“Here.” A crewmember opened the door and stepped aside. “The capt’n hopes ye’ll be comfortable in ’ere. He’ll speak with ye later.”
Henry pressed his hand against her spine to guide her inside. His touch loosed a flash of emotions.
“Since it could take a couple of days to return to England,” Henry said, “Captain Fritz insisted we use his cabin during the journey. It’s the largest on the ship.”
“Where will you be staying?” Heat burned her cheeks, and she couldn’t look him in the eye.
“Here with my wife and daughter.” His voice was firm, but, with a gentle touch, he raised her chin. Humor and challenge glinted in his eyes. She knew him too well.
Turning out of his grasp, she took Sarah to the only bed in the cabin.
The lock on the door clicked.
“There. We won’t be disturbed until I have the answers to all of my questions.” The humor was gone from his tone.
“That talk will have to wait. I need to change Sarah.” Evangeline cuddled her daughter, who seemed content to watch her parents’ discomfort.
A sharp rap caused Henry to mumble a curse, but he unlocked the bolt and opened the door.
“The cap’n wanted to know if I could take the wee bairn back to the galley to feed her some porridge I’ve made.” The older man shifted from foot to foot. “Sorry, I haven’t any milk because our stores, including a couple of milk goats, were left behind when we sailed in such a hurry.” He glanced up from the deck. “But my five bairn have all grown healthy on this hearty fare.” His eyes twinkled with the pride of a father who loved his children.
Scotsman or not, Evangeline trusted him immediately. She snuggled her freshly changed daughter in her arms and walked over to him.
“They call me Capt’n Cook ‘cus I rules the galley, but you can call me Billy.” He reached for Sarah, who held her arms out to the smiling man.
“This is Sarah.” Evangeline handed her over to him once again and brushed a soft curl away from her precious little face.
“I’ll bring this sweet lass back to you in a wee while when she grows weary of the company.” He cradled the baby with the ease of a man having done it many times, and left singing an off-tune song about flying fish and wild ponies. Sarah giggled. The happy sound stirred joy within Evangeline, who drew a relieved breath. Her family was all together, safe, and headed back to England…and home. Where they called home would certainly be part of their imminent discussion.
Satisfied that her daughter was in good hands, she closed the door and fastened the lock. She turned and saw the surprise in Henry’s expression.
“I want answers, too.” She slipped passed him and took a chair at the table. He followed and sat directly across from her.
Their sometime heated discussion about why they’d been separated eighteen months lasted for over two hours. Besides the long chain of events leading up to this moment, speaking her mind and Henry doing the same had taken a toll on her, both physically and emotionally. In all that they discussed, she had purposely neglected to mention anything about her part in using the persona of the Fox to rob from the rich and give to the poor. That discussion, if it ever happened, would need to wait for another time and place.
A knock brought Henry to his feet. He stretched, walked to the door and opened it.
“The cap’n said I was to bring this.” The sailor brought in a tray of food and drink.
“Where’s Sarah?” Evangeline stood and braced herself against the table as exhaustion weakened her limbs.
“The little tike’s happy as a princess holding court, with all of the men waitin’ on her ’and and foot. The crew has been away from their families for several months and the lil’ miss has been a tonic for their lonely hearts.” The servant grinned. “I have to hurry back. It’s time to feed her again. Cook said I could help this time.” He turned at the door. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll bring her to you afterward.” His hopeful expression soothed her doubts.
“As soon as she’s fed?” Her voice was low and gravelly from so much talking.
“Aye.” He whistled a happy tune, closed the door and walked away. She missed her daughter but the time spent alone with Henry had been fruitful…mostly. Having held on to the bitterness for so long, it was strange to let it go. He had openly answered every question about his involvement or lack thereof with Millicent, and she recognized the truth in his eyes. He regretted having been an unwilling believer of Millicent’s lies, but he had never bedded the wicked wench and truly wanted to see her pay for her crimes.
Could they put aside their grief over the past and live as husband and wife again? Did she want to? The physical attraction was still there. She could feel it in Henry, too. But was it enough?
“I love you, Evangeline.” Henry encircled her waist from behind. “I always have, from the moment I first laid eyes on you there’s been no other woman for me.” He turned her around to face him. “You must know deep in your heart that I would never betray you.” His lips touched hers with tenderness that lit the fire of passion in both of them. A look. A touch. That was all it had ever taken to ignite the fire between them.
The cabin door opened.
“Oh, sorry, your lordship. I knocked.” The cook smiled and dropped his gaze to the deck. “Our wee miss is ready for a cuddle with her mum before she goes to sleep.”
Evangeline stepped out of Henry’s arms gaining control of her wits in the process and went to Sarah. The baby whimpered and reached past Evangeline to Henry.
“Da, da, da.” She leaned out with her arms toward her father, who edged past Evangeline to gather his daughter into his arms.
Guilt and regret rushed over Evangeline at the rejection. She should have been there for Sarah from birth. Tears burned her eyes. She turned away to keep Henry from seeing her hurt and busied herself preparing the bed for her child. There was no way to undo the past or get the time back with her daughter, but they could have a future together. Please, God help us become a real family. She swiped away the tears before she glanced up to make sure Henry hadn’t noticed.
