What Sloane used to blackmail Penelope was unimportant. Yet if Sloane's vendetta stretched for over ten years, had it reached the father, or had she gained this intense hatred from her sire? For other than purchasing the Blackwell house when the shipping business was about to declare bankruptcy, he could find no connection, incriminating or otherwise, atween the families afore twenty-five years. Afore Sloane Rothmere's birth.
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Chapter 28
Anthony stood at the far end of the sundeck, gazing up at the roof. Bare chested and barefoot, Ramsey knelt on the gabeled ledge, replacing the scale style gray shingles, his hammer slamming with a power that rattled the windows, he worked with a vengeance, driving the nail home with one blow. and Anthony detected suppressed anger in his moves.
He waited til Ram paused to wipe the sweat from his forehead and drain a plastic bottle of water before he called to him. Ram glanced down and smiled, then immediately tossed the hammer aside and descended from the roof with surprising balance and agility for a man his size. He dropped to the deck with a thud. snatching up a towel and swiping at the sweat raining over his chest as he crossed to Antony.
Ram's gaze sketched his face, then he carefully grasped Antony's wrist, raising it, examining the bandaged fingers with a critical eye.
"You tucked your thumb inside," he judged, his lips tugging. "I pray your opponent suffered worse."
"He was facedown in the mud last I saw."
"You are too old to engage in fisticuffs, Antony." Ram noted with concern his swollen lip and blackened eye.
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Anthony threw his shoulders back. "Hah, look who's talking. I'm only fifty."
Ram's eyebrows rose. In his time the man would be naught but decaying bones in a grave, but the Welshman looked no more than a half score older than himself.
"Where's Penelope?"
Ram inclined his head toward the sea behind him and Anthony looked past in time to see Penelope vanish along the shoreline near a strand of sea oats.
Penny slipped through a break in the shrubs and sea oats, wanting to escape, for no matter where she went, she felt Ramsey glaring holes in her back. And she simply couldn't stay inside anymore, the house suddenly too crowded with him in it and Margaret and Hank's disappointment showing in every pointedly delivered glance didn't help either. She regretted treating Ramsey so rudely, but she'd panicked. The newspaper, Tess's books, learning that he loved Tess and had actually traveled through time for her, was too much, yet now, with nothing else to think about, she wanted some answers. But Ramsey, well, he ... he was being the perfect gentleman, was what he was doing.
It was as if he knew where she was at any given moment, for she would see his fading shadow or glimpse the edge of his shoe as he slipped off around a corner. Perhaps it was best they weren't near each other, for that man could push her buttons and make her feel every bit like a petulant child.
She bent to pick up a shell and felt the warmth of the hand a split second before it closed over her mouth. There wasn't time enough to scream as the man slapped his arm around her waist and slammed her back against his chest. His grip was smothering, her lungs working to draw back the startled air.
"You listening?"
Penny nodded best she could, terrified, her arms pinned to her sides. Dampness seeped into her clothes.
"I want the diamonds." She made a sound of protest and he jerked her tighter. "Don't even try it. I'll let you know when
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and where, but if you don't—" he paused for effect, and it worked, her imagination running wild—"someone you love will pay." There were two of them, she realized as a gloved fist shot out in her line of vision, a delicate flower resting breathlessly in his palm before his fingers curled, crushing it nearly to liquid. Yeah, she got the message. Now if only she knew why they thought she'd have their diamonds.
Suddenly her captor released her, her freedom so abrupt she stumbled forward. Penny twisted around, but there was nothing there expect a strand of sea oats, their long slender reeds whispering toward the ocean. Her gaze shot around her, to the watery footprints in the sand and she headed in the opposite direction, toward the open shore line, then bolted toward the house.
Someone you love will pay.
Dear God. Margaret, Hank.
Ramsey.
She tore open the back porch door, running through the long butler's pantry. "Margaret! Hank!"
