Beloved Lies, Book 2

by Marti Talbott

  “How very wretched of him,” said Blair.

  “I agree and I confronted him. No doubt you heard about that.”

  “Aye, we did. Did you not send a cable to warn of his arrival?”

  “How did you know that?”

  “I saw you writing a note in the library and guessed it was for a cable. You looked most distraught.”

  “You are very observant, Miss MacGreagor.”

  “And you were very kind to warn me not to befriend him.”

  “It was the least I could do.”

  They were interrupted when a steward approached. “Mr. Dedrick, the Captain wishes to see you in his cabin.”

  “Very well,” Mr. Dedrick said. He nodded to Blair and then followed the steward back inside the ship.

  “The viscount is a flimflam man?” Robin whispered.

  Blair handed her the pamphlet. “It would appear so.”

  “Do you think Mr. Dedrick tossed him overboard?”

  Blair giggled, “I think the viscount is wisely hiding somewhere, now that he has been found out.”

  “How very disappointing that would be.”

  “Someone certainly should put a stop to him, but I do not wish him harm.”

  “Must you always be so sensible?” Robin asked.

  “I assure you, I am not always.” She turned her attention to the endless water. Instead of the smooth-as-silk ocean they had sailed on the first day, the sea was beginning to look restless with white caps on the tips of small waves. “They are quite beautiful, are they not?”

  Robin frowned. “Beautiful? Well yes, I suppose they are if one is on dry land. On the ocean, it is a whole different matter. Have you not heard? Ships go down in storms.”

  “You are frightened?”

  “Of course I am. Oh, the men shall pretend to be outrageously brave and exceedingly bold, but I am not fooled. We are at the mercy of the ocean and there is little they can do to save us.” Robin put her hand on her stomach. “I feel a bit seasick already. Perhaps I best go lay down.”

  Blair watched the agitated waves for a little while longer before she said, “Perhaps you should. I wish to read more of my book anyway.” She walked her friend back inside the ship, helped Robin into bed, and then went to her room.

  CHAPTER 7

  BLAIR TRIED TO READ, but what Robin said about ships sinking in storms unnerved her. At length, and with good reason, she set her book aside. The heavy rain pounding on the deck outside her window was growing louder and the ship did not seem able to sail as smoothly as before. She got out of her chair, walked around her bed and looked out the window. All she could see was rain, a dark gray sky and the occasional whitecap on a wave much higher than she imagined. There was not a passenger in sight, nor was she particularly frightened, not yet anyway. Just then, a nearby lightning bolt lit up the inside of her cabin, followed by a horrendously loud clap of thunder. Blair sharply inhaled and moved away from the window.

  It was not as if they did not regularly have lightning and thunder in Colorado, but she was at the mercy of a ship in the middle of the ocean, and it further unnerved her. Blair returned to her chair and tried to calm down, but she could feel the ship begin to tip slightly up and after a short time, tip down. She caught the candy dish when it began to slide, as the bow of the ship tipped up at a slightly sharper angle. That was it. It was time to find the Whitfields. If the ship was going to sink, at least they would all be together.

  Blair looked around for any other unsecured items. She grabbed the candy dish, the comb, and the brush off her dressing table, and put all three in a drawer. Next, she looked for a place to keep the book safe. She decided no place was safer than back in her traveling case, so she put it inside and closed the lid.

  Just as she opened the door, Lord O’Dell had his hand up ready to knock. “I came to see if you are in need of assistance.”

  She stepped into the hallway, and pulled the door closed. “I admit to being a little unsettled.”

  He smiled. “Fear not, for I shall save you.”

  Blair scoffed. “I do hope you shall forgive me, if I do not wish to put your offer to the test.”

  “I assure you the Captain of this ship knows precisely what he is doing.”

  “Then I am comforted - somewhat.” When the ship unexpectedly tilted a little to the side, she gasped and grabbed his arm. As soon as she realized what she had done, she withdrew her hand. “Forgive me.”

