To Catch A Fallen Spy (Brethren of the Coast Book 8) (23 page)

“Good evening, my darling.” She sighed, as Ross hugged her from behind and kissed the top of her head. “I thought you were still asleep.”

“Well, I discovered myself alone in our bunk, and that is no fun.” He nuzzled her ear, in an arresting display of affection she savored, and she rested against him. “You were wonderful this afternoon.”

“Only this afternoon?” she inquired, as Lance’s crew extended a plank at the mainsail hull. “As I exercised you this morning, too.”

“Indeed, you did, and I am your most grateful servant.” At that instant, Ross turned her in his embrace, concern etched in his swoon-worthy expression. “Are you sure about this? Cavalier is a ruthless killer.”

“That may be, but he spared me, and he dispatched Waddlington.” Smoothing his lapels, she claimed a quick kiss as a promise of passion to come, when she got him back in their private sanctuary on the sea. “And everyone deserves a second chance, Ross. I must follow my conscience, and I believe Jean Marc will take the bargain. I know he is rough about the edges, but I tell you it is an act. He wants something more, and I would help him achieve it.”

With that, she retreated, whirled about, and navigated to the waist, where the sailors gathered, but Ross caught her by the elbow. “Stay close to me, sweetheart.”

Peering over her shoulder, she winked. “Always, my love.”

“Lady Elaine.” Dressed in his customary garb of a crisp white shirt, black breeches, and leather top boots, Jean Marc sketched an exaggerated bow, snatched her hand, and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Some things never changed.

To her surprise and satisfaction, Ross yanked her free in a glorious display of jealousy. “Now see here—”

“So this is the fool who did not value the diamond in his possession?” As was his way, Jean Marc issued a taunt and postured for battle. “You left her vulnerable to attack, else I never would have snatched her from your grasp. Do that again, and I will never give her back.”

“You dare threaten my wife.” Ross bared his teeth and tried to set her aside, and she thrilled to his show of temper but stayed him with a palm to his chest. “She sneaked from the house, through a window, and eluded my agents. If she ever does anything like that again, I will heat her posterior, and she will not sit comfortably for a sennight.”

At that, she gulped.

“You never should have let her out of your sight.” Cavalier gripped the butt of the pistol tucked in his breeches. “And if you ever strike her, even in lust, I will slit your gullet.”

Now that sounded interesting, and she revisited Alex’s comments, regarding licentious provocation and spanking. Perhaps it was time for Elaine and Ross to explore new realms of seduction.

Just when it appeared the two men would come to blows, she inserted herself between them. “Stop it, both of you.” In desperation, she peered at Lance. “Will you not help me?”

“This was your idea.” With a wary countenance, Lance rested fists on hips and frowned. Out of concern, he posted two guards and forbade Cara from leaving their cabin while the pirates visited the
Demetrius
. “But I will not indulge you much longer. Issue the offer and have done with it, as I am not convinced the blackguard is redeemable.”

At that point, Elaine faced her exceedingly handsome half. “Ross, you promised.”

For a few seconds, her husband stood there and scrutinized the pirate, and Jean Marc did not so much as blink. On the verge of screaming, she stomped a foot.

“Oh, all right.” Ross sighed. “Cavalier, my wife labors under the impression that you would welcome an opportunity to erase your past misdeeds and start a new life. Is she correct in her supposition, or have we wasted our time?”

“You did that for me,
Ma Puce
?” Poor Jean Marc had so little faith in the world, and she resolved to shield him from his detractors, as he was a wounded puppy in so many ways. “You put your reputation on the line for a cadre of misfits and thieves?”

“Of course, as there is more to you than that.” She nodded. “Whatever your faults, whatever your crimes, you saved me, when you could have dispatched me to my maker and sailed away, with none the wiser. Instead, you defended me against Waddlington. And in the heat of the moment, you opted to forgo retribution for your brother’s death, when you could have exacted revenge against the Countess of Lockwood. I believe you are a better man than you realize, so I beg you to consider His Majesty’s offer for a full pardon.”

“A
full
pardon?” One of the pirates stepped forward, and the small company of buccaneers that escorted their captain shared whispers. Perhaps they could sway Cavalier.

“Tyne, be quiet.” Jean Marc silenced his men with a curt wave, and Elaine prayed he would cooperate. “What are the terms?”

“It is simple, really.” As Ross fished the rolled parchment from his coat pocket, she approached Jean Marc and grasped his wrist. “Read the document with care, and if you have any questions, let my husband clarify all areas of confusion, as I want you to accept the concordat, which includes your friends. If you will not do this for yourself, do it for them, but do not be so hasty that you reject what could be your salvation.”

As anticipated, Cavalier rudely snatched and then scanned the somewhat lengthy pact, and his grimy, unkempt raiders shuffled their feet and shifted their weight. Then he reversed course and joined his band of corsairs. A discussion ensued, and some gestured wildly.

“This will never work.” Ross drew her back to shelter at his side. “While yours is a noble endeavor, and I love you dearly for trying, you cannot reason with the unreasonable, sweetheart. And even if he agrees to the accord, he will never fulfill the requirements.”

“I love you, too, and have faith.” Resting her head to his chest, she inhaled his sandalwood scent. “After all, I believed in you, when you had no confidence in yourself, and you did not fail me.”

“God, but you are a beautiful soul, Elaine.” When she slid her hand beneath his lapel, she cast him a side-glance, and he winked and whispered, “I want to kiss you.”

