by Lora Thomas
As he descended the steps, he could hear voices. He followed the voices to a room beside the study. Entering, he found Amanda talking to another woman. When the women noticed him, their conversation stopped.
“Michael, please come in. I would like to introduce you to one of my daughters, Ashton,” Amanda presented.
Michael bowed, picked up Ashton’s hand and placed a gentle kiss upon her knuckles. “Pleasure.”
Ashton batted her eyes flirtatiously at Michael. “Why, it’s so nice to meet you, Mr. St. John,” she purred in a seductive tone.
Michael was taken aback by her bold nature. He studied her for a moment. She batted her eyes at him again and licked her sensuous pink lips. He watched as she adjusted her posture to make her breasts stand out and tilted her head to give her neck a more elongated appearance. She was a very attractive woman. She had the poise and features that many women would give anything to possess. She was as pretty as an angel, but she was definitely not one. Michael knew instinctively what type of woman she was, and she was far from being innocent. If Michael had to guess, she had many suitors who came to visit at all hours of the day and night. He would have to remember to lock both doors in his room with her around. It wouldn’t surprise him if he woke up one night to find her in his room, offering him a sample of what she had to offer.
He turned to Amanda. “Am I early?”
“No, not at all. You’re just in time. The others should be down momentarily,” Mandy replied. She took Michael’s arm and walked him over to the large oak dining table.
“Now, Mandy,” Ott said from the doorway, watching his wife escort Michael to the table. “Don’t you be matchmaking our guest just yet. He hasn’t even had time to get settled in.”
“Ott Craycraft! I would do no such thing!” Mandy fumed at her husband.
“Just making sure,” he said with a small chuckle. He looked at his guest’s shocked expression. “Don’t worry, Michael, I was just teasing. But with four single daughters, I had to get the notion out of her head.”
“Understandable. But I can assure you that marriage is the furthest thing from my mind.”
“Really?” Amanda gave him an incredulous look.
“Yes. I travel almost year round. If I were married, my wife would be subjected to months, even years alone.” Seeing Amanda’s mortified look, he elaborated, “I am quite happy being a bachelor. Besides, I have yet to find a woman who interests me enough to even consider marriage.”
Ott could sense that Amanda would belabor Michael’s chosen lifestyle. He quickly changed the subject. “So, where are my other girls?”
“Oh, Pappy,” Ashton began. The beautiful blond walked over to her father, making sure as she walked to overly sway her hips in an attempt to tantalize their guest. “You know Alyssa, she’ll be down promptly at six and Abigail is making sure her appearance is acceptable just in case Stephen drops by. Annabel and Ben will be by as soon as she can get her brood together, which will be say . . . midnight,” she said with a flirtatious laugh.
“What about Andrea?” Ott asked.
“Who knows with a girl like that,” Ashton seethed with hatred, flipping her wrist outward in a dismissive manner.
“Ashton,” her mother scolded. “We have guests.”
“Sorry, Mammy,” she said, looking flirtatiously over her shoulder at Michael. “Andrea is tending to Nellie.”
“Oh, did her rheumatism flare up again?” Amanda asked, the concern apparent in her tone.
“How should I know,” Ashton replied with obvious annoyance. “She’s just a slave. I really don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Before Amanda could reprimand her daughter again, the voices of her other daughters echoed from the hallway.
Michael heard a female voice say, “Hurry up, Alyssa.”
Followed by, “What’s your hurry, Abigail?”
“Just get in there,” Abigail replied all the while shoving Alyssa through the door. Abigail smiled sweetly and then said, “Hello all,” as she entered the room behind her sister.
Alyssa gave her sister a heated glare, straightening her posture. As Michael studied Alyssa, he couldn’t help but see the resemblance she had to his pixie. It must be a coincidence.
Before greetings could be said, there was a loud commotion in the doorway and another woman entered, followed by two men and three small children.
