Miss Lavigne's Little White Lie (22 page)

“It’s not me, good sir. And Mrs. Hillary is not uppity.” She felt compelled to defend her friend. “I’m sorry to have frightened you, but I was looking for a drink.”

Cook set the candle in a holder and reached for a cup sitting on the shelf. “I made some lemonade before closing the galley. You want some?” He poured her a cup before waiting for an answer.

“Thank you.” The drink was lukewarm, but it eased the scratchiness in her throat.

“You have trouble sleeping, miss?”

“I would pay for a full night’s sleep. This is the third time this week.”

Cook poured himself a glass of lemonade, too. “Something troubling ya?”

“No—” She stopped to reconsider. “Well, there is something, but I don’t know what it is. I think I had a dream.”

“What about?”

“I can’t recall, but I woke with this dreadful feeling that doesn’t want to go away.” She sipped her drink, studying the cook. He’d had fifteen years at sea. Maybe this type of thing was common for a first-time sea traveler. “Is this normal for someone like me?”

Cook cocked his head. “I don’t know, miss. Is it?”

It was a silly question, she supposed. Serafine drained her cup then handed it back to the man and pulled her wrapper tighter around her. “Maybe it’s normal for me. Thank you for the lemonade, Cook. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”

He held out the candle. “Take this with you so you can see the way. Just don’t forget to put it out.”

Twenty

Daniel’s first mate stuck his head through the opening to his office. “Captain, there’s something you might want to see.”

“A ship?”

“Aye, and she’s moving at a fast clip.”

Daniel shoved away from his desk and hurried outside to the quarter deck, where his man, Leon, peered through the spyglass.

“Can you tell what class she is?” Daniel asked.

Leon handed the spyglass to him. “She’s too far away to tell, but with her speed, I’d venture she’s a clipper or a flyer.”

Daniel held the glass up to his eye. On the horizon, a small speck bobbed in the distance, growing larger by the second. Whatever she was, speed was on her side.

“Change course,” he barked to the wheelman. “Three points on the starboard bow. Unfurl every sail. Let’s see if we’re being followed.”

He slapped a hand on Leon’s shoulder. “Good eye, man. Keep me informed.”

Daniel’s muscles tensed as he headed below deck to seek out Jake. The other ship could be harmless, but he had been sailing long enough to know encounters with other ships rarely occurred by chance.

When Cook, an uneducated man with superstitious beliefs, had reported his encounter with Mademoiselle Vistoire in the galley and warned him ladies were often the first to sense danger, Daniel had thanked and dismissed him. He hadn’t been able to dismiss his sense of foreboding when Cook had returned to the galley, however. It stayed with him throughout the evening meal and hadn’t gone away by the conclusion of Amelia’s nightly reading.

Daniel had doubled the watch at once.

He rapped on Jake’s door and a short time later, it swung open.

“Shh, Amelia’s sleeping.” Jake stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind him.

“I may need your assistance. Come with me.”

Jake followed him topside and into Daniel’s quarters.

“There’s a possibility we are being followed,” Daniel said as soon as the door latched.

Jake’s brows formed a vee. “Pirates? Seems unlikely.”

“No, a man called Reynaud. Lisette’s fiancé.” Daniel stalked to the sideboard, tugged open a drawer, and withdrew a bottle of rum. His brother might need a drink once Daniel told him everything.

“Fiancé? But she’s a widow. When would she—?”

“Please, have a seat.” Daniel waved to a chair then retrieved a tumbler from the hutch and poured a generous amount of liquor into it. “It appears Lisette and her family hold a few secrets.”

“Not unlike you,” Jake grumbled as Daniel plunked the drink in front of him. “I still can’t believe you never told any of us about your marriage to Cecily. For five years, you’ve kept this to yourself.”

“Cecily is in the past. It hardly matters at the moment.” Daniel assumed the seat adjacent to his brother. “Right now I’m concerned with our immediate future.”

“Tell me the risks.”

He repeated the story Lisette had told him about Reynaud, as well as revealing his suspicions that the man might be responsible for her father’s death. “It seems damned convenient he arrived to rescue Lisette less than a fortnight after her father’s throat was sliced from ear to ear. Not to mention, Reynaud made promises to Lisette that leave me with the impression he intended to gain control of Rafe’s inheritance. He wouldn’t be the first blackguard to live off the estate of his ward.”

Jake frowned as he sipped his drink. “But why pursue the lady? Isn’t it obvious she has cried off? Why not find another lady to take her place?”

“Excellent question.” Daniel drummed his fingers against the tabletop. “I suspect his pride has been damaged, which is more important to many men than financial gain.”

“When he catches us, will you turn her over to him?”

Hell
no.
Fierce protectiveness reared inside Daniel, but he couldn’t allow his emotions to rule his decisions. He rammed his fingers through his hair. “Reynaud may well be a monster. I don’t want to let her go with him.”

“Then don’t. We have the firepower to fight.”

“But what about Amelia and your child? Should I endanger them and my men for Lisette?”

His brother’s bluster died down. “I understand the situation is not to be taken lightly, but…”

A pain gnawed at Daniel’s gut. Jake and his growing family meant everything to him. He had given his brother hell as long as he could remember, but Jake had been too trusting. He’d needed someone to toughen him up before the world knocked him on his arse. Daniel wouldn’t do anything to bring actual harm to him.

“I can’t make the choice for you, Daniel, but if you feel anything for Lisette even close to what I feel for Amelia, you can’t let her go.” Jake held his gaze without wavering. “I’ll stand by your decision, whatever it may be.”

“I know you will. You are loyal to a fault.”

“Says the pot to the kettle.” Jake moved to Daniel’s side and slapped his back affectionately. “The way I figure it, we all benefit from the lady’s continued presence. You’re less of a jackass with Lisette onboard.”

