Conquered by the Ghost (The Conquered Book 3) Read online

  “Where might I find the heir?” The captain was looking from one to the other.

  “Frequents the gaming halls. One, three blocks east. Keep mum about where you got the information, all right? Don’t want him coming after us.”

  Gregory nodded his thanks at the men and stood straight for a moment, glancing around the room.

  For a moment, Ghost was sure the look of recognition on the captain’s face was directed at him. But when he finally stole a glance at the captain, he realized he wasn’t the subject of the captain’s stare. It was the two men at the next table. It was abundantly clear that he knew who they were.

  He waited, still as stone, wondering if the captain planned to confront them. If he did, he’d be entirely too close. But instead of confronting them, the captain turned and strode out the door. Through the window, Ghost lost sight of him.

  The two next to him were talking now. He turned back away, listening.

  “Jaymes, eh? The duke? Maybe we should pay him a visit.”

  “Didn’t ye hear, Nigel? Could be the other son—the one stands to inherit. But we need more information. We’re fast usin’ up funds and wastin’ time, as it is. And what if we have t’ kill him? The Cates woman ain’t payin’ us enough to off a duke. Ye can do what ye like, but I ain’t willin’. We’re both already in it too deep.”

  Ghost heaved a silent sigh of relief when the second man agreed. As they rose, however, he got up to follow and nodded almost imperceptibly to Edmund, sliding a handsome sum across the bar to him. He walked outside, trailing the two men until they reached their destination. Then he walked down to the alley for Kenser, his stallion.

  The duke must be warned, at all costs.

  “Sassy Lady,” Woody called to Chloe.

  She paused in her task of digging a hole in a spot and looked his way. “Did you need something?”

  “Ye be plannin’ on planting a giant sequoia in that crater yer makin’? The plant fer that spot’s only six inches tall.”

  Gazing down, Chloe set aside the shovel she was using and lowered herself to her knees. She’d only intended to shovel up a small area to make it easier to plant. They’d been out earlier collecting herbs on the estate, and now she was planting what they’d found. Dusting her hands together, she realized she was taking her frustration with Ghost on the soil. Shaking her head, she regarded Woody again. “I must have gotten carried away.”

  “If ye got a problem with Ghost, ye need to tell him. Stop taking it out on me garden!”

  Instead of arguing with him, she nodded and started filling the hole back in.

  During the night, she’d heard that dreadful, terrifying sound once again. This was the third time. But when she’d approached the window, she’d seen only the briefest glimpse of a shadow on the property. She’d gone downstairs at breakfast and demanded to know what it was. Not one of them had answered her, as if they all knew but didn’t trust her enough to tell her. It had been a terrible way to start the day.

  The silence gave Chloe time to reflect on her time here. She and Ghost had been enjoying their time together. They had spent countless hours in the parlor playing cards or dominoes, and at times, the occasional chess match. They enjoyed each other’s company. Sometimes, he watched as she worked on a needlework project. She was trying to finish the monograms for the men; each one was an ‘H’ with a lion behind it, much like the crest Hartwycke’s carriage had on the side.

  Most nights, she’d ended up held in his lap and had leaned over on his chest where she’d enjoyed the sound of his heartbeat, the feel of his arms. She’d found herself initiating kisses, and usually, he would return them, but when he felt he was losing control, he would stop, telling her she was a lady and he had no business letting things get out of hand. Even then, she’d felt protected.

  But often, this past week, Ghost went to town, sometimes taking a few of his men with him. When they went, they left the carriage with the crest at home and took the plain one.

  Chloe sighed and leaned forward, shoving the dirt back into the pit she’d made. Woody was right. She should talk to Ghost about this rather than take it out on his garden. It must be hard to be called the Ghost, to try to remain invisible and in the shadows all the time. Perhaps someday, both Ghost and she would feel free to be seen in society.

