Annie met them in the foyer with towels, attempting to dry their bodies the best she could. “I’m not sure this riding habit will ever be the same.”
Glancing over at Jewel, Adam let out a howl of laughter. The ostrich feathers had somehow become plastered to her face, and the cute little hat hung by a single pin. She looked like a drowned rat. Perhaps an adorable rat, but drowned just the same.
With her hands resting on her hips, she cut him a sideways glance. “What’s so damn amusing? I’m tired, sore, and soaked to the bone. And you think it’s funny!”
“Didn’t they teach you in finishing school that ladies don’t swear?” Adam chuckled as he noticed the glare in her eyes.
Jonathan walked out of Adam’s study and into the foyer. “You’d better watch out, ol’ boy. They say a woman is worse than a tiger when she has her hands on her hips.”
Humor made Adam’s eyes water as he bowed graciously. “My pardon, madam,” Adam said, “but you do appear like a drowned rat, and the ostrich feathers were simply my undoing.”
Jewel reached for her apparently forgotten hat, then turned to look at her image in the hall mirror. Seeing the sight, she laughed, too, and she jerked the limp thing from her head. “Your pardon is accepted, sir, but before cackling about my appearance you should be taking a look at yourself.”
This time Jonathan was the one guffawing. “The lady gives as good as she gets. Yes, sir, nothing like a spirited woman. I do believe she got the better of you on that one, ol’ boy.”
“Oh, be quiet,” Adam growled.
While Adam relaxed in a tub of steamy water, Jonathan sat on a nearby stool. “I take it you two are getting along better,” he said.
Adam knew he referred to Jewel. He smiled, remembering their afternoon. “I guess you could say so.”
Jonathan folded his arms across his chest, and seemed to be studying him for a moment before he asked, “Is there something you’d like to tell me, ol’ boy? Especially since I detect a gleam in your eyes. Just what did you do today?” Adam took his time lathering himself with soap before answering his friend. “Oh, nothing much. We went to the mines and I ordered copper for my ships. With the English blockade of the colonies, materials are hard to come by.” “And that was it?”
Adam grimaced, remembering the scene with the miner. He wasn’t going to answer Jonathan’s questions like a bloody schoolboy, so he changed the subject. “I’m surprised to see you this soon.”
“I received a juicy tidbit from London that I think you just might be interested in. It seems there’s a party tomorrow night at the Earl of Ludlow’s town house. My source seems to think you can pick up some interesting information there.”
“I see.” Adam rubbed his chin. “The last message from Hawk indicated an important meeting would be taking place soon. Perhaps this is the one.” Adam paused for a moment, knowing what he must do. “Looks as if I will be leaving at dawn.”
Adam and Jonathan waited in the dining room. When the door opened, Adam’s breath caught in his throat at the lovely vision of femininity entering the room. Jewel’s shoulders were not creamy white, but a golden hue, and his gaze lingered there much too long as he noted the way the neckline of her dress caressed her shoulders. The stunning gown had numerous silver and metallic threads woven into the elaborate fabric. As she turned around, the light caught each thread, giving her the appearance of being wrapped in diamonds. She wore her hair pulled back, where she had fastened it with silver netting.
The shimmering material enhanced the sparkle in Jewel’s eyes, and tonight they were almost as black as Adam knew his own to be. At this moment, he wasn’t sure he wanted Jewel to remember her past. But he was quick to remind himself that he’d be leaving soon and she would be out of his life. He must remember that.
Jewel had to take a second look at the two gentlemen in her life. They were dressed just alike in black breeches and white linen shirts that opened halfway down their chests. She noticed the frown on Adam’s face, and wondered what had caused the creases in his brow.
“Please excuse our casual attire, my sweet,” Adam said, sweeping his hand toward the table. “We’ve decided to do a bit of fencing after dinner. We didn’t think you’d mind our lack of etiquette tonight.”
