Signs of Love and Deliverance

by Tracy Kay

  “No more so than I,” Gretchen whispered sorrowfully, gazing down at her lap and swallowing back her tears. She was sad about Joselyn. As difficult as she was at times, Gretchen missed her. And to make matters worse, she was worried about Madeline and the details she was given were vague at best. She didn’t even get to say goodbye to her.

  Leaning towards her, Henry requested, “Lady Gretchen, why don’t you come to the theater with me this evening? I know it seems too soon for going out, but it may cheer us both up and take our minds off this horrible tragedy.”

  Gretchen shook her head, appalled at such an idea. “Lord Henry, it is very kind of you to ask, but . . .”

  “I will not take no for an answer.” Henry smiled undauntedly.

  “But you will,” Gretchen declared determinedly. “Lord Henry, I do not wish to go anywhere, especially with you.”

  “That is putting it quite bluntly.” Henry was a bit offended by her answer. She seemed so melancholy and he was only trying to lift her spirits. “I suppose it is too early for you and possibly for me as well. We need to grieve. Perhaps at another time.”

  “I am sorry, Lord Henry, but there will not be another time.” Gretchen tried to be kind. She had no interest in Lord Henry, and even if she did, her brother, Samuel, would never approve. Samuel detested the man, and although Simon had the final word on her choice of husband, he would take Samuel’s opinion into account.

  “You will feel differently in a week or two. You will see. In time, your pain will fade,” he said encouragingly, positive that he could eventually change her mind. After all, she wasn’t as volatile as Joselyn and he was sure he could win Gretchen’s heart. When Joselyn had informed him of her engagement to Nicholas, he had little hope of winning her over, and he had begun considering his other options. It was time for him to marry and his mother was starting to pressure him. He had new responsibilities since his brother’s death and Lady Gretchen would make an adequate wife. There were other choices, but he was already acquainted with Lady Gretchen and her family. He was sure Lord Morelyn would approve of a marriage between them, and if not, he could always try winning over Lady Madeline, or perhaps another of her friends such as Lady Corinna, or that young lady Madeline had introduced to Nevell prior to his death.

  “Lady Gretchen, your last appointment is here,” Gracen, the Malany’s butler, interrupted, cutting off the sharp retort Gretchen was about to say.

  “I shall leave and let you get back to business,” Henry stood and bowed, taking her hand and kissing it. “Good day, Lady Gretchen. I do hope you change your mind.”

  “Good day,” she responded coolly with a haughty, short nod. Turning her attention to the butler, she instructed, “Gracen, please show Lord Henry out and send in Señor Parez.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Gretchen sat back in her chair for a brief moment to collect herself, then reached for Señor Parez’s impeccable credentials. She hoped he lived up to them. The last four candidates were inexperienced and she did not want to choose from one of them. She needed a new groomsman immediately and she didn’t have anyone who could teach someone inexperienced. Guy Randolf, her previous groomsman and stable master, had found a better position with the Monroes. She didn’t blame him in the least. The Monroes were well known for their stables and their winning thoroughbreds.

  Gretchen quickly patted her hair and smoothed her dress. She was glad her oldest brother, Simon, didn’t expect her to run the household on her own as Madeline did for her family. Usually, Gretchen only managed the maids, kitchen staff and minor expenses. She didn’t have the temperament or patience to manage the household accounts or the rest of the staff. However, today she was left with choosing a new groomsman. She hated doing this kind of thing and usually Simon took care of hiring the staff, but he had more pressing things to do, and since her other brothers had begged off, he had left the chore to her. It was a good thing she was well versed in horsemanship and knew what questions to ask; otherwise, they would be in quite a bind.

  “Lady Gretchen, may I present Mr. Manuel Parez,” Gracen announced.

  Gretchen caught her breath when she saw the man. He was beautiful, of medium height, golden skin, soft, brown eyes and pitch-black hair. He looked to be in his late twenties, muscular, and capable. Gretchen grinned, having a man that handsome around would certainly send her brothers into a tizzy. They wouldn’t like it at all, not one little bit. It would serve them right for leaving the distasteful chore for her to do. “Buenos días, Señor Parez. Please have a seat,” she invited, indicating the chair across from her.

