Secrets In Savannah (Phantom Knights)

by Amalie Vantana

  Jack was leaning against the door, and my body shivered for a whole new reason.

  “Are you chilled?” Jack pushed away from the door and came toward me.

  I held my ground though my body wanted to jump away from him. Reminding myself that this was Jack calmed my torrent of memories. I had been in a similar position before with a different man. Shoving that memory away, I watched Jack’s every move. He did not touch me, but the heat in his eyes matched that coming from the fire.

  “No.” It came out in a whisper, and I cleared my voice. “Why have you brought me here?”

  Jack smiled, and I felt all of my well placed defenses begin to crumble. “To my chamber you mean?” He held my gaze for a moment more before moving to stoke the fire. “I want the explanation that you promised and this seemed the best place where we would not be interrupted.”

  Jack rose and replaced the poker on the iron stand. As he turned and slowly untied his cravat, I bit the inside of my lip to keep from smiling, but it did not work. Jack tugged the cravat from around his neck and tossed it onto a chair.

  “I received the bouquet, and though the flowers were rather pitiful, the message was received. Did Bess instruct you to let me go?” I knew that Jack was not responsible for the message. It was not the first time that Bess had sent me a message through a bouquet of flowers.

  Jack picked up a decanter from a small table and poured brown liquid into a glass. He took a swig, that action answering my question, before handing the glass to me.

  “Drink that. It will help with your nerves.”

  “There is nothing at all wrong with my nerves,” I said before drinking the brandy and watching Jack over the rim of the glass.

  He shook his head, his amusement evident on his handsome face. “Please be seated.” He pointed to the bed as if he truly believed I would sit upon it. I only stared at it, and Jack laughed. “We were almost married, Guinevere.”

  “Almost is not married, Jack, so I will take the chair.”

  “No need to tell me that, my heart,” Jack said as he moved aside for me to sit on the chair. “I am reminded every night when I climb into my bed alone.”

  His words sent scorching heat into my cheeks, but also yearning into my heart. As he leaned against the bedpost, his eyes were devouring me in a hungry, possessive way that was more unnerving than being alone with him.

  “If you are willing, I need to know everything.”

  I had hoped to be able to ask Jack about George, though my idea included a bright room and a way for me to make my escape after he told me all I needed to hear. Never did I realize just how much I needed his help. This night had made it clear that I could not fight George by myself. I had Hannah, but two females against George and possibly an army of guards would not work. I needed Jack, in more than one way.

  “I will tell you everything if you give me the key.”

  Jack began to smirk as if he doubted my sincerity, but I was having none of it. We would do things my way or not at all.

  “I do not look kindly upon being locked in confined spaces, Jack, even with you. As much as I love you and may trust you, I require that key.”

  Jack reached into his pocket and brought forth the key. He held it out to me but when I tried to take it, he held firm. “What happened to you, Guinevere? What did Harvey do?”

  My mind flinched at the memories. “Men have tried, unsuccessfully, for years to lock me in a box. Do not be like them, for no matter what I have done, I will never accept such a fate.”

  Jack dipped his chin in understanding as he released the key.

  “How well do you know George?” I asked as he sat on the bed, and I backed to the chair keeping a safe distance between us.

  Jack’s head tilted thoughtfully. “Not as well as I had thought a year past. Why do you ask?”

  “I need to know where he would take a person that he wanted to hide.”

  “You mean Edith.” When I said nothing, he said, “General Harvey came to Bess a week after the events at the plantation. He asked for her help in rescuing Edith, but never told her who had taken her.” He looked down at his hands; his dark brows bunched together for a moment. “Harvey said she was taken by the men who are after you. He wanted me to trade you for her, claiming that was the only way to free her.”

  Why would Harvey say that? He knew that they would never be happy with only one of us. It must be both or neither.

  “George is going to sell my sister to a man who will do terrible things to her and if you do not help me, I am afraid that I will not be in time to save her.” My voice cracked in the end, but it was good for him to know how serious this was to me. Protecting my sister was my reason for living.

  When Jack’s hands fisted on his knees, I held hope for a moment that before me was the one person who would help me because he loved me. For a moment.

  As always happened when I hoped for something, a lesson that Harvey had taught me came to mind. Harvey made it apparent that men only helped me because they expected something in return. He taught me that if I wanted something from a man, manipulation was the only path to success. Manipulation came as natural to me as breathing, but as always happened when I contemplated manipulating Jack, I felt guilt.

  “I know that this is no small feat I ask of you, but if you will help me, I am prepared to offer you an exchange.”

  Anger appeared in his eyes for a moment, and it perplexed me. What had I said to make him angry? It was not his sister who was captured ... this time.

  The anger disappeared and was replaced with interest. “Yes?”

  “Every one of my secrets concerning the Holy Order. Names, locations, all that you want to know, and some things you will not want to know.”

  Jack stood and stomped toward me, pulling me up with a firm grip on my arms. “Why? If this is a trap—”

  “You are no longer their first priority. Not when they have a greater threat running free.” It did not surprise me that he would think that I would hand him over to Harvey. I had done little in the past to make him put his faith in me, but Edith meant more to me than anyone, and Harvey knew that he had failed us. It was time for me to place my trust in someone who was not out to use and discard me.

