A Fair Pretender

by Janet Woods

  She gently touched his cheek. ‘You’re doing what you can, and I know exactly how you feel for I feel the same. I admire you for it, Saville and will not abuse your trust. One day, when enough men of compassion and conscience band together, they’ll put a stop to the trafficking in human misery.’

  ‘I’m surprised you have such a sympathetic attitude when you were raised on a sugar plantation.’

  Although she was no longer hungry, Graine avoided his eyes and helped herself to a wafer of bread, spreading it with honey to create time to think. ‘I didn’t have much to do with the plantation; it was run by an overseer. Theodore Chambers considered the plantation to be an unhealthy environment for a young girl lacking parents. We lived in a house in St John’s.’

  The honey ran from the edge of the bread and across her finger. She licked it clean with one sweep of her tongue and remembered too late that a real lady would resist such impulses. Sliding a glance at Saville she caught the amused look in eyes and giggled. ‘I suppose you’re used to females who are prickly with manners, like those hedgehogs I saw in a book in your library.’

  Laughter grumbled out of him. ‘I can’t recall ever setting eyes on a woman such as that. I should imagine everyone relaxes when out of the public eye. I’m jealous because your tongue is so very long, and it got to the honey before mine did.’

  Her face warmed at the intimacy of his answer. Another stream of honey ran down her finger and into her palm. Placing the bread on her plate she was about to pick up her napkin when Saville took her hand in his. His tongue slid moistly against her palm, sending a delicious quiver of bumps skittering up her arm to her shoulder. She couldn’t prevent the small sigh of pleasure escaping her mouth before she snatched her hand away.

  He gazed at her, his eyes an ocean of provocation. ‘I should not have done that, for it makes me less than a gentleman. My only consolation, I’ll have the sweet taste of your palm on my tongue through all eternity.’

  A sudden and tumultuous pounding from the hallway below, brought Rebel to the alert. The dog gave a deep, baying bark and his hackles ridged magnificently along his back. Saville drew in a deep breath and muttered, ‘What in hell’s name is going on?’

  They found out a few seconds later when a manservant handed Saville a card. His gaze skimmed over it and his eyes hardened as he gritted out. ‘Captain William Younger has honored us with a visit. I wonder why?’

  ‘Who’s Captain William Younger?’

  ‘A ship owner and black-birder. He sails out of Bristol.’ He sent the servant to fetch Edmund Scanlon.

  Clearly, they heard a woman cried out in pain.

  ‘That sounded like Sheba,’ Graine breathed.

  Saville placed a restraining hand on her arm when she would have run from the room. ‘Be careful not to give anything away. We don’t know what she’s told him.’ They went down together, united as one.

  There were two of them, cloaked and booted against the harsh weather. An aura of cold surrounded them. Obviously father and son, they were dark-eyed, dark-haired and hard-faced.

  Sheba was huddled on the floor, her chest heaving as she struggled ¢to regain her breath. Blood trickled from her nose and she was bruised about the face. Her skirt was torn and bloodied and her shoes had fallen off. Her feet were shredded. There was a rope around her waist; the other end was attached to the older man, who jerked her cruelly to her feet.

  ‘The slave says she belongs here, My Lord. I can’t remember you having a slave in your household, so thought I’d better check her papers.’

  Graine stepped forward and, with as much indignation as she felt, said. ‘That’s my slave, sir. Who are you to demand to see her papers?’

  Rebel slid in front of her and sat at her feet.

  The man inclined his head. ‘I’m Captain William Younger and this is my son, Thomas. I’m certain this girl is one of several slaves who absconded from my care a few days ago. And who may you be?’

  Saville scowled at him. ‘This is my guest, Miss Adams, lately of Antigua.’

  ‘Ah … Seth Adams’s daughter.’

  ‘You knew him?’ she said with some astonishment, for it seemed to her that everyone but herself had known her father.

  ‘Oh aye. I had a few dealings with him in his time. Knew you when you was a young-un, too.’ He stepped forward, his glance darting over her face. Rebel gave an impressive warning growl with teeth bared and the whites of his eyes showing. The man stepped hastily back again, saying ungraciously, ‘Your looks have improved some.’

