Moon and Stars

by Elizabeth Johns

  When they reached her chambers, entirely too soon, he closed the door and locked it behind her.

  “Now, what can I provide for you, Mr. Dunn? I know it is not jewels, since you did not take them from my cabin on the ship, and I cannot conjecture what else of value I have that you would want.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want your jewels. In fact, they will come in handy, since I had the added expense of coming all this way after you. What I’m looking fer is worth more than yer trinkets.”

  She walked to her dressing table and opened the drawer, pulling out a pouch of jewels and with it a small knife she had hidden there. She tossed him the pouch and then proceeded to hide the knife in the folds of her skirt while he was distracted. “How did you manage to follow the ship?” She thought to keep him talking and satisfy her curiosity at the same time.

  “I stowed in my sister’s cabin until the night I searched yers. Thought you’d never leave it, I did.”

  “And then? If you had not made a mess I would have been none the wiser.” She also unwound the pearl necklace she was wearing.

  “I got impatient and heard someone coming. Had to swim te shore and find passage on a fishin’ boat. Now, hurry up.”

  “I would prefer to keep my wedding ring,” she said as she handed the pearls over, hoping he did not notice the blade trembling in her other hand.

  “Very generous of you, my lady.” He made a mocking bow. “Now I want the key.”

  “The key?” Disbelief must have shone on her face and through her voice.

  “Too much blue blood makes you daft in the head, you know.” He sneered.

  “I beg your pardon! There is no need to insult me.”

  “Begging your forgiveness, my lady,” he said in a most sarcastic voice. “Everybody knows about the hidden treasure in the Langborn caves. It’s said the key to the map is hidden in an heirloom passed down from generation to generation amongst the ladies of the family. When ye marry, ye pass it on to the next. So I mean to ’ave it afore ye pass it on.”

  Charlotte could not think of what he was referring to. The only thing she had been given was an old hairbrush from her grandmother. She shook her head. “I am sorry, I do not have what you seek.”

  He growled with frustration and lunged at her. In the same instant, she heard someone yell her name. She jumped back and barely escaped his grasp.

  “Charlotte! Charlotte! Open the door!” The anguished demand was followed by a hand rattling the latch and a fist pounding at the door.

  She looked from the door to Dunn, uncertain how to handle this occurrence and keep herself from being eviscerated.

  “I do not have what you seek. Leave by the window. You have my jewels. I will tell no one,” she said in a loud whisper. There was the sound of wood splintering as heavy crashes began to shake the door.

  “I am afraid it is too late for that,” David announced, bursting into the room as the door fell from its hinges.

  Dunn’s demeanour changed, his eyes taking on a look of possession, and he growled at David, who rushed past her to corner the other man. They were going to exchange blows, she could sense it, but David did not have a weapon.

  Charlotte knew what he was doing—trying to deflect his attention from her, but she could not allow him to sacrifice himself. She gripped the knife hidden under the folds of her skirt and stepped in between the two men. With a ferocious bellow, Dunn lunged forward and grabbed her.

  ***

  Dunn seized Charlotte’s wrist and wrenched her around in front of him. Within a heartbeat, a blade was at her throat and David prayed he could do what he needed to do without hurting her. She looked up to meet his gaze; her sweet face was filled with desperation.

  David’s heart pounded inside his chest. How could she sacrifice herself? Dunn would slice her with the knife he held at her neck before she could blink. He wanted to scream at the wrongness of it, but it was too late.

  “Let her go, Dunn. It is me you want.”

  “Ye know what I want.”

  “I do not have what you seek, and you have enough jewels there to set you up in a new place for a goodly while,” she said calmly, though her voice shook.

  “No, my lady. I am afraid I cannot do that. There is nothing left for me without the key. I need to be set up for the rest of my life, not a while. Where do you think I can start again, looking like this?”

  “I will give you a place to make a new start. Just let her go,” David commanded with as much authority as he could.

  “’Ow could I trust ye?” He shook his head. “I can’t. Now step back out of the room and leave or the lady dies.” He shoved her forward, the blade pricking through her skin.

  David saw nothing save red fury. Dunn would pay for harming Charlotte.

  He looked at her and her eyes lowered to her trembling hand, nestled against her skirts. She was holding a knife! He did not know if she could wield it hard enough to do any damage, but he knew she was going to try something. She stared straight at him, her intention clear; she knew she could not let Dunn take her. Blood began to run down her neck. Dunn was gripping her with such force she was struggling to breathe. Heedless, the scoundrel began to drag her towards the balcony door. David knew at once, if Dunn was allowed to leave with her, then his own chances of saving his wife were nil.

  Courageous girl, she was dragging her feet, resisting as much as possible. Somehow—it could only be by God’s good grace—she yet avoided her slender neck being sliced further. Have a care, my love!

  “Move, now!” Dunn demanded.

  David took a small step sideways as Dunn released one hand to lift the latch on the balcony door. Charlotte took her chance. She thrust her dagger into his leg with a wild screech. As Dunn yelped in pain, David took his opportunity and attacked.

