“I do not know.” Lucian smiled at Emma. “But I am sure it will be effective.”
“What if the distraction doesn’t last long enough?”
“It will.”
Emma turned. Although the darkness hid much, he could hear the worry in her voice. “How can you be certain?”
He nudged her with his shoulder. “Jeremy is good at this sort of thing.”
“Truly? Jeremy has helped free a hostage before?”
Lucian smiled and shook his head. “I have yet to tell you what happened to my cousin Jack, Lord Ravenwood, and how Jeremy helped him.”
When he finished, Emma looped a stray curl behind her ear. “That sounds like something from a Penny Dreadful.”
He chuckled. “I know, but it is all true.”
“I can see why you trust Jeremy.”
Lucian sobered. “I do. He and Evie will—”
The shouts of men brought Lucian’s head up. From the door of the coach, he caught the faint whiff of smoke. Something was burning. He grinned. “It won’t be long before Humphrey comes. Are you ready?”
Emma nodded and watched the door.
Three minutes later, Humphrey appeared in the doorway. “The guards are gone.” He held out his hand for Emma, who hurried out.
Lucian scrambled to the ground and noticed the smoke had grown thicker. Shouts sounded in the distance. What had Jeremy and Evie set ablaze? He grinned as he followed Humphrey and Emma to the summer house, having an idea.
Before Emma could race inside, Lucian held her back. “Let me go in first.” When she started to argue, he placed a finger against her lips. “Please.”
She rocked back on her heels and nodded.
Lucian opened the door and glanced around the small, dark room. He took a step, listening for someone moving about. Nothing stirred. With a frown, he crept closer. What if Sean’s fever had returned?
He took another step toward the sofa when a sound made him whirl around. And before Sean could bring the vase down on his head, Lucian clasped onto the man’s wrists. “Sean, it’s me. Lucian.”
Sean lowered the vase and slumped forward. “Thank God. Where is Emma?”
“I’m here,” she said, dashing though the door. Her arms came around Sean, making him grunt. “You are safe now.”
“Come, let us get away before Renfield’s men return,” Lucian said, coming to Sean’s side.
Emma remained at Sean’s other side as they helped him from the house. “What is that? Smoke?” he asked.
“That is Lord and Lady Fielding providing a distraction,” Emma said with a chuckle.
They moved to the trees, Humphrey and two other men followed them to the coach. Lucian was glad to see the driver had used the nearby field to turn the coach in the opposite direction to save time. He helped Sean and Emma inside, then crawled in behind.
Before the door had latched shut, the coach lunged forward. Lucian leaned back against the cushion with a sigh as the horses picked up speed.
“What happened, Sean? How did they find you?” Emma asked.
“I was in Renfield’s coach racing away, then I heard shouting. The coach stopped, and Whitehall opened the door, holding a pistol.” Sean pressed a hand to his sore ribs. “He brought me back to the summer house.”
She patted her brother’s hand. “You are safe now.” Then her hand stilled. “I found it, Sean. I found the gold.”
Sean drew in a quick breath. “Where?”
“Where the crew first touched land. An area I call the jagged tooth.”
“The first location on the map, not the last.” Sean leaned his head back. “Interesting.”
Lucian glanced to Emma. “Is that unusual?”
She smiled, her teeth flashing white in the dimness. “Highly.”
“Why would they make a map, then?” Lucian asked.
“To keep from getting lost.” Emma leaned forward. “They needed to search for food and water, then make it back to the gold.”
Lucian understood. The three men had to sneak the gold off a sinking ship and had no time to gather supplies. They must have been half starved when they landed. He rubbed the growing stubble on his chin. “How did they end up in Ireland?”
“They contracted the Marsh Fever,” Emma pointed out. She looped a loose curl behind her ear. “Renfield said something about his ancestor sending the men away.” Emma straightened. “They must have been ill when they returned to their boat. Knowing they could get caught if they remained in England, they sought the help of the Irish priest instead.” She grinned. “Without a doubt, the men had every intention of returning for the gold once they were well.”
Lucian found her assumption logical. “Yet, they perished instead.”