  ‘You are being impertinent, sir.’

  ‘My pardon.’ He eyed the gold brooch pinned to her bodice and his eyelids hooded over slightly. ‘I guess you don’t remember me.’

  ‘Should I?’ she said flatly.

  Thomas Younger, who was openly admiring her, laughed. ‘Pa said you sang and danced for him. I guess a girl who grew up on a sugar plantation had to make her own amusements.’

  ‘One needs to do that anywhere. ’

  He inclined his head. ‘I dropped in to pay my respects when you turned seventeen. Your guardian said you were attending a neighbor’s wedding. It was a well-run plantation, as I recall. It must have brought in a pretty penny when you sold it. I put in a bid that day for you, seeing as nobody had seen fit to make you a wife. I guess your guardian didn’t think I was a good enough a catch. Likely, he wanted a peer of the realm.’

  ‘That’s entirely probable, since he had to be careful of adventurers who were after my fortune,’ she said hastily as Saville’s breath hissed angrily in his throat. She drew in a deep breath and resisted the urge to say anything more to the man’s surly statement. ‘Will you release my servant, please, Captain Younger. It looks as if she’s been dragged behind your horse.’

  Rebel was still giving prolonged warning rumbles. She placed her hand over the end of his snout and he licked her palm. The dog was like the master, she thought, a bubble of laughter growing inside her.

  ‘She needed a bit of discipline. Making them run soon takes the spark out of them,’ he growled. ‘She had a blanket and food on her. Stole them and was on the run, no doubt.’

  ‘Not at all,’ Saville interjected smoothly. ‘She was taking them to a sick woman in the village at my request.’

  Sheba’s head jerked slightly when Edmund Scanlon came into the room and nodded to the assembled company. Rebel’s tail lashed back and forth, whipping against her skirt and causing a draft. Graine’s hand closed around it, stilling its motion, though the tension in it was hard to contain.

  ‘Do you have papers for the slave, Miss Adams?’ William Younger’s eyes darkened when the dog snarled at the sound of his voice.

  ‘Don’t be a fool, man,’ Saville blistered. ‘All her chattels were lost when her ship foundered. She was lucky to escape with her life. You’ll just have to accept my word for my guest’s integrity, Younger. It should be good enough for you.’

  ‘Of course, My Lord.’

  Sheba scrambled to her side when she was released. The dog pushed between them.

  Feigning annoyance, Graine lightly slapped the woman’s face. ‘You stupid girl. How to you expect to become a lady’s maid when you can’t carry out the simplest task properly? Go and clean yourself up before I decide to give you another whipping.’

  ‘Yes, mistress.’ Bursting into tears, Sheba scuttled painfully up the stairs.

  Graine managed a shrug for the two men, and, even whilst knowing she hadn’t fooled them for a minute, said with a smile. ‘I’m sorry she caused you so much trouble. The girl has yet to learn her place.’

  Saville was not so gracious. He dismissed the two men with a curt, ‘You look as if you could do with some breakfast. My steward will take you to the servants’ hall.’

  William Younger’s face flushed at the put down. ‘Thank you, My Lord, but it won’t be necessary. We’ll be staying at the inn for a couple of days to see if we can catch the other runaways.’

  ‘If they absconded from Bristol, I see
no reason why they should be in the area.’

  ‘According to Josiah Harrison, they stole his boat from the wharf, and as there’s rumors of some caves on your estate, they might be holed up for the winter. Would you mind if we inspected the caves?’

  Saville's eyes narrowed. ‘Are you referring to the caves my father and grandfather used for their smuggling ventures?’

  ‘There have been rumors of illegal use in the past.’

  Saville sighed. ‘It’s not rumor it’s a fact. As you will, then. Edmund, take Captain Younger and his son to inspect the caves my father used in his smuggling days, then escort them to the road.’

  Edmund smiled slightly. ‘Yes My Lord. This way gentleman; the tide is on the ebb and by the time we get there the entrance should be accessible.’

  As the men moved out of sight, she whispered. ‘What if they find the bedding?’

