Seacrets

by Adrianna Wingate

  He quietly delivered Maura to the guesthouse through the back road. Once he was sure she was safely inside and the doors were locked, he made his way back to the main house where he kept his promise of silence. The second he had entered his bedchamber, Quinn lit the bedside candle. “Where have ya been husband and is there any news of Maura’s whereabouts?”

  “No, Quinn, nothing new to report.” He lied. He did not know how long he was going to be able to keep the secret.

  “Come ta bed then, ya can resume ya search for Maura in the Mornin’.”

  Quinn dowsed the candle with her breath and moved in close to her husband, pressing herself up against his backside.

  Aiden lay there in the dark, clutching his wife’s hand to his bare chest. His eyes were staring into the night sky, unable to settle himself.

  §

  Maura stared out into the same night sky. The French doors were open, allowing the warm summer night’s breeze to envelop her. She was submerged up to her chin in a tub of steaming water, as hot as she could stand, without scalding herself. She had scrubbed and scrubbed until she thought she would peel the skin from her body. She wished she could somehow step out of her skin and into a fresh new form. But she knew that was not to be.

  She was frozen, despite the fact she was sitting in a tub of hot water. Maura clutched her knees to her chest and sobbed, rocking back and forth wishing she could somehow awaken from this hellish nightmare. She thought long and hard about what she must do to make things right in her life again. She would have to give up a lot, but she had already given up so much of herself for a so-called better life. She decided right there and then, to return home to Ireland. Yes, it was the only answer that seemed to make any real sense to her. If her Father were still alive he would surely take her in and she could make up a tale about marrying Thomas Turlington and that he had died at sea, when they had set sail to come back across. This way if she were with child she would have her virtue intact and would not ruin her father’s good name.

  She was disgusted with herself. “Look at me. I’m gettin’ awful good at comin’ up with one lie after another.” She began to cry again and then just as suddenly she stopped.

  “Pull ya self together, Maura!” She chided herself for her weakness. “Y’ave got a long way ta go.” And with that last thought, she let herself slide beneath the water, as if she were baptizing herself into her new way of life… A life of secrets and lies.

  Ӝ

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Aiden, wake up, wake up!” Quinn frantically shook her husband awake.

  “What, what’s the matter with ya, woman?” Aiden was still groggy from his near sleepless night.

  “Your mother is downstairs and she is frantic!” Quinn exclaimed.

  Aiden jumped up out of bed and quickly doffed his trousers, completely forgetting about his shirt or boots. He hit the staircase two steps at a time until he met with his mother who was pacing in the main foyer, inside the front door.

  “Mother, what’s all the fuss about?” Still rubbing at his eyes trying to get them to unglue themselves. He shouted for Quinn to bring him a pitcher of water and a towel.

  “Your brother is missing from the house, that’s what all the fuss is about!”

  Aiden splashed cold water on his face, quickly wiped his face with a fresh flannel and chugged a cup of black coffee, while trying to calm his mother. “Ok, Ok. Slow down and tell me how long he has been gone. Well I know that he has been gone since about the time that Mallory showed up, late yesterday afternoon.” Mary wracked her brain for accuracy.

  “Whoa, whoa, mother. What do ya mean since Mallory showed up. Why was she at the house?” He questioned.

  “Well, apparently Frederick, the mail carrier, had told her about the events of the evening before and she came by to see how Daniel was doing.”

  Aiden’s mind stopped on that one sentence. He was thinking Frederick seemed to be in a lot of common places. But what could he have to do with the current chain of events?

  “Anyway, when I took Mallory upstairs to visit with Daniel, that’s when I discovered was missing. I looked over the entire property. Believe me he’s gone. Oh and Aiden, Demon is gone, as well.”

  “Well ya know he’s gone in search of Maura.” Replied Aiden.

  “I had better go after him.” Aiden donned his boots and shirt and took off on his horse. But before he did, he went to check on Maura. He hated keeping this secret from his family, but by tonight it will all be over and out in the open. This he promised himself. No more secrets.

