Chapter 35
Drew rode into Bristol as if the devil himself pursued him. He’d ridden through the night, stopping only to change his horse and grab a quick bite, and still it had taken him almost two whole days. No matter how fast his horse, he had a sinking feeling his wife had boarded a vessel bound for some distant destination. If so, his quest to safely retrieve her would become much more complicated. He’d have to search the passenger lists in hopes of discovering which ship they had boarded. And, if Gentilly had used different names, he might never find them.
The docks, crowded and noisy, emitted the cloying stench of fish and unwashed bodies strong enough to make him gag. Disregarding everything else, Drew looked down the line of ships and decided his best option, the one he used in London, would be to show the miniature of Marianne to each and every captain.
He started up the first gangway.
Hours later, tired, hungry, and frustrated with his lack of success, there were only a few ships left. If Marianne was not on any of them, he would grab a quick meal and head for Liverpool. Maybe his brother-in-law had had more success. He could ride by his estate on the way and see if they had returned.
But before that, he would try the next tavern, the Ship Wrecked Inn, for an ale and maybe some news. Frequently, anything happening onboard ship was known in the local inns and taverns.
The husky barkeep gave him a mostly toothless smile as Drew asked for an ale. “As you wish, m’lud. It’ll be comin’ right up.”
“Thank you,” Drew said when the barkeep slid a mug over to him. “Have you a moment?”
“’Course, m’lud, this is a slow part of me day. What’s your problem?”
Drew extracted the miniature from his pocket. “Could you tell me if you’ve seen this woman here in your inn or anywhere along the docks?”
The barkeep scratched his head, deep in thought. “No, m’lud, can’t say as I have. You be missin’ her?”
“Yes, a person I thought a friend may have kidnapped her. I have fears he’ll take her asea.” Drew took a long draft of his ale while the barkeep stood by. “Have you possibly noticed anything or anyone unusual in the last day, maybe two or three? Someone who doesn’t seem to belong here. Someone who might be fretful or suspicious?” Drew lifted his mug again.
“Funny you should ask. There’s been a bloke in here a few times. Never seen him afore these last few days. Appears to be a gentleman. Says his wife is ailin’ on board ship. Says they’re headin’ out as soon as the captain’s ready and the ship’s loaded. He’s been takin’ her meals. Me wife makes a good rabbit. The rest of her cookin’ ain’t bad neither. Must’ve set all right as he came back for a few more meals after the first one.”
“Can you describe him for me? He may be the one.”
“Not too tall. Not near as tall as you, m’lud. Slicked back, dark hair that could be black but it’s dark in here so I don’t know. Seemed to be fussy, if you know what I mean. Kinda turned up his nose when I handed him the first meal. Didn’t expect him again but he came back, as I said afore.”
Drew tamped down his excitement, sure it was Gentilly. “When was he last in?” Hoping the answer was recently. If not, their ship might have set out on that morning’s tide.
“Not two hours ago. I’m sure of it. Today my missus made an apple pie and he took a piece of that, too.”
Calmly setting his mug down and restraining himself from dashing out the door before he got all the necessary information, Drew asked, “Do you know what ship he’s on? I need to get to him right away.”
“I do. His hands was full when he left this afternoon so I opened the door for him. I watched him head over to the Britannia. Even saw him go up the plank. It was the Britannia sure as I’m standin’ here.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much.” Drew tossed a few extra coins to the barkeep before striding out the door.
She is here. I am not too late. I can get her back and take her home.
~ ~ ~
Drew strode up the gangway of the Britannia, an East Indiaman armed merchant ship, and assumed a stance of upper-class nonchalance as his eyes scanned the deck in search of the captain. He located the man in charge standing on the quarterdeck seemingly discussing a map with one of the mates. Drew cleared his throat, waved an arm, and shouted over the noise of the bustling crew. “Sir, if I may have a word.”
The captain, a rail of a man with a pegged leg, looked up and, after saying a few last words to the sailor, hobbled down to the main deck. Not bothering with a bow or any physical acknowledgement of Drew’s apparent rank, the captain merely asked, “Your lordship, what’ll you be needin’?”
“Good day, captain. I am Andrew Saxtonby, Earl of Reignsfield. I am searching for my wife and have good reason to believe she is on your ship.” Drew continued to gaze around the deck, looking for some indication that Marianne could be on board.
“Well, sir, I have but one set of passengers and they’re belowdecks. He and his lady friend are to be married by me once we’re out to sea. I doubt that would be your wife.” The captain turned to leave as if that settled the matter.
“Captain.” Drew leveled a voice that exuded command. “Might I ask you to take a look at this image and tell me if this woman is the one on board your ship?” He extracted the talisman he held so dear and presented it.
