“Nonsense. Ricardo was willing to voyage with us to London to Buckington House. How can you say they’re luring me away? He’s being generous in asking us to visit the hacienda.”
“Generous!”
“I’m convinced I should go, and it will only be for a few months. I’ll have time with Carlotta before her marriage to Miguel and be treated by Ricardo at the same time. But lest you swoon, dear Sophie, I promise not to make final decision on the matter until I hear what Nigel may say. If you’re so adamant that mischief awaits me, you can always come with me.”
“To Porto Bello?” She whisked her fan. “The idea is horrendous. And certainly no less so for you. The war with Holland is just the beginning. You heard Governor Modyford. We’ll be fighting Spain soon. You’ll be an English woman trapped on the Main.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m going in excellent company, and the Vasquez family is highly esteemed by the Spanish governor there.”
“You make light of this, Geneva, but I don’t see it so. I’m not forgetting what happened in London to Felix’s first—”
“That will be enough, Aunt Sophie.”
In the strained silence that followed, Emerald felt her heart pounding. Porto Bello? It was the Vasquez family that Baret suspected of holding his father there, Viscount Royce Buckington!
Geneva went on in a casual tone as if trying to convince herself of the appropriateness of her decision as well as to convince Lady Sophie, who sat looking pale and distraught. Visiting the relatives of one’s husband was not unheard of, and Carlotta was young and dreadfully unhappy about her arranged marriage to Miguel. Her stepdaughter needed sympathetic support from an outsider.
Observing her, Emerald concluded that Geneva didn’t know that Royce Buckington had been sold to Miguel’s father. Royce’s safety depended upon Felix’s believing him to be dead.
She would explain all this to Geneva, she thought desperately, but first she must tell Baret that Felix was planning to bring Geneva to Porto Bello. Geneva would be more likely to believe Baret than herself. Why did Felix want Geneva to visit the hacienda with Carlotta? And how much did Dr. Ricardo Vasquez know about Baret’s father?
Emerald held tightly to the bedpost, her mind unsettled. So much was happening, and none of it had been anticipated. Remembering that Lady Sophie had suggested earlier that Geneva wanted to speak with her, she wondered what she had intended to discuss, if not the betrothal.
“What do I have to do with all this?” she found herself asking, uncertainty in her voice.
Both Geneva and Sophie turned to look at her, but before Geneva could answer, Zunsia, her personal maid, stirred from her unobtrusive position across the chamber and walked to the terrace railing.
“They’s here,” she called. “Lord Felix, Dr. Vasquez, and that Carlotta.”
Emerald crossed the room to where Zunsia stood. A sleek carriage was parked below, and two men in black broadcloth and white ruffled shirts stood waiting while the driver assisted down a girl wearing a red ruffled dress. Emerald recognized the Spanish beauty she had last seen aboard Baret’s ship off the coast of Cumana. The tall man was Lord Felix Buckington, and the lean swarthy-faced Spaniard with the short pointed beard had to be Dr. Ricardo Vasquez, uncle of Don Miguel—Baret’s prisoner. Suppose he found out?
Emerald’s emotions dipped and swayed as precariously as a ship on the storm-tossed Caribbean.
Trouble, she thought, awaited them all.
5
UNEXPECTED NEWS
Emerald stood her ground. Soon she would be living in this house. To turn now and flee like a scolded rabbit would disappoint Baret as well as convince Lord Felix that she could be intimidated and controlled by stronger personalities in the family. She hadn’t wanted this confrontation now. It would have been far wiser to be brought into the domain of Baret’s disapproving family through his initiative rather than her own.
But I’ve walked into a trap, and now there’s little I can do but see it through, she thought, quaking in her shoes. All because of Mr. Pitt and his treatment of Minette! If he hadn’t bullied her, she wouldn’t be sick and in need of a doctor. And I wouldn’t be caught in the complexity of Cousin Geneva voyaging with Lord Felix to Porto Bello.
What were Felix and Dr. Ricardo Vasquez up to? Was Geneva at risk, or was it little Jette? But Earl Nigel would never permit Jette to voyage to Porto Bello with Geneva and Felix, would he? Certainly Baret wouldn’t! But could it be stopped in time? Felix might wait until after Baret sailed with Morgan, in which case, who was strong enough to thwart Felix? Most anything could be done in the secret of midnight while Earl Nigel and Sir Cecil Chaderton slept.
