“You took your time,” Reece drawled.
“I did, didn’t I?”
Though Reece refused to look and verify his suspicions, he knew the old man was grinning. Reece recognized the pure delight that rang in Shay’s voice. Such happy sounds usually came from Aimee or another of the Daring Three, but nonetheless, it meant the same thing. The man was scheming.
“Glad our weather’s being cooperative this trip.” Shay patted his protruding stomach and inhaled deeply. “Outside in the afternoons is the best. Don’t you agree?”
The weather? Reece huffed to himself. Shay was obviously eager to talk to him about something and it certainly was not about climate conditions during the day. “Mornings are a little chilly,” Reece carefully agreed, “but if the seas remain calm, we should make London a day or two ahead of schedule.”
“Aye. The Sea Rebel’s a mighty fine vessel. You have five ships now, if memory serves. Your company must be doing well to afford expanding like it has.”
Reece searched for the hidden meaning in Shay’s words. Unable to come up with one, he remained silent.
Undisturbed by Reece’s lack of willingness to participate in conversation, Shay pulled out a small telescope from the inside pocket of his outer coat and scanned the blue horizon. “Your reputation as a sea captain during the war was akin to dictatorial. I wondered if you could accept being on a ship you owned but did not command. It seems the rumors were overblown or untrue.”
Reece risked a brief glance over to his right. Captain Shay had a reputation during the war as well and it always involved three words—cunning, brilliant and thorough. It did not take long to know his reputation was accurate, if incomplete. Cunning should have been in there twice. The elder captain was steadfast to those he served and always spoke the truth but one could count on there being more than one meaning to whatever he said. “Do not overly concern yourself, Shay. I fully intend to be off the Sea Rebel and back on the Emerald as soon as I am able.”
Shay waved his hand dismissively. “I never was worried in the least about that.”
Reece drew in a deep breath and exhaled. He was battling between the urge to leave and his gut feeling that he should just yield and ask the infuriating man what he wanted. Normally, any prospect of being manipulated would have been enough motivation to walk away, but it would be another week before they were back in London. If Reece did not take the opportunity Shay was providing him now, then whatever topic the old man wanted to discuss would almost certainly come up tonight at dinner—and not to Reece’s favor. Though vexatious, the creative control Shay had of the situation was to be admired.
Turning to face the man directly, Reece gave in and said candidly, “Speak your mind, Shay, for behind that nonchalant smile of yours, you have concerns and questions. And since they are not about W & H shipping, my reputation as a captain, me being on this ship, or the fair weather we have been having, that leaves only one more topic. Lady Aimee Wentworth.”
Shay shrugged his shoulders and clasped his hands together. “Annabelle and I just want to know what your intentions are.”
Reece quirked an eyebrow. “Same as they were when I came aboard. I had planned for Lady Wentworth and me to marry prior to our journey back to London, but her stubbornness delayed such wiser notions. So we are now forced to wait. However, the sleeping arrangements regarding myself and Lady Wentworth, which I suspect is contributing to some of the anxiety and the motivation behind your line of questions, are not going to change. All I can do is assure you that at the first opportunity, we will be wed.”
Shay chuckled and clapped Reece on the back. “Ah Hamilton, any changes to your sleeping arrangements on this ship would undoubtedly create changes in my sleeping arrangements. Annabelle has grown quite found of Lady Wentworth and angry women tend to stick together. But that is something that you will learn in time.”
Reece was about to remind Shay that he had known Aimee and her two best friends since childhood and was well aware of the close bonds that female camaraderie created when he stopped himself. If Shay’s purpose was not to convince Reece of spending the next several days apart from Aimee, then what was it? “Then, damn it, man, what is it that you and I need to discuss? What has you filled with mirth and me uneasy to find out the reason?”
“Why, Hamilton, I have no idea,” Shay professed less than innocently. “I’m fully content. At least I am now.” He threw one of his arms around Reece’s wide shoulders and despite only being of average height, maneuvered Reece so that he looked out toward the deck versus the sea. Letting go, Shay pointed at the upper deck. “I think right there will be the best spot. That way all the men could see the ceremony since Lady Wentworth’s friends will not be able to attend. And while I know you said the first opportunity, our women will be wanting several hours to get ready and you agreed that the afternoon was preferable when being out on deck.”
