Sea of Desire (29 page)

“The cause? What are you saying?” Turning,
Merideth faced him. Since they were anchored in enemy waters there
were no lights on deck, so she had to move closer to see him.
“Captain Blackstone swore he had nothing to do with my father’s
death.”

“Oh, and I’m quite certain he didn’t. I
didn’t mean to imply... Lady Merideth, let me assure you: if Jared
told you he didn’t kill your father, he didn’t. I only meant
that... well, he can get carried away at times.”

“How do you mean?”

“He’s told you of his brother, of
course.”

“He mentioned his brother to Dr. Franklin.
They were acquainted, I believe. But what does that have to do with
me... or my father?”

“Did you know his brother is dead?”

“Yes, but—”

“I can see you don’t know the truth. I
assumed... Well, you appeared so intimate.” He moved his hand along
the rail till it touched hers. “Please forgive me.”

Merideth pulled her hand away. “What about
Captain Blackstone’s brother?”

“If Jared didn’t tell you, then perhaps I
shouldn’t.” He made a
tsk
ing sound with his mouth. “What
harm could it do? It’s hardly a secret that Jared had a twin, a
brother older by mere minutes. John was his brother’s name. They
were devoted to each other, nearly inseparable, though they were
nothing alike.

“John was born in frail health. Perhaps
because of that, he loved books. Very learned. A member of the
Royal Society.” Daniel shook his head, the tiny droplets of mist
from his wig spraying down onto Merideth. “No, John was nothing
like Jared.”

“I still don’t understand what this has to do
with me.” Though the night was warm, a chill permeated through
Merideth and she hugged herself. She swallowed. “What... what
happened to him?”

“He was betrayed by a woman... an English
woman.”

“Betrayed and...?”

“And killed.”

Even though she’d anticipated the answer to
her question, Merideth couldn’t help her gasp.

“It was sad indeed to see Jared after we got
the word. He blamed himself, of course.”

“Why?”

“No one was sure. His sister couldn’t reason
with him. No one could. But it’s the reason for his hatred of
anything English. He vowed at the time to let no traitor—” Daniel
stopped abruptly, giving Merideth an embarrassed smile. “I’ve said
too much. Please forgive me.”

“No, really, there’s nothing to apologize
for. You’ve been very enlightening.”

“Perhaps it’s my cousin I should be
apologizing for, then. He—”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,
cousin
.” Jared slipped up behind the two. “I believe I’m
quite capable of apologizing for myself... if there is the
need.”

Merideth felt thoroughly flustered. She
hadn’t heard the captain at all. In truth, she was so caught up in
Daniel Wallis’s words that she probably wouldn’t have heard him if
he’d stomped up. But Daniel seemed nonplussed. He simply laughed—a
sound Merideth found annoying—and clasped the captain on the
shoulder.

Merideth noticed Captain Blackstone didn’t
respond in kind.

But the tense moment passed when Tim came up
to say that the longboat was ready. Merideth, caught up in the
moment, gave the boy a hug, which he didn’t return at first. But
just as she was pulling away, his arms tightened around her waist,
and Merideth felt the sting of tears in her eyes.

There were things about the
Carolina
she would miss.

“Take care, Tim.”

“Ye too, yer Ladyship.” With those words he
turned and scurried off, and Merideth sighed.

The trip from the
Carolina
to the
beach at Land’s End was wet and miserable. Down closer to the
white-tipped channel waves, the fog seemed heavier, and Merideth
couldn’t imagine how Captain Blackstone kept his bearings. The
light from the lantern they carried hardly penetrated the mist. For
a while the small boat with the three of them aboard seemed the
only thing on the damp, murky earth.

Conversation was limited to the captain’s
rowing instructions to Daniel. It was obvious the latter was no
sailor. But he did try.

Clutching the splintery seat, Merideth
wondered if they’d ever reach land. Then, just as she was beginning
to give up on the captain, the waves surged them toward a shore
that Merideth could barely see. The captain leaped from the boat
and dragged it further onto the pebbly sand.

Merideth was home.

She sat in the boat a moment longer waiting
for the sense of relief to wash over her. It never came.

Daniel Wallis offered his hand, and with an
undeniable feeling of unease, she took it.

Captain Blackstone obviously didn’t plan on
remaining on English soil long. “This way,” he said, and headed off
toward the steps carved into the cliff.

“It’s dark as pitch. We’ll never be able to
climb these,” Daniel complained, but Jared didn’t slow his pace.
“Well, at least let me position myself behind Lady Merideth. A fall
down the side of this cliff could be deadly.”

“All right.” Jared stopped at the base of the
steps and held the lantern aloft. “We’ll take it slow.”

Slow for the Captain wasn’t necessarily what
Merideth considered slow. Her skirts got tangled about her legs and
she yanked at them, trying to clear her feet and keep one hand free
to clutch the bracken rooted in the crevices. It was hard work, but
Merideth knew they were nearing the top. From there it would be an
easy walk through the gardens to the house.

The light from the lantern bobbed above her.
With a sigh she followed the captain’s shadowy form up yet another
stone step. It happened so quickly she barely had time to scream.
Something tangled with her foot, pulling her backwards. Her hands
flew up and in her mind’s eye she pictured herself tumbling down
the black, wind-ravished cliff to the beach below.

Then just as suddenly someone grabbed her
arm, the force hurting her shoulder. Her knee knocked against an
outcrop of rock, sending sharp pain through her body. The lantern
flew past her, plummeting down the wall of granite.

“God, is she all right?” Merideth heard the
frantic voice of Daniel Wallis below her.

