Rescued By the Captain Read online

  “It must be very important news for you to cause yourself such discomfort,” Thorn noted.

  “It is Sir; I thought you would want to know right away. I didn’t trust anybody else with getting you this news.”

  Sammy stopped talking as Cleaves came into the room with a tray of coffee and scones. He sat the tray on the desk and served them coffee. He stepped back to give them some privacy.

  “That will be all Cleaves.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Cleaves said as he bowed to Thorn. After he left the room, Thorn nodded his head at Sammy to continue.

  “Well last night me and the boys were having a drink at the Margate Inn. As we were there I saw Earl Maxwell come in and go upstairs to the rooms above.”

  “Yes, he is staying there. He is helping us with finding Charles and to putting a stop to the treason. I don’t see how that has warranted a ride clear out here Sammy.”

  “Well Sir, he had himself a visitor that I think you might be interested in,” Sammy explained.

  Thorn immediately thought of Ivy. She wouldn’t have risked her life and reputation to sneak out to see Maxwell, would she? Was there more to their friendship than she defended? After the kiss that she gave them before she went up to bed, Thorn wouldn’t have thought so. But maybe there was more to the relationship than Thorn realized. After Sammy left, Thorn was going to find Ivy and tell her not to risk her life for Maxwell. He would deal with his hurt and her betrayal later. The most important thing is that Ivy keeps herself safe from Shears and his crew. He knows that she has been feeling confined with her stay at Thornhill but it was for own best interest.

  “We will keep it between us Sammy. I will have a talk with Ivy later today and see that this doesn’t happen again.”

  “Lady Ivy? What does she have to do with the Earl?” Sammy asked confused.

  “She wasn’t the visitor?” Thorn asked just as confused as Sammy. Obviously, they were talking of two different people who had visited Maxwell.

  “No Sir, it was Captain Shears. That is what I’ve been trying to explain to you.”

  Thorn felt an immediate sense of relief when Sammy told him that it wasn’t Ivy visiting Maxwell. He also felt guilt. Why did he think that his sweet Ivy would betray him? She wouldn’t. His jealousy of their friendship was making him feel very insecure. He was the one that encouraged the friendship; now that very friendship was turning him into a jealous monster. He needed to get his feelings for Ivy under control; he was making accusations against the woman that he loved. She did not deserve this from him.

  “What was Shears doing in Maxwell’s room?” Thorn questioned Sammy.

  “I’m not for sure Captain. I was unable to overhear much of anything. They were arguing and then when Shears left the room he was wiping the blood from his face and clutching his side. But I did hear Shears saying something about a bargain with Maxwell.”

  “What kind of bargain?”

  “I don’t know Captain. I left the crew watching him. They are to report to me of his activity.”

  “Why don’t you finish your breakfast and then we will take the carriage into town to see what we can find out. We will give your leg a rest. Thank you very much Sammy for getting this information to me.”

  “You’re welcome Captain. Your cook here always did make the best scones around.”

  “I wouldn’t let Anton hear you saying that.”

  “That Frenchie, humph I’m not scared of him.”

  Thorn laughed as he leaned back in his chair. As Sammy rattled on about how delicious the scones were; Thorn gathered his thoughts together about Maxwell. What kind of bargain did he have with Shears? Did it involve Ivy? He would keep an eye on him for the time being and try to draw it out of him. From here on out he had to make sure that Ivy was never left alone in his company. He didn’t trust Maxwell now more than ever.

  Thorn made his way up the back stairs of the Margate Inn. He had talked to his crew and they hadn’t seen Maxwell leave yet this morning. Thorn was hoping to catch him off guard or catch him in the act of meeting with Shears. He pressed his ear against the door, but was unable to hear any activity inside the room. He knocked on the door but Maxwell didn’t open. A chambermaid walked by and shyly ducked her head when he saw her looking at him. She bobbed a curtsy as she walked by him. Thorn was going to see if she would let him into the room.

