Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) (14 page)

He shook his head in bewilderment. “Keelan it’s completely different.”

“It is
not
.”

“It is
too
.” His expression had darkened and when a knock sounded at the door, he barked, “Who's there?”

“Tis Mrs. Schoen, sir.”

He rose from his seat, then scowling, pointed at her. “This discussion is not over.”

“Damn right, it’s not!” she retorted back.

He paused for a moment and stared at her with lowered brows, but she met his stare with a determined intensity. He reached the door and jerked it open.
 

A plump cheery-faced woman waddled in, tray on her hip and a pitcher in her hand. “Och! Goot. Yur awake. I haf something for yu to eat, my dear. Herr Hart, der iss a man waiting for yu downstairs. He says it iss urgent.” She grinned at Keelan. “I vould like to tend to der young woman’s wounds, if is ok?”

“Of course, Frau Schoen.” He yanked his jacket off the hook and Keelan caught the slight grimace as he shrugged it on. He bent down and spoke quietly in Mrs. Shoen’s ear.

She nodded her head vigorously.
 

He inclined his head,
“Danke.”

Wait! Don’t go!

 
Keelan bit her lower lip to keep herself from blurting out those words. Contrary to what Landon believed, she felt less safe without him than she did with him.
 

Landon paused and glanced back over his shoulder at her. “I will speak with Daniel regarding the details of your departure once I have secured them. God speed, Keelan.”

He left.

Blast that stubborn man! If he thought she was going to sit idly by and do his will like a reticent little girl, then he was most surely mistaken.

By the next morning, the pain in Keelan’s back and feet had eased a small amount. She sat up in bed enjoying an omelet flavored with small pieces of shallots and parsley, several mutton sausages, hot tea and bannocks made from Indian corn meal. She smoothed the front of Landon’s long shirt she still wore. She wanted her trunk and clothes she’d left at Jared’s. Was there a safe way to get them to her now?

A thump sounded outside her door. She heard a dull scraping sound as if something heavy was being pushed over the wooden plank floor.

Following a light rap, the door opened a crack.

Mrs. Schoen poked her head in and grinned. “Goot morgen child. You are enjoying der food? I vill return to dress your wounds shortly, ya?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Schoen. Everything is delicious.”

The woman grinned again. “Der is some ting here for you.” She nudged the door wide and pushed a new standard trunk into the room.
 

Keelan eyed it curiously, as she enjoyed her scone. Gesturing to the trunk, she said, “I am afraid you are mistaken, Mrs. Schoen. That’s not mine.”
 

The gleaming, brass rivets and hinges contrasted starkly with the blunt walls, lumpy pallet, and rickety wooden chairs.

“It vas delivered this morgen. The man said to give you dis note.” She handed over a small calling card.

It was Landon Hart’s. He had written a message on the back, which she read quickly.

 
Avoid Jared and Everett at all costs. Do not return or send for your property. There are men looking for you both in town and in the country. My friend Commodore Hall will take you to Philadelphia tomorrow aboard the
USS Glory.
Daniel is in agreement and will accompany you. I’ve known the Schoen’s a long time. You can trust them to keep your secrets. Any communications to me should be sent through them. I hope the contents of the trunk suit you well.
 

Your Servant,

Landon

Ha. Did he think Daniel’s acquiescence to his arrangements would sway her mind? Although her anger and frustration had subsided since his departure, her convictions had not. Let him try to keep her from going with him.

Curious though, she climbed out of the bed and accepted the key from Mrs. Schoen and knelt to unlock the trunk. As she lifted the lid, she heard the Innkeeper’s wife draw in a slow breath.

“Ooooh!” Mrs. Schoen said from over her shoulder. “Dat iss yust vat you need, ya? Iss goot.”

“Oh, yes,” Keelan answered softly.” It’s very,
very
good.”

She touched the soft silk chemise and stockings. Sliding several undergarments aside revealed two beautiful gowns. One was a soft gray, the other a deep green. A velvet cloak of the same dark green lay folded beneath the gowns. She also found two pair of slippers tucked neatly into the bottom. And a bonnet identical to the one she lost during the storm…without the feathers. She smiled.

