To Tame the Wind (Agents of the Crown Book 0) (22 page)

He rose and sat on the edge of her bed, soothing her as he
brushed the sweat-dampened strands of her hair from her forehead. “’Tis all
right, Claire. You’re safe now. He’ll never hurt you again.”

After a while, she quieted and snuggled against his thigh
resting on the bed. He was sleepy and began to sway in the dark room. Giving in
to the temptation of the soft bed, he lay down beside her on top of the cover,
breathing in the same lavender scent he had smelled earlier when she was in his
arms. He knew, in that moment, temptation would forever smell like lavender.

Though she did not wake, she snuggled closer and, draping
her arm across his chest, sighed. He reined in his desire for more, and placed
his hand on her head, holding it to his chest, plagued with visions of making
love to her.

And that is how he passed the night, she sleeping
contentedly, tucked into his warmth, and he wide awake, hoping Amos was on his
way back to Rye from Lorient with good news.

Rye Harbor

The carriage arrived in Rye late the next afternoon. The
three of them had ridden inside with Nate’s head in Claire’s lap for most of
the day. Simon suspected the boy was taking full advantage of Claire’s tender
heart, but no matter. Though he would have preferred to be alone with her, the
lad likely deserved her coddling after what he’d been through.

Simon stepped down from the carriage, thanked the coachman
and handed him the agreed upon sum for their transport, and a bit more. He
studied the sky, pleased that the heavy clouds were holding off their rain.

In the harbor, the
Fairwinds
sat at anchor bringing a
smile to his face. His schooner was more home to him than any other place.

Once they were on board, he saw Claire to his cabin where he
shed his hat and coat, ordered Nate to get them some food, and then sought out
Jordan and Elijah. He was anxious to hear the news from France.

“Giles an’ me jus’ arrived when the
Fairwinds
sailed
into the harbor, Cap’n,” said Elijah, puffing on his pipe.

“I’d like to speak with Giles, as well,” said Simon. Waving
his hand in the air, he beckoned the sailmaker to where he stood with Elijah and
Jordan on the quarterdeck.

When Giles reached them, Simon acknowledged him with a nod
and turned to Jordan. “How went your departure from London?”

“We were not alone, if that’s what you’re asking. I wasn’t
sure at first it was Donet who followed us. He sailed another English sloop
flying the flag of a British merchantman. But the sloop followed us closely
and, at one point on the Thames, I got a glimpse of his black hair on the deck
of the ship.”

“But he did not overtake you?”

“He tried,” said the first mate, “and nearly succeeded.”

“Mr. Landor pulled some fancy sailin’,” said Elijah.

“The truth is,” Jordan clarified, “a lumbering collier
helped us out. Sailed right across Donet’s path so he could not tack, else the
Frenchman would have had us.”

“Well, however you did it, you brought the
Fairwinds
back,” said Simon, “and I am grateful.”

“My pleasure,” said his first mate.

“How was your ride south, Cap’n?” asked Elijah.

“’Twas not without excitement.” At their inquiring looks, he
explained, “We had a bit of trouble in Tonbridge. Nate got a bump on the head
for his efforts to protect the mademoiselle from a rough character taken with
her beauty, but the lad’s fine now. And so is she.” Simon had no intention of
revealing the horror he’d experienced at seeing the man’s hands on Claire or
the murderous intent it gave rise to. Reminding himself of the question burning
in his mind, he asked, “Is Amos back yet?” He hadn’t seen the
Abundance
’s
burly first mate since he’d come aboard.

Jordan’s brow furrowed. “No, but I’ve been expecting him.”

Simon stared off the starboard toward France. “I hope I
haven’t sent him on some wild goose chase.”

Returning his gaze to Elijah and Giles, he said, “I assume
you have the arrangements for the exchange?”

“Ye won’t like ’em, Cap’n,” said the old salt. “’Tis Calais,
four days hence. We lost some time returnin’ from Paris with a broken axle on
the coach and bad weather in the crossin’.”

Calais. Four days more with Claire.
It was not
enough. He wanted more. Hell, he wanted a lifetime. “Four days doesn’t leave us
much time. Do you think the
Abundance
’s crew is there already?”

“Can’t say,” said Elijah, “but could be. ’Else he’s bringin’
’em by ship just in time for the exchange.”

Simon studied the faces of the two men he’d sent to Paris, wondering
if they were holding back bad news. “Did Donet’s man say anything about the
condition of the crew? Did all survive their wounds?”

“I asked Donet’s quartermaster, Cap’n,” said Giles. “He’s a
gruff character by the name of Bequel. Seemed honest enough on that point,
though. Said they have some physician in Lorient who works miracles. All have
recovered or are on the mend.”

Inwardly, Simon breathed a sigh of relief. Wingate and his
men were well.

“And what of the ship? Has Donet agreed to return it?”

Giles and Elijah exchanged a look before the sailmaker gave
voice to Simon’s fear. “He won’t return the ship, sir. Bequel said it was
already committed to a purpose and when I asked, he declined most rudely to
disclose what it was.”

Damn
. The
Abundance
had cost him thousands of
pounds. He would not give her up so easily. “One way or another, once I have
the crew, I’ll go after my ship.”

“The crew will be happy to join you,” said Jordan,
surprising Simon with the enthusiasm in his voice for what they both knew would
be a dangerous task.

