The Captain

by Lynn Collum

  “Jacinda,” the captain spoke her name softly and the intimacy of it sent a strange tingle through her. “I shall have Mr. Wilkins draw up a settlement that will allow you to keep your fortune separate.”

  She stared into the depths of his dark green eyes and found herself wanting to say yes. He was handsome, smart, and kind, what more could she want in a husband? But the same thing kept repeating in her head. Love, she wanted love.

  “Child, a husband could save your life, and—”

  Suddenly, Jacinda knew what to do. “I agree, Mr. Wilkins. A husband is what I need. Captain Morrow and I shall pretend to be married, if you are still willing to do this my way, sir.” Seeing the protest on his well-shaped lips, she crossed her arms. “We pretend to be married, or I go back to pulling weeds in your garden, Captain.”

  The two gentlemen exchanged an exasperated glance about the obstinacy of females, but at last the captain nodded his assent. “Very well, I shall do it your way. But you must promise you will be careful.”

  “I have no wish to depart this world, Captain. I shall be very careful.”

  His gaze raked her. “And of course, you cannot continue to dress as a lad.”

  Jacinda tugged at her waistcoat. She hadn’t even thought about her clothes. “New gowns?” A thrill of delight stirred in her. She’d never really had an opportunity to choose her own clothes. Aunt Devere and Cousin Millie had always done that when she was a youngster and there had been no pretty gowns while she’d been in hiding. Then she was suddenly guilty. This wasn’t about how she would look, but finding her father’s killer.

  The old solicitor rose. “My dear, allow me to take you to my daughter. No doubt her modeste would be delighted to serve you. With your funds we shall have you turned out as a proper lady by the end of the week.”

  “Here are the marriage lines I had Harwick draw up for you.” Mr. Wilkins handed the paper across the desk to Drew some ten days later. “They won’t stand for too close a scrutiny, so do be careful. We chose the parish in Tunbridge Wells in County Kent. A fair distance from London and especially Westbury. We didn’t want one of her relations going through the registry for there would be no evidence of a wedding.”

  Drew scanned the document. It looked official enough to him but then he couldn’t say he’d ever seen marriage lines before.

  Mr. Wilkins continued. “Also, if you will, give this document to Miss Blanchett.”

  “Perhaps you should begin to refer to her as Mrs. Morrow.” Drew smiled at the old gentleman as he folded the phony license and put it in his pocket.

  The solicitor nodded and continued, “I have set aside twenty thousand pounds into a separate account for young Ben Trudeau and purchased a small business for a Miss Lili LeBeau of Wapping as Miss Blanchett requested. Even should, God forbid, something happen to her, no one could touch that money or the business. For the lad, the money is duly his to do with as he will on reaching one-and-twenty. I have made you and Miss, er, I mean Mrs. Morrow joint on the lad’s guardianship.”

  “Nothing will happen to Jacinda, sir. I promise.” Perhaps he was being overly confident, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to inflict more harm on her.

  Mr. Wilkins sat back in his chair. Worried lights hovered in the depths of his eyes. “When do you leave for Somerset? I have written to her family and informed them that she is found and returning home within the next week.”

  “The carriage I hired is being loaded even as we speak. Your daughter is dropping her at the hotel this afternoon.” Drew was anxious to see her. It had taken the better part of a week but there were three trunks already loaded with Jacinda’s new wardrobe, as well as the new clothing for young Ben. They’d scarcely seen Jacinda all week, what with fittings and shopping. “We shall go straight to Chettwood Manor. I have so many workmen at Rowland Park making repairs I thought to use that as an excuse for our staying at her home.”

  There could be little doubt that was where they should be, but there was also the increased danger. “Do be careful, sir.”

  “You forget that Ben will be helping me. Together we shall keep her safe.” Drew rose.

  “I wasn’t referring to Mrs. Morrow, but to you, Captain. By marrying Miss Blanchett, you have put yourself in harm’s way if our murderer is quite determined.”

  “That was the plan, Mr. Wilkins. Better me than a defenseless woman.” On those words, Drew departed.

