Chapter One
“You sold yourself,” Charles Darcmoor, Earl of Brynwood said, dabbing furiously at his perspiring brow.
“You’re standing too near the hearth, Charles,” Catherine Abelard cautioned.
Charles stepped away from the flames and continued to dab at his brow. “I must voice my protest over this mater most vehemently.”
“So you’ve told me on several occasions. I clearly understand your position. Now you must understand mine.”
Charles’s tall and lean body stiffened at her demand and his face plainly registered disdain. “You should leave such matters to those who know better.”
Catherine resented the same old argument, fearful that there might be some validity to his words. But what else was she to do? There had been no avenue of help she had not sought, nor offer of help she had refused. “You mean to the barristers in all their learned wisdom who assured me my father’s innocence could easily be proven. That the charges of treason brought against him were preposterous and could never be corroborated.”
“Really, Lady Catherine, the gentlemen did their utmost to help the marquis. Your obviously disparaging opinion is uncalled for.”
“Uncalled for?” Catherine said, attempting to retain her anger. “These same men who filled my hopes with such promise now cry for my father’s neck at Charing Crossing.”
“The evidence —”
“The evidence was obviously planted by someone filled with deep hatred for my father, and God only knows for what reason.”
“So you turn to a pirate for help?”
“Must I remind you that it was he who offered it, and at a most opportune time. When the officials were pounding on the door, demanding Father’s immediate imprisonment, and he upstairs in bed barely recovered from his first heart seizure. Where were my father’s so-called friends then?” The remainder of that day, a few short weeks ago, brought a chill of fear to her. If it had not been for the papers the captain had sent, her father would now be languishing in the Tower of London, an almost certain death sentence, given his fragile health.
“There are some —”
“There are none who feel the Marquis of Devonshire innocent of treason. They all ran like cowards, deserting him at a time when he needed their friendship and support the most.”
“I stayed and offered my help,” Charles said patiently.
“Yes, Charles, you did and I’m grateful.” A soft smile demonstrated her sincerity for his dauntless, though recent, friendship. He had only been in residence at Brynwood estate, the neighboring manor, for a few years. “If t wasn’t for you, I don’t know how I would have made it through these trying times.”
Charles walked over to her, sitting beside her on the white brocade settee. “I never doubted his lordship’s innocence.”
“I never thought you did,” Catherine said with a reassuring pat to his hand.
He took her hand in his and squeezed. “Catherine, I fear for your safety.”
“I have no choice. There are no options left to me. Captain Lucifer offered evidence. Something no one else has been able to do.”
“I still don’t like it. Even his name disturbs me.”
Catherine tried to soothe his doubts as well as her own, for in fact his name caused her to tremble. “I doubt his given name is Lucifer.”
“Granted, I think some of the pirates choose names they feel will most frighten people, but it doesn’t matter since their barbaric actions alone cause fear. Please, Catherine, rethink this.”
She couldn’t give herself the luxury of thought. The doubt she harbored would only grow stronger. “I have given my word. I cannot go back on it.”
Charles sprang to his feet, raking his hand furiously through his brown hair. “My God, Catherine, how can you worry about giving your word when the man you gave it to has no morals or convictions?”
Catherine suppressed the flutter of fear that his words had caused. She calmly stood. “Do you have evidence that presented to the Crown would clear father’s name?”
Charles’s mouth dropped open prepared to speak then snapped shut. He sadly shook his head.
Catherine appreciated his concern and support. He had proved a true friend, and she had admired his courage in standing by her father when so many friends had abandoned him. Her father had often commented on his intelligence, handsome features and charm. Attributes, he reminded her, to consider when searching for a husband. She had to admit he was attractive in a common way and his temper was even and controlled. She supposed he would prove a kind husband, but she wasn’t interested.