Heart's Compass, page 49
“I never met an Earl of Edais while I was in England. I met and befriended a marquess. And a viscount. But no earls.” He adjusted himself again. “Why?”
“There’s one downstairs asking to talk to you.”
“And you think I what, sent a letter asking him to come while you held me prisoner? Because I knew the exact date you would be bringing me back here.” He didn’t even try to hide his sarcasm.
The general snapped his fingers and one of his men stepped through the door with a young girl in hand. “I am going to let you go talk to him. You give anything away and this one here will be a gift for my men. She is young and tender and my men have not had a woman in a long time.”
“She is but a child,” he growled.
“Then I suggest you be a good lord of the house and do as I say.”
“You have my word. Just leave her alone.”
“Johnny here will keep her with him until the earl leaves.” Another man came over and unlocked the cuff keeping Trace to the bed. “A long time without a woman, remember that.”
Like he would forget. He straightened his clothes and headed down the stairs, using the railing to help support him.
His visitor stood there, back to him as he looked at a painting that hung in the entryway.
“My lord? You asked to see me?”
The man turned, a slight smile on his face but nothing more than that. Trace knew right away he was being sized up, and found lacking.
“I did, if you are the owner of this plantation.”
“I am. Trace Morgan.”
“Phillip Vallence, Earl of Edais.”
They shook hands when Trace was on the ground floor.
“And how may I be of service to you, my lord?”
“Do you mind if we talk outside? It is so nice here and, after leaving England, I would love to have the sun on my face.”
“Of course not. I will have some refreshment brought out,” Trace said, looking at one of the staff. “We will sit out front.” Personally, he could go for some more sun.
General Harrington came out with the man who carried the whiskey, introduced himself and sat down beside Trace.
“I am interested in buying this place. I have heard people say you no longer frequent it and wanted to inquire if it was for sale?”
“Odd, is it not, to be making the inquires yourself instead of having one of your men do it?” General Harrington asked.
“I am an earl, General. Not a fool. I keep a close eye on all my assets. I do have men who make purchases on my behalf, however, as I had not seen this place yet, I traveled here to make sure it was something I would like. I have to say when I landed I was impressed with the island, and being here, from what I saw riding in, I know I do want this land.” His tone held a slight reprimand that Trace had heard Lucien use from time to time when he wanted to make it clear he believed his station to be above another’s.
Sipping some whiskey, he relished the burn as slid down his throat. “I had not given much thought to selling,” he admitted, and that was the truth.
“I would appreciate it if you did.” Phillip stood after finishing his drink. “I will be in town for a while. Please contact me there, after you have had some time to think about it. I thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”
A carriage came up and Trace wanted to scream at this man to take the woman he knew would be stepping out away with him.
Trace stood and shook his hand. “It was my pleasure, my lord.”
Sure enough, behind them, a footman held the carriage door and out jumped Falcon. He was followed by Leona. His son waited and took her hand.
The earl turned and went to the man holding his horse. He barely slowed, just tipped his hat at Leona. Then he swung up and rode off.
Neither she nor Falcon showed any recognition of the man who had just left. Trace knew General Harrington had been waiting for that.
“Papa,” Falcon cried out, dashing up the steps and grabbing him tight. “Are you okay? What happened to your eye? The letter Leona got said you weren’t doing well.”
A bevy of mixed emotions poured through Trace. He held his son again, but the boy was in so much danger.
“I’m getting better. Thank you for coming.” He cut his gaze to General Harrington, who had fixated on Leona. “Both of you.”
He could see her emotions all over her face. And what wasn’t showing, he could feel through their link. She was torn about being back at Hawk’s Cove and seeing him here once more.
She lifted the hem of her skirt and walked up the steps to where he and Falcon stood. With a curtsey, she put her brown eyes on him. What did she think of him only having a single eye now? Did she think him less because of the loss?
“Good to see you again, Mr. Morgan.” Then she looked to the man beside him. “Are you General Harrington?”
“I am.”
“Thank you, sir, for letting me know he wasn’t well. I am glad to see he is doing better.”
“You don’t even care about your place, do you?” the general growled.
“Papa?”
“That man is not your dad, boy. I am.” General Harrington yanked Falcon from Trace. “You will stay here with me and I will teach you how things are supposed to be. Where people’s places are this world.”
“I do need to tell you, General,” Leona said, “the Duke of Stokley and the Marquess of Heartstone and their families are on the way. I was with them when the note came and they too wish to make sure that their friend Mr. Morgan is safe and recovering well.”
Trace knew where this was going and wanted to stop it.
“Your point?”
“If you want me to pretend that you were not the mastermind behind this, and that you are a better man than you are, you cannot leave a mark on Mr. Morgan, or the boy. They can go with the duke and marquess when they leave.”
“Why would I let my son go?”
“I’m not leaving here without you, Leona,” Trace thundered. The pain tearing through him was so much worse than any of the beatings he had taken.
