Charity's Cross

by Marylu Tyndall

  Elias glanced toward them, sending the ladies into a flurry of chatter, waves, and fluttering fans. Bah! “The Chesterfield daughters. Egad! Have they not been married off yet?” He glanced down at his son. He’d thought the lad would be a deterrent to highborn families from allowing their daughters even a glance his way. But that had not been the case.

  “Oh, you poor man, so many women admirers,” Charity quipped.

  “Jealous?” He winked.

  Rose sighed. “I daresay, Elias, they are not going to give up on you until you are married.” She cast a quick glance at Charity, which he was glad Charity didn’t see.

  “Papa, can we dance with Miss Charity?” Edmund tugged on his coat.

  “Why, thank you, Edmund,” Charity said with a sigh of impatience. “Finally someone has asked me to dance.”

  Grinning, Elias led Charity and Edmund to a far corner away from the main dancers, where they mimicked their moves as a threesome—an awkward threesome. But a rather delightful threesome, all laughing and enjoying the moment.

  Several people came up to meet the new young lady, while thankfully Elias’ admirers had given up and were otherwise engaged.

  Finally, when Edmund could no longer keep his eyes open, Elias called a footman to carry the lad up to Mrs. Norsen.

  Now he had Charity all to himself. If he could but find the time and the right moment, he intended to ask for her hand.

  ♥♥♥

  Charity was living a dream. A dream she’d not had since she was a little girl. A dream of romance and love and passion. In the arms of this magnificent man, gliding over the floor to the music of Bach, Handel, Corelli, and Rameau, candlelight shimmering over them like falling stars, and his eyes intent on hers, she never wanted to leave. ’Twas an impossible, beautiful dream meant for princesses and pious ladies. Certainly not broken, lying murderesses.

  Yet she felt like none of those horrid things tonight. Tonight she felt adored and cherished and even good and kind and pure—at least that’s what she saw reflected in Elias’ eyes.

  And she could stare at his image of her forever.

  In this case, forever would last only one night.

  But she would remember this night forever.

  “I’ve never seen you smile so much, Miss Westcott,” Elias said as he took her hand and led her in the minuet.

  Charity blushed. “I give myself away.”

  “If by that you mean you are happy in my arms, I’m thankful you can no longer hide it.”

  “No longer?” She smiled as they parted and twirled around. “You are quite sure of yourself.” She realized she was flirting with him, so unlike her. Yet it seemed so natural with this man.

  He stepped toward her, and they touched hands then parted quickly. “With you, Miss, I fear I am never sure.”

  Charity wheeled around the couple behind them, then met Elias again. “You dance quite well for a preacher-pirate.”

  “Neither occupation preclude good breeding, Miss.”

  “As I have discovered.”

  He swept her past another couple, and she was surprised to see Mr. Gage with one of Elias’ lady admirers. “Mr. Gage seems to be enjoying himself.”

  He followed her gaze and smiled. “And last I spoke to him, I smelled no alcohol on his breath.”

  “Perhaps your sermons are having some effect on him, after all.”

  They touched right hands, then left hands, and spun around.

  “If only they would penetrate your heart as well,” Elias said in passing.

  “Why, whatever do you mean, Sir? I don’t take to drink.”

  He smiled, but they parted again, preventing his response.

  Good. She didn’t want to talk about God or her past or anything serious tonight. She wanted only to remember how it felt to float over the dance floor, the envy of every lady in the room, how gentle Elias’ touch was on her hand, the deep tenor of his voice, and his blue eyes exuding affection and admiration.

  They met again, hands grazing. “Edmund is quite taken with you.”

  “I’m quite taken with him. He’s a charming boy.”

  “He doesn’t warm to most people so quickly.” Elias turned around and faced her again. “You are good with children.”

  “I love children.” Her voice held more sorrow than she wanted, so she started to add, “They are—”

  A woman screeched, halting some of the dancers as a man in sailor attire, armed with pistol and sword dashed into the room, four men at his heels. He whisked away strands of coal-black hair from his face and searched the crowd. Upon spotting Elias, he charged toward him.

  “Elias.”

