Pirate's Bride (Liberty's Ladies) (10 page)

“How many women, Jeremy? You must tell me. This is my ship. I have a right to know.”

Jeremy refused to look at her for a long moment. He concentrated his gaze on the darkening sky and the bluish purple sea. Finally he turned to her. “
Nightingale
is being used to transport women, about twenty of them, to Philadelphia. These women are being sent there to … to…” He stopped speaking, and placed his head in his hands. A strong wind blew from the north and ruffled his hair a bit, making Jeremy appear quite vulnerable and very young.

“Bethlyn, why must you constantly question? I wish sometimes you were like other girls, accepting and never asking so many bloody questions. I don’t know how to tell you this without offending you.”

“For God’s sake, get on with it and tell me.
Nightingale
is my ship,” she repeated, growing more impatient by the second with Jeremy, not only for his unwillingness to tell her what he knew, but because he knew something which she didn’t.

“They’re doxies!” he hissed at her. “
Nightingale
is transporting them for the amusement of the soldiers quartered in Philadelphia.”

She shook her head almost stupidly. “Amusement of the soldiers?”

“Playthings, Bethlyn. The soldiers need more women for certain base desires.” Jeremy swallowed hard. “Things about which a proper lady would know nothing. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this.”

Bethlyn wouldn’t have felt more shocked than if Jeremy had told her she’d suddenly grown two heads. A sudden weakness assailed her, but she fought it down as anger surfaced within her. How dare her father’s ship be used for such a purpose!

“Who is behind this outrage?” she whispered in a hoarse voice. “Is it Thomas Eversley? I’d warrant it is. That’s why he was so insistent I travel on
Venture
. And that filthy Captain Montgomery is in it also. I shall make both of them rue the day they used one of my ships as a floating brothel. I bet the crewmen have had quite a pleasant voyage this trip.”

“Yes, I think so,” Jeremy agreed. “But keep this information to yourself, Bethlyn. I fear what might happen if Captain Montgomery realizes you’ve learned the truth. I stumbled across it from a cabin boy with a ready tongue. We must pretend ignorance for our own safety. When we arrive in Philadelphia, you may do as you like about the situation, but for now, please say nothing.”

Jeremy’s warning sent a chill through her. She realized that he was undoubtedly right. Everyone had gone to great pains to keep her in the dark. For the first time she wondered if her father knew about this, but she decided he probably didn’t, having never taken much interest in Briston Shipping. She vowed that once she was safe in Philadelphia she’d tell her husband and would force Eversley and Captain Montgomery out of the company, but then a thought hit her with such force that she nearly fell. She reached for Jeremy’s arm to support her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, seeing her sudden pallor.

 “Nothing, nothing. You’re right about all of this. We’ll keep it a secret. I won’t say anything to anyone … at least not now.”

Jeremy patted her hand and they walked back to their respective cabins. It was only after Bethlyn was settled in bed did she confront the terrifying thought which plagued her.

Suppose Ian Briston knew about the women? What if he’d been the one to engineer the whole scheme? She found she didn’t want to think about it, because if she learned he’d known all along, then any hope for a life with him would wither and die within her. Her dream might never come true now.

~ ~ ~

At Woodsley Thomas Eversley shook his head in dismay and glared at the small bespectacled man before him. Harold Dempster hadn’t the decency to come to Woodsley himself but secured his assistant, a nondescript young man named Bartholomew Perkins, to do his dirty work. One thing Thomas disliked was a coward. No matter what he’d ever done in his life, be it good or evil, at least he could claim the credit for himself. Dempster wasn’t man enough to face him. The stupid fellow had botched things so!

