Ransome's Honor (35 page)

“As you were, sir.” Collin’s bull-like build had never come in more handy than now. Though a large man himself, the constable did waver a bit when Collin moved between him and William.

Julia tried to pull away from William, but he wouldn’t allow her to move out from behind him. “Sir,” he addressed the constable, “perhaps Miss Witherington can clear things up a bit.”

“Beg pardon, miss. But maybe you can tell me what is going on here. They—” with his pistol, he motioned over her shoulder toward Drake and Hedwig, who now stood in the doorway behind her, dressed as if for visiting—“told me they were rescuing you from him.” He pointed the pistol at William again.

She shook her head. “No. No—that’s not right. She—” she pointed at Hedwig, “my mother’s aunt tricked me into leaving my father’s home to try to force me to marry him,” she waved her hand toward Drake.

The constable scratched his head with the muzzle of the pistol. “So—you did not want to come to Marchwood with them?” He jerked his head over his shoulder.

With the pistol now pointed away from him, William allowed Julia to come forward and stand beside him.

“Well, I did—when I thought I was just coming to see the home where my mother grew up. But I never intended to stay, which they were trying to make me do. They locked me up and were going to force me to stay here while they went about spreading malicious gossip about my character so that I would have no choice but to marry him.”

“And this man helped you escape?” The constable nodded at William.

“No. She used her own ingenuity to escape by picking the lock and sneaking out.” William’s panic subsided enough to let pride take a foothold.

The constable frowned at Julia. “But he’s the one who’s rescuing you?” He waved the gun in William’s direction again.

“Yes, sir.” She looked up at William, a strange light flickering in her eyes. “He is rescuing me.”

The constable lowered the pistol. “You say they detained you against your will?” His mouth drew up in a half smile. “Kidnapping, that is, then.”

“I have no wish to bring charges against them.” Julia leaned more heavily into William’s side. He repositioned his arm around her waist to lend her better support.

“You may not, but I got a grievance with that man there.”

William whirled. An enormous man in a violent green coat dismounted a horse, two pistols stuck into his waistband.

“It’s the debt collector I told you about,” Julia whispered.

“Mornin’, miss. Pleasure to see you again.” The ruffian tipped his hat to Julia as he passed. “Sir Drake Pembroke, I am here to collect a debt for my employer. If you cannot pay it, I will have to ask this good gennulmun here to throw you into jail until such a time as you can.

William turned just in time to see Pembroke leap from the porch and sprint toward the front gate.

“Oi!” the bill collector bellowed.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Collin flew into action. Though shorter and heavier, Collin made short work of the distance and tackled Pembroke into the muddy gravel drive.

Lady MacDougall screamed and trotted down the driveway, where she proceeded to flail at Collin with her reticule. Julia gasped. William stifled a laugh. From years of experience in dealing with drunken crewmen, Collin had Pembroke completely subdued by the time the bill collector reached them and pulled Lady MacDougall away.

“Fleeing! Fleeing arrest! We have you now, sirrah.” The constable joined the fray.

When the debt collector released Lady MacDougall, she once again started whacking Collin with her bag. Seated as he was on top of Pembroke’s chest and arms, Collin deflected her blows with one arm and finally caught the lady’s weapon with the other.

“It looks like he might need your assistance, William.” Julia’s face had regained the light he loved so much.

She took his hand and led him from the porch. “Come on. I don’t think we’ll want to miss this.”

William shook himself from his thoughts and accompanied her down the drive. The rain had eased to a fine mist. He released Julia’s hand only to restrain Lady MacDougall while the constable and the debt collector conferred.

After a few moments, the constable motioned for Collin to let Pembroke up. “It seems his papers are all in order. If you cannot pay him five thousand pounds now, I am commissioned to take you to the debtors’ prison right here in Bishop’s Waltham.” He took hold of Pembroke’s arm.

The debt collector grabbed the other arm despite the mud dripping from Pembroke’s face and clothing. “And if you don’t give up the twenty thousand for the mortgage note, my employer will foreclose on it as soon as I can get word back to him today.”

