Wicked Captain, Wayward Wife Read online

  The track was a grey ribbon in front of her, occasionally disappearing into darkness where trees threw their black shadows across the path. Her capacious smock billowed around her as the little pony flew over the ground. Eve marvelled at his sure-footed flight, but drew on the reins, steadying the headlong pace; she must not lose her pursuers too soon. Ahead lay the outline of a jumble of buildings; a village or farm, Eve could not tell, but she knew that as they moved inland there would be more buildings and more roads where she might slip out of sight and escape. Through the gloom she could see that the road turned sharply to the left beside a large wall. Eve risked a glance over her shoulder. She still had a good lead, but it could not last; the pursuing horses were covering the ground much quicker than her little pony.

  She leaned into the corner, pulling her mount round, but as she straightened up and settled into the saddle again she was aware of a black shape breaking away from the shadows behind her. Alarmed, she dropped her hands and leaned forwards over the pony’s neck, allowing him his head. The lane was flanked by tall trees and they were galloping in and out of the shadows. The wind was in her face, tugging at the wide brim of her hat. She dare not lift a hand from the reins and moments later it flew off behind her. Eve pressed on at a gallop, praying there were no obstacles or deep holes in the path. They were flying through the darkness, but she could hear the drumming of other hoof beats. Someone was close on her tail. Eve dug in her heels, her heart hammering against her ribs. The little pony pressed on courageously, but the thunder behind her was growing louder. The next moment a wild-eyed horse was alongside her, foam flecking its mouth. Panic jolted through her and for one heart-stopping moment she imagined the devil was at her side. A black shape loomed, Eve screamed as the rider leaned over, grabbed her around the waist and lifted her bodily from the saddle.

  ‘Release the reins, sweet heart.’

  The shock of hearing Nick’s voice almost sent her into a swoon. The reins fell from her nerve less fingers as he pulled her up in front of him. The riderless pony galloped away and Nick slowed his horse, swerving off the road into the deep shadow of a high wall.

  ‘Quiet now.’

  His warning was unnecessary. Eve could not have spoken even had she wished to. She watched the pony racing along the road and minutes later a dozen riders thundered past in hot and deadly pursuit.

  They remained in the shadows, still and silent until the riders had disappeared into the darkness. The thunder died away and was replaced by the quiet whisper of the salt winds through the trees.

  ‘With any luck they’ll be following that little fellow until the morning.’ Eve heard the words, felt Nick’s breath warm on her cheek. She wanted to pinch herself, to make sure this was not a dream. He spoke again. ‘Where are the others?’

  ‘Safe, I hope. They took the hidden causeway.’

  ‘Ah. Then they will be able to evade the Revenue men. Time to get you back to Monkhurst, I think.’

  Eve clutched at him as the horse began to move forwards. His arms tightened around her, holding her fast.

  ‘How did you know?’ she murmured, breathing in the familiar smell of his close ness, soap and spices and a male muskiness that made her close her eyes and inhale again.

  ‘The officers received word that there was a drop tonight. I rode over to warn Silas, but I was too late. Thankfully so were the Revenue men. Hush now; let me see if I can find my way back to Monkhurst. I would be much more at home on the water than on these winding lanes.’

  Eve settled herself more com fort ably against him and wrapped her arms around his body, being careful to keep her grip well above the wound in his side. Admiral moved over the ground in a long, loping stride and she tried to relax, to sway with the movement of horse and rider. Her whole body was still buzzing with the excitement of the chase, the blood was singing in her veins. Was this how her mother had felt when she had gone out with the free-traders? Was this how Nick felt when he was engaged in some dangerous adventure? She hugged the question to her as they rode through the darkness, the rough wool of Nick’s coat against her cheek, his arms enclosing her, holding her safe.

