The Blue Diamond (The Razor's Edge Book 1) (27 page)

Back in his cabin and well
on their way to Port Royal, Maddox sat his jewelry box on his desk and removed
his rings. “You may bring a pretty profit.” He opened the lid, and inside he
found a small folded note, tied with a red ribbon. He quickly pulled the ribbon
free and unfolded the note.

I am
sorry I betrayed you. I saved this for you in case Madame Ivory did not escape.
Please forgive me my betrayal of your kindness, but you may thank me someday,
should I have succeeded.

Zara

He looked down to find the
lock of Ivory’s hair he thought long swept from the floor, woven into a braided
bracelet. Zara had added small shells and colored string throughout. Maddox
lifted it from the desk as if it were made of blown crystal and cradled it in
his hands.
Such a gift should be worn and
treasured.
He slipped the loop of string from around the shell clasp and
wrapped it around his wrist. It fit perfectly. He pushed it beneath the cuff of
his sleeve and stowed the note in the box, along with the note from Ivory.

Throughout the brief journey
to Port Royal, he repeatedly touched the bracelet, stroked it, and reassured
himself of its presence, until he thought he’d go mad.
 
Each time the thought to remove it crossed
his mind, he covered it with his sleeve and forced himself to focus elsewhere.
No one suspected anything unusual about his habit of checking on the bracelet.
No one really paid much attention to him at all, and it suited him just fine.
Outside of a brief, cooling rain shower and the good luck sign of a pod of
dolphins escorting them into the waters off the coast of their destination,
this was the most uneventful voyage of his ten years at sea.

Again, the call of land and,
again, Green’s warning of a disguise. Maddox had refrained from his usual
morning shave for days, and he slicked his long, thick curls back into a
leather strap. He traded his velvet and lace for sailor slops and procured a
weathered tricorn from a crewman in exchange for his gold hoop earring.

“How do I look?” Maddox asked
his friend.

“You will certainly not be
confused with a ship’s captain. Did you bathe?”

“Well, of course I bathed!
But I have no idea why, since these rags have never been laundered to my
knowledge…and my nose.”

“You shouldn’t have. Here,”
Green said, picking up a bottle of rum and pouring a bit into his hands. He
splashed the rum about Maddox’s shirt and neck.

“What are you doing?” Maddox
shouted.

“Now you smell more like
them.”

“What about you?”

“No one is looking for me.
Let us go now.” Green led the way out to the deck and stopped when the sun, now
high above their heads, touched their faces. “One more thing I need to tell
you—the
Cutlass
is not here.”

“What do you mean not here?”
Maddox growled, pulling Green aside.

“She is not in the harbor.”

“Then tell me why I’m
dressed like this and stinking of rum?”

“Do you not wish to find out
where they have gone?”

“And who, pray tell, is
going to disclose that bit of information?”

“I suggest we start by
asking.”

“Asking whom?”

“Come along. I will show you
where to find the answers we seek.”

Maddox had the crew weigh
anchor about a half mile from the beach near Ivory’s compound, and they rowed
in. By the time they reached shore, they were soaked in sweat and terribly
parched.

“I don’t suppose bringing
any water was given a second thought?”

Green rolled his eyes and
shook his head as they dragged the dinghy ashore. “Follow me, keep your eyes
low, and allow me to do the talking. If anyone asks, your name will be…Mac.”

“Do I look like a Mac? Why
Mac?”

“Maddox Alexander Carbonale.
I assumed it would be easy to remember. Forget about that. Just let me take
care of this.”

Green led Maddox up the long
path into town. The first pub they came upon, they turned in and walked to the
bar. “Two ales, if you please.”

* * * *

Miranda was browsing in a
shop across the street from the pub while Sandy waited outside. He was leaning
back against the wall, watching people as they passed. He’d been tossing bits
of roasted chicken to a stray dog who sat gazing hungrily at him as he pulled
the bits of meat from a skewer. When he saw the recognizable face of a man who
passed on the opposite side of the street, he backed around the corner of the
building.
 
He watched as the man and a
stranger entered the pub.

“Miranda? Are ye nearly
through, love?” he asked, sliding like a snake back around the corner and into
the shop.

“I’m settling up. What’s
wrong? Is our wagon ready?”

“No, not yet, but unless me
eyes are playin’ tricks on me, I just saw Master Green and some swab walkin’
into the pub across the street,” Sandy whispered as he poked his thumb in the
direction of the pub.

