The Captain's Lady
Page 23
He backhanded her.
She fell to the hard ground, tears smearing down her cheeks. Slowly her hand covered the smarting flesh.
“See what you made me do.”
He towered over her as she tried to push away. He would kill her and no one would know. She covered her face as he raised his hand to strike again. The blow never came.
The gun fired.
Isabella screamed, waiting for the pain.
When she opened her eyes Nicholas was there, lunging forward, his weight knocking Emsley to the grass. The men rolled, exchanging blows.
Hope surged when Nicholas straddled Emsley. Nicholas’s fist raising high before smashing against Emsley’s jaw.
Nicholas stood, dragging the dazed man up and handing him over to Pashkin and Chambers. “Take him to Bow Street…to the runners.” He picked up the gun, tucking it into Chambers’ pocket. “I intend to press charges,” he said for Emsley’s benefit.
The men were halfway up the slope when Nicholas knelt beside her. “Isabella? Did he…”
She followed his gaze to her shredded dress. “No,” she shook her head. “He didn’t.” Isabella swallowed. Nicholas gathered her in his arms then grunted in protest. “You’re shot!”
“Nay more than a graze.”
Isabella searched his face, tears running down her cheeks. His hands cupped her face. “I should have killed him for what he did.” His thumb caressed the swelling flesh. “I can’t lose ye, lass.” He kissed her hair, her closed eyes. And with the lightest touch, his lips brushed hers.
“Oh, Nicholas.” Isabella buried her face against his chest. “I love you.”
He held her as she cried, stroking her back in lazy circles. For a long time they held each other, basking in the pleasure of the other’s embrace. His need for reassurance matched her own.
“How did you find us?”
He smiled. “I found Pashkin cleaning your tools and grumbling about never understanding women. It is not like you to abandon yer precious flowers.”
She nodded, grateful it was him and not Cassie that came looking for her. He grunted again, reminding her of his injured shoulder. “We need a doctor,” she said, shifting in his hold. “And rags. Hot water. And—”
“And there’ll be no more gardening alone for a time.”
Her brows rose. “But…why?” Emsley was no longer a threat.
His eyes darkened. “I didn’t protect you today.”
She gripped his uninjured arm. “Emsley’s behavior was not your fault.”
Nicholas ignored her reasoning. She’d seen that determined scowl before and knew no amount of reassurance would change his mind.
“You couldn’t have known.”
He stepped out of her reach. “I should have known he was dangerous. That he would not simply be embarrassed or accept his loss and move on. He could have killed you.”
“But he didn’t.”
“What good am I if I can’t protect you?” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve brought ye nothing but trouble.”
Her heart squeezed. Going to him, she circled her arms around his waist. “No, Nicholas. You’ve brought me happiness.”
He didn’t answer.
She tilted her chin, looking at him. “Nicholas?”
He didn’t look at her.
“He’d gone because of you.” She touched his chin until his gaze held hers and she saw that he’d been frightened. She saw her own fear reflected in his eyes. They had only just found each other and so much could have been taken from them. But it hadn’t been, they were whole.
“What if I were not here in time?”
She smoothed his trembling lower lip with her thumb. “But you were, my love.” Her arms circled his waist again. “Are we to let him interrupt the rest of our lives?”
It took a moment as she watched him wrestle with his emotions—his belief that he’d placed her in danger at war with his need to be at her side—before he growled and lowered his mouth to hers. “Nay.” He kissed her then, gently at first, before deepening their embrace to one of hunger and need. The need to reassure each other that they were alive. She welcomed the feel of his tongue moving against hers and knew he was reveling in knowing she was safe.
“Now come, husband. I’m an excellent nurse maid.”
Nicholas grunted. “Are ye now?”
“Aye,” she teased.
Thirty Two
“Ian.” He clapped the lad lightly on his back.
“Aye, Captain.”
Captain. It was his first journey without Nicholas at the helm. Harold swiped his long fingers through his hair, his only show of nervousness and excitement. He was ready, more than ready to sail.