  Nick settled Admiral into an easy canter and stared ahead into the near-darkness. The sliver of moon was low in the sky and the tall trees cast inky shadows on the road. He was very conscious of Eve’s slim form leaning against him; wisps of her hair had escaped their ribbon and tickled his chin. He turned his head briefly to rest his cheek upon her tangled locks, relieved to have her safe within his arms. He had been surprised when Richard had told him that Eve had taken Silas’s place with the boys. At first he had been far too intent upon racing after her to dwell on the danger, but gradually fear had crept into his mind, fear unlike anything he had experienced before. He knew the Revenue officers, they were good men, but ill disciplined and God knew they had no cause to love the free-traders. If they had captured Eve, there was no telling what they might have done to her when their blood was up. Now, with her soft body resting against his, he had nothing to do but to think of what might have happened if he had not seen her racing towards him, if he had not been in time to rescue her. The heady relief of finding her safe diminished and was replaced by an ice-cold chill as his imagination ran wild.

  Admiral clattered into the stable block at Monkhurst. A sleepy groom fumbled with a lantern, but Nick did not wait. He lowered Eve to the ground, then jumped down and thrust the reins at the bewildered boy. ‘Don’t unsaddle him,’ he barked. ‘I will be leaving again shortly.’ He took Eve’s arm in a pain fully tight grip and marched her towards the house. Granby opened a side door as they approached.

  ‘I was looking out for you,’ he said quietly. ‘I’m glad to see you back safely, Miss Eve. If you would like to go to the morning room, Martha has built up a fire in there for you.’

  Nick gave her no time to reply; he almost dragged her along the dark pas sage way and into the little room off the great hall, where they found the maid waiting for them, her hands twisting nervously in her apron.

  ‘Oh Miss Eve, thank heaven—’ Martha broke off, eyes widening in surprise. ‘Captain Wylder! I didn’t think you knew of this.’

  ‘I didn’t.’

  ‘Yes, and why was Granby waiting for us?’ asked Eve, shaking off Nick’s hand. ‘Did you tell him, Martha?’

  The maid bowed her head. ‘I did, miss. I’m sorry, I know you said not to tell anyone, but I was that worried!’

  Nick stood by the door, holding it open. ‘Leave us, please.’

  The maid’s face was alive with curiosity, but Nick merely stared at her and without a word she bobbed a curtsy and scurried away.

  ‘Poor Martha is agog,’ remarked Eve, tugging off her gloves. ‘She will not rest until I have told her everything.’ She looked up at him, her face alight with laughter. The rage that had been growing inside Nick during their moon light ride now boiled over.

  ‘Of all the crack-brained starts! Whatever possessed you to be so foolish?’

  She blinked. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘Did you think it a good jest, to play at smuggling? Do you not realise how deadly serious it is?’

  ‘Of course I realise it! That is why I wanted to help them. Silas had promised me this would be the last run they would do, but they could not let their people down.’

  ‘Did you not stop to think about the risks you were taking? That you would be putting them all in jeopardy with your in experience?’

  She smiled. ‘What experience does it need to follow a pack-pony, and to shift half-ankers from the boats?’ She rubbed her arms. ‘I think I did quite well.’

  Her calm response only enraged him further.

  ‘I credited you with more sense than to risk your reputation, your life even, going out with the Brattee boys.’

  ‘They were short-handed. Silas must have told you—’

  ‘Aye, he told me, but do you really think your presence made that much difference?’

  ‘Yes, I do! The chain was stretched enough
as it was, and you know that the risks are greatest during the unloading! It has to be done quickly.’ She stared at him. ‘You are really angry with me.’

  ‘Of course I am angry!’ He advanced upon her and before she knew what he was about he had wrenched the linen smock up over her head and dragged it off. ‘The others might be able to put this on and pass for simple farm workers, but not you! Think what would have happened if you had been caught.’ He bundled the offending cloth into a ball and hurled it into the corner of the room. ‘How dare you do such a thing!’

  Eve frowned. A shadow of uncertainty clouded her eyes. ‘These are my people. I must help them where I can.’

