Lady Emma's Campaign (22 page)

Lieutenant Trenchard’s face contorted with rage as he looked at Sidney. He drew his sword, and Marcos courteously stepped out of the way as Sidney lifted his own weapon.

Emma saw only the flash of the swords before a hand clamped roughly over her mouth, and she found herself being dragged into the trees. She heard the sounds of steel clanging and men yelling as she kicked her legs and scratched at the arms of her attacker. One of her boots flew off in the struggle, but whoever was accosting her continued to pull her away from the group. The sounds of fighting grew fainter. Desperate about the distance between her and the group, she sunk her teeth into his hand.

Enrique cried out and threw her to the ground, the impact forcing the air from her lungs. Emma struggled to draw a breath. Within seconds, he was upon her, his weight smashing her against the rocky earth. She dug her fingernails into his face, but he struck her so hard her vision blurred and her stomach heaved.

Terror laced through Emma’s veins, as she realized that no amount of fighting would prevail against this man’s strength. Her instinct was to surrender and retreat into herself as she had done so often when her father had hurt her, but she was no longer a frightened child, and she would continue to resist until she could not.

Enrique’s face was nearly unrecognizable as the handsome Spanish gentleman she had known. Spittle accumulated in the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were bloodshot and crazed. Red streaks ran down his cheeks where she had scratched him.

As she continued to writhe and struggle, Enrique struck her again. Darkness tinged the edges of her vision, slowly closing in. She did her best to force it away, but her muscles were weakening, and her body hurt. Just as she started to give in to the shadows spreading over her consciousness, she heard Sidney yelling her name.

The weight was lifted from her, and she blinked, attempting to awaken her mind, but it was sluggish.

“I warned you, Señor
,
” she heard Sidney mutter, as they seemed to draw away from her, and then it was silent.

Emma jerked, not certain whether she had slipped into unconsciousness or whether she had been left alone. Her vision was blurred, and she couldn’t see anything but the trees surrounding her. She struggled to sit up, blinking against the pain and dizziness. Not knowing quite how it happened, she found herself in Sidney’s arms.

He knelt next to her, tilting her head from side to side, as he examined her face then cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Emma.” The look in his eyes threatened to melt her heart. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Before she could think of something to reassure him that she was all right, Sidney pressed his lips to hers, and the world stopped.

Emma wrapped her arms around Sidney’s neck and was flooded with heat that sent shivers over every nerve ending. Her heart pounded, and her skin tingled. Every terrible thing that had happened these last few days was suddenly pushed aside, and Emma felt as if nothing in her life could ever be as magical as the feel of Sidney’s kiss. When their lips parted, she sighed and tried to convince her mind to work once again.

She opened her eyes, blinking against the fogginess in her brain. The pain in her head combined with the jumble of emotions made it difficult to focus. She struggled to pull her mind from the darkness.

Sidney brushed his thumbs along her jaw. “I love you, Emma,” he said, his voice low and raspy.

“Truly?” she asked, hoping that the fogginess in her mind was not causing her to hallucinate.

Leaning close, he touched his lips softly against hers once again. “Truly.”

Sidney carried Emma through the
woods despite her insistence that she could walk on her own. Her eyes seemed unable to focus, and she swayed when she stood. Her body trembled, and he could tell she made an effort to stop herself from weeping. The sight of the ugly bruises and drying blood marring her delicate skin made his chest ache. She leaned her head against his neck, and he brushed a kiss on her hair.

Stepping out from the dim light of the forest, Sidney squinted as his eyes adjusted. He did not see the bodies of Lieutenant Trenchard and the French soldiers, and he was grateful to Marcos and his band for removing them and sparing Emma, Serena, and Nico from the sight.

Marcos and Jim stood to one side, and Serena sat upon the ground with Nico. When they caught sight of Sidney and Emma, the entire group rushed toward her.

Sidney set her down, laying her back carefully against his pack. Emma closed her eyes. Serena used a wet rag to wipe the blood and dirt from her face and arms while Nico stood close to supervise. Sidney smiled at the serious look on the boy’s face. If Nico hadn’t yelled to Sidney that Emma had been taken, he may never have found her. Nobody else had seen it happen. He glanced down at her feet, setting the boot upon the ground next to her. The boots she hated had likely saved her life when he’d found the one she lost and known in which direction to search.

