Sea of Fire (28 page)

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Authors: Carol Caldwell

Tags: #Historical Romance

BOOK: Sea of Fire
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“Sorry, mister. Good luck to ye.”

Christian stared at the facade of the Sword and Shield. He couldn’t risk asking the innkeeper about Adam. The man might have orders from Adam to inform him of any
inquiries. As for any patrons, he’d have to be equally as careful.

He rushed inside to the inner entryway, hesitated a moment to get his wits about him and cautiously entered. To his good fortune he saw a glimpse of Elizabeth before she turned towards the back of the inn. Without running, so as not to attract attention, he hurried to follow her. He got as far as a back staircase where the two seemed to have disappeared behind it. He quietly approached, determining that there must have been an entryway under the steps, until he came upon the dark alcove. There was no door. There was no passageway. One moment, he had seen them with his own eyes. The next moment they had vanished, which meant there had to be a hidden entrance.

Adam was taking extra precautions not to be seen by the public, or maybe he thought Elizabeth would be followed. Christian stepped from beneath the darkness. The passageway offered no means of concealment. If he waited where he was, anyone passing would definitely see him. He tried a couple doors a few yards away. One was locked. The other opened into a storage room. He closed this door and leaned against it. As soon as he heard someone coming, or saw any light from beneath the steps, he’d dart inside.

Content that he had the situation under control, he relaxed somewhat. He recalled the driver’s assumption and chuckled. The foolish man thought he was spying on a wife who was making a cuckold of him. His mind raced along these paths and soon he grew more serious. If Elizabeth was indeed his wife, and he found out she was committing adultery, would he become violent enough to want to shoot her and the lover? He’d like to think not. The idea of Elizabeth making love to another man, though, gave him a sour feeling in his stomach. He didn’t like it. He had experienced the best lovemaking he ever had with
Elizabeth, yet he sensed she was holding back a part of herself. Was it because of Adam?

What would she do when she saw Adam? He hadn’t thought of her reactions until now. Would seeing Adam rekindle the love she once held for him? Nay, he told himself. He knew her well enough. She wasn’t a promiscuous woman. Adam hadn’t bedded her. She had been a virgin when he took her.

Still, his mind sped ahead. What if Adam wanted her back? Would he try to hold her and kiss her? Would she let him? How far would she go to save her father? Nay. He could not stand the thought of it. Adam was his brother, but after having Elizabeth ... Though he had no claims to her, neither did he want anyone else to have her. Christ! He was getting more distraught the more he considered it and the longer Elizabeth and Roderick spent inside.

Bloody hell. He hoped Adam would get to business quickly and give Elizabeth the encouragement and assurance she needed with regard to her father. Between the stuffiness in the passageway and his legs getting stiff and tired from standing, even he was beginning to lose patience, despite the short time since the two entered the inn. Yet, it could be a while, he told himself. Better get used to it.

His words of self-encouragement barely had time to register when he was stunned to see a brief flash of light from beneath the staircase. He dashed into the storage room and waited about a minute before he cautiously poked his head out the door. Roderick and Elizabeth were nowhere in sight. He hurried to the alcove to push and prod along the walls, anxious to see Adam. Success. His fingertips pressed the correct place, enabling a door to swing open.

Yet, no light shone from within. Once he stepped inside, the door instantly shut behind him momentarily startling him. He groped in the darkness until he found a lamp and lit it. He was in a small waiting room or sitting room.

Damn. Where had Adam gone to so fast? Either he had exited with Roderick and Elizabeth and Christian had missed him, or he had slipped out another exit to this hidden room.

He crept around the small area. He hoped to find some article of clothing or any other personal effects of Adam’s, but the room was empty. Hell. How could he have been so careless as to let an opportunity like this slip away in a mere matter of moments? He should have planned better. He should have considered all possible scenarios. He kicked the only chair in the room and sent it tumbling backwards. The noise jolted him and was a reminder that he wasn’t supposed to be aware of this room. He set the chair upright and plopped down on it. Perhaps, this was a place Adam came often, considering his illegal activities. No one would ever see him coming or going. He shook his head in dismay. How had his brother gotten himself involved in all this?