The knot in Reece’s stomach became a lead weight as he digested just what Shay was saying. “Tomorrow?” was all that he could manage to get out.
“I’m quite looking forward to it,” Shay said with a large, unapologetic grin. “Everyone is, with the exception of Haskin. I haven’t exactly approached him about it. Maybe you and I should do that together this evening over dinner. Though I doubt he holds the same view as Annabelle and I. We were hoping that you and Lady Wentworth would continue your antics for at least another week. Quite entertaining, you two. Never knew what to expect and it made the voyage go by so much faster.” Shay paused and lightly elbowed Reece in the side. “We were hoping that Haskin would get involved and help delay things, but the lad is just too reserved. Anyway, now that you and Lady Wentworth are blissfully happy and the crew knows one of the owners of W & H Shipping is aboard, everyone is acting and behaving their best. Things have become dull I tell you, even the weather has been cooperative.”
Reece held up his hand. “I’m not getting married tomorrow.”
“I thought you and I were of the same mind on certain matters. . .”
Reece shook his head and tried again. “We are of the same mind, Shay, but as a captain, you can only command a ship. It takes an ordained priest to marry two people. You lack the qualifications.”
“Indeed I do. But I know someone who does not,” Shay said with a playful smile.
Miles Haskin’s fork hung in mid-air as he mentally translated just what had happened. The wiliness of Captain Shay was known to anyone with whom he came into contact for more than a few moments. He was famous for his double entendre and as a result, Miles had taken great care to successfully sidestep and avoid being caught in any of the man’s traps. Unfortunately, tonight Miles had let his thoughts meander elsewhere instead of remaining focused on the seemingly inconsequential path of conversation.
His thoughts had been on Lady Wentworth.
Not actually on the lady herself, but on the idea that a woman like her actually existed, for until now, Miles had not believed it possible. In his experience, noblewomen or daughters of gentlemen of any stature resembled more like the grating creature Aimee had pretended to be the night her true identity had been revealed. It had been bad enough listening to her ask senseless questions about sails and masts, but when Hamilton barged in, indecent, and lacking proper clothes, it had taken everything Miles had to follow Shay’s advice and walk away. Even today, Miles somewhat wished he hadn’t. He would have enjoyed punching Reece Hamilton in the jaw a few times and blackening those blue eyes of his Lady Wentworth so enjoyed. Not that Miles thought such an action would win him her affections, but mostly just to ensure Hamilton knew there was a cost to treating another man as a fool. The only thing that had kept Miles from decking him then, and since, was knowing a true fool was ruled by his emotions—something he would never be. On the other hand, when it came to Lady Aimee Wentworth, Captain Reece Hamilton was definitely ruled by his. And that knowledge pacified Miles, but it also left him wondering . . . were there other women like Lady Wentworth out there?
; Miles knew the luxuries of wealth having grown up not as a nobleman, but as the third son to one of the wealthiest gentlemen in England. His father was one of the most prosperous men in England in the textile industry—a true rags-to-riches story. As a result, he spoiled his wife and seven children quite abominably. They wanted for nothing and always went to the most fashionable balls and eateries and had the latest in fashions and transportation. As a result, women constantly swarmed his older brothers, Alastor and Leland. It did not take long for them to pass on their knowledge to Miles—enjoy a woman’s beauty but do not become enamored by it. By the time he came of age, he quickly realized his brothers were right. Women simpered, plotted, flittered, blushed, and some even fainted. Those who were intelligent incomprehensively pretended they were not. Those who were not, men wanted to avoid altogether. Simply put, Miles, like his brothers before him, had decided that women brought up in the upper class of Society were not worth his time and effort.
