Cicely jumped up and hovered over him. "Henry, are you all right?"
He waved her away and wiped at his mouth and eyes with a linen handkerchief—a handkerchief, Ashley noticed, that was flecked with red. He gulped another mouthful of wine. "Excuse me," he said. "That was quite unforgivable. What I started to say was that, once someone starts to have accidents, they usually continue. Wouldn't you say that's true, Father?"
Nicholas swore under his breath. "Damn it, Ashley, this sport has gone on long enough. Who is here to see your mother and why?"
"Why, Father, I'd think Ashley would rather hear who is foolish enough to want to marry her. You thought it was amusing enough when he came calling the other night." Henry leaned back in his chair and began to pick his teeth with a gold pick.
"Stop it, both of you," Cicely said. "It's no laughing matter. James Pade is a respectable gentleman with a title and no small fortune. Lady Pade has assured me she will not stand in your way if you wish to accept her son's proposal, Ashley. You should certainly give it some thought."
"Are you certain you want her outranking you, Mother? And living so close by?" Henry chuckled, reminding Ashley just why she had despised him when they were children.
"Why Lord Pade would want to link his family with a bastard is more than I can say." Nicholas came to stand behind Cicely's chair. "Now, what is all this secrecy?"
"Yes, darling, who on earth are you talking about?" Cicely asked.
Ashley swallowed hard, looking from one face to another. "I would rather have talked with you privately," she said, "but it's Quincy McCade. He wants to see you. And... he's dying."
"Quincy?" Cicely recoiled as though she had been slapped and the blood drained from her face. "Quincy dying?" She shook her head. "No... it's not true. It's a lie."
"You dare to bring him here?" Nicholas roared. "You filthy little trollop!" He drew back a clenched fist. "Get out of my house!"
"Quincy?" Cicely rose unsteadily to her feet. "He's here?"
"At the dock," Ashley said, ignoring Nicholas. "I'll take you to him."
"The hell you will!" Nicholas bellowed. He grabbed Cicely by the shoulder and spun her halfway across the room. "You'll go to your pirate lover over my dead body!"
"Let her go," Henry said, getting up. "It can hardly mar your honor any further."
"Keep out of this." Nicholas whirled on Ashley, but she had put a chair between them. "Get out!" he shouted again. "Before I have you whipped off Rosewood like the bitch you are!"
"Better a bitch than a murderer," Ashley said softly.
Cicely stiffened. "I'm going to him, Nicholas. It will do you no good to make an ugly scene in front of the children." She took a few steps toward the doorway. The servants exchanged knowing glances and fled through the other door.
Nicholas moved to block her way. "I said no!" he repeated.
"And I said I will," Cicely insisted. "Get out of my way, Nicholas. I won't be bullied by you any longer."
"You won't, won't you?" Nicholas seized her by the arm and slapped her twice across the face. She fell back against the wall, blood seeping from a cut on her lip.
"I will," she sobbed. Before she could get her feet under her, Nicholas hit her again.
"No!" Ashley cried. She ran toward her mother, but before she could reach her, Henry stepped between Cicely and Nicholas and gave his father a rough shove.
"Leave her alone," Henry threatened.
"You ungrateful pup. I told you to stay out of this." Nicholas took a swing at his son. Henry ducked out of reach.
Ashley helped Cicely up, pulling her away from the two circling men.
"Go to your pirate, Mother," Henry said, throwing up his own fists. "I think it's high time I taught your husband a lesson in manners."
There was a sound of flesh striking flesh and someone groaned. Cicely stopped short. "Ashley? What shall I do?"
"Go to him if you want to see him alive."
"He's really dying?"
Ashley nodded. "He wants you with him."
"Then I have no choice." With a last frantic look at her husband and son, Cicely hurried out into the hallway.
Henry shouted something and Ashley turned back in time to see her brother's fist connect with Nicholas's jaw. Nicholas fell backward, striking his head sharply against the inside corner of the brick fireplace. With a groan, he slid down to lie full length on the floor, his head lolling sideways on the blackened hearth. For an instant, Henry's startled gaze met hers, then she turned and followed Cicely out of the house and down the hill toward Rosewood's dock.