“Soon, my love.” She twined her fingers with his.

“How I hate to intrude on this touching scene, but I have talked it over with my crew, and we have decided to abide by the stipulations.” Jean Marc narrowed his stare. “But I do not think it fair to require me to perform good deeds for a year, without benefit of protection from the King. I am at fate’s mercy, if I am caught before I reach the anniversary and claim amnesty.”

“Unfortunately, that is a risk you will have to take. Although my wife pressed for better conditions, the Crown opposed additional concessions.” Ross raised his a hand, and Scottie, Lance’s first mate, brought another parchment, along with an inkwell and a pen. “You must indicate your consent, and you may do so with an X.”

“I can sign my name.” Cavalier scowled at Ross, but he smiled at Elaine, and she bit her tongue against laughter, as the barely ex-pirate was an intrepid character. “That should do it,
Ma Puce
.” Jean Marc gave the document to her, as well as a silver coin with strange markings. “If you ever have need of my services, present this to the owner of the Muddy Rudder, and I will come for you, but I wager you know that, given you found me.” And then he glared at Ross. “If you ever hurt her again, you will answer to me.”

“That will never happen,” Ross replied, without hesitation.

“Please, take care of yourself, and do try to complete the duration of the pact, as I want you to succeed.” While she suspected Ross would not be pleased, she neared and cupped Cavalier’s scarred cheek. “If you do this, the world is yours for the taking, and I do so want you to be happy, as I owe you a debt I can never repay. And although I have no right to ask it of you, I would have your solemn pledge that you will try.”

“
Ma Puce
, find happiness for yourself, and the debt is discharged.” Jean Marc signaled his tars, and they returned to the
Morass
. At the rail, he waved. “Thank you, Lady Elaine, for believing in me. Know that should we never meet again, I will never forget you, and I will try not to disappoint you, but that is the only pledge I can offer.”

“Oh, my friend, I will never forget you, either. And I will pray for you.” Holding Ross’s hand, she perched on tiptoes and shouted, “In one year, I will be here, to celebrate the end of the term and your triumph. You can do it, Jean Marc. I know you can.”

Slow and steady, the
Black Morass
sailed to the east, cutting a beautiful silhouette against a backdrop of vivid orange and yellow hues, as Elaine and Ross admired the sunset. For a long while, they just stood there, savoring the comfort of each other’s company, despite another looming difficulty, yet they would persist, together.

After a series of motions and delays, and in light of his father’s death, which had been confirmed when the body was drawn from the Thames the following morning, Cornelius Sheldon was, at long last, to stand trial for his crimes against Lenore and Lucilla, in April. Given the grievousness of his offenses, Sheldon’s case had been remanded to the Crown Court, and the Brethren planned to challenge the scoundrel with a united front. Such was the way of family.

“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” In play, her husband nipped the crest of her ear and snared her attention, as he inched his hands lower and caressed her hips. “And how very much I desire you?”

“Oh?” Reaching behind, she squeezed his thigh. “Can you elaborate?”

“What say we retire to our cabin, for a quiet dinner?” Lightning fast, her agent provocateur rotated her in his grip. Spearing his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck, he pressed his lips to hers and said, “And then I shall ride you into sweet oblivion.”

The amusement dancing in his amber gaze conveyed a wealth of meaning she understood too well, and he smiled as recognition dawned and like acknowledged like. Indeed, she recalled the night they hid in the gallery at Raynesford House, when Lance made Cara the identical promise. In silence, and concealed by the Cellini tympanum, Elaine vowed that one day Ross would make her the same proposition, and she basked in the glow of his shimmering passion.

Nibbling his chin, she giggled. “Promises, promises.”

excerpt

the black morass

Atlantic Ocean

May, 1816

Virtue was a
highly overrated characteristic in his estimation. In truth, he ranked it in the miserable depths of humanity comprised of respectability and righteousness. For the strong and fearless, the glorified traits of honor and integrity functioned as an impenetrable barrier to the excitement of the worldly existence filled with violence and debauchery in which he once reveled on a daily basis. In exchange for societal approval, grown men surrendered their dignity, and their whore’s pipe, he would argue, to abide by a set of rules in which most had no say, and for what? High principles? Prestige? Indeed, such noble qualities sucked dry the marrow of life, leaving naught but the simple pleasures to enjoy, as the
Black Morass
rode the waves.

Sunshine glittered on the ocean, as a sea of precious diamonds, and a cool breeze sifted through his long black hair, as Jean Marc Cavalier directed the helmsman. Restless and yearning for stimulation, something to feed the hunger that gnawed at his harrowed soul, he approached with caution what appeared to be a burning schooner that he might offer aid, in accord with the pact he signed in a moment of weakness or perhaps insanity.

“No movement on deck, Cap’n.” Tyne, the bosun, lowered his spyglass. “Should we continue our advance?”

“We will maintain course and heading, just to be sure there are no survivors in need of rescue.” For some strange suspicion he could not quite shake, Jean Marc surmised all was not as it seemed, given the nearest vessel disappeared below the horizon before he could inquire after the circumstances of the misadventure. For a seaman, naught struck fear in the heart more than fire aboard ship, which could send an entire crew to Davy Jones’s locker. And he had given his word to perform meritorious deeds for a full year, in trade for an unconditional pardon. At the end of twelve months, Jean Marc and his men would be free of past crimes, beholden to none.