Ladies of Deception 02 - Misleading Lord Martineau (7 page)

“
Lord Martineau, you don’t understand. There’s nothing for me here in London, and as you’ve pointed out multiple times yourself, I’m not very good at being a lady. I don’t belong in society.”

“
You’re mistaken, I never said that.”

Miss Ogglesby smiled sadly. “Maybe not directly but you’ve implied it enough, always reminding me of my lack of manners. I’m not cut out for all these rules society inflicts upon young women. I don’t understand what’s so appalling about me wanting to ask a gentleman to dance, or feeling the need to get out once in awhile without the constant supervision of a lady’s maid.”

“It’s just the way things are. I’m sorry that I may have been too harsh on you but with time you will learn all that you need to know to fit in comfortably with the ton.”

“
No,” Miss Ogglesby said bluntly, not bothering with an explanation, for she was sure he wouldn’t listen to one anyway.

Taken aback Elliot glared at her, hoping to intimidate her. When he realized she wasn’t going to back down he said, “I know that going to America may sound like a grand adventure, but it’ll be a completely different way of life than what you are accustomed to. Besides, it wouldn’t be proper for us to travel together unwed on such a journey and…”

Before he could finish she cut him off, exclaiming animatedly, “Marry me then.”

Elliot couldn’t believe his ears. He choked and sputtered before he could finally form a coherent response. “With all due respect, that is not an option.”

“Why not?” she asked innocently.

“
Please do not make me list off the many reasons why that isn’t an option, just know that it isn’t.”

Miss Ogglesby’s face fell but she wasn’t ready to give up. “I don’t understand why we can’t help one another out. I’m sick of being trapped, of being forced to live a life based on petty rules and endless restrictions. I want to go somewhere where I can make my own rules, live my own life.”

“Marrying me would not grant you the freedom you seek,” Elliot pointed out. “Besides getting you to America, you’d then be forced to follow me wherever I go, to set up house and eventually have a family. You wouldn’t be free to run wild pursuing whatever interests strike your fancy.”

Miss Ogglesby slumped back in the seat. “I hadn’t thought of that,” she whispered solemnly.

“Clearly.” Elliot observed dryly. “Look, if I thought your idea wise I might consider assisting you, but I can tell you that it is only foolishness. You may not be able to see the big picture now, but with time you will come to realize that your place is here, in England. You will find a young man soon enough who will fall in love with who you are, faults and all, and start off on the biggest adventure of your life. Just be patient.” It felt out of character to be offering someone advice, it felt much too mature for Elliot and suddenly he felt even more exhausted. “You better get back inside before somebody starts to worry.”

“
Well if you won’t help me, I’ll just have to find somebody who will.” Miss Ogglesby snatched her satchel off the seat and made to leave the carriage but Elliot grabbed her arm and spun her around.

“
You can’t mean that.”

Smiling at him impishly she replied, “Oh but I do.”

Before Elliot had the chance to try to talk some sense into her, she had alighted from the carriage and was rushing up the walk towards the house.

Saturday April 23
rd
, 1814

It was the second day in a row that Elliot had been to the docks anticipating the arrival of Soren Johanssen’s ship. Hope had told him that Soren was expected any day and he hadn’t wanted to risk missing him. He had come first thing in the morning both days, eagerly hoping to speak with him and make arrangements to sail off into his new life. He quickly scanned the vessels that were docked hoping to see an American ship in port.

When his eyes rested on a new ship christened
Lady Noelle
he knew he must’ve found the right one. He got as near to the ship as he could and waited anxiously for the passengers to begin disembarking. It wasn’t hard to identify Soren as he walked down the gangplank towards where Elliot was waiting. Though his memories of the man were foggy, there was no mistaking the woman on his arm; she was the exact replica of Hope.

As the couple neared he stepped towards them causing them to halt. Lady Noelle looked puzzled before recognition set in causing her expression to become one of disdain. Elliot felt a pang of guilt as he remembered the last and only time he had spoken with the girl. Pierce had been set to marry her when she had decided to up and run off to America with Soren, leaving her lady’s maid, Hope, behind to take her place and marry the duke instead.

Everyone had been fooled by the scheme and eventually Pierce and Hope had fallen in love. When Lady Noelle had been mistakenly informed that Soren had been killed in a fight one night at the docks, she had come back to take her place and marry the duke as originally planned. Nobody could explain her sudden mood change and disinterest in Pierce and Elliot had taken it upon himself to inform her of his resentment at the way she was treating his friend. The conversation had not been a pleasant one and he regretted that now that he was there to ask a favor of her husband.