Chapter 24
Captain Quincy James McCade, Gentleman Jim, lay propped up on a pillow in the master's cabin of the Merry Kate. He had been shaved, and his shoulder-length auburn hair was drawn back neatly and fastened at the nape of his neck with a black velvet ribbon. Ashley had insisted that her father's own clothing be brought from the Scarlet Witch, and Kelt had helped him dress in a spotless white linen shirt with a fall of Dutch lace at the neck and azure blue breeches and vest. The vest served to cover most of the bandages at his midsection.
Even with the skin drawn taut across his cheekbones and his ashen countenance, he was still a striking man, Ashley thought as Cicely ran across the room to his side. The mortal wound had added years to the lines of Quincy's face, but the aging had brought a softness that made him even more attractive. His eyes had darkened to glowing obsidian, radiating a power no dying man should possess.
Ashley had wanted to leave them alone, but Quincy had asked her to stay.
"No," he'd whispered. "I... want you both... by me. I need... you both."
Cicely was weeping softly, raining tears and kisses on his face and hair. "Oh, Quincy," she sobbed. "Quincy."
He raised a trembling hand to stroke her cheek and guide her face down to meet his kiss. "I love you," he murmured silently. "My Cicely."
"Shhh," she soothed. "Don't try to talk, darling. I know. I've always known." Her fingers entwined in his hair. "What sons we would have had," she whispered.
Quincy exhaled sharply and turned his gaze on Ashley. "No..." he managed. "That... one girl is... worth all... the boys that ever... that ever..."
Overcome with emotion, Ashley ran from the room. Her eyes blinded by tears, she rushed down the passageway and crashed head-on into an immovable object. The force of her collision would have thrown her backward off balance, but strong arms caught her and pulled her against a hard masculine chest. "Kelt!"
"Aye."
For long seconds he held her prisoner, so close that she could feel the beat of his heart, could feel the rock-hard sinews of his thighs pressed against hers as his familiar clean smell assaulted her senses. Her knees felt weak and her head spun. Even a token protest was beyond her strength as she tried to recover her breath. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "Please..."
He released her, stepping back yet still supporting her with one arm. "Are ye all right, lass?"
She nodded. "I need some air." Taking a deep breath, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry. You must think I'm a fool. Please, could we go up on deck?"
Wordlessly he led the way, assisting her up the steep ladder, then leading her to a spot on the bow of the ship where they could be alone. Ashley sank down on a coil of rope and buried her face in her hands. "I can't bear it," she said. "All these years I've hated them both and now..." She chewed her bottom lip and looked up at Kelt. "Now it's too late."
"We each ha' our own devils to face." He crouched down to look her full in the eyes. "Ye were but a bairn. If ye ha' forgiven them now, then ye canna blame yourself for what lies in the past." A scowl passed across his craggy face. "And ye had plenty o' cause for anger. They ha' both wronged ye and I think your lady mother more than McCade."
"Oh!" Ashley jumped up. "I should have warned you. Nicholas tried to stop her from coming down to the boat. He hit her, and my brother fought with him. Nicholas fell back and struck his head on the hearth. When he comes around, he's going to
be in a rage. You'd better prepare the men for trouble. He'll probably come with guns and he won't come alone."
"We'll be certain we have a proper reception for the master of Rosewood if he comes." Kelt stood up. "Let me inform the first officer. Will ye be all right?"
Ashley nodded, watching as Kelt went aft to speak with Isaac Kahn, the man Captain Fraser had assigned to sail the Merry Kate while he remained with the Scarlet Witch. She glanced up the hill toward the house. How strange that Nicholas hadn't come after Cicely by now. Could he have been seriously injured by the fall? Fancy Henry having the nerve to stand up for Cicely. She wouldn't have thought he had it in him.
More than an hour passed before Ashley gathered her courage enough to return to the captain's cabin. When she did, she found that Quincy had ceased to breathe. Cicely sat beside the body, holding his hand and crying softly.
"He's gone, Ashley," she said. The emerald necklace lay on the floor at her feet. "He's really left me this time. What am I going to do?"