  He held out his hand, and Elias gripped his arm in return. “Caleb. I heard you were in town. Thank you for coming to my sister’s aid.”

  “Of course. We are family. If I had known of her troubles, I’d have been here sooner. But there is an urgent matter at hand.” He spared a glance toward Charity.

  “Mr. Caleb Hyde, may I present Miss Charity Westcott.”

  The handsome man bowed slightly, took her hand, and placed a kiss upon it. “A pleasure.”

  “Hyde, as in the earl of Clarendon?” she asked. “Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde?”

  “My grandfather, Miss. Do you know him?”

  “Nay, I’ve not had the pleasure.” Charity had never been introduced to an earl’s grandson. Especially not one as famous as the great earl Edmund Merrick turned pirate. But she hadn’t time to ask him any further questions.

  “Time is of the essence, Elias. I need your help. Do you have men here?”

  “Aye.” Elias glanced across the room. “I’ll gather them and meet you outside.”

  “Miss, if you’ll excuse me.” Mr. Hyde dipped his head. Gripping the hilt of his sword, he left the room, leaving a trail of swooning women in his path.

  Charity put her hand on Elias’ arm. “What is it?”

  “I suspect trouble from those trying to drive us from the land.” He searched the crowd then faced her with a smile. “Naught to alarm yourself over. Enjoy the rest of the party, and I shall see you tomorrow.” Then planting a kiss on her cheek, he sped off, interrupting Gage’s dance and Josiah’s flirtations as he went.

  Enjoy the party without him? Unlikely. Yet as she watched him dash out the door, many of the guests buzzing in speculation, she knew what she had to do. Leave. Leave while she could, leave with her treasure chest full of memories from such a wonderful night. She was a fool for staying as long as she had. But when Edmund had run into her bedchamber and the three of them descended the stairs to the party, she couldn’t tear herself away from the dream of having such a family.

  If only for an hour…or two.

  Still, how cruel and selfish of her to keep up the charade when Elias made his intentions obvious. He would ask for permission to court her, of that she was sure.

  If only she could say yes.

  She wove through the crowd, her plan to first seek out Rose to thank her for her kindness, and then head to the stables to find a groomsman to drive her into town.

  But Rose didn’t look too well. Perched on the same chair where Charity had left her, face pale, eyes wide, she bent over, gripping her waist. No one around her seemed to notice her discomfort, not even the two ladies who stood by her side chattering away.

  Dropping to her knees, Charity grabbed her hand. “Rose, what’s the matter?”

  The lady clawed at Charity’s arm, eyes burning with pain. “Please, help me.”

  Chapter 25

  “What news?” Sliding his foot in the stirrup, Elias swung onto the back of a chestnut gelding and took the reins from the groomsman. Beside him, Caleb’s steed pawed the ground in anticipation.

  “Vigilantes spotted on the eastern boundary. Carrying torches. We think they intend to set fire to the barn full of recently harvested sugarcane ready to be transported to the mill.”

  Elias nodded and glanced at Ballard, Gage, and Josiah, fully armed, mounted on horses behind them. G
age and Josiah looked a little more than nervous on their frisky horses. Elias smiled. Most sailors hadn’t opportunities to perfect their equestrian skills.

  Behind his men, ten more were mounted and ready to go, some workers from his sister’s estate and others from Caleb’s ship.

  Caleb stared off into the night, his black hair blowing behind him. “We fended off a band of them last night, shot two and ran a sword through one. I thought that would stop them, but apparently they need another lesson.”

  “Then let’s teach them one, shall we?” Elias raised his brow.

  Grinning, Caleb nudged his horse, and they charged into the night.

  An hour later, shirt dampened with sweat, Elias raised his sword to fend off his opponent’s latest attack. Moonlight shimmered off the advancing blade, making it easy for Elias to knock it to the side. Metal on metal chimed through the night air, along with grunts and groans, and the stomp of boots in mud. Beside him, Caleb swept his blade in low and sliced his adversary’s leg. Howling, the man fell to the ground.

  They had come upon the band of miscreants just yards from the barn. Though they were outnumbered two to one, Caleb’s expertise in battle, along with Elias’ skill with the sword, had encouraged their men to make quick work of the villains.

