by J. E. Clymer
Suddenly fingers dug into his arm. Then he heard her growl. It was a low, husky voice that would drive her husband wild if she had one. “Deana, go get the carriage, we are going home.” She growled at her sister while never looking away from him.
Deanna backed away. Whether from him or from her sister, George couldn't be sure. “You are not my mother.” She started.
Bella locked eyes with her sister. “Go. Get. The. Carriage. Deena.” She said each word so slowly and so low that anyone would have been able to feel the menace in her voice.
Deanna’s eyes widened and she rushed back into the ball. George couldn't help but laugh. For someone who usually appeared so frigid, it was so hard to believe her anger would carry so much heat.
“We really did not do anything,” George started.
She turned on him, breathing hard in her anger. “You and I are going to have a private conversation, Mr. Livery. Meet me in the library in exactly twenty minutes. I am not risking getting caught out here on a terrace with you.” The way she said 'you' told him just how much she detested him.
George swallowed, for the first time he began to think that maybe he had bit off a bit more than he could chew when it came to this game he was playing with her. She turned and stalked a few paced. Suddenly her back straightened and her step slowed. He could almost lay money that her fake smile had returned.
True to her command, he arrived twenty minutes later to a library in which she was already waiting. She paced like a caged tigress. When he came in he shut the door and locked it to be safe. When he turned around she was crowding him.
He could almost see her internal floodgates open. “How dare you, George Livery! If you ever touch my sister again...I'll...I'll...”
He smiled, “You will do what, Miss Loomcroft?”
She stilled and leveled her gaze with his. “I will take my father up on his offer to help my him with his businesses and do everything in my power to destroy your shipping ventures.”
His eyes narrowed. “Miss Loomcroft, you had better watch your threats. I know you are angry, but that is not a threat you should make.”
“Do not discount it, Mr. Livery. If you bring her to ruin, you will be following her as closely as the hounds of hell surely follow you.” She growled and pushed a finger into his chest.
He grabbed her hand and immediately regretted it. She wasn't cold like he expected, he almost burned when he touched her. “I do not lead children to ruin.” He ground out.
She glared at him and tried to pull her hand out of his. “Then what exactly were you doing on the terrace? Anyone could have seen you.”
He turned her hand over and kissed her palm. “I only expected one person to follow us.”
She paled, reading his meaning perfectly. “What exactly do you want from me, Mr. Livery?”
“Your given name and leave to use it. So...we may be friends. You are singular among your gender, Miss Loomcroft.” He said and let go of her hand. Unfortunately he also realized he meant it. It was a rare thing for a woman turn him down or get angry with him. George was beginning to think he liked the candor she possessed when she chose to share it.
She stepped away from him and he saw her put on her mask once again. “My name is Belladonna.” She shoved past and went to the door. Before she opened it she turned. “If you lay your lips upon me again, Mr. Livery, I will break your nose. As a friendly gesture, of course.”
She left him there in he library staring at the door with a smile on his face. Belladonna. A fitting name for a woman like herself. George knew that he should be plotting his next move to repay her for the embarrassment she had caused him, but he was more interested in figuring out the puzzle that was Belladonna Loomcroft. Was she the demure, uninterested lady or the fiery, passionate woman? He wasn't sure, but George suspected he was going to enjoy finding out.
###
The next morning began like any other. Belladonna cared for her little sisters. She had banished Cara into the schoolroom once both sets of twins were crying. The poor woman looked ready to break down in tears herself.
She was exhausted herself as she faced her tasks. Her sleep was plagued by fantasies of a kiss that started on her palm traveling much farther. It was not the fault of George Livery that she obvious lusted after him her dreams. Still, she would have liked for him to be soundly beaten for it and for him to never return to her slumber.
About a half an hour after she got all of the infants settled down a very confused maid found her in the library. “Miss, you have a caller. He is waiting in the downstairs sitting room.”
She sat down a book and looked at the woman. “Are you sure that the gentleman is looking for me?” She asked tentatively.
“Quite sure, Miss.” Belladonna nodded and made her way downstairs. From the moment she set foot in the downstairs foyer she could hear Deanna laughing.
As she neared the sitting room she could hear the voices clearly. It was George Livery. He had obviously not taken her warning to heart. Thank heavens the downstairs maid had seen fit to get her. She reigned in her temper and entered the room.
“How lovely to see you this afternoon, Mr. Livery.” She interrupted.
Deanna’s sky blue eyes narrowed at her sister and her shoulders sagged, as if she knew her fun was done. Mr. Livery bowed formally to Belladonna, “The pleasure is mine, Miss Loomcroft.” He nodded towards Deanna. “The younger Miss Loomcroft was just telling me about the latest fashions and which she prefers. Do you have a preference, Miss Loomcroft?”