Margaret stepped into the kitchen from the front of the house, dropping the laundry to catch her. "For the love of Mike—"
"Are you all right? Are you!" she demanded, breathless shaking her when she didn't answer.
Margaret frowned. "Sure, honey, sure."
"Hank!" Penny called.
"Here girl," he said, coming around the corner.
"Oh thank God!" Penny stretched out one hand for him and he took it, recognizing her fear and wrapping his arms around both women. "I thought you were hurt," she said, hugging th housekeeper, fighting sudden tears.
"We're fine, honey." Margaret patted her back like a lost child. "We are." Margaret frowned at Hank and he shrugged "Now what happ—"
Ramsey burst into the house, Anthony at his heels and the group separated, Ram's gaze immediately lighting on the red hand print across Penelope's cheek and mouth.
His eyes darkened to near black, his body coiled tight. "Are you harmed?" he said in a chilling whisper.
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She shook her head and even across the kitchen table she could sense him, his escalating fury, his quick breathing, the flex of muscle as he drew a plain black tee shirt over his head and chest while she told him what happened. And though Margaret, Hank, and Anthony were firing questions at her, Ramsey didn't so much as blink,
"Stay here." He pointed at her, then left the house.
"But they're gone," she tried to tell him, following. He ran across the beach, his head twisting and turning. A man approached, wearing cut-off jeans and a tank top and Ramsey towered over him, his biting tone recognizable even at the distance. Immediately they separated, searching for several tense moments before Ramsey called out.
Penny and Anthony came upon him bent over a prone body, gently helping a surfer sit up.
"I was so close and didn't see him," she said, numbly bending to pick up the flower her assailant crushed.
"I'll call the police," Anthony said.
"Nay!" Ram pressed a handkerchief to the man's bloody temple. "He works for me." "I didn't hear him, Captain, sorry," the surfer said, reaching out to pluck a blood-stained rock from the sand. "Must have used a sling-shot to get me that far way."
"Ramsey." A frightened demand, and he twisted a look up at her, his gaze dropping briefly to the bruised yellow flower she offered.
"They are here to protect you, Penelope, for I cannot be everywhere."
Except with me, she thought as Cut-offs approached, speaking into a hand radio, looking around, then motioning to people she couldn't see. Then did. Four men and two women, dressed in an assortment of swim trunks, bikinis, and work clothes came from different points on the grounds. And they had guns.
"How long have they been here?"
"Nigh on a week. Noal selected them." He rose to his feet, ignoring Penelope as the bodyguards helped their own.
Anthony rubbed his sore jaw, his gaze shooting between Penelope, Ramsey, and the retreating guards. Ramsey knows
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something the rest of us don't, he thought as Penny caught Ramsey's arm, forcing him to look at her.
"You couldn't spare a minute to tell me," she said, her voice edged.
"You did not seem interested in the happenings of others, nor this household."
Her eyes narrowed to mere slits, the dig too close. "If I'd seen one of theses people lurking around the house and called the police, they could have been hurt and then we'd all look like fools."
"God forbid your public think you a
ught but a human being," he growled down at her and she lost her grip, her face flaming.
"Damn you, Ramsey," she hissed softly. "This is my property and—"
"Your house. I am well aware of that, but as you can see, 'twas necessary." A pause and then, "You promised not to leave the grounds."
"I needed to get away."
From you, she was saying. God did she despise him that much?
Her eyes widened suddenly and she closed the space between them. "You've known all along what they wanted."
His gaze drifted above her, still searching for intruders. "Since the attack last week, aye."
"How?"
"Tess." He brought his gaze back to hers. " 'Twas her theft that started this in the first place."
"No. I did."
He didn't comment, a muscle working in his jaw as he waited for her to confess, but she offered naught. "Speak naught of this to anyone," he ordered, then spun about and stalked to the house. Penny watched him go, too stunned to move.
