Enchantress

by Constance O'Banyon

  She found it difficult to believe a man like Thorn would betray his own father to be with a woman as unworthy as Wilhelmina. She wiped the tears from her eyes, feeling strangely detached from the people who lived at Stoddard Hill. Everyone here was steeped in deceit. Did she really belong here? One thing was certain, she was no longer an innocent. She had witnessed the sordid side of life, and she did not like what she had seen.

  Brittany was not aware that Thorn had come up behind her until he dangled her emerald necklace before her face. Since she had given the emerald to Cappy to buy the Victorious, she was shocked to see that it had fallen into Thorn’s hands.

  She turned to see his jaw tighten and his eyes burn with anger. “If I had wanted your help, I would have asked for it, Brittany. You must have thought you were very clever using an assumed name to buy the Victorious.”

  She felt as cold inside as the green stone in her hand. “I only meant to help.”

  “And you might have gotten away with it, if my solicitor had not been so honest. He saw you once when you were in Charleston, and he paid particular attention to this emerald. When it was given to him as payment for the Victorious, he recognized it immediately. You will find the rest of your jewels in your bedroom.”

  She held the necklace out to him. “Thorn, please take this. I want you to have it.”

  He jammed his hands into his pocket. “You don’t know anything about a man’s pride, Brittany. I want to be the one to give you jewels, not take them away from you.”

  She nodded in understanding. “I once told you that I do not understand many things about your country. I now realize that is even more true today.”

  “I am interested to know how you decided on the name Lady Jillianna Maridon?”

  “That is my mother’s maiden name.” She reached out to him, but he igonored the gesture. “I meant only to help, Thorn. If I did wrong, I am sorry.”

  She turned and moved away, and he caught up with her. “I do not mean to appear ungrateful, Brittany, but never attempt to go behind my back like this again.”

  She turned furious green eyes on him. “Me go behind your back! How can you accuse me of such a thing, when you are the one who went behind Ben’s back to bed his wife.” She saw his face whiten, but still she continued. “I am sick of deception. I wish…I wish I had never come here.”

  He was silent for a long time. “I can see how you might believe the worst of me. I wish you had trusted me, Brittany.”

  “I do not know who to trust, or who is my friend. All I know is that when I saw Wilhelmina take Dr. Cross into her bedroom, all I could think of was you and her together.”

  He grabbed her arm and spun her around. “When did this happen?”

  “Just a short while ago. It is possible that he is still there.” She angrily brushed a tear from her cheek. “Are you jealous of the doctor?”

  The look he gave her was chilling. “Think what you will, Brittany.”

  Brittany watched him move toward the house, wondering if she had told Thorn about Wilhelmina and the doctor out of spitefulness. She hoped that had not been her motive.

  Wilhelmina trailed her finger down George Cross’s stomach. “I think a fire would be the best way of getting rid of all three of them, George.”

  He grabbed and held her hand. “Are you crazed? We can’t kill all three of them—someone would suspect!”

  She looked at him ponderously. “Of course a fire would mean I would lose the house, but that can’t be helped. Houses can be rebuilt.”

  “I won’t do it, Wilhelmina.”

  She rubbed her naked body against him. “You will do it for me, won’t you?”

  George Cross never got a chance to answer, for at that moment, the door was thrust open, and there stood Thorn and Cappy, looking like avenging angels.

  Wilhelmina froze, her eyes wild with apprehension. “How dare you burst into my room like this, Thorn. Your father will have you…” Her voice trailed off, and she pulled the bed covers up over her nakedness.

  “You have one hour to get your belongings together and get out, Wilhelmina! As you can see, I have Cappy here as a witness to your little indiscretion.”

  Thorn walked over to a cringing George Cross, reached down and yanked him out of bed. “And take your lover with you,” he said, shoving the man with such force that he slammed into the wall and landed on the floor, gasping for breath.

  Wilhelmina tossed her head defiantly. “You cannot make me leave.”

