Charity's Cross

by Marylu Tyndall

  Smiling, Elias slid a finger down her jaw, sending heat fluttering through her. “And me, I’m just as foolish. I blamed myself entirely for Caleigh’s accident, without considering God’s sovereignty and people’s choices.” He chuckled. “You blamed God for everything and I blamed only myself. Quite a pair we are!”

  She smiled. “Things are not so black and white, are they?”

  “Indeed. God is on His throne, but this world is ruled by Satan. As long as that is true, evil will abound.”

  Charity stared up at him, shifting her eyes between his, longing for this moment to never end…knowing it would when she told him the truth. “Elias, I must tell—”

  He placed a finger on her lips to silence her, then lifted her hand for a kiss. “Let me speak first.” He drew a deep breath. “Charity, I’ve never known such an enchanting, exquisite woman. You are kind, generous, forgiving, pure, and proper. You don’t seek after status or fortune, and you love children. How can I do anything but that which my heart begs me to do. I love you, Charity. Will you do me the honor of accepting a courtship between us? With every intention of making it permanent.” Expectant hope reigned in his smile.

  Her heart nearly exploded in her chest. How could such a magnificent man love her? She was none of those things he said. But she could become them, couldn’t she? With God’s help. “Oh, Elias.” Sobs of joy cluttered in her throat as a tear spilled down her cheeks.

  Tell him.

  “You don’t know everything about me, Elias.”

  “I know enough, my little mermaid.” He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I can bear it no longer, have mercy and give me your answer.” Releasing her hands, he reached around his neck, pulled his cross over his head, and handed it to her.

  More tears spilled. “I can’t take this, Elias. ’Tis too special to you.”

  He shook his head. “I no longer need it. In my pride, I tried to take the place of God. I want you to have it.” He closed her fingers around it. “To remind you that God loves you. And that I love you.”

  She took it, holding it against her bosom. When she looked up, his lips met hers, and the world around her faded into an ecstasy of light and hope, love and protection. Ah, to belong to this man!

  He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her against his chest, exploring her mouth with his, gently, lovingly, causing pleasurable ripples down to her toes. She could get lost in him, in the tender way he touched her as if she were precious and fragile, in the shelter of his arms, the safety, the love…she hadn’t thought such feelings possible.

  He groaned and pressed her even closer.

  “Ah, how touching.” Ballard’s voice broke the trance, sending Charity pushing from Elias.

  “Have you no decency, Ballard? ’Twas a private moment.” Elias took a stance in front of her.

  “So I see.”

  “We have just agreed to a courtship. There was nothing improper.”

  “Improper! Lud!” Ballard laughed so hard, he pressed a hand on his belly. “I’ll tell you what is improper. A preacher courting a woman carrying a bastard child.”

  Charity’s blood turned cold.

  Fists at his side, Elias charged toward him. “I’ll call you to swords for such a lie!”

  Ballard merely shrugged, his tone conciliatory. “The maid told me. She saw Miss Westcott’s condition with her own eyes. I thought I should warn you, Captain, before you made a tragic mistake. I know how you value truth and purity in women.”

  Elias swept his gaze toward her, inquisitive eyes, searching eyes…waiting…waiting for her to deny the accusation.

  Her stomach sank like a millstone. All hope drained from her heart, leaving naught but a cracked shell. “’Tis the truth, Elias. I should have told you.”

  He shifted his boots on the carpet, shoved a hand through his hair, all the while gaping at her as if she were the Kraken rising from the sea. “Villemont’s child?”

  She nodded, watching the admiration, the love of only a moment ago spill from his eyes, replaced by shock, confusion, and finally fury. Growling, he marched to the bookcase and punched the poor defenseless tomes lining the shelves.

  Smiling, Ballard slipped out. The snake.

  Anger temporarily shoved aside Charity’s shame. “Why are you so furious when you did the same thing? It’s all right for you, but not for me?”

  He spun around. “That’s not it. You lied to me.”

  She had, but not about this. “I simply didn’t tell you. As you simply didn’t tell me about Edmund.”

