Regency Romance: The Earl’s Unexpected Journey Of Love (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Romance Fiction)

by Jessie Bennett

  She was anxious, but part of her was almost eager to see what would happen next.

  She jumped out of the boat when the men did, and used all the strength in her small arms to help pull the boat up onto the sand, enough to where it would not drift away in the middle of the night, even when the tide came in. She listened to the men grunting and pulling, knowing her small amount of help was nothing like their contributions. Nevertheless, they looked at her kindly and never faulted her for her weakness. They seemed pleased that she wanted to help in the first place.

  Cain had waded ahead of them, and now he gave everyone directions. They were to unload the boat. The crewmen he instructed to lift the heaviest casks – the casks of fresh water and provisions – and he instructed Juliette and Betts to carry off what little remained. He instructed the remaining men, including Joshua, to gather firewood. When Betts and Juliette went to assist, Cain frowned. If they were going into the jungle, they would need to be as careful as possible not to meet any hostile natives.

  “What if the people refuse to allow us to stay on the island?” Juliette asked. “Then what will we do?” She was suddenly afraid.

  Cain shook his head. “Do not be concerned. I do not think we will meet anyone tonight. Tomorrow Charles and James will explore the area. Gather the firewood and bring it here.” He made a circle with his hand, indicating the spot where he wanted to set up camp that night. “I am sorry to assign you to a menial task like this, my lady,” he added, abashed. “But I need all the hands I can muster.”

  “I know, your grace.” Juliette nodded “And I am pleased to be of use.” She held out her hand to Betts. “Let us go and gather firewood.”

  Betts looked afraid but did as she was told, grasping Juliette’s hand firmly.

  As they went into the woods, Juliette gave the older woman’s hand a squeeze. “We must not be afraid, Betts. I know God is with us, watching over us.”

  Betts nodded, but it was obvious that she was terrified. Juliette worried for her. What if they were marooned here for a long time? Betts was less accustomed to travel and new surroundings than she was, and infinitely more superstitious. Things were more fearful for her than they were for Juliette, however much stronger the older woman was than she herself.

  There were plenty of pieces of wood strewn on the shoreline, and the two women did not need to venture into the trees to collect wood after all.

  When they returned, James and Charles set about building a fire, using a tinderbox and flint that had miraculously remained dry in Charles's pocket. “I will have to lay out these things, my lord,” Charles said, indicating a trunk of clothes that was soaked through. “They may not dry tonight, but they will when the sun comes up.”

  “Thank you, Charlie.” the duke said graciously.

  “Yes, milord.”

  “How is the shelter coming on?” he asked with interest.

  “We did the best we could, milord,” the sailor smiled wanly. “Not much timber about,” he added.

  He gave Charles a big smile. “No, that is true, young man. Thank you. You may rest if you wish. I will organize a meal, so that we will not starve tonight.”

  “A good idea, milord. I am starving.” The man smiled when he said it, but Juliette, watching him, knew it was no exaggeration. The men had worked themselves tirelessly, despite their meager rations. She watched Charles walk along the shoreline in the gathering dark to where James sat. He had his arms wrapped around his upright knees and was staring out over the water, his back bowed, shoulders tight as he stared out across the horizon, a silhouette of misery. Charles may not have had a family, but Juliette guessed that James did, and desperately wanted to get back to them.

  She felt sorry for him, thinking about her father. She refused to allow any doubt to creep into her mind. She would see him again.

  She and Betts spread out a blanket near the fire once it was roaring, licking the air around them with its bright flames. The warmth was a relief, heating her chilled skin, salt-caked and rain-stung, and working deep into her joints. The women sat down and watched the flames. Juliette felt her eyelids growing heavy. She was a little tired. The relief of being once again on dry land, and warm, drained her even more than the exertion had done.

  Moments later, the beautiful young woman was asleep. Soon after, Betts followed. The men watched over them one at a time until daylight.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THE DAYLIGHT

  THE DAYLIGHT

  The next morning, Juliette woke to the sound of low voices speaking urgently. She kept her eyes closed and breathed steadily as she listened to Joshua and Cain talking in low voices to one another.

  “We will not survive on these supplies for more than a week, Uncle,” Joshua said. “And that is only if we give the ladies more of our supplies than we take for ourselves. I am not sure if the crewmen will agree with that.”

  “They seem like good men to me, Joshua. Why are you concerned?”

  “I did not like the way they were looking at the women earlier. Have you seen them on the ship before? I think they may be new.”

  “They are,” his uncle agreed.

  “I do not trust them.”

  “James has a wife and two daughters – he told me yesterday. This was to be one of his last voyages. I do not think we have anything to fear from him.”

  The two sat silently, and Juliette felt a rush of emotions flow through her hearing Joshua's concerns: delight at his concern warred with a vague sense of amusement: did he think every man on the island was hostile to her?

  “Charles and James have been gone for some time now. Should we go looking for them?” Joshua asked after a moment.

  “When the women wake up and we have a bite to eat, we will all go.”

  “I agree.”

  Juliette decided to stop eavesdropping. She rolled over, blinking her eyes and yawning. She stretched her arms high over her head and felt her shoulders and back cracking a little. The ground was not soft or comfortable. She missed her bed once more but refused to let herself think about it further.

