Wicked Captain, Wayward Wife

by Sarah Mallory

  ‘I have hired them. You kept ’em too long ashore, Chelston, and on half-pay too. A mistake, but although they were anxious to get to sea again not one jack tar wanted to turn pirate, which I convinced them they would be if they followed you. I admit it was the reward for your capture that finally persuaded them to come over to me. I’ve a mind to have the Maestro, too; after all, you will have no use for her now. Of course, your captain could not be bought, so we had to leave him behind, but I think once he learns you have been arrested he will consider his contract with you void.’ He raised his voice. ‘Mr Briggs, take them aft and secure them, if you please.’

  ‘Aye, aye, Cap’n.’

  Eve gripped his coat ‘Nick, Lady Chelston—’

  ‘Safely locked in her cabin, sweet heart. I do not think she is yet aware of what is happening; she dosed herself with laudanum as soon as they set sail.’

  ‘And the maid?’

  ‘Locked in with her. She’s cast up her accounts, but still looks decidedly green. But what of you, my love, no sea-sickness?’

  Eve shook her head. ‘I have been on deck all the time.’

  ‘That’s my girl.’ His arm tightened around her, pulling her against his chest. He dropped his pistol into the pocket of his coat before cupping Eve’s chin in his hand and turning her face up towards him. ‘Are you sure you are not hurt?’

  ‘Yes, I am sure.’

  ‘Were you frightened?’

  She smiled up at him lovingly. ‘No. I knew you’d come for me.’

  He threw back his head and laughed. ‘What? No fits, no vapours? You are a woman after my own heart, Evelina! No.’ He looked down at her, suddenly serious, and said softly, ‘No, you are my heart.’

  It was too dark to see his face clearly, so she reached up her hand to touch his cheek. A muscle in his jaw quivered beneath her fingers, he pulled her even closer until she could feel his body hard against hers.

  She drew his head down, turning her face up to him. The next instant his mouth was crushing hers, possessing her. She pressed herself against him, consumed by a fierce, urgent desire until Nick’s hands moved to her shoulders and he held her off a little.

  ‘Gently, sweet heart,’ he said un steadily. ‘Much more of that and I’ll have to take you here, on the deck. Think how that would shock poor Richard!’

  She stared at him, dizzy, uncomprehending. All she knew was that she wanted him. She managed a shaky laugh. ‘I said I was not frightened, but that’s not true; I was afraid I would never see you again.’

  He stroked her face gently. ‘You’ll never know how much it cost me to leave you at Chelston Hall.’

  She covered his hand with her own and rubbed her cheek against his captive fingers. ‘It is over now—’

  She broke off at a sudden shout of alarm. Nick looked up and instantly pushed her away from him. As she hit the pin-rail Eve saw the dark figure of Lord Chelston crash into Nick, who fell to the deck with a grunt of pain. Chelston straightened. There was a flash as the star light glinted on the blade in his hand. Eve seized a belaying pin from the rail and swung it as hard as she could. It caught Chelston’s arm with a sickening, bone-breaking crack and the knife fell harmlessly to the deck.

  There was an infinitesimal pause, a brief moment of still ness for Eve to catch her breath before she was surrounded by figures. One sailor gently prised the belaying pin from her fingers while two more laid hands on Lord Chelston, who yelped with pain. Richard Granby was helping Nick to his feet, Mr Briggs hovering beside him, anxious to make his apologies.

  ‘I’m sorry about that, Cap’n. He was so quiet-like and I just took my eye off ’im for a moment—’

  ‘Yes, well, don’t take any more chances with this one,’ replied Nick, putting a hand to his side.

  ‘You’re hurt,’ said Eve, her voice not quite steady.

  ‘No, no, merely winded,’ he replied. ‘He caught me on my wound, but no harm done, I hope. A capital hit, Evelina, well done, my love.’ He reached out one hand for her and looked over her head to address the first mate. ‘Briggs, take Lord Chelston away and bind him up securely this time—and be careful with his arm; I think ’tis broken. Now, Mr Granby, cram on all sail and let’s see if Captain George has captured the Merle.’

  ‘But how can he?’ Eve frowned. ‘The Argos is still in Rye Bay; I saw it myself, when we sailed from Hastings.’