Diamonds. That's what was in the packet. No wonder they chased Tess for so long. It's my fault. Oh God, does he know about the evidence, she wondered frantically, then traced his footsteps up the back porch and into the house.
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Anthony limped along, and she slowed her pace, frowning as she held the back door for him.
"You look like you kissed the bumper of a semi."
"Took you long enough to notice."
Her expression turned affectionately contrite, enough to satisfy him, yet as she shoved her hair off her forehead, Anthony noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes. Whatever was going on, or rather not going on between her and Ramsey, was having a definite effect on her. The moment he arrived, Anthony felt the tension, as if he'd walked into a crystal room, everyone treading on tiptoe to keep the walls from shattering. That an attack on her didn't break it, told him Penny and Ramsey had a long way to go to get back to each other.
"What diamonds were they talking about, Penelope?"
"Evidently in the package Tess stole for me—"
"I warned you that was going to explode—"
"—had a littie something extra," she said through gritted teeth, painfully aware of her mistakes coming back to haunt.
"Phalon did this," he indicated the attempt on her life. "Sloane isn't smart enough for the slickness of that assault."
She stopped and looked at him. "Don't put anything past her, Tony. She's had it in for Tess and me since college. Because of one lousy dinner date years ago, she thinks I ruined her chances with the love of her life."
His expression was doubtful. "A bit far for the woman scorned, don't you think?"
' 'Who knows how her mind works? He dumped her to date me."
He fanned his fingers beneath his bearded chin.' 'But it didn't last."
Nothing does with me, she thought, then said, "We both had our reasons, but I can't be held accountable for her insecurities. God, I wish she'd just grow up."
"Do you realize what this could do to your career," his voice was hushed, "if anyone discovers what Tess did for you and why?"
They'd know she was weak and worthless, without control, not to mention the spotless reputation she'd struggled for years
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to keep would be ruined. ' 'I'm very aware of the consequences, Tony." She looked him in the eye. "And I don't care anymore." His features tightened. "It already cost me my best friend. I can't—no, I refuse to allow my problems to hurt Margaret or Hank ... or Ramsey."
Anthony rubbed his beard, chin whiskers rasping and he was glad she finally had her priorities straight. At least he hoped.
"So, why did you slink off and not tell me where you were going?"
Subject dropped, Anthony thought, watching her move down the back hall toward the study.
"I was in the Philippines."
Penny paled and spun about. "Jesus, Tony! What the hell for?"
Ramsey poked his head out of the study, a dark scowl shaping his face and Anthony glanced cautiously between the couple.
He'd heard it all, Anthony thought, then nodded to the study. "Perhaps we should discuss this in private."
Ram stepped back, waiting til they passed afore shutting the door. Folding his arms over his chest, he leaned back against the wood, staring at Penelope with an uneasy mix of fury and longing.
"Why did you go there again?" Penny demanded the instant the door closed.
"For Ramsey."
Slowly Ram lowered his arms and straightened. "You were beaten to a pulp for me?''
"Hardly." Anthony smirked. "But you needed this." He dipped his hand inside his coat and withdrew a wide slip of paper.
Penny stared at it, and she was suddenly fifteeen again, needing a name, a birth date, anew life. "It's a birth certificate," Penny said without opening it. She turned her gaze to Ramsey. "It makes you legal, proof of who you are. And it's forged."
"What!"
"Of course it's forged. There isn't any record of you, Ram."
"So you took it upon yourself to invent one?" His face went molten with suppressed rage.' 'My God, man, you're a barrister.
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'Tis breakin' the law! And by Jesus, I'll not have to prove who I am to anyone!"
"Yes, you will," Penny said, stepping between the men, facing Ramsey. "If you want a driver's license, a checking account, a house or do damn near anything."