She moved around the table to her place. “No, of course not, providing you let me watch.”
Jonathan held a chair out for her. “We’ll welcome an audience, but who will you cheer to victory, milady?”
Jewel gave him a wicked smile. “There are some secrets one should never tell.”
Their banter was interrupted as the servants entered the room with silver trays. The delicious lobster Cyril had sent was served with melted butter. They also had fresh fish and small potatoes. Jonathan’s manner made him easy to talk to, and he seemed like a good friend already, even though she had only known him a short time. She told him about their day, leaving out the episode at the mine and, of course, the picnic.
After dinner, Jewel went to freshen up, leaving the men to their brandy. Upon returning, she found them gone, but the clanging sound of metal caught her attention. She followed the noise down a long hallway toward the back of the house. She’d not ventured into this part of the house before. She passed many rooms until she reached a set of double glass doors.
Cautiously, she opened the doors and looked into what she assumed had to be the grand ballroom. The room was enormous. Three crystal chandeliers hung high above the floor, and the walls were not walls at all, but a series of windows and mirrors, making the room seem wide and spacious.
Slipping into the ballroom unnoticed, she watched in fascination as Adam and Jonathan parried back and forth. Adam’s agility was amazing. His swift speed reminded her of a bird of prey toying with his victim.
Something told Jewel she’d seen this done before. She was sure of it. She glimpsed a flash of another match, but instead of Jonathan and Adam, a man and woman fenced and laughed as they played their game. As quickly as the vision came, it vanished, leaving Jewel to wonder if she’d been the lady she’d envisioned.
The scraping of steel blades brought her attention back to the two men. It was plain to see that Adam was the far superior swordsman and was only toying with Jonathan. But how would she know that? Where had her knowledge of fencing come from?
“Jewel, I didn’t realize you’d come in,” Adam said, only slightly winded as he spoke.
“You’re very good,” Jewel complimented him.
“Thank you.” He nodded. “Perchance you know something about fencing?”
Was he mocking her? She wasn’t sure, but the next words out of her mouth seemed to surprise them both. “Yes, I believe I do. Would you care to fence with me?”
Laughter burst forth from Adam and echoed in the empty ballroom. It did nothing but make Jewel determined to show him she was as capable as she had boasted. She only hoped she was the woman in her vision—she might be mistaken. But she’d like to take the duke’s arrogance down a notch.
Getting his laughter under control, Adam managed, “Are you absolutely daft, my sweet? I do not fence with women. Hell, you probably can’t even hold a sword, much less swing one.
“Wait a minute, Adam,” Jonathan came to the lady’s defense. “I think she’s serious. Would you care to fence with me?”
“Thank you, Jonathan.” She smiled her gratitude at his vote of confidence. “Let me change into some trousers. I’ll be right back.” She turned to leave. “At least you’re not a pompous ass,” she declared over her shoulder.
She heard the faint echo of Adam’s swearing in the ballroom as she raced up the stairs.
“You permit her to wear trousers, ol’ boy?” Jonathan asked, continuing his teasing once Jewel was gone.
“Most certainly not,” Adam snapped, then began to pace the floor. “She can’t possibly know how to fence. And she could get hurt!” He ran his hands through his hair, giving his friend a puzzled look. “Did you say trousers? I told her to burn them.”
<
br /> “Cool your feathers, ol’ friend.” Jonathan enjoyed the way a wisp of a girl could get Adam perturbed. “I’m not out for blood. The swords will be tipped, and she can wear your mask. She’ll probably tire very soon, and that will be the end of it.” Jonathan moved over to a nearby table and took a sip of cool water. “What can it hurt?”
Returning to the ballroom, Jewel announced, “I’m ready.”
Jonathan poked Adam in the side, “No pants, eh?”
Adam noticed her breeches immediately. His gaze couldn’t help being drawn to the tight fit. Damn it, hadn’t he told her to get rid of those things? Didn’t she know how enticing she was in breeches, especially ones that seemed to hang on her every curve? “I thought I told you to throw that garment away.”
