“I’ll take Liverpool.” Chase picked up his spoon after taking another swallow of ale. “It’s farther away so I’m betting he went to Bristol. Alone you should make good time, and maybe you can catch them before their ship sets sail.”
Drew toasted with his mug as Chase clinked them together. “I’m for that. Let’s finish up here and head out. We haven’t a moment to lose. As you know, ships set sail every day each time the tides go out. We can only hope that they’ll be stuck in port for a few days due to weather or lack of accommodations.”
Chapter 34
Marianne woke up to a subtle, undulating movement. She was ravenous and nauseated at the same time. Where was she? How did she get here? Why wasn’t she at the manse with Drew and Andrea?
The compact chamber’s door ajar, Robert toed it open and walked in carrying a small tray which exuded the smell of toast and tea.
“Robert, where are we? Why have you brought me here and not taken me home?”
“My dear, calm yourself. Everything will work out. I’ve brought you something to eat. You’ve not been well and are in desperate need of sustenance.” He laid the tray on a small table at one side of the room. He poured tea and added sugar and cream. He always knew how she liked her tea. He handed her the tea, then spread something that looked like butter and honey on the toast.
Marianne took a tentative sip. It had no bitter taste. She was sure she had been drugged every time Robert had given her a drink of water from that flask. She had never seen him drink from it. It was the only explanation for her being somewhere away from home and with him since luncheon. How many days ago could that possibly be? Why had it been necessary to drug her?
After a few sips, Robert took the cup and saucer away and handed her the plate of toast. Even before she took a bite her stomach growled with need. It wasn’t much but it was more than she’d had . . . in how long?
“Robert, you need to tell me everything. Where are we? Why am I in this small chamber? Why is it moving? Are we on a boat? I want to see Drew and my daughter. Take me home immediately.”
Robert took her empty plate. She had eaten most of the toast before she started asking all of her questions. She held the remainder in her hand. “You must be patient, Marianne. There is no need to worry. I have everything under control. We were on the road three days because I had to have repairs made on the gig. We’ve been in Bristol since yesterday morning. It took me that long to find passage. It seems everyone in Britain is sailing to the Americas. We’ll be sailing as soon as the captain is ready and the hold has been filled. Possibly as soon as the morning tide.”
Marianne, who had been sitting on the side of the bed built into the cabin wall, set the last of her toast on the tray. Now she stood up and stared at Robert in disbelief. “What do you mean, we could sail on the morning tide? I’m not sailing anywhere, especially not to the Americas. I told you I have decided to stay with Drew. I want to be with my daughter and raise her. I want to build my life with Andrea and Drew. Get me off this ship now.”
“Marianne,” Robert crooned softly as he gently took her hand in his.
But she would have none of it and jerked it away.
He continued anyway. “You know we made plans long ago. We planned to be together. You promised we would be together. Andrew never wanted you. If he did, he wouldn’t have deserted you all those years ago. It doesn’t matter about Andrea. We’ll have more children. Our children. The captain will marry us once we’re on the high seas. It will be just as we planned, only we’ll live in the Americas instead of England. We’ll start a whole new life there, just the two of us.”
Marianne felt her jaw drop as the last of the sleepiness burned out of her body, fueled by anger and frustration at Robert’s words. “Drew never deserted me. He was kidnapped. And I will not desert my daughter regardless. Our plans were predicated on Drew’s death, but he is alive and well. I can’t be kept to promises made based on circumstances that never came to pass. My future is with Andrea and her father, not in the Americas with you. I am leaving. Now.”
She made to push by him, shoving him aside with her arm as she made for the door. But Robert grabbed her elbow and pulled her back. “No. You’re mine. You’re not getting off of this ship. We’ll leave tomorrow and you will make the adjustment to our new life together.”
Marianne pulled away from him but he was much stronger than she ever expected. The door stood ajar only three feet away. If she could just get through it, she could make a run for it. They were still at the docks. Surely she could find someone to help her and send a message to Drew. He had to be looking for her by now. With travel and time locating an available berth it must have been five days later at least. “Robert, I am not going with you. I refuse your invitation. I will not marry you. I am already married and have chosen to remain so. Let me go or I’ll scream and bring the entire crew down upon us.”
“It will do you no good.” Robert’s smugness chilled her to the bone. “I’ve told the captain you’ve been ill and fighting a fever. I’ve told him you are delirious and not to be concerned if strange noises come from this cabin. No one will come to your aid.”
Marianne had had enough. She raised her right hand and slapped him as hard as she could only too happy to see the red welt raised by the force of her blow. Robert, taken by surprise, let her go to rub his cheek. She made for the door. She had almost gotten it open when he threw his body against it and slammed it shut.
As he grabbed her arm once again, he dragged her away from the door, then smacked her across the face so hard she saw stars and landed back on the bed from the force of it. His face a mask of evil, he said in a low growling voice she had never heard emanate from him before, “I’ve had enough of this. You’re staying here and you’re going with me. There will be no further discussion. If you don’t like it, you’ll just have to get used to it. You’re mine now. You’re mine forever. Andrew and Andrea are your past. Their time is over. I am your future. My time has begun.”
