Enchantress (32 page)

Cappy watched the color drain from Wilhelmina’s face, for she knew she was beaten. Finally she had been caught at her bold game. There was no pity in Cappy’s heart either for her or the doctor, for they had conspired to do murder.

After Thorn and Cappy left the room, Wilhelmina slipped out of bed, her face a mask of rage. “I will not have it,” she cried out. “Thorn cannot put me out.”

A chastened George Cross tucked his shirt into his trousers. “You have no choice, Wilhelmina. It’s either leave, or be arrested. Thorn Stoddard meant what he said.”

She made a wide sweep with her hand. “I cannot give all this up.”

“You will have me,” he reminded her. “I will take care of you.”

Hysterical laughter bubbled out of her mouth. “I have you! Good Lord, man, do you know what I will be losing?”

“But you
have
lost, Wilhelmina,” he reminded her.

Her shoulders slumped, and she dropped down on the bed. Yes, she had lost everything. She tried not to think about that night so long ago, when she had stood in a moonlit garden with Thorn, and he had pledged her his love. That was the night she had lost. That night she had the world at her fingertips, and she had thrown it all away.

A short time later, a buggy pulled away from the house and rattled down the dusty road. No one had come forward to wish Wilhelmina good-bye, and no one would grieve at her leaving.

As the buggy pulled out of the gate, she turned back to look for the last time upon Stoddard Hill.

Cappy was raising the new sails over the
Victorious
, because Thorn had insisted that she be shipshape when she was handed over to the Turks.

Out of the corner of his eye, Cappy watched the Turkish ship approach Charleston Harbor. It was close enough for him to see that the name of the ship was the
Marmora.
With a feeling of dread, he sent Francisco to keep an eye on the Turks while he finished the last task he would perform aboard the
Victorious.

The United States government had ordered Captain Stoddard to turn his vessel over to the Turkish government. More than likely, the crew aboard the
Marmora
was here to take command of the
Victorious.

After the sails were in place, Cappy instructed the crew that the decks were to be swabbed until they gleamed. This was a grand old ship, and she would be clean from fore to aft when she was relinquished.

“Cappy,” Francisco called out, hurrying up the gangplank, his eyes darting back behind him. “There is a Turk and a woman coming on board. I don’t know who they are.”

Cappy looked first at the tall, distinguished man, who was dressed in long, flowing robes. He appeared to be someone of importance.

His eyes went next to the woman at the man’s side, and Cappy was taken by surprise with her delicate beauty. She was like a golden angel in the white gown that flowed with each graceful motion. If Cappy had ever seen a more beautiful
woman, he could not remember when. As she drew closer, he saw her green eyes, and he knew immediately who she was.

“The English Rose,” he whispered to himself.

“May I come aboard?” the man called out.

Cappy also knew who the man was. “Yes, Lord Simijin, come aboard; but have a care, for the deck is wet.”

“You know who I am?” Simijin asked in surprise.

“I figured it out.”

“I fear I do not know who you are,” Simijin said apologetically.

Cappy came to full attention. “I am first mate of the
Victorious.
Name’s Cappy Hamish.”

Simijin glanced around. “Is your captain on board?”

“No, sir. He’s at his house in town. Can I be of assistance to you?”

Simijin saw that the crew swabbing the deck had paused in their work to stare at them with interest. “Can we go somewhere where we can talk?”

“Of course, Lord Simijin. The captain won’t mind if we use his cabin.” Cappy dared to steal another look at the beautiful English Rose, and he saw worry reflected in her green eyes. “Come with me,” he said kindly, knowing she was worried about her daughter. He wanted to assure her that Brittany was safe.

Jillianna looked around the captain’s cabin without really seeing it. When she and Simijin were alone with the first mate, she could no longer contain her questions. “Do you know my daughter, Mr. Hamish?”

“Yes, Lady Jillianna. I know her quite well.”

She reached out to him, her green eyes swimming with tears. “Is she here? Is she unharmed?”

“Yes, madame. But you will want to talk to my captain about her.”

Jillianna sank down in a chair, her eyes pleading. “I have come a long way, Mr. Hamish, and I cannot tell you of the concern I have for my daughter. Please do not make me wait
another moment for word of her. I beseech you to tell me everything you know.”

Cappy knew he could not deny her desperate plea. As he looked into luminous green eyes so like Brittany’s, he wondered if any man living could deny the English Rose her slightest request.

Thorn rushed up the stairs, calling Brittany’s name. When he got no response, he looked inside his bedroom, but she was not there. Anger tugged at his mind as he retraced his steps. He had in his pocket a bill of sale for the
Victorious
that proved Brittany had been meddling in his affairs once again.