“Would you please bring up some writing supplies? I must write a note of thanks to Captain Hart.”

Mrs. Schoen nodded knowingly and grinned. “I will bring up to you.”

In her note, she thanked Landon for the clothes. She also told him she appreciated his efforts to get her and Daniel safely to Philadelphia.
 

She didn’t say, however, she would actually go.

The next day Keelan was able to move about the room with relative ease. Her back would be sore for days, but Mrs. Schoen’s constant tending had kept infection at bay and sped the healing process. There were not many places on her body that weren’t sore or tender, and after spending the last two days prone, her joints were creaky and weak. To get her legs limber again she limped about the room. She had donned the new chemise and stockings but with a defined shudder had omitted the corset. Her attempt at putting on the gown was met with partial success as she stepped into the skirt and pulled the bodice up over her shoulders. The top fit well enough, but the skirt was a bit long. Either Landon was fairly talented at estimating a lady’s size or extremely lucky.

Fastening the garment, however, was another matter. Keelan winced in pain at the thought of anything rubbing against the wrapped, partially healed gashes across her shoulders. Mrs. Schoen had come to her rescue with a soft wrap for her wounds.

Eager to be on her way, she packed Landon’s now clean and dry coat into the trunk he had sent yesterday, along with his shirt. Pausing, she ran her hand over the fabric.
 

He provided a way to contact him through the Schoens, and it gave her a calmer sense of strength and faith. A knock on the door jarred her from her musings. “Come in,” she beckoned.

Daniel stepped into the room. His concerned gaze searched her face beseechingly. “I have been so worried. Mrs. Schoen kept assuring me you were healing well, but I finally had to see for myself.”

 
“I’m glad you’re here. I am much better, as you can see.” She moved toward the open door. “I have a strong need for some air and a short walk. Would you stroll with me a bit?” she asked.

Daniel fidgeted. “I am afraid I have some bad news.”

“Bad news?” Her first thought was of Slaney. The maid’s ship had sailed a few days ago. “What is it?”

“At Captain Hart’s suggestion, I have been spending the last two days down at the docks. He hopes to find out who had you kidnapped. He seems to think Gampo wouldn’t have gone to this length, putting his crew in peril, unless he had an advantage of some sort…An informant or man in Charleston who could give him access to important information.”

“That seems to be a lot to accomplish.”

Daniel shrugged and added, “The captain believes they are connected and one man is responsible.”

“Connected?” This was confusing. “I don’t understand how I could be connected with the events surrounding Captain Hart’s cargo theft.”

Giving her a thoughtful look he suggested, “Jared Grey owned both warehouses involved in the theft. The one originally storing the goods, and also the one which stored it after it’d been stolen.”

The connection was easy to identify. Keelan sucked in her breath. “Captain Hart mentioned that. I had forgotten. He thinks Jared might be the common link?” She was convinced now Dr. Garrison was behind the series of tragic events surrounding her family and her, but she couldn’t fathom why he’d involve Captain Hart.
 

 
“It’s possible, he’s a common link, yes.” Daniel acknowledged. “However, that doesn’t mean that he’s responsible. It could be someone who works for him, someone who would have access to the keys. There’s no solid proof yet. The few pirates they captured the night he found you have refused to talk. Sheriff Pinkerton hopes their tongues will loosen when they are paraded by the gallows.”

Everett was some way involved, although the sudden transformation from a bumbling, yet well-meaning physician to a deranged murderer was hard to believe. Did Uncle Jared find her letter and read her warning regarding the doctor’s plans?
 

 
“What is your bad news then?” she asked.

“Mr. Schoen told me Gampo’s men are searching for you.”

“I know, Captain Hart mentioned it in his note.”

“There is a reward for your capture, now.” Daniel hesitated before continuing and eyed her carefully, “You are wanted for the murder of a man named Crowe.”

