Enchantress (28 page)

It flashed through her mind that she would never see Thorn again, and with that thought came a heavy feeling of
loss. She had lived with danger for so long now that she found she had little dread of death, only a strong sense of sadness that her passing would cause grief for those she loved.

All the struggle went out of her, and she went limp. With her acceptance of death came a feeling of passiveness, as if she were floating on a lethargic sea of well-being.

Deavers watched Brittany go under with a smile on his face. Hearing a rider in the distance, he quickly mounted his horse. His laughter ran out as he took to the woods. It was raining so hard that his tracks would be washed away, leaving no evidence of his part in the woman’s death.

Already Deavers was counting on his reward for a task completed.

Cappy’s horse thundered through the rain. He had been on his way to Stoddard Hill when he saw Brittany and a stranger riding in the opposite direction. He would have been able to stop Brittany if he had not stopped alongside the road to scrape mud from his horse’s hooves. Because of the heavy rain, they had not seen him, and when he had called to Brittany, his voice had been drowned out by the storm.

Cappy let his horse run full out in hopes of catching her. Thorn had asked him to keep an eye on his wife, and Cappy intended to do just that.

Suddenly, just ahead, he saw Brittany’s riderless horse. Looking around, he saw no sign of Brittany or the man who had accompanied her. Dismounting, he noticed where the cliff had broken off, and he knew immediately that Brittany had fallen over the side.

Without pausing to consider the consequences, Cappy dove into the water below. He did not consider that he might drown, because if he allowed anything to happen to Brittany, the captain would probably murder him anyway, so his only concern was for her safety.

When the mud-colored water closed in around Cappy, he felt a consuming blackness and fought to reach the surface.
At last he came up for air. Dragging air into his lungs, he frantically searched for Brittany.

At last he saw her surface just ahead of him. He could tell she was unconscious because she was facedown in the water. He swam toward her with powerful strokes, only to see her sink into the murky depths before he could reach her.

Diving under the water, Cappy searched for her without success. In desperation, he dove lower, the muddy water shrouding his vision. He held his breath until he thought his lungs would burst from want of air. Lower he dove, feeling around for Brittany.

Just when he thought he could not hold his breath for a moment longer, he found her! Pulling her into his arms, he kicked his feet and floated upward.

At last Cappy broke through the surface and filled his lungs with precious air. The current had swept them a long way downstream, and he could not see his horse.

With his last bit of strength, he swam toward the bank where he stumbled ashore, the unconscious Brittany in his arms.

He put her limp body down and stared at her in disbelief. His heart was heavy with dread. How still she was. He raised her hand and it was limp. Deep despair settled on his shoulders as he realized she might be dead. Sadness tore at his heart, because the captain loved this woman.

Cappy quickly dropped down beside Brittany and turned her onto her stomach. He then began pressing against the small of her back with heavy pressure. This process was repeated several times, and when she did not respond, he pressed harder.

At last relief washed over him when he felt her move ever so slightly.

A shout went up, and he raised her up and held her while she expelled the river water. He then cradled her in his arms while she caught her first cleansing breath.

Brittany was breathing easy, and yet her eyes were still
closed. Cappy realized that she was just too exhausted to open them.

Seeing a road in the distance, he gently lifted her in his arms and carried her in that direction. Surely someone would come along to give them a ride back to Stoddard Hill so he could get her out of this rain.

Cappy wasn’t certain what had happened to Brittany or how she had ended up in the river. It was apparent that her companion had either drowned or had left without rendering aid to her.

With Brittany in his arms, Cappy sat down beside the road and waited, feeling grateful that the rain had stopped.

At last he felt Brittany stir, and her eyes fluttered open. He knew she was going to recover.

Brittany smiled weakly at Cappy. He had pulled her back from the jaws of death. “You saved my life,” she whispered.

“I had to,” he replied. “If anything had happened to you, the captain would have blamed me.” He glanced down the road thinking he heard a wagon in the distance. “Can you tell me what happened?”

She turned troubled eyes to the river. She could not accuse Mr. Deavers of trying to kill her without knowing for certain. It could have been that he was trying to save her. “I do not know, Cappy. I suppose I fell.”

