The door knob rattled, and she managed to once again pull the blankets up to her chin.
The man entered, her handsome sailor, and another older and stately gentleman followed.
“Brave thing you did, Captain Fairfield.” The older one patted Captain Fairfield on the back.
She found she liked the name. It suited him.
The captain grimaced, waving his hand to dismiss the praise. “I’m concerned she’ll grow ill. She can barely speak, and I’ve no idea how long she was in the water.
“Her voice isn’t working so well, is it?” The doctor gave her a sympathetic glance.
The captain looked at her then too. He skimmed his gaze over her with the blankets up to her nose and then his gaze rested on the shirt still on the bed. “Dr. Harper, would you give us one moment please?”
The doctor nodded and then turned around again, exiting the room and pulling the door closed behind him.
“Couldn’t…” she started, but he held up his hand.
“Don’t waste your voice. I understand.” Then he sat on the bed next to her and grasped her by the shoulders. “I’m going to pull you up and slip the shirt around your back. I’ll help you get it on, and I will do my very best to guard your modesty.”
Arianna blinked, heat infusing her cheeks. No man had seen her skin like that. And while he was being a gentleman about it, she simply could not believe this was happening.
He lifted her into a sitting position and slipped the shirt behind her, just as he said he would. Then, keeping his eyes averted, he lowered the blankets just a little to stuff her arms through. Even as weak as she was, his touch was delightfully warm, strong and solid in a way that made her feel safe and…well, she wasn’t entirely certain what else she was feeling, but it was some sort of excitement.
Certainly, she’d never experienced anything like it. It was warmth, comfort and excitement in the single brush of a hand. She gave herself a little shake. She had much to worry about and this was not something she should waste time pondering.
Then, pulling the garment closed, he began to do up the buttons. Heat flared anew in her cheeks, something about this simple act was so intimate. But then, as he’d gotten all the buttons done up so that the blankets pooled about her legs, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Better?” he asked.
She nodded, glad to not have a voice. Because, if she tried to speak, her tongue would surely be tied. Not that it had been unpleasant, far from it. But still, this strange day grew odder.
“Come back in, Dr. Harper,” Captain Fairfield called. “And bring the broth.”
Broth. Hot soothing liquid sounded divine. Amazingly, the captain settled her back against the plump pillows, keeping her head upright and, when the doctor handed him the cup of broth, the captain began to feed her himself. If she’d had any energy at all, her heart would have hammered out of her chest.
The warm liquid soothed her throat and gave her some small amount of strength. “Have to go back,” she barely croaked. “My Granny.”
The captain gave a nod. “I’ve already instructed my crew to turn the ship.” He gave her another sip of broth and then set the cup aside. Rising, he moved away as the doctor took the captain’s place to examine her. She missed his heat.
He felt her throat, she turned her head back toward Captain Fairfield, who’d come back into the room. “She’ll regain her voice in a few days. Keep feeding her broth and soft foods. Keep her warm and dry.”
“Granny,” she croaked.
“I’ll see to your Granny,” Captain Fairfield told her. “You need to stay in bed. Should we return to the beach about where we rescued you?”
She nodded.
“Do you write?” he asked.
She did, and as he grabbed a piece of paper and quill, she tried to formulate her thoughts. Then she scrolled.
Take the path on left of beach and up the cliff.
Granny is ill. Knock at the cottage door and tell her I sent you.
Give her my basket if it is still there.
Bring a gun and men in case the wolves attack.
Nick read her words over her shoulder. She didn’t have time to be eloquent, though she knew she sounded rough. “Wolves?” he asked. “You mentioned them in your sleep. Who are the wolves?”
She started, suddenly aware that he’d watched her as she slept. Then she sighed to herself, of course he had. He’d been there when she woke. But it hadn’t occurred to her that he’d been there the entire time. Who had removed her wet clothing? Her eyes widened as she stared up into his. It didn’t matter, she needed to focus on her Granny.
