"I do understand some of what you're feeling, Hortie." Adrienne gave the woman a smile. "This is a very strange place in comparison to England, and you didn't even choose to come. I have felt lost myself, but I'm getting better now. I'll do whatever I can to help you adjust as well."
"Our lots in life are a bit different though, aren't they?" The servant's expression said what she could not about her dreams of Nathan Raveneau. "I'll be all right. I'm glad to be here, rather than at that awful Crowe's Nest. Not one nice person in the entire house except for Mrs. Crowe."
"Her name is... Eloise?" Adrienne's heart began to pound.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I suppose so."
"I would have expected her to be unpleasant, if she is married to a villain like Xavier Crowe."
"Men like that always marry women like angels. I've seen it over and over again."
"Is she that lovely? And kind?"
Hortie gave her new mistress a long stare. "She's no lovelier than you, if that's what you mean. And yes, Mrs. Crowe is kind, but she has that air of sadness I've seen so often among titled folk." Her thin nose pointed a little more. "Wealth is rarely a guarantee of happiness. Just the opposite, I believe. I've seen a lot of wretched marriages—thoughtless men and lonely women."
"Well, we're not wealthy, so there's no need to worry about us," Adrienne replied distractedly, her mind on Eloise Crowe.
"Is it Lady Thomasina you're concerned about?" Hortie asked. "Mrs. Crowe has been very nice to her, but Lord Harms is always off with Mr. Crowe, and so she spends most of her time in her bedroom. They keep the draperies closed, and she was sleeping nearly all day when I left there...."
"But that's terrible! Poor Lady Thomasina!"
Hortie nodded, as Nathan came into the bedchamber through the dressing room.
"I thought I heard voices! Ah, good, you are showing Hortie around. We want her to feel at home." He drank in the sight of Adrienne.
"It's very different here from England," Hortie offered.
"Yes, that's true," he agreed. "But change can be a good thing. And you are here now, so let's make the best of it." The housekeeper seemed in no hurry to leave them alone, so he walked to the door and opened it. "Perhaps you can go downstairs and have a chat with Orchid about her methods for running the house." This didn't seem to inspire her, so he added, "I think Angus is looking for you as well. You'd better make certain he hasn't escaped from the gallery, or relieved himself on our furnishings!"
"I had nearly forgotten poor Angus!" With that, Hortie fairly dashed out the door and it closed behind her.
"At last we are alone," Nathan murmured. They met each other halfway and enjoyed a heartfelt embrace. "This is not the way I had envisioned our honeymoon."
"Sharing it with Hortie, you mean?" Laughter crept into her voice. "I don't think she wants me to be alone with you. Perhaps she believes she can stop us from consummating this... union."
"Fortunately, she's much too late for that." He kissed her lingeringly. "You taste better than anything in the world. It's amazing."
"You are silly. Now tell me everything that you overheard in Cave Bay! I was worried that Crowe and Huntsford might discover you and challenge you to a duel!"
Nathan laughed. "Can we talk while I change out of these clothes?" He led the way into the dressing room and began stripping off his soiled riding garb. His bride perched on the edge of a low stool, waiting. "I learned that Hunty is afraid of heights and has a nasty sunburn." Naked, he reached for a clean shirt and felt her eyes wandering over him. "Are you listening to anything I've said?"
"Hmmm?"
"Take heed! I'll take you to bed and make love to you quite forcefully if you don't stop staring at me like that."
"You will?" Adrienne squeaked hopefully.
"Well—just as soon as I've had something to eat. I'm famished." Buttoning the shirt, Nathan saw that he had her attention again and turned serious. "I don't think it was a coincidence that we saw Crowe on our land today. I had the feeling that he's been treating your father's property as his own, since Nicholai lived half a world away. And I'm in no hurry to let him know that he's being watched by the new owners."
"What did they say?" Adrienne hopped up and followed him into the light of their bedchamber. They sat down in the chairs by Nathan's desk while he pulled on his boots. "I am fairly panting with suspense!"