  “Oh, can’t I? What if I told you that Cappy located a certain Mr. Deavers who is willing to tell the authorities how you and this man tried to poison my father, and how you hired Deavers to kill Brittany?”

  Wilhelmina lowered her eyes. “I have no place to go,” she said, knowing she would get no sympathy from Thorn Stoddard.

  Thorn’s eyes were cold, and there was a look of distaste on his face. “Perhaps you can persuade your lover to take care of you.”

  Thorn turned his gaze on Dr. Cross, who had managed to scramble to his feet and pull on his trousers. “For the good of your practice, Doctor, I suggest you might find another state more to your liking.” Thorn’s expression hardened. “If it were not for my father, I would see you both hanged. But, make no mistake about it, if I ever find either of you in South Carolina again, I will turn you over to the authorities.”

  Cappy watched the color drain from Wilhelmina’s face, for she knew she was beaten. Finally she had been caught at her bold game. There was no pity in Cappy’s heart either for her or the doctor, for they had conspired to do murder.

  After Thorn and Cappy left the room, Wilhelmina slipped out of bed, her face a mask of rage. “I will not have it,” she cried out. “Thorn cannot put me out.”

  A chastened George Cross tucked his shirt into his trousers. “You have no choice, Wilhelmina. It’s either leave, or be arrested. Thorn Stoddard meant what he said.”

  She made a wide sweep with her hand. “I cannot give all this up.”

  “You will have me,” he reminded her. “I will take care of you.”

  Hysterical laughter bubbled out of her mouth. “I have you! Good Lord, man, do you know what I will be losing?”

  “But you have lost, Wilhelmina,” he reminded her.

  Her shoulders slumped, and she dropped down on the bed. Yes, she had lost everything. She tried not to think about that night so long ago, when she had stood in a moonlit garden with Thorn, and he had pledged her his love. That was the night she had lost. That night she had the world at her fingertips, and she had thrown it all away.

  A short time later, a buggy pulled away from the house and rattled down the dusty road. No one had come forward to wish Wilhelmina good-bye, and no one would grieve at her leaving.

  As the buggy pulled out of the gate, she turned back to look for the last time upon Stoddard Hill.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Cappy was raising the new sails over the Victorious, because Thorn had insisted that she be shipshape when she was handed over to the Turks.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Cappy watched the Turkish ship approach Charleston Harbor. It was close enough for him to see that the name of the ship was the Marmora. With a feeling of dread, he sent Francisco to keep an eye on the Turks while he finished the last task he would perform aboard the Victorious.

  The United States government had ordered Captain Stoddard to turn his vessel over to the Turkish government. More than likely, the crew aboard the Marmora was here to take command of the Victorious.

  After the sails were in place, Cappy instructed the crew that the decks were to be swabbed until they gleamed. This was a grand old ship, and she would be clean from fore to aft when she was relinquished.

  “Cappy,” Francisco called out, hurrying up the gangplank, his eyes darting back behind him. “There is a Turk and a woman coming on board. I don’t know who they are.”

  Cappy looked first at the tall, distinguished man, who was dressed in long, flowing robes. He appeared to be som
eone of importance.

  His eyes went next to the woman at the man’s side, and Cappy was taken by surprise with her delicate beauty. She was like a golden angel in the white gown that flowed with each graceful motion. If Cappy had ever seen a more beautiful woman, he could not remember when. As she drew closer, he saw her green eyes, and he knew immediately who she was.

  “The English Rose,” he whispered to himself.

  “May I come aboard?” the man called out.

  Cappy also knew who the man was. “Yes, Lord Simijin, come aboard; but have a care, for the deck is wet.”

  “You know who I am?” Simijin asked in surprise.

  “I figured it out.”

  “I fear I do not know who you are,” Simijin said apologetically.

  Cappy came to full attention. “I am first mate of the Victorious. Name’s Cappy Hamish.”

  Simijin glanced around. “Is your captain on board?”

  “No, sir. He’s at his house in town. Can I be of assistance to you?”

  Simijin saw that the crew swabbing the deck had paused in their work to stare at them with interest. “Can we go somewhere where we can talk?”

