Captain Vane's Daughter, page 25
Nathaniel was still arguing with the governor.
The magistrate interrupted them. “I’ll have some of my men out there in two days, Nathaniel. You better be far away. The property belongs to the lady and even though it’s far out of town, we’ll be patrolling to make sure things are safe.”
Nathaniel sent a glare in my direction. I could see it out of the side of my eye. I wasn’t sure he was going to comply with the ruling, but I hoped my plan to set the slaves free and allow them a stake in the property and its sugar, molasses, and rum production would make them eager to defend their new rights. I was relying on that.
The governor banged his gavel. “This meeting is adjourned.”
Everyone stood and, in a moment, Leo was at my side. “Congratulations. You’re officially the daughter of Charles Vane and now you can set those slaves free as you wished.”
“Shh. I don’t want anyone to know my plans.” What was he thinking to say that here in the room where anyone could hear him?
Nathaniel walked past me and muttered something.
I reached out for his arm. “Wait a minute, please.”
He seemed startled, but stopped beside me.
“When everyone is gone, I’d like to speak with you. I think we can come to terms. I’d be happy to pay you some sum of money to compensate you for having to leave the place you’ve called home.”
“You’re one strange woman. Why would you even want to speak about such a thing when you just won the plantation with no reason to pay me?”
“I think if you’ll give me a chance, you’ll see I’m a person who believes in fairness.”
“Aye. Like your father. He could be a right tough old bastard, but if you were loyal to him, he found a way to reward you for it. I’ll talk. You can meet me later at the Blue Parrot Pub. I’ll be there with a mug of kill-devil.”
“I’ll see you there, then.” I faced Marguerite. “Thank you for all you did. Will you be returning to Nassau now?”
“No. I’ll be here for a couple of days at least. The magistrate needs some help with some things and I’ll be tied up with him for a while.” She chuckled. “If you know what I mean.”
I did know what she meant, but I let her comment pass.
“If you need me, you can send a message to his house. Everyone knows where it is. My men are still on The Empress so they’re close enough if we need them to assist you in taking possession of the plantation.”
“I’m sure it will be fine. I would like to see you again before you return home so before you set off for Nassau, please let me know.” I wanted to hug her to thank her for all she’d done for me but didn’t want to violate propriety.
Glad when she pulled me into her embrace, even though her scent was overpoweringly floral mixed with a musky smell, I said, “Thank you from my depths of my soul for helping me.”
She whispered into my hair, “I’m glad to do it. Your father was the love of my life and I’d have done anything for him.”
When she let me go, I was surprised to see tears welling in her eyes. For such a strong woman to cry, she must have loved my father very much. I wished again that I’d known him. He seemed such a mixture. Mean and cruel on the one hand, but soft and caring enough somehow for both this woman and my mother to fall so much in love with him. I wondered how he’d reconciled those two parts of himself.
Marguerite sashayed toward the door where the three men who’d conducted the hearing had disappeared through.
I turned to leave the now almost-empty building and realized Leo was still there. I faced him. “Why haven’t you returned to the manor and your Elizabeth? As you can see, I’m well taken care of.”
Leo
I gaped at Lydia for a moment. Why was she still acting as if I were some sort of nasty thing she’d stepped on and wanted to wipe off the sole of her slippers?
“Why don’t you believe me when I say I don’t have an intention to be with Elizabeth? I don’t plan to leave the West Indies at all.”
Lydia turned and walked out the door. I followed but rage was building in me. What right did she have to treat me as some cur to follow in her footsteps?
I grew angrier by the moment.
When she made it outdoors and past the columns, Barnabas stepped from behind one and took her by the arm. “I never thought you’d come back by, my dear. Remember what I promised you on my ship. Are you ready to come be my love now that Leo Mountbank has been shown to be unfaithful?”
“Let me go, Barnabas. I don’t want you. You didn’t give me a chance to make that clear on your ship, but I never had any intention of allowing you to perform any of the acts of degradation you described to me in minute detail. Now step aside and let me pass.”
Barnabas jerked her up to his chest with her arm pulled up her back in what had to be a painful manner. “You’ll submit and you’ll like it.”
All the rage that had been building in me the last day rose to the surface. I couldn’t even see in front of me as everything appeared as if a red screen was covering it.
“Get your hands off her.” I leapt forward and grabbed Barnabas.
He released her and turned on me, punching me in the stomach.
I swung my arm and whacked him in the jaw. He went down, but came back at me in a rush, kicking me in the shin.
Hitting him again, I lost track of how many times he tried to take me to the ground.
In a few moments, we were rolling in the dirt as I said, over and over, when I could get a breath, “Leave my woman alone. Leave my woman alone.”
We rolled around for a while before someone pulled us apart.
Once we were each on our feet, we stared at each other. He was trying to catch his breath and I was snorting, attempting to rein in my anger.
Barnabas regained his ability to speak first. “She’s not your woman. You have the one you left behind waiting to take you home. The lovely Lydia is going to sail with me and be my lover. I promised her that adventure when she was on my ship. Before you took her off and placed her life in danger when my men were forced to shoot at you.”