He quickly bowed before her and said sincerely, “Lady Noelle, I must beg your forgiveness.”

Soren looked down at his wife on his arm. Smiling he said, “Darling, whatever does this gentleman mean?”

Noelle bristled. “Soren, this is a friend of the Duke of Kerrington, you may remember meeting him at Hope’s wedding. Anyway, the last time we spoke he was horribly rude to me.”

Soren turned questioning eyes on Elliot. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

Lady Noelle fanned herself with one hand, affecting an air of disinterest. “I suppose.”

Elliot decided he didn’t much like the spoiled twit any more now than he did back then. Gritting his teeth he tried to ignore her immaturity. “I suppose I spoke out of line, but I hope you realize that my intent was only to protect my dear friend. Please accept my deepest apologies.”

Lady Noelle stuck her bottom lip out in a pout before saying, “Oh I suppose we can let bygones be bygones. Now surely you didn’t arrange this meeting solely to seek my forgiveness, did you?”

“I was actually hoping to speak with your husband about sailing to America.”

Soren’s eyebrow rose in surprise, “Really? Why the interest in America?”

Elliot shoved both hands into his pockets. “I’m actually looking for a change of scenery, a fresh start if you will, and I thought that America would be the perfect place to start. I was hoping that you might be able to accommodate my passage over to the continent as well as give me some information on what to expect once I’m there.”

“I’m sure that can all be arranged, although we had anticipated spending some time in London before returning.”

“I understand. Just let me know when you plan to set sail and I’ll be there. I have a few affairs to get in order but it shouldn’t take long.”

“We are scheduled to sail in a fortnight,” Soren offered helpfully.

“Excellent.” Elliot smiled, eagerly anticipating the newest adventure in his life, though suddenly a fortnight seemed not much time at all to prepare for such a drastic life change.

They spoke for a moment longer, just long enough to make arrangements to meet up and discuss further travel plans and to see to all the details before Elliot bowed before Lady Noelle in departure then shook Soren’s hand, all the while thanking them profusely for being willing to assist him in his endeavors.

***

Felicity pulled the light cloak snuggly around her body. It was early in the day but already the temperature was rising. She wished she could shrug the cloak off and let her skin breath but she knew she had to stay as inconspicuous as possible. She fingered the diamond pendant in her pocket to insure it was still there.

As she approached the docks she spotted a trio conversing politely and couldn’t resist watching. The man standing separately from the couple reminded her of Elliot. He had the same dark hair and confident stance. As she got closer her breath caught. It was Elliot! And he looked happy. She suddenly felt irritated at seeing him and with a smile on his face no less. There was some part hidden inside of her that hoped he was as miserable as her. Clearly he wasn’t as heartbroken at her insistence that he stay out of her life as she thought he might be.

She was never quite sure how to read Elliot—whenever she had expected him to act a certain way he always seemed to contradict her and leave her feeling confused and oftentimes hurt. She quickly averted her eyes and picked up her pace as she passed by the group, hoping to not draw any sort of attention to herself. The last thing she wanted to do was to talk to Elliot and have to explain her reasons for being in such a shady locale.

As she wandered further and further away from Elliot her thoughts turned from him and settled on the task at hand. She had spent some time questioning the young lads who hung around the docks about a man who supposedly purchased valuable family heirlooms and other priceless artifacts while remaining discreet. He was noted to be fair in the price he paid while also keeping quiet about who he obtained his treasure from.

At this point in her life, Felicity had been completely humbled, she had no pride left. All she knew was that if they were to keep surviving they needed money for food. She had been leery about selling the few family jewels that still remained in her possession. Not because they held any real sentimental value, but because since her father died and cut her out of his will completely, technically the jewels belonged to her cousin, her father’s heir, Clinton. She shuddered to think of what the consequences would be if he found out she had taken some of the prized pieces and was now selling them for money.

Her fist was clamped tightly around the diamond pendant as she drew closer to the place she was supposed to find the man in question. She had reluctantly given one of the young lads her last shilling in exchange for informing this man of her interest in speaking with him. The boy had returned within minutes telling her that he would be willing to bargain with her the very next morning. She had been oddly relieved that he hadn’t insisted she come in the middle of the night which she had thought might happen. At least in the bright, early dawn of the morning she felt safe.