He rubbed his forehead. The proprietor had to know about this room and Adam. If he came right out and questioned the man, he’d endanger Elizabeth. He stood. Perhaps, good fortune was at least on her side this eve where she was able to obtain some helpful information. If not, he’d have to do some serious thinking. He was close, but not close enough, and he was certain, once he’d met with Adam, he’d have all the answers.

He started for the exit and realized he was not certain where it was. The room appeared to be all walls. Once again he poked and prodded, but to no avail. Damn! Was he going to be stuck in this place now?

He calmed himself. He’d simply begin in one spot and feel his way around the room. His patience paid off. As before, a panel swung open, but this time a burst of fresh air accompanied it. This, then, was the exit Adam must have used. He placed the lamp back where he’d found it and blew at it before he stepped outside into the night air.

The door shut behind him. This time he was prepared for it.

He saw he was in the mews behind the Sword and Shield. At once, he became hopeful. All he had to do was watch the back of the inn. He was bound to see Adam eventually.

* * * *

By the time Roderick and Elizabeth arrived back at her town house, it was two in the morning. “You needn’t escort me to the door,” she said and stepped down from the carriage.

“Oh, but I want to,” Roderick answered, close on her heels.

He followed her inside. “Is there something else?” she asked.

“You know me too well,” he replied. “I want you to pick up two pouches of coins from the
Aurora.
You know where it’s docked. You’ve met Captain Desmond before.” He chuckled at himself the way he did when he’d told one of his stupid jokes. “You don’t have to go right away. Later this afternoon will be well enough.”

What would Roderick do if he didn’t have himself to humor him?
“Where do you want me to bring the pouches?”

“Home with you until I decide. I know you’ll keep them safe,” he said and yawned. “Good-bye, Elizabeth.”

She shut the door after him. She was hoping Christian would soon return with good news that he was able to talk some sense into Adam. Regardless of what Adam had told her, maybe Christian would be able to put an end to this nightmare. What if he chose not to, though? What if once he’d seen Adam, Christian had changed his mind and decided to side with Adam? They were brothers. What if Christian had merely used her to find Adam? She couldn’t bear it. As time crept along into the early morning, her doubt and fears increased.

Strained emotions and the late hour proved to work
against her. She retired to her bedchamber and finally dozed off. She had slept so soundly, dawn’s first penetrating light through the bedchamber window never woke her. Instead, the traffic out front on Henrietta Street alerted her to a new day. She jolted upright with the events of the previous night instantly racing through her mind.

Christian had not called, and more than likely he wasn’t going to do so. She suspected the worst, but she didn’t want to believe it. There was naught for her to do, but continue as she had every day since her father was abducted. It was late morning and she needed to get to the
Aurora
to secure the coins.

She changed from the wrinkled gown she had slept in, put on a wrapper and headed for the kitchen to prepare a hot bath. Her intent was to carry the water upstairs until it occurred to her with no one in the house, she could bathe anywhere she liked. Consequently, she set the tub in the kitchen. When the water was prepared, she sprinkled some scent into it, undressed and slowly immersed herself.

She recalled another bath a long time ago when counterfeit coins and dies fell from a teapot into the water. If she had not confronted Roderick, would it have changed her father’s fate? Probably not, but at least she wouldn’t have had to take any part in the drawing or passing of the spurious coins. She had to stop thinking of what would have been, and concentrate on a plan for the present. If only she could find her father, her options would not be as limited.

She closed her eyes and rested her head against the rim of the tub. As quickly, she sat forward. Lounging in a bath only made her mind run rampant. She needed to keep her mind off her predicament, but mainly off Christian. She didn’t want to face the hurt that threatened to rise within her at what now seemed like his betrayal. Would she never learn? What a fool.