  “Miss, I was wondering if you could help me with something,” Thorn asked the chambermaid sweetly.

  “Yes, My Lord. How may I be of service?”

  “Well my good friend Earl Maxwell forgot something in his room and asked if I could bring it to him. Is there any way you can let me into his room?”

  “Oh, certainly My Lord.”

  The chambermaid unlocked the door for Thorn and pushed the door open for him. Thorn reached into his pocket, pulling out some coins he pressed them into the young girl’s hand. He closed her hand and gently pressed his hand with hers.

  “Thank you for your help miss. We can keep my being here a secret between us, can’t we?” Thorn smiled at the maid.

  The maid blushed at the touch of Thorn’s hand on hers. She nodded her head, speechless from his attention. She bobbed a curtsy and quickly left the room.

  After the maid left, Thorn pulled the door closed behind him. He wandered around the room looking for any clues of Maxwell’s involvement with Shears. Obviously, his crew did not keep a very close eye on him, since Maxwell was nowhere in the room. He would address his crew later, on being more diligent. Thorn found Maxwell’s baggage and searched through it; finding only clothes. He threw the bag down in disgust at coming up empty handed when a secret compartment opened at the bottom. Thorn bent down and slid it open all the way, pulling out some papers. As he looked at the documents he realized that they were in written in code similar to those of Charles’s papers. When they had gone through the papers the night before, Maxwell had claimed ignorance of any knowledge of what they were looking at. From what Thorn could tell, these looked like shipments and the dates they were received. They also had coordinates of where the locations were being hidden. If he was correct this information lined up with what his and Ivy’s father had found out.

  As he slid the papers back into their hiding place his hand scraped against another piece of paper. He unfolded the paper to find a drawing. It wasn’t just any drawing; it was a picture of Ivy. She was sitting on a blanket laughing at some ducks waddling by. Thorn smiled and traced his fingers over the drawing as if he was touching her. He wanted to take the drawing but he didn’t want Maxwell to know that he had looked through his things. Thorn knew that it was Maxwell who had drawn Ivy. The picture gave the detail of a man smitten with the young lady. Was Maxwell in love with Ivy? He wanted to crumple the paper and throw it in the fire. Then when he was done with that he wanted to find Maxwell and punch him in the face for drawing Ivy. But who could blame him; it was his fault that Maxwell and Ivy were close. He was the one that had left her and asked his friend to look out for her. Now he was the one that had to deal with jealousy whenever he saw them together.

  Thorn heard a commotion outside the door. He heard a loud thump and water splashing.

  “Oh, I am so sorry My Lord. I am so clumsy, it slipped from my hands. I will repair your clothes for you My Lord.” Thorn heard the chambermaid explaining herself.

  “That’s certainly all right my darling; accidents happen. Maybe you would like to join me in my chambers and help me out of my wet clothes?” Maxwell flirted with the chambermaid.

  Thorn realized that the chambermaid was warning him of Maxwell’s return. He quickly shoved the drawing and papers back into the secret compartment, setting the baggage back down where he found it. He was going to have to compensate the chambermaid a few extra coins for her warning. Probably more than a few, since it seems she had to also put up with Maxwell’s flirting as well.

  “No, sir I can’t do that. I must get this mess cleaned up before the landlord sees.”

  “Well maybe ano
ther time my dear,” Maxwell said laughing as he opened his door and came into his room.

  As he came through the door he saw that Thorn had made himself at home in the chair by the fire. Déjà vu from the night before, would he ever get any peace in his own room. He looked around the room to see if there was anything out of place. He noticed his baggage was in the same place that he had left it earlier this morning. Closing the door, he walked over to the other chair and sat down.

  “To what do I owe this unexpected visit,” Maxwell asked.

  “I was in town and thought we could visit some more on Charles’s disappearance. Do you think there is any connection that Shears might have with it?”

  “Is that all you wanted to visit about? Or is there another subject you want to discuss?”