“That’s ridiculous. There’s
no way Master Green would show his face in Port Royal after what happened.”

“I’m tellin’ ye, lass, I
spent quite a few years workin’ for the man. I know him well, from every
angle.”

“I’ve met him a few times.
I’ll find out.”

“Miranda, no!” Sandy shouted
in a whisper, but she handed him her parcels and stomped off across the street.
“Oh, Lord, tell me what I done to meself.”

Miranda slipped quietly into
the pub and looked at the two men. Their backs were turned, so she moved to the
shadows and stood without making a sound.
Turn
around already
. It was as if they’d heard her thoughts.
 
They both turned in unison when she
accidently knocked over an empty mug with her left breast. Unfortunately, she’d
misjudged the distance between herself and a tall table as she had struggled to
see their faces.

“Miss Shepard? Is that you
over there in the dark?” Green asked, backing away from the bar, while Maddox
buried his face in his beer.

“Who wants to know?” she
asked, sauntering from the corner into the light.

“It is Master Green… and my
shipmate, Mac. May I have a word with you?”

“Why would I want a word
with the likes of you?”

“I am concerned for Madame
Ivory’s well-being.”

“Oh, so you’re not here
looking for Cass, then?”

Maddox threw him a look of
confusion, but stayed in character, drinking his ale and pretending not to
listen.

“Unfortunately, no.
 
I came to inquire as to Madame Ivory’s safe
return to you, but upon our arrival, I could not help but notice the
Cutlass
was not here.”

“Oh, they’re gone again. I
stayed behind with my new man. You probably know him – Sandy?”

Alphonse nodded, putting two
and two together in his head.

Miranda continued, “We’ve
given it up, you know. We’re going straight, and we were about to head out of
town when Sandy noticed you. We’re just waiting for our wagon to be ready and
our paperwork for our land.”

“Where did they go?”

Miranda crinkled her nose
and tossed her hips. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Can you tell me how long
they’ve been gone, and in which direction they were headed?”

“Look, I’m no fool. What’s
the real reason you’re looking for her?”

“Alright, you were correct
when you said I was here for Cassandra. I admit it. I have finally come to my
senses.”

“Well, it’s about time,
Alphonse! She really loves you, you know.”

“Can you please tell me
where they were headed? I have to find her.”

“You’ll never catch them.
They set sail two days ago for Charles Towne. Ivory had some business up there.
Even if I didn’t have a new life, I wouldn’t set foot in that town for all of
the money in the world.”

“Gratitude, Madame. Do not
let us keep you. We will be on our way, as well.” Green looked over at Maddox
and nodded. Maddox looked back and downed his ale.

“So you’ll be heading back
to Kingston then?”

“Why no, Madame. I meant
what I said. Our destination is Charles Towne if I am to find Cassandra and
finally make her my own.”
 

“Oh, really?” Miranda
smirked.

Chapter
Twenty-Eight

It was late in the afternoon
when the
Cutlass
finally made port in
Charles Towne. Ivory had instructed her crew that they were in America now, and
those who knew the laws should obey them, as well as inform those who didn’t to
do the same. She warned that if any of them found themselves behind bars, they
were on their own. She wasn’t here for pleasure—that was the farthest thing
from her mind. She was here for business and would show no mercy or leniency
for indiscretion.

She sent Willy ahead to
explore the town and find the best route to their destination on the peninsula.
In the years they’d lived in Charles Towne, they had stayed on their side of
the river and had little dealings with the booming town. Even though they lived
in constant danger, the space and solitude of their farm was far more
comforting than trying to fit into a town full of strangers.

Ivory stood alone on deck,
facing the now overgrown city at dusk. She struggled with thoughts of actually
walking the gangway to the dock and at last stepping back into her past.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a
good idea.” Keara startled her when she walked up and stood next to her.

“What could have given you
that idea?”

“I imagine you’re feeling
anxious. If you are, believe me, we are one and the same.”

“We always do what we must.
Could there have been someone closer to home? Perhaps, but regardless of the
knot in my stomach, it’s better this way.”

“Have you given any more
thought to what comes next?”

“We go back to Port Royal.
From there, I take my shares and go my own way. There are many places in the
Caribbean to disappear, and you don’t need to die to do it.”

“You speak the truth,
cousin.” Keara laughed.

“Willy should be returning
soon. I’ve asked him to secure two horses.”

