Donnan's Rose, page 11
First, she needed to dress. That meant wearing the clothes she'd worn to sneak aboard. Afterwards, she would find her way up to the outside. Donnan was the captain. He'd most likely be at what she'd heard referred to as the helm.
Rosalind smiled at the memory of the image of Donnan when he'd caught her. Dressed in black boots and trousers, he'd had on a shirt left half unbuttoned, showing off his muscular chest. He cut quite an intimidating figure dressed that way, his hair unbound from its usual neat ribboned ponytail. Donnan was not like other men, never had been. She knew it was all an act. In her eyes, it was as though he were playing cards, never letting anyone know which ones he was holding.
She dressed as quickly as she could under the circumstances. Dressing while something moved under her made things take more time. It also made her stomach roll. No matter, once she found Donnan, they could have breakfast. She would have him show her around the ship further.
Opening the door, she was greeted face to face with one of the sailors. Not easily intimidated, she greeted him as she came out of Donnan's quarters.
"I'm sorry. I cannot let you leave, my lady." He took one step toward her, causing her to move backwards and into the half-opened cabin door.
"Why not? Do you know who my husband is?" she bit off.
"Aye, my lady. His orders were to keep you confined to his cabin."
"He did what? No, you're mistaken. He'd never order such a thing, and I demand to see him. Now!"
The sailor grinned. Half his teeth were missing, and it was obvious he hadn't bathed in some time by the odor lingering around him. He stepped toward her again, causing Rosalind to find herself back inside the cabin. The door slammed, and she heard the door lock from the other side.
"Open this door! You cannot lock me in here! I demand to see my husband!" she shrieked. Rosalind began pounding on the heavy door to no avail. If the man was out there, he was ignoring her. The ship was rolling so much she found it hard to keep her balance. She staggered to the window seat to sit down, but the sight of the rolling white cap waves made her stomach heave.
Turning away from the windows, she bent over, holding her head with both hands. She didn't know how long she sat like that, but her head pounded as did her stomach. The room was stifling, and she needed air. Why couldn't that fool man understand that?
Hearing a key in the lock, she dared not move, praying it was Donnan coming to her rescue. She heard boots walking across the room that she recognized as her husband's.
He sat down next to her, saying nothing. They sat in silence, Donnan's fingers caressing the back of her neck.
"What is the problem?"
"I need some air. It's too hot and confining in here. Your man locked me in."
"Aye, as I told him to. It is not safe for you to go up top. Not without me. Especially not during the day. I shall take you out on the deck in the evenings when the men are below deck."
"I can't wait that long. I feel as though I'll be sick if I have to stay in here much longer."
"Hear me and hear me good, Rose. I shall make an exception this once. I'll take you up top for a few minutes. Then you must come back here until I can escort you again. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she replied softly.
"Have you had nothing to eat?"
"No! I told you—your man locked me in here."
"It's for your own good, leannan. Come, we'll go up top for a few minutes. After that, I'll find you something to eat and bring it here for you."
She sighed, saying nothing. Letting Donnan continue his massage of her neck muscles felt wonderful. Finally, Rosalind slowly sat up and gazed at her husband. "I was wrong to sneak on to your ship. I'm sorry, Donnan. I didn't know I would end up being a burden to you."
"You're not a burden. A ship is no place for ladies. Not this sort of ship, that is."
"How long will we be out?"
"A week I suspect, perhaps longer."
"You really suspect your brothers?"
"Aye. I may not be able to prove it this time, but in the end, they will have to deal with the consequences. The Tigress will not back down. I work for Her Majesty, and they will not stop us thinking we're something other than what we are. It is the two of them who deal in merchandise of questionable ownership and origin."
"So you mean to scare them."
"Oh, aye. I want to see Kent's sniveling face when my men board their ship and escort him aboard the Tigress. I imagine he'll wet himself. He has no backbone. Even Rory's told him that."
"Donnan!"
"It's Tavish who's the muscle and brains behind their partnership. Kent is best suited to an office somewhere far from anything that is, in his words, heathen. He would have made a fine vicar in some country parish."
Rosalind giggled at the thought. "I remember your brother and mother having the discussion with him. He would not hear of it."
"Another rebellious MacLeod brother." He chuckled. "Though I dare say Kent has a yellow streak running down his spine."
"Donnan! That is cruel."
"Aye, but 'tis the truth." He chuckled and lifted her chin with his fingers. When he did, he lowered his mouth over hers and kissed her softly. "Enough of those two. If you're feeling better, I will take you up to get some air."
"You're not angry with me for stowing away on your mistress?"
"No. I could never stay angry with you, Rose." He shook his long hair, chuckling. "Perhaps a wee bit, but it passes the moment I see your bonnie face."
"I love you, but may we please go up top? I need some air. I feel as though I'm going to be ill fast if I don't."
"Come, we go now. Stay close to me, leannan."
She nodded her head and followed him out of his cabin and down the narrow corridor.
Chapter 11
Two days later, Rosalind was quietly sitting on the window seat reading a book Donnan had in a trunk in the corner of the cabin. The work of William Shakespeare wouldn't have been her first choice, but there was little to choose from.
