Sea of Desire (18 page)

“I’m going out. You get some sleep.”

Before Merideth could remind him that it was
raining, the captain closed the door behind him. Instinctively she
followed his instructions, removing her wet shift and climbing into
bed. But she couldn’t go to sleep.

The chafing of the bed linens against her
skin made her long for the feel of his hands. Try as she might to
ignore the sensation. Try as she might to call herself a fool. It
did no good.

And when slumber finally did come it wasn’t
the nightmare of confinement that filled her mind. ‘Twas the far
more frequent dream of Captain Blackstone.

The coach entered Paris in midafternoon,
rattling along the narrow cobblestone streets. Merideth had her
usual seat by the window, which by this time the other passengers
gave her without argument. When the coach stopped, Merideth stepped
out, her head turning with the splendor of all she saw. Before she
could take in a fraction if it, Merideth was hustled into a rented
chaise and she and the captain were driven to the Hôtel du
Hambourg.

“Damn,” Jared mumbled after speaking with a
man in powdered wig and silk waistcoat.

“What is it?”

“Neither Dr. Franklin nor Daniel are
here.”

“Who is this Daniel?” Merideth inquired, but
received no answer. The captain was busy asking questions of his
own.

“Is Samuel Dayton here?” Jared remembered
Daniel telling him Samuel Dayton had also been sent to France by
the American Congress.

“
Oui
, Monsieur Dayton is registered
and, I believe, in his rooms.”

After receiving the room number, Jared led
the way up the stairs. The door was answered by a small, swarthy
man who spoke little English. His head bobbed as Jared explained
who he was and why he wished an audience with Monsieur Dayton. The
man motioned them into an ornately decorated drawing room and
backed into the hallway.

Jared offered Merideth a seat, which she
refused. She was much too concerned about her welfare to do aught
but pace. She measured the length of the Aubusson rug twice before
turning on the captain.

“Who is this Daniel, and what does he have to
do with me?”

Jared crossed his arms and looked at his
captive from heavy-lidded eyes. “He’s the person who arranged this
fiasco.”

“Exactly what fiasco are we discussing?”
Merideth tilted her head, but her eyes remained locked with
his.

“The one where I went to England acting as a
courier to receive information about a spy.”

“Ah... so you admit now that the entire
incident was a mistake. My father would no more sell out his—”

“Oh, he would sell out, all right. He was
more than willing to do that, as I’m sure you will once sufficient
payment is offered.” Jared ignored the angry jut of her chin. “It
was other circumstances that made the trip ill fated.”

“Such as my father’s untimely death at your
hands.”

“His death was unfortunate. I believe we both
know it wasn’t at my hands.”

Merideth turned away. In truth she had no
ready answer for that, because against all evidence to the contrary
she almost believed him. But if the captain hadn’t killed her
father, who had? That unanswerable question always formed a stone
wall in Merideth’s reasoning. She walked to the window and looked
out on the street below.

She didn’t think she had ever seen so many
people in one place. The narrow roadway was packed with ladies and
gentlemen from all walks of life. Peasants in their ragged brown
wool mingled with the gentry in their bright-colored silks. And now
and then a chair would pass below, the bearers dressed in the
livery of some noble family. Merideth was so absorbed watching the
events, she didn’t hear anyone enter the room until he spoke.

“Ah, Captain Blackstone, it is a pleasure to
finally meet you. I’ve heard so much of your exploits. All Paris is
abuzz with them.”

“Thank you.” Jared stood and returned Samuel
Dayton’s bow. “I’ve come to see you on an unrelated matter that
involves Daniel Wallis.”

“He’s not here. Off to London, I believe. Oh,
perhaps I shouldn’t have let that slip.” Samuel’s gaze slid toward
Merideth, who watched the exchange from the alcove surrounding the
window. “ ‘Tis a secret, I fear.”

“Lady Merideth understands all about
secrets,” Jared said before introducing the two.

“A most charming and lovely young lady,”
Samuel said with such intensity Jared was surprised he didn’t
drool.

For her part Merideth was polite, but cool.
She seemed not to notice Dayton’s popping eyes or lewd smile.

“When do you expect him to return?”

“Who?” Samuel turned his attention back to
Jared reluctantly.

“Daniel Wallis.”

“Ah, yes. I haven’t a clue. Would you care
for some wine?” Dayton took Merideth’s arm and drew her toward a
marble-topped side table with an array of decanters glistening in
the light streaming through the windows.

“Nay, she doesn’t want wine.” Jared grasped
Merideth’s arm, effectively halting her progress across the room.
“Nor do I. We do wish, however, to see Wallis.”

Though obviously taken back by the captain’s
manners, Samuel tried to remain composed. Only the dabbing of his
upper lip with a lace handkerchief indicated he’d failed. “I told
you at the onset that I have no idea when he shall return, or even
where he is for certain.”

Jared dropped Merideth’s arm and stood still
for a moment, trying to calm his impatience. “Listen,” he said at
last, startling Dayton, who was now nervously twisting the fine
linen in his hand. “Daniel Wallis asked me to act as courier for
him... a matter of national security. Don’t concern yourself with
her knowing,” Jared added when he saw Samuel’s small eyes dart
toward Merideth. “She’s part of the entire scheme.” Jared forged
ahead before Merideth could repeat her denial. “I was to go to
Land’s End, meet with Lord Alfred Banistar, and retrieve certain
information
. Daniel impressed upon me how important this
information
was to the success of the revolution.” If Daniel
hadn’t been so persuasive, Jared thought, there never would have
been an agreement. “I was to meet him in Morlaix, but he wasn’t
there. I’d hoped he might be in Paris.”

