Where was she? Panic began to unfurl in her belly as she glanced at the dark stone walls that seemed to surround her. It took some time before the cloudiness in her mind began to ease enough for her to understand that she was in a cave.
She glanced around her but was fairly certain that the cave was empty. Although she couldn’t see very much, she could hear the crashing of the waves against the rocks nearby. The minutes ticked by as she struggled to think what to do. She was fairly certain that she wasn’t physically hurt but, for the life of her, couldn’t remember a single thing about last night.
Her thoughts turned toward Jonathan, and she wondered whether he was still in the tavern. She frowned at that and stopped to consider the random snippets of memory that started to filter through but none of it made sense. She felt strange, as though she was there but not really there. It didn’t make sense. If only she could get her mind to work properly she could probably decide what on earth she was going to do.
She was fairly certain that she was in a cave around Bentney on Sea somewhere, but couldn’t see anything outside of the cave entrance except for sea and, to the left, a large sandy beach. There were no houses, or signs of life for as far as the eye could see.
Her eyes flew wide and she went cold at the sight of the white froth that appeared in the entrance of the cave and soaked her boots before it disappeared out to sea. Her stomach lurched and she shuffled back against the next wave that inched further toward her. She shuffled back awkwardly until her back bumped painfully into sharp protrusions on the cave wall. In spite of the pain she pushed backward and managed to clamber awkwardly to her feet. She sucked in a breath and fought to quell the panic that threatened to overwhelm her.
A quick glance at the cave entrance confirmed that another wave inched toward her even closer as the tide came in. She knew she had only a matter of minutes before she was knee deep in sea water, and not much longer before she was going to be swept out to sea. With her hands tied the way they were she would drown. Despite the cold water that began to seep into her boots, she edged toward the cave entrance and knew that her options had just run out because, unless there really were mermaids who lived in the sea that was rapidly edged its way up the side of the cliff, she had no way out of the cave.
“Help!” She screamed, as loudly as she could.
A whimper followed her plea when she realised there was nobody around to hear her.
They made short work of tying everyone up before Archie and Jonathan left in search of Kat. They took Robert, who agreed to show them which cave they had left her in.
Jonathan had never rowed so hard in his entire life, but nothing and nobody was going to stop him from saving Kat. It was now a matter of life and death. While they had been in the house the sea level had risen with alarming speed, and it didn’t bode well for Kat’s safety.
Simon and Rupert had agreed to guard the captives and would wait for Jonathan and Archie to send for Harper Hamilton-Smythe. They would then oversee the arrest of Harrison and Hawkshurst, and ensure that together with Bernard, were transported to Bodmin to be questioned and wait for trial in the main court there. Right now though, Jonathan had considerably more important things on his mind.
“It is around to the right, in the next bay.” Robert pointed to the huge cliff face that faced them. Even from half a mile away they could see someone, standing knee-deep in sea water, in the middle of a cave entrance.
“Kat,” Jonathan growled. He closed his eyes against the wave of relief but redoubled his efforts at the oars, forging a way through the caps to get to her before the tide swept her off her feet altogether. His mind raced to find a way to get her out of there safely.
“We can’t go close to the cliffs when the tide is in because there are jagged rocks under the water. It will tear the bottom out of the boat,” Robert gasped. His fingers clawed desperately onto the side of the boat when it dipped and bobbed against the tidal surge.
“How did you get her up there?”
“Brian carried her.”
“Why? What has she ever done to you?” Jonathan demanded. Unless Brian had plans to return to fetch her once he had delivered the cargo to his dad, there was no other reason to leave Kat, bound and helpless in a cave unless he had left her for dead.
“Brian hates her. He has fancied her for ages, but she has made it clear that she doesn’t want him. She has loved you for years; everyone knows it. Brian said that if he couldn’t have her, then you wouldn’t either.”
“Jesus,” Jonathan whispered. He tucked away Robert’s news that Kat had always loved him. A part of him was thrilled and wanted to know if it was the truth, but he wanted to hear it from Kat’s lips, not from Robert’s.
Kat studied the boat as it moved steadily toward her. She struggled to remain on her feet. The sea was desperate to drag her off her feet and swallow her up in its watery fury but she was equally determined that it wouldn’t succeed.
Her gaze remained locked on the wonderful sight of Jonathan, who was rowing with such determined strength that she wanted to cheer.
“Are her feet tied?” Jonathan demanded as he studied the area with experienced eyes.
“No, just her hands.”
“She has to jump,” Archie growled. He could see no other way to get her out of the caves. If the sea swept her off her feet she could be carried under by the tide and they would never find her.
“She can’t jump,” Jonathan argued. “She could land on the rocks and be injured.”
“Better injured than dead,” Archie retorted. He glanced at Jonathan and waited for his colleagues’ nod.
“Jump!” Jonathan shouted. He handed the oars to Archie, and jumped into the sea. He clung to the side of the boat and motioned to Kat.
Kat stared at Jonathan in horror. She staggered as the force of a wave unbalanced her and slammed her roughly against the unrelenting wall of the cave. Pain immediately lanced up her side but she knew that if she didn’t do something soon, she would end up in a watery grave.
“Kat! Jump!”
Kat hesitated. In spite of the winds, the raging sea and the desperation, her eyes locked with his. She knew that if she had any chance of survival, she had to place her trust in him. There was little choice. She sucked in a huge breath, sent a silent prayer heavenward and took several steps back. Her run was hampered by the water around her ankles but within seconds she was flying through the air.