“Inform the second, we leave in ten.”
“Aye, Captain.” Ian finished securing the remaining rope around the hook, then dashed off in the direction that would take him below deck.
Holding onto the rails, his eyes roamed the shores of London. It was just as he remembered—the call of the ocean, the stillness of the coming morning. Harold closed his eyes and savored all of it. He did not need eyes to see the thinning fog blanketing the Thames. He inhaled, dragging fresh sea air into his lungs.
A slow tingle started at his nape; the fine hairs along his neck stood. Dawn rapidly approached. He wanted the sun to greet him at sea. It had always been that way between Nicholas and him, starting their day—their journey—without the stench of the city trailing after them. At sea, little touched them.
His eyes opened with renewed anticipation. A few of the crew said their goodbyes to their families, lovers and lads who would one day sail aboard his ship. Harold turned away, leaving them to their privacy. He reached for the bridge, their only connection to the docks, and tugged the strip of wood.
A swirl of skirts filled his vision. Harold paused as one slipper-clad foot, then another, stepped onto the plank of wood.
Every muscle in his back flexed. The last thing he needed was a woman begging for passage.
Harold grunted. “You’d best wait to board the Constantine,” he said without sparing a glance.
He expected pleading or a harsh rebuke delivered from a delicate voice. He received neither. And when those soft feet did not move or retreat, he followed the trail of fabric.
Harold froze. Virginia.
He straightened, their gazes holding. Only then did she take a tentative step in his direction.
“Will you not let me aboard your ship?”
“What are you doing here?” His eyes moved beyond her.
She didn’t answer.
He looked at her again. “What is it?” Had something happened to Cassie, Nicholas, Isabella?
Her fingers tightened around her bag’s handle as she looked from one shipmate to another. Following her gaze, he cursed. The entire crew stared at them with mixtures of amusement and curiosity. Gripping her elbow, he guided them towards his quarters, then closed the door.
“What brought you to the docks alone, Virginia? At such an hour?”
“You.”
Harold paused. His eyes narrowed. A week ago, she would not have him. Refused to be with him, and now she expected…what? His grip on her arm tightened. “Is this a game for you?”
“What…?” Her eyes widened.
“Tell me, Virginia. Is this how you plan to lead me on a merry chase?”
“No!”
“Do you think—”
“I love you.”
They stared at each other. Him unable to believe her rushed words.
“I love you,” she said again.
The words were a balm for his soul. He inhaled, filling his lungs with them.
“I want to marry you, Harold. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. Afraid of my past.” Her long lashes lowered. “I’m barren. You should know before we go any further, so there is no chance…” She swallowed. “I couldn’t take it if you left or grew resentful.”
“God dammit, woman.”
She gasped
when he shook her. Taking a steadying breath, he loosened his hold on her arm.
“Do you think I wanted you for the number of bairns you could produce?” He ran weary fingers through her hair. “Virginia,” he said impatiently. “When I’m with you, I’m home. Do ye understand that? You take me as I am. You meet me halfway, and that’s more than a mon like me expects.”
“Then you wouldn’t send me back?”
“I should. This is no short trip. We sail for Scotland.” His lips brushed hers in a gentle caress.
“Scotland?” Her eyes widened.
“You’ll do as I say, when I say, and not put yourself in danger.”
“No… I mean, yes!”
He smiled and kissed the corner of her mouth. “With you by my side, I have a reason to reclaim my lands.”
“You’ll have me?” Her eyes closed in wonder.
“What better way to test your theory than as my wife.” His hand moved to her stomach, fingers spreading wide to cradle all of her softness. Then his lips claimed hers for a kiss that took them beyond boundaries, beyond oceans and time.
Epilogue
Nicholas woke his wife with tender kisses on her shoulder.
“You’ll miss your voyage,” she sighed.
“I’m not going on this trip.”
Her eyes shot open. “Do you mean it?”
