The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (21 page)

“Yes,” she said uncertainly.

Hell. He knew she was confused. But so was he.

After handing out all the baskets, the four of them climbed into the sleigh, and Adam instructed the driver to carry them down to the dock.

Even before they got to the wharf, Jewel could see the topsails of the
Wind Jammer.
She drew in her breath as the sleigh pulled up to the dock. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Adam was pleased she showed an interest in his ship. Of course, she probably didn’t know much about ships, he thought.

“Thank you, madam. You are looking at the fastest clipper ship to be found,” Adam said proudly. “She is two hundred sixty feet long, forty-five feet abeam, and has a depth of twenty-nine feet. Notice the long and lovely lines, and the enormous expanse of sails lacking in most ships.”

“Your sails are different. Most are white, but some of yours are blue.”

“You’re very observant. They are actually azure blue. When we’re at sea, the white and blue sails make us blend into the horizon. It’s a good way to escape the enemy when the need occurs. To other ships, we look like a floating cloud.”

Staring at the
Wind Jammer,
Jewel knew she had been on such a craft. She shut her eyes and saw herself walking across a ship’s deck. There were many men around her, but their vague faces meant nothing to her. She stepped up behind a big wheel.

“Are you feeling ill?” She felt Adam nudge her.

Her eyes flew open. “No, just thinking.” She smiled. “I’m impressed, but do you not have any guns?” Was the man mad to sail the sea without protection?

“Yes, sweetheart, we are very well protected. The cannons are hidden. Come, let me show you my ship.”

Jewel enjoyed the tour of the vessel. Each click of her heels upon the wood deck brought back another memory. The fact that she could sail, for instance. All the parts were starting to fit together, except for a missing piece—one she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Adam’s detailed explanations amused her. I’ll bet he’d be surprised if I told him I could sail this boat right out of the harbor, she mused. But then she’d have to admit the truth. She had learned all that from a pirate, and Adam probably would hate her. Jewel kept her thoughts to herself, wondering what she was going to do.

The seamen glanced at each other as she passed, and they took great pains to be cordial. Adam spoke to them with authority, and they jumped to do his bidding. Jewel could tell from the look in their eyes that Adam had their loyalty and devotion.

It was late in the afternoon when Adam and Derek walked the ladies back to the sleigh. Adam instructed the driver to stop for nothing on the way home.

He took Jewel’s hand in his, but before he helped her up, he bent down and whispered, “I’ll be home tomorrow night, and I expect you to be radiant for the ball.” He kissed her cheek.

Jewel’s gaze lingered on Adam, noticing the way the setting sun flickered across his coal black hair. She wanted to say something, anything, but couldn’t find the words. Lifting her hand, she gently touched the side of his face, then turned and climbed into the carriage.

Chapter
Fifteen

At long last, Christmas Eve had arrived. Tonight was Jonathan’s party. Jewel found herself looking forward to the gala, although her nerves jumped at the thought of being around so many strangers.

She leaned her head against the cool windowpane. Annie had told her the weather had been strange this year, and today was a perfect example. The air had warmed enough to melt the snow. Only traces remained, and that, too, would soon vanish.

Jewel had tried to keep busy, hoping it would make the day pass faster. Behind her water splashed into the tub as the maids emptied the last buckets of hot water. Taking a kerchief out of her pocket, Jewel wiped the steam from the windowpane and peered out at the stormy sky. The dark clouds moving in looked ominous, threatening to let loose their raindrops at any moment. Her brow drew together in a frown. She could remember another such storm, but when and where? Then, too, she’d felt impending doom grow near. Her nagging memory just wouldn’t cooperate. Well, maybe this bad weather would hold off until after the party.

“Has His Grace returned home?” she asked the smallest maid.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jewel stepped into the tub, wondering why Adam hadn’t stopped in to see her. After yesterday, she didn’t know what to think. Adam had a way of keeping her teetering on the edge. He’d been so different since he’d returned from London. He’d acted as if he’d miss her. Yet he still planned to sail. And very soon, she imagined, since Derek had already arrived. Uncertain of what she’d do, Jewel found relief as everyone fussed over her as she bathed, taking her mind off her uneasiness.

