“Yes’m. I can do dat. I’ll be happy to do dat.” Simon gave her a firm nod and retreated, closing the door behind him.
Barely a moment passed before the door opened again.
Keelan clenched her teeth together as her cousin, Doreen, bounced into the room.
“Daddy is sending a letter to Mr. Pratt, I hear.”
“I have nothing to say to you, Doreen.”
Doreen laughed coldly. “This is no less than you deserve for trying to take Everett from me.”
She stared at the girl and held her tongue. Doreen began to saunter about the room. “Thank goodness Mr. Pratt is available to take you.” Her cousin gave a dramatic shudder. “Although I have heard he is quite heavy-handed with his slave girls. With you as his bride, they might suffer a reprieve.”
Keelan’s dug her fingernails into her palms to keep them from trembling.
Fear. It was something she kept pushing frantically to the far recesses of her mind when the topic of a marriage to Pratt arose. It was a dark, ragged monster invading her brain, forcing her to writhe and flail under its cold, contemptuous shadow. Only her anger at Landon Hart kept her from covering her ears, collapsing into the corner, and becoming nothing more than a limp pile of terrified mush.
Doreen had sensed her fear and strove to feed it. Keelan’s shoulders tightened as her cousin walked up and stopped in front of her. Doreen studied her intently. “This might be the last time I view your face unmarred.” She whirled and skipped from the room.
Her cousin was trying to crumble her pride and throw her into hysterics. Still, it was a long time before her body stopped quaking. The uncertainty of her future mauled her mind and spirit.
The only ship bound for Boston in the Charleston harbor was set to sail tomorrow at sunrise. It was still her intention, and now the sole purpose of her life, to be aboard.
CHAPTER FIVE
“I’ll not leave without ye!” Slaney crossed her arms. She stood in the middle of Keelan’s chamber.
“Neither will I,” argued Daniel. He stepped away from the doorway where he and Simon were keeping watch for Jared or Doreen. “I made a promise to Lord Grey, and I don’t intend to break it.” He walked over to the maid. “Slaney, you must go.”
“I will not!” Slaney countered. Her eyes flashed in defiance. “I need to take care of me mistress!”
Daniel sighed softly, taking Slaney’s work-toughened hands in his own. He rubbed his thumbs over the top of her fingers. A slight blush suffused the maid’s cheeks.
“Slaney, if you are safely gone, then I can concentrate all my efforts on getting Keelan away. If I have to worry about the both of you…” He shrugged his shoulders in a gesture of helplessness. “Miss Keelan and I shall meet you aboard the ship. We have to wait until we can slip out unnoticed, which will likely be late tonight when the house is abed. We can move faster with only two.”
Keelan’s heart tugged with affection for the two people who’d cared for her for most of her life.
She added to Daniel’s logic with her own. “Slaney, I appreciate your loyalty, but in case I don’t make it to the ship before she sets sail, someone has got to get to Wind Briar and retrieve the chest Papa spoke to me about. I need those papers inside if I am going to find my real father. If Uncle Jared’s instructions to auction everything are carried out first, I might never get a chance to read them.” She handed Slaney an envelope. “Here are letters of recommendation to help you find employment and give you permission to stay with your sister at Wind Briar.”
Slaney's shoulders slumped in defeat. “All right then, I’ll go on.” She pulled her hands away from Daniel’s and then shook a finger at him. “Ye best bring her safely home and yerself too, or ye’ll be answerin’ to me.” She sniffed and rubbed her nose.
Keelan held out a small purse. “Your passage has been paid. The receipt is inside, along with enough coin to get you to Wind Briar. Go now. Daniel told Simon to gather your trunks and wait for you in the stables. I want you away before Jared finds a reason to detain you.”
With a soft sniffle, Slaney circled her arms around her in a warm hug. Keelan held her tightly and kissed her cheek.
“Everything will be fine. You’ll see. Don’t worry.” Her own words sounded meager, even to her.
With forced bravado, Slaney smiled. “I’ll go then.”
