The Captain (18 page)
Authors: Lynn Collum
Giles seemed to fade away and the captain took her arm and escorted her up the stairs. At her door, he softly said, “I would speak with you when you are feeling better, my dear.”
She turned to face him. “You need not worry that I shall hold you to the terms of those old betrothal documents, sir. I know that I have the right of refusal on my twenty-first birthday and I shall exercise that right.”
His green eyes scanned her face for a moment as if trying to read the meaning of her words. “We needn't discuss that at this time. But what I must tell youâ” he reached out for her, but she opened the door and stepped inside.
“I would only ask that you be discreet while everyone thinks we are married.” She went to close the door, but Captain Morrow hand stopped her. He angrily stepped inside.
“Have I given you reason to think that I am such a cad, Jacinda?” His wounded pride was written on his face.
She shook her head ever so slightly, for it was beginning to hurt in earnest. “But you have also not seen the woman you loved for eight years. You might think differently once you meet. I don't want to keepâ”
“The woman I love? Do you mean Mariah? You have itâ”
But before the captain could finish Millicent Markham appeared at the doorway. “Oh, Captain, young Ben is below asking for you.” Her cousin's gaze lit on Jacinda and she hurried forward. “Why, child, you are looking burnt to the socket. Have you the headache?” When Jacinda nodded, the older woman bustled about, shooing the captain from the room. “I shall take good care of her, sir. She'll be her old self by supper.”
Before the captain knew what had happened he'd been ushered from the room, the door closed in his face. He'd come to tell Jacinda he loved her but he'd been unable to utter a word before he'd found his honor under attack. As if Mariah Amberly had meant a thing to him in a long time. He wanted to clear up the misunderstanding but he could see she was unwell. Jacinda was under a great deal of pressure from all sides. Perhaps it wasn't the best time to reveal his feeling for her. He would be better served finding who wished to harm her.
An angry glint rose in his eyes. The first person he would handle was Giles Devere. Drew strode off to the library.
CHAPTER SEVEN
After a rocky start, their first week at Chettwood Manor passed quietly. Jacinda and the captain settled into a formal but friendly accord after she apologized for her comment. She blamed it on her headache and he politely accepted her excuse, not pressing her for further explanation. Still, she'd come to realize her insinuations had stemmed from jealousy. Yet she was afraid to search her soul too much for the answer to why Mariah Amberly, who'd enchanted Andrew so long ago, could engender such an ignoble emotion in Jacinda. She tried instead to focus on the reason she'd come home: to find her father's killer.
But nothing of note happened. Many of their nearest neighbors came to call, but Jacinda remembered few of them, not having been out of the nursery when they used to visit. It was clear they were more interested in where she had been for eight years than in speaking about what they knew of her father. In truth, they appeared as puzzled as she as to what had happened; although several discreetly warned her that where money was involved, it was always best to be wary of one's relations.
As the days passed without progress in ferreting out any information or anything of note happening, Jacinda grew impatient. Her life and her feelings for the captain were on hold until this mystery was solved. She was forced into close contact with the gentleman and that only made her attraction for him grow. It certainly would make it more difficult in the end, when he walked away to resume his own life.
Something had to be done. Something that would draw out the guilty party. She put her mind to the problem and finally one afternoon a plan came to her. A very dangerous plan. But the most difficult part would be convincing Captain Morrow and Ben to go along with her suggestion.
It took her a day to gather the courage to confront the gentleman. She had little doubt that he wasn't going to like what she proposed. There was also the strange feeling she got in her stomach each time he was around. She found herself wanting more and more to be with him, to have him smile at her and to have him look at her with those green eyes that seemed to smolder at times with an intensity that ignited something deep inside her. She was rapidly losing the battle with her heart despite knowing his feelings for Mariah.
Finally, late that afternoon nearly ten days after their arrival, she went down to the stables and found Ben and the captain just finishing a riding lesson in the paddock.
“I must speak with you both, alone.”
There was no quibbling. Ben pointed to the gazebo on the lake, then raced ahead with a handful of grain to toss at the ducks. Jacinda and Drew strolled after him in silence. Ben and the captain settled on the gazebo stairs, the golden glow of the fading sun bathing them in an orange sheen.
Jacinda paced in front of them until she gathered her nerve and began. “After a week and a half of subtle questioning, it's obvious that none of the servants knows anything about the events of the night my father and I were attacked. As for the family, if they know something, they aren't talking. So I think we should take a more aggressive tack.”