“Well, there ain’t no harm in lookin’, but I doubt if she’s the one.” The captain took the miniature and studied it closely. “By George, it’s her. That’ll be the woman on my ship. You say she’s your wife?”
“Yes. Kidnapped days ago by a man we thought a close family friend. Obviously, she is already married and I would like her returned to me posthaste.”
“Are you sure she’s kidnapped? I’ve heard not a sound from her since she boarded. Of course, Mr. Gentilly said his betrothed ailed to the point of hallucinations and not to bother if she called out.” The captain waved over to another sailor, who had just finished tying down a rigging, then returned his attention to Drew. “Have you beaten or harmed her so that she wanted to leave you? You’d not be the first of the gentry to lose a wife because of his poor treatment of her.”
Drew schooled his features and refrained from responding to the insult. “No, she has never been mishandled by me. She was taken against her will. I expect she has been drugged and has had little control over the fact she is on this ship. Now, would you please retrieve her for me or must I search this ship myself and possibly obtain a magistrate?”
The captain shook his head and frowned, clearly not wanting the law involved lest it should delay his departure, then turned to the sailor. “Fetch the woman and Mr. Gentilly. We’ll sort this matter out up on deck.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” The sailor made his way belowdecks.
~ ~ ~
Marianne sat on the berth unconsciously twisting her wedding band as Robert paced the room, his face a mask of concentration. He turned toward her. “You’ll just have to get used to this change, Marianne. It shouldn’t be too difficult. We’ve been together for more than two years. Nothing has changed between us.”
But it had. Everything had changed between them. Drew had returned and the intimacy they had shared had woken her head and heart to what a man and a woman could become to each other. There had never been a single moment of such heat, such passion, such desire, like she shared with Drew with any other person, including Robert.
Robert, a shell of a man compared to Drew, was moody, whiny, and simpering, his physical condition soft and rapidly turning paunchy, his skin pasty white, his eyes, beady and distracted.
This now concerned her because Robert had become overbearing to the point of possessiveness and explosively, unexpectedly violent.
Never in their two years together had she heard Robert raise his voice, much less a hand toward her. In the course of the last few days he had not only started yelling at her, he had hit her . . . hard. She remained speechless from the mere thought and fear that if she dared to say anything to naysay his rantings, he might hit her once again.
He turned away from her and stalked back across the small cabin.
Marianne fidgeted with her wedding ring.
Where was Drew? Would he find her in time?
Could she somehow get away?
A sharp rap vibrated the cabin door.
“What is it?” Robert approached the portal and paused to listen.
“Sir, the cap’n wants you up on deck.” The disembodied voice had the hard sounds of a Cockney accent.
“I have no need of the captain at this moment.” Robert turned from the door and folded his arms across his chest.
“Sir, I’m to escort you to the deck. Cap’n’s orders. And he wants the lady, too. You’re both to come right now.”
Robert straightened his coat, shot his sleeves, pulled his cravat into place, then stopped when he heard the last comment. “I told you, there’s no need for the lady to leave our chamber.”
“Sir.” The disembodied voice sounded impatient. “I’m just tellin’ you the cap’n’s orders. He wants you both and he wants you both now. Come with me or I’ll get some of the crew to haul you up on deck.”
“Very well. There’s no need for violence. I’ll go see what the captain wants.” Robert unlocked, then pulled on the cabin door, which made a grating sound as it swung open.
The mate or sailor or whatever one called a seaman stood in the hallway with his hands on his hips and annoyance on his face. “The lady comes, too.” He entered the room and gave her a slight bow. “If you would, ma’am. The cap’n wants you on deck.”
Marianne, only too happy to get out of the confines of the room and on deck, had been begging for just such an option for the last two days. Robert would have none of it. Fresh, sea air would be a most welcome change, even for only a few minutes, from the thick, stuffy cabin air.
She rose from the bed, nodded to the seaman, and brushed past Robert as she went through the door. She felt him follow after her, his hot breath sending shivers down her nape. Though she didn’t look back, she was sure the sailor followed them to keep Robert from retreating back to the cabin.
What could possibly be on deck that the captain would summon her? Could this be her best chance for escape?
As she stepped from the stairs onto the deck, the sun nearly blinded her, so long had she been kept captive in the dimness of the cabin. She raised her arm across her forehead so she could shade her view and see what she could.
One man stood there, arms akimbo, looking impatient and annoyed. Movement behind him caught her eye.
“Drew!” She made to run for her husband, but someone caught her arm and dragged her back. She turned to look up into Robert’s angry face.
“No. You can’t go to him. You’re mine now.”
“Let me go. He’s my husband. I never wanted to leave with you. You didn’t even ask me. You drugged me. I know you did.”