  His jaw flexed. His eyes narrowed. “I waited until you knew about Edmund before asking for a courtship. When were you planning on telling me?”

  “Tonight.” A tremble overtook her and she hugged herself, shame returning. “I’m so sorry, Elias. I’ve been trying to tell you. I just…I didn’t want to ruin the moment.” God had told her to tell him… but she’d delayed, she’d hesitated, once again not trusting Him.

  Elias released a huge breath and slowly approached her. The lines on his face faded along with the rage in his eyes. “You’re right. We both made the same mistake.” He took her hands and stared at her belly. “But a babe?” He shook his head.

  “Aye, four months now.” She followed his gaze to the life growing within her. “I understand if you wish to withdraw your offer.” ’Twould be the best thing. Then she could leave without having to tell him the rest. As it was, she could hardly bear the loss of admiration in his eyes.

  Releasing her hands, he backed away, lips tight. “I’ll admit ’tis a surprise I wasn’t expecting.”

  “I understand.” She held out the cross to him, forcing back tears, ready to dash out as soon as he took it.

  He didn’t take it. “Please Charity, I can’t tolerate any more lies. Nothing Rachel told me was the truth. Even her affections for me were a lie.”

  A single tear spilled over her lashes. “You know mine are not, Elias. I love you. I will always love you.” She would give him that. Mayhap it would comfort him in the days to come.

  “I need time to think.” His moist eyes found hers, and her heart shriveled at the pain in them. He pushed her hands, bearing the cross, back to her bosom. “Keep the cross. I’m not withdrawing my offer.” He gave a sad smile, then pulled her into an embrace. “No more lies, Charity. No more lies.”

  There, pressed against his firm chest, his scent flooding her nose, Charity could no longer hold back the torrent of tears. He understood! He wasn’t withdrawing the offer. Was it possible she could have a life with this man?

  “Charity what is the matter? Shhh. Shhh.” He rubbed her back and planted a kiss on her head. “’Tis alright now. No need to cry.”

  Horses neighed outside, the front door crashed open, and voices echoed through the foyer.

  Nudging her back, Elias opened a wooden box on the desk and withdrew a pistol. “Stay here,” he said before heading out the door.

  But a voice…a familiar voice bade Charity follow him. Clutching the cross, she crept out behind him, surprised to see a group of men filling the foyer. She spotted Ballard and, oddly, Nelson among them. Her pulse hitched.

  But ’twas the man who hobbled to the front who caused her heart to stop.

  Her brother-in-law, Charles Gregson, Lord Villemont.

  Chapter 28

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Though Elias spotted Ballard and Nelson among the mob of intruders, he kept his pistol raised at the six men he didn’t recognize. All of them well armed. One of them, a light-haired man donned in fine satin, limped toward the front, cane pounding on the tile, haughty brow lifted, as if he were the king of England himself.

  Charity’s footsteps sounded behind Elias. Blast the woman’s disobedience! Motioning her to come no closer, he took a stance in front of her. “Ballard, Nelson, Explain yourselves! Who are these men?”

  Duncan charged into the foyer, musket leveled on the men. “Indeed, what are you doing in my home?”

  Wearing a superio
r grin, the light-haired leader peeked around Elias at Charity. “I’m here to arrest a fugitive, Mr. … Mr…”

  “Duncan Bennet, the owner of this estate. And you are?” Two footmen appeared behind Duncan, also armed.

  This seemed to bear no effect on the light-haired man. “You may address me as Lord Villemont.”

  Elias gulped. This was the man who courted Charity, who beat her? Fury took over reason. He charged him. The man’s eyes widened, but before he or his men could react, Elias slugged him across the jaw. His Lordship stumbled backward, cane and arms flailing, nearly knocking over Ballard, while his men cocked pistols and leveled them at Elias.

  One of them poked Elias in the chest with the barrel and attempted to push him back.

  He didn’t budge. Instead, he cast Lord Villemont a scathing look. “Come to beat her some more? Is that it? Couldn’t find another defenseless woman to torture?”

  Gage and Josiah dashed into the foyer, pistols in hand, and stood on either side of Elias.

