by Amelia Grey
"Tell me, what made you stop by at the end of the work day, if not to join us for dinner?"
Austin sobered. "I'm here on business."
Bradley didn't hide his surprise well. And no wonder. Austin had never come to him on business. He folded his arms across his chest. "Your expression is serious. Do I need to be worried about you?"
"No," Austin lied. "I came to tell you that I'll be leaving Baltimore for a time."
Bradley squinted. "What? Leaving? What are you talking about?"
"I'll be sailing to Europe, and I'm not sure when I'll be back. I expect it to be a quick trip, but one never knows."
Shaking his head, Bradley said, "This isn't a good time to go to Europe, Austin. Surely I don't have to tell you there's a war going on."
"I'm aware of what's happening."
"I'm not sure you are, if you're willing to risk your life and one of your ships. Tell me, what is so important that you feel you must do this?"
"I can't."
"Nonsense. I've been in the family for almost ten years. I can help you."
"Don't question me on this, Bradley. I have no answers for you. Just do as I ask."
"I have to advise you against this, Austin, no matter the reason. Europe is not safe. It's not like you to be foolhardy." He took a deep breath and stood straight.
"Your objection and observation are noted. Now, I don't want anyone to know where I've gone. If there are questions, you're to say I'm away on business, which I am, and leave it at that. I want you to keep an eye on mother. Take Winifred for a visit if you can. You know how lonely mama gets when I travel."
"You don't have to ask that of me but, tarnation, Austin, think about what you're saying. Napoleon's on the loose like a madman. This isn't the time to sail to Europe. You haven't thought this through, surely."
Austin remained calm. "No, you're wrong. I have thought it through. I realize there is some danger: but believe me, it's minimal." He pulled an envelope from his pocket. "However, should I not come back, open this. It will explain everything. Should I come back, I'll expect to reclaim this unopened."
Bradley reached for the envelope and laid it on the desk behind him without giving it a glance. "I need more information from you on this. Exactly where in Europe are you going, and when? How long will you be gone? Whom should I contact for information should I not hear from you."
"We sail tomorrow night." Austin didn't intend to tell him his port of call or anything else.
His brother-in-law's eyes narrowed. He rubbed his chin with the backs of his fingers and started pacing in front of the desk. "Austin, something's wrong. I feel it. I don't like the sound of this. Tell me what is going on. I want to help you."
Austin rose from his chair and clapped his friend on the back, hoping to reassure him. "Don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."
* * *
Jubal stopped the carriage at the front door of Austin's town house. Thollie had lit the lamp over the doorway, giving light to the pitch-black night.
Austin jumped out, splattering his shiny boots with muddy water. "The seas may be too choppy for you to row out to Aloof tonight," Austin said to his manservant as a chilling drizzle dampened the back of his neck, hitting that bare area between his coat collar and hat. "Yes, sir. You want me to wait or come back here?"
"Wait. We have to make sure there is a medicine bag on board before we sail. I just hope the boy stays in good health and we don't need it. Now go. The rain has just started and with any luck the water won't be too rough yet."
Jubal headed for the carriage, and Austin opened the door and walked inside. Light from the dimly lit foyer immediately welcomed him with its comforting warmth and promise of safety. He took off his dripping hat and coat and hung them on the coat stand behind the door. He wiped the dampness from his face and neck and sighed. Waiting was hell. He wished they sailed tonight.
He turned to go into the drawing room for a sip of brandy, but, with a rush of awareness, he stopped. Chelly stood in the doorway. The soft light framed her in its glow. The sight of her warmed him, taking the chill off the air. Their eyes met. His breath leaped. Austin knew he was in trouble. He desired her. He was falling victim to her quiet charm and courageous spirit. His gaze lingered on her face. Not only was she lovely, she was strong, resourceful, and intelligent.
