The Captain's Conquest

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  “I am well.” He frowned. “I did not disrupt your sleep last night?”

  “As your wife, any disruption is an opportunity to pray and serve you.” She reached up with a gloved hand to caress his cheek. “I can always rest in the carriage should I need to.”

  Jared took her hand, lifted it to his lips, placed a kiss there, and handed her up.

  He took his seat and started the horses on the road to their next stop in Edinburgh. They finally arrived at the crossing at North Queensferry. Jared escorted the ladies into a private dining room for an early lunch while he arranged for their crossing. Afterward, he came and escorted the women, carriage, and horses to the Signal House until departure.

  The ladies were seated on a bench to wait as other passengers gathered. He kept his expression neutral as he surveyed the milling people around them, mostly Scotsmen and women dressed in worn clothes but with ruddy and cheerful expressions. He generally found most Scottish people to be a friendly lot although he had no doubt that if he crossed them, they could be equally deadly.

  Soon it was time for the crossing.

  The ladies chose to stay in the carriage.

  Jared stood by the horses’ heads holding the leads. The day turned dark and grey and a storm erupted overhead drenching those who stood outside. Jared shivered as the cold drops of rain soaked his coat and waistcoat, and dripped off the top of his hat. He was grateful that although it was hot in the carriage, the women were at least dry. And armed.

  A shot rang out.

  A man yelped as he dropped out of the now open door of the carriage.

  Jared ran to the man and lifted him up by his shirt. The man was bleeding from his upper arm and livid. His hair was plastered to his red face and foul language spewed from his mouth. At least Jared assumed it was foul since it was spoken in Gaelic. The man struggled against Jared’s grip and tried to lash out at him but was forestalled by two other men, who dragged him away after berating and cuffing him with a couple of large fists.

  Lucy appeared in the doorway as the rain continued to pour down. “He tried to force himself in here and made threatening comments.”

  Jared looked up at her fresh and innocent face. “You did well, Lucy. A wife worthy of any Captain.”

  “Good, since I’m married to one.” She backed into the carriage with a wink to him as she closed the door.

  Jared took a deep breath and went back to the horses’ heads. They soon docked, and Jared was heartily grateful to be back on land. They drove past South Queensferry and on to Inverness. Jared wondered at the wisdom of going to such a big city but couldn’t find any way around it. He traveled to the south edge of the city, pulled into The Quilted Kilt, and sought out the necessary rooms.

  Jared collapsed into the chair by the fire.

  The maid brought in the hot water and filled the tub.

  Lucy paced as Agnes unpacked the items necessary for her mistress’s comfort.

  Jared reluctantly rose and went to the door to give Lucy her privacy. She met him at the door and clasped his arm. She rose on her tiptoes and in sotto voce said, “A true husband wouldn’t need to leave, but could share this bath.” A rosy blush came over her cheeks and he saw the invitation in her eyes.

  Longing welled up within and he struggled to resist the temptation she offered. All his dreams never conjured up this. He gulped, lowered his head to hers, wrapped an arm around her waist, drew her close, and kissed her. He pulled away, gave her a slight bow, and left the room.

  He entered the public room, asked for a scotch whiskey, and pounded the drink down reveling in the burn. He closed his eyes to hold back the tears and only saw his imaginings of what was taking place upstairs. He ordered a second and sipped that one as the locals mingled. He stood when he figured enough time had elapsed. He struggled to keep his feet under him and chuckled. It had been a long time since he had been this drunk. It was a potentially fatal thing to do in his line of work. He cursed himself. He was on the job and had just compromised his mission. He shook his head in an effort to see clearly but the dizziness only increased. He stumbled up the stairs and was let into the room.

  His pixie bride was dressed in a nightrail that covered her to her toes. Her hair was unbound. Her eyes showed concern as she helped him to a chair. “Are you unwell?”

  “Drunk.”

