The Lodestone (45 page)

Drake turned back to Collins. “I’ll go over the plan again with the men, once we are aboard ship. They don’t need to know all before then, but I want you informed on every point.” Again, he addressed Garnett. “With any luck, Garnett, you and the other men can get Edwina and Cleome out of there before Paresi realizes our purpose. From the island, you will sail across the Tyrrhenian Sea back to Monte Carlo. Mr. Collins will wait for you there. He’ll pay off the men and take you to my home in the city. Rest there for a week. If I have not come to you by then, return immediately to England.”

“I shall also be waiting in Monte Carlo,” said Oliver in a tone they all knew would brook no argument.

“Mr. Stoneham,” Collins hesitated to challenge his employer, but his concern was evident. “Surely you cannot be thinking to stay behind, sir!”

“I have a personal score to settle with the despicable degenerate,” he replied, his voice deadly quiet. “And not only for what he has done to Edwina.”

“If I were a younger man, I swear I’d go with you and strangle him with my own hands,” Oliver interjected.

“If you were a younger man, sir,” Drake returned, “we would not have the benefit of your wisdom and experience. I am counting on you to help Collins find and outfit my men-at-arms. I want two for every one that Garnett has seen on the island. They must all be competent sailors and at least one of them must know how to use explosives.”

**

Drake turned his attention back to the map. As he studied it, Cleome studied him; and never had she loved him more than at that moment. What a fool she had been. She was ready at last to forgive him for withholding her legacy and letting her mother die with an assumed stain of sin still upon her, but she hadn’t the slightest idea how to convey that information to him.

It took several days for her to perfect the letter to Edwina. Though she had at first resisted the idea, she knew that the ruse Drake was orchestrating was the only way to put Paolo off guard. When she tried, with pen and paper, to portray Drake as her lover, it was with a heavy heart, for there was nothing she wanted more. But with his attention on the military operation he was devising, Drake seemed to have forgotten their bargain and how much he’d said he wanted her. He was ignoring her completely.

For two days, Cleome read and revised the letter. On the third day, she showed it to Oliver and then to Drake and Garnett. On the fourth day, it was entrusted to the captain of one of Drake’s ships that was headed directly for Naples. From there, Drake’s agent would deliver it to the Isola di Paresi. They could take no chance, Drake told her, that it would not reach its destination according to his carefully devised schedule. Not knowing what to tell Mary and Jacqueline, Cleome sent them to Oakham on an extended holiday before she announced to the other servants that soon she would be going to Italy with the master of Stoneham House. With so much to be accomplished in putting Drake’s plans into action, it was a month more before they could leave, a month in which she thought she would go mad with worry for Edwina and an increasing desire to feel Drake’s arms about her again.

**

Crossing the Channel, Drake’s mind should have been on maintaining the precision of the plan he had set in motion but all he could think of was the bargain he’d made with Cleome. Once Edwina was safely delivered from her vile husband, Drake would collect his winnings at last. And though perhaps he should feel the incorrigible rake for insisting that Cleome pay her gambling debt to him, he did not—for he knew her need of him matched his own for her, breath by heated breath. When he’d said they had unfinished business, he meant to address the situation of her legacy and the wrong she thought he’d done her mother; but when she offered to honor her debt, all else was forgotten except his desire for her. And once joined in love, he was convinced nothing would ever tear them apart again.

She stayed fully out of his reach in the meantime, however, and it was just as well. He felt only a slight regret when he witnessed her joyful reunion with her beloved Epitome for he knew that some day—and some day soon—the magnificent steed would be hers again, as Drake himself was hers, and would be always.

When they rode the horses across France, she stayed beside Garnett and Oliver while Drake and Richard led the way. When they took lodging midway in their journey, Cleome bid the gentlemen goodnight and hurried to her room without giving Drake a glance.

Very well, milady
, he promised her silently,
play the game your own way for now. But when we begin our charade for the perverted eyes of Count Paresi, let us see how long you can resist me. And if I feel the longing in you that I know you possess for me still, I shall be tempted to seduce you at the first opportunity, whether he be watching or no
.