“Unless I’m mistaken, I think I heard her say just now that she wanted you to leave her alone and that she had no intention of sailing with you. I also differ with your contention that I put her life in danger. If I recall correctly, it was you firing at her.”
“Firing at you, you mean.”
“Do I need to smack you around some more? If I need to beat you so hard that I win your ship, I will.” I took a step toward him, but someone pulled me back and held on to my arms.
Barnabas laughed. “You only wish you could take my ship from me.”
I lunged for him again. “If I wanted it, I’d take it.”
The person holding me said, “Leave it be, Captain. You don’t need this.”
Recognizing the voice as my old mate, Samuel, I relaxed in his grip and realized he was right. I didn’t need to worry about Barnabas. He was nothing to me.
Addressing Barnabas, I said, “I’m going home. I’m not going to waste more time on you.” I glanced around and saw Lydia leaving. She was some distance away so she hadn’t even waited to talk to me.
“Just let me know when you want to try to take my ship. I’ll be waiting for that fight.”
Ignoring him, I walked away from what was left of the crowd and toward the closest café. I needed a drink worse than I could ever recall.
Samuel accompanied me. After we sat, I asked, “Did you get anything on your latest trip out? Is the crew happy now?”
“We got a small load, but it seems the best cargo is being protected better than it has been in a long while.”
“I hope my privateer papers are approved soon. I find myself thirsting for a bit of seawater under my feet.”
“Didn’t you return lately from Nassau?”
“That was an unsatisfying trip.” I took a sip of my ale as soon as it was delivered, thinking that the only part of the voyage that was memorable was when I was in that bed with the lovely Lydia.
“I’ve heard of a ship for sale. It’s docked out in the harbor. Would you like me to make inquiries on your behalf?”
Hoping I’d soon be free to sail again, I replied, “Yes. Do that, but don’t mention my name. The price might change if the seller knows it’s me.”
“I’ll keep it quiet. If they think it’s for you, I’ll say you don’t have your license at this time.”
“Which is true.” I took another long draught of the ale and slammed the glass on the table.
Standing, I said, “I’ll see you later. I’ve got something else to take care of at this moment.”
“We can meet tomorrow evening here and I’ll let you know about the ship.”
I nodded and headed home. It was time to have a long conversation with Elizabeth.
When I arrived, she was in the parlor with her sister drinking tea.
Ringing for Bess, I asked for a glass of rum.
Penelope raised her eyebrows. “Won’t you have some tea instead?”
“No. I want to get drunk and this is faster than ale and much faster than tea.”
Elizabeth giggled. “Tea will never make you drunk.”
Did she truly think I thought it would? After taking a large swig of my rum, I looked at her. “Tell me something, will you?”
“Of course. What do you want to know?” She batted her lashes, flirting as always. This had no effect on me. I was truly not moved by her in any way.
“Why are you really here? In Port Royal, I mean?”
“You know. I came with Penelope to see if there was a chance for all of us to find happiness with each other at last.” She held her hand out toward me. “You know I always loved you.”
I took another drink before responding. “You never loved me. Please stop pretending.”
“You are drunk to be speaking to her that way,” Penelope said.
“Not yet, but I will be. Since you’re interfering with this conversation, you can take this chance to explain your comment I heard this morning.”
“What comment?” The expression on Penelope’s face told me she knew exactly what comment I meant.
“It was nothing,” she said.
“Madam, please don’t take me for a fool. It’s clear to me your sister has caused some kind of scandal at home and you and she think by coming here and marrying me by trickery that she will somehow be allowed back in the good graces of society. You may as well tell me what’s happened as I have no intention of ever marrying Elizabeth. Not in this lifetime or any other.”
Elizabeth burst into tears and fled the room.
Penelope let out a deep sigh but answered my question. “She was caught in the stables with one of the men who tend to the horses.”
“Caught in what manner?” I knew sometimes scandals were made of innocent acts and just because I didn’t want to marry her, didn’t mean I ill-wished her.
“Exactly what you think.” A tear slid down Penelope’s cheek. “But it was clear they’d consummated the relationship.”
“And you wanted me to marry her without that knowledge?”
“I’m sorry. It seemed like a good plan for her.”
Shaking my head, but not really angry any longer since I knew she wasn’t going to trap me, I asked the other question I wanted answered. “And Tobias? Are you using him as well? You need to tell me because if I find out you are—”
“No.” She held her hands together in a pleading manner. “Please believe me. I have always, always loved him. My marriage was forced on me by my parents. I would’ve run away with Tobias in an instant had he asked.” Two more tears went down her face. She swiped them away. “He never asked.”
“He can be stubborn, you know.” I grinned as I believed her. Even though my brother could be hard to be around, I was glad he would finally be happy.
“I do know.”
Tobias came in. “Know what?”
“That you can be impossible. Loveable, but impossible,” I said.
“Are you drunk?” he asked.
“Almost.” I set my glass on the table and stood. “And now, I’ll leave you. I have some thinking to do that’s better done alone.”
