by Amelia Grey
Austin was irritated at Chelly's attitude toward him. He started to follow her and tell her the truth. That he was doing this because he had to pay a debt to Jerome Bonaparte for saving his mother's life, but Austin decided against it. The less she knew, the better off she'd be when they returned to Baltimore. Hammersfield was the only one who knew they were sailing to France, but not even the captain knew why.
A smile tugged at the edges of Austin's mouth even though he felt like hell. He liked the way Chelly handled Hammersfield. She took her job of caring for Bo seriously and that was what he'd hired her for. He couldn't help but be pleased when he overheard her tell the captain just what the boy needed and how she expected them to be treated. He was impressed by the way she assumed her responsibilities and took charge.
"How are we doing?" Austin asked Hammersfield from the doorway.
"Making good time, sir. I don't think we'll beat the Erin's record, but we'll be close."
"Good. This is one journey I want over as quickly as possible. Tell the men to stay away from Chelly and Bo. Jubal, keep a keen eye on Bradley. He's desperate to return to Baltimore. Hammersfield, make sure none of the men leave their weapons around for him to get his hands on. He might try something foolhardy."
"I'll have a talk with them all."
"Jubal, look after Chelly and Bo. Make sure they come to no harm, and if they need anything, let me know. And don't forget to make her that board you promised."
"Yes, sir."
Austin turned back to the captain. "Give the cabin boy, Robert a little freedom from his chores to help Chelly with Bo."
"I'll take care of it. You're looking a bit better today. How are you feeling?" the captain asked.
"Like hell, as usual. After all these years why does it take me so long to get my sea legs?"
"You know how it is. Some people never do," Hammersfield said, his beard moving back and forth as he talked. "You're just one of those people who it takes awhile for your body to adjust to the rocking motion of the ship. Has nothing to do with a man's constitution otherwise."
"I'm going on deck to clear my head. Let me know if you need anything."
Chapter 6
"I was very proud of the way you crawled into bed last night and went to sleep by yourself," Chelly said to Bo on the third morning of their journey. She knelt in front of him, helping him dress for the day. "Most boys your age aren't as well-behaved as you are," she praised him.
"Mama says a prince isn't supposed to cry."
Chelly stiffened. Her hands went still. A prince? Was Bo's father a king? Surely not. His mother probably thought of Bo as her little prince. But just as quickly she remembered they were on their way to Europe where there were many kings. She thought back to that first night when Austin had spoken to her about this journey. Had he mentioned a country? No. She was certain he'd only mentioned Europe. What was their destination?
She'd hope to question Austin about Bo's parents, but he'd managed to avoid being alone with her the past two days. She hadn't wanted to question Bo about his mother or father for fear of upsetting him and making him cry.
Since he had mentioned his mother, maybe he was ready to talk about her. Now that he had gotten used to Chelly he was more talkative. She had to try.
Bo held up his arms and Chelly slipped his white shirt over his head. "Did your mother say you are a prince?" she asked softly, watching Bo's face as she buttoned his shirt.
He nodded, placing his hands on her shoulders to steady himself as he stepped into his breeches.
"Mama says Papa is a king. He's an im—portant man like I'm going to be someday."
Chelly wasn't sure she wanted to believe him, but the glistening pride she saw in Bo's eyes convinced her he thought his father was a king.
"Have you ever seen your papa?" she questioned.
He shook his head as she buttoned his breeches. "He doesn't live with us. He lives far away. Across the water."
She trembled with expectancy. "Do you know his name?"
"His name is the same as mine," he said and sat down on the bed so she could help him with his shoes.
Maybe his mother used the word prince as a pet name, she thought. She didn't know any kings by the name of Bo, but then she remembered Austin saying that Bo was a pet name, too.
"Do you know your complete name?"
Bo laughed for the first time, a lighthearted giggle that made her feel good. It pleased her greatly to see him adjusting to this new life that had been forced upon him. "Of course I know my name. Mama says I'm a smart boy."