  His hands slammed on the table, making her jump. ‘Do you think it would help them if you were to be clapped in gaol? Damned idiotic idea. And with Revenue officers in the house, too! How the hell do you think it would have looked if they had discovered what you were up to? Damnation, you are my wife!’

  ‘I am your widow!’ She drew herself up, her lip curling. ‘You made me thus, and I have no wish to be anything else to you—ever!’

  Eve dashed away a tear. This was no time to show weakness, especially to Nick. She had ridden back to Monkhurst in a mood of elation, relieved that the others had escaped, pleased with her own part in it. Nick’s fury was like a bucket of ice-cold water, but her nerves were still tingling with excitement and anger swept through her; she would not be cowed by his irrational rage. He took a step towards her and she moved away, making sure the solid oak table was between them.

  ‘And what makes it so different for you?’ she flung at him. ‘You have been engaged on far more dangerous enterprises.’

  ‘That is different. I risk being injured, killed perhaps, but you, if they caught you—’

  She slammed her own hands down on the table. ‘Do you think my anxiety is any less, when I am left here to imagine what might be happening to you? Not that I care any more,’ she added quickly. ‘I have no wish to be deceived by you again. In fact, I shall be much happier without you.’

  ‘Evelina—’

  ‘I do not think you can have anything more to say to me.’ She folded her arms and glared at him. ‘Make sure Granby locks the door behind you.’

  Nick was like a statue, looking at her from under his black brows. She forced herself to meet his eyes, hoping hers were showing nothing more than scorn and disdain. The silence was unnerving. Anger held her body rigid. She would not yield. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, but she knew could be only a few moments, Nick turned on his heel and strode out, slamming the door behind him.

  All the anger and excitement in Eve drained away. Trembling, she sank down into a chair and dropped her head in her hands. She knew he did not love her, but she had been foolish enough to hope that he might like her better now she had shown him she had some spirit. He did not. It was not at all what he wanted and now she had lost him completely.

  Nick had stormed out of the house, managing only a curt word for Richard as he strode past him. He had collected Admiral and was a mile away from Monkhurst before he even realised it.

  I am your widow. I have no wish to be anything else to you.

  Eve’s words had hit Nick like a physical blow, winding him. She did not trust him, did not realise that his anger was born out of anxiety. He had never been afraid for himself, but the idea that the fragile little woman he had married might be in danger had almost driven him out of his wits.

  You should have told her that. You should tell her you love her.

  This blinding revelation jolted through him. He jerked on the reins and obediently Admiral halted. Did he love her? He had always enjoyed his encounters with women, but he had never loved any of them. He had thought that love, when it came, would be a warm, com fort able feeling. What he felt for Eve was far from com fort able. It was a mixture of joy, des per ate desire and anxiety. He was afraid for her, afraid she might be in danger, that she might be unhappy.

  And for himself there was the dark, terrifying prospect of life without her.

  He turned his horse. He would go back, explain it all, suggest that they should start afresh. A few yards on he stopped again. The first fingers of dawn were pushing into the sky. Eve would be asleep. She would not thank him for waking her when she had already been up for most of the night. Besides, he could offer her nothing until the business with Chelston was resolved. Better to wait. When all this was over he could woo her properly. He turned once more.

  ‘Easy, Admiral,’ he muttered as the horse snorted in disapproval. ‘You think your master is an old fool, don’t you?’ He sighed. ‘Well, mayhap you are right.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Eve dragged herself through her morning duties. Her body ached from the un accustomed activity of the night and there was a bleak heaviness within her as though some spark of hope had finally been quenched. It would pass, of course, but for the moment she felt desperately lonely. She knew a sudden, searing moment of agony as she thought of her sheltered. How she missed him and the quiet, peaceful life they had shared. How she wished he had never invited Nick Wylder to Makerham!

