His Lady Ashlynn Read online

  “Do you need something, m’lady?” a rail-thin, redheaded sailor stopped to ask in concern.

  Once more she pulled on a smile that she didn’t really feel. “I was just wondering when we would be casting off? I was told it would be around dawn.”

  The first rays of sun were just now threading through the clouds to the east. The earlier rain had stopped and now the air was heavy with mugginess. Before long Braden and Abigail, as well as the servants, would be getting up and around. It wouldn’t take much time before her absence was discovered. Braden would not be happy, since he had been basically left in charge of watching over her while their father and Blaine were away. She didn’t even want to think what her father’s reaction would be when he learned that she had stolen off into the night. Blaine, too, would be upset…maybe. And maybe he would actually be relieved that she had left. She still couldn’t believe he really wanted this marriage. But she certainly didn’t! Right? Right.

  The young sailor shifted the crate he was carrying on one shoulder to a better position. “Captain said we are running a little behind schedule. Maybe another hour, maybe two.” With that he went on his way.

  Another hour or two? Her stomach twisted with anxiety. She didn’t like this delay in departing. But she was just being a nervous ninny. Even if Braden discovered that she was missing, he wouldn’t know where she had gone. She was certain he would read the note she’d left for Blaine, but even in it she hadn’t mentioned where she was going. And if someone should think it through and realize she would be trying to make good on her desire to return to America, The Pearl was not the only ship taking on passengers and preparing to leave this day.

  Still, it might be best if she stayed below in her cabin until they were well at sea.

  ***

  Blaine rode back to his town house in Mayfair, uncomfortable in his sodden clothing, but relieved that the downpour of rain had finally stopped. His mood was quite sour, though. His gut instinct had been right, something had been wrong. If he had returned earlier the day before, perhaps he could have…

  No! He was not going to accept the blame for what Ashlynn had decided to do. She had been against this marriage idea from the instant he had made the arrangement with her father. But was it really him that she disliked or the fact that she was being pushed into something she’d had no time to adjust to? After all, she’d only been in London a couple of weeks by that eventful ball when he’d made the startling discovery that he’d met the woman he could desire for the rest of his life. After he’d abruptly spoken to Edmond for her hand and he’d accepted on her behalf, her launch into society had ended. He’d more or less cheated her out of having other suitors. Not that he had seen her interested in other men. No, her focus had been on the young American she had left behind.

  As he yawned wearily, he thought about her reactions to him, more than her irritation with him for the situation. When he’d dared to apply his hand to her pert bottom, she’d not been happy about it. But she had also grown aroused…each time. He’d noted the wetness between her legs, watched her squirm in more than in pain. Then when he’d kissed her… Ah, well, his Lady Ashlynn was a very passionate woman. She had most definitely kissed him back. And during their last time together, she’d also pressed her enticing body against him. She’d given him a bit of a saucy smile when she’d become aware of how much he’d wanted her in that moment. Yes, the minx desired him, maybe as much as he did her. She simply did not like anyone making up her mind for her. She was strongly independent and resented anyone telling her what to do. He had to admit he admired that in her. He was no longer interested in the kind of simpering, milk-toast, too agreeable women he had been married to before or had courted until now. He might have to rein her in now and then, discipline her when necessary, but no other woman pleased him as much.

  He dismounted in front of his carriage stable and his livery boy came out to meet him, giving him a questioning look, but saying nothing. He clearly had never seen his master in such a dreadful appearing state. But Blaine didn’t feel up to giving any sort of explanation and merely handed over the reins and walked determinedly toward his house.

  It wasn’t until he was up in his bedroom, stripping out of his ruined clothes, that it fully occurred to him what he needed to do. In spite of what he’d told Braden, he wasn’t seriously considering giving up on marrying Ashlynn. He had simply needed some time to adjust to what she had done and to figure out what he should do in response. Now he knew. He needed to win her over, not use all of his formidable authority as a peer of the realm to force her to marry him. Titles and such meant less than nothing to her. No, he needed to court her and do all that he must to win her woman’s heart.

  But first he had to find her.

  Barely a half hour later, Blaine was on his way back to Braden’s house. As he’d rushed to dress and get a fresh horse from his stable, he had realized that he was actually excited about the prospect of courting and wooing the woman he still intended to marry. He hadn’t courted either of his first wives, pity that. Both had been arranged marriages for different reasons. He had loved Evalinde and Georgina, but not in the same way he did Ashlynn. Although he hadn’t known her very long, she was on his mind all of the time. He liked her spirit, her strength of will, and, of course, she was more than pleasing to the eye. Most of all, he knew she had a great passion inside her, like himself. They would get along famously once he managed to convince her they belonged together.

  He rode into the long driveway just as Braden’s landau headed out of the carriage house. The driver stopped and Braden poked his head out of the side window. His friend’s scowl told him he wasn’t pleased to see him. Understandable with what he’d said before leaving here earlier.

  “You have changed your mind then?” Braden asked tensely.

  Blaine urged his horse up closer and noted that Abigail was in the carriage as well. Her pursed lips and narrowed eyes warned him that she was as displeased with him as her brother. “About a number of matters, yes.” As Braden waited silently for more of an explanation, he added, “We’ve been going about this all wrong.”

