In Deep

by Chloe Harris

  The right road was the only thing she was confident about. Otherwise she was heartsick. Connor was going to get himself killed and she would never forgive herself. All of this was her fault. Well, she thought, some of it was Annie’s fault. Annie, who’d betrayed her and left her deserted.

  But if she hadn’t, Jaidyn would have never met Connor. Did she really want not to have met him, not to have experienced all the things she had with him?

  If she were honest with herself, those were precious memories she would cherish no matter what the future held.

  Maybe if she ever saw Annie, she should at least thank her for that. Not that she ever expected to see her. Jaidyn had always imagined her long gone, somewhere in Europe with her French pirate going from party to party using her name and sponging off other unsuspecting people like the leeches they were.

  May Hem stopped and Jaidyn pulled herself out of her thoughts to see they were at another crossroads. Going over the directions in her head once again, she pulled the mare to the right and continued on.

  She wouldn’t think of Annie anymore; she wasn’t worth even a spare notion.

  Her mind drifted back over the last few hours and Maxfield Parrish. Now she knew just how close Connor and he’d been and how much Mr. Parrish cared for his captain. But she hadn’t had a chance to process it all. She had so many questions for herself.

  She’d seen–and, oh my, experienced–the way Connor had been with Reinier when they’d met. Now the image of Maxfield at Connor’s feet was burned into her memory. Did it bother her they were men? She should be appalled, but somehow she wasn’t. It was just who Connor was, and she loved him for who he was. Connor had been with many women too. But he wanted to marry her.

  What about the things he’d said in anger? Had he really meant them?

  One thing she knew for sure, she would have never betrayed him like Maxfield had, no matter what.

  Jaidyn laughed sadly to herself. Wasn’t that exactly what she had done? Lied to the man she loved and betrayed his trust?

  There had to be a way to make it right. She had to find a way to at least get him out of this current trouble and go back to the life he had before her. For her own sake, she had to make sure he was okay. At least make him see she never intended to hurt him.

  Could she handle that? Could she stand knowing he was with Maxfield if he forgave him, or knowing he went back to Madame Poivre’s? Or further down the road there’d be a woman who–

  Just thinking about it broke her heart into more and more tiny pieces.

  But she would endure it.

  The road turned by a stream and Jaidyn veered off to let the horse have a drink. They were getting close. It wasn’t much farther.

  She’d never approve of the way her mother had hidden the truth from her, but she was thankful Neil Flaherty existed. He’d been so nice in his letters, so welcoming. After she lost her family, it was such a gift to still have someone. That he was a commoner didn’t matter to her. He’d helped her with no questions asked when she’d got into trouble.

  Neil had lost his love and had been forced to spend his whole life without her and his child. It must have been hard to know another man had taken his place, but he’d taken his exile and had made something of himself. Jaidyn was proud of him and happy that he wasn’t bitter–at least not toward her. Her father was going to help straighten it all out, and maybe he could even teach her how to live without Connor.

  She turned onto the lane that led to the manor, and her stomach was flipping and fluttering like mad wasps.

  There was a woman coming toward her, too well dressed to be a servant. Jaidyn wondered if maybe she was a neighbor. As she got closer, Jaidyn could tell the woman’s dress was moss green. She’d had a dress in much the same fashion that she used to love.

  Jaidyn’s hands on the reins faltered and her whole body went cold.

  No! No! Not her. It couldn’t be her, not here.

  May Hem sensed Jaidyn’s panic. The mare shook her head and stomped her hooves, refusing to move forward.

  What the hell was Annie doing here? It never occurred to Jaidyn that Annie would have ever come here. Where was her partner in crime? What had she told Neil? What if she’d hurt him or killed him?

  That thought got her riled up and spurred her into action. She didn’t have much time and didn’t want the traitor in the way of her helping Connor. Annie was evil, and Jaidyn didn’t want her anywhere near her father.

