Sea of Fire

  “What happened, mister?” Someone asked him.

  “Can’t you see he can barely breathe, much less speak? Wait till later,” someone else insisted and bent down close to where he and Elizabeth lay in the currach. “Don’t speak. Shake your head one way or the other. ‘Tis only one thing I need to know. Is there anyone else with you I need to rescue?”

  Christian slowly moved his head to indicate a negative. It was the last action he remembered before all went dark.

  Elizabeth affectionately rubbed Christian’s hand as he lay unconscious on a pallet in one of the rooms of St. Michael’s monastery in Howth on the northern peninsula of Dublin Bay. When she had awakened an hour ago, the day was clear and bright with the sun high in the sky, indicating it was late morn.

  The friar who was sitting at her side apparently had been closely watching her. The moment her eyes first fluttered into wakefulness, he assured her she was safe and so was her husband. Before she could set him straight, or ask the first question, he had told her that the Dublin Volunteer Shore Patrol had been alerted to a fire aboard a ship off the coast. The patrol, though they had no means of putting the fire out, promptly took action in hopes of rescuing anyone, should the ship not have enough barrels of water on board to douse the fire. Barely had the friar revealed this information, when he hurriedly apologized for having removed her wet garments and clothing her in the friar’s robe, but it was all that was available at the monastery. She was to put any fears to rest, for they had called in a midwife from the nearby village to perform the task. Thankfully, the friar never commented on the breeches and shirt she had worn.

  So this was how she now came to be seated at Christian’s side dressed in the uniform of the friar once more. She caressed his hand and hoped he’d regain consciousness soon. He, too, was in a friar’s robe. She inwardly smiled. Her love for this man was so great, if it were possible, her heart would burst from the depth of it.

  He stirred. She waited for him to speak.

  His eyes opened. Alarm registered across his face. He snapped his hand from hers until he apparently focused and realized who she was. He held his hand back out to her, and she grabbed it.

  “You gave me a scare. What are you doing dressed like that? Where are we?” he asked.

  “It’s nice to see you, too,” she said and smiled. She watched him take in his surroundings.

  “I take it we’re at some religious place. There’s naught on the walls but that wooden cross. The room is quite simple.”

  “We’re at St. Michael’s monastery in Howth.”

  He removed his hand from hers so he might stand. “Hence, the robe.” He gathered her close to him. “Maybe we missed our calling. Somehow, we always end up in a friar’s robe.”

  “ ‘Tis ironic, I know, but you’d best release me this instant. I’ll have no others swooning on my behalf.” She paused. “The friar thinks we’re man and wife.”

  “What made him think so?” Christian asked.

  “I don’t know. He never gave me the opportunity to explain.”

  “God, I’m glad to see you.” He kissed her soundly and said, “How did we come to be here?”

  She told him what she knew and asked, “What happened? I don’t remember anything once we jumped into the water.”

  “That’s good, because you damn near drowned me.”

  “I did?” She stepped away from him quite shocked by her behavior. “I’m sorry I was so awful. I had no idea.”

  “I know that. Let’s put it behind us. Are you feeling all right?”

  She nodded. “And you?”

  “Fine as a frog’s hair.”

  She giggled and became serious. “I’ve already sent help to Walter at Cullenmore Abbey. What about Maguire? Shouldn’t we go to New Prison at once?”

  “We can deal with Maguire later. For now, our first priority is indeed New Prison. They won’t release Adam or your father on our say-so. Can you reach one of Edward’s magistrate friends who can vouch for him, or pen an edict the way your father might?”

  “Mr. Clark. I know he’ll help us.”

  “Grand. We’ll bring some coins in case, though. Nothing is more convincing than the power of a silver or gold coin flashed before the gaolkeeper.”

  A few hours later, after they had calmed the worried Hannah, who had returned home to an empty house, they changed their clothes and traveled to Four Courts to talk to the Right Honorable Mr. Clark. After a brief explanation that Christian was not Edward Corry’s doctor, but Adam’s brother, the man reacted without hesitation. He agreed to come to their aid, though he scolded her for not trusting him sooner.

