Silver Sea (26 page)

The stallion threw his head back and snorted. As they galloped off across the grounds, Huntsford screamed wildly from the open windows.

"This will kill Mummy, y'know! You'll both pay! I'll hunt you down, mark my words!"

"I'm shaking with terror," Nathan murmured into the wind.

Part Three

Once more upon the waters, yet once more!

And the waves bound beneath me as a steed

That knows his rider! Welcome to their roar!

Swift be their guidance, whereso'er it lead!

—George Gordon, Lord Byron

Chapter 14

It seemed to take hours to reach Winchester. Jouncing along on the back of a horse ominously christened Runaway, Adrienne experienced a total lack of control. Her slim gown forced her to keep both legs on one side, and she constantly felt on the verge of hurtling into a ditch or hedgerow. Nathan held the reins, so she could do no more than cling alternately to Runaway's mane and her kidnapper's body, and pray. With only the moon to light their way, they thundered so recklessly along a hilly, winding road that Adrienne was certain each moment would be her last.

"Please!" she yelled after an especially terrifying brush with death. "Slow down!"

"A search party led by Jarrow is doubtless in close pursuit!" Nathan replied with mock horror. "He would not be merciful if he overcame us."

"Jarrow?" she echoed, laughing.

No other words passed between them. Adrienne had no wish to distract him, and in fact, she was secretly quite thrilled. When coherent thought became possible, she decided that tonight Nathan epitomized all her girlhood fantasies. It truly was a delicious adventure—in part because Adrienne trusted her abductor.

In time, as it became clear that no one was chasing them, and Runaway began to tire slightly, Nathan drew back slightly on the reins. The River Itchen was a molten silver ribbon, following the road to the west. An owl hooted from a tree, and rabbits scooted about in the meadow. Adrienne could scarcely keep her eyes open. When Nathan gathered her against his chest with his arm, she snuggled in and dozed. The night air was cool, and she had sorely missed the familiar touch and scent and sturdy warmth of him.

Was it her imagination, or did he kiss her hair after a while?

Adrienne awoke in Winchester, as they drew up outside the porter's door at St. Cross Hospital. For centuries, needy travelers had received a portion of bread and a horn of ale known as the Wayfarer's Dole. Adrienne was shocked that Nathan would come here for food, but realized that he probably thought it was the one place they could be guaranteed safety.

When they had eaten, she stood shivering next to Runaway and gave Nathan a faltering smile. "I've been thinking—"

"No need for that yet," came his cheerfully sardonic reply. "We must make haste."

"No, Nathan, I mean I have been thinking about what we're doing. I appreciate your concern for my welfare, and part of me was relieved to escape from Harms Castle, but I have realized that I cannot go. Not yet."

"Too late, I fear. We've already gone."

"I mean, I ought to go back."

"Sorry."

Adrienne stuck out her chin. "I am not making a request, Nathan. This is my
decision
." She spoke slowly, weighting each word with conviction. "I can't just run away. All my things are there, and I must resolve my affairs with Lady Thomasina... and Huntsford as well."

"No." He shook his handsome head. "I'm afraid that's out of the question."

Her patience was ebbing rapidly. "How can you behave this way? You have no right to make these decisions for me. If you won't take me back, then leave me, and I'll hire a chaise in the morning."

"Your father hired me to make these decisions, I'm afraid, and this matter is fixed. We will continue."

Adrienne's rage increased. She threw herself at Nathan, but he simply grasped her wrists, easily subduing her. "I hate you! You
cannot
bully me in this manner! I won't allow it!"

"Just when we were beginning to have fun, you turn on me. Ah, well, I'm used to it." He threw her onto Runaway's back, swinging up behind her in the next instant. The horse started forward and Adrienne let out a yell of panic. "You don't want to ride that way until dawn, do you? I'll let you sit, and leave your wrists untied, if you promise to behave yourself."

Runaway was cantering over the bridge as Nathan drew his captive into an upright position. She promptly spat in his face, but he would not let his temper snap. "Try to act like a woman, not a brat," he advised coolly. "We have a long ride ahead."

"This time you have gone too far. When we reach France, I shall tell my father, and then you'll be sorry you didn't listen to me."

"Oh, we're not going to France."

"London, then!" Adrienne snapped.

"No, not London either."

Her sense of panic mounted.
"Where,
then?"

"I'm not ready to divulge that information yet, my dear chit. Just relax and enjoy the night air."

"I am going to kill you," Adrienne ground out, but her words were drowned out by the sound of Runaway's hoof-beats. They had gained the south road, and the stallion stretched out his legs in an even gallop.

Above Adrienne's head, Nathan Raveneau smiled grimly to himself. She had a lot of surprises in store, and he doubted that she'd be pleased by any of them.

* * *

Morning was breaking when the stallion and his two riders reached the outskirts of Southampton.

"Just a little farther, Runaway," Nathan soothed, stroking his neck. "We're nearly there."

Adrienne awoke, aching all over and immediately craving a bath. It seemed that her entire body was bruised and dusty. "Have we reached our destination?"

"The land portion is nearly over. We're going just below Southampton, to a tiny place called Hill Head. Soon enough we'll be able to get some rest."

"I must say, I'm fed up with your air of mystery! It's my life you're trifling with, and I don't appreciate your highhandedness one bit!" She wriggled in front of him, trying to achieve a measure of comfort.

