Once a Mistress (28 page)

Diana leaned forward and addressed the driver of the open carriage. “What seems to be amiss?”

“We’re stuck, milady,” the driver answered. He turned his scarred face toward her. “The mud is deep here, and the weight of the carriage is making it worse.”

“I told you to go the other way,” she reminded him, still annoyed that he had disregarded her instructions. “This is the long route to Covington Hall.”

“My apologies, milady.”

She sighed. “There is nothing to be done about it now. Mayhap if we all get out, the horses will be able to pull the carriage free.”

The driver smiled, the long scar pulling grotesquely at the side of his mouth. “A fine idea, milady.”

Her armed escort consisted of Rico Fernandez and Jean Latierre, two of Alex’s crewmen. Each hopped from the carriage, and Latierre extended a hand to help Diana down. She wrinkled her nose as her slippers sank into the muck, but having grown up on the island, she was used to such inconveniences. Hitching up the skirts of Lady Rothstone’s newly-laundered, borrowed gown, she accepted Latierre’s help as she made her way across the muddy road to a solid, grassy slope. Fernandez got in position to push the carriage.

“I hope this will not take long,” she called to the driver.

“Not long at all, my dear.”

A chill went through her as she recognized the melodious masculine voice. She turned her head in time to see Marcus step out of the copse of trees behind her.

Latierre turned to face the threat, his hand on his sword hilt. Marcus drew a pistol and fired. The sharp crack echoed off the mountains in the distance. Latierre fell forward, blood soaking his shirt in the middle of his chest.

Diana gaped at the fallen man, then remembered her other bodyguard. She whirled around and found him leaning on the carriage, a bored look on his face. “Aren’t you going to do something?” she cried.

“No.” He smiled that stump-toothed grin again.

“Fernandez works for me,” Marcus said. “He was most useful the night we first met, my dear…when your bastard lover clapped me in irons and held me prisoner in my own hold. He obligingly let me out so that I might retake my ship.”

“Traitor,” Diana hissed at the Spaniard.

“But I believe he has outlived his usefulness.” Marcus nodded. A second pistol shot exploded. Fernandez fell into the muck with a splat, a stupid grin still on his face. “Excellent shot,” the pirate commented.

“Thank ye, cap’n.” The driver blew on his smoking pistol.

Diana stared wide-eyed from Latierre to Fernandez and finally to Marcus. “How could you? Fernandez was one of your own men.”

“My dear.” Marcus took her arm and smiled. “Never trust a traitor.”

“Do not touch me,” she hissed, yanking her arm away.

“Really, my dear. Your manners are atrocious.” He grabbed her arm again and held it firmly. “Scroggins!”

The ugly seaman appeared from amongst the trees in response to Marcus’s call. “Aye, cap’n?”

“Help Jack get the carriage out. It will be more comfortable riding to Chilton’s estate in that rig rather than on horseback.” He gave an evil laugh. “Besides, I’ve another use for our mounts.”

“Aye, cap’n.”

Marcus turned his attention back to her as Scroggins scurried to obey. “My apologies, my dear. Did I not introduce you to your driver? Meet Jack Scabb, first mate aboard the
Renegade
. And, of course, you know Scroggins.”

She tried once more to pull her arm from his grasp. Unsuccessful, she glared up into his glittering green eyes. “You will regret this. He will come for me, you know.”

To her dismay, he laughed. “My dear, I am counting on it.”

“As always, I am pleased to see you, Rothstone.” Morgan toyed with a jeweled snuffbox that had been a gift from the king several years before. He traced his finger over the miniature portrait of His Majesty that graced the lid, then pinned Alex with a shrewd stare. “But why are you here if you have not captured Marcus?”

“There was a complication.” Sitting on the other side of the desk in Morgan’s Port Royal office, Alex smiled as he imagined Diana’s reaction were she to hear herself called that. “Marcus abducted Diana Covington.”

“So I have heard.” Morgan pushed away the snuffbox. “The gossips have been chattering about the incident for the past week. The girl’s reputation is ruined.”

“Bloody hell.” Alex clenched his jaw. “It had to be Chilton. No doubt the blackguard still means to have her as his wife.”

“At this moment, he is the only man in Port Royal who would wed the girl, heiress or no,” Morgan agreed. “Though I do find it strange that Frederick did not come to me about it.”

