“Enough comfort to write your own poem?”
It was Marcus’s turn to blush, “Yes.”
“It was beautiful Marcus. When I read the poem you wrote I knew that you loved me all those years ago. I just don’t understand why you left and why you have been fighting our love since we have left your ship.”
“I left you all those years ago, because I needed to grow up. It wasn’t fair to leave you alone and waiting in fear for me to return from war. My father told me to leave you be for now. Everybody wanted you to have a Season in London. They thought you were too young to settle down and that I was too wild to settle down. They were partly right. I don’t know if our love would have been strong enough then. It was too new.”
“That explains then but what about recently?”
“I felt guilty for taking advantage of you on my ship. I rushed you into an intimate relationship while you were recovering from your ordeal. On the carriage ride to Thornhill Manor, I promised myself on that I would give you time to recover. Since then I have been so caught up with trying to find Charles, or somebody is always around and I don’t want to cause any rumors and tarnish your reputation.”
“You are my fiancé Marcus.”
“I know my dear and that even makes me feel even guiltier towards you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Of all the years that I was away I pictured coming back to you and courting you. I wanted to win your love. I wanted to take you on picnics, drive around the park with you, and waltz you across the ballroom floors. You deserved all that and I have given you none of that. I am forcing you into a quick wedding to protect you.”
“Oh you silly man. I do not need any of those things. I just need your love. I need your arms around me holding me close to you. You can still do all those things. You can spend the rest of our lives together courting me to your heart’s desire.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“I know,” Ivy reached up and kissed him softly across the lips, “but you have me and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Minx,” Marcus laughed and deepened the kiss.
“You have finally returned to me with your love.”
“And now our love will grow between the ivy and the thorns.” Marcus quoted the last verse of his poem.
Marcus pulled Ivy deeper into his arms and held her; content with her by his side. They watched as it began to rain outside the cave. They would not be able to leave for a few hours; until the storm passed. Marcus ran his hands down her through her hair, spreading it out between his fingers. They lay there touching each other softly. They spoke no words to each other; they were just lying in peace with their love for each other.
Marcus needed to tell her what he found when he reached the cave. But he didn’t want to lose this contentment that he felt with her lying in his arms. It could wait. There was nothing they could do now anyway with the rain coming down harder. It was going to be hard to tell her. He was glad that she had not wandered deeper into the cave; for the sight would have frightened her. He was scared himself of what it would mean if he hadn’t seen the clue that was left for him. Only he knew what the clue meant, it was promising, but all the blood that was present could only mean one thing too. He just hoped that he wasn’t too late in his search for Charles.
When Ivy awoke, she was alone wrapped up in the blanket. Her sleepy eyes wandered the cave looking for Thorn. She found him standing at the entrance to the cave looking out into the dark night. The moonlight cast down upon him. He looked to be deep in his thoughts. Ivy could tell that something was troubling him. She rose and slipped on his cotton shirt; it dropped past her knees. Ivy rolled the sleeves up as she made her way over to him. When she reached his side, she slid her hands around to his front as she laid her head against his back. She held him, waiting for him to talk. Knowing that he would tell her what was on his mind, she waited for him to find the words to tell her. He had come here to look for Charles. Since he had not told her anything yet, she knew that it was not good. As long as Marcus was by her side, she could deal with anything he had to tell her. She knew it was just as hard for him, because Charles was like a brother to him.
Marcus felt Ivy’s arms wrap around him. He knew the moment that she had awaken, he was attuned to her every movement. It was time to tell her what he found. Reaching around he brought her into the cradle of his arms. He held her in silence as he continued to watch the night sky. The clouds were moving swiftly blocking out the stars from shining down. He bent down and placed a kiss on Ivy’s forehead. When she looked up he saw the sadness in her eyes. She knew that what he had to tell her wasn’t promising, but she was putting on a brave front for him. He wanted to protect her from all that was happening in their life right now but he now knew that they were only as strong together in this; than apart.
“What did you find Marcus?” Ivy asked.
“Charles had been here since you saw him last. I think he came here to seek refuge from the beating.”
“So where is he now and why did he leave?”
“I don’t know where he is my dear. All I do know is that he wasn’t alone when he left.”
“How do you know that?
“I found some clues at the back of the cave. There were two sets of footprints, the second set were from someone with much smaller feet like a woman’s.”
“How would a woman know about this place? I didn’t even know of this place until your father told me about it.”
“From what I could tell, it looks like Charles was followed here. Whoever she is has managed to take your brother to where we can’t find him. But I don’t think she means him harm from what I could tell it looks like she is taking care of his wounds.”
“How can you tell all of this Marcus?”
“Charles left me some clues at the back of the cave. After I get you back safely at Thornhill, I’m going to continue my search for him with these new leads.”
“I am coming with you Marcus; I am tired of not helping. I feel so useless.”
“No Ivy you are to remain at Thornhill. I need you to be safe; I can’t keep you safe in my search for Charles. There are places I must search that are not safe for a lady. I won’t risk your life. Promise me you will stay put and I will bring Charles home safe to you. I know I keep asking this of you, but I don’t want anything to happen to you. You are my life. Plus, Shears and his men are still a threat to us.”
