“I love you,” he whispered against her shoulder.
“And I love you,” she murmured, breathing heavily.
“Can I ask you something?”
She pulled away slightly, staring down into his eyes. “Is something the matter?”
He shook his head. “No, it is nothing of the sort.” He smiled warmly. “I was wondering if you might do me the honor of becoming my wife? If you were to agree, I thought that, after we have returned to Westport, we might sail up the coast to Scotland. There, we can elope to Gretna Green, and be married without intrusion, so that nobody will be able to come between us.”
She kissed him with such passion he thought he might burst. “I will, my love. It would be my greatest joy to be your wife. I will marry you. Oh, Simon, I will marry you.”
He kissed her back, thrilled by her acceptance. He had been so afraid that she might refuse, though he could see, now, that he had been foolish to think that way. She loved him, and he loved her. And nothing in this world could alter that.
For the first time in his life, he found himself eager to return to England. There, he would marry Jemima, if she would have him. And, in doing so, she would make him the happiest gentleman across every one of the seven seas. As soon as she was his wife, she would no longer have to worry about the gentleman whom she had escaped, as that was a bond that could not be broken. Not by him, whoever he was, and not by the law.
A few more weeks, and we will be bound together for the rest of our lives. Surely, nothing could happen in those weeks that might threaten their joy? Surely, if they had been brought together like this, no power would be so cruel as to separate them?
* * *
Leaving Simon’s bedchamber with a smile upon her face, Jemima felt everything was right with the world. And yet, one nagging problem remained. Harry had not yet given her an answer, and they were due to arrive in Cape Verde the following day.
With no other choice, she did not go to her own bedchamber. Instead, she hurried out of the Captain’s quarters and made for the brig. Harry was standing at the bars when she arrived, a smirk upon his face. So, you wanted me to come to you? Is that it?
“Here you are,” he purred. “I wondered how long it’d take ye.”
“Do you have a decision for me or not?” Jemima shot back, irritated that this vile specimen had ruined her otherwise blissful evening.
He nodded. “I do.”
“And what might it be?”
“I’ll accept yer offer.”
A wave of relief washed over her. “I am glad to hear it.” Although, she realized she could not go to Simon or Captain McMorrow about this. He had left it much too late for her to be able to persuade them to set Harry free. And she was almost certain that Simon would not agree to it, for the sake of her protection.
“I’d like to see how you’ll persuade ‘em, mind.” It was almost as though Harry could read her mind.
“I will arrange it, worry not.”
“Be sure that ye do, or else I tell everyone yer little secret.”
“I will see to it,” she replied curtly.
As she left, a plan began to form in her mind. A plan that would see Harry imprisoned, whilst preventing anyone from being able to do anything about her true identity. It was a plan that she was sure Simon would agree to. All she needed to do was get him to keep Harry aboard the ship until they had sailed to Scotland, where they would marry. Once they were unified in the eyes of the law, and of God, Harry could say whatever he liked to the authorities. It would not matter.
They could return to Westport, where Harry could be handed over to the British Navy, to stand trial for his crimes. Even if it were to cause a stir, it would have no effect upon them. Harry did not know her true name, and so, he could not tell anyone who she really was. All he could say was that she had disguised herself as a gentleman, but there would be no trail for the gossipmongers to follow. She had committed no crime. She could not be punished for what she had done.
Only Lord Beaurgant could stake a claim to her, but he would not know anything about it. He sought Lady Jemima Livington, not Miss Jemima Barton. Even if he were to read something, and suspect her true identity, it would be too late for him to intervene. She would be married to another by then.
She smiled to herself as she went to tell Simon about it, in the hopes that he would agree. It is the perfect plan. There was no possible way that it could be ruined.
Chapter 31
The following day, the Evening Star arrived in Cape Verde.
Jemima had come to Simon again the previous night and told him of her plan. He had agreed that it would be the best course of action and had instructed James of the change in their dealings with Harry. Jemima’s security was paramount, and he would do all he could to ensure it.
“And you are sure this is the right thing to do? You realize that it means taking Harry all the way back to England?” James frowned in concern.
Simon nodded. “This must be done, for all of our sakes. The British Navy cannot find out about Barton’s true identity. They will insist that she is returned to England, on their terms, and I cannot allow that.”
James shrugged. “As you wish. I confess, I was looking forward to being rid of the wretch, but I suppose it makes more sense to return him to England, where he can be dealt with on home ground. The prisons here are notorious for being lax in their security, and I would not have Harry loose again.”
“Then, we are agreed?”
He nodded. “We are agreed.”