“I’m soooo sorry we’re late. Wait, are we late?” The flustered woman looked to Amanda, then flipped her wrist. “Never mind, we’re here, finally. You just won’t believe what I’ve been through to get here. First, Johnny ripped his clothes, then the twins decided to play hide-and-seek in the hog lot after I had already given them a bath. So Annie and I had to bathe them again. The dog buried Timothy’s shoes in my rose garden and then something tore a hole in my new dress, then—”
“Annabel, please,” Ashton complained.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” At her family’s nod, she continued. “I apologize. It’s just when the only conversations I get to have are with two four-year-olds and a two-year-old, I get excited to speak to adults.”
“And you do a splendid job at all you do, my dear,” the man beside her replied as he patted her hand.
“Well, now that almost everyone is here,” Ott said, his irritation with Andrea’s lateness apparent in his voice, “I’d like everyone to meet Mr. Michael St. John. His family owns a shipping company and they are interested in transporting our fine cotton to England.”
“Splendid!” said one of the men who had entered with the woman. “I’m Benjamin Newkirk.” He extended his hand to Michael and gave a firm handshake. “May I introduce my wife, Annabel, and our three boys, the twins, Timothy and Edward, and the youngest, Johnny.”
Michael gave a small nod in their direction. “A pleasure.”
“Likewise, Mr. St. John. But I’m going to warn you right now, from the start, that Benny is getting into politics, so don’t let him talk you into doing something you’ll regret,” Annabel replied as she shooed one of the twins away from the table.
“Now, Annabel, I would never dream of that. Well, not yet, I’ve only just met the man,” Benjamin replied with a chuckle and patted Michael’s shoulder. “Allow me to introduce the rest. Little red over there in the corner is Alyssa. The blushing blond beauty with her is Abigail.” He leaned over and whispered, “And the young buck sneaking her way is her fiancé, Stephen. Watch Mandy, she won’t let him within two feet of Abigail. She’s afraid he’ll try something ‘inappropriate’. Like someone would do something as foolhardy as that with her around. Hell, she’d blast a hole big enough in them to drive a carriage through.”
“I imagine so,” Michael replied. With comical interest he observed the couple mentioned. Stephen bowed and greeted the women, but was not allowed within reach of Abigail. Stephen smiled at Abigail. Amanda made a very unladylike sound as she gave him a heated glare.
“Let’s sit. I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m starving,” Ott said. He pulled a chair out at the head of the table for Amanda. Once his wife was seated, he motioned towards the other end. “Michael, you sit here with the rest of us men. We’ll let the ladies have the other end of the table.”
“Now, Ott, you know we can all participate in everyone’s conversation. Besides, the table only seats eleven since one of the chairs is broken,” Amanda said.
“And who is the reason the chair broke,” Ott asked with sarcasm to his voice.
Mandy flicked her hand, dismissing her husband’s accusation, and continued, “It’s a good thing that Andrea is not here then or we’d all be cramped in here with that extra chair.” Amanda pointed at a large armchair in the corner of the room.
After they all had sat down, the slaves began bringing in the food. It was a wide assortment of fresh vegetables, wild greens and quail. The men began talking business. As they talked, Michael could feel something on his leg. He turned his head and stared at the woman seated bes
ide him. Of all the luck! Ashton had sat herself down to his left. She was looking directly at him and rubbing her foot up and down his calf. He extended his leg out in front of him to escape her brazenness, but she chased after it.
“Michael?”
“Hmmm?” Michael said as he turned back to the conversation with the men.
“I said, tell us about your family,” Benjamin replied.
“Oh. Let’s see. I have one sister and seven, no, now eight brothers. My father is the Earl of Hydington and his business partner is the governor of Eleuthera.”
“Did your mother have another child?” Mandy asked.
“Well,” Michael began, drawing his brows together, not sure why he had brought his illegitimate brother up. “No, I actually just met him before I sailed here. He would be the oldest.”
Annabel sucked in her breath and her eyes grew wide. Before she could open her mouth and stick her foot in it, Mandy shoved a biscuit into her open mouth. “So are all your family members in the shipping business, as well?” Amanda asked.
