He ventured closer to the four-leaf table laden with silverware, copper, and crystal. There were two candelabras stationed at each end, the centerpiece of sugared fruit and bowls of mustard set between them.
“Join us, Captain,” Herding said, his arms outstretched at his sides. “But first, I must confess I’d be more at my leisure if you discarded your weapons.”
“I’m not going to hurt anyone.” Unless you deserve it. Wolf glanced at Selina, silently urging her to say something, anything that would change her father’s wishes.
She smiled hesitantly but nodded for him to abide by her father’s rules. Thankfully, she hadn’t bothered to mention that his wrist guards were weapons, which gave Wolf some semblance of self.
“Very well,” he said, grumbling to himself as he removed his pistols. Bollocks. He didn’t belong here. He couldn’t be housebroken.
A servant came forward, removing the weapons from the table. Wolf growled at the man, who quickly sauntered back to the east wall and carefully placed the pistols on the sideboard one at a time.
“Now . . .” Herding clapped his hands together. “Formalities observed, a good host does not forget to introduce his guests.” He glanced at Wolf standing beside his chair. “Captain Wolf, allow me to introduce the men who share partnership in my mining conglomerate and their wives.” He began the introductions at Selina’s right. “Lord and Lady Basset; Mr. and Mrs. Clotworthie; Mr. and Mrs. Legge; Mr. and Mrs. Pasmoore; Lord Gariland you’ve already met; Mr. and Mrs. Surrage; and Mr. and Mrs. Wilkyn.” He stopped at Selina. “My daughter you clearly know.” Herding extended his arm to Wolf. “And now, dear Captain, I ask you to sit in a place of honor.”
“In my chair?” Gariland asked. “I say, this is out of the ordinary, but of course, I insist. Anything for the man who brought my bride-to-be back to me.”
Wolf cocked a brow. Gariland was pressing the state of his engagement again. “In that case, it will be my pleasure.”
Gariland moved to the empty chair next to Herding’s and sat down. The weaselly lord dabbed his nose with a handkerchief to cover his scowl, hiding behind the lace like fowl in the reeds on hunting day. He murmured something to Mrs. Pasmoore. She must have said something that didn’t please the man, however, because he leaned against his tall backrest at the opposite end of the table and snapped his mouth shut.
If Wolf had any sense, he’d get up and leave the room, but he couldn’t do so now without causing Selina embarrassment. After what she’d been through, he wouldn’t do that to her.
Selina, for her part, tried to remain passive, exhibiting an uneasy charm at her father’s side.
“If I may be so bold, Captain, what kind of name is Wolf?” Mr. Legge asked.
He opened his mouth, but Selina spoke first. “The captain is named after the esteemed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mr. Legge.”
“Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,” Mrs. Surrage exclaimed, her low, raspy tone implying how impressed she was. “The man was a genius.”
Wolf wouldn’t know. He’d found little time to attend operas or listen to music. The establishments he visited tended to be limited to fiddles and shanties. In fact, he didn’t even know what “Rondo alla Turca,” Selina’s favorite piece, sounded like. Perhaps he could persuade her to play it for him before he said goodbye.
Wolf shuttered the thought as he tugged at the cravat Herding’s valet had tied about Wolf’s neck. He wasn’t used to the restricting garments that reminded him of Tilbury Point where he’d seen pirates hanging from gibbets. He doubted he’d even be able to swallow any of the cook’s food.
“I agree,” Selina said as a servant poured wine into her glass. Her eyes held his. He let go of the cravat, discovering other areas of his body would need adjusting if he had to rise.
“I’m duly impressed, Captain,” Mrs. Legge said, “as your mother must have been quite proficient to name you after one of the masters.”
“I wouldn’t know.” He’d faced Robert Surcouf, a notorious pirate from Saint-Malo; Joseph Fouché, Napoleon’s Minister of Police; and Marmont and had come out unscathed. But thinking of the woman who’d given birth to him, the woman he’d been denied any memory of, hit his last nerve.
Herding stood. He lifted his wineglass and nodded to his guests. “Gentlemen. Ladies.” Chairs scuffed against the carpet as the men followed suit. Herding dipped his head chivalrously at each woman present and then stopped at Selina. “To my daughter’s safe return.”
