The Cracksman's Kiss

by Killarney Sheffield

He glanced down at her as he opened the door. “Under the circumstances I thought it best to let everyone think ye are Cohen’s widow going home to see his family. Everton will be looking for ye, and it is more acceptable to travel unchaperoned in the guise of a widow.”

  Kassie entered the room. It was sparsely furnished but comfortable looking. Two chairs flanked the modest brazier; a small bed took up one corner with a large sea trunk placed at the foot of it. A square table with four chairs took up the other corner.

  Auggie released her hand. “I’ve taken the liberty of arranging for a local lass to act as yer maid and to accompany ye to the shops before we leave. Purchase anything ye might need on Cohen’s account.”

  Kassie nodded, her heart pinching with sorrow at the mention of Cohen’s name. She sat in one of the chairs and stared into the fire. A moment later the door closed behind Auggie. She didn’t feel like shopping. She was so tired. If only she could fall asleep and wake up to find all that happened to her was just a bad dream. To wake up in the old bed she shared with her sister, Beth.

  A knock on the door roused her from her thoughts. She looked to the door without enthusiasm. “Come in.”

  It swung open and Alex stood on the threshold with his hat in his hands. “Bonjour, Lady … Everton.”

  Kassie rose from her chair and crossed the room, coming to a halt in front of the sailor. “Alex. Is it truly you?”

  “Oui, Mademoiselle. I ‘ave a…” He paused for a moment, floundering for the words in English. “I ‘ave taken position on ze ship—I sail home.”

  Kassie reached out and clutched his hand, turning her eyes to his in a pleading gesture.

  “Please, Alex, tell me Cohen and Lucca are alive. Tell me you saw them after the blast.”

  The young sailor dropped his gaze to the floor. “I am sorry. Comté Ashton … gone, Mademoiselle.” He pried her fingers from his, and then reached into the satchel at his feet. He pulled out the oriental box Cohen gave Kassie on the trip to Bath and held it out to her. “I found ‘zis. I thought you would … want, oui?”

  Kassie nodded and took the box from his hand. The cool wooden surface was warped but still glossy. Without thinking, she opened the lid. The hinges creaked, stiff from the salt water. Inside, nestled in the faded, crusty velvet interior was the little jade elephant. “Thank you,” she whispered, struggling to keep the tears that welled up in her eyes in check.

  He nodded and turned to leave, then paused, looking back at her. “You need any zing—you come to me, oui?”

  Kassie nodded, and then he was gone.

  A young girl peered into the room. “My lady? Mister Forton, sent for me.”

  She placed the box on the table.

  The young girl gave her braid a tug and worried her bottom lip for a moment before she spoke again. “Mister Forton said to take you shopping.”

  Kassie nodded again and headed out the door. Men scurried back and forth on the deck, loading supplies. She looked around but did not see Auggie anywhere. Lifting her skirts clear of the disarray of cargo, she made her way down the gangplank, the new maid trailing in her wake.

  A sign on the second shop caught her eye. She paused, and then opened the door. A young clerk looked up from his paper cluttered desk. “May I help you?”

  “Is this Mr. Penning’s office?”

  The clerk smiled. “Yes, it is. Do you have an appointment with him, Miss…?”

  “Lady Everton,” Kassie supplied. “No, but I would like to speak with him about a most pressing matter if he is in.”

  The clerk nodded and stood. He gestured to a chair against the wall. “If you would be so kind as to wait a moment, I will inform him you are here.” When she nodded he hurried through a door in the far wall. After a moment an older man followed him into the room. His grey mustache twitched as he smiled at her and pushed his spectacles further up his nose. “What can I do for you, Lady Everton?”

  Taking a deep breath she looked him straight in the eye. “I would like to petition for a divorce.”

  The man did not even blink. “All right, if you will kindly follow me to my office, Lady Everton.” He swept his hand to the side to indicate she should precede him.

  She motioned for the maid to wait, and then walked ahead of the man into his office. He waited until she was settled in a straight-backed chair in front of his desk and closed the door.

  After he had taken his seat opposite her he leaned his elbows on the desk top and smiled.

