Keeper of My Dreams (St. John Series Book 4) (14 page)

“London?” Eli questioned, the concern apparent in his voice.

It felt like the ground had disappeared under her feet. London fell to the floor beside Madison.

“London!” Eli yelled as he knelt down beside her.

Her eyes were wide as saucers as she looked at him. “I remember everything,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Phillip is my father. My brother is Zachary. My mother was Madelyn. She died four years ago. Michael has been to my home more times than not,” she said as her head began spinning.

“Egad! You’re Reanna Hollingsworth?” Robert questioned as he crossed the room.

“Yes,” London whispered.

“What in the bloody hell are you doing in the Caribbean?” Nicholas asked.

“Before you start harassing her with questions, please assist the poor girl to the sofa,” Elizabeth intervened. Eli gently placed an arm around London’s waist and assisted her to the seat.

London sat straight up as the memories flooded her. “I came looking for my fiancé.” She turned to Robert. “He said he was coming here to find employment with you.”

“Who?” Robert questioned.

“David Snowdon. We have been engaged for three years—just after my mother died. He left to find employment in order to acquire enough money to purchase a home for us. I hadn’t heard from him for several months so I came here looking for him.”

“No one by that name is employed by us,” Robert told her. He then looked to Eli. “Correct?”

Eli’s countenance was bleak. “Correct,” he answered with bitterness. London’s confession from her memory returning hit him with a force greater than a hurricane. Eli felt as though the air had been ripped from his lungs. He knew better than to get emotionally involved with a woman again, and he had done just that. Look what good it did. He had fallen for a woman pledged to another. A woman who loved another.

“I need some air,” London said as she attempted to stand. Her legs wobbled and she fell backwards before she had fully stood.

“I don’t think that would be a wise decision,” Elizabeth said as she rushed to London’s side. “You have just had your life flood your mind in a matter of a few seconds. Your body needs to adjust to the shock.”

“I think she needs a drink,” Oliver said.

“Oliver,” Elizabeth scolded.

“What? Everyone else was thinking it. I just had the decency to say it,” he replied as he handed a glass of wine to London. “So what do we call you now, London or Reanna?”

“Do you mind, Oliver?” Madison lectured as she turned towards her brother.

“What?”

“Nicholas, would you and Max please find something to preoccupy my twit of a brother?”

“Hey,” Oliver protested.

Nicholas laughed. “He’s Max’s twit of a brother, too.”

“I ought to punch you in the mouth,” Max growled as he looked at Nicholas.

“No, don’t do that. Madison would never forgive you . . . you know, now that she is expecting again.”

“What?!” the St. John brothers all asked at once.

“Oh, my,” Elizabeth said. “Well, this is turning into an exciting evening. Gentlemen, proceed to the dining area and discuss whatever business you need to. We ladies will stay in here with Reanna until she adjusts to her memories. Besides, we all know how nauseous Madison gets while expecting. Cook prepared sea bass and I do not want my new dining room ruined by her sensitive disposition.”

“You’re all heart, Mother,” Madison replied.

The men adjourned to the dining room while the women stayed in the sitting room with Reanna. She began talking nonstop about what had transpired before coming to the Caribbean. Elizabeth, Madison, and Kristina just listened to her talk as her memories flooded her. She ended with, “I remember being on a ship and then an explosion. The next thing I remember is waking up in Eli’s home.”

“It is not unusual to not remember what transpired just before being rendered unconscious,” Kristina replied. “Several of the fishermen in my village had the same happen to them.”

“Did they ever remember?” Reanna asked.

“Some did, some did not.” Kristina gave a small shrug. “Guess it depends on how hard you hit your head. But do not worry, I’m sure your memory will fully return soon.”

A disheartened look came over Madison. “Does this mean you will be going back to England?”

The sadness was not missed on Reanna. “Yes, I suppose it does. Eli said just as soon as I remembered, he would personally take me home.”

Drawing her brow together, Kristina studied the tall brunette. “You don’t want to go back, do you?”

