by Sandy Loyd
As soon as the door closed, Penny hurried to one of the beds and sat, exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She glanced around at the cramped, though richly furnished cabin. Two narrow beds flanked a small night table. An undersized armoire and a table, just inches from the beds, filled the rest of the space.
Her gaze settled on her friend and traveling companion. “I thought we’d never make it.”
“You’re safe now, milady. When we stopped outside of Newcastle upon Tyne to collect the trunks my mother packed, everything was quiet.” Mindy’s entire family had helped Penny escape. One brother had met them on the road to escort them the rest of the way in an enclosed carriage, while the other had roamed the inns close to Lytton Hall for word of the earl.
Geoff, her truelove, had arranged everything, in secret of course, but he couldn’t be gone from London long, otherwise he’d raise his brother’s suspicions. The Duke of Wyndham was determined to fulfill her parents’ last wishes and see her married to the earl.
“You’ve eluded him.” Mindy busied herself with their trunks.
“I’ll be glad when we sail. Until then, I won’t feel absolutely safe. The earl has tentacles everywhere.” So did the duke. Goose bumps rose along her spine. Penny hugged herself, warding off unease and forcing herself to remember she was safe. “I just thank God the earl never knew of my connection to Geoff, or else he’d be on the duke’s doorstep harassing the man into action of some sort.” She was still afraid Wyndham might catch wind of her escape, and if so, she prayed Geoff could hold him off until it was too late.
“It’s hard enough to believe your parents betrothed you to that monster.” Mindy began unpacking, hanging up several gowns and placing toiletries on the small bureau. “But to make him your guardian? How could they not know his true nature?”
“Easy. The man is a clever chameleon.” Tears welled in Penny’s eyes. “My reprieve has been my mourning. I thank my lucky stars for the duke. He gave me that time.”
“I’m sorry.” Mindy’s gaze filled with compassion. “I shouldn’t speak so freely when you’re still grieving.”
“Thanks to Lord Knightsbridge, I’ve dealt with more than grieving these past nine months.” She blinked to clear her blurry eyes and offered a sad smile. “If not for Wyndham, I’d be married to the beast by now and you’d be gone. Then I’d have no one.”
“It’s in the past. The earl can no longer harm you.”
“No.” He’d never figure out that his servants helped her. Penny’s smile became genuine. Her father had taught her all people deserved respect, especially those who serve. The earl didn’t share her view, much to her good fortune. Her kindness had paid off. When Ferguson, his butler, overheard them asking for Geoff’s help, he offered his.
“I wish we’d left earlier.” Mindy’s audible sigh came out in one long breath. “You suffered so much.”
Penny closed her eyes, wishing the ugly memories weren’t so fresh. “His sick cruelty was suffocating me. I was dying inside little by little under his control. That’s when I knew I had to do something.” More tears formed. This time Penny didn’t stop them from rolling down her cheeks. No one except Mindy knew about those nights and his disgusting attempts to scare her into submission.
Mindy handed her a fresh handkerchief. While taking it, her tears increased. “He’s demented. I saw it in his eyes. Promise me you will never tell another living soul what you know? I’d die of shame if anyone else found out.”
“You swore me to secrecy. I’d never utter a word.”
“As God is my witness, I’ll never go back,” Penny whispered, pushing out the unwanted thoughts and replacing them with thoughts of how in six months, she’d be living a carefree life again as Geoff’s wife. “I’ll never submit to that vile man! I’ll take my own life first.”
Mindy sat and pulled her into an embrace, stroking her hair as she would a child’s. Nestled in such comforting arms, Penny gave in to indulgence and let the tears flow, something she hadn’t done in almost eight months when the earl had packed her off to London and had held her as a virtual prisoner.
“Shush, love,” Mindy soothed. “Geoff assured us we’d be safe on board, and the captain and his brother appear to be honorable men. You still have your spirit.” Mindy gave her another reassuring squeeze, then unwound her arms and stood. “You’re not about to give up and let the earl win with such a good plan. There’s no way he’ll trace you to America.”