Doubts tugged at his heart. Should he tell her that what he had asked of her could very well ruin her life if anyone found out? Was it fair to involve her, to involve anyone? Did he want to do that to her? No, of course not. If he was caught, he'd make sure no one but him would be implicated in this undertaking. When they returned, he would be generous to her and settle enough money on her that she'd never have to work as a governess again unless she wanted to.
Finally he said, "You look lovely tonight, Chelly."
She waited a long time before she responded. "Thank you." She pulled a delicate handkerchief from the cuff of her sleeve and as softly as a warm wind, she stepped forward and handed it to him.
Without taking his gaze from hers, he took the small lace-edged square of cloth and gently touched it to each side of his neck, then to each cheek. He breathed deeply and inhaled the clean scent of Chelly on the handkerchief. He didn't want to give it back. He wanted to keep that part of her with him.
"The rain must have chilled you. I have hot tea in the parlor. Would you like a cup?"
Forgetting the brandy, touched by her consideration for him, he nodded and moved to her side, slipping the handkerchief into his jacket pocket.
Chelly poured tea while Austin took a seat on the settee. There was something—no, everything about this man she found appealing. All he had to do was look at her and stirring feelings she didn't understand swirled inside her. She felt like a young schoolgirl, blossoming with her first awareness of boys, rather than a woman who'd just turned twenty.
She had to be careful, though. The last thing she wanted was to develop any romantic feelings for her employer. She'd never forget what a shambles her last employer had made of her life. While Mr. Duncan was a handsome man, she'd never been attracted to him, no matter what he'd told his wife. Now that she was attracted to her employer, she had to be better than good, more than circumspect.
"Cream or sugar?" she asked.
Austin shook his head. "Neither. I'm surprised you're still up." He took the teacup from her and sipped.
"I slept so much yesterday I wasn't sleepy tonight. I hope you don't mind that I waited up for you."
"Actually, I'm glad. It gives me a chance to talk to you again." He paused, studying her. "I found out tonight that my journey is set. We sail tomorrow evening."
Excitement coursed through her. Her eyes lit with adventure. "That's wonderful. I'm ready to go whenever you give the word." The sooner she made this journey, the better. She could return and reestablish her good name and reputation as an excellent governess. She would take the best care of her charge and prove to the Duncans that she could rise above their perfidy.
His eyes turned serious. "Chelly, sit down. I want to talk to you."
She didn't like the sound of his voice. Her muscles tightened as she sat in a chair opposite him.
"This is not going to be an easy voyage. I'm beginning to wonder if it's fair of me to ask you to make this journey."
"What?" She poised forward in her seat, fear making her throat dry. "Have you found someone else to care for the child?"
"No, but I know you need to be here, trying to find a permanent post, and there is some danger in traveling to Europe at this time because of the war. I'm just not sure—"
"You have changed your mind about me." Her voice turned whispery. Even though he hadn't asked for references, he must have heard about the problem with the Duncans, and now he didn't want her. What was she to do? She needed this job. She had to have it.
She couldn't keep the hurt off her face, out of her eyes, away from her voice. "You don't trust me?"
Austin rubbed the back of his neck. "That's
not true. I don't know that I should involve you in this. It's a complicated matter, and I don't want you to get hurt. That's my only reason for having second thoughts."
Chelly clasped her hands together in her lap. She refused to let him deny her and go back on his word. "I need this position, Austin. Please let me go so I can prove myself."
"I know you're worried about a place to live while you look for new employment. You can stay here. Thollie will look after you. Jubal will be going with me."
"No. I don't want a hand out from you. I want this job. I'm not worried about sailing to Europe. I feel perfectly safe with you." She felt herself blush at admitting that to him but fear of losing out forced her to continue. "If you haven't found another to care for the child, why are you denying me this post?"
His eyes met hers. She felt as if he were trying to tell her something, trying to warn her of something. And for a moment she considered telling him the whole story about the Duncans.
"There's a possibility one day you might regret accepting this position."
How could she regret what could very well restore her reputation? "No. I understand the dangers of sailing to Europe at this time. I'm prepared to accept them and do everything within my power to take care of that little boy."
