“No. You can’t go to him. You’re mine now.”
“Let me go. He’s my husband. I never wanted to leave with you. You didn’t even ask me. You drugged me. I know you did.”
Marianne saw Drew push the captain to the side and head for her, but the captain caught him and hauled him back as well.
“Just one minute.” The captain waved to a number of men whose attention had been caught by the drama. They formed a loose circle around them. “I want to know exactly what is going on here.”
Three voices started at once, each at a different pitch and tone.
“Enough!” The captain yelled loud enough to be heard over the bickering voices, obviously practiced at having himself obeyed. “Madam, is this man your husband?” The captain pointed to Drew.
“Yes, sir. He is. We’ve been married over four years. He just recently, the last two months or so, returned from an unintended sea voyage.” Marianne gently tugged at Robert’s hold, hoping he’d give in and let her go.
“Madam, did you knowingly leave your husband? Did you intentionally desert him?” The captain’s stern look conveyed the seriousness of the dilemma facing him.
“No, Captain, I did not. This man,” she pointed back to Robert with her free hand, “drugged my tea when we were having luncheon the other day. Then he kept drugging me as he brought me to your ship without my permission or cooperation. I do not want to be here. I want to go home. With my husband.”
Drew made to advance toward her but Robert jerked Marianne back and, with his free hand, grabbed a cutlass from the scabbard of a sailor standing nearby.
“She’s staying with me.” Robert held the blade across the base of her neck. “If I can’t have her, no one will.”
The captain stepped around Drew, his hands spread in placation. “Be reasonable, man. No blood needs to be drawn over this. If this is the lady’s husband and she wants him, then you should let her go. Who wants a woman who doesn’t want him? Surely you can find another wench to warm your bed.”
Robert tugged her back even more firmly against his chest. “We made plans while his lordship gallivanted all over the high seas without a word to Marianne that he was alive and returning to her. Why should I give her up just because he decided to meander home? Who knows if tomorrow or the next day he’ll choose to roam off again and leave her high and dry? I want her and I’ll have her or no one will.”
Drew came out from behind the captain. “I did not desert her. I was kidnapped and pressed into service, as you well know. And, yes, it took me awhile to return. I wasn’t sure it was in everyone’s best interests for me to do so. But I have. I’m here now, and it’s Marianne’s choice with whom she remains. I have not forced or coerced her. She has freely chosen to stay with me.”
“Of course you forced her.” Robert continued his unreasonable tirade. Marianne tried to breathe without slicing her throat, the sharp blade held against her neck. “You told her you’d keep her daughter. But I can give her other daughters and sons, too. She doesn’t need you.”
“Enough of this.” Drew turned to the captain. “Have one of your men summon the magistrate. He’ll straighten this all out and take this madman to task.”
The captain waved at a sailor and sent him on his way.
Marianne had had enough, seeing only too clearly that Robert had lost his mental faculties and would never see reason. He was no longer interested in her feelings or desires, just his own. Neither Drew, nor the captain, nor any of the crew would put her life at risk with Robert holding a blade to her throat. She had to make a move or the standoff could go on for hours waiting for a magistrate or some other interference to change their course.
She nodded ever so slightly and finally caught Drew’s attention. He shook his head silently telling her not to take any risks. But she ignored his plea.
Taking a deep breath, Marianne lifted her foot and stomped on Robert’s instep as she shoved her elbow into his ribs hard and fast. She felt the pain of the slash across her throat as Robert let her go. She dropped to the ground.
Drew made to rush for her but Robert jumped over her and lunged at Drew with his sword.
Marianne put a hand to her neck and pulled it away to see only the slightest amount of blood. “I’m fine, Drew. Let him go.” But it became obvious to her the game was not over when Robert started to advance toward Drew with every intention of skewering him.
~ ~ ~
Drew jumped to the left, then the right to avoid each jab of the blade. He deftly swung around to pull two unused belaying pins from the main fife rail. Spinning back to face his attacker, he had just enough time to cross the pins, catch the sword and raise it away from him.
Robert, undeterred, freed his blade and parried to attack again.
Drew slapped with the left belaying pin, then with the right as he backed further down the main deck. As he parried with the left pin once again, Robert’s face came close. Drew dropped the pin in his right hand and slammed his fist into Robert’s jaw.
Robert fell to the deck rubbing his face. “That’s not very gentlemanly of you, my lord. Angelo would frown upon such treatment at his academy.”
“And what would Angelo say to your attacking a man without a sword of his own?”
“My lord!” A shout came from Drew’s right. While Robert scrambled to rise from the deck, Drew glanced over to find the hilt of a cutlass being tossed toward him.
“Thank you!” Drew caught the hilt as Robert gained his feet and took a classic fencing stance, legs apart, back leg straight, front leg bent, sword at the ready.
“En garde!” Robert advanced toward Drew again.
Drew swished his sword twice to get the feel of it. Every sword differed. Different length. Different balance. Different heft. This one was as good as he’d ever had aboard ship, though most were not the best made. Most were utilitarian and not for flashy fighting. But when one dueled with pirates, utilitarian would suffice.