The captain frowned. “Aggressive? What do you mean?”
“I think I should ...well, I should begin riding out alone to lure the killer to action.”
“Absolutely not!” The captain came off the stairs to stand face-to-face with her. “You may as well hang a target on your back.”
“Not if you and Ben are out there protecting me.” Seeing the denial in his face, she hurriedly said, “Pray listen before you refuse, I know it will be dangerous but it's the only way I can think to lure this person out into the open.
The gentleman paced to the shore and back, his angry tones carrying over the water. Even the ducks were frightened by the loud disturbance and swam to the far side of the lake. “Do you have any idea how many things could go wrong? How many trees there are to hide behind? You would be like ... like one of those ducksâcompletely vulnerable.” He gestured at the mallards who had no protection on the open water.
“I'm not afraid and I won't take any unnecessary chances. Besides, I'm tired of doing nothing. We could be here another eight years waiting for whoever it is to make another attempt. This isn't just about me. I want my father's killer brought to justice.” She glared at him, determined to make him accept the plan. They argued for another ten minutes, each unwilling to give in to the other.
In frustration, at last she shouted, “If you don't agree, I see no reason to go on with this ruse of a pretend marriage. I shall handle things my own way and you can return to your father's estate for good.”
Captain Morrow froze at her words. He turned to look at Ben, who'd been quite willing to allow the gentleman to handle the argument.
The lad's mouth puckered a moment, then he said, “We must tell her, sir, before she does something completely foolish.”
Jacinda's cheeks flushed warmly. She'd lost her temper and behaved badly. “Tell me what?”
The captain straightened. “We didn't want to alarm you, but the accident on your first day back at Chettwood was no accident.”
She shook her head. “But I told youâ”
“I know what you told us. But have you taken a look at the hat you wore that day?”
Jacinda looked from the captain to Ben and back as cold icy fingers played along her spine. “What about my hat?”
Ben rose and came to her. “There's a bullet hole underneath the feathers. We found it that night. The only reason it wasn't knocked from your head was because of that sheer netting that you tie around your neck when you wear it. That shot was aimed at you, not the birds.”
Jacinda's knees grew weak. Somehow in the back of her mind, she'd almost convinced herself it wasn't true that someone wanted her dead. But now it seemed there was indisputable proof.
The captain came to her, taking her shoulders in his hands. “Jacinda, promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks. Especially not this foolish plan you have just proposed.”
She looked up into worried eyes and knew he only wanted what was best for her. She nodded her head, but she was suddenly feeling extremely vulnerable. He pulled her into his arms and laid his head atop hers. In a hushed voice he said, “We won't let anything happen to you, my dear.”
Jacinda felt safe and protected in his embrace. She wished she didn't ever have to move from that spot beside the lake. After a moment the gentleman released her and a chill seemed to settle permanently inside her.
Drew gave her a reassuring smile. “I think we must return to the manor or we shall be late for supper. I wouldn't want to incur your Cousin Millie's wrath.”
Jacinda forced herself to return his smile but she was unable to sustain the gesture and it slipped from her face. She couldn't get past the news they'd just given her. She'd been shot at. Somehow that night long ago seemed like a child's nightmare, but this had just confirmed the truth: that someone still very much wanted her dead.
Ben slipped up beside her and slid his hand into hers. “If you want to leave here, I'll go with you, Jack. We could go back to London or someplace far away. I'm old enough to work and take care of us.”
She looked back at the manor. It had been her home for the first twelve years of her life. It was her father's legacy to her and that was worth fighting for. Her father's death must not have been in vain. “Chettwood will be mine and I intend to stay and find out the truth.” She looked at the captain and felt the fool for her conduct. “Will you forgive my childish threat and stay as well?”
He smiled and drew her arm through his. “I am here until the very end, my dear.”
Her fingers tightened on his arm and a feeling of strength seemed to flow from him to her. A quiet calm came over her. She wouldn't think about the day that would come all too soon when he would leave to return to his life at sea. She would only savor their time together. “Shall we go? We don't want to keep the others waiting.”
