Katherine looked up and saw the blush that overtook Ivy. When Ivy wouldn’t look her in the eye, Katherine knew that her son already gave Ivy her wedding night. She shouldn’t be surprised; he had been wanting Ivy for years. Still he should have waited, especially with what the poor girl had been through. She shook her head at her son’s impatience.
“Well I guess from that blush that is overtaking your face, that this talk is a little too late,” Katherine observed. “I hope he was gentle with you Ivy.”
Ivy too embarrassed to discuss Thorn’s lovemaking with his mother; she just nodded her head in the affirmative.
“Well that’s that then. Now I will leave you to freshen up for dinner. I will send Mabel in to help you change. Your father brought her over with some clothes for you. He would like to speak with you before dinner. I will see you downstairs my dear.”
Her father knocked on the door and Ivy called for him to come in. He made his way over to the chair that Katherine was just occupying. He sat down and drew her into his arms.
“You scared twenty years off my life Ivy, my girl,” he gently scolded her.
Ivy returned her father’s hug, tears slowly leaking from her eyes.
“I’m sorry Father for scaring you; I never imagined any of this happening to me. Please forgive me for everything.”
“There is nothing to forgive my daughter. All that matters is that you are safe.”
“Thorn will find Charles for us.”
“I know he will dear. He is what you want isn’t he? Don’t feel that you are forced to marry him if you don’t want to.”
“I do Father. I love Marcus, I always have; you know that.”
“I know, I just wanted so much more for you.”
“All that matter is that we love each other and we want to build a life together; like the one you and mother shared together.”
“Your mother would be so happy for you. Katherine and she were planning this wedding while you were still in the cradle.” George laughed.
“She will be smiling down from heaven then when we say I do.”
“Yes, I think she will my dear. I miss her every day, but I always had you and your brother to help me through it. When I thought I lost you both it nearly destroyed me. I’m so grateful that Thorn found you. But he found you for me only to take you away.”
“Oh Father, we will always be near for you. Plus, we will give you plenty of grandchildren to spoil.”
“Well I guess I can give you to him, for those rewards in life that I will get in return.”
“I love you Father.”
“I love you Ivy, my girl. Just promise me that you will stay out of danger from here on out; my heart can’t take it.”
Ivy laughed, “I promise.”
George got up and kissed Ivy on the cheek, “I will see you at dinner honey.”
After her father left, Mabel came bustling in the room talking a mile a minute. Ivy could not get in a word in edgewise. She told her how everybody had been worried about her and looked for her everywhere. Mabel filled her in on of all the latest gossip, especially all the rumors surrounding Ivy’s disappearance. Mabel helped her bathe and then got her dressed for dinner. Ivy just listened as she got ready. She didn’t tell Mabel anything, she was not going to contribute to her own gossip. Mabel was sweet but she was also over friendly and liked to talk to anybody who would listen.
When Mabel left, Ivy stood looking out the window overlooking the roses. She looked down and could see the statue where Thorn had kissed her all those years ago. She closed her eyes remembering his kiss from then to the kiss from this morning. When she opened her eyes, she saw Thorn leaning against the statue looking up into her bedroom. She smiled at him and he blew her a kiss. She reached out her hand, grabbed the kiss and placed it over her heart. She blew him back a kiss and he did the same, laying his hand over his heart. Ivy knew then that all was going to be well.
Ivy made her way downstairs, since it was just the family for dinner they were all waiting for her in the drawing room. Ivy’s father was talking to Thorn’s father near the fireplace, while Katherine and Thorn were sitting on the couch. They were all deep in conversation; it looked like Katherine was giving Thorn a lecture. Thorn looked up as Ivy walked into the room, smiling at Ivy, and rolling his eyes at what his mother was saying. Ivy brought her hand up to her mouth and giggled silently at the gesture. When Katherine realized that Thorn wasn’t even listening to her anymore and why, she swatted at his hand, nodding towards Ivy. Thorn got up from the couch, walked over to Ivy and escorted her into the room.
