Karen Michelle Nutt (26 page)

"I prefer Arianna. She’s changed and the name suits her.” Keldon twirled the wine in his glass.

Nicholas shook his head. “You might want to lower your voices.”

He was right, Keldon thought. There was no need to draw unwanted attention to them.

"I ran into a gentleman today.” Nicholas sipped his wine and sat back in his seat.

Keldon never thought he’d actually like Nicholas. He had been a means to an end, but he turned out to be a decent addition to his band of would-be-pirates. He put in a good day’s work like the rest of them and he didn’t shy away from danger. “Who?” Keldon asked.

“A gent, who was stationed at Fort McHenry, he’s been humming this little ditty. He said everyone was singing it because of this gent. Now what was his name?” He tapped his chin then snapped his fingers. “Oh yes, Francis Scot Key. The chap has bloody well written a song he calls the
Star Spangled Banner
. It’s a rather catchy little tune, if I must say so.” He started to hum it, causing Keldon to choke on his wine. Nicholas leaned forward and slapped him on his back. "Are you all right?"

"Francis Scott Key, did ye say? It cannae be.”

“Do you know the chap, then?" Nicholas asked.

Keldon realized Leighton and Nicholas were staring at him. He couldn’t tell them Arianna’s prediction. Leighton would condemn her as a witch and Nicholas most likely would think him daft.

“Nay. His name sounded familiar for a moment.” Keldon bit his tongue, but it didn’t stop him thinking about some of the other things Arianna had revealed to him. Maybe there was a reason she had the sight, a reason he shouldn’t ignore. “We’ll head back to
Willow Bend
tomorrow.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Arianna wrung her hands as she waited for the ship to dock. Keldon had finally returned and she wanted to share her good news about being pregnant, but her doubt of who the father might be overshadowed her joy. She never thought she would say this, but she also hoped Nicholas was also among the crew. She had to speak with him alone. She closed her eyes and said a prayer while she tried to ignore the heaviness surrounding her heart. Her whole future with Keldon rested on Nicholas’ answer.

She opened her eyes and spotted Keldon immediately. There was no mistaking the tall, handsome man with the cat-like green eyes. For the moment, she let her worries roll off her shoulders. She didn’t care who watched, she ran to greet him, throwing her arms around his neck. He swung her around returning her hug with a fierce one of his own. She breathed him in—pipe tobacco, salt and musky male scent that was all him. She was reluctant to release him.

He stood back and eyed her closely, while he rubbed his chin. "Yer hair is a mite longer now. I like the way ye have curled it."

“You do?” She was pleased that he had noticed her extra primping she had done solely for him.

"Aye, verra much so. It's most flatterin’.” He gave her his lopsided grin. “Did ye miss me?"

She playfully hit him. "You know I did. What took you so long?"

"We had a wee bit of trouble and had to lie low seein’ that we had a price on our heads."

"They know who you are?” Arianna’s eyebrows knitted together.

"No’ exactly. They know of the Scotsman Ghost but no’ of his true identity.” He pulled out a flier and handed it to her. Arianna relaxed when she saw the ridiculous sketch. She burst out laughing. "Do they think you’re a leprechaun? Who gave such a ridiculous description?"

"Someone I am grateful to say hasnae actually seen me.” He took the flier. Folding it, he put it back in his coat pocket. "So my wee lass, what have ye been doin’ while I was away?"

"Mainly worrying that you were caught and I was never going to see you again. When I wasn't doing that, I cleaned the house, redecorated, tried my best to communicate with Bernadette and played chess with Vincent. I'd say I probably bored the poor man to death, but he was ever the gentleman.”

"Aye, Vincent is a good friend.” Keldon leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"So when are you going to greet me properly?" Her gaze snared with his and her heartbeat quickened as she thought of him making love to her and kissing every inch of her skin. She licked her lips as she did a slow slide with her eyes.

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Ye’re wicked gaze betrays ye lass. If ye keep it up, I’ll have the mind to take ye here and now.”

She grabbed his hand. “Then let’s hurry back to the house or I might let you.”

****

Arianna woke up and bolted out of bed. She grabbed the porcelain bowl before the bile left her mouth.

Her retching woke Keldon and he rushed over to her not sure what he could do to help.

Still hugging the bowl, she looked up at him.

"Are ye all right, then? Ye’re as white as the sheets. Can I be gettin’ ye somethin’?"

“I’m fine. Go downstairs and have breakfast.”

“Fine? Ye doonae look fine to me.”

“Please.” She looked at him. “Go.” She waved her hand at him in dismissal.

He stood there looking down at her, not sure if he should leave her.

“Keldon, you’re staring. Please, go downstairs.

He let loose a breath, half in disbelief that she dismissed him, and half frustration that she wouldn’t let him stay with her. “Fine,” he mumbled. “I’ll go have myself a bite to eat and no’ care ye are sicker than a dog.”

“Good.”

He harrumphed and turned on his heels. “Damn stubborn lass.” Feeling rejected, he headed downstairs.

"Bonjour, my friend.” Vincent’s face held a smirk as he waited for Keldon at the bottom of the stairs. "I was sure, I would not see you quite this early.” His chuckled turned into an embarrassed cough as he realized he was the only one laughing. "Has something happened?"

"It's Arianna, she isnae weel. She made me leave the room while she..." He waved his hand in front of his mouth. "Ye ken?”

"Oh, that. She will be fine in a half an hour or so. We better see that breakfast is ready. She will be ravishingly hungry by then.” He started to walk away, but Keldon’s hand snaked out and held him steady.