Keelan gaped at Daniel. It was a moment before she could speak. “Murder! But…he…I did not mean to…he was about to stab Captain Hart!” She drew a deep breath and drew herself taller. “Take me to the sheriff this moment. I am sure once he hears all the details.…”

“No, Mistress.” Daniel shook his head. “Captain Hart fears if your location is known, your life would be in danger. You must understand, Keelan, it is not the law who wants you. It’s Gampo. Descriptions of you have been given to most of the dockworkers and any ship’s crew still in port, along with the promise of quite a large reward for finding you.”

A sudden frigid blade of dread sliced through her, as the meaning of Daniel’s message sank in. Keelan’s hand crept shakily to her throat, where she could feel the erratic pulse of her heart, and she sat down with an unladylike thump.

The manservant sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. You simply cannot be seen in this city as Keelan Grey, without risk of capture by thugs employed by Gampo, or those eager for his coin.”

“No wonder Landon’s note said to avoid sending for my property or going back to the town house.” Keelan swallowed and met the valet’s determined stare.
 

“There’s more, Miss Keelan.” He took a note from his pocket. “The harbormaster gave this to me. Commodore Hall received an urgent request to set sail to Philadelphia post haste to fend off a British blockade. They left yesterday at dawn.”

“Oh. Well, good.” She almost smiled. Landon’s plan had failed of its own accord. He’d have no choice now but to let her go with him to find Gampo.

“Good?” Daniel looked at her curiously.

She glanced out the window, a bit embarrassed. “Captain Hart and I had a small disagreement with regard to the trip to Philadelphia on the
USS Glory
.”

Daniels lips twitched. “Ah, then.”

At her raised brows, he clarified, “It explains the state of irritation he was in when he and I spoke yesterday.”

“He was being unreasonable,” she mumbled.

Daniel cocked his head and grinned, unable to remain stoic any longer. “He said as much about you.”

She might be stubborn, but she’d come out the victor this time. The walls of the small rustic room heaved in even closer. She wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to hide out in the attic of the Whistling Pig for too much longer. Already, the heat and the cramped space made her long for fresh air and a brisk walk. “We should get word to Captain Hart straight away.”

Daniel ran his bony fingers through his hair and shook his head. “I tried, but the
Desire
loaded her cargo yesterday evening and set sail down the coast early this morning, just prior to the
USS Glory
.”

A small thunderstorm blossomed in Keelan’s chest.
 

He left her behind. Did Landon weigh anchor to draw away Gampo and his men from Charleston and her? Was he even now in the midst of a sea battle?

How could he depart when he told her only yesterday the repairs weren’t yet complete? Unless…unless he’d been lying yesterday. No. He’d asked her to sail with him.
 

An even more horrible thought floated to the top of her mind. Was he trying to get rid of her? Away from her?

Putting her on Commodore Hall’s frigate and also saying the
Desire
was not ready to sail was easier than telling her he’d changed his mind. He sailed
south
. In the opposite direction she was to go. Was he
fleeing
from her?
 

A loud rush of noise filled her ears, and the skin on her face prickled as if a thistle had been tossed at it. Did he not believe her when she told him Garrison’s kiss was unwanted and undesired? Did he conclude he couldn’t trust her? Perhaps he’d come to the conclusion that having a woman in his life was simply too much trouble. Maybe seeing Garrison kiss her had brought back too many painful memories.
 

Slaney had warned her. Mother had warned her. She had warned herself.

A man of the sea always returns to the sea.
 

She recalled all her fears about falling in love with Landon Hart, all the reasons why she shouldn’t have allowed herself to fall for his charms, all the warnings… But she had wanted to believe him, wanted to hope they could be happy together but those things had betrayed her, blinded her. It had been foolish to ignore the warnings.

She would never be able to take the place of his first love, a life of adventure upon the sea.
 

He was gone.

Tears burned in her eyes. She’d hoped a fool’s hope. So
 
much had transpired over the past day. Landon’s love for his ship and the prosperity of his business were the most important parts of his life. A trip north would endanger him and his crew. Gampo’s sole purpose now was finding and punishing
her
. Even worse, Landon and his fleet were not the targets of Gampo’s revenge,
she
was. Was Landon simply taking advantage of the distraction she provided so he could flee unnoticed?