Annabel began choking on the dry biscuit. Alyssa handed her a glass of water and smiled nervously at Michael.
Michael gave them a curious glance. “Yes. My oldest legitimate brother, Eli, handles the financial aspects. His twin, Jacob, is a captain of his own vessel. Then Matthew runs our London office. Nathan and Noah are also captains. And my youngest brothers, Oliver and Owen, twins also, are carpenters, although Owen prefers to build ships rather than repair them. Madison, my sister, married the governor’s son.”
“What about your new brother?” Ashton purred as she rubbed her foot up Michael’s leg again.
He gave her an annoyed glare, but continued. “He manages the Nassau office as well as security measures for valuable cargo. Strangest thing, too, he somehow managed to get his hands on a pirate ship to do those services with.”
He heard several gasps and Annabel asked, “So he’s a pirate?”
“No,” Michael said with a small laugh. “But he could pass for one. He’s one of the most menacing individuals I have ever met. I believe he could kill you with just one look.”
“So do you know Egbert Peterson? He’s an Earl, too,” Ott asked.
Michael gave Ott a strange look. Now why would he ask if he knew Peterson? Why would anyone want to know Peterson for that matter? Michael knew the man all too well. He met him several times in the past when he had to go to London for business. Egbert was also the reason Eli’s first wife died.
“Yes, I know Lord Rydover. I’ve met him a time or two when I traveled to London with my father. Why do you ask?”
“He’s the nephew to our neighbor, Ronald Peterson. He’s coming in for a visit. Actually, he was to arrive today. He should be at the festivities next week. Maybe you two could get together, since you know him.”
“Perhaps,” Michael replied. Truth be known, he would rather be shipwrecked on a smuggler’s island with Ashton than to socialize with Egbert Peterson. The Earl was a wastrel. He gambled and whored away his entire inheritance. From the way Michael had heard it, he was on the lookout for an heiress to replenish his funds. Which was probably why he came here, looking for a bride since all the ton knew about him and his frivolous spending. A thought crossed Michael’s mind—surely the Craycrafts weren’t looking to place one of their single daughters with that man? He wouldn’t mention Peterson’s reputation at the dining table or about Eli’s wife’s death in front of mixed company. He would find a more appropriate time. Right now Michael’s number one concern was getting far away from Ashton as quickly as possible.
After dinner, the group left the dining area and proceeded into the salon for small talk. Everywhere Michael went, Ashton was right on his heels. Her flirtations were not discreet. In Michael’s opinion, Mandy should be watching this daughter rather than be overly concerned with Abigail and Stephen.
Michael watched Stephen finally give up trying to steal a little alone time with his fiancée. He walked over to Michael. “I need a drink. How about you?”
Michael held up his glass of brandy.
“Let me rephrase that. I need a drink.”
Michael caught his meaning and took Stephen up on his offer.
Stephen and Michael walked over to Ott. “Mr. Craycraft, I would like to show Mr. St. John some of the lovely sights Beaufort has to offer.”
“That sounds like a splendid idea, Stephen,” Ott enthusiastically replied. “So when do you plan on doing this?”
“Now. Come on, Michael. I’ll help you catch a horse to saddle.”
Ott watched in surprise as the two men left. He turned to voice his concern to his wife and realized why Stephen had a desire to leave. Mandy was guarding Abigail like a mother hen. She wasn’t even allowing her own sisters near her. Ott shook his head. No wonder his other daughters couldn’t get a husband. He knew deep down that if he was ever to get the other four married off he would have to tie Amanda up, or at least find something else to preoccupy her mind . . . maybe another rooster.
Chapter Six
Michael and Stephen left the large house through the back. Exiting the door, they were greeted by the sights and sounds of the low country. Fireflies flickered, dancing in the breeze as the sounds of tree frogs and spring peepers singing their mating calls drifted over the plantation. A whip-poor-will could be heard softly calling to its mate in the distance followed by a faint hoot of a barn owl. Michael closed his eyes so his senses could better absorb the sounds drifting around him. The low country was beautiful. He could see why people fell in love with this land.