Men dressed in wolf clothing.
Terrorizing the village.
His eyes grew round as he read her words. “Do you have other family in the village?” he asked.
She nodded.
Mother and brother. Papa is away.
“We’ll be back at the beach before the sun sets. The wind is in our favor.” He patted her shoulder then. “I will take care of your Granny tonight, but I will leave you here where you are warm and dry. We’ll anchor for the night and see how you are in the morning?”
“I agree,” the doctor nodded. “You shouldn’t be exposed to the elements for a few days anyhow.”
She grimaced, but nodded reluctantly. Her mother would be fine until the morning. She’d told Arianna to stay if it got too late. But still, after meeting the wolves, she was worried for her family.
She wanted to be by their sides. She looked at Nick again. How nice would it be to have a strong man by her side now? Not one that talked to his belt, of course, but someone like him who could help shoulder the burden they had faced. At least Granny would have help tonight. She’d face the rest tomorrow.
Chapter Four
Nick made his way up the path, three heavily armed sailors accompanying him.
The footprints that confirmed Arianna’s story were all about them. Several men had been here. And they’d been chasing something. Their footprints zagged this way and that, overlapping each other in the dirt.
She’d drawn a bit of a map for him, showing him the estuary she’d used to escape. Genius really. Not many women would have been so resourceful. Not many men for that matter.
Beauty and brains.
The cottage came into view, and he nearly gasped aloud. It was lovely, sitting atop the cliff, overlooking the ocean, with a backdrop of forest. He’d never seen a more picturesque place.
A vision, like he’d never experienced before, clouded his eyes. Arianna walked about the flowers, and as he approached, she beckoned him to her. Plucking a flower from the garden, she held it in her hand as she opened her arms to him. He stepped into her embrace without hesitation and then she stood on tiptoe to place a soft kiss on his lips. It was heaven.
Until he was jostled from the back. He’d stopped moving, so caught up in the picture, and one of his sailors ran into him. “Bloody bullocks,” Salty grouched. The old man was as sea worn as they came with nothing but tufts of grey hair and skin like leather. “Didn’t mean to hit ye, Captain.”
“The fault is mine.” Nick waved his hand. But the vision had disappeared, and he missed it, like an actual person. What had just happened to him?
“Ye’re smart to stop on the forest’s edge. There’ve been a lot of men about, and they could still be lurking.”
So Salty had seen the evidence too. “She said they wear wolf disguises.”
Salty drew in a breath. “I’ve heard of them. Come from up north. They’re bad men, Captain. Robbing and raping.”
That made Nick pause. They were an established group with organization? That couldn’t be good. Unfortunately, Salty wasn’t done.
“I ken ye’re not gonna believe me, but it’s said they have powers. Like strange things happen when they’re about.” Salty took a step back then. “We should get back on our ship and leave this place.”
Nick closed his eyes for a moment as his mind clicked the details into place. Of course he’d ru
n into magic. Had the mirror orchestrated it so that it might find this group of wolves? Or, was something even larger at foot? Graham swore he was destined to meet Charlotte. And their friend, Ewan, who was a wizard himself, said that the Fairfields were a force of good and that magical elements created their destiny.
Nick didn’t know about that. But he did know he was involved now. That he would not just drop Arianna back on the beach and sail away to face these dangers alone.
Arianna. Her name did funny things to his insides. His mind replayed the vision of her he’d just had. Was that what it had been? An actual vision. It hadn’t just been a fantasy. He’d felt things, known they’d belonged together. A little voice declared it wasn’t magical, he just didn’t want to leave her. That might be true, but there was nothing to do for it now. The Fairfields got involved. They helped. It’s what they did. His brothers were proof enough for that. So his mind had decided he’d stay and help Arianna.
“I’ll deliver the basket.” It sat on the front stoop. “And then we’ll return to the ship.” He looked back at Salty. Once aboard, he’d explain to his men how they wouldn’t abandon this village. “Make sure to cover me should anyone show his face.”
