Almost an hour had passed before Aurora found herself nearing the docks, feverishly searching for Nicholas's schooner, the Talon. The mist rising off the Thames obscured most of the ships alongside the wharf, but she remembered the general location from her last visit, and then she spied one vessel among the skeletal masts whose ghostly white sails had been raised.
The gangway was still in place for boarding, she saw with relief, although the crew was scurrying about, setting rigging and securing lines in preparation for casting off.
Geoffrey had some difficulty negotiating the gangway and winced when he stepped down onto the deck on his bad leg. They were immediately challenged by a seaman, who directed them to the captain. The captain, in turn, led them to the same cabin where Aurora had made love to Nicholas what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The cabin door was open, but at first she didn't see Nicholas. The man lounging on the bunk was his cousin, Lucian Tremayne, Lord Wycliff, while the nobleman sprawled elegantly in a wooden chair was Lord Clune.
Nicholas stood with his back to her, staring out the porthole window at the dark night. Aurora felt her heart wrench with love. Thank God she wasn't too late.
"Sir, you have visitors," the captain announced before making a polite bow and withdrawing.
She saw Nicholas go totally still, but the other two gentlemen rose to their feet.
"I do believe I've won our wager after all," Clune said in an amused drawl.
"So you have, Dare," Lucian replied. "But this is one wager I don't mind losing. Welcome, my lady. We were just bidding our American friend farewell."
Nicholas turned slowly, as if not daring to let himself hope. His gaze riveted on her face, his eyes dark and intense as he searched hers.
Aurora took a step inside the small cabin and halted, suddenly at a loss for words. How could she say all the things she wanted, needed, to say to Nicholas in front of an audience?
When she remained mute, his gaze dropped to her traveling suit, then moved beyond her to Geoffrey. Nicholas froze, his expression turning bleak.
"So you have come to say good-bye," he said tonelessly.
"No," she replied, her own voice hoarse.
Geoffrey intervened then.
"I don't believe we have met," he said, entering the cabin and taking a step past Aurora. "I am March." He offered his good arm to shake hands, but Nicholas made no attempt to accept.
"I understand why you would not welcome me," Geoffrey remarked lightly, not taking offense. "But you needn't be concerned. I am not your rival any longer. Aurora and I have reached an understanding."
"An understanding?" Nicholas replied warily, his face still shuttered.
"Yes. I believe your wife has something to tell you."
His gaze shifted again to Aurora, intense, questioning.
"I am not here to say good-bye," she said, returning his gaze steadily. "I am going with you."
For an instant she saw a blazing flash of what might be joy. Then suddenly his expression darkened with anger. He was looking beyond her at the doorway, Aurora realized.
Behind her she heard a voice she dreaded. "So, I wasn't wrong," Captain Gerrod said tersely. "You are Nicholas Sabine after all."
Her heart faltering, Aurora glanced over her shoulder. Gerrod stood in the doorway, a deadly pistol trained directly at Nicholas's heart.
Chapter Twenty-six
Only now do I understand: Bonds of love are stronger than the mightiest chains. There is no escaping.
As he stared at the deadly pistol, Nick felt a jolt of emotion stab at his heart – not fear but fury. No way in blazes would he allow Gerrod to take him prisoner. Not now, when he could dare hope that heaven was within his grasp.
His fingers clenched around the crystal snifter in his hand. With his friends earlier tonight, he'd plowed halfway through a consoling bottle of brandy in an attempt to drown his sorrows, even knowing no amount of spirits could numb the pain of losing Aurora. But he'd sobered abruptly when she appeared like an angel sprung from his fevered imagination.
Then Gerrod had shown himself, evidently having followed her to the docks. Unless perhaps March had somehow arranged it in order to eliminate his chief rival…? But this was no time to worry about how Gerrod had found him.
The captain pushed his way into the cabin, brushing past both Aurora and March. "In the name of the Crown," he intoned with no little satisfaction, "I am placing you under arrest, Sabine."