“Well there is our lovely bride to be,” Hamilton welcomed Ivy into the room.
He walked over to her and laid a kiss on her cheek.
“This moment deserves a toast.” Hamilton nodded his head at the butler to pour everybody a glass of champagne.
After everybody had a glass, Hamilton raised his glass. “This has been a long time coming and we can’t begin to tell you how happy that it is finally happening. Congratulations Ivy and Thorn. Katherine and I welcome you into our family Daughter.”
“And I welcome you into our family Thorn,” George added.
“Ivy and I thank you for all your warm wishes.” Thorn clink his glass into Ivy’s and placed a brief kiss across her lips.
Their parents cheered and everybody sipped from their glasses. The butler announced dinner and they went into the dining room to eat. As they sat around and ate dinner, they discussed when the upcoming wedding would take place. They agreed on the date and that the banns would be read on Sunday. The ball would be held in one month’s time with the wedding the following weekend. It was discussed that they would act as normal as possible, it was not to be known that Charles was missing or that any of them knew of the treason. All their lives would be in danger if word got out. They would portray to the masses that they were two eager young people who were in a hurry to start their lives together.
Chapter 17
When Ivy came down the next morning the breakfast room was empty except for Katherine. They said their good mornings and Ivy went to the buffet to pick out her breakfast. The footman followed Ivy to the table to set her plate down and help her into her seat.
“That will be all Thomas.” Katherine dismissed the footman.
“Would you like some tea dear?” Katherine asked Ivy.
“Yes, please.”
Katherine poured Ivy her tea and Ivy began to eat. Katherine continued going through her mail and watched Ivy out of the corner of her eye. She knew that this had to be very overwhelming for the young girl and she would be patient with her.
Ivy finished her breakfast and held the cup of tea in between her hands enjoying the warmth from the cup. She wondered where Thorn was, she was hoping to find him here and spend some time with him. If he was here, she wanted to convince him to let her help in the search for Charles. She knew he would tell her no, but she was hoping to persuade him otherwise. She didn’t like to sit around and do nothing, she felt so helpless.
“Has Thorn been down to breakfast yet?” Ivy asked Katherine.
Katherine looked up from her correspondence and smiled at Ivy.
“Yes dear, the gentlemen woke up hours ago. They have already put together a plan for their search for Charles. Thorn has taken Pirate out for some exercise and to search in some of their old hiding places for Charles. He is hoping to be back for dinner.”
“I was hoping to join him in the search.”
“I think that is why he left so early my dear, he was afraid you would ask and he didn’t know if he could say no to you. It is best that you stay close to Thornhill, your life is in danger Ivy.”
“I know but I feel so helpless. It is my entire fault that Charles is missing.”
Katherine came around the table and sat down in the chair next to Ivy. She reached for Ivy’s hands.
“It is not your fault dear, do not blame yourself. They will find Charles and put an end to this madness. The best thing for you t
o do is to stay put. That way Thorn doesn’t have to worry about you so much while he is out searching.”
Ivy nodded her head. She would stay put for now, until the danger was past her. As soon as it calmed down, she would find a way to help save Charles and the town of Margate.
“We have much to do Ivy. We must put our heads together to plan your ball and wedding. Thorn is very eager to make you his bride. I have sent my maid to London to bring Madame Levine to the estate to make your ball and bridal gown. We will leave the search to the boys and let us begin to make our plans dear.”
That is how it continued for the next two weeks. Thorn and his men would search for Charles. Their fathers would talk to the local townsfolk and the neighboring towns to find out any information on the future attacks. Katherine and Ivy would plan the ball and wedding. The other agent still had not shown up, it was feared that his identity had been discovered and that Shears had done away with him. Only Charles knew the other agent’s true identity.