  ‘His ship may be at Rye, but Captain George and his men should be near Boulogne by now, as guests of Silas and his brother in the old galley!’

  Chapter Twenty

  There was no opportunity for Evelina to demand a full explanation. A freshening wind had sprung up and Nick was busy ordering his new crew to set course for Boulogne. The stars were already fading by the time they came upon the Merle, which was now flying a red customs ensign and pendant above its black sails. As the Maestro came along side the lugger, Eve recognised several Monkhurst men on her deck and guessed they would be helping the customs officers to sail the lugger back to England. As the two ships prepared for the return journey Silas sprang nimbly over the rail on to the deck of the Maestro. When he saw Eve, he stopped and tugged his forelock.

  ‘I’m glad to see thee well, mistress, and that’s a fact. I tell thee straight I didn’t think the cap’n’s plan would work when he first suggested it—’

  ‘Then damn your eyes for doubting me, Silas Brattee,’ cried Nick, coming up. ‘You’d best come below deck; we’ll break out a bottle of rum and you can give me your report.’

  Eve stepped forwards.

  ‘I’m coming too.’ She sensed the men’s hesitation and added belligerently, ‘I have been kid napped, tied up and forced aboard this, this floating prison: I think I am entitled to know just what is going on!’

  Silas looked stunned at this outburst, but Nick merely laughed.

  ‘Very well,’ he said holding out his hand to her, ‘Come below, my dear, but you will find it very cramped!’ He crossed to the companion way leading below deck. Eve hesitated at the dark, cavernous opening, wondering how she was going to negotiate the steep, ladder-like stairs and keep her dignity. ‘Allow me,’ said Nick, and before she could protest he threw her up over her shoulder and carried her to the lower deck where he set her down, grinning.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said through gritted teeth, ‘You need not have done that. I managed the ladder in the boat house tunnel and I could have managed this one.’

  ‘I am sure you could,’ he replied soothingly, ‘but my way was much quicker—and far more enjoyable.’

  Blushing furiously, she turned away as Silas climbed down the steps to join them. Nick lifted a lantern from its hook and led them to a small table. Moments later she was sitting beside him while he poured a red-brown liquid into three cups, saying as he did so, ‘Well, Silas, tell me just how you enjoyed having a full complement of Revenue officers on board.’

  The old sailor gave a slow smile. ‘I think they considered our galley a bit beneath their dignity, Cap’n, but once we was underway they realised we could beat any sailing vessel on the sea last night, there being no wind, like.’

  ‘So you rowed out in the galley to intercept the Merle?’ asked Eve.

  ‘Aye, mistress, that’s right. The cap’n here daren’t risk Lord Chelston spotting any ships following the lugger, so he sent a message to Captain George, asking him and his men to meet us at Monkhurst. From there we rode like the very devil across to Dimchurch, to me brother’s place.’ Silas tossed off his drink and gave a fat chuckle. ‘You should’ve seen old Ephraim’s face when we arrives with a parcel o’ Revenue men! Thought we’d turned traitor, dang ’im, it took a fair few minutes to convince ’im to let us have the galley, but he come round in the end and we made good time after that. Sea was like a mill pond, she was.’

  Silas paused and stared hard at his empty cup. His lips twitching, Nick finished his own drink and reached for the bottle. When he had filled Silas’s mug and his own he looked at Eve, one eyebrow raised. She shook her head. Sh
e had taken a few small sips of rum and managed not to cough, although the thick, sweet liquor had made her eyes water. She realised she had eaten nothing since break fast and wondered if it was wise to drink at all. She turned away from the mischievous glint in Nick’s eyes and ad dressed Silas.

  ‘But how did you find the Merle? After all, the sea is so…’ she spread her hands and ended lamely ‘…big.’

  ‘Lord love you, mistress, we just rowed for Boulogne like we always do—I mean…’ he coughed, and looked a little sheepish. ‘As we used to do in the old days. Then we just laid on the oars and waited for the Merle to come to us. Took some time, of course, with no wind for her sails. ’Twas dark and the galley so low in the water that the Merle didn’t see us ’til it was too late. Cap’n George sends a volley o’ shots across ’er decks and we boarded her with no trouble. French crew. No fight in ’em,’ he ended almost sadly.