  For the moment Jaidyn stood her ground and made Annie come to her. She could tell the instant the rat recognized her. Her spine stiffened and her steps became quick and more purposeful.

  “What are you doing here?” Hate dripped from Annie’s words.

  “What are you doing here?” Jaidyn looked down on her from her perch on May Hem. She’d make it clear she wasn’t intimidated. “Where is your little French paramour?”

  “None of your business,” Annie sneered. She tried to step closer but May Hem let out a harsh whinny, making it clear she was having none of that.

  Jaidyn snorted at both May Hem’s reaction and Annie’s pathetic response. “Threw you overboard, did he? Serves you right.”

  Annie crossed her arms over what had been one of Jaidyn’s favorite dresses. “Go away. You aren’t welcome here.”

  “This is my father’s house!”

  Annie’s laugh sounded high pitched and manic. “Don’t you mean my father’s house–since he’s completely convinced that I’m you?”

  “Impossible.” Jaidyn refused to believe it. Neil was her father; he would know her.

  Annie smiled as if she was confident she’d won. “Oh really? You’d think he’d be smart enough to know his own daughter, wouldn’t he? He welcomed me with open arms. And he loves me, not you.”

  Doubt started to creep into Jaidyn, but she wouldn’t let it show. “We’ll see about that.”

  “No, we won’t. I will not let you get near the house or my father.”

  “Don’t you dare call him that!” Jaidyn yelled, but turned quickly when she heard strong hoofbeats closing in. They had both been so focused on each other, neither had heard the rider approach.

  The man on the fine black steed was older and thinner than the young, brawny redheaded man in the small portrait her mother had given her. But there was no doubt it was Neil. Her father. Jaidyn’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Jaidyn, darling, what’s–” As he caught sight of the real Jaidyn, he froze.

  Just waiting and staring back, Jaidyn hoped he would see the truth.

  Annie was quick to break the spell. “Father, this … thing … was my maid. You know, that one I told you about that stole all my money and ran off with a lowlife Frenchman. Call the constable, father. Have her thrown in the stocks.”

  Neil didn’t seem to hear her. His eyes never left Jaidyn. “You look so much like her. It’s uncanny.”

  Jaidyn smiled shyly at the compliment. Many times people had commented on how much she looked like her mother, but hearing her real father say it was special. No doubt he believed she was his daughter. “I’ve been told I have your hair, though, and, sadly, your temperament.”

  Neil shook his head with a breathy laugh. “That you do. I mean the hair, at least. But I don’t understand–”

  “Don’t believe her, she’s evil!” Annie tried to step between them, holding the reins of Neil’s horse. “I’ve been here with you all these weeks. I’m your daughter. I am!” Her voice was shrill with dread and rage.

  Neil jerked the reins from her hands and backed away, trying to calm his steed.

  “What happened?” He looked directly at Jaidyn, and much of the tension left her. He was her father and he believed her.

  “Aboard the Brightstar a week out of Southampton, she drugged me right before her lover and his thugs attacked the ship. She told me we had to switch clothes to keep me safe, and in my drugged state I listened. I thought she was a trusted friend as well as my maid. During the raid she stole my identity and left m
e adrift with a few of the crewmembers from the Brightstar.”

  “That’s quite enough!” Neil stopped her and turned to Annie, walking her down with the horse. His eyes spoke of the fury coursing through him, his face a deep, angry red. “Annie, or whoever you are, I want you out. Now.”

  “But what about my things?” Annie whined.

  “Don’t you mean my things?” Jaidyn interjected.

  “You will never go back into my house!” Neil struggled to keep his voice to a low growl, Jaidyn could tell. “If you walk away now, I may not have you arrested.”

  Annie knew she was beat. Regardless, she stared at them both with loathing in her eyes, threw her nose up at them, and started off proudly down the lane. Jaidyn couldn’t resist trying to wipe that look off her face. “Excuse me, Annie, but I believe that is my dress. I would have it. Now.”

  Annie stopped in her tracks and looked back. “Now?”