“To Miss Herding,” the group responded.
Herding shot his gaze around the table before settling his wizened eyes on Wolf. “And to the man who will bring home my heir.”
“Hear, hear!” Gariland’s voice rose with exaggerated, almost practiced ease. “To Captain Wolf’s success!” A sweaty sheen brightened the lord’s cheeks, and he paled almost imperceptibly even as he exuded joy. “May he return after his job is done.”
Wolf thinned his lips. Arrogance didn’t sit well with him, but neither did a man who appeared to be hiding something. He’d be willing to bet Lord Gariland wasn’t who he claimed to be. “I’m curious, Lord Gariland,” he started.
“Do tell. I’ve never been a man to quash curiosity, Captain,” the man said, entertaining a false smile.
Wolf set his wineglass on the table. Something about Lord Gariland left a sour taste in his mouth, but he couldn’t place what exactly. “What did you do when Miss Herding did not arrive at the chapel?”
Heads swiveled from Wolf to Gariland.
“That was the worst day of my life.” Gariland’s smile faded as he gazed at Selina. “I will not speak of it.”
The worst day of Gariland’s life? Hadn’t he considered Selina and her brother? Now was the time for the lord to proclaim his affections. Selina needed to know she was desired, loved, held in the highest regard. She needed to hear such things from Gariland’s own mouth.
“No,” Herding said, giving Gariland a gruff nod. “Do not trouble yourself to speak your heart, my lord.” He cut his gaze to Wolf. “You were not there, Captain, and thankfully so or you would not have been in Saint-Malo. I confess, my daughter’s wedding day is a day I never want to relive. When the kidnappers’ letter arrived with the terms of my children’s ransom, well . . . I’m a gentleman and, therefore, choose not to offend anyone here with my rhetoric.”
“So the terms were sent to the chapel?” Wolf asked curiously.
Herding nodded. “Quite so. I suspect they learned of my whereabouts from my children upon their capture.”
Silence descended upon the room. Crystal chinked against china as Mrs. Legge raised her wineglass and took a sip.
“Then the kidnappers knew where they could find Miss Herding and her brother, and where to find you. Doesn’t that seem deliberate?”
“Yes,” Herding said. “Come to think of it, it does.” Selina’s father leaned back in his chair. “It all seemed so darned convenient then. I solicited my banker immediately, paid the ransom as quickly as possible, and saw to its delivery.”
“If you delivered the sum, perhaps you can provide me with a description of Miss Herding’s kidnappers?” Wolf asked.
“Nay, I cannot,” he said, causing Wolf to frown. “But Lord Gariland could. I sent him to deliver the money. Poor fellow was beaten unconscious.”
Gariland became agitated. “Please do not go into detail, sir. Allow a man his dignity.” But there was something about the way Gariland’s throat bobbed and avoided eye contact with Selina that seemed off. “I did what any man would do for his betrothed.”
If that was the case, Lord Gariland wouldn’t be here. He would have died trying to get Selina back.
Chapter Fifteen
“If I may be so bold,” Mrs. Clotworthie said, inclining her head toward Selina. “What truly happened on your wedding day, my dear?”
Selina blinked back a dizzying numbness, her heart slowing to a sluggish beat. She wanted to bow over with embarrassment, but she held her head high, refusing to relive
the moment her world had been upended and humility and pain had become daily occurrences. Mrs. Clotworthie could not help asking; it had long been known that her memory didn’t fire the way it used to.
“Dinner is served,” Papa said, nodding to the servants as they entered the room in a single file, effectively ending Mrs. Clotworthie’s questioning. “Enjoy the first course.”
For once, Selina was grateful for Papa’s intervention. His guests would not keep their appetites long if she told them what she and Owen had been forced to survive. They’d suffered days and nights without the privilege to relieve themselves. They’d been poked and prodded, beaten and shamed, and denied proper food. She’d been told they would examine Owen’s teeth, as well as other unmentionable things, while he stood on the auction block. She’d run then, fearful of experiencing the same. And her cowardice grieved her to the core.
One of five servants ladled turtle soup into her bowl, startling her from her reflections.