Her tensions rambled on, growing as strong as the roses climbing the trellis. If Felix guessed that she knew about his dark involvements at Porto Bello with Baret’s father, what might his reaction be? He had already tried to have assassins eliminate Baret and her father. What of Geneva? Or herself? If she tried to explain all this to Geneva, would Geneva believe her or think her as imaginative as she did Lady Sophie?
A moment later she heard low voices speaking in Castilian as they came down the hall toward the chamber. Emerald glanced at Geneva to see her response to the voices, but she was looking expectantly toward the door. That she wanted to go to Porto Bello was surprising to Emerald. It might be impossible to convince her of the risk.
Lady Sophie had left before Felix entered the house, but Emerald was waiting near Zunsia on the other side of the room when Felix came in with Carlotta and Don Miguel’s uncle, Dr. Ricardo Vasquez.
Lord Felix walked to the side of his wife’s bed and, leaning down, kissed her forehead. He took her hand. “Hello, darling. Feeling any stronger?”
Emerald concealed a shudder and glanced toward Carlotta to see her response to her stepmother, but the raven-haired young woman showed nothing. When she noticed Emerald, however, her dark eyes flashed with recognition. There was no hint of apology in that look for the lies she had told Baret about a relationship between Emerald and Sir Jasper. Those lies had nearly severed her from Baret. Only later, when he had questioned Carlotta’s maid about Emerald’s stay at the hacienda, did the truth of her innocence come out. Carlotta had finally admitted the deception, but until then, Emerald’s reputation had been greatly tarnished. The ruby pendant at her throat symbolized what Baret now thought of her.
Carlotta lifted a shoulder defensively and turned her head away. In a quick gait, red skirts swishing, she swept out onto the terrace by the climbing roses.
If I didn’t know she was in love with that rogue Jasper, I might think she’s as jealous about Baret and me as Cousin Lavender is.
A slight movement of the satin bedcover beneath Geneva’s large four-poster arrested Emerald’s attention. Her gaze shifted there just in time to see a child’s foot draw back. Jette! How had he sneaked in here and managed to hide without Geneva’s knowing? And why? She suspected he had climbed up the trellis and entered by the terrace when Geneva was drowsy from her medication. He was clever enough to accomplish such and fool Zunsia too.
She glanced at Zunsia to see if she had noticed the shoe, but the maid apparently hadn’t. She was fanning herself languidly as a breeze smelling of roses rippled in through the terrace.
Emerald masked her concern. The child had been in here all along, so he knew about the voyage to Porto Bello. He probably knew much more as well, since he would have overheard the conversation between Geneva and Lady Sophie before Emerald arrived. No doubt Jette knew that Sophie didn’t trust Felix. Perhaps he even knew that she suspected his uncle of hastening the death of his ailing first wife.
Jette’s knowledge was an added complication. He had already told her he didn’t like Felix. Perhaps of far greater concern was Jette’s wish to run away with Baret to locate their father. Knowing that he might be asked to go away with Geneva and Felix could trigger the boy into doing something rash!
“I still think Jette should voyage with us,” Lord Felix was telling Geneva in a f
atherly tone. “It will do the boy good to visit a Spanish colony and view its culture and people from a friendly perspective. The English, my dear, can be such insufferable bigots when it comes to anything with flavoring from Madrid.” He smiled with wearied sarcasm. “He’s heard so many tales of horror from his brother that every Spaniard has horns and carries a pitchfork. Baret’s dislike is fanatical. See for yourself. We’re at war with Holland, and does he sail against Curacao? No! Instead he’s meeting with Henry Morgan for an attack on the Main.”
Geneva reached a hand toward him. “You best watch your tongue, dear. You’re forgetting Emerald’s presence.”
“Not for a moment,” he said glibly. Smiling, Felix walked toward her with both hands held out as though she were a long-lost daughter returning to gain his favor.
“Ah, Emerald, welcome to Foxemoore. I’m sure by now that Sophie has laid out the velvet carpet for you?” His bright blue eyes were maliciously amused. He knew the struggles she must be going through.
