room for her? And if there was, did he even want her? While he said he would do the right thing by her that was something entirely different from choosing her. She had the distinct impression, if given a choice, he would choose no wife at all. And that stung her pride more than she’d ever imagined.
5
The first waves hit the boat with enough force to put the fear of God in Flora. All her strength evaporated as the boat tilted at a dizzying angle.
Mary came stumbling into the cabin, her belongings gathered up in the blanket from her bed.
Flora had made a similar sack and she reached her arms out to the girl, holding her close. “That was terrible,” she gasped.
Another wave hit and the boat tilted again. This time, rolling nearly sideways. They slid, crashing into the wall just as a crack sounded next door. “Mother,” Flora cried.
Holding hands, the two women began crossing the room as the boat righted itself. Pulling open the door, Flora inched out into the hall, with Mary clinging to her. They pressed against the wall till they made it to her mother’s cabin.
Flora attempted to open the door, but something blocked her way. She pushed harder, but the object refused to budge.
The boat rolled again in the opposite direction. She pushed the door and it swung open as Flora and Mary nearly fell into the cabin. Frantically searching the room, she saw her mother’s still body sliding into the wall. “Mother?” Her voice was high pitched with fear as she crawled on hands and knees to reach the other woman’s side. Grasping her mother’s shoulders, she cradled her head in her lap. Holding her face next to her mother’s, she sighed in relief as the other woman’s warm breath fanned her face.
“Is she…?” Mary’s voice trembled.
“No, she’s breathing.” Flora started to stand. “Take her head. I’ll be right back.”
Mary slipped into her spot. “Where are you going?” The girl’s voice was strangled with fear.
“To get help,” she threw over her shoulder as she slipped out the door. She had to gain as much ground as she could while the boat was upright.
She had almost made it to the hatch when the boat listed wildly. Falling forward, she grabbed the steps to keep herself from banging into the wall.
Once the boat righted itself, she scaled the ladder, glad for the simple dress she had chosen. Peeking her head out, she saw Tom on the bridge at the ship’s wheel, standing straight and tall, looking like a beacon of strength.
Above deck the rain pelted the crew, as the wind whipped the sails. She didn’t dare stand so she began crawling across the deck, the water soaking her skirts in seconds.
Keeping her head down, she tried to keep moving forward. But before she made it more than a few feet, strong arms were pulling her up. “What are you doing out here?” He must have yelled but she barely heard him over the wind.
“My mother, she’s injured. She fell, I think, and she isn’t conscious.” She gripped his shirt in her hands but her body melted into his. It was suddenly overwhelmingly comforting to have someone to lean on, literally and figuratively.
“We’re almost there.” He pointed towards the bow and she turned her head. An island loomed before them, with a massive castle sitting on its shore.
“Thank goodness,” she breathed.
“We’re just looping around the shore for a more protected harbor.” He kissed her forehead. “As soon as I get us into the harbor, I’ll come down to look at her. It won’t be long now.”
She nodded even as he picked her up and swung effortlessly down into the hull. Setting her on her feet, he kissed her lips, hard and possessive. She closed her eyes, comforted by the strength of that kiss. “I’ll be right--”
A terrible crunching, screeching sound emitted from the bow of the boat. The entire ship ground to a halt and she would have tumbled down the hall if Tom hadn’t held her fast. “Dammit all to hell!” he yelled. “Flora, I’ve got to go back up. We’ve run against something and I have get this ship to harbor.”
“Will we sink?” Her hands were clutching him and though she knew she had to return below deck, she couldn’t make her fingers relax enough to let go. She wanted to be next to him, feel his heat and his strength.
“I don’t know, but we’re close enough to shore, we can row in. I need to look at the damage, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again and then he was gone.
She leaned against the wall for a second and then began to make her way back to her mother. As she opened the door, Mary’s wide eyes met hers. “What was that?”
“We’ve hit something. I don’t know. Tom will be here soon.” The boat was steadying, the rocking slowing.
“Will we sink?” Mary’s high-pitched voice grated across her frazzled nerves.
“I don’t know. How is my mother?”
“The same.” Mary reached for her hand. Flora grasped it, noticing how it trembled. She let out a sigh. Her mother was right. Always being the strongest was difficult. It was nice to have someone else to lean on now and then. The thought made her physically start. She didn’t want a man who dominated her and in all likelihood, Tom would do just that. But there were times that she wondered what it might be like to have an equal. Someone to share her b
urdens with.