“You’re right.” Penny smiled and wiped her eyes. “He won’t destroy my happiness.”
“Geoffrey’s money will ensure you won’t starve or have to work.” Returning to her unpacking, she hung up several gowns. “You’ll be fine until you meet up with him.”
“I owe Geoff my life. Becoming his wife will be an honor.” And of course she loved him. She’d always loved Geoffrey, her handsome, golden-haired, blue-eyed champion. He’d never control her. Not like the earl had. Penny rubbed her arms and stared at the door, suddenly remembering her reaction to Mr. Davis. Not even eight months under the thumb of the Earl of Kentworth had prepared her for the way she felt when he’d looked at her but a few minutes ago. Warmth stole up her face at the memory. If his eyes had been teeth they’d have chewed her up, and all she’d done was act like a simpering fool without a single word to set him in his place.
Before her parents’ deaths, Penny had lived a sheltered life and had known few men outside of her father and the commoners in the Northumberland village not far from her home. Geoffrey was one those few, yet if she compared him to the captain’s brother, he was still more the boy she remembered than the man he’d become. Geoff never drew the air from her lungs like Mr. Davis had with just a stare. Maybe that was a good thing.
“Why couldn’t your parents understand how much you and Geoff love each other?”
“You know why.” Penny sighed and pushed an escaping strand of hair behind her ear. “They thought him too young and not the right husband for me.” She was nearly four years older.
Mindy poured water into a bowl and set the pitcher down. “Come and wash up, milady. The water’s still warm and you’ll feel better.”
She stood. “You have to cease calling me milady,” Penny admonished mildly, moving to the bowl Mindy had indicated. “You can’t let it slip that I’m of noble birth. Geoff gained our passage sticking to the truth as much as he could without giving our plans away. We can trust no one, so it’s best to act the part and be who we say we are, even in private. Call me Penny. I’m a maid, just like you, traveling to America for opportunity.”
“It’s so hard to call you Penny when I’ve known you as milady or Lady Penelope for the last five years and have finally gotten used to the names. My mother would throttle me if she heard me be so familiar. The earl would fire me in a heartbeat.”
Melinda Bowers was the Lytton housekeeper’s daughter. “Your mom is no longer here to disapprove and neither is the earl.” Because of their close ages, Penny’s father allowed their friendship, even encouraged them to study together. The three of them, Geoff, Mindy, and Penny were always together until Geoff left for Eton. At that point, Mindy’s mother decided she must earn her keep, fearful her daughter had risen above her station too much already. Unfortunately, servitude never suited Mindy, who had a hard time following her mother’s edict. “Besides, things are different in America,” Penny added.
As a compromise, Mindy had become Penny’s personal maid, which really meant her personal friend, not servant, when in private. Once Penny was removed to London into the earl’s household, the Duke of Wyndham insisted on her maid joining her for propriety.
“From this moment on, we really are equal. I’m no longer Lady Penelope Lytton, just plain Penny Layton. It sounds much more American.” She finished with washing and strode over to Mindy. Spinning around, she asked, “Here, help me undress.”
“I’ll try to remember, Penny.” Mindy undid the buttons. “It’s sad you have to leave your beloved home. I’ve nothing keepin
g me here and everything waiting for me. You have everything here and nothing waiting.”
Mindy was joining her sister in Maryland, a decision made after the earl had told Penny her maid would not be welcome once they were man and wife.
“That’s not true.” Penny tossed her sodden gown aside, shrugged out of her damp chemise, and donned the dressing gown Mindy had just laid on the bed. “I have much to gain by going to America.” Mindy’s plans had given Penny the idea of tagging along. “Geoffrey is joining me in six months. By then he’ll be twenty-one and receive his inheritance and no longer have to live off his small allowance the duke provides.” He’d agreed to wait to marry in California because the earl would never think to trace her there. Neither would the duke.
