Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) (7 page)

“I cannot, I
will
not
marry Pratt,” she said. Her heart belonged to another.

He expelled a loud sigh. “I’ll not force you, although I pray, please take the time to contemplate the security of a life with him against the alternatives. You may, of course, stay with us as long as you wish. We can sell Twin Pines to Pratt outright, then do what we can with the funds to see to your comfort, or continue with the plan to lease it. Let’s discuss this when I return. I should like you to assist me with the proposal before I take it to my barrister, should we decide to sell.”

Thank goodness, he understood. Hopefully, he’ll leave quickly and she and Daniel could still escape to the wharf and find Slaney’s ship.

He turned toward the door. “I must find my daughter first. Once I locate Doreen and that rascal, Garrison, I will deal with Pratt and the rest.” He paused, then addressed Simon. “Keep her here until I return.” He spoke to her, although he didn’t dare make eye contact. “I’m sorry Keelan, but I have to insure that you’ll be here when I return, and not make some impetuous decision that will endanger your life.”

“Uncle Jared, I beg of you—”

He left, locking the door behind him.

She stared at it, not quite believing what had just occurred. For a moment, she’d thought she had convinced him to allow her the freedom she desired. It would be harder to accomplish her goal, but not impossible.

“I’m sorry, Miss Keelan,” Simon said through the door.
 

“I’ll be fine, Simon.” She hoped. “Will you please tell Daniel I need to speak with him?”

“Yes Miss Keelan.”
 

Soon Daniel entered, carrying a bucket of water. When Simon retreated into the hall, the valet leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Simon has agreed to leave the key out for us.” The valet continued, “We’ll go in the predawn hours. I’ve rented a room tonight at a pub called ‘The Whistling Pig’. It’s near the docks where the ship will depart. It should be an easy matter of boarding at first light, given we can slip away from here undetected.” He straightened his jacket and plucked a piece of grass off his sleeve. “If Slaney’s ship has sailed, then we can hide there and wait until we can board the next one north…if you still wish to do so.” He fidgeted with the bucket handle before clearing his throat.

“What is it, Daniel?” Even a blind man could tell the valet had more to say.
 

“The
Desire
and the
Seeker
are still anchored out in the harbor, Mistress. Both are flying Blue Peters.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “He lied. Everett lied.” A surge of relief washed over her. She sank to a chair. Landon had not left her. He was still here. The blue flag signaled the ship was ready to sail. Would he let her explain the kiss? Even now, was he waiting for her to come to him?

 
“The accommodations might be a bit rough, Mistress, but I fear we would be easily found by your uncle if we stayed at a better boarding house.”

She nodded. “You made a wise choice. Please don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I plan to confer with Captain Hart at his earliest convenience.”

“I can get word to Captain Hart as soon as you’re safe at the Whistling Pig, then I’ll find Slaney, if her ship’s still here.”
 

They bid each other good evening and the door closed and the lock clicked.

When it was almost dark, she doffed her dress, glad to free her body from the sweaty, prickly mourning gown. Keelan dipped her hands in a bowl of tepid water and splashed it over her face.

If only she could change into her waif’s clothes, she’d be better prepared when Daniel returned. However, if Uncle Jared made an unexpected visit this evening, she would be hard pressed to explain her wardrobe. It was best to wait. She slipped on a clean chemise and dressing gown then sat at the small table and nibbled on the cold supper Simon had delivered earlier.
 

Her tray held cold chicken, bannocks with brandied peaches, a glass of wine, and some of Jared’s prized boiled potatoes. No doubt, Simon gleaned more than a small bit of pleasure giving Jared’s favorite dish to Keelan. She ate every last morsel.

She had a few short hours to get some much-needed sleep, so she climbed in her bed, only to toss and roll. Nothing seemed right. Her mattress was too hard. The tree frogs sang too loudly. She tossed and turned before her lids became heavy enough to resist her twitching and worrying.

She must have finally dozed off, because she was awakened by the prickle of hair rising on the back of her neck. It took a moment while she waited for her vision to adjust to the darkness. Had Daniel signaled her from the yard below?