Ashley crossed the room and put her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly in the first real embrace she had ever given her. There were no words between them, but each woman took a little comfort from the other's touch.
When Ashley finally let Cicely go, her mother gathered up the necklace from the floor. "He said he wanted me to have this," she murmured. "Is it right, do you think... to wear it?"
Ashley nodded wearily, feeling old herself. "He stayed alive just to give it to you. But don't let Nicholas find out where you got it."
Cicely sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I have my ways of dealing with Nicholas." Her mouth puckered into a pout and she leaned over Quincy's body, stroking his hair. "He's the only one I ever loved more than myself, Ashley. Can you understand that?"
"I think so."
"I want him buried on Rosewood with full honors. I don't care how much it costs or who we have to bribe. There'll be no pauper's grave for Gentleman Jim. Couldn't we say he gave his life for... oh, I don't know, Ashley. You think of something. I don't want people saying nasty things about him."
"I'll talk to Kelt. If Nicholas will let you, I'm certain he'll release the body. Kelt's a good man, Cicely."
"Yes, he is. I thought so when I first met him. But don't get any ideas. He's far below you. Just be certain he doesn't try to take advantage of his position in your bedchamber."
"His what?" Ashley felt a blush creeping up her throat.
Cicely sniffed. "You think I've lived to be my age without being able to recognize a pair of lovers when I see them?"
"You're wrong, Cicely. There's nothing between Kelt and me."
"Liar." She kissed Quincy's palm and laid his hand on the blanket. "You'd do well to accept James Pade's proposal. He doesn't know about your relationship with your overseer and he probably wouldn't know a virgin if he fell over one."
"I have no intentions of—"
A sharp rap on the cabin door caught their attention. Ashley turned to see Kelt and her brother standing in the doorway. Henry's face was a mask of anguish.
"Henry has something to tell you." Kelt stepped into the room and Ashley knew from his expression that something was terribly wrong.
"He's dead," Henry blurted out.
Cicely let out an exasperated sound. "I know he's dead, Henry. What are you doing here?"
"No," Ashley said. "Not Quincy. Nicholas." She took her brother's arm. "Nicholas is dead, isn't he?"
Henry broke into tears. "Yes," he sobbed. "He's dead and Nate has gone for the sheriff, and Gabby says they'll hang me for murder!"
Cicely took a step backward and sank into the chair. "Nicholas is dead?" she asked softly. "Dead? You're certain?"
Henry fell to his knees and buried his head in his mother's lap. "Yes," he moaned. "He's... dead... and I killed him. I didn't mean to ki-kill him. I only meant to stop him from... from hitting you." His wailing became a series of hacking coughs. "Don't let them... hang me," he begged.
Cicely looked up at Ashley. "Go up to the house and see if Nicholas is really dead. If he is, take control of the servants. I'll be along as soon as I can calm Henry. All this excitement is terrible for his condition."
Ashley stared at her mother in astonishment, unable to believe the sudden change in her demeanor.
"Well? Are you deaf? Master Saxon, go with her. See that the servants speak to no one until I've talked to them. We'll have no scandal connected with Rosewood because of an unfortunate accident." Cicely nodded firmly. "If Nicholas has taken too much brandy and had a fall, that's certainly a family matter." She patted Henry on the back. "For God's sake, stop that choking, Henry. No one is going to hang you. Well, what are you two waiting for? Go and do as I've instructed. And if the high sheriff comes, I'll deal with him. His wife is a personal friend of mine."
"You heard the lady," Kelt said with unconcealed amusement. "Mistress Ashley, we had best get up to the house and see about your poor stepfather."
* * *
Apprehensively Ashley entered the room. Nicholas lay on the floor where he had fallen. Only a small pool of blood on the rug beside his head gave evidence of his fatal injury. A mahogany Windsor chair lay on its side near his feet. The house was hushed and still, seemingly empty of servants.
"He looks dead enough to me," Kelt said. "And good riddance. 'Twill save the crown the expense of a trial."
"It wasn't Henry's fault," Ashley defended.