The sound of cannon fire quickly caught her attention. She listened closely. The Tigress was not firing; she was being attacked. But by whom?
Being at the stern of the ship gave her a limited view of anything going on to the side or front of the ship. She could see nothing behind or coming at them from behind.
Again, the cannon fire. This time from the Tigress. It was all she could do not to panic. Perhaps they'd come upon a ship, and the two were trying to posture for superiority.
Outside the cabin door, she heard men's voices shouting. Had they been hit? Or worse yet, had they been boarded? If so, by whom? No, that would never happen. The Tigress was a ship not to be played with. She was feared by many. Surely, it was the other way around.
Placing the book by her side, she drew her legs up underneath her and waited for what might come next. She had earned her husband's trust that she'd not go above. He also trusted her to keep the door locked, only opening it to him or James.
Where was he? What was going on? She hated not knowing, but she had learned the deck was no place for a woman. Not on this ship. Most of the men were of questionable backgrounds, willing to die for even the most foolish thing. Even challenging her husband for her. The thought sent a shiver through her.
She heard a large commotion outside the door, and then the sound of a boot kicking the door.
"Open, Rose. I have a surprise for you."
She scurried across the small cabin and opened the door. She jumped out of the way as Donnan entered, thrusting his brother, Kent, ahead of him. He was angry, too, and that did not mix for the person on the receiving end of his wrath.
"Sit down!" he bellowed, forcing Kent into one of the two chairs by the desk.
Rosalind retreated to the bunk, wanting to stay out of the way of the confrontation that was about to occur before her eyes.
"Rosalind? He's ensnared you in his madness?"
"Shut it! You will not speak to my wife! Is that understood! You are my prisoner, Kent. Do you know what that means?"
"Come on, Donnan. The ruse is up. Your days as Lucifer are over. Finished. As soon as you're caught, and I promise that won't be long, you will swing from the gallows. I look forward to seeing it."
Rosalind made a noise, causing both men to turn. Donnan peered down at his sibling, a dark look clouding his face.
"I have a writ from the queen herself. I have her permission to do trade, and to apprehend such as yourself. No, it isn't me who will swing, it'll be you and Tavish."
"Stop it! Both of you!" Rosalind cried out. "Listen to you. You're brothers, not enemies. Kent, I can't believe you allowed yourself to be talked into such a mess. The money was too tempting even for you. You need to thank Donnan that he brought you aboard and didn't sink your ship instead."
"That is still a possibility," Donnan said dryly, his eyes still locked on his brother.
"Tavish said you would try and bully your way out of this."
"What are you talking about, Kent? Tavish is nowhere to be found. He left a boy to do a man's work. I'm not sure which one of you has more of a yellow streak. Tavish or you."
"I have nothing further to say."
"That suits me. My men are going through your hold as we speak. We'll know soon enough exactly what sort of cargo you are really carrying."
Rather than leave her alone, Donnan sat at the window seat Rosalind had occupied minutes before. She eyed both brothers carefully. She knew they'd never been particularly close, but this was beyond her comprehension.
A knock on the door, and James walked in. He motioned to Donnan to join him in the narrow corridor. Donnan pulled a pistol from his waistband and walked over and handed it to Rosalind.
"I'll just be on other side of the door, but if he makes any attempt to leave that chair, you have my permission to shoot him."
"What? She's a woman, for God's sake, Donnan. She knows nothing of handling a pistol," Kent spat.
"Shoot him in the knees, Rose. That ought to stop him." He turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
She could hear him and James talking, but was unable to make out what it was they were discussing. Glancing over at Kent's nervous face, she had no doubt they'd discovered his cargo.
Moments later, her husband stormed through the door, the look of fury flashing in his eyes.
"You! You and Tavish are the ones behind the thefts from the Montlake and Kendell estates? You stole from peerage? Who are your benefactors, Kent? Who are you working for? Tell me now!"
Kent sat quietly, looking at the floor rather than Donnan.
"I cannot answer your questions. I don't have the answers."
"Bollocks! Cannot or will not? Good God, Kent, we are brothers, the three of us. We've never fought against the other," Donnan bellowed. A vein was popping out of his neck, and Rosalind knew he was on the verge of unleashing his wrath.
"Please, Donnan. Do not ask me questions I cannot answer."
"Very well. I'm afraid until Tavish is found and I can talk with him, you leave me no choice but to put you in the brig. Your ship has been seized and is now under my command. Do you understand what I'm saying, Kent?"
Kent sat there, refusing to say anything further. He did nothing but stare at the floor.
"Damn you, Kent! Do you not see I'm trying to help you?"
Silence.
Chapter 12
It was the dead of night when Donnan was awakened by the shivering of the ship. He lay there, not moving. He knew exactly what had just happened. They'd taken a direct hit to the hull.
They'd anchored in a harbor just north of London. His plan had been to sail into London in the morning. He'd turn over the stolen cargo Tavish and Kent had tried to get out of the country.
The stillness of the ship suddenly became panic. He heard men running, yelling. He heard the Tigress groan under the strain as she began taking on water.