  Aiden entered the guesthouse. There was an eerie silence. All the windows were closed. It was too hot of a day for the windows to be closed. He called out Maura’s name. There was no answer. He felt his heart drop. “Oh my God.” He thought, she’s run away, or worse. She’s done something to herself.” Aiden searched the entire guesthouse, but Maura was nowhere to be found. The house was as if someone had been there for a visit, tidied up a bit and departed. Everything in it’s place.

  Aiden set out toward the docks. “I’ll bet my last crown she’s tryin’ ta board passage back to Ireland.” With a quick dig of his heels, into the sides of his horse and he was off and running. “Har!” He shouted.

  §

  Daniel’s complete focus was on finding Maura. His pain was secondary.

  He had been down to the docks, but found no solid leads to her whereabouts. He had given her description to everyone he knew.

  Godsey had been visiting his favorite waterfront haunt, when Daniel wandered in half dead from pain and exhaustion. “Sir, what the devil are ya doin’ down here?” Godsey cried out. I’ve been in every tavern up and down the waterfront inquirin’ about Maura and keepin’ an eye scare for any lout tryin’ ta hide her in plain site, if ya know what I mean, sir?” Godsey helped Daniel over to a table in the back of the tavern. “Here sir, sit a while.” He tried to console his Captain. “Maura is a tough gel sir, she’ll keep herself alive no matter the cost. Ya love each other too much. Y’ave come too far, now, for anythin’ too awful bad to occur.”

  “Yes Godsey she is tough, but whoever this scoundrel is that has taken her for a second time is going ta be even more dangerous. He’s lost her ta me once and he’s not goin’ ta want ta be found. He’ll keep her underground hidden somewhere, until he thinks that no one is lookin’ for her any longer.”

  Daniel looked up in the direction of the front entryway and spotted his brother, Aiden. Godsey called out to him. “Master Aiden! Over here, man!”

  Aiden pushed through the crowds of regular nightly revelers, and made his way to his brother’s table. “Daniel, thank God I’ve caught up ta ya, man. Everyone is goin’ crazy lookin’ for ya!” He motioned for the barmaid to come over. “Ales all around and be lively!”

  “Look Danny I’ve got news of Maura. ’Tis not good, brother.”

  Daniel braced himself for the worst. “Well out with it, man, is she dead!”

  Aiden had never witnessed his brother to be in such a panic. He had always been the strong one. “No, Daniel. She is not dead. She’s run away.” Aiden rubbed his brow with the seat of his hand.

  “What, run away? From what? From who?” Daniel was totally confused. His head was pounding and his shoulder was on fire.

  “Look it’s partially my fault. I should not have promised to hide her at the guesthouse until morning. I should have made her whereabouts know immediately.”

  “What the devil are ya babblin’ about, man?” Daniel’s patience was all but gone. “Look brother, tell me what the bloody hell has gone on over the last 24 hours, I’m out o’ my mind with worry, over her!”

  Aiden laid out the whole tale, right there. How he suddenly and conveniently came upon this country ordinary with the help of the mail delivery person, Frederick. He continued to tell Daniel about Kilern, the rape, the murder, and the cover up.

  Godsey was dumbfounded. “I always knew Kilern was a little off, so ta speak, but this is beyond what I thoug
ht even he was capable of.” Godsey recalled Kilern’s temperament. “He was always makin’ snide remarks of how he was sick o’ workin’ the ocean and he had harbored a jealously towards ya Cap’n. I think he always fancied himself the Cap’n, ‘cause o’ sailin’ with ya pa, an all, for so many years.”

  “So it was Kilern who shot me in the back?” Daniel asked his brother.

  “I’m not sure, Daniel.” Aiden rubbed at the full day’s growth on his chin as he pondered their next move. “Frederick’s name keeps coming up. When I ran into him, on a desolate stretch of road, mind you, where there were no estates or cottages to receive mail, he conveniently knew right where to steer me so I would find Maura.” Aiden continued with his summation. “Did he already know she was being held there and was he trying to save her? I do not know. But what I do know is when mother came to my home this morning, she said she had discovered you were gone when Mallory showed up to see how you were doing and that she had found out what had happened to you when Freddy, the mail carrier had told her what had happened the night before. How would Freddy have known all about what had happened the night before when there hadn’t been a mail delivery since the day before that?”

  “I say we pay dear Freddy a little visit, right now and get ta the bottom of all this mystery.”

