Temptation: 3 (Timeless Series) (4 page)

Penny shifted her attention to the captain and caught
him
staring at her. Inhaling a deep breath, she lowered her eyes, noting the beautifully set table, including silver place settings, fine china, and linen napkins placed under every fork. She focused on the lit candles in sterling holders, trying to clear her mind of the confusing thoughts the captain’s brother evoked. It took a moment before she could answer the question about drinks, and then, her voice was just above a whisper. “I’d love a glass of sherry, please.”

“I’d love one too,” Mindy said. Unaware of the undertones around her, she continued with, “We’re so happy you waited for us, Captain Davis, but sorry you had to delay your trip.” The words spilled from her lips faster than melting snow runs to the sea in spring. “The rain hindered our journey here. I hope our delay won’t cause problems.”

Lucas chuckled and poured two glasses of sherry. “
’Tis not often we’re allowed the luxury of two beautiful ladies on our voyages. So please, no more talk of problems or inconveniences.” He placed their drinks in front of them, retrieved his own, and then sat at the head of the table. “We’ll set sail soon enough.”

Penny was saved from further discomfort when a commotion from the galley caught everyone’s attention. A handsome man with dark European features bustled out bearing a tray laden with food he immediately began serving. Succulent aromas of beef, gravy, potatoes, onions, and spices wafted up and filled the room.

After a dish was placed in front of Lucas, he chuckled. “Jacques, you’ve outdone yourself. Parker should sail with me more often. Meals never look this good when it’s just the crew.”

Jacques snorted. “Monsieur Parker is better looking than you.”

Penny swallowed a laugh. Almost identical, anyone comparing the two brothers would find it a draw as to who was more attractive.

“You’re also not
so pretty as the two mademoiselles,” he added with his thick French accent.

“I can always throw you overboard for such insubordination once we sail, you know,” the captain said.

“
Non
. I have no fear of your threats.” Jacques grinned, displaying perfectly straight teeth. He looked at the two women and winked conspiratorially. “The man likes my cooking too much.”

Lucas laughed along with everyone else. “Come join us when you’re done dishing everything out. You work too hard.”

“Aye, aye,
mon capitaine
.” Jacques snapped to attention and said while saluting, “I never disobey the orders, especially when I can sit with the two ladies.”

As his chef headed for the galley, Lucas shook his head. “I know I shouldn’t encourage him. He already thinks too highly of his culinary skills. He also thinks I can’t live without them.”

“That is because it is true,” Jacques said on his way back into the room, obviously overhearing the comment. “I know my worth, so your insults, um…how do you say?...hold no weight.”

“See what I mean?” Lucas picked up his napkin and placed it on his lap.

Jacques stood smiling, then his glance roamed around the table. When no one said a word after eating for several minutes, Jacques’s perturbed voice burst forth. “Well?”

“It’s palatable. What is it?” Lucas asked in a goading tone.

A flurry of French followed in his wake on his way out of the room.

Lucas laughed. “Man can cook, but he can’t take a joke.”

Jacques returned through the doorway, still frowning and speaking sharply in rapid-fire French.

“Jacques, sit. Enjoy your fine cuisine.” Lucas motioned with his fork at an empty chair. “It’s delicious as always. I was merely jesting.”

“Some things should not be joked about. Remember,” he said as he wagged a finger, “I can always put something in the food to give you the stomach ache.”

“You won’t,” Lucas countered confidently, going back to his meal.

“You insult me and it will be considered,” Jacques threatened with head held high and haughty disdain crossing his face.

“No, Jacques, I know you.” Grinning, Lucas took a sip of bourbon,
then said more seriously, “You’d never ruin your creations. I promise not to jest any more about your cooking. Now, go and get a plate for yourself and sit. I’m sure Parker’s dying to enlighten you with his latest exploits, just as I’m sure you’re dying to hear about them.”

Jacques’s frown disappeared. “But only because I like the company of
mademoiselles who are so
très jolies
.” He left and returned with a full plate of food minutes later.

