Eye of the Wind (31 page)

‘Is that an acceptance? For God’s sake, woman, put me out of my misery.’

‘Yes.’ She nodded. ‘Oh yes. Please. Oh
Gabriel
.’

His lips were warm on hers and, as she kissed him back, her heart leapt as tenderness gave way to passion and they clung to one another.

A pain-filled groan brought them back to reality and they broke apart as Robert Bracey crawled out of the sail locker.

‘Is there any water aboard?’

As Gabriel released her and she went to fetch food and water for them all, Melissa realised that everything was different now. She was no longer alone, and the future was filled with promise.

Chapter Twenty Two

Left alone as the butler withdrew, Gabriel folded his length into a deep armchair and passed a hand across his face. It felt strange to be properly shaved and, instead of breeches and a coarse shirt, to be wearing fine, freshly laundered linen and beautifully tailored clothes. Would he ever take such luxuries for granted again? With a brief smile, he recognised that it was very probable.

The hours since their return to Cornwall had passed in a blur. After delivering Melissa safely back to the creek, he had taken Robert Bracey to Malpas. While the lieutenant’s shocked and delighted family had fussed over their semi-conscious son, Gabriel had been able to slip away.

Returning the boat to its moorings and hurrying to the stable where Hocking, acting on Melissa’s instructions, had Samson tacked up and waiting for him, Gabriel had ridden like the wind to Trerose.

It had taken a while to calm and reassure his anxious parents. At last he had been able to escape to his room where his valet waited with steaming water, soft towels, and a sharp razor. Having registered his opinion of the state of his master’s appearance with a clicked tongue and pursed lips, Berryman remained tactfully silent as he went about his business.

Within an hour, Gabriel was ready to leave again. Refusing food and pausing only to swallow a cup of hot coffee, he strode swiftly out to the post-chaise awaiting him on the carriage drive.

Snatching what sleep he could between stops to change the horses, he had, on arriving in London, driven straight to Lord Grenville’s town house. The butler had tried to deny him entry, claiming that His Lordship was dining out. But Gabriel knew politicians kept late hours in town. Polite but determined, he gave the butler his card and insisted Lord Grenville be informed that the matter was one of extreme urgency.

A very few minutes later the Foreign Secretary entered the room. Intelligent, upright, a man of strong principles, elected to parliament at the age of 23, his ability was evident from his rapid rise to his present position.

He came forward, his frown clearing as recognition took its place. ‘Of course, Stratton.’ He offered his hand and Gabriel shook it with relief.

‘That business in Switzerland. A valuable service, as I recall.’

‘I apologise for the intrusion.’

Gesturing Gabriel to a chair, the Foreign Secretary seated himself, his shrewd, steady gaze never leaving Gabriel’s face.

‘A matter of great importance?’

Ordering his thoughts, Gabriel related the events of the past year. Beginning with the instructions given to him by Sir John Poldyce, he gave a résumé of his activities and the route by which his information was sent back to England. He experienced a few moments’ difficulty describing his arrest and subsequent imprisonment. The Foreign Secretary remained silent, calmly waiting for him to continue. After touching lightly on his escape and passage back to Cornwall, he concluded with the rescue of Robert Bracey.

‘Sir, I fear Sir John Poldyce is no friend of this government or of Great Britain.’

The Foreign Secretary’s gaze did not waver, but a shadow passed across his features. He inclined his head briefly. ‘We owe you a debt of gratitude, Stratton.’ He rose to his feet and Gabriel followed suit. ‘You must be recompensed.’

‘Sir, I seek no reward, except –’

‘Except?’

‘To clear my name. An official pardon.’

Grenville’s eyebrow’s rose. ‘A pardon? For what?’

‘Surely you must be aware that I was involved in a duel with Sir John’s younger son?’

Lord Grenville nodded. ‘Yes.’ He waited, apparently expecting Gabriel to say more.

Gabriel didn’t understand. If Lord Grenville knew about the duel, he must know the outcome. ‘Sir, I give you my solemn oath I intended a flesh wound only. My aim was true and I caught him high in the shoulder. When I heard – I could not believe – I never expected …’

‘Ah. I begin to see.’ Grenville was quiet for a moment, his face taut with concentration. ‘Stratton, the duel may have hastened young Poldyce’s death, but it was not the cause.’

Gabriel stiffened. ‘
Not 
–? But –’

‘You have my word on it. The ball was easily removed and the wound was clean. However, the shock to his system – the young man was already in very poor health: a long period of heavy drinking plus other abuses which we need not go into. Had he been fit he would certainly not have died.’

