She held her disguise in place as she calmly stated, “Please tell Governor Kindelan that Lady Alexandria Hampton is here to see him.”
The guard gaped at her in disbelief and suspicion. She haughtily snapped, “We are close friends, sir. He will be most displeased that you kept me standing here like some commoner!”
Witnessing her polished manner and genteel speech, he hurriedly unlocked the gate and asked her to follow him. Once inside, he told her to wait while he told the governor she was here and wished to see him. She nodded and sat down, discarding the feigned haughty role she had seen so many spoiled females use on those of lesser stations.
Sebastian Kindelan swept into the room with his usual flair for pomp. She arose to greet him, extending her quivering hand. He gaped at her in astonishment as he took it and affectionately squeezed it. “Do my old eyes deceive me, Lady Hampton?” he ventured.
She smiled and stated clearly, “I fear not, sir. I am in dire need of your help and your secrecy.” A look of sadness and fear entered those lovely green eyes. Pretense was necessary though she despised wearing its guise.
“I do not understand,” he murmured in befuddlement. “Is your father with you?”
“No, sir. In fact, he has no idea where I am,” she began.
“Surely you have not run away from home, my wild dove,” he teased, recalling her willful nature.
“I was kidnapped by wicked pirates while returning home from visiting Uncle Henry in America,” she announced in a shaky voice. “I have recently managed to clobber my guard and escape them this very day.”
“What injustice is this!” he shouted in distress and fury. “I will set my guards upon them and slay them all!”
“I wish you could, sir, but they set sail earlier. Once I escaped them, I hid until their sails faded from sight. I didn’t know what to do. There are American ships and men everywhere. Since we are at war, I feared to ask their assistance. I would be held for a hefty ransom should they learn of my father’s name. So many of the privateers are connected with the American forces. I dared trust no one until I heard your name. It was the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard, sir,” she declared honestly, tears springing forth.
He patted her shoulder and comforted her, “Noharm shall befall you now, my dear. I owe your father many favors. You have given me the chance to repay my dear friend of many years.”
“You must tell no one of my presence here, sir. One careless word dropped, and friends of those ruffians might seize me again. They threatened me with dire fates. One wanted to sell me to slavers; others said to ransom me to my father. But I refused to speak his name or mine. I dare trust no one except you. Is there some way I could travel back to my uncle’s without anyone, including your own men, finding out about me? I mean no disrespect, sir, but men often leak secrets when into their cups. I can hardly go unnoticed unless you keep me hidden.”
“In troubled times like these, I will tell no one but my most trusted servants,” Kindelan promised. “There are several privateers whom I trust implicitly. I am sure I can persuade one of them to take you safely to Henry’s. With your King’s men playing havoc upon the seas, it will be far easier to get you to Pennsylvania than England.”
“I thought as much myself, sir,” she concurred. She quickly related the protective ruse her uncle had planned for her and how it had failed. The elderly man was rankled by her vile treatment. “As you can see, if such facts came to light, my name would be soiled beyond repair. I shall be in your debt forever if you can assist me without others learning of this degrading experience. I fear I should die of shame.”
“Perhaps we can solve this problem quickly, Lady Hampton. I would enjoy a short visit, but I know you wish to relieve the frantic minds of your family as promptly as possible. There are two ships anchored nearby who might be of help to us,” he began. He halted briefly to pour her a sherry to calm her tension.
“You shall dress as before, the tragic widow. I will place you under my personal protection as my grieving sister. I shall even hire a trusted man to guard your life and privacy. Let’s see…” he murmured thoughtfully. “There’s the Agatha and the Wandering Siren in port now.”
Wandering Siren! Joshua’s ship in her elusive disguise! Alex hastily interrupted his line of thought, “The crew on the ship where I was held captive mentioned the crew of the Wandering Siren, sir. I think perhaps some of them might be acquainted.”
