Captive Hearts (37 page)

Why would you purposely spread lies to destroy Katherine’s reputation? What possible motive would you have for that?”

Edward stared at Matthew, his eyes wild with fear.

“You know nothing.”

“Yes, we do Lord Leighton,” Lord Harcourt motioned for his men in the hallway.

Heavily shackled, Badger shuffled forward between them, his chains clanking noisily. His hair hung in greasy strands down his face. His clothing and boots, smeared with mud and other matter, smelled so bad Katherine’s eyes watered.

“Is this the man who accompanied you the night Lord and Lady Leighton and their son John were killed, Badger?”

Badger stuck his face close to Edward’s and laughed when the man jerked back with a look of distaste. “Aye, that’s the bloke. ’e were so scared ’e couldn’t get it up when it were ’is turn on ’er. Nearly wet ’is breeches when the girl came out of the coach and mounted one of the

’orses. ’e should ’ave killed ’er when ’e ’ad ’er under ’is roof.

’e wouldn’t be in this mess if ’e ’ad. None of us would.” His beady black eyes settled on Katherine and he winked at her. “Tough little wench. Ye survived Jaime’s shot and his special ways. ’e regretted ’e never ’ad a taste of ye before hand, like he did yer mum.” Katherine shivered for there was no regret or compassion in his ferret-like face, only pure evil. Matthew stepped to her side and drew her close.

Lord Harcourt motioned for the men to remove the prisoner. “We will see if we might arrange accommodations for you to spend some time with your accuser, Lord Leighton.”

“No-no” Edward protested and began to struggle against the guard’s hold. His gaze reached out to Katherine, beseeching her for help.

She turned her face against Matthew’s waistcoat and locked away any compassion she might be tempted to feel for Edward.

****

“I do not suppose your aunt and uncle will be eager to have another dinner party for us any time soon,” Katherine said as they climbed the stairs to their room some time later after the guests had gone. Her talent for understatement brought a smile to Matthew’s lips and he shook his head. “No. I don’t believe so.” “Your hand is trembling,” She observed.

“It’s just a reaction from having a loaded flintlock pointed at my wife’s chest. I thought for certain Avery Rudman had succeeded where Jaime Stone hadn’t.” His heart seemed to clench every time he thought about it.

One brief hesitation and the shot would have struck her, instead of the sideboard. He was suddenly impatient to get her behind a locked door where he could hold her, touch her, feel the life pulsing within her, and draw comfort from it. He scooped her up and carried her down the hall, his long strides eating up the distance.

He kicked the door shut and leaned back against it as he lowered her feet to the ground.

“Whatever is wrong, Matthew?” she asked.

“A man just tried to kill you, and you’re being damned calm about it. My insides are still jumping about like a netted fish on a hot deck.”

“I am fine, Matthew.” Her smile was laced with warmth as she cupped his face and rose on tiptoe to kiss him. He spread his feet to draw her close, welcoming the weight and shape of her against him.

“He shot at you, Katherine.”

“He did not mean to shoot me, but Edward.” She nibbled his ear lobe sending shivers down his spine, and

hot blood racing to other parts of his anatomy.

“You are trying to distract me,” he accused.

“Is it working?”

“Yes.” She drew back to look up at him.

He shook his head ruefully. “I love you. I’ve been trying to tell you all day.”

Katherine’s violet eyes looked deep as a midnight sky. He cupped her cheek, and she held his hand against her face. ”You have been showing me what love is since we first met, but I was too blinded by my need for justice to recognize it. By the time I did, it was too late to back away from the course I had chosen. Every time you have been in danger, my insides have jumped about like netted fish on a hot deck as well, until you were safe again.” She rubbed her cheek against his bandaged palm. “I will never again risk you, or your love, for any purpose, Matthew.

The price is too dear.”

“And what of yourself, Katherine? You reached past my grief and showed me how to love again. Every time you’ve put yourself in harms way—” She covered his lips with her hand. “Never again, I swear it.” She drew his hand downward to cover her heart. “I love you. I will try my best to spare you grief, or worry, in future.”

He knew she truly meant it, but knowing her adventurous nature… He loved that part of her, as much as everything else. It was what had drawn him to her in the beginning.

His fingers toyed with the teardrop shaped pearl that rested in the hollow of her throat. It had captured the warmth of her skin and reflected the tone of it, just as he had thought it would. “When I bought this necklace for you, I had something in mind.”

“What was that?”

“Seeing what you would look like in it, and nothing else.”

A slow smile tilted her lips and she drew his lips down to hers. “Lets find out.”

Katherine watched from the doorway of the warehouse as Garrett Drake swung down from the hired hackney. He paused to speak to the driver then strode down the cobbled street that ran parallel to the docks, After walking only a short distance, he paused to look at the ships anchored in the harbor. The heavy falling snow powdered the shoulders of his cloak and tricorn..

Lord Harcourt spoke from beside her. “You were right, Katherine. You said it would be impossible for him to stay away.”

“Knowing I am truly gone from England, would be very important to him.”

A shouted call to action rang out across the water.

“Hoist the main sail.”

Sing-song answers echoed like a round. The small brigantine began to move down the channel under full canvas. The name Caroline painted in black lettering on her hull was clearly legible. “I’m sorry our departure has had to be delayed again, Matthew.” She glanced up at him. “As the ship clears the bend in the channel, and she is gone from sight, Carson will stay their progress and wait for us. It is important for you and me to see this done.”

His understanding brought quick tears to her eyes even as the pressure of his hand against her waist soothed her.

Lord Harcourt turned to instruct the small band of soldiers behind them. As Drake continued to stand and watch the ship, Harcourt motioned to Katherine and Matthew to follow him. He approached the hackney and quickly climbed atop the conveyance to speak with the driver, while Matthew ushered Katherine inside the vehicle.

“You have the drawings?” Harcourt asked as he

joined them inside the cab.

Matthew removed some papers from the inner pocket of his great coat and handed them to him.

Harcourt unfolded them to look at them then shook his head. “Had you not noticed the resemblance, Katherine, we might have never known about Drake’s involvement.”

“Edward would have eventually incriminated him, had Badger not done so before him.” Matthew said taking Katherine’s hand in his, and giving it a comforting squeeze.

“Edward did lead us to a house Drake had purchased for Jaime. It would seem, the man felt some responsibility for his son. Perhaps if he had known of his existence while he was still young—but who knows.” He gave a shrug. “As much as it has bothered me to arrange it, Badger’s willingness to testify to the Drake’s involvement with the gang has earned a bid for mercy. Badger will spend some time in prison, but will not see the hangman’s noose.” As Drake’s voice came from outside the coach, Harcourt grew silent and still.

Drake brushed the snow from the shoulders of his cloak as he swung aboard the conveyance. His eyes widened as he spotted them, and he quickly turned to jump back out the door only to have it slam shut in his face. “Hello, Mr. Drake,” Lord Harcourt spoke and cocked the pistol he held at the same time. “Won’t you make yourself comfortable? We have a few things to discuss.” Drake looked over his shoulder at Katherine and Matthew, then turned slowly to take a seat beside the lord. When Harcourt proffered the drawings, Drake set aside his tricorn to accept them. He studied them for a long silent moment. His green gaze, so much like his son’s, rose to Katherine’s face and a brief smile touched his lips. “You are very gifted, Mrs. Hamilton. You have captured Jaime exactly.”

The cold knot of tension eased inside Katherine and her fingers tightened in triumph around Matthew’s. “Yes, I believe I’ve done justice to you both.”