Miss Lavigne's Little White Lie

by Samantha Grace

  A light knock shattered her musings. Lisette wandered into the chamber with a sly smile.

  “Are you packed already?” Serafine asked, reverting to French.

  “No.” Her cousin strolled to the window seat. “I have been otherwise occupied with a caller.”

  “Then return to your chambers at once and finish the task. What about Rafe’s belongings?” Serafine tossed the last of her things in the trunk and closed the lid. “Come along. I can assist.”

  “There’s no need.” Lisette picked up the book Serafine had borrowed from the governor’s library. Serafine must remember to return it.

  “Of course there is a need unless you plan to leave everything behind. Now, let’s go before we run out of time.”

  She started for the door, expecting Lisette to follow.

  “We are not leaving with Captain Hillary,” Lisette said, still perusing the book. “I just spoke with Monsieur Ethelbert. He booked passage on the Lena Mae on our behalf. We will depart for England in three days.”

  Marmalade. Why must her cousin heed her advice now when for the first time in her life Serafine was wrong? “Do you think that is wise? At least we know Captain Hillary.”

  Lisette slammed the book closed. “You were the one who demanded we part ways with the scoundrel.”

  “Perhaps I was mistaken,” she muttered.

  “Pardon? Speak up, please. Because surely I misheard. You? Wrong?”

  “I said perhaps.”

  “No, you were correct. I realized to what extent last night.” She ignored Serafine’s raised brows. “The deed is done. We no longer require Captain Hillary’s services. If I never lay eyes on the man again, it will be too soon.”

  Serafine suppressed a sigh. This was a bit of a problem, because after last night, she knew Captain Hillary was the only man she trusted to carry them safely to their destination. “Very well. Allow me to speak with the captain on our behalf. Then you mustn’t see him again.”

  Lisette started. “Never again?”

  Just as Serafine suspected. Deep down, her cousin didn’t wish to be rid of Captain Hillary, but her stubbornness would never allow her to admit it. “I only wish to save you the hassle, dear. I shall go to him straight away.” She left before Lisette could protest.

  Eighteen

  Lisette paused outside the doors of the governor’s mansion and took a deep breath to quell her anxiety. Everything would be fine. They didn’t need Daniel to reach London. Captain Olsen, the Lena Mae’s shipmaster, seemed capable and trustworthy enough from all accounts.

  A carriage sat at the bottom of the long marble staircase outside the doors, waiting to carry Lisette and her family to the Black Dog Inn at the wharf. They couldn’t impose on the governor and first lady any longer now that Daniel was gone. She rubbed her hand across her nose and blinked to hold back her silly tears.

  Rafe leaned out the carriage window and waved. His responsiveness wasn’t as surprising as it would have been two weeks earlier, but it gave her pause.

  Under Daniel’s care and Monsieur Patch’s patient attention, her brother had blossomed. His problems might never go away completely, but he had made strides. Perhaps her decision to part company with the Cecily’s captain and his crew had been unwise.

  The governor and his wife stood with Serafine beside the carriage, wishing them bon voyage when Lisette reached the drive.

  “Madame Lavigne and Mademoiselle Vistoire, what a pleasure to have had you as our guests. We do hope you will honor us with your presence again.”

  Lisette blinked, confused by the first lady’s rush of warmth. “Merci, Your Excellency. We would be honored if we ever find ourselves in Port Albis again.”

  Cecily’s mother swept Lisette into a hug and kissed both of her cheeks. “Take good care of him,” she murmured.

  “I will.” She slowly extracted herself from the lady’s embrace. Her Excellency had spent hardly any time in Rafe’s company, not enough to warrant this level of concern for his welfare. The woman had grown dotty overnight.

  Lisette thanked their hosts again, climbed into the carriage, and balked. “Monsieur Ramsey?”

  The vicar slumped on the seat next to Rafe, shading his eyes from the sunlight. “Madame, please lower your voice. And pull the curtain before my head splits in two.”

