Becoming Lady Lockwood (21 page)

“Very well then. And how would you prefer to proceed with the matter at hand? Should you like your brother’s marriage annulled?”

“No, sir. I do not wish to ruin the reputation of the lady. I should like the entire matter discredited. As if it had never happened.”

“As the marriage was never solemnized by the church, I shall make arrangements immediately as per your wishes.”

“Thank you.” The relief that washed over William left his muscles feeling weak.

The magistrate rose, and the remaining men in the room stood as he exited the chamber. Mr. Stanley followed closely behind him.

William shook the hands of Mr. Campbell and Mr. Grant. “I cannot thank you enough for how you handled this matter.”

“There will be time for that later, Lord Lockwood,” Mr. Campbell said, a twinkle in his eye. “I should think you have a visit to pay and news to deliver to a particular lady.”

William did not have to be told twice. He walked out the door and discovered Sidney waiting for him in the entrance hall of the courthouse.

“And . . . ?” Sidney asked, walking rapidly to keep up with William. “Are you going to tell me the verdict?”

“The magistrate’s decision was in our favor.” William climbed into his carriage. “And if you would like to accompany me, I am going to pay a visit to Amelia Becket.”

When they reached the admiral’s residence, William leapt from the carriage and practically bounded up the stairs. Sidney, for once, was more reserved.

William rang the bell and tapped his foot upon the step as he waited.

A butler answered the door, and William told him they had come to visit with Miss Becket, glancing past the man into the house in his eagerness to see Amelia.

The butler looked annoyed with the two men. “Miss Becket is gone.”

“We can wait.” William said. “When do you expect her to return?”

“You misunderstood me, sir. Miss Becket is
gone
. She took her trunk and her maid and left over an hour ago.”

“Surely she plans to return. Where would she go?” William felt the beginnings of panic gnawing at his insides.

“I think not, sir. The carriage driver conveyed her to the docks.” As the man closed the door, William heard him mutter, “And as for myself, I shall enjoy a good night sleep without Miss Becket’s nightmares waking the whole house.”

William turned. “Sidney, we must get to the docks!”

But Sidney was already running down the walkway to the carriage, calling orders to William’s driver to get them to Greenwich as quickly as possible. The men climbed inside, and William raked his fingers through his hair.

“William, we must think. There are hundreds of ships in port. Where would Amelia go?”

“That man from the duke’s ball. Mr. Dunford. What was the name of his ship?” William searched his mind. He had nodded politely that evening as the man had told them about his forthcoming voyage to Grenada, but William had been so distracted by Amelia that he had only half listened. His heart was pounding, and even now he found it impossible to concentrate as he struggled to suppress the dread that was growing heavy in his chest.

“The SS
Lilian
? No,
Louisa
,” Sidney said, his brow furrowed. “But Amelia would not have left. I cannot believe it.”

William remembered holding Amelia in his sitting room after the battle. She had been broken and hurt and at her most vulnerable. Now he heard the words she had said as if she were sitting next to him.
Don’t leave me, William
, and
I
just want to go home
. The true longings of her heart. If she believed William had left her, he had no doubt of her next move.

It was after many inquiries and a frantic search that a dockworker finally pointed down the river, where a merchant ship was sailing out toward the open sea. “’Ere’s the
Louisa
, sirs. Pity it is. Ya just missed ’er.”

Sidney patted William’s shoulder. “I am sorry, old boy.”

William’s limbs felt as if they were filled with lead. He watched the
Louisa
as her sails were reefed, filling with wind and taking Amelia from him.

Straightening his back, he turned to Sidney. “Captain Fletcher, I am going to need a ship.”

Amelia sat in her cabin
on the merchant ship. She had asked the ship’s cook for some ginger to make tea for poor Anna, who was feeling the pains of seasickness.

Amelia held the cup toward her lady’s maid. “Drink a bit; it will help. We have been at sea two days, and you shall feel better by tomorrow. I guarantee.”

“I do not know how you can stand it, miss. The rocking of the ship is dreadful.”

“One becomes accustomed to it. You shall love Jamaica, Anna. And as we get closer, it will become warmer upon the decks and we can watch for dolphins.” Amelia dipped a cloth in a bucket of cool water and applied it to Anna’s forehead. Then the girl lay back upon her berth to rest.