“Mayhap he feared for his daughter’s life.”

Morgan sat back in his chair and tapped his fingers on the arm, raising his brows at Alex. “Am I mistaken in believing that you know more of this situation than I do, Rothstone?”

“No, you are not mistaken. Let me explain what happened.” He summarized events, explaining about Chilton’s partnership with Marcus and how Frederick had discovered it. He told of the plan to blackmail Frederick into producing the ledger pages by threatening Diana’s life. He gave the details of the conversation Diana had overheard between her father and Chilton, but avoided all mention of his personal relationship with the lady. Still, Morgan gave him a knowing smile when he finished the story.

“So, you are taken with the girl, are you, Rothstone?”

Alex nodded. He should have known Morgan would put the pieces together. “I intend to wed her as soon as my life is my own again.”

“You have my best wishes, of course.” Morgan sat back and toyed with his mustache. “But what of Covington? Is he involved in this or not? Is he an honest man trying to stop a crime, or is he one of the jackals himself, seeking to gain from his associate’s error?”

“I lean toward honesty,” Alex said. “But that is only my opinion.”

“Humph.” Morgan pursed his lips. “I value your opinion, Rothstone. But I would prefer proof.”

“As would I. Hopefully, the ledger pages will exonerate him.”

“Perhaps. To my knowledge, Covington has always been an honest man. I shall reserve judgment for now.”

Alex nodded, knowing this was the only concession he would get from Morgan. He had spoken for Diana’s father and in so doing, had fulfilled his promise. He had always known he had no say in whether Frederick Covington lived or died. The decision rested in Morgan’s hands, as it always had.

A disturbance erupted outside the office. Morgan waved his hand. Alex slipped from his chair and ducked through the open first floor window, pulling the shutters nearly closed. He peered through the slats just as the door flew open. Frederick Covington burst into the room.

“Sir Henry, I must speak with you!”

A harried clerk followed Frederick. “I tried to stop him, sir, but he just pushed me aside!”

Morgan stood, his brows raised with interest. “‘Tis quite all right, Milton. Go about your duties.”

With a resentful glance at Frederick, the clerk left the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Brandy, Frederick?” Morgan stepped toward the crystal decanter. “It will calm your nerves.”

“I fear nothing will calm my nerves,” Frederick responded, clenching his hands around the packet of papers he held. “I have much to tell you, Sir Henry, and when I am through it would not surprise me if you clapped me in irons and hanged me at dawn. But you must be informed.”

Morgan poured two measures of brandy and turned back to Diana’s father. “You intrigue me, Covington. Sit down, and tell me your tale.” He held out one of the snifters.

Covington looked from the offering to the papers in his hands. Indecision swept his blunt features, then his mouth tightened. He thrust the pages at Morgan.

“Take these, Sir Henry. Then if you still want to offer me refreshment, I will accept it. These are—”

“Pages from Chilton’s ledger. Aye, I know.” Morgan took the documents with one hand and offered the brandy with the other. “I said sit down, Covington. We have much to discuss.”

Obviously confused, Frederick took the drink and sank into the chair.

“I understand that Marcus abducted Diana because of these.” Morgan sat and started leafing through the pages, scanning every one rapidly but thoroughly. “I can see why.” He looked up, his shrewd gaze pinning Frederick where he sat. “I even suspected that
you
might have something to do with this.”

Covington swallowed hard. “I understand how incriminating it must look…”

“Indeed it does.” Morgan sat back, scrutinizing Frederick as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Still, I am inclined to believe you, Frederick. First of all, you have a reputation as an honest fellow. Secondly, your daughter’s life is in danger now that you have brought these pages to me. Only a man of integrity would make such a choice. And thirdly…” He gestured, and Alex pushed open the window and re-entered the room. “Someone else told me the very same tale moments before you arrived.”

Frederick jumped to his feet as he spotted Alex. “Who the devil is this?”

“Frederick, may I present El Moreno?” With a nod of his head, the lieutenant-governor indicated that Alex take a seat.

Alex grinned and bowed at Frederick, then settled into the other chair in front of the massive desk.

Frederick remained standing, his mouth agape. “El Moreno? What madness is this, Sir Henry?”

“No madness, Frederick. El Moreno has been looking into Chilton’s illegal activities with an eye toward capturing Marcus.” Morgan grinned. “In short, he works for me.”