  Lisette frowned but did as he requested. Daniel had abandoned the vicar. Monsieur Ramsey had ingested a ridiculous amount of rum on the journey to Port Albis. Surely, he had drunk his fare and then some on that leg of the trip alone. From all appearances, he’d done significant damage to the governor’s supply last night as well. She couldn’t fault Daniel’s choice, but she didn’t wish to be saddled with the man either.

  Serafine climbed into the carriage after Lisette and assumed the spot beside her as the door closed. She, too, pulled the curtain closed on her side and settled back against the seat with a contented smile.

  When the carriage lurched, Lisette steadied herself against the side. The carriage wheels clicked on the cobbles as it moved downhill toward the wharf. Lisette lifted the curtain to take in the sights she would never see again, but the drive was quick and soon the carriage rolled to a stop on the docks.

  “Our lodgings are down the way.” Irritation laced her tone. “It’s too far to carry the trunks. What is the driver thinking?”

  The carriage door jerked open, and Lisette opened her mouth to issue orders to the footman.

  Daniel stuck his head inside and nailed Lisette with a glare. “Jiminy. Does the phrase ready yourself to depart within the hour mean nothing to you?”

  Serafine tossed a smile in Lisette’s direction and shrugged before accepting his hand to climb from the carriage.

  “Traitor,” Lisette mumbled.

  Serafine’s smile widened. “I fear my cousin has no sense of time, Captain. I tried to hurry her along, but she can be quite impossible at times.”

  Lisette bristled. “But we are not—Captain Olsen is expecting us.”

  “He was kind enough to return your fare, mademoiselle.” Daniel lifted her brother from his seat and swung him down to the dock. “Patch will take you aboard, Rafe.”

  Her brother’s running footsteps echoed on the wooden slats.

  “Come along, Ramsey.”

  The vicar groaned as he lumbered from the carriage.

  Daniel offered his hand to Lisette. “Did you believe I would allow you to travel aboard another ship, my dear?”

  She scowled as she climbed from the carriage. The reason she wished to cut ties with Daniel came back with perfect clarity. He was always taking charge of her life.

  “It’s not your decision to make,” she said with an imperious lift of her head. It was the same stance Serafine assumed with her to express her displeasure. Lisette wasn’t certain she had perfected it, but she didn’t care at the moment. “You have no authority over any of us. I demand you return the fare to Captain Olsen and deliver our belongings to the Black Dog Inn.”

  Daniel linked arms and held her in place. “No.”

  “No? You cannot say no to me.”

  His lips twitched. “No.” He drew out the word, setting her teeth on edge.

  “Stop telling me no.” Lisette struggled to break free of his hold without making leeway. She quivered with rage. “Release me, you jackass.”

  Movement ceased on the dock as the men stared in their direction. She must sound like a vulgar street urchin, but Daniel’s overbearing behavior was making her damned furious. Lisette took a steadying breath, collected herself, and walked arm in arm with him toward the gangplank, careful not to meet anyone’s gaze. She would settle the matter without prying eyes to witness their battle of wills.

  “Your quarters, now,” she said through clenched teeth as they walked up the gangplank. She and her family were not staying aboard Daniel’s ship, no matter what her cousin had said to him.

  Inside his quarters, she pointed at him. “You don’t decide anything for me. I don’t need you to reach Londo
n. And if you tell me ‘no’ once more, I will scream like… like…”

  “Like you are now?” His crooked grin fueled her temper.

  “Move. You are barring my way.” She attempted to shove him away from the door, but he didn’t budge. “Remove yourself now, monsieur.”

  “Non.”

  Lisette shoved her fists down to her sides and drew in a giant breath to scream.

  Daniel’s hand clamped over her mouth. “Egads, Lis. I’m teasing. Don’t scream.”

  Her shriek stuck in her chest, but anger still blazed from her eyes.

  “I do believe you are telling me to go to hell with that look, mademoiselle.” He removed his hand from her mouth. “Please, come to my office where two civilized adults may speak without anyone outside overhearing.”

  “Do you have another civilized adult waiting in your office to speak with me?” She stomped through the open doorway.