Austin nodded reluctantly. "All right. Give Thollie a list of everything you might need for yourself and for the child. She'll purchase it for you tomorrow and have it sent to the ship. You'll have all day tomorrow to get ready. We'll board late in the evening."
Chelly didn't realize how stiff she had been holding herself until she relaxed. Thank God, he was going to let her have the job. She'd prove to him she could take care of the child. And she'd stay as far away from Austin as possible. If he knew about the problem at the Duncan household, she'd see to it he'd had no reason to think she had anything on her mind other than caring for that child.
* * *
The ship rocked and creaked against the swift movement of the choppy water. It wasn't a great night to sail, but not impossible, Austin had assured her. Chelly wasn't sure she believed him. She was a ball of nerves as she sat in the dimly lit cabin, rocking back and forth, trying to comfort the dark-haired little boy whimpering in her arms. He'd cried for more than two hours.
Something wasn't right. The child's mother hadn't accompanied him, nor the father. Not even a nurse. Chelly had still been below preparing the cabin for them when she'd heard loud crying.
She'd met Austin coming down the stairs with the wailing and struggling child. As best he could, above the boy's screams for his mother, Austin told her that from here on she was in charge.
"Where's his mother?" she'd asked.
"I really can't tell you anything about him," Austin had insisted. "Only that I'm delivering him to his father."
"Surely you can tell me the boy's name. If I know a little more about him, I'll be better equipped to take care of him."
"Bo. His mother calls him Bo. Take him below and give him some warm milk and a biscuit. We'll talk later."
It had been difficult to console Bo, but finally after two hours of rocking, singing, and soothing, he'd cried himself to sleep, asking for his mama. It wrenched the very heart from her chest to see him so upset and unable to give him what he wanted. She ached to comfort him but knew nothing would take the place of his mother's arms.
She rocked him another hour, wanting to make sure he was sound asleep before she tried to lay him down. If he awakened, she was afraid he'd start crying again. Something didn't feel right, she told herself again. She planned to find Austin and demand some answers.
Carefully she laid Bo on the small bed. He whimpered, but she patted his back until he slept soundly once more. She rubbed her neck and shoulders and tried to get the blood flowing in her arms again before tiptoeing from the room and down the gallery. As she neared the stairway, she heard muffled, angry voices coming from Austin's cabin. She walked closer and, noticing that the door wasn't completely shut, stopped. She started to knock and step inside, but angry words stopped her. Surprised by the harsh tone of Austin's voice, she listened.
"Damnation, Bradley, I can't believe you did this. I can't believe you're here."
"I told you. I wanted to try to persuade you once again to tell me what was going on. I had no idea you'd wait so late to board. I had a drink and fell asleep in your chair."
"Didn't you hear that child crying? Didn't that wake you?"
"I live in a house with three children. I'm used to crying."
Austin muttered another curse.
"Why is it so difficult to believe I wanted to try once again to talk you out of this foolish notion of sailing to Europe? Why can't you believe I wanted to help?"
"You can't help. For God's sake, Winifred's baby is due in less than three months. What were you thinking when you boarded?"
"I didn't plan on falling asleep. The brandy relaxed me."
"How much did you drink?"
"Well, I did wait a long time for you to return, but that's not important. I can assure you I didn't expect to have you rouse me a few hours later and tell me we're at sea, if that's what you mean. If you don't want my help, fine. Just turn the ship around and take me back to port."
Austin groaned lowly. "I can't."
"Of course you can. You own this ship."
"Look," Austin said in an irritated voice. "I don't like this any better than you do. You are the last person I would have wanted on this journey, but like it or not you are on your way to Europe."
"I won't hear of this foolishness. It may have been unwise of me to enjoy your brandy—"
"Unwise! That's a hell of an understatement."
Bradley chafed. "It doesn't matter, now that I'm here you can't refuse to turn the ship around."
"I can't do it," Austin repeated, his voice losing some of its anger.
Bradley hissed his irritation. "Bloody hell, Austin, I insist you turn this ship around immediately."