And if she lost her mother, no one would be there to help her in life. The thought of being all alone was frightening.
She stroked her mother’s hair and wrapped an arm around Mary. Closing her eyes, she prayed Tom would come.
Her mother moaned. “Ooooohhhh.”
“Mother?” she breathed.
“I’m awake.” Her faint voice spoke.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Flora rested her hand on her mother’s cheek.
“Where are we?” She kept her eyes closed.
“On the boat but we’re nearly at the island.”
Mary started to speak, but Flora glared at her, silencing the maid. Now was not the time to give her mother more bad news.
“Do you know what happened, Mama?” she asked, slipping into her childhood name for her mother.
“I fell when the boat tipped and I must have hit my head.” He mother reached up and Flora noticed the lump just above her hairline. She saw her mother wince as she touched the tender flesh.
“Tom will be here shortly,” she said, hoping the news would provide some measure of reassurance.
“I don’t doubt it, darling. He’ll want to check on you.” Her mother patted her hand.
Flora bit her lip. She’d worry about being in charge of her own destiny tomorrow, figure out what offer, if any, he had made for her hand. Today, she wanted to feel his strong arms around her.
As if they summoned him, the door swung open and Tom strode in. “You’re awake.” He smiled as he crossed the room. “We’re rowing into shore, just to be safe.” He grabbed her mother’s sack and then picked up Lady Segrave. “Get your things and follow me.”
Flora grabbed her sack and fell in step behind him but she wished again she was in his arms. She was glad he was caring for her mother, truly. But his touch would provide so much comfort.
As he reached the hatch, he easily climbed out still holding her mother, and Flora began to follow. His strength still surprised her. Once she was halfway up, his strong hand reached for hers and pulled her the rest of the way onto the deck. Keeping one arm around her, he pulled Mary up too.
Captain Andrews now held her mother and began moving towards a row boat.
It was so nice to be next to Tom amidst the chaos that she tucked her head into the crook of his arm. Her mother was being cared for, they were about to be on dry land. She almost didn’t notice the glare one of the crewmen gave her.
Blinking, she tried to discern what might be the matter when another gave her a similar look. She looked to Tom but he was staring down the crewman, who dipped his head and moved on.
“What’s the matter with them?” she asked, her voice low.
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.” He began shuffling her and Mary towards the row boat.
She looked back to see several men staring at them, their eyes piercing into Tom’s back. What the devil was going on?
TOM HANDED Flora into the row boat with the captain and a select number of crew. Mutiny was about to break out.
The crew was flat out wrong. They blamed Flora for distracting him but he couldn’t have seen that rock any more than Captain Andrews had. It was too deep under the surface. But they were angry the ship had been compromised and looking for someone to blame.
He’d keep Flora safe, that much was assured, but he knew more about building and repairing ships than any of them. He didn’t yet know how he’d both repair Barrett’s ship and make sure the crew didn’t hurt Flora. Would he have to bring her to the ship every day? Bloody hell, he hoped he didn’t have to kill anyone.
He would, if it came to that. She leaned back against him her head twisting so that her worried gaze pierced into his own. He brought his hand up to stroke her cheek. He’d do anything to keep her safe.
That thought practically slapped him in the face. What the bloody hell was happening to him? He’d agreed to marry her. He was strong-arming his own crew, not that they didn’t deserve it. But it wasn’t like him to twist himself into knots over a woman.
But what a woman. Her cheek was velvet under his hand.
He knew he shouldn’t touch her like this but when with her, it was so hard to resist. If he didn’t put some distance between them, it could end in disaster. He made to withdraw but she looked frightened. It was no use fighting his desire to be near her now and so he wrapped his other arm around her waist. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “We’ll be there soon. Once we’re dry in the castle, I’ll check on your mother.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. But her eyes were now riveted to another dinghy. Tom looked back to see what held her attention. Several of the crew had piled into the second raft and two of them were near carrying Loudoun onto the boat.
Even from this distance, his skin looked rather green. “Loudoun looks like death. Have you seen him like this before?” Tom asked.
“Not like that,” she answered, biting her lip. He knew what she meant. Not usually that bad but bad enough.