She rose quietly, turned up the oil lamp at her bedside, and slipped on her dressing gown. Pulling the curtain aside, she scanned the ground below. No signs of Daniel. What had disturbed her sleep?

A barely audible click behind her made her whirl to face the door. It eased open inch by inch.

“Daniel?” she breathed, afraid to make a louder noise.

The tall, lean, shadow of a man moved into her room. Her heart began to pound thickly because the figure was too tall to be the loyal valet. A scream caught in her throat, and she snatched the heavy pitcher next to the washbasin.

“Keelan," the man whispered hesitantly. “It’s me…Everett. I have come to take you from here. I cannot let you be married to that brute, Pratt!”

Relief washed over her like a clear cool rain. “Good Lord, you gave me such a start!” she clutched the neckline of her dressing gown as she sat weakly on the chair, still holding the pitcher.

He dropped down on one knee and peered at her. His voice was low and urgent, “Please, Miss Keelan, you must get dressed so we can depart immediately.”
 

Perplexed, she peered at him closely. “I was told you’d run off with Doreen. I am quite surprised to find you here. Surely you must realize Jared is determined to seek you and his daughter out.”

Everett gave a derisive snort, “Mr. Grey will not find her, of that, you can be certain.”

Something beyond Everett’s words unnerved Keelan. He sounded almost emotionless. The detached, dead tone of his voice made her uneasy.

He spoke with an unusual iciness she’d never heard from him before. As she stared at him, her throat dried, and the air seemed to leave the room.
 

Something was wrong. She could sense it. She’d been about to chastise him for kissing her earlier, but something in his tone made her pause.

“Dr. Garrison…” she said. “What are you saying? Did you not take Doreen away to marry her?”
 

“No, although she seems to wish it. She is hiding…for a little while longer, anyway.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’m still angry with the way she acted the night of the ball. I worry for your reputation, my dear. If we are to be married soon, I want to make certain you have the respect and admiration you deserve.” A slow, thin smile creased his gaunt face. “She thinks I’ll return to marry her, but in truth, I want her out of our way for a while. She’s useful when I need her to be.”
 

Cool fingers of trepidation slid across Keelan’s throat. The faint glow of the lamp cast dark, quick shadows, making Everett’s face appear contorted and hard.
 

“What…” she stammered, “What exactly have you done to her?”

He gave a harsh laugh and rose to pace about the small room. “She’s staying with Mrs. Camsby.” Everett walked to the window and peered out, casually clasping his hands behind his back. He turned to face Keelan again. “When I brought her there, Captain Hart was just leaving. And Mrs. Camsby seemed a bit…disheveled.”

She froze, then fought to keep her expression blank. Landon left in a state of mind that might make him less cautious. Would he ease his anger with her by easing his lust with Annette? Would he? She’d finally made the decision to trust Landon, and she would continue to do so. Everett had already lied to her. This time she wouldn’t be so gullible.

Everett moved to stand in front of her. His voice lowered into a more soothing tone, one he used when addressing his patients. “Your cousin needs a respite. She’s upset with herself for giving your father too much pain medicine. It likely killed him, you know. Seems she misunderstood my instructions.”

She clutched the arms of her chair. “Dr. Garrison, did you explain any of this to Uncle Jared? He’s frantically looking for her.”

He stepped forward and knelt before her again. “Of course he is. That was my plan. He is too distracted to worry about
you
. We can leave tonight.” He reached over to take her hands in his. “You have to understand why I am doing this for you. My dear, you deserve a better life. I’m going to take you away and marry you.” His eyes glittered in the dim light of the lantern. “Think of our future. The two of us will live the lives we were meant to live. Happy and prosperous. We’ll have the children we always talked about. Please Rachel, leave with me, now.”

She stood and backed away. “Dr. Garrison…You just called me Rachel,” she whispered, horrified at what she was hearing. It was as if he were having a conversation with someone else…not her. His manipulations of Doreen and Uncle Jared seemed so uncharacteristic of him. Yet, when she thought back through the events over the past weeks, the doctor’s demeanor had slowly changed from charming and docile to unpredictable and angry. Something was terribly wrong.