  She frowned, untied his cravat and removed his boots. She began to unbutton his waistcoat and he waved her off. “I…can do it myself.” Did he slur? He fumbled with the buttons, removed his coat and waistcoat, and rose on shaky knees. He reached for his shirt to pull it over his head.

  “Jared?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Normally you do that behind the screen.”

  “You afraid to see my stripes? I’m done up like a tiger.” He gave a growl and giggled like a schoolgirl.

  She blushed as he pulled the shirt off. She came near and turned to trace one of the scars.

  Senses he hoped would be deadened by the liquor sprang to life. He growled, turned to draw her into his arms, and kissed her.

  She pulled back. “Jared?”

  “I want you, my pixie bride.”

  She smiled and pulled him toward the bed. “I’m yours. I belong only to you.”

  He drew her onto the bed with him, pulling her close for another mind-numbing kiss.

  ~*~

  Lucy traced the strong chin and delighted in the freedom to play with his hair as he snored next to her. She snuggled into his arms and he pulled her close, seeming to need her even in his sleep. She smiled that at least she had that this night.

  She was awake before him in the morning, and kissed him into consciousness.

  His blue eyes fluttered open.

  She kissed his lips and let it linger until he responded. She pulled back and smiled down at him. “Good morning, husband.”

  Jared startled and blinked rapidly.

  Lucy laid her hand on his naked chest, feeling the hairs there that intrigued her so much.

  “Lucy, I don’t remember much of last night. Did we…did I…?”

  “Consummate our marriage?” Her heart warmed. “No, Jared, much to my disappointment, you fell asleep with your kiss on my lips.”

  Jared visibly relaxed and closed his eyes. He threw one arm up over his forehead.

  Lucy moved to rise but he caught her with his free hand. “I’m sorry, Luce.”

  “What are you apologizing for? For not making me your wife in truth or for giving into temptation when you had determined not to?”

  Jared frowned. “Both. Luce, you are my light and my grace. I cannot imagine my life without you but you deserve better than me and I’m trying hard to treat you with honor, but…”

  “But if your brother found you in bed with me he would insist we marry posthaste.”

  “Yes.”

  “So, what is the problem? We are already wed, and I have no desire for an annulment. Do you find me unattractive?”

  Jared sighed. “You are perhaps the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, inside and out, and I desire you more than you realize. Please don’t torture me while I try to be honorable. I am but a man and can only be pushed so far, and I would be loath to have you attached to me only to regret it later.”

  “You assume I am too feeble to know my own mind?” Lucy sat back and jerked her hand out of his grasp.

  “Luce, it’s not you. The night I hit you in the midst of my nightmare proved to me that I am not fit to be a husband to any woman.”

  “You are a man with needs, you will seek to fill those elsewhere?”

  “As a follower of Christ that option is not open to me.”

  “So, you will remain celibate the rest of your days?”

  Jared’s teeth clenched tight. He refused to answer her. She reached for a glass of water by the bed and tossed its contents in his face. He jerked upright and sputtered as drops of water dribbled down. His brows lowered. He glared at her.

  “You don’t want to be tempted. What
about me? Everything about you tempts me and I’m a married virgin. In the eyes of any gently bred person—even if you never touch me—you have ruined me for any other man. None could compare to you for your courage, your integrity, or your devotion to your duty. I am far more than a duty, Jared. I’m not a package to be delivered to London. I. Am. Your. Wife.”

  She crossed over to the fire and hugged herself tight as the tears flowed and sobs wracked her body. She hadn’t felt this level of grief since she buried her mother. The sense of abandonment was profound. If she did not have Jared, she had no one. She knew not her half-brother or her nephew and sister-in-law. They were strangers to her.

  His touch made her jerk away. “Don’t…”

  “Luce…”

  She shook her head and put her hands over her ears.

  He came around to the front of her, now wearing a shirt that hung open at the collar exposing those intriguing hairs. He used a finger to force her face up to his and she reluctantly met his gaze. A handkerchief dabbed at the tears. He pulled her to his chest and held her close.