“I prefer simple items, Mr. Livery.” She said. Her tone was already starting to grind on his nerves.
He winked at her younger sister and laughed. “I would think you would look fetching in flamingo pink, myself.”
She nodded and then looked at her younger sister. “Deanna, I do believe you are needed upstairs. Cara was just saying she could use some help with the toddlers.”
Deanna looked her in the eyes and Belladonna could see her sister weighing the consequences of a rebellion. “Alright.” She turned and curtsied to George. “It was nice speaking with you, Mr. Livery.” Deanna didn't even glance at her sister as she left he room.
George smiled and leveled his gaze with Belladonna's own. “So...I see I am not the only person who finds you infuriating.”
“They why do you keep seeking out my company, Mr. Livery?” She responded.
He shrugged. “You intrigue me, Miss Loomcroft.”
Her eyebrow twitched slightly, but otherwise her mask of indifference did not waver. “I can assure you, sir. I am not that interesting.”
Before he could respond, a servant knocked on the door frame of the room. She curtsied and said, “Pardon me, Miss. These just arrived for you.”
Belladonna flushed in a moment of panic. “Please put them away in my room.” She managed to say softly. The servant nodded and took them away.
“Uninteresting, indeed.” George murmured and then he changed the subject. “Miss Loomcroft, I must know your secret. How does one live without emotion? I do believe I would find such a skill of immeasurable value.”
Her eyes narrowed for two to three seconds and then any changes in her demeanor were gone. “That is quite simple, Mr. Livery, if one does not love the subject to whom the emotion is attached then it is easy to ignore said emotion.”
He stepped closer to her and she stepped away from him. “You make it sound so easy. How could a person who enjoys their passions ignore such a thing? Could you even do as such, Miss Loomcroft?”
She walked over to a window and gazed out. “Women who do not plan to marry have no need of passions, Mr. Livery.”
He appraised her profile. The poor cut of her dress made her look overfed, but George would have bet an entire company on the fact that she was curved in all the ways that tempt a man. “Everyone needs a passion, Miss Loomcroft. For some it's art, others writing, and for many a man—well, they find their passions in the flesh.”
She didn't even blush. “I
do enjoy a fast horse,” she mumbled.
He walked up behind her. She could feel him close. “Will you be at Lady Malberry's party?”
She shook her head no. “I...” A look of confusion skirted across Belladonna's feature before her disguise fell back into place. “I will be otherwise engaged.”
“The eldest Miss Loomcroft not present at a party. Why, that's unheard of!” George teased.
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I am quite put out that I won't be able to attend, sir.”
“Please take no offense, Miss Loomcroft. I, too, will unfortunately be unable to attend.” He chuckled loudly. “It warms my heart that no man will have a chance to steal your attentions away from me, Miss Loomcroft.”
She actually blushed. George could almost hear the trumpets of his own success, but the look in her eyes look had a look of guilt rather than flattery. Then a smile graced her face that bore a look of victory. “Never worry, Mr. Livery. No man warrants my attentions.”
He didn't know how to respond. She assuredly had won this round. George had to give her credit, when she chose to play the game she had it won before a person even realized she was playing. He'd just have to reset the chess board. “Tell me, Miss Loomcroft, what will be occupying your time so completely as to keep you from attending the party.”
She actually stopped breathing. George realized he was wrong, she hadn't won the game. No, they were just beginning to play. “I will be...running an errant for my father.”
George nodded, “What sort of errant, Miss Loomcroft?”
She turned to face him and leaned against the stone frame of the window as if begging for its support. She opened her mouth as if to speak and then closed it. George watched her with fascination; he could almost see the wheels in her mind turn, searching for an answer. “It is a family matter.” She finally said with a slight shake in her voice.
He turned away from her and gave her a reprieve. “I will be sailing for Spain to make deliveries for my company. Alas, I will be away for no reason other than to heavy the weight of my purses.”
She swallowed hard enough that he heard her. This was the win of the game. “What will you be accomplishing for your family, Miss Loomcroft?”
She took a deep breath and walked towards the door. “I must apologize, Mr. Livery. I have a large number of younger siblings and it would be unkind to my step-mother and sister to leave them so long without my aid. Perhaps we can continue this conversation on another day? I greatly enjoyed your visit.”
George smiled as he followed her towards the door. “I understand completely, Miss Loomcroft.” He was tempted to grab her hand and kiss it, but he rather liked his nose. “As soon as I return from Spain I will call on you so we may have a nice chat.”
She curtsied. “Thank you for your understanding and consideration, Mr. Livery.” She then turned and moved as swiftly as was acceptable up the stairs. She only glanced back once as she ascended to her safety.
George was out the door quickly, but he slowed as he walked the streets of London towards his favorite gaming hall. He had to know what she was doing over the next few weeks. What could a self-proclaimed uninteresting spinster do that would make her blush and scramble to hide it so quickly. He might not know now, but he would. It was only a matter of time.
