Pirate's Golden Promise

by Lynette Vinet

  Lucy groaned, and Wynter shot her an apologetic smile. “Cort told me it was your idea that he and I be alone for a while. I’m sorry that our sojourn to New Amsterdam has brought back Adam into your life.”

  “Not half as sorry as I will be,” Lucy said pessimistically. “He’ll attempt to bleed me dry of the small amount of funds I have. And, Wynter, Dirk will be furious. As much as I detest Adam, I don’t want Dirk to hurt him, or for Dirk to get into trouble. I love Dirk so much that I can’t bear him to suffer.”

  “Dirk feels the same way about you. Have confidence in him. He won’t do anything to destroy your love or your future. I’ve known Dirk for quite some time, and he has a level head, Lucy.”

  As Lucy paced the length and breadth of her room, both women were unaware that at that moment Katrina was entertaining Adam in the sitting room.

  “Your wife shall be in for a treat to see you again,” Katrina said and smiled prettily as she poured Adam a cup of tea. “I had never thought of her as having a husband, though Wynter did mention that Lucy had married. Of course, I assumed she was a widow.”

  Adam took the proffered cup from Katrina’s hand. “As you see, Vrouw Van Linden, I am very much alive.”

  Katrina saw. She found Lieutenant Lord Adam Somerset to be a handsome man, a bit weak in the jaw line, but quite good-looking nonetheless, and from a good blood line. She could always tell a person of the aristocracy by the straight line of the back, the slightly haughty tilt of the head. If Somerset had had less of a pedigree, she’d not have taken the time to bother with him. But his sudden appearance at Lindenwyck intrigued her.

  Since Rolfe’s “disappearance” and apparent death by drowning, the household had been thrown into turmoil. Lena grieved herself sick and had taken to her bed the last month. Even now she still lay abed, barely eating enough to sustain her, Cort was with her to offer comfort. Katrina thought that Cort should have extended his sympathies to herself upon learning of his cousin’s supposed demise when he returned that morning. Instead he’d bounded up the stairs to Lena’s room, barely bestowing a sympathetic look upon Katrina. But she took comfort in the fact that Mikel was now heir to Lindenwyck. Cort would act as administrator until Mikel was of age. There was only one person standing between Katrina and the realization of all her dreams—Wynter.

  Though Katrina had been put out by Cort’s attitude towards her, sitting here with Somerset assuaged her hurt. Something about the man set off a warning note within her that he was not quite as respectable as he appeared. She curled her fingers around her teacup and flashed him a blindingly beautiful smile and wondered how she could put such a man to her own gain.

  “You must have been quite lonely,” she said. “How long has it been since you’ve seen your wife?”

  Adam mentally calculated. “Oh, about eight months, I think. I don’t know. Time slips away from one so fast.”

  “I imagine you’re pleased to be reunited with Lucy and her sister.”

  “Yes, yes I am. I haven’t seen Wynter in 17 months.”

  Katrina shot him a sly look which Adam didn’t fail to see. “How very strange that you can calculate exactly how long since you last laid eyes upon Wynter but can hardly recall when you last saw your wife. Am I to assume from this that Wynter is more important to you?”

  Adam hesitated. He sipped his tea, draining the cup. “Wynter and I were betrothed before I married Lucy. It was an unfortunate alliance, my marriage, but I am stuck with it.”

  Katrina leaned forward, a wicked glint in her cool, blue eyes. “In other words, you’re still in love with Wynter.”

  “A hopeless love.” Adam sighed. “She thinks she is enamored of Cort Van Linden, a true blackguard if there ever was one, but I’m resigned to my fate in life.”

  A cruel laugh escaped Katrina’s lips as she kept her gaze on Adam. “Dear sir, if that were true, you wouldn’t be here. Lucy isn’t your purpose in coming to Lindenwyck. You’re here to claim Wynter, but I admit you’re in for a tough fight. Cort will never willingly release her. Not unless she is unfaithful to him. Does such a prospect fill you with hope?”

  Adam smiled. The bright gleam in his eyes matched Katrina’s own. “Indeed, madam, it does very much. But I fear I am but a poor officer in his majesty’s navy and have very little to offer Wynter. She is used to only the finest clothes and houses. On my salary, she’d be quite unhappy. You do understand my dilemma?”