**

Garnett had not had a good night’s sleep since the last evening he’d spent in Edwina’s arms. His fear for her consumed his every waking moment and to his great surprise, not even Cleome’s fond companionship could relieve his anxiety. He alternately worried about Edwina and considered Drake’s harsh lecture, which he knew he roundly deserved.

If it turns out that she is indeed carrying my child,
thought Garnett,
and if we can deliver her from that fiend of a husband, I will be compelled to stand by her.
He could no more abandon her to an uncertain future than he could desert his parents in their time of need.

Remembering Edwina’s sweet smile and soft, dark hair, the light in her eyes when she looked at him, not to mention the innumerable delights of her body, which she offered to him without reservation, it was not an unpleasant future at all. But it would be a life of want and near poverty, even with Drake’s guarantee that he was still employed and would remain so as long as he did right by Edwina. With his mother, father, a wife and a baby to house, clothe and feed, even the generous salary he received as a buyer for the Stoneham Company would be stretched thin. He gave no thought to Paolo’s proposed payment, for he could never bring himself to take it.

His mood changed once they were in Monte Carlo and aboard Drake’s ship. It was elevated somehow with the knowledge that he would soon be with the lovely little sprite again, that he would see himself how she fared, and that he would do everything in his power to spirit her away from the evil man he’d once thought of as a friend.

**

They arrived at the docks in Monte Carlo at dawn, to be ready to sail the next day with the morning tide, and Garnett could see that Drake’s ship was a marvel. Some of the mercenaries were already aboard and in their quarters, sleeping after their travels so as to be well rested for what lay ahead. Drake would act as captain and after they boarded, he gave Cleome and Garnett a tour of the vessel.

It was a trader, with eleven sails organized into a topsail ketch. Its mainmast stood over seventy feet tall and the main cabin had berths for fourteen men. Crew quarters could sleep an additional ten but for the trip to the island, only Garnett and Richard would stay there. Drake had sent a dozen or so of the youngest and strongest men ahead, well armed, to board the fishing boat Mr. Collins had procured. They would trawl the waters just off the coast of Palermo and wait for the others to arrive.

Opposite the captain’s quarters was a small library and chart room and next to that, the mate’s small cabin which would accommodate Drake. There was a mess room in which the crew could eat and a dining room for the captain and his officers. The galley, with its huge stove and storage pantries, was well stocked with equipment and supplies.

At dinner in port that evening, Garnett sat at table in the captain’s stateroom with Cleome, Drake, Oliver, Richard and a stalwart fellow a few years older than Drake. Manfred Cartwright had served with Drake in the war against Napoleon and he had years of experience in using explosives. It had been arranged that he would escort Oliver back to Drake’s sumptuous flat in Monte Carlo when dinner was over, and then be back aboard in time to sail. In the meantime, Drake poured them all a brandy and went over the plan once more.

“It’s likely that Lady Houghton-Parker and I will be required to spend the day with Paolo and Edwina,” he said. “We’ll arrange it so that we arrive at the villa in the morning. That will give us time to lull the count into complacency and gain his trust. Garnett will have one more look around the estate, survey the opposition and evaluate every possible means of escape. At nightfall, some of the men on the fishing boat will swim ashore. They will support Garnett’s portion of the operation. Richard will wait on the beach where one of our lifeboats will be moored among some rocks. When it’s completely dark, Garnett will go with his unit to overpower any guards that stand between him and his objective—the bedroom of the fair Edwina.”

“She told me it’s on the second floor, in the back of the mansion,” Garnett interjected. “And that it’s locked every night that she’s permitted to sleep there. She says Paolo gives her little thought if he has guests or other amusements. There may be one guard, perhaps not even that.”

“Which you will ascertain when you visit there, as expected, a week before we arrive,” Drake said, and Garnett nodded. “Fortunately, there’s no lock that our Richard cannot pick within a matter of seconds.” The young footman’s chest swelled with pride. Although he knew few details about Edwina’s imprisonment, he seemed thrilled to be included in the adventure. Drake turned to Cleome with a charming smile and Garnett could see the spark between them, no matter how each might try to deny it. Strangely, it did not give him nearly the pang it once had.