Useless pile of dung, he thought.
They were approaching the shore and as they grounded the boat, he hopped onto the beach to pull it the rest of the way in.
Helping Flora out, Captain Andrews passed Lady Segrave to him. She gave him a weak smile. “I can walk.”
“Nonsense. I’ll carry you and you tell me how you’re feeling.” He gave her a smile of encouragement.
“I’m fine, really.”
“My lady. I want to assess your condition. Tell me what hurts.” He could see the lump protruding from her head.
“Just my head hurts. I feel a little weak and slightly nauseous.”
Flora was walking next to them, her eyes made contact with his over her mother’s head. Worry filled them. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring look. “You likely need a little food. As soon as we’re set up, I will get you something.”
“May I call you Tom?” Lady Segrave asked. Her informality took him by surprise and he glanced at Flora to see a look of shock on her face as well.
“Of course, my lady,” he replied.
“Please, call me Ann.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t know what we would have done without you, Tom. Thank you.”
Flora gave him a beaming smile that nearly blinded him with its radiance. They moved into a broken courtyard and up a set of deteriorating stairs.
“This place is…” Flora paused, “Eerie.”
“A marquess lived here. He was rumored to be a wizard. His death was even more mysterious than his life.” Tom set her mother down and Flora wrapped her arms around her. He pulled on the massive double doors. With a heaving groan, they opened. But the sound echoed across the courtyard.
“I don’t know if I want to go in there,” Flora whispered. She slipped her other arm around his waist. He sucked in his breath when her body came into contact with his.
“You’re soaked to the bone in the driving rain.” Tom winked at her, trying to get his body back under control. “It’s just a place now, whatever it used to be. A place that will keep you warm and dry. Come on.”
“Come Flora.” Her mother swayed a little. “I need to sit.”
Flora gave a nod and Tom nudged her forward. The three of them moved into the great hall. It was dry, he could say that. The elements had been kept out but a layer of dust inches thick covered every surface and it was nearly as cold in the hall as it was outside.
Amazingly there was wood by the hearth. It was old and would smoke terribly but it would heat the room much more quickly than if they had to search for dry wood in this storm.
Sailors began filing in with supplies. Tom flipped open the lid on one crate and pulled out an apple and some cheese.
He brought it over, handing it to Flora. “Feed your mother and make sure to eat some too.”
They sat on the massive hearth as he began building a fire. Several men glared at them as they stomped in and out and Tom’s muscles tightened. They’d fall in line be it by choice or by force.
This wasn�
��t just his male ego. It was his job. Part of being the first mate was keeping the sometimes unruly crew in check.
Stew and Phil were at the front of the pack that was currently curling their lip. If they had energy to throw glares then they could do extra work. “You two. Collect more firewood.”
“In this mess? We shouldn’t even be here,” Stew answered back. Tom’s fist curled.
“You’ve got wood already, what do you need more for?” Phil added.
Tom stood, crossing to the two of them. He was a head taller than either man, with a reputation for being tough. “You’ll do as you’re told, without further comment.” Then he raised his eyebrows. “And you’re correct. Our stay should be as brief as possible so I also need you to find me a few straight trees for repairing the ship.”
“Bloody he--” Stew spit out but Tom poked him hard in the chest. It would bruise.
“Keep talking like that and I’ll find plenty more for you to do.” His voice echoed over the hall for all the sailors to hear.
The two men looked livid but remained silent as they trudged back out the main doors into the rain.
Loudoun limped in, his arm still slung around one of the crewmen for support. Tom ignored him, lighting the fire.
Loudoun slunk over to where Flora sat. “There you are.” Flopping down along the hearth, he plucked the apple out of Flora’s hand and went to take a bite. Tom was in no mood for such antics and grabbed the apple back from the man’s hand, giving it to Flora.
Loudoun glared at him. “How dare you. I am your better and you’ll treat me as such.”
“Here on this deserted island, you’re no one unless I say so. I can choose to bring you to civilization or I can simply leave you here. I’m sure a ship will use the harbor eventually. Can you catch enough fish to live a year or two?”
Flora hid a smile behind her hand. Tom walked over to the crate and pulled out another apple. He tossed it to Loudoun who missed and the fruit ricocheted off his hand and careened across the floor.
Taming a Savage Gentleman: Taming the Heart Series Page 4
