Sea of Desire Page 14

  “I do, sweet child. My sympathies are with you.”

  “There is more to this situation than that,” Jared interrupted.

  “Now Captain.” Franklin held up his hand, palm out. “Let us give Lady Merideth a chance to speak her piece.”

  The captain didn’t like it—Merideth noticed the stubborn jut of his jaw—but he sat back, arms crossed, and held his tongue. If Franklin noted Captain Blackstone’s reaction, he made no comment before again facing Merideth. “What do you propose be done at this point?” he asked, as the breeze caught a lock of his long frizzled hair.

  “It’s quite simple. I should be returned to my home at Land’s End. As for Captain Blackstone... before he began this... this wild adventure, he was sitting in a cell awaiting the hangman.”

  “Now wait just a minute!” Jared leaned forward, hands on knees. Only Franklin’s placating hand kept him from leaping up.

  “Are you suggesting Captain Blackstone should be returned to that cell?”

  “Well...” Merideth swallowed. “He was convicted of the crime.”

  “The hell you say!”

  “Now Captain.”

  “With due respect, Dr. Franklin, I cannot sit by and listen to her advocate I voluntarily hang for a crime I did not commit.”

  “I am simply trying to ascertain what Lady Merideth thinks is fair. She has been through an ordeal.”

  Both Merideth and Dr. Franklin pretended not to hear Jared’s derisive snort.

  “Lady Merideth.” Franklin took a sip of wine and leaned back into the cushions of his chair. “Do you feel Captain Blackstone killed your father?”

  The question was succinct and to the point, surprising coming from a man who appeared to be completely relaxed. “Well, I...” What did she think? At the time, Merideth had been convinced of his guilt. Now...? “The constable and court thought so.”

  “But the question is, do you?”

  She couldn’t help it; her eyes strayed to the captain’s, drawn in a way she couldn’t explain. He stared at her with those green eyes as if he could see clear to her soul and was privy to her thoughts. But that was ridiculous.

  She cleared her throat, forcing her attention back to Franklin. “What I think is immaterial. Captain Blackstone did come to my home at night, uninvited. I did find him in the library with my father. He held a pistol, a discharged pistol. He was wounded, and my father was... was dead,”

  Merideth lifted her chin and took a deep breath. When she recounted the circumstances, it certainly appeared that the court was correct in their verdict.

  “I didn’t kill your father.”

  How could one softly spoken denial counter all she knew? But it did. Had she lost her mind?

  “So, Captain, you deny Lady Merideth’s claim.”

  “Aye. To begin with, I was invited to Banistar Hall. At least Lord Alfred expected someone. Whether you wish to know of a spy in your midst or not, Lord Alfred had the name of one. And he was very willing to exchange that information for gold.”

  “He didn’t!” Now it was Merideth’s turn to object to what was being said.

  “You’re right there. He was killed—and not by me—before he could give me the name.”

  “Aren’t you going to repeat your preposterous notion that he said I knew the name?”

  Jared said nothing. He merely crossed his arms and leveled his ice-green stare on her till she swung her head around, spilling golden curls over her shoulder.

  “It appears we have ourselves a quandary.” Franklin templed his finger tips and peered through his spectacles at both young people. “I tend to believe Captain Blackstone—now, wait till you hear me out, Lady Merideth. I tend to believe that he didn’t kill your father. You yourself appear to doubt his guilt there, unless I’m mistaken.”

  Merideth wanted to but could not deny his assumption. She said nothing, and moments later Franklin continued. “As for the question of a spy, I really have no thoughts. Since I have no funds to purchase a name, even if I wished to do so, it seems to be a moot point. Lady Merideth”—Franklin smiled sadly—“I’m very sorry for your loss, but I will not attempt to return Captain Blackstone to a fate I doubt he deserves. You, however, must be returned to your home, with all haste.”

  “I shall see her returned safely,” Jared said. Damn, when he got his hands on Daniel, he’d throttle him soundly.