Ivy did not get to see much of Thorn, only in passing. He was usually gone before she awoke and often did not return home until after Ivy had gone to bed. Ivy was still recovering from her sea ordeal and would try to wait up for him. Usually too exhausted she would fall asleep before he got home. A couple of times she had snuck into his room and curled up in his favorite chair before the fire to wait for him. But the next morning she would find herself tucked into her own bed. She missed seeing him, but most of all she missed being in his arms. If Ivy didn’t know any better she would think that Thorn was deliberately trying to avoid her.
When they did see each other, Thorn kept it very formal and always made sure that they were well chaperoned. Ivy missed the passionate sea captain that swept her off her feet and into his bed. She missed him. She missed his kisses and his touch. He made her feel this unstoppable desire from him; then he stopped all attention towards her. Was he thinking twice about marrying her? Did he feel trapped?
Ivy was mad at herself and him for making her feel so insecure about their relationship. For years, she had promised herself that she would not give him her love again. Then all it took was being lost at sea and having him find her. He broke down all her defenses on his ship and she gave him all her love. She thought she had his love in return. But ever since they had been back at Thornhill Manor, he has pulled away from her and made her very confused. It was hard to get excited with Katherine in all the planning when she wasn’t sure of Thorn’s feelings for her. If only he would find a few minutes to be alone with her; to reassure her. She just wanted to be held in his arms again and to feel his lips against hers.
Ivy was in the garden cutting some roses for the front hall when she heard the footsteps behind her. She rose slowly, smiling hoping that is was Thorn sneaking away to spend a few stolen moments with her. She smoothed the front of her green day dress as she turned around. Her smile fell when she realized that it wasn’t Thorn.
“Well that wasn’t the greeting I was hoping for lovely lady.” The tall dark gentlemen said as he strolled closer to Ivy.
“I’m sorry sir; I thought you were going to be somebody else.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you my lady.” The gentleman bowed as he reached her.
Ivy laughed and shook her head at his silliness. He was just the person she needed to see; he would help lift her spirits. He always could. Lord knows he had many times over the past few years while she was mooning over her loss of Thorn. He was always there to make her laugh, smile and feel good about herself.
“Oh, Zane it is so good to see you. I have missed you.”
“It seems not much; I’ve heard through the London grapevine, that I have been replaced by your one true love. Please tell me Ivy dear that it is not true. I fear my heart has been breaking since I’ve heard the rumors.” Zane asked clutching his heart.
Ivy turned a deep shade of red. She nodded her head at Zane.
“Yes, Thorn and I are to be married.”
“Oh, be still my heart.”
“Stop teasing me Zane, I know better. Your heart has yet to be broken by any female. But I cannot wait for the day that it does. I hope that I can be there for you the way you have been there for me all these years.”
“That is what friends are for my dear. So how did he win over your heart? The last I heard you were never going to give it to him.”
“It is a long story Zane. What brings you to Thornhill?”
“I heard you were here and I was hoping that you could lead me to Charles. I’ve had an urgent message from him and I can’t locate him anywhere.”
“We don’t know where he is Zane; he is missing. So much has happened. I don’t even know where to begin.”
Zane led Ivy over to the benches to sit down. He grabbed the flower basket and set it down near their feet. Sitting down next to her, he grabbed her hands in his. He rubbed his thumb back and forth over her fingers offering her comfort.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning Ivy and tell me everything. I will see how I can help,” Zane urged Ivy to confide in him.
Ivy began at the beginning and told Zane everything that had happened with Captain Shears to how she ended up staying here at Thornhill Manor. She kept out the personal moments with Thorn. Zane Maxwell had been her closest confidante for the last few years. They had an understanding, he knew how much she loved Thorn, and she knew how much he loved staying away from all the debutantes. Many people thought they were seeing each other and were waiting for them to announce their betrothal. But it was all a cover to keep all the serious gentlemen away from Ivy and all the smothering mamas away from Zane. Zane liked to flirt with her and it made Ivy feel attractive, but she knew he was never serious about her. Over the years she even flirted back with him. Not that he was hard to flirt with.