  ‘Don’t worry. There’s nothing to find and there’s more than one set of caves.’ He gazed thoughtfully at her. ‘You think on your feet.’

  She could have looked into his eyes all day long. ‘And I must go and find Sheba and tend to her. Will you mind if she stays?’

  ‘Not if that’s what she wants. I’ll find room for her in the servants’ quarters. Tell her she can travel safely with us to London in the spring, where I can find her a situation.’

  Graine’s face fell. ‘I hope spring never comes. I’m not looking forward to going to London?’

  His face softened. ‘Do you like it here so much?’

  She nodded and fondled the dog’s head. ‘The countryside has a pleasant feel to it, now I’m becoming acclimatized to the cold. The servants are happy and willing, which says a lot for you as their employer.’

  ‘But we must still go to London. The arrangement brokered between yourself and my cousin must be discussed, and a closure satisfying to all those involved, reached.’

  ‘Yes. I suppose it must,’ she said dully, for she’d now reached an unwelcome conclusion. Saville might indulge in a mild dalliance with her for the sake of his amusement, but he had no intention of allowing any serious involvement to grow between them. He was a man of honor. She was destined to be the wife of his cousin, and John Lamartine was the person he’d deliver her to. Covered with shame, because her own naivety was suddenly exposed to her, she turned and walked away from him, tears stinging her eyes.

  Saville went into the drawing room and threw himself in a chair after she left. The wounded expression in her eyes had been almost too hard to bear. He couldn’t declare himself to her, as he so badly wanted to do. The speed with which his feelings for her had developed astounded him. He knew she returned them, her every feeling was expressed on her face, her lack of confidence in what had been arranged, her hopes and her fears. Yet she had guts and courage.

  Lazily, he recalled the way she’d negotiated the rope ladder, clinging on for dear life as she tried to keep it from twisting. Her long, slim legs had been outlined against her breeches and her buttocks had been taut against the fabric. He smiled with the pleasure she’d unknowingly afforded him.

  The situation had to be explained to John before he acted, though. Even though John might not be happy about it, he wouldn’t hold Evelyn to the contract if he thought Saville’s affections were involved. He knew he wouldn’t let her go, anyway. Telling John would simply be a courtesy.

  * * * *

  Sheba had been beaten. Her back bore bloody whips marks, her legs were grazed from top to bottom, and they were embedded with splinters and gravel from where she’d been dragged along the ground. Some of the nails were torn from her toes and her feet were puffy and bruised.

  Jessie gave a shocked murmur. ‘You poor women … those men need a good flogging.’

  ‘Get out the bathtub and fill it please, Jessie. Add some lavender oil. We’ll have to soak her to clean the dirt from those cuts and pick out every bit of gravel. If we coat her legs with honey and bind them with linen strips for a couple of days it will help them to heal, and prevent infection and scarring.’

  After the servant left Graine turned to Sheba. ‘Why did you run off? We would have looked after you.’

  The woman murmured, ‘I was scared you were like the others, mistress.’

  ‘Well, we’re not. The earl said you can stay in the servants’ quarters, and we’ll take you to London when we visit in the spring. He’ll find a safe place for you.’

  Sheba took her hand and there was an absence of bravado in her voice now. ‘I cannot be servant to another, again. You give Sheba a piece of paper setting her free. I’ll rent myself a house and sell charms and love potions to the society women.’

  ‘Your freedom is not mine to give you.’

  Angrily, she said. ‘Yes it is, mistress. For it’s the Adams’ plantation I worked on, as did my mother and my grandmother before me. Since the age of two, when I was taken from my mother’s side to pick up leaves from the yard, to the day I worked in the field gangs, I’ve been your slave. I was hardly out of childhood when I was noticed by the overseer and taken to his quarters. Being his woman wasn’t any better than being a slave. He sold me on, but I was your slave, not his.’

  Graine sighed. Although she felt sorry for Sheba’s plight, to tell the truth, she’d like to be rid of the woman right now. Sheba had an unsettling effect on her, and her conscience was being unfairly pricked. ‘Where will you find the money to rent a house and start your business?’

