by Julia Donner
“Sorry, can’t be helped. You can be quite stern when you set your mind to it.”
“This is not a humorous matter. An officer who orders it should forfeit his commission.”
He leaned forward to drop an apple core in the basket. “Had it been ordered by my captain, I would have accepted it as being deserved. The scars don’t embarrass me, precisely because they were undeserved.”
“Then how did it come about?”
Mr. Bradford pinched his lips in thought, as if to hold back the words. “I couldn’t stop myself from interceding. One of my crew, the cabin boy, was falsely accused. He would have been hanged had I not stepped forward.”
She studied his slightly averted face. Memories flickered in his eyes as he stared out at the countryside. Following his gaze, she murmured, “But they wouldn’t hang you. As you said, you would fetch a goodly amount on the slave block.” After a moment, she added, “One would think they would’ve worried about you not surviving a keelhauling.”
He softly laughed, a sound that sent a shiver down her arms. “The hauling was for the third offense. The floggings came before that.”
She fisted her hands in her lap. “What could a boy possibly do to merit so much harassment? Why didn’t he cease whatever gave them cause? He must have known you would step forward again.”
“He knew. That was why he threw himself overboard after I survived the keelhauling.”
She started to speak again, but stopped. Understanding came in a heated rush, followed by the draining feeling of warmth leaving her face. “The boy, he was…violated?”
Large hands enveloped hers, gently holding them. “I’m so sorry. I never should have told you such things. Forgive me.”
She looked down at his gloved hands, her own completely enveloped within his. Her heart fluttered when his thumbs rubbed her wrists. “No, sir. I am honored that you feel secure in saying matters that are so difficult and personal. It is true that society, especially females, are protected from the unseemly aspects of life, but I’m afraid I forced you to explain. That poor child. It was my understanding that the Navy has strict rules of conduct. It never occurred to me what could happen on a privateer. Or anywhere criminals rule.”
He amazed her again with a quick return to his good humor and ready smile. “He was a good lad and a courageous one. My crew and I honored him in private.”
“They never intervened when the boy was accosted?”
“I was in charge. That was my place. Others offered, since we all felt responsible for him.”
“As you would a brother?”
“Yes, Allison. There, I’ve startled you with unsanctioned familiarity. Considering that I have been far more candid than what is expected, I hoped you wouldn’t feel it presumptuous to speak on friendlier terms.”
When he waggled his eyebrows, she pinched back a grin at his silliness and withdrew her hands. “Considering that, I believe I should bring myself down to the level of friendly intimacy and use our given names. I am hopeful that I shall be able to find the wherewithal to speak with equal candor and confidence in the near future, but I do not have your strength of character.”
He sat back on his seat. “Of course you do. And more. If you carried a sign over your head with an arrow pointing down at you, it couldn’t shout any louder of your honesty and firmness of character.”
Her tormentor paused to grin at the unruly blush heating her face then continued, “And there is something about you that makes it easier to say one’s mind. I haven’t been able to speak of the things that happened over the last years. Not to anyone. In your company,” he hesitated to study her with a perplexed expression, “I feel I can tell you anything. Everything. It’s quite extraordinary.”
She couldn’t stop a prideful little smile from forming. “I think that is quite the nicest complement I’ve ever received.”
He scowled with playful outrage. “Can’t be. What? Have you been congregating with the obtuse or the blind? I’m making a vow to myself to remember to compliment you at least five times a day to make up for the dullards. Daft, the lot of them, not to see the marvel that is Allison Davidson.”
His easy way of making her blush banished the distress of their earlier conversation. He had a solid, safe presence and a sense of the ridiculous that comforted her soul all the way to London, arriving on the outskirts before nightfall.
Before they reached Cavendish Square, her scattered thoughts and jumbled emotions settled on two points of understanding. She must guard her heart from this man whom she found so accessible in so many ways, his courage, humility and humanity. His financial circumstances and hers offered no opportunity for a future together. He must marry a woman of monetary substance or go back to sea, and she didn’t think she could bear that. She couldn’t offer her hand to any man without an explanation of her past, and that was something she would not and could not ever revisit, especially to Cameron Bradford, who thought so well of her. Some of life’s trials were meant to stay buried.
