A Pirate's Ransom (17 page)

“Yes, yes, of course, James will show you to your room. And, Father, I’m so sorry.”

“What have you to be sorry for, daughter?”

“That your plans seemed to have been muddled from the start.”

“Do not fret, my dear. Allow me to meet with the Marquis and see what matter he thinks to be so urgent and important. We shall have plenty of time to fret after that. In the meantime, why don’t you have tea and reacquaint yourself with the Contessa.”

“
Si
,” the Contessa said with a welcoming smile, “come, sit with me and tell me about this place you call London.”

Father returned just before dinner. Although I was anxious, I allowed him time to get settled in and relax before getting into the details of his meeting with the Marquis, who by now had surely been named the new Duke of Devonshire.

I stood before the fireplace in the drawing room gazing into the flames, my mind churning with thoughts of what would become of me, of all of us. I jumped when I felt my father’s hand upon my shoulder.

“Catherine, you seem troubled beyond your years,” he said.

“Things have become such a mess.” I turned and fell into my father’s embrace.

“Father, I was beside myself with worry for you the day I was taken from
The Tempest
. How long were you stranded upon the disabled ship before being rescued?”

“As it so happened, we were only there a mere matter of hours. Apparently Captain Drake had previously arranged for our rescue.”

“Captain Drake seems to have had his plan very well laid out.”

“You have no idea,” he muttered under his breath.

“Nothing has turned out as we had thought it would. Whatever will become of us now?”

“Do not fret, my dear. Things have a way of turning themselves around.” He patted my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.

I sighed heavily. “Will we have enough coin to book passage to return to our home on the island?”

“There will be no need of that.” He smiled down at me.

“No? Has the new Duke of Devonshire given permission for us to stay here on his good graces? I do not wish to be considered a charity.”

“No, no, my dear. It is nothing of the kind. You see, the Duke of Devonshire wishes to honor his father’s marriage contract.”

“What?” I asked in disbelief.

“He has asked for my permission to marry you in his father’s stead. And I have agreed. We are to leave for his estate in Devon in the morning.”

We were to be married in the chapel on the grounds at the Duke’s estate in Devon. The coach rambled along the snow-covered roadway and gazing out of the window at the frozen countryside, my heart seemed just as cold. How could I be a wife to a man I have never met, especially when my heart belonged to Edmund. I looked at my father sitting across from me. He was smiling and seemed so happy. I knew this match was the only way we would survive financially, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the only one unhappy about it?

“You look so sad, my dear,” he said, placing his hand upon mine. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my father of my feelings for Edmund.

“Father, it’s just ... well, things have happened so quickly. The tongues of the gossips will surely be wagging now. Wentworth Simmons is not even cold in the grave, and I am to be married to his son.”

“When have you ever given a care to what the gossips have to say?”

“This is certain to bring a dark cloud to my new husband’s reputation.”

“I sincerely doubt he gives a care to that.”

“It’s more than that, Father.”

“What troubles you, Catherine?”

“I don’t know him. The Duke. When I was to be married to the old Duke, I had months to come to terms with it and had the opportunity to become acquainted with him. Now, I’m to be a wife in a matter of one day. Married to a man I have never met, never seen. Father, I do not even know his name.”

“Now, now, Catherine. Calm yourself and lay your fears to rest.” He patted my hand.

Silence filled the coach for a few moments, and then I asked nervously, “What is he like, Father?”

“Who, my dear?”

“Why, the Duke, of course?”

“He is young, a fine-looking gentleman. Trust me, my dear, you will be pleasantly surprised.” He smiled, then under his breath, he muttered, “I know I was.”

Then he turned and struck up a conversation with the Contessa in whispered tones.

The coaches drew up to the Duke’s estate, a large stately home that seemed to have been connected to an old keep. The tall stone turret and hall were not only intact, but judging from the smoke that curled from the many chimneys, appeared to be in fine working order and still in use.

Our trunks were delivered to our rooms and we were given ample time to relax and to unpack our things before dinner.

My room was decorated in much the same fashion as the room in the London residence. Mary immediately saw to the unpacking of my things. And although I was surrounded by so much activity, I felt isolated and as if I was merely going through motions. I was filled with a sadness I could not overcome. Edmund occupied my every thought. How could I possibly marry someone, a young man I had never met, when my heart belonged to Edmund?

The Duke was notably absent at dinner, which only added to my rattling nerves. I was to be married in the morning to a man who had not even seen fit to present himself for the briefest of introductions before making me his bride and taking me to his bed. The thought of our wedding night brought on another worry in and of itself. Fooling an old man into believing I was still an untouched maiden was one thing, but attempting to fool a young man was entirely another matter. I’m certain the young Duke would expect me to be virtuous, as did his father. What on earth was I going to do?