“But I want to help in some way Marcus. What can I do to help?”
“You can through his papers. Maybe you can understand some of his code. We have been unable to crack any of it.”
“Yes, I can do that. I will send a message to Zane in town to see if he will come out to Thornhill and help me sort through Charles’s papers.”
Marcus gripped Ivy’s arms and pushed her back from his body so that he could look more closely at her.
“You are to stay away from Maxwell, Ivy.”
Ivy laughed nervously at Marcus’s jealousy. His tone suggested something darker than jealousy against Zane.
“I thought we already discussed my relationship with Zane.”
“I do not want you alone with him. I feel that he is involved with Captain Shears in some way. You are not safe in his company.”
“You are being foolish. Zane is our friend; he would do nothing to harm any of us.”
“You are being the foolish one Ivy. I searched his rooms the other day. I found some evidence of his involvement with Shears and the treason plot. He is not to be trusted.”
“I don’t believe you. He would never betray our country. You don’t know him like I do. I am going to send for him.”
Marcus did not want to lose the precious ground that they had just mended. Their love was in a fragile stage right now. He wanted to show Ivy that her thoughts and feelings were important to him. To do this, he was going to have to meet her half way with this.
“I will agree to Zane coming out to Thornhill to help with your investigation i
nto Charles’s papers on the condition that you will never be left alone with him. A footman is to be present at all times. You are not to go anywhere without the presence of a footman with you.”
Ivy smiled at Marcus and squeezed his hands. “I will compromise with you on this. But you are wrong about Zane and I will prove it to you.”
Marcus pulled Ivy back into his arms and held her tightly. “I hope I am for all of our sakes.”
Chapter 23
Marcus and Ivy made their way back to Thornhill at a slow pace the following morning. Neither one of them wanted to lose the precious time that they had together. They were quiet, each lost in their own deep thoughts about the drama that was unfolding in their lives. But each time their eyes would meet they knew that their thoughts were of the same. They took great comfort from that.
“Marcus how come I never knew of this cave? I followed you boys everywhere when we were kids.” Ivy asked.
“Charles and I found it by accident one day while we were out exploring. I think you were stuck in the house with Mother because of the rain.” Marcus laughed at the memory.
“But all the times I followed you, I have never seen it before.”
“Charles and I made a pact that this would be our secret hiding place. We only ever went there when you weren’t around. Over the years, it was where we could go to be by ourselves.”
Ivy didn’t know whether to be hurt by this information or to understand that even as boys they didn’t always enjoy a little girl following them around, no matter how much she hero worshipped both of them. She pouted and flipped her head off to the side.
“Well I didn’t know I was such a nuisance to you two.”
Marcus laughed at her pouting, “You know darn well that you were and you enjoyed every minute of it.”
Ivy’s laugh rang out in the quiet air, “I sure did.”
Ivy leaned over on her horse and kicked her heels lightly on the sides of the horse. The horse took off on a quick gallop with Ivy’s laughter following in the winds. Thorn shook his head and smiled at her playfulness. He patted his horse and spoke, “I guess she wants to race old boy, should we give her one. Let’s not beat her too badly though.”
Pirate needed no other encouragement. He took off after Ivy in a dead sprint. Thorn kept Pirate reined in close to let Ivy win. They galloped into the yard and pulled up next to the stables. Thorn jumped off his horse to help Ivy down from hers before the stable boy could come out to help.
“Like I was saying, nothing but pure trouble.” Thorn said as he was pulling her down and into his arms.
Ivy laughed as she wrapped her arms around his shoulder. Thorn slid her body down the length of his and groaned lightly. Just holding Ivy in his arms made him want her. But they were back to needing to conduct their selves in accordance with the rules of society. He would just have to wait until later when they can continue this in private. He was not going to go without her any longer. They would must be very discreet. He looked around and noticed that no one was around and took her mouth in a deep kiss. Ivy moaned and leaned her body into his and returned his kiss with promises of more.
“You are going to be trouble for me for the rest of our lives together aren’t you my dear?”
“You wouldn’t’ have it any other way,” Ivy said leaning in for another quick kiss.
Thorn grabbed her hand and they made their way into the house. They were laughing and stealing kisses as they made their way to the staircase. As they passed the library they didn’t notice Katherine standing inside the doorway with her arms crossed in disappointment. When they heard her clearing her throat for attention, they pulled apart quickly. They looked at Katherine and then back at each other. Trying to keep straight faces, they ended up breaking out in silly grins on their faces at being caught by his mother.
Thorn made his way over to his mother and gave her a peck on the cheek, “Good morning Mother. How are you this fine day?”
Katherine turned around and walked into the room, expecting them to follow.
“Please close the door Marcus Edward Thornhill.”
Thorn followed Ivy into the library closing the door behind them after they entered. He looked over at his father lounging in the chair before the fireplace. His father shook his head at him and mouthed the word sorry. He knew he was in trouble when she spoke his full name. No child was ever safe when the middle name was spoken.