  “Yes, now,” Jaidyn confirmed.

  Indignantly, the recreant jerked the dress off her body and handed it to Jaidyn. She started down the road again, this time in nothing but her shift, with her shoulders slumped and her head down.

  Neil shook his head. “I’m still amazed what a fool I’ve been to let her trick me. I did feel something wasn’t right, but–”

  Having wasted too much time already, Jaidyn turned to him. “Father, something else has happened, and we’re running out of time.”

  “Then let’s get you home, so you can tell me all about it.”

  16

  _____________________________

  A twig smacked Jaidyn’s face when she dismounted. Ducking into the shadows next to Neil, she peeped over his shoulder.

  They were hiding in what looked like a lovely kind of wilderness bordering on a fastidiously kempt park. At the site of that there was a complex of smaller buildings; one with a smoking chimney that Jaidyn assumed was the kitchen. Voices wafted toward her from there, laughter and singing. A woman hopped down the stairs, a basket in her hand, and made her way to the adjoining garden.

  The sun was warming the soil, and the thick, sweet scent of warm grass filled Jaidyn’s head. Butterflies were hopping from flower to flower, birds were chirping merrily. It seemed peaceful, but Jaidyn felt anything but calm.

  She needed to find Connor, and time was running out. Neil had jumped into motion when she’d told him Connor had been arrested, had run out of the house and straight for his horse. Jaidyn had demanded he explained what he was doing. Neil had told her he knew someone who could help. She trusted Neil, so that was all she needed to hear.

  Until now.

  Neil squatted down behind a bush and Jaidyn followed suit, pricking her finger on the holly bush next to her.

  Bloody brilliant.

  Ahead of her, Jaidyn saw a three-story house that reeked of money. Was this where Connor was kept?

  Neil seemed to watch the surroundings for any signs other than the merry laughter coming from the kitchen. As far as Jaidyn could see, nothing out of the extraordinary was going on, so why were they still hiding here?

  Determined, Jaidyn attempted to scramble up, but her father immediately held her back, dragging her into the shadows until she had to squat down next to him again.

  “Where are we?” Jaidyn hissed, trying to wrench her arm out of his grasp.

  “Wait here,” Neil grumbled, patting her elbow just before he got up.

  “No. I’m coming with you.”

  Her father gave her a patient smile. “I know you want to come with me, but I’d rather you stay here.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, but I will come with you.” Jaidyn struggled back up.

  “No, you won’t!” Neil stomped back into the shade of the poplar tree.

  Feeling suddenly crowded, Jaidyn took a step back into the shrubbery.

  “I will!” She fought to keep her tone a low snarl.

  “You can’t!”

  “Why not?”

  “Why–” Neil was positively puffing with annoyance.

  Jaidyn harrumphed. “Well, let’s get inside, then.”

  His face turned a deep red. “You’re just like your mother,” her father eventually growled, careful to keep his voice low. Jaidyn didn’t know if under the circumstances she should be happy about that compliment.

  “Fine,” she snapped back, and with her chin an inch higher, she stood up again and stomped toward that house.

  “Jaidyn, wait!” Neil pulled her back into the shrubbery again. She didn’t grace him with her glare.

  “I’d rather you stay here because I’m not sure what’s going on in there.”

  “Why? What is this place?”

  “That’s O’Connor’s house.”

  Jaidyn blinked. Surely he’d meant Connor. Then it suddenly dawned on her that Connor had mentioned a brother. So this was his brother’s house?

  “For all we know, the authorities might be in there, and if they see you, they’ll arrest you, trying to get information out of you by any means necessary.” Neil was shaking her as if it would help her hear him better.

  Of course. She was an accomplice now, and the authorities catching her would make things even worse than they already were. She hadn’t thought about that.

  It didn’t change that she didn’t want to wait helplessly by and let her father and Connor’s brother try to help him. “So I’m supposed to sit and wait while you men handle the business like men?”