~~

“So, Parker, how come you to England?” Jacques asked, yanking Parker out of his musings.

“Work.”
He glanced at the chef and added, “My latest case involved a murdered American dignitary who’d been stationed in London.” Parker sighed. “Took me months of painstaking work to unravel the mystery.”

“Really?
How interesting,” Mindy said. “Was he killed by a spy?”

“Nothing quite so treasonous.”
Parker chuckled, noting her wide-eyed stare. “His jealous lover killed him in a fit of anger over an infidelity and then left the city. Once I figure that out, it was an open-and-shut case, easily solved.”

Having already divulged too much information for the ladies’ delicate ears, Parker wasn’t about to elaborate on the fact that the jealous lover with the penchant for killing was another male, when President Grant preferred to keep the particulars under wraps to avoid a scandal for America. Instead, he regaled them with a few details of the chase, making the story interesting without revealing too much. “Usually most crimes can be attributed to basic motives like greed, jealousy, or anger.”

“Sounds so exciting,” Mindy said, sighing. “Tell us more.”

“There were two cases last year where my partner almost lost his life because he didn’t wait for my backup.” He then told two stories of his previous partner’s impatience to go in without him—one ending in a bullet wound from a gunfight and the other ending in a near fiery death.

“He is still alive?” Jacques asked.

“He’s alive and well. Got married and took a desk job, so I came over to England without a partner this trip,” Parker replied, bringing Jacques up-to-date on his ex-partner.

“Your work sounds treacherous. I can’t believe we’re sitting at the same table with someone such as you.” Mindy glanced at Penny. “Remember when we used to play highwayman and magistrate with Geoff? Our games seemed so perilous because you always played such a terrifying criminal.” Mindy grinned. “Penny has a cunning mind, and her imagination usually led us into trouble. She always went beyond the pale. Still, we thought it a great game, but I never realized how dangerous real criminals could be.”

Mindy’s words caught Lucas’s attention and his eyebrows rose. “So you were playmates with Geoff? What’s your connection to him?”

Penny put her hand on Mindy’s under the table and squeezed, giving her friend a warning shake of her head.

Parker caught both signals.

“We were both employed as maids in his estate in Northumberland until just recently,” Penny said. “When we were little, before Geoff went to Eton, we were great friends.”

His gaze stayed on Penny for several minutes. Neither woman looked like any maid he’d seen in London. “Who’s Geoff?” he finally asked.

“No need for your hackles to go up, Parker. He’s the friend I was doing the favor for, the younger brother of one of my biggest clients,” Lucas admitted. “The Duke of Wyndham is one of the dreaded aristocracy you hate, hence I didn’t feel the need to expound earlier. Geoff procured their passage, and he was quite explicit about their treatment. I just couldn’t figure out why.” He turned to the ladies and added with a roguish smile, “At first I figured he was buying you off after a brief liaison to be rid of you, as sometimes happens. ’Twas apparent from the moment I saw both of you that wasn’t the case—not with such obvious ladies. I admit I was a bit puzzled. Now that I know you were childhood friends, I fully understand his motives. Geoff has a big heart.”

“Yes, he does. Geoff is very generous.” Penny lifted her chin. “But it was only a loan. One I have every intention of repaying.”

“Oh?” Parker chuckled. “Are you aware of the amount the captain charges for such a voyage?” On a maid’s meager salary, she’d have to work ten years to accumulate so much.

“I’m aware it was a daunting amount. Rest assured it will be repaid,” Penny stated through clenched teeth.

Her fervency, along with her snooty English accent, intrigued Parker. He’d secretly watched her during their meal. Besides being easy to look at, she incited his curiosity. Intuition told him something about her story didn’t ring true. Oh no. This impassioned, enticing woman was no simple household maid. He’d give his right arm if this proved to be the case. Though plain in design, the cut and quality of her gown told him she had money. The fact that she ran wild through the countryside with a duke’s brother and another playmate meant she probably wasn’t of noble birth. The nobility he’d come into contact with trained their daughters from the nursery to be simpering fools, not hoydens intent on such youthful activities. Yet she’d come from wealth. Her manners and bearing were too polished to let him believe otherwise.