Sidney stood and listened to Jim and Marcos’s report about the skirmish. He was relieved to learn that his tormentor would no longer be a threat. He told them in low tones about Enrique, and the men shook hands, feeling the mixture of elation and soberness that a victory resulting in loss of life always produced.

He returned to Emma. She was awake and speaking to Serena and Nico. When she saw him, she smiled warmly.

Marcos knelt on one knee next to her. “How do you feel, Señorita?”

“Aside from a slight headache, I am well.” She moved to stand, and Marcos took her hand, pulling her to her feet. She wobbled slightly but steadied herself.

“If you are well enough to travel, I am afraid I must bid you farewell once again,” Marcos said.

Emma embraced Marcos, who glanced to Sidney before putting his arms around her. She kissed his cheek. “We knew you would come, Señor
.
Gracias.”

“For such a payment, I would gladly do so again.” He reached to assist Serena, bidding her and Nico farewell. He bowed to them all and signaled his men. The irregulars disappeared into the trees.

Emma rubbed her fingers on her forehead, and Sidney took her arm.

“If you are not well enough, we can travel to Tarifa tomorrow.”

She began to shake her head but stopped quickly. It must have been painful. “I want to go home, Sidney.” Her lip trembled as she glanced toward the forest where she had been dragged and assaulted. Hugging her arms around herself, she looked up at him; the troubled look in her eyes and bruises on her face made his stomach sink. “Enrique . . .”

“You need not fear him anymore,” Sidney said quietly.

Emma nodded her head, and he was relieved she did not ask for details.

The group made relatively good time descending the stony ridge of Sierra del Niño and marching across the rolling hills of la frontera. They stopped often for Emma to rest, although she protested vehemently each time. Sidney could not have been prouder. She had become a true soldier. They walked through olive groves and across rolling hills. The smell of the ocean was becoming stronger, and the group quickened their steps.

When they reached a road, Sidney was hesitant to follow it, desiring the cover of trees, but almost immediately, they were surrounded by a company of British soldiers, and he practically sagged in relief. His company—Emma—was safe.

The sight of a naval captain and an injured colonel, to say nothing of the two lovely women who accompanied them, spurred the soldiers into action. A wagon was procured, and a detachment escorted them through the city to the Costa de la Luz, where a fleet of British ships floated in the harbor.

Nico’s face lit up when he saw the vessels, and Sidney was delighted at the boy’s interest.

Jim reported to the officers in charge of the city, and Sidney left Serena and Emma in the care of the general’s wife while he took Nico to the harbor. It was only a matter of hours before he made his report to the admiral in command of the fleet. Admiral Stembridge offered the use of his cutter to convey the company up the coast to Cádiz, and then arranged transport for Sidney back to his ship in Portsmouth. Jim would accompany them and continue on to Portugal to join his regiment.

Once they were all aboard the small ship and Sidney’s companions secured in their accommodations, it was well past midnight. He paced the deck, breathing in the sea air. The familiar sounds of water lapping against the hull, creaking wood, and the snapping of the sails soothed him. Had it only been this morning that he and Emma had crept through the dark tunnel to ring the bell? So much had happened in one day. His emotions had been tossed around like a dinghy in a storm—from the very depths of fear when he’d found Emma missing to burning fury as he discovered Enrique assaulting her to sublime tenderness when they had kissed. Just thinking of how soft her lips were, how she’d practically melted into his arms made his breath catch.

He allowed himself to absorb the contentment the memory produced and then forced his mind to think of something else. It would not do to dwell on what could never be. The idea of saying good-bye to Emma after the time they’d spent together caused such an ache in his chest that he looked around for a distraction. Leaning his back against the gunwale, he studied what he could see of the cutter by the glow of the starboard running lights. But for some reason, he did not feel the thrill that typically came with walking the deck of a ship. He shook his head. It was time to accept the facts. This was the career he had chosen. It was his duty to his family.

Unbidden, the memory of Emma’s words came to mind. Were the things she had said about his relatives true? She wouldn’t lie to him, he was certain, but was she mistaken?