Everett paled. “I…I….” He stood and grasped her hands again. “A…a silly slip. Come, we have to go.”

There was no way she would consent to go anywhere with him. She shook her head and tried to keep the panic from her voice, “Uncle Jared and Aunt Sarah—”

“Will not be a concern,” Everett finished. “There will be no one to displace our claim to Twin Pines or any of your father’s other properties. You and I will live out our lives surrounded by wealth. We can even live at Wind Briar, if you’d like.”
 

“Wealth?” He went from calling her “Rachel” to this? “I told you earlier, my father left nothing—”

“Shhhh. Enough, my love. We must go
now
. There will be time enough to discuss our plans later when we are safely away.” He pulled her toward the door.

It was as if he hadn’t her her at all. Not one word. In his mind, she was acquiescent and willing. His mind…was no longer functioning as it once did. Her heart thrashed in her chest like a small fish jerked out of the water. Something was terribly wrong with him.
 

How could she dissuade him? She furiously worked through her options. She could go, and hope to make an escape later, or refuse the man and then alert the household, which would likely make it impossible for her and Daniel to slip away tonight. Would Uncle Jared even believe her? She’d already accused Garrison of being an assassin. Her uncle would probably think she was being melodramatic to distract him.
 

“I cannot go with you.” The words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Everett clenched his jaw and hissed hoarsely, “What…what did you say?”

Her knees were trembling, and she hoped her voice wouldn’t tremble too. Perhaps if she simply refused him, he’d leave. She spoke again, slower this time. “I can’t go with you," she repeated. “My life travels along a different path now. I cannot do it. I will not do it," she stated firmly.
 

Everett stared at her. His breathing was quick and shallow, as if his lungs quivered instead of expanded and emptied his breath. He stood quietly for a long time, studying her, before he responded.
 

“I can see that you’re suffering from exhaustion. The events of the past few days have put a tremendous strain upon your ability to think clearly. Don’t fret, it’s normal for a woman’s mind to become a bit maladjusted when dealing with a tragedy or loss.” He reached out and gripped her shoulders. “I’ll help you through this. We love each other, my dear. Imagine all we could do with that wealth. You will be well cared for, as your father wanted. We’ll be happy, as we’ve always wanted. We’ll have the children you’ve always wanted.”
 

She almost laughed at the irony of Dr. Garrison diagnosing her with a maladjusted mind while his fractured to the point of changing his entire personality. He stepped closer and traced his fingers along her jaw, and she barely suppressed a shudder.
 

His next words sent icy tremors down her spine. “I will not let you execute this rash decision. You must think about what I’ve said. When you do, you’ll understand it as I do. I think you only need time to let my words sink in. Time and rest.” He caught her hand and raised it to his lips. “Get dressed. I shall return soon.”

He slipped out the door.

Weak-kneed, she sank back to the chair. It was a moment before her breathing slowed to a normal pace and her brain jumped into action. Did he lock the door? She jumped up and tried the handle but it wouldn’t budge. She needed to change into her boy’s clothes and search for Daniel. First, she would pen a letter to Uncle Jared, explaining where Garrison took Doreen. Pulling the quill and parchment from her desk, she sat down and frantically began to write another note.
 

 
After completing it, she knelt on the floor and opened her trunk to change. Keelan paused at a small scratching sound outside the door. Just as she stood, the door swung open.

Two cloaked figures swiftly entered her room and headed toward the bed. Finding it empty, it was only a second before they saw her. She clutched her throat in terror. The taller one passed in front of the window.

It was then she noticed the ropes.
 

With a frightened squeak, she darted toward the open door. The shorter man reached out to grab her wrist. She ducked and dashed under his arm, sending an elbow into his kidney as she passed. Releasing his breath in a loud grunt, he stumbled forward. The tall one was quicker and grabbed her hair as she sped by. She spun and kicked at his shins with her bare feet.
 

“Damn! Grab her, Orvis!”

She let her legs buckle, and fell away backwards. Her head slammed into Orvis’s nose, causing him to let out a howl.