Frederick’s puzzled expression changed to one of comprehension. “Who better to catch a pirate than another pirate?”

“Indeed.” Impressed with the man’s quick deduction, Alex wondered how much to tell him. He looked to Morgan.

“As I said,” the lieutenant-governor continued, correctly interpreting Alex’s glance, “this man has been working for the Crown. Several days ago, he engaged Marcus in battle. The blackguard escaped, but El Moreno was able to rescue your daughter.”

“Diana?” Frederick straightened in his chair and turned beseeching eyes to Alex. “Was she…is she…?”

“She is very much alive,” Alex reassured him. “Diana is a very resourceful woman. She escaped Marcus on her own before he could hurt her.”

“Thank God.” Frederick sagged back in his chair. “Where is she now?”

“Aboard my ship. I wanted to be certain it was safe before I brought her home.” Alex looked Frederick straight in the eye. “Rest assured that your daughter is well.”

Some of the worry lines in Frederick’s forehead eased. “My thanks, good sir. I feared the worst.”

“You had cause.” Alex turned to Morgan. “What now?”

Morgan heaved himself from his chair and took a moment to lock the papers in a box on his desk. “It is obvious to me by his own actions that Frederick is an innocent pawn in this dastardly scheme.” He tucked the key to the box in his pocket. “Therefore, I propose that we reunite father and daughter and then go after that buffoon Chilton.”

“Agreed.” Frederick stood as well. “Shall we go now? I am eager to see my daughter again.”

Alex remained seated, his mind awhirl as the two men discussed giving Diana into her father’s care. He had gotten used to having her with him and was loath to give her up. Still, it was only a temporary measure. Reluctantly, he got to his feet.

“My ship is anchored near Littleton’s Wharf.”

“Let us away then,” Frederick said eagerly.

Alex turned toward the door just as it was flung open. The pasty-faced clerk stumbled inside, a pistol at his back. Two rough-looking seamen followed him, one holding the weapon that so quailed the dutiful Milton. The other, a huge fellow with matted hair and an even dirtier beard, carried a blanket-wrapped bundle draped over his shoulder.

Alex stared at the bundle, noting that it was just the right size to be a person. A woman perhaps…

His blood froze. Diana. Was she safe aboard his ship, cursing him for not indulging her desire to see her father? Or had she somehow been lured away….

He could not finish the thought.

The brawny fellow shrugged, letting his burden fall to the floor at the men’s feet. The thing landed with a sickening thud that Alex had heard all too often in battle. The thud of lifeless human flesh hitting hard wood.

“A gift for ye,” the shorter man sneered, revealing black holes where he had once had teeth. His ragged clothing hung from his scrawny frame, but his skeletal fingers looked strong and sure on the hammer of the pistol. “From Marcus.”

“You will dangle for this outrage—both of you!” Morgan roared. “And that devil you call master along with you!”

The two laughed. The smaller one pointed his pistol at the lieutenant-governor and fired. Morgan dived for the floor. Alex took a step forward and found the pistol pointed at his chest.
 

“I wouldn’t do that,” the smaller man cackled. “Ye have to open your present. Marcus sends his regards.” He fired wildly at Alex, causing him to duck, then the two men turned and fled the room.

“Aren’t you going after them?” Frederick demanded. “They might lead you to Marcus.”

“No.” Alex knelt down. Slowly, carefully, he set about untying the rope that secured the blanket. He heard Morgan come up behind him just as the last knot gave way. The edges of the covering fell open.

“Sweet Jesus,” Frederick whispered, his voice thick with horror.

“The bastard is an animal,” Morgan growled.

Alex only stared. Black hair, he realized with mind-numbing relief.
Not red
.

The girl had been pretty once, Alex thought. Before Marcus had sliced her into something barely recognizable as human. He reached out and gently closed her blank, staring eyes.

A choking sound drew his attention to the clerk. The young man turned away from the body and promptly emptied the contents of his stomach behind Morgan’s desk.

“Blast it all, Milton!” Morgan muttered.

Alex turned back to the body and started to wrap the blanket around the girl once more.

“What kind of monster
is
Marcus?” Frederick whispered, his face still chalky from shock. “To think, he had my Diana at his mercy…” He looked at Alex. “I thank you, sir, for saving my daughter’s life. If she had stayed with him…”