  Lord O’Dell reached for her hand and wrapped it around his bent arm. “There is nothing to forgive. Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield are in the lounge,” he said, starting them down the hallway. “Mrs. Whitfield insists that she cannot be at peace unless she can see what is happening outside.”

  “And the lounge has the largest windows. I feel the same. ‘Tis not a good time to be in a tiny room with windows I cannae see out of.” At the corner, they moved aside to let a couple going in the opposite direction pass by. “How is it you know where the Whitfields are?”

  “I happened to be there when Mr. Whitfield asked if I would see to you. He fears leaving his wife. She seemed most excitable.”

  “Oh,” said Blair. “‘Tis very kind of you. Have you seen Miss Robinson lately?”

  At the next corner, the ship began to tip down, this time a little more violently than the time before. When it began to tip up, he leaned against the wall, removed her hand, and put his arm around her waist instead.

  “I find I am more frightened than I thought. Can we not hurry? I fear being trapped in a hallway.”

  “Of course.” He took her elbow and guided her around the last corner just as the ship tilted up again. This time, he had no choice but to lean his back against the wall, and when she began to slide, he pulled her to him and wrapped both arms around her.

  She could feel the strength in his arms, but it was little comfort. Terrified, she laid her head against his chest, clutched one side of his jacket with each hand, and tried not to cry out. His heart was beating as wildly as hers and it occurred to her he was not as brave as he claimed. Never before had she been in the arms of a stranger, but she wasn’t complaining. The ship continued its wild movements, the wind howled, the rain continued to pound on the deck, and another close lightning strike and clap of thunder took her breath away. As soon as the ship leveled off again, she opened her eyes and realized they were not that far from the lounge. She looked through the glass in the deck doors, hoping to see a lighter sky, but it was just as dark.

  “This way,” he said as he released her and grabbed her hand. A moment later, he opened the door to the lounge, took her inside, and closed the door.

  Abigail cried out, “Blair, we are in such fear here!” This time she held both hands over her heart.

  “As am I,” Blair said. Her hand still in his, she allowed Lord O’Dell to steady her until she could sit in a chair that was bolted to the floor. She released his and put her hand in Abigail’s. “You are trembling, Mrs. Whitfield.”

  Abigail’s eyes were wide when she answered, “I have not been this frightened since your mother held a gun on me.”

  Blair couldn’t help but smile. “Nor have I.” She looked behind her only to discover that Lord O’Dell was already out the door and the rest of the lounge was completely empty. She waited while the ship tipped up and then down once more. “Thank you for sending him to fetch me,” she said to Claymore. “I was quite beside myself with dread.”

  “It was most kind of him. I find...” Just then, lightning struck so close, the burst of light completely filled each of the large windows. Abigail cried out, and a second later, the thunder clapped loud enough to startle even Claymore. There was nothing left to do but brace themselves against the movement of the massive ship and wait for the storm to pass.

  After a time, Abigail remembered to inhale. “I do believe the sea is calming a bit.” She spoke too soon, for one last lightning strike lit up the sky, but this time it was farther away, as evidenced by the less shocking thunder.

  At
last, the sea truly began to calm.

  Abigail finally took her hand off her chest and drew in a deep breath. “I insist on calm seas on our return voyage.”

  Claymore squeezed his wife one last time before he took his arm off from around her. “I shall be happy to speak to the captain about that very thing on your behalf.”

  Blair giggled. “On her behalf since you were not the least bit frightened.”

  “Your Mr. O’Dell did not seem to be,” said Abigail.

  “Appearances,” Blair suggested, “are sometimes deceiving.”

  “Where is Miss Robinson?” Claymore asked. When he looked up, David was coming to see about them, and when he started to stand, the steward waved him back down.

  “Any injuries to report?” David asked. Although the waves were subsiding, he spread his legs apart to maintain his balance. “We have a doctor aboard if you need one.”

  “Injuries are to our nerves only,” Claymore answered.