“Yes. The priest would not dare venture where Cromwell could find him and hid the map.”
Leaning against the cushion, Lucian closed his eyes. He looked forward to sleeping the clock around in a soft bed.
“So, Emma, I hear you have had yet another marriage proposal,” Sean said, laughter in his voice.
Lucian’s eyes flew open. He stared hard at Emma in the darkness, trying to decipher her expression.
She cleared her throat. “We will discuss this later, Sean.”
“Pray, dear sister, do not give the poor man hope when there is none. That is cruel.” Sean shifted on the seat. “Tell him you will not marry him or anyone else.”
Lucian could not believe his ears. Brothers wished to marry off their sisters so they no longer had the responsibility of taking care of them. Especially when they had no wealth. Why did Sean not wish Emma wed?
His anger swelled, burning a hole in his chest. Lucian pressed a hand to the spot, fearing Emma’s next words.
She bowed her head, drawing in a slow, deep breath.
Lucian’s heart skidded to a halt, then hammered painful jolts. She would speak the words that would cut him to the marrow. He was not prepared to hear them. Not from her.
Emma’s head came up. After a moment, she spoke, her voice low and anguished. “Lucian, I—”
He leaned forward and placed a finger against her lips. “You do not have to say the words.” His throat tightened, but he had to finish before he could no longer breathe. “I withdraw the marriage offer.”
Chapter 19
Three days later, Emma stared out the coach window, numb. She should be elated to have her brother back, safe, and relieved to not have to marry Lucian. Instead, she felt hollow, empty. Pressing her forehead against the cool glass, she let out a sigh.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you are upset about something. But, for the life of me, I cannot think why?”
Straightening, Emma turned to Sean. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Her brother’s eyes narrowed to shards. He closed the newspaper he had been reading. “I know you, Emma. Better than anyone else. You might be able to fool others, but not me.” He leaned forward. “Now tell me what is wrong.”
As she opened her mouth, the coach shuddered to a halt. “We have arrived,” she said instead, glancing to the single ship bobbing in the water some distance from the cove. The early morning mist skirted the dark hull, giving it a ghostlike quality. She shivered and jumped when the door opened.
Jeremy held out his hand to assist her to the ground. Emma smiled to hide her disappointment, refusing to admit she had hoped to see Lucian. Her eyes strayed to him, sliding from his horse. She willed him to turn to her, to give her some clue he still cared. As he had done the last three days, he ignored her and marched for the sandy shore where a tall man dressed in black waited beside a dinghy.
Emma scrambled down the iron steps, refusing to glance in Lucian’s direction again. Instead, she watched Sean step from the coach, grateful he gained strength with each day.
As Humphrey retrieved the gold, Evie walked forward, removing the kid gloves from her hands. “I do believe this plan will work.” She grinned, watching Humphrey heft the black chest into the waiting dinghy.
<
br /> Emma refused to glance over her shoulder. “I hope so.”
Evie patted her arm. “Renfield is sure to follow the Ravenwood coach we dispatched two hours before our departure from the estate.” She chuckled and shook her head. “He will have no idea we are taking the gold in a ship.”
Nodding, Emma thought the plan sound.
“Come, I would like you to meet the ship’s captain.” Evie leaned over. “A reformed pirate,” she whispered with a wink, then followed Jeremy and Sean down the path.
Biting her lip, Emma turned. As she walked behind Evie, she kept her eyes diverted from Lucian. Seeing him brought about a strange ache in her middle, something she could not name. She curled her fingers into her palms. Soon, they would part. Forever. Why did that thought intensify the ache?
Hearing Evie speak her name, Emma glanced up and found dark eyes assessing her, as though he could see into her soul. Her breath caught at how much this man resembled Lucian. They could be brothers instead of cousins.
“Jackson Townsend, Lord Ravenwood, please meet Miss Emma Wickham.” Evie’s arm swept over. “Emma, Lord Ravenwood.”
Was she supposed to curtsey? Yes, she was sure of it. But she refused one of Evie’s dresses and wore pants instead. How awkward.
