Keeper of My Dreams (St. John Series Book 4) (24 page)

“I know you will have your own grandchild to attend to. But I have always considered you my family, Natasha.” He watched as tears brimmed in her dark eyes. “Now we both have had an eventful night. I will bid you goodnight.”

“Night, Masta Eli,” the voodoo woman replied as she walked out the door. No one could have asked for a better life than she had right now. She now had two sons and two grandchildren on the way.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Abyss
docked four weeks later in England, despite James’s refusal. The only quay available belonged to the East India Company. The robust copper-haired captain knew that the stockholders of East India would be furious. Especially since one of their ships was just behind them in the Thames.

“You’re going to get us all arrested,” James said as he turned to Eli.

“I’ll handle it. Just make sure no one leaves this ship. The moment the crew’s feet hit the dock, the authorities will cart you all off to prison.”

James shook his head. “Ya know, Max will be furious if you get his ship confiscated by the British government. You two already go at it like two dogs after the same bone.”

“
The Abyss
will still remain his property. Just as soon as I am off this ship, I will go to Matt’s office. He can handle Pitt and the others.”

“You St. Johns are the strangest lot I have ever met,” James replied, still shaking his head.

“I will take that as a compliment.” Eli turned and motioned for Zachary to join him. “Let’s be off. I see some uniformed officials heading this way. I would like to disappear into the crowd before they reach us.”

Zach nodded his head. He tossed his satchel over his back. “We should waste no more time.”

“I’ll have Matthew come collect my belongings, Captain,” Eli threw over his shoulder as he descended the gangplank.

“If we’re still here!” James yelled to his employer’s departing back.

The second Eli’s and Zachary’s feet hit the docks, someone yelled, “You two, halt!”

A mischievous smile crossed Eli’s face. “Better run.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Zach replied as he took off.

The two men weaved through the crowds until they reached Matthew’s office. Eli slung the door open and Zachary and he darted inside. He then slammed the door closed and pressed his back to the wall.

Matthew looked up from the shipping records he was reviewing. He drew his brows together as he observed his brother and friend. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. “Hello?”

“Shh,” Eli whispered as he peered through the window. A few minutes later, he turned to face Zach. “They’ve passed us.” He then turned to his brother. “Matt, I need your assistance on a matter of a sensitive nature.”

“What? No hello, how do you do, kiss my arse? No greeting in return?”

“What do you want, me to come over there and give you a bloody kiss. Judas, you’re worse than Mother,” Eli complained with irritation. Matthew just tilted his head sideways. “Fine. Hello, Matthew, wonderful weather today. Do you plan on attending the Carrington’s annual ball this year? Now pleasantries are out of the way, I need your help.”

An annoyed sound left Matthew. “What is it?”

“It seems that one of our ships may be detained and I need your persuasive abilities to see that it’s not.”

Taking a frustrated sigh, Matthew asked, “Why would our ship be detained?”

“Because it’s docked in one of East India’s berths.”

A cautious look crossed Matthew’s face. “Why in the bloody hell is it there?”

“Because I needed to dock quickly. Now, please make sure Max’s ship and crew will not become permanent residents of England.”

“You sailed back here on a pirate ship! Are you mad?” Matt asked as he straightened his body in shock.

“No. I needed to get back to England as fast as possible. Made it here in twenty-eight days, too . . . but that’s beside the point.”

“So what brings you back? Business or pleasure? I’m assuming pleasure since you needed to arrive so quickly.”

“I’ll explain later. Now, please handle this delicate matter.”

“Fine,” Matthew replied as he shook his head in frustration. He stood and headed towards the door.

“Oh, and one more thing?”

“What?” Matthew snapped.

“Please get our trunks.”

Matthew scowled. “Anythin’ else, Govn’r. Would ye like me ta wipe ye arse while I’m at it?” Matthew asked as he gave a mocking bow.