I feared I would not be able to go through with it. I stole a glance toward my father. I knew he counted on me to honor his word and rescue us from financial ruin. Perhaps it was expected that I would be a wife in name only.
What if the young Duke never takes me to his bed, and I find I am with child from my encounter with Edmund at the celebration?
Thoughts swirled around in my mind, and a knot of nerves churned in my stomach. I slid my untouched dinner plate aside.

The conversation around the table grew lively, yet I could not bring myself to participate. I sighed, trying to come to terms with the idea of being forced into yet another loveless marriage. I tried to cast all thoughts of what had happened with Edmund and the possible consequences from my mind.

After dinner, I was not in the mood to sit and exchange pleasantries, so I retired to my room. When I entered my chamber, I was surprised to find a warm fire burning in the hearth and despite the fact that Yuletide was nearly upon us, fresh flowers sat in a vase upon the table. But my eyes were drawn to the beautiful lace-covered white gown that hung on the front of the large dressing cabinet.

The beauty of the dress seemed to lure me to it. Intricate beading was sewn over the bodice, creating a rich and delicate pattern. “Where did this come from?” I said aloud.

“The Duke sent it.” I spun around at the sound of Mary’s voice. “Ain’t it the most lovely gown ye ever laid yer eyes on?”

“I have to say I believe it is.”

“I heard tell his mother wore it when she married the old Duke.”

“You heard that, did you?”

“Aye.”

“From whom?”

“Oh, I don’t be recallin’ at the moment, but it come with this here box.”

She handed me a black velvet box, and I took it with trembling fingers. Opening it, I found a pearl and diamond necklace and matching earrings. The memory of sitting with Edmund on the rocks of the deserted island the day he gave me the oyster and showed me its treasure stung me, and I swallowed the lump that rose to choke me.

“These are lovely,” I uttered in a hoarse whisper.

“Miss, sometimes ye just gots to trust in fate. All will be well. You’ll see.”

That night I could hardly sleep and when I did, my dreams, as always, were of Edmund. In as much as I dreaded dawn, at the same time I sought its relief. I woke in tears, knowing we would never be together. I couldn’t help but wonder if he even knew I was now going to be married to the young newly named Duke. I couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t step up to prevent it. Why hadn’t he come to me after the old Duke had died and ask me to marry him? I couldn’t help but wonder if he had lied, stolen my virtue, and most of all, if he ever really cared for me at all. Overcome by such a profound sadness, I could no longer hold back my tears.

Mary helped me bathe and dress that morning, but now standing in my room in the Duke’s keep and as she fastened the beautiful pearl necklace around my neck, tears came to her eyes.

“What is it Mary? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it be nothin’, Miss. It’s just, well, I been takin’ care of ye since ye was a babe and well, here we are on yer weddin’ day dressin’ ye to meet yer husband. I know ye be sad, Miss, but take heart.”

“Mary, there is no need to cry. You will be with me many more years. And by the way Tobias looks at you, I’m sure we will be seeing your own wedding day soon enough as well.”

“Aye, Miss, I am overly fond of him,” she said.

“I know you are Mary, as he is of you.”

“Truth be told, just last night, he asked me to be his wife.” She blushed, then lowered her eyes.

“That’s wonderful news, Mary. I think you make a good match.” I hugged her. Tears threatened to spill again when I realized her marriage to Tobias would take her away from me, and she was the closest thing to a mother I had ever had. But I forced them back. “Now, no more tears.”

“No more tears. But Miss, the hour be now upon us, and I be certain everyone be in the chapel waitin’ on ye.”

“Well, we best not keep them waiting a moment longer.” I smiled and gave her a hug.

The chapel was located in the older portion of the house that remained part of the castle. I stood in the vestibule dressed in the beautiful white gown, fidgeting. A wave of nausea struck me. How could I have allowed this to happen? Standing here about to walk down the aisle and take vows with a man I have never even met was unthinkable. Yet there seemed no way out of it.
I can’t go through with this, no matter how much my father is depending on me, no matter how much I love and respect him. No matter how much I wish to honor his wishes, I simply cannot do it
. Lifting my gaze to my father, I whispered, “Father, I’m afraid I cannot go through with this.”

“Of course you can, and you will. You have nothing to fear, my dear. You have braved so much, and today you will begin a new life. A good and happy life.”

“But, Father, I do not even know this man. All I know of him is the kindness he has shown to me by allowing us to stay in his home in London and the gowns he has gifted me with, despite not ever having met me.” I still could not bring myself to tell my father I was in love with Edmund.

“Then you already know him to be a fine and generous gentleman. What more do you need know?”

“Father, you’ve met with him. Please tell me he is at least not deformed or hideous?”

