Authors: Heaven
Bobbi Smith (23 page)
“I don’t want to,” he said softly, and she answered him with a kiss.
“Stay with me . . .”
“I can’t,” Winn refused, amazing himself by his self-denial. All he wanted to do was join her on the soft bed again. Being honorable did take its toll. “I have to do what’s best for you.”
Moving away from her, he continued to dress.
“Winn?” When he looked up at her, she asked, “You never did tell me why you disguised yourself as a priest in the first place. Did you think it was necessary to hide your identity? Or did it have something to do with Lawrence’s letter?”
“Lawrence mentioned in his letter that my uncle’s faith would help him in the hunt—that his priesthood would mark him as a man to trust.”
“He was right. I never doubted you.”
“I’m glad that I fooled you so completely. It was important I be convincing. I didn’t know what we were going to be up against getting the clues, and I wanted to do everything I could to make this work.”
“But why do you care so much about the crown?”
“Actually, I’d never heard of the Crown of Desire until I read his letter. There are two real reasons why I came on this search, and their names are Philip and Robert Anthony.”
“Philip and Robert?” A moment before, she had almost convinced herself to tell Winn the whole truth, but now her heart was in her throat. He’d mentioned them before, but just in connection with what Lawrence had written to them in their own letters about not trusting the pair.
“They are without a doubt the two most disgusting excuses for men I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. If I accomplish nothing else in this whole ordeal, when we find the crown, at least I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing I kept it away from them. I vowed to myself to make sure Philip and Robert never get their hands on it, and as far as I’m concerned, the only way they’ll claim it is over my dead body.”
Panic shook Alex. Winn was determined to do everything in his power to keep the crown from Philip and Robert, while she was committed to making sure that they got it as soon as possible! To hide her sudden terror and confusion, she got up and busied herself with donning a wrapper. She kept her back to Winn as she did so for she didn’t want to chance him seeing the change in her, the worry, and the fear.
“What did they do to make you feel so strongly about them?” She had to know.
“They’re damned ghouls! They actually came to my home during my uncle’s wake. They insisted Uncle Edward had something that belonged to them, and they pressed me to return it to them that very night.” His voice grew tight and his expression was full of loathing as he remembered the scene. “I’ve dealt with some unsavory characters in my time, but I’ve never met anyone as low as they are. They are worthless scum.”
“What did you do?”
“I put them off for that night, but then they had the gall to show up at my uncle’s funeral the very next day! I was in mourning! Uncle Edward wasn’t even cold in his grave! And there they were, standing at the gravesite, demanding I give them the book. I dismissed them as harshly as I could, but what I can’t believe is that they thought I’d cooperate with them! Honest people don’t deal with their kind. I’d rather be dead than do anything to help them.”
Alex swallowed nervously as she listened to his words. She’d wanted to tell him about the Anthony brothers, but now she knew it was impossible. She was in league with the devil, and she would have to handle it herself. “What did you do?”
“I told them I’d be in touch if I found anything. Then that night, I went through my uncle’s personal things and found the book and letter. After I’d read Lawrence’s plea to Uncle Edward to make sure his sons didn’t get their hands on the crown, I made my decision to take my uncle’s place in the search.”
“I see,” she said quietly, and she did. As sleazy as Philip and Robert were, they’d started with Winn, and when he’d proven no help in their cause, they’d decided to come after her father—and then her. She thought of her father then, still locked in the terrible jail alone and no doubt afraid for his very life. The image of his suffering stiffened her resolve to deliver the treasure to Philip and Robert as quickly as she could. A part of her ached with the knowledge that she would ultimately have to betray Winn, yet to save her father, she would do no less.
Winn continued, “By then, I was so disgusted I would have gone to any lengths to keep them from getting what they were after. I left London the morning after the wake, and I was Father Bradford as I boarded the ship sailing for Boston.”
“You really believe Philip and Robert are that terrible?” She already knew the answer to her own question, but she had to keep up the pretense of innocence. She couldn’t let Winn suspect any different.
“They’re worse. It’s no wonder Lawrence disinherited them. I’m going to feel I’ve won an important victory for Lawrence when we hand the Crown of Desire over to a museum.”
“You are a good man, Winn,” she said, turning back to him now that she’d regained her composure.
He gave her a lopsided smile. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I always will,” Alex promised.
Winn embraced her one last time and kissed her gently.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” He hated the thought of leaving her, yet he knew there was nothing else he could do.
“What are you going to do about your disguise? Everyone onboard thinks you’re a priest.”
“It would seem rather sudden if I gave up my calling overnight—not that your love wasn’t worth it.” He grinned wickedly. “Until we dock in New Orleans, I’d better maintain the charade.”
“It won’t be easy pretending.”
“It never was for me.”
Their gazes met and he kissed her good-bye.
“Good night, Alex.”
With that he was gone, and she was left alone in her stateroom. In the space of a few short hours, her life had been turned upside down. That which she’d thought she’d never have had been given to her as sweetly as any gift. Yet with that precious gift had come the swift and terrible knowledge that Winn would hate her if he knew her terrible secret.
Alex considered confiding in Winn one last time, but then she remembered his words about how he felt about the Anthonys, and she quickly dismissed the idea. Winn and Matt might be able to help her outwit the Anthony brothers when they finally found the crown, but there was no way they could help her save her father. The more she learned about Philip and Robert, the more desperate, conniving, and dangerous she knew them to be. She was certain they had some kind of arrangement for word to be transmitted to London to their men at the prison. While she might defeat them here and keep the prize out of their hands, ultimately, her victory might cost her father his life. She couldn’t take the chance. She would do whatever was necessary to save her father. Even at the cost of losing the man she loved.