Chapter 8
Cameron had seen many imposing houses in his day, and he now numbered Asterly House as one of them. The granite edifice dominated Cavendish Square, as it had been built precisely to do, from its numerous chimneys and sparkling windows to its pristine steps to its entrance. Two footmen came down to the curb, the doors having been immediately thrown open when the carriage stopped.
When Cameron looked at Mrs. Davidson to assess her opinion of this welcome, she said, “They know this equipage, and it would not surprise me if Sir Harry sent a message ahead.”
Cameron waved off the footman and handed her down. “I thought they expected only you, but I spy through the entry that there’s a battalion lined up in the lobby.”
“This house likes things done with precision.”
“More likely Harry hatching a trick.”
A maid appeared in the doorway and Mrs. Davidson pointed out her baggage to the footman. A groom handed off Cameron’s portmanteau to the other footman, who carried it inside. As the carriage rolled away, Cameron seized the opportunity for contact with Allison by taking her arm. Again, he studied the strange connection, absorbing the sensation through the layers of his gloves and her pelisse sleeve—something tangible—at the same time comforting and alluring. He was sorry when they stopped in the vestibule, which allowed him no reason for hanging on to her arm.
The front doors thumped shut. He looked around. The servants had disappeared with the luggage. He’d been impressed with the exterior, but the interior was much grander with its marble floors and staircase. A frescoed ceiling arched overhead. The walls were covered in landscape paintings. Huge vases of flowers filled the entry area with scents of spring.
He leaned down a bit to whisper, “Is that one of the Elgin marbles?”
She glanced at the statue placed by a set of closed doors. “It’s possible, although I’ve heard that the earl declined to sell them. Lady Asterly is a devoted collector. If it isn’t one of Elgin’s, she might have sent people to Turkey to inveigle one from the Sublime Porte. There is an entire room somewhere, entirely filled with statuary.”
She broke off when a tall, white-haired servant in stark black garb approached. Lean and unbent by age, the butler wore gloves over misshapen fingers. “Mrs. Davidson, her ladyship expected that you would arrive this afternoon.”
“Good evening, Mr. Crimm. I did not wish to cause a stir.”
“Certainly not, ma’am. Sir Harry sent word ahead that Mr. Bradford would be in your company. Someone has gone to fetch Lord Asterly from his meeting.”
Cameron protested, “We shouldn’t wish to disturb.”
“Not at all, sir. His lordship insisted to be notified as soon as you arrived. Her ladyship will be down any moment.”
“I am here,” called a voice from the staircase. “How good it is to see you again, Mrs. Davidson.”
Lady Asterly approached with hands outstretched and placed her cheek on Allison’s. “And this is the much talked abo
ut Cameron Bradford. Sir, my husband is wild to see you. He’s told me any number of horrific stories that I will beg you to clarify at dinner as truth or fiction.”
Cameron nodded a bow as she beamed up at him, a stranger made to feel completely at ease. Like Harry’s wife, she was handsome, not pretty, with an abundance of chestnut hair and clever hazel eyes. She had an air of contained power he’d never seen in a female, as if she could command an army under fire with cool confidence. Perhaps she had talked a Turkish potentate out of Athenian treasure.
“Lady Asterly, thank you for allowing me in. Mayhap you will rue your decision after you hear of the dastardly pranks I played on your husband.”
“Doubtful,” she answered with a twinkling smile. “I may need them as comforting memories when I cannot twist him to my will.”
“Squid!”
Cameron turned to the man coming down the steps. No longer pale-skinned, slender and serious, Peregrine Collyns, Lord Asterly, had grown into a well-set up man with a complexion as weather-roughened as his own. He had none of his twin’s beauty—his hair sand-colored rather than golden and eyes marine blue-green instead of cerulean. Harry had told him that Peregrine had spent many years at war. He’d always come home when injured, only to return to battle or the shadows of espionage. With his wife’s money and support, he’d become a power in Parliament.