"And Immigration is looking for you," Anthony put in. "The Bahama Air Sea and Rescue Association had to register your rescue and your lack of papers. There were two calls on my machine from an Agent Torres of the Justice Department. He's given us one week to supply him with proper documents or Immigration steps in. A copy if this—" he flicked the paper—"was sent to him by overnight express today."
"Damn you to hell, Welshman," came in a grating hush.
' 'Ramsey." Penny moved closer but he ignored her presence, his gaze on Anthony. "Tony risked his life for that. The Philippines, the area he had to go, is not the safest in the world." No effect, not even a flicker. "Look at him, for heaven's sake! And he called in a lot of favors to get that certificate slipped into a file somewhere."
Ramsey's features remained sharp and glacial, his gaze knifing the Welshman.
"Ramsey, look at me."
He did and her heart twisted; he looked as if he could eat glass. He was an honorable man, more than any she'd met before, and it hurt somewhere deep inside her to see him this torn. "There wasn't any other choice and you know it."
Ram lowered his gaze to hers, reason and logic racing through his brain. 'Twas true, but it soured in his mouth to live a lie. Finally his shoulders sagged and he accepted the certificate, smoothing his thumb over the raised seal of the state of Massachusetts. "At least you've aged me proper," fie muttered and Penny and Anthony exchanged uneasy glances.
"There is another alternative," Anthony said and waited until Penny and Ram looked at him. "You two could get married."
"Forget it," Penny blurted and her doubtless answer felt like a blade pushed deep into Ram's soul.
"Aye, for I will fight to remain in me country." He looked
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down at her, his hurt manifested in his harsh tone. "But I'll not spend me life with a chilling wench for wife."
"Especially when I'm not the one you want," she returned hotly.
A denial trembled on the edge of his tongue, but her rejection bit it back. " 'Tis no matter then. For Antony has returned and my promise is fulfilled. I shall be gone afore night fall." Ram bowed and turned to leave and Anthony saw panic strike across her face.
"As much as I don't want to get into this," Anthony said with enough volume to make Ram stop—"I do have a life and a string of clients who need pampering. I can't stay." Anthony looked at Penelope, his tone that of her lawyer.* 'Short of laying land mines on the beach, this house is vulnerable and if you do not let Ramsey see to your safety, then I'll cal
l the studio and this place will be swarming with security within the hour."
"You wouldn't."
His look warned her not to press him. "They don't pay those outrageous insurance premiums for nothing, Penny. You're under contract, an asset, and until you finish your next picture, you belong to them."
Her lips thinned with distaste. "Stop treating me like I can't take care of myself. I have, for years, and you know better than anyone I've survived much worse without his—" she flicked a hand toward Ramsey—"protection."
Ramsey advanced on her, scowling like black thunder, stalking her until she backed up against the mantel. He reached passed her head, his hand coming back with a flower identical to the one her assailant had crushed. 'Twas sadistic satisfaction as her face drained of color and he arched a brow, waiting for her to comment on how easy one could gain access to her. No matter how many guns and men surrounded her. She brushed him aside, leaving her jailers alone, venting her embarrassment and anger by slamming the door.
Anthony whistled softly and smiled.
"That is the most stubborn hard-headed woman!" Ram hissed, his gaze on the door.
"Just finding that out?"
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Ram scoffed, rubbing a hand over his face.
"By the way. I know who you are."
Ramsey stiffened, lowering his hand to look at Anthony. Apprehension slithered through him. "I should hope so, after all you've done on my behalf."
Anthony rested his hip on the edge of the desk. "You're from another time."
Rams's eyes flared, his body still as glass.
"I don't know how you got here, exactly, but I suspect it has to do with Tess and her disappearance.'' When Ramsey looked as if he'd deny it. Anthony pressed. "You can't hide it, Ramsey, not from me, at least. You're marked by your time. And it's all too pat, you turning up in the Bahamas, the coins, the endowments from Lloyds, your initials on the chest. And that astrolabe. There hasn't been one discovered in such perfect condition in a hundred seventy-five years."
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