Elijah shoved some folded papers into Simon’s hand. “From
the Scribe, sir.”

Simon tucked the papers into his waistband. “We’ll wait two
days for Amos to return. Then we weigh anchor for Calais.”

When she was alone, Claire surveyed the captain’s cabin. It
was just as it had been when she’d left. It smelled of the man who made it his
home. Though she was well aware she was still a captive, she was oddly happy to
be back on the
Fairwinds
. Not just because the constant swaying and
bouncing of the carriage was at an end. She’d missed the crew. This time, when
she’d climbed aboard the
Fairwinds
, some of them had waved her a
greeting. Even the first mate, Mr. Landor, who must have forgiven her the
escape attempt in London, looked pleased to see her. Perhaps he’d explained to
the crew she was not a spy after all. The ship had begun to feel like home.
More, it was his ship and she felt close to him when she was in his cabin,
among his things.

Her fingers idly brushed over his chronometer sitting on his
desk and she remembered with shame the time she’d tossed it onto a pile of
debris on the deck. She valued such things now not just because she realized
their worth, but because they were important to him.

How long would she remain on his ship? As the carriage had
neared Rye, she had experienced anxious thoughts, knowing the inevitable
exchange loomed on the horizon. Soon she would be returned to her papa. Soon
Simon would have his kidnapped crew. And though she felt happiness at both events,
they also portended ill, for soon she would see him no more.

Somewhere on the journey from London to Rye, she had decided
not to return to Saint-Denis, except to say goodbye. Her time with the English
captain had convinced her that whatever God intended for her life, it was not
the life of a nun. If one day she taught children, they would be her own.

The cabin door opened and a beaming Nate stepped inside
carrying a tray. “Hello, mistress. I’ve brought ye and the cap’n some food.”

Before he had closed the cabin door with his foot, she had
noticed there was no guard posted even though they were in port. She supposed
one was hardly necessary now. She had no desire to escape him and he must know
it, too.

“Here, let me help,” she said, taking the tray and setting
it on the pedestal table. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, mistress.”

“Stay and keep me company.”

“I suppose the cap’n won’t mind if I stay a bit,” he said,
slipping into one of the chairs. “He’s on deck talkin’ to some of the men.”

“Do you want some food?”

“I had a bowl of stew in the galley with McGinnes.”

She removed the cover of one bowl and inhaled the rising
steam. “It smells wonderful. Perhaps I’ll have some before the captain
returns.” She was hungry and the stew was good, a hearty fare, tasting of the
spices she had suggested to the Irish cook that went well with lamb. “McGinnes
grows more expert at his craft.”

“Aye. One of the crew told me they’ve been eatin’ better.”

“Did McGinnes say anything about trouble as they sailed from
London?” She had to know if her papa had gone after the
Fairwinds
.

“Aye. McGinnes said a sloop followed them out of the Pool of
London but with all the ships on the river, Mr. Landor was able to slip away.
Once in the Channel, he set a fast course fer Rye.”

The cabin boy rose with an apologetic look. “I’d best let
the cap’n know the food’s here. He’ll be hungry.”

When Nate left, Claire rested her chin in her upturned hand,
her elbow on the table. So her papa had pursued Simon’s ship. Was he hoping to
rescue her so he didn’t have to return the captain’s men? She would never have
allowed him to do that without arguing for their freedom. Would he have
listened? The papa she had thought she knew would have listened, but the man he
seemed now was so very different. She was not at all certain she really knew
him.

Tired from their carriage ride and exhausted from the night
before and her concern for what her papa had done, Claire looked longingly
toward the bed. Perhaps she might have a small nap.

Simon opened his cabin door. All was quiet within. His
stomach rumbled when he smelled the lamb stew. Directly in front of him, the
table was set with his meal, but beyond that, curled up on top of the blue
cover on his bed, was the raven-haired beauty. A few strides took him to her. She
was lying on her side, facing the cabin door. His hand caressed her warm cheek,
her alabaster skin glowing even in sleep. Strands of black hair curled around
her face. He brushed them aside.

Beautiful Claire
.

Wild at heart, courageous and caring. A real lady. Too good
for the likes of him. But he wanted her all the same. The urge to make love to
her was so strong he had to turn from her or he would fail in his resolve to
return her untouched. He must focus on his missing men.

Simon had never underestimated his enemies and he would not
do so now. Donet would take vengeance on the
Abundance
’s crew if his
daughter were not returned as she was when Simon had abducted her. Innocent.

But if the truth be told, neither he nor Claire was the
same. Both had changed. He loved the wild girl he could tame with his kiss. And
he wanted her for his own. He knew she had a certain fondness for him, had
softened to her captor, else she would not seek comfort in his arms when she
was frightened. In time, she might even come to love him. If he could find his
men, he might convince her to stay. He’d hoped Amos had returned with news of
the
Abundance
’s crew and was disappointed when he was not on the ship.
Simon was nearly out of time.

Sinking into a chair, he pulled from his waistband the
papers Elijah had given him, glancing at them as he ate. More inane writings of
Edward Edward that only Eden’s chemicals could decipher. He would send one of
his trusted men with them to London while he sailed to Calais.

The next two days were given over to readying the
Fairwinds
to sail. As the duties assigned were completed, Simon kept one eye on Rye, the
hill town rising behind the harbor and one eye on the Channel. There was only
one question in his mind.
Where was Amos?