  Outside the open front door, a thick blackness ruled the night, and Elias was tempted to shove these vile specters back into the sludge from whence they came.

  “Is that what she told you? Pshaw!” Villemont rose to his full height, withdrew a handkerchief, and wiped blood from his lip. “Touch me again, Sir, and you will pay.”

  Ballard grinned as if enjoying the proceedings, while Nelson crossed arms over his chest, looking bored. The rest of the men kept their weapons raised and their determined eyes pinned on Elias and Duncan.

  Duncan cocked his musket. “Get out of my home, or you’ll be the one who pays, milord!”

  “I will be happy to leave once you hand over the lady.” Villemont gestured behind Elias.

  Elias finally glanced at her. What he saw brought him no comfort. Lips trembling, face white, she gripped the stair post for support and refused to meet his gaze. He faced forward again. “And why would we do that?”

  “Because she is a fugitive and I’m bringing her back to England to stand trial.”

  “For what crime?”

  “Murder.”

  Elias chuckled. “Then you have the wrong lady. She has been with me for the past two weeks.”

  “I agree, Sir. ’Tis why I’ve been chasing you.” Villemont sighed in exasperation as if Elias were an ignorant dolt. “Do you wonder why she allied herself so easily to a stranger? I was in Nassau about to capture her when she convinced you to take her aboard that merchantman.”

  A breeze swept in and stirred the candlelit sconces on the wall, casting eerie shadows on the floor and sending a chill over Elias. The hairs on the back of his neck stiffened as he remembered the desperation and fear he’d seen in her eyes. But nay. Couldn’t be. He gazed back at her. She melted in a heap of skirts on the bottom tread of the stairs.

  Outside a monkey howled.

  “Ah.” Villemont chuckled. “You believe she loves you!”

  Nelson and Ballard snickered, joined by grunts of amusement from the other men.

  “She convinced my brother of that as well.” Villemont said with spite. “Before she shot him in the heart.”

  Pieces of a very demented puzzle came together in Elias’ mind, causing his heart to fold in on itself. “And who exactly is your brother?”

  Villemont’s dark eyes speared to a point. “The late, Herbert Gregson, Lord Villemont. Her husband.”

  Elias’ stomach turned to ash. He snapped his gaze to Charity, but she refused to meet it.

  The tick-tock of a clock hanging on the wall penetrating the ensuing silence. Tick-tock tick-tock tick tock…counting down the final minutes of his happiness.

  “Ah, of course. You didn’t know.” Villemont’s tone was taunting. “She wouldn’t have disclosed her dark heart for fear of not getting what she needed from you.”

  Josiah groaned. Gage turned to stare at Charity.

  So did Elias. “Tell me this isn’t true. Tell me he’s lying, and I will force these men to leave at once.”

  She lifted her tear stained face to his. “He speaks the truth,” she said numbly.

  Elias might have been gouged by an anchor for the pain that stabbed his entire body. Gage cursed and lowered his pistol.

  Ballard grinned.

  “Hand her over.” Villemont limped forward, tapping his cane on the tiles.

  Elias blinked. He couldn’t think…couldn’t breathe…couldn’t move. This can’t be happening! Not again!

  Gesturing for his men to lower their weapons, Duncan came to his rescue and stepped before the lady, mermaid, vixen…liar, whoever she was. “Pray, milord,” he addressed Villemont. “Night is upon us. You cannot set sail until morning. Allow her to remain here tonight.”

  “So she can escape?” Villemont snorted.

  “Post a man at her chamber door and one outside her window, a regiment of men if you desire. No need for hostility.” He glanced at Elias, but Elias was having trouble breathing.

  Duncan gave Villemont a forced smile. “’Twas merely a misunderstanding. And to make amends, I insist you join us for a meal and spend the night. Surely, you are famished and exhausted from such an arduous journey. My cook is known for her delicacies.”

  Lord Villemont’s men licked their lips, eyes sparking to life. His Lordship, on the other hand, took a moment as he gazed around suspiciously, eyes flaring at Charity, fingering his chin, before finally conceding. “Very well. I thank you for your hospitality. Lower your weapons, you oafs!” He shouted to his men.