  She lifted her hands from her ears and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  The sound of a carriage and the shouts of people below in the courtyard stole his attention and he rushed to the window to glance out. “Luce, we need to make haste.” He glanced over at her. “Would that we could make you appear like a boy.”

  “A boy?”

  “Lord Winter is here. We’ve recently discovered that he is one of your father’s henchmen and as evil as they come. I’ve never personally met him, but I have no doubt he is in pursuit of you—and me. If we could but disguise you.”

  He knocked on the adjoining door to call for Agnes. He explained the dire situation and the abigail left to discreetly see if she could find an outfit suitable for Lucy.

  “A boy? You want to make me look like a boy?” She motioned to her chest.

  “It won’t be easy, and I hate to ask this, but how do you feel about your hair?”

  “My hair?”

  Dread pooled in her stomach as Jared stalked over to her. “Yes, I think we may need to cut your beautiful hair.”

  She sniffed and nodded. “Whatever it takes, Jared.”

  He frowned at her. “I’m sorry, Luce, but the one thing Lord Winter loves is beautiful young virgins, and he would not hesitate to use you abominably before he sacrificed you. He may try to make you believe he’ll take you to your father but he wouldn’t hesitate to use you as a pawn to gain the Duke’s favor and resources. You would be tortured in the process.”

  She frowned. “How do you know this?”

  “Lord Phillip’s wife, Beth, was almost a victim of his. He is a bloodthirsty man.”

  14

  Jared went to prepare the carriage.

  Agnes worked to get Lucy to look like a boy. They agreed she would be Luke.

  Nothing could have prepared him for the slight young man who came to stand before him and offered to hold the horses’ heads while he loaded up the carriage and placed Scallywag inside.

  “You too, Luke. Get in.”

  “I’d like to ride up on top with you for a while. I get tired of being cooped up in the carriage.”

  Jared caught himself from helping her up to the lofty perch on the carriage, but he needn’t have worried. Lucy/Luke was as nimble as a goat. He sat down next to her and smiled. Thigh to thigh he would be close to her for part of their ride which was equal parts delight and torture. In spite of their argument this morning, Lucy was at peace with him for the nonce.

  “I hate to say this, Luke, knowing how much trouble you had to go through, but you smell like a woman.”

  She wagged her eyebrows. “I guess I’ll need to make sure no one else comes close enough to catch a whiff. Or do you suggest I roll in the dirt?”

  “No, you’ll get enough of that sitting up here. I’m sorry I made you do this.”

  She shrugged. “One more piece to our adventure.”

  “One step more in your path to scandalizing society should this ever be made known.”

  “If I become a pariah, would you still want me?”

  “I would always want you, no matter what society decrees.”

  “Oh, so if I’m ruined it’s all right for you to love me, but not if I am a proper daughter of a Duke?”

  Jared swallowed. “Something like that. But remember, it’s not safe for any woman to be my wife. It is nothing against you as a woman…or a friend.”

  “Can you be friends with a woman and not want more?”

  Jared shrugged. “I never tried.”

  “Well I tried to be friends with a man and found it will not do for me.”

  He jerked his face to hers.

  She stared straight ahead. Her legs were slightly open just like a young stable boy and she gripped the side of the carriage for balance. Her shorn locks appeared appropriately boyish under the cap she wore.

  He wondered where her curves went and was surprised at how well Agnes managed to hide them. He knew they were there and wished he were the one to unwrap them tonight. He shifted in his seat and growled as he urged the horses forward.

  “Will you teach me to drive?”

  ~*~

  She mourned the loss of her curly locks. They had cleaned them up and wrapped them in paper so as not to leave any clues in the room. With her dyed short hair, the hat, boots, and all the trappings of a young man, Lucy was shocked and pleased that she could physically pull it off. She’d witnessed the banked lust that simmered behind Jared’s cool blue gaze this morning when she’d looked like a young woman. His surprise at her boyish appearance now was amusing.