"Hold still before you send us both into the road," he warned.

Adrienne craned her neck to look at him, and suddenly it dawned on her that something was missing. "Where are your spectacles? How is it that you can see?"

"Actually... I don't wear spectacles."

They reached the top of a hill overlooking the jade waters of the Solent, which separated the mainland from the Isle of Wight. As they descended into the tiny village of Hill Head, Adrienne was distracted from the beauty of her new, dawn-gilded surroundings by Nathan's admission. If he didn't actually need to wear spectacles, why then had he done so for many weeks? Deep inside, she had always sensed that he was not who he pretended to be, but now that stranger was holding her captive!

Her voice was more hesitant than before as she asked, "Has it all been a masquerade?"

"I suppose you could say that."

Adrienne's heart thudded. "Who are you, then?"

He was looking around as they came up in front of an old Tudor inn called The Anchor. "I'd really rather not discuss it at the moment. I'm looking for Dickie, the butcher's son. Do you remember him?"

Always, she had trusted him, in spite of everything. Had she been right? "What would Dickie be doing here?"

"I sent him ahead to make the arrangements for us. Ah, good, there he is!"

The lad emerged from the inn in the company of a short, redheaded fellow who looked oddly familiar to Adrienne. As soon as he called a greeting, she remembered. "Look! It's your cousin!"

"What? Oh, him. No, he's not my cousin."

"Have you spoken one true word since the moment we first met?" Her voice rose with frustration.

Nathan was jumping to the ground. As he reached up to help Adrienne down, he held her close to him and gazed into her uncertain green eyes. "Adrienne, you already know everything about me that really matters. As for the rest, the answers you seek will have to wait a bit. If it's any comfort, your father knows
all
about me." He brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers and smiled.

It was maddening to feel herself succumb to his spell, as always. The redheaded man was watching them with a knowing look in his eye, and it felt like a slap in the face to Adrienne. "I'll thank you to keep your distance, sir!" she told Nathan tartly. "Believe it or not, I am well able to resist your conceited attempts to charm me!"

His eyes widened, and then he threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Of course you are, my little spitfire!"

Zachary Minter sidled up beside them and winked at Adrienne. "Well, well, I think I am going to like you, Miss Beauvisage!"

"If I tell you that I am being abducted against my will, would you help me to escape from this brute?"

His face fell. "Oh." Zach turned quizzical eyes on his oldest friend. "Is she having me on?"

"See here," Nathan thundered, "I must ask Miss Beauvisage to stop these stalling tactics, and I must ask Minter to stop making foolish remarks! I am the captain, I'm tired, and I want to get on with the day's plans!"

"Captain of what?" Adrienne exclaimed.

"Just be silent until I tell you to speak!"

"Oh, guv'nor," Zach protested, "that's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

Nathan ignored him and turned to Dickie, smiling at the lad with an effort. "Do, please, pardon my friends. Miss Beauvisage has been without sleep, and she's not herself. Now then, Dickie, I want to thank you for your help; we couldn't have done it without you."

"My pleasure, sir!"

"I want to make a present to you of this beautiful stallion called Runaway. Will you give me your word to treat him with the utmost care? Here, take these guineas and spend some on yourself, and keep the rest to pay for his food."

Dickie's eyes shone with wonder. "It's a fortune! Me grandfather has a fine farm just outside of Winchester, sir. I can stable him there and visit every day. Would that be good enough?"

"Perfect." He ruffled the boy's hair. "Stop at the coaching inn a ways up the road and have Runaway watered and fed. And buy yourself a hot breakfast. Godspeed."

When Dickie had ridden away, up the cobbled street on the stallion's back, Nathan turned toward the water with a bittersweet sigh. "If there had been a way to take Runaway with us, so he'd be comfortable, I would have done it. I love that horse."

"You did the right thing," Zach assured him. "Now then, let's go. The long boat is waiting at the dock, and your crew is frothing at the mouth to see you, Captain!"

"God, what a horrific thought."

Adrienne had decided to keep quiet, to just listen and watch. Since Nathan wouldn't tell her anything anyway, she would probably learn more through careful observation. Still, the urge to ask about the ship and its destination was strong.

What sort of power had her father bestowed on this man? How could Nathan possibly presume to carry her off to an unknown destination against her will?

If she had thought it would do a bit of good to ask him, she would have done so.

Zachary Minter was kind to her as they rowed in the direction of a magnificently rakish packet that swayed gently in the ruffled waters. The ship was a stirring sight, particularly for someone like Adrienne who so keenly adored adventure and romance. A vessel like that was the stuff of her dreams.

"We aren't going to
that
ship, are we?"

It was Zach who puffed out his chest and answered, "Yes indeed, Miss Beauvisage, that is the
Golden Eagle,
and I am her first mate. I couldn't be prouder of my association with this ship and Captain Raveneau."

"Who is Captain
Raveneau?"

Nathan threw the smaller man a menacing glance.

"Uh..." He cleared his throat. "That is, actually, my name."

They were drawing alongside the sharp hull, and a rope ladder was lowered. Stunned to the point of numbness, Adrienne said nothing but let the men help her ascend. Zach went first, and Nathan came behind, both watching for any misstep she might make, given her attire. However, she made the climb safely and swung her slim legs over the rail.