“I believe you did.” Jewel slipped on Adam’s mask, and in so doing utterly ignored his statement, but not before she glanced at him from beneath her lashes and found him scowling.
She met Jonathan in the center of the room. They crossed swords, and she felt the palms of her hand begin to sweat. Could she do this? Or would she make a complete fool of herself?
“En garde." Jonathan saluted.
She touched his sword in salute, and suddenly she relaxed. This felt natural—a real part of her. They started to move, and Jewel found herself swift and agile, not showing any of her usual clumsiness.
Jonathan calmly parried her thrusts, but he realized fast that she was a skillful swordsman not to be taken lightly.
He could tell she watched him intently, judging each of his movements before he made them. He lunged at her, but she stepped aside with amazing speed.
In an unexpected move, she sent his sword flying across the room in one quick movement that took him completely by surprise. He stumbled and fell backwards.
She pointed the tip of the sword to his heart and gave a throaty laugh. “Surrender or die!”
Jonathan felt a little stupid lying on the floor, especially since a woman had put him there. Adam would never let him live this down. “I’ll surrender to you any day, milady, for you already have my heart.” He clapped his hand over his chest, and they both burst into laughter like two overgrown boys.
“By George! You’re good,” Jonathan complimented her.
“I think I’ve done this before,” Jewel quipped in a playful mood. In fact, she had surprised herself. She wondered where in the world she’d learned to handle a sword with such ease. She was sure that fencing wasn’t considered lady-like. So far nothing she’d done was especially lady-like.
Adam had been watching in utter disbelief. Jewel was good, damn good. Here was still another twist to the sea goddess he’d pulled from the sea. So feminine, so petite, yet she could fence better than most men. When would he find the key to unlock her mysterious past?
“I believe you’ve indeed done this before. I’d say you’ve had a bloody good teacher,” he snapped, his temper barely simmering. “Would you care to tell us who?”
A tear hovered in the comer of her eye. Adam’s words stung, for he knew she couldn’t remember anything. And what she did remember wasn’t very pleasant. He’d been so different this afternoon. Why did his personality seem to change so quickly? Well, she was tired of keeping track of his moods.
She straightened her back as she removed the mask and dropped it on the floor. The teardrop slipped quietly down her cheek. Damn him! She was glad he was going to London! She definitely wouldn’t miss him one bit!
She longed to tell him so, but at the moment, she couldn’t find her voice. Before she embarrassed herself further, she turned and ran from the room.
Adam watched her hasty retreat, feeling like a complete jackass. Why hadn’t he just complimented her on her fencing instead of tearing into her? He couldn’t explain his actions, nor anything else he’d done since she’d come into his life. He didn’t want to hear Jonathan’s criticism either.
Adam’s steady gaze lingered on his friend. “Good night, Jon. I’ll be leaving at daybreak.” Abruptly, he walked to the door. “I’d appreciate your looking in on Jewel.”
Jonathan stood in the empty ballroom, shaking his head.
Jewel changed into her nightgown the minute she got to her room. She hated him! He was mean!
Blowing out the light, she lay in the darkness, crying into her pillow. She truly had no one here, and loneliness threatened to smother her. She swallowed and took a deep breath. Hearing the door open, she figured Annie was coming in to check on her. But Jewel didn’t want to see anyone, so she didn’t look her way.
The bed sagged. “Jewel?” Adam whispered.
She stiffened, but refused to turn. “Go away.”
His hand touched her shoulder. She wiped the tears away with the palm of her hand and sat up. “What do you want— to make fun of me again?”
She heard Adam sigh. Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms before she could protest. Unable to hold back any longer, she sobbed like a child.
“I’m sorry, my sweet,” he said. “I don’t know what comes over me, especially where you’re concerned. You truly are an excellent swordsman, but God knows, where you learned fencing is beyond me.” He rocked her back and forth, holding her tightly within his arms.
