War of Hearts, A Historical Romance (19 page)

The tittering of laughter caught her
attention and she looked over to see several young women
congregating in a corner. She met their eyes and they quickly
looked away. Holding her head up higher she accepted the glass that
was slipped into her hand.

“Do you go to a lot of these?”

He shook his head. “No, the Colonel enjoys
these functions, not I. I would prefer to be in my room.”

A wicked smile crossed her face. “Maybe we
can head up later. Wouldn’t that be scandalous?”

“You are a magnet for trouble,” he
chuckled.

Sarah let out a gale of laughter as she
pushed at Ryan’s chest for attention. All heads in the room turned
toward them, and she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, letting
her lips remain a second too long.

“Guess we’ll have to make our own
entertainment,” she whispered back as he laughed.

Blue eyes watched them with a frown. Even
though Tristan knew it was an act, he still hated to not be with
her. He thought his need for her would vanish once sated. However,
it seemed to grow more and more each day. Now it was as if he was
not complete any longer. He needed her.

“They make a fine pair do they not?” the
Colonel commented at his side.

“Humph!” Tristan grunted, sipping on his
brandy as he watched them escape outside.

“So you two are sneaking off early?”

A gleam entered his eyes, thinking of their
plan. “Yes, I want to set sail at first light. I am sure my mother
will be delighted,” he added sarcastically.

“Well good luck prying her away from Ryan.”
The Colonel slapped his back and Tristan struggled to keep his
brandy from sloshing out of his glass. He would need every drop
tonight.

***

Sarah and Ryan found an empty bench to set
on. She was not used to wearing the heavy dress and wig; it was
becoming quite a workout just to stay vertical.

She growled. “I wish I could just rip these
damn clothes off.”

“Well, that would cause a stir wouldn’t
it?”

“Why are you here?” she asked suddenly
turning to him.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Why are you in the army? Not to offend you,
however, you don’t really seem the soldier type.”

He looked down at his clasped hands. “My
father was a soldier, my mother was quite in love with him; she
chose to follow him to the army. Of course my siblings and I were
dragged along as well. When I turned 14 I was given the option of
joining the army or leaving camp. We were on foreign soil; I had no
place else to go. My family was with the army. So I signed up…for
life.”

“For life! I had no idea.”

“Humph, the hierarchy can buy their way up
the ladder with coin. However, foot soldiers are lifers. Not much
is considered for their existence. This is a treasonous
conversation I’m sure,” he said a bit warily.

She smirked, “Well at least Major Johnson
isn’t sneaking around.”

“At least,” he agreed, pulling her to her
feet and leading her inside. He escorted her to the punch and
offered her a cup before taking one for himself. The music started
up and they sipped their drinks while watching the colorful couples
twirling in front of them.

A dark shadow passed over her and she looked
up to see a dark-headed man staring down at her intently. “A dance
madam?”

She glanced at Ryan who grabbed her glass
and nodded to her in acceptance. She nodded to him looking up and
meeting his dark eyes. Nerves set in as he placed one hand on her
back and the other grasped her hand in his. She had never danced
before such as this and was glad to let him lead her around the
room, keeping an eye on her feet.

“Is this your first ball?” he asked the
flustered girl.

“Yes, is it that obvious?” she replied in
embarrassment.

“Not at all. I just wanted to make sure I
was not losing my eye sight, since I have not noticed you
before.”

Sarah smiled in return for the compliment.
She wasn’t comfortable spilling out her cover story in a room full
of strangers. Looking around, she noticed there were many more men
than women. A stark fact in any town under military control.

The tune ended and she begged off another.
Her eyes sought out any sign of Tristan. She had not seen him since
he visited her bed last night. She spotted a blue waistcoat and
strained to see the owner’s face.

“Looking for someone?” a deep voice
asked.

She spun so quickly she lost her balance on
her narrow heels. She would have fallen except for Tristan grasping
her arms and steadying her.

“Yes, I was looking for Ryan.”

Tristan smiled at her fib. “Well, he is
otherwise occupied right now. I’m sure he won’t mind if I keep you
company.”

