Karen Michelle Nutt (25 page)

****

Arianna awoke early and made her usual morning jaunt down the brick walk lined with exotic wild flowers. She passed the cherub fountain in need of repair. She’d have to add it to her list of things to do.

Willow Bend
had many majestic oaks but oddly, there was only one willow tree. She leaned against it with its weeping bluish-green leaves. She breathed in the clean morning air, while enjoying the warmth of the sun before it rose too high in the sky, making the heat unbearable. She hadn’t been out there long before she heard footsteps coming down the walk. She glanced back to see who had risen so early to join her.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Vincent greeted her as he looked toward the panoramic view of turquoise waters.

"Yes, it is.” She studied him for a moment, wondering if she should mention what happened yesterday or leave well enough alone. "Has Bernadette risen, yet?"

Wariness entered his expression as he glanced her way. He cleared his throat. “I am not sure.”

A flicker of a smile rose at the edge of Arianna’s mouth. He was nervous and preoccupied, all very good signs, which indicated he was smitten. Now, it was persuading him to admit it. "So, what do you think of her?"

"Think of her? Whatever do you mean?”

So he wasn’t going to make it easy. So be it. She would lay it on the line. "As a man, how do you feel about Bernadette?"

Vincent chuckled and pulled at his collar. "She's a mere child.”

She shook her head. "She doesn't think she's a little girl and I don’t believe you do, either."

“I see.” He became defensive with the truth so blatantly out in the open.

“And what else do you seem to know?” He purposely folded his arms across his chest as though he could protectively hide his true feelings behind them.

“I know that Bernadette is in love with you.”

"She… How is it that you know this when you cannot speak French? She couldn’t possibly have told you."

"We women can sense these things, just as I also know you’re in love with her, too."

Vincent opened his mouth to deny it, but he shut it without uttering a word.

Arianna saw the flicker of emotions cross his face, the realization of the truth, but then his expression turned grim. He shoved his hands into his pockets and his shoulders hunched.

“What’s wrong?”

“I never want to hurt my little bear. She has had enough heartache in her life.” He sighed wearily. “I have a price on my head and cannot offer Bernadette a permanent home.” He looked at her now, his amber eyes filled with sorrow and perhaps regret. “I love her and because I do, I will never make my feelings known to her. I must hold fast to my conviction and let her go.”

“There must be a way to clear your name.”

He took a deep breath and adjusted his smile. “You cannot clear a man who is guilty.”

Dropping her gaze, she turned away. “I’m sorry, I just…” She never finished what she was about to say, for what was the use? The harder she tried to avoid the truth the more it persisted. Vincent was guilty of piracy, but so was Keldon. It didn’t matter how honorable their reasons were. What they did was against the law and if caught, they would hang.

Vincent put his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be sad. I am aware that you were only trying to help, but there is not much hope for me.”

“Nor for Keldon, either.”

Vincent must have realized his mistake for he hurried to make excuses as if he could now sugarcoat the truth. “So far no one has identified the Scotsman.”

“But some do suspect, don’t they?” She didn’t have to wait for him to reply for she could see the answer in his eyes.

“Please do not worry yourself so. Keldon has been most careful.”

Arianna nodded, but couldn’t help but think of the crew’s flag, the emblem of the hourglass. Keldon could take all the precautions, but eventually their time would run out, finding him on the wrong end of a rope.

She chewed on her lower lip, wondering how their conversation had turned so dismal, but since it had, she’d venture to take it a step further. Perhaps Vincent would be more forthcoming with information than her husband had been. “Did you know Richard Hawkins?"

Vincent eyebrows rose. “You are full of surprises this morning. I haven’t heard that name for a long time.”

“And?”

“He's been put to rest.”

"Yes. I know this. Why won't anyone tell me who he was?"

"He was someone we have all tried to forget about for various reasons. I take it you have asked Keldon about him. No?"

"I ask him and received the same response you gave me. What are you both hiding?"

"It’s not what you think."

"Then tell me.” She saw him hesitate and she quickly took his hand. "Please."

He finally nodded. "It happened when we first started our... shall we say challenging experiences. I was a captive aboard Hawkins’ ship when Keldon's band attacked. It was their first run. The takeover hadn’t been difficult, but Hawkins being a pompous man tried to overpower Keldon. Hawkins went for Keldon's pistol. They both fought for the power of it. Hawkins lost. It was as simple as that."

Arianna’s brows furrowed. "It was an accident then?”

"That it was, but Keldon has felt responsible for the man's life ever since. He felt he should have known better than to have turned his back on the captain of the ship. We had a decent burial for the man, not that he deserved it. Even though Keldon didn’t have to do this, he personally sent a percentage of his booty to Hawkins' widow."

"What did you think of Captain Hawkins?"

He was more than willing to let her know, his voice holding such venom that Arianna inwardly flinched. "He captured my ship and half starved my men! He showed no mercy and for that I can't bring myself to mourn the man's passing.”

She shook her head not understanding all this. “But Keldon felt differently?"

"Ah well, Keldon is a complicated man. I don’t believe he thought of the consequences of his actions. The first time someone dies at your hands, it hits hard.”

“Does killing become easier after that?”

Vincent sighed. “No, but you’re prepared. For some reason, Keldon wants to be a freebooter, but he doesn’t want to harm the men aboard the ships. With the least amount of bloodshed as possible, we subdue the crew, only resorting to killing if our life is in danger. Keldon, at times is too honorable for his own good, but like all of us, I suppose he has his reasons for taking to the sea."

