The Pirate Lord
Page 28
Miles raised a quizzical brow. ‘You’re wrong on that account.’
Gareth looked smug. ‘Ship or no ship, I’ve signed a promissory note stating that should the profits from its cargo not fall into the hands of my anonymous benefactor, then Arlington Palace becomes his.’
‘And so it shall come to pass.’
‘Never! Shafford, the unwitting sapskull, retains complete faith and trust in me. I am to be betrothed to his sister. Her dowry will be offered in lieu of the profits you’ve stolen from me.’
Gutless coxcomb.
Gareth shuffled his feet, agitated, and eyed the open doors ahead. ‘Stable boy! Blacksmith! Anyone! Fetch the marquess.’
Miles ignored the call for help. ‘This anonymous benefactor … he is prepared to endure the protocols of marriage, and be kept waiting until the Lady Eloise’s dowry is safely transacted to him?’
‘I’m sure he and I will come to an understanding,’ Gareth sniffed.
A low rumbling started in Miles’s chest, then erupted into loud laughter. When he stopped, he planted both fists firmly on his hips. ‘I seriously doubt you and I will ever come to an understanding.’
He watched the words slowly take hold as Gareth’s face fell from superior arrogance to stark disbelief.
‘You are …?’ Gareth shook his head and gave a nervous laugh. ‘No.’
Miles retrieved a small item from inside the waistband of his breeches. ‘You might remember when and how I procured this.’ He tossed the object in the air to Gareth who caught it, studied it, and then clenched it so tightly in his fist that his forearm shook.
Miles held out his hand. ‘Best you give it back now. It belongs to me.’
Gareth unclenched his fist to reveal the ducal ring. He took it between thumb and index finger and with great ceremony, forced it onto his finger. ‘You can hardly expect to leave here with your life.’ It was a cold, malevolent threat.
A stable door opened and shut. Gareth jerked his head to the side and gaped at the man who stepped forth.
Miles nodded. ‘Welcome, Viscount Derby.’
Gareth’s eyes darted from one man to the other. Sweat glistened on his brow in the illuminating lamplight. ‘This proves nothing!’
A door opened to the side of the tack room. Someone else emerged.
‘Shafford.’ Gareth looked like a man with hell’s hounds snapping at his heels. He shrank back hard against a stable door and spooked the horse in its stall. His shaking hand loosened the lace at his throat. ‘I can explain.’
‘You already have.’ Julian’s voice was bitter and grave.
Like a wild, trapped animal, Gareth turned on Miles. ‘So. It was you who abducted the precious Lady Eloise. How many times did you fuck her?’
Miles lunged forwards and landed his fist in Gareth’s mouth. The blow drew blood.
Gareth spat on Miles’s coat. ‘Did she scream like a child or moan like a whore?’
Miles slammed another punch into Gareth’s gut and followed through with a savage upper cut to the jaw. Gareth’s head flung back and thudded against the stable door. Dazed, he slumped to the floor like a rag doll.
The horse inside the stable whinnied and kicked the back wall. The commotion sent a ripple of unrest through the horses.
Miles stood over Gareth, fists clenched. Cold fury pumped through his veins. ‘I’ve a mind to cut out your tongue.’
Gareth breathed hard and heavy and laughed like a madman. He rubbed his jaw and slid his gaze to Julian. ‘There you have it. Your sister spread her legs like a common strumpet for this man.’
Julian ran at Gareth. Miles stepped in his way and shoved him back. With lightning speed, Miles dropped to one knee, drew a knife from his boot, and pressed the blade to Gareth’s throat.
‘What was she like, brother?’ Gareth provoked. ‘Did you take her by force or did she willingly –’ A nick from the blade silenced him. Momentarily. He laughed in Miles’s face. ‘You can’t do it, can you? Marauding pirate turned insipid coward.’
Another nick to the throat.
Miles summoned every shred of his iron-will not to slit Gareth’s throat. ‘I pursue a far worthier prize than your death.’
‘Hah! What could you possibly covet more than to stick me with that knife?’