  She felt accepted for the first time, truly accepted. Dared she think she was loved? Safe at Hartwycke, no one judged them. Ghost had collected a group of wonderful, colorful friends—people society turned their backs on. It was as if he created his own safe place, welcoming those like him. So why did he have to leave her alone so often to return to town? A couple of days ago, Smiley had gone to town with Woody. Smiley, she could understand. He was the cook, after all. But when several of them all went together—especially with Ghost, she ended up feeling abandoned. Sighing, she put the shovel into the ground once again, as hard as she could.

  Ghost approached the courtyard garden late that afternoon. Standing with his arms folded, he leaned against the doorway and observed her. She looked in a state of pique as she repeatedly dug deeper into the ground. But when she chanced to look up and see him, all frustration in her demeanor seemed to melt away. He entered and approached her, smiling, and brushed off a bit of dirt smudging her nose.

  “Afternoon, moppet. What are you two up to?” he enquired.

  “Planting. Woody and I went hunting on the estate for medicinal herbs—and found some. We’ve been transplanting them to a corner of the garden in a spot by themselves.”

  “Cause she ain’t allowed in my part of gardens…” Woody muttered.

  “You wandered out openly on the property?” Ghost’s voice indicated his displeasure. He and Woody exchanged glances. Woody appeared to understand the unspoken message and only nodded.

  “I didn’t try to escape, if that’s what you’re suggesting.” Chloe crossed her arms under her chest and glared at him.

  His eyes narrowed, and he held out his arm to her. “Walk with me, Miss Tucker.”

  Taking off her gloves, she handed them to Woody. “You could have defended me, you cranky old man,” she chided, keeping her voice low.

  “Too busy defendin’ me self,” he told her. “Sassy young lady.”

  Ghost remained quiet until they were through the house and just inside the shelter of the stables. “Chloe, before you came here to stay with us…” he began, with a glare at her when she started to correct his glossed-over words about her arrival. “I know you’re about to voice your opinion, but listen to me. The men and I were preparing to sail on our first business venture. We have a merchant ship—not as big as the Arabella, mind you—but big enough. And we hope to make enough funds shipping cargo so we can continue our peaceful existence at Hartwycke.”

  He could feel her draw back and turned to stare down at her.

  “Surely, you cannot think to leave me stranded here while you and the crew sail off on some adventure. I will not have it, Ezra Miller—”

  “Chloe—” His voice held warning, but she wasn’t listening.

  “If you even try, I’ll leave this place the moment you disappear. At least, Captain Smythe had the grace to take Arabella with him when he sailed.”

  He took her arms and gave her a slight shake. “Are you finished with your little tantrum?” he demanded. “Let’s get a few things straight, young lady. I do not respond well to threats. Dare to toss any more at me and be prepared to have your bottom paddled. Do you understand me?”

  She refused to back down from his menacing gaze. Without further warning, he dropped to one knee and pulled her over it. He paused for a second only before raising up her skirts, but this time, he left her petticoat down. She bellowed in outrage as he started bringing his hand down.

  Only he could see what happened next. At her cry of distress, Tiny came rushing from the back of the stables, a rifle in his hands. Woody appeared next from around the house, a small pistol in his mud-stained hands. Smiley was outside now, a butcher knife raised an
d ready. Chubs’ smile was gone as he appeared from the front of the manor, his own gun ready for a fight. Gates appeared from out of nowhere, armed and at the ready. Even Althea arrived, though her weapon of choice was a duster.

  He nodded toward them and paused in his spanking only long enough to motion them back where they came from. With a sigh of relief, they disappeared, one by one, save for Woody and Smiley, who nodded their approval at him. Soon, Chloe stopped shrieking, and only the echo of smacks on her bottom filled the air. “Whose word is law here, young lady?” he demanded, continuing to bring down his hand time after time.

  All fight gone from her, she gave up and hiccupped her reply. “Yours, sir.”

  He eased her up and stood to take her in his arms. He hushed her, patting her back, and gently spoke his words of forgiveness. “I hate to be so harsh with you, my girl, but your life and the lives of others living here could someday depend on your following my orders without delay. I would rather you struggle to sit for a few days than lie in a cold grave because you thought to question my orders.”