William glanced at Julia and stepped forward. “About that twenty thousand pounds. As I know Sir Drake Pembroke is not in possession of the money, I would be interested in speaking to your employer about purchasing the note from him.”

“After all this,” the green-coated man extended his arms to take in the scene, “you’re going to pay his debt?”

William shook his head. “No, not his debt. He will still be responsible for paying the five thousand in interest. I want to purchase the mortgage note on Marchwood so your employer does not have to go through the expense of a foreclosure. He would receive his twenty thousand, and I would become creditor on the title of the estate.”

“And the fancy baronet ’ere still goes to jail?”

“Yes.” William concluded the business by taking a card and arranging to meet with the man holding the note on Thursday. “Come, Julia, Collin. I believe our business here is completed.”

With Julia in front of him and Collin at his side, William turned his horse south toward safe harbor.

Chapter Thirty-Five

J
ulia slowly awoke to the rhythm of the horse beneath her and William’s strong arm about her waist steadying—anchoring—her. Her restless night and the comfort of William’s arms had been more than enough to lull her into a deep sleep. Now, the clouds had subsided, and the sun was well beyond overhead, beginning to move behind them as they traveled southeast.

“Is that...?”

“Aye. Portsmouth just ahead.” William’s breath tickled her ear. “You have been asleep for a while. How do you feel?”

“Foolish—and stiff and sore. But nothing, I am certain, that cannot be cured by a good night’s sleep.”

“If Susan will let you out of her sight.” Collin chuckled. “I would not be surprised to see her at the city gate waiting for the first glimpse of us.”

Though Susan did not await them at the gate, the streets of Portsmouth seemed abnormally busy. They did not have to pass through High Street or near the dockyard, but Julia still felt an extraordinary number of eyes turned her direction as they made their way to Harthorne Street.

When they drew nearer the fashionable part of town, curtains rustled and were pushed aside for both men and women to look down upon them. A young boy came out of one house and ran far down the street into another. When Julia, William, and Collin approached, the front door flew open, and Mrs. Hinds ran out to meet them.

William pulled the horse to a stop.

“Miss Witherington! Captain Ransome, Captain Yates. I am relieved to see you. When I heard—but of course you must not let me detain you from those even more anxious for your return. Tomorrow—” She pressed her fingertips to her lips. “The wedding is still tomorrow, is it not?”

“Yes, ma’am.” William’s immediate and emphatic answer sent a shiver through Julia. He inclined his head and touched the fore point of his hat. “Good day, Mrs. Hinds.”

A paradelike atmosphere greeted them on Harthorne Street—neighbors leaned from upper windows waving, calling greetings and well wishes.

They had not fully stopped in front of Collin’s house when two midshipmen rushed out into the street to greet them.

“Kennedy, Gibson—why are you here?”

The teens snapped to attention at their captain’s words and swept their hats off.

“Sir.” Gibson’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “Lieutenant Cochrane commissioned me to come and await word of your return.”

William swung down and turned to help Julia, hands securely holding her waist. “And you, Mr. Kennedy?”

Julia’s legs nearly gave out when her feet touched the ground, and only by holding on to William’s wrists did she stay upright.

“Sir, Lieutenant Cochrane grew concerned we had not yet received word, so he sent me to inquire as to the delay. I arrived a few minutes before you. We were sitting on the steps, sir. We did not take the liberty of waiting inside.”

William sighed, his expression weary with resignation. The front door banged open. Before Julia had gained her balance, William’s steadying hands were replaced by Susan’s arms in a hug so tight, pain shot through Julia’s ribs.

Over Susan’s ebullient chatter, William ordered the midshipmen back to
Alexandra.
“Tell Lieutenant Cochrane he is to continue in command until I return, which may be very late tonight.”

Though her legs were stiff from the long ride, Julia made it to the front door under her own power—with Susan’s arm tightly around her waist. At the door, Mrs. Ransome enfolded Julia in a hug that brought tears to Julia’s eyes with the comfort and love it conveyed.

