by Vikki Vaught
Alex groaned and grabbed the doorjamb. His knees shook to such a degree he almost fell. “Who…who did this? What of the babe?”
The doctor sighed and shook his head. “We don’t know. Alfred and Lucy found her out at Harrison’s pond late yesterday afternoon, lying in a pool of blood. They brought her here, and I removed the bullet. While the villain definitely raped her, when I examined her, I found minimal signs of trauma. Lucy told me she’s with child, but there’s no bleeding so far, so she hasn’t lost the baby yet. Of course, if she doesn’t wake up soon, she probably will.”
It felt as if a fist ripped his chest apart and tore out his heart. Anissa had to be all right. Part of him would die, if she did not pull through. Staggering to the bed, he fell to his knees and picked up her small, delicate hand, then brought it to his lips.
“Anissa, my love. Please wake up.” Leaning his head on the bed, he cradled her hand as a single tear rolled down his cheek. “Darlin’, don’t leave me. I can’t live without you.” He clutched her hand tightly, willing her to open her beautiful eyes. Her fingers moved in his hand, and he heard her moan. Looking up, he watched her eyes flutter, and then open slowly.
He leaned in to hear as she whispered, her voice husky and rasping, so unlike her usual melodic tone, “W-where’s my son? You…you have to find him. His…his uncle took him.” Anissa attempted to sit, then crying out, slumped back against the pillows and closed her eyes.
“Doctor, help me here. Do something. Anything!”
Doc Murphy came over, picked up Anissa’s hand and felt for a pulse. “Her pulse is stronger. She’s passed out from the pain.” He felt her forehead and added, “Only a slight fever, that’s encouraging. Captain, it’s best if she continues to sleep. The bullet missed her vital organs, but I had to dig deep to get it. As I said before, it’s in the good Lord’s hands now.”
Rage tore through him. He would find the bastard who did this if it was the last thing he did. While he did not want to leave Anissa’s side, he had to get a search started to find Harry. God only knows what had happened to him. He could be dead by now. He arose, determined and resolved. He would not let this break him. His wife counted on him to find her son. He turned to the doctor. “Can I have some parchment? I need to send word to my crew.”
“Of course.” Doc Murphy returned with the parchment and a quill right away. Alex wrote two letters. One was to Maynard telling him what had happened and that he needed him to organize a search for Harry. The other was to his mother, letting her know about Anissa and his stepson’s disappearance. He asked her to come right away.
Once he sent Alfred off with the letters, and he told the doctor he was leaving, but would return shortly, Alex hurried back to the house and found Blazer munching hay, but still saddled. “Old boy, I know you’re tired, but I need to go to the pond.” His faithful companion nuzzled his neck, as if he understood what he had said.
He swung into the saddle and headed toward the place where the horrendous deed had occurred, not that he expected to find anything. But he had to do something.
When he reached the pond, he dismounted and checked the ground. Close to the trees, he found a spot of trampled grass with hoofmarks dug into the earth, and a trail that led in the direction of the coast. It was as he had expected, the bastards were long gone from the area.
When he looked at the pond where they had shared so many joy-filled moments, his heart ached with a pain beyond endurance. He fell to his knees and deep, hoarse cries tore free. The images of the evil happenings that had taken place in this tranquil spot, would forever damage this beautiful place. After a few minutes, he pulled himself together and stood, mounted his horse, and headed back to his wife’s side.
When Alex returned to the physician’s house, he found Mrs. A sitting with Anissa. Lucy told him how she found her. He thanked her, and suggested she go home and get some sleep. He might need her later. Then he resumed his vigil beside his wife’s bed.
Late in the afternoon, Anissa awoke. As soon as she opened her eyes, she asked, “M-my son…w-what have you done…to…to find him?” Her voice came out husky, and he held a cup of water to her mouth and she drank, then asked again, “What of m-my son?” Before Alex could speak, she slumped back against the pillows and passed out again.
