“How did you find us?” He feared it might be a dream. The more Kenelm talked the more he’d feel it was real.
“All in good time. Right now we should return to the dingy and get back to the ship before they think I’ve disappeared. I told them to give me two hours and then to assume that I’d made a mistake.”
He assisted with rowing back to the ship. It rose suddenly from the water. The ship didn’t have a bowsprit but rather a long prow on its beakhead. There were no guns protruding from the sides. Where had Kenelm secured the vessel?
A rope ladder descended and Magnolia climbed up first. At the railing her father cried out. Justin wondered if his father would be in attendance as well, but he didn’t wonder long. As he reached the railing, his father opened his arms and he fell into them.
“Son!”
“Father.” Tears clogged his throat.
“We thought you dead. Sir Walter told us that—”
“Sir Walter?” Had he heard correctly?
“He came to England to inform us you’d been in an accident and your ship had gone missing.”
Justin drew his brows together. “Why would he do such a thing?”
Magnolia was happily chatting with her father, but they would need to discuss the new development. Something wasn’t right and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
****
Justin took a bath in the hold while Magnolia enjoyed one in the captain’s cabin—again.
Trousers, stocking, boots, a white shirt, and his favorite greatcoat made him appear as if a gentleman again. But he was different. He didn’t feel the same as the man who had left England just two short months ago.
He strolled onto the upper deck. Father waited for him at the helm, but he was looking for another—Magnolia.
The door to the captain’s cabin opened. Magnolia exited. Her gown of fine linen was pale yellow in color, which worked well with her tanned skin, but poorly with her reddish hair. The waistline reached underneath her breast, and he was sure there wasn’t a corset in site. No doubt her father had purchased the gown for her. Her style was a bit different, when the fashion of the land allowed.
She sashayed up to him. “I resemble a plantain.”
He squelched his laughter. “The color does well with your new skin tone.”
She waved his words away. “Father chose this on purpose. He knows I detest yellow.”
She folded her arms across her chest. It was good to see some of the fire return to her eyes.
“I don’t think you need to worry. We’ll be home soon enough then you can rid your closet of all colors you detest.”
She smiled. “You always know what to say.”
“I try.”
She lowered her chin and roved her gaze upward over his body.
Heat flushed his cheeks. “Do I suit?”
She cleared her throat. “Um, yes. You look quite dapper. And I dare say your father did a site better with your clothing.”
Now he did laugh. “I’d say that he had help from my valet, Keane.”
“Father must have ignored Lenoir. She knows better. Yellow—indeed!”
Kenelm appeared at Magnolia’s elbow and he tried to keep his jealousy in check. “I see you’ve had time to bathe and change.”
“Yes, thank you,” Justin answered for them both. Magnolia seemed too distracted by her gown for reasonable conversation, for which he was happy. Talking overly much to Kenelm might sway her feelings in his favor—if they weren’t already there.
“When you feel well, we shall discuss the details of Sir Walter’s visit.”
“Now is a good time.” He could use the distraction and if it took Kenelm’s focus from Magnolia that was even better.
“Sir Walter?” Magnolia frowned.
He patted her hand. “Nothing to worry your pretty head about. Kenelm and I just need to speak about a matter concerning our benefactor.”
“Oh no, you don’t. I want to know as well.”
Kenelm motioned to their fathers who both left their seated position and gathered around them.
“Shall we retire to my quarters?”
They followed Kenelm. Maybe they would finally receive some answers.
****
Magnolia’s eyes were heavy, and she blinked. Focus. She needed to focus.
Sir Kenelm Kennaway, knighted for his bravery in stopping a pirate, had shown up on the shores of the lost island and rescued them. It was as if a dream. If she closed her eyes and went to sleep she might wake up and it wouldn’t be real. She needed to stay awake.
“You’re saying that Sir Walter arrived in London and confessed to helping us leave the island with the help of Captain Drake and then mentioned rumors that we’d died?”
“Yes. That is exactly what he did. Your father and I were inclined to believe him, it had been so long,” Jules squeezed Magnolia’s hand, “but Kenelm wasn’t convinced. He never stopped searching.”
She swallowed. Kenelm had truly been the one to save them. After all that she’d done to him—accused him of.
“I did have help from my old Navy acquaintances. But the most important thing is that we’ve found you and you’re alive.”
“No, the most important thing is who tried to get rid of us in the first place.” Justin’s voice was strong, unwavering. They had riled her friend. That wouldn’t be good for the offensive party.
Magnolia agreed. Someone had deliberately planned for them to be lost. “Sir Walter will know. He was paid for his trouble.”
They all faced her.
“Isn’t it obvious? How else would he have had the money to give us to travel home? The entire journey was planned and paid for by someone attempting to dispose of us.”
“I don’t like those types of thoughts.” Father squeezed her tighter to his side.
“I don’t like them either. Therefore, the first order of business when we arrive home will be to find out who planned your demise.”
Kenelm had stepped in again. Always the knight.