Daniel chuckled. “I’m not certain she would agree.”

“No, I don’t suppose she would.” Jake flashed a sardonic grin and snatched the tumbler from the table to drain it.

By late afternoon, there was no longer any question the other ship was following them. Their pursuer would overtake the ship in approximately two hours, if all variables stayed the same. The
Cecily
was too large to outrun the smaller vessel, but she could blast her to the devil.

Daniel could just make out the lettering on the bow.
Mihos
. The Egyptian lion god, also known as the Lord of Slaughter. He would be damned if Reynaud got his paws on Lisette or those she loved.

The trouble was making certain she didn’t override Daniel’s decision. As she had told him on more than one occasion, he had no authority over her. Likely, she wouldn’t go with Reynaud of her own accord, unless the arrogant bugger coerced her. Daniel wouldn’t assume that risk, and thanks to Amelia’s initiative, he had a perfect solution.

Patch accepted the spyglass from Daniel and peered through it.

“Gather all the passengers in my quarters in ten minutes,” he commanded his first mate then turned on his heel. He must speak with one passenger before they all gathered around his table.

***

Lisette huddled at the long table in the great room along with the usual dinner guests, minus Rafe and Daniel’s men. Daniel stood at one end of the table, commanding all eyes on him. Her pulse jumped as he met her gaze. There was no amusement there today. Something was gravely wrong.

“A situation has arisen over the last few hours. It has come to my attention we are being followed by another ship.”

Serafine grasped Lisette’s hand under the table and squeezed. Lisette held on tightly.

“Who is it?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Daniel walked around the table and knelt by her side. “It appears to be Reynaud.”

“No,” she and Serafine said in unison.

Lisette’s heart slammed against her ribs. It couldn’t be Reynaud. “He wouldn’t pursue us across the ocean. That would be insane.”

Daniel’s hand brushed her shoulder. “I’m sorry, luv. I realize the insanity of the situation, but it is Reynaud, and he’s coming for you.”

“Well, send him away,” Amelia said. “She obviously wants nothing to do with him, or she wouldn’t have fled in the first place.”

Lisette ducked her head. Did everyone know of her lies now?

“I have no authority over Mademoiselle Lavigne,” Daniel said, “but I would like to offer my protection all the same.”

Lisette met his gaze and her heart filled to bursting. “You would protect us from Reynaud? I don’t know how to thank you, Captain.”

“There are a few details we need to work out between us, but I believe this would be better done in privacy.” He stood and offered his hand. “May I speak with you in my office, mademoiselle?”

Her stomach plunged. She felt sick. What would he demand for his protection?

Serafine nudged her. “Go,” she whispered.

Lisette pushed back the wave of nausea rolling over her and rose from her chair without taking his hand.

“Please wait for us here,” he said to everyone gathered at the table. “We’ll have need of you in a moment.”

Lisette preceded Daniel into the office and moved to the windows along the stern. All she could see was blue, nothing sinister outside. “How far away is he?”

He came up behind her and placed his hands on her waist, drawing her against him. “He will overtake us before nightfall, but we can defeat him in a fight. I’ll refuse to hand you over, as I’m certain he will demand. I expect a confrontation to ensue, but I swear I won’t give you up, Lisette.” His breath lifted the tendrils of hair that had fallen from her coiffure and sent a cold shiver down her back.

She couldn’t look at him. He knew how much her family and their survival meant to her. Would he dangle his protection like a carrot to get what he wanted? “What is it you wish in return?”

“Nothing.” Daniel sounded genuinely appalled and released her.

She turned toward him. “You want nothing from me in exchange?”

“A small amount of gratitude might be nice.”

Heat licked up her neck. He had done nothing to break his vow of protecting her virtue since they had departed from Port Albis. “My apologies, Captain. I’m grateful for your assistance. I simply do not expect your protection without some price attached. It would be unfair of me to ask it of you.”

A corner of his lip lifted. “Yes, there is much I’ll have to bear as your protector, but I believe I’m up for the task.” He gathered her hands in his and urged her closer. “Lisette, the most effective means available to me to protect you is to make you my wife. Mr. Ramsey has agreed to wed us now.”

“Your
wife
?” She felt as if a piece of the sky had broken off and landed on her.

“I know your aspirations are aimed higher, but I can adequately support you and your family.”

“But that’s untrue. In reference to my aspirations, I mean,” she added in response to his glower. “I would be fortunate to be your wife. In fact, I could do much worse.”

He chuckled, the lively spark returning to his eyes as he slid his arms around her waist. “Thank you, luv. That’s high praise coming from you.”

“You know my meaning,” she said and swatted his shoulder. “Are you certain this is the only way?”

“Absolutely.” He nuzzled her neck, sending flutters of excitement to the tips of her fingers and toes. “But you must say yes first.”

Marriage to Daniel seemed the easy way out of her troubles. She wouldn’t be forced to hunt for a husband in London, he would provide for them well on the
Cecily
, and he would keep them safe from Reynaud. The only drawback was Daniel loved someone else while her heart belonged to him. This gave her no small amount of anxiety. Yet she would be mad to turn down his offer when he would keep Rafe from Reynaud’s grasp.

“No more hesitating. Give me an answer, wench.”

“Wench?”

His dimple appeared. “So sorry. I meant to say my darling.”

“That’s more like it,” she said with a smile, but her jocularity faded. If he would make this sacrifice for her, she must offer him something in return, even if his acceptance would bring her pain. “But, Daniel, once we reach England, if you wish to annul—”

His hearty laugh drowned out her words. “Impossible. There will be no grounds, I can assure you. Everything is in excellent working order.”