She woke up several times through the night, calling Harry’s name over and over again. Each time, he told her he had searched the area and sent a message to his crew. She settled a bit after he reassured her that she could count on his men to find Harry and bring him back. Then she would fall back to sleep, unable to remain awake.
The next morning when she awoke, she appeared more lucid. Doc Murphy examined her. “Miz Hawks, I think you will make a full recovery. You’re a very fortunate person. If the bullet had been to the left instead of the right, you would have been killed instantly.”
“W-what about my b-babe? D-did I lose it?” she asked.
“You’ve not lost it yet. Since you’re conscious and can eat, I expect you to keep it. You aren’t very far along, which is a godsend. The best thing you can do is remain calm and let your body heal.”
“Thank you, Doctor…for everything. I think I’m tired now…” and without finishing her sentence, she fell back to sleep.
That afternoon, Doc Murphy gave his approval for her to go home. Alfred brought the wagon, and Alex gently laid her in the back bed and sat beside her as they made the short trip to the house. Once he had Anissa settled in her own bed, she went back to sleep.
Going down to the kitchen, Alex entered and hugged Lucy. “I want to thank you again for finding my wife. Your quick thinking saved her life. Doc Murphy told me she would have bled to death if you hadn’t gotten her to him so quickly. How did you find her so fast?”
“I happened to notice the time,” Lucy explained, “and it weren’t like Miz Hawks t’ stay out much past three. Somethin’ jus’ told me she was in trouble. I had Alfred get th’ wagon, and we went straight t’ th’ pond. Th’ poor thing was jus’ lying there. Her dress torn and all, I knew what had happened. And then so much blood, well, it put a fear in me like I’d never felt afore.”
“That’s strange, because Wednesday afternoon I sensed something wasn’t right as well. I kept worrying over her. When I awoke at three in the mornin’, I felt compelled to come to her right away. Looking back on it now, I must have had a premonition. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. I thank God I had it and got here so quickly.”
“I thank God ya did, too. Why don’t ya sit yorself right down. I’ll get ya somethin’ t’ eat. Ya gota be hungry.” The little woman pulled out a covered dish from the oven and dished some stew for him.
The following day, Georgia arrived by two in the afternoon and took over the sick room. It killed him to leave his wife’s side, but he needed to leave so he could find Harry.
When he went upstairs to tell Anissa he was leaving, he found her in the throes of a nightmare, fighting her bed sheets. Afraid she would pull her stitches, he crawled in bed with her and held her until she calmed down.
Sobbing, Anissa buried her face against his chest. He rocked her as she clung to him for dear life. “Shhh, it’s fine, I’m here with you. No one will ever harm you again. You’re safe.”
“N-nothing will ever be fine again,” she wailed. “T-that man…he…he raped me, and I didn’t even t-try to stop him. I was afraid that if I fought him, it could hurt t-the babe. Oh, Alex, I…I feel so dirty, as if I shall never be clean again. I can still smell him on my skin. Y-you will never want t-to touch me, after what he did.”
He stroked her bright shining hair, as he continued to console her. “Nothing could be further from the truth, sweetheart.”
“But, how can you say that?”
As he rubbed her back, his heart ached for the torment she felt. “What that man did to you wasn’t your fault. I’m glad you didn’t try to fight him. You did exactly what you needed to do to protect our babe. Not many women would have been able to
think as clearly as you did. I’m proud of you.”
She sniffled. “A-after he…he finished, he said horrid, ugly things to me, and then he pointed a gun at me—th-that’s the last thing I remember, until I w-woke up with y-you kneeling beside me.”
Lifting her chin, he tenderly kissed her. “Anissa…I love you. I’ve loved you ever since you looked at me in that tavern with those big blue eyes of yours. Deep inside, I knew I was a goner, even then. It just took me a while to recognize it.”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Oh, Alex, I love you too. So much. I knew I had fallen in love with you when you gave me my ring, but I kept dwelling on all our problems instead of my feelings. The same afternoon that man attacked me, I had some time to think while Harry napped. I made up my mind to tell you how I felt on your next visit.”