‘Marriage. A future life with Lady Eloise Blakely.’
Gareth laughed so hard against the blade that it drew from him a thin line of blood. ‘Good luck with securing Shafford’s seal of approval.’
‘Approval has already been granted,’ said Julian.
Gareth looked at Julian with outrage. His eyes flicked back to Miles. ‘That cold bitch will never marry the likes of you.’
‘Yes! I will.’
Miles twisted his head around to see Eloise standing inside the stables. Damned stubborn woman! He’d insisted she stay well away. He surged to his feet, knife in hand, and exchanged a horror-stricken glance with Julian and the viscount. ‘Eloise. Go back to the house. Now!’
‘Elly. Leave!’ Julian’s words were no less severe.
She ignored their warnings and walked forwards, her skirts shushing in the tense silence.
Miles stepped towards her and held up his hand. ‘Get out of here!’
She stared down at Gareth, but ten feet away. ‘I had to hear it for myself.’ When her eyes flicked back to Miles, they’d softened. ‘Every last word.’
At his back, Miles heard Gareth snarl, ‘If I can’t have her, then neither will you!’
Eloise’s face contorted with horror and she suddenly splayed her hands protectively over her stomach. Miles whipped around, knife at the ready, to see Gareth on the ground, pointing a small pistol at Eloise.
With no time to think, Miles threw himself into the path of Gareth’s aim. He drew his hand back, ready to thrust the knife downward, when a deafening shot rang out.
Eloise screamed. Terror squeezed Miles’s heart. One swift glance at her assured him she lived.
Horses whinnied, reared and kicked their stalls.
Miles flicked his gaze back to Gareth. Blood flowed from a wound to his chest. Open eyed, his limbs twitched. One last gurgling breath, and death snatched his life.
Stunned, Miles swung his gaze around to see Julian, who stared back at him with grim satisfaction, a smoking pistol in hand. Julian dropped the pistol to assist Derby in calming the horses.
Miles gathered Eloise in his arms. He held her tight, his body shuddering with relief. For a terror-filled moment, he’d thought he’d lost her. He pushed the unbearable thought from his mind, scooped her up in his arms and took her outside, away from the grisly scene.
He set her down and cradled her close. ‘It’s over, my love.’
She sobbed into his shoulder. Her body trembled. When she’d calmed, he could wait no longer to confess his long-kept secret.
He placed her hand over his hammering heart. ‘Do you feel it, Eloise?’
She nodded.
‘You damned well stole it the night you challenged me on the balcony.’
She laughed through a strangled sob.
Miles touched her fingers to his temple. ‘And you’re here. In my mind, my thoughts, day and night.’ He gathered her hands in a prayer-like clasp. ‘You’ve cleansed my blackened soul and bewitched this body to inexorably ache without your touch.’
He thumbed away her tears and gently pressed his forehead to hers. ‘Let me prove myself worthy of you and –’
‘You already have. Many times over,’ she whispered.
Her words gave him hope. He inched back to look into her eyes. ‘Is there a chance you might overlook the failings of my past?’
‘If not for your past, you might not have proven to be the honourable man that I trust and admire today.’
A lump wedged in his throat. He swallowed his nerves. ‘And is there a chance, with time, that you might learn to love me?’
‘No.’
His heart exploded as if under fire from cannon. He would never recover to pick u
p the pieces. There was no incentive to draw his next breath. His hands fell from her face to rest by his side. Had her purpose in saying yes to marrying him been only to antagonise Gareth? ‘You have every right to reject me.’
She pressed a palm to his cheek. ‘I’m sorry, Miles. I can’t learn to love a man whom I already love. I can only learn to love him more with each day.’
Miles blinked. Were those tears she wiped from his eyes? He hadn’t cried since his father died.
Delicate fingers lingered on a caress along his jaw. ‘Did you hear me, Miles Fenton? I love you.’
Her sensitive touch and heartfelt words brought him back to life. Warmth intensified and spread through him with giddy force. He took her in his arms and kissed her with all the gratitude that had resurrected his heart.