She smiled and buckled the first shoe onto his foot. "You are a smart young man." When he remained quiet for a moment she was forced to ask, "What is your full name?"
"Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte," he stated loudly.
Chelly gasped so loud she coughed to try to cover her surprise. It couldn't be. He had to be wrong! His face beamed proudly with his announcement. Her breath quickened as she asked, "Is your mother's name Elizabeth?"
Bo shook his head and Chelly was about to relax her shoulders when Bo continued by saying, "Her name is Betsy."
With trembling fingers, Chelly buckled his other shoe. Yes, of course. Betsy was a pet name for Elizabeth, just as Bo was obviously a nickname for Bonaparte. Chelly moaned inwardly. She didn't want to believe this.
Austin?
Why was he involved in this kidnapping? How could he have taken this little boy away from Betsy Patterson after all she'd been through? Everyone in Baltimore knew her sad story.
Chelly looked into Bo's bright eyes and strained to remember what she'd heard about Betsy and Jerome. The dashing young Jerome Bonaparte, Napoleon's youngest brother, had come to America for a visit. He and the beautiful Betsy Patterson met, fell in love, and married a few months later. Napoleon called Jerome home to France, and he took his pregnant bride with him. Napoleon refused to let the ship carrying Betsy and Jerome dock in France. The young couple was forced to sail on to Lisbon where a few days later, Jerome left Betsy and traveled on to Milan to meet with Napoleon, wanting to persuade his brother to accept his marriage.
Jerome never returned to claim his wife. Betsy was forced to sail on to England, where her son was born, and later she returned to Baltimore. A year later Napoleon bribed a priest into annulling Betsy's marriage to Jerome so Jerome could remarry for Napoleon's political gain. For bowing to his wishes, Napoleon honored Jerome by making him a king of his own country and handpicking his new wife.
Chelly groaned as she looked into Bo's innocent little face. No wonder Jerome wanted his firstborn son. Bo was in line for the throne of Westphalia and possibly France too, if Napoleon's rein continued. But how could Austin have done this to Betsy? After what that wretched Jerome had put her through, how could Austin justify stealing her child? Had this something to do with Austin selling his ships to Napoleon? Was he in some way indebted to Jerome?
What was the answer? She couldn't believe that Austin, who'd been so kind to her, had done this horrible deed for profit, but what else could it be?
She rose and took Bo's hand, leading him over to the wash basin. This was more complicated than she'd realized, but she wouldn't let that keep her from her plan. It made her more determined than ever to kidnap Bo from Austin and take him back to his mother.
After a meal of bread, butter, cooked figs, and tea, Chelly asked Robert, the fifteen-year-old cabin boy to watch Bo while he played on deck. She'd been anxious all through the meal, wanting to talk with Austin about her newfound information. She'd already decided she couldn't make him change his mind, but she could tell him that she now knew his secret.
Finding Austin in his cabin, she knocked on the open door. He looked up from his desk. As their eyes met, she knew he immediately saw that she was upset.
"Come in," he said and rose from his chair.
No longer able to hold it all inside her, Chelly said, "I can't believe you'd stoop so low as to take that poor woman's son. After all Jerome put her through, how could you do
it? Did Napoleon promise you a kingdom, too, if you betrayed her?"
Remaining calm, Austin said, "I take it Bo's decided to talk. I was hoping he wouldn't be old enough to tell you very much."
"All I needed to know was his full name. The rest of the story has been in the papers for years. We're taking Bo to his father in Westphalia, aren't we?"
Austin walked over to the door, shut it, and then leaned against it, his hand behind him. His eyes darkened as he looked at her. She didn't like the way his eyes searched her face. He looked at her as if he were measuring her. She didn't want to be aware of every little detail about him, like the soft rise and fall of his chest.
"Actually, we're sailing to France. Someone will meet us there and take Jerome's son to him. Have you mentioned this to anyone?"