  “Nonsense, you are a persona non grata in Lady Merideth’s neighborhood. I shall see our guest safely returned through diplomatic channels. In the meanwhile”—Franklin stood and brushed crumbs from his lap—“she can stay here with my grandsons and me.”

  “I couldn’t impose.”

  “Don’t be silly, dear child. Look at his place.” His arm swept toward the mansion. “The du Chaumonts afford me too much room for just the three of us. Besides, it shan’t be for long.”

  It was decided.

  Jared had his wish of having Lady Merideth taken off his hands. He could return to his ship, which hopefully was near to being refitted, and head for the open seas. It wasn’t as if everything was the same. A man had been killed. And though Franklin might believe him, and Lady Merideth might begrudgingly admit his guilt was in question, the fact remained that he was wanted for murder in England. But, then, he was also wanted for piracy, a hazard of being an American privateer.

  All things considered, he supposed he was getting out of this debacle pretty well—certainly a lot better than his brother had when he had dabbled in espionage. Then why couldn’t he shake the mantle of despair that hung over him?

  Lady Merideth.

  The part of him that couldn’t wait to be rid of her warred with the part that was fiercely attracted to her. It had been this way since the moment he first saw her, and try as he might, it hadn’t abated.

  Leaving was by far the best thing he could do. What self-discipline had failed to do, distance would surely accomplish. So as soon as the decision was made that he would return to his ship and Merideth would stay, Jared took his leave.

  Franklin arranged for the loan of a horse from the du Chaumont’s stable. Jared’s good-byes to Lady Merideth were brief, and done in the presence of Dr. Franklin. She seemed satisfied with the arrangement, and so, Jared reminded himself, did he.

  Merideth watched Captain Blackstone ride down the lane, his broad shoulders straight, and wondered why she felt so dejected. She was rid of him at last. Safe with Dr. Franklin, who promised her speedy return to England. Considering the circumstances, everything had worked out as well as possible. Her father was dead. Nothing would ever change that. But at least she could now mourn him in peace.

  At the foot of the lane, with the sun dappling through the arched leaves overhead, the captain reined in his horse and turned in the saddle. His wave was meant for Dr. Franklin, she was sure, but it made her stomach flutter. With that he turned the corner and disappeared from sight. And Merideth sighed. She didn’t mean to, and ‘twas not a loud noise, but she was certain Dr. Franklin heard it, for he chuckled softly.

  Drawing herself up to her full height, Merideth faced him, hoping her cheeks were not red. “I thank you, sir, for your hospitality, but I should very much like to return to my home as soon as possible.”

  “Of course you would. I shall write a correspondence this very afternoon to my good friend Lord Tinsly. Together we should be able to arrange something.”

  “I thank you, sir.”

  “No need to thank me.” Franklin offered his arm, and together they walked back through the garden. “It shall be pleasant having a young lady about, even for a short while. My grandsons miss the gentle ways of a woman, as do I.”

  “Well, I shall be most pleased to offer what assistance I can.”

  Ben smiled and patted the hand resting on his sleeve as they strolled along the brick path. “How very kind of you. And now I think I shall send word to Madame Geaudaux. She is a dear lady who lives very close. Do not breathe a word of this, but I think she is enamored of me.” Ben laughed and Me
rideth joined him. “At any rate, she is a wonderful friend and just the one to help us.”

  “Help us?”

  “That is your only gown, is it not?”

  Merideth glanced down to where the captain’s cloak covered her dress. “Yes,” she admitted.

  “And I gather, the way you keep it covered, it is not to your liking.”

  This brought another peal of laughter from Merideth. “Hardly. The gown I wore when kidnapped was soiled, so the captain had one of his crew purchase this for me.”

  “Well, we must see that you get another. You are far too pleasing to the eyes to keep yourself covered so.”

  As much as Merideth longed for something else to wear, honesty forced her to speak. “I haven’t any coin.”

  “ ‘Tis naught to worry about.”

  “You don’t understand. I can’t even pay you back when I reach Land’s End. I’m afraid... there are debts.” She couldn’t even imagine how those debts had multiplied since her abduction from Banistar Hall.