Eventually he drew back. ‘I love you, Eloise. You bring me completely undone.’
‘Not as much as this will.’ She smiled a secretive smile, took his hand and placed it over her abdomen. ‘I say it’s a boy.’
Shock rendered Miles momentarily speechless. A rush of joy speared him. ‘I should have known.’ He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her close. ‘Sail the stars! You’ve made me a proud man, Eloise.’
The sound of a loud cough drew them apart. Julian and Derby approached.
Derby slapped a firm hand on Miles’s shoulder. ‘You’re finally free to re-enter society as the true and legal Duke of Arlington.’
Julian held out his hand. ‘I believe this belongs to you, Your Grace.’
Miles looked down to see the ducal ring resting in Julian’s palm. He took it and slid it effortlessly onto his finger. In that instant, he shook off the invisible shackles that had burdened him all these years. He took Eloise’s hand in his and led her towards the house.
Towards their future.
Epilogue
Arlington Palace, spring 1745
Eloise gave a triumphant shout as her mare carried her across the finishing line in the Palace parklands. Miles conceded defeat, only by a horse’s head.
They dismounted and handed the reins to a waiting groomsman who led the horses away.
Eloise seized the opportunity to gloat. ‘My dear husband, you may be master of Arlington Palace, but when it comes to a challenge on horseback, I reign supreme.’
She relished the strength of his hard body when he pulled her close.
Dark eyes held a devilish promise. ‘Then perhaps I’ll assert my prowess in our bedchamber tonight.’
His deep, rich voice stroked her like a caress. Her body stirred.
Miles threw his head back and laughed. ‘The Duchess doth blush. Come, let’s rejoin the family picnic.’
Family. It didn’t seem that long ago that her brother had expressed his concern over seeing her live out her days as an unhappy spinster. That she would have to find something to occupy her time.
How full and immensely satisfying her life had become. Eloise touched the locket at her throat, the portrait of her parents still concealed within. She knew without a doubt that they would be proud of Miles, devoted husband and doting father to three-month-old baby Nathaniel. Miles would love and fiercely protect his family with his life.
He continued to prove himself a man of principle, having liberally recompensed Viscount Derby for the financial losses suffered at the hands of Gareth. He’d reinstated the coachmen Gareth had dismissed and restored Arlington Palace to its original grandeur. Tenants on surrounding estates enjoyed a happier existence.
He’d not forgotten Mercy Island and its people. Seth captained many a voyage to trade rum and sugar for commodities beneficial to the island’s growth and prosperity.
Eloise considered it a blessing that Julian and Miles had re-established the bonds of friendship.
Now, contentment filled Eloise to see her family members enjoy a picnic lunch upon the verdant lawns behind the palace. Lord and Lady Wentworth, and Catherine laughed at Julian, who made ridiculous faces and sounds to entertain Beth. The toddler squealed with delight.
Maisy passed Nathaniel into Eloise’s arms. ‘An angel such as this one deserves many brothers and sisters.’ She winked and made her way over to the others.
Eloise caught her husband’s mischievous grin. Warmth flooded her cheeks knowing he’d already be planning tonight’s seduction.
He pulled a piece of folded parchment from his riding jacket. ‘I received this earlier today. All the way from Mercy Island. It’s from Seth. I’d like you to read it.’
What was behind the glint in his eyes? Eloise carefully handed Nathaniel into his arms. The doting look he gave their dark-haired son tugged at her heart.
Eloise quietly read the letter. It bore news of Judd and his wife and the rapid growth of their twins. Two more sugar mills had been constructed to expand the plantation.
Elation had her glance up from the letter. ‘Seth and Lily are married! With a child on the way! This is excellent news.’
Miles laughed. ‘Yes. The crafty sea-dog.’ His expression turned wistful. ‘It would have been nice to have attended their wedding.’
He’d spoken in accord with her sentiment. ‘Not one day passes me by when I don’t think about Mercy Island and its people.’
Miles raised an eyebrow in query.
