The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (27 page)

Jean’s love for excitement usually kept him in trouble. Being a ladies’ man, he frequently attended parties when in New Orleans. But all that had ceased when Jewel had disappeared. His niece had meant the world to him, and he wouldn’t stop searching until he found her.

And he would find her!

The next morning Annie had improved.

“Would you like a little breakfast?” Jewel asked.

“Seein’ as I might live tae see another day, I believe I could eat a wee bite.” She sat up on the side of the bed, still looking very peaked. “Praise the Lord, the queasiness be gone.”

They quickly dressed and then went in search of food. As they approached the galley, the smell of ham and coffee filled the air with heavenly aromas. The sound of sputtering and hissing prickled their ears. Adam stood as the ladies entered, motioning for them to sit with him.

“Are you feeling well this morning, Annie?”

“I do feel better, but still have a wee bit of trouble walkin’ on this rollin’ tub,” she confessed.

Adam laughed. “It’s a ship, Annie, not a tub. Trust me, you’ll get used to it.” He turned his attention to Jewel. “Are you having any trouble?”

Jewel shook her head. “I’m quite comfortable, thank you. You have a fine ship.”

Adam liked her praise, but wasn’t sure about her cheerfulness this morning. Especially after he’d spent a miserable night tossing and turning, trying to get her off his mind. For a man used to controlling his own thoughts, he seemed smitten by this little lady, and he damned sure didn’t like it.

He’d somehow forgotten along the way that he was trying to discover her past. He’d also not given a second thought to taking her to his American home. What would he do with her when they arrived? Make her his mistress? He’d thought that, after the night when they’d made love, she would be easier to put from his mind. That was what he’d planned to do. Leave her behind.

But he
hadn’t
left her behind. He was behaving no better than an animal when she was near him. Just the touch of her made him perspire.

Damn woman.

After breakfast, Jewel and Annie walked around, investigating the ship. Adam had told them they had free access to the ship, but not to interfere with the men’s duties. He assured the ladies his men wouldn’t bother them.

Jewel and Annie stood at the rail, looking out onto a now
calm sea.

“ ’Tis beautiful.” Annie’s eyes shone as she watched the sea.

The Atlantic spread to the horizon like a sheet of tempered steel. Occasionally a flash of silver could be seen. But the easterly winds bit into Jewel’s thin dress, and they realized they hadn’t prepared properly to stay on deck for long. Jewel was glad now she had slipped her breeches into her luggage. They would definitely be more practical than these flimsy dresses, and warmer, too. Annie went below to their cabin.

Jewel stayed a few more minutes before she decided to go in, too. When she started below, she spotted a young cabin boy coming out of Adam’s room. Not watching where he was going, he ran head on into Jewel, knocking them both down.

“Excuse me, my lady.” The young boy blushed as he helped her to her feet. “Please, don’t tell Captain Trent.”

Jewel spoke softly, smiling at the young lad. “You’re in such a hurry; maybe you should slow down just a mite. What’s your name?”

“Andrew, my lady. But my friends call me Andy, and I can’t slow down. I’ve got to show the captain I’m worth keeping on board ship.” He sighed and sounded a little discouraged and completely out of breath.

“Sometimes haste makes twice the work.” She stared down at the youthful face, feeling very motherly. “My name is Jewel. I hope we’ll become friends, Andrew.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

“Jewel,” she corrected. “Aren’t you a little young to be sailing?”

“No!” Andrew looked offended. I’m twelve years old, and will be thirteen pretty soon.”

“Don’t you have any family?”

“No, I’ve no one.” A sad look entered his brown eyes. “Derek . . . well, he kinda took me in and said he’d teach me to sail.”

“We have much in common. I don’t have a mother or father either. Perhaps we should be friends.” She winked, giving him a reassuring smile.