Surprised to feel a sharp pang of sadness for whatever torment had driven Frederick Poldyce to such desperate lengths, Gabriel mentally reeled under the shattering realisation. ‘Then – Sir John knew I was innocent.’

Had sending him to France, then betraying him been a spontaneous act of revenge by a proud man broken and half-crazed with grief? Or a brilliantly cunning move by a cold-blooded traitor aware of time running out and determined to cover his tracks? Gabriel did not envy the Foreign Secretary the task of unravelling the truth.

If only his father had not panicked, insisting he flee, this past year would have been very different. But had he not gone to France, he would not have been able to discover and send back information so important to the war effort.

Though he would not have suffered imprisonment and torture, nor, after his escape, would he have sought refuge in a shack in woods belonging to Francis Tregonning. He would not have worked at the boatyard, trusted and befriended by Tom, Walter, Billy, and the others. He would not have met Melissa, the love of his life.

‘Lord Stratton –’ the Foreign Secretary’s face relaxed ‘– as you were not responsible for Lieutenant Frederick Poldyce’s death no charges will ever be laid against you. You leave this room as you entered it, blameless. There is no mark against your name. As for your character, I would that England might find many such as you in her service. I must go now, but would you be good enough to call upon me again? I should like to discuss the possibility of your joining my staff.’

Gabriel bowed. ‘You do me a great honour, sir. However, I beg you will excuse me. I am returning to Cornwall immediately.’

The two men walked toward the door. ‘What will you do there?’ Lord Grenville enquired.

Gabriel grinned. ‘Sir, I am going to build ships.’

*              *               *

Three days later, Melissa was standing in the boatyard listening to Tom vent his anger and sadness at Gabriel’s disappearance.

‘I wondered if he’d been took ill, but I can’t see it. Strong as a bull he was. No.’ Tom sighed. ‘I reckon he’ve just moved on. Never did let on where he come from. Nobody knew where he lived. Liked his privacy, he did. Well, why not? He didn’t do no harm. Worked bleddy hard, I’ll say that for ’un. If it hadn’t of been for him, we’d have been right in the sh – bad trouble,’ he corrected himself hastily. ‘Look what he done with that wood? I tell you straight, miss. I never seen nothing like it. Maybe there was things in his past he didn’t want spread around. Well, he wouldn’t be the first. The men had taken to him too, which I got to say I never expected, what with him being an outsider and all.’

‘You’re absolutely right, Tom.’ Melissa cleared her throat, fighting hard to keep a straight face.

Shaking his head and heaving another gusty sigh, Tom looked up at her. ‘So then, miss. You come down for anything partic’lar? Only I can see you aren’t dressed for working.’

‘Actually, I have some good news I want to share with the men.’

His face brightened. ‘Mr George coming home, is he?’

Melissa shook her head. ‘No, but I have had a letter from him.’

It had arrived that morning, along with one from her Aunt Lucy saying that her mother was making splendid progress. Reading between the lines, Melissa guessed that the two widowed sisters were enjoying each other’s company, and neither wanted the visit to end.

‘It was written before Father died. Anyway, the reason we hadn’t heard from him for so long was that he’d been ill for several weeks with fever. But he’s making a good recovery.’

‘Well, now. That’s good news all right. It make you think, mind. We’d have been in some stew if Gabe hadn’t of turned up when he did. Don’t bear thinking about, do it?’

‘It certainly doesn’t.’ Her agreement was heartfelt.

‘So if the good news isn’t about your brother, what is it about?’

Melissa felt the glow of happiness spread from her toes to the roots of her hair. ‘I’m to be married, Tom.’

‘You are?’ His momentary surprise was banished by a beaming smile. ‘That’s handsome, that is. Who’s the lucky man, then?’

Hearing hooves on the road outside the gate, Melissa turned as a tall man rode into the yard on a glossy chestnut gelding. Swiftly dismounting, he tied the big hunter alongside Samson and strode forward, sweeping off his beaver hat. Dressed in cream breeches, highly polished topboots, and a superbly cut frock coat of pale blue, his jaw was smooth, his black hair cropped to short curls. The livid scar above his brow was already beginning to fade. Seizing her hand, he kissed it.

‘My dear, forgive me if I am late.’