Jonathan watched her slam into the sea several feet away. Seconds ticked by but she didn’t surface again. He shook sea water out of his eyes and studied the area but couldn’t see her. He sucked in a huge breath and dived underwater. He had never been a particularly strong swimmer, but had enough strength to fight the raging torrent as he searched the darkened depths for the woman who held his heart.
It took too long. Far too long before his fingers touched something soft and silky. Frantic fingers reached out but he couldn’t feel it again. The sea water was dark and frigid, and gave him no hint of where to find her. His mind raced and desperation surged. Around and around he swam until his fingers touched the fine tendrils of hair once more. Determined that he wouldn’t be thwarted a second time, he grabbed a fistful and reached down.
One hand beneath her chin confirmed that it was her and, with hard kicks of his feet, he pushed them both upward. They burst through the surface and gasped for air. His frantic gaze studied her. He almost wept with relief when she gasped a huge gulp of air and blinked at him.
“Thank God,” he whispered. A white, frothy wave rolled toward them.
“Haul her out,” Archie snapped and watched as Robert leaned over the side of the boat and lifted Kat effortlessly out of the water. Once she had been unceremoniously dumped in the boat, he turned and helped Jonathan heave himself aboard.
They lay gasping on the bottom of the boat for several long moments. Archie began to row again, this time accompanied by Robert who took up an oar. Between them they turned the boat around, and headed toward Bentney
on Sea.
Jonathan sucked in several gulps of air, more shaken than he had ever been in his entire life. He had come so very close to losing the most precious thing in his entire life. He realised then what a huge mistake he had made in ever leaving the village without making her his wife many years ago. They could have spent the last several years as man and wife, and have loads of children by now. It was a future that he was now determined that they were going to have.
He turned his head to one side to study her. Even pale and shaken, and dripping wet, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life, and he was so very glad she was his.
“Kat?”
Kat turned to look at him. His wonderful eyes were rueful as they studied her. She could detect no anger or condemnation in their beautiful depths. Tears pooled her eyes.
“There is one thing I want to say,” she gasped around the need for air.
“What?”
“I love you, Jonathan Arbinger,” she whispered. “I know I have been your worst enemy but you have been a thorn in my side since I was a young girl. I fell in love with the boy you were many years ago, and that love has grown with me to the point that I now desperately love the man you have become. I know that we cannot be together. You are a lord after all, but I just want you to know that you will always be in my heart.”
“God, Kat,” Jonathan growled. “All I seem to do of late is drag you out of the sea,” he laughed ruefully. Emotion lodged in his throat and, despite the rocking of the boat, he turned onto his side to face her. He placed one hand beneath her chin and dipped his head for a very thorough kiss. “I may be a lord, but I am also a man, and a man who adores you. I have loved you since I was nine years old. I work with the Star Elite. I have killed, maimed and fought to survive. I have seen things and done things that would horrify you. I may be a lord, but sometimes I worry that I am not worthy for you. Having said that, if you are prepared to make a few sacrifices, I know that we can have a long and happy life together.”
“Sacrifices?”
“Well, as my wife you will have to move to Dentham Hall to live. I am afraid that will mean you will be sequestered into reading for Uncle Bruce practically daily, and will undoubtedly have to help your mother set up a small holding on the estate so we can grow our own fruit and vegetables to sell at market.” He grinned at Kat’s gasp. “Billy will just have to learn how to ride because the estate is massive, and it will save his boot leather enormously if he doesn’t have to walk. Aside from reading to my uncle, and me, you will have to spend your days with me and our children.”
“Children?” She replied weakly.
“Several, in fact.”
Kat studied him for a moment. “You have thought this all through, haven’t you?”
Jonathan grinned. “I have had a lifetime to plan it.” He brushed a trickle of water off her cheek and couldn’t resist the temptation. She looked so strikingly wonderful, and so blessedly alive, that he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. A quick glance over the side of the boat warned him that he didn’t have long to get an answer out of her. The harbour of Bentney on Sea loomed into view. He could see Agnes and Billy, alongside what looked like half of the village on the side of the dock.
“I love you Kat Baird. Will you marry me?” He whispered, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. When he drew back he studied her luminescent eyes and felt his heart leap with joy at the answer in her eyes.
They bumped against the harbour wall all too quickly but, rather than let her go so the waiting people could haul her onto dry land, he slid an arm around her waist and held her still. She lifted her brows and knew he was waiting. She glanced at the harbour side and smiled at her mother, who looked worried and bemused at the same time, before she glanced back at Jonathan with a laugh.
“Of course I will,” she whispered and much to his surprise, and the delight of the crowds on the harbour side, gave her future husband a very thorough kiss.
She may have smuggled cargo, but in doing so had found a far more precious bounty that she knew she would never give up.
The End.
Other books by Rebecca King
The Star Elite Series
Capturing Sir Dunnicliffe (Book 1) - released July 2013
Smuggler’s Glory (Book 2) – Released 20th November 2013
His Lady Spy (Book 3) – Released 8th February 2014
Lord Melvedere’s Ghost (Book 4) – Released 24th May 2014
The Lady Is Innocent (Book 5) – Released 10th June 2014
My Lord Deceived (Book 6) – Released 15th July 2014
Captive Surrender (Book 7) – To Be Released 30th August 2014
The Tipton Hollow Series
Capturing Harriett Marchington – released August 2014
(Victorian romantic murder mystery with Tipton Hollow’s Psychic Circle)
The Cavendish Mysteries
If You Were Mine – released December 2012
Cinders and Ashes – released February 2013
Chasing Eliza – released March 2013
The Gallows Bride – released May 2013
Children’s Books
Archie’s Battleflat Adventures: The Harriman Mystery – December 2013
My Lord Deceived Page 25