Katherine turned around and waved her arm for them to sit on the couch. Thorn grabbed Ivy’s hand and intertwined his fingers with hers as they waited for Katherine’s lecture. He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face even if he tried. He knew what his mother was going to say, but he didn’t care. He finally felt content and secure of Ivy’s love for him and of his love for her.
“Do you two children have any idea of what kind of scandal you might have just caused with being alone together? I have done everything in my power to keep hush of the scandal of Ivy’s disappearance with this betrothal ball and wedding. Now as I have guests arriving for the ball tonight you two go missing and show back up together kissing near the stables at no least. What do you two have to say about all this?”
Thorn brought their hands up to his mouth and placed a kiss on Ivy’s fingers. He then rose and embraced his mother. “We love each other Mother, that is all there is to say.” He then walked over to his father, bowed, and shook his hand, “Thank you Father for your wonderful gift.”
“What does your Father have to do with any of this?”
“He sent Ivy to me. We have worked out all our confusion that we were having in our relationship. We now know how strong our love is for each other.”
“Well of course you two love each other. You have for ages, since you both were young. What did you have to figure out that would put your reputations at risk for?” Katherine asked Ivy and Thorn looking back and forth between them. She quickly turned on Hamilton and started firing off questions for him. “Why would you send Ivy out alone with the danger she is in? Why would you risk more scandal on them?”
Hamilton rose from his chair pulled Katherine into his arms.
“My dear, Ivy was never alone, I sent Peter with her until she met up with Thorn. These young kids needed a little nudge to settle their misunderstandings before they walked down the aisle in doubt. As you can see they have finally done that. You do not need to worry my dear, no one knows that they were alone and nobody saw them return. You handled their excuses brilliantly last evening. They have now returned and nobody is the wiser.”
Ivy rushed over to Katherine and held her hands, “Please forgive me Katherine. I never meant any trouble for you. You have been nothing but kind and generous to me. I don’t want to lose your love as a mother. I promise I won’t cause you any more trouble before the wedding.”
Katherine squeezed Ivy’s hands. “You will never lose my love child. I can see the love pouring out of both of you. I know that you both have struggled with this love for each other over the last few years and have not known how to handle it. I am glad that you both have woken up to the precious gift that was before you.”
Ivy reached up and kissed Hamilton on the cheek, “Thank you sir.”
Hamilton laughed and winked at Katherine, “It was my pleasure miss.” Ivy watched as Katherine blushed a deep shade of red under Hamilton’s perusal.
Everybody laughed at Hamilton’s teasing of Katherine.
“Now everybody please get upstairs and change your clothes. We have guests to entertain and last minute touches for the ball to take care of.” Katherine ordered them about as she made her way out of the library. Hamilton winked at Ivy and Thorn as he followed Katherine out of the library.
Thorn pulled Ivy into his arms and kissed her gently. He smiled down at her with all the happiness inside of him.
“I love you.”
“I love you too Thorn.”
“I guess we had better follow Mother’s rules for a few more days. Then we can defy them all we want,” Thorn said with a
wink to Ivy.
Ivy laughed, “Do you promise?”
“Oh, I most definitely promise.”
“You had better leave first; I will follow shortly.” Thorn suggested to Ivy.
Ivy began to walk out of the library and she turned around to find Thorn watching her with a silly grin on his face. She smiled a sadly at him, “We will find him, won’t we?”
Thorn’s smile slipped and he nodded his head at Ivy in the affirmative, “Yes we will.”
Ivy nodded her head back at Thorn and left the library, pulling the door shut behind her as she went.
Chapter 24
Thorn slid into the chair that Hamilton was just occupying a few minutes ago. The happiness that he was feeling was soon deflated at Ivy’s departure. He ran his hand down his face pinching his thumb and fingers into his eyes. He kept his eyes closed as he thought of the next step in finding Charles. Sliding his hand down into his trousers pocket, he pulled out a ladies’ handkerchief. It had been white at one time but was now covered in dried blood. He suspected the blood to be Charles’. It wasn’t the bloody handkerchief that had Thorn puzzled but the initials and embroidery that was adorned on it. He had seen this before but needed it cleaned to confirm his suspicions. If it belonged to who he thought it did, then there were more facets to this treason then he could even have imagined. He just hoped that whatever humanity was left with the owner of this handkerchief that they would apply it to the care of Charles. If not, then there was nothing he could do to save Charles.
Thorn made his way out in the hall and ran into Cleaves.
“Please have this washed and returned to me. I need you to do this yourself. Do not let anybody else see this, especially Lady Ivy. Also, send for Sammy right way.”
“Yes sir. Sammy has been waiting for you since last evening. I will send him up to your rooms right away sir.”
Thorn went up to his rooms. He had a lot to discuss with Sammy. He hoped that Sammy had some news for him on the whereabouts of Shears. Thorn didn’t have to wait long before Sammy knocked on his door. Dismissing his valet, he sat behind his desk. Sammy pulled up a chair and sat down. He stretched his legs out in from of him rubbing his sore leg.
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