  Katrina understood only too well. However, her desire to have Wynter out of Cort’s life was too strong for her to resist. As Rolfe’s widow, she had money of her own. A great deal of money. As Mikel’s mother, she would rule Lindenwyck, and with Wynter gone from Cort’s life, Cort would turn to her for comfort. Yes, she decided, any price she had to pay this unscrupulous man was worth it.

  “A pity his majesty doesn’t see fit to pay his officers their worth. However, I think, sir, that you’re worth a great deal to me. Have we struck a bargain?”

  She held out her hand to Adam. He clasped it warmly. “Indeed, madam. You’re a woman after my own heart.”

  “I hope not,” Katrina pronounced. “Just make certain that Wynter leaves Lindenwyck within a month. She has overstayed her welcome.”

  The sound of Lyntje’s crying wakened Wynter. Brushing sleep from her eyes, she quietly left the bed as not to waken Cort and padded down the hall to the nursery. Opening the door she saw that the room was empty except for the baby crying in her crib. Where was Gerta? she wondered.

  She picked up the baby and rocked her until she fell asleep. Then she placed her back in her crib, delighting in the child’s perfect features.

  She started to leave the room, but then tapped on the door to Mary’s room. Mary’s muffled “Come in” embarrassed Wynter for waking her. “Have you any idea where Gerta has gone?”

  “No, ma’am,” Mary said sleepily.

  Wynter apologized for waking her and closed the door. She stood in the nursery and thought it very odd that Gerta wasn’t sleeping in her bed next to the baby’s crib. But then Wynter thought she might have been taken ill. The woman had been acting strange lately, rather nervous, and this was unusual since Gerta was such an outwardly composed person.

  Kissing Lyntje’s fuzzy head, Wynter tiptoed out of the room and spotted Gerta coming up the stairs, carrying a small pouch.

  “Gerta, where have you been?” Wynter asked when Gerta reached the landing. “Lyntje was crying, but I rocked her to sleep. Not that I mind taking care of my own baby, but it’s quite unlike you to be gone. Are you ill?”

  “So sorry, vrouw. I took a walk.”

  “At three o’clock in the morning?”

  Gerta smiled nervously and clutched the little velvet pouch. “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “I hope this doesn’t happen again, Gerta. What if the baby had been sick? Please, if you must go off somewhere, at least tell Mary, or come for me.”

  “Ja, ja, I will.”

  Wynter left her and went to her own room. Gerta waited on the stairs until she heard the gentle closing of Wynter’s door before she entered the nursery. Then she took the pouch, which contained the vial of remaining medicine that the doctor had given to Lyntje during her illness, and placed it beneath the pillow of her bed. She lay down but knew she wouldn’t sleep. Her thoughts were with Rolfe, the man she loved.

  But in Katrina’s room, Katrina’s thoughts never dwelled on the man who had hated her so much that he attempted to kill her. Instead she listened to Fredrik’s steady breathing and snuggled against his young and virile body. Very soon, Somerset would seduce Wynter, or at least make it appear that she had been seduced. Katrina didn’t care how he did this, as long as the goal was achieved.

  However, there was a problem she hadn’t counted on. Cort, as administrator of Lindenwyck, must sign over a draft for her monies, and when she had requested a rather large payment all at once, he told her it was unwise, that he wouldn’t do it. He’d signed a draft for a very small sum instead.

  Well, So
merset would have to make do with that, she decided, and convinced herself that he would. Didn’t all men do what she wanted? She closed her eyes and fell into a blissful slumber.

  In the weeks that followed, Cort ruled Lindenwyck with a gentle hand. Rolfe had been cruel sometimes to the tenants who were indentured until they could earn their own way in the world. Many of them chose to stay on at Lindenwyck and pay rent to the patroon. Cort instituted a plan whereby any tenant who wished to buy the land he worked could put his rent towards the purchase price of the farm.

  As a gift to Dirk for his service to him over the years, Cort presented him with land on the south side of Lindenwyck. Cort knew that Dirk wished to build a home for Lucy, to provide for her, and that Wynter wanted her sister to remain near her. So, as soon as Dirk could finish a proper house for Lucy, Dirk determined to marry her. But the question of Somerset still remained.

