“I will only promise not to kill him,” Deverill replied grimly.
Kate used a softer tone. “Please, Gabrielle. You cannot leave us here to die.”
Apparently she agreed, for she nodded her head as if coming to her senses. “No, certainly not. I will aid you because you aided me, Kate. You defended me to Jean when more easily you could have abandoned me. You had nothing to gain by interceding on my behalf, and much to lose by incurring his wrath. But I beg you both, do not harm him.”
Without waiting for a reply, she used the key to remove the padlock. Deverill pushed open the cell door and guided Kate through, then followed.
Their rescue was just in time, Kate thought. By now the cell was two inches deep in seawater. Gratefully, she hugged Gabrielle. “Thank you, my dear friend,” she said before Deverill put an end to their reunion.
“Come, we must hurry.”
Taking first her hand, then Gabrielle’s, he carefully retraced a path through the tunnel. For the next two minutes they slogged through the rushing waves that flooded the rock floor until they reached the end.
After the dimness of the cave, the bright sunlight was almost blinding. By squinting, though, Kate could see that the beach at the tunnel entrance was fully submerged.
Sitting on the ledge, Deverill eased himself into the surf, then lifted each woman down in turn. With his support, first Gabrielle, then Kate waded through the swirling water to dry land.
Kate’s first urge was to throw herself down on the sandy beach in gratitude, but she settled for turning her face up to the warm sun. They were wet and bedraggled but alive.
—
Transportation was the first order of business. Surprisingly, her horse was where she had left it, grazing on seagrass, as was Gabrielle’s. Deverill helped both of them mount, then swung up behind Kate.
They had reached the coastal road and were halfway to St. Georges when they heard the thunder of hooves up ahead. A score of men were galloping toward them, all brandishing weapons.
Thinking the pirates had returned, Kate felt her heart leap to her throat. But at her back Deverill relaxed and offered reassurance. “They are friends, not foes.”
When the riders drew closer and reined to a halt, she recognized half of the men as Captain Halsey and his crew. Among the others, she was startled to see, were Deverill’s cousin Trey and Beau Macklin.
Frowning in puzzlement, Kate glanced back at Deverill, who explained, “I didn’t trust Louvel to accept our final payment and so sent to England for reinforcements over a week ago.”
“It appears your misgivings were warranted,” Macky said.
“What took you so long?” Deverill asked.
“We only arrived in port this morning,” his cousin answered. “You look a trifle worse for wear, old man.”
Deverill returned a humorless laugh. “You are a master of understatement.”
“Do you even require our services?”
He nodded. “Yes. I prefer to make a show of overwhelming force.”
A hint of amusement curved Trey’s mouth. “No doubt you could have handled your difficulties without us. I am all admiration. Clearly you rescued yourselves.”
“We have Mademoiselle Dupree to thank for our rescue,” Kate interjected.
Trey tipped his hat to Kate. “Well met, Lady Katharine.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Gabrielle give a start at the use of her noble title, but there was no time to defend hiding her station because Deverill gave his orders. “Let us ride.”
—
Unsure what action Deverill would take, Kate spoke not at all during the journey. She could feel anger coming off him in waves, vibrating with the rhythm of the pounding hoofbeats. And when they reached the pirate’s house and slowed their pace, she could see Gabrielle’s expression of dread.
Raising his hand to bring the other riders to a halt, Deverill drew rein himself and shouted out, “Show yourself, Louvel!”
Without waiting, he swung off their horse, leaving Kate mounted, and strode toward the front steps. Gabrielle remained frozen, as if afraid to move.
Kate held her breath as they waited. Perhaps the servants had been watching from inside the house, for eventually the front door opened and the pirate stepped out.
Seeing the army at Deverill’s back, Louvel turned pale.
Deverill modulated his voice to be clearly heard. “I will give you the chance you never afforded me, Louvel. To fight me like a man rather than a coward.”
“As you will.”
By now a crowd of spectators was beginning to gather in the street. They all stood gawking as the pirate slowly descended the front steps.
Except for the snorting and huffing of labored horses, silence reigned.
Kate found herself murmuring a prayer, but when she saw the flashing gleam of a knife clutched in Louvel’s hand, she gasped.
Deverill’s expression of contempt showed what he thought of such treachery, and his tone turned livid. “Ever the coward.”
For an interminable moment, Louvel stood staring belligerently, knife raised, feet spread in an offensive stance. But then evidently he thought better of attacking an unarmed man in front of witnesses and threw the blade aside.
Then, shockingly, he bowed his head, as if waiting for his punishment. “Do your worst. I am prepared to go to my death like a man.”
Kate was surprised to feel a flicker of admiration for the pirate.
“I comprehend why you must have your revenge,” Louvel said.
“I doubt you comprehend anything,” Deverill ground out. “I care little for my own skin, but you nearly killed the lady under my protection.” He took two strides forward, prepared to engage the battle. “Defend yourself, you mangy cur.”
Kate watched, not daring to breathe. The two men circled each other warily at first, fists at the ready. After a few moments, they came together, intent on knocking the other off balance, but with neither immediately succeeding. In the next encounter, Deverill ducked the pirate’s jab and landed a blow to his rock-hard belly, eliciting a grunt.