“What?” Elizabeth questioned. “Why would she not want to go home to her family and fiancé?”

“Eli,” Madison whispered as a doe-eyed expression crossed her face.

“I’m sure Father is worried sick about me. I slipped off without his knowledge,” Reanna said, refusing to acknowledge Madison’s accurate observation.

“Your father doesn’t know where you’re at?” Elizabeth questioned.

“Yes and no. I left during the middle of the night for I knew that he and Zach would stop me from coming. But I did pen him a note informing him that I was on the search of David.”

“Well, then,” Elizabeth said as she patted Reanna’s hand. “There is a cargo ship leaving in the morning for England. We will send him a correspondence on that vessel so he will know your whereabouts and that you are safe.”

“When will there be a passenger vessel heading to England?” Reanna asked.

“I’m not certain. You will have to ask Eli.”

“She can’t leave anytime soon,” Madison interjected. “I want to visit with my new friend before she departs. We had an outing planned for tomorrow.”

“I don’t think that would be a wise activity for her to do now, Madison,” Elizabeth protested.

“I concur,” Reanna said.

Madison didn’t agree. “Why don’t you come with us? It will give us more time to talk. It will help you ease your worries and stress.” The uneasiness in Reanna’s eyes was noticeable. “Please.”

“Very well. That would be lovely,” Reanna replied. Reanna turned her gaze to the window as a burning sensation entered her chest. She did not want to leave. She liked it here. She liked her new friends. She liked the warm climate. But she loved her host, and the thought of never getting to see him again was tearing her apart. She had several more days to be with Eli. She would make the best of them before he was lost to her forever.

* * * *

William darted through the dark alleyways until he reached
The Demon
. He ran up the gangplank and raced straight to the captain’s quarters. Raising his fist, he pounded smartly on the door. When no one answered, he pounded again. The door jerked opened and he was greeted with a pistol to his face.

“What is so important that you had to wake me from my slumber?” Angelica hissed.

“I have the information that you wanted,” the boy panted.

“Could this not have waited until morning?”

“No.”

Angelica nodded and opened the door the rest of the way. The teenage boy entered the quarters. He followed the captain to her desk and waited for her to let him know she was ready for the information.

Angelica sat down and leaned back in the chair. “Tell me what you have found out,” she ordered as she motioned to the seat across from her.

William sat down nervously. He did not want to upset the captain. She was a dangerous woman and would kill him without cause. “The women are going on an outing this afternoon.”

“Today?” she questioned. The Baroness had led her to believe it would be later during the week. “What time?”

“After mid-day meal. They plan to take their daughters to the section of beach by Mr. Sinclair’s home.”

“Daughters?” Angelica questioned as she straightened.

William nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Two of the women have daughters about the same age. They’re takin’ them to the beach for a picnic and for their girls to play.”

Angelica pressed her lips together in thought. This complicated her plan. Max would not let that Spanish whore leave if she had given him children. She would just have to rectify that situation. Children could be disposed of easily. “Where will the men be during that time frame?”

“They will be meeting with the Governor.”

“Are you certain?”

“Aye, Capt’n. I double checked.”

“How did you come about this information?”

“I got Mr. Sinclair’s son foxed,” William proudly confessed.

“Mr. Sinclair has a son?”

“Yes.”

“How old?”

“I’d guess he’s about fifteen er sixteen.”

“So he’s your age?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So he would definitely know their whereabouts?”

“Aye, Capt’n.”

Angelica stood up and sashayed towards the boy. She walked behind him and ran her hands along his thin shoulders. “You have done well, William,” she huskily purred into his ear. She took the lobe into her mouth and gently sucked. “And I always reward those who please me.” She then stepped in front of the boy and straddled his lap, allowing her hand to stroke his penis over his clothing. She took her free hand and pulled the ribbon loose on her robe, allowing it to fall to the floor. William nervously swallowed as he felt himself become aroused. Angelica stood and grabbed the boy’s hand as she ushered him to stand. She sat on the desk and spread her legs apart.