“I recently met their captain, a charming and serious fellow. He looked a man who could protect any treasure from harm. But you are right; his crew is a different matter. I shan’t give him any consideration at all. These privateers and pirates are a fiercely loyal bunch. Besides, he is much too handsome to be trusted with my beloved sister,” he merrily jested, playfully tweaking her cheek.
“I fear it will be a long time before any man is appealing to me, sir. I did not realize such evil and cruelty existed in their hearts. I pleaded for help from many of them, but they laughed in my face and tried to steal disgusting kisses,” she lied out of necessity. Never would she reveal the name of her true captor. First, she must get back to her uncle’s, then home whenever possible. After all, her father assumed she was still in America. With her uncle’s and Sebastian’s help, he would never learn the truth.
“I will seek out the captain of the Agatha this very day. I believe he is set to sail within the next two tides.”
“I must ask one more favor, sir. If you would be so kind, please do not ever relate this humiliating episode to my father. He does not know of it and I pray he never does. It would hurt and distress him deeply; he would feel he is to blame.”
“As you say, Lady Hampton. This tale will go no further than this room,” he chivalrously vowed.
She smiled in gratitude and embraced him fondly. “Whatever would I do without you, sir?”
Kindelan called one of his servants and ordered her taken to a room. He cautioned the woman that no one was to know of her presence, for she was a dear friend whose life was precious to him. The woman quickly obeyed. Sebastian called in another servant and ordered him to fetch the captain of the Agatha.
When the stocky man appeared to discuss some profitable business with the governor, he was surprised to learn the powerful man only wanted to pay a hefty price to have his sister taken to Philadelphia. There was no easier or quicker way to earn such a nice pouch of gold coins since that was to be his second port of call anyway.
The deal concluded, Sebastian hurried to tell Alex of the expediency of their plan. She was overjoyed to hear the ship would sail at dawn. Gone so quickly and secretly, Josh wouldn’t stand a chance of pursing her! Learning she had to be aboard at first light, Alex ate a light supper, bathed, and went to bed. Understanding her fatigue and anguish, Sebastian didn’t press for her company. At long last, he could repay his friend for saving his life, but Charles Hampton wouldn’t even know of it. No matter, he did.
Not far away, a frantic conversation was going on between a furious Spencer, a tense Andy, and an embarrassed George. Deciding to make certain Angelique was well aware.of her impending fate if she refused to obey him, Spencer had returned later to test her. If she had relented, she could even join him at the party.
“I’m sorry, Capt’n. She caught me by surprise,” George meekly stated, crushing the flower in his hand as he gazed at the wealth in the other.
“She’s a cunning vixen, George. I don’t blame you,” he vowed, rubbing the very spot where Angelique had smacked him long ago. Gone? Where? In a place like this, she was probably in trouble by now. “Bring some of the men ashore, Andy. We best find our wandering siren before she lands in someone’s eager lap.”
“She was wearing a bright red dress, Capt’n, one of them fancy gowns like them rich ladies wear. We’ll spot her in a minute. I’ll go looking now since I’m partly to blame. What should I do with this necklace?”
“You stay here and rest, George. With luck she’ll come to her senses and return before dark. If she do
es, tie her to a chair!” he harshly ordered. “As for the necklace, keep it; she meant it as a gift to soften her blow,” he murmured, wondering at her strange action.
Outside the tall structure, he paused to curse under his breath. Andy couldn’t help but say, “I told you it was a bad idea to let her hear us talking. You can’t blame her for panicking and running. She’s quite a surprise, isn’t she? The first woman all that charm didn’t work on,” he jovially teased his moody friend.
“That’s the trouble, Andy; she’s just as stubborn and willful as I am. It’s no joke, friend. She could be in real danger. Look around us: pirates, criminals, cutthroats, scum. For all we know, some villain might have truly sold her to Maria’s by now! Worse, she’s a treasure any captain would steal. Damn! I was too rough on her, wasn’t I?”
“Don’t tell me you’re seeing the light this late? I hope we find her, Josh. This time, take her home,” he entreated gravely.
