Keeper of My Dreams (St. John Series Book 4) (19 page)

Robert reached towards Elizabeth’s face. She held her hand up to stop him. Leaning back and taking a ragged breath, she growled in a whisper, “Don’t.”

“I never meant for this. I love you, Elizabeth. I love my children—all my children. How was I to know that one would turn out to be a pirate?”

“What other choice did he have, Robert?” Nicholas asked as he stood, defending his friend.

“You had a choice, Nicholas,” Robert growled, standing and turning to face his son-in-law. “What was your reasoning?”

“Boredom,” Nicolas replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Robert then turned to Jonathan. “Say something. He is your son.”

The governor took a deep breath. “What would you have me say? Hang him? He is my son. That order will never come from my lips. I would give my own life to protect his. When he was captured—” Jonathan halted his words and inwardly groaned at his slip of the tongue.

“You knew?” Helen asked as she whipped around to face her husband.

“You son-of-a-bitch!” Robert yelled.

“That seems to be the consensus of the night, doesn’t it,” Nicholas said.

“Shut up, Nicholas,” Madison warned.

“You would have let our son hang? How could you?!” Helen yelled as she slapped her husband.

Reanna cringed. Her and her big mouth. Why could she not keep it shut? Why did secrets spill out of her like water through a net? Her eyes took in the fighting occupants of the room. The only one who seemed to be at ease was George. Even as a glass sailed towards him, he calmly leaned to the right, allowing the projectile to crash on the wall behind him. He righted his posture and stood straight. Apparently this madness happened so frequently that the butler was unfazed by the chaos.

Laughter to her right caught her attention. Oliver smiled at her and laughed harder. “And here I thought this was going to be a boring evening.”

“Shut it, Oliver,” Eli growled.

“Oh, come now. I know I am not the only person here who sees the humor in all this. Look at Nicholas. He would burst out laughing if Madison wouldn’t kill him. But you are all angry at his confession when you are missing the big picture.”

“Which is?” Eli snapped.

“If Nicholas had not kidnapped Madison, then none of us would be where we’re at now. Alexandra would not be here to boss us around and wrap us around her cute little finger. Madison would be married to an abusive husband and completely miserable. We would not have met our new family members or be waiting on two other ones. And we now have a very valuable resource of
The Abyss
to protect our ships.”

“Hey! Is that why you named her Alexandra?” Owen asked.

Ignoring Owen’s question, Robert shot back, “They attacked and stole from us, Oliver. Have you forgotten that little fact as well?”

“No. But if you recall, all that cargo always reappeared. And consider the battles as practice.”

“That’s right,” Owen interjected as he sat upright in his chair. “Oh, hell, Eli is traveling on
The Abyss
tomorrow.” His face brightened with mischief. “Hey, are the crew on board the same ones we fought?”

“Bloody hell,” Max mumbled as he rubbed his face.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Owen replied with joyous optimism.

“Part of them,” Nicholas answered. “When McClain captured us, all but twenty were killed.”

Helen paled. “Dear God! Was Samuel part of your crew?”

“Yes,” Nicholas answered.

Another argument ensued. Reanna looked to Madison and Kristina. Both women attempted to defend their husbands, but gave up as they realized that the men were enjoying their newfound notoriety. Madison left her husband’s side and approached Reanna.

“I’m sorry, Madison. I didn’t mean to tell. It’s just that after I heard the confession, I was in shock. Eli came upon me and I told him.”

Madison smiled. “It’s quite all right, Reanna. My family would have found out eventually. It was getting harder and harder to hide Nicholas’s past.”

“I will postpone my return until all this settles. Eli is needed here. Besides, I don’t think he would sail on that ship now—it being manned by ex-pirates and all.”

“Oh, no! He will take you back to your father. All the crew are good men and will cause you no harm. They risked their lives to protect you,” Madison reminded. “Besides,
The Abyss
is the fastest ship in our fleet. The faster you get home, the better. You have been away from home for several months now. Mr. Hollingsworth is probably frantic with worry. I remember how my family reacted when I was returned to them after Nicholas kidnapped me. The relief on their faces upon my return broke my heart . . . knowing I caused them such heartache. You must go . . . for your father. Plus, it will give me time to defuse this situation here without Eli’s hotheaded temper intervening.” A twinkle came to Madison’s eyes as Kristina joined her. “You never know, I may even talk Daddy into making Max the Earl.” The women laughed and walked out the door leaving the St. John men to settle their own differences.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Reanna stood on the deck of
The Abyss
and watched the island of Eleuthra disappear from sight. They had departed Governor’s Harbour with the morning tide. In less than half a day all sight of land would be gone from view. She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and saw the old pirate named Mr. Smitty approaching her. He had a grandfatherly appearance to him—not exactly what she expected a pirate to look like. His hair was slightly long and shaggy. It was all white and his facial hair matched. His good eye was a caring shade of brown. His left eye was completely white. There was a faint scar running from the brow to just above his left cheek, indicating the reason for the blindness. The striking difference in his eyes did not take away from his kind features.