  “Gracias, señorita. You speak Español?”

  “Un poco. Only a little,” Gretchen replied modestly. She knew the language well. While Madeline was off gallivanting the seas with Brandon, she and her brothers, Samuel and James, had spent a year in Madrid, visiting their grandmother’s family. Her grandmother had been born and raised in Spain, but had fallen in love with William Malany, her grandfather, during a visit to England and decided to stay.

  “Perhaps I can teach you more,” Parez suggested seductively, deepening his Spanish accent. He could have her. She was so tiny and beautiful. He would have to be careful not to cause her more pain than she could withstand.

  “Perhaps,” Gretchen smiled shrewdly. “Your credentials are quite good, Señor Parez.”

  “Call me Manny, por favor.”

  Again, Gretchen smiled. “You have eight years of experience?”

  “Sí. My father was a stable master and I have spent most of my life around horses. I am very good with them. I treat my horses as I do a woman. Guide them gently, but firmly, and soon they will be eating out of my hand.” He grinned crookedly at her.

  “Hmm, interesting philosophy,” Gretchen replied, not knowing what else to say to the man’s obvious comment and flirtation. It was a most ridiculous and offensive simile. Why men felt the need to compare a woman to a horse, she would never understand. She found it quite aggravating.

  “You are muy bonita,” he expressed with a hooded gaze and took her hand in his.

  Pulling her hand away, Gretchen smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Señor Parez.”

  “Manny.” She was going to be a hard one, but he would have her.

  “Señor Parez,” Gretchen said humorlessly. “I will need to put you through the paces before I make my final decision.” Gretchen stood. “Shall we go to the stables?”

  “Sí, but is that necessary?” He stood as well, a little peeved that she was going to test him and not take his word.

  “Yes, it is. It will not take long.” Gretchen led him to the stables and introduced him to Guy Randolf. “Mr. Randolf, this is Manuel Parez. Señor Parez, this is Guy Randolf, the man you will be replacing if you are hired. Mr. Randolf has found a more lucrative position and he will be missed. Mr. Randolf, could you bring out Free Stride.”

  “Free Stride, my lady?” Randolf raised his brow in question.

  “Yes.” Gretchen grinned impishly, her eyes twinkling. If Parez was as good as he said he was, he could easily handle her high-strung stallion. If he wasn’t, then he deserved being made a fool of for his attempts at seduction. If he thought he could win her over with his handsome appearance and suave manners, he was mistaken. She wanted a groomsman not a showman. She had plenty of brothers who could play that part and she didn’t have to pay them for it.

  When Randolf brought out the chestnut, thoroughbred horse, Gretchen took the reins and lovingly patted Free Stride’s sleek neck before handing him over to Parez. Only Randolf, her brothers, and she had been able to handle the horse with ease. Free Stride was her baby and she didn’t like others riding him, but if Parez could handle the big stallion, it would make her decision to hire him easy.

  When Parez took the reins, Free Stride struggled to be free. Parez quickly brought him under control. “He is quite the demon, is he not?”

  “He is a bit spirited, yes, but I am sure you can handle him.” She crossed her arms and paid close attentio
n to the man and the horse.

  “Sí.” Parez took a deep breath before leading the horse out into the yard. “What would you like me to show you?”

  “Groom him. Mr. Randolf will provide you with anything you need,” Gretchen instructed and watched as Manuel went through the procedure of grooming the animal.

  Manuel had difficulty at first, but with his expertise, he quieted the horse with a soothing hand and soft whispers. He loved horses and he was very good with them. “Anything else?” He asked when he was finished.

  “Ride him.” Gretchen motioned casually at the horse as she watched intently.

  Parez nodded and saddled the horse. He expertly rode the horse around the yard, putting the horse through his paces. When he came to a stop, he peered down at her smugly.

  Gretchen tilted her head to the side and studied him. She may not particularly like the man, but he had the talent. “Be here tomorrow morning at eight. Mr. Randolf will fill you in on your duties, and my brother, Lord Morelyn, will meet with you at nine. Don’t be late.” Gretchen turned and walked towards the house. She truly hoped she wouldn’t come to regret hiring that pompous man.

