by Lucy Langton
Noticing how the air in the carriage had changed, Lord Willcox spoke up, saying, “In a few days, once you’ve rested, Maria, we plan to retire to our country estate. I hope that settles well with you.”
Maria smiled at her father, thankful for his kindness. “Indeed, Father, I would very much like to journey to the country for a time. I know I’ve been away for a long time, but I’m not ready to return to society just yet. I want time… to heal from this.” Maria did her best not to let her emotions get the best of her. While they all thought Maria was referring to the gruesome experience of living upon a pirate’s ship, she was instead speaking of her broken heart. Regardless, they all felt for Maria and extended their pity.
“Of course, my dear. We shall live a quiet life in the country and enjoy the holidays together as a family. We won’t even speak of Town until the Spring,” Lady Willcox assured, bringing smiles back to Maria’s face. It was her parents’ kindness that truly allowed her to feel their love for her.
“And Lord Morgan and I shall come to pay you a visit as well,” Charlotte assured as she squeezed her friend’s hand once more.
Maria paid little attention to the scenery around her, feeling the sway of the carriage and realising how much different it felt than being aboard a ship. When the carriage reached their townhouse, Lord Willcox stepped down and extended his hand to Maria, helping her slowly step down from the carriage. Then, she slowly made her way up to the front door, feeling a bit off-balance. Before too long Gregory was by her side, helping her up the stairs to the door as it was opened for them.
“My goodness, Miss Maria. How lovely it is to see you home,” Mr. Thatcher said in greeting as he bowed before her.
“Thank you, Mr. Thatcher. It’s good to be home,” Maria replied as she stepped into the townhouse, marveling at its beauty as though she was seeing it for the first time. She ran her fingers along the handrails of the stairs, feeling their smoothness below her fingers. She stepped idly down the hallway to the sitting room, her fingers touching trinkets that her mother always set out. At one point, Maria turned and noticed the curious way in which her family watched her.
“It’s like being in a dream,” she said as she let her hands fall down to her sides. “I simply never hoped to ever be here again.” She turned her head away from them as tears took over her. She was truly happy to be home, knowing that her future was secure once more with her family.
She felt her father’s strong hands rest on her shoulders as he tried to soothe her. “You don’t need to say anymore, Maria. You never have to talk about it again or explain your actions. We understand, dear one. We just want you to feel at ease here,” Lord Willcox said as his daughter sobbed. He couldn’t imagine what she’d endured and didn’t want to think about it anymore. He’d never question his daughter about it in fear of causing her more harm, and he vowed to do everything in his power to ensure her happy future.
“Come, Maria. I’ll take you to your room and help you get cleaned up. I’m sure Mrs. Bath can bring us up something to eat and I’ll have the bath drawn for you and everything,” Lady Willcox said, taking her daughter’s hand in hers.
Maria only nodded, allowing her mother to lead her like a child. It gave her comfort to be close to her mother again, and Lady Willcox felt more alive than she had in weeks having her daughter home and being able to take care of her once more. All that Maria could do was nod kindly to Gregory and Charlotte as she was led up the stairs. She felt awfully tired all of a sudden as she clung to the stairwell, needing the support to keep her balance.
She was thankful for her mother guiding her as they walked slowly down the carpeted hallway. Mrs. Bath met them upstairs as she opened Maria’s bedchamber door for her, all the familiar things in her life seeming to come to greet her.
“It feels good to be home,” Maria commented as her mother guided her to a chair. She sat heavily in the plush wing backed chair as her mother came to join her in a chair next to her. Maria let her gaze wander around the room. She wondered for a while if all of this could be real, that she indeed was home and not trapped on a pirate’s ship. She took several deep breaths as Mrs. Bath fussed around the room, her chest from the ship seeming to appear as a maid came in to assist in putting away her things.
Maria was looked after by her mother as they sat and talked of idle things, of the weather and the different fashions her mother had spotted since they’d moved to town from Portsmouth. Maria simply listened, enjoying her mother’s company. After a while, a tea tray was brought into the room and Maria was able to enjoy her favorite tea once more and a few sandwiches that Cook had prepared for them. After a while, a bath was brought in and Maria was assisted in bathing, something she’d grown up with, but without having experienced having a lady’s maid in weeks, Maria almost felt shy. Would they be able to tell that she wasn’t an innocent anymore? Maria scolded herself for having such silly thoughts and instead allowed her hair to be washed and her body scrubbed clean.
After the bath and having been dressed in a new gown her mother had recently bought for her, Maria felt better than she had in weeks. She had every intention of returning downstairs with her mother to visit with her family and friend in the drawing room, but as she stood to leave the room, a strong dizziness overtook her, causing her to crumple back into her chair. Maria pressed her hand to her forward as she waited for the dizziness to settle.