  The men were looking at her when she sat up. She tried to give them a smile, but was self-conscious about her appearance. Her hair loose and salt-caked, her skin sandy where she had lain on the shore, her dress torn, she must appear truly disheveled. She longed for a brush, her combs, her mirror, and her dressing-table, which had been her mother's. She could see it so vividly in her mind's eye. Her mother had been fond of cosmetics, but she was not like her mother in that aspect. The drawers below the wood-mounted mirror were filled with different types of face paint, lip stain and cheek stain. She felt foolish when she applied them herself, sure she had not her mother's skill, and so had never used them. She wished for them now: anything which could improve her appearance would be a blessing, and she was uncomfortably aware of her loose hair and her dirty clothes.

  “Good morning, Lady Juliette,” Cain said, standing up. Joshua did the same, holding out his hand to help her stand.

  “My lady,” he said gently. “How do you feel this morning?”

  “I am as well as can be expected,” Juliette said weakly. “I cannot say fairer than that. How are you?”

  “I am the same.” He smiled at her.

  “What is the plan for today?”

  “We are currently waiting for Charlie and James to return from exploring the area.”

  “How long have they been gone?”

  Cain looked up at the sky. “I would say an hour.” He shifted his eyes out to stare at the woods behind them. “I expected them to return sooner than this.”

  “I suppose you would like to go looking for them? We should all go?” She grinned, knowing they would discern from that that she had heard what they were saying.

  Joshua caught on immediately, grinning at her. Inwardly, he was grateful he had not said anything about the women, especially Juliette, whom he suspected could be sensitive at times. Most women, in his experience, were sensitive. Juliette seemed particularly vola
tile, and he would be sure to guard his tongue against offending her.

  Cain nodded. “That is as we had just decided, my lady. There is a clean, dry cloth there if you would like to wash your face and hands? I know you would probably like to get into some fresh clothes, but I am afraid we have little to offer, and less still that is dry. We shall wait until tomorrow.”

  “I will do what you think is best, my lord.” Juliette agreed. “I will wake up Betts. I would like to get this settled as soon as we can.”

  Once Betts was awake, and the two officers with her, they set off into the woods, following a trail that James and Charles had apparently made. The two crewmen had hacked out a fairly obvious trail for them, using knives they had carried.

  The trail, though obvious, was still treacherous. Thorns, fallen trees, and branches hanging low forced the group to take it somewhat easily, dodging the danger. The vegetation was dense and green. Joshua watched after Juliette, ensuring she did not trip and fall.

  After some time of walking, Betts complained that her feet were beginning to hurt. She wanted to rest. Juliette stood with her a moment, and then they all carried on.

  As they progressed, Juliette felt her mood lift. They had encountered no dangerous animals and no humans at all thus far. The animals they met consisted of something rodent-like, with long tails and sharp teeth, but they scurried away when they came near.

  “At least we know we will have food,” Juliette said when she saw the various small animals, trying to brighten the atmosphere a little. She was still holding Bett's hand, and turned to smile at her warmly.

  “We can stop and rest a while, my lady.” Cain nodded after they had walked for what Juliette judged to be half an hour, holding out his hands so everyone would stop. “Let’s sit here for a moment.” He had stopped them at a fallen tree trunk so large that it made them all a convenient seat, the trees thin here, felled by its fall.

  Betts sat beside Juliette on the long log. It seemed she did not wish to move too far away. Joshua moved to stand on the other side of the trunk, staring down the trail they would soon be taking. The two officers sat down on the wider end, arms on their knees, conserving their strength in silence.

  “Do you see them, Joshua?” Cain asked, referring to the missing seamen.

  Joshua shook his head. “Not at all, Uncle.” He frowned.

  “What do you suppose has happened to them, your grace?” Betts asked, her voice frightened.

  Cain inhaled sharply. He did not wish her fear to spread through the group, and she was very clearly frightened. “I do not know, Miss,” he said gently.

  Betts looked about fearfully, and Juliette noticed Cain's worried expression. She took her hand and tried to be reassuring, sensing Cain wished the morale maintained.

  “Please do not be concerned, Betts. We have two strong, dashing men here to protect us. We will be all right.” She felt color flood her cheeks as she said it, and risked a glance at Joshua, who was studiously looking the other way.

  Betts did not look comforted. “Anything could have happened to them,” she insisted.

  “Yes, but it is more likely they are simply exploring a long way ahead,” Juliette said gently. “If something were amiss, we would have had some sign of it.”

  Betts looked as if she were about to cry, and drew in a few shuddering breaths.

  Juliette felt wretched for her. She would gladly have given Betts the confidence she felt, if such a thing were possible.

  The group rested for about ten minutes before Cain suggested they resume their walk. Juliette thought for a moment that Betts was going to remain there. Her legs wobbled dangerously as she stood, and she looked too tired to move. However, she took Cain's hand and pulled herself resolutely upright.

  As they walked, they passed into thicker forest. The men ahead had to hack a way through – fortunately Cain had thought to bring a staff, and the two officers each had blades about them. Joshua walked behind the ladies, at the rear of the column of travelers.