  Godsey tossed the barkeep a few coins to cover the cost of the ales and off the three went in search of Frederick.

  Daniel and Godsey waited a ways back from Freddy’s home. Aiden rode up to the front gate. There was an elderly woman standing in the doorway of the cottage. She stepped forward, “Can I help ya with somethin’?

  “Evenin’ to ya Mrs. I’m lookin’ for ya son Frederick. Is he about?”

  “Mayhap, depends who’s askin’. Is he in trouble?” She asked.

  “No ma’am. I’ll just be wantin’ a word with him, is all.” Aiden feigned a smile to throw off her suspicion.

  The old woman said not another word, but disappeared into the cottage and in her place reappeared Frederick. “Oh, hello Mr. Hargendon. How are ya this fine evenin’, sir? What can I do for ya? Tis a bit early for the mail delivery, eh?” Freddy had a nervous laughter about him.

  “Yes, yes, Freddy. Look son, the reason I’m ridin’ out here so late is I was wonderin’ how ya were ta be knowin’ right where ta be at the right time, today, eh? What were ya doin’ out in that desolate part of the country?” Aiden pressed Freddy.

  “I, I’m havin’ no idea what ya are talkin’ about, sir.” He was sweating, now, from being so nervous.

  “Let me explain it ta the boy, Aiden.” Daniel stepped out of the darkness, with Godsey in tow. “My brother is wantin’ ta know how it is that ya have come ta know so much about an event that had not yet occurred?” Daniel spoke though clenched teeth.

  “Easy, brother. Do naught spook the boy. He’ll tell us what we’re wantin’ ta know, won’tcha boy?”

  Frederick was wide-eyed and full of fear.

  “How did ya come ta know about my brother being shot?” Aiden continued with his interrogation.

  “Do ya have knowledge of who shot me? Answer me, boy! Daniel was incensed. He was very close to losing control and throttling the pup.

  “If only she would have stopped chasing after you I would not have had to shoot you.” Freddy blurted out his confession. You see Captain Hargendon, Mallory had paid Mr. Kilern to get rid of Miss McCoveny so it would be clear sailin’ for you and she again. But I love her. You do naught. I wanted the chance ta show her what real love was all about. So, yes, I shot you! I shot you!” Freddy began to laugh an inhuman laughter. It was the laughter of a mad man. His knees buckled beneath him and he continued endlessly with the same insane laughter.

  Aiden walked past Freddy and into the cottage. He spoke with Freddy’s mother of the incident and asked her to hold him in her custody until the magistrate could be contacted and they could figure out what could be done. Freddy obviously was having a breakdown of sorts.

  Frederick’s mother offered her apologies to Daniel and his brother for the trouble her son has caused and promised not to let him out of her sight.

  Aiden looked at Daniel squarely and said the next visit is to Miss Mallory.

  Ӝ

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Mallory had been pacing the front porch for hours. She had gone back to Kilern’s holding and found the place in a shambles with blood on the walls and floor, but no Maura and no Kilern. Having been to Aiden’s estate earlier and finding no Daniel, Mallory could only guess what the scene was like if Daniel in fact was the one that discovered Maura in the clutches of his quartermaster. She told herself she must remain calm. If Daniel knew any of her involvement, he would have been here by now, questioning her.

  “Just calm down, Mal.” She told herself. “No one has proof of anything.” Mallory continued to pace and flick her thumbnail across her top teeth in her nervousness.

  “Just calm down from what Mallory, my poisonous little cobra.” Daniel’s voice shot out from the darkness.

  “My God Danny you scared me half to death!” Mallory’s cheeks were burning red.

  “Why look at you. Up and out of bed already. You must be feeling better to be able to call on me in the middle of a hot summer night.”

  Daniel walked up onto the front porch and stood inches from Mallory.

  He stared her down. Even though she hadn’t a clue what to expect from this encounter she was utterly aroused by his presence and close proximity. “Well you are feeling better.” Mallory trailed her fingers down Daniel’s chest to the ties on the top of his trousers.

  Daniel leaned in even closer and was just inches away from her lips. His piercing blue eyes were intently affixed on hers. Mallory’s thick velvet lashes were just beginning to close down over amber colored eyes. Mallory sighed in anticipation of a long awaited kiss from her lover. “Oh Danny, I’ve waited so long for you to…”

  “I’ve just come from Freddy’s house.” Daniel sarcastically sighed back at her.