Lady Willcox came to her side as she began to rub her back. “I think I should have Mr. Thatcher go fetch the physician. You’ve been through an awful lot and perhaps should just rest,” she said as she helped Maria to her feet and towards her bed.
“I feel foolish for resting when I’ve only just dressed in this beautiful gown you purchased for me,” Maria said with a chuckle as she allowed her mother to help her into bed.
“Now now, don’t fuss over such little things. I’d be happy to purchase as many new gowns as you desired, Maria. You simply rest upon these pillows and I’ll have the physician come to check on you. And if you desire company, then I’m sure we can simply come upstairs to sit with you,” Lady Willcox reassured as she stroked her daughter’s hair, doing her best to keep her emotions in check.
Maria smiled at her mother as her eyelids began to feel heavy. “I think I’ll just rest for a bit. I’m sure all I need is some sleep,” Maria said as she covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she yawned. Lady Willcox chuckled as she settled into a chair beside the bed, holding her daughter’s hand in her own. A few tears slipped down her cheek as she watched her daughter fall asleep, praying silently her words of thanks that her daughter had been returned safely to her.
After a while, Lady Willcox rose and summoned Mr. Thatcher to call upon the physician. When Lord Willcox came up to the room to inquire as to why the physician had been summoned, Lady Willcox explained Maria’s dizzy spell and how she was sleeping now. Lord Willcox peeked into Maria’s room, pleased to see her resting so well.
“I did not think she would look this good,” Lord Willcox whispered as he gazed lovingly at his daughter. “I had simply feared the worst, it seems.”
“Worry not, my dear. I did think the same, that she would come back to us in some wild state. But despite the colouring of her skin, she seems to have survived the ordeal with her dignity still intact,” Lady Willcox commented, pleased with the way things were going so far.
“Maria has always been strong in nature,” Lord Willcox said as he turned from the room. “Do let me know when she wakes.” He departed then and made his way back downstairs to let his guests know that Maria was resting.
Lady Willcox returned to her daughter’s side, determined to never let her out of her sight again.
Chapter 28
Maria could hardly believe it. It was like she’d never been kidnapped as she sat at the dinner table, laughing with the other dinner guests as Gregory told a humorous story. It was simply another party her mother had organized with her closest friends. Charlotte had been accompanied by her husb
and, who’d come to Town to escort her back to their country estate. They reassured Maria they’d come to visit with her often once they too were settled.
Lord Crawford was in attendance that night as well. Though the man had come to pay Maria and her family a visit time and again, tonight he seemed rather odd to Maria. He’d requested to sit next to her during dinner, annoying Maria since she enjoyed sitting next to her brother, but she’d agreed simply because she owed Lord Crawford a great deal. She’d thanked the man on many occasions, but never encouraged him in the slightest because she couldn’t think of being courted by a man when her heart still belonged to another. But this evening, Lord Crawford was paying her a particular interest.
“This chateaubriand steak is divine, wouldn’t you say, Miss Maria,” Lord Crawford said, drawing Maria’s attention back to him once more.
“Indeed, Lord Crawford. Our cook has always made wonderful dishes,” Maria agreed, trying to focus back on her brother as he started speaking of another story.
“Certainly better than anything you experienced upon the pirate’s ship,” Lord Crawford said in a soft tone, a chuckle following.
It always irritated her whenever Lord Crawford brought up her dreadful experience. She wasn’t sure if he did so to make light of the situation or to poke fun at her. But either way, it always upset her no end. She feared that her breaking point was drawing near.
After dinner, Lord Crawford asked Maria to accompany him for a walk through the gardens. Maria was surprised by this invitation, but when she looked to her father he simply nodded his head eagerly, appearing to know what was about to happen next. Maria sighed as she took Lord Crawford’s waiting arm and allowed the man to lead her outside the doors that led to the gardens.
The sun was setting, allowing there to be plenty of light to lead the way. Maria felt uncomfortable, remembering the last time she’d been on the arm of Lord Crawford, and the dreadful thing that had come of that. But Maria did her best to enjoy the walk, to view the last of the garden’s blooms since the fall season would soon be upon them. Before too long, it would be chilly and windy until spring came again.
“I must say, Miss Maria, that you are radiant this evening,” Lord Crawford said, breaking the silence between them. He’d led them a short distance from the house, but close enough that Maria could look over her shoulder and see the door leading back to the sitting room.
“Thank you, Lord Crawford. I must admit that my mother has been rather doting since my return,” Maria said as she let go of the man’s arm and took several steps away from him, pretending to be interested in a bloom. She traced her fingers around the petals, remembering the small flower James had brought to her.