  “What other subject would we have to discuss?” Thorn asked.

  “Ivy.”

  “Ivy is none of your concern anymore.”

  “Well at one time you made her my concern.”

  “You are no longer needed; I will take care of Ivy from here on out.”

  “There is just one small problem with that my friend.”

  “What problem would that be?”

  “While you were away these last few years, Ivy and I have shall we say bonded quite closely as friends.”

  Maxwell watched as Thorn tightened his fist against the arm of the chair. He noticed him getting angrier as they talked and he decided to keep pushing him with his words. He hoped that Thorn would show his true feelings for Ivy, so that he could reassure her as her friend that Thorn loved her. Maxwell could tell how jealous Thorn was. He decided to make him even more jealous. Getting up from his chair, he walked around the room going over to pour them a couple of drinks.

  “You see we have spent many days and nights together. I would take her for picnics and escort her to all the balls. We would take rides through Hyde Park and waltz among the ton. Over the course of time we would confide in each other our deepest wants and desires. So you see I will always care for Ivy and she will for me.” Maxwell reached out and handed Thorn his glass.

  Thorn swiped the glass out of Maxwell’s hand angrily and drank the liquid down in one gulp. It burned going down like the anger burning in his gut at Maxwell’s words. If what Maxwell was saying was true and the picture proved his feelings for Ivy, then Thorn had competition for Ivy’s affection. She said she loved him but did she love Maxwell more. Could he give her up if Maxwell was who she wanted to be with? No, it was him who Ivy loved and desired more than anybody. She wouldn’t kiss him and let him love her like he had, it if was Maxwell whom she wanted.

  “Do you love her?” Thorn gritted out between his teeth. He was keeping his anger in check. He didn’t want to tip Maxwell of the real reason he was here. But he needed this issue resolved now.

  “Love, that is such a funny word don’t you think my friend?” Maxwell asked as he lowered himself back in the chair. He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. He decided to nurse his drink. He wanted to enjoy the smooth flavor coating his throat as he drank. To abuse such a fine liquid like Thorn did was just a crime.

  “No, it is a pretty simple word my friend,” Thorn answered with sarcasm.

  Maxwell laughed as he watched Thorn hold himself together. “How would you define love?”

  “Love is feeling connected to another soul and feeling like your dead without them. Love is wanting to be with them for the rest of their lives through all the good or bad. Love is your heart feeling full and content when they hold it their hands.” Thorn explained.

  “Do you love Ivy?” Maxwell asked.

  “With every last breath in my body I love her. Do you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does she feel the same way about you?” Thorn asked not wanting to hear the answer but knew that he needed too.

  “Yes, I believe she does."

  Thorn didn’t know what to say or do. He sat in the chair and felt like he had been sucker punched. He should have known that Maxwell would fall in love with her. Who wouldn’t? She was everything that a man wanted. Obviously through the years with him away, Ivy placed her affections to somebody who was there for her. The irony of it was that he was the one who placed Maxwell in her life. He only had himself to blame for this. He needed to think, he had to get out of this room. He felt like the walls were closing in on him. All he wanted to do was to fight Maxwell for Ivy. But Ivy deserved so much more. He did not want to let her go, but he could not keep her if another held her heart.

  Maxwell watched his friend struggle across from him. He should put him out of his misery and tell him that the love he felt for Ivy was friendship. She had been there for him just as much as he had been there for her. She held his darkest secret and didn’t judge him for it, but guarded it as if it was hers. They formed a bond that no one was going to break apart. He knew that Ivy felt the same way. He was going to make Thorn earn his love for Ivy. It was what Ivy deserved.

  Thorn rose from his chair and walked out of the room not saying a word. He did not get the answers that he wanted when he came to Maxwell’s room. But he was leaving with answers and more questions that he needed to ask of himself or Ivy. He passed by Sammy and his crew in the taproom without a word and climbed into his carriage. As the carriage made the way back to Thornhill Manor, Thorn leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes.