“Don’t ya worry none, Miss Reanna.
The Abyss
is a sturdy vessel. She can handle an ocean passage. We’ll get ya back to yer pa ‘fore the end of next month.”

“Last time I was on a ship it was for six weeks. Then the blasted thing was attacked.”

Smitty gave a small laugh. “That wuz a passenger vessel. In a little over a month we should be making berth in England. And don’t ya worry none about us bein’ attacked. We can take out any ship in these waters . . . been doin’ it fer years.”

She smiled at the caring man. “I still cannot imagine you as a pirate.”

The old sea dog laughed again. “I wuz one fer over thirty years. I’m respectable now,” he replied with a humorous smile, lacing his thumbs through each side of his brown vest and puffing his chest out. “Come on now, I’ll escort ya back ta yer quarters.”

“Thank you, but I can manage.”

“Nope. Mrs. Madison said fer me ta watch out fer ya. Don’t want ta make her mad. Her temper’s worse than her brothers. Sides, ya didn’t even go below deck ‘fore we left, so ya have no inklin’ where yer room’s at.”

“Very well. Please escort me to my quarters, Mr. Smitty.”

The old man smiled like he had just won a grand prize, offering Reanna his arm. She placed her hand on the bend of his elbow. He patted her hand as they walked. “Ya know, I’ll be the envy of every man on this ship.”

“How do you figure, Mr. Smitty?”

“Well, not many men get ta escort a woman as purty as you ta her room.”

Reanna blushed. “Thank you for the untrue compliment. But I appreciate it.”

“Ain’t nothin’ untrue about it. Yer a beautiful woman, Miss Reanna. I’ll have ta keep an eye out on these young pups. They’ll be tryin’ ta court ya the entire trip.”

Reanna laughed. Mr. Smitty stopped by a door. “This here’s yer room. Yer maid is across the hall and Mr. Cantankerous,” he said, referring to Eli and gesturing his thumb to the adjacent door, “is the next room over.”

“He’s not all bad, Mr. Smitty,” Reanna defended.

“That’s yer opinion. If ya need anything, jest let me know. Uveah will be on watch until eight and Slim’s room is at the end of the corridor just ‘fore ya go up the steps. They can find me.”

“Very well and thank you.”

“Night, Miss Reanna.”

“Good evening to you too as well, Mr. Smitty.”

Reanna went into the room and noticed the sea chest Madison had allowed her to borrow was sitting beside a small cot. There was a small chest of drawers mounted to the wall with a broken mirror above it. There were several pegs mounted into the walls and one had a lantern hanging from it. Reanna opened her sea chest and pulled out the dresses Madison had given her. Her ginger-haired friend insisted that Reanna keep all the dresses given to her stating it would give her an opportunity to go shopping. Reanna looked at the buttercup yellow dress and then the dresser. Her eyes landed back on the pegs.
Perfect
. She unpacked the dresses and hung them on the extra pegs. She took out her undergarments and placed them in the dresser. Reanna then pushed the sea chest to the foot of the bed. She sat down on the cot and it creaked under her weight. She bounced up and down several times testing the comfort. Not nearly as soft as the bed on her prior passage, but it would make do.

She heard a noise from the room next door. There was another thump, then a curse. Reanna stuck her head out the door and looked to her left and right. She went to the next door and knocked. She waited for a few seconds and knocked again. Eli flung the door open. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. He was shirtless and she could see the healing wounds from the injuries he received during her rescue five days prior. With each frustrated breath he took, the muscles moved on his well-defined chest. She tore her eyes away from his chest—the desire to touch each muscle was almost unbearable. As her eyes shifted downward, she noticed that his trousers were unbuttoned and could see the dark hairs surrounding his manhood peering through the opening. Color flooded her face.

“Can I help you with something?” Eli asked, with notable frustration.

London tore her eyes away from his manhood and looked into his eyes. Her face brightened even more as she realized he’d caught her admiring his body. A concerned look came to her face as she noticed his complexion. His lips were pressed tightly together, turning almost white. His normally dark complexion had paled and there was a greenish tint to his face.

“London?”

“Oh,” she replied as her eyes grew wide. “Yes. I heard a noise. I was making sure all was well.”

“Everything is fine.”

“Are you certain. You do not look like you’re feeling well.”

“I’m fine,” Eli snapped as waves of nausea came over him, causing beads of moisture to dot his forehead.

“You look ill.”

Eli closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath, swallowing the bile rising in his throat.

“Are you seasick?”

“Isn’t there something you should be doing?”

“You are seasick!” Reanna declared as she observed Eli turn greener.

“Yes. Now would you please kindly leave before I empty the contents of my stomach in front of you.”

“Is this normal?”

“Yes,” he moaned as he turned from her, searching for a bucket or chamber pot—anything to throw up in.

“But your family owns a shipping business.”

“Being from a seafaring family does not stop seasickness any more than being married to a doctor makes one immune to illness.”

“Did you speak with Natasha about a remedy?”

“The only remedy is to not travel. She did give me something to help ease the nausea.”

