“When Maura happens upon you both in an indiscrete moment, she will become thus insensed and not allow the Captain to escort her back ta her quarters and that will be my chance to make away with her.” He vowed to Mallory. “I will make certain my prize will not be stolen from me again.” He slammed his fist into the palm of his hand.
Mallory yawned, while pulling at the lace of her bodice. “Whatever you say Kilern.”
Kilern's eyes traveled to Mallory's exquisite breast line with his usual brand of salaciousness. When Mallory caught him looking at her breasts she burst out into an unruly laughter. "Ya've got ta be kiddin' me, Mr. Kilern. There's not a chance in hell that ya are ever goin' ta taste these beauties. So just ya be gettin' that idea right out of ya vile, disgustin' mind." She did, however, extend her hand to seal their devilish pact to ruin Daniel Hargendon once and for all.
§
Impatient for answers, Maura decided to do a bit of investigating of her own into the dowry monies her father had sent on ahead to the Turlingtons. "Aiden, Aiden!" Maura was tugging on Aiden's jacket sleeve, to get his attention.
"What? What is it?" He finally looked in Maura's direction.
"Tell me more about this Turlington gentleman." Maura's tone was direct and demanding.
"What's ta tell? He's one of the wealthiest merchantiles in town, knows it and never misses an opportunity ta shove it down everyone's throat." He was still looking about the room for his brother. "Why so interested in him, anyway?"
"Because I seem ta remember my father speakin' of that name and I also had a dream I was supposed ta meet up with a man by that name, when I reached Boston. I know it sounds crazy but I feel I'm connected to this man, somehow."
Maura glanced in Turlington's direction, then wandered from Aiden's side. "Excuse me. Mr. Turlington, is it?" Maura interrupted his conversation with another uninterested, bored female. The minute she stepped to the couple, the other female immediately made her escape.
Thomas Turlington turned to face Maura once more, this time with a slight leer to his expression. He was a moderately tall man, possibly six foot, but still a good three inches shorter than Daniel, by her measure. He was not hard to look at. Though his looks were starkly different from Daniel’s. Thomas was thin and lanky in the legs, with wavy strawberry blonde hair. His skin was light, not tanned and weathered, like Daniel's.
His eyes were grey and he sported a wide, thick mustache. His lips were thin and when he spoke he salivated slightly. "Yes Miss McCoveny? May I interest you in a brandy and perhaps a walk in the garden?" He slid his arm beneath Maura's, so her hand rested atop his and he preceded to walk her towards the garden entryway. He took hold of her hand and bent to kiss gently the posterior portion, never taking his gaze from her. "Wait here for me, will you, Miss McCoveny? I'll bring the drinks, and then we can go for a stroll out into the garden." He backed away from Maura turning toward the refreshment area.
Maura breathed in deep. The air in the garden was warm and there was a wonderful breeze coming in off of the pond, just beyond the hedges. Her thoughts were turning to Daniel and how she wished he'd arrive soon so they could share this wonderful warm heady night together.
"Miss McCoveny?" Thomas' voice broke into her thoughts of Daniel.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Turlington, I'm sorry. You caught me daydreaming. I didna mean ta be rude ta ya, sir." She apologized.
"Let's see, where were we before Hargendon tore you from me, earlier?"
Starting to sound as if he were going to drone on again, Maura broke in.
"Mr. Turlington, I was wonderin' if ya ever knew of my father? Richard McCoveny? Does that name sound familiar to ya? Ya see, sir, before leaving for Boston I seem ta remember my father speakin' of a woman by the name of Mary Turlington. He said she had a son. I thought he said his name was Thomas. Would that be you, sir?" Maura begged for an aye, in reply.
Thomas did not answer immediately, but then said, " Aye. My mother's name was Mary." His reply was cold. His face became hardened. "My mother serviced half the sailors in this county. If you understand my meaning?" He turned his back to her, now.
"Please Mr. Turlington, I meant no disrespect of your mother." Her voice was a soft whisper.
