Karen Michelle Nutt (31 page)

“You shud not give Mista Keldon the consideration. It’s his own stubbornness that keeps him sleeping in a chair.”

“It’s my fault he’s miserable, Maeve. I broke his heart. I won’t stay in his room when I know he doesn’t want me there.”

“Ah…” She waved her hand at her in frustration. “You’s jest as foolish as he is.”

Keldon wanted to seek out Arianna’s company. He yearned for her smile, her laugh. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He missed her, but he refused to go to her. He wouldn’t play the fool.

He spent most of his time outside in the fields or down by the water, anywhere he didn’t have to be tortured by seeing her dispirited blue eyes, imploring him to forgive her. He wouldn’t do it, not this time.

After a week of this torture, he decided it was time, to venture out again. He set up a meeting in Charleston with Vincent to discuss their departure. With Arianna’s betrayal, his promise to stay on shore didn't matter any longer.

"We put out to sea at the end of the week,” Keldon announced as he approached.

Vincent raised an eyebrow. There were black smudges under Keldon’s eyes and few days’ growth on his usually smooth face. "What is troubling you, my friend?"

"It is nothin'.” Keldon avoided meeting his gaze.

"Ah, it is as I have expected. You are having trouble with your lovely wife. Do not worry. I know of these things from my brother-in-law. A woman in their delicate state can be quite moody. It will not last. Why Chantal—"

"Enough!” Keldon cut him off sharply.

Shocked at his rudeness made Vincent fear something had happened. "Is Arianna having trouble with her pregnancy?"

“If ye doonae mind, I am in no mood to be discussin’ my wife. We have more important matters of concern, which I would verra much like to go over with ye.”

“As you wish, but let me buy you a drink. You look as if you need one.”

“Aye.”

“I almost forgot.” Vincent halted him and pulled out an envelope from his coat pocket. “The boy was on his way to deliver this to you. I took the liberty of being responsible for it.”

Keldon stared wide-eyed at the envelope, realizing what he held.

“Are you going to open it?”

“Nay, I already know the contents.”

“Is it bad news?”

Keldon shook his head. “Nay, ‘tis my freedom.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

After everyone was sound asleep, Keldon sat down behind his desk and opened the envelope. He stared at the divorce papers. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten all about them. He should be rejoicing. He could leave and never look back.

He shoved the papers in his desk, slamming the drawer shut. “It’s what ye wanted, Buchanan,” he mumbled to himself without conviction.

He rose from his seat and headed toward the stairs, berating himself for wanting to see Arianna one last time before he set out to sea. He entered her room and walked over to the bed. He stared down at her so peaceful in her slumber with her bewitching face—fine bone structure, full kissable lips. Her thick lashes rested on her cheeks, a dark contrast to her hair that framed her porcelain skin like shimmering moonbeams.

He held his breath as his groin jerked, betraying him. He could pretend he didn’t desire her, but it would be a lie. He wanted to touch her, feel every curve come alive as he caressed her. He wanted to bury himself as deeply as he could within her and not come out. How could he hate her and love her at the same time?

With an aching heart, he backed away from her, knowing if he didn’t he’d do something stupid like kiss her.

He turned to leave, but froze at the sound of her voice.

"Please wait.” The pleading in her voice made his heart catch and he cursed himself for the maddening inability to break free from her.

"Are you leaving?" she whispered.

He sensed with those words the true meaning behind them. She asked if he was going to return. He honestly didn’t have the answer.

He turned to look at her.

She was sitting up in bed, waiting.

"I’m settin’ sail.” Then he decided to add, "For a while.”

"Oh.”

Was it relief he heard in her voice? He was not sure. The shadows hid her face. He couldn't stay any longer. It was difficult enough to be near her when she slept, but with her awake and to hear her sweet voice, it was too much to endure.

"Keldon.” She called out to him, hoping to stall him for just a little while longer. She wanted to tell him she loved him and that she was so sorry for everything. She yearned to tell him she would do anything he asked of her, if only he would give her one more chance. However, she knew groveling wouldn’t earn her respect in his eyes. He didn’t trust her and they needed trust to make a marriage work. She held back what her heart wanted and the true words went unsaid. "Please be careful."

His only response was the gentle closing of the bedroom door.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Vincent wasn’t sure what he was going to tell Bernadette, but he knew he couldn’t leave without some kind of explanation.

Their relationship had started to take on a new meaning, but it was still fragile. He had lain low, feeling out the residence of Charleston to see if they suspected him of being a pirate. It appeared they thought him a gentleman. His refined schooling his parent’s forced on him came in handy for something after all.

Vincent wanted to settle down and he would have to tell Keldon. This run would be his last.

He found Bernadette in the garden. She wore a gown of moss green, matching jacket and her hair pulled up above her head in a twist. Very fetching, he thought. She was beautiful, slim but with soft curves. God help him, he wanted her.

She must have sensed him for she turned her head and looked up with a smile. “How did your meeting go?” she asked in English. She still had trouble mastering some of the words, but she was improving every day.

“That is what I’ve come to talk to you about. I…” How could he ask her to wait for him? She deserved so much better and yet he couldn’t let her go.

She closed the distance between them and she reached for his hand. He looked at her questionably. A hint of a smile shadowed her sweet face. “You go to sea again?”

She didn’t want him to go, he knew that, but he also knew she wouldn’t hold him back. He gently caressed her face. “Oh, my Little Bear. I never thought leaving you would be so difficult.”

