Tide of Fortune (22 page)

‘She is convinced of it. She believes he went to see his father the sultan to tell him and ask his blessing.’ She watched Nick’s face grow hard.

‘Mulai Aruj is betrothed to the daughter of a local tribal chief,’ he said grimly. ‘He told me so himself.’

Kerenza’s eyes widened as her hand flew to her mouth. ‘But what about Dulcie?’

Nick hunched his shoulders. ‘Look, I don’t want to sound harsh. God knows –’

‘It’s all right. There’s nothing you can say I haven’t already thought for myself. Even though the situation is impossible, I hoped for her sake that he loved her.’

‘Perhaps he did.’

‘It’s kind of you to say so. But I doubt it. She isn’t –’ Breaking off, Kerenza started again. ‘I haven’t seen my sister for over three years. I had hoped when we met again – especially after all she’s been through, losing our mother and everything – that we might – that she might – but she hasn’t changed. The truth is, she has become even more –’ Kerenza stopped. Though she still smarted from Dulcie’s tongue-lashing, it would be wrong to disparage a member of her family to someone else. ‘She must have been very lonely and frightened, especially as our mother was so badly affected by captivity and my father’s absence. The prince is a handsome man. If he showed Dulcie kindness –’ Kerenza twisted her fingers. ‘But if he wants her to leave, then it’s clear he thinks she’s become an inconvenience.’

Nick shook his head. ‘It’s far more serious than that. He says she’s in grave danger.’

‘In danger from whom?’

‘Hassan es Zimmouri. The tribal chief whose daughter he’s engaged to.’ Leaning forward, Nick dropped his voice still further. ‘If the sultan arranged this marriage for political reasons, then neither he nor the chief will want any – complications.’ He caught her hand, holding it tightly. ‘The child – when is it due?’

‘I don’t know.’ In her mind she saw her sister’s ungainly shape, the effort it took her to stand, the way she leant back for balance. ‘But soon, I think.’ She looked up. ‘What do you mean by complications?’

‘Kerenza, if your sister’s child is a boy he will be the sultan’s grandson. Do you think the chief would allow him, or your sister, to live?’

‘But – I cannot believe –’

‘You must. Mulai Aruj made it clear that the chief will remove any threat to his daughter’s happiness.’

‘Dear God,’ she gasped. ‘You said my father doesn’t know?’

Nick shook his head. ‘Not yet. And it would be better if we can keep it from him as long as possible.’

‘Surely –’

‘Think about it,’ Nick urged.

Despite the desperate seriousness of the situation, or maybe because of it, she was acutely aware of his hand clasping hers, the warm strength in his fingers. She glanced down and saw that, without being aware of it, she had turned her hand. Now their hands were palm to palm, her fingers curled over the back of his, holding fast, drawing comfort and reassurance.

‘Your mother fell ill and died while under the governor’s protection,’ Nick reminded her. ‘How do you think your father will react when he learns what has happened to your sister? Can you see him being willing to pay the ransom for her release?’

Kerenza shook her head. ‘He’s more likely to complain to the British government.’

‘Which would create a political storm. That’s why both the prince and the governor want your sister out of the country as soon as possible.’

‘Then why is the governor refusing to see you? You’ve gone to the palace every day since we arrived.’

‘I think there’s a power struggle going on between the prince and the governor. The governor still wants the money, despite your mother’s death and – and what has happened to your sister. The prince has the authority to overrule him. But it’s my guess Mulai Aruj is using the money as a bribe so the governor won’t tell the sultan what’s happened. The governor is keeping the prince – and us – waiting to prove a point.’

Kerenza nodded slowly. ‘Do you think the prince cared for Dulcie?’ Or was she just a novelty, an amusement? Even though, as a man, he would know how men thought, she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Imagining how Dulcie would feel when she found out that the man of her dreams didn’t want her made Kerenza shrivel inside. She knew how that felt, and wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy.

Nick shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. That was an answer in itself. ‘He wants your sister out of the country before the chief can harm her.’

That, Kerenza guessed, was as much to protect himself and avoid any trouble with his father as for Dulcie’s wellbeing. But she said nothing. Nick was trying to offer comfort, though they both knew he clutched at straws.