“What Miss Herding has endured,” Wolf said, increasing her guilt, “was harder than any of you realize.”
But it hadn’t been difficult to escape. That was the final cut of all. She’d left Owen, left him alone to suffer the indignities of the block!
“I’ve been to Cadiz.” Wolf glanced around the table. “A thriving port, that one. Corsairs and greed aplenty, and countless merchants arriving daily to pay for stolen wares. If the men who kidnapped Miss Herding and her brother chose to keep the ransom money without releasing their captives, they had a reason to do so. Most often that reason is the slave trade.”
But had Wolf said that corsairs did not sail this far north. Could it be that someone had wanted them out of the way?
“Slaves!” Mrs. Clotworthie cried as Mrs. Surrage covered her mouth, eyes misting.
“Thankfully, Miss Herding avoided such a fate by managing to escape. A woman isn’t as much of a threat as a man.” Wolf held Selina’s gaze. Pride glinted in his eyes, making her heart swell and her belly tighten. “Being resourceful, as Miss Herding has proven herself to be, has its advantages.”
“Captain, don’t,” she pleaded. She’d left Owen. She didn’t deserve anyone’s admiration.
Wolf ignored her warning. “As a healthy, young, and strong man, your brother would have been watched like a hawk and, therefore, given no opportunity to escape. Healthy men are prized slaves, their potential never wasted.”
Selina couldn’t help but wonder how Wolf knew so much about Cadiz.
“Are you saying Mr. Herding’s son is someone’s slave?” Lady Basset asked, clasping her throat. “Oh, that poor boy.”
“We have no way of knowing that,” Papa replied. “Do we?”
“If what the captain says is true, the possibility will have grave consequences for you, Herding,” Lord Basset said.
“And I am here to offer my support, come what may,” Lord Gariland added, his effeminate voice grating on Selina’s nerves. “As your future husband, I will take on Owen’s duties until he returns.”
Selina was taken aback. Lord Gariland had once told her he wasn’t good with numbers. How did he expect to help Papa with his business affairs when the very idea of performing any sort of labor offended his sensibilities? Questions riddled her mind as conversation broke out among the mineral lords.
“The captain is right,” she said. “I did not see what happened to my brother, but I heard our kidnappers discussing their plans. There is a chance—”
“What did you hear, Miss Herding?” Lord Gariland asked, strangely intrigued.
Wolf jumped in before she was able to answer. “Slight though it might be, there is a chance that your brother has already escaped his tormenters, Miss Herding.”
Their eyes met. Selina bit her lower lip, silently praying that Wolf was right. She appreciated his attempts to ease her worries. She couldn’t bear to think of the alternative, but the lack of Owen’s presence suggested he hadn’t found a way to come home.
“I shall pray for his soul,” Mrs. Wilkyn said before ladling soup into her spoon and sipping the smooth, creamy broth.
Four more courses were brought in, eaten, and cleared away in relative silence.
Papa cleared his throat and began to speak. “The danger to my son is great, I cannot lie. That is why I intend to offer Captain Wolf a substantial amount to sail to Cadiz and broker my son’s release.”
Wolf stretched his neck and played with the edge of his cravat. “There’s the rub, Herding.” Selina almost feared his impersonal tone as it broke the stillness. “I’m employed elsewhere. I am not at liberty to sail to Cadiz.”
Panic filled her, but she fought to keep her composure as nary a sound was made.
“Why not?” Papa waved off a servant. “You have not heard my offer yet.”
“Papa, business should be discussed in the parlor, or perhaps the captain would prefer to hear your offer in private.” Selina’s heart hitched in her chest as she inwardly cursed the blasted rules Society dictated that women follow. She had a good head for business and imagined the other ladies in the room did, too. She feared what would happen if Papa pushed Wolf too far. “The captain is a very busy man. He would not be successful if he wasn’t.”
“Mercenaries understand money,” Lord Gariland said. His jaw set, he leaned in closer to Selina. “I’m sure if a steep price were offered, the captain could be persuaded to change his mind.”
Selina was grateful for Lord Gariland’s support. “Owen is my brother, and I will do whatever is necessary to bring him home.”