Stunned, Marianne sat on the berth rubbing her throbbing cheek as Robert stormed out of the tiny chamber, slamming the door behind him. No sooner had the door shut than a key turned in the lock.
Marianne reached into her pocket to pull out the sketch drawn by Mrs. Pins and the small piece of sprigged muslin for Andrea’s pinafore. She fondled the fabric as she thought about her daughter, how she had missed having tea with her and her dollies. She had to get home to Andrea. She just had to. And she had to return to Drew. She refused to give up what it had taken her so long to find.
Chapter 35
Drew rode into Bristol as if the devil himself pursued him. He’d ridden through the night, stopping only to change his horse and grab a quick bite, and still it had taken him almost two whole days. No matter how fast his horse, he had a sinking feeling his wife had boarded a vessel bound for some distant destination. If so, his quest to safely retrieve her would become much more complicated. He’d have to search the passenger lists in hopes of discovering which ship they had boarded. And, if Gentilly had used different names, he might never find them.
The docks, crowded and noisy, emitted the cloying stench of fish and unwashed bodies strong enough to make him gag. Disregarding everything else, Drew looked down the line of ships and decided his best option, the one he used in London, would be to show the miniature of Marianne to each and every captain.
He started up the first gangway.
Hours later, tired, hungry, and frustrated with his lack of success, there were only a few ships left. If Marianne was not on any of them, he would grab a quick meal and head for Liverpool. Maybe his brother-in-law had had more success. He could ride by his estate on the way and see if they had returned.
But before that, he would try the next tavern, the Ship Wrecked Inn, for an ale and maybe some news. Frequently, anything happening onboard ship was known in the local inns
and taverns.
The husky barkeep gave him a mostly toothless smile as Drew asked for an ale. “As you wish, m’lud. It’ll be comin’ right up.”
“Thank you,” Drew said when the barkeep slid a mug over to him. “Have you a moment?”
“’Course, m’lud, this is a slow part of me day. What’s your problem?”
Drew extracted the miniature from his pocket. “Could you tell me if you’ve seen this woman here in your inn or anywhere along the docks?”
The barkeep scratched his head, deep in thought. “No, m’lud, can’t say as I have. You be missin’ her?”
“Yes, a person I thought a friend may have kidnapped her. I have fears he’ll take her asea.” Drew took a long draft of his ale while the barkeep stood by. “Have you possibly noticed anything or anyone unusual in the last day, maybe two or three? Someone who doesn’t seem to belong here. Someone who might be fretful or suspicious?” Drew lifted his mug again.
“Funny you should ask. There’s been a bloke in here a few times. Never seen him afore these last few days. Appears to be a gentleman. Says his wife is ailin’ on board ship. Says they’re headin’ out as soon as the captain’s ready and the ship’s loaded. He’s been takin’ her meals. Me wife makes a good rabbit. The rest of her cookin’ ain’t bad neither. Must’ve set all right as he came back for a few more meals after the first one.”
“Can you describe him for me? He may be the one.”
“Not too tall. Not near as tall as you, m’lud. Slicked back, dark hair that could be black but it’s dark in here so I don’t know. Seemed to be fussy, if you know what I mean. Kinda turned up his nose when I handed him the first meal. Didn’t expect him again but he came back, as I said afore.”
Drew tamped down his excitement, sure it was Gentilly. “When was he last in?” Hoping the answer was recently. If not, their ship might have set out on that morning’s tide.
“Not two hours ago. I’m sure of it. Today my missus made an apple pie and he took a piece of that, too.”
Calmly setting his mug down and restraining himself from dashing out the door before he got all the necessary information, Drew asked, “Do you know what ship he’s on? I need to get to him right away.”
“I do. His hands was full when he left this afternoon so I opened the door for him. I watched him head over to the Britannia. Even saw him go up the plank. It was the Britannia sure as I’m standin’ here.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much.” Drew tossed a few extra coins to the barkeep before striding out the door.
She is here. I am not too late. I can get her back and take her home.
~ ~ ~
Drew strode up the gangway of the Britannia, an East Indiaman armed merchant ship, and assumed a stance of upper-class nonchalance as his eyes scanned the deck in search of the captain. He located the man in charge standing on the quarterdeck seemingly discussing a map with one of the mates. Drew cleared his throat, waved an arm, and shouted over the noise of the bustling crew. “Sir, if I may have a word.”
The captain, a rail of a man with a pegged leg, looked up and, after saying a few last words to the sailor, hobbled down to the main deck. Not bothering with a bow or any physical acknowledgement of Drew’s apparent rank, the captain merely asked, “Your lordship, what’ll you be needin’?”
“Good day, captain. I am Andrew Saxtonby, Earl of Reignsfield. I am searching for my wife and have good reason to believe she is on your ship.” Drew continued to gaze around the deck, looking for some indication that Marianne could be on board.