“San Francisco is reputed to be a rugged place, full of adventure and gold-paved streets.” She sighed as thoughts of all she’d read filled her mind’s eye. Her father had always encouraged her to use her brain, treating her more as a son than a daughter, going head-to-head with Penny’s mother over her behavior and his indulgence. Oh, how she missed him. He’d always allowed her the freedom other young ladies never had, teaching her to shoot and ride, encouraging her streak for adventure. Though she’d already discovered firsthand how some adventures held horrors, others were worth a bit of risk.
“I’ll miss home, but by then I’ll have Geoff as a husband as well as my own fortune.” On her twenty-fifth birthday in seven months, she’d gain her own majority. “The earl will have no more say in anything I do.” Her plan was perfect. Geoff wasn’t like Lord Knightsbridge. He loved her. They’d make a good marriage. He’d never intimidate others with cruelty, nor would he ever try to control her.
Penny moved to sit on the bed and watched Mindy wash her face, vowing to keep to her secret plans. If she stayed in England, she’d have little or no recourse but marriage to a vile man. Even the duke was starting to see Gerald Knightsbridge as a good match, calling her shrewish and unappreciative of all the earl had supposedly done for her during the last eight months. It was why she was now willing to risk all by traveling to a new continent, one that offered not only adventure but more opportunity.
“We should dress for dinner,” Mindy said after wringing out the cloth and placing it on a hook. She then padded over to Penny, presenting her back. “Could you?”
Anticipation for the journey ahead spread through her as she stood to undo buttons. Traveling on a ship this size definitely afforded a new adventure.
Thirty minutes later, she and Mindy advanced toward the dining hall via sparsely lit, narrow passageways. The understated, luxurious interior she noted, so different from the earl’s garish taste, gave her a sense of security. Though diminutive in comparison, this ship reminded her of her parents’ estate. She took a deep breath, and the rest of her inner tensions ebbed in her exhale. The more that time and distance separated her horrendous experiences from the present, the less they bothered her. Mindy’s earlier comments resurfaced and Penny’s resolve stiffened. The earl simply would not win.
Her smile stayed in place as the two entered the dining room.
Captain Davis stood at the sideboard pouring a glass of what looked to be bourbon. “Ah, I see our table will be graced with elegance tonight.” He offered a disarming smile. Impeccably dressed in the latest fashion, he appeared the epitome of an English lord. His jacket and waistcoat were cut to fit broad shoulders, and formfitting britches showcased firm, muscled thighs. “Makes waiting for the next tide change worth the inconvenience.”
“We appreciate your patience, Captain. And apologize for the delay,” Penny replied softly, while noticing how much more attractive he appeared without rain-soaked hair plastered to his scalp. The roguish smile emanating from this charming man had her own smile reaching her eyes. The captain was simply too handsome for his own good. Her attention then roamed to the table. Her breath stuck in her throat when a steely blue-gray stare caught her gaze and held on tight.
“Captain Davis is right.” Mr. Davis stood immediately and pulled out two chairs.
Without breaking eye contact, Penny lifted her head higher. His impolite gawking would not affect her. Holding the connection, she moved gracefully toward the offered chair.
His smile was full of appreciation. “Any delay is worth the delightful company of two lovely ladies, Miss Layton. You’re both visions to behold.” He paused a beat. “Simply stunning.”
She could say the same about him. Dressed much like the captain, the attractive man’s admiring perusal didn’t falter. A flush of warmth crept up her face. She had to look away from those intense eyes and squelched the urge to cover her bosom, as well as the desire to look down to make sure she wasn’t naked. Not wanting to appear a simpering fool, she schooled her emotions to show nothing of her inner turmoil. She cleared her throat and said with more serenity than she possessed, “You are both proficient flatterers. I’ll give you that.”
“You wound us, kind lady. ’Tisn’t flattery. ’Tis the truth,” Lucas replied, setting Parker’s drink in front of him. His nod indicated the other gentleman, who’d also stood when they entered the room. “Miss Layton, Miss Bowers. May I present my first officer, Mr. Todd Hillman.”
Hillman nodded. “’Tis a pleasure.”
Thankful for the diversion, Penny’s gaze moved to the first officer.
“Would either of you like a drink before dinner? Besides bourbon, I have sherry and red wine,” Lucas offered, walking back to the sideboard.