She sank down into the water and dunked her head below the surface as if the gesture would drown any more foolishness. When she had scrubbed herself clean, she stood. The cool air against her wet skin caused chill bumps to surface. Hurriedly, she rubbed herself dry, tied the towel around her, and padded upstairs to dress.

A half hour later, when she returned to the kitchen for a cup of tea and light meal, she remembered the bath water. The tub was now much too heavy for her to lift by herself. Alf would be out back or in his private quarters above the coach house.

She started for the rear entrance when the knocker loudly sounded on the front door. Christian? She sped through the house and reached the entryway in seconds. She swung open the door. Her heart fell.

“Mistress Corry?” the courier asked.

“Aye,” she answered and took the missive the messenger now offered her. “Thank you.”

He nodded, turned and left.

Instantly, she ripped open the note. It had to be from Christian. Pray to God he was all right. She glanced over the fancily penned script and she knew at once the message was from Charlotte.

Disappointment weighted her shoulders. She read the note. Charlotte wanted her to come practice tomorrow. She sighed, closed the heavy oak outer door and placed the missive in the porcelain dish on the entryway table.

She should have known better than to let her hopes rise, thinking the caller was Christian. She returned to the kitchen and tub. No sooner had she placed her hand on the back door, the knocker on the front sounded again.

As before, she raced to answer it. This time she was not disappointed when it wasn’t Christian, but the man Turner who had called on her father twice before.

“I’d like to speak with Edward Corry, please,” Turner said.

The sun poked through the trees in front near the road and was now directly behind the tall thin man.

She squinted up at him. For the first time, she took a good look at him. His nose resembled a beak and his head overall reminded her of a turtle. She had not meant to stare or be impolite.

Quickly, she said, “I’m sorry, sir. My father is still too ill to have visitors.”

“If it’s not too much of a bother, can you give him this.” Turner handed her a sealed missive addressed to her father. Apparently, the man had not expected to gain entry inside the Corry household.

“Certainly,” she answered and took the note.

The man nodded, like the courier earlier had, turned and left.

Once inside, she placed the missive in the porcelain dish along with Charlotte’s. Barely had she time to turn around when the knocker sounded yet again. Turner must have forgotten something. She opened the door and was shocked to see Christian. She knew her mouth hung open, but she was unable to close it or speak. He smiled at her, briefly kissed her mouth shut and entered the house.

She slammed the door behind him and followed. Though she was truly delighted to see him, she was annoyed that he was acting like nothing was amiss. She had worried about him and thought all sorts of non-trusting notions. Consequently, she said in a sarcastic tone, “How kind of you to at last show up.” She walked past him through the drawing room passageway on to the kitchen.

He remained on her heels. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He grabbed her by the shoulder.

She broke free. The tub of water now separated them.

“I was worried about you. Why didn’t you come as soon as you spoke to Adam?”

“I see. That’s what this is about.”

“Aye. Answer me.”

“I was tired and ...”

Whatever he was going to add was lost. She said, “You were tired? That is your excuse?” She reached for the nearest object—her empty cup and threw it in the tub in such a way to cause a big splash to spray his obviously newly pressed coat and breeches.

“That’s what I think of your answer,” she added. She placed her hands on her hips for emphasis.

His handsome face clearly showed astonishment. Lightning fast, he reached for a muffin tin on the table and threw it in the tub. The water splashed her gown.

Stunned, but not so much she couldn’t react, she made for another cup. Instantly, Christian scooted around the tub and grabbed her hand. She shoved him hard. He backed into the tub and fell into the water. Both were too shocked to move. Next moment they broke out in laughter.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Not as sorry as you’re going to be.” He grabbed her hand and yanked her into the tub onto his lap. She squirmed and tried to get away, but he held her tight. At last she reconciled herself to defeat and relaxed. The two sat still for a few seconds. She turned a bit to face him better. He pulled her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he kissed her deeply before they broke apart.

Where the cool air and water had earlier caused her to be chilled, his touch now heated her. “You make me act like a wanton woman,” she said, and gazed deeply into his eyes. He was as moved as she was.

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