He crossed the open land between the forest and the cottage with an easy sort of stride that would make anyone believe he hadn’t a care in the world. His best defense was to make any would-be attacker think he wasn’t expecting him. They’d be more obvious that way.
But nothing happened as he arrived at the door and knocked. “Hello? It’s Nick Fairfield. Arianna sent me to deliver a basket of food.”
He heard nothing for so long that he wondered if he should break down the door. But then, finally, he heard the shuffling of feet and the turning of the lock. The door swung in, and a little old lady stood before him. “You’re not a wolf,” she said.
“No, ma’am, I am not.” He held up the basket. “May I come in? Arianna has asked that I deliver this food and see you fed.”
She opened the door wider, and he stepped into the cozy cottage. She led the way to a small kitchen, and he set the basket on the table, unpacking several items. The cottage was surprisingly tidy for a woman so feeble. “Arianna sent you? Do you know my granddaughter?”
He shook his head. “I’ve only just met her today. It’s a rather long tale, but I can tell it while I heat this soup?”
She nodded, taking a seat. He explained as he worked. Not about the mirror, the vision, or what Salty had said about the wolves, but as he finished, she crooked a finger at him. “Bad magic is at work here.”
He grimaced, believing it was true. But he didn’t admit it aloud; they had only just met. “Bad magic?”
She shook her head. “Don’t play coy, young man. I know you know.” She pointed down to his waist. “Whatever is in there will not stop blubbering.”
He blinked. “I think Arianna heard it too.”
She nodded. “It’s in her blood, like it’s in mine and yers. You’re not magical, it isn’t strong enough. But you feel it, sense it.”
“My brother’s child is magical.” Somehow, it felt so good to share those words. He hadn’t shared this information with anyone before.
Granny nodded again. “Yers will be too.”
He blinked then, surprise making his head snap back. “I’m sorry.”
“Yers and Arianna’s baby. You had the vision. I know you did. I have visions too. Do ye think I would have let ye in if I didn’t already know ye?”
He’d finished heating the soup and ladling some into a bowl, set the bowl in front of her. “That is ridiculous.” He wouldn’t marry. He’d watched his brothers turn into lovesick fools, nearly killing themselves to save the women they loved. He’d only decided to help Arianna, not tie himself to her forever.
She tilted her head to the side in an appraising glance. “Do ye feed every girl’s granny then?”
“I consider myself a gentleman,” he answered, but he did see her point. He’d neither rescued a beautiful little mermaid nor cared for her family before today. “Do you question that?”
She gave a cackle for a laugh. “Of course not. But it doesn’t change the fact ye think she’s pretty and mysterious. Men love that sort of thing. Especially your type. And yer brothers have all married recently. So will you. It’s yer fate.”
“Fate.” His insides twisted. She knew far more than he liked. Ewan also had visions. He did find Arianna stunningly mysterious, but he had no intention of following his brothers down the path of matrimony. He was a carefree sailor, set to roam about the world. “If you have visions, can you tell me how to protect the village from these wolves?”
She shook her head. “Ewan will help you the best he can. I only see what concerns my family.”
“But you saw my brothers.” His voice rumbled in defiance. This was ridiculous. “And Ewan isn’t here.” He didn’t intend to sound so angry, but he didn’t want to hear that he would marry. It wasn’t true.
He only wanted to know how best to free the village, and therefore save Arianna. It briefly occurred to him that he was following in his brothers’ footsteps. Rushing in to the rescue.
“I saw your brothers because they will be my family. And Ewan will come. You seemed smarter to me, and I would have guessed, the moment you knew magic was involved, you’d also know your family was rushing to join you.” She picked up her spoon and began eating her soup, her eyes twinkling as she winked at him. “Go back to yer ship. But…do not let Arianna out of yer sight. And tell my daughter where Arianna is. Corinna will worry if you don’t.”