On my way out through the kitchen, I grabbed the bottle of rum.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lydia
Three weeks had passed since the day the plantation was awarded to me. I'd been allowed to keep my father's treasure as well. Silas was going to heal and the magistrate didn't charge me with a crime as I was defending myself from a man pointing a gun at me. The magistrate also indicated I could pursue Silas for what he'd stolen over the years, but I wasn't interested in that as long as the man stayed away from me. He agreed and I'd heard he left the island.
Nathaniel and I also came to terms and I heard he and Cecily were moving to Barbados.
Barnabas sailed away after his fight with Leo, but I wasn’t sure he was gone for good.
As for Leo himself, I heard the new vicar was on the way and the old one had left to return to England. No word about who had gone with him. I hated myself for thinking he'd come to the inn to see me that day after the trial, but he never did. I guess it was just as well that he severed our relationship the way he did so I could move past it. I did wonder why he made the statements to Barnabas that I was his woman. He must have just been wanting to hit Barnabas because of the way he was treated on the ship on the way back from Nassau.
My new venture was keeping me busy and I only thought about Leo when I was alone in bed late in the evening.
There was so much to do and learn, the days passed in a blur. I was proud of all I'd accomplished in learning how to make rum and about the sugar business. The former slaves and indentured servants who decided to stay with me were a joy to work with as they now each had a stake in the profits of the plantation. Each man, woman and child would be rewarded as monies came in. I was also using part of my father's treasure to build better housing for them all as he'd told Marguerite he wanted to do. So far, no retired pirates had shown up for lodging or a home, but I thought maybe someday once word got out what we were doing out here, that some would come.
This morning was hotter outside than usual. I tied my hair back in a cloth to try to keep it from falling into my neck. I was going into the sugar house where the heat was unbearable. The sweat shone on the men as they worked in there. Not for the first time did I envy them their ability to work without a shirt.
I'd already scandalized the island by setting up my operations the way I had and working beside the men and women was even more noteworthy. If I started stripping off to the waist, I'd probably be run off the island. Not that I'd do that. After all, my scars aren't the kind one wants to show off to the world. Although knowing I'd been subjected to some of the same treatments my workers had been might make them trust me more. They still seemed a bit afraid I was tricking them in some way. I hoped time would show them I was not going to go back on my word.
That first day, they all looked at me as if I were insane, but eventually, I was able to convince two of the older men to listen to my plan. They spoke to the others and we soon had terms agreed to and a ledger set with each person's duties and ownership interest set down. Since then, I'd been learning all I could.
"Miss Lydia, there's a man and woman at the main house looking for you," Abigail said. She took the pole I had in my hand. "I'll stir this a while."
"Did they say who they were?" I rubbed my hands on the apron I wore and used it to wipe the sweat off my face and neck as well.
"No. They rode up in a cart and asked for you."
"All right. I'll be back soon. Don't leave baby Josiah alone too long. If I'm gone for more than a few minutes, find someone to take over for you."
"Yes, ma'am. Bless you, ma'am."
"Lydia. Just call me Lydia." That was one of the hardest parts of what I was attempting to accomplish. They still wanted me to be their master and I certainly did not want that title. Once the plantation was running the way I wanted, I might have to leave so they'd operate it among themselves. Someone had to be in charge and that was the dilemma. I surely didn't want an evil overseer type person, but I didn't want them to be overly solicitous to me either.
"Yes, ma'am." Abigail giggled. "Lydia."
Shaking my head, I walked out of the sugar house and past several outbuildings until I reached the curve in the path running between the house and the barn.
When I saw who was standing beside the cart, I let out a whoop and ran as fast as I could. I tossed myself into Benedict's arms so hard I almost toppled him over. Tears of joy ran down my face. I hadn't realized how much I missed him until he was standing here. He'd written me a couple of letters, but here he was. An ally in an alien world.
"That's some greeting, Miss Lydia." He laughed and spun me around. "You sure look like you've been working hard."
"I have. I want to tell you and Angela all about it."
As soon as Benedict released me, I turned to her. "Is he treating you right?"
She smiled. "Oh yes. We're doing quite well."
"Come inside. You must need tea or a cake or something." I turned to lead them inside.
Benedict grabbed my upper arm. "Before we go in, there's something we need to share with you. And you may want us to leave."
I couldn't imagine what it could be. I'd never turn Ben away from my home. "Nonsense. I can't think of one thing you could tell me that would cause me to want you to leave." I searched his face for any sign of distress.
"Let me show you because you might."
Hands on hips and losing patience with him, I said, "Fine. What is it?"
"More like who is it," Angela said.
My stomach fell to me feet. What was this about?
I looked from Benedict to Angela and back to Benedict. "What have you done?"
They didn't say a word but both turned to look at the cart.
"You may as well come out. It's a long way back to town," Angela finally said.
To my shock, Leo Mountbank rose from the bed of the cart where he must have been hiding. He had a sheepish grin on his face. Or was that a tiny spark of fear I saw?