  The thought of Nick brought her back to the events of the previous night. Nick’s fury at her going out with Nat and Sam had hurt her deeply, all the more so because she had thought he would share her exhilaration. The heady excitement she had felt during the chase was intoxicating. She had wanted to explain that to Nick, to let him know that she under stood now why he thrived on danger. But instead of catching her up in his arms and making love to her he had berated her, turning her adventure into a fool hardy scrape, causing nothing but trouble. The thought made her eyes sting and she blinked away her tears. She would not cry. It had all ended well; there had been word from Sam that everyone was safe and that was all that mattered.

  ‘Pardon me, madam, there is a note for you.’

  Granby approached, holding out a letter. Eve took it, but had to blink several times before the words stopped swimming before her eyes.

  ‘It is from Catherine Chelston,’ she said. ‘She says that she is even now on her way here, determined to carry me off to Appledore to see the new muslins that have just arrived at Mrs Jameson’s.’ She refolded the note. ‘I will not see her.’

  ‘There will be some plan afoot,’ murmured Granby. ‘It would be interesting to know what it might be.’

  ‘Interesting for you and your master, perhaps,’ snapped Eve.

  ‘I beg your pardon, madam.’

  She rubbed her brow. ‘No, it is I who must apologise, Richard. I am very tired, and have no heart for these games.’

  ‘But, madam, the captain would—’

  ‘No!’ she ex claimed. ‘After the rating I received last night I want nothing further to do with any of this. You may see Lady Chelston if you wish; after all someone must ride out to meet her, to tell her I will not go!’

  She turned on her heel and swept away, leaving Granby to stare after her.

  The day dragged by and after a solitary dinner Eve retired to her room, telling herself that everything would seem brighter after a good night’s sleep. Eve guessed that Granby had told Martha of her outburst, for the maid was determinedly cheerful and bustled about the chamber lighting the candles and talking all the while, as though afraid of silence. Eve allowed herself to be un dressed and coaxed into her silk wrap, then she sat quietly upon the stool in front of her mirror while Martha brushed out her hair with long steady strokes. The rhythm was soothing and some of the tension went out of her shoulders. Martha met her eyes in the mirror and smiled.

  ‘There, Miss Eve, is that better? It’s no wonder you are so tired, being out of doors until dawn! It’s all Aggie can talk of, you goin’ out on a run, just like your sainted mother. Well, that and the fact that the captain is alive. I must say I’m relieved that I don’t have to watch my words with her any more. She and Silas are that pleased you’d think he was one of their own. Of course the captain told ’em not to spread it abroad, but he did say they could tell Nat a
nd Sam, since they can all hold their tongues—’

  ‘And I wish that you would do just that, Martha!’ Eve dropped her head in her hands. Everyone wanted to talk of the captain, when all she wanted to do was to forget all about him. Before she could apologise for her incivility, Martha was patting her shoulder.

  ‘Ah, my poor lamb! There I am, talking nineteen to the dozen, and I’ve no doubt at all that your head is aching. Well, my dearie, what you need is some thing to soothe you off to sleep. What say you to a cup of warm milk?’

  ‘Thank you Martha, I would like that. If it’s not too much trouble.’

  ‘No, madam. The kitchen fire will still be warm enough to heat up a pan, I’m sure. You just slip into bed and I’ll be back upstairs directly.’

  She bustled away, but Eve remained on the stool, staring disconsolately at her reflection. She should plait her hair, she thought. It would prevent tangles in the morning, but it seemed too much effort. Perhaps she would ask Martha to do it when she returned.

  She heard a light step on the landing, the click of the latch as the door opened and closed again. She expected to hear Martha’s breezy chatter, but there was nothing, only a continuing silence. Eve turned. Nick was standing just inside the room, his great coat hanging open and swinging slightly, as if he had been moving quickly only moments before. He regarded her intently, his eyes shadowed.

  ‘I was frightened for you,’ he said abruptly. ‘Last night. Men can turn into animals in the heat of battle. That’s why I was angry. I know what can happen if they find a woman. And riding officers are not all gentlemen.’