Standing on the back porch, his eyes made a wide sweep of the lawn, and he located Brittany by the river. Still angry, he made his way down to her.

When he drew even with her, he waved a paper in her face. “Even after I told you not to, you still interfered.”

She shook her head in bewilderment. “I do not know what you are accusing me of.”

“Don’t you?”

“No.”

“I have here a paper signed by Lady Jillianna Maridon. Who would have done such a thing but you?”

She glanced at the paper he shoved at her. “I do not know unless…unless…” Her heart pounded with joy as she recognized the handwriting. She glanced up toward the house, and mouthed the words: “Mama.”

Thorn turned to see a woman walking slowly toward them. The setting sun was behind her, and it shone brilliantly upon her golden head.

Brittany ran toward the lovely vision, with her arms outstretched. “Mama,” she cried. “Mama!”

Brittany was enfolded in her mother’s arms, and they both wept tears of happiness. Simijin joined the happy reunion, and Brittany went readily into his arms.

“This is the happiest day of my life,” Brittany cried, hugging
Simijin, then going back to her mother. “I cannot believe you are here!”

Jillianna held her daughter at arm’s length and looked her over with a mother’s eyes. “You have grown into a beautiful woman, my dearest. I have been so worried about you, but it seems my worries were unfounded.” She glanced over Brittany’s shoulder and saw the dark, handsome man walking toward them.

Jillianna smiled brightly at Thorn. She approached him and surprised him by putting her arms about him. “I know who you are, Thorn Stoddard. Lord Simijin and I have much to thank you for.”

Thorn looked into the green eyes of the English Rose, and he knew why she was a legend. She had the same striking beauty as her daughter. “I assume you also know I am your daughter’s husband?” he asked.

Jillianna laughed, and the sound of her laughter was magical. “Of course, I know—Cappy told me.” She looked at Brittany and saw uncertainty in her eyes. “Come, my children, I have had a long, hot ride, and I want something cool to drink.”

Jillianna placed her hand on her son-in-law’s arm. “I really am grateful to you, Thorn Stoddard. Without you, my daughter would not be here today.”

Simijin was walking with Brittany, and Jillianna saw pain in Thorn’s eyes when he looked at her daughter.

“Your daughter is exceptional,” he said.

“Of course she is,” Jillianna readily agreed. “She always has been.”

Thorn held out the paper with Jillianna’s name on it. “Can I assume that you are responsible for this?”

“Cappy told me about your ship and how Brittany tried to help you. This was my little jest, and my way of telling you that the
Victorious
still belongs to you. The Turkish government no longer has a claim on the vessel. Simijin saw to that.”

He threw his head back and laughed, charmed by the
mother, almost as much as he had been by the daughter. “I can only imagine the jolly chase you must lead Lord Simijin, madame.”

She nodded her head. “Alas, it is true. You cannot imagine how much trouble I have cost my Simijin.”

“If you are like your daughter, I can, madame.” Thorn’s eyes moved to Brittany, who was just ahead of them. She walked with her head leaning on Simijin’s arm. “Indeed, I can well imagine.”

“I was surprised to find my daughter married to you, Captain Stoddard.”

He let out his breath. “Not half as surprised as I was.”

She studied him closely. “I can see that you love her,” she said softly.

He gazed down at the beauty on his arm. “If you can see it, why can’t your daughter?”

“Have you told her?”

“Not in so many words.”

Jillianna paused and glanced back down the slope at the Ashley River, with its meandering twists and turns. “A woman likes to be told that she’s loved and cherished. We have already agreed that Brittany is special. Tell her how you feel. I see sadness in her eyes that should not be there.”

Thorn followed Jillianna’s eyes to the river. “I will never know a contented day until she is happy.”

Jillianna felt her throat throb as she looked into blue eyes soft with love for her daughter. She smiled and tugged at his arm, leading him forward. “Then you have it in your hands to create happiness for you and Brittany both.”

“I am not certain how she feels about me. She believes me guilty of a great wrong.”

Jillianna lifted a delicate eyebrow. “
Are
you guilty?”

He answered without hesitating. “Not in this instance.” His eyes were seeking. “Do you believe me?”

“Of course, Captain, but I am not the one you must convince.”

Thorn was thoughtful for a moment. “At least I do not
have to fear that Brittany will leave me and return to Turkey with you.”