Thomas carried a black heart, where his mother was concerned. He'd grown cold over the years due to all the ribbing he took as a young lad about his mother being a tavern wench. He felt he’d worked hard to overcome the shame his mother brought to his name and did not appreciate having it thrown up in his face. And even though his mother had saved every cent of what she earned, laying down for her son's benefit. He hated her still.
When he realized Maura sympathized with him, a snide grin crossed his lips. He turned to face her once again. "How is it, you suppose, your father came to know my mother? As if I did not know." His voice turned hard and cold.
"He told me she was a good friend to him when he was away and that she used to do some laundry for him when he was in port. That's all I know."
"Laundry. Is that what their calling it, now?" He replied sharp.
"Please, Mr. Turlington. He may have sent my dowry money to your mother for her to keep for my arrival. Would ya know anything about that?" she questioned him further.
"If ya could see ya way clear ta look inta your mother's affairs, mayhap she placed it in safe keepin'? If so, perhaps I could have the funds returned ta me so I could send for my father's passage ta America ta be with me before he passes on. That's all I'm after, sir." She grasped onto his forearm, preventing him from walking away from her.
Thomas looked down at her hand, firmly grasping his forearm and realized he may have a bargaining chip of which to use to ensnare her to him at a later date. "Unhand my arm Madame. Were I to manhandle you this way I should be thought to be ill treating you."
Maura immediately released her grip on his arm and stepped away from him, stunned she had been so bold.
"I will look into the matter and get back to you." All the while knowing full well he was in possession of the funds and had no intention of returning them to her. Perhaps she would consider coupling with him in exchange for the funds. That, he thought, would be delicious. “I’ll send for you the beginning of next week, my dear. We can have dinner and discuss the matter further.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, chuckled to himself then turned to enter
the main ballroom then began a conversation with another female guest as though he had not been speaking with her at all.
Maura was dumfounded. “He certainly is an odd sort of person.” She said aloud. “However he does know something about my father and my money…” She turned toward the garden entryway and began to walk outside, while sipping on her brandy. It was warm and sweet on her lips. It also invoked thoughts of a romantic kiss with Daniel, aboard a ship. Maura immediately wondered why she would have such thoughts, as she had no memory of being on a ship with Daniel, let alone kissing him.
“These are just dreams I am havin’ about him. They’re not real.” She kept telling herself. “Get a hold of yourself and stop all this fantasizing about times and things that have never taken place.”
But this memory is so real…so vivid in my mind. She thought while sipping her brandy. As the warm liquid trailed down her throat the memories came faster and began to wash over her like an ocean wave. She began to feel faint and sat down on a stone garden bench, over by a thick hedge. She closed her eyes in hopes the dizziness would subside and she could collect herself and return to the party.
Maura could hear the cellists and the woodwinds from across the garden. She heard, as well, the muffled sound of a familiar voice over the music. One she’d been waiting to hear all evening.
"You are as beautiful as ever." Daniel's voice was a wonderful melody to Maura’s ears.
"Of course I am as beautiful as ever."
Maura’s eyes flew open as she suddenly realized the voices were coming from beyond the hedge. She continued to listen with great intent.
"Mallory, I never mea
nt ya any disrespect, luv." Daniel's voice was soft and apologetic.
"Well you did disrespect me. But I could be persuaded to forgive you." Mallory's tone was seductive. She moved closer to Daniel, running her fingers up the front of his white linen shirt, toying with his cravat. "I've missed you so much Danny... and our hot lustful times together. Ooh, makes my blood boil just thinking about what it would be like to be with you right now." Mallory dropped her hand to the front of Daniel’s trousers in the blink of an eye. " Mmm, Mmm, Mmm. There’s no shortage of manhood here." She wet her lips, while tracing her fingers over the area just above the junction of his thighs. She leaned in to claim his mouth with a hot, wet seductive kiss.
Daniel forgot himself for a moment and began to respond to Mallory's advances. He let out a low moan in response.
Maura, needing a closer look at what was taking place on the other side of that hedge, climbed atop the stone bench and peered over the top. She could see the top of Daniel's head, as well as hear what sounded like passionate heavy breathing. Maura leaned in a bit closer to the hedge, lost her balance and fell over the brush, landing right on top of Mallory. Both women were splayed out on the grassy ground. Maura, embarrassed, Mallory furious and Daniel dumfounded.