As she walked gingerly towards the appointed meeting place she began to doubt her judgment in coming at all. The lower docks were strewn with rough looking sailors that appeared to already be drunk though the day was early, mangy dogs with rabid mouths, and scantily clad women who had doused themselves in cheap perfume in attempts to hide the filthy smell of their bodies. They were looking to take advantage of the sailors who had just docked and who hadn’t the privilege of a woman’s company in who knows how long. The sight of the eager men throwing themselves at the women was repulsive. She tried furtively to avoid looking at anything around her, reminding herself of the desperate situation she was in to help encourage her on her mission and bolster her courage.

When she finally reached the place the boy had given her instructions to she halted, looking around for the frumpy man with the thick eyebrows and mustache that was supposed to meet her. Her eyes scanned her surroundings not finding who she was looking for. Before she could decide what her next course of action would be she felt a thick hand snake around her abdomen and pull her roughly back towards a fleshy chest, while the other hand went straight for her mouth. She had barely gotten out half a scream before she felt the dirty hand clamp tightly over her mouth, smothering the rest of her scream.

***

Just as Elliot had bid farewell to Soren and Lady Noelle a woman had caught his eye. The appearance of a woman at the docks was not all that unusual, but this girl was different than the haggard, bawdy women that were usually seen walking the docks with hopes of selling their bodies to the eager sailors. No this woman was defiantly not common. He watched her stroll nervously past towards the shady part of the docks and a feeling in his gut told him something wasn’t right. Though he hadn’t gotten a good look at her, he was almost positive that she was a lady, and completely out of her element.

Curiosity got the best of him and with some trepidation he began to follow the girl at a distance, making sure she wasn’t aware of his presence. As he watched the girl dart in and out of the crowds he couldn’t help notice her slender, graceful neck. Her ebony hair was nearly the same shade as Felicity’s which only further intensified his nervousness on the girl’s behalf—if he ever found out that Felicity was foolish enough to come to such a dangerous place he would ring her neck.

Suddenly the girl stopped and began looking around. Elliot took advantage of the time to move closer. Just as he was about to approach the girl and insist she let him escort her out of danger, a portly man came up behind her and snatched the girl into his arms, covering her mouth with his hand just as she was beginning to scream.

Elliot didn’t even hesitate, he rushed forward to attack. Though the man was much larger in size, Elliot knew he’d have the advantage of surprise and agility. He snuck up behind the man and grabbed a fistful of greasy hair and yanked his head back as far as he could. In his surprise, the man let his grip on the girl slip, but he quickly recovered. With one arm securely around her waist, he let his other hand slide down to his pocket where he retrieved a dagger and quickly brought it up to his captor’s throat.

Refusing to let go of the man’s hair, Elliot saw the silver blade flash in the sun and quickly looked down to assess the damage. He gasped in surprise as his eyes settled on Felicity’s face. His stomach rolled at the site of her pale neck under the blade of the dagger and for a moment he was too petrified to act; one wrong move and Felicity’s life would be over. He knew that whatever his next move was, it would have to be quick and effective or she wouldn’t stand a chance.

He lifted his free hand up to the man’s neck and pressed his thumb angrily into his jugular and held it firmly there with as much pressure as he could apply.

The man struggled to speak, “Get yer filthy hands off of me!”

“
Drop the knife and let the girl go and I’ll consider it.”

Elliot knew the man was struggling for air when it took him a few long moments to respond. “Not on yer life. I have business with this girl.”

“The only business you have is with me, and if you don’t do what I say you won’t be around much longer to do business with anyone ever again.”

The man growled and tried to shove his shoulder back into Elliot with the hopes of catching him off guard, his concern for his own life thankfully overshadowing his interest in Felicity. Elliot stumbled slightly as he heard Felicity scream. The knife had nicked her neck, causing a small drop of blood to trickle out down her throat.

At the sight of Felicity’s blood Elliot went wild. He put both hands around the man’s fleshy neck and choked him as hard as he could. The man’s arms eventually went limp and Felicity was able to stumble out of his grasp. When Elliot saw that she was out of immediate danger, he twisted around to the front of the man and kneed him in his privates as hard as he could. The man crumbled to the ground groaning in agony.

Elliot squatted down next to the man and hissed, “If you ever touch her again, I’ll kill you.” The man looked at Elliot with fear, nodding his understanding.

Elliot rose and brushed his hands off on the side of his breeches before turning to face Felicity.

Felicity’s emerald eyes widened in surprise. “Elliot?”

He didn’t answer her questioning gaze, instead he reached forward and grabbed her wrist tightly and began dragging her away as fast as he could, attempting to get away from the odious man before he had a chance to recover from the blow Elliot had inflicted and come after them. Felicity had to stumble to keep up with him but he seemed unaware of anything but getting them out of there as fast as possible.