Although of similar height, Louvel’s physique was more massive. But Deverill’s athletic litheness served him well during the next onslaught as he sidestepped nimbly and leveled a well-aimed hit to his opponent’s chin.
With a curse, Louvel redoubled his efforts. Bending low, he suddenly charged, using his head like a battering ram and wrapping his powerful arms around Deverill’s waist, causing him to stagger backward.
Deverill swiftly recovered, however, first delivering a hard knee to Louvel’s groin, then sinking down on his haunches while stiffening his arms against the pirate’s chest. Louvel went somersaulting overhead and catapulted face-first onto the pavement.
Giving a groan, Louvel jumped to his feet with the desperation of a cornered animal. When he lunged a second time, Deverill delivered a blow to the man’s gut that doubled him over. Louvel’s grunt of pain was cut off abruptly when Deverill’s fist struck the pirate’s jaw with a force that sent him reeling.
Slow to regain his footing, Louvel stood swaying and gasping for breath. He didn’t relent, however.
When rushed a third time, Deverill ducked the swinging fist and drove his own fist into Louvel’s face. This time the pirate fell with a thud and remained down, dazed, although still conscious, judging by his groans.
Crossing to his vanquished foe, Deverill stood over him, breathing heavily and flexing his bruised knuckles as if contemplating continuing the fight.
Kate thought it time to intervene. “Deverill, please…” she said urgently. “You cannot kill him. You gave your word.”
“Never fear. I will only beat him to a pulp.”
“It is more honorable to show mercy. If you maim him, what kind of life could he give his wife?”
She could see Deverill struggle to control his rage, but slowly his fierce expression began to fade.
“I believe you should stay your hand,” Kate added for good measure.
>
“It is more than he did for you.”
“I know, but you are the better man.”
Another moment passed, but when Deverill lowered his fists, Louvel recognized his reprieve.
“I…thank you…monsieur.”
Deverill gave a snort of disgust. “Lady Katharine is the one who deserves your gratitude. She is more merciful than I could ever be.”
Nodding weakly, Louvel climbed unsteadily to his feet. When he took a step backward, as if to retreat into the house, Kate spoke up. “Not so quickly, Monsieur Louvel. There is one condition for our leniency.”
“And what is that?”
“You must wed Gabrielle or set her free.”
Shifting his gaze, Louvel shared a long, intent look with Gabrielle. “I will wed her if she will still have me. Chérie, I will love you and treat you as you deserve, I swear on my life.”
Seeing his unexpectedly humbled expression, Kate somehow believed him. He had earned much greater punishment, he clearly knew, and stood to lose the woman he professed to love.
Deverill addressed the pirate again. “We shall call it a draw, Louvel. I trust I have seen the last of you, but if not, be warned: You cross me again at your peril.”
“I fully comprehend.”
When Gabrielle slid off her horse, Kate did the same, then moved to embrace her. “Again I thank you, my friend.”
“But, no, it is I who is indebted to you,” Gabrielle said.
“I truly hope this is the right course and that you will be happy with him.”
“I shall, my lady.”
They clasped hands in farewell, then stepped back from each other.
Going to Louvel’s side, Gabrielle put her shoulder under his arm and helped him limp up the front steps and into the house.
As she watched, Kate at last felt her fear begin to ease. Turning, she met Deverill’s intent gaze and offered a faint smile.
For the first time in hours, she could breathe.
Kate was highly eager to return to Royan, but before departing, Deverill conferred with his cousin and Macky while she was near enough to overhear some of the conversation.
“My thanks to you both for voyaging all this way.”
“Think nothing of it,” Trey answered. “You would have done the same for any of us.”
“Hawk did not accompany you from England?”
“No. He offered, but I felt he has done enough for our league.”
Deverill nodded as if understanding the cryptic comment. “I mean to ride to Royan with Lady Katharine. You may follow us, but I’ll thank you to keep your distance.”
The odd arrangement surprised Kate, but she had no chance to question his plan.
Deverill borrowed a sturdy mount from one of Halsey’s men, then left the captain in charge of returning Kate’s hired horse and retrieving their carriage from the livery, fetching their luggage from the cottage, and most especially, thanking the head ostler for his aid. If not for him, Kate knew, Deverill might not be alive, and perhaps herself as well.
In short order, Deverill had mounted and set her up in front of him.
“I suppose you have a good reason for riding double?” she said when they were out of earshot.
“Two reasons: One, I am not letting you out of my sight until we are safely on board the Galene. And two, I require privacy for what I have to say to you.”
Kate bit back a reply. After all of this morning’s turmoil, she was very grateful to have Deverill’s strong arms around her, but she suspected she was in for a scold. In fact, she had a few choice words of reproach to deliver to him as well.
She decided to begin with something less confrontational, though. “Thank you for sparing Louvel. He did not deserve such compassion, but for Gabrielle’s sake, I am grateful.”
“You needn’t thank me. I want no more killing in my life.”