  She sniffled and nodded.

  “And now that’s settled.” He lifted her chin, so she could see his face. “As for leaving you behind, that was never a consideration. You go where I go, at least, for the foreseeable future…and, no, before you ask, that does not mean you can come to town with me. I told you about the ship because you’ll be taking the voyage with us and I wanted to prepare you.”

  “Oh, Ghost.” She leaned against him, and he hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry I became so upset.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “You must learn to listen first and react later, my darling girl. I promise, I’ll always try to keep your safety and happiness first in mind.”

  The evening meal was tense. He reached under the table to squeeze her hand, and when she looked up at him, he grinned.

  But as soon as they finished eating, he glanced around the table, his eyes coming last to rest on Chloe. “After the meal, I will escort you back to your room, moppet. The rest of you may finish your chores, but I expect to see you in the upstairs parlor in an hour.”

  The meeting…

  Even with her bottom still tingling, Chloe gave in to temptation. Raising a finger up to warn Purr to be quiet, she left her room and tiptoed down the hall toward the parlor. Quietly, she approached the parlor door and leaned close, putting her ear against the cool, oak surface.

  By now, each voice of the crew was familiar, and she quickly picked up on who was speaking. Smiley was in mid-sentence. “—those Davies brothers are soulless bastards. Ain’t nothin’ they wouldna do.”

  Althea responded, “How could anyone hurt such a sweet, harmless creature?”

  “Harmless, ye say? Ye ain’t seen the girl with a garden shovel. Defend herself, she could,” Woody interjected. “Not that she’d have need. There ain’t a one of us wouldna fight to the death to protect the cheeky brat.”

  Chubs spoke up next. “This Cates woman, ye be sure she means to have our Chloe killed?”

  Chloe felt cold chills go down her spine, and her hands began to twist in the materials of the skirts Althea had made her.

  The next voice she heard was unfamiliar to Chloe, and she thought it might be the elusive Gates. “Let me read it again.” There was a rattling sound, before she heard his voice again. “Reward offered for return of woman age 18, blue eyes, red hair.” He paused, and his voice tightened. “Runaway. Danger to herself and others. Large sum offered for her return.”

  The room was silent for only a moment. Outside, Chloe’s hand was clapped to her mouth to silence her gasp.

  “And the two men near the property line?” This time, it was Ghost’s voice.

  “The moon was waning,” Gates replied. “I didn’t get a good look, but I could bet I’d recognize them if I saw them again.”

  Smiley’s voice growled, barreling over all the others, suddenly.

  “Listen up, all ye bastards. Ghost, we all know your word’s law. But here’s the thing. Chloe’s reputation will be shot to bloody hell, if she don’t have a chaperone. Althea cain’t do it. She gets sick in the coach after a mile. Ain’t nobody else we can ask.”

  “So, what are ye sayin?” Chubs’ voice spoke up.

  “Ye with me? All right, listen. In Ainsley, no more’n a week ago, the vicar was in the alehouse, with a glorious jag on. Still, he could wag his tongue good enough t’ perform a weddin’, if ye could keep him awake.”

  There was silence in the room. Outside, Chloe’s eyes were huge, and she gasped softly.

  It was Ghost’s voice that spoke next. “Go on, Smiley.” He almost sounded amused.

  “I’m sayin’ if ye take Miss Chloe off on ship without marryin’ her, she’d be soiled. Ruined. Ain’t no other way to do it if we want to protect her. What say we put it to a vote?”

  “I’m in.” Woody’s voice was emphatic.

  “Likewise,” said Chubs.

  Tiny chuckled. “Me? Love to be there when ye tell her.”

  Gates spoke. “We don’t have much choice.”

  Ghost’s voice was next. “I think you mean, I don’t have much choice.”

  “Althea?” Smiley’s voice asked.