Stephen swatted him on the back. “Come on, this way,” his younger counterpart stated and headed towards a large barn in the distance.
As they approached, a tall black man stepped out of the barn. “Who’s there?”
“It’s just me, Hezekiah. My companion and I need our steeds.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Stephen,” the man said as he headed into the barn. Michael and Stephen followed the man. “Now let’s see. Here’s yer horse, Mr. Stephen. Let me see if I can find one fer yer friend.” Michael watched the slave peer into each stall, examining the horses that resided in each. “Ah, you a vera good rider, Mr. Michael?”
Michael was taken aback that the man knew his name. “Fair enough,” he replied. In truth, Michael was an excellent horseman. He had several horses at his parents’ Nassau estate and rode as often as possible when docked. “How did you know who I was?”
Hezekiah didn’t look his way as he entered the stall. “Ma pa told me that there was a shippin’ fella here and what his name was. Since I’ve never seen ya before, I figured it was you.” He led the white gelding out of the stall. “Now Ghost here, he’s a pretty good ride, but a bit too spirited fer the ladies. Think ya can handle him?”
Michael watched the white horse. Ghost was tossing his head in the air in a defiant manner. His nostrils flared outward as he snorted and then pranced about as Hezekiah led him to the back of the barn.
“I think I can manage,” Michael acknowledged as he watched the horse making a show.
Hezekiah quickly saddled the horse and walked it to Michael. Michael climbed into the saddle. The animal attempted to intimidate him by tossing his head and prancing around in a circle. Michael pulled hard back on the reins and squeezed the horse’s sides tightly with his muscular thighs. The horse stopped his show and stood still. In a last attempt at defiance, Ghost whinnied loudly and reared up on his hind legs. Michael held fast and leaned forward to match the horse’s stature. When the horse landed back on all fours, Michael pulled back hard on the reins, making the animal’s head come in close to its chest.
“Have your attention-getting spell out of you now?” Michael asked. He reached down and roughly patted the side of Ghost’s muscular neck
Hezekiah gave a cheerful chuckle. “Yes, sir, I’d say you can handle ole’ Ghost just fine.”
Michael turned towards Stephen who was watching the show with amusement. He knew why Hezekiah had given Micha
el the white horse. It was a joke of sort among the slaves. They liked to see who could handle the feisty gelding. Stephen had had the same prank pulled on him when he first came to Double Oasis, only he couldn’t handle the horse as well as this man did. Ghost left him lying in the dust and ran off without him.
“Come along then,” Stephen said as he rode out of the barn.
Michael followed Stephen, his horse still dancing and prancing, ready for a run. As soon as they passed the house, Stephen spurred his horse into a gallop. Michael loosened his grip on the reins and Ghost followed suit without any encouragement from Michael. Both men rode in silence for about ten minutes, allowing the horses to vent their pent-up energy. Finally, Michael slowed Ghost to a walk and allowed the younger man to catch up with him.
“So where to?” Michael asked.
“Thought you knew where to go since you took the lead,” Stephen replied, pulling up alongside Michael.
“No, just letting Ghost run off some energy.”
“Well, he must have known where we wanted to go, since we’re almost at our destination.”
Michael nodded his head and rode alongside Stephen. Michael looked curiously at the younger man. “I have a question.”
“What’s that?”
“How in the world did you ever manage to court Miss Abigail with her mother around?”
Stephen gave a hearty laugh. “It wasn’t easy, that’s for certain. But I’m thankful they have that large wraparound veranda and that old oak tree in the back of the house that’s easy to climb.”
Michael laughed, knowing what the young man was insinuating. “A little midnight rendezvousing then?” he teased.
Stephen blushed and grinned sheepishly, “Something like that.” He pointed to a building in the distance. “That’s Colonel Red’s place, our destination.”
Michael studied the building. It appeared to be a rundown shed from the road, but when they approached he could make out the renovations in progress.