  David smiled, particularly at Blair as usual. “Perhaps something a bit stronger than water when I can manage it?” he asked.

  Claymore agreed. “A calming effect would be most appreciated.” He watched the steward nod, and then leave the room. “I find I suffer great thirst.”

  “Robin suffers from seasickness,” Blair said, finally answering Abigail’s question. “I shall go check on her shortly.”

  “Poor dear. Oh look,” said Abigail pointing out the window nearest them. “I think the rain has let up.”

  WHEN BLAIR WENT TO check on Robin, the ship’s doctor was just leaving. He was young and reminded her of the Colorado doctor her father hoped she would marry – the one she had all but forgotten about.

  Robin was in bed, looked a bit whitish, and still had her hand on her queasy stomach. “Is the storm over yet?”

  “Aye,” Blair answered. “Is your mother not here?”

  “She suffers seasickness even more than me, but she did manage to send my stepfather to check on me. He took one look and fetched the doctor. Our poor doctor had several to attend and did not come until just now, but he did give me something to make me feel better.”

  “We missed lunch. Are you hungry?”

  Robin rolled her eyes. “Not in the least, but worry not; I shall recover before dinner...hopefully.”

  “You do look a little green still.”

  “Have they found the viscount?”

  “Not that I have heard.”

  “Good, then I have missed nothing.”

  Blair giggled. “We simply would not dare solve a mystery without you.”

  “What a good friend you are.” Robin whimsically looked away. “I do not know when I have ever had such a good friend. The young ladies I am allowed to associate with are oh so appropriate on every occasion and not friendly at all.” She tried to sit up, felt a little worse, and lay back down.

  “Perhaps you should try to sleep.”

  “Yes, but I might miss something.”

  “I promise to come the moment I hear anything at all.”

  “Very well then.”

  As soon as Robin closed her eyes, Blair quietly left the room and shut the door behind her.

  BEFORE THE STORM, LORD O’Dell seemed to be everywhere, but Blair did not see him at all through dinner. Just as she promised, Robin recovered enough to join Blair and the Whitfields, although she did not have much of an appetite. Her mother had not fared well, and Lord and Lady Forrestal remained in their cabin. The Whitfields, on the other hand, were feeling rested and the best they had felt throughout the entire voyage, and were even adjusting nicely to the time changes.

  Blair and Robin had so many dancing partners on their third night aboard ship, they hardly had time to talk. Most of the men were married, yet gentlemanly enough to see that the young ladies did not feel themselves wallflowers. The men dancing with Blair asked about Colorado gold mines, wagon trains, cattle rustlers and of course, famous outlaws. Blair enjoyed it, for those were subjects she knew something about.

  Mr. Dedrick danced with her, and again she found him charming, although perhaps not as prone to good conversation as the other men had been. It was a bit of a disappointment, and she was not sorry when he took her back to her table and asked Robin to dance. Before Robin took his hand, Mr. Dedrick jingled the coins in his pocket, which made Blair smile. Suddenly, Lord O’Dell was standing in front of her offering his hand.

  She did not hesitate, took his gloved hand, and walked with him to the middle of the dance floor. “I find I am quite embarrassed,” said she.

  “How so?”

  “I let you hold me.”

  “Did you? I rather thought you were holding me.”

  She grinned up at him. “Indeed, I was holding on to you, and for dear life.”

  “Well, let it not worry you. It was quite necessary, no one saw us, and I do not think ill of you because of it.”

  “You are very kind, Sir.”

  “And you are very beautiful.”

  She was content to be in his arms until he said that. For some odd reason, she felt more insulted than complimented. Even so, she refrained from reacting in a negative manner. “You are very cheerful tonight.”

  “Why would I not be? I am dancing with you.”

  Again, there was just something lacking in his words. She hoped to enjoy his company, but his attempt at endearing himself fell flat. There was no point in getting upset about it, however, so she changed the subject. “If you have said before, I have forgotten. Where do you live?”