Finally, after her bath, she took a seat in front of her mirror. Annie brushed her hair until the raven highlights glistened. They decided, instead of curls all over her head, they would pull her hair up on one side. The result was breathtaking. A mass of ebony curls cascaded down the right side of her face and over her shoulder, coming to rest on the upper part of her breast. Among the curls, Annie pinned white baby’s breath and ribbons of peacock blue.

Jewel placed a hint of color on her cheeks and just a touch on her lips. Long, sooty lashes framed her warm brown eyes, and for a final touch, she accented her bottom lashes with a touch of black kohl.

Annie held the dress so Jewel could step into it, then fastened the hooks in the back. Worn off the shoulders, the gown dipped in a vee in front and was trimmed with blue peacock feathers. Each little feather moved against her alabaster skin as if the dress were a part of her, seductively teasing her breasts. Although she’d been assured it was modest compared to most, Jewel thought the neckline seemed daringly low.

She adjusted the sleeves and rubbed her hand over the soft, sapphire blue velvet, noting the richness of the material. The skirt pulled up from the bottom, revealing on both sides a white satin underskirt, which had tiny seed pearls and sequins of white and silver sewn very carefully in the folds.

She watched the way the light caught each little sequin as she swayed back and forth in front of the mirror. Then she smiled. Adam had done well with his choice of dresses.

“Ye look like a delicate porcelain doll, lass,” Annie commented.

Jewel did feel like a fairy princess with her cheeks wa
rmed by a blush and eyes sparkling with excitement. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I-I hope I’ll say all the right things tonight.” She bit her bottom lip, wishing the knots in her stomach would settle down. What if someone recognized her? Would she never see Adam again?

“Adam will be havin’ tae keep an eye on ye fer sure.”

Jewel wasn’t too sure about that. He couldn’t care too much if he was leaving.

“ ’Tis time tae be goin’.” Annie nudged her gently. “I see ye biting yer lip. Ye nervous, lass?”

Jewel nodded.

“Excuse me a minute, lass.” With a pat on her arm, Annie left her standing there. When she returned, she handed a glass of deep amber liquid to Jewel. “Drink this, lass. It will help with yer butterflies.”

“What is it?”

“Brandy. Believe me, ye’ll be relaxed after ye have some.” Jewel swallowed, then crinkled her nose at the strong taste. Taking a deep breath, she tipped the glass and threw her head back, swallowing the rest of the brandy in one gulp as instructed. Bouts of coughing ensued, followed by teary eyes. Annie was right, Jewel thought as the warmth spread through her body, and she had to admit she did fee
l a little better. With her head held high, she descended the staircase.

Adam steeled himself to give away nothing. By God, Jewel looked like an angel. And dressed in his colors. Unwelcoming desire pulsed through him. Whatever had possessed him to have the gown made with
his
royal colors?

“Your beauty will not be surpassed tonight, madam.” Adam bowed gallantly before her. “And I’m happy to say I’ll be your escort.”

She smiled, her dark eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Arise, my humble servant.” She tapped him on the shoulder as a queen would. “You, sir, will set many a lady’s heart aflutter tonight.”

“Ah, but will I touch your heart, madam?”

“Let’s just say the night is young, sir.” Her laughter floated around him when she walked over to retrieve her cape, but he followed and took it out of her hands, draping it across the banister.

“Oh, we’re not going?” she said with a puzzled look. “Not yet.” Such beauty had to be adorned, he thought. He hoped she’d always have the sparkle for life he saw in her eyes. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a long silver box. “Merry Christmas,” he said softly, handing Jewel the package he’d bought without so much as a second thought.