Rosalind awoke, groggy and unsure of what was going on. "What is happening?"
"We've been hit."
"No! By who?"
"There's no time for idol talk, Rose. We must move fast. The Tigress is sinking."
She scurried out of bed and pulled on the same clothes she'd been wearing. Donnan did the same, pulling on his boots. He went over to his safe and opened it, handing Rosalind a sheath of papers covered in leather. A pounding on the door made him jerk his head around.
"Capt’n, you and Lady Rosalind must come. We haven't much time. She's taking on water quickly."
"What about Kent?" Rosalind cried out. "Surely you don't mean to leave him?"
"I've got two men on him," James said.
"Who did this, do you know?"
"Aye, but first let's get you off this ship. We can discuss it over brandy later," James chided, leading them up the corridor of chaos.
Donnan grabbed Rosalind's hand and pulled her across the decks, which were filled with men attempting to abandon ship or save what they could. The thick black smoke made it increasingly hard to breath. Land was not far off, a long time plan Donnan had kept.
He urged her into one of the smaller boats, ready to be lowered into the water. Climbing in after his wife, he nodded his head, and the boat descended into the water below.
Rosalind stared at him in disbelief. "You're the captain! Aren't you not supposed to stay with your ship? What of James and Kent?"
"Don't worry lass. They will be fine. We have prepared long and hard in case this ever happened. Trust me, leannan. All will be well."
They watched in silence from afar as the ship listed further in the water. Shouts of men could be heard across the water. Luckily for them, the night was dark, clouded with no moon or stars, making their escape easier.
Donnan commanded the oars as though he'd done this every day of his life. Land was within reach. He and Rosalind had a long journey ahead of them. He shook his head at the thought of her being part of this.
"What's wrong?"
"I never intended for you to ever know of this part of my life. I would never bring you in to harm's way. Not knowingly."
"I know that. It isn't your fault I followed you."
"Once we are on land, we must hurry and get away from here."
"Where will we go?"
"I have a place we can go where we will be safe."
"How?"
"I'll tell you later. Right now, we have to get out of sight. Quickly."
They hit the shore, and a sailor from the ship appeared out of the bush. Without saying a word, he pushed the small boat back into the water and towards the listing ship.
Donnan grinned at his wife as he took her hand and led her away. They had walked for the better part of two hours in silence. He wanted to get them off the roads and somewhere safe before the sun came up and revealed all.
"How much further?" he heard her whisper. Rosalind was about at her breaking point. He knew she was exhausted by the night’s events.
"We're almost there."
"Where is there, Donnan? I know if you suspect your brothers are behind the attack of your ship, Tavish will be scouring the countryside for us."
"Let him look. He will never find us, either."
"How can you be so sure? He seems to have an endless supply of men to look for us."
"Aye, but they will be looking in all the obvious places. My London home, Edinburgh. They'll not find us."
"Husband, I am in no mood for rhymes. I am tired, dirty, and all I want is a hot bath and a bed."
"Aye, you do not smell so lovely." He chuckled.
The sound of a low whistle made Donnan stop in the center of the road. He returned the call with one of his own. Out from under a grove of trees came Wallace leading a pair pulling a small farm cart.
"How?"
"Don't worry. Get in. We'll be at our destination shortly."
Doing as she was instructed, Rosalind let Donnan hand her up to Wallace, who still said nothing but grinned widely. He joined her in the back of the cart as Wallace drove them on.
Finally, the cart pulled up behind a house in a part of London Donnan knew his wife would be unfamiliar with. He'd yet to take her to his London residence, but now wasn't the time. To anyone who might be up at this early hour, they'd think nothing about a delivery from a vendor.
Wallace unlocked the back door and handed the key to Donnan. The two brothers talked low as Rosalind entered the house and waited on her husband.
Finally, when Wallace left in the cart, Donnan shut and locked the door behind him. He led his wife by the hand through the kitchen and up the back stairs to the second floor. Leading her down the hall, he opened a closed door to a bedroom.
"We're at a property I own. We'll be safe here until the talk of the sinking of the Tigress dies down."
"But how did Wallace know to find us?"
"I have an elaborate means of communication. Now I don't know about you, but I'm hungry, and I'm sure you'd like a hot bath."
"Yes, I would love a bath, but I have nothing to wear. Unless that is your plan."
"No, not at the moment. Wallace was able to procure clothing for you."
Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as she realized the severity of their situation. "You are going to let people think we perished in the sinking?"
"Aye, we must. It's the only way to find out what's truly going on."
"I see."
"Though I have my suspicions."
"You don't believe your brothers were after Lucifer the pirate? Or you don't believe they were after you?"
"My family may not always get along, leannan, but we never cross the line and fight against the other. It's not how we were raised."
"What about all that's happened? What Kent said on the ship? His and Tavish's men looking for you?"
"That is what I'm looking into. Until I have the answers and can trust both of them, we hide. Let everyone believe the pirate Lucifer has perished."
"How?" Rosalind sighed and shook her head. "Right now, all I want is a bath, a meal, and a bed."
"Let's start a fire and get water on to bathe."