“Do not be too sure, Captain. You see, Sultan Selim has relinquished the throne, and Sultan Mustafa now sits in his place. My husband and I have received a formal apology from Mustafa, and all charges have been dropped against you. There is nothing to prevent Brittany from returning to Constantinople.”

Thorn’s jaw tightened. “Nothing but me, madame,” he challenged. “I will not easily let her go.”

Jillianna’s eyes searched his. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. I can see that my daughter will have a good life with you, Captain. It’s up to you to see that she stays. I can tell you for a certainty that if Simijin thinks she is unhappy, he will want to take her home with us.” She looked at him, a faint smile tugging her lips. “You may have defeated the Turkish Navy, but you have not yet come up against my Simijin.”

Thorn returned her smile. “You are wrong, madame. I came up against him when he was determined that I would transport your daughter to safety.”

Dinner went well. Ben had been well enough to come downstairs and join in the reunion. Simijin and Jillianna were the perfect guests, listening to their host’s plans to make Stoddard Hill a productive plantation once more.

Brittany and Thorn were strangely silent, leaving Jillianna to observe them more closely. It was apparent to her that her daughter was most unhappy, and she intended to find out why.

After dinner, the gentleman moved into the parlor, and Jillianna drew her daughter aside. “Walk with me. I want to hear all about your life here in America.”

It was a brilliant night, with stars twinkling in the ebony sky. A cool breeze was blowing from the direction of the Ashley River.

“This is a lovely place to live and raise children, Brittany. I like Mr. Stoddard, and,” she smiled, “I adore that handsome husband of yours.”

“Mama, Thorn is wonderful. I want to be his wife, but there are certain events that stand between us.”

“If you love him, you should do everything you can to remove any obstacles that hinder that love.”

“I want to, but I do not know how.”

Jillianna took Brittany’s face between her hands. “My dearest love, I wish I could take you home with me and wrap the high walls of the palace around you to keep you safe forever—but that cannot be. In my heart, I realize that your happiness lies with Thorn Stoddard.”

“I love him, Mama, but I do not think he loves me.”

Jillianna knew that she could not help Brittany in this, because if her daughter was to learn to cherish love, she must find it for herself. “You must talk to Thorn and find out how he feels.”

“And if he does not love me?”

“You made a commitment to him, and you are his wife. But if you are going to be unhappy with him, then you might want to consider coming home.”

“I do not think I could ever leave him, Mama.”

“Therein lies your answer, Brittany.”

A servant had helped Ben upstairs to bed, and Thorn and Simijin were deep in conversation.

“I am glad that Achmed is recovering from his wounds,” Simijin said. “He has not had an easy time of it, has he?”

“Not at all,” Thorn agreed. “He is to be commended for his loyalty. He stood by Brittany at great risk to himself.”

“Yes, that is why he was chosen to be her protector.” Simijin stared at Thorn. “It seems I chose well when I placed her in your care, as well.”

Thorn raised his brandy glass to study the contents. “There were times when I did not thank you for having her smuggled on board the
Victorious.
”

“And now? What do you feel now?”

“Humble, uncertain, frightened for the first time in my
life that a little slip of a girl does not love me as much as I love her.”

Simijin nodded. “I know that feeling. I am certain you will reach the same conclusion with her that I once reached with her mother.”

“Which is?

“There is no meaning to life unless there is commitment and love.”

“The world envies you your good fortune, Lord Simijin, because you have the English Rose.”

Simijin leaned back and observed Thorn. “And you have the daughter of the English Rose. Treasure her well, and be good to her, because if you do not, I will come and take her from you, for she is like my own daughter.”

Brittany walked with her mother to the room that had been prepared for her and Simijin. After a warm embrace, Brittany’s footsteps lagged as she approached her own bedroom.

She opened the door to find a lamp glowing and the bed turned down, but with disappointment she saw that there was no sign of Thorn.

She undressed, blew out the lamp, and slipped into bed, hoping Thorn would come to her. She lay there for over an hour, listening to the settling of the house. But there were no familiar footsteps in the hallway, and Thorn did not come.

Brittany was tortured by unanswered questions. Where was Wilhelmina, and how deep were Thorn’s feelings for his stepmother?

At last she knew Thorn was not coming to her bed. Unable to sleep, she got up and moved to the window. Pulling aside the curtain, she gazed out to the river that looked like a winding silvery ribbon.

Suddenly she knew where she would find Thorn. He would be in the cottage.

She pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it across a chair. She quickly dressed and ran out of the room
and down the stairs. If Thorn would not come to her, she would go to him!

As Brittany moved down the path to the cottage, she came to a sudden halt. Suppose Thorn was in the cottage with Wilhelmina?