“Cleome and I will keep Paolo entertained with cards, gossip, a rare brandy that I’ll take him as a gift, or any other means necessary,” Drake continued. “When Edwina is back in her room after dinner, Garnett—with his unit keeping lookout—will break in. As soon as he has her safely in the lifeboat, Richard will take word to Mr. Cartwright who will proceed to blow up the count’s winery. That will be our signal and it will give me an opportunity to get Lady Houghton-Parker to safety. All of Paolo’s guards who have not been otherwise prevented will rush to contain the damage from the explosion. Garnett will take Edwina directly to the fishing boat, on which they will proceed to Monte Carlo, and I will go back in to settle my score with the count. Are there any questions?”

Cartwright’s eyes narrowed almost to slits. “Nay,” he said at last. “Not at present, Drake. ’Tis a good plan, but it’ll need a bit of refining along the way. The lads have all found their uniforms below.” He laughed, enjoying the joke. “Clever, sir, to have them wear the duds of a pleasure boat crew, fancy collars an’ all.”

Drake laughed and pushed the bottle of brandy to his lieutenant. “Have another drink, Manny, and then see Mr. Landshire back to my flat.”

“I’ll go along as well,” Garnett declared. “I need the exercise.”

When it was time for Oliver to go, his shoulders sagged and his eyes filled with tears. “Be very careful, my dear,” he petitioned Cleome.

“Have no fear, Oliver. Edwina will soon be back with you, filling your house with laughter and music as she has always done.”

“You’ve become like my own child, you know. I should not survive if anything happened to either of you.” He finished with, “Drake, take care of my girls. Both of them.”

“That I shall,” Drake promised and shook Oliver’s hand. Cleome embraced the old man warmly and kissed his cheek.

Cartwright nodded at Drake, with a slight bow for Cleome. “Good night, milady,” he said, tugging his forelock. And then he led Oliver and Garnett out into the foggy night.

“I’ll take my leave as well,” Drake said when the others had gone. “We sail at dawn. You’d better get some rest.”

“Wait,” Cleome put her hand on his arm, holding him there a moment. He moved closer and gazed down at her. “I have more questions,” she said. “Subjects I did not wish to explore in front of the others.”

“I am intrigued.”

“Thank you for not discussing exactly
how
we are to distract the count,” she began. “But what if the signal doesn’t come? What if there’s no explosion? We must assume Paolo will be watching us in that despicable room—or having us watched if he has put us elsewhere.”

“He’ll be watching.” Drake was amused by her discomfort. “He’s a voyeur. It’s the only way he can get satisfaction. He’ll not be able to resist so entertaining a tableau.”

“But what if Garnett cannot get Edwina out and the signal doesn’t come?” she persisted. “If we are to convince Paolo we’re lovers,
how
will you protect my virtue, as you promised?”

“We’ll stage a terrible quarrel,” he told her gently. “I’ll accuse you of flirting with some nobleman we’ve met along the way, and planning an assignation behind my back. Then I’ll storm out of the room, swearing to find Paolo so I’ll have a kindred spirit with whom to get drunk.” He touched her cheek briefly, and the feel of her velvet skin warmed him entirely.

“Well, even though it’s my reputation you’re besmirching, I suppose it will work.” She said, moving away from him as if determined to control her response. He knew she wanted to be in his arms as much as he wanted her there.

“I thought you cared nothing for your reputation, at least not as much as you care for your friend.”

“You know that’s true,” she declared. “How soon will we reach her, Drake? How long does it take to sail to Palermo from here?”

“I’m afraid we cannot go there directly. We must set a leisurely pace down the Italian coast, putting into port in a few places to attend parties and dinners and—”

“Absolutely not!” she protested. “Why waste time showing off your conquest of the infamous Lady Houghton-Parker! I won’t have it. We must go to her at once!”

“Cleome, listen to me. Do you know who Paolo is? The influence his family wields?”

“I don’t care.”

“Well, you should. His father was not only wealthy and powerful. He had a reputation for cruelty that rivaled the Borgias, and Paolo learned from him. Paolo is known everywhere. If we are to convince him that taking Edwina from him is the last thing on our minds, we must set the stage.”