  Sheba’s eyes became opaque. ‘From you mistress. You’re kind, and you remind me of Seth Adams’ white bastard, the one who worked for the nuns. I heard tell that she drowned.’ Sheba smiled when Graine started. ‘I don’t need much and you will never hear from me again, unless you need me. Then I will know, and I will come.’

  Shaken to the core, Graine thought, the woman was no fool. She nodded. ‘I’ll ask the earl to advise me about setting you free. He’s a magistrate.’

  Sheba kissed her hand. ‘Thank you; I won’t wait until spring though, but will go as soon as I can. Watch out for the seafaring father and son, missy. They’re bad, hard men, especially the father. Although they fear the earl, they’re no respecter of women and will not forget you crossed them.’ She fell quiet when a troop of servants came in carrying a tub and hot water.

  They soon had Sheba cleaned up. When her wounds had been tended to, warm clothes were found and she was borne away to a servant’s room to rest.

  ‘Cook’s going to put a chair in the kitchen so she can watch the comings and goings. When she feels better she can help with clearing things away,’ Jessie said. ‘I’ll keep an eye on her now. It’s only scratches and stuff, and it ain’t fitting for you tend to her. After all, she’s in no danger.’

  ‘Jessie,’ she said with a smile. ‘You need not imagine I’m a frail, English lady. I’ve been brought up to be useful, and I’m accustomed to unpleasant tasks.’

  ‘You are the earl’s own guest, but I’ll call you if you are needed,’ Jessie said firmly.

  Later, Graine went in search of Saville and told him of what had been done. He smiled with approval at her, but it changed to a frown when she said, ‘Sheba used to work on the Adam’s plantation and has asked for a paper giving her freedom.’

  He crossed to the fireplace. ‘I have a feeling that William Younger has her papers. He’ll come back with them.’

  ‘I doubt if … ’ She bit down on her lip. ‘I can’t remember signing her away.’

  ‘Theodore Chambers would have signed the bill of sale.’

  ‘Then I’ll have to forge some papers. Do you know what they look like?’

  A sigh of exasperation reached her ears. ‘I cannot conspire with you to commit a crime. There’s really no need to forge anything while she remains in England. Sheba is a free citizen.’

  ‘Then how can a set of false papers be classed as a crime? She’s asked me for money to establish herself in business in London.’

  His eyes sharpened. ‘What exactly is the nature of this business?’


  ‘Oh, telling fortunes and selling love potions and charms to the gullible.’

  He chuckled. ‘She’s so beautiful and exotic that she’ll draw men and women alike. This money; has she any intention of repaying it?’

  ‘I thought it should be a gift,’ she said, the guilt she felt over lying to him apparent in her voice. ‘After all, she’s worked on the South Winds plantation free of charge since she was quite small.’

  ‘Which, no doubt, she reminded you of, hmmm?’

  Graine laughed. ‘She did, but I would have done the same.’

  ‘As well as being exquisite, she’s clever,’ he mused.

  Graine said crossly, for a quiver of jealously had lodged in her heart. ‘It sounds as though you admire her.’

  He smiled at her. ‘A man always admires a woman of beauty. I like her spirit. She has courage and determination, and has remained strong despite her trials.’ He crossed to the bureau and unlocked a drawer. Drawing forth a wad of papers he shuffled through them and murmured, ‘Sometimes, certain documents fall into my hands. I rarely find them useful, but on this occasion … ’ He removed a paper and handed it to her.

  Her brow creased in puzzlement. ‘Why, this is a bill of freedom. It’s signed by Theodore Chambers and back-dated two years. It’s for one Eliza Jones, lately of South Winds sugar plantation in Antigua.’

  ‘So it is.’ A leather purse was placed on top of it. ‘Weather permitting, Edmund will be visiting his mother in Poole next month. Sheba can join a group of travelling players who winter there. Her fortune-telling will be an asset to them.’

  The papers and escape route had been prepared in advance. Saville’s involvement was deeper than he let on, and he’d outguessed her. She grinned widely at him. ‘Thank you, Saville.’

  He ran a finger down her nose, growling, ‘You mustn’t thank me, but accept my apologies, instead. I shouldn’t have involved you in first place, for I regret placing you in a position where you were forced to be untruthful.’