Kate was glad for that sentiment also, but now that her anxiety and tension had largely drained away and their sheer survival was no longer in question, her lesser emotions came to the fore—vexation being the chief among them.
“You might have told me that you had sent to England for your cousin and friends.”
“I didn’t want to distress you unnecessarily.”
“I would not have been so terrified had I known reinforcements were coming.”
“Is that so?” he asked skeptically.
Kate stiffened at his tone. “Well, perhaps I would have been. Nothing could have lessened my horror at seeing you in that cell.”
“I believe your words were, ‘mad with worry.’ ”
His teasing made her bristle. “You needn’t make light of my fear, Deverill!”
To her distress, he bent to kiss the nape of her neck. “Why are you so incensed, princess?”
The casual gesture did nothing to soothe her ire. “Because I am just now recalling how inappropriate your response was to my panic. I was ready to drown you myself for allowing yourself to be captured just to spare me—and then calling me a fool because I searched for you. And to add to your transgressions, you kept a significant confidence from me, summoning your friends from England without telling me. After all we have been through together, there should be no more secrets between us, Deverill. We need honesty—”
“I agree entirely.” His perfectly amiable reply took the wind out of her sails.
“You do?”
“Yes, sweetheart. How is this for honesty? I love you.”
Even though Kate thought she must have misheard, his pronouncement set her heart banging against her rib cage. She twisted awkwardly in the saddle to stare back at him.
Her shock must have registered on her face, for he lifted an eyebrow. “Did I fail to mention my feelings? How grossly remiss of me. I happen to love you quite madly, darling Kate.”
His dark eyes held amusement as well as unmistakable tenderness. “What, have I rendered you speechless? Fancy that.”
Kate swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat, but her voice still sounded a trifle hoarse when she finally found her tongue. “When did this happen?”
“When did I fall in love, or when did I realize it?”
“Both.”
He pursed his lips. “I expect the realization has gradually been coming over me for weeks now, but culminated in the past few hours. I felt something akin to panic last evening when you said you wanted to end our betrothal because you didn’t love me, and abject fear this morning when Louvel threatened you over the bank draft. But I knew for certain when I thought you might die at Louvel’s hand.”
When she remained silent, Deverill prodded her. “What have you to say to my declaration?”
Kate narrowed her eyes at him. “I say that I cannot quite credit your change of heart. You might merely be claiming to love me so I will wed you and save you the bother of hunting further for a wife.”
“I promise, that isn’t the case. I would never deceive you on so serious a matter. And I want much more than a marriage of convenience or a wife to bear my children to carry on the title. I want you, Kate. I want a future with you, complete with all the joy and possible pain that entails.”
Kate felt her heart turn over. “So do I, Deverill. Will you please marry me and make an honest woman of me?”
“Is this a proposal?”
“Yes, indeed.”
His beautiful mouth curved. “I felt sure it was the gentleman’s responsibility to offer matrimony.”
“Normally it is. But everything about this day has been upside-down.”
His hesitation was calculated to keep her on edge, she knew. Although the warm light in his eyes was endearing, Kate decided to give back some of his provoking teasing. “Forgive me for wounding your manly sensibilities. I would not expect you, of all men, to be intimidated if the lady offers.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “You have not wounded me. I am resigned to going through life with you occasionally wearing the breeches in the family.”
Kate laughed and
wrinkled her nose at him. “Occasionally, I will.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Very well, I accept your kind offer.” An instant later, he chuckled. “I suppose I will have to marry you. You’ve completely spoiled me for anyone else.”
Suddenly he drew the horse to a halt, then took her chin in his warm fingers. “Be warned, Kate. I could never be satisfied with the cold marriage of convenience my parents had. I won’t settle for less than your entire heart.”
His declaration made her melt. “You have my heart, Deverill. I love you, and I always will.”
He studied her intently for a long moment. Then his gaze grew even more serious, if that was possible. “Until you, I never realized what I was missing in my life. I love you, Kate. Quite dearly.”
Briefly she closed her eyes. “I think I should pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. I hoped you could learn to love me someday, but I had begun to doubt you ever would.”
“With you advising me, I never stood a chance at resistance.”
Realizing she was developing a crick in her spine, Kate swung one leg over the horse so that she could sit sideways. Smiling up at Deverill, she looped her arms around his neck. “No doubt your arrogance will be intolerable, now that you have gained my surrender.”
His expression softened. “My surrender is just as profound, Kate. From the first moment we met, I felt an affinity for you that no other woman ever came close to inspiring. But these past few hours have shown me how badly I need you. I can’t imagine living my life without you. I wouldn’t want to try. I want you in my life, in my bed, in my heart.”
And with that he bent to capture her mouth.
It was a kiss of pure possession…deep, consuming. Not hard and desperate as in the cave, but savagely tender and passionate and full of promise.
Yet all too soon Deverill pulled away. Kate felt the loss keenly, until he explained, “As much as I desire to continue, we should wait until we are on board my ship. Not only is embracing on horseback exceedingly uncomfortable, we cannot count on privacy with our friends following close behind.”
My Fair Lover Page 24