  Daniel chuckled as he trailed behind her. “Mademoiselle, you are reeking of animosity today.”

  “I reek of nothing.” Really, the man needled her at every opportunity.

  “Your father was Robert Lavigne, the sugar farmer, was he not?”

  Some of the fight drained out of her. Keeping her secrets had become tiresome, and it mattered little now if he knew the truth. They were far from the danger Reynaud presented.

  “He wasn’t the proprietor of just any sugar plantation. It’s the largest in the area, Lavigne Manor. And some day it will belong to Rafe, but not if he is sent to an asylum to rot.”

  Daniel’s face darkened. “Who wishes to send him to an asylum? Your cousin?”

  “Of course not.” She threw up her hands in frustration. Talking to him was like talking to a tree stump. “Why would I seek out Xavier if he meant to bring harm to Rafe?”

  “Then who?”

  Lisette’s thoughts went to Reynaud and she shuddered inside. “I don’t like to speak of him. Listen, I must gather Serafine and Rafe. We appreciate all you have done for us, but I think it’s best if we part ways now.”

  He closed the distance between them and placed a finger under her chin to tip up her face. “Give me one good reason. I’ve promised to deliver you safely to England. You have no reason to doubt my word.”

  She looked into his earnest eyes, and her heart plummeted. Her mouth felt dry with him so close.

  “Just one reason, Lis. Say it.”

  I cannot trust myself around you. “I don’t want to see Rafe hurt.”

  “Neither do I, luv. I promise he’ll be safe on the Cecily.”

  “He can be hurt in other ways, Daniel. What about when we reach London? You treat Rafe as if he’s something more to you than a passenger.” As if I am something more.

  “And I’ll never see him again, is that it? You plan to marry a duke, associate with a different caliber of society, and forget all about me?”

  Lisette burst out laughing. His response was that unexpected. She stepped out of his grasp. “A duke? Mon dieu, where do you get such ridiculous notions?” A duke indeed. Folding her arms, she sighed. Perhaps if she were frank, he would allow her to leave.

  “I will count myself fortunate if I marry a man of trade, an honest and kind man who will accept Rafe as he is. That is all I seek from a match.”

  His gaze held her captive, the heat in his blue eyes scorching her.

  Her clothing clung to her damp skin, and she fidgeted with the neckline of her dress. “Please, stop looking at me in that way. This is the reason I can’t stay with you. No one will offer for me if I’m ruined. I fear you will be my downfall, that I will fail my family. I can’t do that to them.”

  “I see.” His eyes twinkled and a dimple pierced his cheek. “Then I’m sorry.”

  Lisette gave a small shake of her head. “Sorry? For what?”

  Sweet Mary. Were they moving? The ship jerked as the sails caught the wind. The unexpected movement knocked her off balance, but Daniel captured her around the waist.

  “Daniel, no.” She broke free of his hold and dashed to the gallery windows. Port Albis loomed in the distance, shrinking by the second. “You’ve abducted us.”

  He came up behind her. “You’re the only one who doesn’t wish to be onboard.” His arms circled her waist, and he hauled her back against his chest. “Only we both know you want to be here, Lis.”

  He turned her in his embrace and lowered his mouth to hers. Lisette’s good sense wrestled with her shameless yearning. How she had wished for another kiss from Daniel since that day outside Madame Morel’s dress shop. Her jasmine perfume mixed with his subtle, spicy scent and overwhelmed her senses.

  “Daniel,” she pleaded, “my family needs me. Please, don’t use my weakness for you against me.”

  He brushed his thumb across her lower lip, setting her nerves ablaze. “What if I need you, too?”

  A warm feeling expanded in her chest. Did he return her feelings? She rolled the words around in her mind. He needed her. The word couldn’t mean the same to him.

  Lisette snapped out of her trance and shoved against his chest to break free of his arms. What an imbecile she had become. “Your needs can be met by anyone, you selfish scoundrel. My family’s survival depends on me.”

  Shaking, Lisette dashed from his office and out the great cabin door before he tried to detain her again.