  Cort couldn’t fathom why the man had come to Lindenwyck. He had stayed on, much to his consternation, but he felt unable to insist that he leave since Lucy hadn’t pressed him to do so. Instead, whenever Somerset was present, she’d smile and be polite to her estranged husband. Wynter had told him that Lucy was frightened that the man would make things unpleasant for Dirk. Therefore, Lucy cajoled him in the hope that he’d give her a divorce and would leave Lindenwyck before the cold winter weather set in.

  Cort had his doubts Somerset would ever depart. He doubted that the man cared a whit for Lucy, and believed that he wanted Wynter. He’d noticed the hungry looks thrown her way, and if Wynter had been a morsel of food, the man would have devoured her by now. However, Adam’s behavior was impeccable, and Cort really couldn’t fault the man. Still, he wanted him gone from Lindenwyck.

  All became quite clear to Cort on a balmy October afternoon. He was going over the account books in his study when he heard voices from the garden outside the window. He paid no attention until he realized that the voices belonged to Somerset and Katrina, and they were raised in anger.

  “I told you I’d give you the money. However, the funds are tied up in New York, and Cort must be the one to approve the transaction. I can’t ask for such a large amount at once. He has already approved a small portion which shall be sent by the end of the month. You shall simply have to wait.”

  “When we made our agreement, I didn’t think I’d be paid in trickles. I want all of the money now.”

  “That’s impossible!” Katrina protested. “Besides, you haven’t even started in your attempt to seduce Wynter. You’ve been at Lindenwyck for three weeks, and all of you do is make cow eyes at her.”

  “For what I’ve been paid, that’s all you’ll get out of me. Remember, Vrouw Van Linden, it was you who suggested I pursue Wynter, to make her husband so jealous he’d think she was unfaithful. I shall do little else to get her attentions until you pay me my due! Now think on that and decide how much you want to be Cort Van Linden’s wife. Until you get the money, I shall be staying at the tavern in the village.”

  After that, Cort heard nothing else. He sat at his desk, breathing hard, almost breathing fire. He was so angered by this conversation that he’d have gladly found Katrina and strangled her.

  He went outside and saw her standing on the bluff. Her blue-eyed gaze was turned downward to the river, and when she glanced up at him, it appeared cold. However, she greeted him warmly.

  “I haven’t seen much of you,” she said. “Does Lindenwyck keep you so occupied?”

  He nodded curtly. “It appears you’ve been well occupied lately, too, Katrina.”

  When she came close to him, he smelled lavender about her and felt her warm breath against his cheek. “I think only of you, Cort.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  She backed away, and glanced at him in puzzlement. He appeared so stiff, so foreboding. “Whatever is the matter, my love?”

  Cort grabbed her arms and pushed her away. “You are what’s wrong, Katrina. You’re like a festering sore. Years ago, I loved you, desired you, but you made a fool of me and married my cousin. You’ll never know how my heart broke, or how, when I left here, I thought I’d never find love again. And I didn’t, until I met Wynter. Now, she and our daughter are my life. Believe me when I say this, that I will allow no one to interfere in my life in any way.”

  “No one has done that, Cort. Certainly not I.”

  “Liar!”

  “Cort, please.”

  “I heard you minutes ago, outside the study window. This filthy plan you hatched with Somerset has come to an end. I assume you thought you were quite clever to enlist him, that he would do your bidding because he always loved Wynter. Well, Katrina, you learned a hard lesson about Somerset. He might love Wynter, but he loves money more. You’ll never carry out your plan now. For one thing, your money is tied up and needs my signature to release it, which I will gladly do. Believe me, I shall turn over all your money to you.”

  “I don’t believe you, Cort.”

  “I will. By tomorrow afternoon, the necessary paperwork shall be at the bank in New York, and your money shall be yours. You can use it in whatever way you please, Katrina. Of course, it’s too late to buy off Somerset, now that I know what you and he planned to do. However, you should be quite set for life and never want for anything.”

  Something didn’t sound right to Katrina’s ears. Cort was being too magnanimous. She eyed him in suspicion. “What must I do to receive the money?”

  “Leave Lindenwyck and Mikel. I shall raise the boy and love him. Wynter will be his mother, and a better mother than you ever were. You never loved the child, only used him to insure your place as Rolfe’s wife. I think you’re coming out very well, under the circumstances. There’s nothing for you here, Katrina. Nothing at all. Pack your bags and I’ll arrange a sloop to escort you to New York. By this time tomorrow, you shall be a wealthy woman.”