"I know. I like it." He gave her a wicked grin. "All right. They were talking about a counterfeit treasure map that Crowe has invented to keep Hunty out of his hair."
"How do you know it's counterfeit?"
One of his black eyebrows arched. "Crowe maintains that it belonged to Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate who plied the waters between here and America a century ago. He was from Barbados, so Crowe has persuaded Harms that he buried his stolen riches on our property."
"You don't think that's possible?"
"I didn't entertain that thought for a moment," he scoffed. "In the first place, I don't believe that it is remotely possible that a map like that could have remained undiscovered and unused for a hundred years. Second, I know Xavier Crowe. This sort of scheme smells of his methods." He stood, then took Adrienne's hand and drew her into his arms. "I hate talking about him. He's a blot on our lives."
"I know, but do finish your explanation." She kissed him for encouragement, then they wandered toward the door. "I'm not sure I quite understand."
"Crowe will find a way to use Harms, but he isn't ready to divulge the details of his secret raids on ships. So, he's keeping him out of the way—digging holes all over Cave Bay cove!"
"Did you learn any more about Huntsford's reasons for coming to Barbados?"
"I heard them talking about Walter Frakes-Hogg, who apparently had business dealings with Crowe. It seems that it was Frakes-Hogg who told Hunty about Xavier Crowe—and that confirms my suspicion that those two were in league back in Winchester."
"The possibilities are frightening!"
"Including my favorite: that Hunty planned to kill Frakes-Hogg that night."
"Why would he want to come to Barbados, though?"
He opened the door to the upstairs hallway and replied in a softly ironic voice, "I only know what he told Crowe today—that they share a common hatred of me, and that Harms intends to rescue you from my evil clutches." After a brief pause, he added, "And of course, money is always a valid motive. Hunty longs to accumulate wealth without working."
Adrienne guessed that her husband meant to end the conversation then, since anything further that they might say could be overheard. "Wait!" She caught the front of his shirt. "I saw something very odd today, when I was inside Victoria Villa. Do you think there could be a ghost? Of Victoria, perhaps?"
"Honestly? No. God, I am ravenous." He looked distracted.
"Do you have more news about Crowe?" she prompted.
His grin flashed white in the late-afternoon shadows. "We are going to a ball next week. Major Carrington and his wife are having a party to celebrate Crop Over. It's usually a festival that's held by the slaves, when the last bit of cane has been cut and processed, but apparently Carrington has decided to enliven the summer for the rest of us...."
"What does that have to do with Huntsford and Xavier Crowe?"
"They plan to attend, along with other members of their household. Ordinarily, I wouldn't consider subjecting myself, or you, to a night of Barbadian society, but we can't miss this. Crowe has promised Hunty that he'll see you at the ball. Can you imagine a better drama? I don't think they know we're married." Nathan led her toward the stairway, enticed by the aroma of slow-cooked pepper pot wafting up from the dining room. "Besides, although I may have shunned proper society in the past, I realize that I ought to change some of my ways now that I am a married man. And I should show you off."
"Don't change too much," Adrienne cautioned, half in jest. "If you turn into a stuffy pillar of society, I'll never forgive you!"
They were laughing until they turned at the landing and saw Ang
us waiting for them at the foot of the stairs. One of the green lizards Adrienne had come to like so much was dangling from the terrier's clenched jaw.
"Grrr," Angus growled.
Before Raveneau could speak, his wife exclaimed, "You don't need to say it! I'll tell Hortie that she must keep Angus in her room."
"That spoiled beast has probably murdered my favorite lizard." He glared at Angus, who lowered his head and growled louder. "I never thought I'd say this, but I begin to empathize with Hunty."
"At least you don't have any blue gloves!"
They both started laughing so hard they had to sit down on the stairs, and Angus dropped his lizard and began to bark.
* * *
Northmont, the plantation house belonging to Major Edward Carrington and his wife, Honoria, was situated on a hill near Speightstown. Thick-trunked fan palms and enormous bearded figs sheltered the grand house which was built in the Georgian style except for the open verandah on three sides. Standing at the front door, guests could look out over the Caribbean Sea that lay far below, and the addition of the fiery setting sun made for a breathtaking view.