He nodded. “Don’t fret. I’ll have you back home in no time.”

When Cappy carried Brittany into the house, Wilhelmina appeared shocked by what had occurred. She insisted that Brittany be put to bed at once and bestowed constant attention on her, remaining with her and seeing to Brittany’s slightest need.

Brittany thought she would despair from all the attention.

“Didn’t Mr. Deavers attempt to save you when you fell into the river?” Wilhelmina asked, her eyes searching.

“I cannot say for certain, since I was unconscious soon after I hit the water. It could be that he tried to help me and was drowned himself. I hope not, but I just do not know.”

“Sadly, I fear that might be the case,” Wilhelmina said, glad to pass off Brittany’s assumption as the truth. “Mr. Deavers has not contacted the doctor, so he probably drowned. Poor man, such a tragic end.”

“I still wish to find Achmed. Will the doctor know where I can find him?”

“Alas, no. Mr. Deavers never told Dr. Cross where he had located Achmed. We shall just have to keep looking.”

Brittany turned her face to the wall. “I will never give up searching for him.”

Brittany had been in bed for three days, but now she was feeling well and was not content to remain there any longer. She dressed, and slipped out of her room, fearing Wilhelmina would be lurking about and try to be solicitous.

Thorn had been away for so long, and there had been
no word from him. Brittany stood on the front porch and searched for some sign of him. She was not quite so lonely because Cappy was her almost constant companion, and she had come to rely on him for company.

Sometimes when Cappy was occupied elsewhere on the plantation, Brittany would wander down to the slave cabins to visit with Esmeralda.

One thing she was thankful about was now that she was out of bed, Wilhelmina no longer troubled her.

Indeed, it seemed that Thorn’s stepmother was most always away from Stoddard Hill, and everyone was more content with her gone.

Each day, Brittany would pass by the bedroom of Thorn’s gravely ill father. She often had an urge to go in and see him—but of course she did not.

It was a bright day with the sun high in the sky. As Brittany entered the small sun room, she sat down and gazed at the view of the river. She preferred this bright, cheerful room, with its yellow and green decorations, to the other rooms in the house. She had been told that Thorn’s mother had decorated this room, and Thorn’s father would allow no changes. Brittany was aware that she could always come here to avoid Wilhelmina, who avoided the sun room.

Today, she was feeling alone and abandoned. Brittany was a wife, but her husband was not with her. She was lonesome for her mother, and wished for her wise counsel.

Hearing heavy footsteps in the hall, she glanced at the door, hoping Thorn had returned. When Cappy stuck his head around the corner, she rushed to him.

Since he had saved her life, they had formed a special bond. “I am so glad you came, Cappy, I had just about given up on you today. Would you like a cup of tea?”

His eyes were troubled. “No, not just now.”

She sat down on the yellow sofa and indicated that he should sit beside her. “Is something wrong, Cappy? Have you news for me?”

“Of a sort. I hate to be the bearer of ill tidings, but it looks like more trouble’s coming.”

She held her breath. “Of what nature? Thorn is all right, isn’t he?”

“He’s fine, as far as I know. This concerns the
Victorious.
I have heard through a reliable source that the Turks are planning to have her impounded as recompense for the ships they lost.”

“Can they do that?”

Cappy took a deep breath. “Anything’s possible. Unless we can find a buyer, and he could have the ship at sea before the Turks get their hands on her, the captain may lose her.”

“Have you a buyer?”

“No. And, with the captain away, I fear he won’t be back in time to save the
Victorious.
”

“If the Turks can take the ship, can they also take Thorn’s other properties?” she wanted to know.

“They might. Of course, I suspect Stoddard Hill still belongs to the captain’s pa, so they can’t touch that.”

“Could they take Stonehouse?”

“Yes, ma’am, they might. Let us hope they will not find out about that property.”

Brittany tapped her foot while her mind whirled. At last she looked at the first mate, her eyes shining. “Cappy, I believe I have a solution to our dilemma. Will you go along with me on this?”

His eyes held an earnest light. “I would do anything you asked of me, Mrs. Stoddard. You are my captain’s lady.”

“Can you authorize the sale of the
Victorious
?”