  She gave a grateful smile to the man now seated on one side of her. Christian sat on her other. Together the three waited to speak to the warden in his small office at New Prison.

  “Don’t you worry,” the magistrate patted her hand. “We’ll have your father from this hell hole in no time. And, your brother, too.” He sat forward in his chair a bit to talk beyond her to Christian.

  “I’m grateful,” Christian answered. “Had we sought their release through the normal course of action ...”

  The magistrate waved his hand. “It was wise to come to me. Each day that passes lessens their odds for survival.”

  “What’s taking the man so long?” She squirmed in her chair.

  “I suppose he’s looking for yesterday’s list of deaths. Hopefully, neither Edward or Adam are on it and he’s having them brought forward,” Clark said.

  Her father’s friend spoke bluntly, but not from cruelty. Earlier, he had both warned and consoled her that their deaths were a possibility.

  “Remember what the three of us discussed on the way here,” Christian spoke to her. “Your father and Adam have been in prison for over a month. If we are so fortunate that they are still alive, they’re not going to look like the people we know them to be,” Christian warned her again.

  “Aye.” Clark agreed, and added, “The government is trying to improve the prison conditions, but I’m afraid change is slow to come. Yet, New Prison is better than some others.”

  “I don’t feel comforted,” she said and shivered.

  “None of us do,” Christian said. “We must face the facts.”

  “After all we’ve been through, I couldn’t bear to hear bad news.” She folded her arms across her chest and rubbed the chill from her upper arms.

  The door to the warden’s office creaked and swung open. The three, as if prompted, stood at once.

  “They’re not dead,” the warden stated.

  Her knees momentarily weakened. “Thank God.”

  “Where are they?” Christian asked.

  “They’ll be here shortly.” The warden sat down at his desk, which faced them only a few feet away, and lifted one of his neat stacks of papers. “Here it is.” He held up his quill pen. “If you’ll sign here, Your Honor.” He handed the pen to Clark.

  Mr. Clark dipped his pen in the inkwell and wrote out his name. “What condition are they in?”

  “They’re due for a bath and could use some meat on their bones. Other than their weakened state, they don’t appear feverish.” He walked to the door and opened it. “Now, if you’ll please wait for the men outside my office, I’d be grateful. This is a small room. Odors tend to cling to the walls and like.”

  God in Heaven, what was she to expect when her father and Adam were brought to them?

  She didn’t wait long to find out. The two men, each accompanied by a prison guard, entered the large passageway outside the warden’s office. Neither Edward nor Adam could stand without their support. They squinted against the brightness of daylight—mere shells of the men they used to be. Their soiled, rumpled clothes hung on them. Their hair was matted. Their faces were concealed by their beards.

  She covered her mouth with both hands to keep any cry of desolation from escaping. The last thing either man needed was her pity. She gained her composure just as the guards stopped before her.

  “Fath
er,” she said. He’d lost a lot of weight and no longer sported the paunch he once had.

  “Adam,” Christian said from behind her.

  “Is it really you, Elizabeth?” Edward lifted his head and tried to open his eyes wider.

  “Once again, you’ve come to my rescue,” Adam told Christian.

  Adam’s younger age had apparently worked to his benefit, for he appeared to have more spirit and had fared better than her father.

  “What are brothers for?” Christian replied.

  Tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks. Her father had returned to her. She’d not be alone again. “Can I have a cuddle, Father?”

  Edward abruptly came to life. He held out one arm in front of him to prevent her. “As soon as I’ve cleaned up. I tried to pick off any vermin, but they’re persistent little beasts.”

  “We’re not goin’ to hold these stinkin’ blokes up all day,” one of the guards impatiently said.

  “There will be no insubordination from you.” The Right Honorable Clark stepped up to the guards. “You’ll do as you’re told to do if you value your position here at New Prison.”

  The guard said nothing further.