  Mallory’s eyes flew open. She knew that it was all over. “I had nothing to do with that little twit shooting you, Danny, I swear it!” Mallory pleaded with Daniel to let go of her arms. “You’re hurting me, Danny, let go!”

  But ya did have somethin’ ta do with the kidnapping’ of Maura, did ya naught?” Daniel’s booming voice was so loud it caused a stir and Leif came out onto the front veranda.

  “See here Hargendon, what is the meaning of this outrage? Unhand my daughter, this instant!” Leif demanded.

  “Here ya go, Gilmore. Have at her while ya can. I plan ta have her investigated by the magistrate for kidnappin’ and attempted murder.” Daniel turned his back to them both then climbed atop Demon and casually sauntered down the bridle path away from the Gilmore estate, Mallory crying and screaming and blaming her father for every wrong-doing in the world.

  Daniel met up with his brother and Godsey at the end of the bridle path. “Thanks, brother, for lettin’ me handle Mallory my way. “Now we’ve got ta find Maura.”

  “Look Cap’n I’ve got word out all over the docks not ta allow any female travelin’ by herself, ta buy passage aboard any ship. They’re supposed ta hold her there and come for us. That hasn’t happened yet so, she’s got ta be hidin’ ‘round here somewhere. Don’t ya be worryin’ Cap’n, we’ll find her. Why don’t ya go back ta ya brother’s house and get some rest. In the mean time, I’ll go down, hang out by the docks, and speak with some o’ my ‘old cronies. I’ll send word if I find her.” Godsey placed a hand to his Captain’s shoulder and gave a gentle shove.

  §

  Daniel and Aiden finally reached Aiden’s estate and the two went into the library to take a few shots of brandy before trying to get some sleep. Aiden was out cold, stretched over the divan snoring, before he even finished his first flask.

  Quinn entered the library, candle in hand. “Oh thank God you’re alright. Ya mother has been worried sick over ya, Daniel.” Quinn placed a woolen lap blanket over her husba
nd and offered Daniel the same.

  “No thanks, Quinn, I’m too wound up ta sleep yet.” Daniel walked back over towards the liquor cabinet and poured himself another flask of brandy. It was going to take a lot of brandy to put him down, tonight.

  “Alright, then, I’ll let ya mother know ya are alright.” Quinn kissed Daniel on the cheek and disappeared into the darkness of the foyer.

  Daniel took his flask of brandy and walked out to the front porch. He noticed a line of smoke curling up and above the tree line. Daniel thought he was seeing things. He undid Demons reigns from his hitching post, mounted him and cautiously proceeded toward the guesthouse. As he gained closeness, he could see a tiny flickering of light from a candle in the window. When finally he reached the guesthouse, he dismounted Demon and tied him to the fence. Daniel entered the garden area and very cautiously looking around not wanting to leave his back door open again, he slowly mounted the front steps of the cottage. The front door was slightly ajar. Daniel entered the foyer and quietly closed the door behind him.

  He continued through to the sitting room. His breathe was caught in his throat when he laid eyes on an angel…his angel. Sleeping peacefully, curled up on the divan, a book at her hand.

  He approached her quietly and slowly not wanting to startle her. At the same time, if he were dreaming he was not yet ready to awaken. Daniel knelt beside her and just stared at her for a long few minutes. He reached out to touch her face, to caress her cheek and to run his thumb across her full, soft, pink lips. He could wait no longer to know if he were dreaming or not.

  “Maura, love, wake up, darlin’” Daniel whispered in her ear, while kissing the side of her face and breathing in that wonderful fragrance that was uniquely hers.

  Maura slowly began opening her eyes. She brought her hands up to wipe the sleep from them. “Daniel, Oh my love, I thought I would ne’er see ya handsome face again or feel ya arms holdin’ me tight.” Maura placed her arms about Daniel’s neck and squeezed him ever so tight. She kissed him on his neck, his cheek and then finally on his mouth. Like it was the last kiss, she may ever taste from him. Daniel kissed her back with such ferocity that he scared his own self with the level of passion he felt for this woman.