The few times he had seen his brothers since his father died, they had complained about their lack of funds and worried that they would lose their family lands. Had it all been an act? His family finances were something that definitely needed investigating.

He stepped down onto the companionway, headed for the quarters the admiral had assigned to him. He was physically and emotionally exhausted and fell asleep the moment he lay in the berth.

Sidney awoke and came on deck at four bells—only a few hours after he’d fallen asleep. It seemed his old habits hadn’t been completely erased. He watched the sunrise and admired the maneuverability of the cutter. He paced the deck, supervising the crew that did not require supervision, and was relieved a few hours later when a sailor approached with Nico in tow.

“Found this scallywag in the companionway lookin’ fer the cap’n.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Sidney and Nico ate breakfast in the stern galleries, and afterwards, he took the boy on deck, showing him everything from the long bowsprit—that gave the ship excellent maneuverability—to the cannonades that armed the small vessel. Nico took everything in excitedly, and Sidney could not help the immense pride he felt in the boy.

Sidney lifted Nico to peer into the binnacle box at the compass. Sidney was completely unprepared for the swell of affection he felt when the boy wrapped his arms around Sidney’s neck. It would be nearly as difficult to bid farewell to him as to Emma.

Some time later, Jim stumbled up onto the deck, his face green. “Blasted unnatural way to travel,” he complained before leaning over the gunwale and heaving.

Sidney clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We are nearly there,” he said, pointing to the opening that led to the Bay of Cádiz. “Nico, we need to wake Emma.”

When they arrived at the door to Emma’s quarters, Sidney raised his hand to knock, but Nico opened the door and walked in, stepping over his small pallet on the floor to where Emma slept on her berth.

Sidney drew a deep breath. Emma’s hair spread out over the pillow, and her cheek rested in her palm. He had half a mind to continue watching her sleep, knowing this was the last opportunity he would have to view the sight, but Nico had other ideas. He climbed into the berth and began patting Emma’s face, urging her to wake.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around the boy, burying her face in his curls before she looked up with sleepy eyes. Sidney watched the two of them, feeling a tightness in his chest. He hoped the image would imprint in his mind so he would remember the feeling in the long, lonely years ahead. He blinked and stepped back.

“Emma, we are at Cádiz,” he said and had the pleasure of seeing her face light up. Even with purple bruises marring her light skin and her hair tousled from sleep, she looked stunning.

Their eyes met. It seemed as if there was so much to say, but now was not the time, and Sidney did not know if he would be able to say the things he needed to and so, instead, said nothing.

He closed the door, muttering something about leaving her to get ready, and turned to knock on Serena’s door.

It was not difficult to
locate William’s ship among the commissioned vessels and tattered merchant ships in the bay. The
Lady Jamaica
sat at anchor, her sails reefed, and Sidney took a moment to admire her, taking in the shining wood and immaculately maintained riggings.
William certainly knows his boats
, Sidney thought with a smile.

The cutter dropped anchor, and the company climbed into a dinghy. Sidney thanked the lieutenant who commanded the vessel, and they set off toward William’s ship. Emma fidgeted, and Sidney could only imagine the eagerness and anxiety that must be at war inside her as she prepared to face her brother.

When they neared, Sidney hailed the ship. The five of them climbed aboard while the captain was summoned. Sidney was overwhelmed by the welcome he received from his shipmates.

Young Riley’s chin trembled as he shook his hand. “I knew you were alive, Cap’n Fletcher,” he said, and Sidney thought it was high time the young gentleman was promoted to midshipman.

The greetings and well-wishes were cut short as William stepped onto the deck. The earl looked terrible. Dark smudges stretched beneath his eyes, and there were lines on his face that were definitely the result of strain. Sidney had only seen the look of extreme tension on his friend’s face a few times before, most often following a battle and once when they were captured by the French. William’s gaze fell upon Emma, and Sidney could have sworn there were tears in his eyes, but he knew better than to mention it.

Emma hesitated, apparently unsure whether she would be reprimanded. But William held his arms out to her, and she fell into them sobbing. “I am so sorry, William,” she said, her voice muffled against him.