  “Now, Lady Everton, why not start at the beginning and explain to me why you want to legally vacate your husband’s control.”

  Kassie explained the situation, her face flushing when she mentioned Cohen’s midnight visit.

  Mr. Penning listened with rapt attention, showing no sign of judgment at her tale. When she was done he leaned back in his chair and contemplated her for a moment before he spoke. “As I am sure you are aware, Lady Everton, a divorce is both a costly procedure and a social stigma.” When Kassie nodded he continued. “I believe you might have a case for an annulment of your marriage, however. The fact you have not been married the full three years required by parliament might be your only problem. You say, Lord Everton, had already commissioned a place for you at St. Catherine’s Convent?”

  “Yes, the night I ran away.”

  “If Lord Everton did, in fact, make this arrangement, then is it not also likely he is willing to arrange for an annulment?”

  She lowered her gaze to her hands clutched in her lap. “The fact that my son is now dead might change his mind. He wants an heir desperately before he dies, you see, and I am the means to that end, or so he thinks. It is obvious to all he is incapable of fathering a child.” She stopped, her face burning with embarrassment.

  “I see.” The room was silent. Finally when she was about to get up and apologize for wasting his time, his chair creaked. He cleared his throat. “My advice to you, Lady Everton, is to sail to France and never come back.”

  Shocked Kassie swung her gaze to his.

  The older man gave her a kind smile. “After seven years your husband will declare you dead, and you will be free to remarry if you wish.”

  “Seven years? I was under the impression he could have me declared dead after one?”

  “It depends on the judge and the circumstances my dear.”

  Kassie lifted her chin and nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Penning. I am sorry to have wasted your time.”

  He nodded and stood to escort her to the door. “Good luck to you, Lady Everton.”

  She didn’t bother to answer as she made her way out the door and down the street. Tears blurred her vision, and she blinked them away. Seven years was a long time. On the other hand, what else did she have to do? There was no other waiting in the wings.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kassie huddled on the small bed as the ship pitched and rolled in the violent storm. She moaned, fighting the steady waves of nausea. In her grief she had not thought to procure more ginger root and the results of her forgetfulness was miserable. Her new maid was of little help since it turned out the girl was terrified of the sea. Kassie moaned again. She would rather be afraid than seasick. A chair crashed to the floor as the ship floundered on its side for a moment, then lurched back in the other direction. Squeezing her eyes shut, clutching the side of the bed, she wallowed in her misery.

  “Kassie?”

  She opened her eyes. Auggie stood in the doorway, feet braced against the bucking of the ship. “Why did you not let me die?”

  He stumbled across to the bed. “Nay, lass, ye donna’ want t' die.”

  She closed her eyes as he sat down on the edge.

  “What kin I get for ye?”

  Kassie shook her head. “There is naught you can do for me, Auggie.”

  The ship pitched again and Kassie would have rolled onto the floor if Auggie hadn’t caught her. She didn’t protest as he wrapped his big arms around her and cradled her against his broad chest.

  “I’m sorry la
ss.”

  “You cannot help the storm.” Kassie sniffed. A shudder rippled through his chest. It took her a moment to realize the man was shaking. Puzzled she squinted up at him in the dim light of the room. Something shiny glistened on his cheeks, and a drop of dampness fell onto her hand. Was the great hulking man crying?

  “I’m so sorry, lassie. I tried t' save ‘em both, really I did.”

  Kassie wiggled against his chest in an attempt to sit up, but his arms held her captive, his body shaking with great sobs of grief. Before Kassie knew it, she was clutching him to her and sobbing as hard as he.

  “I canna’ claim to know how ye feel, lassie. I lost a good friend, but ye lost yer wee bairn and the man ye love.”

  The words hit Kassie as if wielded by a runaway coach and four. The man she loved. Her heart broke at that moment. The tears she shed up till now were nothing compared to the grief which released itself in torrents in the comfort of Auggie’s arms. She clutched his shirt front as his lips brushed the top of her head, then turned her face up and looked into his eyes. The pain and anguish there was like a mirror into her tortured soul. Her mind was in a fog when his lips locked onto hers, his kiss desperate, rough, and without meaning. She gave into his plea, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning his savage kiss with frantic thoughtlessness. They shared their grief in this way until neither one could breath, their hands and lips roving, desperate, searching for a release from the pain.

