My Lady Vixen (10 page)

“That’s why I am prepared to overlook your … er … transgressions. I am not too old to father a child, or bed a young woman, if that be your worry. So shall we seal our bargain with a kiss?”

Alexa was completely unprepared when Sir Henry reached out with talon-like claws to grasp her in a strangling hug. “No!” she cried, alarmed and shocked by the strength in his aged body.

“Don’t be shy.” Sir Henry chortled crudely, “I’m not asking for more than you’ve already given away. I just
want to show you I’m still capable of passion.”

Fleshy dry lips converged on hers and Alexa felt nausea rise in her throat when his hard tongue stabbed repeatedly into her mouth. Then suddenly his hands were everywhere, on her buttocks, breasts, under her skirts, prodding and probing relentlessly into her private places.

“Sir Henry, stop!” Alexa cried out, struggling with all her strength against certain violation. Where a man of his advanced years found such vigor remained a mystery to her. “I’ll tell my father!”

Sir Henry chuckled. “Do you think he cares? He’ll be relieved to have you off his hands. Now be a good girl and lie back, it won’t take me long.”

Sickened by Sir Henry’s slobbering kisses, weakened by his hurtful hands, Alexa despaired of escaping the old man’s lecherous attentions. She felt cool air touch her bare thighs and with renewed strength born of desperation exerted one mighty shove against Sir Henry’s barrel-like chest that sent him flying. Alexa took instant advantage of Sir Henry’s confusion at finding himself flat on his back. Running out of the room and up the stairs she reached the safety of her room, immediately latching the door against unwanted intruders.

Seeking the relief only tears could bring, Alexa collapsed on the bed sobbing. She remained there for a long time, cursing Sir Henry, cursing her father, but mostly cursing Adam for casting her into such a predicament in the first place. And with her tears came the first real stirrings of hate for Adam Foxworth. Before the tears dried on her face, sleep claimed her.

Maddy’s frantic knocking was the first sound Alexa heard since she had fled in panic to her room the night before. Disoriented and sluggish, Alexa was surprised to
find sunlight streaming through her window and that she was fully dressed lying on top of her bed. The knocking continued. “Lady Alexa, please let me in,” the housekeeper begged. “I have a tray for you.”

“Go away, Maddy, I’m not hungry.”

“You have to eat, my lady. Please let me in.”

Unwilling to cause the tenderhearted Maddy undue distress, Alexa opened the door. “Is my father home?” she asked.

“No, my lady,” replied Maddy, carefully placing the tray on a table. When she turned to face her young mistress she was distressed to see the beautiful face ravaged by tears, and Maddy immediately went to the girl, hugging her to her ample bosom. “What is it, Alexa? You can tell Maddy about it.”

“Oh, Maddy, what has happened to my life?” Alexa wailed miserably. “One minute I was the pampered daughter of Sir John Ashley, fiancee of Charles Whitlaw, and the next I am a pariah, disowned by my father and reviled by all my friends. Even Charles has forsaken me. And now my father intends to give me to Sir Henry.”

“That old lecher!” snorted Maddy, scandalized. “Why, he’s old enough to be your grandfather. You’ve done nothing to deserve such treatment. You’re but an innocent babe thrust into a situation that began when you were but three years old.”

You know the whole sordid story, don’t you, Maddy? About my mother, I mean.”

“Aye,” Maddy admitted grimly. “You must remember I’ve been here for many years.”

“Tell me what you know, Maddy. Please,” begged Alexa. “I’ve heard Adam’s version, and my father’s. Both biased. I want to know the truth.”

“The truth is, my lady, that your mother and Martin Foxworth, an attractive young widower, met and fell desperately in love. At first they fought against the
attraction but soon their love became an obsession that demanded consummation. It wasn’t long before they began meeting secretly in different places, and it did my heart good to see your mother glow with happiness after so many years.”

“Didn’t my mother love my father?”

“It was an arranged marriage, advantageous but not necessarily happy.”

“What happened then?”

“Your father found out, of course, and challenged Martin to a duel. Martin was an honorable man, soft-spoken, more of a poet than a fighter. He abhorred violence of any kind. The outcome was inevitable.”

“Father said my mother killed herself,” Alexa said hesitantly.