Penny shifted her attention to the captain and caught him staring at her. Inhaling a deep breath, she lowered her eyes, noting the beautifully set table, including silver place settings, fine china, and linen napkins placed under every fork. She focused on the lit candles in sterling holders, trying to clear her mind of the confusing thoughts the captain’s brother evoked. It took a moment before she could answer the question about drinks, and then, her voice was just above a whisper. “I’d love a glass of sherry, please.”
“I’d love one too,” Mindy said. Unaware of the undertones around her, she continued with, “We’re so happy you waited for us, Captain Davis, but sorry you had to delay your trip.” The words spilled from her lips faster than melting snow runs to the sea in spring. “The rain hindered our journey here. I hope our delay won’t cause problems.”
Lucas chuckled and poured two glasses of sherry. “’Tis not often we’re allowed the luxury of two beautiful ladies on our voyages. So please, no more talk of problems or inconveniences.” He placed their drinks in front of them, retrieved his own, and then sat at the head of the table. “We’ll set sail soon enough.”
Penny was saved from further discomfort when a commotion from the galley caught everyone’s attention. A handsome man with dark European features bustled out bearing a tray laden with food he immediately began serving. Succulent aromas of beef, gravy, potatoes, onions, and spices wafted up and filled the room.
After a dish was placed in front of Lucas, he chuckled. “Jacques, you’ve outdone yourself. Parker should sail with me more often. Meals never look this good when it’s just the crew.”
Jacques snorted. “Monsieur Parker is better looking than you.”
Penny swallowed a laugh. Almost identical, anyone comparing the two brothers would find it a draw as to who was more attractive.
“You’re also not so pretty as the two mademoiselles,” he added with his thick French accent.
“I can always throw you overboard for such insubordination once we sail, you know,” the captain said.
“Non. I have no fear of your threats.” Jacques grinned, displaying perfectly straight teeth. He looked at the two women and winked conspiratorially. “The man likes my cooking too much.”
Lucas laughed along with everyone else. “Come join us when you’re done dishing everything out. You work too hard.”
“Aye, aye, mon capitaine.” Jacques snapped to attention and said while saluting, “I never disobey the orders, especially when I can sit with the two ladies.”<
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As his chef headed for the galley, Lucas shook his head. “I know I shouldn’t encourage him. He already thinks too highly of his culinary skills. He also thinks I can’t live without them.”
“That is because it is true,” Jacques said on his way back into the room, obviously overhearing the comment. “I know my worth, so your insults, um…how do you say?...hold no weight.”
“See what I mean?” Lucas picked up his napkin and placed it on his lap.
Jacques stood smiling, then his glance roamed around the table. When no one said a word after eating for several minutes, Jacques’s perturbed voice burst forth. “Well?”
“It’s palatable. What is it?” Lucas asked in a goading tone.
A flurry of French followed in his wake on his way out of the room.
Lucas laughed. “Man can cook, but he can’t take a joke.”
Jacques returned through the doorway, still frowning and speaking sharply in rapid-fire French.
“Jacques, sit. Enjoy your fine cuisine.” Lucas motioned with his fork at an empty chair. “It’s delicious as always. I was merely jesting.”
“Some things should not be joked about. Remember,” he said as he wagged a finger, “I can always put something in the food to give you the stomach ache.”
“You won’t,” Lucas countered confidently, going back to his meal.
“You insult me and it will be considered,” Jacques threatened with head held high and haughty disdain crossing his face.
“No, Jacques, I know you.” Grinning, Lucas took a sip of bourbon, then said more seriously, “You’d never ruin your creations. I promise not to jest any more about your cooking. Now, go and get a plate for yourself and sit. I’m sure Parker’s dying to enlighten you with his latest exploits, just as I’m sure you’re dying to hear about them.”
Jacques’s frown disappeared. “But only because I like the company of mademoiselles who are so très jolies.” He left and returned with a full plate of food minutes later.
~~
“So, Parker, how come you to England?” Jacques asked, yanking Parker out of his musings.