  “I adore the lassie. If I could go aship with you, I would, but…”

  “We understand, Althea.” Ghost’s voice was gentle. “Is this the only way we can save her? I don’t like the idea of pushing her into marriage unless she’s ready.”

  Chloe’s mind rushed as the facts came together. Her stepmother was searching for her again and meant to kill her, this time. The voyage they were planning was not a business trip at all, but an escape. They were preparing to leave the manor to protect her.

  Ghost started giving orders. They were planning on gathering provisions for the journey. His orders stopped abruptly as Purr started meowing outside the parlor door. Chloe was so shocked at the possibility of being discovered, she lost her footing and accidently fell against the door. Righting herself, she grabbed Purr and quickly and silently ran back to her room.

  A few moments later, Ghost was knocking at her door. Trying to catch her breath, she opened the door and gave him an innocent smile. Walking inside, he backed her up until her thighs met the bedframe and she sat down. Pulling up a side chair, he set it before her and took a seat. “How much did you hear?”

  “Hear?” she gasped. “What do you mean?”

  “Young lady?” His voice was stern. “Have you forgotten my warning from this afternoon, already? Shall I put you back over my knee until you’re ready to tell the truth?”

  “No, sir.” She shook her head, lowering her gaze. “I was there long enough to know there were people hired to kill me. That’s why you kidnapped me, isn’t it?”

  He expression was gentle then, and he gave a slight nod. “That’s why.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about all this? All those nights we spent together, talking about our hopes and dreams and fears. You could have so easily—”

  “You had enough on your mind, worrying about why I took you off the streets. I didn’t want to worry you more. Chloe, you are such an innocent. Your life has had tragedy enough. This was yet another horrible truth I hoped to spare you.”

  “But,” she whispered. The talk about marrying me…”

  He reached for her, pulling her upward and settling her into his lap. “Chloe, I realize it may be an imposition for you. But for me? Not at all. Since the day you threw the crate of apples down over my head on the Charlotte, I’ve done nothing but think of you. You were my savior when you caused me to go to the brig that day. Did you know that? You were the little angel who made me see light through the darkness and truth through the insanity of what my life had been. It was because of you, my life turned around.”

  Suddenly, her fantasies of a ghostly lover and her feeling for the flesh and blood man before her merged into one. Chloe launched forward, throwing her arms around his neck.

  “You were trying to save me,” she whispere
d. “That’s why you carried me away. Everything happened so fast that day, but I remember. I saw those two men coming in my direction. They looked like they were carrying something in their hands; something shiny. Knives?”

  “Let me worry about those men, my darling. My crew and I will protect you.”

  “Oh, Ghost! But are you sure you want to marry me?”

  But she didn’t give him time to answer. Was it because she feared the answer? She didn’t know, but her arms tightened around his neck and she pressed her lips against his, inviting him inside. She felt herself lifted off her feet suddenly, and the tingling of his touch went all the way down her spine, making her shiver.

  He held her apart from him, staring at her. The brown eyes that held her were hungry, but she knew hers were, too.

  “Chloe?”

  “Yes?”

  “I can’t stay. I want you too much.”

  The disappointed look in her eyes must have shown. She looked away, and he forced her chin back upward. “Chloe Cates, answer me. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered. “Oh, yes!”

  Chapter 11

  The baron’s treachery…

  Arabella had been dreadfully disappointed when Gregory informed her they had to go back home, but he promised to take her on the very next voyage after Chloe was found.

  She looked up sadly as the coach slowed, refusing to speak. He guided her toward the front door after lifting her down and watched as she ran ahead of him into the house.

  Gregory sighed. He knew how she felt. He, too, had looked forward to her going with him aboard ship. But when he reached the front door, Arabella was waiting for him with an odd look on her face. “What is it, sweetheart?”

  “The staff want to speak to us, Gregory,” she said, glancing from the butler to the housekeeper and back to him.

  He looked toward the butler. “What is it, Jenkins? Leah?”