by Kari Miller
“T-Thank you My Lord!” the man spurted out.
“Don’t thank me. If I need you to testify you will. Where you are going there is no lodging, I hope you are good with a hammer and a nail. Once you reach your destination, your family is not permitted to leave - ever. If you make the best of the situation, then you and your family can lead a happy life in peace. If you somehow manage to bring your family back to the continent then you will be hunted down by both Pennington and by myself and you will not survive. A life of peace versus a life on the run, it’s your choice.”
“I’ll do what I have to do to make this right. I never wanted the little woman to be harmed and even after the fact, I informed Percy where he could find her as soon as I got the chance.”
“When was that?” Simon asked.
“These two kept me close so I was unable to say anything for two nights. Percy dispatched a crew to meet you in Gainesville when you docked. I assume they are still there.”
“Peter, take Benny to a separate quarter and set a guard to him. Bring a quail and paper so he can inform his family to pack what they need and await their escort. I want a security guard with them as well, they are not to leave their quarters nor are they to contact anyone on the outside.” Salvador ordered out.
“I’ll arrange it.” Peter grumbled as he took Benny by the collar and started hulling him off.
“Ed, what else did you learn?” Salvador asked as they turned back to the house.
“None of Cedric’s men have seen Pennington meet with his lawyer”
“That’s probably because no such contract exists or it was never legalized and he knows he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.” Simon pitched in.
“Yes well, Pennington visited the ship in the morning of the kidnapping and was seen exiting it just before the ship left port. Other than that, he has stuck to his usual routine.” Ed continued.
“And nobody saw Katherine being brought on board?” Salvador asked.
“No - none of our guys at least. It was dawn when Pennington entered the ship so she must have been on the ship for a while.” Simon answered.
“What next?” Charles asked.
“Pennington has a couple of bastards placed in the government; we’ll have to be careful.” Salvador pitched in.
“We’ll poison him. I have relations with one of the barmaids at a tavern he frequents. We have never been seen there. It’ll be clean and efficient.” Ed offered.
“Could they associate you with this wench?” Simon asked.
“It was a long time ago and we met in another tavern she worked at. Even if they could tie me to her, there wouldn’t be strong enough evidence to associate me to her now.” He replied.
“I’d rather see his throat slit, but it is the safest way of disposing of him.” Charles mumbled to himself.
“Fine, Ed can you work out the details with your wench, you can offer her to serve on our island as a servant or offer to start a new life in Scotland or any other city of her choice.” Salvador said.
“You want to bring wenches on our island?” Charles exploded.
“No, I’m offering her an honest living that she doesn’t have to perform on her back. We need to start pulling together servants and guards…ones that nobody is likely to miss.” Salvador defended himself.
“I’m sure our wives will love that…” Simon grumbled as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Our wives are not judgmental and will only balk if they think we will be taking advantage of the help.” Alex piped in.
“Like that’ll happen.” Salvador drawled out in disgust.
“Simon, is there something we should know?” Charles asked as he caught on to what he had said.
“You’ll meet her at our next get together. I plan to make her my wife.” Simon responded with a grin on his face.
“You’ve decided now have you?” Charles beamed back.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder…speaking of, if we are done here I’d like to go pay a visit.”
Everyone laughed and then said their good-byes.
“Salvador!” Peter called out from across the lawn just as he was about to step in.
He waited until Peter caught up.
“Everything is taken care of with Benny, for some odd reason I trust the fellow. I also confirmed with Percy that Benny did tell him. I’m off to Gainesville to relieve the men who are waiting for us.”
“Thank you Peter. Until this has blown over I would like for you to stay with us.” Salvador asked.
Peter grinned.
“My trunks are already set up in my room. Not to worry old friend, I’m not going anywhere for a while.”
“Thanks, I owe you one.”
“You owe me many! I do however have some business in town that needs attention and I will be taking at least one night with my…friend.”
“Do what you need to do. After all of this blows over, I want you to get serious about finding a wife. We’ll be taking off to the island in a year’s time and I would hope that the brotherhood would all be settled by then.”
“These things take time. I’m not going to pick just any well-bred lady and hope she works out.” Peter defended himself.
“I don’t expect you to do that but I do think that you have exhausted Oxford with no luck. Maybe it’s time you start your pursuit elsewhere.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Peter joked.
“Katherine would have my head if I did! No, I’ll speak with Katherine; she once offered me a list of eligible bachelorettes for me to turn my attentions to…”
Salvador was cut off by Peter’s laughter.
“You can take Ed with you as well.” Salvador grunted out in annoyance.
“I’m sorry Salvador, but that is so like Katherine.” Peter laughed out. “What about Simon?”
“Simon has chosen his bride…I suspect he’s killing his horse trying to get to her now.” Salvador grinned out.
“I’ll check on Katherine then take off.” Peter grinned back.
“She’s sleeping, leave her be.” Salvador warned.