Lord Ravenwood’s lips curled up at the corners. He reached out and took her hand, giving a slight squeeze. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Wickham.”
She cleared her throat. “Emma, if you please, Lord Ravenwood.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “Then I insist you call me Jack.”
Emma liked him immediately. The rumors had to be wrong. How could this charming man have ever been a pirate?
Jack assisted her in the dinghy. She scooted over to make room for Sean. Evie and Jeremy settled in next, and Emma turned to the ship instead of watching Lucian. But she could hear his voice. When he spoke, she swallowed and closed her eyes.
“Perhaps, I should stay behind and make sure Renfield has taken the bait.”
“No, Lucian, that is much too dangerous. You must come with us.” Emma opened her eyes and saw everyone watching her. Had she spoken the words out loud?
Jack nodded. “Emma is right, Lucian. You should not be on your own. It is too dangerous.”
Jeremy agreed. “Humphrey will follow Renfield and send me word,” he said, nodding to the man waiting to shove the dinghy away.
When Emma heard no response, she lifted her gaze and found Lucian staring at her. Her heart picked up speed, beating in painful thuds. Would he refuse? Would she never see him again? No! This could not be last time. She felt her lips form his name.
He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.
Emma waited, hoping he would come. What if he did not? What would she do? She started to rise when Lucian turned to the boat and hopped inside. Pressing a hand against her chest, Emma swallowed the lump in her throat.
Jack stepped in last and Humphrey pushed them from the sand. Soon, they were gliding over the sea toward the ship. Emma breathed in the briny air. The mist cooled her heated cheeks and she closed her eyes, thanking God Lucian decided to come. She knew if he had left, she would have lost him forever.
But she hadn’t lost him. Not yet.
What did that mean? What did she want?
Emma opened her eyes when the dinghy bumped against the hull of the ship, near the rope ladder. She would have to make a decision soon. What if Lucian no longer wanted her? Her fingers bit into the wood as she held on to the boat. He had withdrawn the marriage offer. Perhaps, with relief. Lucian had been married once. Not a happy union. Had he second thoughts about wanting her?
“Emma, you’re next,” Sean said, nudging her with his shoulder.
Blinking out of thought, Emma glanced up and found Evie, Jeremy, and Jack already on deck. She nodded and rose, steadying herself as the dinghy swayed with her movement. Moving to the rope ladder, she reached out when she heard an explosion behind her and men yelling.
Emma turned to the shore as Renfield and his men charged on horseback into the cove, holding pistols and long guns. She found Humphrey, facedown on the sand, unmoving, and cried out. The men swung their weapons toward the ship.
Renfield screamed out and a barrage of explosions erupted as sparks and smoke flew from the dozens of barrels.
Emma stood frozen, until something bit hard in her middle. Time slowed, and she watched Lucian reach for her. He pulled her down near the gold and lay over her. She heard more explosions. These coming from above. Jack returned fire.
Sean. Where was her brother? She tried to speak his name but her lips refused to form words. Moving brought a searing pain that ripped through her. She swallowed as her body went weightless. Had she fallen into the sea? Was she floating on the waves?
Her eyes opened and Lucian’s face swam before her. He said something she could not hear, but she felt his cool fingers against her hot cheeks.
Emma drifted into the blackness but pulled herself back. She breathed through the pain and focused on Lucian. His blurry face came into focus. She wanted to smooth the worry pressing his brows and kiss the tears from his eyes. Her lips parted and she whispered his name.
Lucian grazed her mouth with his. “Shhh, little minx, you need not talk just now.”
She had the strength for one last word. “Sean?”
Her brother’s face appeared above her, wearing a lopsided smile. “I am here, Emma.” He brought her hand to his lips and gave her a kiss. “You will be well. I swear it.”
Now, Emma could sleep. She closed her eyes and gave in to the deep blackness engulfing her.
Emma had no sense of time or place. When she drew near to the surface, where pain wracked her body, she wanted to slip back to the dark, where it was safe. Where she felt nothing.