  Madeline stood at the railing of the ship’s deck and watched the sunset on the glistening water, wondering if Farrington was following them. She knew she was safe for the moment, but that didn’t ease her fear. She had spent all day trying to occupy herself with reading a novel and writing Gretchen, Corinna and Deirdre long letters. She even rearranged Damon’s bookshelf, putting the books in alphabetical order. She was going a little crazy and her thoughts kept going back to Joselyn. If she had arrived a few minutes earlier or hadn’t made her threats or had shot Farrington sooner, maybe Joselyn would be alive now. There were so many what ifs, but the reality of it all was forever impressed in her mind. There was nothing she could do about it and she didn’t know how to make it better. She was terrified for herself, for her family, and for her friends.

  Madeline knew Marshall’s killer was still out there, and it wasn’t Farrington. She knew in her heart Marshall had been killed by a different man, an evil man. Then there was Farrington, another evil man. Madeline shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She sighed and gazed across the vast sea, squinting into the distance, searching for a ship that might be following them.

  “Beautiful is it not?” The voice startled Madeline from her musings. Turning to the man beside her, she caught her breath at the man’s extraordinary beauty and could only nod in response. A white bellowing shirt, opened to reveal a muscular chest, contrasted against his skin, the color of rich coffee with a slight touch of cream. His eyes were a deep shade of mahogany, accentuated by pronounced cheekbones, a strong, flared nose, a short-cropped, black beard, a clean shaved head, and a gold hoop earring in each ear. He was the most unusual man she had ever seen.

  Pointing towards the sky and ocean, he spoke in a deep, smooth and lightly accented tone. “It never fails to take my breath away. The gods know how to paint a pretty picture.” Turning towards her, the man introduced himself. “I am Tylib Ezro, the first mate.” The dark-skinned man made a sweeping bow.

  In turn, Madeline curtsied and put out her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ezro. I am Madeline Cathcart.”

  Tylib took her hand and lifted it briefly to his lips. “My lady, your beauty is beyond compare. Your hair rivals the sun, your eyes are like the sparkling green of the jungle after a morning rain, and your skin is as lustrous as the ocean’s pearls.”

  Madeline blushed at the high praise.

  “Stop embarrassing the girl, Ty,” Damon interrupted. “I asked you to escort her to dinner, not seduce her.”

  “A man cannot help but admire such a magnificent creature as this lady.” Tylib’s eyes flashed with amusement and sincerity.

  Madeline smiled and blushed again, not knowing what to say at such flattery.

  “I can’t argue with you on that point.” Damon grinned and proffered his arm to Madeline. “Come, dinner is being served.” Madeline nodded briefly and placed her hand on his arm, allowing him to lead her to his cabin with Tylib following behind them.

  After a delicious meal, Madeline sat at the table with the two men and observed them as they sipped coffee and ate dessert. They were interesting men those two and they were used to each other. Their easy manner and camaraderie showed with their familiar gestures and idle conversation about the day’s work. They were lovely to watch, Madeline thought. Madeline took a sip of the coffee and grimaced at the bitter taste of the drink. She had never been fond of the beverage.

  Noting her grimace, Damon inquired, “Something wrong, Madeline?”

  “Nothing really, I am not accustomed to the taste of coffee,” she replied honestly.

  “I can have André brew tea for you if you like.”

  “No, Damon, don’t bother André. I will drink the coffee.” She gazed into the dark liquid and added some sugar before taking another sip. “It is actually not that bad.” She smiled tentatively.

  “It grows on a person.” Damon smiled in return, doing his best not to laugh.

  Madeline listened quietly to the men’s conversation about business, the route they were taking and other small talk. After a time, Madeline could not contain her curiosity any longer, and when there was a break in the conversation, she asked, “How did you come to be Damon’s first mate, Mr. Ezro, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “I do not mind you asking and please call me Ty. May I call you Madeline?” He questioned in precise English.