  “What have you done?” His tone was curt.

  “I turned in my cloak or threw it, rather. They cannot have someone like me running free, not with all of the secrets that I know.”

  Jack did not release me in surprise as I thought he would, but pulled me against him and kissed me hard enough to make my lips ache. My body was tense for a moment, until his lips eased their mastery and became more of a caress. My arms went around his waist as I leaned into him, allowing him to wipe away the fear and pain that was like a constant echo in my heart and mind.

  He released my mouth as he rested his forehead against mine. “If it is possible, I love you more, for the strength that I know it must have taken to face Harvey and leave that life behind.”

  Moisture stung my eyes at the relief his words brought into my body, but it would not fall.

  “I will have Leo discover where George has gone and send you word. We will set out tomorrow,” Jack said as he ran his hands down my arms to lace his fingers with mine. He smiled as he kissed my brow. “I was prepared to help you without an exchange.” His lips trailed from my temple, down my cheek to my chin and then my lips. A fire was being built within me, one promising a rage of flames that would engulf me. It was time for me to make a hasty departure.

  Stepping back and releasing his hands, I grinned as I placed the key in the lock and turned it. “I was prepared to lead you to Harvey.”

  CHAPTER 6

  JACK

  It was not yet dawn when Leo and I arrived at the harbor. When Leo discovered that George had left Charleston after departing the ball, Leo had booked passage for four on one of Sam’s ships that was sailing to Savannah. I left a letter for my mother, telling her in the briefest of words where I had gone and for what purpose. The letter I had l
eft for Sam was more informative, all coded in invisible ink.

  Leo had sent a note to Guinevere informing her of the plan, so it was not a wonder when we reached the harbor to see her awaiting us.

  From the moment of our first meeting Guinevere had impressed me, and my admiration grew each time that we were together. There were many things to love about Guinevere, including her striking appearance. Her hair was again auburn instead of the black wig that she had worn last evening with her costume. The darker red suited her fiery disposition, though I had my doubts that it was her true coloring.

  She stood beside her carriage, but Hannah was nowhere to be seen. Hope and relief washed over me. As much as I wanted Guinevere to have the protection that another woman’s presence would give, enduring Hannah Lamont would try even Leo’s calm nature.

  Her relief was palpable as she snapped the lid closed on a small gold watch. “I was unsure if you meant to keep to our agreement, considering the lateness of the hour. The captain is ready to depart.”

  Lateness of the hour indeed. It was not yet six.

  “One day you will understand that when I say that I love you it means that you may always count upon my aid,” I said as I stood near to her.

  The confusion that covered her face caused me to smile. The woman was a mastermind when it came to subterfuge, manipulation, disguise, and fighting, but she was completely at sea when it came to love.

  For the longest time, I only knew of love what I read in books. My job as a spy required that I play the role of devout poet, but since finding Guinevere I had tested and tasted what true love was. I would do almost anything for her, and I would spend the rest of my life showing her.

  As she looked away from my gaze, she noticed my arm in the sling Leo forced me to wear. The small gasp that came from her had me fighting the impulse to kiss her.

  “You are hurt?”

  Taking her hand, I kissed the back. “It is a precaution only. Leo is a veritable tyrant. He threatened to go to my mother with some tall tale if I did not acquiesce.”

  Leo showed no emotion as he unstrapped our baggage from Sam’s carriage, though he heard me clearly.

  “I can believe that. It is always the silent types that you must be wary of,” Guinevere said, drawing Leo’s attention to her as she smiled impishly, “for one never knows when they will break into song and dance.”

  For a moment, Leo eyed her, but as he turned away, we both caught the flicker of a smile. Guinevere smiled as one who had achieved the nigh impossible.

  When I had decided to marry Guinevere, it was known to me that we would have much to overcome. Though I had a few people whom I knew that I could trust, Guinevere did not. She had been trained from a young age to trust no one. As she watched me with an open expression that she reserved for me alone, I knew that I could win her over to my side. Now that Harvey was not influencing her decisions, it was only a matter of time before she placed her life in my hands.

  “Will you marry me?”

  “Of course,” she said as if it had been long settled.

  “Now?” I took her hand and led her behind her carriage for some privacy. “We could go to Gideon and be married at once. I want to make it my right to protect you and your sister, not my privilege alone.” Placing my hand against her cheek, I kissed her. She pulled away, glancing around, so I kissed her again.

  “Jack! We cannot. Not until you understand what we are facing.” She looked toward the ship then stepped away from me. “When this is over, if you are of the same mind, I will marry you, but not yet.”

  When I saw what made Guinevere step away from me, my hope for an easy journey dissipated. Hannah Lamont was walking toward us with the captain at her side.

  When she reached us, she was grinning at me, and I was gaping at her. I did not want her to know that I was aware of her being in Charleston. Guinevere joined us after speaking with her coachman, and Hannah made introductions.

  “Captain, allow me to present Mr. and Mrs. Martin.”