Shivering at the thought of what the future held, Alex lay back down. Her soul was chilled by the ominous memory of the Anthony brothers and their very real threat that they would see her father hang for murder if she didn’t cooperate.
Alex tried to push thoughts of the menacing pair from her mind. She hugged a pillow to her breast, thinking of Winn and the beauty of his lovemaking. She didn’t know how much time she’d have with Winn before they found the crown, but for what little time she did have, she was going to take the happiness he was offering to her and give back to him all she could in return. Alex told herself that she would keep nothing from him—except the truth of her deception. Her father’s life meant too much to her. Though she wanted to share her burden with Winn, she wouldn’t. Only she could save her father.
Alex closed her eyes against the terror that had shadowed her very existence since that day the Anthonys had invaded her life back in Boston. As she sought sleep, she hung on to the desperate hope that she could keep her connection to Philip and Robert hidden from Winn. She had to. It was her only hope. She refused to even think about what might happen if he found out.
It was dark and quiet when Winn entered his cabin. He was glad to find that Matt appeared to be still asleep. He didn’t want to discuss what had just happened with Alex. He wanted to savor his memories of the night just passed in peace and quiet. After undressing, he’d started to lie down, when Matt spoke.
“You were out kind of late, weren’t you?”
“It’s good to know you’re concerned about my safety.”
“Actually, I was just lying here trying to imagine what you were doing out on deck alone all night, and then it occurred to me that you probably weren’t alone—that you might have been with my ‘wife.’ ”
“Alex is not your wife.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not the jealous type,” he chuckled. “I had a feeling for a while now there was more between the two of you than just friendship.”
Winn could hear the humor in his tone, but he didn’t find his observations particularly funny. “Before tonight we were just friends.”
“And now?”
“She means everything to me.”
“She is irresistible,” Matt agreed, smiling into the darkness at the news. His instincts about people were generally good, and he was glad to discover that he’d been right about Winn and Alex. “How did she take the news about our marriage ending so abruptly?”
“Very well.”
“That’s too bad. I enjoyed being married to Alex. She made a wonderful bride.”
“I hope to find out for myself one day.”
“Oh? Just be sure you don’t perform the ceremony yourself,” he chuckled, “or you might end up all alone like me.”
“I’ll remember your advice.”
“What did Alex think about your not being a priest?”
“Let’s just say once she got over the shock, it definitely changed things between us.” Winn grinned to himself as he remembered her warmth and passion.
Matt was glad that they’d found happiness, but he didn’t want to put their entire expedition in danger by taking any unwarranted chances. “You were discreet, weren’t you? No one saw you coming out of her stateroom, did they?”
“No. I made certain there was no one around. I want to protect her reputation, not ruin it.”
“Not to mention your own reputation, ‘Father’ Winn. You realize you’ll have to keep up your charade until we dock in New Orleans the day after tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Don’t remind me.”
Matt heard his frustration and laughed. “Good night, ‘Father.’ Sweet dreams.”
“I really think you’re enjoying this.”
Matt was still laughing as he rolled over and went back to sleep, leaving Winn to his thoughts.
They rose early the next day. Matt watched Winn dress, and he smothered a chuckle as Winn donned the collar and transformed himself into a priest once more.
“I get the feeling the next day and a half are going to seem longer to you than our entire train ride. What do you think?” Matt quipped.
“I think we should get Alex and go for breakfast,” Winn answered, refusing to be baited as he pulled on his black coat. As soon as his disguise was in place, he headed for the cabin door. He was eager to see her again. If he’d had his way the night before, he would never have left her.
Alex was ready and waiting when Winn and Matt came for her. What little sleep she’d gotten had been troubled. Even so, she drew upon her meager acting abilities to keep the turmoil of her emotions hidden. She loved Winn, but could not reveal it today. She cared for him, but would have to betray him. Alex knew the time they had left onboard the steamer was going to be a challenge, and she hoped she was up to it.
The knock at her stateroom door sent her heart leaping in her breast. Alex had to stop herself from running to answer it. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she opened the door to come face-to-face with Winn, once more dressed as Father Bradford.
“Good morning, Father,” she said. Her gaze feasted on the sight of him.
“Good morning,” Winn returned, and in a low, gruff voice he added, “You look lovely this morning.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes shone at his compliment, and she smiled an intimate smile for him and him alone. She was barely aware of Matt standing behind Winn. “Hello, Matt.” She spoke to him, but did not look away from Winn.
“Yes, you do look very pretty, Alex. But I think it’s time we went on in to breakfast. Don’t you, Father?” he spoke up, deliberately breaking the web of sensual reverie that was being spun between the two.
Matt’s words had the effect of cold water thrown on Winn. Winn jerked his thoughts away from how beautiful Alex looked in the freshness of the new day. Matt was right. It was time for breakfast . . . and maybe a cold bath.
Breakfast passed in slow-motion torment for Winn. Sitting across the table from Alex and not being able to touch her or kiss her was agony for him. Later, when there had been little to do but sit on deck and pass the hours watching the scenery, Alex’s stimulating conversation had made it enjoyable. The restriction that he couldn’t touch her chafed at him. As the day aged, Winn’s wandering thoughts kept going back to the sweet idea of how wonderful a short afternoon rest might be. The trouble was, if he wanted to rest today, he would be resting alone or with Matt, and enjoy Matt’s company though he did, Matt was not Alex. The tension within him grew as he watched other loving couples stroll by hand-in-hand, oblivious to anything or anyone but each other. That was what he wanted to do with Alex, and that was precisely what he couldn’t do.
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