  Eve took another cautious sip from her cup. The rum left a burning trail as she swallowed, but now there was a pleasant warmth spreading through her limbs. She leaned back and listened as Nick told Silas all that had happened aboard the Maestro. Their talk became steadily more animated, full of nautical terms as they passed from discussion of the night’s activities to reminiscences of the adventures they had shared together in the King’s navy. The little cabin rocked with their laughter.

  ‘Aye, those were the days,’ sighed Silas. ‘I’ll never forget ’76, Cap’n—do you remember? Admiral Howe gave you command of your first ship.’

  ‘How could I forget? We took Newport and Rhode Island, although we had to defend it from the French a couple of years later, before we could sail for home.’

  ‘So we did—’ nodded Silas as Nick refilled their mugs yet again. ‘Rare times they was, so far from home and the enemy all around us. But we were all for ’ee, sir, every man jack of us wanted to sail with Cap’n Wyldfire. We’d all go to hell and back for you, Cap’n, ’cos we knowed you’d be there with us.’

  Eve closed her eyes and let their talk wash over her. A tiny cloud was shadowing her heart. This was Nick’s world, this life of adventure and danger. It was not hers. She heard the chink of glass against a cup. Nick was serving out more rum; most likely he had for got ten she was there. The cloud darkened as Bernard’s words came back to her. You cannot tame a tiger, only cage him.

  ‘Aye, they was good old days, surelye,’ Silas was saying, his tone contemplative.

  ‘And do you miss it?’ asked Nick.

  ‘That I do, sir. Pottering about near the shore ain’t the same as sailing halfway round the world. No, the sea’s a harsh mistress, Cap’n, but she don’t ever let you go.’

  Eve felt the depression settling more heavily inside her. She let out a sigh. Immediately Nick turned to her.

  ‘Tired, my love?’ The warmth in his voice was unmistakable; that was a comfort, but Eve realised just how weary she was, and when Nick called Richard Granby to escort her away she went quietly, content to rest in what Richard explained was once Lord Chelston’s cabin. She lay down upon the narrow bunk, and even the muffled sounds of Lady Chelston’s hysterical shrieks from her make shift prison did not prevent her from falling into a deep, dream less sleep.

  Eve awoke some hours later to find that they were at Rye. Making her way to the deck, she found Richard Granby overseeing the crew. He turned and bowed when he saw her.

  ‘Good morning, ma’am. The captain sends his apologies; he was obliged to meet with Captain George, and they are taking the prisoners to the gaol in the tower. He expects to return soon and begs that you will wait for him at the Mermaid. If you will give me but two minutes to instruct Mr Briggs, I will escort you.’

  At the inn she found that Nick had already reserved a bed chamber and the genial landlord informed her that the small coffee room was also at her disposal. Eve declined any refreshment and allowed her host to escort her upstairs. The room set aside for her was the same one she had used on her previous visit, but she had no time for memories, because no sooner had she stepped through the door than Martha rushed across the room and enveloped her in a fierce, tearful embrace.

  ‘Oh, Miss Eve, I’m that glad to see you! I was so frightened when I had the message from the captain, and he begged most politely that I should come to Rye to wait for you here. As if anything would stop me coming to you, mistress!’

  ‘Yes, yes, thank you Martha.’ Eve gently disentangled herself from her maid, resisting the urge to burst into tears. ‘I am very glad you are here, and I shall be even more glad if you will fetch up some hot water for me to wash.’

  ‘Of course, madam, immediately. And you will see that I have brought you some clean clothes. The master sent for his things, too, but without Rich—I mean Mr Granby to pack for him, we can only hope that we’ve brought the right clothes.’

  ‘But where is his trunk? Oh…’ Her spirits flagged a little. ‘He bespoke a separate room, I suppose.’

  ‘Why yes, Miss Eve, which the landlord tells me is just such a thing as the greatest lords and ladies do.’ Martha chuckled. ‘Nothing but the best for our Captain Wylder! But you are looking very pulled, mistress, and no wonder, being out on that nasty rough water all night. But don’t you worry, we will soon have you feeling as fresh as a daisy. Um…’ Martha stepped back, twisting her hands in her apron. ‘I’m supposing you all came back safe? I mean, is Mr Granby…?’ She trailed off, a rosy glow spreading over her round cheeks. Despite her low spirits a smile tugged at the corners of Eve’s mouth.