Arianna was silent as she digested the information, more confused than ever. Why did Nicholas Sherborn want her to know about the incident with Hawkins? It didn't make sense. It was an accident. Obviously, she was missing something. "Captain Hawkins was the only one who was killed?"

"Oui,” Vincent slowly nodded. “Why is this so important?"

"I was only curious.” She shrugged, not wanting Vincent to become suspicious. Even though she had a good idea, Vincent didn’t know anymore than she did about Nicholas’ association with Hawkins. “You said every man has his reasons for setting out to sea. If you don’t mind my asking, what were your reasons?”

“Nothing gallant, I’m afraid. I was bored and thought the sea daring, adventurous and maybe just a little charming.” He smiled meekly with a shrug. “My sister, Chantal warned me that I would be miserable once the picturesque fantasy wore thin.”

“Your sister sounds like a very wise woman. You should listen to her more often.”

“Oui. That I should.”

The sun rose higher in the sky and she shielded her eyes from the glare. "Do you want to head back to the house for breakfast? All this talk and fresh air has made me incredibly hungry."

“You have read my mind.”

Arianna turned and swayed, the sudden movement causing her head to spin.

Vincent’s hand shot out and steadied her. “Arianna, are you all right?”

She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t answer. The ground felt like it had dropped beneath her feet and the world dimmed. The next thing she knew she was sprawled on the ground with Vincent hovering over her, patting her hand rapidly and speaking French.

“English Vincent.” She tried to sit up. “English.”

“Oui, Oui. Are you all right?”

The whirling sensation was eased, but she felt far from fine. "I don't know what happened. I felt so dizzy."

"Has this happened before? Have you been ill and not told me?"

"No… Well, not like this anyway. I must be coming down with something. Every morning this week I have felt queasy to my stomach and…" She closed her eyes, as a new wave of dizziness threatened to overtake her again.

“Every morning?” he asked.

“Yes, but after a few hours, I feel perfectly fine.”

"Ah, I see.”

"See what?” She opened one eye and looked at his smiling face, wondering what he could possibly be so smug about knowing.

"If I may be so bold, I might be able to tell you. I was lucky enough to be born into a family of all women. I have five sisters to be exact. And well how should I put this, have you missed your... uh…” He cleared his throat. “Well could you possibly be in a family way?"

"A family way?” Then it dawned on her what he was implying. She tried to remember when she had her last monthly. If she had taken the time to see the signs her body had given her: no period, the tender swelling of her breast and the queasiness. She should have known.

"It is true then?" Vincent asked as he watched her expression.

"I believe so.” Arianna's face lit up. She was going to have a baby.

"I am most pleased for you and Keldon," he said as he helped her to her feet. "Come now. Let's get you back to the house. You need your rest.” He stayed close, just in case she should feel faint again. "When is the baby due?”

She had been trying to calculate the dates when he asked. Unfortunately with her hazy memory, she wasn’t certain when her last period was. Then she had an unsettling thought she couldn’t ignore. She had carried on a liaison with Nicholas Sherborn. When was the last time they slept together? Had it been long enough to make a difference? Could she be certain she was carrying Keldon's child, or was she actually carrying Nicholas Sherborn's?

Vincent gave her a startled look and immediately brought their walking to a halt. "Mon Dieu, you are a ghastly shade of white."

"I don't feel well.” She sat down on one of the nearby rocks and fought the urge to be violently ill. She didn’t know whose baby she carried. Panic was on the verge of choking her and she waved her hand in front of her face hoping to draw in air. How could she have allowed this to happen? She should have realized the position she put herself in, the situation she caused because she wasn’t faithful. Her gaze riveted to Vincent. "When do you suppose Keldon and his men will return?"

"It shouldn’t be much longer.” He took her hand and patted it. "Now, don't you worry. Keldon will be home soon. You must try to relax."

Relax! She couldn’t relax. She had to speak with Nicholas and find out the last time they’d slept together. She prayed he would tell her what she wanted to hear.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Keldon stared at the poster with a grim smile before he folded it and put it in his coat pocket. A costly warrant on his head was the last thing he needed right now. They would have to lie low for a while until the document wasn’t such a pressing issue.

Luckily, so far it hadn’t interfered with them unloading their goods. They made a sufficient amount of money and with the gold coins they confiscated from the frigate, they should be fine for a long time.

Keldon arrived at the restaurant early. There was a sparse group tonight, which suited him fine. He ordered dinner of soup, lamb chops, sweetbread, and the vegetable of the house. He was already nursing a glass of claret, by the time Leighton and Nicholas showed up.

"Have ye heard the news, Keldon?” Leighton asked as he pulled out a chair and took a seat. "Remember that nonsense we thought Annabelle was witterin' aboot? Ye know aboot John Armstrong bein' replaced? Curse me if she wasnae right. Armstrong was blamed for the burnin' of Washington. Just like she said. Now how do ye suppose she got wind of such news?” Leighton poured himself some wine and offered the bottle to Nicholas before he continued. “She's a spy and I have no’ doubt that the wee witch is the one who put the bounty on our heads."

"Stop with yer rantin’, Leighton. Arianna is nay a spy.” Keldon’s expression was taut, hoping his old friend would drop the subject.

"
Arianna, Arianna
.” Leighton mimicked, completely ignoring the warning signals. "I am a wee mite sick of hearin' that name, when we all know she be christened with the name, Annabelle."