Chapter 3
The salt tinged morning air drifted up to Belladonna as she stood on the bow of the ship. Her lavender dress trousers blew freely in the wind. She had to give Mrs. Murdock credit, the woman had created a pair of trouser that contained so much fabric that they easily passed as a skirt.
Belladonna loved them and had considered asking the modiste to make all her few clothes in such a fashion. The matching top for this particular pair was lavender, but the bend was a deep navy. It truly was a look borne of a merging of the masculine and the feminine.
She had chuckled at the lace eye patch that the woman had sent along. That said, she wore it. With her hair free and the new clothes Belladonna barely recognized herself. Surely no one else would.
She gazed out at the sea as her newly appointed first mate boards. He cleared his throat behind her, “Captain, madam, we are ready to sail.”
She nodded and followed him the back of the ship. “Mr. Lorton, have you sailed with my sister before?”
He nodded, “That I have, Miss Loomcroft. Best captain I had ever seen, she was.” He cleared his throat and lowered his voice to just above a whisper when he spoke again. “Very few people knew that Master Loomcroft was actually a Miss Loomcroft.”
She sighed. “I am not my sister in more ways than one, can I count on your aid during this voyage?”
“It would be my honor, Miss Loomcroft.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Would you please inform the men it's time to pull anchor, sir?”
Mr. Lorton looked at her for a moment as if weighing her. He then did as he was asked. Then he did more than he was asked. The short seaman had taken control of her ship without a word of permission. Belladonna was thankful. She had no idea how to complete the task she'd been given.
A few hours into the voyage a brawl broke out on deck. Belladonna walked to the handrail of the higher deck and looked down on the fight. Mr. Lorton started to hurry down. Belladonna's heart was beating so fast that she could hear each thump like thunder in her ears.
“Mr. Lorton!” She said loudly. He barely heard her, but he turned to listen to what she had to say. “Keep the other men out of this row. When they've finished pummeling each other bring what is left of them to my quarters.”
She turned and headed into the quarters. She sat down in a firm wooden chair behind the desk. Belladonna had to count her breaths to stay calm. She had never been the judge, jury and executioner of full grown men before and it terrified her.
Mr. Lorton pushed the two men in the door and growled at them. “Sit down, your bleeding arses.”
Belladonna nodded at Mr. Lorton. “Thank you, Mr. Lorton. Please feel free to stand or sit as you prefer, sir.”
Mr. Lorton blushed at being treated with such propriety. Belladonna leveled her eyes at the two men across from her. She tried to take on the tone she'd have with the girls when they'd behaved quite badly. “So, gentlemen, could you possibly explain what just happened out on deck?”
The first men leaned forward and stuck his finger towards her. “I tell you what I told him. I'll not be taken orders from a twist with cat-heads more fitting of a Judy than a lady.”
Her brow furrowed for a moment. Finally she looked over at her first mate. “Mr. Lorton, could you possibly tell me what that means?”
The short, older man blushed. “He refuses to take orders from a woman with...” Mr. Lorton paused trying to figure out a polite way to say it. “...well, so generously endowed up top. He believes such a woman would be more suited for a job of a tail than to be a lady.” The poor man was sweating bullets.
Belladonna leaned back and searched the red face of the second man. “You defended my honor, sir?”
He didn't speak, but nodded. She looked over at Mr. Lorton. “Is it safe to say that you are being prepared to captain one of our ships yourself, Mr. Lorton?”
“Yes, Madam Captain, it is.”
She nodded, then she leveled her gaze with the second young man. “Honor is to be rewarded. You shall start working as Mr. Lorton's assistant immediately.”
Leaning back in her chair she locked eyes with the first man. “I want you off my ship. I will leave it to Mr. Lorton as to the means, but if we can not find a port in which to dispose of you within the next day I will recommend he dump you overboard.”
Mr. Lorton and his new apprentice grabbed the man before he could speak back to her. They rushed him out of the quarters just in time for no one to see her collapse. Tears ran down her face. How had her sister done it? These men were rude, impertinent, and intimidating. Any one of those three could have done her serious harm.
She waited until her tears ran dry and her shaking hands stilled before she
forced herself to go out on deck. Belladonna had spent her life trying to portray a disguise of indifference, but now she had to put on a whole new disguise. She squared her shoulders and tried to look as confident as possible.
Mr. Lorton approached her the second she was back out on deck. “Miss Loomcroft, there is a port not far from here. It's the port of Riverton on the coast across from France.”
She nodded. “Then we stop there and insist that detestable man disembarks.”
Her first mate blushed, “About that, Madam Captain. The order has already been given. I beg your pardon if that was wrong; Master Alex always gave me quite a bit of free reign in what I did.”