  A knock sounded at the door of the hotel room and before Jacinda could say a word, Ben’s head appeared round the door. “May I come in?”

  “Of course.” She turned from the looking glass, where she had been admiring Madame Chloe’s handiwork since Mrs. Houston had left her to return to family. Even now, Jacinda was stunned by the attractive young female in the glass. For the first time in eight years she felt like Miss Blanchett of Chettwood Manor.

  Ben stepped in from the hallway and Jacinda hardly recognized him. The captain had had the lad’s hair cut fashionably short and provided him with a new wardrobe. He looked quite the young gentleman despite the fact his mother was a chambermaid and his father a highwayman. It went a long way to convincing Jacinda that much could be done to improve the plight of the common man. Perhaps if so many youngsters weren’t out on the streets fending for themselves at an early age, there would be less crime. Once she was back at Chettwood and established she must look into founding an orphanage that would teach children and not just warehouse them.

  The lad eyed her expectantly for a moment and when she remained mute because she was lost in thought, he said, “Jack, am I not as fine as five pence?” She smiled as he turned around slowly for her to admire all his finery.

  Jacinda smiled at his continued use of the old name and at his pride in his new looks. She couldn’t have been prouder of him if he truly were her own little brother. But she was certain he wouldn’t want any untoward display of affection so she merely said, “You are even finer than that. You will have all the young ladies in Westbury after you.”

  The lad grunted, but whether from pleasure or disgust was unclear. His eyes suddenly widened as he took in Jacinda’s new apparel. “Bloody hell, if you ain’t beautiful, Jack.”

  Jacinda was pleased at his compliment, but not his words. “What have I told you about such language young man? A gentleman never says such and I do so dislike the word ‘ain’t.’ ”

  Ben straightened, folded his hands politely in front of him and in a deep voice said, “My dear Miss Blanchett, you are quite exquisite, if I may say.” Then he bowed with a great flourish and twinkling eyes. “How was that?”

  They both fell into peals of laughter, which they had a difficult time controlling even after a knock sounded on the door. Before Jacinda could say a word, Ben opened the door to reveal Captain Morrow.

  Her heart seemed to skip a beat at the sight of him. He looked handsome in his blue jacket, blue and white stripped waistcoat, and tan breeches with Hessians. She’d seen little of Ben and the captain; Mrs. Houston had insisted that she stay at Half Moon Street with her since she had no maid to keep things proper. But her week had been quite fun, shopping, playing with her hostess’s young girls, and getting back into the feel of being a lady.

  The captain stood for a moment in the doorway. He couldn’t quite fathom that the beauty before him was once young Jack. Her golden brown hair had been styled into fashionable curls with a ribbon run though them. She looked elegant in a pale green traveling gown that showed her slender figure to perfection. The gown was trimmed with gold military-style frogging at the bodice, a ruff of gold lace inset at her collar. Tiny black leaves had been embroidered along the hem and at the ends of her sleeves. A straw casquet bonnet with small green flowers along the brim lay on the table beside her

  He took her hand and pressed a kiss on her glove. “My dear, you are too lovely for words.” Was that a look of fear in her hazel eyes, or merely uncertainty for what lay ahead? If the boy hadn’t been there, the urge to take her in his arms would have been too great. Dre
w released her hand and stepped back.

  “Yeah,” Ben said, “who would have thought Jack could look a proper lady?”

  Both adults stared at him as if he’d spoken a curse word in polite company. “Uh, you know what I meant.” When neither one agreed, he added, “Perhaps we should be going, Jack. It’s a long ride back to Somerset.”

  The captain offered Jacinda his arm. “The lad is right on that account. We want to reach Chettwood in a timely manner.”

  A slight tremor went through her arm as she lifted it to take his. His hand closed over her smaller one, which rested on his sleeve. “Don’t be frightened, my dear. I promise I’ll protect you.”

  She gave him such a trusting smile, he felt he couldn’t fail. He would protect her at all cost.