He sighed deeply, forehead furrowed in concentration. ‘How do I persuade your father to wait on board
Kestrel
while I take the money to the palace?’

‘You won’t. It’s a matter of principle with him.’ She hesitated. ‘There’s only one way you will get him onto the ship and make him stay there.’ She found it hard to believe she could even think what she was thinking, much less say it aloud. ‘He will have to be drugged.’

Nick squeezed her fingers, and she knew he had already reached the same conclusion. ‘I’ll take Maggot with me to the palace to translate. But you’ll have to come as well, to escort your sister.’

‘How will I persuade her to come with me? Tell her that Mulai Aruj does
not
want to marry her?’ Kerenza shook her head. ‘She won’t believe me.’ She’ll say I’m jealous. She’ll accuse me of wanting to wreck her happiness. ‘Yet to tell her the truth, that he plans to marry someone else, seems so cruel. I know she’ll have to be told sometime. But to do so right now – the shock – especially as she’s so close to her time. Yet if I don’t tell her she’ll never agree to leave.’

Nick cursed softly under his breath.

Kerenza flinched, and tried to withdraw her hand, but he tightened his grip, refusing to let go. ‘I’m sorry.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘I’m not trying to make difficulties.’

‘It’s not you I’m angry with,’ he grated. ‘It’s your damn family. They’ve caused nothing but trouble and grief. Nor can I see it getting any better. In fact –’ He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand and, with a grunt of disgust, shook his head.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.

He frowned at her. ‘You’ve done nothing to apologise for.’

No, she hadn’t. But that wouldn’t protect her from the gossip, or her father’s expectations that she leave her grandmother and return to Falmouth to look after Dulcie. What was to become of the baby? How would friends and acquaintances of the Vyvyan family react to a child not only born out of wedlock – an appalling stigma on its own – but a child of mixed race? The shame –

Closing her eyes, she slammed a door on her thoughts. All that lay ahead. But first they had to get Dulcie away. There was still so much to be worked out.

‘Do I have your permission to speak to the doctor?’ Nick said.

‘Yes, of course. But why?’

‘We need to know how much of the sleeping draught we can safely give your father to get him onto the ship and keep him there. Knowing the circumstances, I’m sure he’ll be willing to help.’

Kerenza nodded. ‘Why didn’t he say anything? He had visited my mother. He must have noticed the condition Dulcie was in.’

‘I wondered about that. I suppose he kept quiet for the same reason the vice-consul did. Neither of them would have wanted to add to your father’s grief when he had just been told of your mother’s death. Can you imagine the effect this additional disaster would have had?’

‘No, you’re right.’

‘Broad will look after your father.’

She sucked in a breath. ‘What are we to do about Dulcie?’

‘I’ve had an idea. You won’t have to tell her anything. At least, not until she’s safe on board the packet.’

‘But how –’

‘The prince will persuade her to go.’ Nick’s features were as hard as Cornish granite. ‘One more lie shouldn’t worry him.’ Kerenza winced at the bitter anger in his voice. ‘He put her – and us – in this mess. He can help get us out of it.’

Her tongue snaked over dry lips. ‘Do you think he’ll agree?’

Nick’s mouth twisted. ‘He wants all of us away from here before his father finds out what’s happened.’

‘When we get home –’

‘There’ll be time enough later to talk about that,’ Nick cut her short, releasing her hand and rising to his feet. ‘Right now we need to concentrate on getting your father onto the ship and your sister out of the palace.’

Feeling her cheeks flush at the rebuff, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap and stared hard at them. Of course he didn’t want to talk about it. Because when
Kestrel
reached Falmouth he’d have accomplished everything he was supposed to on this voyage. The Woodrows and Judith had arrived safely in Gibraltar, the dispatches had been delivered to Admiral Howe, and though her mother had died, at least her father had his elder daughter back.

Nick Penrose would, deservedly, be confirmed by the Post Office as commander of the packet
Kestrel
. Then he would go his own way.

‘Will you excuse me?’ He indicated the doorway. ‘I need to speak to Maggot.’

She forced her lips into a smile. ‘Of course.’ He must have heard something in her voice because he hesitated and the crease between his dark brows deepened. Please, no explanations or pity. She couldn’t bear that. ‘Go ahead. I’m fine. Really. Ah, here’s Dina.’ She looked past him as the maid poked her head in, clearly wanting to know if she could prepare the table.