  “Of course, Lord Simijin. The captain won’t mind if we use his cabin.” Cappy dared to steal another look at the beautiful English Rose, and he saw worry reflected in her green eyes. “Come with me,” he said kindly, knowing she was worried about her daughter. He wanted to assure her that Brittany was safe.

  Jillianna looked around the captain’s cabin without really seeing it. When she and Simijin were alone with the first mate, she could no longer contain her questions. “Do you know my daughter, Mr. Hamish?”

  “Yes, Lady Jillianna. I know her quite well.”

  She reached out to him, her green eyes swimming with tears. “Is she here? Is she unharmed?”

  “Yes, madame. But you will want to talk to my captain about her.”

  Jillianna sank down in a chair, her eyes pleading. “I have come a long way, Mr. Hamish, and I cannot tell you of the concern I have for my daughter. Please do not make me wait another moment for word of her. I beseech you to tell me everything you know.”

  Cappy knew he could not deny her desperate plea. As he looked into luminous green eyes so like Brittany’s, he wondered if any man living could deny the English Rose her slightest request.

  Thorn rushed up the stairs, calling Brittany’s name. When he got no response, he looked inside his bedroom, but she was not there. Anger tugged at his mind as he retraced his steps. He had in his pocket a bill of sale for the Victorious that proved Brittany had been meddling in his affairs once again.

  Standing on the back porch, his eyes made a wide sweep of the lawn, and he located Brittany by the river. Still angry, he made his way down to her.

  When he drew even with her, he waved a paper in her face. “Even after I told you not to, you still interfered.”

  She shook her head in bewilderment. “I do not know what you are accusing me of.”

  “Don’t you?”

  “No.”

  “I have here a paper signed by Lady Jillianna Maridon. Who would have done such a thing but you?”

  She glanced at the paper he shoved at her. “I do not know unless…unless…” Her heart pounded with joy as she recognized the handwriting. She glanced up toward the house, and mouthed the words: “Mama.”

  Thorn turned to see a woman walking slowly toward them. The setting sun was behind her, and it shone brilliantly upon her golden head.

  Brittany ran toward the lovely vision, with her arms outstretched. “Mama,” she cried. “Mama!”

  Brittany was enfolded in her mother’s arms, and they both wept tears of happiness. Simijin joined the happy reunion, and Brittany went readily into his arms.

  “This is the happiest day of my life,” Brittany cried, hugging Simijin, then going back to her mother. “I cannot believe you are here!”

  Jillianna held her daughter at arm’s length and looked her over with a mother’s eyes. “You have grown into a beautiful woman, my dearest. I have been so worried about you, but it seems my worries were unfounded.” She glanced over Brittany’s shoulder and saw the dark, handsome man walking toward them.

  Jillianna smiled brightly at Thorn. She approached him and surprised him by putting her arms about him. “I know who you are, Thorn Stoddard. Lord Simijin and I have much to thank you for.”

  Thorn looked into the green eyes of the English Rose, and he knew why she was a legend. She had the same striking beauty as her daughter. “I assume you also know I am your daughter’s husband?” he asked.

  Jillianna laughed, and the sound of her laughter was magical. “Of course, I know—Cappy told me.” She looked at Brittany and saw uncertainty in her eyes. “Come, my children, I have had a long, hot ride, and I want something cool to drink.”

  Jillianna placed her hand on her son-in-law’s arm. “I really am grateful to you, Thorn Stoddard. Without you, my daughter would not be here today.”

  Simijin was walking with Brittany, and Jillianna saw pain in Thorn’s eyes when he looked at her daughter.

  “Your daughter is exceptional,” he said.

  “Of course she is,” Jillianna readily agreed. “She always has been.”

  Thorn held out the paper with Jillianna’s name on it. “Can I assume that you are responsible for this?”

  “Cappy told me about your ship and how Brittany tried to help you. This was my little jest, and my way of telling you that the Victorious still belongs to you. The Turkish government no longer has a claim on the vessel. Simijin saw to that.”

