by Jina Bacarr
He had to admit it wouldn’t be easy to maintain a playful flirtation around her when inside he was consumed with an unyielding passion to possess her that wouldn’t be tamed. In time, he hoped she would find him an honorable protector.
He had to smile at that. Wasn’t that how this entire episode began?
‘You will be my companion, Ava,’ he continued in a matter of fact tone, though inside he was barely keeping his frustration from boiling over. ‘I will assume responsibility for all your expenses.’
She sucked in air, her eyes disbelieving. ‘Holy Mary, I will not. Not until the day the saints spit on my mother’s holy grave will I do such a thing.’
He took no offense at her rebuff. He’d expected she wouldn’t be won over easily, but this conversation stirred something powerful within him he’d never experienced. As if he was the one being interviewed. That was very mind-bending since no female ever had that effect on him before. ‘Other women have found the arrangement quite satisfactory,’ he said without a trace of ego.
‘By the Almighty, this is a story for the confessional.’ She blew out her breath, exasperated. ‘You are willing to set me up in fancy digs, but not give me a job, while Mr Brady offered me a position and my own room in a grand house. That will be the end of me for sure.’
‘Mine is the better offer, Ava.’
‘Oh, is it?’ Her eyes opened even wider. ‘But you’re not willing to make an honest woman out of me, though marriage to Mr Brady would be like drinking cold tea.’
‘I wouldn’t put it that way.’
‘I would.’ Ava put her hands to her forehead in frustration. ‘I’ll not be a gentleman’s fancy painted doll, waiting for him to visit me while I read ladies’ magazines and eat sweetcakes.’
Her irritated but hopeful look told him she was waiting for him to promise her what he couldn’t give her.
He wasn’t the marrying kind, his eyes told her, and no woman could change that.
Why, he wouldn’t say. He didn’t want any woman prying into his soul, however debauched it might be. He was well aware his lifestyle was outrageous and at times dangerous and he had a weakness for pretty women. It added to his reputation as a rogue gambler.
Whatever he felt for Ava, he admitted, was real. The warmth in her beautiful green eyes caressing him, the vibrancy in every word she spoke titillating him. Her honesty and belief in God moved him deeply, even if he could never tell her that.
‘I know Trey,’ Buck insisted, careful with his words. He didn’t wish to tarnish his friend’s character, but he had a responsibility to protect her. ‘He won’t go out of his way to help you without wanting something in return.’
‘I can handle the likes of Mr Brady,’ Ava said with confidence, and then without another word she fixed her hat and veil back into place and disappeared down the long corridor.
Buck turned to go after her, then stopped. The ship’s second officer was approaching him. Mr Lightoller. It wouldn’t do for him to get too close a look at Ava.
‘Was that the Countess of Marbury I saw you talking to, Captain Lord Blackthorn?’ the man asked.
‘The countess?’ Buck said, not admitting to anything until he found out what was on the ship officer’s mind.
‘Yes, I recognized her by the unusual plaid trim on her coat, but this is the first time I’ve seen her without a veil covering her face.’
‘Charming, isn’t she?’ Buck said, taking advantage of the second officer’s mistake. He chuckled. What would Ava say if she knew she’d been taken for a lady?
‘She’s a looker all right.’
‘Yes, isn’t she?’ As an afterthought, Buck said, ‘Any news of the female fugitive on board?’
‘So you’ve heard the story, too?’ He laughed. ‘Every gentleman thinks he’s seen her, and after every sighting, she becomes more intriguing.’ His brows lifted. ‘Whoever she is, she can’t be more beautiful than the Countess of Marbury. Good day, sir.’
Buck said nothing. How could he? The man had nearly found Ava out.
He started after her, then slowed down. What was he worried about? Ava was safe for the moment, even with Trey. His old friend liked to boast about his exploits, but he was more talk than anything else. No doubt he was more interested in making Buck jealous. He wouldn’t dare risk taking Ava to his bed aboard ship and having the countess find out.