He chuckled. “I have already told you he is a handsome young gentleman. Trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised.”

“Father, can you tell me his name?”

At that moment, the doors to the chapel opened, and it was time to face the stranger I would call my husband.

Walking slowly down the aisle with my hand resting upon my father’s arm, the first person who came into view was the clergyman. He was dress in bishop’s robes and looked very pious, despite his wide smile. Then my eyes shifted to the right, and I saw Tobias Smith standing there in his fine dark coat.
Tobias Smith? What was he doing standing there
? My gazed shifted to the man I would marry. My fingers trembled as I took in the figure of the tall man standing next to Mister Smith. The Duke stood with his back to me. His long dark hair gleamed in the light despite being tied back with a black ribbon. His dark coat stretched across broad shoulders, and the cut of the coat accented his narrow waist and slender hips. His dark trousers stretched down to cover long legs and seemed to melt into the tops of shinny black boots. I took in the sight of him, and the memory of the first time I ever saw Edmund swept into my mind and tears stung my eyes.
You love Edmund. You cannot marry this man
. Panic rose in my throat. Suddenly my feet felt stuck to the floor and I stopped walking. I couldn’t move. Father leaned in and whispered, “What is it, Catherine?”

“Father, I cannot. I cannot go through with this. I am in love with another man. My heart belongs to Edmund Drake,” I whispered through my tears.

“Trust me, child,” he said, and with a stern grip of his hand, he encouraged me to keep walking.

The tall man in the dark coat turned to face me. His gaze wandered over me, and a tiny grin captured just the corner of his lips when his sparkling green eyes met mine.

My heart soared. “Edmund,” I whispered. I could not contain the tears of joy rushing down my cheeks, though he had some serious explaining to do.

Despite having a few friends and family members around me, I stood there before the bishop in the beautiful stone chapel with sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows, looking into the eyes of the man I loved and feeling that we were the only two people in the world.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” the bishop asked.

“I do,” my father answered, his words catching in his throat as he spoke.

When Father placed my hand into Edmund’s, my fingers tingled at the warmth of his touch.

I’m dreaming. I must be, I thought as I turned to accept my father’s kiss upon my cheek. Tears pooled in my father’s eyes and his lips quivered.

“I love you, Catherine. Be happy, my girl,” he said, his voice cracked with emotion and barely above a whisper.

“I love you too, Father, and I am happy, so very happy.”

I turned back to face Edmund, his green eyes dancing with excitement, and the bishop began the ceremony.

Complete joy filled me as I spoke my vows to love and cherish Edmund and he vowed the same to me. The bishop spoke to us about the sanctity of marriage, but his words became a blur as I gazed into the longing eyes of the man who stood before me.

Emotion choked me when he slipped the band of gold upon my finger and I could not find my voice. My fingers trembled when I slid the matching golden ring upon his hand. Unshed tears pooled in my eyes and as I lifted my gaze to meet that of my husband’s, I saw his eyes glistened as well. The sound of my fluttering heart rushed in my ears when the bishop pronounced us to be married. Edmund leaned in to kiss me. His soft lips touched upon mine with a promise of a lifetime of love.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the great hall of the keep and a feast fit for a king was laid out before us. Musicians played soft strains of delightful music, but when they began to play the melody Edmund and I had first danced to on the ship, I couldn’t help but smile. My husband smiled, too.

“Catherine, my love, would you dance with me, here before our family and our friends?” he asked softly.

“I would be honored.”

He swept me into his arms and holding me close he slowly swirled me around the floor. Taking my hand in his, he placed it over his heart.

“Catherine,” he whispered, pulling me deeper into his embrace. “I think I have always loved you.”

“Not always, Your Grace.”

He raised one eyebrow at my use of his title.

“From the very moment you tossed that goblet of wine in my face, I knew I loved you. Yet you must realize, my plan was never to fall in love.”

“No? Do tell, Captain Drake.”

“When word reached me that you were to be married to my father, I developed a plan to abscond with you and force my father to name me his heir apparent and allow me my title. You see when we became estranged he denounced my claim to the dukedom, so coin had never been the ransom I sought.”

“And you think Blackbeard dastardly? I dare say, Captain Drake, your action rivaled his.”

The laughter that erupted from Edmund’s chest was music to my ears.

“If you loved me from the start, dear husband, then why did you not make your feelings known to me?”

“Without my title, I had little to offer you. You deserved more than a life as the wife of a Privateer. As much as I loved you, I wanted you to have the life you deserved. I convinced myself I could let you go. Then Blackbeard took you from me, and I discovered that he had ordered the Contessa to train you as a courtesan, and that he planned to auction you off to the highest bidder. I prayed he had not compromised you in any way, and I devised a plan ensuring I was not outbid.”