“Gentlemen, please handle your brotherly issues later. We have a schedule,” Zach intervened, looking at his timepiece.

“I hope you get arrested. The both of you,” Matthew mumbled as he walked out the door.

“I’ll remember that next time you want a sparring partner!” Zach yelled at his friend’s departing back.

“I hope he hurries. I plan on departing just as soon as I know we are in no danger of being arrested,” Eli spoke as he peered out the window again.

“You can’t go to Lincoln this time of day,” Zach replied.

“Watch me,” Eli answered.

“It’s late in the afternoon, Eli. By the time you find a hack and driver, it would be nearly dark. You wouldn’t even make it to the outskirts of London before you would be robbed.”

“I’ve waited too long to see London again. I cannot wait any longer.”

“You’ll be shot dead before you make it to Hertford. Not to mention we both need a hot bath and a good meal. You show up looking like you do now and my aunt would cart us both off to the sheriff.”

The corner of Eli’s mouth came up in a smirk. They did look a sight. Both men had spent the voyage assisting the crew and looked worse than the deckhands. Eli looked down at his own disheveled clothing—dirty and torn—making him resemble a chimney sweep. He had not shaved in almost two weeks and thanks to his rapidly growing facial hair, his beard was nearly as long as James’s.

“Think I should visit the House of Lords? Or better yet, Court?”

Zachary laughed. “Lord, you’d scare them worse than that older brother of yours,” he said, remembering the brief encounter he had with Max when his ship docked in Nassau. In fact, Zachary found it rather odd that Max had given him detailed directions to Eli’s house and found him immediate passage to Governor’s Harbour. But once Zachary learned the history between the two brothers, he realized why. Now that he looked back, it was all quite humorous especially when Max was giving him pointers on how to trounce Eli, giving a very detailed description of what Eli’s nose should look like when finished.

“I do believe you are correct, on both accounts. We will depart at first light. I will travel to my grandmother’s and get a coach.”

“Good. Because my body is in need of a soft bed and a softer woman.”

“Don’t let London hear you say that or she’d box both our ears.”

Zachary laughed as he swatted his older companion on the back. He turned and looked out the door. “The coast is clear. I’ll see you at my home in the morning.” Zach then departed.

Matthew returned about an hour later. He had managed to talk the East India Company into not pressing charges over the illegal use of their berth by telling them that a dire emergency had arisen involving one of the passengers and immediate docking was needed in order to save the person’s life. He then arranged for Zachary’s trunk to be delivered to his townhome and Eli’s was to be taken to his.

Eli departed Emerald Shipping and headed to his Grandmother Vivian’s on Piccadilly to acquire a coach. She lived several blocks away from Matthew, and on this instance, Eli was grateful. He looked down at his appearance and laughed as he knocked on the door. He wondered what the Dowager Countess of Hyntington would say at his appearance. A tall thin man opened the door. He looked down his nose at Eli.

“Alms are handed out on Sunday after services. I suggest you go to the church should you require anything.” The butler instructed and proceeded to slam the door.

Eli raised his hand and pounded again.

“Here now!” The butler scolded. “I will have you know that—” his tirade was interrupted as Eli pushed his way in. The butler grabbed a cane beside the door and proceeded to hit Eli with it. The first swing hit Eli’s upper arm, but the second swing was caught by Eli’s large hand.

“I see you are taking care of Grams, Abraham. It’s good to know that you are willing to attack intruders to protect her . . . even those you know you cannot defeat.”

Recognition lit up the butler’s face. “Viscount St. John? Pardon me, My Lord. I didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s quite all right, Abraham. Is my grandmother home?”

“She’s in the study.”

Eli smiled as he patted the butler on his shoulder. “I’ll show myself in. No need to announce me.”

“She’s liable to shoot you, My Lord.”

“Good thing she’s a horrible markswoman.”