"What is this? Arianna has been ill daily and ye can only think of yer stomach.” His guttural burr sounded like a growl.

"Don’t be cross. It is nothing to worry about. I assure you."

"Nothing to worry aboot. Ye dinnae see her pale face. Ye dinnae see her leanin' over the pot."

Vincent chuckled. "Well you better get use to it. She may be doing that for a few months. Chantal had the morning sickness all through her delicate state.”

"Delicate state? What in… What are ye sayin'? Are ye sayin' that Arianna is carryin’ a wee bairn?"

"Oui. Oh my! Didn't she tell you?” Vincent’s eyes widened.

She hadn’t told him and Keldon wondered why. Did she change her mind about starting a family? The death of their first child came hurdling back to him, to haunt him with the suspicion that she had deliberately ended the pregnancy. Would she try something drastic again? He couldn’t live through that kind of heartache a second time.

“Keldon?”

Keldon didn't answer Vincent. He ran back up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He threw open the bedroom door, slamming it behind him. Arianna was lying on the bed and she lifted her head to look at him. He went over to her and he gently brushed her short strands of blonde hair away from her eyes.

"Why dinnae ye tell me?”

Arianna sighed. “Vincent told you, didn’t he? I wanted to be the one.” Darn the morning sickness anyway for giving her away. She hadn’t wanted to tell Keldon until she had the chance to speak with Nicholas. This felt like a lie, but she forced a smile for Keldon’s benefit.

Keldon pulled her into a hug. “Ye’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

She closed her eyes. For the moment, she relished in his happiness.

As soon as she felt better, she left the house in search of Nicholas Sherborn. She didn’t know how long he intended to stay at
Willow Bend
and she could pretty much count on him not seeking her out to say goodbye.

She spotted Nicholas’ lean frame resting against the side of Buchanan’s Mercantile and Trade. He was clearly surprised to see her, but he tipped his hat and smiled, showing his charming dimples. "Mrs. Buchanan, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Arianna swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. "I need to talk to you in private. It's vitally important.”

His eyebrows raised and his mouth curved. “Come now, do you really think that’s wise?”

"I have no choice.” She sensed his hesitation, but she wouldn’t let him brush her aside so easily and held her ground. "I think what I have to say, may very well concern you. And you owe me."

“Owe you!” His voice rose an octave, clearly indicating his irritation.

Good, it was about time she put a chink in his composure instead of the other way around.

“Are you all right out there?” one of the men yelled to Sherborn.

He waved him off and lowered his voice “If you must insist, let us part from prying ears. I’ll escort you back to the house and you can speak your mind.”

“Fine.”

Nicholas glanced at her as they walked. “Whatever you have to say must truly be dire.”

She cut him a sharp look. “What? Why do you say that?”

“You’re wringing your hands.” He pointed with a nod, daring her to argue the point.

Arianna looked down and quickly pulled her hands apart wiping them on her dress.

Once they started down the path leading to the house Nicholas looked at her again. “I believe we can speak freely now.”

“I'm going to have a baby."

She didn’t miss a step as she made her announcement, but his gut clenched with unease. "Congratulations," he said carefully.

"That's all you're going say?” She threw up her hands in exasperation.

"Bloody hell! What exactly did you want me to say? You tell me you don’t want to see me anymore or least that was my impression. So I wonder why I would care that you and your husband are about to start a family?” His lips thinned with displeasure.

She placed a hand on his arm bringing him to a halt. Her eyes searched his for God knew what. He wanted to pull away, but her next questioned stopped him cold.

"I wouldn’t have sought you out, but you see, I had no other choice.” She took a deep breath. “Could the baby possibly be yours?"

He stood there, while her words sunk in. Was the baby his? Could it be possible? He thought back to the last time he made love to her. For about half a second, the thought of having a child pleased him. A smile spread across his face, but when he looked at Arianna—the way she chewed on her lower lip, he knew with a pulse-pounding certainty she he didn’t want this baby to be his. His smile vanished and relief spread through him as he realized he was no longer in love with her. He had fallen in love with a woman who ignited his own passion of hatred and vengeance. He’d been wrong about Keldon Buchanan. They both had. He didn’t want revenge and it was obvious she didn’t either.

"It doesn’t matter if I am the father or not.” He shrugged. "Anyway, chances are Buchanan is. You shouldn’t worry overmuch."

"How can I not? How can I expect Keldon to care for a child who may not be his?"

"He need never know. Forget the past,” he pleaded with her. “Forget our time together. I know I will.” He caressed her cheek. “Your different now. It’s like I had an affair with another woman.” A smile touched his lips and he let his hand fall away. “Let it go.”

How easy he made it sound. How easy it would be to do as he asked. For truth be-known, she didn’t recall ever being with Nicholas. He thought he made love to a different woman. Well, the intimacy they must have shared was lost to her all together.

He took her hands. "Be wise and never reveal our involvement. Nothing good will come from it. Why cause, undo pain when there is no need to?”

Arianna wanted to believe Nicholas was right, but she had a nagging feeling the past would one day come back to haunt them all.

****

Leighton finally arrived and took a seat in front of Higgins. He was glad the lad had seen fit to show up. Of course, it helped matters that he dangled the pouch of coins in front of his face for his trouble.

"Weel lad?"

"She met with Sherborn at Buchanan’s Mercantile and Trade.” Higgins licked his dry lips and looked nervously over his shoulders.

"Weel?"

"They just talked."

Bah! Talked? If they be meetin’ of course they’d talked. I be wantin’ to know what was said.”