  Dr. Franklin seemed to ponder this a minute; then he looked up, his eyes shining. “Have you ever considered becoming a governess, Lady Merideth? No, no, of course you haven’t. But I think you’d make an excellent one... if only temporarily. And I know two boys who could use one.”

  “But I—”

  Franklin paused as they neared the small garden building. From inside came the sound of young voices. “You’d be doing me a favor and paying for your gown at the same time.” As he spoke, the voices became louder, raised in argument.

  “I shall tell Grandfather if you don’t.”

  “I don’t care what you say. You think you are so smart, just because you’re older.”

  “Give me that or I’ll show you just how much older and larger I am.”

  “Grandfather! Grandfather!”

  As Merideth watched, the boys exploded from the building and rushed toward Dr. Franklin. He looked at her, a wry expression on his face. “I think perhaps two gowns,” was all he said before his grandsons surrounded him.

  Chapter Ten

  He had been summoned back to Passy.

  The post, nestled snugly in the pocket of his waistcoat, crinkled as Jared dismounted in front of the Hôtel de Valentinois, the large estate where Franklin was staying. It had been nearly a month since he’d ridden away. And, Lord help him, he couldn’t suppress the thrill being here again created.

  Was Merideth Banistar still here?

  Benjamin Franklin hadn’t mentioned her in his letter, the letter that had awaited Jared in Morlaix when he’d returned from his latest foray into the channel. Franklin had simply stated that he needed to see Jared about a matter of great importance, and could the captain possibly call on him at his earliest convenience.

  The request suggested a jaunt to the country rather than the long trip it was, but Jared hadn’t taken the time to eat a hot meal before he was galloping across the French countryside. En route he repressed thoughts about why he’d rushed off to Passy. But now, with his bootheels clicking a staccato on the stone walk leading to the door, he knew.

  He wanted to see Merideth Banistar again. Or, if she was gone, at least have some word of her. She’d never been far from his thoughts since he’d left. The sky reminded him of her eyes; his cabin held her scent, so hauntingly strong on his pillow that it kept him awake nights. He ached for her in a way he’d never experienced before.

  And he wanted it to stop.

  If absence didn’t work, then he welcomed this opportunity to see her again. Certainly she wasn’t as beautiful as he remembered. Surely she had some flaw he’d yet to notice. Besides, of course, the fact that she was a traitor to her country. But Jared found that even knowing that didn’t quell his obsession with her.

  Pushing away those thoughts, Jared knocked on the door. Evening had fallen, and the hallway was aglow with candlelight when the servant answered. Jared was ushered into a large room where murals of pastoral scenes in muted colors adorned the walls. He had always considered his own home at Royal Oak grand, but it didn’t compare to this.

  “Ah, Captain Blackstone, you’ve come.”

  Jared turned from his examination of one of the paintings at the sound of Dr. Franklin’s voice. The older man stood stooped over a gnarled walking stick. He carried a simple felt hat in his other hand.

  “I was just on my way to Madame d’Abbeville’s soiree. Won’t you join me?”

  Jared had not known what to expect from the request that he come to Passy, but he hadn’t thought it an invitation to a soiree. “I... I’m hardly dressed for socializing. I rode from Morlaix as soon as I received your message.”

  “Nonsense, Captain.” Franklin let his gaze travel over Jared’s black waistcoat. Snug breeches were stuffed into high black riding boots. “You look splendid. Besides, the ladies expect us colonials to garb ourselves simply, and they love it.” This last he said in a loud whisper, punctuated by a wink.

  Jared had to admit, Franklin’s own clothes were almost Puritanical in cut and cloth. With a shrug he followed the older man, who obviously thought the matter closed, into the hallway.

  “Madame du Chaumont offered me the use of her coach, so we needn’t walk. It isn’t far, perhaps three miles, but my gout seems to be reminding me of its existence tonight.”