“Take me.”

“Capt’n?” William squeaked with shock. He cleared his throat and repeated, “Capt’n?”

“You heard me,” she said as she reached forward and grabbed the waist of his pants. “Take me here and now . . . on this desk and make me scream,” she ordered as she unbuttoned his pants. “Make me scream to the point that I am hoarse. Pleasure me until it hurts. Be rough. If you do this, I may call on you in the future.”

William smiled. He did not want to anger the captain. Plus, if he did well, maybe he could increase his station on this ship. He pushed the nervous thoughts from his head as he obediently complied with the captain’s orders.

Chapter Eighteen

Around one the next afternoon Reanna arrived at Madison’s home. The homes the St. Johns possessed never ceased to amaze her. Madison lived in an older white two-story home. Large windows with black shutters were scattered about on both levels. There was a wraparound veranda on both levels, supported by small circular white pillars. The stairs leading up to the home were solid stone with stone flower pots mounted to each side. In the center of the drive was a copper fountain surrounded by a multitude of vibrantly colored flowers.

As Albert stopped the buggy in front of the home, London saw the two little girls come bounding down the stairs followed by Nicholas.

“Better beware, London. They have taken a liking to you and have declared you are their new sister,” Nicholas warned as he approached the carriage. Nicholas assisted London down. She gazed up at the handsome man. His blue eyes twinkled with mischief as he smiled at her. The wind caught a lock of his unfashionably long blond hair. As he rubbed the side of his lightly bearded square jaw, he twisted his mouth. “Don’t know why they would consider you a sister considering they only met you last night. But with those two you never know.”

“Children have a different perspective on things, Mr. Sinclair,” London replied.

“They do at that. And please call me Nicholas. There are no formalities here.”

“Very well.”

“Hey, Pop! Madison is looking for you,” a voice called from the front door.

London turned to the voice and was taken aback by the sight that greeted her. Standing in the doorway was a younger version of Nicholas—minus the beard. The young man took notice of Reanna and stood straight, sticking his chest out like a young rooster. He strutted down the stairs to them.

“Who is this lovely radiant flower?” the young man questioned, deepening his voice to sound older than his years.

Nicholas smacked the young man in the back of the head. “That is the lady staying with your uncle, Pup, so don’t get any ideas.”

“This is the unknown beauty that Madison and Kris have been visiting?”

Nicholas rolled his eyes. “London—”

“Reanna,” she corrected.

“My apologies. Reanna, may I introduce my son, Samuel. Samuel, this is Miss Reanna Hollingsworth.”

Samuel gave a charming winsome smile to Reanna, picked up her hand and placed a light lingering kiss across her knuckles. “A most wonderful pleasure to meet you, Miss Hollingsworth.”

“Samuel,” Nicholas warned.

“Yes, Father?” Samuel questioned, his eyes never leaving Reanna.

“Your uncle will kill you.”

“Eli is your uncle? But Madison is not much older than I!” Reanna reminded.

“True. Samuel’s mother died several years ago. Madison and her family adopted him as one of their own after we married,” Nicholas informed her.

“Has Eli staked claims on this beauty?” Samuel questioned.

Nicholas roughly smacked the back of his head again.

“Ow,” Samuel replied as he rubbed his head.

“Next time I have to remind you of your manners, I will properly cuff your ears. Now go retrieve our horses, Scamp.” After Nicholas made the command, he added, “Make that three horses. I believe you need to become acquainted with the financial aspects of the family business.”

“What?” Samuel protested, forgetting to deepen his voice. He then corrected and replied in a deep voice, “What? I am already learning to captain my own ship. Why should I concern myself with the business side?”

“Because people try to steal and swindle at every opportunity. If you are unaware of what is transpiring in the financial area, you may find yourself an owner of a bankrupted business,” Reanna replied.

“Well said, Reanna,” Nicholas praised. “Now go get the horses, boy.”