Adrienne, flanked by Nathan and Zachary Minter, was dreamily admiring the gilded ocean when the door opened and a handsome black footman bowed before them.
"Welcome to Northmont."
The sight inside the house was almost more spellbinding than the sunset. They were ushered into a marble-tiled entry way, but Adrienne stood on tiptoe to peek into the rooms beyond. Nathan whispered that the entire ground floor of Northmont was taken up by formal rooms, including the magnificent ballroom, a spacious dining room, and the biggest library on the island. Adrienne could almost pretend that she was back in Europe, attending a royal assembly. However, the sultry air, the scents of spicy native foods, the all-black staff, and the countless flickering hurricane lamps reminded her that this was Barbados, not Gloucestershire or the Loire Valley.
Wandering into the airy stairhall, they heard music: harpsichord, violins, flutes, and more, playing together exquisitely. Richly garbed guests were dancing under glittering chandeliers, and servants were carrying huge trays and dishes of food into the nearby dining room.
"You're glad we came, aren't you?" Nathan whispered in her ear.
A wide, radiant smile spread over Adrienne's face. "Yes." She lifted the satin-and-pearl-edged hem of her gown and showed him her white satin shoe, which was tapping in anticipation.
Minter spoke up. "You're too young to be locked away with an elderly fellow like Captain Raveneau."
She giggled. "I sometimes forget that my husband is more than thirty years old! No wonder he doesn't waltz with me." She extended her hand to Minter, who was wearing an ill-fitting suit and whose red hair was sticking up rebelliously in back. "Do you dance, Zachary?"
Nathan snatched her away then. "You're a married woman. People will talk if you continue to throw yourself at bachelors!" The corners of his mouth twitched, but he tried to look stern, and the effect was impressive. Clad in evening clothes that included a waistcoat of cream striped silk and an immaculately cut frock coat, Nathan was the image of a civilized pirate. His sun-darkened face was roguishly handsome, his eyes were brilliantly sea-blue, and his black hair looked as if it had been blown into place by the wind.
Adrienne splayed a hand possessively over his shirtfront. A week after their wedding, she was more captivated than ever by her husband. "How could I ever throw myself at any other man but you? You look simply delicious."
"So do you, Mrs. Raveneau." His gaze wandered from her upswept chestnut curls threaded with damask roses, over her expressively lovely face, down to the elegant ballgown of white corded silk and pearls that showed her shoulders and most of her arms and bosom. The gown had been made by Sally Ann, the dressmaker from Bridgetown, and there were even long gloves to complete Adrienne's new image of refinement.
"Ah, there you are, Captain Raveneau!" A tall, pink-cheeked old gentleman with a number of ribbons pinned to his coat came toward them. "I'm sorry that my wife and I have so many guests tonight that we weren't able to greet you when you arrived."
"But we have just come in, Major Carrington," Nathan assured him, and introduced his wife and Zachary.
"Raveneau, you are a fortunate man to have persuaded this ravishing woman to come to Barbados!"
"I can be quite persuasive," he agreed.
"My husband was so romantic, I couldn't refuse. I'll never forget the sheer poetry of his marriage proposal," Adrienne informed their host, eyes twinkling with mischief. "It was so kind of you to invite us tonight, Major. Your home is beautiful."
"Come in and dance for a bit before the food is served, won't you?" As they started into the ballroom, Carrington made idle conversation with Nathan. "I must confess that it becomes confusing to address you as Captain Raveneau on nights like this, old chap."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Your father's here, you know! Sometimes I forget which one of you I'm talking to!"
Nathan blinked. "I wasn't aware that Father was invited—"
"Of course! Andre and I have been acquainted for years. I've known him since the American War for Independence, when we fought on opposite sides, and I was delighted that he could come tonight!" Carrington pointed across the ballroom to the open doors leading to the verandah. "I believe you might find him out there, in need of rescue. The last time I saw Raveneau, he had been waylaid by Lady McGrath. She was telling him all about your wedding. He seemed to find it rather odd that she had attended and he hadn't" The old man waggled his bushy white eyebrows.