He brushed a tear from her cheek as his heart beat triple time. Anissa loved him. How had he gotten lucky enough to have this wonderful woman fall in love with him?
Anissa sighed as she stroked his chest. “I also realized you are the man I want my son to have as a role model. Oh, God! Harry—” At the mention of her son’s name, she burst into tears. “Alex, you have to go find Harry for me right now. It has already been too long!”
“Shhh, Darlin’,” Alex murmured, “I promise I’ll get Harry back unharmed if it’s the last thing I ever do. Ma has arrived, so I was coming to tell you I can leave right away. She’ll take care of you until I can return with your son.”
“I will be fine. Just leave and go find Harry.” She feebly tried to push him from the bed.
Alex released her and stood. “I’ll leave as soon as you’re asleep. Now, close your pretty eyes. I love you, darlin’.”
He held her delicate hand in his until her hand went limp, and she closed her eyes. Once he was sure Anissa was asleep, he quietly slipped from the room. God, it was tearing his heart out to leave her, but he had to find Harry. Too much time had already passed since the kidnapping.
Alex found his mother in the dining room. He entered, went around the table, and kissed her on the cheek. “Anissa’s asleep. She knows I’m leaving for Baltimore right away. It’s already been two days since Lord Howard took him. I need to find Harry now. Will you take care of Anissa for me?”
Georgia gave him a reassuring smile. “You know I will. Now that she’s recovering, finding her son will do more for her than anything you could do here. How’s she dealing with what happened to her?”
“Better than I expected,” he replied, “I told her none of it mattered. I still love her no matter what happened. I’m sure there will be moments when she relives the attack. She’s a strong woman, and I will be there to support her. Ma, keep her safe for me until I return.”
“Of course, I will. Now go find that little boy. Godspeed.”
“Thank you, Ma. I don’t know what I would do without you. Well, I’m going to get on the road. I’ll write every day to keep you informed regarding my search.”
With a sharp turn on his heel, and a vow in his heart to kill Lord Howard if need be, he marched out of the house.
* * * *
Lord Howard paced his dirty room in an inn on the outskirts of Baltimore. After sedating Harry, he tied him back up and gagged him. The little brat kept crying for his mother every time he woke up. He was not taking any chances that he would make a noise or a bid for freedom. He might be a six-year-old boy, but he had fought like a tiger. He had kept him heavily sedated for the trip back from Alexandria, but every time the boy had regained consciousness, he had tried to fling himself off the horse. Even though he wanted Harry dead, he needed to get him back to England so the solicitor and the ton would know he was safe.
Howard had his story all worked out. He would tell the solicitor Anissa had lost her mind from the grief. He would convince him she was a danger to her son because after all, what sane woman took a ship to these godforsaken colonies. Of course, he would not tell the solicitor she no longer lived. He would simply tell him he had overpowered her, rescued Harry, and taken the first ship back to England. Once everything settled down, he planned to make sure young Harry had a tragic accident, and, at last, he would be the marquess, as he so richly deserved.
Every time he thought of what his mother had done, he burned with rage. It was a good thing the old bitch had passed on, or he would kill her himself. His mother had been a slut. His eldest brother, Robert, had not been a Willingham. The whore had cuckolded his father, but he had been so much in love with her he had never even realized it. Thank God he had overheard her talking to her sister about her great, lost love, or he would have never known she had passed off her bastard as the heir.
Howard was the true heir, not his worthless brother’s line, and he meant to correct that mistake. He might not be able to take revenge against his brother since he had died years ago, but he could put things right by killing Harry.
Before Howard had come up with a plan to do away with his nephew, Kendall had cleared the way by dying. Then of course, he had been there to console his grieving widow and convince the family solicitor he should be Harry’s guardian. It had been much easier than he had expected. Anissa had been so distraught over Kendall’s death she had not even realized he had gained guardianship of the boy until it was too late for her to do anything to stop him.