Buck clenched his teeth. It would be different when they arrived in New York. Then he would have to convince Ava to allow him to protect her. Until then, he wouldn’t bring up the subject again. He couldn’t take any chance of losing her for good.
He headed for the smoking room. It was then he realized in dealing with her female fury, she’d had him at his wit’s end. He hadn’t mentioned that they intended to send her back to Ireland.
Captain Lord Blackthorn was the most unpredictable man Ava had ever laid eyes upon.
And now this indecent proposal. She couldn’t stop thinking about it as she made her way to C Deck.
What was he offering her? To be kept locked up and paid for with his gambling winnings. A shocking event with him delighting in saying it, then doing as he pleased. Of course, he was a gentleman and could get away with it.
Not with her, he couldn’t.
She had her pride. She was on her way to America to make a good, clean life for herself. She wouldn’t allow her heart to be broken before she arrived. No, whatever fancy she’d had for Captain Lord Blackthorn, it was finished. She must lock it away in a secret place in her heart lined with velvet dreams that would never see day.
Even the idea of him taking care of her didn’t sway Ava. Her life had been so hard that having a full belly and a dry place to sleep was worth the price of any fortune to her. As long as she was free. Freedom was as important to her as saying her prayers to the Almighty.
But should she dip her toe into the sinner’s trough of unholy water in a weak moment, how could she be certain his lordship wouldn’t change his mind and toss her into the street like old furniture?
She knew what kind of man he was. Hiding in the shadows with her nose in a book, she’d heard the ladies chatting in the Turkish baths about the handsome Englishman with the title and his lucky streak with cards. How he had been involved with the most beautiful woman in London until her husband found out.
Ava scoffed at that. And he wanted her to take the woman’s place? Hardly. She was no seductress with fancy red lip salve and primped curls. She was a romantic soul and, she had to admit, inexperienced with men. Curious and wanting.
Something else bothered her about his lordship’s proposition. The strong teachings of the good sisters about marrying a man in the eyes of God before he took her innocence was a hard thing for Ava to put behind her.
And now she had to give herself to a man without the blessing of God because her dear, sweet life depended upon it. She convinced herself it wasn’t as bad a sin because she didn’t love Mr Brady.
Oh, why was everything so confusing? Why were her feelings tangled up like spools of colorful thread come undone and knotted together? Why couldn’t she be like other girls with the common sense to accept her given lot in life and not complain about it?
Why was she so willful?
Before Ava could find an answer to her questions, the door to the luxurious cabin opened and Treyton Brady stood there with the biggest grin on his face, waiting.
She walked through the door and into his world.
There was no turning back.
Ava managed a nervous smile. For God’s sake, all he did was look at her, inspecting her, leaving her in suspense, wondering if he would have his way with her while making her uneasy. She felt her color rise, her breathing quick and uneven.
‘Why did you slip the note into my apron this morning saying you must see me or I would regret the consequences?’
‘A bit dramatic, I must admit, but necessary. I have a proposal for you.’ He nuzzled her ear, his lips so close to hers she could smell fine brandy on his breath.
; ‘Oh, have you?’ she said. ‘You should know Captain Lord Blackthorn approached me with a similar notion.’
‘I’m not surprised. Buck is a master at appealing to a woman’s baser needs. I assure you, Ava, he will tire of you and then where will you be?’ he asked. ‘Working fourteen hours a day in a sweatshop and living in a crowded tenement. I’m offering you much more.’
‘And what is that, if I may ask?’
‘You and I shall be allies, Ava.’
‘Allies?’
‘Yes. I believe my mother will try to undo my marriage contract with the countess.’
‘Why would she do that?’ Ava was puzzled. ‘The countess is a fine lady.’
‘I agree with you, Ava, but my mother is having second thoughts about agreeing to a family alliance with a Scottish countess.’ He didn’t explain further and Ava didn’t ask, but inside she was forming a very low opinion of anyone who would harm the countess. ‘That’s where I need your help.’
‘Me, Mr Brady?’