He returned his attention to his nemesis. Gentilly remained in his proper stance, ready to go at it. He would have his wish but the rules of Angelo’s Fencing Academy would not be in play here. Those were not the rules Drew learned while surviving on the high seas. Gentilly would have to play Drew’s game and all would not be fair. After all, Gentilly had intentionally started the contest with unfair advantage. There would be no academy rules now.
The two men took turns thrusting and parrying up and down the deck as sailors jumped out of the way and urged them on.
Marianne regained her feet, pressed herself against the rail, and bit her lower lip as she spun her wedding ring with her thumb.
Back and forth they went as the seamen started tossing out numbers to bet on the outcome of the match.
“Half a crown on the kidnapper,” one sailor shouted.
“I’ll wager a crown on his lordship. It’s clear he doesn’t want to lose his lady,” came a shout from the back.
“I’ll take that bet,” said another.
“Ten quid on his lordship.” The captain’s voice boomed from beside her.
And so it went on, burning Marianne’s ears. Betting would do no good. Drew had to win this fight.
Robert thrust forward so forcefully that Drew’s shoulders came up against the ladder to the forecastle. With his free hand, Drew felt behind him and backed up the steps, stumbling once.
Robert took advantage and nicked Drew’s left arm, drawing blood.
Drew winced but clambered up the stairs on the starboard side.
Robert followed after him, his smug face indicating he savored the upper hand.
Once on the forecastle, the thrusting and parrying intensified. Drew regained his focus. Parrying to the left, he jabbed the tip of his sword into Robert’s right shoulder.
Robert looked up, stunned amazement on his face
. “Why did you not die when those ruffians attacked you? I had it all planned and this would not be necessary.”
“So it was you. They said they knew not who hired them but it was obvious they had not selected me at random.” Drew parried again and jabbed the blade into Robert’s left thigh.
Robert’s face flushed bright red. “You bastard. You’ll pay for that!”
Metal struck metal in incessant discord as the two danced back and forth across the forecastle. Robert slashed hard but Drew spun to avoid the blade, then dropped the tip of his cutlass over his shoulder to block being skewered from behind. As Drew turned and went on the attack again, thrusting and parrying, Robert retreated until his back faced the stairs on the port side. He started to withdraw cautiously down the steps when Drew slapped Robert’s blade aside with his sword, then shoved him so hard that Robert flew down to the main deck and landed hard on his buttocks and back.
After her gaze followed Robert’s flight to the deck, Marianne looked up to find Drew regrouping. He had unwound a line from one of the rail pins. Grabbing it in his free hand, he swung toward the main deck.
Robert started to rise from his prostrate position, raising his sword at the soaring figure coming at him.
Drew’s left foot kicked the blade. It slapped against Robert’s face. Drew’s right foot hit his opponent in the chest, knocking him to the deck yet again.
Marianne pushed forward to find Robert supine and his face oozing blood from the slash that emblazoned one cheek and crossed the bridge of his nose. He was at Drew’s mercy. What would her husband do?
Drew landed deftly on the deck and returned to Robert’s side, the tip of his blade at the man’s throat.
Robert wiped blood from his eyes. “You do not fight like a gentleman. I should have won this encounter. I’ve had lessons from Henry Angelo for years.”
“You forfeited fairness when you attacked me as an unarmed opponent.” Drew shook his head as his gaze castigated his nemesis. “That allowed me to use all that I’ve learned dueling pirates on most of the seven seas. Truly, you didn’t stand a chance.”
The captain stepped up to Drew’s side. “Quite a battle, my lord. What would you have me do with the loser? You could finish him here and now. None on my ship would naysay you. We could easily throw his body overboard. The fish would make quick work of it.”
Marianne gasped. Would Drew kill Robert?
Drew’s gaze rose to hers. “No, that won’t be necessary. He’s already paid for passage?”
“Aye, my lord. For him and the lady.”
“Have him trussed up and take him to his cabin. Make sure he’s not released until you’re far asea. Then, you might want to apprentice him to one of your sailors. It would do him no harm to learn how real men earn a living.”
The captain’s grin broadened. “A fitting sentence. A magistrate could do no better and might have done much less.” He waved over to the men tallying up their wins and losses. “You there, Smythe. Do as his lordship says. Get this landlubber belowdecks until we set sail on the first tide in the morning.”
Marianne waved at the sailor. “Sir, could you bring my cloak when you return abovedeck?”
“Surely, milady.”
Chapter 36
Drew bundled Marianne in her cloak and helped her down the gangway to shore. His mind still reeled at the fact that he nearly lost her, that she had been kidnapped and almost taken to sea just as he had been four years before.
Ironic seemed too simple a word to define the situation.
“Where are we going?”
Drew could feel Marianne shaking through all the layers of her clothing. “To the inn across the way. We need to feed you, bathe you, and get you to bed. I can’t imagine the last few days have been easy.”
“No, it’s been a nightmare. When I tried to leave, Robert actually slapped me. Hard.”
Drew halted and turned her toward him. He growled, “That pernicious kidnapper struck you? I’ll kill him.” He spun around and dragged her back toward the ship.