  The sun had disappeared behind the trees as their carriage turned into the long drive of Chettwood Manor. Jacinda fidgeted with the strings to her green reticule as the familiar grounds passed the windows. She spied the family of ducks she’d adored as a young child and was delighted to discover they still resided on the ornamental pond, or at least their descendants did. Several mother ducks, their young in tow, glided to the far side of the lake as the carriage drove along the gravel drive. A memory of her cousin Claude pushing her down the steps of the gazebo near the water flashed in her mind. His sister, Jane, had kicked him in the shin for doing it. She wondered who among her relatives would be at the manor.

  As they passed the open meadow, she recalled how Ben’s grandfather had taught her to ride. Her mother and Cousin Millie had looked on as if the gentle Snowflake were some dangerous stallion instead of an old Shetland pony. There were so many memories, good and bad, proving she still had a strong connection to this place.

  The manor came into view and a strange twinge occurred in her stomach. She was coming home at last. Jacinda stared at the huge building, knowing that things were going to be quite different. Her father was no longer there to see to everything. She would not only be the mistress of the manor but responsible for the entire estate by year’s end.

  The carriage circled the flagstone courtyard and drew to a halt under a large portico. To Jacinda’s surprise, the oversized oak doors opened in an instant, as if every one had been waiting behind it for days. Stritch and what seemed a bevy of servants spilled onto the front stairs, the great hall chandelier lit and casting an inviting glow behind them. They beamed at her as if each and every one had received a raise in salary that very morning.

  Jacinda stomach churned as she caught sight of the interior of her home. At first she thought she might be sickening, then she realized what she was feeling wasn’t illness, but fear. She shrank back into the squabs, wishing she didn’t have to face all these people—servants and family alike. Someone here wished to do her harm. Not only that, they expected her to know what to do: how to run a house, how to run an estate, how to be the lady. This was like nothing she’d ever done.

  A hand closed over her gloved fists, which lay clenched on her lap. She looked up into Captain Morrow’s kind eyes.

  “Where is that fearless young Jack who faced down the King’s Impressment service?”

  Her gaze darted to the waiting servants, then back to the gentleman. “I think I might have left him in Madame Chloe’s changing rooms along with his coat and breeches.”

  The gentleman chuckled. “I think not. What made Jack strong is still inside Miss Jacinda Blanchett.”

  Jacinda wasn’t so sure. Jack’s life had been more about the basics of survival: food, shelter, and taking care of Ben. Here she was rather like a boat without a rudder, adrift and uncertain what direction to take with people who’d become strangers. Then the gentleman squeezed her hand and she suddenly realized she had her very own captain to help her navigate these dangerous waters. She gave him as brave a smile as she could muster.

  The door to the carriage opened and the butler, whose tone was as staid as usual but whose eyes were alive with delight, said, “Welcome back to Chettwood, Miss Jacinda.”

  She stiffened her spine and allowed the old servant to take her hand and help her down the steps. Ben had already scrambled down from the driver’s perch where he’d begged to ride after their last stop. In truth, she suspected he’d taken exception to the information that she’d taken Mr. Wilkins’s advice and decided to send him to school. At present, he was surprisingly subdued in front of the staff.

  “Stritch, ’tis good to see you looking so well and fit.” As the captain joined her, she gestured at him. “I hope you will welcome my husband, Captain Andrew Morrow.”

  The old servant did an excellent job of maintaining his composure but there was a soft titter of interest from the maids and footmen that one raised brow from Stritch ended. He bowed formally. “May I wish you happy, madam. And you, sir, are most welcome at Chettwood.”

  “And this” Jacinda said, “is Ben Trudeau, Trudy’s nephew. He will be staying here in the house until he goes away to school in the fall.” Watching the servants’ appalled expressions, her tone took on a hint of steel. “He has been my family for the past eight years and I expect him to be treated as such.”

  To her surprise, Ben drew his hands behind him just the way the captain had and bowed. “I am delighted to be here, Stritch. Miss Blanchett has told us this is the best run house in the neighborhood.”

  The old butler didn’t say a word, but Jacinda sensed that Ben had taken just the right deferent tone with the servant.