Emerald couldn’t call his bluff, though she knew his welcome was not genuine. She permitted him to take her hands in his and lean over to brush his lips against her cheek. She struggled not to stiffen, for it was this man who had plotted her father’s “accident.”
“Hello, your lordship,” she managed rather stiffly and met his startling blue gaze without wavering.
Felix’s eyes flickered as though he saw through her behavior and knew she neither liked nor trusted him. Yet he kept up the pretense and continued smiling, forcing her to do the same.
“‘Lordship’?” he teased. “Call me Felix. Has that scoundrel nephew of mine been forcing his future bride to acknowledge his future earldom by addressing him by title? Shame on him. I suspect your marriage, my dear, will be one full of surprises once he brings you home to England. The king, you know, has a roguish reputation for taking interest in his earls’ pretty wives. Knowing Baret’s temper, he might end up in a duel and run off buccaneering again. You best tell him to settle down here on Foxemoore, where such a pretty girl will be safe.”
Emerald knew he meant to embarrass her. She fumed inwardly and managed to keep herself from flushing.
“Even Foxemoore isn’t quite safe, Lord Felix, as I can attest, having been brought up here—but on the other side of the plantation,” she said quietly but meaningfully. “And my cousin Minette has been treated more shamefully than I. That’s why I’ve come—to speak to Geneva about my cousin’s health. She is sick and needs a doctor.”
He lifted both brows as though all this was dreadful and scandalous news, and he quickly offered assurance of help and security for her and Minette.
“Naturally, my dear, you’ll want to move into the house at once, and your ailing cousin Minette as well. I’ll have everything arranged today. It’s fortunate that Ricardo specializes in diseases so prevalent in the Caribbean. He’ll know how to treat your cousin, and she’ll be on her feet again in plenty of time for your betrothal ball.”
Emerald could find no quarrel with his words or his outward manner. Felix’s behavior was warm and helpful. He was going out of his way to make clear that she was accepted into his prestigious family. But she didn’t believe him for a moment. He still wanted Lavender to marry Baret, so that if anything happened to Baret she would be left heir, just as Felix would be heir should Geneva die of her mysterious illness on the way to Porto Bello.
“It’s fortunate, my dear, that Baret is concerned for the well-being of Jette. Has he spoken to you about matters yet?”
Emerald came alert. Something in his smile warned her to be on guard. “Was he to speak to me of something important?”
“Ah, then you haven’t seen him since the dinner at Modyford’s residence,” he stated with confidence. “Well, no matter. He’s taken up with Morgan for a few days but will come to Foxemoore this weekend. He’ll explain then.”
“Explain what, Lord Felix?”
“He’s willing to sacrifice his personal desires in order to have you accompany us and Jette to Porto Bello for a few months while Geneva recovers. Naturally, we’ll not sail until after your betrothal. It wouldn’t be fair to you to visit the Main without the Buckington ring on your hand.” He reached over and kissed her forehead, his eyes grave and amused all at once. “Your care for Geneva and Jette will be a sacrifice we won’t forget.”
Stunned by this unexpected revelation, Emerald looked at him, speechless.
Then Lord Felix escorted her down the stairs and across the hall, where Jitana opened the door.
“I’ll send one of the servants to bring you and your cousin here to the house.” Felix held her arm, leading her onto the wide porch.
The sun had set twenty minutes earlier. The sky was ablaze with vivid golds, purples, and reds, all blending together across the distant sky. The winds blew warm, ruffling Emerald’s hair.
“Thank you, but I’d prefer to stay at the manor house until Minette has recovered. By then Baret will arrive.” She didn’t tell him that she preferred to have her meeting with Earl Nigel with Baret present, but Felix apparently understood.
“My father wholeheartedly approves of this betrothal. You can rest assured there’s nothing Sophie or anyone else can do to stop it.”
She noticed that Felix hadn’t said that the earl approved of the marriage, only the betrothal. Originally, the betrothal was agreed upon to keep his grandson and Lavender from marrying. Did the earl still believe it was temporary? Baret had suggested that his cooperation with Earl Nigel prompted his grandfather’s permission for the voyage with Morgan—a voyage on which he would embark with the secret objective of locating his father.