“That is so gallant of you.”

“Yes, it is, especially since I had to force
my way through your crowd of admirers.”

“Gallant and brave,” she replied. He pulled
her into the fray of dancers as the next waltz started.

She was much more aware of his hands
touching her than her previous dance partner. Warmth spread from
his fingers and she felt the familiar ache inside. Wishing they
weren’t in a crowd, she gave him an apologetic smile.

In reply, he leaned forward and whispered,
“Soon.”

Her heart thumped faster in her chest and
she was not sure if it was from his closeness or the thought of
escape. Picturing the men trapped in the bowels of the death ship
made her stomach clench. Soon, her mind repeated his promise.

Barely aware when the song ended, Sarah
found herself led to the table laden with food. Her stomach
grumbled and she forced herself to eat, even though she had no
appetite.

Her hand went to her forehead and not all of
it was a ruse. All the cigar smoke and perfume was giving her a
headache. Ryan appeared at her side and once again led her to the
sanctity of the garden.

“Having fun?” she asked.

“As much as you are,” he quipped. “Listen I
know we aren’t on the same page about certain aspects, however, I
wish you well on your…journey.”

Sarah met his eyes and nodded. “Thank you,
Ryan;
you
I will miss.”

Leading her to the servant’s entrance, he
guided her up to her room, “Be safe,” he warned, and then he was
gone.

Sarah, all bundled with nerves, sat on the
bed awaiting Tristan. She wanted to change into something more
comfortable, but it would have to wait until they reached the ship.
She didn’t want the party-goers thinking her and Tristan were doing
anything except going for a leisurely carriage ride.

Her tension mounted as the shadows
lengthened in her room. Her head once again filled with doubts and
what-ifs. Just when she could not stand it any longer, she heard
the doorknob rattle and hurried to the door.

“Who is it?” she asked, surprised how steady
her voice sounded.

“Mr. Radcliff, Milady.”

With her heart filled with happiness, she
unlocked the door and pulled it open. Her breath caught in her
throat as she looked up at Robert. He reached out for her and spoke
her name…Sarah…Sarah.

“Sarah?” Tristan called, shaking her
shoulder.

She sat up with a gasp, her eyes glancing
around the room in confusion.

“Sarah? Are you okay?” Blue eyes stared down
at her in concern.

She nodded, “Yes, just had a weird
dream.”

“Sorry I took so long, I got caught up in a
conversation with some of the men. Apparently, the pudding wasn’t
sitting well with them, and several left early.”

Sarah smiled at the news. “Well we should
get going. It’s almost too late.”

“It’ll be fine,” he said, offering her his
arm. With one last glance around the room, she took it and they
were off. He guided her down the back stairs and they nodded to the
few people in the garden willing to battle the bugs that came out
at night.

The carriage was waiting at the corral and
Sarah gave a final pat to Molly’s nose; silently telling her
goodbye. Tristan had assured her she would be safe after they left,
and she trusted him.

Grasping his hand, she awkwardly wrestled
with her encumbering gown, trying to step inside. With a grin, he
grabbed her by her waist instead and easily lifted her, petticoats
and all. Once seated, he sat next to her in the rear seat, allowing
a driver to guide the carriage.

Sarah relaxed a bit, enjoying the lovely
night. The clouds were scarce and the full moon shined above them.
As if the heavens were helping them on their quest. Her dream
tugged at the back of her mind and she pushed it away, she needed
it clear this evening.

Not wanting to talk, she reached for his
hand and held it tightly in her own and his thumb traced an unseen
pattern on the back. She leaned her head back to look at him and
received a soft kiss for her effort.

“Soon,” he whispered in her ear.

The smell of the sea reached her and she was
anxious to get underway. The carriage rattled to a stop at the end
of the pier. Tristan hopped down and instructed the driver to
return the carriage and retire for the evening. A nice tip offered
even more allegiance.

Sarah was lifted down and he helped her
straighten out her heavy skirt. Once again proper, she took his arm
and he guided her down the pier to the
Vixen
.