  “Jacinda?” Cousin Millie interrupted the meeting when she appeared in the doorway and stared at the visitors with nervous anticipation.

  Eight years had taken a toll on the older woman. Her hair was more gray than brown now. Lines radiated from her eyes and mouth. Hollows had permanently settled in her cheeks, but still there was joy in her eyes.

  “Cousin Millie, it’s good to be home at last.” Jacinda hurried up the stairs and hugged the woman, who seemed to be more frail than she remembered, but, then, perhaps it was only that she herself had grown strong.

  Millicent placed her hands round her niece’s face and seemed to drink in her countenance. “Child, you look so much like your mother it makes me want to weep. I have worried so about you and here you are all grown and ...” she looked past Jacinda at the captain, “according to Mr. Wilkins’s most recent letter, married.”

  Drew appeared at Jacinda’s side and introductions were made. Millicent frowned at him. “Well, young man, I hope your have outgrown that wild streak that we all remember.”

  “Cousin,” Jacinda chided. “He is Captain Morrow, not some schoolboy.” He was going to a great deal of trouble to help her, not to mention the danger he’d placed himself in. She certainly didn’t want her family treating him badly.

  But the captain took the jibe in stride. “Just the indiscretions of an idle youth, Miss Markham, I promise you.”

  The lady harrumphed as if to say only time would tell. Without another word to him, she slid her arm through her niece’s. “Do you wish to go to your rooms and refresh yourselves first or meet the rest of the family?”

  Jacinda removed her bonnet and gloves, handing them to a nearby footman as the captain surrendered his hat to Stritch. “That won’t be necessary. We stopped in Wells and had supper. Let us not keep the others waiting.”

  “Come, my dear, they are in the Gold Drawing Room. We’ve had word from your uncle that business at present keeps him in town, but he asks that you write and tell him if there is anything you need. Claude is away on business and Jane sends you her best but she won’t come until the autumn for she is much involved with her charity with the Widow and Orphans Fund, and thinks as well that you might need time to readjust to life at the manor.” Millie escorted her down the hall.

  The room was much as Jacinda remembered it, but she’d seen little of the formal rooms, having been considered still in the nursery. Her Aunt Devere and cousins were huddled together near an open window, the growing darkness still warm from the day’s heat. There was a moment’s hesi
tation as the newly arrived party entered the room, as if each group was measuring the other.

  At last Mrs. Devere hurried forward, Giles and Prudence in her wake. “Well, Jacinda, you cannot know how we have all worried about you. Have we not Giles? Prudence?” The pair murmured their agreement.

  Giles smirked and simpered. “Cousin Jacinda, welcome home.” He looked her over as if inspecting a horse, then he laughed, “Why, cousin, if I’d known you would grow up to be such a beauty I would have been kinder.”

  A cool smile touched Jacinda’s lips. His new toadying was even less desirable than his old needling of her. Deciding that she must make the best of the situation at present, she merely turned to her companion. “May I present my husband, Captain Morrow.”

  Prudence’s lips puckered in disappointment. “Captain, you didn’t tell us that you were intending to marry our cousin out of hand as soon as she was found. One would think you in need of her fortune.”

  The captain smiled politely, despite the lady’s tone. “One might think that if one didn’t know better. But, my dear Mrs. Tyne, who could think of fortunes after taking one look at my wife’s beautiful face. I’ve come to believe there truly is a thing such as love at first sight.”

  He gave Jacinda such a look that she suddenly wished his words were true. Her cheeks warmed and she was relieved when her Cousin Millie suggested they all sit down and she would order tea.

  “But who is this adorable child?” Mrs. Devere’s words were in direct contrast with the look she cast at Ben.

  “Forgive me for forgetting about this scamp, but he is not usually so quiet.” Jacinda slid her around arm Ben’s shoulders to leave her relations in no doubt that she held the lad in great affection. She made the introduction.

  Startled looks settled over all their faces. Cousin Millie frowned. “But was not Trudy’s brother a ...well, that is ...”