Then he met Lady Aimee Wentworth, daughter of a marquess. Similarly spoiled in her upbringing, she understood how Society worked to control all those in its domain. And yet just as his father had mysteriously been able to instill in Miles and his siblings a sense of independence, Aimee had a streak of unconventionality about her that appealed to Miles’s oftentimes too reserved soul. He had not realized how much he longed for someone like her in his life. Someone who could play the part of a Society duchess if required, but also was full of passion, enthusiasm, and ironically—someone he could not control. But until meeting Aimee, he truly had not thought a woman like her existed.
As a young man embarking into the world, he had resolved to keep his wealthy lineage a secret, thinking anonymity would enable those he encountered to focus on him and not on his family name and wealth. When it came to men, Miles had been correct. Unfortunately, God had given him highly-valued physical traits. So even without his inheritance known, he attracted a train of insincere females with the same boring personalities as their wealthier counterparts—they just dressed and smelled less appealing. So again, Miles followed the footsteps of his older brothers and focused on his career.
Knowing eventually his eldest brother would inherit the family business, Miles knew the textile industry would not be where he would invest his energies. His second eldest brother Leland had chosen law, a field Miles eventually tried as well. The law suited him in a way. He liked the idea of executing justice; however, sitting behind a desk for days leading up to a nearly-just-as-boring session at court was more tedious than his first chosen path—the church. But studying law had caused Miles to cross paths with Sir Robert Peel once again.
Robert Peel was an old family friend as both of their fathers had made their fortune in the textile industry. Robert was the same age as Alastor and was just leaving Harrow School and Oxford as Miles entered, but Alastor had made sure Miles was included in some of their more venturous antics. As they grew older, Peel and Miles realized they had much in common, including execution of the law. During the next few years, Peel held a series of positions in the government, one in which he established the Royal Irish Constabulary, Ireland’s first major police force. He hoped to establish a similar police force in London and wanted Miles to be a part of it, but Miles first needed to broaden his understanding of the world in which he lived. This included the London Docks.
With Peel’s encouragement, Miles had gone to work on a smaller ship that belonged to a friend of his father’s. He had quickly moved to a larger vessel and then after learning all he could, Miles knew he needed to expand his knowledge even more by working for someone who had years of experience commanding numerous ships in various conditions—both war and commercial. After several discreet inquiries, Miles had chosen Captain Shay. Peel had agreed and used his influence and connections to get Miles on board the Sea Rebel.
What never occurred to Miles was that before ever being hired, Captain Shay had done his own research on him.
“So what do you say, Haskin? Will you agree to officiate the wedding of Lady Aimee Wentworth and Mr. Reece Hamilton tomorrow afternoon?” Shay posed the question again, this time far more directly than he did the first time.
Miles ignored Aimee’s big green eyes and pretty mouth, both of which were open in honest surprise. The tall, lanky man she intended to marry, however, was sitting back with his arms crossed. And he was smiling. Reece Hamilton was far from shocked to learn of Miles’s first choice of career.
Miles studied the smirk on the face of his soon to be ex-employer, licked his lips, and shifted his gaze back to Shay’s. “I will,” he answered.
Aimee fingered the ivory satin embroidered trained gown she was wearing, unable to temper her disbelief at its beauty. Scattered down its front were embroidered gold sprigs that grew more elaborate toward the center of the gown. The hem was adorned with two rows of intricate gold beadwork, but between them was a wide row of pearls stitched in the shapes and patterns of the sprigs yet with a flower that was in full bloom. Delicate ecru lace embellished with pearls and gold thread lined the satin puffed sleeves set just off the shoulders and in the front was a simple bow that offered just the right amount of adornment. The empire waist was hidden, defined by cut and shape, rather than by lace or ribbon, enabling the back of the gown to be more daring than found in the fashions of typical London Society. This, above all of its other features, made the dress perfect in Aimee’s eyes, who saw herself a lot like the garment. Seemingly beautiful and delicate, but when one looked a little further . . . much bolder than one originally supposed.
“However did you find anything so beautiful already made?”