“Does Arianna’s mother have your gift?”
“Gads no. Skipped a generation. And my daughter thinks I’m mad.” Granny made a shooing gesture with her hand. “Now go.”
Nick walked to the door, looking back at the old woman. “Why were the wolves here?”
She squinted her eyes then. “She can sense me, I think. They can’t get in, of course, and I don’t go out.”
“Who can sense you?”
“Bad magic…” she said, taking another bite. “I don’t know who she is, but I can feel her. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
“How do you know it’s a her?” He stopped crossing his arms. Granny was proving to be an infuriating wealth of information.
“If someone was breathing down yer neck, would ye know if it were a man or a woman? I think ye would.” She waved again.
He nearly laughed out loud at that. Nick’s hand was on the door when a different question popped into his mind. “Why doesn’t Arianna know about magic? She looked at me as though I were mad when I opened the satchel.”
“She wasn’t ready. Now go. It’ll be up to you to tell her. She’s waiting for you.” Granny clanked her spoon on the bottom of her bowl. “This soup was delicious. I’m glad I got to meet you and, by spring, you’ll need to rethatch the roof.”
Nick blinked. He would certainly not be here to rethatch in spring. Despite all she knew, she had to be wrong about that. Didn’t she?
He doubted very much that he’d be telling Arianna about magic. He’d help the village and deliver her safely to her family. That was it. So why could he not get her image, of her lying in his bed, out of his thoughts?
Chapter Five
Arianna fell in and out of sleep. She wanted to stay awake but couldn’t seem to make herself. Still, until the captain came back and she knew Granny was all right, she couldn’t really rest.
The doorknob rattled, and then he was there. His hair tousled by the wind, his full lips curled into a soft smile. He didn’t look mad, standing there so tall and strong. He looked magnificent. Heat curled in her belly as she looked away from him and toward the wall. She had to focus on what was important and not his charming good looks. “Granny?” her voice rattled out raspy and weak. It still worked a little better than it had earlier.
“Fine.” His smile grew. “She’s quite the woman. But I’ll have you know, she ate her food and chatted my ear off.”
Arianna returned the grin, warming, knowing that Granny was all right. “We’ve tried to get her to move to the village but she insists on staying in the cottage. Says she needs the voices of nature.”
His smile wavered. What was that about? Did he think them foolish for not insisting she move? “I imagine she does. She fits with that cottage. It’s lovely.” He handed her another bowl of broth. “Do you need me to feed you?”
She shook her head as she took the bowl from his hands. Bringing it to her lips, the warm liquid soothed her throat as she drank it down. Then, she looked up to him. A woman could lose herself in those eyes. “Thank you for saving my life.”
He gave her another smile that stretched across his face, making her blink at the brilliance of that grin. He sat next to her on the bed. His proximity caused her to flush, though she didn’t know why. “You’re welcome.” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear your voice.”
“I am glad to be using it.” She gave a little laugh, and he responded with one of his own. There was an intimacy here that she couldn’t name, but it was comforting as much as it was exciting.
“Tomorrow, I will visit your mother and tell her where you are. I think it best, if you agree, to spend another day recovering before we try to transport you home.” His face darkened again, and she inwardly cringed. Did he not want her to leave? Was he as worried about the village as she was? Or was she draining precious resources while she was here?
Outwardly, however, she nodded her agreement even as she wondered why his expression grew pained again. “Am I a burden? I’m sorry if I am. I can make the journey tomorrow if it is more convenient.”
He looked at her in surprise and then leaned down to kiss her cheek. Heat filled them again. “You are far from a burden, and I would not risk your health. You’ll stay here.” He tucked the blankets about her legs, his touch light and soothing. “I’d ask you to tell me more about your granny, but I am afraid to make you use your voice since it has only just returned.”
Luring a Lord's Love: Regency Fairy Tale (Fairfield Fairy Tales Book 4) Page 2