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At luncheon the following day, Stritch had begun to serve when a commotion sounded at the front door announcing visitors at Chettwood. Within minutes a footman ushered Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Matthew Blanchett into the dining room, where everyone but Ben was gathered. One of the grooms had taken him fishing, with the captain's approval, and Cook had packed the lads a picnic. Ben had never been on a picnic before and Jacinda hoped it would be only one of many he'd enjoy here at Chettwood.
She rose to greet the gentlemen. A twinge of sadness stirred within her, for her uncle looked a great deal like her father. “Uncle Matthew, how good to see you.”
Matthew Blanchett, sixty, with thinning auburn hair and a long glum face, looked flustered as he took his niece in his arms. “I'm hoping you will say the same after I impart the bad news I bring.”
She drew back, and searched his face. “What has happened? Is it Jane? Claude?” She hadn't seen her Blanchett cousins in years but they were family.
A look passed between the newly arrived gentlemen, but Uncle Matthew could only shake his head. Jacinda was suddenly afraid that the news was going to be very bad.
Millicent Markham stepped up. “Mr. Blanchett, Jacinda seems to have forgotten her manners. May we present her husband, Captain Morrow.” The gentlemen exchanged bows and Millie said, “Won't you join us? ”
The solicitor and Mr. Blanchett gladly accepted and Stritch sent for two more place settings. But it was clear something was weighing on Matthew Blanchett, for he'd scarcely settled at the edge of a chair when he began. “There is no easy way to tell you this, my dear. I fear the business is finished.”
“The business?” Jacinda blinked, startled that his uneasiness was about business and not some life-or-death matter.
Mr. Wilkins pushed his spectacles up on the bridge of his nose even as he eyed the loaded tray of cucumber sandwiches a footman brought round. “That is perhaps a bit melodramatic, but I think what your uncle is trying to tell you is that it will be years, if ever, before there will be any profits from the foundry.”
A gasp went up in the room. Giles, who'd been toying with a piece of fruit with a bored expression on his face, sat up. “What the devil have you done, sir?”
Matthew Blanchett stiffened and his eyes narrowed as they took in Giles's pale green jacket with large gold buttons and waistcost with delicate green leaves. “I don't believe this is any of your affair, young man.” He turned back his niece. “Jacinda, perhaps we should retire to the library to finish this discussion after we have dined.”
To everyone's surprise, Captain Morrow spoke from his position at the head of the table. “I think the entire family should hear this, sir. After all, if I take your meaning, my wife will no longer be able to provide the level of income to her family that her father once did.”
Mr. Wilkins nodded, even while he selected a second sandwich from the tray which sat on the table in front of him. “That is exactly what your uncle is saying. Mrs. Morrow, as your father's executor, I shall be forced to make some difficult choices due to the unfortunate circumstance that Blanchett Foundry burned to the ground two days ago.”
Jacinda sat stunned. Every fiber of her being wanted to throw herself into the captain's arms for reassurance and comfort. But she wouldn't be so weak. She gathered her wits and asked, “Tell me, sir, that no one was hurt.”
Uncle Matthew nodded. “Thankfully not, my dear. I cannot tell youâ”
Mrs. Devere shoved her plate away from her. “What kind of adjustments to our income are you speaking of, sir?” Her dark gaze locked on the solicitor, who seemed more interested in eating than in informing them of the crisis.
After swallowing, he smiled sheepishly. “Forgive me, but we were in such haste we have not eaten since dawn.” He brushed the crumbs from his waistcoat then said, “I've looked over your affairs, Mrs. Morrow. Much of your father's income was used up when Mr. Blanchett and your father decided to refit the foundry some nine years ago. There were mortgages taken out and debts incurred. Since that time, the profits have been, shall we say, spotty due to the fact that your father allowed his brother to make certain investments with the income before profits were dispersed.” The solicitor cast Mr. Blanchett an accusatory look before he continued. “Along with that, I've expended a great deal of money at Bow Street hiring runners to help in the search for your father's killer with few results.” The gentleman looked at the captain. “And of course, I have paid out the remainder of the settlement to Lord Rowland that was agreed upon by Jacinda's father.”
A frown appeared on the captain's face. “You did?”
The solicitor nodded. “Sent the check express on Monday.”
The captain fell silent again.
“Mr. Wilkins,” Jacinda said, “are you telling me that I am without funds?” For herself, she wasn't frightened since she'd been without funds since before Trudy died. But Jacinda had an entire estate full of people depending on her, tenants and family alike.
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