Annabelle gently nudged Aimee’s chin back up so that she could finish pinning the last few coiled locks of hair into place. “You are fortunate that we were in Savannah and not one of the many other ports we frequent. Young Americans are many things, but among them is an eagerness to improve and outdo all that is English. You and I know their social climb is an impossible one, but when I saw this dress last winter when I was in port, I thought those colonials just might have done it this once, though the seamstress certainly priced this garment as if it were one of her children.”
Aimee once again petted the satin, thinking in a way, it probably was. She had worn fine materials all her life, but somehow this one seemed more special. She wished it was hers, and not just borrowed for the day. “I’m sure Mr. Shay believes it was more than worth the expense.”
Annabelle leaned down to whisper, “Don’t tell him I told you, but he said not to spare any expense and I didn’t. And in doing so I never had so much fun shopping, even if I was all by myself. Though I expect your brother might be more than a little displeased when he gets the bill.”
Aimee swiveled in her seat to look at Annabelle, looking very puzzled. “You mean you just bought this gown for me?”
Annabelle nodded, twirling the comb in her hand for Aimee to turn back around. “Who else would it be for, dear? Not me, surely. The reason we were so late leaving Savannah was that the hem had to be let down another inch to allow for your height.”
Aimee looked down and could now see that the hem had indeed been let out. Though beautifully stitched, it was not of the same level of quality as the rest of the gown, most likely from being rushed. “But . . . but this means that you and Captain Shay knew Mr. Hamilton and I would marry when we came aboard. You knew all this would come to be,” Aimee murmured in a soft, confused voice.
“Of course we did, Lady Wentworth. Never would either of us have allowed Mr. Hamilton to remain aboard otherwise.”
Aimee shook her head, remembering the day they left quite well. “I understand how you could be confident of Mr. Hamilton’s desires to marry me—”
Annabelle smiled at the memory. “You should have heard him demanding that he be allowed to haul you to the church. Mr. Shay finally decided to let him, fully believing you would say ‘no’ once you got there.”
Aimee furrowed her eyebrows trying to remember how hurt and angry s
he was those days after she had overheard Reece’s easily misunderstood confession. “I suspect you are right. But what made you think that I would change my mind? If I recall accurately, that day you thought him to be a . . . a . . . ninnyhammer.”
“I certainly did. But remember me stating that I was going to share those sentiments with my husband? Well, it seemed I was too late. Your Mr. Hamilton was there before me, explaining that he realized that he made several grave errors and needed time to make amends. That he loved you, cherished and needed you and always would. Well, after learning how much you loved him, I had no choice but to agree to Mr. Shay’s decision to allow Mr. Hamilton on board, knowing you would marry once all the misunderstandings were settled. I, of course, was immediately sent out to find the perfect gown and make sure we had everything necessary for the ceremony. You have to admit that I do have the finest of husbands, Lady Wentworth. What other man would think of such a thing, especially when he had no daughters?”
“Perhaps a man with a similarly wise and cunning wife, who plants such a suggestion in his ear?”
“Perhaps,” Annabelle agreed with a smile and shrug.
Unable to stop herself, Aimee rose to her feet and clasped the woman to her and held her close for several seconds. “Thank you, Annabelle. I cannot tell you how much my dress—the hassle of the wedding—ensuring the happiness of my future—all of it means.”
Annabelle waved a hand in front of her face in an effort to stop her tears. “Truly was a pleasure, my lady. And regarding the fuss of the wedding, I had to do something. Captain Shay and I were finding ourselves rather lacking for topics of conversation at night after weeks of the nonstop entertainment provided by you and Mr. Hamilton.”
Aimee shook her head and bit her bottom lip. “And one wedding is going to provide enough material? Reece tells me there is at least another week before we reach London.”
Annabelle twitched her lips, unable to suppress a mischievous grin. “Perhaps Mr. Shay might wish for something more in time, but for me? I’ll always have the story of how I helped a daughter of a marquess secure the admission of love from her sea captain, and then tricked them into being married at sea by none other than a famed Haskin. It is just too delicious for words and what makes it more delectable is that it is all true!”
A Woman Made For Sin Page 37