  “In Scotland most of the time, although my family has a residence in Ireland.”

  “Where in Scotland?”

  “Near Glasgow.”

  “I am surprised. Your accent is English and not Scottish or Irish.”

  “Practice,” he said, “though when in Scotland, my accent comes rushing back. I hear you are Scottish as well?”

  Blair found the idea of speaking of her complex heritage just now exhausting, so she turned the conversation in a different direction. “I have yet to see Ireland.”

  “It is almost as beautiful as Scotland.”

  “But not quite? I was fortunate enough to live in Scotland for a time before we moved to America.”

  “Ah, yes, Colorado.”

  Even the mention of her home – coming from him – seemed somehow insolent, and now he had a look on his face that reminded her of a little boy drooling to have a slice of Cook Halen’s apple pie.

  “You are displeased,” he asked as though he could read her mind.

  Blair could hold back no longer “If you must know, I dinna care to be told I am beautiful.”

  “Because you have heard it too many times before?”

  “Because I most ardently wish I were not. Far too often lads wish to be with me just to impress their acquaintances. How am I to find happiness if I must settle for a lad as trivial in his thinking as that?” The instant the music stopped, she turned and walked back to her table. He followed her, as a gentleman should, slightly bowed and walked away.

  Robin stared at her friend. “Well?”

  Blair took a deep breath, finally. “He is all yours.”

  Robin giggled. “I am grateful for your castoff, but if you do not like him, I am not certain I should either.”

  Blair realized she was holding herself too stiffly and let her shoulders slump. “He did nothing wrong...not specifically. He shall likely make a good husband for someone – just not for me.”

  “Perhaps you are too fastidious? First, you do not like the viscount and now you want nothing more to do with Lord O’Dell. Promise we shall always be friends, for I simply must be there to see the kind of man that finally wins your heart.”

  At last, Blair smiled. “I promise we shall be friends forever and ever.”

  AFTER BLAIR GOT BACK to her room, she couldn’t get the disagreement she had with Lord O’Dell off her mind. It wasn’t like her to be so annoyed, and in fact, she couldn’t remember a time when she had been. She tried to rea
d more of her book, but concentrating was out of the question so she went to bed.

  The next morning when she got up and looked out her window, the sea was completely calm, the ship effortlessly carried them toward London once more, and the sunshine was bright and cheerful. The deck, she noticed, was as dry as a bone and couples were already taking a walk. Soon, Lucy came to help her dress.

  “Green or blue?” Lucy asked as she opened the closet door. Blair did not return her smile, and Lucy noticed.

  “Green,” Blair answered. “With the water and sky, I have seen enough blue to last me for weeks.”

  Lucy chose the green gown adorned with off white trim. She found a shawl to match, and then laid them out on the bed. “You are not enjoying the voyage, Miss?”

  Blair went to the bathroom and began to draw her own bath. She closed the door partway, and handed her nightgown out. “I thought I would and so looked forward to it, but...” Blair paused while she made sure all the pins were out of her hair.

  “But what?” Lucy asked.

  “But my mother’s bad reputation does not allow me to be who I truly am.”

  “Mrs. MacGreagor has a bad reputation?”

  Blair laughed. “You are a dream, Lucy. If you have not heard, you are the only one. My true mother, the one who gave birth to me and promptly gave me away, was a bigamist.”

  As soon as she heard Blair step into the tub and sit down, Lucy sat on the edge of the bed. It truly was news to her and just now she realized what the gossiping in first-class was all about. “Then you shall not easily find a husband?”

  “I assure you, I do not desire to find a husband.”

  “You do not find any of the men on this ship to your liking?”

  “Well, there are two I have come to know a little better than the others, but the truth be told, I dinna trust one and the other is not so very likable. I find I am a bit ill at ease around Lord O’Dell. I cannae think why precisely, save his inability to flatter me without somehow insulting me.” She put soap on her rag and began to wash her face and neck. “What can you tell me about Lord O’Dell?”