Mrs. Ransome dried Julia’s tears with her own handkerchief. “There, there, my girl. Was it so terrible? You are here now, safe and sound among those friends who dearly love you.”

The next greeting came as quite a shock as Lady Dalrymple hugged Julia. “I cannot help but feel somewhat responsible for this.”

Charlotte hung shyly back from the commotion. Julia smiled and extended her hands. With a relieved smile, Charlotte rushed forward and hugged her. “I am so happy—but I knew all would be well.”

With Charlotte on one side and Mrs. Ransome on the other, Julia climbed the stairs and collapsed into a chair in the sitting room. Against Mrs. Ransome’s and Collin’s protests, Susan drew up a footstool and sat at Julia’s knee, clasping Julia’s hand, as if afraid Julia might vanish if she let go.

Mrs. Ransome and Lady Dalrymple questioned William and Collin for above an hour on the details of their experience. They, in turn, questioned Lady Dalrymple and Charlotte.

Julia’s mind drifted in and out of a drowsing state until shocked out of it upon hearing of Sir Drake’s and the postmaster’s treachery. William, standing sentry near the large windows, grew graver and graver.

Tea arrived, and Susan refused to allow Julia to serve herself, instead plying her with sandwiches and pastries. Once Julia ate a bite of water-cress sandwich, her stomach remembered she had not eaten since dinner yesterday.

“Well.” Susan rose, Julia’s hand still clasped tightly in hers. “I believe it is time for everyone to have a rest before dinner. Julia, your driver should be arriving shortly with fresh clothing for you. William, I will brook no opposition. You are staying. My lady,” she curtsied to Lady Dalrymple, “we would be honored if you would join us, though it shall be a humble affair.”

“I should enjoy that above all else, Mrs. Yates; however, I am expecting guests of my own for dinner tonight and should have been home hours ago to prepare.” Lady Dalrymple crossed to Julia and kissed her cheek. “I shall see you in the morning, and then we shall all reconvene at my house to celebrate your marriage.”

In the flurry of Lady Dalrymple’s leave-taking, William caught and held Julia’s gaze. When he left the room alone, she slipped out and followed him across the hall to the front parlor. He took her hand, tucked it into the crook of his elbow, and walked the perimeter of the room with her, as if on a promenade in the park.

The silence, the absolute stillness of the room, alleviated the ringing in Julia’s ears from the noise and clamor that had surrounded her since their arrival.

William’s eyes focused on the floor in front of him, his face impassive. If he hadn’t kept tight hold of her hand, she might think he had forgotten her very presence. Scrutinizing his profile, Julia’s insides quivered at the realization of how little she truly knew of this man to whom she was about to bind her life—for a year.

“Why did you ask to purchase the note on Marchwood?” Though she spoke in a whisper, William flinched as though at a cannon’s firing.

“Why? Because I have been unable to stop thinking of the possibility since you mentioned it the other night. Though I have had no desire to purchase an estate in England, it seems a reasonable investment.”

“Will you foreclose on it?”

They made a full circuit of the room before he answered. “I do not know. I know Pembroke cannot afford to pay the note or the interest that will continue to grow beyond the five thousand he already owes.

“How—I hate to pry into your personal affairs—but are you well able to afford to part with such a sum as twenty thousand pounds?”

The corner of his mouth raised in a smile, though he still kept his focus on the floor before them. “After tomorrow, I can part with such a sum and still be ten thousand pounds the richer. And to what better use could your legacy be put than to secure the estate of your ancestors?”

She tried to swallow the lump of gratitude in her throat. “I meant for you to keep the legacy for yourself. Our agreement—”

“Our agreement was that we would marry, and I could have your legacy to do with as I please.” He stopped, put his hands on her shoulders, and turned her to face him. “This is what pleases me.”

The air in the room thinned until no matter how fast Julia breathed, she did not seem to gain enough to relieve her sudden light-headedness.

“Julia...” His sky-blue eyes delved into hers. “I can no longer abide by the terms of our arrangement.”