If the bitch had not overheard him talking to Bernard, the little brat would already be dead and he would be the marquess. But no, she had to listen at the library door. At least he had caught her at it, but she had been smarter than he had given her credit for. Damn. He still had difficulty when he remembered how she had thwarted him before he’d had a chance to sample her delectable body. Oh, well, some things were not meant to be.
At least he had awakened in time to pursue her to Plymouth and find out her intended destination. Of course, she had escaped him then too, but not this time. Ultimately, he had won and the bitch was finally dead, or at least he hoped so, as long as Frank Justice did the deed.
Going over to the dresser, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and drank it down to steady his nerves. He had worn the carpet bare with his pacing as he waited for Justice to return and tell him she was dead. He wanted to make sure there was nothing to link him to Anissa’s death and no witnesses to her murder. He had it all planned. When Frank showed up for his money, he was in for a big surprise.
What the hell has delayed Justice?
Howard had already booked passage on the Endurance and it was due to set sail at dawn. He wanted to make sure Anissa was dead and Frank could tell no stories. He continued to pace and drink his whiskey, until finally he heard a knock on the door.
It’s about time the bastard showed up.
Going to the door, he called out, “Who’s there?” He heard Frank’s voice and opened the door. “Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here two days ago. Is the bitch dead or not?”
Justice gave him an evil grin and nodded. “Yeah, she’s dead. It all went as ya planned. I shot her straight through the heart at close range. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back right away. I stopped fer a few drinks and a bite t’ eat, and since it was after dark, I stayed th’ night. In th’ wee hours o’ th’ mornin’ I took sick an’ I’ve been laid up in bed fer th’ last two days, pukin’ me innards out. I finally felt well anuff t’ travel.”
Disgruntled, but relieved the bitch was at last dead, he grumbled, “You could have sent me word. I should dock you some of your pay. Let me get your money.”
Turning to the dresser, Howard opened it up, took out his money pouch and his silver bladed knife, and turned around to face Frank. He tossed the pouch to him, and while Frank opened it up, he slipped behind him.
Before the man could react, he slit his throat from ear to ear. Blood gushed out of the gaping wound, and Frank fell to the floor dead.
Howard went to the washbasin and cleaned off. Once he removed all trace of gore from the floor, he wrapped Justice up in the rug, then hauled him down the backstairs and du
mped him behind the hotel, then threw the bloody rug and his soiled clothes in the trash heap at the end of the alley.
When Howard returned to his room, he picked up his valise, took off Harry’s gag, and untied him. Since he had heavily sedated the boy earlier, Harry did not awaken. After he extinguished the lamp, he picked up the boy and slung him over his shoulder, then turned and left the room. He crept down the servant’s stairs and left by the back door without anyone seeing him, leaving the gruesome sight of Justice behind.
When he arrived at the Endurance, the ship’s purser greeted him. “My lord, we’ve been expecting you. Is the young lad all right?”
In his most arrogant manner, derision dripping in his voice, he replied, “Of course, he is fine. He is asleep. Now take me to my cabin. I trust my valet has already arrived and unpacked for me.”
“Of course, your lordship,” the man answered, “if you will follow me, I will show you below. We will be getting underway in a few hours.”
Once the purser left him in the cabin, he lay Harry down, then gleefully rubbed his hands together. At last, the bitch was out of the way for good, and once he got back to England and showed the brat to the solicitor, then the boy would have his tragic accident. All of the ton would come out to console him on the loss of his little nephew and at last, he would be the seventh Marquess of Overton.
Oh, yes, how sweet a victory that will be!
Chapter Twenty
When Alex made it back to Baltimore, he went straight to his office, hoping Maynard would still be there. Light shone through the window, so he tied Blazer up out front, rushed inside and found his clerk in his office.
Maynard looked up as he walked through the door. “Cap’n, I didn’t expect you so soon. Your wife must be doin’ better. I’m glad.”
Walking over to the sideboard, Alex poured himself a glass of water and drank it down in a couple of gulps. “Have you found any leads on my stepson?”