Amelia heard noises upon the decks above her and felt the familiar pain that she knew would soon be accompanied by tears at the memories that filled her mind almost constantly. She had taken to remaining below deck—under the pretense of caring for Anna—to avoid the open sea and the smells and sights that reminded her of William. Thinking of him was too painful.

Her constant sorrow had left her feeling hollow. She pulled her blanket closer around her shoulders; even that was a reminder of him.

How could she have ever let herself develop such feelings for this man? It was merely a few months ago that she had congratulated herself on the fact that she had not allowed such a thing as love to ruin a perfectly good sham marriage. She had looked upon other ladies as fools for allowing themselves to be swept away like lovesick ninnies.

As she lay back upon her own berth, her tears began afresh. She covered her mouth in order not to disturb Anna.

She noticed more noises upon the deck above her, and her heart began to race. Memories of the battles crashed over her, and it took all her strength to hold in her fear. She hurried from the cabin, not wanting to disturb Anna, who needed her sleep.

Amelia thought she would scream. The urge to hide fought with the need to know what was happening above deck. She tried to push down her anxiety as the familiar noises of men yelling and heavy footsteps running over the wooden boards nearly drove her to her knees in fear. She was creeping up the companionway on shaking legs when someone shouted, “We’re being boarded!”

Full-blown terror exploded in Amelia’s chest. Running up the last steps, she emerged onto the deck and saw a sleek vessel situated much too close. Men were clambering across planks to board the SS
Louisa
, and one man swung on a rope, landing gracefully upon the deck.

William. Her terror ceased, though her heart continued to pound in her ears. She did not know whether the sight of him brought more hurt or more relief, but he was here.

He strode across the deck to Commander Dunford. “My apologies, sir, but it appears that you have one of my crew among your ranks.”

“I assure you I checked each man’s documentation myself, sir.”

William turned to Amelia, walking slowly toward her. “Miss Amelia Becket. As I am certain you are aware, desertion is a serious crime.”

Amelia did not know whether to laugh or to cry. She was so happy to see him and so hurt and so . . . confused.

“I did not think my company was necessary anymore, Captain.” She lowered her eyes, feeling hot tears slip down her cheeks. The relief at seeing him brought her emotions to the surface with a vengeance. “Or wanted.”

William took her arm, leading her out of earshot of both crews that stood upon the deck, watching the couple. He pulled her blanket tighter around her shoulders, lifting her chin with his crooked finger. “Amelia, you are wanted. I need you. I could not bear for you to leave me, as I am quite in love with you.”

William held her face in his hands, using his thumbs to brush away her tears.

“But I thought—” she murmured.

“Amelia, I have loved you almost from the moment you sullied my boots.”

She smiled at his attempt at humor. “But why did you not visit me in London? And the ball. You danced with that horrible—” Her voice caught on a sob, and she laid her head upon his chest, no longer shaking. He tightened his arms around her. “I thought you understood. I had no choice. Did you not receive my note? I could not talk to you until after the trial or else I would risk losing the suit. If our true relationship was discovered, I could have lost you forever.”

“Do you really love me, William?” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

“Amelia, this past week has been torture. It has shown me that I do not want to live without you. The hope of having you by my side is the only reason I am able to leave the sea. I ache when you are not with me. I cannot bear the thought of you waking from nightmares alone when I might be there to hold you. There is nothing on earth I want more than to spend every moment with you. You have stolen my heart.” He stepped back and lifted her chin until their eyes met. “You have tamed an ill-mannered beast.”

A small giggle pushed its way between her tears. “I am sorry I ever said such a thing, William. You are the best man I have ever known, and I am very much in love with you.”

William pressed his lips upon hers, and cheers and applause sounded around them.

Amelia looked around the deck, blushing when she saw all the sailors watching. She recognized many of the smiling faces of her shipmates: Riley, Slushy, Sidney, Corporal Ashworth.

“But there is still the matter of your punishment,” William said.

“I think this is hardly the place for a waltz.”

“No, but it is the perfect place for Captain Fletcher to perform a wedding. After I attempt to kiss you senseless, of course.”