He knew exactly what she was doing. She had known precisely what she would be walking into. A trap. To keep her back in the one place she hated. And, still, she’d come. To save him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Leona refused to look away from the general. “You do not need this child. He is happy over in England. Agree to let them both go and I will tell the duke and marquess any lie you want. I’ll say I am staying, willingly.”
“What if I threaten everyone else? You do not hold any bargaining power over me,” the general spat.
“I don’t care about the rest. I am willing to trade my life and my freedom for those two. And you are wrong. I know you recognize the Duke of Stokley’s name. It was all over your face.”
“You will pay for this insolence.”
“I know.”
She beckoned to Falcon, who yanked free from the general and ran back to her. Sinking to her knees, Leona hugged him then drew back, cupping his face.
“You are perfect. Never forget that. No matter what anyone else tells you, Trace is your father. He loves you and will give his life for you if needed. I need you to hug Jupiter and Neptune for me when you get back.”
He shook his head. “You have to come too.”
“No, I will not be going back with you and your father. I was raised here and it was time I came home.” She used her thumbs to move the tears from his eyes. “You own a place in my heart, Falcon. Thank you for being part of my life.” Her heart was being ripped in two. “Be good for your father.” She kissed his cheek and stood.
With a deep breath, she looked between the general and Trace then back to the man she’d despised from the moment she’d received the letter. He nodded. Lifting her chin, she walked to Trace.
He looked gaunt, and she knew his time had not been an easy one. He had a patch over his right eye. The change had been shocking, and gave him a much more dangerous air.
“I am not leaving you, Leona.”
“I love you, Trace Morgan. Now and always. It is my turn to do the saving.”
The corners of his mouth pinched. “No, you saved me on the field. It’s my turn.”
She wanted to touch him but didn’t think the general would allow that. “You have always saved me. Never forget that. Take your son and go to England. Live the best lives you can.”
He must not have given a damn about the general, for he grabbed her upper arms and yanked her close.
“Do you think I give a fuck about any of that if it means you are left here?” The question was tortured.
Her body flew to life at his touch. “I think you’re a father who will do what is best for his son.”
“You are what’s best. For him and for me.”
“Him growing up with the general in his life is not what is best. We know this. I am sorry it couldn’t have been different for us, Trace. Go, be free. Sell this place and take flight.”
She saw the flicker of understanding in his eye. Giving in to her need, she touched his face and brushed her fingers along the strap for his patch. “I like the look. Very dashing.”
“I am not leaving without you.”
She stepped back. “Goodbye, Trace.”
The general gestured and two men appeared to take a struggling Trace back inside. Falcon stepped in front of her when two other men moved toward her.
“No harm comes to my son. Not yet. Take him to a room and chain this one up in the back.” The general glared at her as he made the command.
Leona didn’t resist when she was dragged through the house, past faces she’d not seen in years to a small windowless room in the back off the kitchen, where the house slave had slept. The room was a lot like she recalled and as the man tossed her to the floor, she bit back a cry of pain.
The heavy door slammed shut before a lock was engaged. She scrambled to the corner pallet, wrapped her arms around her legs and sobbed. Holding images of Trace and her open home in her mind, she tried to figure out how in the hell she was going to go through living like this once more. This time would be worse, of that she had no doubt.
* * * *
For two days she barely saw anyone. All the men did was let her out for a few moments, then it was back in there.
After she had gotten cleaned up on the second day, the general was there when she was pushed back in the room. He was a large man, and she could see where he had made a good leader.
“We have someone coming to talk about buying this place. I want you there to serve. It was Trace’s stipulation. I guess he thinks I am beating you like you deserve. What he doesn’t understand is I want you unblemished when I take you to my bed. Then I will beat you to within an inch of your life. Right now, you will serve. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will remember your place.”
“Yes, sir.”
He gripped her chin. “It’s been so long since I’ve had one who was as pretty as you. I cannot wait to make you choke on my cock.” He released her and gestured to the wall, where a dress hung. “Change.”
Knowing there was no point in asking him to leave, Leona just went to the maid’s outfit. Undoing the buttons on her dress, she shrugged her shoulders, allowing it to slip to the floor, leaving her in her undergarments. Also exposing the scars on her back to the man in there with her. She reached for the outfit and dropped it over her head then fastened it up with haste.
Turning back to him, she said, “And shoes?”
“You have some.”
“These are not maid shoes.”
Irritation flashed, but there was a pair for her shortly. She slipped them on and smoothed her hands down the dress. Nothing more than playing hostess. I can get through this.
They had set up food outside, and as she carried the drinks out, she breathed a bit easier when her gaze landed on Phillip, who sat near Trace. General Harrington was there as well, but she’d expected that.
They discussed the sale of Hawk’s Cove and she did as she had been instructed—served the men and kept her mouth shut.