  “Clarkie, you old curmudgeon. Is that you?” Edward squinted towards his friend.

  “Aye. And, you’ll owe me a stout ale for this one. I have better things to do than save your ...” He caught himself in her presence and said, “ornery hide. Help them to sit and lean against the wall here and then you’re excused,” he told the guards.

  They did as commanded and left. Mr. Clark continued his pleasant tirade with her father. She watched Christian.

  He squatted near Adam. “Christ, am I glad to see you.”

  “You ought to feel it from this side,” Adam said.

  “No thanks,” Christian answered.

  Adam smiled and said, “How did you find us?”

  “It’s a long story. We’ll talk later. First let’s see to your comforts,” Christian said and rose to speak to her.

  “We’ll have to make arrangements to get them home. We all can’t fit into Clark’s carriage,” Christian told her.

  “I can go on ahead and have Hannah make preparations for their arrival. Your brother is welcome to stay with us. He’ll be cared for properly.” She stared up into his handsome face. Though Adam would be welcomed—it was true—her real motive was that she didn’t want him to leave her. She loved this man and wanted him with her for as long as possible.

  Adam spoke out from his position on the floor against the wall. “No offense, Christian, but I do prefer a good cook and housekeeper’s ministrations to yours. Now, will you introduce me to the lady, or am I suffering from delusions that you are talking to a vision of loveliness.”

  She laughed.

  Christian said, “My brother has decided for us. We accept your offer.”

  He placed his arm around her possessively and spoke to Adam, “This vision of loveliness is Elizabeth Corry. Edward’s daughter. She was instrumental in Edward’s and your rescue.”

  Adam tried to stand.

  “It’s not necessary. Please, stay where you are,” she said.

  Adam did as she suggested, smiled up at the two of them, and replied, “It’s nice to meet the lady who not only saved me from the bowels of hell, but managed to steal my brother’s heart as well. It’s time.” He motioned for Christian to help him stand. “Let’s leave this wretched place.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  “I just spoke to Father. I fear we can’t confine him to bed any longer. ‘Tis April, and this first week he wants to start it on the bright side. He’s asked me to inform you that he will join us at the supper table this eve.” Elizabeth told Hannah who busied herself in the kitchen. Her governess was in all her glory, with a house full of people and Edward’s safe return.

  “He’s behaved himself for almost two days now. ‘Tis a good sign.” Hannah paused, and added, “You didn’t tell him Adam was leaving tonight did you?”

  “Nay.”

  “I’ll not have him saying he’s better when he’s not.”

  Elizabeth hugged Hannah. “The exercise will do him good. He’s ready, and maybe we’ll finally learn what happened and how he and Adam became such friends.”

  ‘ ‘Tis like we’re all one happy family now,” Hannah said, and sighed contently.

  Elizabeth wished she felt the same way. Since Christian and Mr. Clark had brought the men home, each to their own room, she’d seen very little of Christian. He visited mostly with Adam, which was understandable. The few times Christian stopped to talk to her or Hannah, he was the perfect gentleman, but he was distant. He treated her as if their lovemaking and experiences together had never happened.

  Before they had plunged into the Irish Sea, they had declared their love for each other. Had he merely said so because they were about to die? He said he hadn’t. She thought about Adam’s comment at the prison on how she had managed to steal Christian’s heart. Now, she doubted it. He no longer needed her.

  “You’re daydreaming, Bethy, and I bet I can guess about who,” Hannah said, breaking her train of thought.

  “You’d be wrong,” Elizabeth quickly snapped back, though she’d really be right.

  Hannah gave her a skeptical look. “Go ready yourself for supper.”

  An hour later, dressed in a dark green gown that she was told contrasted with her auburn hair and set off her twinkling blue eyes, she descended the staircase. At the base of the steps, she heard laughter from the parlor. Hannah must have asked Edward, Christian and Adam to visit together until she announced supper was ready. Instantly, she became a bit timid and wondered whether to intrude upon the men’s discussion. Nay. She had every right to join them. She entered the parlor. All three turned towards her at once.