Nick's eyes narrowed as he measured the distance to the pistol. He could perhaps wrest the weapon away from Gerrod, but a struggle might well endanger Aurora. Was there a way other than physical violence? He wasn't certain he could count on his friends' intervention. They were British citizens, after all, and it would be treasonous to interfere with a naval officer in the execution of his duty. This was his fight, in any case.
When Nicholas remained silent, Gerrod took another step toward him. "What do you have to say for yourself, Saber?"
Nick smiled. "I say get the hell off my ship, Captain."
Gerrod scowled. "I have every right to apprehend you. You will accompany me – "
"Or what? You will shoot me in cold blood?"
"If you force me to. But I would rather see you dancing on the end of a rope. There are a half dozen of my men waiting on the dock to escort you to Newgate prison, where your sentence will be carried out."
Casually, without appearing to move, Nicholas balanced on the balls of his feet, preparing to spring. Just then, however, his cousin spoke up.
"It seems you are overzealous in your commitment to duty, Captain," Lucian remarked calmly. "You have mistaken this man's identity. I am fully prepared to vouch for Mr. Deverill."
"As am I," Dare added in an amused drawl.
"So you see, Captain, it will be your word against that of two peers of the realm."
"Three peers," Geoffrey said quietly.
Nick's gaze shot to March. The man was willing to risk his honor for a stranger? If so, it clearly was for Aurora's sake. But of course March would be under her spell. If he loved her, he would want her happiness above his own.
Nicholas felt another rush of searing emotions – including sympathy for his rival. He knew the agony of losing Aurora.
"You have my sincerest thanks, Lord March," Nicholas said solemnly.
"You must admit," Dare suggested to the captain, "those odds will be hard to beat."
Anger crossed Gerrod's features as he looked from one to the other of the lords. "You would lie to protect this… pirate? It is treason to abet a criminal."
"That is where you are wrong," Lucian replied. "This man is no criminal. He is an American royalist who has been granted sanctuary on British soil. And you, Captain, are acting illegally in trying to apprehend him."
Gerrod's fury only escalated, and he raised the pistol higher, waving it at Nick. Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas saw Aurora move, but he didn't dare take his attention from the weapon.
"By God," the captain vowed, "you will not escape this time – " His tirade was cut off in midstream by a dull thud. A dazed look claimed his expression before he slowly slumped to the ground.
Nicholas felt his heart lodge in his throat. Aurora stood over the captain's prone form, clutching a half-full brandy bottle in her hand. She had struck Gerrod over the head, Nick realized.
Her bold action had startled his friends as much as himself. They were staring at her with varying degrees of amazement.
Aurora clenched her jaw, looking calm but pale. "Did I… Is he dead?"
Nicholas bent over to relieve Gerrod of the pistol and pressed two fingers to the man's neck pulse. "No, just stunned."
His gaze lifted to Aurora. "Once again you surprise me, angel."
"You said sometimes violence was warranted," she declared, her tone defiant. "I considered this to be one of those times. He meant to shoot you."
"He did indeed." Rising to his feet, Nicholas handed the pistol to Dare, then went to Aurora. Taking the
bottle from her, he set it and his glass on the nearby table and enfolded her in his arms.
"I couldn't let him hurt you," she said fiercely, gazing up at him.
"I am very glad, sweetheart," he returned with a smile.
Just then Gerrod stirred, although he didn't wake.
"Much as I regret having to interrupt you lovers, er… Brandon," Dare drawled, "I believe we should decide what to do with our overeager friend."
"We should fetch some line to tie him," Lucian said. "I doubt he will be amenable otherwise."
"Tie him?" Dare asked, amused. "Your ingenuity amazes me."
Lucian flashed his wry half smile. "You might be surprised at the resourcefulness a man can develop when the stakes are high enough."
Releasing Aurora with reluctance, Nicholas turned to rummage in a locker and came back with a length of rope and a knife. His cousin did the honors, kneeling down to bind Gerrod's hands.