There was no way to ignore how Trace’s gaze followed her whenever she was in sight, and the struggle not to react was hard. Walking back inside, she stiffened when the general smacked her on the ass.
“Keep your fucking hands off her,” Trace growled.
“Remember your place.”
Leona whirled around in time to see Trace launch himself up and out of his chair to hit the general square and take him down. She couldn’t even find it in her to scream. In her peripheral vision she noticed Phillip getting up, but she couldn’t take her gaze from Trace and the general rolling around before her.
Flashbacks of Trace fighting with his brothers came to mind, but this was much more deadly, the consequences more severe.
She felt the staff gather beside her but she still didn’t look away. Two of the larger men stepped forward.
“No,” she said. “This is between them. We do not interfere.” The men listened to her.
She regretted her words moments later when the general rose up over Trace, hands around his neck, choking him. They were so close Leona could not see space between them. They continued to fight and tussle. Time slowed for her until the loud retort of a gun shattered her world.
“Trace!” She leaped toward him but was caught up by Phillip, who had returned at some point.
“Give him time to get to his feet.”
“But he was shot.” Or so she thought because it looked like the general had the upper hand.
General Harrington’s body was heaved to the side and Trace exhaled sharply before he got up. Phillip released Leona right away and she ran to the man she loved. He caught her and yanked her close. Mouth slanting over hers, he kissed her.
Digging her grip into the collar of his shirt, she held Trace as tight as she could. Tears slid unchecked down her face.
He peppered her with kisses until he finally put them nose to nose.
“I love you, Leona. I want you to be my wife.”
“Yes.”
“Do not ever do anything like that again.”
“Your life for mine is acceptable, Trace Morgan.”
“Not to me, kitten. Never to me.”
She moved her hands up to his jaw, held him and kissed him. “What about the rest of his men?”
“I don’t care,” he said without looking away from her.
“Should we not be worried about them?”
“No. I have to explain this to Falcon then you and I are going to bed.”
She dropped her gaze. “Trace, it’s the middle of the day. And there are people around.”
“Then they can leave. I don’t fucking care. You and me, kitten. Give me a few minutes to talk to our son.” One more kiss and he stepped away.
Trying to control her embarrassment at how loudly he’d announced he was taking her to bed, she finally looked up and gasped. The general’s men were all on their knees before a group of men she’d not thought she would see again. Lucien, Jackson, Conar and Rafe stood there beside Phillip.
Jackson stepped around them and held out his arms. She flew into them and held him.
“I am so sorry, lass.”
“Thank you for coming.”
He tipped her chin up. “You are my daughter. I will do anything for you.”
“Thank you, Papa.” She hugged him again and looked to the others there. “How? I thought you were not coming until later.”
Lucien shook his head. “My wife said if we did not get on the same ship as you did, she would. We know she would have, so we did. We just did not disembark until after you had.”
“Thank you all.”
“You are family.”
“Kitten?”
She melted at that familiar endearment. Brushing a kiss over Jackson’s cheek, she hurried up the steps to Trace’s side. Falcon looked at them both then scampered down to where the other men stood.
Trace swept her up in his arms and carried her inside, not stopping for anything until he got to his bedroom and placed her down. Bracing himself over her with his body, he kissed her until she trembled.
“I will always love you, kitten.” Another kiss. “I’m going to sell this place and you are right, it’s time for us to take flight, but I do not want to go without you.”
Skimming her hands up his torso, being careful of any injuries he may still have, Leona smiled. “By your side forever, Trey.”
He claimed her mouth once more as her world shrank to the two of them, only.
Epilogue
A cottage along the English coast
“Are you sure?” Trace demanded, dashing up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with his wife. Bursting in, he hurried to the large chest of drawers and grabbed the ring sitting there.
“Of course I am, boyo. I know what an arriving carriage sounds like. Plus, those two hounds of hers are running up.”
Dashing back downstairs, he skidded to a halt beside Jackson as the carriage rocked to a stop before the door. He patted the dogs on the head before they streaked inside to shake off the rain and settle by the fire.
“I will go somewhere else,” Jackson said.
Trace didn’t take his gaze off the carriage door. Leona stepped out and his heart leaped up in his throat.
Hurrying to her side, he kissed her.
“Hello, Trace,” she mumbled when he allowed her up for air.
Rain sluiced down around them but he didn’t give a damn.
“I missed you, kitten.” He ran his hand along her swollen belly. “Both of you.”
“We missed you too. I did pick something up on the way.”
“Hello, Papa.”
“Falcon!” He hugged his son and went back to his wife, helping her inside the cottage. After she had said hello to Jackson and Falcon went with him, it was just the two of them before the fire.
“How is Ciara?”
“Ciara is well. Another son. They named him Henry.”
“I am sure they are thrilled. Lucien will become even more arrogant.”
She leaned against him and he wrapped his arms tight around her.
Picking up her left hand, Trace slid the ring on Leona’s finger.
