by Sea Fires
For now, she would change from her damp clothes, then return to the library. If she knew her father, he had drunk himself senseless by now and would need help finding his bed.
Shadows shrouded the stairs as Jared made his way back to the library. The few sconces that were still lit burned low, their flames sputtering in pools of melted wax. Jared glanced about when he reached the huge entrance hall. There wasn’t a soul about. Actually, he hadn’t seen anyone since entering Banistar Hall except Lord Alfred, the servant Thurston, and, of course, Lady Merideth. It seemed odd for a house this large to have so few people around.
But then that was hardly the only unusual thing about the place. The Banistar family had obviously fallen on hard times. He knew the gold hidden in his waistcoat wasn’t near enough to restore the family to prosperity, but it provided a motive for Alfred’s treasonous venture.
Not that Jared considered lack of funds justification for becoming a traitor. But it did provide a motive where until tonight Jared couldn’t fathom one. After all, for a British lord to contact an emissary of Dr. Franklin’s in Paris and offer to reveal the name of a well-respected American who was in truth working for the British intelligence was at least suspicious. And that suspicion was part of the reason Jared had come ashore at night. And wanted to be done with this quickly.
As Jared knocked on the library door, he wondered briefly if Merideth Banistar knew of this intrigue. She hinted broadly that she took charge of her father’s affairs. Did those affairs include spying? It wouldn’t be the first time a beautiful woman had used her wiles to discover secrets. But though Lady Merideth was undeniably beautiful, Jared couldn’t see her steeped in subterfuge.
It appeared that if Merideth Banistar wanted to know something, she asked—or, more accurately, demanded.
Shaking his head, Jared entered the library. He had neither the time nor the inclination to ponder the daughter’s personality. It was Lord Alfred and his secrets for sale that should be occupying his thoughts. Getting the secrets and getting the hell back to his ship.
Jared shut the library door with a soft click, then turned, a scowl darkening his features.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking, my boy, and believe me, it isn’t true. I’m not too drunk to transact our business.” Alfred Banistar lifted his glass toward Jared in a wavering salute.
“As you say.” Jared’s voice was tight. “Then may I suggest we conclude our transaction as quickly as possible?”
“Ah, yes. You would be the one who chafes at delays.” The final word was cut short as Alfred took another gulp of wine. “The interruption because of Merideth was unavoidable. We can’t have her here when we are discussing the fact that her father is a... a... What would you call me, Mr. Blackstone?”
“I don’t think my label for you is important.”
“Oh.” Alfred’s laugh was short and not very jolly. “But I already know what you consider me, as do you. For a spy, you aren’t very adept at hiding your feelings of contempt.”
“Distaste for your duplicity is closer to the truth,” Jared said as he shook his head at Alfred’s silent offering of wine. “And I am not a spy, simply a courier.” And an unwilling one at that, Jared added to himself.
Alfred brushed the difference aside with a wave of his hand, spilling amber liquid on his already stained waistcoat in the process. He didn’t seem to notice the mishap, and Jared sighed in frustration. His Lordship was obviously skunked.
Jared moved closer to the chair where Alfred sprawled. “If you will give me the information, or tell me where I can find it, I’ll give you the money and take my leave.” Waiting out the storm in the cave off the beach seemed preferable to this. Then he could leave at first light to reboard his ship. The longer the Carolina stood anchored off shore, the greater the chance of being spotted by a British cruiser. For tonight, with the rain still lashing and the thunder booming, his ship was safe enough, but come tomorrow...
“I’ve always admired you colonials. Did you know that?” Alfred’s words were slurred, and they completely ignored Jared’s suggestion that they move forward with the transfer. “I even spoke in Parliament once about giving in to some of your demands. Not too vehemently, you understand. It wasn’t a popular sentiment. But I for one was distressed with the onset of this war.” He paused long enough to upend his glass. “Nasty business, war. Of course, you have no chance of winning this one, but still I hate to—”
“The name, Lord Alfred! I need the name.”