  Neil suddenly seemed to soften as he cupped her cheek. “You’re more than apt at taking care of yourself, lass. You’ve made it here despite everything. But let me just bask in the illusion that this time I can help you and take care of you like a father should.” With a sigh, Neil blinked. “I lost you both too early. I loved your mother, love her still, but I’ll never see her again. Please stay here and let me handle this. I don’t want to lose you–again … when I’ve just found you.” He gave a short snivel and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his coat.

  Jaidyn pursed her lips. “Are you crying?”

  Looking skyward, Neil blinked a few more times. “Most certainly I am not.”

  “It looks like it, though.”

  Shaking his head, her father waved the ridiculous notion aside. “My eyes always turn red around birch trees.”

  Her forehead wrinkled as she looked up. “This is a poplar tree.”

  “So? I can’t stand poplar trees, either.”

  “Birches are over there,” she said, pointing with her chin over her shoulder.

  Neil cleared his throat. “Are you going to wait here now?”

  He did sound a little impatient. Jaidyn ripped a leaf off a branch next to her. Crushing it in her fist, she gave in with a sigh. “I’ll stay here.”

  “I’ll be back in no time.” Neil sounded relieved.

  “You’d better,” Jaidyn grumbled, dropping the leaf from her fingers. “Or I’ll storm the house.”

  With a sheepish grin, Neil nodded. “I know.”

  Kieran was beside himself with fury, but he thought it beneath him to let any of it show. His guarded countenance appeared passionless. He stood at the top of the front steps as he watched Gabrielle Talbot, Baroness Wickfield, ascend the coach and back out of his life. Again.

  Even though he felt like snarling his implacable hatred, he refrained from it. Why had she come now? Why hadn’t she said something earlier? Kier could have saved his brother’s reputation and would still have him by his side. Ronan would have never started hating him, and he surely would have never run away because he couldn’t stand Kier’s presence.

  The Baroness Wickfield had just given him all the proof he needed to get his brother back home. If his brother didn’t want to stay, fine, but at least his name would be rid of that black stain that branded him a criminal.

  Well, provided she had spoken the truth. She’d taken up the habit of lying as soon as she opened her mouth on her wedding day.

  No, she’d perfected her skills at deceiving even before that, Kieran recall
ed bitterly.

  He told himself that it didn’t matter that she’d remained silent all this time. Nor was it any of his business why she’d suddenly decided to no longer cover her husband’s scheme. For the first time in years, Kier held the key to proving his brother’s innocence. And surely Talbot wasn’t so twisted that he’d get rid of his own wife, like he’d done with all the other witnesses Kier had found, who suddenly disappeared or died in some mysterious way. On the other hand, Talbot was a deceitful, murderous bastard and there was no telling what he’d do once he found out his wife had finally told the truth.

  Kieran didn’t have time to concern himself with Gabby’s fate. His brother came first. Once Ronan was cleared, Kier would have to find a way to undo what he’d done with the incredibly offensive Jaidyn Donnelly. Kier had thought if she was Neil’s daughter, she’d be like him in a way. Good God, could he have been more wrong? A pity that woman was the apple of Neil’s eye, because this apple had fallen very far from the tree. Granting Neil that favor had probably been the biggest mistake of his life–and he’d made quite a few, he added to his train of thoughts as Talbot’s coach jumped and slowly left Kier’s driveway.

  As soon as the coach was out of sight and Gabrielle with it, Kier whirled around, heading back into the house and to his study. He had to reach his brother. He’d probably docked somewhere out of the way toward the end of the bay. He’d write him a letter first, telling him that it was imperative they meet in Charleston right away.

  On the way to his desk, Kier searched his brain for a vague enough wording that would clue his brother in. Something like …

  There’s no need for indigo dye from the East Indies any longer. Indigo dye around here is not as hazardous as it used to be. Meet me at our usual place to discuss further proceedings.

  K.

  Looking at the letter before him, Kier decided it was perfect for his purpose. He called for Malory, his butler, and folded the note.