“Well, sir, I have but one set of passengers and they’re belowdecks. He and his lady friend are to be married by me once we’re out to sea. I doubt that would be your wife.” The captain turned to leave as if that settled the matter.
“Captain.” Drew leveled a voice that exuded command. “Might I ask you to take a look at this image and tell me if this woman is the one on board your ship?” He extracted the talisman he held so dear and presented it.
“Well, there ain’t no harm in lookin’, but I doubt if she’s the one.” The captain took the miniature and studied it closely. “By George, it’s her. That’ll be the woman on my ship. You say she’s your wife?”
“Yes. Kidnapped days ago by a man we thought a close family friend. Obviously, she is already married and I would like her returned to me posthaste.”
“Are you sure she’s kidnapped? I’ve heard not a sound from her since she boarded. Of course, Mr. Gentilly said his betrothed ailed to the point of hallucinations and not to bother if she called out.” The captain waved over to another sailor, who had just finished tying down a rigging, then returned his attention to Drew. “Have you beaten or harmed her so that she wanted to leave you? You’d not be the first of the gentry to lose a wife because of his poor treatment of her.”
Drew schooled his features and refrained from responding to the insult. “No, she has never been mishandled by me. She was taken against her will. I expect she has been drugged and has had little control over the fact she is on this ship. Now, would you please retrieve her for me or must I search this ship myself and possibly obtain a magistrate?”
The captain shook his head and frowned, clearly not wanting the law involved lest it should delay his departure, then turned to the sailor. “Fetch the woman and Mr. Gentilly. We’ll sort this matter out up on deck.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” The sailor made his way belowdecks.
~ ~ ~
Marianne sat on the berth unconsciously twisting her wedding band as Robert paced the room, his face a mask of concentration. He turned toward her. “You’ll just have to get used to this change, Marianne. It shouldn’t be too difficult. We’ve been together for more than two years. Nothing has changed between us.”
But it had. Everything had changed between them. Drew had returned and the intimacy they had shared had woken her head and heart to what a man and a woman could become to each other. There had never been a single moment of such heat, such passion, such desire, like she shared with Drew with any other person, including Robert.
Robert, a shell of a man compared to Drew, was moody, whiny, and simpering, his physical condition soft and rapidly turning paunchy, his skin pasty white, his eyes, beady and distracted.
This now concerned her because Robert had become overbearing to the point of possessiveness and explosively, unexpectedly violent.
Never in their two years together had she heard Robert raise his voice, much less a hand toward her. In the course of the last few days he had not only started yelling at her, he had hit her . . . hard. She remained speechless from the mere thought and fear that if she dared to say anything to naysay his rantings, he might hit her once again.
He turned away from her and stalked back across the small cabin.
Marianne fidgeted with her wedding ring.
Where was Drew? Would he find her in time?
Could she somehow get away?
A sharp rap vibrated the cabin door.
“What is it?” Robert approached the portal and paused to listen.
“Sir, the cap’n wants you up on deck.” The disembodied voice had the hard sounds of a Cockney accent.
“I have no need of the captain at this moment.” Robert turned from the door and folded his arms across his chest.
“Sir, I’m to escort you to the deck. Cap’n’s orders. And he wants the lady, too. You’re both to come right now.”
Robert straightened his coat, shot his sleeves, pulled his cravat into place, then stopped when he heard the last comment. “I told you, there’s no need for the lady to leave our chamber.”
“Sir.” The disembodied voice sounded impatient. “I’m just tellin’ you the cap’n’s orders. He wants you both and he wants you both now. Come with me or I’ll get some of the crew to haul you up on deck.”<
br />
“Very well. There’s no need for violence. I’ll go see what the captain wants.” Robert unlocked, then pulled on the cabin door, which made a grating sound as it swung open.
The mate or sailor or whatever one called a seaman stood in the hallway with his hands on his hips and annoyance on his face. “The lady comes, too.” He entered the room and gave her a slight bow. “If you would, ma’am. The cap’n wants you on deck.”
Marianne, only too happy to get out of the confines of the room and on deck, had been begging for just such an option for the last two days. Robert would have none of it. Fresh, sea air would be a most welcome change, even for only a few minutes, from the thick, stuffy cabin air.
She rose from the bed, nodded to the seaman, and brushed past Robert as she went through the door. She felt him follow after her, his hot breath sending shivers down her nape. Though she didn’t look back, she was sure the sailor followed them to keep Robert from retreating back to the cabin.
What could possibly be on deck that the captain would summon her? Could this be her best chance for escape?
As she stepped from the stairs onto the deck, the sun nearly blinded her, so long had she been kept captive in the dimness of the cabin. She raised her arm across her forehead so she could shade her view and see what she could.
One man stood there, arms akimbo, looking impatient and annoyed. Movement behind him caught her eye.
“Drew!” She made to run for her husband, but someone caught her arm and dragged her back. She turned to look up into Robert’s angry face.
Seduced by the Dandy Lion Page 22