Scandalous Scoundrels

by Aileen Fish

  “Sure, take ‘em. And thanks for your help today. I couldn’t have done it without you and it sure was nice to have company.”

  “It was my pleasure, thanks for sharing your kitchen.” She reached down and pulled her mini pie out of the oven. Kurt walked back into the kitchen.

  “Your bath is ready.” He turned to lead her back to the room.

  “Wait.” She turned and slid the pie onto a plate. “This is for you.” She handed him the plate. “You haven’t eaten all day.” She smiled and left the plate in his hands as she walked back to her room.

  She quietly heard him utter, “Thank you.”

  Chapter 16

  After a bath, Lily dressed her hair and put on one of the dresses Eric had gotten for her. She felt so much better and was growing excited as the evening approached. Eric walked in looking tired. He gave her a genuine smile and when he sat on the bed to strip off some of his clothes. She sat down next to him. “How was your day?”

  Instead of answering, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “Better now.” He kissed her again until she was breathless. “How about you?”

  “Very good, thank you.” She smiled and he looked slightly surprised.

  “You weren’t too bored?” Eric turned to look at her face to read her expression.

  “Oh no. I kept myself busy,” she answered evasively. She didn’t want him to tell her that she had to stay in the room or that she shouldn’t be doing work.

  “Doing what?” he asked, not letting it go.

  “Some sewing and a little cooking.” He looked at her with one eyebrow raised but said nothing else as he began to bathe and dress.

  They had dinner with the Captain, First Officer, and Kurt. The conversation was slightly stilted. She hadn’t heard any hint as to what they had planned that day and there seemed to be little else to talk about. They exhausted commenting on the weather, the sea, and the coast of New England. She was extremely relieved when dinner was finished. She was hoping to speak with Eric privately about what plans they had made that day.

  Lily sat quietly as two of the pies were brought in by Cook, the rest were for the crew. The Captain looked extremely surprised and turned to Cook. “Impressive!”

  “Don’t get used to it,” Cook said looking slightly offended. “I didn’t bake ‘em, she did.”

  “You baked two pies today?” Eric raised an eyebrow.

  “She didn’t bake two pies.” The Cook slapped the two pies on the table and Lily tried to catch his eye to tell him to stop but he wasn’t paying attention. “She baked seven of ‘em, which the men ate every bite of, you’d think I never cook ‘em anything. And she sewed a sail today, you’d think Venus had stepped on the boat the way they’re singing her praises.”

  The Captain cleared his throat. “Thank you, Cook. That will be all.” Lily was looking in her lap suddenly embarrassed by the praise and slightly nervous as to what Eric and Captain White would think of her getting involved in daily ship life.

  Cook nodded then turned back, “Come back tomorrow, if you want.” He smiled and winked at her then left.

  “You were busy today.” Eric looked at his wife, sounding slightly amused.

  “I hope it’s all right. I’m not very good at sitting idly and there seems to be so much work to do.” She looked from the Captain to her husband, hoping to get some clue by the look on their faces.

  “It can’t hurt that you’re winning over the crew.” The Captain nodded, looking longingly at the pie.

  “Next time, please check with me first.” Eric winked then turned to Captain White. “Shall we?”

  Everyone ate in silence and Lily felt herself growing more nervous. Were they that angry with her? Finally, his pie all gone, Eric spoke, “Where did you learn to cook like that?”

  Her face broke into a huge grin. “I mentioned, I’m not good at sitting idly. I spent a great deal of time during my childhood under the cook’s feet or following the maids around. My mother encouraged it. She said it’s good for a mistress to understand the jobs of her staff and I’m sure she preferred it to me trying to follow my brothers around.” She smiled again and heard the men around her chuckle.

  “Are you planning on cooking again tomorrow?” Captain White asked looking slightly hopeful.

  “I don’t know. Even though Cook asked, I am afraid he might grow tired of my help. Besides, I have a sewing project in mind that I can do without getting in the way of the crew.”

