The Wild Belle (18 page)

“No, but you have never witnessed me losing my temper, and what I am about to do would make Amanda’s outbursts appear calm.”

She watched as her husband departed yelling at some of the crewmembers to come to him immediately. She smiled mischievously. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to tell the men.

She turned and headed below deck. A different expression crossed her delicate features. He loved her. Was he serious? She turned and looked over her shoulder at him and the men he was disciplining. He planted a fist to one man’s jaw. The man fell to the deck and did not rise. She could hear his deep voice, but the words were muffled by the wind.

She started down the steps again. Why would anyone behave in such a way if it wasn’t true? He loved her. He was her husband. Tears formed in her eyes. So this was what it felt like to have someone love you, someone who would defend your honor, someone who would love you forever.

Chapter Twenty

The next three weeks flew by. Michael stayed busy up top assisting the crew. After the discipline proceedings, the crew knew whose woman Andrea was and gave her the respect one would give a queen. During the crossing, she became bored and insisted on helping the crew. After a bit of unorthodox persuasion—as in threatening to shoot someone—Michael and the captain reluctantly agreed. She began assisting a young boy named Harvey in mending the nets and ropes.

Ruth Ann said she was quite happy doing nothing at first. But after awhile, the boredom began to invade her and she took on the chore of mending the crew’s clothing.

The days were quickly passed working, and Michael found ways to make sure the nights passed slowly, making love to his wife. His attentive embrace pushed the worry from her mind for a few hours. Michael found ways to surprise her every day with small gifts. One day she returned to their quarters to find a basket of small seashells of different shapes and sizes, another day there were chocolates. The best gift of all was when she found him in the bed wearing nothing at all.

He did not mention love anymore after he first told her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he felt she didn’t return his feelings. Which was not true, she just didn’t have the courage to tell him how she felt, afraid that his confession was expressed only to help ease her anxiety. She was going to tell him, but she just didn’t know when or how.

She was brought from her thoughts by a yell from above of, “Land ho!”

She looked over to Harvey with anticipation.

“England,” the young boy said.

She laid down the net and raced towards the bow of the ship. She couldn’t see anything but more ocean. Her heart sank. She was so ready to be off this ship. It wasn’t the fact that she was not enjoying the trip; it was for her sister. She was ready to find Alyssa.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Michael. He held out a long brass cylinder towards her. She took the spyglass out of his hand and placed it to her eye. She could barely make out a small faint dark object in the distance.

She handed the spyglass back to him. “How much longer until we dock?”

He knew what her apprehension was about. “At least two days to make it to and through the Thames. The long part is waiting to dock. Some ships stay anchored in the Thames for months before they are granted privileges.”

“Months! I can’t wait that long. Alyssa can’t wait that long!” she protested, her southern drawl carrying to the crew around.

“We will row ashore in a longboat. Our belongings will follow shortly afterwards.”

The relief showed on her face. “So we should be on land in a couple of days?”

“Round about that, yes.”

Finally! She would get a chance to find her sister. Whether Michael knew it or not, she was going with him to find Alyssa. And when Alyssa was found, she was going to put a bullet between Peterson’s beady eyes for the pain he had caused her family.

“Better go below deck and inform Ruth Ann. I know she will be just as anxious as you to get off this ship.”

“I’m just worried about my sister. If this hadn’t been a rescue trip, I would have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“Except the seasick part?”

“Well, yes. But next time I suggest you get sick. I would much rather be workin’ than pukin’.”

He shook his head and watched her leave. He would never understand her thought process. She left him guessing all the time as to what she was going to say or do.

He looked down at Harvey who was still working diligently on the nets. “She is a wonderful lady,” the boy said, his eyes never leaving his task.

“Yes, she is.”

“I’m gonna find me a lady just like that when I grow up. One who will love me like she does you.”

“Who says she loves me?” Michael questioned the boy.

“Ya can just tell by the way she watches ya and talks about ya. Yes, sir. A fine lady like that is hard ta come by.”