Melissa smiled at him, her heart swelling with joy and pride. ‘You are not late, I was just telling Tom –’

‘What the bleddy hell’s all this then?’ Tom glared up at Gabriel. ‘Where you been? What are you doing dressed up like that? And you got no business making up to Miss Melissa like that. ’Tisn’t proper.’

‘Tom, it’s all right. This is the man I’m going to marry.’

The foreman leant forward, worry deepening the creases in his weathered face. ‘Listen, miss, you can’t. I got nothing against ’un. You just heard me say he’s a good chap and a hard worker, but it wouldn’t be fitting.’

Melissa laid her gloved hand on his calloused one. ‘Tom, you don’t understand. This is Lord Roland Stratton, younger son of the Marquis of Lansdowne.’

Glancing at Gabriel then back to her, the foreman sniffed. ‘I like a joke same as any man, but –’

Melissa’s smile faded as she realised that her own pleasure and excitement had blinded her to the enormous adjustment she was expecting of the foreman. ‘Tom, I’m so sorry. But I promise you it’s not a joke. I wouldn’t do such a cruel thing.’

‘Will you excuse us, my dear?’ Taking the foreman’s arm, Gabriel steered him into the small office.

Realising after a moment’s uncertainty that Gabriel would be able to explain better than she could the circumstances that had brought him here and the necessity for his disguise, Melissa walked to the carpenters’ shop.

‘Walter, Tansey, would you be kind enough to ask all the men to leave what they’re doing for a few minutes and come up to the office. I have some good news to share with you.’

‘’Course, miss, right away.’ Setting down his plane, Tansey knuckled his forehead then turned to his son. ‘Go on then, you great lump. Get on down the slip. Joseph, you go to the paint store and the rope shed.’

With a smile of thanks, Melissa retraced her steps, and as there was still no sign of Tom or her betrothed, she went over to Gabriel’s horse. As she blew gently into the animal’s nostrils, he whickered softly, and bumped her cheek with a muzzle as soft as velvet. Samson swung his head round and snorted. Laughing, Melissa stroked them both while she waited.

As the men began to gather from all over the yard, Tom emerged, rubbing his neck and looking slightly dazed. Behind him, Gabriel smiled as he extended his hand toward her. Melissa heard the rustle of whispers as shock and curiosity followed hard on recognition.

‘Dear life!’ Tom sucked his teeth. ‘I tell you, miss, I never heard the like of it. Some bleddy brave he is.’ He gave a crack of laughter. ‘Tell you what, I wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall when Jed Laity do find out who he tried to beat up. No disrespect, my Lord.’

Gabriel winced. ‘He didn’t try, Tom. He succeeded.’

‘Only because you were still weak from being dragged through the woods when Captain bolted,’ Melissa pointed out.

‘Well, miss, if that’s what he’s like when he’s weak, be a rare sight to see ’un strong. No offence, my Lord.’

‘None taken, Tom.’ He turned to Melissa. ‘Ready, my love?’

After announcing her forthcoming marriage, and introducing Gabriel under his full name and title, Melissa handed over to him and stepped back, content to watch and listen as he held the men spellbound. He spoke lightly of the reasons for his disguise. But watching the men’s faces, Melissa knew they recognised the reality underlying his deliberately unemotional explanation.

As he moved on and began talking of the yard’s potential, and his ideas for expansion, subject, naturally, to Mr George Tregonning’s agreement, the mood changed to one of eagerness.

Privately, Melissa and Gabriel had agreed once George knew who she was marrying, and that the estate would be expertly managed, it was virtually certain he would elect to remain in the navy.

Gabriel waved down the applause, whistles, and shouts. ‘The demand for ships puts us, and I mean all of us here, in an excellent position to build this yard into something to rival any in Falmouth or Truro. I would remind you that I have first-hand experience of the tricks that go on, so if anyone feels he will not be happy working under my management, he’s at liberty to seek employment elsewhere, and will be given a reference reflecting his performance.’

‘That’s you gone then, Tansey,’ someone shouted.

Melissa looked at the tall, handsome figure of the man she adored. Just a few short weeks ago she had dreaded the thought of marriage, seeing it as a cage that would confine her.

Now, knowing herself loved, knowing she could trust Gabriel to care for the business as her father had tried so hard to do, the prospect of being wife to this man, bearing his children, set her trembling in joyful anticipation.

Gabriel finished speaking to loud applause. He turned and held out his hand. ‘Time to go home.’

With the men’s laughter ringing in her ears, her heart leaping as she met his gaze, Melissa went to him.