“Oh, wonderful, I suppose I
can remember how to ride,” Keara groaned.

“Before we go, though, I
need to see the house.”

“Well, of course, if you
insist.
 
But, I’m sure it’s either fallen
down or…”

“Not that house.”

“Do you mean our family
home?”

“Yes.”

“Why in God’s name would you
ever want to see that place again?
 
Surely there’s nothing left but ash and rubble!” Keara searched Ivory’s
eyes for an answer and watched as they glistened as if she were holding back
tears, but other than that, her stoic cousin’s expression never changed.

“I left something there, and
I need to get it out of my system. It’s heavy, Ke, and I’m tired of carrying it
around,” Ivory whispered as she turned to her cousin and took her hands.

“I’ll do whatever you ask,”
Keara mumbled. “But I want it known that I believe this is a mistake. I don’t
know what you’re looking for, but I hope you change your mind.”

“Cap’n!” Willy shouted as he
rushed towards them. “Horses are tied at the dock.

“Did you see him?”

“I seen his cronies, but not
him. There’s four of ‘em. It’s a store front for dry goods. Miss Cassandra’s
writin’ down the way fer ye.”

“Good.
 
What else?”

“They’s a room in the back
where it looks like he does his business. I didn’t stay and chat, only went ta’
the street number, strolled ‘round inside, and watched ‘em as they scooted into
the back when another fella showed up.”

“Did you see this other
fellow leave?”

“I certainly did. He was
smilin’ ear ta’ ear, he was, like he’d come from the brothel.” Willy laughed,
covering his mouth.

“Well, time is wasting.
Let’s get this over with. Ke, go get them.”

“Be careful, Cap’n. Them
fellas was armed with what looked like the cleanest, prettiest pistols I ever
laid me eyes on—fancy swords as well, they had.”

“We’ll be fine, Willy. It’s
just a business transaction. In and out, just like your other fella.”

“I sure hope so, Cap’n. I
just didn’t get a warm and welcome feeling. Beady eyes, they had. Like rats.”

“Thank you, Willy. Can you
keep this lot in order for a few hours?”

“I doubt it, but ye know
I’ll do me best.”

Keara reappeared with a
satchel strapped across her chest. Had Ivory been able to think more clearly,
she’d have had them disguise themselves as fine English ladies. She reasoned,
however, that if this deal went sour at any point, it would be terribly
difficult to not only fight, but to run away, while dressed in layers of silk
and whalebone.

“I wanted to come and see
you off,” Cassandra said as she handed Ivory her gun and sword, as well as a
hastily sketched map.

“I miss my razor. Perhaps
with the riches we’ll receive, I’ll finally purchase a new one.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t get it
back. That was Uncle William’s, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. He let me shave him
with it sometimes. He said he didn’t trust another living soul near his throat
with it, and I was just a child at the time.”

“I do remember that. You
were so proud.”

“Never nicked him—not even
once. The night of the Spanish raid, I had carried it, along with his cup and
brush, to the kitchen to clean them. That’s when I saw the fires from the
window and rushed off to warn you all.”

“You saved our lives.”

“We saved each other.
Remember?
 
It was your idea to hide in
the cellar.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t be
speaking about this.”

“Isn’t it odd how it all
seems a hundred years ago, but even the air here smells as I remember?”
 
Ivory breathed in deeply. “It’s getting
darker by the minute, Cass. We should be going. Try not to worry, but if we
aren’t back in one hour—then worry. If we aren’t back in two, we most likely
won’t be returning.”

   
“Why do you always say such things?” Keara
frowned and stomped off, carrying her boots. She sat down and pulled them on
over her stockings, grumbling under her breath.

“Don’t give us a thought,
Cass. There’s not a chance in hell they’ll take us, as long as that one’s at my
side.” Ivory secured her weapons and blew a lip whistle at Keara indicating
that it was time to go.

“Here’s where you’re going,”
Cass showed them the map.
 
“According to
Willy, once you make your way to the main street, follow it until you meet the
corner of the widest crossroad and go left. Halfway down there’s a pub called
the Charles Inn. The dry goods store is at the end of the block and across the
street.”

“That’s it, then. We’ll see
you in an hour.”