“She has every right to be,” Lord Crawford said, closing the space between them and clasping his hand with hers. “I must say, Maria, that I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long. I knew in my heart that I would see you again and finally get to express my deepest feelings for you. I’ve loved you for so long that my heart will burst if I don’t at least tell you and ask for your hand in marriage.”
Maria stared up into his brown eyes, knowing that this man had probably been sought after by every eager young lady wanting to be the wife of an Earl. In society’s eyes, they would be a perfect match. It made sense for a rescued woman to marry the man who’d orchestrated her rescue. But as she looked deeply into his eyes, she couldn’t agree to marry such a man when she knew the truth about him.
Maria stepped back then, removing her hand from his. “While I was trapped aboard the pirate’s ship, a fact you keep reminding me,” Maria said pointedly as her anger rose, “I had the chance to speak with a Lord Andros.”
The moment she said the name, she could see the fear that leaped into Lord Crawford’s eyes as they grew large in surprise.
“How is that possible?” he stammered in response.
“Because Lord Andros was really Captain Maidus, leader of the pirates, who kidnapped me and forced me to work upon the ship,” Maria explained, crossing her hands in front of her to help control her emotions. “Captain Maidus explained how he was able to get official papers to appear as a privateer, and how he swindled gentlemen at the gaming halls. He also detailed how he was able to take everything from you, Lord Crawford.”
“That doesn’t matter now. The man is dead and I’ll soon have my fortune returned to me. It’s only a matter of time before I get things figured out and I’ll have access to my money again,” Lord Crawford said quickly, trying to appease Maria.
“And, pray tell, how much of your fortune is left after your visit to the gaming halls? Surely you must frequent them often if you were so desperate to sign your title away. No, I could never be with a man such as yourself, parading around town being someone you’re not. Why would I want to marry a man who no doubt is hounded by debt collectors? Who would be so quick to spend my money as you have yours?”
Lord Crawford struck Maria, wanting to do something, anything, to silence her and the truths she was speaking. Maria stumbled to the ground, landing roughly against the dirt. But she wouldn’t allow him to see her as weak as she quickly pushed herself back up to her feet, dismayed that her gown was now ruined.
“You’re despicable, Fitzwilliam. Now get out of here before I tell every paper from England to Spain about your evil deeds. If I or any of my family ever sees you again, I assure you that you won’t live very long.” Maria’s voice was stern, and by the way she glared at him, fear coursed through Lord Crawford as he staggered back. He almost tripped and fell as he ran around to the front of the house, quick to collect his horse and take off down the street.
Maria watched him go, running like a coward should. She was proud of herself for standing up to Lord Crawford, even after he’d struck her. But she’d promised James that she’d never let anyone take her fierceness from her. She knew that James would have been proud of her if he’d been here today to see her stand up to such a fool. Thinking about her love brought tears to her eyes, but she did her best to wipe them away as she heard footsteps nearing.
“What has happened?” Lord Willcox asked as he looked at the soiled gown Maria wore. His eyes were filled with concern as he looked around for Lord Crawford.
“There is much I must tell you, Father,” Maria said as she gestured towards a bench.
“Are you hurt, child?” he asked as he sat with his daughter, placing a hand on her chin to turn her face towards him. He could tell that a bruise was forming as rage quickly filled him. “I’ll kill him.”
“No, Father. The man has probably already ridden straight out of London by now,” Maria said as she moved her face from her father’s hand. Maria then took the time to explain everything to her father, detailing everything Captain Maidus had shared with her in efforts to scare her, even telling him of what Admiral Reed had done. When she explained how Lord Crawford was actually a penniless man, only after her dowry, she watched her father’s fists clench.
“There is so much wrong that has been done against you, my dear, that I can hardly contemplate what I want to do without having this need to kill so many,” Lord Willcox confessed as he shut his eyes tight, tears burning his eyes.
“Please, Father. Let us put this all behind us. The pirate Captain is dead, Admiral Reed knows that I know his secret and wouldn’t dare do something like this again, and I suppose that Lord Crawford now feels the same. With this knowledge, I could ruin so many, but I don’t want to do that, Father, and neither should you,” Maria said, turning her father’s face towards hers, even wiping a few tears away.
“You’re right, Maria. You’ve always been so bright,” Lord Willcox said as he chuckled a little. Taking a deep breath, he rose and pulled Maria to her feet. “Come now. I’m sure you’re ready to retire for the night and I must return to our dinner guests. I will speak to your mother and Gregory after everyone has gone, but I’ll think of an excuse so you can go on to bed.”
“Thank you, Father,” Maria said as she walked with her father for a bi
t. Then they parted ways, allowing him to return to the sitting room as she walked around the house to another door leading in. But as she placed her hand on the handle, she turned and looked back up at the stairs, wondering if her love still lived.