“Aye.” Jared clasped his other hand around
Merideth’s waist and pulled her up beside him. He had reached the
top of the cliff just as he’d heard her scream. It was only luck
that he’d managed to grab her before she fell.

Now she collapsed against him, her body
trembling, and Jared pulled them both away from the edge of the
precipice.

“What happened?” Daniel scurried over the
top.

“I don’t know.” Merideth tried to calm her
quivering voice. She was still bundled in the captain’s arms, and
wanted nothing more than to stay there. “Something tangled with my
foot,” she began. “I don’t know. A branch, perhaps.”

“Let’s get to the house. Are you able to
walk?” the captain asked, and though Merideth assured him she
could, he kept his arm around her shoulder as they made their way
through the garden.

It was obvious no one lived at Banistar Hall
anymore. The place was overgrown and deserted. The front door
wasn’t even shut. Walking into the great hall was like walking into
a tomb. Jared struck a flint and lit a burned-down taper left on
the table near the door. When he held up the light, it spread
grotesque shadows over the cobweb-laced ceiling and few remaining
pieces of furniture.

Merideth could barely keep the tears at bay.
She took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. In her room she’d
be safe... at least for this night. Tomorrow she would see about
hiring someone to help her. Of course, with no money that would be
difficult. But she simply couldn’t think about that now.

Before she had climbed three steps the
captain was by her side, bringing the candle. “It isn’t so bad,”
she said, more to convince herself than him. “I shall...” But there
she paused, not knowing exactly what to say.

Her bedroom door was open, and when Merideth
stepped inside she was greeted by scurrying sounds. Her composure
cracked.” Without another thought she turned and walked into
Jared’s arms.

Jared placed the candle on the stand by the
door and held her. He wasn’t sure if she was crying or not, but he
felt she had every right to. His thumb angled her chin up, and in
the flickering light he saw that her blue eyes were prismed with
moisture. Her lips were parted, inviting, and Jared lowered his
head.

He hovered for a moment, a heartbeat away, as
their breath mingled. Then he was tasting her as he’d wanted to...
as he always wanted to. His fingers delved into the thick golden
hair and she moaned as his mouth forced hers open.

The kiss was deep, and passion exploded
between them. Merideth melted against him, giving all the more
because she knew this was the last time. Her hands burrowed beneath
his shirt to touch the smooth, warm skin of his back.

When he pulled away they were both breathing
hard. Jared stood for long minutes looking down into her eyes, and
she tried to memorize every feature of his handsome face. For in
minutes he would be gone.

Her mind was so disoriented from the night,
the kiss, that at first she couldn’t comprehend what he was doing
when he grabbed her hand, pulling her from the room. “What...? What
are you doing?”

He had snatched up the candle, and Merideth
could see a devilish grin lit his face as he led her down the hall.
“I told you I’ve pirates in my past.”

“Yes, but—”

“The blood must run true, for I find myself
unable to control what I’m about to do.”

They were at the top of the stairs, and
Merideth grabbed hold of the newel, effectively slowing his pace.
“What is it you’re doing?”

The grin spread. The dimple deepened. “You
should know by now. I’m kidnapping you,” he said just before he
tossed her over his broad shoulder.

“What in the hell are you doing?” Jared let
Merideth slide off his shoulder, down the front of his body, as he
stared into the library at Banistar Hall.

She had been too surprised to protest when
he’d first hoisted her up. But now settled on the threadbare
carpet, Merideth pummeled the captain’s broad chest with her fists.
“How dare you treat me like that again? I am not going anywhere
with...” As Merideth realized he paid her words no heed, her voice
drifted off and her hands stilled. He was looking over her head
into her father’s library. A gasp of shock escaped her as she
turned around.

“I asked what you were doing?” Jared stepped
around Merideth, who still stood, her mouth open.

Daniel hesitated only a moment longer, like a
hare caught in the lantern light. Then he continued rummaging the
desk, yanking papers from the drawers and flinging them onto the
already littered floor.

“You said I could conduct a search,” he said
before moving behind the desk to the one bookcase whose contents
remained intact.

“
He
said!
He
said you could
search!” The volume of Merideth’s voice rose with every word...
with every step she took toward the captain’s cousin. “Who gave
anyone permission to do anything with my things?” The way she felt
now she could handle this pale imitation of his cousin, then turn
on the captain himself.

“Jared,” Daniel said as he took a moment away
from leafing through a leather-bound book to glance toward
Merideth. “Take care of her, please. I’m very nearly finished?”

Crossing his arms, Jared made no move to
intercept Merideth. She worked her way across the room toward
Daniel, skirting the broken vases and overturned chairs that
hindered her progress. “As it happens, Daniel,” Jared stated
calmly, “I think Lady Merideth has every right to be angry. Look
what you’ve done.”

“It was necessary.” Daniel tossed another
book onto the pile at his feet.

Merideth stooped to pick it up; then, holding
the corners with two hands, she swatted at his arm. Strong hands
grasped her around the waist, pulling her back.

“There’s no need for that,” Jared said.
“Daniel, stop it.”

Looking up from fanning through yet another
book, Daniel raised his brow. “There’s something you don’t seem to
understand, cousin.” After rubbing his arm through the fine silk of
his sleeve, he pulled another book from the shelf.

“I know you’re obsessed with finding the
identity of this spy, but I think you’re going at it in the
wrong—”

“Lady Sinclair is responsible for John’s
death.”

A strained silence settled over the
ramshackle room. Merideth glanced at the captain in time to see the
color drain from his sun-bronzed face. His jaw tightened, a muscle
jumping from the force. His voice was low, obviously restrained.
“Who in the hell is Lady Sinclair?”

“That, dear cousin, is what I’m trying to
find out. Sinclair isn’t her real name, of course.”