Bedazzled. Bertrice Small

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СКАЧАТЬ ducked, and, beating a hasty retreat, exited his cabin, locking the door behind him. Now he returned to the passenger deck and let himself into Viscount Twyford’s cabin. The young man leapt up from the bunk upon which he had been sitting. “Well, my lord, you are found out,” Captain Southwood said grimly. “The game is up, and you will be put off in Naples. My cousin, India, however, will be sent home. You will be confined to your cabin until we reach your destination.”

      “You have no right . . .” Adrian began pompously, only to be cut off.

      “Aye, my lord, I have every right. As captain of the Royal Charles, I am the master of this small seagoing domain upon which you currently reside. You do not have the duke of Glenkirk’s permission to marry his daughter. You have cajoled and lured an innocent young girl away from the safety of her family. You are a cad, my lord. Now I will leave you to consider the seriousness of what you have done. I think it will be a long time before you dare to show your face in England. We are a large family, my lord, and we protect our own. I pray to God this has remained a private matter, and that India’s reputation is yet intact. Do you understand me?”

      “May I at least say farewell to India?” Viscount Twyford asked.

      “You have said all to my cousin that you should, and probably a great deal more,” Captain Southwood replied. “And do not bother trying to speak with India through the cabin walls. I have moved her to my quarters. She, too, will be confined even as you are, until she leaves this vessel. Now I will bid you good day, sir.”

      Thomas Southwood then found his first mate, Mr. Bolton, and explained to him what had happened.

      “ ’Tis a right bad coil, sir,” Mr. Bolton said, shaking his head. “There’s advantages to being a bachelor, I’m thinking. Pray the lord the lass hasn’t ruined herself with a scandal.”

      India was so angry with her cousin that she refused to eat that evening. “I shall starve myself to death,” she told him dramatically. “You shall return to England with my withered body in a coffin, and then Papa shall kill you!”

      Thomas Southwood swallowed back his laughter. He had a younger sister, Laura, who at India’s age had also been given to similar histrionics. “Suit yourself,” he said mildly, “but this fish is really quite delicious. It was fresh-caught by Knox earlier today, and the artichokes came aboard at Cadiz. Would you like a fresh orange? They are very sweet.”

      “Go to hell!” India spat angrily, her hand inching toward a pewter goblet, a dangerous look in her eye.

      He was quickly on his feet, and before she might throw anything at him, he dragged her up from her chair and across the cabin. “You may sleep in my bed, India, and I shall take Knox’s trundle out here.” He pushed her into his smaller sleeping cabin, locking the door behind her. “There is water for bathing and drinking, my dear,” he called to her, and then returned to the table to finish his meal while she shrieked at him from her prison.

      In the morning it was Knox who opened the door to let her out. “Captain says you may have the run of his quarters during the day, m’lady,” the steward said pleasantly. “Can I get you anything to eat? Some fruit, perhaps?”

      “No, thank you,” India said politely. “Where is my cousin?”

      “Captain don’t sleep more than four, five hours, m’lady. He be up on deck, and has been since before dawn,” Knox said. “Well, if I can’t be of any service to you, I’ll go tend to the young gentleman.”

      “Knox! Wait! Will you take a message to Viscount Twyford for me?” India pleaded. “I will make it worth your while.”

      The steward shook his head despairingly, edging toward the door, for he knew of India’s penchant for throwing things. “I’m sorry, m’lady, but you know I cannot.” Then he was out the door before she could argue with him, or pitch a missile at him.

      India heard the sound of the key turning in the lock once again, and almost snarled in angry despair. She had not come this far to be denied. Setting herself in the window seat of the cabin’s great window, she looked out. No escape here. The window looked onto the sea itself, and, peering down through the glass, she could see there was no ledge. The little sleeping cabin had no access to the deck. Only the door in this cabin itself had entree to the main deck. But she would find a way. She would! And she was certain that her beloved Adrian was also seeking a means of escape. Perhaps when they got to Marseilles, and her interfering cousin attempted to transfer her to another ship, she could escape them. And while they were looking for her she would sneak back on board and help Adrian. Then they would travel on overland to Naples. She wasn’t going to be stopped now.

      “Sail ho!”

      She heard the call out on the deck. Looking out the great window, India could see another vessel in the distance.

      “Put on more sail!” came the command.

      India could hear the creaking of winches as additional canvas was raised, but the ship didn’t seem to be gaining any speed. She looked back out the window again. The other ship was gaining on them rather quickly. It was a narrow, sleek vessel with scarlet-and-gold-striped sails. She turned as the cabin door opened and her cousin entered, a worried look upon his handsome face.

      “Be quiet and listen,” he told her. “In a few minutes we are going to be boarded by pirates from one of the Barbary States.”

      India paled, and gasped. “Can’t we escape them?” she asked.

      “Under ordinary circumstances, yes, but the bloody wind is dying on us, and without the wind we can’t outrun them. Now hear me very carefully, India, for what I am going to say may save your life. My grandmother was once in a similar situation. If you are asked to convert to Islam, agree and save your life. Don’t be a little fool and refuse. We need no martyrs in this family. Agreeing means you will be given, or sold, to a highly placed man, and not thrown into the common slave bagnio where you would be raped and forced into whoredom.”

      “But can’t we be ransomed?” she asked him, horrified.

      “Neither of us is important enough, Cousin,” he told her. “One day I may be able to get a message home, and then perhaps . . ” He stopped, and looked at her. “You may not be able to go back then.”

      “Ohhh, Tom!” India cried. “Not to see Mama or Papa ever again?”

      “This family has a history of troublesome and adventuresome women, who usually end up surviving quite nicely, India. Listen, learn, and for God’s sake remember that from the moment of your capture you are no longer the duke of Glenkirk’s daughter but nothing more than a beautiful slave. You will be at the mercy of your master, whoever he will be. Keep your temper in check, Cousin, and a civil tongue in your head, or you could find that tongue yanked out. The Barbary pirates are fierce men.”

      “I would rather be dead than submit!” India cried dramatically.

      Tom Southwood grasped his young cousin by the arms, and shook her hard. “Don’t be an idiot, India,” he said, and then, releasing her, he was gone out the door again. To her despair she heard the key turning in the lock. Did he never forget?

      The corsair ship drew skillfully alongside the Royal Charles. She could now see the reason for its speed. While the ship had sails, it was also propelled by banks of oars, which had given it a great advantage over the larger merchant vessel, caught in a dying wind. India wished she could be СКАЧАТЬ