Eloise smiled. ‘I found happiness aboard a ship and embraced adventure upon the high seas.’
She slid her little finger into the grip of Nathaniel’s tiny fist. ‘When our son is old enough to understand, I’ll tell him how his mother found love in the captain’s arms.’ She winked at Miles. ‘A pirate no less.’
Eloise kissed her son’s chubby cheek. ‘My dear Nathaniel, not only did your mother give her heart to a pirate, she fell in love with a lord most worthy of his title.’
‘A pirate lord?’ laughed Miles.
Eloise glanced up at him. ‘Father,’ she said. Heartfelt emotion welled in her husband’s eyes. ‘Of course, if you wish to fill our son’s head with images of a dashing, swashbuckling rogue, then just remember I’ll be the one to set him straight.’
‘Without a doubt!’
Eloise folded the letter. ‘Tell me, honestly. Do you miss your life at sea? Or your home on Mercy Island? Would it please you to live there?’
His fingers caressed the curve of her jaw, the swell of her lips. ‘I’d be lying if I said I could ever forget that part of my life. The island, the people, the Justice. They’ll always be a part of me. One day we’ll return.’ He looked down at his cooing son. ‘As a family.’
‘I should like that very much. It’s important to me that Nathaniel knows and understands the man you were, and the man you have become.’
‘Indeed. For now, I trust Seth and those who’ve been employed to run the plantation. My home is here, in England, with you and our son.’
Eloise thought it impossible to love Miles any more than she did at this very moment. She saw her love reflected in his eyes. ‘You’re certain of this?’
His gaze fell to their dark-eyed son, then lifted to linger on her face. The back of his hand grazed her cheek. He dipped his head to softly brush his lips over hers. ‘Duchess, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.’
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of America: two incredible organisations from whom I’ve learned so much.
Sincere thanks to my agent, Alex Adsett for championing The Pirate Lord. Special thanks to Lex Hirst, my amazing editor, and the team at Penguin Random House Australia for your courteous, proficient and professional guidance.
To the HOGs (Hearts of Gold). You are so much more to me than a critique group. My gratitude goes to Lisa Barry, Allen Brown, Lorena Chiappara, Winifred Cross, Bronwyn Houldsworth, Claire Molloy and Michelle Skidmore.
Thank you to my friends and family for your genuine interest in my passion to write.
Heartfelt love to my daughter and son, my pride and joy. Thanks for your constant support and cheering me on. Finally,
deepest love and thanks to my husband and soul mate. Your supreme confidence in me lifts me on high. Thanks for all the cups of tea and treats you bring me when I’m tapping away at my keyboard.
About the Author
Before residing in Australia, Vanda’s birthplace and early childhood years were spent in Papua New Guinea. At the age of eleven, a holiday in England sparked an interest in the days of old. Castles, ruins, and discovering Jane Austen novels inspired a life-long interest in all things historical, a passion that later kick-started Vanda’s desire to write historical romance.
Vanda has studied and worked in the field of Education, teaching Literacy and Numeracy to children and adults. She’s also worked as a PA, a recruitment consultant and now in home furnishings.
Her two children, of whom she’s immensely proud, have flown the coop and are successfully making their own way in the world.
Vanda and her husband live on the Gold Coast in Queensland where they enjoy walks along world-renowned beaches or a quiet getaway to the lush hills of the Hinterland.
Eliza’s Home
by Rachael Herron
It’s 1945, the war is over, the GIs are returning … and Eliza Masterson is on the run from her unhappy marriage. At least she would be if her truck hadn’t broken down in the middle of nowhere and her money hadn’t, quite literally, flown out the window.
So when Joshua Carpenter, a cowboy with the most brilliant blue eyes she has ever seen, stops to offer her help, Eliza can’t afford to say no …
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Telling the story of one of her most loved characters, Eliza’s Home is an absolute treat for Rachael Herron fans, and anyone who can’t resist a captivating tale of love …
This heart-warming novella, set in the 1940s, is a prequel to Rachael Herron’s bestselling novel, Eliza’s Gift. Home isn’t always a place …