Her heart, so full of expectancy, nearly shattered. “What? Why? If I have said—”

He touched his fingertips to her lips. “I still wish to marry you. However, I cannot and will not agree to an annulment. If we marry, it is to be a lifelong commitment. I wish—” He drew in a shaky breath. “I wish us to have a genuine marriage.”

“A genuine...?” Julia’s knees buckled. William caught her around the waist and led her to a chair.

He knelt on the floor in front of her. “Julia, is there any reason you think we should not be happy together? Do you find something lacking in me, something that keeps you from feeling any regard for me as a husband?”

Julia’s cheeks burned. “I...I am only concerned at how little I truly know you. Everything has happened so quickly.” She dropped her gaze to her lap, overcome with shyness.

He kissed her palm and rose, drawing her to her feet. “I agree. Our courtship has been far too brief.” His mouth quirked in a grin. “But eight weeks in cramped quarters should soon alleviate that, don’t you agree?”

Still quivering from the soft warmth of his lips to her palm, Julia nodded. “Yes.”

Looking as pleased as if he had negotiated the peace with France himself, William beamed. “Good. Now, as I do not want my bride falling asleep in her soup, I advise you do as Susan suggested and go rest before dinner.” He led her out into the hall.

“And you? You have had less sleep than I.”

“Do not fret, my dear. Losing one night’s sleep to see to the downfall of an enemy is something to which I am quite accustomed.” He kissed her forehead. “Besides, Collin has a sofa in his study that is quite comfortable for napping-if he has not already appropriated it.”

Over dinner, the day’s events continued to be discussed as each person remembered more details and offered them for comment and examination. The evening ended when William bade all farewell to return to his ship as duty demanded, insisting he could walk as the evening was still young.

“I should return home as well.” Julia rose. “William, Elton can take you to the dockyard after delivering me home.”

Within minutes, they were in the barouche, William seated across from her.

“I wish your father could be with us tomorrow.”

“I too.” Julia refused to let any more emotions get the better of her, but her throat filled with longing for her father, wishing he, not Admiral Glover, would walk her down the aisle and present her to William at the altar.

“I told my crew yesterday of our wedding.” William launched into the story of making the announcement to his men.

Julia watched him under hooded eyes. He so rarely smiled, as he was doing now. Yet she knew he could be humorous. Like her father, he must have learned to hide everything behind an expressionless mask, never letting his true emotions show lest it compromise his authority.

When they reached the front door, Creighton threw it wide open. “Miss Witherington! I’m chuffed to see you back safe again.”

She almost hugged the servant but did not want to discomfort him. “Thank you. I’m happy to be home. Is Lady Pembroke still here?”

Creighton’s smile vanished. “No, miss. Elton dropped her and her dunnage off at the Pembroke house just before noon.” Though he didn’t say it,
good riddance
resounded in his tone.

“How shall I ever thank you for raising the alarm?”

He flushed like a schoolboy. “’Tweren’t nothing, miss. Just happy I could get to Cap’n Ransome in time.”

“It was well done, Creighton.” William gave a quick nod. “I shall write to Admiral Witherington commending your actions.”

“Thank you, sir.” Creighton backed into the house. “Now, I believe I will excuse myself.”

Heat tweaked Julia’s face. She turned to look up at William; the intensity of his gaze put her at a loss for words.

His hands cupped her jaw, fingers twining in her hair. His lips touched hers with such tenderness, her knees buckled and she grabbed the front of his coat to stay upright. The kiss ended in a brief moment, followed by one on her forehead.

“Good night, my darling Julia.”

“Good night.” Her voice came out a whisper.

Alexandra’s
bell rang two couplets of chimes. William slowly came to consciousness. Four bells. He opened his eyes. The gray light coming in through the window meant it was morning watch. Six o’clock. He stretched, his muscles painfully reminding him of the hours spent on horseback yesterday. Though not wanting to leave the comfort of his hammock, William rose and began his daily routine, trying not to think of how this day was different from any other.