Spencer grinned. “That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Andy stared at him. “Do you mean what I think?”
“Why not? If anyone can keep her safe and under wraps, it’s Thomas Canter. You’re right; maybe I need to take another look at her. If she is the perfect woman you seem to think, I’d be a fool to lose her.”
Andy laughed and slapped him on the back. “Now you’re thinking clearly, Captain. After all, a beauty dressed like that can’t traipse about unnoticed.”
“Before bedtime, Angel will be lying next to me,” he confidently stated. They headed off down the street to question anyone in sight.
Hours passed and total darkness claimed the seaport. Not a soul admitted to seeing a woman in a red dress. Not even the enormous reward announced for her safe return brought any results. Exhausted and alarmed, the men met in Spencer’s room to discuss this trying problem. It was clear by now their search wasn’t going to be easy or swift. Either someone was hiding her, had kidnapped her, or…or what? Spencer apprehensively pondered.
It just wasn’t possible for her to escape unseen. He checked out a theory of his, bewildered and distressed to discover she hadn’t taken all of her jewels, just a couple of pieces. If she was lucky enough to find some honest man, she had only enough to pay for passage and food. Trouble was, even honest men became greedy and evil at the sight of such riches and vulnerable beauty. He dreaded to imagine his beloved . Angel in the brutal hands of some real pirate or slaver.
That night was long and tense for both Alex and Spencer. She feared he would find her, and he feared he wouldn’t. Within a mile of each other, they both paced their shadowy rooms in pensive speculation. Had they found each other again only to lose each other once more, this time permanently? Who and where was this ravishing girl whom the earth had seemed to disappear without a trace?
Dawn finally showed her face of pinks and grays. Under the guard of Governor Kindelan and hidden behind the heavy drapes of his personal carriage, Alex passed within two feet of Spencer and his anxious men as they desperately began another futile search for her as she made her way to the dock. While Spencer’s group was posting a reward for her return, Alex was being taken aboard the Agatha to head for her uncle’s, hidden behind those similar veils of mourning.
As the hull of the Spanish privateer caught the morning tide and eased from her berth, Spencer and his crew frantically entered every establishment and house to ask about her. Days passed as Alex clung to her room, the boredom acceptable this time. The governor’s guard was never far from her door. Running with the winds and tides, this voyage was brief. As Alex thanked the guard for his assistance, he helped her into a carriage which would take her back to the home of Henry Cowling just outside the city of Philadelphia.
In San Augustin, Spencer was forced to give up his fruitless hunt for his Angel after three days of checking every clue or hope to find them empty. The burden of his guilt and loss weighed heavily upon his warring mind and heart. There was nothing more he could do. His ship repaired, he set sail to return in three weeks for Kindelan’s answers to his proposals.
Kindelan was mystified by the abrupt change in this intriguing man, but never questioned his sudden distraction and apparent sadness. His mind filled with other matters, he was totally unaware this same man had offered a steep reward for the return of a missing girl who fit Alexandria’s description. Before he agreed to an American stronghold in his territory, he would confer with Minister D’Onis first. After all, those aggressive Americans were still camped on nearby Amelia Island and had perviously conquered the western portion of this territory!
Alex knocked timidly upon the front door of her uncle’s stately home. When the servant answered it, he looked stunned to find her standing there alone and looking lost. He was even more confused when she burst into tears and begged to see her uncle immediately.
Upon hearing she was back and in a state of emotional upheaval, Henry hurried to check out this unimaginable event. Between sobs and tremors, Alex related the same tale she had given to the Spanish governor of Florida. This time, she added how she had escaped those fierce pirates and how Kindelan had aided her return here.
Henry’s mouth was agape as he listened to this horrifying tale of danger and daring. “I knew it was wrong to send you away alone,” he berated himself.
“It isn’t your fault, Uncle Henry. I was stupid and defiant. Even with Tessa along, the results could have been the same. You were right all along; it’s too dangerous to go home now. I’ve learned a terrible lesson; I’ll never do anything like that again.”