‘Yes, I shall have you installed at my mother’s limestone mansion on upper Fifth Avenue where you’ll work as a housemaid. Mother is engaging extra servants to prepare for the wedding and won’t suspect you.’
Ava made a face. She wasn’t happy about being a housemaid again, but it was either that or grub for food on the streets of New York.
Trey paid no attention to her sour look. ‘I shall expect you to listen and report to me any scheme she concocts to derail my marriage to the countess.’
Ava’s eyes grew wide. ‘You want me to spy on her?’
‘Yes. I have no doubt you must have experienced similar goings-on in your last place of employment.’
‘I did learn a thing or two about the ways of a big house.’ Ava frowned. Lady Olivia with her lying and scheming had taught her no one could be trusted.
‘In return for your loyalty, Ava, once I am married to Fiona, I shall see to it you have a permanent position in my mother’s household.’
She thought carefully. The bond she’d forged with the countess required she ask, ‘Are you in love with the countess, Mr Brady?’
He thought a moment and regarded her with a strange look that quickly disappeared, then said, ‘I’m too callous and spoiled to love any woman, my dear. Except…’
He paused, his dark eyes pulling her into their depths with words that didn’t need to be said. Ava looked him straight on, challenging him with: ‘Then why are you marrying her?’
‘She’s charming, intelligent and understands me better than I understand myself. She admitted to me I didn’t fool her with the roses, but she’s willing to make the best of the situation.’ He paused. ‘I’m also smart enough to know when a woman is in love with his best friend.’
‘You mean the countess and Captain Lord Blackthorn.’
‘Yes. Neither Fiona nor I will ever get what we want, but we’ll have each other.’
‘What do you want, Mr Brady?’ she asked, a curious flutter in her stomach telling her she already knew the answer.
‘You, my dear.’ He sighed. ‘Of course, such a thing would never be possible under any circumstance.’
‘Because I’m not a lady?’
‘Yes. Even in America we abide by a class structure, though it’s a matter of money and not blue blood that determines where you fall.’ He finished his brandy in one swallow. ‘I admit at first I was enchanted with the idea of taking you away from Buck, but you and I both know there could never be anything more between us than a casual affair.’
His look was intense, alarming her.
‘I thought that would be enough for me,’ he continued. ‘I was wrong. You’ve stolen my heart, Ava. You have charm, wit and a passion for life I find most appealing. No wonder Buck is in love with you.’
She took a step back. That couldn’t be. He must be mistaken. If his lordship was in love with her, then why didn’t he stop her from coming to Mr Brady’s cabin?
Treyton Brady kissed her hand. His lips were warm against her skin. ‘Now you must return to the Turkish baths before the countess discovers you’re gone.’
Ava nodded. The countess was excited about dining with her fiancé in the exclusive À la Carte Restaurant later and had decided to take advantage of the beauty treatments offered. Embarrassed by the idea of indulging herself in such luxury, she had insisted they keep her presence there low-key and give out no information.
He continued, ‘This meeting will be our little secret, agreed?’
‘Yes, Mr Brady.’
‘Then it’s settled. I’m off to send a wireless to my mother to inform her Fiona’s lady’s maid is leaving her employ when we arrive in New York and request she engage one for her. The countess has expressed a desire to take up residence in a hotel until the wedding, so you needn’t fear her seeing you at the Benn-Brady mansion. After we’re married, Fiona and I will take up residence in our own home.’
‘You’ve thought of everything, Mr Brady, haven’t you?’
‘Not everything, Ava.’
He flashed her a disarming smile and she felt herself blush. The gentleman had said his piece like a priest handing out penance, but he caught her off guard with his next words. Words she swore came straight from his heart.
‘I’ll always regret not marrying you instead.’
16
Ava was in a tither tidying up the cabin when Mr Brady came to fetch the countess for supper. The two of them whispered and laughed as Mr Brady insisted on helping her with her satin-lined velvet cape with the fur trim instead of the long black coat she usually wore.