“Which, obviously, he isn’t.”

“Obviously.” Jared clasped his hands behind
his back to keep from grabbing the front of Samuel’s dandified
waistcoat. “So my question is, since I am a sea captain and need to
return to my ship, what am I to do with her now?” Jared didn’t
intend his smile to indicate good humor.

“Very well, then.” Dayton went to the
delicately carved writing desk and with a sigh settled into the
chair. “Where is the information? I suppose I can see that Daniel
receives it.”

“Lady Merideth is the information.”

“
Pardon
?”

Jared decided Dayton had been in France too
long if he was speaking the language when flustered. But as long as
he was ridding himself of this obligation so he could return to the
Carolina
, he didn’t care. He couldn’t keep himself from
meeting Merideth’s eyes, however.

“Lady Merideth is in possession of the
information Daniel wanted.”

“I most certainly am not.” Deciding she’d had
enough of sitting quietly and listening to these two men decide her
fate, Merideth sprang to her feet. She was by Captain Blackstone
before he could stop her. Leaning over the desk, she grabbed
Dayton’s hand. “I don’t know anything that will be of use to your
country. And as a loyal Englishwoman, I wouldn’t tell you if I
did.”

“She simply needs the right monetary
compensation,” Jared injected. When Merideth bent forward, the cape
still covering her gown slipped open. Jared resisted the urge to
yank it shut as he watched Samuel Dayton follow the rise of her
chest, from the gold of her locket to the shadowed valley between
her breasts.

“Don’t believe him,” Merideth said, clutching
Dayton’s fat hand in both of hers. “This man broke into my home,
killed my father, and kidnapped me—”

“Damn!” Jared thundered. “She knows that
isn’t true. I simply—”

“He did! He was to be hanged when he escaped
from the jail and—”

“She’s a traitor, pure and simple.” Jared
joined Merideth in leaning over the desk. Palms flat on the glossy
surface, he scowled at Dayton. “You can’t trust a word she
says—”

“I do not lie. And I most assuredly am not
a—”

“Enough?” Dayton clasped his hands over his
ears, knocking his wig awry in the process. “I’ve heard
enough!”

Jared and Merideth straightened as one. Their
expressions were accusatory as they glared at each other.

“I won’t listen to another word,” Samuel
continued. “You will have to take your argument elsewhere.”

“This isn’t an argument,” Jared said, holding
up his hand when Merideth started to disagree. “I simply need for
you to take charge of Lady Merideth until Daniel returns.”

“And I simply need for you to see that I’m
returned safely to my home in England,” Merideth said.

“After she tells us what she knows.”

“I don’t know anything to tell you.” Merideth
turned toward Jared.

“ ‘Tis not what your father said.” Facing
her, Jared bent till they were nose to nose.

“Before you killed him.”

“I did not—”

“Out! Out, out, out.” Samuel Dayton rose and
shooed at them as if they were troublesome children. “You must both
leave. I can do nothing for you.”

“Well, what in the hell am I to do with her?”
Jared stood his ground; Samuel took a step back, but the expression
on his doughy face was determined.

“I don’t know. Perhaps Dr. Franklin will.
Yes,” Samuel said, a smile creasing his face. “Dr. Franklin is who
you must see.” As he spoke he walked forward, backing his guests
toward the door. To his relief they seemed to be going.

“But I was told Dr. Franklin isn’t in Paris.”
Jared stopped his backward progress.

“True. But he is in charge of the American
delegation in France. He is the only one who can help you.”

Letting out a frustrated breath, Jared
reached for the doorknob. “Where can I find Dr. Franklin?”

“In Passy, I believe,” Samuel said,
continuing to inch them through the doorway. “He is using part of
the Hôtel de Valentinois.” With that he shut the door.

Merideth stared at the closed portal a
moment. “What a rude man.”

Jared looked down at her, arching his brow,
but said nothing. After a moment he straightened his waistcoat,
then offered his arm. “I suppose we shall have to go to Passy.”

Merideth hesitated only a short time before
placing her hand on his sleeve. “I suppose we shall. From what I’ve
heard, Dr. Franklin is an enlightened man. I’m sure he will listen
to me.”

“I’m not taking you there to engage in
another discussion like we just had. And for God’s sake keep
yourself covered.” Jared reached down and yanked the cloak
together. “I thought Dayton’s eyes were going to pop from his head
when you leaned over his desk.”

Merideth clutched the woolen material. “You
paid for this gown.”

“Tim chose it, as I recall,
I
supplied
the cloak.”

Merideth merely shrugged as they stepped out
into the sunshine. She felt more confident than she had in some
while. Surely the Dr. Franklin she’d heard so much of, who was
respected even in England, would see that she was returned home
safely.

The short ride to the village of Passy was
pleasant enough. Captain Blackstone had rented a chaise, and
Merideth appreciated the openness after the cramped, closed-in
coach. Once they passed the Quai Conti, the area was rural. A
gentle breeze held the fragrance of summer flowers, and Merideth
couldn’t help taking a deep breath and leaning back against the
cushions.