  Several had already abandoned the fight.

  The man who now attacked Elias, upon seeing his companion fall, tossed his blade to the ground and darted into the darkness.

  Another man picked up the sword and swung it at Elias. He leapt out of the way just in time and pivoted to slice his blade across the man’s arm.

  Caleb knocked a new attacker over the head with the hilt of his sword, then turned to face another, while in the distance, Ballard, Gage, Josiah and the rest of the men shouted and grunted as they battled the remaining scoundrels.

  The smell of sweat, blood, and, oddly, night jasmine filled Elias’ nose as he rushed his opponent, sword swirling aloft and then cleaving down with a hissing sound. The man met his blade, the eerie chime echoing into the night. Back and forth they parried until Elias nicked the villain’s belly and knocked his sword from his hand. Eyes wide, the fellow took off faster than his wide girth should allow.

  Caleb plucked out his pistol and pointed it at his opponent’s head. Trembling, hands raised, the man fell to his knees. “Don’t kill me! Please…don’t kill me!”

  The rest of the vigilantes, seeing their leader cowering before Caleb, fled into the night.

  Grabbing ahold of the man’s collar, Caleb jerked him to stand, then spun him around and kicked him in the behind. “Take a message to your benefactors. Any man who dares attack Bennett land again will have an appointment with the devil.”

  The man stumbled across the field, never looking back, and disappeared into the jungle.

  Panting, Caleb wiped a sleeve over his forehead. “That should put them off until Duncan arrives with the King’s command.”

  “Indeed.” Elias smiled and clapped him on the back. “A pleasure to fight by your side.”

  “’Twas fun, wasn’t it?” Caleb grinned.

  Gage approached, splatters of blood on his shirt, and Elias gripped his shoulder. “Good fighting for a surgeon.”

  Grinning, Gage flipped his knife in the air and caught it by the hilt. “Who says a surgeon’s only skill with a knife is on the operating table?”

  Elias searched the men and found Josiah sheathing his sword. “Where’s Ballard?”

  Gage shrugged. “He was just here, Captain.”

  After ensuring all their enemies had fled, Caleb and Elias mounted their horses and led their battle-weary men back to the estate. Aside from some minor cuts and bruises, no one was hurt badly, thank God. Except Ballard had disappeared. Odd. Perhaps the man was a coward and ran back to the house.

  Moonlight banded the sugar fields in silver while a breeze cooled the sweat on Elias’ arms and neck.

  “I hated that I wasn’t here when Rose needed me,” he said to Caleb riding beside him.

  “You were at your sister’s wedding in London, correct?”

  Elias nodded.

  “Then ’tis no need for remorse. God is with Rose, and He sent me as well.”

  “How did you even know to come?”

  “I didn’t. Just a feeling, something in my spirit. I expect that was God.” Caleb chuckled.

  Elias nudged his horse around a large rock. “But I should have been here. I knew she was with child and all alone.”

  “’Tis her husband’s and God’s charge, not yours. You aren’t God’s appointed champion of the world, you know.”

  Elias grimaced. Hadn’t his sister just told him the same thing? “Nay, but He made me defender of my family.”

  “He did?” Caleb smiled. “You must be quite powerful and resourceful for Him to charge you with such a responsibility.”

  Frowning at the man’s sarcasm, Elias withdrew his cross from beneath his shirt, barely making it out in the dim light. “After I behaved the fool and ruined my sister’s life, how could God do any less?”

  “You speak of Caleigh?”

  Elias nodded, but couldn’t bring himself to say her name. The cry of a nighthawk rose to accompany the stomp of horses’ hooves in mud and the distant waves crashing ashore.

  Caleb gave an incredulous snort. “You blame yourself? She lost her leg because she foolishly ran after that woman … what was her name?”

  “Rachel.” A sour taste filled Elias’ mouth. “And ’twas me who brought that woman into my home long enough for her to pretend to befriend Caleigh.”

  “Caleigh chased after Rachel of her own volition. Against your parents’ orders.”