He chuckled.
When her hands cupped his face, he sucked one of her fingers into his mouth, sucking it gently before releasing it. “Harold is more than capable of captaining the ship, and he deserves the chance to spread his wings. He has proven that this past week.”
“You’re not staying because of me, then? To protect me, I mean?”
“Can’t a mon want to be with his wife?”
She gasped when his hand smoothed over her stomach. “I don’t want you to relinquish what you love, Nicholas. Captaining is the best part of you.”
“Nay love, you’re the best part of me.” Nicholas smiled when she stared at him through half-closed eyelids.
“Harold won your dowry from Emsley, Isabella.”
Her arms closed around his narrow waist. “Remind me to thank him.”
“I’d rather you thanked me.” His grin broadened. “If you agree, I will give a sum to your father to repair his debts and restore his lands to their previous glory.”
“I’m not sure he deserves your sympathy.”
Smoothing the frown lines along her mouth, he said, “I’m not doing it for your father, love, but to save your sister from the same fate ye experienced.”
“I love you, Captain Nicholas Ferguson.”
He rolled her over until she was flat on her back. His hips deliciously wedged against her core. “And I you, Lady Isabella Ferguson, and I you. Now…about our unfulfilled part of the bargain.” He rocked back and forth. “Let’s see what we could do about my request for brats.”
“You’re incorrigible.” She laughed. “No respectable husband is interested in his wife long past honeymoon.”
“There lie your problems,” he said. “We haven’t had a honeymoon.”
“And what’s my other problem?” Isabella moaned as he parted her folds, finding her slick, ready.
“I’m nay respectable.”
The End
Thank You
Thank you to my street team for beta reading, tossing ideas about, and spreading the word. You help make publication possible. If you help promote, Ladies in Sandal Series, email me at thecolorfulpen@gmail.com or send a message at robeccaaustin.com and I’ll include your name in my street team shout out.
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Street Team shout out!
Christine Colorado
Laurie Hazel
Tim Page
James Ruth
Shane Clair
Loved by a Lady
Ladies in Scandal Series
Book Two
15 years ago, lord Jerrote Grant lost both his parents.
Was sent from his home by a scheming uncle.
He left London and her.
Now he has returned.
But lady Catherine Ferguson wants no part of his mysterious reappearance. She’s content to painting, avoiding available lords of the ton, and protecting her bruised heart.
Except, when paintings start to go missing in her gallery, Catherine has little choice but to accept the help of her dashingly tempting childhood sweetheart.
Will Jerr regain her trust and win her love?
Find out in book two of, Ladies in Scandal Series.
Other Books by Author
Ladies in Scandal Series
The Captain’s Lady Book 1 (Nicholas and Isabella)
Loved by a Lady Book 2 (Jerr and Catherine)
Briefs—short stories with sizzle
Champion of the Isles (Rand and Cathia)–Historical
For Her Pleasure (Isa and Duncan)–Historical
Romance Anthologies
Path of the Heart
Paranormal Anthologies
Illusions of Power
Meet the Author
Robecca Austin is an author of romance and paranormal stories. She is the founder of www.ColorfulPen.com. A member of the Hamilton Mountain Writers Guild, two of her short stories, “Cold Table” and “The Bowl” won first prize and were published in collections by the Hamilton Mountain Writers Guild.
You can find her outside enjoying nature and lots of sunshine when there are no bugs. Her days are spent battling Cystic Fibrosis, hugging family and writing her next novel. She lives and works in Canada. Follow her on www.robeccaaustin.com.
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Table of Contents
Excerpt from The Captain’s Lady
Also by Robecca Austin
The Captain’s Lady
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty One
Twenty Two
Twenty Three
Twenty Four
Twenty Five
Twenty Six
Twenty Seven
Twenty Eight
Twenty Nine
Thirty
Thirty One
Thirty Two
Epilogue
Thank You
Loved by a Lady
Other Books by Author
Meet the Author