  He threw his head back and laughed, charmed by the mother, almost as much as he had been by the daughter. “I can only imagine the jolly chase you must lead Lord Simijin, madame.”

  She nodded her head. “Alas, it is true. You cannot imagine how much trouble I have cost my Simijin.”

  “If you are like your daughter, I can, madame.” Thorn’s eyes moved to Brittany, who was just ahead of them. She walked with her head leaning on Simijin’s arm. “Indeed, I can well imagine.”

  “I was surprised to find my daughter married to you, Captain Stoddard.”

  He let out his breath. “Not half as surprised as I was.”

  She studied him closely. “I can see that you love her,” she said softly.

  He gazed down at the beauty on his arm. “If you can see it, why can’t your daughter?”

  “Have you told her?”

  “Not in so many words.”

  Jillianna paused and glanced back down the slope at the Ashley River, with its meandering twists and turns. “A woman likes to be told that she’s loved and cherished. We have already agreed that Brittany is special. Tell her how you feel. I see sadness in her eyes that should not be there.”

  Thorn followed Jillianna’s eyes to the river. “I will never know a contented day until she is happy.”

  Jillianna felt her throat throb as she looked into blue eyes soft with love for her daughter. She smiled and tugged at his arm, leading him forward. “Then you have it in your hands to create happiness for you and Brittany both.”

  “I am not certain how she feels about me. She believes me guilty of a great wrong.”

  Jillianna lifted a delicate eyebrow. “Are you guilty?”

  He answered without hesitating. “Not in this instance.” His eyes were seeking. “Do you believe me?”

  “Of course, Captain, but I am not the one you must convince.”

  Thorn was thoughtful for a moment. “At least I do not have to fear that Brittany will leave me and return to Turkey with you.”

  “Do not be too sure, Captain. You see, Sultan Selim has relinquished the throne, and Sultan Mustafa now sits in his place. My husband and I have received a formal apology from Mustafa, and all charges have been dropped against you. There is nothing to prevent Brittany from returning to Constantinople.”

  Thorn’s jaw tightened. “Nothing but me, madame,” he challenged. “I will not easily let her go.”
>
  Jillianna’s eyes searched his. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. I can see that my daughter will have a good life with you, Captain. It’s up to you to see that she stays. I can tell you for a certainty that if Simijin thinks she is unhappy, he will want to take her home with us.” She looked at him, a faint smile tugging her lips. “You may have defeated the Turkish Navy, but you have not yet come up against my Simijin.”

  Thorn returned her smile. “You are wrong, madame. I came up against him when he was determined that I would transport your daughter to safety.”

  Dinner went well. Ben had been well enough to come downstairs and join in the reunion. Simijin and Jillianna were the perfect guests, listening to their host’s plans to make Stoddard Hill a productive plantation once more.

  Brittany and Thorn were strangely silent, leaving Jillianna to observe them more closely. It was apparent to her that her daughter was most unhappy, and she intended to find out why.

  After dinner, the gentleman moved into the parlor, and Jillianna drew her daughter aside. “Walk with me. I want to hear all about your life here in America.”

  It was a brilliant night, with stars twinkling in the ebony sky. A cool breeze was blowing from the direction of the Ashley River.

  “This is a lovely place to live and raise children, Brittany. I like Mr. Stoddard, and,” she smiled, “I adore that handsome husband of yours.”

  “Mama, Thorn is wonderful. I want to be his wife, but there are certain events that stand between us.”

  “If you love him, you should do everything you can to remove any obstacles that hinder that love.”

  “I want to, but I do not know how.”

  Jillianna took Brittany’s face between her hands. “My dearest love, I wish I could take you home with me and wrap the high walls of the palace around you to keep you safe forever—but that cannot be. In my heart, I realize that your happiness lies with Thorn Stoddard.”

  “I love him, Mama, but I do not think he loves me.”

  Jillianna knew that she could not help Brittany in this, because if her daughter was to learn to cherish love, she must find it for herself. “You must talk to Thorn and find out how he feels.”