  Now I was gaping in earnest, sure I could not have heard her right. My surprise, though, was nothing to Guinevere, whose eyes were like two ice chips as she stared at Hannah.

  “Congratulations, Mr. Martin,” the captain said with his hand held out. I shook it mechanically. “Mrs. Lamont tells me that you are on your wedding trip. With clear skies and smooth waters, we should make good time to Savannah. If you follow me, I will show you and Mrs. Martin to your cabin.”

  Guinevere stepped forward as the captain was turning away. “I will be sharing Mrs. Lamont’s cabin and Mr. Martin will stay with Mr. Perry.”

  If that surprised the captain, he did not show it. Leo went with the captain aboard his ship while Guinevere and I kept Hannah back.

  “What is the meaning of this?” I demanded.

  Hannah Lamont’s most charming smile, one that she had used on me many times in the past, faded.

  “If you must go about kissing Guinevere, it is left up to me to repair the damage done to her reputation. Especially when one of the witnesses is well known to us.” Hannah turned toward the ship where an elegantly attired man was standing at the rail watching us.

  An expletive was on the tip of my tongue, but I did not release it. The man was not smiling, but after our last encounter it was no surprise.

  “What is he doing here?” Guinevere asked of Hannah as if she had been the one to place him on the ship.

  “He is sailing to Savannah for his wedding.”

  Guinevere and I followed Hannah aboard the ship where we were met by Andrew Madison, the man formerly betrothed to my sister.

  As much as I did not care for him or his treatment of my sister, I was determined to be civil. Holding out my hand, I smiled. “Andrew. I understand that congratulations are in order.”

  Andrew’s tense shoulders relaxed as he shook my hand. “The same must be said to you. I understand that you and Miss Clark have married. My best wishes for your health and happiness, ma’am,” Andrew said to Guinevere, bowing slightly.

  Guinevere’s reception of his well wishes was on the chilly side, but Andrew had never cared for Guinevere and her lack of family and connections.

  Andrew was the nephew of the former President Madison and had his own sights set on politics. I suspected that his marriage was to further those ambitions.

  The captain offered to show Guinevere and Hannah to their cabin while one of his sailors led Leo and me to ours.

  “That one smells of trouble,” Leo said as we left Andrew on the deck.

  “If only the stench had been stronger when I made his acquaintance in Washington. It would have saved Bess a multitude of pain.”

  When we had been out to sea for an hour, I found Guinevere by the stern railing, staring out over the water. Hannah was on the deck as well, but she was attempting to flirt with a stone faced Leo.

  “Guinevere, can you tell me who is after you?” I asked as I leaned against the rail beside her.

  Before Guinevere replied, Hannah’s voice drew our attention. She was dragging Leo toward us. “Jack, your friend refuses to speak. Tell me, is he or is he not Junto? I know all the Phantoms’ names, I will have you know. After you had rescued my sister from Levitas, I made it my business to discover all I could.”

  The woman was an annoyance to be sure. Hannah stopped speaking long enough to look from me to Guinevere. “Telling secrets?” She leaned against the railing on the other side of Guinevere. “Go on. Tell us what we are facing.”

  “My uncle.” Guinevere more breathed it than spoke, and all I could do was stare at her.

  She was not the orphan she had led me to believe.

  “Why are you hiding from your uncle?” I asked, and Hannah’s eyes grew large as if she was just beginning to understand.

  Guinevere’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. She looked as if she wanted to run rather than admit the truth, but I knew she would not. It was time for confession.

  “Because he wants to kill me and my sister, as he did my
parents.”

  Hannah’s eyes were large, and incredulity was written there. “Why would he do such a heinous, unforgivable crime?”

  “We hail from a small country in Europe, where my father was the second largest landowner after the monarch. If my uncle disposed of us, he would inherit land, wealth, and title, all things important to a man whose own father had disinherited him.”

  Not only did she have family, but she had a home, a place that rightfully belonged to her, but was torn from her by a devil.

  My stomach seized so tight that I thought I would burst. All of my beliefs were crumbling around me, and I had a feeling the assault would keep coming.

  “How did you escape?” Leo asked when Hannah and I only stared at Guinevere.

  “We had a faithful servant whom I went to, and he helped us to escape through the forest while my uncle was having his men search our house. We boarded a ship that sailed us first to England and then to America, dressed as boys.”

  “Are you certain that your parents were murdered? Could he not have been lying about that?” There was hope in Hannah’s voice, but Guinevere’s fierce expression assured us all that there was no doubt.

  “I witnessed it, so no, he was not lying.”

  If there was any lingering doubt existing in me that she was not the bravest woman alive, it was shattered by her words. With every new revelation, I was beginning to see the treasure that I had in Guinevere, and with each word she spoke I was more determined to never let her go.

  Guinevere’s gaze rested on me alone. “My sister and I had three companions who fled with us, and it was one of them who had stolen something that my uncle wanted. She is Ma belle. She is who my uncle is coming for, but I am the one he believes will lead him to her. He will come for me first.”

  Hannah straightened, laying a hand on Guinevere’s shoulder. “You have my sworn allegiance to fight to the death if the need should arise.”