  He leaped forward, pushing Dunn away from Charlotte and wrestling him to the ground. The blade spun away across the floor, out of reach.

  “Go for help, Charlotte!” he commanded as he dodged a blow.

  He saw her tugging frantically at the bell-pull before she ran to the bed, searching feverishly for something. It was difficult to watch her while struggling with Dunn. She removed the cord holding back the hangings and hurried to his side.

  “No, Charlotte!”

  Ignoring him, she tried to grab Dunn’s feet as they fought. Dunn was fighting like a man who knew it was his last stand. She grabbed one of his legs and held on as he kicked. That gave David the advantage and he managed to land Dunn a facer, rendering him still. The dagger was still sticking out of his leg, the wound inflicted bleeding over the carpet at an alarming rate. David knew he could not live long with so much blood loss. He took the cord and tied Dunn’s hands.

  David’s chest flailed up and down, his breathing hard as he rose to his feet. Charlotte ran into his arms. Although he needed to go for help, he could not let her go.

  “Hush, it is over now. He cannot hurt you any more,” he said as he held her and reassured her. Taking the cloth from the wash-basin, he pressed it over her neck. He then kissed the top of her head and removed his neckcloth before removing the knife and tying it around Dunn’s leg. “I do not know if it will stop the blood flow, or whether it is for the best to try and save his life. It is doubtless futile, either way.” He put pressure on the leg, regardless of his words.

  “It is in God’s hands now,” she agreed, fetching a basin of water in order to help.

  A footman came rushing in at that moment. Pausing in the doorway, he paled at the sight before him.

  “Send for a doctor and ask for the gentlemen to come quickly.”

  “Yes, sir!” The young man hurried away.

  It was not long before a crowd of gentlemen and servants were upon them.

  “What has happened?” Yardley demanded as he took in the situation. He let out an oath when his gaze went from Dunn to Charlotte. “You are bleeding!”

  “Only a scratch,” she replied, though David could feel her trembling.

&nbs
p; Yardley bent down to assess Dunn. “He will not be with us long at the rate he is bleeding. The doctor should be here shortly.”

  “I will stay with him,” Lord Harris offered. “Take Charlotte away from this.”

  “An excellent thought. Come with me and we will soon settle your nerves, my lady.”

  David scooped her up into his arms before she could protest. There was no better sensation than the relief that this was over. He placed her on a sofa in one of the family parlours, and the women at once descended, like a bees in a hive, to fuss over her.

  “Here, Lottie, this will settle your nerves.” Yardley handed her a glass of brandy and she looked at David and smiled, clearly remembering the last time she had used spirits to calm herself. “Only one small sip,” she said demurely.

  “At least we are married now,” he whispered in her ear, deliberately infusing his tone with a hint of things to come.

  “Thank God,” she replied, looking up at him with the most glorious smile ever bestowed upon him.

  Although everyone was talking and fussing around them, they largely ignored those present. For the moment, no one else existed but the two of them. Hopefully, David thought, their relations would take the hint and leave them alone.

  He knew explanations would be necessary before he could have Charlotte to himself, but he intended to savour every precious moment he had with her. Tonight had been a close-run thing—too close by half. He tightened his hold on her and kissed the top of her head. He liked kissing her hair; it was so soft and sweet-smelling.

  Harris came into the parlour. “Dunn has died.”

  “Good riddance,” David muttered.

  “Did he say what he was looking for?” Jolie asked Charlotte.

  “Yes, but he seemed to be labouring under a delusion. He was looking for an heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation. He said it holds a hidden key to a treasure map. I could not convince him he was mistaken. The only thing I have is Grandmother Yardley’s hairbrush.”

  “Oh, my dear,” her mother said. “The brush.” She sent one of the servants to fetch it.

  When the maid returned with the brush, her mother slid away the back, revealing a hidden compartment…which was empty.

  “How disappointing,” Charlotte remarked.

  “There has long been an old wives’ tale of treasure hidden in the Langborn caves—all just a myth, of course. No doubt it began as a bedtime story, concocted for a mischievous Yardley ancestor. I had quite forgotten about the brush. It was never mine, for it came to you from your grandmother Yardley.”

  “If she told me about the compartment I have forgotten,” Charlotte said, squinting as though she were trying to remember. I was very young when it came into my possession. It is time to pass it on to your eldest daughter, Benedict. There will be lots more stories to pass on with it now,” she added dryly.

  Everyone in the room chuckled, the laughter a welcome reprieve from the strain.

  “If you do not mind, I think I will take Charlotte to rest. If we are needed to speak to the magistrate, you know where to find us, but it is our wedding day, after all.” He winked at her, wickedly enjoying her fiery blush of response.

  “That will not be necessary. I will take care of everything,” Vittor said.

  “Thank you,” David replied, and without further ado, he carried his wife away to help her forget the evils of the world.

  Epilogue

  Life is sweeter than I could ever have dreamed it would be. It is not easy, but victory is more rewarding having had to work for it. I might have regained a pound or two, but David seems to like me with a fuller figure. I have three beautiful children to show for it and I have finally learned to embrace myself—just as I am.—15 May 1835

  Look, Papa! Do you like it?” Young Nigel held up the evidence of his handiwork to show David.