  Katrina’s face visibly paled. She knew he meant his words, that he would run her off without anything if she argued with him. But she wouldn’t admit defeat, not yet. Oh, she’d gladly leave Lindenwyck to receive the money, and very happy she’d be, too. She’d even miss Mikel a little bit, but Cort was right. She wasn’t a good mother, and that Englishwoman would be better for the boy. But not for long. Before she was finished, Wynter Van Linden would be in worst straits than Cort could ever imagine. And when things died down, perhaps in six months, she would return to claim the man she had always loved. By that time, Cort would be a widower.

  Katrina solemnly nodded her acceptance of his terms. “I shall do whatever you want, Cort. I’ll pack and leave Lindenwyck immediately.”

  She left him standing on the bluff. A hot wind blew the strands of his golden hair about his head. He thought that she had given in too damned easily.

  CHAPTER

  33

  After Katrina’s departure, Wynter found that Mikel scarcely grieved for his mother. She hadn’t any idea why Katrina had departed in haste for New York, and was sorely curious, but when she asked Cort, he replied only that Katrina would fare better away from Lindenwyck. Whatever the reason, Wynter knew that she, herself, fared better at Lindenwyck without Katrina, and to her surprise and delight, Mikel accepted her as his mother. She felt as if she and Cort were truly a family now, and that nothing hung over their heads to disrupt their newfound happiness.

  Lena finally left her bed and now bustled through the house. Rolfe’s death had changed her. Wynter could see lines where before there had been none, and sometimes a stray tear would course down her cheek when she thought no one watched her. She was still jolly, still kind, but a sadness tinged her outlook on life, Wynter found that Lena had grown more protective of her and Cort, Mikel, and Lyntje. Many times when the baby cried, Lena would rush to see what was wrong and a slight frown would mar Gerta’s forehead. However, all in all, Lindenwyck had never been brighter or glowed with more love.

  The only problem was Lucy and her divorce from Adam. Each day, Lucy awaited word that the decree was final. Dirk
had grown more impatient to marry her. The house he’d started was now ready, but there was no wife to warm his bed. Since Adam’s arrival, Wynter discerned that her sister had grown thinner and constantly looked as if she wanted to cry. Her face, always pale, now was positively white.

  “Lucy, please try not to worry about things. I know the divorce decree shall come soon and you and Dirk shall marry. Adam hasn’t done anything to stop you from obtaining a divorce, has he?” Wynter patted her hand in a comforting gesture which she knew was futile. Nothing could bring a smile to Lucy’s solemn face.

  Lucy shook her head, and her hands trembled in her lap. She and Wynter sat on the stone bench overlooking the North River, and in the air the first traces of fall could be felt.

  “He is still living in the village, Wynter. He has said nothing to lead me to believe that he will contest the divorce, but his silence is what causes me to think that he is biding his time. Why is he still in the vicinity of Lindenwyck? He should have left long ago.”

  “Don’t fret over this, Lucy. He might want his presence to cause you discomfort. Perhaps he wants only to torment you since you no longer love him.”

  “Torment yes, but he never loved me, and I don’t think he cares that once I adored him. I have to obtain a divorce, Wynter. I must marry Dirk very soon. Our child deserves a name.”

  Shock and delight mingled on Wynter’s face. “You should have told me you were expecting a child. This is wonderful, Lucy!”

  “It’s not!” Tears fell from Lucy’s eyes onto her bodice and stained the cloth like raindrops. “I can’t bear the shame of having a bastard child, a child people will scoff at, and ridicule. The shame of such a thing will be more than I can bear.” She blew her nose into her kerchief, and an apologetic look formed in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, Wynter.”

  “Don’t apologize. The circumstances of my birth don’t hurt me, and never did, really. My parents loved one another. You and Dirk love each other. Love is all that counts, not what others think. When Lyntje was born, Cort and I weren’t married. I arrived at Lindenwyck and told everyone I was his wife. In my heart, I was. No one knew the truth. You must be strong, Lucy, and think of your own life and that of your child, and Dirk’s. Whatever Adam might have in mind can’t hurt you unless you allow him to harm you.”