Romney Marsh Trilogy: A Gentleman by Any Other Name / The Dangerous Debutante / Beware of Virtuous Women. Kasey Michaels
Читать онлайн книгу.
Her vicar father either rode with the local smugglers before his death or, at the least, allowed them to use his church as a hidey-hole. No matter what, Julia is very much in sympathy with the smugglers.”
Ainsley looked at him, just looked at him. And waited.
“You want me to say it all, don’t you? Very well,” Chance said, knowing no one had ever won a staring match with Geoffrey Baskin; a change of name and the passage of more than a dozen years hadn’t seemed to change that.
“I want to know if you understand, that’s all.”
“Oh, I understand. She sees too much and she asks too many questions. Billy knows that because he was there with us on the Marsh when we stumbled over the boys, and what Billy knows, Jacko knows, along with God only knows how many others at the Last Voyage. And we both know how superstitious those two are about women, no matter that we aren’t aboard ship anymore.”
“Billy still walks as if he is, and Jacko has a sad past when it comes to women, so we’ll excuse him.”
“A sad past, is it? I heard it was a case of the pox with one and a bash over the head and a stolen purse with another.”
“There’s also the one in Santiago he found in bed with another woman—and if you ever repeat that, we’re both as good as dead men,” Ainsley said, getting to his feet, still straight and slim, handsome as well as impressive in his unremitting black. “I’ve spoken with Odette.”
Chance smiled wryly, happy to be back on such close footing with the captain. “Yes, so have I. According to Odette, Julia will follow wherever I go and never betray me, so I suppose I should relax.”
“She also said that Isabella and I would live to see our many children and grandchildren,” Ainsley said as he rubbed at the back of his neck.
There was shared pain in the small silence that followed Ainsley’s words.
“You’re worried I might go all soft on her. Let my heart rule my head. Don’t be. I’ll watch her,” Chance promised quietly at last, keeping his tone neutral.
“No, you’ll take Billy and get on with your business, and we’ll watch her. The moon’s still right for another run tonight and Court will handle that, our crew guarding the men as they land and until the goods are safely concealed before they can be moved inland.”
“They can’t use the crude hidey-hole I saw last night. The Red Men Gang will certainly be watching for them there.”
“Agreed, and we don’t want another fight—yet. It’s unfortunate, but we see no other avenue at this late date but to hide the goods in the village.”
Chance put a hand to his head and began rubbing at his forehead, wishing he didn’t have to ask the question. “Landing where?”
“On the sands, as they’ve done before. Nearly under my nose, which shows how senile I’ve grown. There have been mistakes made, Chance, and they will be remedied. But for tonight we’ve got no choice. Only two dozen small boats land at midnight, carrying silk, coffee, gin and brandy, rowing across the Channel, if that tells you how desperate these men are and why the goods won’t be moved again until tomorrow night. They’ll arrive exhausted.”
“The sands aren’t a good idea.”
“Why? Because Court picked the area, not you? Everyone knows the sands are treacherous to anyone unfamiliar with them, so I don’t expect any problems from the dragoons.”
“Is that so?” Chance reached into his pocket and pulled out the brass button, tossed it to Ainsley. “I found this an hour ago in the tall reeds and grass not six feet from the path leading from the sands. From the shine still on it, it hadn’t been there long.”
“Sweet Christ and all the little fishes, as Jacko would say.” Ainsley pocketed the button. “This is my fault, Chance. I haven’t been paying attention. I’ve let them all grow up wild and headstrong.”
“You taught me. You, Jacko, Billy,” Chance reminded him. “It’s not too late for the others.”
“No, it’s not. But it could have been. Court is learning and doing well on his own, if not brilliantly, but there’s still Spence and Rian to consider.” Ainsley smiled ruefully as he stood up, came out from behind the desk. “You know, I think I rather fancy the idea of a cape and mask. That touch of drama and mystery.”
“Oh, no. You’re considering riding out as the Black Ghost? Don’t you think you’re past such adventures, old man?”
“I’ll ignore that insult,” Ainsley said. “I can plan here,” he said, leaning over the table of maps and charts. “A leader leads, Chance, and teaches by example. You said that. We both know that.”
Chance gave in to the excitement of the moment, his memories of following wherever Captain Geoffrey Baskin went, drinking in all he could learn, dancing in his brain. “Exactly so. And why should you have all the fun? Don’t bother to deny it, you’ve got your blood up, Cap’n, and you’re enjoying yourself. I remember that look. I sailed at your side for over eight years and I’m riding with you tonight.”
“From boy to young man, and I’ve missed you. But, no, you’re not riding tonight. I need you to find out more about these Red Men so that we can deal with them where they are before we bring the attentions of the Preventative Waterguard and the dragoons too close to Becket Hall.”
Chance smiled. “Yes, I thought the same thing earlier. A wise bird never soils its own nest.”
“Exactly as I explained to Court an hour ago. We never struck anywhere near the island. But enough of that. I’ve already told Billy to have the Respite ready for you in an hour, and that was thirty minutes ago. Go say your farewells to the inquisitive Miss Carruthers and be back here by the end of the week. Oh, and for God’s sake, don’t warn her to stay away from the windows tonight, because—”
“Because that would only ensure that she’d find a spyglass somewhere and keep watch until dawn. Yes, I know. I’ll see you Friday. Try not to get shot or captured, if you don’t mind. I do have my position at the War Office to consider—along with the length of my neck, which I like as it is, thank you. Are you sure you’ll be all right? It’s been a long time since you’ve been out on a run.”
“Cornwall, when I was younger than Cassandra is now. I do recall my own incautious youth, as well as remembering why my brother and I found it necessary to leave there and travel to the islands. And I won’t be out on a run, Chance, but merely waiting here on dry land. When I left the sea, I vowed never to go back, remember? That includes jaunts across the Channel. I told you, Court has held the Black Ghost’s involvement to the shore and inland, thank God.”
“Speaking of Court, does my little brother know you’re taking command?”
Ainsley’s eyes shone in real amusement. “Why do you think he was so ready to punch something?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHANCE LEFT THE STUDY, smiling, losing that smile when he remembered that he had to say goodbye to Julia before getting on with his business. Business that might be dangerous on some level but that had his blood running—although a smart man wouldn’t let Miss Julia Carruthers so much as think she’d glimpsed a hint of that excitement.
He passed Morgan on the stairs, and she stopped him to ask, “What’s going on? Court looks like a thundercloud, and when I asked if he’s going out tonight he all but stripped off my hide and fed it to me.”
“Good, that will save me the bother,” Chance said, chucking her beneath her chin, believing he’d found the perfect fib to keep the girl out of trouble. “But I will give you a word of warning, dear sister. Ainsley knows.”
Morgan’s face went deathly pale. “Papa…he knows? He knows I sneaked out and rode with Court a time or two? Who told him? You tell me, Chance—which one of you tattled? It was you, wasn’t