  “She was young and vulnerable, and with all her sisters away, desperate for a friend her own age.”

  Caleb turned the horse onto the Bennett driveway leading to the stables. “You carry a huge burden on your shoulders, Elias.”

  “Can you deny I ruined her life?”

  “Indeed, I can. I recently saw her in Charles Towne. She seemed quite happy. In fact, your mother says she has so many suitors she cannot choose.”

  Bah! That couldn’t be true. What gentleman would court a woman who couldn’t walk, who would never walk. Not many he knew. “I don’t believe you.”

  Caleb laughed. “Begad, Sir. Are you calling the son of a pirate, the grandson of a pirate, a liar?”

  Elias smiled. “I wouldn’t dare. I’ve just seen your skill with the sword.”

  “Wise man.”

  They arrived at the stables, and Elias dismissed the men who had injuries to Gage’s care.

  “You should have your surgeon attend to that as well.” Caleb pointed to a cut on Elias’ arm.

  “’Tis nothing.” Elias hesitated. Part of him wanted to run back to Charity, part of him needed to continue his discussion with Caleb, needed to sort out his thoughts. His friend had always been a good listener and someone Elias trusted.

  Caleb must have sensed his need. “Walk with me, Elias.”

  Together they strolled through the gardens in silence, listening to the chirp of katydids drifting atop orchestra music from the house.

  Stopping by a stone fountain, Caleb faced Elias. A dark cloud swallowed up the moon, hiding his expression. “Did it ever occur to you that mayhap ’twas God’s will Caleigh lost her leg?”

  “Nay!” Elias growled. “Never let it be said God would ordain such a thing.”

  “Have you spent much time with your sister since the accident?”

  Thunder rumbled across the sky.

  Elias glanced up and sighed. “’Tis difficult to see her pain, knowing I am the cause.”

  “You and you alone are the cause, is that it?” Picking up a stone, Caleb tossed it into a bush. “No allowance for her own free will or God’s plan? She’s become a different person after the accident, Elias. Kinder, more charitable, considerate. And if I had to guess, closer to God.” He chuckled and speared a hand through his hair. “You must admit she used to be a bit of a spoiled
chit.”

  Against the angst churning in his gut, Elias smiled his agreement as the sweet scent of rain filled the air.

  “Elias, you cannot take all the blame for her accident on yourself, nor burden yourself with the protection of your siblings. First, you must consider that our enemy lurks about like a lion seeking whom he may devour. Next, that the free will of others plays an enormous part in life’s events. And lastly, we never know the plan and purpose of God. His ways are so far beyond our understanding.”

  Rain drops splattered on the stone fountain, splashing Elias’ arms, but they did naught to cool his anger. “I cannot believe the ultimate plan of God was to cripple my sister for life.”

  “It may not have been, but seems He used it for her good anyway. Even if you were partially to blame, what if it was His will? What if God saw the accident as the only way to get Caleigh to turn to Him? Is her leg worth more than her eternal soul?”

  Elias rubbed the back of his neck and gazed at the house. Music, laughter, and light spilled from windows and blended with the darkness beyond. So much like life where light and dark melded so close together ’twas impossible to distinguish one from the other. Thunder growled again as the raindrops grew heavier, tapping on the dirt and leaves, and pummeling his head and shoulders.

  Caleb stood his ground, unaffected by the storm. “A year ago,” he began, raising his voice over the din. “I found myself imprisoned on a Spanish Merchant Ship by my own foolishness. I knew I shouldn’t have gone to Porto Bello. I heard God’s warning loud and clear, but in my stubborn arrogance, I thought I could stop my sister from marrying Don Garcia del Bosque. I failed to trust God and took matters into my own hands. Instead of saving my sister, I was captured and imprisoned on a ship heading for Spain.”

  “I never knew this. What happened?”

  “God in his mercy sent a pirate to the rescue.” Caleb chuckled. “Quite an entertaining pirate, I might add. A Captain Poole. He plundered the Spanish merchantman, rescued me from the hold, and set sail. Soon after, a squall rose so violent it threated the ship and all on board. I felt God leading me to command the waves to be still in the name of Jesus.”