"I suppose you have a plan, Luce?" Dare remarked as Wycliff worked.
"I'll take him away and keep him hidden until our friend Brandon sails."
"What about his men?" March asked.
"I will simply order them to return to their posts. I doubt they will challenge me, especially if their captain is wearing a gag and cannot countermand me."
"Gerrod will be livid that you interfered with his duty."
"What of it? I am not about to let him deliver Nick to the hangman's noose."
"It may not come to hanging," Dare mused aloud. "Not if Nick petitions the Prince Regent for a pardon."
"Just what did you have in mind?" Nicholas asked with extreme interest.
"Buying a pardon. Pirate or not, you could no doubt convince Prinny of your innocence if you offer to fill his coffers."
"It is certainly worth a shot," Luce remarked.
He finished tying the knots just as Gerrod awakened.
Groaning, the captain raised his bound hands to his head and winced in pain. When he looked up dazedly, it was to find the Earl of Clune training his own pistol on him.
"You struck me…" Gerrod said in amazement. "You bastard… How dare you!"
"No," Aurora replied, staring down at him. "I am the one who struck you."
At the captain's astonished look, Nicholas couldn't repress a smile. "You should not have threatened me, Gerrod. My – " He stopped at the word wife, remembering the pretense he still had to maintain. "Lady Aurora is like a tigress when it comes to defending her loved ones."
If looks could kill, Nick knew he would have been skewered by Gerrod's malevolent glare.
Eventually the captain turned his angry focus to the other men in the room. "You obviously have been duped, my lords. I tell you, this man is not Brandon Deverill but a convicted pirate – "
"This stale claim is beginning to bore me," Dare remarked. "Would you like a gag for the good captain, Luce?" Drawing out a clean handkerchief, he handed it to Wycliff.
Gerrod recoiled in horror. "Damn you, you will pay for this!" he threatened. "I will charge you all with treason!"
"I doubt you'll succeed," Lucian said mildly. "You'll find that my word carries more weight with the Admiralty than yours. The navy owes me a few favors, in any case. And Lord March is considered a war hero."
Almost wildly Gerrod looked to Aurora. "You will regret it if you go with that criminal, my lady. You will be considered a fugitive in England. You will never be able to return."
She met Nicholas's gaze across the small cabin. "I don't care," she said staunchly, her blue eyes soft.
He felt joy well within him, and it was all he could do to refrain from lunging across the room and taking her in his arms.
Just then Wycliff raised the gag to the captain's mouth.
"You cannot do this!" Gerrod exclaimed, beginning to struggle.
Lucian simply grasped the captain by the throat and stared at him with narrowed eyes. "I hope you won't put me to the trouble of dispatching you to your Maker. You could easily find yourself alone at sea, with no rescue ship insight."
Immediately Gerrod ceased his struggles.
Barbaric but effective, Nick thought with satisfaction.
Gerrod looked as if he had swallowed bile.
Lucian gagged the captain, then hauled him to his feet. "We should be on our way and leave you two to prepare to sail."
"Thank you, my lord," Aurora said to Wycliff, her smile including Clune as well. "Our thanks to you both."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "For helping save his skin? You needn't thank me. I'm rather fond of the rogue. If you wish, I will make your apologies to your acquaintances for your sudden departure."
Nicholas saw Aurora's smile fade. "What is it, angel?"
"Raven… I wasn't able to say farewell. And I am apprehensive about leaving her alone in England."
He glanced at his cousin. "Will you look after Miss Kendrick for me, Luce?"
"I would be happy to."
"And I," Dare volunteered, "would be pleased to offer my services as well."
"Forgive me," Nicholas retorted, flashing a grin, "but asking you to safeguard a lady is like expecting a wolf to protect a flock of sheep."
"In this instance you have nothing to fear. I vow I will be as chaste as an elderly brother."
"If I hear anything to the contrary," Nick threatened, only half in jest, "I'll string you up by your thumbs."
"Point taken. Well then, farewell and good journey, my friend."