  Jared helped Franklin into the coach, then climbed in himself. When they were settled, he gave the signal to the coachman to begin.

  “Testy problem, old age,” Franklin began. “The spirit is still so willing. ‘Tis the body that rebels.”

  “You seem quite active.”

  “Not nearly so much as I’d like.” After that admission Franklin steered the conversation to a series of inconsequential topics. The merits of Monsieur du Chaumont’s chef. The unseasonably cool weather. The sexual exploits of his friend, Madame de Beaumarchais.

  The dialogue was interesting, but not once did Franklin touch upon the two subjects of most interest to Jared. Why had he been summoned to Passy? And what had become of Merideth Banistar?

  Finally, he could stand it no more. During a lull brought on by Dr. Franklin searching his mind for a name, Jared said, “I assume Lady Merideth has returned safely to Land’s End by now.”

  If Franklin was surprised by the abrupt change of subject, he didn’t show it. Instead he smiled, that smile that made Jared think he knew more than he pretended. “It would seem such things take longer than I thought.”

  “Do you mean she’s still in Passy?” Damn, he hated that his heart was racing.

  “Oh, of course. Didn’t I tell you? She’s already at Madame d’Abbeville’s estate. She spent the day there.”

  “I thought she’d be home to England by now.”

  “Did you really?”

  Jared couldn’t make out Franklin’s expression in the dim light of the coach, but his tone was distinctly skeptical. Jared had the uncomfortable feeling that the older man knew exactly what he was thinking.

  “She’s been quite a blessing, you know.”

  “Has she?”

  “Yes. She is wonderful with the boys. Don’t tell her I said this, but I think both of them fancy themselves in love with her.”

  Jared remained quiet.

  “Will especially. He rushes to fulfill her every wish.”

  “How nice for her.”

  “Now Captain, don’t sound so cynical. Lady Merideth is very careful not to take advantage. She gives much more than she receives.”

  By the way Franklin spoke of her, Jared would wager Franklin’s grandsons weren’t the only ones who fancied themselves in love. It was time to bring him back to reality. “Has she mentioned the name of the American traitor yet?”

  “What?” Franklin reached for his cane as the coach slowed, brushing the inquiry aside. “Oh, no. I truly don’t believe she knows anything about a traitor.”

  “But her father said—”

  “Yes, yes, I know what he told you. Let’s speak of it no more tonight.” Franklin opened the coach
door himself and alighted before Jared could even reach out to assist him.

  They’d stopped before a lavish stone mansion. Each one of its myriad windows sparkled with light, casting a pale-yellow wash over a circular drive clogged with coaches. As soon as the front door was opened, Jared could hear the melodic sound of women’s laughter mingled with the strains of violins.

  A spiral staircase led to the second-floor ballroom. No sooner were they announced than two ladies with rouged cheeks and nearly exposed bosoms approached Dr. Franklin. Each of them grabbed an arm and pulled him into the room. Where the butler’s voice had barely carried over the din of noise, the one woman’s loud chatter did.

  She announced for all to hear that the beloved Dr. Franklin had finally arrived. Standing where he was left when the women dragged away the ambassador, Jared watched the proceedings with amusement. Though a fairly tall man, Franklin’s entourage dwarfed him by virtue of their preponderance of powdered hair and billowy gowns. They seemed to adore the old man, and, judging by the liveliness of Franklin’s step, the feeling was mutual.

  More people were moving toward Franklin, and Jared scanned the group, a smile etching his face. He realized he was looking for Merideth, and he felt a stab of regret when he didn’t see her. His focus broadened. Though the room was large, the crush of wide silk gowns and humanity made it appear crowded. His gaze skimmed across the dancers near the raised stage at the far end of the room and froze.

  She was dancing. Jared stopped himself from moving toward her. Instead he watched, losing sight of her occasionally as other dancers stepped between them.

  She was more beautiful than he’d remembered, and he was transfixed.

  Her head tilted and she smiled at her partner. Jared felt the air tingle as if a storm were approaching. He swallowed and forced himself to look at her partner.