Badlands (9 page)

Chapter Nine

The jostling of the ship woke Ever. She lay tangled in Spencer’s embrace. As much as she wanted to stay there, holding him and reveling in the knowledge that there was no other woman—only her—she knew the time had come for duty once more. Assuming, of course, they were actually in Philadelphia. She tried to slither out of his arms, but he pulled her tighter.

“It’s going to be a while before we’re cleared to disembark.”

Ignoring him, she pushed up until she hovered over him. “How can you be so calm? We might not even be in Pennsylvania, much less Philadelphia.”

He jerked his chin toward his porthole. “Every place I’ve docked has a different view. Trust me, if nothing else, we’re exactly where we intended.” When she didn’t lie back down, Spencer rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose we need to figure out our next move.”

Ever eased from the bed, stretching muscles sore from too much tension and time in close quarters over the last few days topped by the clockwork fight. “That is simple. You obtain the paper that gives you ownership of the
Dark Hawk
and I find Princess Laurette at the university. We return here and take her home.”

“And you’re willing to fly with someone who tried to have you killed?”

Now that she’d finally given in to her crazy feelings for Spencer, she didn’t want to let him go. More than that, though, she knew there was no point in looking for another ship. “Yes. If only because there is no way I can be certain of finding alternate passage that is any safer. I trust
you
to get us back. I would not trust anyone else. At least here, I know to be on my guard.” She knew her reasoning wasn’t completely sound, but if anything happened to her, she was sure Spencer would guard Laurette with his life.

“Is everything black and white to you?” He tugged off his shirt, muscles flexing as he pulled on a clean one.

She allowed herself a brief moment to appreciate the way his muscles rippled and moved, like the grace of a mountain cat. “No. Some things reveal themselves in so many colors they blind me to how wonderful they are.” She stepped behind him and rested her chin on his shoulder. “I will never understand what this is between us.”

He turned and brushed her lips with his. “Do you really want to?”

She caught his eyes and sank into their subtle shades of gray. “No, but I would enjoy surviving long enough to try.”

They stepped from the ramp onto the dock, the wood slats and brass rail gleaming in the early morning sunlight. Spencer pulled up short as he spied the man striding toward them—average height, but bearing himself in such a way that he looked tall, powerful. The gray at his temples bespoke wisdom, but nothing in his dress or demeanor gave away the fact that the senator was a greedy bastard who bled his employees dry.

“Captain Pierce, I see you brought my ship back in one piece. The message mentioned some delay in your delivery?” He smiled, but it brought no light to his blue eyes.

Spencer nodded. He and Ever had agreed to a modified version of the truth. “That’s correct. There was an altercation at the fortress. The
Dark Hawk
isn’t outfitted for battle, so we felt the wisest course was to store the cargo until things calmed down.”

“Such a shame. Without the remainder of the payment, I’m afraid you haven’t fulfilled your contract. You’ll need at least another run before your debt is paid and the ship is yours.”

Ever cleared her throat.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Senator Mason, this is Ever, one of Queen Lavinia’s border guards. She’s here on a mission from Her Majesty.” If Spencer allowed this to play out on the senator’s timeframe, they could be here for hours. By the way Ever shifted from foot to foot, he knew her patience wouldn’t last that long.

Mason eyed Ever, his gaze narrow, lips curling into a sneer. “You couldn’t unload your cargo, but you managed to pick up a passenger? Please tell me how such a feat works.”

No longer even making an attempt to hide her impatience, Ever spoke up. “I have the queen’s authority to render payment on the shipment. As I understand the situation, that will complete Captain Pierce’s term of service with you.”

The skin beneath the senator’s eye twitched. “Once his debt is paid, you are correct, I will sign over the
Dark Hawk
’s registry.”

Spencer knew Ever wanted to avoid delays, but with his words her muscles went tight as if something about Senator Mason unnerved her. She stood taller, her chin up and eyes narrowed. “Fine. We will go to the bank and—”

“Father! What a pleasant surprise.” Henrietta swept past them in a swirl of skirts and wrapped her arms around the senator.

“My dear, you look unwell.” He stood back and shot an accusing glance at Spencer.