“Thank you, Miz Jewel, but please don’t tell Captain Trent I knocked you down. I heard him talking to Derek about me. Captain said I was too young and had no business on a ship. I’m trying to stay out of his way and do everything just right. I’ll show him I’m no baby!”

“I can see you’re very grown up, and I’m sure you’ll make a fine sailor.” Jewel refrained from patting him on the head. He looked so young, but she knew he wouldn’t like her to remind him of the fact. “I promise not to tell Adam, and you shouldn’t be afraid of him. He’s a fair man.” Yet she wondered how true her statement was. How was the Duke of St. Ives going to treat her now that he’d had her?

“Call me Andy.” He smiled, a look of adoration flashing in his eyes. “I like you, Miz Jewel; you’re a real nice lady. Are you related to Captain Trent?”

“No,” she answered slowly. “We’re just friends. Andy,” she said. “Would you like to help me take care of my puppy?”

“You have a puppy on board?” His eyes widened with excitement.

Jewel giggled. “Yes, but 1 had to promise Captain Trent I’d watch him carefully. Do you think you can help me?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Good.”

She looked at Andy for a moment, then thought of a wonderful idea. “We’re about the same size. Do you have an extra winter coat I can borrow?”

“Sure. Come with me, Miz Jewel.” Taking her hand, he led her to his room. “I’m sure glad you’re sailing with us.”

Chapter Nineteen

Days aboard the
Wind Jammer
passed quickly.

The crew scurried about tying off ropes and mending riggings, oiling guns and cleaning decks. Of course, Jewel and Annie were not expected to do any cleaning, but they couldn’t stand sitting idle, so they helped wherever needed.

And so everyone settled into a routine. Everyone except Adam, who seemed to grow more distant with each passing day.

One morning, having grown bored of the cabin, Jewel dressed in a pair of old breeches and Andy’s coat, thinking this would be a good day to venture up on deck. The cold sea breeze ruffled her hair, making her feel carefree and much like her old self. Memories of Barataria Bay flooded her memory, and she could see herself aboard the ships anchored in the bay as she laughed and talked with Jean’s men. Jean and Pierre had given in to her tomboy ways during those days, but were adamant about her dressing for dinner. They always cautioned her that she must never forget her femininity because she would need it to catch a husband one day.

Jewel reached down and pulled up her socks, thinking this was more like it . . . freedom to move about without the wind wrapping a dress around her legs. Adam had barely noticed her, or what she wore, so she didn’t think he’d be a problem.

The crew, having seen her often by now, smiled their greet
ings. Some took a second look at her strange attire, but were polite and didn’t comment. Thank goodness.

“If you’re looking for Duke, he’s lying over in that coil of rope—sound asleep ... as always.” Charlie laughed, pointing Jewel in the right direction. She saw a black nose resting on top of the coil.

“Thank you.” Jewel nodded to the helmsman, Charlie Welfonder. Earlier they had talked and she’d learned he came from Hamburg. He was a quiet man, not boisterous like the rest of the crew.

“Who’s at the helm?” Jewel asked.

“The captain himself, miss.”

“Really?” Jewel decided to see for herself by paying the captain a visit. It irritated her how easily Adam could push her aside.

When she drew near, she could clearly see Adam standing beside the big wheel as he studied a map, his feet planted firmly on the deck and his arm propped on a wooden table. It gave her time to watch him. He was an enigma to her, always keeping her off guard, and she wondered if he ever thought of her. She remembered the magic of his hands when he had held her. She loved the fiery way his insistent kisses could make her head spin. At Briercliff, he had been different, but since coming aboard Adam had changed.

Perhaps he didn’t think of her at all. Lately, he’d been like a cold stranger, avoiding her, and she wondered if he regretted bringing her with him.

Adam handled the ship as if she were a thoroughbred horse, responding to his slightest touch. He turned to say something to Derek, presenting his finely chiseled profile to her. He made a commanding figure, and she found herself wanting his attention, wanting to feel his strong arms around her again.