However, he couldn’t pin all the blame on Dempster. He must take a share of the blame himself. Lady Bethlyn was a hardheaded little chit, and he’d left London for Woodsley, confident that Dempster would be able to handle any problems which might arise. Thomas had known Bethlyn was eager to set sail for the Colonies, but he’d had no idea she’d forgo the comforts of
Venture
for
Nightingale
. He’d thought she’d wait for the ship’s repair, and by that time he’d have returned to London. Damn Nathaniel Talbot for sending for him now! All of his plans would go up in smoke because of Talbot’s health and his blasted daughter’s stubbornness.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of ill tidings, sir.” Thomas heard the quiver in Perkins’s voice. “Mr. Dempster was quite upset himself, but before he left for the midlands he told me to rush here and explain what happened with her ladyship. He has also entrusted me with handing you his resignation.” Perkins dutifully extracted a letter from his vest pocket and proceeded to hand it to Thomas, but Thomas waved it away.

“I have no wish to see his damn resignation. Dempster better stay as far away from me as possible. The stupid fool! I can’t depend on anyone in my employ.”

Perkins stood straight, and the quiver in his voice was absent when he spoke. “You may depend upon me, Mr. Eversley. I won’t disappoint you.”

Thomas glanced from the window which overlooked the garden, and for the first time that he could remember, he carefully perused Perkins. The young man possessed an honest face and an extremely dull facade. He blended in perfectly with the dark woodwork of the room. But Thomas had a critical eye and a way of being able to see beneath the surface. Was Perkins an ambitious man, a man who’d do anything to attain his goals? Could Perkins be a man like himself? If so, then he might be able to salvage something of this fiasco. He wanted to marry Bethlyn Briston. Perhaps she wouldn’t discover his secret cargo, but he’d never know this unless he found a way to leave Briston Shipping in competent hands, in the hands of a man like himself.

A small smile played around the edges of Thomas’s mouth. “I trust you’re aware of
Nightingale
’s cargo.”

“Indeed, sir, I am.”

“What say you on the matter, Perkins?”

The only hint that Perkins might have been startled by this odd question was the slight arch of a brow. His face remained impassive when he answered. “I think everyone deserves amusement, especially at a nice profit.”

Thomas suppressed a snicker of triumph. “Quite right, Perkins. You’re an astute fellow. I believe you’ll do quite well as my secretary. Return to the offices and assume your new post. I shall brief you after I finish my business here at Woodsley.”

Perkins made a deferential bow and immediately left.

Thomas went to the sideboard in Nathaniel’s study and helped himself to a tall glass of brandy which he aptly deserved. It had been a trying day. If only Bethlyn Briston could have waited a week. He’d only that morning thought the future looked quite rosy. In his mind he had no doubt that Ian Briston would release his wife from the marriage. Briston hated the earl so much that Thomas reasoned the man would be insane not to annul the marriage and claim his full share of the company without an unwanted wife. Then Bethlyn would return to London and Thomas would begin his pursuit of her in earnest.

Now, however, the situation was more complicated.

What if Bethlyn or that milksop, Jeremy, discovered the cargo on
Nightingale
? No doubt they’d be offended. Despite her relationship with the earl, Thomas had no doubt that Bethlyn would make certain her father knew of the secretive business venture. The earl had been cruel to Bethlyn and her mother, and had caused Jessica Briston to leave her husband for him, but the earl would never stand for his ships being used to convey prostitutes to Philadelphia as playthings for the British soldiers quartered in that city … no matter the profit involved.

Thomas must do something and do it soon. But what? He drank deeply of the brandy. Savoring the taste and allowing the amber liquid to soothe him, he began to think that there must be a way out of this dilemma. He’d go to Philadelphia and prevent Bethlyn from returning, but he rejected that idea. He’d indeed appear guilty to her. The best he could do would be to wait until she returned home. He’d somehow convince her of her mistake. Then again, she might never learn about the cargo if Captain Montgomery and his crew were careful, so a voyage to Philadelphia could cause undue suspicion. Especially if Ian Briston took an unwanted interest.

“I’ll wait,” he spoke aloud. “Sometimes a man must bide his time.”

“Bide your time about what, Thomas?”

Thomas jumped from his chair, startled by Nathaniel’s voice behind him. He hadn’t heard the man enter the room, and he felt surprise that he’d had ample strength to walk down the long flight of stairs unattended. Nathaniel had been ill the last two days, running a slight fever. His skin retained an ashen quality, and he shook as he gestured to Thomas to help him into a high-backed leather chair. When Thomas grabbed his hand to support him, he felt the coolness of the earl’s flesh and the tight grip around his fingers.