Henri shook her head. “It has been a long few days, but we’re here now. I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could. Please tell me you aren’t in session.”

“No, no, Congress is not meeting today. I had planned to be at the lab.” He wrapped an arm protectively around Henri’s tiny waist and turned to Ever. “I will meet the two of you at the bank before you depart.”

“We’ll be leaving tonight,” Spencer said.

“So soon? Then before sunset.” He inclined his head toward Ever. “Enjoy your stay in Philadelphia.”

Once he’d drifted off with Henrietta in tow, Ever tipped her head toward Spencer and hissed, “He is a congressman?” When he nodded, her fists clenched as if she wanted to strike out at something. “Then I will make certain to keep the princess under close guard.”

Ivy trailed along the buildings. The intent, Ever decided, was to provide a dignified yet homey feel. To her, the plants looked as if they wanted to crush the brick and mortar and drag it back into the bowels of the earth. It was one of the least comforting displays she’d seen in her life.

Students strolled along the cobbled pathways, swinging wide in their suits and bustle skirts to avoid her. Ever tugged at her rough shirt, fully aware of how she stood out. When she’d planned this, she’d never considered her attire. At least Spencer had convinced her to leave her more obvious weapons on the ship. Those would have sent these elegant people running for cover. The image made a tiny smile curve onto her lips.

Then she thought of the blades concealed in her boots and the mirth melted away. If there was trouble, they were all the protection she had to offer Laurette. Assuming she managed to find her at all. She’d always thought the fortress crowded, but it paled in comparison to this small circle of life in Philadelphia.

Giving up on her fruitless wandering, Ever grabbed the arm of a passing man who saw no need to avoid her. He cast a disdainful glance at her calloused hands before lifting his amber eyes to her face.

“I need to find a student.” She searched her brain for the false name. “Laura Marr.”

He snorted. “I doubt very much Laura will be interested in whatever you have to say, but you’re in luck—I know her. Follow me.” He marched off at such a brisk pace Ever almost lost him in the sea of dark jackets. Buildings all looked the same here, and she wondered if he was leading her in circles. With every step, her wariness increased and her eyes began to dart about like prey that can smell the hunter but not see it. After countless twists and turns, during which she was certain he knew her identity and was an assassin sent to kill her, he stopped in front of a door and knocked.

An older woman with a pinched face and tight bun opened it. “Yes?”

“This…young lady…is here for Miss Marr.” He spun on his heel and left Ever staring at the matron.

“I’m sorry, but Miss Marr is in the middle of a lesson. Might I ask what this is in regard to?” Her eyes narrowed to tight slits.

Ever rubbed at her brace, wanting nothing more than to shove past the woman, grab Laurette and run. “It is a family matter. Her mother—” Ever’s voice cracked on the word.

The old woman’s face softened. “One moment.”

By the time the door opened again, she had composed herself. When Laurette appeared, her long chestnut hair piled on her head in a display that would have made Henrietta jealous, Ever almost wept.

Laurette must have seen the pain in her face. “Something happened.”

Ever nodded, choking down words she couldn’t say here. “It’s time for you to return home.”

“Mother?”

“The queen is dead,” Ever breathed, her eyes downcast.

Laurette’s voice whispered against Ever’s skin like a ghost, “Long live the queen.”

Minutes later, they were in Laurette’s room. “You do not have time to pack. Someone has already tried to kill me. I cannot be certain they didn’t follow me here. We have to get you to safety.”

Stuffing a few more things into a bag, Laurette sniffed. “There is nowhere safer than wherever you are. I know you’ll die before you allow someone to hurt me.” She secured the bag and handed it to Ever.

“And when they kill me? Then what?” Ever looped the bag over the shoulder of her already incapacitated left arm.

Laurette reached deep into a trunk and stood, unraveling a small parcel. “Then we see just how well you taught me before I left.” The gun in her hand gleamed as if it had been polished every day since she’d departed the Badlands.

Ever gave a tight nod and they left the building. With the gun carefully hidden in the folds of her skirt, Laurette led the way, dodging between steam-driven horseless carriages. Ever trailed behind like a servant, intent on every face and shadow they passed.