  Kurt had remained silent and was on his third piece of pie. Finally he spoke, “I haven’t had pie like this in twenty years. At least not since this afternoon.”

  “You cooked extra pie for Kurt? Where was my pie this afternoon?” Eric said looking, not put out, but pleased.

  She laughed in response and he gave her a small kiss on the cheek which made her blush.

  They soon left and returned to their room. As soon as they were back in the room, Eric began to kiss her neck.

  She playfully pushed him away. “Tell me what happened today.”

  “You mean like, a little cooking and sewing?” He gave her a one sided smile.

  She looked sheepishly at her feet. “Sorry about that, I didn’t know how you would react. My mother was always full of mischief, I seem to be growing more like her by the day.”

  “It’s all right. Captain White is very good at strategy and we are trying to form plans for every scenario. We want to have a shell in place that will combat almost any set of circumstances.” Lily sat on the bed. Even after a day, she had begun to relax and feel safer. The reality of her situation, however, came crashing back to her.

  Eric sat down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I am going to keep you safe. I have a cousin who is a duke. If we have to, we’ll head to England. There is nothing like a castle to keep you protected.”

  Lily laughed despite herself and she felt her spirits lift a little. “Toby would love a castle.”

  He kissed her forehead and pulled her into lap. “I really mean it. I am not going to let anything happen to you.”

  She nestled close to him. “You told me that your work really suffered when you first married Caitlin. I’m afraid I am even worse!”

  He gave her a squeeze. “You’re worth it.”

  Lily woke the next morning, feeling like she had never slept so well in her life. The sun was already high in the sky and Eric had left. She got up and dressed and headed to the galley for some breakfast and the start of her next project. She grabbed some shirts that they had used on the trail and brought them with her out on to the deck.

  She greeted Cook and got to work. Lily boiled the shirts then took the large bag of feathers. She hung the shirts up to dry then found a shady spot on the deck and began the tedious process of going through the feathers. She had to find only the softest and most flexible feathers to use as stuffing and discard the larger ones. It took her most of the morning but by the time she was done, she had enough feathers for a decent sized pillow.

  Just as Lillian was about to leave for lunch, two of the sailors rushed up to her, one bleeding from his upper arm. “Ma’am, can ya stitch him, he’s bleedin’ real bad!”

  She stood up from her chair looking at Kurt, who had been keeping silent guard. “Can you find me some thread?”

  He nodded once and disappeared, coming back with a bag of sewing supplies. She looked at him. “Captain got it when he heard there’d be a lady on the boat.”

  Lily nodded, cut some thread and quickly thread the needle. The sailor was bleeding heavily and time was of the essence. Her hand shook a little but she took a deep breath to calm herself then began to stitch him up as best she could. Lily tried to keep the stitches tight without hurting the man too much. When she had finally finished, she tore some strips from the shirts she had just cleaned and wrapped the man’s arm.

  “Thank ya kindly ma’am.” He was looking a little pale. She sat him down in her chair, then sent the other sailor to get some food for his friend.
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  “You just sit and relax. He’ll be back in a minute.” She patted his good arm. “Can I get you a drink of water?” She asked, unsure of what to do.

  “He’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.” Kurt said, but his voice was gentle. She nodded, still patting the sailor’s arm as she waited for the other man to return with some food.

  After she had sent the man off to rest, Lillian sat stuffing the feather’s into the bag she had made from what was left of the shirts. She thought about starting the embroidery on the last seem but decided that her nerves were too shaken up. She was horrible enough at embroidery without adding in extra distraction. She stood at the rail, Kurt beside her, watching the sun set.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she sighed.

  “It’s been a long time since I sat and watched the sun set.” He added as much to himself as to her.

  “Tomorrow, if you have something you want to do, I can just take my embroidery with me. It will take me a while.” She added, knowing how difficult it must be to stand behind her all day.