“I’ll just pop my head in.” Peter responded firmly.
“Fine.” Salvador sighed out as they entered the study by the balcony.
Chapter 33 - Requests & Declarations
“Lady Katherine you should be resting!” Jenna scolded as she pulled a gown over her head.
“I’ve been doing nothing but resting and I’m tired of it! I need fresh air.” She stated bluntly. “Now are you going to help me latch up my gown or do I need to ring for Sarah?” She continued on with annoyance.
“I should ring for your husband!” Jenna threatened her as she walked over and started buttoning up her gown against her better judgment.
“Thank you. I’m just going to walk in the gardens, there’s no need to alarm everyone!” Katherine warned her as she searched for her shawl.
“What’s this about walking in the gardens?” She heard Peter from the door.
“Peter! Tell this woman I am more than fine to walk on my own two feet.” She said as she pulled out a cape instead.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“If I sleep anymore I’ll turn into a prune.” Katherine laughed out.
“Lord Salvador clearly wants her resting and I don’t think he’ll be happy to learn that she’s not.” Jenna scolded.
“Lord Salvador is my husband…not my Father and I’m sure he would understand that his wife needs a little air.” Katherine defended her motives.
Peter stood back with a grin on his face as he watched the two women bicker at each other.
“Don’t just stand there with a grin on your face, go get the Master!” Jenna tried to shoo him off.
“Peter you will do no such thing!” Katherine shrieked.
Peter easily avoided Jenna’s clucking and walked over to Katherine to help her tie her cape around her neck.
“Thank you Peter, at least some one is on my side.” She said sweetly as she gl
ared at Jenna.
Jenna threw her arms in the air and left the room.
“Come, I’ll escort you into the gardens.” Peter said as he offered her his arm.
“Be thankful that you’re not a woman! All this fuss over nothing is tiring!” Katherine humphed from beside him - causing Peter to laugh.
They took the back way to get to the gardens as to not run into Salvador. Peter thought it was hilarious that she had to hide from her husband to get some fresh air while Katherine swore it was a quicker route and that she had no need to hide from Salvador.
They strolled in the gardens for about a half an hour and then Peter insisted that Katherine return to the house to rest and have some tea.
When they reached the doors, Salvador was leaning up against the frame with his arms crossed against his chest and a disapproving look on his face.
“Good timing old man, I shall relinquish my charge to you.” Peter said jollily with a grin on his face while handing Katherine off to her annoyed husband.
“Don’t you have places to be?” Salvador returned.
“Indeed I do. I shall see you the day after tomorrow.” He said as he gave Katherine a gentlemanly bow and Salvador a grin.
“That man is far too happy for his own good.” Salvador grunted from Katherine’s side.
“Oh leave him, not everybody can keep a frown on their face all the time.” Katherine lightly teased him as they walked towards the day room.
“You were sleeping when I left you.” Salvador commented.
“Yes, and then I woke up feeling refreshed.”
“How can you feel refreshed? You couldn’t have gotten two hours sleep.”
“Because I have been sleeping more than I have been awake lately.” She reminded him.
“As it should be.” He grumbled.
“I need my exercise and a good dose of fresh air, lying in bed all day won’t make me strong.”
“Parading off all the time won’t keep you healthy” he countered.
“I will not be forced to lay in bed for the next five months Salvador, so don’t even try!”
“We’ll find an equal balance, till then sit and have some refreshments.”
Katherine sighed at his arrogance but did as he bid.
Taking a sip of her tea, she tried to gage what kind of mood Salvador was in. As usual he wore a mask of indifference which made it a trifle hard to ask for favours.
“Salvador.” She began reluctantly; he turned to her and smiled. “Could we arrange to visit the Rochester Estate before my condition prohibits me to travel?” she asked casually.
His facial expression never changed but she caught the clenching of his fist and the grinding of his teeth.
“Surely there is no hurry, Love. I promised you a visit there before I put it on the market and I intend to keep that promise.” He replied.
“Please? It’s been so long that I have been there and there are…things I would like to check on?”
“What sort of…things?” he asked cautiously.
She really wanted her diaries back and was scared that they had been discovered. She trusted Salvador and her new family and even though her Mother kept the knowledge of them safely from her Father, she didn’t see any reason to keep it from Salvador. Salvador was not greedy nor was he hurting for funds so there would be no motivation for her recipes to fall into the wrong hands.
“There are my diaries that I am concerned for…in my haste to leave the estate I left them behind and was scared to go back for them, lest I be discovered.” She admitted.
“Diaries? I don’t believe we recovered any diaries.”
“I would hope you wouldn’t have…they were hidden in my floor boards in my room.” She said in a quiet voice.
“Are your thoughts so sacred my Love?” he prodded, almost sounding as though he knew there was more to it.
“Well…they are my personal thoughts but more than that they contain my family recipes.”