Ever had rushed into the bank with a woman Spencer could only assume was the princess. One or the other of them withdrew the funds he needed, and Ever handed it over. The sum was more than the cost of the delivery.

He grabbed her arm as she turned to leave. “Thank you for this.”

She met his gaze and something cold and hard in her eyes melted, but the nervous fear he’d seen remained. “This is the least we could do. You may thank us when we all survive the return voyage.” Then she was gone, urging the princess on in a way not very befitting of a personal guard.

Spencer shrugged it off. The people of the Badlands didn’t conform to what the States considered proper. Never had, likely never would. His lips twitched into a smile. It was probably one of the very things that attracted him to Ever.

“You look quite pleased with yourself, Captain Pierce.” William Mason stepped into the bank carrying a stack of papers. “I’m afraid you won’t be as happy when we’re finished here. Might I borrow your desk, Jebediah?” he asked the banker.

“Certainly, Senator. Everything’s locked up. You take all the time you need.” The slight man with the thinning black hair stepped outside, closing the door tight behind him.

Spencer clenched and unclenched his fists. “I have your money. The only thing you needed to bring with you was the contract and the
Dark Hawk
’s registry. What is all this?”

“This, my dear boy, is a list of all the repairs you insisted the ship needed while in your care and receipts itemizing your share of the cost.” Mason spread documents across the desk. When Spencer didn’t step over to look, he continued, “I suppose this is the only one you need to see. This is what you owe me before I can sign the ship over to you.”

Spencer grabbed the statement. Even the extra money Ever had given him didn’t cover it all. As hard as he fought to remain calm, the paper crumpled in his hand. “So I have to keep working for you in order to pay the charges.” He knew this had been too easy, knew Mason had something to hold over his head again. If he’d thought killing the senator would solve his problems, he would have done it without hesitation.

“Nonsense.” He put ink to paper and signed his name in a great looping scrawl. “Your contract with me is complete. In fact, I don’t even legally own the
Dark Hawk
any longer.”

“What?” If Mason didn’t own the ship, who the hell was Spencer supposed to pay? His pulse throbbed angrily in his temples, rage blinding him.

Mason gathered up the pages, folded them and slipped them across the desk. “Since you didn’t manage to pay off what you owed me in the time we agreed upon, I signed the
Dark Hawk
over to my daughter. Henrietta owns your ship. You’ll have to make arrangements with her if you plan to fly it again.” He stood and smoothed his jacket before stepping to the door. “I’m sure you can work something out. Good day, Captain Pierce.”

Spencer’s mouth went dry. If he’d thought for a moment there couldn’t be anything worse than working for William Mason, he was wrong. Henri would do her best to tie his hands completely.

And somehow he had to convince her to not only honor the amount he had still “owed” her father but to allow him to return Ever and the princess to the Badlands.

“No, Spencer. Why is that so hard for you to understand?” Henrietta tapped her foot against the gleaming dock.

He thanked God Ever had secured the princess on board before Henri returned from seeing her father. For now, their secret was safe.

“There’s cargo that has to be delivered to complete the run we were on. We have to return to the Badlands.”

“From my understanding, the government of the Badlands has paid in full. It is not the fault of this ship or its company that their civil unrest made it impossible to deliver their goods. But don’t worry, I’m certain we can find another run. Something nice and short, so we don’t have to spend quite so much time cooped up on the ship.” Her fingers slid along the brass handrail toward his.

She wanted to trap him. Henri knew full well Badlands runs paid the best. It would take months of short runs to the Confederacy for him to pay the debt he owed. There had to be another way. He closed his eyes and sighed. “What is it you want, Henri?”

Her fingers found his on the rail and twined in them. “The same thing I’ve wanted since the day I joined your crew.”

Spencer’s eyes flew open and he gaped at her. The ever-present coy smile, the corset that squeezed her waist so tight Zeke had once said he could fit his hands around it. She’d been presenting herself to him every day since they’d met. How she’d managed to get her father to agree to this was beyond him. William Mason didn’t exactly seem the sort to approve of his daughter’s attraction. He was surprised Mason hadn’t signed over the ship just to keep Henri away from him entirely.