“I can’t, but the captain gave his solicitor the power to sell in his absence—just on the chance that someone wanted to buy the ship before he returned.”

“What about Stonehouse? Does the solicitor have the power to sell that?”

He looked puzzled. “I don’t believe so. The captain would not consent to sell his mother’s home. But I don’t see what you—”

“Wait here, Cappy. I’ll only be a moment.” She nodded to the side table. “Make yourself a drink if you like, I shan’t be long.”

Cappy watched her disappear through the door, wondering what was on her mind. It wasn’t likely that she had the funds to help the captain. He poured a fair amount of whiskey into a glass, and downed it in one gulp. He hated to see Captain Stoddard lose everything, but the situation looked grim.

A short time later, Brittany rejoined him, carrying a small chest, which she held out to Cappy. “You will take these and do whatever you must to buy the
Victorious.
”

He was shocked into silence when she raised the lid to reveal the magnificent jewels, silver, and gold within the velvet-lined box.

She unclasped the large emerald from her neck and dropped it in the chest.

“Do you think this will be enough to buy the
Victorious
, Cappy?”

“I am certain that when the value of the jewels are assessed, there will be more than enough,” he replied, bewildered and awed by her sacrifice. Most women would not give up their jewels so willingly. “Are you quite certain you want to do this, Mrs. Stoddard?”

“Yes. Go at once to Thorn’s solicitor and tell him what I want to do. I am certain he will find a way to save Thorn’s property from Sultan Selim.”

“I don’t think a wife can legally buy property from her husband.”

Brittany’s brow creased in thoughtfulness. “I had not thought of that.” Her face slowly brightened. “We will not use my name, but my mother’s maiden name. No one, not even Thorn, knows my mother’s family name.” Now her eyes were bright with excitement. “Yes, you will have the solicitor use the name Lady Jillianna Maridon.”

Cappy chuckled. “So that is the name of the English Rose? Many people would give much to know that.”

“You know of my mother?” she asked in surprise.

“I know nothing about her personally, but I have heard of her, as has everyone who ever sailed the Turkish waters. She is something of a legend.”

“My mother is wonderful, and very beautiful, but I do not think of her as a legend.”

Cappy thought the daughter also had legendary beauty, but he did not say so. “I should leave immediately, Mrs. Stoddard, if I am to reach the solicitor before he goes home for the day.” He frowned, not wanting to leave her alone since the accident—if it had been an accident. “You stay close to the house, and don’t go riding off with strangers.”

“I won’t,” she readily agreed. “Next time you might not be there to rescue me.”

“If anyone ever tried to harm you, I would damned sure…” He lowered his eyes and looked shamefaced. “Begging your pardon, ma’am—what I mean to say was I will try never to fail you.”

She offered him her hand and he squeezed it lightly.

“I know you won’t, Cappy. But promise me that no one, not even Thorn, will know that I am the one who purchases the
Victorious.
In any event, do not tell the solicitor, since he may feel compelled to tell Thorn.”

Cappy did not like the thought of going behind Captain Stoddard’s back. “But why not tell the captain, Mrs. Stoddard? Surely he would approve of your actions.”

She smiled. “You know him better than anyone, Cappy. You know that Thorn is a proud man. It is my belief that he would lose everything before he would allow me to help him.”

Cappy was reflective for a moment. “I suppose you are right.”

“Then you will keep my secret?”

He grinned broadly, thinking the captain was a most fortunate man. “To the death, madame—to the death.”

“Hurry along, Cappy,” she said, feeling the urgency. “It is a long ride into town, and we want this to be done as quickly as possible.”

Cappy took the chest and moved to the door. “I will do as you say,” he told her as he left the room and headed toward the stables.

Brittany moved down the hallway and into the front parlor, where she went to the window and watched Cappy mount his horse. When he glanced in her direction, she waved to him and watched until he rode out of sight.

He was on his way to save the
Victorious.

As Brittany moved toward the slave quarters, the cobblestone steps glistened from the rain that had fallen earlier in the day. The shadows were lengthening into evening, and the garden was filled with the vibrant throbbing song of the whippoorwill.