Enough of that kind of thinking, Jewel chided herself.

As she moved forward, his head came up and his gaze traveled over her entire length, taking in every detail of her appearance.

“Hello, Adam. It’s a beautiful day.”

“It is,” he acknowledged. “Why are you dressed in those clothes? We’ve had this discussion before.” Adam eyed her coolly. “I have a ship full of men who haven’t been with a woman in two weeks, and there you stand, looking extremely fetching in tight-fitting breeches. Do you have no brains, woman?”

So startled by his attack on her, Jewel was speechless. Maybe she had pushed him too far, she mused for one brief moment. She really hadn’t thought about the sailors.

“Jewel!” Adam grabbed her arm. “You try my patience! Explain yourself.”

“It’s cold out here, Adam. You try wearing a skirt and have the biting wind blow up your dress. Can you not see the logic?”

Derek, who had been quiet, laughed. “I can just picture the captain in a skirt.”

Adam shot him a murderous look.

“I believe I’ve some other things that need to be done,” Derek said. He picked up several maps, tucked them under his arm, and left.

After Derek had walked off, Adam turned his attention back to her. “Where did you get that jacket? I don’t remember purchasing it for you.”

Heat ran through Jewel’s veins and her body grew rigid. “Does the sight of me bring out this foul mood of yours or are you nasty to everyone?” She exploded. “I asked Andy if I could borrow one of his. He said he didn’t mind because he had two. I would have asked you, but I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

Adam looked out toward the sea as if trying to think of a good reason why he’d been avoiding her. “I’ve had some things to do, and charts to study.”

A variety of different emotions filled her with sudden pain, and she felt empty. “I see,” she said. Reality set in as she began to understand that Adam acted this way because he didn’t want to be around her at all. Maybe she had misunderstood the way he’d felt Christmas Eve. Perhaps it had all been one-sided. After all, she had fallen willingly into his arms, much to her chagrin. She wished she could dismiss him from her mind as easily as he had her, but she missed his friendship.

Jewel looked up at the main topgallant sail, and saw Andy working on a rigging. “1 see you’ve given Andy some different tasks to do. You know, he doesn’t think you like him.” She waited, challenging Adam to answer. “Do you?”

“I’ve nothing against Andrew. I just think he’s too young to be at sea.”

“You call him Andrew?”

“That is his name—isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Jewel grinned at the private joke. “Did you know he didn’t have a home until Derek found him?”

Adam’s brow arched. “No, I didn’t.”

“That’s probably why Derek brought him on board ship, but I think he’s young, too.”

“I might point out that you’re not very old yourself.” He cocked a brow at her, and for a moment she glimpsed the old Adam. “Maybe, after we get home, I can find someplace nice for him. Andrew needs an education and some type of family.”

They both watched Andy as he walked across the beam of the topgallant sail. He looked down and waved—a foolish mistake. A gust of wind caught him off balance and he plunged headfirst toward the deck. Luckily his foot caught in the riggings.

Hanging upside down, Andy yelled at the top of his lungs, “Help! Somebody help me!”

“Hold her steady!” Adam ordered, turning the wheel over to the crew member beside him. He ran to the mast.

Several sailors gathered around, all mumbling about what should be done.

“Hold on, Andy!” Charlie hollered. “The cap’n will be up after you in a minute.”

They paid little attention to Jewel, who knew what had to be done. Adam was too heavy to get to the exact spot where Andy hung helplessly. The lad was much lighter, which was the reason they had sent Andy in the first place.

Having done this many times before, she jerked off her shoes and socks so she could grip the riggings better with her toes. She grabbed a knife beside the wheel. Putting it between her teeth, she ran past everyone else and started to climb the riggings.

“Jewel! Damn it, get down before you break your bloody neck! ” Adam had been in the process of taking off his boots, but stopped when Jewel darted past him. He started after her, but Derek laid a hand on his arm, stopping him.