At times, she heard voices, but could make out no words. Other times, a cool rag bathed her brow. Yet, each time she moved away from the void, pain tore through her, excruciating and unbearable.
Someone said her name. A woman. Not Evie. Emma struggled to open her eyes. She found an angel with dark hair and blue eyes smiling down at her. Had she died? No, she couldn’t have. The dead felt no pain. Although her middle still hurt like the devil, she must have been given something to dull the pain.
The lady spoke. “My name is Amelia.” Cool hands patted Emma’s arm. “I am here to help you.”
Emma parted her dry, cracked lips. “How?” she croaked.
Amelia leaned forward. “You were shot. The ball must be removed.”
The beach. Renfield’s men shooting at them. Emma remembered. She glanced around the strange room. Beyond the desk was a bank of small square windows. “Where?”
Amelia smiled. “Still aboard Jack’s ship, now anchored in London.” She shook her head. “Not the ideal location to perform surgery, but you cannot be moved.”
Before Emma could respond, the door flew open and her brother marched inside. “I have sent for a surgeon.” He glared at Amelia. “A real surgeon.”
Lucian hurried into the room, making Emma’s heart skip a beat. Wearing an expensive dark gray suit and crisp white cravat, she could not look away from him. Stopping before Sean, Lucian folded his arms. “None is better than Amelia. She will perform the surgery.”
Sean’s right eye ticked, a sure sign of his anger. “I am her brother. I decide who operates on Emma.” He took a step toward Lucian. “You have no say in this.”
Amelia rose. “Gentlemen, you are upsetting Emma.”
As Lucian began to speak, a short, round man wearing spectacles, hefting a black bag, hurried into the room. When he saw Amelia, he jerked to a halt. “Lady Amersleigh, I had no idea you were here.”
“Dr. Benson,” Amelia said with a nod.
The doctor adjusted his spectacles. “Why am I here?”
“I summoned you,” Sean said, stepping to the man. “My sister has been severely injured. She requires a real doctor.”
Glancing from Sean to Amelia and back, the doctor shook h
is head. “My good sir, you cannot do any better than Lady Amersleigh. I suggest you quit stalling and allow her to begin.”
Emma struggled to remain awake. She wanted to see what would happen.
Sean’s mouth fell open. Then he gathered himself and straightened his spine. “Then I insist you remain here to assist. Can you do that, Dr. Benson?”
The doctor smiled and gave a nod. “Certainly.” He nodded to the door. “You both must wait outside.”
Emma glanced from her brother to Lucian, willing him to come speak to her for a moment. Say something, anything, that showed he still cared. She held her breath. He started to turn away, then he looked at her. His dark eyes seared into her. She wished she knew his thoughts.
Sean ambled forward, blocking her view of Lucian. He gave her a wobbly smile, scooping up her hand. “You will recover from this, Emma. I will be just outside.” He kissed her knuckles then straightened and turned to the door.
Lucian took a step toward her, making her breath hitch, but Sean clamped a hand on his arm. “Let us allow the doctor to work, Hartford.”
Emma could not stand it. She had to know what Lucian would say to her. “Sean, please, let him pass.”
Shaking off Sean’s grip, Lucian came to her side and sank to the stool beside the bed. He cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Emma.”
She had not expected those words. “For what?”
His tormented gaze rose. “For not being able to protect you.”
Fear seized her heart. Lucian was pulling away. She sensed it from the stiff set to his shoulders and the guilt blazing in his eyes. Emma gritted her teeth, praying for more strength, and lifted her hand. He threaded their fingers, his hand warm against her cold palm. She licked her dry lips. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Lucian. None of this is your fault.”
As he started to speak, Amelia came to Lucian and settled a hand against his shoulder. “It is time to begin.”
Lucian nodded and rose, pulling his hand from hers. “Amelia will make you well, Emma.”
Goodbye.
He didn’t say it, but he didn’t have to. Emma could read it in his eyes. “Lucian,” she whispered as he swung away. His shoulders stiffened and he glanced over his shoulder. “You will be here when I wake up?” she asked.
Lord Hunter (Secrets & Scandals Book 6) Page 17