Hope lit her eyes as she searched his. “You will miss me, then? No?”

He nodded. “Oui. Very much so, but I cannot stay. I do promise you that I’ll be back. I rented the house for a year. May I hope that you will be here on my return?”

Knowledge flashed in her eyes, understanding what he asked her and she nodded. “I be here waiting for you always.”

A primitive force inside him demanded he sweep her into his arms and declare his love. Only protocol, held him back. He wanted to do everything right by her. She deserved to be treated with respect that had been denied her from others. He raised her hand to his lips bestowing the gentlest of kisses, sealing the promise to return. “Then I shall not tarry.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Keldon was relentless on the sea and with his crew. Any vessel that looked apt to board Keldon demanded it. Loaded down with valuables, the Good Intent was forced to head into port to lighten the load.

The men couldn’t have been happier with their good fortune. Keldon put on a good show of being contented, but the ones closest to him knew his soul was troubled.

Samuel and Vincent could only speculate that his troubles existed with Arianna, but no matter how many times they approached him, he cleverly avoided their attempts to draw out the truth. Keldon had become so withdrawn they were afraid for his welfare. They knew he couldn’t possibly go on with the relentless pace he set for himself. As for the anger, he held onto—he was on the verge of exploding. It was only a matter of when and where.

"We set sail on the evenin’ tide," Keldon announced to Vincent only moments after they stepped foot on dry land.

"Keldon, the men need a few days rest. We haven't seen land for a month. You must give them time to take care of personal matters."

Keldon’s features darkened. "I doonae want to tell ye, again. We leave with the evenin’ tide. If you think you cannae handle spreadin’ the word of it, I’ll be glad to relieve ye of yer duties.”

Vincent’s jaw dropped open. He stared at him for a full two seconds. “Be glad I know you are hurting, my friend, or I’d teach you a lesson in good manners.” He might still consider it since he seemed bent on picking a fight.

“Just do as I asked.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Vincent saluted him.

Keldon cursed under his breath, but didn’t say any more.

The crew under protest reluctantly did as their captain bade and set sail once more. The weather turned out to be cold and wet, putting everyone on board in an irritable mood. They hadn't spotted any other prey for days and Keldon was beginning to think Vincent had been right about staying put for a while. He was about to announce they turn the ship toward dry land, when the man on watch gave the cry.

"Captain, vessel on the portside."

Keldon strode to where he could get a better view. Vincent followed close behind.

"Can you see her jack?" he asked.

"She's flyin’ the British flag,
The Waterfront
is her name.” Keldon handed the spyglass to Vincent. "Take a look for yerself."

"Ah, she's a beauty. You think we can take her. No?"

"Aye, cannae see a reason why we wouldnae be able to. She hasnae even noticed us, yet.” Keldon looked behind him and shouted the order. "Bring a spring upon our cable, we have
The Waterfront
in our sights."

"Aye, aye," Leighton replied.

They were in pursuit.

When
The Waterfront
realized the danger, the captain sounded the alarm, but it was already too late. Though the British ship was making way, the
Good Intent
was the faster of the two. At a last attempt,
The Waterfront
tried to use the chase guns on the closing schooner, but Keldon countered the attack. They closed in. They were beside
The Waterfront
now, and if they could just get the grappling hooks over the bulwarks, they would have their prize.

The cry of success finally came. "We have them, Keldon," Leighton shouted.

Keldon's crew quickly boarded the vessel their weapon's in tow. Within fifteen minutes, the fighting was virtually over and
The Waterfront
was theirs for the taking. Keldon watched over the disgruntled Captain Stevens, while the men went to work to see what treasures the ship held.

Stevens stood nearly as tall as Keldon with hair the color of straw and eyes as dark as sin. The man wasn’t intimidated and refused to keep his mouth shut. "You know you will not get away with this. We'll run you down. I know these waters and we'll find you and hang every bloody one of you unsavory scoundrels."

"I think my men are up to yer challenge.” Keldon countered with self-reliant ease that enraged Stevens further.

Vincent approached with the news of the find. "The jobs completed, Captain and you will be pleased to know we found something well worth our trouble. They were carrying hard currency."

Captain Stevens overheard and continued his verbal assaults. "You better leave that where you found it. That's a hanging offense."

Keldon's smile held no warmth when he addressed Stevens, once again. "Weel since we are goin' to hang one way or another it might as weel be for somethin' that’s worth mentionin’."

"You will rue this day.” He seethed with contempt, his dark eyes nearly bulging out of his head.

Keldon chose to ignore him and in a voice for all to hear, he made his announcement to his prisoners. "We thank ye all for yer warm hospitality, but we must be goin’. So if ye will kindly make yer way to the long boats, we'll lower ye below."

"You’re bloody mad!” Stevens’ eyes widen in horror. "Surely, you don't mean to set us afloat in this unfavorable weather."

"I do recall that ye told me ye knew the waters weel. A wee bit of rain willnae hurt ye and besides ye claimed ye would hunt us down. It may be slow goin’ in the long boats, but ye can give it a good try.” Keldon nudged the red, faced captain, adding to his insult. “Now, move."

Vincent was in charge of lowering the long boats and had already started the monotonous task. While he was busy, Leighton took some of the men back to the
Good Intent
and started releasing her hold on
The Waterfront
.