“Indeed,” Michael replied. Turning, he walked to the helm.

* * * *

Two days later, the
Emerald Jewell
traveled up the Thames. Andi covered her nose as she stood on the deck. The foul stench of the river invaded her every sense. She turned to look at Michael. If he noticed the overpowering smell of the stinky river, he didn’t show it.

“What is that stench?” she finally asked.

“The Thames,” he replied.

“I figured that much out. What I want to know is why?”

“London is a large, dirty city. Many people dispose of their waste along with other things in the river.”

“What other things?”

“Blood from slaughterhouses, rotten food, dead bodies . . . you name it. They think if it gets tossed into the river, it is no longer their problem. The bad part is, it makes it everyone’s problem.”

“People think the marshes stink. They smell wonderful to me. But this could never smell wonderful.”

“You have a way of putting things, Pixie.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, why do you call me Pixie?”

Michael gave her a crooked smile. “When I first saw you sitting on that tree branch, I first thought of you as a fairy. Then when you said you wanted to see me naked, I realized that you were no fairy. Fairies, you see, are good and innocent, they are do-gooders.”

She hit his arm with her fist. “What are you implying?”

“Let me finish,” he said with a sinful grin. “But pixies, they like adventure and mischief, they don’t follow the norm. In fact, pixies are a little on the wicked side.” He captured her in his arms and pressed her body to him. “I happen to prefer your wild nature, Pixie,” he whispered and nibbled on her ear.

She pushed against his chest. “Stop,” she giggled.

“Only if you allow me to continue later.”

“Is that all you ever think about?”

“When you constantly tempt me, whether you know it or not . . . yes.”

“Well, it will have to wait. I must find Alyssa.”

“I will.”

“No, we will.”

“Andi,” he warned.

“Don’t ‘Andi’ me. She is my sister. You will have my help whether you want it or not.”

“And if I refuse to allow you to help?”

She smiled sweetly at her husband.

He took a frustrated breath and replied, “You’ll go out on your own.”

“You know me too well,” she said and overly batted her eyes.

Shaking his head, he replied, “And I told you London is nothing like Beaufort.”

“So it’s settled then. Where do we begin?”

“I’ll find my man at the docks first. And, no, you may not go with me to find him. The taverns of the east end would make even Colonel Red blush. I will take you to Matthew’s office.”

“But—”

“Don’t argue with me on this one, Andi. The characters in the east end taverns are a bloodthirsty lot. They would take one look at you, kill me and then have their way with you.”

“Fine. But you come straight back to your brother’s office just as soon as you speak with your man.”

“Agreed.”

Several hours later the
Emerald Jewell
was anchored in the Thames River, waiting its turn to make berth. A man from the crew rowed ashore and returned shortly to inform them that the ship would not be allowed to dock for three weeks. Michael notified the crew that he and Andrea were going ashore and to send their belongings to his brother’s townhome.

Michael assisted Andrea and Ruth Ann into the long boat. Once they were rowed ashore, they had a short walk to a small building. It wasn’t very impressive on the outside. The wood had dulled and grayed with time. The brass bell hanging above the door was tarnished and in need of a good polish. There were several small windows, each with a thin layer of dirt and mud scattered about on them. But when the trio made their way inside, Andi was taken aback by the elaborately furnished room. It was much larger than the outer appearance showed. The room was decorated in walnut furnishings and everything was of the finest quality, as though it was made for royalty. She watched as the man sitting behind the desk looked up, and a smile crossed his handsome face. He stood and crossed the room to the group in several strides.

Michael returned the man’s smile. Andrea looked between the two and realized this must be Michael’s brother. The resemblance between the two was uncanny. If Andrea didn’t know better, she would have sworn that they were twins.

“What are you doing in London, Runt?” Matthew asked, giving his brother a brief hug.

“Looking for someone,” Michael replied as his smile faded. “I need your help.”