Eli entered his grandmother’s study. She was sitting in a Queen Anne highboy. Her head was lowered and her eyes closed. The corner of Eli’s mouth twisted as he heard the faint snore emitting from his grandmother. He cleared his throat. She made another loud snore. Eli approached the sleeping Dowager Countess. He knelt down in front of her and placed a hand on her knee.

“Grams,” he spoke softly.

Her eyes flew open wide. “Gabriel?” she questioned with confusion. He could see the sleepy fog leave her eyes. “Eli!” she exclaimed as she placed her hand on his face. “It is so good to see you. What brings you by?” Straightening her body, she sassily added, “Especially after you did not stop for a visit last time you were in London.”

“Never one to mince words, are you, Grams?”

“Not in the least.” She smiled as she rubbed her hand over his bearded face. “You look so much like your grandfather, God rest his soul, the handsome devil.”

He gave her a crooked smile.

“He used that look one too many times on me. That damned irresistible crooked, cocky smile. I would be so angry with him and then he would bestow that grin and I would forgive him. That’s how I ended up with your father and your aunt and your uncle.”

Eli laughed at his outspoken grandmother. “Oh, how I have missed your refreshing nature. But this is not a social call. I need to borrow your carriage.”

“By all means. But do you mind telling me why?”

“I need to go collect my bride.”

“Your bride!” she squealed with delight. “Oh, I’m so happy for you, Eli! Tell me who is she? Someone who has as much scandal attached to her name as we do ours? I hope she’s an opera singer or a gypsy. That would knock that bloody
ton
for a loop now, wouldn’t it?”

“Nothing like that. No, her name is Reanna Hollingsworth.”

The Dowager Countess furrowed her brow. “Now, why does that name sound familiar?”

“Because we conduct business with her father, Phillip.”

Vivian’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh, yes. Zachary is her brother. A handsome devil, that one is. He’s a sweet boy, too, although a little on the roguish side. When did you marry?”

“We haven’t . . . yet.”

“Ah, I see. So why is she here and not with you?” Vivian questioned as her dark blue eyes filled with curiosity. “Did you make her angry?”

“Something like that.”

As Vivian studied her oldest grandson, a warm smile crossed her face. She could see happiness in him. “You love her, don’t you,” she acknowledged. At his amazed expression, she gently patted the side of his bearded face and continued, “Your eyes reveal your soul, Eli . . . they always have. Your grandfather and father are the same. I have not seen that look in your eyes in years. I hope she brings you as much happiness as Meredith did.”

“More so, Grams.”

The countess’s eyes turned mischievous. “Now, go. Retrieve my future granddaughter-in-law and bring her straight here. Abraham!” she called out as she stood.

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Have my coach brought around for my grandson, then come straight back here with my book.”

“I’m not leaving until the morning. It’s late and the highwaymen would rob me blind and kill me before I reached the outskirts of London.”

“You heard him,” the Dowager Countess said. “Have the carriage available at first light but still bring me my book.”

“Yes, My Lady,” the butler replied unfazed by the sudden redirection.

“What are you up to?”

“If I am to have a new granddaughter-in-law, then she must be properly introduced. A small soiree should do the trick.”

A guilty look came to Eli. “I’m not entirely certain if that would be a wise decision.”

“Pray tell, why not? Unless you planted a seed deep inside her belly—” Eli’s expression made her stop. “Egad you got her with child!” The Countess clapped her hands happily and giggled. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you following in your father’s footsteps.”

“Grams!” Eli protested.

“What? No shame in it, my boy. Elizabeth married Robert several weeks before you and Jacob were born. Although, I was shocked that was not how Michael ended up married. That middle grandson of mine has had more women than the Queen has dresses. I’m amazed his poor bride isn’t rail-thin from your brother refusing to let her leave his bed. He’s a randy one, that incorrigible rake.”

Eli shook his head at his grandmother’s frank nature. “You are too outspoken, Grams. No wonder the St. John name cannot find peace from scandal. You keep it stirred up.”