  “It’s all right, this is practically a vacation. You talked a lot with the cook but you don’t seem to need conversation. It’s kind of nice to just stand and think my thoughts.” Kurt paused for a minute then added. “You’re awfully kind to the men. Lots of women of your station wouldn’t be so nice to common sailors.”

  She chuckled and he looked slightly offended so she added. “I am not laughing at you. My family has had very little money the last few years and I spend of a great deal of time doing chores that these sailors would turn their nose up to.”

  Kurt broke into a grin. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. But I see your point.” They watched the sun set for a few more minutes in silence then Kurt added. “I didn’t care for the last Missus much and I was expecting to not like you either, bein’ so beautiful and all, I’m glad Mr. Sampson found a woman of quality, who is not afraid of a little work.”

  Lily thanked him, knowing that it was praise of the highest quality, coming from a man who rarely shared his feelings.

  “What are you two chatting about?” Eric came up behind them, placing his arm around his wife.

  “I was just telling your new wife that I admire her work ethic and her character.” With that Kurt turned and left.

  “What on Earth did you do to him in two days? That is more words of praise then I have heard him utter in fifteen years.” Eric stood with his mouth slightly open, watching Kurt retreat.

  “I don’t know,” Lily responded, slightly mystified. She tried to think of what she had done. “I stitched up a sailor today who cut his arm. Baked some pies. Sewed a sail. Oh, I am making a pillow.” She shrugged. It didn’t seem to add up.

  “Well, I’ll have to ask him tomorrow. For now, we are off to our room for dinner and bed.” He gave a crooked smile and the two headed for another night of bliss.

  Chapter 17

  The days on the ship passed quickly as The Anna Marie made deliveries down and then up the East Coast of America. Lily kept herself busy making her pillow. She wished several times that Elise was there to help her and frequently took breaks by helping Cook out in the kitchen, although she tried hard to just assist him rather than making any dishes as high profile as the pies. The men noticed the difference in the food anyway and there was talk among them that they should make a few additional stops before returning to Boston so as to delay the trip.

  Lily felt herself growing more apprehensive as they approached the Boston Harbor. She didn’t want their time on the boat to end. Not only was she frightened about her kidnappers finding her again but she had a growing fear about rejoining society. Before they had left, Eric had been so distant. Since they had been away, they had grown closer and had established a relationship that Lily was coming to depend on. She wondered which couple they would be when they returned. She did not even know if he planned to announce their wedding or pretend like they were simply engaged. Would she live with her husband or go back with her brother? It was time to talk to Eric but it was not a conversation she relished.

  She sighed to herself. At least she would get to be with Toby and her family again.

  As evening approached, Lily felt herself growing more apprehensive and Kurt noticed her nervousness.

  “What’s stuck in your craw?” He finally asked as they watched the sun go down.

  “I...” She paused unsure if she should confide in her husband’s guard. She had grown to like Kurt but his loyalties were not to her.

  “Nervous about headin’ into Boston?” Kurt asked and she nodded. “Can I ask you a question?” She nodded again. In the two weeks she had been on the boat, Kurt had not asked her to volunteer a single piece of information. “How did you convince Sampson to marry you? I woulda thought that he would never marry another woman again, after that she-devil. I mean, I can see why he picked you, you’re a cut above, but even with all your qualities, I didn’t think it was a hurdle he’d ever clear.”

  Lily stood open mouthed. She knew that it had been a rocky road for Eric but she hadn’t put it together that he might have been scared off of marriage. A comment he had made about feeling too strongly about her to court her drifted back into the fore-front of her mind. Could Eric have avoided her because he was frightened?

  “I don’t know Kurt, to be honest, for a while he seemed to avoid me like the plague. At least, most of the time.” Kurt chuckled, he knew what she meant. She remembered Eric stealing kisses when no one was looking. “But when Colonel Kingsley tried to make me his wife, I think it changed Eric’s mind.”