Maura's gown was halfway up her waist as she struggled to her feet. She frantically brushed dry grass clippings from the front of her gown and straightened her bodice. She placed her hands to her hair in a feigned attempt to fix her disheveled coif, then grabbed hold of her skirts and pushed her way past the pair.
Daniel reached for her arm.
Maura shot him a look of hatred. Her eyes welled up with tears of embarrassment and hurt. "Unhand me Captain Hargendon! I can see the reason you were late to the party." .
Mallory stood beside Daniel, hand upon his chest, brushing off the hedge leaves from his jacket. "Another happy customer, I see." Mallory grinned in her snide, uncaring manner.
Daniel grabbed Mallory's wrist and shoved her from him then slowly walked back into the house. Once inside, Daniel saw the swirling remnants of Maura’s skirts, as she disappeared up the staircase leading to the bedchambers.
Aiden stopped him in the foyer. "Whoa brother, I wouldna go up there if I were you. Quinn has gone up to check on Maura. No doubt you had something ta do with all of the ruckus, eh?" Aiden laughed. "Oh brother you're never at a loss for entertainin' me. Why my life is down right borin' compared ta yours."
Daniel could tell his brother was quite inebriated. The telltale flushing of the face, the slurred speech and the hugging...oh the hugging was the real give away.
"Tell me brother how on earth do ya get the women ta chase after ya like that? No. I just don't get it." He teased.
"Oh knock it off, Aiden. Did Quinn tell ya what Maura said after she came inta the house?" Daniel interrogated his brother.
"Oh I dunno, somethin' 'bout you was a scoundrel, a cad, a whoremaster. Ya know the usual." Aiden joked.
"She did not say that." Daniel said in his most unbelieving tone.
"You're right. She didn't. I made up the whoremaster part." Aiden laughed so hard he fell backwards onto the steps. "Now brother you canna go up stairs until Quinn comes down and says it's alright with Maura. If she says no, then you'll have ta await the ‘morrow. Now, c'mon Danny. Let's you and me go get us a fine flask of scotch, eh? Whatever ya did, Maura will forgive ya. I never have seen any female stay mad at ya for too long." Aiden slapped his brother on the back and led him back into the drawing room.
Ӝ
Chapter Twenty
"Can ya believe the nerve o' that man?" Maura spat out, her hands clenched down at her sides, pacing wildly back and forth in her bed chamber.
"Slow down, Maura, and tell me what happened out there?" Quinn tried to reason with Maura, without success.
"Why, he was practically bedding that wench out in the open!" Maura continued to pace.
"Maura, come sit over on the bed and tell me all about it." Quinn said in a soothing tone.
Maura threw herself atop her bed, burying her face into the pillows. "Oh Quinn I am such a naive little twit. I foolishly thought Daniel was the one for me. That he truly had feelings for me." She sobbed into her pillow. "I, now, see he's like every other male, after only one thing. Get a woman ta trustin' them, acquire her honor then move onta the next.” She could hardly breathe for crying so hard.
"There, there luv, I'm sure there’s a good explanation for what happened. Ya must've come upon somethin' ya are not understandin' proper." Quinn rubbed Maura's shoulders.
"No Quinny you should’ve seen them. They were all over each other in the shadows,
all whispers and heavy breathin'. Ugh...makes me sick ta my stomach just ta think about Daniel in the arms of another woman!” Maura sniffled then wiped her nose onto the handkerchief Quinn handed to her.
"And that be a good thing!" Quinn said with a wink and broad smile.
"What?" I don't understand. How could that be a good thing?" Maura questioned her friend.
"Because that means ya are in love with the jackass." Quinn answered with a giggle.
"If ya were not in love with Danny, it wouldna be hurtin' so bad. I mean ya wouldna care that he was with anyone in the shadows. Am I naught right? I don't know what ya really came upon out in the garden but I'm sure Miss Mallory Gilmore was doin' most of the cozyin' up, if ya know what I'm talkin' about. That little witch is pure evil. I didna want ta invite her but Aiden does business with her Father and thought it would be a snub not ta invite he and his daughter. Aiden thought enough time had passed since their engagement ended, and that it would be fine. Oh stupid men. They know nothin' about a woman scorned."