  He felt wearier than ever. He couldn’t seem to find Charles, the treason plot seemed to be getting closer to happening any day now and now he wasn’t sure of Ivy. Running his hand down over his face covering his mouth, he let out a huge sigh. What was he going to do about any of this mess?

  He needed to get away and think. There was one more place he wanted to search for Charles at. It was a secret hiding place that they had as kids growing up. It was a place they would hide to escape the pressure of learning to follow in their father’s footsteps. They both were being groomed to be future dukes and all that it entailed. For young boys, it was sometimes very overwhelming. He would go there today to look and stay awhile. It always brought him peace when he was younger. He would ride out there and find his answers that he needed. It would also save him from running into Ivy on the estate. He had to get his feelings for her under control and decide what was best for her before he saw her again. He didn’t know what he would do if he saw her, knowing that she loved Maxwell too. Thorn felt such anger and sorrow at the whole situation. He didn’t want her to see and he didn’t want to take it out on her. She had been through too much all ready and she deserved so much greater.

  Chapter 19

  Ivy heard the pounding of the horse’s hooves as the carriage made its way to the stable. She got up from the couch where she was reading a book in the library and made her way to the windows. She was hoping to catch a glimpse of Thorn. Thorn alighted from the carriage and shouted out instructions to Peter the stable boy. Peter ran to the house as Thorn made his way into the stables. Ivy sat at the large bay windows watching for Thorn to exit the stables and to come into the house. She had been waiting for him all morning. When she went to his room after he wasn’t at breakfast, his valet told her that Thorn had gone into Margate with Sammy on business. Ivy had made her way to the library to wait. It was the perfect spot to see when Thorn would return home. As soon as he came into the house Ivy was going to try and steal a few moments alone with him. Maybe they could take up where they left off last night.

  It was such a sweet kiss that they shared. Ivy didn’t know what she enjoyed more; taking the initiative with the kiss or the shock on Thorn’s face when she kissed him. Smiling to herself as she remembered their kiss, she knows that she will never forget the look on his face. She wished he would hurry up and come into the house before Katherine found her and wanted to discuss more wedding plans.

  Peter emerged from the house with a bag slung over his shoulder. He entered the stable with the bag and disappeared from her view out the window. Ivy wondered what Peter had grabbed from the house and if it was
for Thorn. Peter led Pirate from the stables and attached the bag to the horse. He also tucked a blanket inside the bag. What was all this for? Where was Thorn going? Wasn’t he even going to come inside and say goodbye? When Thorn emerged from the stables; he had changed into his captain’s gear. He discarded his waistcoat and trousers for a flowing captain’s shirt and breeches. He jumped onto his horse and said a few words to Peter. Peter nodded his head at Thorn. Thorn took off across the lawns; after he had gotten a short distance from the house he stopped and turned around. It appeared that he was looking at her though the library windows like he knew she was watching him. He ran his hand through his hair and turned back in his saddle and galloped off.

  Ivy put her hand to the window to wave at him, but he had already left.

  “Where are you going?” Ivy whispered.

  “He said he had to get away to think,” a voice said from behind her.

  Ivy turned around and was startled to find Hamilton watching her from the fireplace. She thought she was alone in the library. She was embarrassed to have been caught watching for Thorn and talking to herself.

  “What does he need to think about?” Ivy asked.

  “He didn’t say my dear. But something is troubling him deeply, more than Charles and the treason.”

  “Did he tell you what it was and where he was going?”

  “No, but he only goes to one place to think.”

  “The secret cave,” Ivy guessed.

  “Yes, now the question is; are you going to let him think alone?” Hamilton asked.

  “He doesn’t want to see me or talk to me. I have tried so many times these last few weeks. It is like he is avoiding me.”

  “Well know is your perfect chance to get him to talk to you. He won’t have nowhere to run away to.”

  “Katherine is not going to let me ride after him.”