“God speed, Slaney,” Daniel said.
Slaney let out a choked sob and then threw her arms around Daniel’s neck. He stood stiff and shocked for a second then hugged her fiercely and kissed her forehead. “We’ll see you soon.”
Slaney pulled away and wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. With a last wave, she slipped from the room.
Keelan prayed she would see her again.
A loud commotion broke the post-dawn silence downstairs and Simon slipped up to whisper through the door that Doreen had run off with Doctor Garrison and Master Jared was furious. Sarah was still in a state of shock and Ruth was on her way to the herb garden to make her a special tea.
Keelan nervously paced in her chamber. Now, the afternoon sun had begun to warm her room, and still no sign of her uncle.
She waited out the day in solitude, thinking of Landon’s broad shoulders, clear blue eyes, strong arms, and urgent lips. Damn her naïveté and her weak, weak heart. And damn his stubborn, impetuous temper. How could he believe she would choose Everett Garrison over him? Was he not convinced of her affections? She had told him she wanted to be with him. She had agreed to elope with him. A single thought rose to the surface of her mind.
I’ve never admitted to him that I love him.
Admitted. As if it were a crime. What was wrong with her? Was her pride so powerful that she could only admit to herself the effect Landon had on her heart?
A key clicked in the lock, and drew her away from her musings. The door opened to reveal Uncle Jared and Simon. Her uncle entered the room with short agitated steps. “Your maid has disappeared. Your father’s valet has refused to tell us her whereabouts. He claims he doesn’t know where she went.” His scowl made Keelan’s belly twitch with fear for Daniel. “I expect he’s lying. Where has she gone?”
Keelan’s mind jumped quickly to various explanations which might keep Daniel out of trouble. Slaney went to the apothecary, for…what? Slaney was delivering a letter… to whom? About what? None would keep him safe enough. It was best to simply tell the truth.
“I sent Slaney back to England to secure the documents which I promised Papa I would retrieve.”
Her uncle paused and shook his head at her. “Keelan, we discussed this.”
There was no reason to keep her secret any longer. Perhaps, if Uncle Jared understood that she wasn’t actually a blood relative, he’d relinquish his guardianship. If only he’d believe her.
“He said they’d explain the identity of my true sire.” The words seemed to stick in her throat and she paused a moment to clear it before continuing, “You see, Uncle Jared, Papa confessed to me that I’m the illegitimate child of my mother and another man. I’m not even his kin.”
Jared’s face reddened. “Nonsense!” He stepped forward and grasped her hands. “Keelan, my dear, you must understand, your father was not in his right mind at the time of his death. He’d been babbling the night he died even before Sarah came to get you.” He gently squeezed her hands. “Of course you are his daughter. I have a document signed by him stating I am his daughter’s legal guardian in the event of his death. He also left a will in his desk stating Twin Pines goes to you as your dowry.”
Keelan drew her brows together in confusion. “Before he died, he told me he left everything to you. He wanted me to return to England and find my father.”
His composure softened a little more. “Don’t take the ramblings of a dying man as any more than what they actually were: simply ramblings.”
The night Papa had died, he did seem to have trouble staying in the present, but she had the signet ring he had given her weeks earlier and the tin
y portrait of the man in the locket who bore such a striking resemblance to her. Why would he have those items if it wasn’t true?
Those two objects could not be explained away. If she showed Jared the ring and the locket, he’d probably believe her story. But what if he took them from her? She’d have no way to prove who she was to her father when she found him..
Jared must have taken her silence as acquiescence to his way of thinking. He let her hands go, leaned in, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Your father cared about you, Keelan. He wanted you to have a secure future.”
“I cannot, I will not marry Pratt,” she said. Her heart belonged to another.
He expelled a loud sigh. “I’ll not force you, although I pray, please take the time to contemplate the security of a life with him against the alternatives. You may, of course, stay with us as long as you wish. We can sell Twin Pines to Pratt outright, then do what we can with the funds to see to your comfort, or continue with the plan to lease it. Let’s discuss this when I return. I should like you to assist me with the proposal before I take it to my barrister, should we decide to sell.”