"What? Who Bo really is? Of course not. I came straight to you."
"Good. Chelly, I know I don't have to tell you that the less anyone on board knows about this, the better off they will be. I suggest you tell Bo not to say anything about his full name to anyone else."
Chelly's skin prickled. "Why doesn't that surprise me? I assume the reason you don't want anyone to know is so they won't be able to tell on you when you return to Baltimore. You plan to pick up with your life as if you've done nothing wrong."
"Naturally I'd like for it to be that way. My crew knows nothing about this journey. It wouldn't matter if they did. They're loyal. Bradley knows how judicious it would be for him to remain quiet about this. So—"
Chelly stiffened. It irritated her that he remained so collected. "So that only leaves me for you to worry about."
He shook his head and moved away from the door and closer to her. "I'm not worried about you either, Chelly. If the authorities find out Bo was on this ship, they will blame anyone on board, including you."
A knot of fear grew inside her, but she fought its overwhelming force. She looked directly into his eyes. "I promise not to tell anyone of your involvement in this, if you'll turn the ship around right now and take us back."
Austin huffed out a laugh. "You know I am committed to this journey."
How could she make him understand what Betsy Patterson must be going through? Maybe if she told him about her sister he'd find compassion in his heart and do the right thing.
"I'm worried about Betsy's sanity. I—my sister's story is so like hers. Loraine's husband was lost at sea, and year a later her son took a fever and died. She wouldn't eat. She wouldn't sleep. She wouldn't talk. I—I tried to comfort her, but she wouldn't be consoled. She took her life a few weeks after her son's death."
His eyes narrowed and concern etched across his face. He softly touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "I'm sorry, Chelly. I know that couldn't have been easy for you."
His eyes soften with such compassion that for a moment she wanted to forgive him everything and rush into his arms and let him comfort her.
Don't weaken.
He wants your understanding.
She shouldn't have told him. She didn't want his sympathy; she wanted his cooperation.
In an act of desperation, she took hold of his shirt front and pulled him closer to her. Her heart pounded. "Austin, please, no amount of money, no promise from that devil Napoleon is worth what you're putting that woman through."
Austin grabbed her wrists and gently shoved her up against the desk, pressing his body against hers to hold her there. His eyes bored down on her. "You know nothing about this. You know nothing about me."
"Then tell me so I will. I want to understand. I don't want to believe you're capable of this madness, but what am I to think when Bo is proof of your crime?"
"Chelly. Leave it alone. This cannot be changed."
"You feel no remorse for what you're doing," she countered.
His hands tightened around her wrists, and he lowered his face to hers. She felt him tremble. "How would you know what I'm feeling? I'm not doing this for any kind of profit, and I'm not any happier about it than you are."
She felt his breath, his warmth, his sincerity. Looking into his eyes and seeing the integrity and the weariness written in his face, she softened. "Then you must be doing this because you believe Bo should be with his father, the king, rather than his mother."
"I believe this should have been settled between the mother and the father long before it came down to this action. My reasons for doing this are my own; and as much as I'd like you to understand, I can't share them with you."
His voice was like a soothing balm, quieting her. He was asking for her trust. She wanted to give it. She wanted to think only about the way he held her now, the strength in his hands, the desire she felt growing inside her for his touch. She understood the way he looked at her, the way he made her feel inside, but how could she give in to what she was feeling when she didn't trust him?
She stirred and Austin released her without hesitating. She walked to the door and opened it, but suddenly looked back at Austin. "You don't have to worry about me, either. Your actions are as safe with me as they are your crew. I'll never tell anyone you were involved in this."
Chelly walked out into the companionway and pulled the door behind her.
Austin muttered a curse as soon as the door shut behind her. Had she believed him when he told her he didn't like this any more than she did? He ran his hands through his hair and returned to his desk. He wondered if she knew how close he'd come to kissing her. Did she know how desirable she was to him? He didn't think so. She was too busy hating him to see the signs.