She was the one who had left Owen behind; it was no one’s fault but her own. She had to live with that choice, and she wouldn’t settle for living a life of leisure while Owen’s life was in jeopardy. Not as long as there was breath left in her body. Her brother needed her. She’d done what she’d set out to do by returning home to get Papa’s support, and now she intended to fulfill the other part of her vow and sail back to Cadiz.
Wolf stood. His chair screeched against the floor as he pushed it back. “Lord Gariland is right.” His eyes blazed with a strange unruly light. “These are dangerous times, Miss Herding. You must consider moving on with your life. As must I.”
Papa glared across the table at Wolf, his face an emotionless mask. “Sit down. There is no need to scare the ladies.” Muscles worked in her father’s jaw until he produced a beleaguered smile. “Emotions tilt the scales, Captain.”
“Papa!”
He held up his hand to silence her. “It is never a good idea to allow emotion to cloud one’s judgment.” Papa glanced at his business partners. “Isn’t that right, gentlemen?” Heads nodded in agreement. “I can spot a good man when I see one. And you, sir, are the first man I’ve met who I trust will put my investment to good use.”
Lord Gariland frowned. “Now, see here.”
Selina’s mouth went dry. Hadn’t Papa sent Lord Gariland with their ransom? Did this mean he no longer trusted her betrothed? She knew Papa was cruel, but she’d never anticipated just how cruel.
She choked back a sob. Her stomach roiled, and a foul taste filled her mouth. She’d be damned if she embarrassed herself further by being sick before all and sundry.
“I’m not interested in any deal you have to offer,” Wolf said, adding to her dismay. “I’m needed in London.”
“I see,” Papa said. “It appears you are a good businessman, after all.” He sat back in his chair and studied Wolf. “No matter. My heir is worth any price. Let us speak of money now, here, in front of my guests. What would you say if I offered you fifty thousand pounds to forget what awaits you in London?”
“Herding,” several men complained at once.
“I will do whatever it takes to ensure the safe return of my son,” Papa argued, slamming his hand down on the table. Crystal, cutlery, and serviceware clamored together.
“Hear, hear!” Lord Gariland raised a glass of wine, seeming to have recovered from Papa’s direct cut. “The sooner your son is home, the sooner Miss Herding a
nd I can be wed.”
Selina glanced at Wolf. His hands were clenched into fists, and his body was tense. He looked as if he wanted to leap across the table and pummel Lord Gariland. Something had to be done to calm him before she lost him forever.
“Captain Wolf could have left me in Saint-Malo, but he did not.” She felt his eyes on her, his soul tugging at her heart. “He could have lost his ship and his entire crew in dealing with the corsairs, but he did not. He could have sailed to London instead of bringing me home, but he did not.” A thread of understanding breached the distance between them as their gazes locked. What they’d been through was a bond no one, including Lord Gariland, could break. Wolf’s compassion was genuine, his touch sublime, his kisses life-altering. She would do anything for Wolf. Anything. “Captain Wolf deserves our respect and consideration. At the very least, perhaps a little more time to think on Papa’s offer.”
Wolf nodded at Selina, hopefully sensing she needed a few minutes to speak to him privately. She was certain that she could persuade him to accept Papa’s money and take her with him.
Lord Gariland cleared his throat. “I see.”
How could he? Her betrothed had no way of knowing that Wolf had stolen Selina’s heart the moment he’d offered her that salve in his cabin. He couldn’t possibly understand the tendrils of delight that webbed through her whenever Wolf touched her, shutting out her awareness of anything else around her. The passion he ignited, filling her with liquid fire, stoking feelings so intense that Selina felt as if she ceased to exist, wasn’t anything she’d ever experienced with Lord Gariland. The truth of it was, Wolf made her want to live, to be the person she longed to be. Even now, her cheeks heated at the very thought of playing Mozart for him.
“Thank you for sharing all that the captain has done for you . . . and me,” Lord Gariland said. His voice was strained as he glanced back and forth from Selina to Wolf. Perhaps he did know the way she felt about Wolf. Perhaps he . . .
The Mercenary Pirate (The Heart of a Hero Book 10) Page 18