  Duncan quickly ordered one of his men to escort Charity upstairs, while Villemont sent three of his behind them.

  Elias’ blood turned to razors in his veins, slicing their way to his heart. He heard the men assist Charity to her feet, heard her sobbing. But he couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

  He just stood there, the room hazy around him, the air heavy with sorrow, until finally servants entered to escort the guests to their rooms. Still Elias remained, as if in a dream, waiting to wake up.

  Ballard’s defiant snort did the trick as the man turned to leave, Nelson beside him.

  “Why, Ballard?” Elias asked.

  Spinning around, Ballard smirked. “Do you think I wanted to sail with the likes of you? Do you think I enjoyed lowering my station and taking orders from the man who murdered my parents?”

  “What?” Elias’ head spun. “I didn’t…” Shifting his stance, he squeezed the bridge of his nose. He had convinced them to become missionaries. But the choice had been theirs in the end. He sighed and shook his head at the irony. Just like Elias had blamed himself, and Charity had blamed God, Ballard blamed Elias. Wasn’t it just like human nature to want someone to blame for life’s tragedies? Someone on whom to enact revenge.

  Stupid, stupid! Elias cursed himself. How could he have been so naïve? “And you Nelson?” he asked. “I took you on my ship, befriended you.”

  “Sorry, Cap’n. Nothin’ personal. I was after the forty-pound reward.” He shook the pouch at his belt.

  Of course. Elias hung his head. More betrayals, more deceptions.

  He hoped they were at an end, for he didn’t think he could take any more.

  ♥♥♥

  Toppling to the floor in a heap, Charity buried her head in her skirts and wept. Her chamber door slammed shut, and she heard the men who were to guard her settle outside against the wall.

  “Oh, God, why? Why?” she wailed. “All is lost.” She’d lost everything. Her freedom, her life, but worst of all, she’d lost Elias. Not only lost him but lost his love as well. He hated her. And she didn’t blame him one bit. He’d never looked at her once as they led her away. In fact, after he realized the truth, he never looked at her at all. Once again just when happiness and love seemed a possibility…within her reach, her husband stole them away, torturing her from his grave, sending his brother to exact the punishment he would have given her for the rest of her life had he lived. She could almost hear him snickering. “You thought you’d escape me? Pish! My dear.
You are mine forever!”

  Indeed. She rose and wiped her face, trying to settle her convulsing body. Clutching Elias’ cross to her chest, she gazed at the moonlight taunting her with freedom through her window. She should have accepted her fate with Lord Villemont, waited for God to show her a way of escape, offered no resistance. Then she wouldn’t be a murderer, and she wouldn’t have taunted—no, tortured—herself with a life she could never have. And her heart wouldn’t now be crushed so badly, she doubted it could ever be put together again. Yet all of her bad choices…all of them had led her here. To this moment of agony. Even her last foolish choice to not tell Elias the entire truth, though God had asked her to.

  Would things have ended differently if she had? Sighing, she lifted the cross and kissed it. One of her tears spilled onto the wood, christening it with her love…only causing more tears to flow. She might have been able to bear losing him, but she couldn’t bear his scorn.

  She moved to the window and leaned on the frame, gazing upward at the black sky sprinkled with silver beads. “Father, I’m so sorry. Once again, I took matters into my own hands and didn’t trust You. Now, I’m to be trapped, imprisoned, living or dying at the behest of others. Oh, please help me.”

  Fear clutched her heart so tight, she felt it would shrivel away. What would happen to her baby? She ran a hand over her rounded belly. Would they wait for her birth before they hanged her? Would they take him away from her, put him in an orphanage where he wouldn’t receive love or care or even enough food?

  Tears flowed again and she crumbled into a ball on the floor.

  Sometime in the night, the latch on her door clicked and someone stepped inside. Too light-footed to be Elias—as Charity first hoped—the footsteps tapped over the carpet. Pushing from the floor, Charity squinted in the darkness. Skirts swished. The scent of lavender wafted over her, and Rose touched her arm.