Marianne tugged at his arm. “Stop. I’m all right. It won’t help now. Let them have him. Let him go to sea. Please, Drew. Don’t go back there. I don’t want to go back.”
He turned again and studied her face, her eyes circled by dark rings, her skin drawn and pale, her upper lip as white as a ship’s sails. There was the faintest wrinkle across her forehead. She was done in.
He wrapped her back in his arms, placed his cheek against the top of her head, and rocked her gently. “Yes, I’ll let him go. I need to take care of you. The sea can have him and may she do her worst to him. I’d wager he’ll not last a year on the high seas.”
Moments later, they entered the tavern. Drew waved at the innkeeper. “I need your best, cleanest room, a hot bath, your finest soap for my lady, and a hot meal as well.”
“Welcome back, m’lud. I’ll be off to fetch it all as soon as I take you upstairs.” Extracting himself from behind the bar, the keeper led the way.
The room, not large by any definition, looked clean enough as Drew scanned its contents: a large four-poster bed, a table, and two chairs before the fireplace.
The keeper bent and lit the already laid fire. “There you go, m’lud. I’ll be back in a trice with a hot bath and vittles.” He bowed then scurried out of the room.
“Marianne, let’s get you out of these clothes. You need some rest and nourishment. You do not look at all well. Tomorrow we’ll head for home where you can hug Andrea and finish recuperating.” He tugged at the ribbon tying her cloak and helped her off with it. Taking her elbow, he guided her over to one of the chairs to sit.
While Marianne settled, Drew stoked the fire to more heat and light. Even in summer, it could be cool in port cities, especially as night fell. With the flames flaring, he turned back to his wife.
Taking one foot in his hand he removed her shoe only to find her foot cold and clammy. “Marianne, you’re like ice.” He quickly rubbed the foot from toes to heel to warm it up, then unshod the other foot and repeated the process. Feeling circulation returning to her feet, he slid his hands up one leg, then the other to remove her stockings, casting them aside.
A knock came on the door. “The lady’s bath, m’lud.”
Drew rose to open the door. The innkeeper trundled in with another man dragging the copper bathing tub. Behind him, two young girls carried buckets of steaming water. Drew pushed the second chair and the table away from the hearth and the men set the tub down. The girls poured the buckets into it. One of the girls reached into a pocket to offer a bar of soap. The second one took a clean cloth that hung around her neck and handed it over. Both gave pert curtsies to Drew and Marianne, then escaped giggling, followed by the innkeeper’s helper.
“Food’ll be up in a moment, m’lud. I have only to go get it. Thought you’d like the bath first.” Giving a respectful nod, the keeper hurried out.
After testing the heat of the bath, Drew tugged Marianne out of her chair and made quick work of removing her clothes. “I’d prefer to seduce you into disrobing, my lady, but I think it best for now to just get you into this tub of hot water.” He swung her into his arms, then slid her easily into the water.
Marianne sighed as the heat enveloped her. “I thought I’d never see a hot bath again.”
“When we get home you can have as many baths as you want. Every day, if you so desire.”
Marianne chuckled.
Another knock came on the door.
This time when Drew opened it, he cautiously prevented it from swinging too wide as his wife bathed in the tub behind him. The innkeeper handed him a tray containing a number of steaming plates, two spoons, and two mugs. “Just let me know if you want more, m’lud.”
“Thank you.” Drew gently closed the door, then took the tray to the table.
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br /> Dragging the other chair over to the side of the tub, he took a bowl holding what looked like some kind of stew and one of the spoons and settled in the chair next to Marianne. “Open wide,” he said as he filled the spoon with hot stew.
“Let me finish my bath.” Marianne soaped one arm.
“You’re going straight into that bed when you finish your bath. Here, eat this. I’ll feed you.”
“I can feed myself.”
“Marianne, I’ve been worried sick over you for days. Please, let me care for you if only so I feel like I am helping.”
She looked up into his eyes. Evidently she saw his concern as she said, “Very well. If you insist.” And opened her mouth.
The bowl emptied, her body washed, Marianne stood up so Drew could wrap the drying cloth, which had been lying near the fire, around her. In the chill of a summer’s evening, she seemed too exhausted to decline the soothing heat of the bath and wrap.
After rubbing her down, he lifted her once again and carried her to the bed. In a moment she was tucked in.
“Aren’t you coming to bed, too?”
“I am. Just as soon as I wash some of the road dirt off of me. You go to sleep. I shan’t be five or ten minutes behind you.” He kissed both of her cheeks and her forehead, relieved to see her eyes close and her face relax. By the time he removed his clothes, washed off in the tub, and returned to curl his body around hers, she slept deeply.
Spooning his body next to hers, wrapping his arm around her, he sighed, then released himself to the welcome embrace of slumber.
~ ~ ~
Drew woke to find the bed empty beside him and the soft muffled sound of weeping coming from one of the chairs before the hearth. With no heed to his naked state, he rose from the comfort of the bed to find his wife wrapped in the drying sheet and curled in a ball in the chair.
He knelt before her. “Marianne, what’s wrong? You’re safe now.” Drawing her into his arms, he lifted her, then sat down in the chair with her in his lap.
Seduced by the Dandy Lion Page 23