When Nick didn’t join them, Kerenza and her father ate alone. This evening the food was presented to them in a fashion more familiar to them at home. They were each given a single plate – her father’s larger – containing a portion of rice with a golden butter crust, spiced chicken, bean and lentil salad, and mixed vegetables. But there was still no cutlery.

Throughout the meal William complained – about the food, about having to eat with his fingers, the Governor’s rudeness, the heat and humidity, and the nerve-shredding effects of the wind – until Kerenza wanted to scream.

Her attempts to empathise were brusquely rejected. How dare she suggest she understood? She was far too young to have any idea of suffering such as he had endured. Realising he was totally immersed in his own feelings and concerns, that no one else mattered at all, she stopped trying and remained silent.

Forcing herself to eat, she wondered about Nick’s plan. The food stuck in her throat and lay heavy in her tense, aching stomach. But she knew without it she wouldn’t have the strength to face the next 24 hours, let alone the voyage back to Cornwall.

When Dina brought in mint tea, signalling the end of the meal, Kerenza looked up and thanked her in her own language. The maid’s dark eyes narrowed as she bobbed her head, indicating that behind her face veil she was smiling.

Glancing at her father, Kerenza saw him stifle a yawn. She realised suddenly that, for several minutes, she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. As he yawned again it occurred to her that she hadn’t heard him because he’d stopped talking and she had been so deep in her own thoughts she hadn’t noticed.

‘Some mint tea, Papa?’ Kerenza held the pot poised over a tiny glass.

‘I suppose so,’ he grunted, leaning back on the couch, eyelids heavy and drooping. ‘It does settle the stomach.’

As she started to pour, his eyes closed, his mouth fell open, and he began to snore.

She simply stared at him for a moment, then set the pot down with a clatter as the real reason for the two separate plates dawned on her. Her father’s food had contained a sleeping draught. Dina came in, her slippers soundless, glanced at William, and, before Kerenza could utter a word, she hurried out again. A moment later, Nick walked in, followed by Maggot and Broad.

As Kerenza jumped to her feet, Nick took her arm and drew her to one side while Maggot and the steward heaved William off the couch.

‘Maggot has hired two men with a litter to carry your father to the beach. Once we’re safely away, Maggot will come back here. I’ll stay aboard
Kestrel
overnight. The ship will be ready to sail the moment your sister is free. Don’t worry about your father. Broad will keep an eye on him.’

As Maggot and Broad half-carried William between them out of the room, Kerenza and Nick were left alone. She lowered her voice.

‘Why didn’t you tell me what you planned?’

‘It was better you didn’t know.’

It stung, but she had to admit he was right. Had she been aware of the plan, something in her manner might have aroused her father’s suspicions.

‘I’ll bring the money with me in the morning. Try to sleep. I know it won’t be easy, but tomorrow will be a long day. You’ll need all your strength.’

She wanted to thank him for all he was doing, but bit the words back. I don’t want your gratitude. He had hurled the words at her like a curse. So she said nothing. Besides, her throat was so thick with tears she dared not trust her voice. Folding her hands, she simply dipped her head once, and tried to smile.

For an instant, Nick was totally still. Then, with a sound that seemed torn from deep inside him, he took two strides forward, seized her shoulders, and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was demanding yet achingly tender. After a moment’s frozen shock her body quickened and she responded, leaning into him, her mouth softening under his. But with another soft groan, he wrenched free and, setting her aside, he walked out.

Dazed, swaying, and totally confused, she raised trembling fingers to her lips, still tasting him, still feeling the pressure. Their first kiss. Why now? He had made no declaration of his feelings or intentions. Had they been in Flushing his action would have been considered an insult
.
What made it different here? Everything they had been through. All they still had to face to secure Dulcie’s freedom
.
She wanted so very much to believe it was heartfelt, that he truly cared about her.

She knew he had no gift for pretty compliments or small talk. Nor was it easy for him to express his feelings. But was she fooling herself? This was the first time he had kissed her. Given what he now knew about her family and the problems she would face on their return to Cornwall, problems that were not his responsibility, had it also been the last?