“No need to reassure us,” Lucas said. “Parker’s suspicious of everyone. It comes from having to deal with the worst in society. Plus, he’s always had a hard time trusting people, especially those with wealth and power.”

For long seconds Parker’s narrowed gaze remained on Penny, causing her to blush again. Oh yes! The lady was hiding something. Of that he was sure.

“So tell us, what takes such lovely women off in search of opportunity in America?” Lucas’s words broke into his thoughts.

His gaze returned to his brother before landing once again on Miss Layton.

“Why all the questions?”
Penny asked, chewing on her bottom lip apprehensively.

“You’ve piqued our interest, is
all. Geoffrey wouldn’t elaborate, yet was intent on your safety. And since he did place you in my care, I need to make sure I’m not throwing you to the wolves.”

Penny’s soft laughter filled the air. “Your concern is unfounded,” she countered. “You have no need to worry about us. We’ll manage quite well.”

“I disagree.” Lucas presented an engaging smile. “The world is a harsh place, even in America. I’d be remiss in my duty if I didn’t make sure two lovely ladies who are under my protection weren’t taken care of.”

Mindy looked to Penny for direction. She nodded.

“Geoff didn’t pay my way. My mother did with her life savings. Like Penny, I intend to pay back every shilling,” Mindy said, obeying the silent communication, turning the attention away from Penny, something Parker suspected had been her main intention.

“I’m meeting my sister in Baltimore.” As Mindy prattled on, Parker studied Penny unobtrusively. “She’s been there for two years, since marrying a gentleman farmer. Mary’s been begging me to come, telling me of the opportunities. Of course, Mama was heartsick to let me go, but she’s always said I’ve risen above my station in life too much already to stay in England. Since my sister did so well, she says I now have the chance at a better life. That’s all she wants for her daughters.”

“Are you going to Baltimore too, Miss Layton?” Parker asked, his focus now fully resting on her as he lifted an eyebrow in question. His penetrating gaze earned another blush and she appeared tongue-tied and flustered. Both reactions evoked a sudden lurch of awareness, and considering his promise to Lucas, along with her connection to this Geoff, he had no intention of acting on it. But that didn’t mean he’d leave her be either. No, there was definitely more to the young miss than met the eye and he meant to unravel exactly what that entailed.

“She’s going to California,” Mindy exclaimed, jumping back in as if trying to help.

“California?” The word hung in the air and a skeptical mien replaced Parker’s questioning one. Even Lucas glanced up, his gaze wide and full of doubt.

“Yes. California. Why is that so hard to believe?” Penny replied, finally finding her voice.

“That’s about as far from Northumberland as you can get.” Parker eyed her thoughtfully, his expression challenging, and waited.

“For your information, and despite the fact that this is no business of yours, I’m meeting my fiancé there. We’re to be married as soon as I join him,” Penny shot back. “So you have no need
to worry.
”

“Ah!
A runaway heiress. Now it makes sense and I finally understand,” Parker said, grinning openly, unable to hide his amusement.

“You understand nothing,” Penny hissed. A volcanic eruption came to mind as her face turned a darker red and her eyes snapped fire. “If I were a man, I’d run from no one.”

Which solidified Parker’s belief. She was running from someone. Maybe her father had sold her to the highest bidder. The English were a mite funny about their titles. Those who held them usually needed money, and those who had money usually didn’t have titles, but wanted them. Bartering with sons and daughters was one way of solving both problems.

He wondered about Geoff’s role. Why had he allowed a woman such as her to travel alone?
To California of all places? Definitely a mystery. He smiled, watching her expression harden, becoming as challenging as his had been. He couldn’t help goading, “So this Geoff just let you go off by yourself, halfway across the world?”