Zane was just as attractive as Thorn, but in a different way. He was attractive in the wild way. He was tall with dark hair. He liked to wear all his suits in black. With a mysterious air about him, it that drove the entire woman of the ton crazy. But it was his eyes that always drew them in. They were so dark and soulful. When he laid his eyes on you, you were hypnotized. You couldn’t look away even if you wanted to. You wanted to look deep into them and try to find out all his secrets, but you never could. Ivy watched many women try and fail. When he talked in his raspy voice it would make you tingle all over. Ivy would listen to the women of the ton talk about how sexy his voice was when he whispered to them as he was making love to them. Ivy would admit to herself that she was always curious but never curious enough to want to try. She knew that all she had to do was to give Zane a signal that she was ready to move on from Thorn and he would court her. But she never did. Whoever did capture Zane’s heart would be a very lucky lady indeed.
She told him how Thorn was looking for Charles everywhere and had not been able to find him anywhere. She told him about the conspiracy. She confided everything to him.
“I will help Thorn find Charles for you Ivy. Now tell me what else is troubling you? I see the sadness in your eyes my dear.”
“It is Thorn. Ever since we have returned to Thornhill Manor he avoids me. It is like he doesn’t want to be anywhere near me. I think he is having second thoughts. I love him so much Zane I don’t think I can handle having him break my heart again.” Ivy burst into tears.
Zane pulled Ivy into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder. This wasn’t the first time that he held Ivy crying over Thorn. He wanted to punch Thorn for putting Ivy though all this heartache that he had all these years. Then punch him again for making her continue to go through it. He didn’t know how lucky he was to have Ivy’s love. Lord knows that Zane tried to have it. But Ivy loved only one man and would only ever love one man and that man was Marcus Thornhill.
Ivy thought that Zane was just a friend. But in truth, Zane was a little in love with Ivy himself. Not the kind of love that Ivy needed. Just the selfish kind of love that only Zane knew how to give. If she would have ever given him a hint that she wanted mo
re than friendship with him he would have loved her with all his heart, at least the part that he was capable of.
“Ivy dear how could he not love you. He probably is staying away because he can’t keep his hands off you and doesn’t want to compromise you,” Zane tried to reassure her.
Ivy blushed again and Zane realized that Thorn had already compromised her. It must have happened on the ship. That lucky bastard. He didn’t know what he had in Ivy, but Zane would make him realize it. He would help Ivy one last time.
“I see that that has already happened. Well then my dear we will just have to make him jealous, you leave it all up to me.”
Ivy was going to tell Zane no, that is not how she wanted to handle things with Thorn but was interrupted with the clearing of a throat. She looked up, seeing that Thorn had come into the Rose Garden and was watching her take comfort in Zane’s arms. She stood up quickly and was going to go over to Thorn when she felt Zane’s hand run slowly down her arm. He stood up next to her and his hand lingered on her hand giving it a slight squeeze. Ivy looked up at Zane and he gave her a nod as he dropped her hand. Ivy looked at Zane in confusion, and then looked away quickly realizing what he was doing.
Thorn did not miss the exchange between Ivy and Zane. He had not missed any of their interaction since Zane had come into the Rose Garden.
Looking for her, he wandered into her room when he noticed her as he glanced out her bedroom window. He watched her cutting roses like she had all those years ago, when they shared their first kiss. Hoping for a private moment with her, because he missed her like crazy these last two weeks. He had been trying to stay away from her so that she could make a full recovery, but it was getting harder than ever. When she had been waiting in his room at night for him, it had taken everything that he had to not lay her down on his bed and make love to her. But instead he had played the gentlemen, carried her back to her own bed, tucked her in and watched her while she slept. He needed to taste her lips under his. Not being able to concentrate on his search today, she kept sneaking into his thoughts. He thought if he could spend a few moments with her and hold her, kiss her; then he could feel more refreshed for his search of Charles.
Rescued By the Captain Page 11