  “Well, provided we all get out of this unscathed, you’ll have to thank the Colonel.” Kurt chuckled and Lily suddenly burst out laughing. She hadn’t thought of it that way but Kurt had a point.

  “What is so funny? In fifteen years, I don’t think Kurt has ever made me laugh like that. Should I be worried about you two?” Eric came up behind them laughing as well.

  Lily gave her husband an angelic grin and excused herself for a moment to return to their room. She had finally finished the embroidery on the pillow. A painstaking process but she was proud of her work. She grabbed the pillow and headed back for the deck.

  As she came out with the pillow, Kurt smiled and looked at Eric. “She’s been working on that thing for two weeks. If value were measured in hours spent, it’d be worth a fortune.” Eric raised his eyebrows. He knew who the pillow was actually for.

  Lily held the pillow out to Kurt. “I wanted to thank you for saving me and watching over me the past few weeks.”

  Kurt’s face twisted into a tangled knot. Lily was suddenly afraid that he was going to reject her gift. Maybe the other pillow was too special to be replaced. But he crushed the pillow to his chest and stomped off the deck.

  “Did I do something to offend him?” Lily asked suddenly worried.

  “Not at all. You were perfect.” Eric hugged her close and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “I wanted to talk to you before we docked,” she said, screwing up her courage. “When we arrive in Boston are we married or engaged?”

  Eric smiled slightly, kissing her temple. “If you think I am going to let you go back to your brother’s house, while I sleep in bed alone, you are mistaken. Actually, I think I’ll move some or all of your family in temporarily to have as many men on hand as I can.”

  She smiled, suddenly feeling better about their relationship and what she could expect when they returned. It didn’t seem as though things would return to the way they had been before her kidnapping. She had another question, though, that had been nagging at the back of her mind?

  “What were you talking to Kathryn about when I was kidnapped?” She looked into his faced as it darkened considerably.

  “You, of course. She said I was a fool to remarry and that you would bring me nothing but trouble. I wouldn’t have listened to what she had to say except she told me that she had information about Kingsley’s plan and that she could help me protect you. I should
have known that it was a trap. Both sisters have a gift when it comes to lying but I wanted to keep you safe and...” He stopped, squeezing her. “It was miscalculation that almost cost me you.”

  “Eric, you can’t keep blaming yourself. It was out of your control.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I have one more question,” She took a deep breath and one of Eric’s eyebrows arched at the build-up. “Why didn’t you want to court me?” The hurt was evident in her voice, although she had tried to keep it out. She felt like she understood but for some reason it was important to hear an explanation from him.

  Eric stepped back from her and leaned against the rail and Lily wished she could take the question back. “I know I told you that Caitlin had a great deal of public affairs. I didn’t discuss the emotional manipulation, the lies, and the deceit that went with my marriage. I promised myself that I would never play another woman’s fool. I planned to remarry again, only to provide a mother for Toby. I wanted someone I could remain emotionally detached from. From the first moment I met you, it was obvious you were different from Caitlin. And every time I saw you, you proved how different you were but I just couldn’t bring myself to trust my feelings again. I knew I couldn’t remain detached from you.”

  He stood up and hugged her again. She wrapped her arms around him, glad that she asked. “Why did you change your mind?”

  “Well, you are difficult to resist. Those eyes, those lips and god, the honey hair, I already told you that I dream about the way you smell. And all those men were swarming around you and I kept thinking, she is going to be someone else’s wife, he is going to hold her every night and she is going to have his children and there I will be with a woman I don’t care about.”

  “You thought about me?” Her delight was apparent in her voice. “I thought for sure you didn’t care about me at all.”

  “How could you think that? Of course, the Colonel’s interference pushed things along. I am not sure how long it would have taken me otherwise. Although after our night in the study, I was pretty close to caving. I knew what I was missing. Every time I could get you alone, I couldn’t keep my hands off of you.” Eric squeezed her again. “Still can’t.”