When the two noblemen had shepherded their prisoner from the cabin, only March was left. Nicholas watched as Aurora went to the earl and took his hand. With the softest of smiles, she raised her lips and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.
Nick found himself clenching his jaw… but he willed himself to endure it. He no longer had reason to be jealous of the nobleman, he told himself. Not when he was the one claiming Aurora as his wife.
March murmured a farewell and then fixed his gaze pointedly on Nicholas. "You had best take good care of her, Sabine, or you can be certain I will be paying you a visit in America."
"Be assured, I will guard her with my life," Nick vowed solemnly.
The earl returned his attention to Aurora. "I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear."
"And I, you. Simone is a fortunate woman. Perhaps someday I may meet her."
Stepping back, March gave Aurora a final smile and then left, shutting the cabin door behind him.
Nick took a slow breath, trying to ease the brutal tension in his body. When Aurora turned to face him, his gaze riveted on hers. "I wasn't wrong, was I?" he breathed. "You love me?"
"Yes, Nicholas. I love you."
Joy hit him with such fierceness it made him shake. In two strides he had reached her and caught her up in his arms, the way he'd been longing to do since her arrival onboard the schooner. Aurora found her lips smothered beneath his passionate kiss.
Even when he had stolen her breath away, he wouldn't cease. His mouth moved over hers hungrily as if he were starved for the taste of her. Finally, however, Nicholas broke off the tender assault long enough to rasp hoarsely against her lips.
"Tell me again," he demanded.
She didn't misunderstand his urgency. "I love you," she managed to say before he cut off her declaration with another devastating kiss.
It was a long, long moment before Nick allowed her to speak again, although he still refused to let her go.
Breathless with desire and love, he pressed his forehead against hers. "What caused your change in heart?" he dared ask.
"I realized I couldn't live without you," Aurora said simply.
"Then you will be my wife?" He lifted his head, searching her face. Her eyes were bright with love; her lovely smile trapped his breath in his throat.
"Yes, Nicholas. I will… on one condition."
That finally gave him pause. He drew back to eye her warily. "What condition?"
"That you promise to make at least a small attempt to curb your recklessness."
"My reckl
essness?"
"Since I've known you, all you have ever done is deliberately court danger. I have no intention of becoming a widow again."
"I have no intention of letting you."
"You just said you intended to guard me with your life. And I saw you eyeing Gerrod's pistol as if you planned something rash. I felt sure you would have fought him for it if I hadn't acted."
"I would have found another way. I wouldn't have risked endangering you." Nick couldn't help but grin. "The look on Gerrod's face… He was so certain he had me in his grasp. He didn't count on having to deal with my beautiful, courageous wife."
"It was not courageous in the least. I was terrified he would shoot you." She shuddered. "I couldn't bear to lose you, Nicholas. I want your promise that you will try to keep yourself safe for my sake."
"I promise, sweetheart. My reckless days are over, I swear to you. I have too much at stake to risk losing you."
He gazed down into her azure eyes, still not quite believing his good fortune. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Aurora. I want to have children with you and grow old with you. I want to sleep with you and share dreams with you and wake up beside you…"
Aurora thought she had never heard words more beautiful.
Just then she felt the movement of the ship as the anchor was weighed. Nicholas lifted his head for a moment, then bent again to nuzzle her lips. "We have a long journey ahead of us, do you realize that, my love?"
She felt her pulse quicken at the thought; the prospect of having weeks and weeks alone with Nicholas filled her with joy.
Deliberately she raised her arms to encircle his neck, gazing into his dark eyes that shone so fiercely with tenderness.
"Not long enough," Aurora whispered, wanting to sing with the fullness in her heart.
She was actually sailing to Virginia with Nicholas as his wife. The enormity of her decision no longer alarmed her. She could only contemplate her future with eagerness and excitement and hope.
Nicholas was her life. The only man she would ever love.
As her lips molded to his, a line from the journal came back to her: He held my heart captive, with chains stronger than steel.
The Passion n-2 Page 33