Chelly heard swearing and the shuffling of feet. She gently pushed the door aside and in the yellow glow of lamp light she saw Austin pushing a red-haired man against the paneled cabin wall. Jubal stood to one side watching them.
"I can't take you back. That little boy you didn't hear crying down below has been kidnapped. By now the authorities are no doubt looking all over the city for him; and if I return, they will search the ship and throw all of us in jail!"
Bradley's face flamed red. "My God! Austin, you lie."
"No, I speak the truth. He's been kidnapped from his mother. I'm taking him to his father."
The roll of the ship unsettled Chelly's feet and she felt as if she were going to fall. She leaned against the wall, trying to get her breath. Her chest heaved. Her stomach churned. Surely, the nice man she was drawn to, the man who'd helped when she was thrown out of the tavern hadn't done this horrible deed. Surely, she'd heard him incorrectly.
She squeezed her eyes shut. No, she hadn't. What must that little boy's mother be going through? Chelly opened her eyes, remembering her sister's cry of anguish, lamenting when she'd awakened and found her son lost to her forever. Loraine had tried to overcome the loss of her son but her grief was too great. She never recovered.
In a moment of frantic passion Chelly knocked the cabin door open wide and rushed inside. Ignoring the other two men in the room, her eyes met Austin's.
"You scoundrel! You stole a child from his mother." she said earnestly. "How could you be so cruel?"
Chapter 4
Chelly walked farther into the dimly lit room. The ship creaked and swayed from the choppy seas. She steadied herself by grabbing hold of the back of a chair. Shock clouded Austin's face. His eyes seemed blank as he stared at her. The red-haired man Austin had shoved against the wall appeared stunned to see her, too. Only Jubal kept his feelings hidden behind a mask of indifference.
Chelly's accusing gaze shot back to Austin, and he stepped away from the man he'd been struggling with. She was overcome with outrage and disappointment.
/>
"I can't believe you! This child I've comforted and rocked to sleep has been kidnapped from his mother?" Her throat closed up as she said the words aloud. Her heart hammered in her chest as rage consumed her. "How dare you! How could you? Have you no shame or mercy in your bones?"
"Who are you to barge in here like this?" the red-haired man asked. He stepped in front of Austin, making it clear that even though he'd been fighting Austin just moments ago, he was now ready to take up for him against the person he considered an outsider.
"Her name is Chelly," Austin replied moving from behind Bradley. "I hired her to care for the boy on this journey. She's a governess."
The stranger squinted as if he had trouble seeing her in the hazy lamp light of the dark room. "You presume to speak to your employer in such a manner." He huffed and pulled on the tail of his coat. "This has nothing to do with you. Be off."
Astonished that the freckle-faced man made an attempt to put her in her place, Chelly stared mutely at him for a moment. In his skirmish with Austin, his hair had been ruffled and his cravat torn askew. While talking, he had maneuvered himself in front of her again so that he completely blocked her view of Austin.
Obviously, this man Austin had called Bradley hadn't yet realized they were on the same side. They both wanted the ship turned around immediately and headed back to Baltimore's harbor.
Determined not to be daunted by this man or Austin, she straightened her shoulders, trying to remain steady on her feet as the ship pitched. "I won't have you speak to me in such an unacceptable tone of voice. I'm not your servant to be ordered around. If Austin is involving me in a crime, it is very much my business what is said here."
"Austin, is it?" Bradley's color heightened. He turned around and faced his brother-in-law. "I can't believe you allow her to be so free with the use of your name or how she speaks to you."
"This isn't the time for that, Bradley," Austin said.
Outrage gave Chelly courage she wouldn't otherwise have possessed. She stepped closer to both men. "I dare say you are in no position to argue with me or anyone else about my position on this ship, sir. Stop this foolish nonsense about what is proper for me and what isn't." She felt as if every muscle in her body were on fire. "We have a little boy who has been kidnapped and must be returned to his mother with all haste!"