Marianne saw Drew push the captain to the side and head for her, but the captain caught him and hauled him back as well.
“Just one minute.” The captain waved to a number of men whose attention had been caught by the drama. They formed a loose circle around them. “I want to know exactly what is going on here.”
Three voices started at once, each at a different pitch and tone.
“Enough!” The captain yelled loud enough to be heard over the bickering voices, obviously practiced at having himself obeyed. “Madam, is this man your husband?” The captain pointed to Drew.
“Yes, sir. He is. We’ve been married over four years. He just recently, the last two months or so, returned from an unintended sea voyage.” Marianne gently tugged at Robert’s hold, hoping he’d give in and let her go.
“Madam, did you knowingly leave your husband? Did you intentionally desert him?” The captain’s stern look conveyed the seriousness of the dilemma facing him.
“No, Captain, I did not. This man,” she pointed back to Robert with her free hand, “drugged my tea when we were having luncheon the other day. Then he kept drugging me as he brought me to your ship without my permission or cooperation. I do not want to be here. I want to go home. With my husband.”
Drew made to advance toward her but Robert jerked Marianne back and, with his free hand, grabbed a cutlass from the scabbard of a sailor standing nearby.
“She’s staying with me.” Robert held the blade across the base of her neck. “If I can’t have her, no one will.”
The captain stepped around Drew, his hands spread in placation. “Be reasonable, man. No blood needs to be drawn over this. If this is the lady’s husband and she wants him, then you should let her go. Who wants a woman who doesn’t want him? Surely you can find another wench to warm your bed.”
Robert tugged her back even more firmly against his chest. “We made plans while his lordship gallivanted all over the high seas without a word to Marianne that he was alive and returning to her. Why should I give her up just because he decided to meander home? Who knows if tomorrow or the next day he’ll choose to roam off again and leave her high and dry? I want her and I’ll have her or no one will.”
Drew came out from behind the captain. “I did not desert her. I was kidnapped and pressed into service, as you well know. And, yes, it took me awhile to return. I wasn’t sure it was in everyone’s best interests for me to do so. But I have. I’m here now, and it’s Marianne’s choice with whom she remains. I have not forced or coerced her. She has freely chosen to stay with me.”
“Of course you forced her.” Robert continued his unreasonable tirade. Marianne tried to breathe without slicing her throat, the sharp blade held against her neck. “You told her you’d keep her daughter. But I can give her other daughters and sons, too. She doesn’t need you.”
“Enough of this.” Drew turned to the captain. “Have one of your men summon the magistrate. He’ll straighten this all out and take this madman to task.”
The captain waved at a sailor and sent him on his way.
Marianne had had enough, seeing only too clearly that Robert had lost his mental faculties and would never see reason. He was no longer interested in her feelings or desires, just his own. Neither Drew, nor the captain, nor any of the crew would put her life at risk with Robert holding a blade to her throat. She had to make a move or the standoff could go on for hours waiting for a magistrate or some other interference to change their course.
She nodded ever so slightly and finally caught Drew’s attention. He shook his head silently telling her not to take any risks. But she ignored his plea.
Taking a deep breath, Marianne lifted her foot and stomped on Robert’s instep as she shoved her elbow into his ribs hard and fast. She felt the pain of the slash across her throat as Robert let her go. She dropped to the ground.
Drew made to rush for her but Robert jumped over her and lunged at Drew with his sword.
Marianne put a hand to her neck and pulled it away to see only the slightest amount of blood. “I’m fine, Drew. Let him go.” But it became obvious to her the game was not over when Robert started to advance toward Drew with every intention of skewering him.
~ ~ ~
Drew jumped to the left, then the right to avoid each jab of the blade. He deftly swung around to pull two unused belaying pins from the main fife rail. Spinning back to face his attacker, he had just enough time to cross the pins, catch the sword and raise it away from him.
Robert, undeterred, freed his blade and parried to attack again.
Drew slapped with the left belaying pin, then with the right as he backed further down the main deck. As he parried with the left pin once again, Robert’s face came close. Drew dropped the pin in his right hand and slammed his fist into Robert’s jaw.
Robert fell to the deck rubbing his face. “That’s not very gentlemanly of you, my lord. Angelo would frown upon such treatment at his academy.”
“And what would Angelo say to your attacking a man without a sword of his own?”
“My lord!” A shout came from Drew’s right. While Robert scrambled to rise from the deck, Drew glanced over to find the hilt of a cutlass being tossed toward him.
“Thank you!” Drew caught the hilt as Robert gained his feet and took a classic fencing stance, legs apart, back leg straight, front leg bent, sword at the ready.
“En garde!” Robert advanced toward Drew again.