“Really, Your Grace, you should have rung for a servant to fetch me. I’d have helped you downstairs,” Thomas offered and took the seat across from Talbot.

“Bah! I’m not an invalid and I’m tired of being treated as one. The servants tiptoe around me like I’m at death’s door. Believe me, Thomas, I’m far from dying. Granted, I’ve had some bad bouts with sickness lately, but I’m hail and hearty.”

Thomas inclined his head. “I’m quite pleased to hear that. “

Nathaniel said nothing, seeming to accept Thomas’s comment as his due. Thomas saw that the mighty Earl of Dunsmoor seemed to be in good health despite his pallor. When a servant appeared and inquired about supper, Nathaniel surprised Thomas by requesting they be served in the study and then, when the food was placed before them, the man ate with relish and gusto, even refilling his plate a second time with tender roast deer and a more than adequate helping of wild rice, followed by three glasses of port. When the meal was over, Nathaniel’s complexion was quite ruddy and one would have been hard pressed to find any indication of an earlier illness.

“Who was that young man here earlier, Thomas? I believe he works for me,” Nathaniel commented, his gaze penetrating and astute.

“Bartholomew Perkins,” Thomas said smoothly. “He was here to discuss business.”

“I trust all is well at the office.”

 “Most assuredly it is.”

‘‘I’m afraid I’ve been most remiss in my duties as far as Briston Shipping is concerned. My sweet Jessica left me in charge of her company and I run it like an absent landlord. I doubt she wanted this. She thought I might eventually take an interest in the company and unite with her son since he’d be married to my daughter. I promised her I’d see to the business; however, I’ve never wanted to be involved in it. You know, her family’s concern and all that. But Thomas, I’m feeling well lately. The time has come for me to fulfill the promise I made to Jessica. Also, my daughter owns part of Briston Shipping though her husband probably wishes she were never born. Yes,” Nathaniel said, and nodded. “The time has come to put old wounds to rest.”

Thomas nearly choked on his brandy, Spilling part of it on his silk waistcoat, he quickly forgot to wipe away the spots so involved was he on what the earl had just said. The man couldn’t mean what he was implying. He just couldn’t! “What are you saying, Your Grace?”

Nathaniel smiled, something he seldom did. “I’m going to run Briston Shipping from now on. I owe this to Jessica … and to my daughter. I wish to see her, Thomas, and tell her what I plan. Perhaps I can make amends to her.”

“Your Grace … please … think of your health. Such an undertaking will put a large strain upon you.”

“Don’t worry about me. Now send for Bethlyn.”

“I … I can’t, now,” Thomas stuttered, an unusual occurrence for him. “She recently sailed for Philadelphia to be with her husband.”

“Going to claim the bounder, I’d warrant.” Nathaniel laughed heartily.

“I can’t say.”

“That settles it. As soon as I’m stronger I’ll go to London and honor Jessica’s wish. I may be a grandfather soon and must make certain that Briston Shipping is in fine shape. I wish to leave a legacy to my grandchildren, something of my own, besides this house and wealth, things I never worked to achieve. Everything was given to me, Thomas. I never had to work at anything. You’ve no idea how draining such a life of indolence can be.”

I should like to know, Thomas resentfully thought. He set his glass on the sideboard, unable to look at the earl. If he did so, he felt certain the man would see the resentment, the panic and fear in his face and ascertain how much he hated him, his dismay that the secretive business venture would be unearthed. God, if Nathaniel Talbot ever got a look at the account books and saw how much he’d pilfered over the years, he’d send for the authorities! What could be worse than for a man like himself to wind up in a debtor’s prison as a common thief?

Still, Thomas was curious as to why after all these years, Talbot wanted to run the company and make amends with the daughter he’d sold into marriage. But he didn’t ask. After all, he was the man’s solicitor and not privy to the aristocracy’s penchants. He doubted Talbot would tell him the true reason anyway.