Unlike their previous visits, the
Vixen
was a bevy of activity. Men scurried about on the deck
readying for the trip. Darkness was closing in, however tonight it
would be an asset.

Sarah stopped at the gangplank and
hesitated. She glanced down at the narrow board. Normally, it was
not a problem, but with her billowing dress covering her feet, it
was quite a challenge. Tristan, sensing her anxiety, scooped her up
in his arms and crossed with the grace of a cat.

She clung to his arm as she caught her
balance once returned to her feet. Half a dozen men approached them
and Tristan greeted them by name.

“Zachariah, I didn’t think you were a rebel
sympathizer.”

“I go where the action is. I see you have
changed allegiance as well?” he stated as his dark eyes roamed
freely over Sarah.

“I have learned there is more important
things than money.”

“Indeed. We are set to sail at your
order.”

“Then let’s be off!” Tristan said, leading
Sarah below deck.

Sarah held onto the wall to aide her balance
as the ship swayed beneath her. Lanterns had been lit and eerie
shadows stretched out before her as she passed. She entered the
captain’s quarters and knelt by the trunk she had packed days
before. She was barely aware of Tristan changing next to her. His
presence was now as natural as breathing, and just as necessary.
She pulled free the ragged dress she had arrived in; it was
symbolic for her to wear it as she left.

She stood and swayed heavily as they pulled
out of dock. She turned her back to him, undressing. He laid his
hand on her shoulder to stop her.

Sarah turned to face him and her eyes
widened. He had transformed in just minutes from a prominent
civilian to a black clad pirate. His light hair and eyes contrasted
sharply with his attire.

“Umm...” was the only word that escaped.

He grinned. “I would love to stay but I’m
needed on the quarter deck. Stay here until I return. I would trust
these men with my life, but not my lady,” he cautioned as he turned
and headed out the door. She heard it click behind him but paid it
no mind, placing a hand on her flushed cheek.

Even after all the intimate nights they had
shared, he still affected her greatly. She unbuttoned her gown and
shrugged out of it before starting on the rest of her garb.

Once dressed, she peeked out the window,
watching the wake stretch out behind them. Mesmerized by the sight,
she sat on the bunk and watched the city lights as their reflection
glistened on the water. Gabe’s job was to have overcome the
replacement guards and send in his own men in their stead. She
prayed that the transition had gone smoothly. She knew that the men
had more than likely been killed in the process; however her heart
had hardened to the point where she did not care.

How many of her men were hauled off daily?
Dead from disease or starvation, they were buried in mass graves
without thought or care. No, it was a necessary measure, and she
would feel no guilt.

***

Tristan ordered the lanterns extinguished as
they approached their quarry. The mastless ship was anchored in the
bay, a dark hulk against the dark sky. A flicker of light flashed
on the deck and then brightened when a lantern was lit. It was a
signal that all had gone as planned.

He looked over as Zach walked up to him.
“Where’s the girl? I thought she was coming along.”

Tristan smiled grimly. “Change of plans;
she’ll be staying in my cabin.”

“Does she know that?”

“I’m sure she’ll find out soon enough.” He
felt a bit guilty about locking her in, however he would feel a
whole lot worse if she came to harm.

Cloaked in darkness, they pulled up next to
the floating prison on the left flank. The hulk would shield them
from the view of the main waterway. Ropes were tossed and tethered
the ships together, as several planks were laid for crossing.

***

Sarah paced restlessly in the cabin,
awaiting Tristan’s return. She felt the ship turn sharply and clung
to the bedstead to keep her balance. Feeling a bit dizzy from the
steady motion she sat on the bed. Peeking out the window, she could
make out the shadow of the ship close by. The water sloshed between
the two and it seemed so close she could possibly reach out and
touch it.

Activity erupted from the upper deck and she
could hear men moving about. Had Tristan forgotten about her? With
a new urgency, she walked to the door and grasped the iron knob.
She twisted her hand, but the handle stood firm. Surprised, she
made another attempt. Locked.