  Auggie pulled away, his breathing ragged and his eyes wild. “Kassie, forgive me lass, for I dinna’ mean to do this.”

  Kassie looked down, her breath coming in gasps as labored as his. Shame filled her. What was she doing? She wanted him, but not in the way she had wanted Cohen. This was a primal need, a searching for a release of all the pain, fright, and loneliness she carried for the last year and a half. To give in to this feeling was wrong. She pushed against his chest to free herself, but he held tight.

  “I’m sorry, lass.”

  Kassie didn’t need to look up to know the sincerity of his words. She stopped her struggles and leaned against his warmth. “Just hold me, Auggie, please. Just hold me.”

  They weathered the storm together, finding an odd peace in the sharing of their grief. By the time the sea calmed, the brutal pain was eased as well.

  “Kassie?”

  She rubbed her cheek, salty with dried tears against his soft tartan. “Yes, Auggie?”

  “I promised Cohen I’d look after ye if any thin’ happened to him.”

  Kassie smiled. “You have fulfilled your promise.”

  “Nay.” He sat up and eased her away from his chest. “I want to take ye to wife, Kassie. Marry me and I swear I’ll protect and cherish ye for the rest of yer days.”

  If all her tears were not already spent she would have cried. “Oh, Auggie.” She cradled his face in her small hands. “I cannot marry you, for I belong to Lord Everton for seven years. Until he is convinced of my death and has the marriage annulled, I will not be free of him.”

  Auggie nodded, but the determined look in his eye did not fade. “Then I’ll wait. Until then, I’ll keep ye safe and see ye are happy.”

  “Thank you.” Kassie placed a light kiss on his cheek, and then sobered, dropping her hands to her side. He wrapped his arms around her, leaning back so he was sitting up against the wall. Kassie took a deep cleansing breath and sagged against him. Her eyes grew heavy as he stroked her hair. “I do not know what I would have done without you these past few days.”

  “I only wish I could have saved ‘em for ye.”

  She closed her eyes, the soft rise and fall of his chest lulling her into a false sense of contentment. What was she going to do? She could not accept Auggie’s proposal. It was not fair of her to make him wait, and did he not have a girl somewhere? Once they told Cohen’s family where would she go? Perhaps she could find work keeping books somewhere. She yawned. It was not likely anyone would hire her when she did not even speak French very well. Perhaps she could ask Alex to continue to tutor her. Now that I am alone in the world I will have to learn to fend for myself.

  “Auggie?”

  “Yes lass?”

  “Tell me about Cohen.”

  “He was a good man, and I am proud to ‘ave called him my friend. We met on my first dig in Scotland. He was sweet on my sister Gwendolyn.”

  Kassie pushed aside the stab of jealousy at the thought of Cohen being sweet on anyone other than her.

  “We always thought he’d marry her, but then the cave-in happened. Everton could not stand the idea of losin’ out on a major find so he sabotaged the supports along the cliff. The side collapsed, my father and a couple others were killed. My sister thought Cohen was trapped down there, and she tried to go down herself to get him. She fell from the cliff when the last support gave way.”

  She pondered his words. “Why did no one hold the earl accountable for his dirty deed?”

  “Everton is a cunnin’ bastard. We all knew he was behind it, but the men he hired mysteriously disappeared.”

  “Oh.” Kassie yawned. “For what it is worth, I am sorry you lost your family.”

  His voice softened. “Thank ye, lass.” He eased his bulk out from behind her. “Sleep now, lass.”

  She smiled as he tucked the covers up around her chin like a mother putting a child to bed. He did not love her and never would. All he wanted was to protect her; she could not let him throw away his own future because of his promise. No matter what, she had to make it on her own.

