Beauty's Curse

by Tamara Hughes

  She loved him? His heart drummed hard in his chest.

  Amelia glanced warily at the others in the room and lowered her voice. “I took a good look at my beliefs, at the curse—your reasons disclaiming it, those things I blamed myself for, and all the good fortune that has come my way.” She took his hand in hers, the sincerity in her eyes robbing him of breath. “You were right all along. The curse doesn’t exist. I need to go back to my family. I kept myself at a distance from my father and sister for so long, and through it all they were patient and kind. I need to make amends, and let them know how very much I care.”

  As she should, but not with him. He gazed into her blue-green eyes, the glint of hope shining there something he’d yearned to see for the longest time. Now that her so-called curse was no longer holding her back, the world was open to her like never before. She could do anything with her life, with an honorable man by her side, a man more honorable than he could ever be. But she’d escaped from pirates. If anyone found out, they’d see her as ruined. And she was no longer an innocent. Curse it. He’d seen to that.

  More arguments rushed to the fore, but he pushed them aside. She’d be fine. Who would know what had transpired while she’d traveled at sea? No doubt Captain Tuttlage and his crew were from London, near the port, and soon they would be sailing again, her secret safe. Besides, her family would protect her, and anyone truly worthy of her would value her despite it all. No, she would have a better life without him.

  “David, come with me,” she pleaded. “Please.”

  His chest squeezed. “I can’t,” he rasped. His throat closed off as if trying to keep him from saying what he must. They’d always planned to go their separate ways. The fact that she was going to England instead of Virginia changed nothing. He swallowed to relieve the tightness in his throat. “I wish you well.”

  Amelia held David’s hand in a viselike grip. “I can go, stay for a short while, and then return.”

  “I won’t be here.” Although his insides threatened to combust, he held firm. She deserved more. So kind and sweet, she deserved nothing but the best.

  Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I—I could stay with you.” Even as she said the words, a look of pain crossed her features. She needed to return to her family.

  David rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, willing himself to stay strong. “I’m going to find The Wanderer. They were headed to New Providence before they took on the captives. After they ransom the lot, I would bet they’ll return, and by my estimates, New Providence isn’t far from here.”

  “No. H-how will you even get there?” A tear broke free and rolled down her cheek.

  “I’ll find a way.” He couldn’t resist. He reached out and wiped it from her face. “I’m going to be fine, and so will you.” The lie burned his tongue. He’d never be fine again, but Amelia… She would be safe with her family, and some day would start one of her own. The thought of Amelia with another man… He clenched his teeth and dropped his hand from her face. “Now go. All of you.”

  “Dr. Hale.” Mrs. Hale rushed through the door to her husband’s side. “You’re needed at the plantation.”

  “What’s happened?” the doctor asked, already putting supplies into a bag.

  “Mr. Caldwell sent men to the island not far from here, and they found Ruth and Isaac,” Mrs. Hale explained. “He’s administering Isaac’s punishment now.”

  Dread slithered up David’s spine like a snake. Isaac and Ruth had been captured. He remembered well what that was like. And the punishments…

  Dr. Hale blew out a sigh and closed his satchel. “Have the carriage brought around.”

  “It’s already done,” Mrs. Hale said as she left the room.

  “I’m coming with you,” David declared. While he had no idea what he’d do once he got there, he couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

  “Take Mrs. Lamont and Miss Archer back to our ship,” James told his men. “I’m going with my brother.”

  Charity settled a hand on her stomach and nodded.

  David opened his mouth to argue, and James pinned him with a stern look. “I’m not done talking to you,” James insisted.

  “I’ll be going, too.” This time Amelia spoke.

  “No,” both men said as one.

  She straightened her spine. “Neither of you have a say in this.” Her stare hardened as she glanced at David. “I have as much interest in what happens to Ruth and Isaac as you do. Now lead the way.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Despite David’s arguments, Amelia and James sat in the carriage with him and the doctor. The two of them should have returned to James’s ship.