  “Yes, of course, Ty.” Madeline gave him a big smile. She liked him; honestly, she did.

  “It is a long story of how I became Damon’s first mate and a very important one,” he continued seriously, pouring more coffee and settling in to tell his story.

  “Perhaps now is not the time, Ty,” Damon intervened, not wanting to upset Madeline, for the story wasn’t an easy one to hear.

  “It is a good time,” Ty disagreed. “But I shall be sure to leave the more unsavory parts out, Damon, if that will appease your objection?” With Damon’s nod, he began his story, watching Madeline carefully.

  “Some years ago, I was taken from my people. Everything I knew and loved was destroyed. My sister and I, and other members of my tribe, were chained and huddled together while we watched our village burn, and those friends and family who were old, sick, or too weak, were killed. We were escorted to a ship and locked into the hold. There were others already there from other tribes. It was hot and the air was stifling. There were many of us. We could not move and what little food was given to us was rotted. Many died. The women were used for the crew’s pleasure. My sister had been taken above and never returned. Like many others, she preferred drowning to the fate that awaited her.” Tylib paused at Madeline’s gasp and reached out to pat her hand before continuing his story. “It was many days, perhaps weeks, before we heard the canon fire. Damon had attacked the ship and set us free. He took us aboard, fed us, clothed us, and returned us to our homes.”

  He looked briefly at Damon before recapturing Madeline’s gaze. “I had no home left. I had no need for revenge. Damon had destroyed the people and the ship which had captured us. I had nothing, so I asked Damon if I could stay on his ship and help others who found themselves enslaved on these ships. I learned the language. I learned sailing and Damon made me his first mate after his previous first mate left for his own destiny.” He sat back and steepled his long, tapered fingers. “If not for Damon, I would now be a slave somewhere.”

  “I am glad Damon rescued you, Ty. I would not have had the pleasure of meeting you and hearing your story. No one should be a slave. I think it is an awful practice. How anyone could enslave another, I will never understand,” Madeline said fervently.

  “Here, here,” Damon replied, smiling at Madeline and changing the topic to more mundane matters.

  “I really like Tylib,” Madeline commented after Tylib had left and the dinner dishes had been cleared away and fresh coffee poured.


  Damon nodded. “He is a good man.”

  Madeline sipped at her coffee. “With everything he has been through, you would think he would be bitter.”

  “He has a kind heart and he knows that bitterness only destroys a person.”

  “How did he ever move on from the loss of his family?” Madeline asked curiously as she took another swallow of coffee.

  “He talked about it and he grieved.” Damon paused to look at her. “Which is what you should do. You lost a very close friend, not to mention the trauma of shooting a man for the first time.”

  Uncomfortable with the subject, Madeline hid her feelings. “I am fine. Joselyn and I were not as close as one might think and Farrington deserved to be shot.” Madeline startled herself when she placed the cup on the table with a thud.

  “Madeline, I wish you wouldn’t hold it inside,” Damon implored, stretching his arm across the table to take her hand. “Talk to me. I can help.”

  “There is nothing to talk about, Damon. Joselyn is dead and there is nothing I can do about it. I only wish that I had killed Farrington,” she declared coldly, sliding her hand out of his.

  Damon took a drink of his coffee and gave her a level stare over the cup’s rim. “No, you don’t.”

  “Yes, I do. If he was dead, I wouldn’t be in the middle of the ocean away from my family.” Madeline stared wide eyed at Damon in horror over her words. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean I didn’t want to be here. I . . .”

  Damon cut her off. “I know.” Damon placed the cup of coffee on the table and grasped her hand again. “You can’t change what happened, and right now, this is the best place for you. I know it is difficult, but with time, the pain will ease. If you are uncomfortable staying in my cabin, Tylib will be happy to give you his for the duration of the voyage.”

  “No,” Madeline responded vehemently. “I don’t want to be alone. I know it is childish, but I couldn’t stand it.”

  Damon squeezed her hand gently before letting it go. “That is what Brandon said, but I wanted you to have that choice. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me. Think of me as one of your brothers.” Damon grinned and winked at her in an attempt to lighten the mood.