“Now, I must go to speak with our suppliers in Praia, to arrange delivery of our cargo. Can you oversee things whilst I am abroad?”
“I suppose I must.” James grinned irreverently.
“Thank you, James. I do not know what I would do without you.”
“Be living a miserable life in your grand estate?”
Simon chuckled. “Yes, that is likely correct.”
Leaving James at the top of the gangway, Simon headed into the port town. He had urged Jemima to remain hidden whilst they were here, for Cape Verde was known to be somewhat dangerous. Pirates still abounded in these waters, and he did not want any harm befalling her. She had tried to protest, wanting to see Praia for herself, but he had managed to convince her that it was not a good idea.
In truth, even he felt somewhat unnerved by this place.
* * *
Jemima peered around the door to her bedchamber, her curiosity piqued by the sound of voices in the main area of the Captain’s quarters. Keeping back behind the wall and peeking through the crack between the door and the frame, she found Captain McMorrow standing on the far side of the room with a gentleman she did not recognize. They were talking in low voices, and the Captain looked worried.
“Thank you for telling me and thank you for waiting whilst I penned a reply,” he said quietly. “I will ensure this is dealt with as soon as possible, once His Lordship returns.”
A reply to what? She frowned as she continued to watch their exchange.
The other gentleman—a wiry figure with curly gray hair and pale brown eyes—nodded graciously. “I am only grateful that I found you when I did, for we are due to sail shortly.”
“Yes, it is fortunate indeed.”
“Well then, I will take my leave of you, and thank you again.” The stranger dipped his head in a bow, before leaving the Captain’s quarters. Captain McMorrow paced for a while, before Jemima mustered the courage to exit her room and confront him.
“What were you speaking of?” she said, approaching him.
His head whipped around in surprise. “Miss Barton? I did not realize you were still here. I thought you would be in the galley with Ben?”
“His Lordship told me to remain here.” And I am glad that I did. She sensed something amiss in Captain McMorrow’s behavior, though she did not know what. “Now, I ask again, what were you speaking of with that gentleman?”
Captain McMorrow sighed. “There has been news of one of His Lordsh
ip’s vessels. It was attacked by pirates not far from here and has been sunk. All of the British ships are leaving as soon as they are able, for it appears as though they are targeting those with our flag, specifically. That gentleman had come from another vessel, in order to warn us.”
Jemima’s eyes widened. “One of his ships has been sunk?”
“It would seem so.”
“What reply did you give that gentleman?”
Captain McMorrow narrowed his eyes. “You should not be eavesdropping, Miss Barton. However, if you must know, I sent a letter with him, to give to the Dock Office in Westport, as they will arrive there shortly before us. It details the cargo that would have been lost aboard that ship, so that they can remove it from their inventory and take it out of the auction.”
“Oh.” Jemima felt a twinge of guilt for being so confrontational. She blamed all of this on the to-do with Harry, for it had set her nerves on edge, making her increasingly wary in this current port. With the British Navy so close, she was living in constant fear of being discovered. Truthfully, she knew she would not be able to settle again until they departed from this place, especially now that she knew there were pirates afoot.
“It is dire, indeed,” Captain McMorrow said, with a sigh.
Jemima dropped her chin to her chest. “I am sorry if I appeared rude just then. I am rather nervous at present.”
He smiled at her. “I do not blame you, Miss Barton. I know you have been under a great deal of strain, thanks to Harry and his misdeeds. But he will be punished, in due course, once you and His Lordship are wed.”
“You know of that?”
He chuckled. “I do, Miss Barton. His Lordship tells me everything.”
She paled. “Everything?”
“Well, as long as it is proper.” Captain McMorrow cast her a knowing glance that made her cheeks burn. She knew that Simon could not have told him what had occurred between the two of them in the tin bath, but he evidently suspected that they had grown closer.
“I will retire to my chambers. Please, rouse me when His Lordship returns. I should like to present when you speak with him.”
Captain McMorrow nodded. “I will, Miss Barton.”
Jemima retreated into her room and closed the door. She had thought to take an afternoon rest, but now she felt no desire to sleep. Her mind raced in time with her heart, as she contemplated the terrible thing that the Captain had just revealed to her. Simon would be heartbroken, and she knew it would spur him on to return to England as swiftly as he was able.
She was looking forward to marrying him, upon their return, but she wished they could be voyaging back under more pleasant circumstances. More than that, she feared what might be awaiting them on the high seas. If these pirates had taken one of Simon’s ships, there was nothing to stop them from sinking another.
* * *
“Are you sure of this?” Simon muttered. He had returned from Praia five minutes ago, to find James in a state of deep worry.