Thank goodness, he understood. Hopefully, he’ll leave quickly and she and Daniel could still escape to the wharf and find Slaney’s ship.
He turned toward the door. “I must find my daughter first. Once I locate Doreen and that rascal, Garrison, I will deal with Pratt and the rest.” He paused, then addressed Simon. “Keep her here until I return.” He spoke to her, although he didn’t dare make eye contact. “I’m sorry Keelan, but I have to insure that you’ll be here when I return, and not make some impetuous decision that will endanger your life.”
“Uncle Jared, I beg of you—”
He left, locking the door behind him.
She stared at it, not quite believing what had just occurred. For a moment, she’d thought she had convinced him to allow her the freedom she desired. It would be harder to accomplish her goal, but not impossible.
“I’m sorry, Miss Keelan,” Simon said through the door.
“I’ll be fine, Simon.” She hoped. “Will you please tell Daniel I need to speak with him?”
“Yes Miss Keelan.”
Soon Daniel entered, carrying a bucket of water. When Simon retreated into the hall, the valet leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Simon has agreed to leave the key out for us.” The valet continued, “We’ll go in the predawn hours. I’ve rented a room tonight at a pub called ‘The Whistling Pig’. It’s near the docks where the ship will depart. It should be an easy matter of boarding at first light, given we can slip away from here undetected.” He straightened his jacket and plucked a piece of grass off his sleeve. “If Slaney’s ship has sailed, then we can hide there and wait until we can board the next one north…if you still wish to do so.” He fidgeted with the bucket handle before clearing his throat.
“What is it, Daniel?” Even a blind man could tell the valet had more to say.
“The Desire and the Seeker are still anchored out in the harbor, Mistress. Both are flying Blue Peters.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “He lied. Everett lied.” A surge of relief washed over her. She sank to a chair. Landon had not left her. He was still here. The blue flag signaled the ship was ready to sail. Would he let her explain the kiss? Even now, was he waiting for her to come to him?
“The accommodations might be a bit rough, Mistress, but I fear we would be easily found by your uncle if we stayed at a better boarding house.”
She nodded. “You made a wise choice. Please don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I plan to confer with Captain Hart at his earliest convenience.”
“I can get word to Captain Hart as soon as you’re safe at the Whistling Pig, then I’ll find Slaney, if her ship’s still here.”
They bid each other good evening and the door closed and the lock clicked.
When it was almost dark, she doffed her dress, glad to free her body from the sweaty, prickly mourning gown. Keelan dipped her hands in a bowl of tepid water and splashed it over her face.
If only she could change into her waif’s clothes, she’d be better prepared when Daniel returned. However, if Uncle Jared made an unexpected visit this evening, she would be hard pressed to explain her wardrobe. It was best to wait. She slipped on a clean chemise and dressing gown then sat at the small table and nibbled on the cold supper Simon had delivered earlier.
Her tray held cold chicken, bannocks with brandied peaches, a glass of wine, and some of Jared’s prized boiled potatoes. No doubt, Simon gleaned more than a small bit of pleasure giving Jared’s favorite dish to Keelan. She ate every last morsel.
She had a few short hours to get some much-needed sleep, so she climbed in her bed, only to toss and roll. Nothing seemed right. Her mattress was too hard. The tree frogs sang too loudly. She tossed and turned before her lids became heavy enough to resist her twitching and worrying.
She must have finally dozed off, because she was awakened by the prickle of hair rising on the back of her neck. It took a moment while she waited for her vision to adjust to the darkness. Had Daniel signaled her from the yard below?
She rose quietly, turned up the oil lamp at her bedside, and slipped on her dressing gown. Pulling the curtain aside, she scanned the ground below. No signs of Daniel. What had disturbed her sleep?
A barely audible click behind her made her whirl to face the door. It eased open inch by inch.