Kelt went to a sideboard and picked up a decanter of brandy and a glass. He filled the glass and dropped it on the brick hearth. Ashley winced as the glass shattered. Kelt walked over to the dead man and poured a little brandy on his shirtfront and face. "Poor mon," he said. "Your lady mother was right. He did ha' an accident." He replaced the decanter on the sideboard. "Were there any servants present when he hit his head?"
"No. Only Henry. And me. I was there." She pointed. "Cicely was already in the hall."
"Then you and Henry are witnesses. Nicholas was drunk. He fell." Kelt shrugged and spread his hands palms up. "A tragic loss for your mother."
Ashley sat down in the nearest chair. "You mean we lie to the sheriff?"
"Nay, lass. Who said anything about lying? We just don't tell him everything."
"I thought you were the one who believed so strongly in the law."
"I do, but it's the spirit o' the law that's important, nae the letter. I would say that justice was done here today. Would ye not?"
* * *
The Merry Kate sailed on the next tide to deliver her prisoners to the authorities at Williamsburg for trial and subsequent hanging. Ashley remained behind at Rosewood with her mother and brother for the funerals of Quincy McCade and Nicholas Randall, and for the inquiry into her stepfather's accident. Cicely Randall conducted herself with grace and decorum through all three ordeals.
The name Gentleman Jim was never mentioned by the minister who conducted the services for Quincy James McCade and Cicely let it be known that Master McCade had lost his life in the battle against the pirates. He was given a place of honor in the private cemetery at Rosewood beside Nicholas Randall, with a space left for Cicely when she should reach the end of her days.
"Don't you think you could have buried him somewhere else, Cicely?" Ashley asked as they walked up the hill from the graveyard. "Instead of side by side?"
"Hush, Ashley, the reverend might hear you. Why shouldn't a hero like Captain McCade have a nice resting spot? After all, I'm mistress of Rosewood. It's my place to make such decisions now."
"Henry wasn't too happy about it." Ashley glanced at her brother trudging steadily behind them. "Some would say he is master here now."
"Oh, poo. Henry is Henry and there's no sense in us pretending anything else. Robert would have thrown a fuss, that's certain. Robert was the best of Nicholas and me." She sighed. "But Robert's dead, too." Cicely's blue eyes suddenly became fierce. "I hate all this dying!" The blue eyes clouded as tears welled up. "I shall never marry again, not with Quincy gone. Stay with me, Ashley. I
shall be so lonely."
Ashley picked up the skirt of her borrowed satin gown and hurried ahead. "You know I can't do that. I've got to get back to Morgan's Fancy."
"Nonsense. That man of yours hasn't returned from Williamsburg yet, but when he does, you can send him to tend to your plantation. James is coming back to the house later. I want you two to have time alone together. I think you and James would make a good match, Ashley."
"No. I will not consider marrying James."
"Shhh. Do you want the reverend to hear you?" Cicely quickened her step. Even in black, she looked like an exquisite china doll.
"I don't care who hears me. I am not marrying James Pade." Suddenly everything seemed to be closing in on her. She couldn't wait for Kelt any longer. She had to be away where she could think. She had to get back to Morgan's Fancy.
In the house, Ashley hurried up the grand staircase to her room. Water would be the quickest way to get home, but she couldn't stand the thought of setting foot on a boat again just now. There were too many fresh memories. Hastily she began to pack a few articles of clothing as a plan formed in her mind.
"Going somewhere, sister?"
She spun around to face Henry. "Yes. Don't tell her. I can't stay here any longer. I'm going home."
"I know the feeling," he said. "But where do I run to?"
Ashley's face softened. "You'll be all right, Henry. You're master here now."
"I am?" He brightened. "I could go to London if I wanted, couldn't I? Or even Italy. They say the weather there is good for consumption. Do you think she'll let me go? God knows there's enough money." He nervously twisted the lace on the cuff of his sleeve. "She liked Robert the best of all of us, you know. Sometimes I used to wonder what I would have been like if I'd been McCade's son. Would she have loved me then?"
Ashley shrugged. "I don't know, Henry. It didn't do much for me." She smiled at him. "I need to borrow a few things from you. Some clothing and a good horse."
"You're going to ride back to Maryland?"
She nodded. "I've got a lot of thinking to do."
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