His eyes owlish, Alfred stared up at Jared. The younger man was losing patience, and it didn’t help when Alfred began laughing uncontrollably.
“Don’t have it. I—”
“Damn your bloody hide.” Jared grabbed Alfred by the front of his waistcoat and hauled him up. “You said—”
“Not me. Merideth,” Alfred sputtered. “Too dangerous for me to keep, but no one would suspect Merry. She has the name.”
Jared’s fingers loosened and Alfred sank bonelessly into the chair. Hell, he should have discussed this with the daughter from the beginning. So much for his assumption of her innocence. Blue eyes and an angel face did not a pure heart make.
“Wh... where are you going?” Alfred leaned forward, reaching for Jared, who’d retreated toward the door. “I want my money.”
Jared paused and turned, his expression dark. “You won’t see a single coin until I have the information I came for. If I have to get it from Lady Merideth, I shall.”
“But the money is mine. You must give it to me. She doesn’t even—” Alfred sucked in his breath. His heavy-lidded eyes, focused on a spot behind Jared, widened in shock.
“What the—” Jared jerked around, but only caught a glimpse of scarlet before blinding pain exploded in his head.
Good Lord, he hurt! Jared moaned and the sound amplified the drums pounding in his head. He tried to move his hands, to cradle his aching temple, but he couldn’t move them. What the hell? He tried again, this time forcing his eyes open.
He’d obviously died, for there staring down at him was the most beautiful angel. His eyes narrowed. Hell, that was no angel. It was Lady Merideth Banister, and he was...
Memory crashed down on him and he fought against the pain to sit up. Rough hands grabbed at him, knocking him back to the floor.
“Ye aren’t going nowhere,” came a voice from behind him. Jared twisted but could only catch a glimpse of thick-soled boots.
At the same time, he realized his hands were tied. “What’s going on here?”
“I’ll tell ye what’s going on. Yer going to hang.”
“Hang?” This time Jared struggled to sit up, but the boot slammed into his shoulder, flattening him. His head landed on the worn carpet with a thud. “What the hell for?” Jared managed after the bolt of pain subsided a bit. Had they discovered why he was on British soil?
Jared’s gaze sought Merideth’s. She still stood over him, and she took a deep breath, her bottom lip trembling before responding. “Why did you do it? I would have gotten you the money somehow.”
“Do what?” Jared tried to keep the panic from his voice. But he was in so much pain he could barely think straight, he was trussed up like a Christmas goose, and it felt like an ox was standing on his shoulder.
“Murder him,” Merideth sniffed. “Why did you murder my father?”
Titles by Christine Dorsey
written under the name:
Christine Elliott
The Captain’s Conquest,
written under the name:
Christine Dorsey
The Traitor’s Embrace
Southern Nights
Bold Rebel Love
The Captain’s Captive
The Rebel’s Kiss
Sea Fires
Sea of Desire
Sea of Temptation
Sea of Christmas Miracles (novella)
My Savage Heart
My Seaswept Heart
My Heavenly Heart
Splendor
The Rebel
The Rogue
By the Book
Under His Spell (novella)
The Way to a Man’s Heart (novella)
A Bride’s Desire (novella)
About the Author
Christine Dorsey lives in Richmond, Virginia with her proof that there are “happily ever afters”, her husband of forty-four years, Chip. She has three grown children, a son and daughter-in-law, and four of the most delightful grandchildren imaginable... just ask her. She also has a Springer Spaniel puppy, Stella, who keeps the household more than lively. Besides her family and friends, reading, writing and love of the sea are her passions. The author of seventeen books and four novellas with more to come, Christine loves to share the stories and characters that had Romantic Times Magazine calling her “one of the most talented authors in the genre.” You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and her website, www.christinedorsey.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
To My Readers
Excerpt: Sea of Desire
About the Author