Drew swished his sword twice to get the feel of it. Every sword differed. Different length. Different balance. Different heft. This one was as good as he’d ever had aboard ship, though most were not the best made. Most were utilitarian and not for flashy fighting. But when one dueled with pirates, utilitarian would suffice.
He returned his attention to his nemesis. Gentilly remained in his proper stance, ready to go at it. He would have his wish but the rules of Angelo’s Fencing Academy would not be in play here. Those were not the rules Drew learned while surviving on the high seas. Gentilly would have to play Drew’s game and all would not be fair. After all, Gentilly had intentionally started the contest with unfair advantage. There would be no academy rules now.
The two men took turns thrusting and parrying up and down the deck as sailors jumped out of the way and urged them on.
Marianne regained her feet, pressed herself against the rail, and bit her lower lip as she spun her wedding ring with her thumb.
Back and forth they went as the seamen started tossing out numbers to bet on the outcome of the match.
“Half a crown on the kidnapper,” one sailor shouted.
“I’ll wager a crown on his lordship. It’s clear he doesn’t want to lose his lady,” came a shout from the back.
“I’ll take that bet,” said another.
“Ten quid on his lordship.” The captain’s voice boomed from beside her.
And so it went on, burning Marianne’s ears. Betting would do no good. Drew had to win this fight.
Robert thrust forward so forcefully that Drew’s shoulders came up against the ladder to the forecastle. With his free hand, Drew felt behind him and backed up the steps, stumbling once.
Robert took advantage and nicked Drew’s left arm, drawing blood.
Drew winced but clambered up the stairs on the starboard side.
Robert followed after him, his smug face indicating he savored the upper hand.
Once on the forecastle, the thrusting and parrying intensified. Drew regained his focus. Parrying to the left, he jabbed the tip of his sword into Robert’s right shoulder.
Robert looked up, stunned amazement on his face. “Why did you not die when those ruffians attacked you? I had it all planned and this would not be necessary.”
“So it was you. They said they knew not who hired them but it was obvious they had not selected me at random.” Drew parried again and jabbed the blade into Robert’s left thigh.
Robert’s face flushed bright red. “You bastard. You’ll pay for that!”
Metal struck metal in incessant discord as the two danced back and forth across the forecastle. Robert slashed hard but Drew spun to avoid the blade, then dropped the tip of his cutlass over his shoulder to block being skewered from behind. As Drew turned and went on the attack again, thrusting and parrying, Robert retreated until his back faced the stairs on the port side. He started to withdraw cautiously down the steps when Drew slapped Robert’s blade aside with his sword, then shoved him so hard that Robert flew down to the main deck and landed hard on his buttocks and back.
After her gaze followed Robert’s flight to the deck, Marianne looked up to find Drew regrouping. He had unwound a line from one of the rail pins. Grabbing it in his free hand, he swung toward the main deck.
Robert started to rise from his prostrate position, raising his sword at the soaring figure coming at him.
Drew’s left foot kicked the blade. It slapped against Robert’s face. Drew’s right foot hit his opponent in the chest, knocking him to the deck yet again.
Marianne pushed forward to find Robert supine and his face oozing blood from the slash that emblazoned one cheek and crossed the bridge of his nose. He was at Drew’s mercy. What would her husband do?
Drew landed deftly on the deck and returned to Robert’s side, the tip of his blade at the man’s throat.
Robert wiped blood from his eyes. “You do not fight like a gentleman. I should have won this encounter. I’ve had lessons from Henry Angelo for years.”
“You forfeited fairness when you attacked me as an unarmed opponent.” Drew shook his head as his gaze castigated his nemesis. “That allowed me to use all that I’ve learned dueling pirates on most of the seven seas. Truly, you didn’t stand a chance.”
The captain stepped up to Drew’s side. “Quite a battle, my lord. What would you have me do with the loser? You could finish him here and now. None on my ship would naysay you. We could easily throw his body overboard. The fish would make quick work of it.”
Marianne gasped. Would Drew kill Robert?
Drew’s gaze rose to hers. “No, that won’t be necessary. He’s already paid for passage?”
“Aye, my lord. For him and the lady.”
“Have him trussed up and take him to his cabin. Make sure he’s not released until you’re far asea. Then, you might want to apprentice him to one of your sailors. It would do him no harm to learn how real men earn a living.”
The captain’s grin broadened. “A fitting sentence. A magistrate could do no better and might have done much less.” He waved over to the men tallying up their wins and losses. “You there, Smythe. Do as his lordship says. Get this landlubber belowdecks until we set sail on the first tide in the morning.”
Marianne waved at the sailor. “Sir, could you bring my cloak when you return abovedeck?”
“Surely, milady.”