"What do ya mean since their engagement ended?" Maura questioned her friend.
"You know, that Daniel was betrothed ta Mallory and was to marry her around the time you were attacked on the dock, all those months ago. You didn't know that?" Quinn said, embarrassed she had let Maura in on something she knew nothing about.
Maura was having another one of her flash backs. She saw herself fingering a portrait of a young woman, then another flash and the memory was gone. Her temples were pounding.
"Maura, what is wrong? Are ya havin' another one of ya headaches? Can I get ya some headache powders?"
Maura was rubbing the sides of her head, again, as was the norm after one of her flashbacks. "No, Quinn, it will pass. Just give me a minute ta catch myself up. I was naught knowin’ Mallory was the woman he was ta marry. No doubt she still has feelin's for him."
“Don't ya go gettin' all soft on me, now. Mallory knows just what she's doin'. Why, her evil little finger prints are all over this incident. If she knew Danny was in love with ya, she'd be even more troublesome than she's bein' tonight."
“Then by rights I really have no claim ta him.” Maura conceded.
"Now you just hold on there missy, if Daniel really wanted ta marry her he'd be married. He didna marry her because he loves you, Maura."
Maura sat staring at her hands, wringing them, as she often did when she was nervous. "But how could he have known, the night I was shot, that he was in love with me? That just doesn't make any sense, Quinn."
"Look Maura, Aiden told me Daniel confided ta him he knew ya before he came upon ya on the dock, that night. He also told Aiden he brought ya over from Ireland on the Arabella... that ya had been hidden for a time as a cabin boy and stowed aboard the ship. That's how ya came ta be in America." Quinn explained.
Maura sniffed and shook her head. "'Tis too much for me ta take in, right now. Perhaps tomorrow in the light of day I can think on it more. I think I'll just turn in here tonight. Please make my excuses ta your guests. I just can't go back down there, Quinn."
After a few minutes passed, Quinn spoke to Maura. "Look Maura, ya canna just roll over and let them get the best of ya. Ya are too tough for that, now are ya not?" Quinn tried to rally Maura's fighting Irish spirit. "I mean if 'twas me, why, I'd go right back down there, proud as a peacock and continu
e havin' a seditious time and I'd even flirt with a man or two ta make Danny pay for my hurt feelin's. What say ya ta that!"
Maura dried her tears and began to feel her Irish spirit rising. "Ya are absolutely right, Quinn." Maura stood in front of the tall mirror and fixed herself. Her lips, she moistened, her cheeks she pinched just enough to make the color return to them, and then she affixed the bodice of her gown so her breasts were slightly exaggerated in their fullness.
"That's the spirit, lass. Let him know what he almost had tonight and then threw away for a quick tryst with that tart." Quinn was clearly exaggerating or effect. She knew there would not have been any other way she would have been able to get Maura to rejoin the party, otherwise. She did not believe for one moment Daniel was intentionally having a tryst with Mallory. But she had to get Maura just angry enough to fight for him, and also to give Daniel a chance at making things right between them.
Maura descended the spiral staircase, her head held high. She walked deliberately and slowly past the main ballroom area taking special notice that Daniel would see her pass and follow her out to the garden. As she neared the French archway, she sidled up to Thomas Turlington and requested him to join her in the garden so they might continue their earlier conversation. If she could get him to look into his mother's affairs she then might be able to regain her dowry and finally become independent of these men, once and for all. Besides, she thought with a devilish grin, this would really irritate Daniel to think of her with another man. She thought…Why it would serve him right after what he put me through tonight. First the waiting and then the cavorting in the bushes.
…"Thank you, Mr. Turlington for agreeing to finish our earlier conversation." Maura's voice cooed like a dove in an all together exaggerated manner, loud enough for Daniel to over hear her. Maura brazenly took Thomas’ arm and led him out to the garden. She made certain she turned to give Daniel a sweet smile and a snide glare of her eye.
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