  “Elizabeth. You look lovely.” Edward Corry briefly held his daughter’s hands and kissed her on the forehead.

  “You’ll get no argument from me,” Adam added.

  Christian simply smiled, but there was no mistaking his appreciative look. In fact, it bordered on suggestiveness, and though she hoped neither her father nor Adam noticed, his glance boosted her spirits. Maybe he did care.

  “Please, everyone, sit down.” Edward waited for Elizabeth to be seated in a wing chair at his side before he sat himself. Adam and Christian sat on opposite ends of the sofa across from them.

  The two brothers were indeed handsome. Christian, with his dark hair and amber-colored eyes, contrasted to Adam’s dark blond hair and grey-blue eyes. Both men were impeccably dressed, from their crispy white linen shirts to the shine of their riding boots. It was amazing how Maguire did indeed resemble Adam.

  She inwardly smiled at her father. His wrinkled cheeks were rosy and his blue eyes sparkled. He wore his favorite grey wig and was garbed in all black except for his cream-colored shirt. No one would have guessed this was the same man they had rescued from prison a few days earlier.

  “I know you and Elizabeth have questions that you’ve been kind enough not to ask, and we have some of our own.” Edward Corry spoke directly to Christian.

  To her, it was as if the two had a secret no one else knew. This bothered her. She ought to have her father’s confidence. Not Christian. Still, it pleased her that her father seemed fond of Christian.

  Edward Corry continued. “Adam and I promised we’d give you the details, more or less.” He glanced at her in a way that indicated that not everything that happened would be for a lady’s ears. “The time is now.” He spoke to Adam. “Do you want to begin?”

  “Aye,” Adam said. “I had just left the Wayward Orphanage. In fact, I was on the pavement in front, securing my hat when I was conked on the head from behind. Everything went black. I came to my senses in gaol some days later.”

  “You were unconscious that long?” she asked.

  “Nay. I was drugged that long. You see, the gaolers gave me a drug before they tossed me into my prison cell. They also added the drug to the gruel they gave me e
ach day. Edward shared his meager portion with me. My portion was sent back untouched. If it wasn’t for your father, I’d still be drugged and addicted as well. Thank you again, Edward,” Adam said.

  “I’ve as much to thank you for in return,” Edward told Adam and glanced from her to Christian. “Your brother saved me from another prisoner. There were eight of us in one cell. When I first arrived, one of the men thought I looked familiar, but couldn’t place me. After Adam was dumped in our cozy cell and came to his senses, the man remembered me as the same magistrate who’d sent him to New Prison less than a year ago despite his having only seen me for a few moments. He attacked me and threatened to kill me. I was too weak to defend myself. Adam fought him off the entire time we were there.”

  “What did the guards do when they learned that Adam was no longer drugged?” Christian asked.

  “Nothing,” Edward answered. “They didn’t care, because apparently they realized no one would ever know or care either. They were getting paid off just the same. They continued to taint the gruel just in case.” He reached over to her and tapped her knee. “Would you mind pouring us all a claret?”

  “It will be my pleasure, Father.” She walked over to the cart behind Christian. As she passed him, he winked at her.

  This surprised her, but not the flutter in her stomach that instantly followed. The man was a charmer who never ceased to make her heart pound rapidly within her breast.

  She filled four crystal glasses she had purchased for her father one Christmas from the Waterford Glass Manufactory. She had decided she’d join them. The drink would help her combat Christian’s charms.

  The men waited for her to seat herself. Edward sipped his drink, and proclaimed, “By God, I believe this is the best claret I’ve ever tasted.”

  She smiled and sipped her own.

  “You can imagine my surprise and grief when I learned that the real Adam Traynor was sitting next to me, while the man who claimed to be Adam was an imposter.” Edward took another sip. “The only time I knew Elizabeth was safe was when Maguire sent a messenger who by Maguire’s dictate ordered me to pen a missive to Elizabeth.”