“What sort of recipes?”
“Well…they are herbal antidotes to be exact. You see, I am part of a line of natural herbalists and the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Most of the recipes are healing antidotes and were quite advanced for their age.”
Salvador grinned.
“I always knew you were a Witch.” He chuckled out.
“Actually, one of my greater grandmother’s was burned at the stake for that belief.” She said as a matter of factly.
“Hmm, and did your Father know of these…recipes?”
“Heavens no! This was between my Mother and I. But, there are families who know of my ancestry and believe in the tales that they have heard. Those recipes could bring in a good fortune if they got into the wrong hands.” She admitted.
“I can imagine.” He mumbled to himself. “How about you tell me where they are and I will send someone to fetch them.” He offered.
“No.” she said shaking her head. “In addition to the recipes, my personal thoughts are truly documented in those journals and I would prefer to keep them personal if it’s all the same to you.” She said firmly.
“And you think my men would invade your privacy?”
“There is always the chance. I have nothing to hide but I would prefer to rest easy knowing that my thoughts will remain my own. Besides…I’ll go positively crazy if I have to be cooped up here for the next five months and would appreciate this favour to be granted.”
“I’ll think about it.” He announced, ending the subject.
“Thank you” she replied dryly.
~
Dinner that evening was served in their chamber. Salvador saw the way the servants were gawking at her and knew that she was uneasy with it all.
Her sudden need to go back to the Rochester Estate and her confirmation that there was indeed something of value in her room helped to solve that mystery. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of getting her far away from Oxford until Pennington was taken care of. He even considered bringing Ed and Peter along to meet up with some nice country girls. They would stay at the Rochester Estate for a couple of weeks and attend a few balls to show off his beloved and prove to the town that his Katherine was worth more than all of them put together, literally.
Katherine opted for a second bath to help sooth her cramps. They had started just before dinner and still hadn’t ceased. Jenna assured them that cramping was natural, but to record how often they took place and how long they would last. Katherine wasn’t concerned about them but he didn’t want to take any chances. After being drugged by chloroform and then the aphrodisiac, he didn’t think that could be too healthy for the baby.
He smiled as Katherine hummed from the bathing chamber. He himself was sitting in front of the fire with his night cap and evening robe. It felt good to be home.
His door was locked and Percy was placed at the bottom of the terrace. He was to stand there with his finger on the trigger so if anyone came at him from behind, he would just need to squeeze the trigger before blacking out.
When she came out of the chamber, she was wrapped in a silk robe that outlined all of her curves. She had pinned up her hair to keep it dry and he couldn’t wait to let them out.
The small bump in her belly gave him a surge of pride and possessiveness and her swollen breasts made his mouth water.
“Feeling better?” he drawled out lazily, hoping the answer was yes.
“More than better, I actually feel relaxed.” She responded with a seductive smile.
“Hmm” he returned with a grin. “Come join me.” He held his hand out to her and then pulled her into his lap causing her to giggle.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck.
“I think you’re biased.” She chuckled out and then moaned when he licked at her sensitive spot below her ear.
He thought about asking her if it was too soon, but he needed her to get over the experience and he needed to be inside of her.
Besides, it would do her no good to dwell on the situation and she needed to know that he still wanted her.
He slipped his hand into her robe and gently massaged her nipple to erect. She caught her breath and froze for a moment before arching into his touch.
He didn’t want her thinking of Sebastian or Pennington and he planned to erase them from her mind.
Standing up with her in his arms, he carried her to their bed. Before laying her down, he pulled the pins from her hair and relished in the sight of her hair tumbling down her back. He caught the fresh scent of witch hazel and buried his nose in her hair.
Laying her down, her hair fanned out onto the pillow beneath her. He sat beside her and opened her robe, looking up to gage her reaction. She had her eyes closed and was biting her bottom lip.
“Watch me Katherine” he said gently as he lowered his head down to draw a nipple into his mouth.
He needed her to know whose mouth was on her.
She moaned her sweet siren as he manipulated her breasts and then gasped when he thread his fingers through the small curls in the V between her legs.
“Open your legs for me Love.” He cooed from her breast.
After a moment’s hesitation, she bid his command.
He wasn’t surprised to find that she was aroused, but he was surprised to find that she wasn’t as aroused as she normally was.
He kissed his way down her belly and then opened her legs wider with his hands.
“Salvador” she whispered out unsure.
“Let me love you” he responded, before burying his lips into her sweet honey.
She had the most perfect mound he had ever seen. Her lips were a perfect hue of pink and they weren’t stretched like some of the whore’s that he had taken in the past. Her scent was a siren of its own and her taste was better than the sweetest of wines.
Relishing in her reactions, he swirled his tongue around her taut bud. Her passionate cries of lust were music to his ears and his reward was her creamy release. He growled as she sat up and thread her fingers through his hair, tugging at him to stop - but he paid no heed.