A fancy wrap for a special occasion, her ladyship said, giggling like a schoolgirl walking out with the farmer’s son.
Where was Captain Lord Blackthorn this evening? Ava wanted to know. ‘Dining in the first-class saloon with wealthy society folks hanging onto his every word,’ Mr Brady said, winking at her.
Which left Ava alone in her cabin with no one to sup with. Here she was crossing the Atlantic on the ship of dreams, spending her days in a first-class cabin with everything so grand even the desk lamp didn’t tilt when the ship did.
She was lonely.
Don’t feel sorry for yourself, girl. You’ve got a place to put your feet up, a tasty meal to eat and a warm bed.
Fine for anyone to say, but it didn’t take away her pain. Back in Ireland, she had Mary Dolores to listen to her ranting and woes. Ava frowned. If her sister knew what trouble she was in, she’d drag her by the hair to confession, blessing herself as she did so.
As she took off her cap and apron, she found the perfect excuse to go up on deck to see the lights and hear the music. The countess had dropped her gray leather gloves onto the carpet. Finely stitched, gray leather with a row of polished pearl buttons.
Dropped in haste while her ladyship tilted her head back for a kiss from her fiancé?
Her ladyship needed those gloves, Ava convinced herself. The evening temperature was dropping every night to near freezing and it was biting cold on deck. Surely the countess wouldn’t want her to freeze, she thought, grabbing her ladyship’s long, black coat. What was the harm in that? Besides, she’d loaned it to her before.
Ava sighed. Why shouldn’t she go up on deck and listen to the music? She was a paying passenger, wasn’t she? Well… steerage, but if anyone asked she’d tell them she was employed by a first class passenger as a lady’s maid.
Buttoning up the countess’s long black coat to hide her stewardess uniform, Ava ran through the long corridor and raced up the stairs to B Deck as if the devil himself were after her and returned the gloves to the countess.
The evening was far from over.
Buck could see Ava coming from the restaurant wearing the countess’s coat again.
As fate would have it, making his rounds and headed on a collision course with the Irish girl was the ship’s second officer, Mr Lightoller.
Buck panicked. What was she up to now? He couldn’t for the life of him understand the girl’s boldness. If the
ship’s officer saw Ava and addressed her as the countess, there’d be hell to pay when he met the real countess.
Ava would be found out and it would be his fault.
Moments like this made him doubt his sanity for getting involved with the girl and made him wonder why he couldn’t let her go and be done with her.
He couldn’t. He was hopelessly involved with her and he had to see it through.
Only one thing to do.
‘Don’t say a word, Ava, just come with me.’
Ava had no time to protest. A gentleman was at her back, his voice hot and heavy in her ear. He forced her to keep walking, his body pressed against hers but not before she hissed at him in annoyance. She recognized that voice, the rich timbre with the commanding tone that sent shivers up and down her spine. Such arrogance made her blood boil.
Captain Lord Blackthorn.
‘Damnation, Ava, do what I ask for once. Your life depends upon it.’ That snapped her back to her senses.
She turned around to look at him, see if his dark eyes were teasing her with a laughing pleasure, tempting her to sin with him for the price of a kiss.
He wasn’t. His mood was dark and somber, thoughtful.
Shivers of a different kind rattled her bones.
Ava tensed. Something was about, but what?
He kept to the dark shadows, his hand firmly at her elbow, drawing her away from the corridor leading to the first-class stairs and lifts and back toward the restaurant. Away from a matronly, well-dressed lady and a ship’s officer chatting and staring at her with curiosity as if she were the prize village pig.
‘Is this another one of your tricks, sir?’ she asked with defiance.
‘Tricks?’ he said, surprised. ‘If saving you is a trick, then I plead guilty.’
‘I can take care of myself, sir. Once we land in New York, I’ll be free—’
‘Not if they find you first, Ava.’
She shivered again. There was nothing threatening about his behavior, but she sensed danger loomed. Ava stared at him hard. His eyes reflected a truth that said loud and clear she was not to argue with him.