Cameron stuck out his hand but was jerked into an embrace, clapped on the back, and shoved back for an inventory. “Lud, Cameron, just look at you. You look as worn as I. Did you know that I’ve had the Admiralty searching for you?”
“For me? When was that?”
“Ages ago, man. Must be seven years. Harry said he’d read that your ship went down at sea. I refused to believe anything or anyone could get the better of you, with the exception of Harry, of course, so I hounded the Navy until they started a dedicated search.”
“Very good of you, Perry, but I believe we’re excluding the ladies.” He’d squirmed under their inquisitive gazes as Peregrine opened the subject he least liked to talk about.
Lady Asterly linked her arm through Mrs. Davidson’s and drew her away. “We’ll let the boys reminisce their childhood days while you get settled. Dinner at nine, Mr. Bradford. Until then, I shall keep Mrs. Davidson all to myself.”
He felt a bit adrift as he watched Mrs. Davidson climb the steps, her head tilted to Lady Asterly’s as they spoke in undertones. An area under his heart hollowed as she departed.
A strong grip on his shoulder brought his attention back to his friend. “Come along, Squid. Time to tell me why it’s taken you so long to come home. What do you say to a glass of claret?”
“Do you have any biscuits?”
Chapter 9
The last time Allison had visited, Lady Asterly had said she wished to gift Allison with an evening gown. That evening before dinner, a maid delivered the dress and draped it across the bed’s counterpane. Allison had stared at the blue crepe creation, cut with a low bodice, short sleeves, and three flounces embroidered with curling green leaves. Matching gloves and slippers, pale pink stockings, and a vibrant rose shawl edged in gold trim had been included. After luxuriating in the sensation of running her fingertips over its slick texture and silky tassels, she left the shawl on the bed. Taking her time to dress, she later savored the utter sumptuousness of her new gown as she descended the stairs to dinner.
Mr. Bradford’s eyes widened when she joined the Asterlys and their guests in the withdrawing room. Lady Asterly came to greet her, hands outstretched, a bright smile and satisfaction lighting her eyes. She’d begun to gain weight, mostly concealed beneath the high-waisted gown. Her movement showed none of the lethargy of the later stage of pregnancy, but intuition had Allison suspecting that Lady Asterly was farther along than she said.
“Oh, Allison, you look magnificent!”
She whispered back, “Due to your generosity.”
“I wish you would accept more, especially since you have blown to nothingness all my cares and worries about the upcoming confinement. I’ve kept my pledge and not told Peregrine about your Comfort Stone. I will leave it to you to assuage his concerns. He and Harry had a dreadful time of it, for the twins insisted on taking forever to come into this world.”
With her arm looped in Lady Asterly’s, Allison confidentially replied, “I fear men would never survive the pain should they be the ones to bear the children. Many cannot tolerate it. They make a nice show of a stiff upper lip nevertheless.”
“God would grace them with the wherewithal as He has done for our gender.” Since they were nearing the guests, Lady Asterly formalized her tone. “Were you always this wise, Mrs. Davidson?”
Allison injected her reply with ruefulness. “No. That comes with whatever the world gives us to experience or overcome. I see we will be an intimate group this evening.”
“No guests on Mondays, strictly en famile. And before you seek to dissemble, you’ve become more family than guest. I shall be forever grateful to Emily for introducing us. After what Asterly went through waiting for the twins to be safely delivered, I think he may want to gift you with a barge of gold. I have no doubt Harry must feel the same.”
Asterly and Mr. Bradford nodded bows of greeting and Lady Asterly said, “Come along, gentlemen. We are informal this evening, therefore I shall keep Allison’s arm.” She continued as they strolled toward the dining room. “Have you had the pleasure of hearing Emily play the harp?”
“I have had the great good fortune to hear Lady Exton-Hughes play every stringed instrument I can think of. She plays so easily, as if it were as simply done as speaking.”