  It was a simple fish but the boy was showing promise of having inherited his father’s talents.

  “I think yours looks better than mine,” David said as he held up his own carving to compare with his son’s.

  “Land ahoy!” the bosun shouted and they all hurried to starboard to see what they had waited weeks for. Charlotte held young baby Kate on one hip, while Thomas held onto her other as he tried to climb the railing to see what everyone else could see. The island in the distance bore small mountains lush with green vegetation. The ship skirted rocky cliffs in some places and white sandy beaches in others.

  “I thought we would never see land again,” Charlotte laughed with relief.

  “The trip will be worth it, I promise.”

  When they finally docked, they were greeted by crystal clear turquoise waters and thick, warm air, the occasional scent of unusual spices roasting on meat wafting through the breeze. They followed David as he walked up the incline to his property. With his arms spread wide, he spun about laughing. “Here we are! This is Sugar Grove Plantation!”

  Charlotte paused to allow the warm breeze to blow in her face and inhale the fresh scents of pine trees and other unfamiliar fragrances. When she opened her eyes, she looked around to memorize every feature of this incredible place. David was pointing some unusual trees out to Nigel and Thomas.

  “These are palm trees. Do you see the round brown balls at the top?” David pointed a finger to where three balls hung between the leaves.

  “I see them, Papa!” The little boys jumped up and down, exclaiming in glee.

  “Those are coconuts. Later I will cut one open for you and you can drink the milk from it.”

  “I thought milk came from cows and goats, Papa?” Thomas frowned adorably. Charlotte wanted to kiss the wrinkles away but they were gone before she could bend over.

  “Milk comes from many different places, son,” David explained. “This milk tastes a little different, a little sweeter—but that is a treat for later. Fruit grows everywhere in Barbados. First, we must greet some old friends.”

  Charlotte followed David’s smile to where a group of people were coming briskly towards them.

  “Massa David? Is that you?”

  David let go of Nigel’s hand and throwing his arms around an older woman, picked her up.

  She laughed, revealing a toothless grin.

  “You’re still shameless, I see. Now put me down and introduce me to your family. I ’spect they are better behaved than you.”

  David laughed, a deep hearty sound. Charlotte was more in love with him than ever. It was still hard to believe he had chosen her. She could not help but beam as David introduced her and their three young children to his workers, who maintained the plantation. A large native family lived there and worked the land.

  “Charlotte, this is Seyla. She kept me in order all those years.”

  “I have no doubt that was quite a task.” Charlotte smiled.

  “It was my pleasure. Let us go inside,” Seyla said. “I can’ wait to show you the new house.”

  “It looks perfect,” Charlotte remarked as she gazed up at the white, three-storeyed stuccoed home with a red-tiled roof and sea-green shutters. An ornamental balustrade led up the front steps and surrounded the portico. Palm trees guarded the house and welcomed them with their swaying branches.

  “Who would like to have tamarind balls and fresh tea biscuits?” Seyla asked. Two small boys were quickly jumping up and down with excitement.

  “I want tea biscuits, please. I do not know what tama balls are,” Nigel explained.

  “You will know in a moment.”

  Nurse took the children to the nursery, along with some of the women, to be with some of the plantation children. After being on a ship without other children for so many weeks, Nigel and Thomas were delighted to have friends to play with.

  David led her to their suite of rooms and out through the doors on to the balcony.

  “I could become accustomed to this. It is every bit as beautiful as I had imagined. Why did you wait so long to bring me here?”

  David looked down at her, amusemen
t evident in his gaze.

  “We have been a mite busy, between establishing the stud and your bearing three children, my love.”

  She sighed, allowing a contented smile to spread across her face. “Yes. Dido and Gulliver gave us a wonderful start. Their Apollo and Artemis, along with Minerva and Hector’s Astyanax, have given our farm as much work as our home.”

  “Our horses cannot have more fun than we do,” he said with a teasing nudge.

  Ignoring his flirtations, she continued, “It also allowed time for a house to be built on the property again.”

  “True, though it is not as grand as the last one, but since it is not our primary residence, it will do.”

  “It is perfect. I think we could stay here a while.”

  He laughed. “Come now, it is not so horrible at Crossings.”

  “No, I have been quite content there. However, we are here now and I do not want to set foot on a ship for a good, long time.”

  “Then I shall have to be content here, I suppose,” he said in husky tones, wrapping his arms around her from behind and nuzzling her neck.

  “Mm,” she agreed, somewhat mindlessly. Her wits were struggling to concentrate on his words. He turned her in his arms, his lips devouring hers, and she decided concentrating was overrated.

  Afterword

  Author’s note: British spellings and grammar have been used in an effort to reflect what would have been done in the time period in which the novels are set. While I realize all words may not be exact, I hope you can appreciate the differences and effort made to be historically accurate while attempting to retain readability for the modern audience.

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  Thank you for reading Moon and Stars. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please help other readers find this book:

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