“Thank you for taking such good care of my…our daughter.” Henry cradled Sarah against his chest. Sarah’s fist went into her mouth, and she settled into his arms.
“Aye. She’s a bonny lass.” Billy stepped out of the cabin and closed the door behind him.
“I’ve kept her near me since her birth. When she’s overly tired she wants only me to comfort her.” Henry paced around the small space, rocking her in his arms and humming the old lullaby Evangeline had hummed while she was pregnant. It had been the one her mother had sung to her when she was little.
“You remembered.” Healing warmth spread through her as she watched him hum and pace until Sarah fell asleep.
“I wanted Sarah to have a connection to you even if you weren’t there to sing to her.” Was that a hint of chastisement in his tone? He laid her gently on the bunk and tucked a blanket around her.
“I thought my baby had died and you had conspired with Millicent to have me killed. I had no reason to go back to a life with you.” Her voice raspy with grief.
“I’m sorry.” His tone contrite, he rubbed his face. “I don’t blame you.” She saw the dark shadows under his eyes and the weariness that lined his features. The long day filled with turmoil, along with his injuries, had worn him down. “I died, too, when I saw the hunting lodge burned to the ground and the bodies of your murdered servants and guards.” He turned to face her. “I’d begged God to find you alive after no sign of your body was found within the wreckage. But after weeks of searching produced nothing, you were assumed dead. I poured my grief into raising Sarah. I took her everywhere with me.” He sunk down to a chair and pulled Evangeline onto his lap. “God has answered my prayers.” Emotion muffled his voice. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and released it. “I know what happened to us is going to take some time to get over, but I do not intend to lose you or Sarah ever again. Understand?” His l
ips lowered to hers. The kiss lingered until both were shaken by the intensity.
“Since the bed will not accommodate all three of us,” she said, “I’ll make you a pallet on the floor.” She longed to believe him, but her suffering had etched deep wounds of suspicion that would take time to heal. If she could forgive a murderous brigand then she should be able to forgive her husband. She pushed out of his arms and braced herself against the table until her legs would hold her. Keeping her focus on her task, she spread out a blanket on the floor and one to cover him. She tried to ignore the sound of him pulling off his tunic. She straightened and noticed the dark purple bruising around his upper torso hadn’t faded much since she’d last seen it. His pain must still be intense.
“Let me tend to your wound before you lie down.” She took a small bottle of witch hazel out of her bag, dabbed it on a cloth. He caught her hand to stay her.
“I’m fine. It’s not as bad as it looks.” He smiled when he caught her staring at him then loosed her. “I have missed your touch, but perhaps it would be best if I tend to my wounds this time.”
“At least put this against your skin while you sleep. It will help with the pain and swelling.” She blushed and handed him the cloth. He accepted the offering and smiled.
“Get undressed and I’ll blow out the lanterns. We’ll need our rest for once we arrive. The journey back to Brighton Castle will be much more demanding. I fear there may be more battles to wage to set everything aright.”
She felt the heat burning her cheeks, her mouth too dry to speak. After only a short time married, she had experienced no embarrassment disrobing in her husband’s presence. But now, panic raced up her spine. He would see the scars on her back and be repulsed.
“I’ll sleep in this gown.” The front was cut low but it had a high back with a starched collar that hid her back.
There had been no mirrors in the convent but she had found two at the abbey hidden behind an old cabinet. The old priest was bald and pious with no need of them. Gilded and very ornate, the platter-sized mirrors had most likely been a gift from a rich parishioner or perhaps penance from a guilt-ridden thief.
After hanging one on the wall, curiosity caused her to use the other to view her back. She had cried for days at what she’d seen. The grotesque puckering of her skin from her burns marred most of her back. The thought brought fresh tears, and a knot of grief settled in her mid-section at her disfigurement.
“Evangeline, we are still married, and you know well that I’ve memorized every smooth and perfect inch of you.” Heat flushed her skin when she met his knowing gaze. He was remembering their days of exploring each other. “However…” He brushed a tear from her eye. “I will turn away so you may get undressed in private.” He sat on the pallet with his back toward her.
Ignoring him, she remained clothed but unlaced and kicked off her shoes then slipped onto the bed next to her daughter and covered up. Her back was to him, but she heard him turn down the lantern and settle down. After his breathing grew heavy with sleep, she relaxed. How could she ever resume married life if she remained afraid for him to see her scars?
Chapter 22
At the bow of the ship, Henry leaned against the railing, closed his eyes, and lifted his face toward the heavens in prayerful gratitude to God. Contentment filled his heart. Evangeline lived. He had awakened early, fearful it had all been a dream, and relaxed as he watched his wife and daughter sleep. No words could describe his love and joy knowing his family was whole again.
He drew a deep breath and exhaled. His ribs still ached, especially when he stretched, but his body was mending. For the present, he had no pressing responsibilities except to watch over his family.
Movement in the water below him drew his attention. A pod of dolphins sped alongside the ship, leaping and flipping in a watery ballet, then disappeared under the sea. The spectacle made him smile.