  The ride was a short one. Soon they passed by fields of sugar cane. An enormous manor made of stone came into view, and in front stood a mass of people witnessing Isaac’s punishment. The hair at the nape of David’s neck stood on end.

  Slaves and overseer alike watched as Mr. Caldwell slashed at Isaac’s bare back with a cat-o’-nine-tails. Bound to a tree trunk, Isaac shuddered with each blow, but held his silence.

  They reached the edge of the crowd, and the carriage pulled to a stop. “Now don’t cause any trouble,” the doctor warned before he stepped from the vehicle. “This is plantation business.”

  Plantation business? This was torture. “Stay with the carriage, Amelia,” David said over his shoulder as he leaped to the ground and followed Dr. Hale, with James at his side.

  Caldwell had taken off his surcoat. His shirt and vest were drenched in sweat as he pulled his arm back for another strike. All the while, Isaac waited stoically, his feet planted firmly on the ground and blood dripping from the fresh stripes on his skin.

  Fury scorched through David like a fire, eager to destroy anything in its path. What made Caldwell so superior that he could own men? That he could punish them for wanting to be free to live their lives in their own way?

  “Please, stop,” Ruth begged, grabbing hold of Caldwell’s arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please!”

  David quickened his pace. The need to do something rode him hard, as a memory flashed into his mind’s eye. His hands and feet tied to stakes in the ground, while a branch scored the soles of his feet. Sharp stinging pain that had burned for days after.

  “Off!” Caldwell threw Ruth off his arm, knocking her to the ground. She cried out and clutched her belly as Isaac bellowed and pulled against his restraints. Isaac’s frustration and anger sank into David’s skin as if it were his own. His protective instincts rose, and he turned in Ruth’s direction, despite the overwhelming compulsion to stop the whipping, no matter what he had to do.

  Amelia reached Ruth first. Bloody hell. “I told you to stay with the carriage.”

  She ignored him and attended to Ruth. Dr. Hale approached them, although his attention remained focused on Caldwell. “If you’re not careful, you’ll hurt your—”

  “Don’t you dare,” Caldwell snapped.

  Grandchild? The thought barely penetrated. Yet it made perfect sense…Ruth’s blue eyes.

  “That woman and her child are slaves, nothing more,” Caldwell sneered, his whip meeting its mark again.

  David’s focus returned to Isaac and the brutality he couldn’t abide. Never again. No man should have to live in fear of breaking someone else’s rules, to suffer pain for taking control of his life.

  Behind him, the doctor persisted. “Then why have you hunted for her so relentlessly?” he asked Caldwell.

  Caldwell’s voice grew sharp. “You’d be wise to hold your tongue, Dr. Hale.”

  Mere feet from where Isaac stood, David met Isaac’s eyes. Their gazes locked with understanding.

  “You there,” Caldwell shouted. “Stand back.”

  An overseer seized David’s shoulder, and David pushed him away. When the man grabbed for him again, he slammed his fist into the overseer’s jaw, knocking him to his arse. More of Caldwell’s men moved forward.

  No matter. No one would stop him. David yanked his knife from its s
heath and slashed the ropes that bound Isaac’s hands, then turned to face those who dared try and stop him.

  Isaac let out a guttural roar and charged toward Caldwell. A whip snapped and a group of Caldwell’s men rushed Isaac. He fought with the strength of ten men, a wild look in his eye and fury straining his features.

  David had no time to watch the spectacle. Two of the overseers stepped forward to detain him. One held a switch and the other a cudgel. Although his side burned from the fighting he’d already done, he prepared for more to come, but before the men could use their weapons, James stepped to David’s side.

  “What are you doing?” David shouted. “This isn’t your fight.”

  James pulled a pistol from his belt. “From what I can see, this isn’t your fight, either.”

  In that, James was wrong. After months of captivity and years of his father’s bullying, freeing Isaac was something he had to do, to cleanse his soul. He had to fight for justice and freedom, even if it wasn’t his own.