She finally stopped crying, and sniffed. “Do you really think so?” she murmured into his shirt.
“Indeed I do.”
“I wish I could remember who I am.”
“I know you do.” After a lengthy pause, he said, “Jewel, I’ll be leaving at daybreak.”
She leaned back and looked at him. The moonlight coming in through the windows provided only a darkened image of his face. “I thought we had another day,” she said. She’d forgotten she didn’t want to see him anymore.
“My plans have changed.” He didn’t bother to elaborate. “I want you to look at something while I’m gone.”
“What?”
Letting go of her, he reached over and lit the wick of an oil lamp. “When we found you”—he reached inside his coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper—“this map fell from your clothing. I’ve been waiting until you were well before I gave it back to you. Here, look at it.”
She took the tattered map and carefully unfolded the parchment. It appeared very old. The minute she looked at it she realized it was only half a diagram, but still she recognized nothing.
Adam turned the map over so she could read the inscription. He tensed, waiting for her to say something. “Do you recognize this diagram?”
“No ... not exactly. It’s a map, but I don’t remember where or why I’d have it.” She sighed. “This is so frustrating.”
“Take some time, sweetheart. I’ll leave the diagram with you. Maybe other things will come back.” Adam paused a moment, then said, “Jewel.”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember this Jean?”
“Jean,” she repeated aloud, uttering the syllable slowly in French. “The name is familiar and I have a good feeling inside when I say it. I don’t remember exactly who he is, but ... Her voice grew quiet. “I do remember he’s someone I love.”
A coldness settled around Adam’s heart. She couldn’t possibly love this man. Noticing how lost she appeared, he pulled her back into his arms, clutching her tightly. Was she in love with another man?
“Please stay with me tonight,” she whispered. “I don’t want to be alone.”
Adam groaned inwardly. Did she know what she asked of him?
But he knew tonight he’d behave. He would be content just to hold her, for she was just a lost soul, and he knew how cruel the world could be. Adam found he didn’t want to be alone either.
Turning the wick down, he laid her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair until he heard her soft, even breathing. How small and fragile she felt in his arms. He ached to kiss her and make her forget about the other man. And make him forget that he knew nothing of the lovely woman he held in his arms. But he settled on her trust. Deep down he felt she’d trusted him with her
life and she wasn’t wrong . . . he’d kill any man that tried to hurt her.
Chapter Nine
The overcast October sky made the morning dampness seem just that much cooler as Adam rode away from Briercliff.
He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with cool, crisp air as he tried to shake the cobwebs from his brain. Sleep had eluded him last night as he’d held Jewel in his arms. So many confusing thoughts raged a war in his head, and still he lacked answers for the myriad emotions the lady evoked in him. He felt an attraction to her—perhaps that was an understatement. It was more like lust. Hadn’t he already proven that at the picnic?
But love her—no. He didn’t believe in love. The few couples he knew that professed love when they married soon found others to occupy their time. No, it was lust, plain and simple. Damn, he needed a woman! He’d been too long without one. He would have to take care of that problem in London.
Three hours into his journey, Adam’s sleepless night began to take its toll. His mood blackened, his shoulders ached, and still, thoughts of Jewel nagged at him.
He paused for some tea at the next tavern. Hurriedly he swallowed the brown brew, and burned his tongue in his haste. “Bloody hell,” he swore, causing the man sitting next to him to jump when Adam stood to leave. He tossed a few coins on the table and stalked from the tavern. His mood had little improved.
Frigid air slapped his face the moment he opened the tavern door. The wind whipped his greatcoat around his legs as he tramped to his horse; at least the tea had helped take the chill away.
The misty morning had cleared, leaving in its wake a biting wind. Adam jerked the collar up on his coat, trying to get extra warmth. He would not stop again until he reached London.
And he would not think about the lady he’d left behind. No, that was something he would not do.
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