“Exactly so. That is how we became friends, our shared love of music. She also plays flute but doesn’t care much for it. When here, she allows Harry the flute and takes the lyre. Olivia sings and I play the pianoforte. My husband has a fine baritone and sings with her. Do you play the pianoforte?”
“Not well,” she answered as they took their seats. “I never excelled at much. I am passable at painting and did well with embroidery. Those were my only claims to achievement.”
Mr. Bradford shifted his attention from the fish course to say, “For my part, I’m dashed glad she did well at sewing.” He said to his hostess, “Please extend my compliments to your cook, Lady Asterly. This turbot is marvelous. I’m quite accustomed to it being boiled to toughness.”
“We have a chef in town. I stole him from Carlton House, but he will not be with us for long. I believe he yearns for Paris, but has agreed to remain until a dinner party Wednesday next. Will you be staying with us until then?”
“I would love to, but must attend to business.”
Lady Asterly glanced at her husband. “I’ve heard that you are in search of your family. Will you allow me to assist in this endeavor?”
Mr. Bradford set down his fork. “Ma’am, that is too much to ask. Peregrine has offered to lend his aid at the Admiralty.”
Lady Asterly raised her hand to halt the removal of the fish course. “Mr. Bradford, please allow me to assist you. Peregrine told me about what you did for his mother. It was so touching, and at the time, meant so much to both boys. This would be a little thing in comparison.”
As Mr. Bradford considered the offer, she gestured for the next course to be served. Asterly said, “Cam, you are thinking too much about this. Lizzie has connections to most of the banks. Her pretty tentacles will have your prize monies, and I will have it sorted out at the Admiralty. All we ask is that you have the patience to put off your searching for a week. We should have answers for you by then.”
Mr. Bradford inspected a roasted, miniature bird, one of two that accompanied a duck breast. He nodded when a footman offered orange sauce. After slicing a portion of duck, he left the morsel paused on the fork tines to say, “I am grateful for any assistance. It was suggested that I speak to Mr. Crimm in regards to the location of my family.”
Lady Asterly beamed. “Please do so. Leave the matter to him. Try to take your
mind from so many serious matters and enjoy your stay in town.”
“Harry did insist that I visit his tailor and boot maker. I believe he suffers in my company from the disastrous state of my wardrobe. Mainly the lack of one. His borrowed clothes scarcely fit.”
Asterly lifted his wine glass. “Here’s to the beginning of a new life, new clothes and discovering of all you have lost. And ignore Harry. He’s impossible when it comes to fashion. I’m thankful every day that he’s given over the stupidity of shocking everyone senseless with his outlandish costumes. He can’t expect you to step off a ship after a decade of capture and be dressed to the thumb. Which reminds me, how did you escape?”
Allison suffered a pang of unease. Questions about his past had caused him discomfort at Rolands, but Lady Asterly interrupted before Mr. Bradford could answer.
“Why don’t we allow Mr. Bradford to enjoy his meal and leave that enticing story to be more fully enjoyed with coffee?”
After dinner, the men didn’t stay at table for port and smoking. Asterly had the decanter brought in to the withdrawing room. As they took seats around a low table spread with coffee, biscuits and dishes of nuts and candies, Mr. Bradford began his tale. He didn’t look ill at ease, which calmed Allison’s concerns.
“After six years at sea, I was sold to a pasha to work in a quarry. During a delivery of stone, his steward pointed at damage to a stable door, as if to ask me if I could fix it. I lied with a nod that I could, even though I’d become somewhat fluent with Arabic and some of the dialects. I’d assisted with carpentry repairs at sea and had rudimentary knowledge of what was needed. It was only a door that had been kicked through and a number of small projects. Repairs to the stable were ongoing. The pasha owned a fine stallion, Emir Ash-shemps As-sabah, Price of the Morning Sun, a magnificent Arab, a breeding line that went back thousands of years. Morning Sun couldn’t be bested in any sort of race, short distance or long, but had a bad habit. He wasn’t mean. Arabs usually aren’t, but this fellow loved to run free. He broke down every door and barrier. Then came the impossible feat of trying to catch him.”