Maddy nodded sadly. “She confided to me that she carried Martin’s child and feared that Sir John would kill her once he found out. Or make her life so miserable she would wish for death. But I never suspected she would take her own life.

“She came back from the duel and called me to her room. She told me about Martin’s death and placed you in my care. Your mother never was a particularly brave woman and life without Martin held no appeal. Before your father returned from the duelling field she slit her wrists and bled to death.”

“Father was right,” Alexa whispered forlornly, “mother cared nothing for me.”

“Oh, no. Alexa, never think that,” Maddy countered. “Your mother loved you dearly. You were the only thing good in her life besides Martin. And she knew your father would never harm his own flesh and blood. But knowing she carried another man’s child she chose to take her own life rather than risk death at the hands of Sir John. You see, she truly believed her husband would kill her.”

“Would he, Maddy? Is father capable of such cruelty?”

“She believed he was and your mother knew him better than anyone.”

Alexa brooded silently, assimilating every word Maddy said. When she spoke it was with a desperation that hardened her beautiful features into stubborn resolve. Maddy recognized the expression immediately and prepared herself for the worst.

“I have to leave here, Maddy, and you must help me. I … I’m expecting Adam Foxworth’s child. And since I will never agree to marry Sir Henry, it’s imperative I leave. Father as much as told me he would not accept my child in his house. And after what you’ve just told me I can no longer remain here.”

Maddy’s blackberry eyes grew round as saucers. “A baby you say? On, my poor Alexa. What has that monster done to you?” Then she, began crying and carrying on so that Alexa was forced to shake her to gain her attention.

“Maddy, please don’t fall apart on me. It’s not the end of the world. And I need you.”

“I’ll do what I can, my lady.” Maddy sniffed despairingly. “But what will you do? How can you survive on your own with a child to care for?”

“I have my jewels and some money I’ve saved. That should suffice until I can find work. But we must hurry, Maddy. Once Father learns from Sir Henry how I reacted to that old lecher he will surely punish me or force me into that despicable marriage.”

“What can I do, Alexa?”

“Help me pack, quickly. Only the necessities, nothing fancy. Include all my jewelry, my warmest cloak and sturdiest shoes. And please hurry, Maddy.”

Together they managed to stuff a large portion of Alexa’s vast wardrobe into two large carpetbags. While Alexa took care of last-minute details. Maddy disappeared
for a few minutes. When she returned she pressed a heavy purse into Alexa’s hand. When Alexa demurred. Maddy insisted.

“It’s of no use to me, Alexa. I have a good home here, no relatives to support. You’re the closest I’ve ever had to a daughter. Please take it.”

In the end Alexa took the money, promising to pay it back one day. Then she sent the housekeeper out to hire a public conveyance. Before Sir John returned home late that afternoon expecting to force Alexa into marriage with Sir Henry after hearing all about Alexa’s deplorable behavior the night before from the old man. Alexa was gone, taking with her all her valuables and Adam Foxworth’s child.

Alexa had no doubt as to her destination. A new life beckoned to her. A life far from England and the people she once considered her friends, and the father upon whom she once doted. Alexa realized that the waterfront was no place for an unaccompanied lady, but she had no choice. She prayed that it wasn’t too late, that Mac was still at the Stag and Horn, that he hadn’t finished his business early and sailed away.

Alexa bade the coachman wait while she made her inquiries at the inn. To her chagrin she learned that Mac had indeed concluded his business and checked out that very morning. Her face crumbled with dismay and she looked so woebegone that the innkeeper was emboldened to add, “He mentioned he would not sail until this evening’s tide so perhaps you can find him aboard his ship, milady.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” cried Alexa with such obvious relief that the inn keeper had the distinct feeling his disclosure spelled the difference between life and death for the beautiful young lady.

It was but a short ride to the docks and Alexa was filled with anxiety while she waited for the coachman to return. Once they reached the harbor she had pressed a coin on the man and sent him to find out if the
Lady
A was one of the ships anchored in the Thames and where she was berthed.

Just as Alexa was certain she could no longer stand the suspense, the coachman returned from his visit to a nearby tavern where he learned the
Lady
A did indeed ride at anchor in the harbor. She was slated to sail with the evening’s tide. Not only had the obliging coachman ferreted out the information but he brought a crewman back with him.