“Adam, you’ve given me so much.” She glanced up at him with a glorious blush brushing her cheeks. “I’ve given you little in return,” she said, fingering the box nervously. “You really shouldn’t have.”

“You’re right, of course I should have waited until tomorrow morning, but I wanted you to wear this tonight.” And, for some odd reason, he wanted her to look her very best tonight. He’d probably carry the vision of her with him a long time after he left
.

She handed the package back to him abruptly. “You need to give this to your
fiancée.”

“My what?” Adam practically yelled. “What the hell are you talking about? I paid a tidy sum for this gift to have it shoved back in my hands so unceremoniously.”

She looked at him accusingly. “I heard you tell Derek that you are going to marry a lady by the name of Colette.” Adam smiled, taking Jewel’s chin in his hand. “My dear, you need to pay better attention, or perhaps you don’t hear well.” He placed the gift back in her hands. “Colette has nothing to do with this.”

Should Jewel believe him? She realized he really hadn’t come out and denied anything. But most of all, she had too much pride to ask anything more about Colette, and Jewel didn’t want anything to spoil this night. With trembling fingers, she carefully tore the silver paper off a long velvet box. She opened the lid and gasped. Nestled on a satin bed lay ten fiery opals surrounded by diamonds. Running her fingers over the necklace, she couldn’t believe Adam would give her something so beautiful and obviously costly. Especially since—

“It’s gorgeous,” she whispered.

Adam lifted the choker from the box and fastened it around her neck, his fingers brushing her nape. Then he turned her around to face him. She felt his gaze roam over each little stone, and she swallowed as he stared at the one large opal resting in the hollow of her throat. Why couldn’t she act as if she cared naught for the man? It was something about his boyish charm and devastating smile. She almost felt the need to make Adam happy.

A rustling behind her drew his attention and he lifted his eyes. “What do you think, Annie?” Holding Jewel by the shoulders, he turned her around again.

Annie’s eyes grew wide. “ ’Tis beautiful. Ye’ve outdone yerself. The lass’s neck appears tae be on fire.”

“I quite agree,” Adam said, coming to stand beside Annie.

Jewel tried to control the shimmering tears in her eyes. Adam was magnificent in evening attire. She did, however, keep the thought to herself this time. He was dressed in a black waistcoat studded with pearls, the perfect complement to his black overcoat. The only white Adam wore was his white linen shirt and cravat, which was tucked in the front with a mother-of-pearl pin. Yes, she mused, she’d be the envy of every woman there. He was most definitely a man in every sense of the word. Maybe he did care for her just a little. She didn’t know why she was teary-eyed—perhaps it was the brandy that caused her eyes to
burn and her throat to constrict.

She was happy that Adam was here, yet sad he would be leaving. How could he give her expensive gifts, then walk
out of her life? Perhaps he couldn’t. She’d have to cling to that thought. And she had to get control of herself. Adam had never made her any promises, so she didn’t know exactly what she expected. Tonight she’d grasp what she could, and face tomorrow when it came.

“You don’t like your gift, sweetheart?” Adam frowned. Jewel quickly nodded. But she didn’t trust herself to speak.

Annie came to the rescue, pointing to the mistletoe. “Have ye noticed where ye both are standin’?”

“Splendid idea.” Not wasting another minute, he pulled Jewel into his arms, planting a light kiss on her soft lips.

He lifted his mouth and stared at her upturned face. A bemused smile hovered on his lips. “Madam, is that my brandy I’m tasting?”

“I believe it is.” Jewel laughed softly, feeling very lightheaded and truly wonderful. “Really rotten stuff, too.”

Adam arched a brow, then glanced at Annie. “I suppose you had something to do with this.”

“Well . . .” Annie hesitated. “I didna do it on purpose. Ye see, Jewel was just a wee bit nervous, and I be thinkin’ it would help cure her butterflies
... and it has, too. As ye can see, she’s very relaxed.”

“You might say she is completely relaxed. And if she passes out before we get to the party, I’ll have your hide, Annie.”