Matthew’s expression changed. “What’s happened?” he asked and motioned towards a group of chairs. Turning, he walked to a buffet table and picked up the decanter of brandy. He poured himself and Michael a drink. He noticed Andrea then and looked towards Michael. Michael motioned for Matthew to have a seat and escorted Andi to a chair. Matthew nodded and sat down behind the large oak desk.

Ruth Ann stood by the doorway while the group gathered around Matthew’s desk. Andrea turned and motioned for Ruth Ann to follow. “This involves you too, Ruth Ann,” Andi informed and patted the chair beside her.

Matthew’s eyes began inspecting the beautiful blond woman by Michael’s side. Her hair was braided lightly on the sides and it joined in the back. There was a small net holding the remainder of her long locks on the back of her head. Her eyes were dark green and full of spirit. Her sensuous lips were full, pink and begging to be kissed. As Matthew took a drink of brandy, his eyes began traveling downward.

“I suggest you quit ogling my wife, Matt.”

“Your wife?!” Matthew sputtered, spitting his drink across the room and coughing violently.

“Are you all right?” Andrea questioned, her accent making Matthew’s brows draw together.

“Egad, she’s a yank.”

“I prefer southern, thank you very much,” Andrea stated in a slow, thick southern drawl as she sat up proudly.

Matthew’s eyes went to his younger brother, back to Andrea, then back to Michael. His eyes grew wide. “Runt, I knew you were desperate to get that contract, but not that desperate.”

Michael leaned forward in his chair. “What are you implying, old man?”

“Was the man immune to that silver tongue of yours or would he not sign until you married his daughter?” Matthew asked, leaning back in his chair. A mischievous smile crossed his face. “Or did your escapades finally catch up with you?”

Michael was out of his chair and across the desk in an instant. Before Matthew could react, Michael had his older brother pressed to the wall by his shirt, which was no easy feat since Matthew was a good three inches taller than his brother.

“Michael!” Andrea yelled in protest.

At the same time Matthew warned, “Put me down, Runt, before I have to put you in your place in front of your beautiful wife.”

Andrea walked cautiously over to the two men and placed her hand on Michael’s arm. “Gentlemen, please. I have a more pressin’ matter to attend to than an insult to my person.”

Michael loosed his grip on his brother and began smoothing Matthew’s shirt down. He tapped the side of Matthew’s face roughly. “Don’t insult my wife.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll shoot you,” Andrea said as she walked back to her chair, gently sat down and smoothed out her peach gown.

“Shoot me?”

“She’s a crack shot, Matt. I’ve seen her shoot the cap off a man’s head at twenty paces,” Michael said, turning. He winked at Andi at his fabrication, but Matthew need not know that.

Matthew sat down in his chair and looked at the trio across from him. His brother, his new sister-in-law, and her . . . chaperone? “How did this happen, Runt?”

“I’ll explain later,” Michael answered. He picked up his drink and downed it in one swallow. “Is Mouse still hanging around Emerald Shipping’s docks?”

“Yes, why?”

“I have a job for him. Hope you don’t mind keeping an eye on my wife until I return.”

“I need some answers,” Matthew protested.

“Please,” Andrea beseeched, giving him a doe-eyed look. “My sister has been taken and I am desperate to find her.”

Taking a frustrated breath, Matthew nodded his head. “Yes. Since she is family, she may stay here until you return.”

Michael nodded his head. “I’ll be back shortly,” he said, exiting the building.

Matthew leaned back in his chair and crinkled his forehead while he studied his new sister-in-law.

She smiled sweetly at him. “Why do you call Michael ‘Runt’?”

“What?”

“Runt? I heard you call him that several times. Why?”

“He’s the smallest of us all.”

“Nine brothers, is that correct?”

“No eight—” An annoyed expression crossed his handsome face. “Aw, hell, that’s right there are nine of us now. I keep forgetting about Max. He told you about him?”

“Yes. And about your sister, too.”