When she had calmed, William placed a hand upon her shoulder. “Emma . . .” He brushed his fingers over the bruises on her face and cleared his throat a few times before pulling her back against him. He kissed the top of her head and turned toward the others, keeping his arm around her.

Sidney stepped forward, and William clasped his hand. “Welcome back, Captain. I cannot thank you enough for returning my sister to me.” The sincerity that radiated from William’s eyes was nearly disconcerting as Sidney had been prepared for one of his friend’s signature insults. The fact that he spoke so courteously attested to the strain he’d been under for the past week.

“Of course, your Lordship,” Sidney said. “But actually, it is Lady Emma who deserves the thanks, as she rescued me from prison.”

William and the entire crew turned to look at Emma, disbelief evident on their faces. Emma’s cheeks turned pink.

Sidney grinned. “To be entirely truthful, I should amend that statement. It was Lady Emma and the princesa that rescued me.” He indicated Serena, who stood next to Jim, holding Nico’s hand.

William turned. “Perhaps you would introduce us to your companions?”

When Sidney had executed the formalities and Emma introduced Nico, William said, “Clearly you are hungry and tired. And I assume the ladies would like to wash. I have a missive to send to Henry Wellesley, who has been doing everything in his power to discover what happened to Emma. But with the attack, the enemy is allowing nobody to leave the city. We were preparing to sail to Tarifa tomorrow to go ashore and search for you ourselves.”

Emma hung her head. “I am so sorry, William. I am so sorry to have worried everyone.”

“A few days ago, I debated locking you in the brig for the journey home.” He rubbed his eyes and pulled Emma into another embrace. His voice trembled. “I am so relieved that you are safe.”

Sidney raised an eyebrow and did not miss the surprised looks on the face of the crewmembers at the tenderness the typically gruff man was showing his sister. The last week must have been terrible to have changed him so.

William made arrangements for hot water to be brought to the cabins below so that the women could bathe and wash their hair, and a few hours later, William, Sidney, Jim, the officers and marines from the
Venture
, Riley, and Nico sat around the large table in the officers’ ward room. Sidney held Nico on his lap. The men pestered Sidney and Jim for the account of their adventures, but Sidney insisted they wait for the women before beginning what was to be a long story.

William only raised his eyebrow, and a few moments later, Emma and Serena entered, both wearing gowns that Emma must have brought from London. Emma wore her hair down, no doubt to obscure the bruises on her face and neck. The golden tresses shone in the lantern light, and Sidney’s fingers itched to brush his fingers over the soft strands.

Emma moved to sit next to her brother, and Sidney felt a small pang of loneliness. He had become accustomed to having her at his side. Truly, he considered her to be a partner in their journey. An exceptionally lovely partner.

Supper was served, and Sidney told their story to the spellbound audience. The others interjected frequently. Between the four of them and the questions William and the others posed, the account took well over two hours. When they finished, the room was silent, and Riley burst into applause, quickly joined by the others.

The men continued to discuss the battles and politics of the war, and Emma excused herself to put Nico to bed. Serena left with her, and soon after, Jim followed, a little less green but still pale. The others trickled out one by one, and finally, William and Sidney were left alone.

“Sidney, I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for the safe return of Emma,” William said, pouring Sidney a drink from the decanter on the side table. “Amelia was beside herself when we’d heard you had been killed. If I had to return without my sister too . . .” He coughed, and Sidney turned away for a moment to allow him to compose himself.

“Emma told me she stowed away,” Sidney said, hoping to lighten the mood.

William rolled his eyes. “Yes, and I have my suspicions that my darling wife may have been a party to the deception.”

“I would not put it past her. The two of them together—it chills me to think of the schemes they could come up with.” Sidney set the glass carefully upon the table, keeping his hand near in case the ship dipped and sent it sliding. He cleared his throat. “William, I have something to tell you, and I know you will quite likely slash my gullet to ribbons.” He attempted to smile but felt too nervous to rally more than a weak lift of his lips. “I fear that I am in love with your sister.” Sidney watched William’s reaction, fully prepared to jump out of the way should he reach for his sword.

William, however, did not appear surprised. “And I assume you’d like to offer for her hand?”