Samuel stormed away, angry at the fact that a woman made him appear like a fool.

Nicholas escorted Reanna to the door with Alex and Sophia on their heels. As they walked up the steps, each girl took hold of one of Reanna’s hands.

“I will let Madison know you are here. Please have a wonderful time but make sure my wife behaves herself,” Nicholas said.

A balding black-haired man opened the door for them and they entered. He was average height but thin. His spectacles were perched on the end of his hawklike nose.

“Thank you, George,” Nicholas said. “Please show our guest to the sitting room.”

“Yes, Mr. Sinclair,” the servant said as Nicholas turned, leaving.

Reanna and the girls followed the butler into the room. “If you should require anything, please ring for me.” The man left just as quickly as they had entered.

Several minutes later Reanna noticed Nicholas, Samuel and Max ride down the drive. Madison and Kristina appeared shortly after.

“I have all that we need,” Madison said as she held up two large baskets. “We have enough food and toys to last until late in the afternoon or at least until the girls are ready to take their naps. So let’s be off and enjoy the beautiful day that God has given us.”

Reanna took one of the baskets from Madison. She followed the women out the back of the home and down a sandy path. The path then slightly sloped down into a wooded area. Reanna looked over her shoulder and realized that one could hide quite easily here. The brush and trees were thick. The foliage started to thin out and the sounds of the ocean carried to them. Once at the bottom of the slope, the area cleared and she could make out the crystal blue waters of the ocean. As she watched the waves gently crash onto the beach, she noticed dolphins playfully jumping in the distance.

The girls took off running towards the water.

“Don’t get into the water yet, girls!” Madison called after the rambunctious toddlers.

Madison walked over to an area on the beach that had a small cluster of palm trees and set the basket down. Reanna placed her basket beside Madison’s.

“This looks like a perfect spot to place the blankets so the girls can rest.”

“And don’t forget me,” Kristina said as she waddled over to the area. “You should have had Samuel bring a chair here as well.”

“Oh, come now,” Madison replied as she turned towards her best friend. “You do not have issues getting up and down.”

“Getting down is the easy part. Getting up is what I worry about,” Kristina replied as she laughed and rubbed her swollen abdomen. “I swear I have twins in here.”

“Well, they do run on Father’s side,” Madison teased.

“Don’t remind me,” Kristina answered.

“Speaking of reminding . . . you never did tell me why you kept Max’s identity a secret from me.”

Kristina shrugged her shoulders. “Max made me promise. He said if you or Nicholas knew, then it would put you both in an awkward situation.”

“So he knew his entire life?” Madison questioned. At Kristina’s nod, she continued, “And he did not even once mention it to Nicholas?” Kristina shook her head. “No wonder he hated me when we first met. You know that would explain a lot, too. He never did—Alexandra, what do you think you’re doing?” Madison yelled in mid-sentence. “Excuse me while I go take care of Nicholas’s daughter.”

Kristina laughed. She then turned to Reanna. “So you are family friends with the St. Johns?”

“Michael mainly. I have met Matthew a few times and Lord St. John only once—and that was when I was a child. The others I had never met.”

“When do you plan on returning home?”

“I don’t know. I really like it here and would like to see more of this beautiful island before I return to dreary old London. When I left, it had been raining for over a week.”

“I have never been to London and from the way Madison describes it, I don’t think I want to. Sounds like a very crowded, bleak place to me.”

“Oh, it is very crowded, but I don’t mind. There are numerous activities. And it’s not always raining. But if you don’t like the crowded areas, the countryside is breathtaking and very peaceful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind in case Madison ever talks Max and me into going.” Kristina held out her hands. “Please help me down. Despite what Madison remembers, it is difficult to get to the ground when you look like you’ve swallowed an entire watermelon whole.”

Reanna assisted Kristina down. Once on the ground, Kristina made a face and patted the ground beside her. Reanna sat down and Kristina took her hands and placed them on her swollen abdomen. Reanna smiled as she felt the kick.