  The gun held off the overseers, at least for the moment, and James and David backed away when a howl of pain rose up. Three overseers ripped Isaac from Caldwell, who now lay sprawled on the ground, his lifeless eyes staring off in the distance. A bloody rock dropped from Isaac’s hand.

  The slaves around them glanced from one to the other in shock and amazement, with hope. Almost as one, shouts rose up and the crowd surged forward, attacking the overseers with a ferocity like nothing David had ever seen before.

  Within minutes, their rage and resentment turned on everyone in their paths. Amelia. His heart knocking against his ribs, David rushed to her side. “We have to go.”

  From the corner of his eye, David spotted Isaac racing toward them, his attention centered on Ruth who still lay on the ground. Isaac glanced up. All anger was gone, replaced by panic.

  David helped him get Ruth to her feet. “Come.” He waved them to follow. “You’ll be safe with us.” They trailed behind him as he led them to the carriage, defending against the few attacks that came their way.

  James joined them with the bruised doctor in tow.

  “Did Caldwell have family, a wife and children?” David asked, looking up at the massive home that was now under siege.

  “He does, but they’re off visiting relatives in England,” Dr. Hale assured him.

  “Good.” He didn’t relish the thought of what a rescue attempt would entail, and he had no desire to battle slaves in order to save those who lived upon the profits of slave labor. David helped Amelia into the carriage, and then Ruth. The men climbed in after, the fit tight, and the vehicle lurched forward.

  “Would you be willing to take Ruth and Isaac aboard?” David asked James. Harboring fugitive slaves was a punishable offense.

  Without hesitation, James nodded.

  “Ruth…” David appealed to the one who knew English best. “You and Isaac need to leave this place. My brother can take you anywhere you want to go.”

  “There’s a doctor on board my ship who can tend to Isaac’s wounds,” James added.

  Tears glistened in Ruth’s eyes. “Thank you.” Her stare flitted between James and David. “Thank you both.” She spoke to Isaac in a foreign tongue, and a surprised look overcame Isaac’s features, followed by relief.

  The carriage came to a stop at the pier. Isaac and Ruth alighted, assisted by James.

  “I have to be off,” Dr. Hale insisted, alarm straining his features. “Mrs. Hale is alone, and this revolt will soon spread to town.”

  “Thank you for treating David,” Amelia said with a slight smile. “And thank your wife for the clothes.”

  David stepped down to the ground and raised his hand for Amelia.

  She settled her hand in his, her smile fading. “Come with us, David.”

  His stomach turned to stone. “I can’t,” he said, forcing the reply past his lips and escorting her to shore, determined to see this through.

  “Why not?” The pain in her eyes tore at him. “I love you. We belong together.”

  Her words pierced his heart. He yearned to draw her close and kiss her sweet lips and soothe the pain he’d caused, but if he did, he wouldn’t be able to let her go. Instead, he opened his mouth to explain.

  “Don’t trouble yourself. I know why,” she choked out before he could speak, a glint of anger flashing in her eyes.

  “You deserve—”

  “No.” Her hand squeezed his hard. “Don’t say it.”

  The smell of smoke hung in the air, and the sky over the plantation turned gray.

  He had to get Amelia out of here and fast. “I want what’s best for you, and that’s not me.” David gestured toward the longboat and rested a hand on her back, but she dug her heels into the sand and stood her ground.

  “You’re a good man whether you choose to believe it or not.” She peered at the water as if searching for the right thing to say.

  “Hurry,” James commanded. “We have to shove off.”

  They didn’t have time for this, and whatever she had to say wouldn’t make a difference. He scooped her up and carried her to the longboat, the pain in his side a twinge compared to the one in his chest. “We always knew we would go down separate paths eventually. The time has come.”

  He waded into the water and set her down on a seat, although deep in his heart, he didn’t want to release her. Not yet. Not ever. Her eyes frantic, she glanced at the occupants of the boat, her gaze landing on the slaves inside. “David, I don’t care what mistakes you’ve made in the past. Look at Isaac. You don’t seem to have any qualms about Isaac loving Ruth. And yet, can’t you see how alike the two of you are? Each of you, once slaves, erroneously attacking the innocent in order to ensure your continued freedom.” She drew in a wavering breath, her eyes bright with tears. “He’s going to spend his life with Ruth. Why can’t you spend yours with me?”