  “What exactly are you talking about?” Braden asked pointedly, his brow creased in annoyance.

  “Forcing this marriage upon Ashlynn.”

  Again Braden waited for more of an explanation.

  Patting his horse’s neck to calm his fidgeting, he said, “Were I in her shoes and being forced to do something, I, too, would rebel.” He hadn’t taken the time to really think about it until today. He had been focused entirely on taking her to wife.

  Abigail opened the landau’s door to speak directly to him. “It was a good plan for her. She needs a husband, needs to settle down…just at Father believes.”

  Braden nodded. “You will be a good husband to her.”

  He was glad that his friend appeared to be calming down, no longer his enemy. “I agree with all of that, but we handled this wrong.” He met Braden’s questioning eyes. “I fully intend to marry your sister…when the time is right. I need to take a step back and court her properly.”

  “Except that she has disappeared. There will be no courting her if we can’t locate her.” Braden looked anxiously toward the road. “Even now she might be getting further out of our reach.”

  ***

  Ashlynn paced restlessly around the cabin. She and Abigail had shared a much larger cabin on their trip over to England from America. Even then, though, she had felt uncomfortable with being confined inside the four walls, as she did now. She had spent as much time as possible on the main deck. Abigail had not. She wasn’t an outdoors person like herself. At home in Virginia her sister had been more than content to spend the bulk of each day inside the house. She was a talented seamstress, made amazing embroidered pieces. She could sit for hours working on her projects. Ashlynn had none of those skills and didn’t care. She would rather spend her time outside working in her mother’s gardens or riding one of their two horses. These were more reasons she hadn
’t felt happy in London. There were no gardens for her to tend, nor would it probably have been allowed. She hadn’t been free to take a horse from her brother’s stable and ride wherever she wanted. A proper woman just didn’t do that sort of thing.

  She snorted. She wasn’t a proper woman and had no desire to be so. Another reason she and Blaine would never suit. His position in society required him to have a respectable, proper wife. It pained her just a bit that she fell far short of those requirements. Abigail could meet them. He really should have pursued her sister. Oddly, she didn’t like that idea.

  She frowned toward the closed door and pushed that unpleasant thought aside. When would they be leaving? Hadn’t more than a couple of hours already passed since she’d talked to that young sailor?

  Maybe she should go up on deck again to check on the matter. But she changed her mind. Something warned her to stay below, to remain hidden. What a foolish notion! She hadn’t bought a ticket using her real name. Even if Braden had come to the docks looking for her, he wouldn’t find out she was here. Still, she would stay inside for now.

  They had split up as soon as they arrived at the docks. Braden and Abigail had rushed off to find out if Ashlynn had bought passage on the Windfarer. Blaine had headed for the second ship, The Sea Pearl, which also looked in the final stages of preparing to sail. His gut warned him to hurry. He’d left his horse in a stable near the main pier and all but ran toward the ship.

  As he drew closer, he spotted a familiar young woman talking frantically to a scowling, middle-aged man who stood blocking the gangway. Where had he seen her? Was she a servant? Yes, he’d seen her at Braden’s house, but he didn’t know her name.

  “You’ve got to let me aboard,” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “Me mistress is on board. She needs me. I panicked and rushed off the ship. But—”

  The man with long black hair tied back with a strip of leather shook his head. “The Pearl is getting ready to leave. There is no time to verify your story. Not that I believe you.”

  “Please, sir…” She looked in desperation toward the ship. “I…I shouldn’t have left her.”

  Clearly the man wasn’t going to give in. He even reached to nudge the young woman in the other direction, but not unkindly.

  Shaking now, she glanced frantically around. And then she spotted Blaine. She rushed to him, latched onto his arm, and with amazing strength tugged him over to the man she had been arguing with. “She’s on board, Your Grace. Determined to leave, she is. I couldna change her mind.”

  His heart pounded in relief. He’d found her! In that second he considered a decision he hoped wouldn’t be a mistake. He had dozens of responsibilities, business that he shouldn’t be abandoning for now. But he had one of the best solicitors in London and excellent managers. Dare he do this?

  Behind him he heard footsteps hastening toward them and he knew without looking that they belonged to Braden and Abigail. Ahead of him sailors were getting ready to untie the ropes from the dock. The Pearl would be pulling out within minutes.

  “You have located Ashlynn?” Braden asked breathlessly as he stopped beside him. He blinked and studied the worried young maid. “Regina?”

  She paled, her eyes wide in worry. “I couldna change her mind, Lord Remington. I did try. But I couldna let her come here alone, either.”

  He sighed in understanding. “Do not worry. This is not your fault, I do not blame you in any way.”

  As she shuddered in relief, the man apparently lost interest in their problems and turned to walk toward the gangway.

  Blaine hurried after him. “I would like to travel with you,” he bit out. Again, he prayed he wasn’t making a mistake.

  “Do you even know where The Pearl is headed?” the man asked curiously.