“Amelia is saying hello. I just wish she wouldn’t do that while I try to sleep at night.”

“Why do you think you’re having a girl?”

“Because my mother told me so.”

“How does your mother know?”

“She visits me from time to time in my dreams. It’s her way of looking out for me after she died. She told me I would have another daughter well before I missed my monthly curse.”

“What does the curse have to do with you having a child?”

Kristina smiled at London’s naïveté. “When you are with child, your monthly curse does not visit you.”

Reanna’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, I had no idea!”

“It’s our bodies way of telling us.” Kristina frowned. “Along with sore boobs.”

“Your breasts get tender?”

“Yes. It goes hand in hand with sex.”

“I’m confused.”

“Sex leads to babies which leads to missing your monthly curse which leads to sore boobs. It is an endless cycle of aching body parts until the baby is born. Then your boobs get sore again for an entirely different reason.”

“Which is?” London asked as a worried expression crossed her face.

“When the baby suckles, your nipples get sore and raw. But they eventually adapt. I was glad my mother had the opportunity to tell me some of life’s mysteries before she died.”

“I’m so sorry about your mother passing. I know how it feels. I lost my mother several years ago.”

Kristina smiled and patted Reanna’s hand. “It’s quite all right. The tragedy of her murder has brought much happiness. I know that is hard to believe but it’s true.”

“She was murdered?” Reanna asked with disbelief.

“
Si
. The same man who murdered my parents murdered Samuel’s mother. If it wasn’t for his cruelty, we would not be where we’re at now. Madison would still be married to that murdering bastard—”

“Madison married him?!”

“Yes, but he was killed by the pirates who kidnapped her. Who in turn were killed by Nicholas, leaving Madison and Nicholas to marry three weeks later.”

“What?!”

“You ask entirely too many questions, London.” Kristina flicked her wrist. “Anyway, if he had not murdered my parents, I would not have been at the mission when pirates attacked. Thus I would not have been kidnapped.”

“You were kidnapped by the same pirates?”

“No. Different ones. But I escaped and took refuge on the ship Max was on. Soon afterwards we married. If I hadn’t had tragedy in my life, I would not have met Max or have my girls. Fate has a way of interfering in ways we do not understand at the time, but the outcomes are worth it.”

“I need a book to keep this family straight. There are more twists and turns in this family’s history than a spring.”

Madison approached at that time and plopped down beside them, soaking wet.

“What happened to you?” Kristina asked.

“Your daughter decided she wanted to go too far out.”

“Where is she now?” Kristina asked as her eyes scanned the beach.

“The girls are playing in the small pool at the edge,” Madison said as she pointed to an area behind her.

Reanna looked to the girls, then drew her brows together. “Were you expecting visitors?”

“No. Why?” Madison answered.

“Someone is coming,” Reanna said as she pointed down the beach.

Madison turned and noticed the two approaching figures. Her heart began to race. She stood and pulled Kristina up. “Go to the path. I’ll get the girls.”

“What’s wrong?’ Reanna asked.

“I don’t like the feel of this,” Madison said. She turned to face her friend. “Go now, Kristina.”

“Not without Sophia.”

“I’ll get them. Take Kristina,” Reanna said as she darted towards the girls.

“Move!” Madison said as she grabbed Kristina’s hand and began pulling her towards the slope.

Kristina attempted to run, but stopped as she placed her hand on her abdomen. “Not now,” she fretted.

“Oh, you’re not having labor pains, are you?” Madison questioned in exasperated panic.

“No! The baby is pressing on something and I can hardly walk.”

“Well, you’ll have to. Now go!”

Reanna approached at that time with a girl under each arm. Both girls were laughing, unaware of the danger approaching.

“After them!” they heard the men yell.

“Take the girls and go!” Kristina yelled to Reanna.

Reanna handed the girls to Madison. “Take them. You know this property better than I do. I’ll help Kristina. Go and get help.”