After questioning the man Alexa learned that the sailor, Andy Beggs, had been engaged in rounding up any straggling crew members who still lingered ashore. His duty completed, he was about to row himself the short distance across the water where the
Lady
A was moored.

After wasting precious time convincing the skeptical Beggs that it was imperative she be taken aboard the ship to speak with her captain, the doubting sailor reluctantly agreed to row her to the
Lady
A. The coachman loaded her bags into the longboat and with Beggs manning the oars they were soon bumping the hull of Mac’s ship. In answer to Begg’s bellow a dozen hands appeared to lower chains to the boat and winch her aboard. A short time later Alexa stood before an astounded Mac.

“My God, Lady Alexa, what are you doing here?”

Alexa found herself enclosed in two strong arms and she felt as if she had come home. “Oh, Mac,” she pleaded, her courage suddenly deserting her. What if he sent her away? “I need your help. I’m so miserable and afraid.”

Alexa’s impassioned plea stabbed directly into Mac’s
tender heart. “Alexa, you know I’ll help you. Calm yourself. Sit down and tell me what’s troubling you.”

While Alexa struggled for composure Mac went to the desk and poured a generous splash of brandy into a glass, handing it to Alexa. She took a sip, coughed, then drank again, this time more deeply. “I want to go with you, Mac,” she blurted out.

“I don’t know when or even if I’ll return to England again, Alexa,” he said hesitantly. He wasn’t sure what she was asking.

“I don’t care if I never see England again,” she was quick to respond. “I intend to make a new life for myself. You can put me ashore anywhere, France, America, even one of the islands.” She sounded desperate and Mac wondered what had happened to cause her such anguish.

“What happened to Charles? Wasn’t your father happy to see you? My God, Alexa, what took place during the past week?”

The pain visible in Alexa’s huge violet eyes was nearly more than Mac could bear. “Charles no longer wanted me. Adam ruined me for marriage and his peculiar method of revenge made a scandal of the Ashley name, just exactly like he planned.”

“What of your father? Surely he loved you enough to …”

Alexa’s harsh laugh cut off his words in the middle of a sentence. “I learned a cruel lesson. I never really knew my father. He could no longer stand the sight of me. In his eyes I had been corrupted by a Foxworth and no longer deserved his love and protection. He … he was forcing me into marriage to a man old enough to be my grandfather. When Sir Henry tried to force me in my own home I decided to leave.”

“That bastard!” gritted out Mac. “Where was your father when all this took place?”

“Sir Henry obviously had my father’s blessing. My father decided that under the circumstances I could do no better than Sir Henry. So I left. Please don’t turn me away, Mac. I’ve no one else to turn to, no place to go.”

“I’ll always be here for you, milady,” Mac assured her. “If you’re serious about leaving England I’ll take you with me. I’m going to Virginia and … and I’ll take care of you if you’ll let me.” It wasn’t exactly a marriage proposal but Mac felt it was too soon to declare his feelings. Perhaps by the time the voyage ended …

All that Alexa heard was that Mac would take her away and she would have a chance at a new life. The rest was quickly forgotten in a rush of gratitude so profound that Alexa immediately threw herself into Mac’s arms, completely unaware of his tender feelings for her. “Thank you, Mac, you’re the best friend anyone could have. And I’ll try not to be a burden to you.”

“You could never be that, milady,” Mac assured her, his blue eyes twinkling merrily. “I’ll show you to your cabin. Did you bring any luggage?”

Alexa nodded, her eyes swimming with tears of gratitude. She started to protest when he showed her to the captain’s cabin, but he would hear none of it. “I insist, Alexa. I’ll bunk in with the first mate.” He grinned jauntily. “I’ll see that your bags are brought to you so you can get settled.” He would gladly give all he possessed to share the cabin with her.

At high tide the
Lady
A slipped her moorings and quietly sailed from London Harbor, her journey down the Thames uneventful. In the darkness she easily slid past several warships in the English Channel unchallenged and finally into the endless Atlantic. Once they were well out of sight of English shores the Union Jack was hauled down from the mast amid much cheering and clapping by the crew members whose hatred for English oppression was well-known.