Just before his lips met hers, Amelia whispered, “Aye, aye, Captain.”

William Drake, Lord of Lockwood,
stepped down the stairs in the manor house, tying his cravat as he walked. Entering the dining room, he saw the dowager lady and his sister had already begun eating their breakfast.

“Good morning, Mother, Emma.”

They both returned the greeting with smiles.

“I trust you slept well,” his mother said.

William walked to the sideboard and began to fill his plate. Her interest touched him. He had found himself surprised by how pleasant it was to belong to a family. There had not been many people in his life concerned for his welfare.

“Thank you, Mother, I did.”

“And Amelia? The storm did not keep her awake?” Emma asked.

“Not at all. The night was very peaceful.” He brought his plate to the table, sitting next to his mother. “She will join us in a moment.”

He looked at his younger sister. “And how did you sleep, Emma?” he asked. “Did the storm disturb you?”

“No. I slept very well, thank you.” She smiled at him shyly, and he wished he knew her well enough to know whether she told the truth.

Ever since he and his new bride had arrived at the manor two months earlier, Amelia and Emma had gotten along splendidly. The two women regularly spent hours together, reading or bundling up against the cold and taking long walks around the estate. Amelia had confided in him that she believed Emma had become a bit melancholy lately, but he thought it must be attributed to the cold, dark winter. And, though he would never admit such a thing aloud, he himself had noticed the house was much duller once their guest, Sidney Fletcher, had left after Twelfth Night.

William had taken only a few bites when he heard footsteps in the entryway, followed by a rush of cold air as the manor house door was opened.

The three turned toward the dining room entrance, wondering what had caused the disturbance, when they heard the distressed voice of the butler calling, “My lady!”

William sprung from his chair and hastened to the entry hall, where the butler stood in the doorway, holding Amelia’s outer wrap. William pushed past him and looked out into the garden.

He saw Amelia crouched down in the deep snow. He snatched the cloak from the butler and ran into the garden, calling her name. Was she hurt? What could she possibly be doing?

Hearing him, she turned, and he saw to his amazement, a smile lit up her face. His heart softened. There was a time he’d worried he would never see her smile again.

She held a handful of snow out to him. “It is
snow
, William! I had heard of such a thing, but I have never seen it.” She stretched her arms out, motioning around her. “It is everywhere. On ever branch, each stone. The entire forest is covered—like a blanket. And it is so beautiful.” She shook her hand, allowing the wet clump to fall to the ground.

William wrapped the cloak around her shoulders, tying the ribbon beneath her chin.

“And cold,” he said, lifting her red hand and placing a kiss on her fingers. “Come back inside. You shall have plenty of opportunities to see the snow. We have an entire winter ahead of us.”

Amelia placed her hands upon his shoulders, sliding them up to the sides of his neck. He shivered as her cold palms touched his skin, and he wrapped his arms around her, noticing again how perfectly she fit into them.

“William, I did not imagine I should ever be so happy.”

“Even in dreary old England?”

“I quite adore it here. But perhaps that can be attributed to the company.”

Small flurries of snow continued to fall, and some flakes landed upon her cheeks. William promptly kissed them off. “Then, I wonder if you should still want to travel to Jamaica after next year’s parliamentary session ends.”

Amelia pulled back, studying his expression. Deciding that he was teasing, her own face relaxed into a smile. “I would not want to disappoint your mother and Emma. They are so looking forward to a tropical holiday. And of course, a long sea voyage.” She tipped her head slightly and furrowed her brow. “But do you think we shall be able to leave the estate?”

“Fortunately, my wife is very wise in matters of business. She is a supreme ledger keeper, and the tenants are quite taken with her. With her help, I shall be able to leave the estate very well managed for six months until our return.”

She raised an eyebrow, and her lips quirked in a smile. “I wonder, Captain, if you needed a steward more than a wife.”

William tightened his arms around her, cupping her head in one hand and bringing her face close to his. “I do not think a steward would allow me to do this.” His lips brushed hers softly. “And I do not know what I should do without my Amelia.”

She took his hand as they walked back toward the manor house. “I could not agree with you more, William. It turns out that marriage quite agrees with me.”