  Their progress was slow, the branches scented with pungent sap where the officers cut them. The undergrowth was thick and dense and the rustles from the small animals there made Betts shudder.

  “I am afraid, milady,” she confided to Juliette. “What if there be serpents, or lions, or some horrid creatures?”

  “I cannot imagine anything larger than a rabbit in this dense undergrowth,” Juliette confided. “And if there were serpents, I am sure they are as afraid of us as we of them.”

  “I understand, Miss. I am just…just so very scared. I would have thought the crewmen would have-”

  “Look!” the officer shouted from the head of the column, voice shrill with horror.

  Juliette ran to the head of the column, heart pounding.

  In the path further ahead lay what looked like a prone figure.

  “Quickly!” Cain called out. “We must see who it is.” There was a renewed spirit in his voice. The four of them hurried to reach the two leading men who gathered around the body.

  “Oh my.” Juliette and Betts both gasped as they reached the place.

  It was Charles, the younger of the two crew. He lay on his front, his back facing them. There was no sign of breath from him.

  Joshua leaned down to inspect the man, placing two fingers on Charlie’s neck to feel the bump of his pulse first. “There is a very gentle heartbeat,” he said. He put one hand under Charles’ shoulder and turned him over. The man's chest was raked with claw-marks, as if some large animal had felled him with a blow. The blood was dark, already stiffening against the torn white cotton of his shirt. The scent was rich – the iron of blood, mixed with dampness and earth.

  Betts and Juliette gasped, turning away.

  “Do you think it was an animal?” Joshua asked, looking up at his uncle.

  Juliette was a bit taken aback. Could it be anything else? “Of course it was an animal, my lord,” she said tremulously.

  Joshua glanced at her, his eyebrows raised. For a moment, he could only take in her beauty. He wished he could pray, eternally grateful to God for putting the two of them together. But he had no time.

  “I hope so,” he said quietly. “It is strange, though, as you said, that this forest seems too dense for so large an animal.”

  At that point they all stood up.

  “Is there anything we can do for him?” Juliette asked, horrified.

  “Where do you think the assailant went?” Sir Oliver asked. He looked as if he wished to find whoever or whatever it was and do them injury. It surprised Juliette that so quiet a man should be brought so to life by conflict.

  “We need water,” Joshua was saying. “We need to dress those wounds. This man is still alive.”

  “Can we have silence, please?” Cain shouted above the general din. “We need to plan ahead.”

  At that moment, they all heard the sound of soft shoes running toward them. They looked up in time to see James approaching. “My lords!” he called out, waving his hands above him in the air. “My ladies! You must follow me. There is a small dwelling here. I have already started a fire for warmth in the hearth.”

  His eyes fell on his wounded companion, then, and stretched wide. He said nothing. Juliette ran to him, but Betts was there first.

  “Come, laddie,” she said stoutly. “The man's alive. He said so,” she said, jerking her head back at Joshua, who was staring at the fallen man and Betts, evidently not certain which was more surprising: the wounded sailor or Betts' sudden recovery. “We'll lift him up. Make a stretcher, you two!” she said to the two officers, who were too startled to question her and began to obey her orders with quick efficiency.

  “Good,” Joshua said enthusiastically. In all the rush of preparation, everyone seemed to have forgotten James, and Juliette walked over to the shocked young man, who was still frozen in horror.

  “There is a hut with a hearth?” Juliette asked him.

  “Yes,” he said, staring at her with the whites showing all around his e
yes.

  “Come,” Juliette said. She could not have been more relieved. It was exactly what they needed. “Show me.”

  Casting a glance over the group in the clearing, James nodded.

  “Follow me.”

  Looking back once more to see the wounded man being rolled onto a makeshift stretcher of logs and the two men's shirts, Juliette followed him along his path into the thicket and overhanging trees.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE LITTLE HUT

  THE LITTLE HUT

  James turned on his heel to run back to the hut.

  They carried Charles in and lay the unconscious body beside the fire. Betts was kneeling beside him, evidently at ease with her role of caretaker.

  Juliette sat with James, who was evidently still in shock. She took his muscled hand between her own, aware of how cold and pale it was.

  Joshua, walking from where he had laid the unconscious sailor down, came to join them a moment after his arrival.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “There was something there,” James said, shivering. Juliette pressed his hand and he continued. “I ran away, my lord. I am so ashamed. I was scared,” he said, tears running down his cheeks as he closed his eyes. “I was scared. Charles is my friend. How could I have left?” He was sobbing now, cheeks damp.

  “There are no animals here now,” Joshua said gently. “Help me carry Charles so that he will have shelter and we can treat his wounds. You could not have fought it off alone. Coming back to find us was the best you could have done.”

  The man looked up, eyes suddenly bright where before they had been dull and wretched. Juliette felt grateful and proud of Joshua. She pressed the man's hand.

  “It was roaring, milady,” he said, a tremor in his voice. “I did not have a proper glance at it – I was behind a tree, Charlie was up in front of it, ahead of me. It seemed to me to be a wolf.”

  “A wolf?”

  “Yes, my lord.”