  After Auggie left, she sat up and reached for the oriental box she kept by the bed. Her fingers stroked the top of the polished surface before she opened it and plucked out the little jade elephant. She rolled the smooth carving around in her fingers as was her habit when she needed to feel close to Cohen. The ship lurched and the box slid from her lap, clattering to the floor. She waited until the sea settled, and then leaned over the cot and picked up the box. A piece of the teak wood had broken loose and caught on the blanket. She tugged it loose and the piece dropped into her lap along with a small velvet pouch. Setting the box beside her, she stared at the tiny black sack. Picking it up with trembling fingers, she untied the strings and dumped the contents onto her palm. A piece of rolled up parchment paper fell out. She turned it around in her hands. An emerald encrusted ring held the paper in place. Kassie slipped the paper from the ring and unrolled it, recognizing Cohen’s handwriting.

  Kassie,

  If anything should happen to me I hope you will find this ring. It is the ring I intend to place on your finger the day you and I are wed. Wear it and my family will honor my commitment to you and our son.

  My love for eternity,

  Cohen.

  A single tear trickled down Kassie’s cheek. When did Cohen hide the ring in her box? Why did he not tell her about the hidden compartment? She let the paper roll up and placed it in the box beside the elephant. Picking up the ring, she held it up to the small shaft of light filtering through the porthole. The emeralds flashed in the scant light, twinkling, the same color as Cohen and Lucca’s eyes. She slipped the ring on her finger and settled back under the covers. Pressing her hand to her breast, she smiled. He intended to marry me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kassie shifted on the carriage seat, staring at the massive old castle looming in the distance against the churning seascape. This was Cohen’s home? No wonder his whole family lived with him. The place looked like it could house an entire town with little difficulty. She glanced at Auggie. His leg twitched as his fingers worried the brim of the hat he held in his hands. The poor man. She could not imagine having to tell a family she was close to of their brother’s death. Auggie looked pained, his eyes blank and unreadable. The coach rattled through the weather whitened stone gates and up to the impressive matching steps. He set his lips into a grim line and opened the coach door as it came to a stop. After he stepped down, he turned, and held out his hand to her.

  Kassie twisted the heavy r
ing on her finger. Would Cohen’s family welcome her or would they see her as the instrument of his death? If she had anywhere else to go she would have fled at that moment, but Auggie needed her. Standing beside him was the least she could do to thank him for all his support. She stood and allowed Auggie to help her from the coach. He gave her a sad smile and squeezed her hand. They were making their way up the steps when the door was flung open.

  “Auggie!” A small dark-haired woman squealed, limping her way down the steps, leaning on a cane.

  He let go of Kassie’s hand and hurried up the steps to intercept the woman, scooping her up in his arms and twirling her around. “Emmie, ye look ravishin’ as always.”

  The pale woman giggled, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his cheek. “You always know how to flatter a girl.”

  Auggie set her down with great care. “Only the pretty ones.” He smiled and turned to Kassie. “Emmie, this is Kassie. Kassie, this is Miss Emily Ashton.”

  She caught her breath as Emily turned to her. Cohen’s dazzling green eyes looked back at her from a feminine replica of his face. She blinked. “It is nice to meet you, Emily. Cohen has told me so much about you.”

  Emily blushed. “All of it good, I hope.” She smiled. “How do you know my brother?”

  Kassie drew a sharp breath.

  Auggie glanced at her and then turned back to Emily. “Emma, Kassie is Cohen’s … she is the one he was gonna’ marry.”

  “Fiancée?” Emily’s brow furrowed and she tilted her head in puzzlement. “Where is my brother?” She looked past them at the coach.

  Auggie took her hand and led her back up the stairs. “Where are yer sisters and brother? I wish to speak with ye all together.”

  Kassie followed them up the stairs and into the castle. Once inside Emily instructed the butler to take their wraps and summon the rest of her family. They followed as she led the way to a cozy family parlor. After they were seated, she rang for tea while they waited for the rest to arrive. The tea arrived in a timely matter as did the rest of Cohen’s family. Kassie discovered Cohen’s brother and three other sisters were carbon copies of himself. Five sets of his eyes stared at her with open curiosity as she was introduced.