Chapter Eight: Home
While the journey to Formentera had seemed to take forever, the journey home arrived all too soon. Justin was ready for his own bed. He was ready to eat food prepared by someone other than himself. He was ready to find out who had tried to kill them.
They stood on the docks and waited for Kenelm to conclude his transaction with the vessel’s owner. Coaches waited to take them home. Two coaches. Magnolia would be separated from him for the first time in two months.
She grabbed his hand and squeezed. The warmth spread throughout his body. Could he let her leave without saying something about how he felt?
“Magnolia—”
“Justin—”
He smiled. “Ladies first.”
She cleared her throat and twisted from side to side. “I’m glad to be home, b-but at the same time I’m going to miss being with you.” She lifted her head. Her green eyes twinkled in the moonlight.
He smoothed her hair on one side. It was soft as silk once more. “I feel the same way.”
She bit her lip. “I-I don’t actually want to be separated from you.”
“You don’t?” His heart beat so loudly he couldn’t hear.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t. I-I—” She drew in a deep breath and looked him directly in the eye. “I love you.”
Kenelm clapped. “Everything is taken care of. Now we can go home and put this adventure behind us.”
Jules took his daughter’s hand and dragged her away, leaving Justin standing there. He felt as if he jaw hung loose. It did, right?
“Goodbye, Justin.”
He couldn’t move. She’d just said that she loved him and he’d said nothing.
She disappeared inside the rented hackney. The driver set the wheels in motion. He was still standing there.
“Are you coming, Justin?”
The only thing he’d ever dreamed of had just come true and he never wanted to leave the spot where it happened.
&
nbsp; ****
Tears coated her eyes. She sniffled and wiped them away. Father probably assumed she was crying because she was glad to be home, but she wasn’t. The tears were coming because she’d admitted her love for Justin and he’d just stood there. He hadn’t replied, he hadn’t moved, he hadn’t even squeezed her hand—he’d just froze.
He was probably worried about the other woman he loved. He’d been gone for two months, stranded on an island and floating on a ship with Magnolia. Most women wouldn’t believe their relationship had been platonic. She wouldn’t have believed it either.
Father patted her knee. “We’ll be home soon and you may take a nap, change clothes, have a bath, read, whatever you wish.”
She nodded. Her throat burned too much to speak.
Kenelm studied her with curiosity. What had possessed him to help? He’d never said. He knew of her feelings for Justin—he’d guessed upon their meeting. Of course, she had the inclination that he’d hoped to change her mind, until the incident at Odell. That had vastly altered his opinion of her. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She deserved his scorn not his assistance.
“Sir Kennaway, I don’t know if I thanked you for your sacrifice.”
His eyes darkened almost to a smolder. “No thanks are necessary.”
She nodded. What more could she say in the company of her father?
“Did you conduct your business with the owner?”
“Yes. He was grateful for the fabrics and asked if I’d like to make regular runs to Spain to acquire more.”
“He wants to hire you?” She didn’t know why it shocked her.
His lips teased upward. “Yes, he does. And I’m considering the offer.”
“Truly?” That meant he was leaving.
“If there was someone here for me then I might change my mind, otherwise, mother is going to drive me to insanity. She is determined I marry, and I can’t stand another day of the harping.”
If there was someone here…
She could no more admit to having feelings for him than she could lie about anything else. He was an honorable man and a worthy catch, but for someone else, not her.
He clutched his hands. “Have you heard from the Earl of Warwick?”
So they were keeping up appearances for her father and discussing Evander. She understood. “No. Not since he left for America. Have you?”
“I fear not. I do hope he found what he was looking for.”
****
Envy laced his tone. Evander Hudson had a woman whom he loved, if he could only find her. Kenelm had found his woman, but she didn’t love him in return. Life could be cruel.
Magnolia leaned her head against the side of the hackney. She’d lost weight on her adventure but had maintained her curves. Her hair still had that light reddish hue that matched her fiery temper.
She would have made him a good wife. But he knew the truth. She still loved Justin Blakemoor. Two months with him at sea and on an island had not dimmed her ardor. If anything it had increased it.
He could push harder, but he saw little reason. He’d rescued them. He’d done his duty. Once he arrived at the Quinn townhouse then he would make his way home to say farewell to his family. The sea was calling him. Best to let it have him.
****
Justin dropped his bag inside the door. Keane appeared out of nowhere and retrieved it.
“Welcome home, sir.”
He hugged Keane and patted his back. “It is good to be home.”
The valet stepped back and tugged upon his coat. His voice shook. “Your room is ready.”
Always one for propriety. Justin had missed that. “Thank you. I’ll be glad to sleep in it.”
He followed the valet to his room. Everything looked the same. The coverlet hadn’t been changed. The curtains were parted the same distance. The rugs were in the exact same spot. Everything was the same—except him.
“May I bring you anything else, sir?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Very well. The dinner bell will ring shortly.”
