Sea of Desire (28 page)

Paddy just shook his head. “You have it bad,
my friend.”

“I have nothing... good or bad. Now, what is
it you were saying?”

“I’m only wondering what she’s going to do
all alone, with her father dead and all.”

“She’ll get by. Lady Merideth knows how to
take care of herself.”

“She looks rather forlorn.”

Sparing her a glance, Jared admitted to
himself that her stance could be interpreted as such, but he
thought it unlikely. “More than not, she’s thinking of returning to
her home.”

“All alone,” Paddy reminded.

“You forget, I’ve seen her Ladyship in
action. She managed very nicely in Passy. She had a small legion of
dandies at her beck and call.”

“Which I assume you took exception to.”

“Which,” Jared said, knowing he lied as he
spoke, “didn’t bother me at all. And don’t give me that look.”

Padraic spread his hands wide, an innocent
expression on his face. The gesture irritated Jared, partly because
it didn’t fool him in the least, and partly because he did feel
guilty about Merideth. He strode across the deck, stopping before
he reached the ladder to the main deck. “See that a long boat is
ready for tonight.”

“Aye, Captain,” Padraic said. But Jared could
hear the Celtic humor in his tone.

When he reached the main deck, Lady Merideth
was nowhere to be seen. Not that he sought her, Jared told himself.
But he had thought to remind her they’d be going ashore about
midnight. That way he’d avoid detection... hopefully. There was
still a British noose waiting for him if he were ever taken on
English soil.

But he didn’t plan to be caught. He planned
to take Merideth ashore, see her safely to Banistar Hall, and be
back aboard the
Carolina
before anyone was the wiser.

That’s why he was particularly annoyed to
find Daniel waiting for him in the wardroom with a request.

“Nay.”

“That’s it? A simple nay. Am I to hear no
explanation?” Daniel asked as he raised a pewter mug to his lips.
“We are cousins.”

“You’re on board my ship, Daniel. A simple
nay is all that’s required.”

“But it’s imperative that I come ashore with
you.”

With an impatient swipe Jared brushed an
unruly lock of hair from his forehead. “The only thing that’s
imperative is that I get Lady Merideth to Banistar Hall and reboard
the
Carolina
without getting my neck stretched by a
noose.”

“Somewhere there’s information about the
traitor.” Daniel shook his head, hurrying on before Jared could
interrupt. “Now, I know you think Lady Merideth doesn’t know the
name... and I now tend to think you may be correct. But I can’t
fathom that Lord Alfred didn’t leave something behind, some clue as
to who the person is.”

“Perhaps he did. But that doesn’t change the
fact that you’re not going ashore. If there’s a clue to be found,
Merideth will find it.”

“And put the wheels in motion again to sell
the information like her father did? In the meantime, who knows how
many lives may be lost while this traitor continues to sell
information to both sides. Lives like John’s.”

Jared wondered if Daniel knew how effective
that one argument was. “You said John’s death was an accident.”

When Daniel said nothing, Jared’s hands
tightened into fists. “Was it?”

“I need the name of the spy, cousin.”

That was no answer... or was it?
Or
was Daniel using Jared’s love for his brother to get his own way?
“I’ll give you half an hour in Banistar Hall, no more.”

“I understand.”

“If you’ve found nothing by the end of that
time, we leave, and hope Lady Merideth does decide to sell the
information if she finds it.”

“Agreed.”

Jared forced a gust of air from between his
teeth, disgusted with himself that he’d given in so easily. But
what the hell did it really matter to him? He
hoped
Daniel
found the traitor. There were few people that he despised more than
someone who would sell out his countrymen for profit.

The image of Lord Alfred moments before he
was killed sprang to Jared’s mind.
No one would suspect Merry.
She has the name.
If that was true, she represented all he
hated. Yet he couldn’t hate her

“Be ready by the end of the night watch,” was
all Jared said before leaving the wardroom. He stood in the
passageway, indecision ruling his mind. He glanced aft toward his
cabin, then shut his eyes.

There was no reason to seek her out. He sent
Tim to tell her of the time they would go ashore. And after what
happened the last time he was alone with her, he was better off
keeping his distance.

Yet he couldn’t.

Even as he clasped his hands and turned to
stare toward the ladder leading to the hatch, Jared knew. With a
deep breath he turned and strode toward his cabin.

The door was ajar, which didn’t surprise him.
What did was that she didn’t seem to notice him as he stepped
inside and quietly shut the door. She was sitting on the cushioned
window seat, legs drawn up beneath her skirt, her forehead pressed
to the glass of the transom window. She made such a pretty picture
against the backdrop of sea and sky, with her golden curls tied in
a ribbon, that he was loath to disturb her.

But she must have sensed his presence, for
she turned, a tinge of rose staining her cheeks as she stared at
him.

“Nay.” Jared held up his hand. “Please stay
seated,” he said as she started to rise. “I just came to...” What
in the hell had he come for? He hadn’t anticipated it would be this
difficult to face her after last night. Even after the first time
they’d made love it wasn’t this trying.

“I came to tell you we’ll be anchoring near
Land’s End soon. At the end of the night watch I’ll take you
home.”

“Tim told me.”

“He did.” Jared clasped his hands behind his
back. “That’s good.”

The silence spread uncomfortably. Jared
staring down at her. Merideth sitting with her hands folded on the
brocade silk of her petticoat.

“Well, then,” Jared finally said. “I suppose
that’s it.” He turned to leave, but paused, his hand on the latch
when she spoke.

“Captain Blackstone.”

“Aye.”

“Our... our relationship has been rather
stormy.”

“Aye, it has.” A grin softened his
expression, deepened his dimple.

“When I first saw you, I thought... well, you
know what I thought.”

“That I came to do harm to your father.”