James nodded. “I am certain. A gentleman came to inform me. The other ships are leaving shortly, and we ought to do the same.”
Simon shook his head. “We must wait for the delivery to arrive.”
“And when will that be?”
“They said within the hour.”
James sighed nervously. “Then, I suppose we must wait. After all, you cannot afford to neglect this cargo, after losing the contents of the Winter Hearth.”
“Precisely.” Simon was torn. He had a duty of care towards Jemima, and had sworn to defend her, but he could not leave Praia until the cargo had arrived. He feared that might leave them vulnerable, for if they were the final British ship in the port, then they would almost certainly be targeted.
It is an hour. We can wait an hour. He only hoped that it would be a risk worth taking.
Just then, as though brought by his concerns, Jemima appeared from her bedchamber and ran towards him, throwing her arms about his neck. He held her close, lowering his defenses for one tender moment, regardless of who might see. Brockmire had not made an appearance, and James already knew of their relationship, so he did not see any harm in a brief indulgence.
“It is awful, is it not?” she murmured, holding his face in her hands.
He nodded. “It is, my love. But we will soon be gone from this place, I assure you.”
“Do you believe that we might be under threat?”
“I cannot say for sure, my love, but we only have to remain here for an hour more. And then, we can set sail for England, where there will be nothing more to worry about.” He kissed her cheek, conscious of James staring at them.
“You will not change your mind about allowing me to accompany on your future voyages?” She held his gaze. “I know you will likely be concerned, but if we are to be wed, I cannot be separated from you for months at a time.”
He shook his head. “I am worried, my love, but I will not abandon you in England. I have made you a promise, to keep you at my side, and I will not take that away.”
“Oh, I am glad.” She hugged him tighter. “I thought you might begin to doubt the sense in it, but if you are to put yourself in dangerous situations, I must be allowed to endure them with you.”
He chuckled. “You are a wonder, Miss Barton.”
“Only because you allow me to be, my darling.” She kissed his shoulder secretly, out of sight of James. It made him smile, to feel that gentle pressure against him.
“Until we depart, you must return to your chambers and stay there. I have much to attend to, to quicken the pace of this imminent delivery. It will be safer if you are not seen,” he urged.
She nodded. “As you wish, my dear. I will await your return.”
He kissed her gently on the forehead. “I will not be gone long.”
As he watched her return to her bedchamber, Simon began to wonder if there was some truth in what Jemima had said. Could he really ask her to endure this life with him? Was it fair to do so? He realized he had been somewhat selfish, in desiring to have her at his side. And yet, he did not think he would ever be able to persuade her to remain in England.
“She is tougher than you think,” James said, distracting Simon from his thoughts.
“Pardon?”
“Miss Barton is far stronger than you believe. She may appear fragile and feminine, but she managed to run through this world alone, before you stepped in to protect her. She will be well, for she certainly has her wits about her.”
Simon sighed. “Do you truly think so?”
“She took it upon herself to evade a gentleman she did not wish to wed, and she did so in the most dynamic manner. She is decisive and bold, and somewhat cunning. I imagine she would give any pirate some trouble, if they ever tried to harm her. Or you, for that matter.”
“I hope that you are right,” Simon replied. He wanted to believe that, but he could not shake the eerie sensation that someone might harm her. And he would be unable to do a thing to stop them.
In truth, it had become his greatest fear, for now he had something truly precious to lose.
Chapter 32
Three weeks later, Peter found himself back in the Dock Office, approaching the desk of Jonathan Brake. The gentlemen looked up in surprise, riffling through the pile of letters before Peter had even reached him.
“I have some correspondence for you, Sir,” he said proudly.
Peter smiled. “You do?”
“Yes, it arrived this morning on Flight of Fortitude.”
Peter’s eyes widened, for he knew that was the vessel that had been destined for Cape Verde. The very same destination that the Evening Star had been headed for. He snatched the letter from Jonathan’s hand and turned away, tearing it open as he stalked towards the grand foyer of the building. His eyes devoured the contents, for he had not received any word from any of the other ships that had delivered his letters.
Dear Lord Beaurgant,
I’m writing to you in something of a hurry, from the port of Pra
ia in Cape Verde. I’ve sent this with a gentleman from the Flight of Fortitude, who came to me after receiving a letter from you, regarding a missing young lady who may be masquerading as a gentleman. We almost missed one another, but he saw our ship come in and sought me out immediately. He didn’t realize that there was a higher authority, and so his letter did not reach His Lordship. It came solely to me, which I hope will grant you the element of surprise, upon our return.
A Ravishing Night With The Mysterious Earl (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 22