Ivory and Keara made their
way to the horses, and Ivory gave Keara a leg up. They followed Willy’s
directions to the town and made their way slowly through the streets. The
crowds of daylight citizens were giving way to the night folk, and the shutters
and doors closed around them. They received several inquiring stares and
upturned noses from proper females, but that wasn’t anything new to them. They
silently smiled and met each other’s knowing glances, grateful that at least
they wouldn’t be staying long.

As they dismounted and tied
off the horses in front of the store, a small man in an apron peeked out the
window at them and waved them inside. Ivory gave Keara a curious look, but they
stepped fast to the door and slid inside.

“I was about to lock up. We
close at dark around these parts.”

“Our apologies, sir. We’re
here to see the gentleman about a possible purchase?”

“Gentleman…hmph. Wait here.”
The little man was bald on top and weighed maybe one hundred and twenty pounds.
His right arm swung behind him as he scurried to the back room door and tapped
on it twice. The door peeked open, and the man muttered something. Ivory
couldn’t make out what he said, but she assumed he was announcing their
presence.

“This way,” the man said,
again waving them on.

Keara reached out and
clamped onto Ivory’s forearm. “I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“Hush. It will be fine.”

When they stepped into the
room, the man pulled the door shut behind them. Ivory stood straight backed and
glued her eyes to the four men seated around a poker table. “Gentlemen,” she
said with a nod, removing her hat to bow. Keara followed her lead.

“How can we help
you…ladies?” asked a middle-aged man with frosted waves of hair that touched
his collar. He wore a dark brown suit with a vest—a mighty expensive one from
what Ivory could discern.

“I was told you’re in the
business of purchasing things people no longer want.”

“Could be.
 
Or maybe not. Who wants to know…and why?”

“Since your business is done
behind closed doors, obviously there’s a reason we know, and an even better
reason you’re behind closed doors.”

“You didn’t answer my question,
Miss...”

“Captain Ivory Shepard, and
this is my quartermaster, Keara. We happened to come across some interesting
items a few months back, and I heard you may be the right man to take them off
my hands at a fair price. I presume you’re Carrington, then—since you’re the
one doing all the talking.”

“Depends on the items, and a
fair price these days may not suit you…Captain, did you say?” One of the other
men leaned and spoke into the man’s ear and watched Ivory the entire time. “A
woman of the sea! Well, whaddaya know? The Ivory Razor, so they say. Yes
indeed, I’m Edward Carrington, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Ivory sighed and rolled her
eyes. “I have diamonds, quite a few to be exact.”

“Are they cut and polished?”

“Rough, but these are not
your run-of-the-mill stones.”

“May I see them?”

“You don’t think I’m foolish
enough to have them with me now, do you?”

“You were foolish enough to
walk in here, weren’t you?”

“If we can’t do business,
just say so. All of this dick measuring is a waste of time,” Keara growled as
she pressed her hands onto her hips.

“Control your girl there,
Captain.”

“She doesn’t require my
control, sir. However, she’s right; do you want them or not? There are fifty
five of them. Ten are pink, six are yellow—good size ones— and there are eight
blue, one of which is the size of a small chicken egg. The rest are white.”

 
“I’ll have to see them before I can make you
an offer. Wait, did you say a small chicken egg?” the man exclaimed rising to
his feet.

“Give me a number, or I’ll
take my business elsewhere.”

“I can’t make you an offer
on something I’ve not even laid eyes on.”

“I’m sure there’s someone in
this fucking town who wants my business,” Ivory said flipping her head at Keara
and towards the door.

“Now, wait! I didn’t say I
didn’t want your business, but we’re talking upwards of ten thousand American
dollars here…”

“Ten? You must be insane.
These are worth more than five times that much.”

“I can only go as high as
fifteen without having seen them.”

“Twenty thousand, or no
deal,” Ivory stated firmly.

Carrington sighed.
 
“Look, give me twenty-four hours to find a
few interested parties with connections and raise the money. Same time
tomorrow, and we’ll settle up fair and square.”

“Twenty four hours? Are you
certain that’s all the time you’ll need?
 
Because I‘ve heard of a man in Boston who’d love to get his hands on
these.”

“This time tomorrow. Do we
have an agreement?”

Ivory pulled Keara aside and
they agreed to the terms. “Yes. We’ll see you then.”

As they mounted the horses
to head back to the ship, Keara again voiced her concerns over the whole deal.
Ivory insisted they had no choice, but agreed that she, too, was suspicious and
believed they should be on guard the entire time, as well as bring a couple of
men with them when they returned the next evening.