“Your father will be furious with both of us. You could have been killed,” he murmured fearfully.
“We can’t ever tell him, Uncle Henry. He would blame himself. It won’t happen again. I swear it. It’s over now. Let’s forget it ever happened,” she urged.
“But…” he began to protest, but she quickly cut him off.
“No, let it pass. Please. I’m so tired. I couldn’t rest on the ship, not after what happened last time. Could I rest before we talk anymore?”
“Of course, child. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal. I’m proud of you, Alex. You showed great courage and wisdom,” he complimented her.
Feeling guilty about her time with Stephen, she lowered her lashes to conceal those warring emotions from his keen eyes. She withdrew the tight bundle within her dress. “I managed to steal a few of my jewels before I escaped, but I couldn’t bring the rest or any clothes along. Whatever shall I do?” she wailed dejectedly at the thought of her missing clothes.
“You are a true gem yourself, Alex. Leave it to a female to rescue her jewels at any risk,” he teased her. “We’ll have all new clothes made.”
“Thank you, Uncle Henry,” she murmured, easing up to kiss his plump cheek.
She went to her old room and threw herself upon her bed without even asking about Tessa. She desperately needed rest and solitude to sort out some plaguing thoughts and feelings. Surely she had seen Joshua Steele for the last time. But why did that reality torment her? She wept silently until fatigue claimed her. It was the first of September of 1812, and here she was stranded in a land at war with her own country. What now?
XIV
“O! Call back yesterday, bid time return.”
—Richard II, William Shakespeare
Those first two weeks back in Philadelphia passed in a painful blur for Alex. Unable to tell anyone the truth about her recent adventures, she suffered and struggled in lonely silence. Before meeting Captain Joshua Steele, her main concern had been to outwit her father’s determination to arrange a proper marriage for her. Now, her whole world seemed physically and emotionally topsy-turvy.
Many nights she had awakened in body-shaking sobs, hugging her pillow in urgent need of a fulfillment only Stephen could grant. Would this pain and hunger never cease to torment her? Would his memory always be so agonizingly alive? Her lack of appetite and sleep created a tense, moody girl in the place of the once carefree girl who had first arrived here the end of May.
Henry fretted over these new changes in his lovely niece. Yet, feeling he knew the reason behind her lingering fears and emotional turmoil, he did all within his power to draw her out of this melancholy and reserved state. He grimaced at the sadness and lack of sparkle in her. It was unlike Alex to be so quiet and to spend so much time alone in her room. He couldn’t even entice her to go riding, to visit his friends, to attend special dinners, or to entertain guests. She seemed content to suffer in lonely silence.
Whenever he would find her playing the pianoforte in his morning room, they were always somber songs which matched this new and vexing mood of hers. Even the seamstress was forced to come to his home to fit, size, and deliver her new wardrobe. Although knowing very little about women’s clothing or fashions, Henry had made himself present on each occasion to prevent her selection of drab colors and plain gowns. What was wrong with the girl? She had never been excessively vain about her beauty and good taste, but now it seemed to matter little what she wore or how she looked. If she had been aware of her beauty and appeal before this tragic episode, she was totally ignorant of them now. These things worried Henry. It just wasn’t like a female to be so disinterested in life.
One night after dinner, with Alex picking over her plate as usual, Henry suggested a stroll in his colorful garden. Sighing as if utterly exhausted, the spiritless girl declined, saying she was going to bed early: another trait which nettled her exasperated uncle.
“Tarnation, Alexandria! You cannot go on indefinitely like this! You aren’t the first person to face a personal tragedy!” he suddenly exploded. “I’ve just about endured the limits of my patience and temper! I’ve done everything I can imagine to draw you from this deathly state. You’re too young and beautiful to wither away! How can you tolerate this morbid mood all the time? You’re acting like a spoiled brat who’s had some bully steal her candy! Where’s all that sparkle and spirit?”
Love Me With Fury Page 27