“Daniel?” she breathed, afraid to make a louder noise.
The tall, lean, shadow of a man moved into her room. Her heart began to pound thickly because the figure was too tall to be the loyal valet. A scream caught in her throat, and she snatched the heavy pitcher next to the washbasin.
“Keelan," the man whispered hesitantly. “It’s me…Everett. I have come to take you from here. I cannot let you be married to that brute, Pratt!”
Relief washed over her like a clear cool rain. “Good Lord, you gave me such a start!” she clutched the neckline of her dressing gown as she sat weakly on the chair, still holding the pitcher.
He dropped down on one knee and peered at her. His voice was low and urgent, “Please, Miss Keelan, you must get dressed so we can depart immediately.”
Perplexed, she peered at him closely. “I was told you’d run off with Doreen. I am quite surprised to find you here. Surely you must realize Jared is determined to seek you and his daughter out.”
Everett gave a derisive snort, “Mr. Grey will not find her, of that, you can be certain.”
Something beyond Everett’s words unnerved Keelan. He sounded almost emotionless. The detached, dead tone of his voice made her uneasy.
He spoke with an unusual iciness she’d never heard from him before. As she stared at him, her throat dried, and the air seemed to leave the room.
Something was wrong. She could sense it. She’d been about to chastise him for kissing her earlier, but something in his tone made her pause.
“Dr. Garrison…” she said. “What are you saying? Did you not take Doreen away to marry her?”
“No, although she seems to wish it. She is hiding…for a little while longer, anyway.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’m still angry with the way she acted the night of the ball. I worry for your reputation, my dear. If we are to be married soon, I want to make certain you have the respect and admiration you deserve.” A slow, thin smile creased his gaunt face. “She thinks I’ll return to marry her, but in truth, I want her out of our way for a while. She’s useful when I need her to be.”
Cool fingers of trepidation slid across Keelan’s throat. The faint glow of the lamp cast dark, quick shadows, making Everett’s face appear contorted and hard.
“What…” she stammered, “What exactly have you done to her?”
He gave a harsh laugh and rose to pace about the small room. “She’s staying with Mrs. Camsby.” Everett walked to the window and peered out, casually clasping his hands behind his back. He turned to face Keelan again. “When I brought her there, C
aptain Hart was just leaving. And Mrs. Camsby seemed a bit…disheveled.”
She froze, then fought to keep her expression blank. Landon left in a state of mind that might make him less cautious. Would he ease his anger with her by easing his lust with Annette? Would he? She’d finally made the decision to trust Landon, and she would continue to do so. Everett had already lied to her. This time she wouldn’t be so gullible.
Everett moved to stand in front of her. His voice lowered into a more soothing tone, one he used when addressing his patients. “Your cousin needs a respite. She’s upset with herself for giving your father too much pain medicine. It likely killed him, you know. Seems she misunderstood my instructions.”
She clutched the arms of her chair. “Dr. Garrison, did you explain any of this to Uncle Jared? He’s frantically looking for her.”
He stepped forward and knelt before her again. “Of course he is. That was my plan. He is too distracted to worry about you. We can leave tonight.” He reached over to take her hands in his. “You have to understand why I am doing this for you. My dear, you deserve a better life. I’m going to take you away and marry you.” His eyes glittered in the dim light of the lantern. “Think of our future. The two of us will live the lives we were meant to live. Happy and prosperous. We’ll have the children we always talked about. Please Rachel, leave with me, now.”
She stood and backed away. “Dr. Garrison…You just called me Rachel,” she whispered, horrified at what she was hearing. It was as if he were having a conversation with someone else…not her. His manipulations of Doreen and Uncle Jared seemed so uncharacteristic of him. Yet, when she thought back through the events over the past weeks, the doctor’s demeanor had slowly changed from charming and docile to unpredictable and angry. Something was terribly wrong.
Everett paled. “I…I….” He stood and grasped her hands again. “A…a silly slip. Come, we have to go.”
Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) Page 5