She touched the ruby at her throat and took solace in its cool touch. Baret’s pledge of love was sincere.
Felix had said there was nothing anyone could do to stop the betrothal. If he could stop it, he would, she thought.
Zeddie was waiting with the buggy to drive her and Dr. Ricardo Vasquez to the manor house.
Felix handed her into the buggy and then turned to the doctor, saying something in low Castilian.
Zeddie frowned at Emerald, who looked away.
Then the horse trotted down the carriageway toward the main road, lined with palms. Their fronds rustled in the evening twilight.
Emerald, seated in back beside the Spaniard, turned to him pleasantly, hoping to learn a thing or two now that they were unobserved by Felix.
“So you are from the Main, Dr. Vasquez?”
“Madrid, Senorita Harwick. I came to the Spanish Main five years ago to be with my brother, Don Miguel. I have much concern for your cousin, Lady Geneva. Her illness is a rare tropical fever best treated in Porto Bello, where I have cured many of His Majesty’s governors. We have a long history of the fever and the cure, for Spain ruled the Main for hundreds of years before the English came as pirates. No offense, Senorita, of course.”
“Yes, of course, Senor Vasquez. Being friendly with Lord Felix, you would know that not all Englishmen are pirates.” She smiled.
His black eyes sparked, and he, too, smiled politely. “I see you are not only lovely, Senorita, but also wise.”
“Is it so necessary for Geneva to seek cure in Porto Bello? Can you not treat her here?”
“I could, if I were staying. You will understand that my presence is not regarded with favor by your Jamaican Council of Planters. Now that England is at war with the Dutch, they often favor a cause for which to turn against Madrid. I would not wish to be here amid plundering pirates soon to dock their vessels in Port Royal again.”
“I understand. It may also be said the same for Lady Geneva voyaging to Porto Bello.”
“Ah, yes, but she is the stepmother of Carlotta, the soon-to-be-wife of my nephew. Therefore Lady Geneva is considered one of the don’s esteemed family on the hacienda, and my friend as well.” He smiled with a hint of tried patience. “You see, not all physicians of renown abide in your England.”
“I agree, Senor. And perhaps it is not ‘my England�
� after all but ‘my Jamaica.’ I was born and raised in the Caribbean. But I’m interested in Carlotta. Felix was married, then, to her mother?”
His eyes hardened, but it wasn’t clear whether he was thinking of Felix or was irritated by her question.
“Yes. To Anna Maria Alvarez … she died giving Carlotta birth.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“Carlotta has missed having a mother. Her grandmother perhaps was too strict with her.”
“Carlotta does not seem the manner of girl who was held back with a disciplined bridle. She is willful.”
“She is sometimes unwise. Marriage to Sir Jasper, an Englishman, would have turned into tragedy. She is unhappy now but will grow wiser once the marriage to my nephew takes place. In marrying Miguel, Carlotta Maria Alvarez marries into a respectable ruling family on the Main.”
The casual haughtiness to his voice stated simply that superiority rested with Spain.
“Miguel is an honorable soldier of His Majesty, newly appointed captain-general at Margarita. She is favored to have such a marriage arranged.” He looked impatient. “She has caused the family much harm and sorrow in running away like this to Port Royal. She could not have accomplished it without friends in Jamaica.”
Did he know that Miguel had been abducted from the galleon off the coast of Venezuela?
“You are very proud of your nephew, I see.”
“I am, Senorita Harwick, most pleased with Miguel. Unfortunately, the galleon he sailed on was attacked by pirates while on its way to Margarita, and Miguel is being held captive for ransom. We have not told Carlotta yet, not wishing to alarm her further. Arrangements are under way to buy his freedom.”
Emerald was relieved that the twilight hid her faint blush. “Oh, how dreadful, Senor Vasquez. Pirates!”
“The scum of the earth, Senorita.”
“You have made contact with this particular pirate capitan who abducted Don Miguel?”
He leaned into the comfortable leather seat, folding his arms across his chest. “Ah, yes, and before it is over we shall deliver him to the governor of Porto Bello.”
Buccaneers Series Page 90