  “Good-bye, Amelia.” David grabbed the edge of the boat, ready to push it from the shore.

  “Why does Isaac deserve your forgiveness, your help,” she sobbed, “while you continue to punish yourself?”

  Steeling himself against the sound of her voice, the pleading, the pain, he worked with James and the other crewmen to shove the large rowboat farther into the water. But when the time came to jump in, he returned to shore.

  “David, you can’t stay,” James yelled, still standing by the boat, waist deep in water. “The fight is heading for the pier.”

  Already the shouting had grown closer. “Don’t worry about me,” David assured him. “I’m a pirate. I’ve lived through worse than this.”

  James hesitated as if he would argue further, then glanced amongst his crew, the two women, and an injured man. He shook his head, his features grim, and climbed into the longboat. “Row,” he ordered his oarsmen.

  David watched as they moved away, and his eyes connected with Amelia’s. The sorrow he saw there matched his own. God, how he’d miss her. He should return to the doctor’s house, retrieve his violin, and find someplace safe to go before the enraged slaves found him, but he couldn’t break from her haunting stare.

  She was right. He and Isaac were much the same, and yet, he would never begrudge Isaac’s happiness. Although the reason stumped him. Was Isaac the better man? As the distance between him and Amelia grew, the question plagued him. He paced the sand even as the sounds of breaking glass and splintering wood reached his ears.

  David’s father had humiliated him for as long as he could remember with incessant rants about his shortcomings. His humiliation had continued even after he’d left. A prisoner of pirates, he’d been treated as less than a man, trapped on a ship, taking orders from whoever gave them. As a slave, his abasement had only become worse. A master had controlled his every action, allowing him no free will at all. Then to kill an innocent… Just like how Isaac had attempted to kill him. Still, he accepted Isaac’s actions. He understood them. So, why couldn’t he accept his own?

  Life as a slave had required more strength and wil
l than he’d thought he’d had. That kind of hardship did something to a man, made him unforgiving, ruthless. It hadn’t been until Amelia walked into his life that any softer emotions had risen to the surface. Water splashed over his feet and calves as he stepped into the waves. He clenched and flexed his hands, the ache in his chest turning to full-out pain, as if some essential part of him had been ripped away.

  What made one man worthy of love and happiness, and another doomed to a lonely existence? Isaac didn’t question his good fortune—he took life as it came.

  David waded deeper, drawn by the need to follow his heart. Maybe it was time to stop drifting through life and, instead, take control of it. It had felt good to stand up for Isaac. Time to stand up for himself, and to do that he needed to face his father. He would judge himself, rather than let others decide his value, and he would take what life offered with no objections, no guilt. For himself, and for Amelia. No longer would he be a coward, afraid his father’s opinions were true.

  His pulse raced. The longboat was nearly to the ship. He stripped off his borrowed shirt, ready to swim as if the very devil were on his trail. One thought stopped him short. His violin. But he didn’t have time to go back. If he did, the ship would sail off, taking Amelia with it. An image of his mother presenting the violin to him flashed through his mind before he dove into the ocean toward Amelia.

  …

  David. Amelia’s stomach filled with giddy flutters. She stood, and her legs wobbled beneath her. “Stop rowing!” She pointed to David swimming toward them. “He’s changed his mind.”

  “Sit down, Miss Archer, or you’re sure to fall in.” James tugged on her arm until she sat, but looked back and released a sigh. “Turn her about,” he ordered the oarsman. “Then make speed.”

  The longboat raced toward David. The shore behind him was riddled with escaped slaves ravaging everything they could, no doubt eager to destroy the place that had treated them so poorly. Her spirits dimmed. Were they the reason David had jumped into the water? She wrung her hands, the wait unbearable. The boat reached him in a matter of moments, and she held her breath as they hoisted him aboard and resumed their prior course.