"Nathan," Adrienne exclaimed, "you'd better go and talk to him. His feelings may be hurt that he wasn't invited!"
"Just so," he agreed, nodding. "Perhaps Zach will dance with you until my return."
"Don't worry about me; I am quite able to amuse myself!" She gave him a bright, reassuring smile and watched as he started off around the edge of the ballroom. When she turned back to speak to Zachary, she noticed that he was smiling at a pretty girl who was standing nearby with her mother. "You must ask her to dance, Zach!" she whispered.
Blushing, he shook his head, but allowed himself to be persuaded. When he'd gone off, Adrienne backed up closer to the wall and opened her fan. She moved it back and forth in time to the music, smiling as she watched the dancing guests, until someone spoke.
"Pardon me—"
Turning, Adrienne looked into the big dark eyes of a lovely young woman near her own age. "Good evening!" In spite of her embroidered ballgown and the ostrich feathers in her upswept hair, the lady looked awfully familiar to Adrienne.
"I hope you won't think me too bold," she said, "but I had to tell you that yours is the most beautiful fan I have ever seen!"
"Do you like it? I am so pleased! The fanmaker in London told me that Marie Antoinette received the silk as a gift and commissioned the fan herself!"
"How fascinating!" Her new friend's eyes grew bigger than ever, and her mouth made an O. "Why, this is a treasure, then! How proud you must be to own it!" She leaned closer, whispering, "Tell me, is your fanmaker Eugene Ralna? My mother adored his creations."
"Yes! I think he is a funny little man, but there is no denying his skill." They laughed together, and it came to Adrienne how much she had missed the company of a female friend her own age.
"It's been a long time since I have met someone like you," the young woman was saying. "Life on Barbados can be awfully lonely."
"I am rather new to your island," Adrienne said. "Did you come here from London, then?"
"Yes, more than four years ago." She sighed. "I miss England... and all my friends."
"Well, perhaps you and I can become friends." Adrienne put out her hand. "I would like that very much. Do you know, I have a strong sense that you and I have already met. Is that possible?"
A shadow passed over the woman's face. "No. I haven't met anyone for a very long time."
Her expression unlocked Adrienne's memory. She was the woman who had warned her o
n the beach. And, she was Victoria's ghost! "Wait! We have met! I remember—it was that day on the beach near Tempest Hall. I only saw you from a distance. You told me not to ride alone, that the island could be treacherous...."
The woman had gone as white as her gown. "I'm confused—"
"And the other day you were riding past Victoria Villa! I thought you might be a ghost, but my husband assured me that I was being overly romantic!" Laughing, Adrienne put a hand on her arm. "Please, tell me your name."
Before the other woman could answer, Zachary returned from his dance and stood off to one side, staring in consternation. When Adrienne glanced his way, he said, "I guess you two have met then?"
Both of them shook their heads, then looked at each other. Since Zach didn't seem to be able to find his voice to perform introductions, the dark-eyed woman spoke.
"I was about to say that my name is Eloise Sinclair Crowe, and I am pleased to meet you, Mrs....?"
Adrienne nearly gasped aloud, and feared that her shock must show on her face. "I—I am Adrienne Beauvisage—" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Raveneau."
Eloise looked confused. "Raveneau?"
"Yes. I recently married Nathan Raveneau."
"I was afraid that you might say that. In my heart, I knew." Tears filled her beautiful eyes. "And you are happy, are you not?"
"Yes." Adrienne was sorry to hurt the other woman.
"Of course you are happy." Eloise's smile was bittersweet. "How could it be otherwise?"
Chapter 22
As Andre Raveneau followed his son back into the crowded ballroom, he remarked, "You were pigheaded on your wedding day, and rude, but at least I can take comfort in the knowledge that you have since fallen under your bride's spell. I wouldn't want to think that Adrienne was living with an inconsiderate rake."
"Yes, I've changed my ways." Nathan threw his father an annoyed glance. "You of course were a model suitor and husband?"
Silver Sea Page 31