  Blaine shrugged. He was pretty sure they were headed for America, since that was where Ashlynn was determined to go. Well, he’d never been there. Maybe it was time he had an adventure of his own. His life had been fairly staid and uneventful so far. He had been raised to always do what was expected of him, which he’d done. Until now. He had the feeling that life with the woman he loved was going to be one challenging experience after another.

  He met the man eye-to-eye and said boldly, “It doesn’t matter. I want passage.”

  “You have duties…” Braden protested and then said, “Perhaps I should be the one to go.”

  Before Blaine could respond, the older man countered, “There are no cabins available.”

  “I must sail with this ship. The cost isn’t important. I will have my solicitor send you whatever payment you demand.” He was going on this ship however he could, whatever it took.

  “Why don’t you just go aboard and drag her off the ship?” Abigail interrupted, earning a frown from each of the men.

  The man shook his head. “There is no time for finding anyone, for gathering up their belongings, and then for getting them off the ship. It is our turn to sail out of the Thames. We have been long enough.”

  Blaine drew in a frustrated breath. He couldn’t let Ashlynn leave alone. He was certain he would never see her again if she did. And he was determined that she would be his wife…eventually. “I must sail with you.”

  The man studied him for a second and then gave him a challenging look. “We could probably use another crewmember. You’ve got the look of a man hardy enough, but you’re gentry ‘tis plain to see. I doubt if you—”

  “I’ll do it!” Blaine glanced back at his gaping friends. “I left my horse in the stable nearby. I would appreciate you seeing to him.”

  “No more time for chitchatting. We’ll go aboard and I’ll get you set up with the first mate.” The man stopped to give him an approving look. “Abram Stromley, captain of The Pearl.”

  “Let my solicitor know to handle matters until my return. And your father…tell him I will take care of his daughter.”

  Ashlynn had finally decided to leave the cabin, to go on deck and see what was continuing to hold them up from departing. She had no sooner put her foot on the deck and glanced toward the dock when she froze. Her heart pounded; she couldn’t catch her breath. Standing near where sailors were now untying the lines, she spotted Braden and Abigail. They were both looking anxiously at the ship. They had found her after all!

  But it was too late to do anything about her leaving. Guilt rushed through her. Shame, too. She shouldn’t have left without giving them at least a longer letter of explanation. She didn’t want to hurt her family, only to go home where she understood the life she’d left behind. One day she would return to England for a visit…

  They appeared to spot her and she ducked behind a large crate nearby. Now her heart was racing. Then she caught site of two tall men striding up the gangway. Again she froze. It couldn’t be him!

  From her hiding place, she heard them talking. She knew that deep, sinfully husky voice well. Blaine Wellingsworth, the Duke of Ashcroft…the man she had hoped to leave far behind her…would be traveling on The Pearl with her. As her English brother would say, Bloody hell!

  Chapter Six

  Blaine followed the captain onboard The Pearl, weighed down with mixed feelings. It wasn’t like him to walk away from his responsibilities even if he had people more than competent of handling his business matters in his place. Those people could not take his place at the meetings of the House of Lords, which would continue until mid July. Guilt slowed his steps. Maybe he should reconsider his decision to sail now. He could settle his matters here and take a voyage in late July or August.

  “This woman you are following must be very important to you,” Captain Stromley said casually, with a hint of curiosity. He stood next the railing and faced Blaine while also watching his crew untying the ropes holding the ship to the pier.

  “I’m afraid she has become far too important to me.” He’d known Ashlynn less than two months and she was in his thoughts nearly every moment. The fanciful notion of falling in love on first sight still seemed unbelievable
—especially to her—and yet it had happened to him. “I fear I can’t live without her. She is to become my wife, although the timing of that is still in negotiations.”

  “It happens to the best of us.” The captain chortled, shaking his head. “I’ve a wife, too, that I have a hard time leaving behind. A houseful of younguns as well.” He grinned. “I’ll admit I’m glad to get away from that wild bunch for a spell. The wife deals with them better than me.”

  At the mention of children, a vision of a blond girl with sparkling green eyes and an imp’s penchant for mischief crossed Blaine’s mind. She would be a trial…like her mother…like Ashlynn.

  The thought of his troublesome betrothed renewed his determination to sail with this ship. If he let her too far out of his sight, like letting her go off to America without him now, he was certain he would lose her forever. He would never have that daughter he’d envisioned, or the sons he would like to have, too. For he wanted no other woman as his wife.

  He glanced a final time toward the dock where Braden and Abigail still stood watching the ship ready for departure. Braden would handle the necessary arrangements on his behalf. He gave a nod of acknowledgment to his trusted friend and turned back to the captain. “I would like to find Lady Remington and have a word with her before I report for duty, if you don’t mind.”

  The captain had shifted his attention further down the deck, his brow pinched tight. “Would she be a small woman with blond hair?”

  Blaine followed his motion to where a woman in a green day gown stood bent over, hiding behind a stack of crates. Ashlynn! She stood up, glanced in his general direction, and then dashed out of her hiding place. She nearly slammed into a sailor heading toward the ship’s bow. He managed to catch her by the elbows and steady her, but she said something to him and wiggled out of his hold. And then she hurried to the railing.