Had she ever noticed how his eyes followed her whenever they were in the same room? Did she feel the tremble of desire in his body when he'd leaned against her just now? She was working her way into his heart, and he didn't know what he was going to do about it. He couldn't seem to stop it. He liked the way she spoke to Bo, the way she walked, the way she held her head. Oh, hell, he liked everything about her. He couldn't stop watching her.
When he'd thought her a tavern wench, he'd understood his attraction to her. Every man in the tavern that night had wanted her. That was why she had gotten so much attention. But now that he knew she wasn't a free woman to take a tumble with, his feelings should have changed. She shouldn't want her.
Austin sighed. His desire for her hadn't changes. He still wanted her.
Chapter 7
It was subtle, but Chelly had noticed the change in the wind as she sat on deck mending the hem of one of her dresses and watching Jubal teach Bo how to tie knots in roping. She appreciated his help and understanding; and although Bo had been frightened of Jubal at first, he now thought of the big man as his best friend.
When they'd first come on deck half an hour ago, there had been no clouds in the bright blue sky. A bright sun had hung midway down the western sky behind them, and the day had been relatively calm. Now, the air had turned decidedly warmer, but it was much stronger, whipping at loose strands of her hair and blowing her sewing thread in all directions. The sun lay hidden behind light-gray clouds and the horizon looked dark and puffy.
Bo no longer cried for his mother as he had the first few days of his journey. He'd turned into a rambunctious, inquisitive little boy who wanted to know about everything from how the sails worked to why the moon and stars hung in the sky.
The worst time for him seemed to be at night, when it was time for him to go to sleep. Even that was getting better. She didn't mind his fitful behavior. Every little boy wanted his mother to tuck him into bed. Now it worried her that he might be already forgetting about her. A couple of times he'd called Chelly Mama instead of Miss Chelly, but she'd quickly reminded him that she wasn't his mother and he would be seeing his mother soon.
Because she kept the little boy busy, the days seemed to fly by for them. She found she was usually so tired in the evenings from running after Bo that she slept like a baby herself each night. She'd come to welcome the slow roll of the ship to help lull her to sleep in the evenings.
From the corner of her eye, Chelly sa
w Austin come out of the main deck cabin and approach the captain, who stood at the helm, not far away. She had to watch him carefully, as she had the past few days. This could be the opportunity she'd been waiting for to slip into his cabin and search it.
On the pretext of looking through the sewing materials in her lap, she watched the two men talk, point, look at the sky, and talk again. She wondered if a storm were brewing. A slight chill of fear touched her, but she quickly dismissed it. Surely not. Austin and the captain didn't appear alarmed. The wind carried their voices toward her, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.
She noticed that Austin's mode of dress was more relaxed than it had been in Baltimore. On board he didn't bother with a neckcloth, preferring to leave his shirt open at the neck. On warm days, like this one, he left his waistcoat off, too. She liked seeing him dressed so casually. She could see how his broad shoulders complemented his narrow hips and powerful-looking legs. His hair was always held in a queue with a black ribbon at the back of his neck.
Since Aloof was so small it was impossible not to see Austin several times a day as she and Bo explored the ship and played on deck in the fresh air. Her plan to escape with Bo was never far from her thoughts. She was constantly watching for an opportunity to search Austin's cabin for the money she'd need for passage back to Baltimore. She found it wasn't easy to get Austin, Jubal, the captain, and Bradley all together at one time. When she looked for Austin's money bag and a weapon, she'd like to have every one of them accounted for in one place.
Throughout the first week on board, she'd watched Austin with his men. He was always calm, easygoing, just as he was with Bo and with her. There was nothing about him to suggest he was the kind of man who could participate in the kidnapping of a child.
Robert, the young cabin boy, barely in his teens, had been assigned to help take care of Bradley, but the young man couldn't seem to do anything right for the finicky lawyer. She couldn't help but smile at times when Bradley complained to Austin.