Since she had become a frequent visitor at old Esmeralda’s cabin, the other slaves no longer stared at her when she came among them.

Esmeralda was rocking in a hard-back chair, and her dark eyes lit up with pleasure when she saw Brittany. “Pull yourself up that cane-bottom chair and sit a spell,” she said, pointing a knobby finger at Brittany.

Brittany sat down wearily. “The rain cooled things down,” she observed.

“That it did.” Esmeralda leaned back and studied the swaying branches over her head. “I heard ’bout your dunking in the river the other day. It don’t seem you are any the worse for it.”

“How did you hear about it?”

“I have my ways.” She looked into Brittany’s eyes. “You’ll want to be more careful, you know.”

Brittany did not want to remember that awful day; it was still not clear in her mind what had happened. “Have you finished weaving your baskets for the day?”

The wise, dark eyes saw past the polite chatter. “You have more on your mind than baskets and the weather. You want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“No, not until I sort past my confusion. Instead, will you tell me about Thorn? What was he like as a boy?”

The old woman’s eyes became reflective. “He was always a bright boy. Since his ma died when he wasn’t much more than a babe, he was always at his pa’s heels. The two of them was close…until that woman came.”

“You do not like Wilhelmina, do you?”

“Did I say so?”

“No, but—”

“Then don’t put words in my mouth.”

To Brittany’s surprise, Esmeralda pulled a corncob pipe out of her pocket and popped it into her mouth. Since it was unlit, she merely chewed on the stem.

“Master Thorn was always a good-looking devil. You can bet the girls hung around Stoddard Hill just wishing for a look from him. He was always one who loved the ladies.” Esmeralda chuckled. “My, my, but the ladies loved him.” Suddenly her eyes dulled, and she poked the pipe back in her pocket. “Young ladies weren’t the only ones who cast their eyes Master Thorn’s way. There was those who were bound to make trouble for him—and they did.”

“Esmeralda, when I first arrived at Stoddard Hill, Wilhelmina hinted at something between herself and Thorn. I did not believe her.”

A mask seemed to descend on the wrinkled face. “I don’t fuel gossip by adding to it. If you want to know ’bout that, you best ask your husband.”

Brittany shook her head, knowing Esmeralda would say no more. She shrugged her slight shoulders. “Everything is so confusing. I live in a world that I cannot comprehend. I have learned that there is dishonor and deceit in this world. I am beginning to think my mother did not prepare me for life. She was trusting, and she instilled that trust in me. I have since learned to be suspicious.”

“Maybe your ma hoped you wouldn’t have to know that good don’t always win, and evil can sometimes be stronger.”

Brittany’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that your husband is a good man, but there are forces around him that will try to pull him down. You’re the only one who can help him.”

Brittany’s heart skipped a beat. “What forces?”

“I think you already know.”

“There are those who have sailed halfway across the world to see Thorn fall. I wonder if I alone can hold them all at bay?”

Esmeralda settled back against the chair and rocked furiously. “If I was you, I’d worry more about them that was closer to home that mean him harm. And while you’re about it, you might want to be careful yourself.”

“I sometimes don’t know friend from foe, Esmeralda.”

The old woman’s eyes narrowed. “Trust no one in the house except Matty and her daughter, Livia. And, of course, Master Thorn’s man Cappy.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Esmeralda looked about to make certain no one was near. She then leaned closer to Brittany. “I will say no more. Just heed my warning. Don’t let anyone lure you away from here with any pretense.”

Thorn was seated across the table from the two men empowered by the Senate to question him. The interrogation had been going on for hours, and Thorn felt his patience slipping.

One man, a Mr. Balsome, looked at his companion, Mr. Whitting, with a grave expression. It was apparent to Thorn that neither of them believed him.

“Let’s go over this again, Captain Stoddard,” Mr. Balsome said wearily. “You said you were attacked by four Turkish warships and only returned their fire to protect yourself?”

“That is correct.”

“Are you asking us to believe that your ship took on four Turkish ships and you came out the winner?”

“Yes, sir. That is exactly what happened.”

Thorn could read disbelief in each man’s eyes. “Are you also asking us to believe that you had a woman on board your ship and you were not aware of it?”