Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Jack

Jack watched as the women cleared their second plate of food. It was a simple fish stew with bread, but they both ate in silence, seated in the tiny galley. When they were done, the cook scooped more food into their bowls.

Silently, he and Bancroft watched…

Somehow, caring for these women had done little to lessen the pit in his stomach. He hated what they'd been through, and he hadn't known them before, but he wondered what damage it might have done to them.

Anna huddled into Kate's side and even as Kate ate, she wrapped an arm about her younger sister.

A lump rose in his throat.

On the stove a large bucket of water was heating. They couldn't give the girls real baths, but they could wash up.

Once they'd finished eating, half the water was poured into a small wooden bath. The other half would be for rinsing.

Another sailor handed a pile of clothes to Jack as the cook left the galley.

Jack took the shirts, jackets, and trousers, stepping into the galley to hand them to Kate. "I don't have clean dresses. We'll wash yours, and hang them to dry, but in the meantime…"

Kate took the pile with a nod. "Thank you."

"James and I are going to turn our backs, but we'll remain in the door to see that you and Anna are undisturbed."

Kate frowned but gave a tentative nod.

"After you're dressed, I'd like a very quick word, if you're up for it. If not, I can wait until morning."

She shook her head. "I'm fine to speak with you. The food has done wonders."

"Thank you." He wanted to say more, though he wasn't sure what he wished to convey. His apologies? His commitment to her protection?

Instead, he turned his back to her and joined James in the doorway.

For the next quarter hour, the women washed themselves, their soft murmurs to each other as they worked, both comforting and a little heartbreaking.

He ached for them in way he hadn't felt for anyone in a very long time.

His hands were clasped in front of him, his feet spread wide. No sailor came down the hall, their efforts standing guard hadn't been needed after all.

Jack suspected that the entire crew had been told that these two genteel ladies had been stolen and abused by villains and that they deserved all the protection this ship might provide.

The ship was near silent above and no one had come down to the galley to touch a bite of food since the women had arrived.

"We're ready," Kate called.

Jack turned to find both girls wearing the shirts and breeches.

Anna looked uncomfortable, her arms about her middle but Kate stood with one hand on her hip, her head high.

Her hair still trailed in wild curls over one shoulder, but her eyes held a strength that hadn't been there before, and he unwound inside to see her looking calm and confident.

He reached out a hand and she slipped her fingers into his, allowing him to pull her out of the galley.

She stopped just on the other side of the door. "Anna?"

"Yes?"

"Will you be all right with Lord Bancroft?"

"Lord Bancroft?" Anna asked, looking at Jack's friend. "Will I be all right in your company?"

"I will take excellent care of your sister."

Kate gave a quick jerk of her chin in affirmation. Then she allowed Jack to pull her toward the ladder.

"You may want to button your coat. It will be cold on the deck," he said as they started up the ladder.

She grimaced. "I've little appetite to be cold after this evening."

He stopped. "I thought you might find being amongst others instead of sequestered in my quarters more comforting. But perhaps the deck isn't the best choice?"

Her brows lifted. "You just stood guard while I bathed. If you were going to hurt me…"

He grimaced but stepped back down the ladder, taking her into small quarters instead of out on the deck.

Opening the door, he allowed her to step in and then he stepped in behind her, softly closing the door.

There was very little floor space and she moved to the small looking glass that was nailed to the wall. "You don't have a spare comb, do you?"

"Help yourself," he answered, waving toward the drawer with the latch.

She opened it and pulled out his ivory-handled comb, and then sat on his built-in bed to begin slowly working the instrument through her hair.

He swallowed down a lump as he looked away. He could stare… How did she make something as mundane as working through tangles look fascinating?

"Let me know when you're ready to talk," he said after several long seconds of silence. Or perhaps they were only long to him.

"I'm ready," she answered, clearing her throat. "May I start with a question?"

"You may."

"Lord Bancroft. Is he a good man?"

"He is."

"Interested in marriage?"

He looked at her then, something unpleasant like jealousy sliding down his spine. "To you?"

"No," she shook her head. "To Anna."

His brows lifted. "I'm not sure Bancroft is the marrying kind. He's more of a free spirit."

"Of course." She nipped at her lip, her chin dropping. "But after this, we won't be welcome back into society and I wondered if I might be able to strike a deal for Anna. She doesn't need an attentive husband. But she wasn't made to be alone, and I'm sure she'd happily provide an heir."

Jack drew in a shaky breath. It wasn't a bad plan except Jack knew that Bancroft was opposed to marriage.

Then again, today was an odd day…

"I can't speak for him…"

Kate nodded. "I'll speak with him myself."

His mouth twitched. "I'll talk to him as well."

She gave a quick nod. "Thank you."

"Now tell me what happened."

Her comb paused, her eyes focusing on the wall to the right. "We were on our way to Anna's school. She was nervous about the new placement and so I decided to travel with her."

"Not your parents?" He understood what Kate's parents were like from Isabelle. But to send two young women out on the road alone…

"Ducat provided us with a small army of footmen. All dead, I'm afraid."

Jack's stomach dropped.

"They stopped us on the road, killed the men, and then put bags over both Anna's head and my own." Kate's voice broke and he couldn't help it. He stepped up next to her, reaching for her hand.

Her small fingers slipped into his and then, leaning over, she pressed her cheek to the back of his hand.

"Then what?"

"They tied us, tossed us in a carriage, and then loaded us onto the ship where they locked us in a closet."

His jaw hardened as he drew in a breath to fortify himself for the next question. "Did they touch you?"

She shook her head. "Not like that."

His shoulders drooped with relief at the truth he heard in her tone. She didn't sound sad, or ashamed. "But their treatment was very rough?—"

"I saw it."

"And Anna in particular is struggling with her fear."

"And you?"

She plucked at the trousers. "Wearing these clothes, for whatever reason, has made me feel better. Like I might have a fighting chance…"

He shook his head as he reached out and touched her cheek. "I appreciate what you're saying. But every one of the sailors outweigh you by twenty stone of muscle. Please allow me to protect you."

"And how will you do that?"

He let his thumb stroke over the velvet of her skin. He'd never felt the like. Her large grey eyes stared up at him, the candlelight dancing off them. He had wild crazy ideas of doing for her what she'd suggested Bancroft do for Anna.

He was an earl. She was a fit bride by any standard. He knew it was a ridiculous notion. He was not a man to commit to anything or anyone other than service to the crown meant intentionally to put his life at risk. Marrying would be to act with a practicality he'd avoided his entire life. Would his father have approved of the match?

He hated to do anything that might please the old man. Then again…she valued family the way he did, and as a wife, he could feel that she'd attend to his needs in ways his own parents never did. He'd seen her with Anna. She was far more concerned about her sister's care, than she was her own.

What would it be like to be cared for by a woman who was as loyal as Kate? He'd never had someone concerned for him.

He shook his head. This was not his plan.

Then again, when he retired as a spy, what was his plan? He'd take over the earldom. What then?

"I'm going to send you and Anna to Scotland where your sister and brother-in-law can keep you safe."

She stared up at him, her lips softly parting. For a moment she didn't say a word, her eyes searching his. His fingers trailed down her neck and tangled into the freshly combed strands.

Softly she shook her head. "I'm sorry. But no. I'm not going."

His mouth fell open. "I beg your pardon?"

"No. I'm not going. I want to stay. Here. With you."