“There is nothing I would like more, but I cannot. I’ve nothing to recommend myself.” He shrugged his shoulders in defeat. “With the obligations to my family, I cannot leave the navy and ensure that she has the life she deserves.”

“If it is a matter of money, Sidney, you do not have to worry. Emma has plenty—”

“I cannot live off your charity, William.” The idea of relying on his wife’s dowry to support them was humiliating.

“Even though it would mean hearing your annoying witticisms on a more constant basis, I would rather see Emma happy,” William said in his typical dry tone. “There are other options.”

“I am not an earl, William,” Sidney said quietly. “I do not have the resources you do.”

“That is incorrect. You are my closest friend, my brother. My resources are yours.”

He spoke frankly, but Sidney was surprised by his words. He had certainly never voiced such a high regard for their friendship before. While he
felt
the closeness between himself and William, his friend showed his fondness through sarcasm and insults. Sidney again wondered how the week of agonizing for his sister had affected William.

“Thank you.” Sidney stood and returned the glass to the cabinet in the side table. His mind was in turmoil. “If you will excuse me, I will retire. I am to report to the
Calcutta
in the morning.” As he voiced the words aloud, a pain blossomed in his chest.

The men shook hands, and Sidney walked slowly to his quarters, wondering for an instant who had given up their berth that he might have a good night’s sleep. He entered the small cabin and paced, though there was only room for three steps in each direction. He hadn’t even made five revolutions when he heard a small knock, and Emma entered, closing the door behind her.

“Emma, what are you . . . ?” It would be the height of scandal should she be discovered in his quarters, but every inch of him ached to hold her.

She rushed into his arms, and the sight of her eyes shining up at him was nearly his undoing.

“I wanted to share one last moment of our adventure before we re-enter society and are restricted to speaking reservedly in parlors,” she said, making an exasperated expression and then laying her head upon his chest. “Or a dull carriage ride around Hyde Park.”

As if his arms had a mind of their own, he clung to her, feeling the way her soft body molded to his and inhaling her smell. If he wasn’t careful, he wouldn’t be able to let her go.

He stepped back, holding her at arms’ length. “Things haven’t changed, Emma.”

Her eyebrows pinched together in a look of confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I am not returning to London. I leave tomorrow to join my ship in Portsmouth. We . . . can’t . . .”

Emma stepped back. Her face paled. She shook her head. “But you said . . . you told me—”

“I know what I said. I do love you. But it doesn’t change the fact that I have no means to support a wife.”

The wounded look upon Emma’s face hurt Sidney worse than if she had wept. She looked utterly betrayed. She did not look at him again and turned to go.

“I am sorry, but I—”

Emma held up her hand to stop his words. She paused before returning, pressing something into his hand, then closing his fist. “I wish you would have chosen me,” she whispered and was gone.

He sat on his berth, opening his hand to find the jade bracelet and Spanish coin. He squeezed his eyes shut, pushing the heels of his hands into them, feeling as if his heart was shattered.

The next morning, the crew turned out to bid him and Colonel Stackhouse farewell. He would see most of them in a few weeks when the HMS
Venture
had finished undergoing repairs. William shook both men’s hands, thanking them again for bringing his sister safely home and admonishing Sidney to visit. Amelia was certainly anxious to see him.

Serena embraced them both, weeping as she said farewell. Emma merely stood holding Nico. She bid Jim good-bye and allowed Sidney to kiss her hand, though she did not look at him when he attempted to catch her eye.

He picked up Nico and kissed his cheeks, explaining that he was leaving. Nico broke into sobs, clinging to Sidney’s neck until Emma pulled him away. Sidney could still hear his small voice calling as they rowed away in the dinghy.

He choked on the swelling in his throat and coughed to mask the sound.

“You know yer making an enormous mistake, I’m sure,” Jim said.

Sidney turned to him, blinking away the moisture that had begun to pool in his eyes. “I must, Colonel. I have obligations to my family.”

“And what do ya call that woman and child?” Jim asked, clinging to the sides of the boat.

His chest hurt so badly he looked down to make sure he was not injured. Sidney looked back to the
Lady Jamaica
bobbing in the water and realized the ache only grew the farther away he got from Emma and Nico—his family.