  ***

  “Bloody hell,” Daniel mumbled when the door to the great cabin slammed. That hadn’t gone as he had hoped. He hadn’t approached the business of offering for her hand in the typical manner, but he was not a typical gentleman. Most would say he was no gentleman at all. Although he knew how to play the part and his father’s position granted him membership into the ton, he had been shunning society for years.

  If England’s elite couldn’t accept his grandfather, a man who had given Daniel everything—a love for the sea, a purpose for his life, a means of following his passion—then he had no time for the elite. His grandfather had loved Daniel and his siblings in a manner the ton was incapable of understanding, and his generosity was unparalleled. Upon Grandfather’s demise, he had willed his fortune to Daniel and two of Daniel’s brothers, providing the younger sons with a means to be independent from their father.

  Daniel could take care of Lisette and her family, but she would be deemed bad ton. While the designation didn’t bother him, perhaps it would her. Lisette alone would face the snide comments and cuts direct most of the season while he was at sea.

  He moved to his desk and pulled the logbook from the top drawer, but he couldn’t focus on his work. Burrowing his fingers through his hair, he blew out a noisy breath.

  Damnation.

  He could salvage her reputation if he asked his sister-in-law to assume chaperone duties, and Mr. Ramsey’s silence could be bought. Lisette could still make a decent match. Daniel knew which merchants had sons of marriageable age. Perhaps he could broker a union on her behalf.

  The great cabin door creaked as someone entered, and he bolted from his chair. “Lisette?”

  When he reached the entrance of his office, his shoulders drooped. Rafe had strolled in as he had every day before their stop in Port Albis.

  “Ahoy, mate,” Daniel called in the most jovial voice he could muster.

  Rafe smiled coyly as if the act embarrassed the hell out of him, but it was a response. Daniel couldn’t help but puff up with pride. The boy was making great strides onboard the Cecily. This was the reason Lisette and her family belonged with him instead of Captain Olsen. Rafe needed more than for his sister to make a good marital match. He needed people who understood him.

  Rafe hugged his journal to his chest and wandered into the office to take up sentry in his usual spot. As he jotted notes and made drawings in his book, Daniel opened the logbook on his desk to review the last recordings before they had docked in Port Albis.

  Several minutes later, he’d read the same entry at least five times and still had no idea as to the content. All he could think on was the coming even
ing and seeing Lisette again. He must issue an apology and offer his assistance in helping her make a match if that was her wish. He didn’t want to do so with an audience, but she might refuse to speak with him alone.

  Hellfire. He didn’t want to see her married to someone else, but she had accused him of caring only about his desires. At the very least, he had to offer her a choice. He blew out another ragged breath.

  Rafe glanced up from his drawings. His forehead wrinkled as his brows merged. “You breathe heavily.” His tone was conversational, as always. Daniel appreciated that the boy never spoke with censorship.

  “Yes, I suppose I do.” Especially when I think of your sister.

  Rafe returned his attention to marking impressively straight, parallel lines. Was that the decking of a ship?

  He closed his weathered book with nary a sound and glanced up. “I need to practice my knots.”

  Daniel checked his watch lying on the desk. Three o’clock. It was eerie how Rafe knew the time without ever asking or consulting a clock. At this same time every day, he practiced tying knots with different lengths of rope as Daniel had taught him. Much like Daniel, the boy was a creature of habit.

  “Retrieve them from the great cabin and lay them out on the table.”

  Unlike him, Rafe showed no impatience or need to rush. Daniel could learn a lot from the lad.

  He rubbed his eyes and sighed again before attempting to return to his work, but Rafe’s sketchbook drew his attention. Opening to the middle of the book, he blinked in surprise at the meticulous drawings of the Cecily. The wheel, capstan, and mizzenmast. Rafe exhibited great talent for a young boy. Paging backward, Daniel discovered drawing after drawing of his ship, but toward the beginning, he unearthed a different ship. It was a detailed drawing of a Baltimore Flyer.

  Daniel stood with the book in hand and walked into the great cabin where Rafe concentrated on perfecting a square knot. “Did you sketch this from another book?”