  ‘Richard Granby escorted me here,’ she replied. ‘It is very likely that he is still here at the inn.’ She added innocently, ‘Perhaps you could find him, and tell him I have no further need for him today.’

  The blush on Martha’s cheeks deepened. ‘Ooh, yes, mistress, I will!’ She dropped a series of hurried curtsies as she backed towards the door, then she was gone and Eve was alone.

  She sat down on the edge of the bed and let the silence of the room settle around her. It was as if she was still for the first time in many, many weeks, for the first time since Nick Wylder had ridden into her life. She had lived a quiet and unexacting existence at Makerham; the most exciting thing in her life had been a short visit to Tunbridge Wells. But Nick’s arrival in her sheltered world had changed all that. He was Captain Wyldfire indeed. She had been pitched headlong into the sort of adventure that should have left her swooning. Only she had not fainted away. Instead, she had relished the excitement. She regretted nothing. Except, perhaps, that she had fallen in love with an adventurer. And adventurers, like tigers, could not change their nature.

  Eve wrapped her arms across her stomach. She could not tame her tiger, but neither would she confine him. To do so would surely kill any love he had for her. No, he must be free to go his own way, however much it hurt her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was late morning before Eve received a message from Nick. She was sitting in the small coffee room when Martha came in with a note. Eve almost snatched it from her hands.

  ‘Hmm,’ she said, scanning it quickly. ‘Typically high-handed. No apology, he merely says he will be here as soon as he can. “I have ordered dinner to be served in your room.” Hah! I am tempted to countermand that.’

  ‘Ooh, Miss Eve, I beg you won’t! The captain don’t want you eating with the common folk.’

  ‘We could use this room. Well,’ she said as Martha shifted un com fort ably from one foot to the other, ‘why not?’

  ‘Well, mistress, you see, Richard and me…’ Martha almost squirmed before her.

  ‘Ah, I under stand,’ said Eve, trying not to smile. ‘You are planning a private dinner with Mr Granby. As your employer, I should perhaps ask him if his intentions towards you are honourable.’

  ‘No, Miss Eve, pray don’t do anything like that! ’Tis only a dinner, after all, and better for the both of us than listening to the coarse talk in the kitchens. I was so worried about him, you see…’

  ‘Very well, Martha, but you must promi
se to behave yourself.’ Eve looked out of the window. ‘Now, the sun is shining and I would like some air. We will go out.’

  ‘But what if the captain should come looking for you, Miss Eve?’

  She put up her chin. ‘Then he will not find me. Let him kick his heels and wait for me. Fetch my wrap, please Martha, and your own. We are going to explore the town, then we shall walk to the church and admire its fine architecture!’

  Eve returned from her outing much refreshed and if she was disappointed to find that Nick was not waiting for her she would not admit it. It was still early and she sent Martha away to find out if it was possible for her to bathe before dinner. While the inn’s servants built up the fire and toiled up the winding stairs with pails of water, Eve turned her attention to the clothes Martha was laying out for her.

  ‘That is my cream polonaise, Martha. Have you nothing less…dashy?’

  ‘No, ma’am, only the walking dress that you have been wearing all day.’

  ‘But the cream gown is part of my trousseau.’

  Martha gave her a sly look. ‘Why so it is, mistress, and very romantical, too.’

  Eve hunched a shoulder and turned away, knowing that any remonstrance would be wasted and would most likely lead to her own discomfiture. She allowed Martha to undress her and stepped into the hip bath to enjoy the hot scented water. It was very relaxing, but as the dinner hour approached her anxieties increased. When she had finished bathing she put on a clean chemise and allowed Martha to pin up her hair. Eve glanced at the creamy silk gown laid out on the bed. Its low neckline seemed to mock her.

  As the maid picked up the linen stays she said, ‘Lace me up tightly, Martha.’

  ‘Very well, ma’am.’

  The feel of the linen and whale bone enclosing her ribs brought to mind visions of knights in stiff, unyielding armour. Not unlike her own forth coming meeting with her husband. ‘Tighter,’ she ordered, adding very quietly, ‘I do not want to enjoy myself tonight.’