  Sitting on the bench was something she couldn’t do as a woman, so she reveled in the freedom of being closer to Jared even now in the tedium of their journey. Asking him to teach her to drive was inspired and she relished him holding her hands as he taught her how to hold the reins and control the two old horses pulling the carriage.

  She went over their argument and came up with no good answers for the barriers that stood between them and a happily-ever-after. She would gladly give up any title or claim to an inheritance if it meant she could have Jared forever. She was grateful for every day that she could look in his eyes, see his smile, or enjoy his kisses.

  She was courting scandal all along this trip to London and she wondered at the larger purpose of it all. God, what is this all about? Did you arrange this so I could find my one true love in Jared? Or am I a pawn in a larger battle going on? She didn’t think Jared had any more insight into it than she did. He had given no indication of it. Maybe he was also concerned about what would happen in London. If it came down to doing his duty and protecting her, where would his allegiance be? The thought sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

  “Are you well, Luke?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “As weel then as I can be given our circumstances.”

  “What would you wish was different? Wait…I’m not sure I really want you to answer that.” He gave her a wry grin.

  She mirrored his smile. “In an ideal world?”

  “I guess.”

  “I would love to live in the country with the noblest man of my acquaintance and make love to him day and night and litter the countryside with our precocious offspring.”

  Red color surged into Jared’s face as he shifted in his seat. Their thighs touched and it spread warmth through her.

  “No balls and feasts in your honor? No visiting with royalty? No shopping expeditions and new bonnets and all the falderals that women are supposed to like?”

  “I was never raised with those things. I could be polished to an aristocratic sheen enough to please those in London, I am sure. I have no desire to even try. I also have no desire to be fawned over or panted at by men because they think I’m pretty or they are after my inheritance.”

  Jared’s left eyebrow quirked.

  “If I cannot have what I desire, a small cottage on the Loch Ness will suit me fine.”
/>   His Adam’s apple bobbed.

  “You would return to Scotland?”

  Lucy turned away, handing the reins off to him. She never imagined leaving her little cottage and the wild beauty of the Loch Ness or Aldourie Castle. She had friends there and had been safe and secure.

  She did not possess the love of the man she adored. Without that, no place she would live would satisfy. A heavy cloak of darkness wrapped around her soul and the will to live seeped out. What is the point, Lord, of going on if I have to do it alone? Or in a marriage with a man who doesn’t understand or accept me as Jared does?

  “Luce?”

  “It’s Luke, remember? I think we need to stop soon. I suspect Scallywag is in need of a break.”

  Jared pulled over on a stretch of road and they dismounted.

  Everyone saw to their own needs one at a time.

  When it was time to depart, Lucy went to sit in the carriage with Agnes and the lamb.

  She wished she were a man in some respects because right now she wanted to kick someone. Or punch them. Decidedly unladylike pursuits. She checked her gun as she glanced out the back window.

  “What has ye all in a dither now, lass?” Agnes set her sewing down and wiped her brow with a kerchief.

  “Men, this stupid war, and my stinking inheritance.”

  “By men, I assume you mean the handsome gent who is driving this carriage?”

  Lucy nodded.

  “Give him time, milady. Some men are a bit slow when it comes to love.”

  “You never married, did you Agnes?”

  A pained look crossed the woman’s countenance. “Nae. Never married but I ‘twas once in love.”

  “What happened?”

  “War.”

  “Oh. I am terribly sorry.” Lucy reached over to touch the woman’s hand.

  “’Tis no matter now. Many years ’ave passed and yet I love ’im still.”

  “Was there an understanding?”

  A sly smile transformed the older woman’s face. “Aye, you could say that. He was my one and only love in many a way.”

  “Oh?” Lucy tilted her head to examine her abigail.