The door clicked closed and Justin flopped onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows. It didn’t feel the same as sand. Or the same as lying next to Magnolia.
He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. If he concentrated, he could almost smell the scent of her hair. The lotus blossom. She had found it and used the oils to improve her scent. She’d even found ways to clean their clothes, although he still wasn’t certain how she’d done so.
The room was empty. Too empty.
He climbed from bed and opened a window. The noises of night echoed around him. That was better. He needed those sounds.
Maybe if he had Keane bring in a tub and splash the water that would help as well.
Or maybe if he saddled a horse, rode to Magnolia’s, and told her how he felt then all his problems would be solved.
Chapter Nine: Revelation
Her room was as she’d left it. Frilly. Feminine. Soft. Lace trimmed everything. And no green in sight.
She settled on the padded chair before her dressing table. Green eyes reflected back at her. Her green eyes. Justin’s favorite color.
She covered her face in her hands. On the docks she’d told him how she felt—admitted her love. And what did he do? Nothing. Because of shock!
All that worry, all that over-thinking. He’d liked her all along and she’d never recognized it. She was such a fool!
That was why he’d started Justice and Miss Quinn. That was why he came when she called. The truth was he did like her.
She paced the room. It felt so empty. The island, for all its faults, had seemed more like home. But now she knew why—Justin.
She ran downstairs. Father sprawled across the longue in the parlor with his hand thrown over his eyes. Her sole intent had been to run to Justin and encourage his profession of love, but could she leave Father after she’d only returned home?
What must he have gone through while he waited to hear of her rescue or demise?
“Magnolia?”
She lifted her chin. He was staring at her with rounded eyes. She should tell him. It would be a good way to start.
“Father, I have something I need to tell you.”
“I have something I need to say to you as well. Come sit beside me.”
She settled her skirts around her and folded her hands in her lap. She really should change the yellow before visiting Justin. She needed to wear red, blue, or green, something vibrant and alive.
Father patted her hands; concern had etched new lines around his eyes. “There are some important things we need to discuss.”
She jumped right in. “I’m so sorry I haven’t asked you one question about the happenings since my unexpected departure. Have we hired new people? How are finances? Our reputation? How are you?”
He smiled. “Everything you mentioned is well.” He cleared his throat. “But I have another concern.”
Uh-oh.
He stood and placed his hands behind his back. Pacing in that position was never a good sign.
“You see it has come to the attention of those in our circles that you were stranded, on an island, alone, with Justin Blakemoor.” He’d paused between his phrases.
“I see.” But she didn’t.
He sat across from her and gathered her hands in his. “Magnolia, there are rumors—”
She jumped to her feet. “Rumors! Rumors! Rumors! I’m sick of rumors. I was kidnapped and carted off by a captain seeking treasure. Fortescue Cunning can vouch to that.”
Father narrowed his eyes. “Fortescue Cunning? What has he got to do with this?”
She stopped. Cunning. So he hadn’t told anyone about his willing part in their kidnapping. That was interesting.
“Never mind. My point is that I don’t appreciate people insinuating inappropriate behavior between myself and Mr. Blakemoor. It’s boorish.” She plopped down and folded her arms over her chest. How soon could she escape Father’
s prying eyes and meet Justin? They would need to discuss a course of action regarding Cunning. She had a feeling the gentleman was involved with more than Hesper Rotherham’s heart and their subsequent disappearance from English society.
“Yes, well, people are people and I fear that the only way to dispel the rumors is for the two of you to become engaged.” He wrung his hands. He was worried about her answer. Little did he know he’d made her life much easier.
“Engaged?” She had to say it. He would expect it.
“I fear so. Randall and I have discussed it at length. We’ve agreed on a dowry. We’ve also decided that you will live at the Blakemoor Estate since they have more room. The only issue left is for you and Justin to agree.”
“Oh, so we have a choice?”
Father squirmed as if a fish on a hook. She really should tell him she approved of the union, but he deserved to be a little worried. He’d planned her entire future without her consent. At least this time he’d picked someone that wouldn’t step on her toes when dancing.
****
“You’ve done what?” Justin was shocked. He’d come out of his room to secure food and his father had cornered him and proclaimed his impending marriage to Magnolia.
“The only way to protect her reputation is for you to marry her.”
“And what if she says no?” He didn’t think she would since she had declared her love, but ordering Magnolia to do something would make his contrary love do the exact opposite.
“I don’t think she will. Jules is speaking with her now. She’ll understand the stakes as much as you.”
“So because we were kidnapped and left on an uncharted island, we are being forced to wed?” He really didn’t mind. In fact it was his dream come true. But his father would expect dissension. He wasn’t one to disappoint.
“We aren’t trying to force either of you.” He paused.
Justin ran his hand through his hair. He’d only been home a few hours. Now he was engaged to the woman he’d loved since childhood. It didn’t matter that he’d only discovered his love for her in the past couple of years.
The Case of the Lost Island (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 6) Page 4