“Yes.” Merideth paused. “I’m still not
certain why you did come to Banistar Hall.” Merideth stood and
shook her head when he would have answered. “Your contention that
my father was a traitor is something I cannot... will not accept.
Your own cousin, the man who sent you, can’t even say he was.”
After pacing the width of the cabin, she turned to face him.
“However, I don’t believe you killed him.”

Arching his brow, Jared leaned back against
the door. “What brought you to that conclusion?”

Merideth couldn’t help smiling. “I’m not
sure.” Her expression sobered. “But when I return to Land’s End, I
intend to discover who did murder him.”

“Don’t.”

“I...” Merideth, who was expecting at least a
word of appreciation for her admission that she believed in his
innocence, was taken aback. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying”—Jared moved across the cabin,
grabbing her shoulders when she would have retreated from him—“I’m
telling you to leave it be.”

“But I—”

“Let it go, Merideth.” His fingers tightened
as he looked down into her blue eyes—eyes shadowed slightly by
fear. Jared took a deep breath, knowing he should reinforce that
fear, yet loathing to do so. He forced his hands to relax their
grip. His palms skimmed the flesh-warmed silk of her sleeves as he
turned away. “Go home and forget this ever happened.”

“Forget this...” Merideth stepped in front of
him, forcing Jared to meet her gaze. “How can you suggest such a
thing? My father was murdered.”

“And the same thing could happen to you!”

Her gasp made Jared lower his voice, but the
intensity never left his expression. “It isn’t safe for you to
pursue this.”

Merideth took a step back, then another,
dread forming a tight knot in the pit of her stomach. Could she
have been wrong to think him blameless in her father’s death? “Are
you threatening me?”

“Nay. Not I. But someone wishes you harm. At
least someone in France did. I can’t help but think it was related
to your father’s death.”

“But that’s ridiculous. No one—”

“The man who climbed in your window in
Brittany, near Morlaix.”

“A thief, but—”

“The runaway coach in Paris.”

Merideth’s eyes widened. “Ben told you of
that? But it was only—”

“The highwayman outside of Passy.”

“As you say, a mere highwayman. Regrettably
they are a menace. However—”

“He was after you. Not money. Not jewels.
You.”

“How could you possibly know that?” Merideth
stood still, barely able to breathe as Jared stared down at her.
The color drained from her face when he finally answered.

“He told me. Moments before he was shot, he
told me.”

Held by the trance of his words, Merideth
could do naught at first. Then she swallowed. The soft rustle of
silk sounded as she turned away. “You’re saying this to frighten
me.”

“Hell yes.” Jared looked down at his hands.
“But that doesn’t make it any less true.” His eyes closed and he
took a deep breath. When he opened them again she was staring at
him. “If you have any information about a spy—”

“I don’t!” Her eyes flashed in anger. “Is
that what this is about? Frightening me into telling you the name
of the traitor?”

“Nay.” Reaching for her only seemed to fuel
her anger. She jerked from his grasp and paced to the windows. When
she turned to face him her color was high and her breasts heaved
beneath the gold locket.

“I have told you repeatedly I know nothing
about your traitor. My father knew nothing.” She was less sure of
this last statement but in her present state was willing to blame
everything on Captain Blackstone. “He was killed because of you.
Oh, maybe you didn’t shoot the pistol, but it was because of you.”
Merideth took a deep breath. “You came to inform me when we’d be
leaving the ship. I shall be ready.” Merideth turned away,
signaling his dismissal.

After a long pause, she heard him open the
door. “And Captain Blackstone,” she said before he left the cabin.
She whirled about to face him. “After tonight, you needn’t concern
yourself with my welfare.”

“If only it were that simple, Lady Merideth,”
he said before slamming the door behind him.

Merideth stared through the murky darkness
toward Banistar Hall. Earlier, when the
Carolina
had weighed
anchor, moonlight had limned the familiar cliffs near the manor.
The sight had evoked a strong feeling of longing. But now clouds
and fog shrouded all but the dimmest of outlines.

As she stood on the
Carolina
’s deck
she could see no sign of the house itself. No lights shone through
the tall casement windows. It was dark and dreary... uninviting.
And Merideth couldn’t control the shiver that ran down her spine as
she thought of returning there. Alone.

“It won’t be long till you’re home
again.”

The sound of a voice so close in the shadows
made Merideth jump. Pressing her hand to her racing heart, she
tried to calm her panic.

“I
am
sorry. It was not my intention
to startle you.”

“Please. Do not trouble yourself over it. I’m
afraid the mist and the waves against the hull... I simply didn’t
hear you.” Merideth smiled over at Daniel Wallis, though she
doubted he could make out the gesture in the dim light. She wasn’t
certain if it was remnants of her talk with Captain Blackstone or
the sight of Land’s End looking so foreign and dismal, but suddenly
she felt frightened. Which was silly beyond belief.

She should be relieved... elated that this
nightmare was finally over.

“Jared told you, didn’t he, that I would be
going ashore with you?”

“Yes.” Merideth turned back and grasped the
rail. It felt slippery beneath her fingers. He had mentioned it
when he’d come below for her not twenty minutes earlier. “Captain
Blackstone is seeing to the longboat.”

“I know.” There was a pause, during which
Merideth heard him sigh. “Lady Merideth,” he began, only to
hesitate again.

“What is it?”

“I hope... well, I certainly hope this hasn’t
been too much of an ordeal for you. I mean, to kidnap a lady such
as yourself... It’s simply unforgivable.”

“I’ve managed.” Merideth twisted her head to
look up at him. “I think it’s my father who received the worst of
it.”

“Ah, poor Lord Alfred. Such a shame... a
waste.” He sighed again. “Sometimes my dear cousin gets carried
away with his zeal for the cause.”