They could roam the ocean’s depths and tease those who were restricted to the surface. The sight made him long for such freedom. To live a simple life, without the heavy burdens of responsibilities due his birthright, would be foreign to him.
Heaviness tried to blanket him with regret and dread. Once they reached shore, his life would again be filled with decisions to be made, following the king’s dictates, keeping peace, and righting wrongs.
With another deep breath, he shoved away the melancholy that tried to settle on him. There was no place in his life for complaining when his prayers had been answered and his wife and child were safe again. Those blessings were worth the long hours and responsibilities of being titled.
“I thought I’d find you here.” Commander Garrett stepped up beside him. “The winds have been extremely favorable. According to the first mate, we should be in sight of English soil by tomorrow’s first light.” He turned his back on the ocean and faced Henry. “I suggest we start out for Castle Brighton immediately upon arrival. What say you?”
“I agree.” Henry had been glad for the brief reprieve, but once docked, he could not postpone the journey back to Brighton to deal with the trouble there. Though with Evangeline again at his side, life would never again be dull or mundane. He smiled. “It would be good to have a carriage or, at the very least, a wagon for Lady Evangeline and Lady Sarah to ride in for the return journey.” Keeping her confined to a carriage would keep their pace reasonable…and safe. The thought of trying to keep up with his wife as she raced toward Castle Brighton at breakneck speed, made him cringe with fear. She wouldn’t like it, but he would insist she ride in the conveyance for their daughter’s sake.
“I will attend to acquiring a carriage the moment we disembark.” Commander Garrett returned his gaze to the sea. “It will take longer traveling with a carriage, but if we leave without delay, travel all through the day with only short breaks, we should still be able to make the castle near nightfall.”
“Is something bothering you?” Henry asked his old friend.
“I have been tasked with taking Lord Brighton back to England to be held responsible for the crimes against the crown.”
“What?” Evangeline stood behind them, eyes flashing in anger, hands fisted at her side. She took his breath away. Even in her wrinkled gown and windblown hair, she was the image of a warrior princess fit to hold court or wage war. “My father has been held hostage in his own castle. His failing health…”
“No one will take your father anywhere.” Henry stepped to her side and faced the commander.
“I have my orders.” A sudden flash of concern lit the commander’s eyes. He stepped away from the railing, and his hand closed over the hilt of his short sword. “However, I will send a courier to England with the details of what I find. I’m sure once the king knows the truth, he will amend my orders.” He planted his feet and straightened his posture, every inch a man used to following orders and commanding his men to do the same. “Until then, I will remain in charge of the castle and sort out the truth. Be assured that I will not act without further orders from the king.” He glanced from Henry to Evangeline. “Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Henry and Evangeline spoke as one.
“Splendid.” The commander slapped his hands together. “I’ll leave you now to see what Cook’s prepared for us to eat.” He turned and left.
“I will not let them accuse my father of crimes he did not commit.” She watched the commander’s retreat.
“Commander Garrett is a good and reasonable man. I’ve known him all of my life. He will not cause harm to Lord Brighton.” Henry encircled her shoulders with his arm and guided her across the deck toward the galley. “You must know that I will defend your father with my life.”
“I know.” She relaxed within his embrace. “I’m worried about what has happened since we’ve been gone.”
“I’ve learned some very hard lessons recently.” He stopped and turned her toward him. “Most important is that I must rely on God to take care of those I love. Second, I am helpless to fix my troubles without Him.” He l
eaned in and kissed her on the top of her head. She lifted her face, and he dropped a kiss on her lips but refrained from deepening it when the crew hooted and whistled.
“We must keep my father safe.” She whispered.
He hugged her close. In his heart he vowed, with God’s help, he would not let her down this time.
Evangeline had dreaded another night spent together because of the tension that remained between her and Henry. He had not pressed her for more intimate sleeping arrangements, which surprised her. Yet, she had felt safe with him in the room and had rested surprisingly well.
He was gone with Sarah before she awakened. After her morning ablutions, she found her husband and daughter on deck. He carried Sarah with one arm and strolled along the deck pointing out things that might interest the eighteen-month-old. Little Sarah hugged her father’s neck and chattered to everyone they passed.
Warmth and love spread through Evangeline seeing this glimpse of her family so content and happy. Regret and fear closed in like dark clouds hiding the sun, piercing her heart. Would they ever forgive her abandonment so she could be a part of their close bond? With whispered prayers to the only One who could make that happen, she continued to watch the happy scene before her.
The ship’s crew was in equally good spirits and broke out into hearty songs about adventure, whales, and pirate treasure, which delighted her daughter. Billy came out to play for them on a set of bagpipes, and another joined in with a simple hand carved flute. Sarah’s giggles were contagious as Henry bounced her in a shuffled jig with turns, dips, and swirls. The song had a few missing words, no doubt eliminated for Sarah’s sake, but the tune was lively.
Henry stopped and glanced her way as if he’d felt Evangeline’s presence, though she stood in the shadows.
Fear and expectation warred within her whenever she caught his gaze on her. She too heated with restrained passion, which had flared in Henry’s eyes when he held her. How long would he wait for her to submit to what they were both feeling?
The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline Page 18