“But you haven’t taken it?”

“I was hoping to not have to use it. It makes me terribly sleepy.”

“So you would rather vomit and be green than sleep?”

“London, please leave. I love our conversations, but I have no desire for company now.” Eli suddenly turned as his body expelled the contents of his stomach onto the floor. He retched several more times until nothing was left, leaving him weak.

Reanna approached and placed a caring hand on his back. “Come, let me assist you.”

Eli did not have it in him to fight. He simply nodded and did not protest as Reanna ushered him to the bed. As he lay down, she covered his body with the quilt.

“Where is Natasha’s remedy?”

Eli closed his eyes and pointed to the open door. “It’s in my jacket hanging on the door. It’s in the left breast pocket.”

Reanna turned and went to the door. Closing it, she found the tonic and examined its contents. It was a putrid shade of orange, reminding Reanna of a rotting sweet potato. She approached Eli.

“Do I need to mix it in anything?”

“No. I only need a teaspoon or two.”

“What is in this?” Reanna asked, still studying the medication.

“I do not know, nor do I care. I simply wish to take it so I can rest until this ends.”

Reanna gave him a stern look. “You are a horrid patient.”

“London, please.”

“Fine. Where is a spoon?”

Eli groaned. “I don’t have one.”

“I’m certain Mr. Smitty can help—”

“No. I do not want Max’s crew to know.”

“Why?”

“Just give me the damn bottle. I will drink from it.”

Reanna thrust the bottle to Eli. “Here. I hope it makes you as mad as her pain medication made me.”

Eli felt a twinge of guilt but said nothing as another wave of nausea hit him. Taking the bottle, he removed the cork and took two drinks. The drug tasted worse than it smelled, and Eli felt like someone was stomping his stomach. A deep sickening moan left him as he replaced the cork. He held the vial out to London.

“What do you expect me to do with that?”

“London, please. Just place it back into my jacket and allow me to rest. If I am not better in two days’ time, simply shoot me and put me out of my misery.”

Reanna studied the strong man before her. She did feel sorry for him. He was a pitiful mess. “I will help you, Eli, although I am a worse nursemaid than you.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

Reanna took the vial and placed it back into Eli’s coat. She began straightening his room, giving the medication time to make Eli fall asleep. Despite his objection, she needed Mr. Smitty. A mop was required. Once his clothing was put away, she turned her attention to the floor. Her eyes went back to Eli and she noticed the change in his breathing. She quietly left the room. As she stepped in the hall, Gladys was at her door.

“There you are, Miss. I was coming to see if you needed help unpacking.”

Reanna looked nervously at the servant. “I’m fine. I have already unpacked my belongings.”

Gladys gave Reanna a suspicious look at her nervous actions. “Is something amiss?”

“No. I was just seeing if Eli needed assistance with the ledgers.”

Gladys simply stood by Reanna’s door, not moving.
Is she ever going to leave
? Reanna thought with frustration.

“Is there something else, Gladys?”

“No, Miss.”

“Then you are dismissed. Go rest yourself. Should I need anything, I will come find you.”

“Yes, Miss.” The servant left and went back into her room.

Reanna went in search of Mr. Smitty. She found him on deck and pulled him to a private area.

“I need your assistance with a matter of a sensitive nature, Mr. Smitty.”

“Anything.”

“It seems that Eli is not feeling well.”

“As in his mood is sour er his belly?”

“His belly.”

A humorous smirk crossed his weathered face. “He’s seasick.”

“Please don’t say anything, Mr. Smitty. He will be furious at me for telling you. He is a prideful man.”

Smitty would love to let Max know this little secret, but the pleading in Reanna’s eyes caused him to have a change of heart. “I promise, Miss Reanna. I won’t say nuthin’ ta nobody.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, wot da ya need?”

“It seems that Eli has had an accident. I need something to clean it up.”

“I’ll send one of these—”

“No. No one else can know.”

“Then what do ya want ta do?”

“Give me a pail and some old rags. I will clean up the mess.”

Smitty shook his head. “It ain’t fittin’ fer you ta have to clean up his mess. But I’ll get ya the supplies ya need. I’ll leave ‘em outside of his door.”

A caring smile crossed her face. “Thank you. Now I will go tend the patient.”

“Better you than me,” Smitty teased as he went after the needed items.

Reanna headed back to Eli’s room and began pacing the floor—the part that wasn’t soiled. A faint knock on the door captured her attention. She opened the door and found two buckets of water and several old rags. She took the supplies into the room and began cleaning the area. She did not use both pails of water, deciding to keep one to sponge Eli off. Once the floor was cleaned, she made her way to the deck and tossed the water overboard. She quickly made her way back to the room. As she entered, she heard Eli make a noise. She approached him and just as she did, he leaned over the side of the bed. She quickly placed the bucket under him just as his stomach emptied again.

He lay back down on the bed. She found a clean cloth and dipped it into the pail of water. She gently rubbed the side of his face with the cool water. The smell of the emesis filled the room. A disgusted expression crossed her face as she looked at the bucket. This was going to be a long voyage.