Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman Read online

  "You needn't worry, the captain has his orders. Suffice it to say, she will never see the shores of England again." He started to leave, then turned to face the

  three men who stood in the semidark. "Remember, you are to bring her directly to me. After I have finished with her, then you may take her to the ship."

  "We know."

  "Good . . . make no mistakes. I want at least one full night with her before we send her to a place where she'll have long and torturous years to remember that she betrayed me. I do not deal lightly with those who betray me. Keep that in mind."

  "Don't you worry, gov'ner, we ain't going to make any mistakes. You'll have her exactly when you say . . . and we'll be ready to deliver her to the ship right on time."

  "Excellent. I have rewarded you adequately, but there is a bonus in it for you if you deliver the letter I'll leave with you to her husband."

  "Gov'ner, we deliver a letter and for sure he'll have us."

  "No, you can leave it where he'll find it the next day. I want him to know . . . I want him to know. The bonus is double your price."

  "Lord," one man breathed, "for that price I'll see to it."

  The three watched the shadowed man walk away, and for a moment all three stood in silent fear of a man who hated so deeply.

  "I sure wouldn't want him mad at me."

  "Me either . . . and I feel kind of sorry for that girl."

  "Don't waste your sympathies. She's a rich man's woman, and they deserve what they get. There's a lot of pretty ladies out there, and with this money we can

  have our pick. Come on . . . let's go to the tavern. I need a drink."

  The night swallowed them up, and all was silent again.

  Chapter Nineteen

  One day, three days, seven days . . . the time seemed to increase the tension surrounding everyone. It was difficult for all to go on with their everyday lives and know that there were those close by who were planning to do murder.

  Even though Noah gave no outward signs of it, Charity knew the tension was telling on him. He was the one who knew that two men's lives depended upon him. He had asked Lord Brandywine to wait, and if anything went wrong . . . he shuddered to think of it.

  To all outward appearances his and Charity's lives went on as if they knew nothing of the plans. They went to all the affairs and smiled . . . they saw those who watched and smiled . . . they danced, and ate,

  and drank, and applauded at the theater . . . and smiled.

  The strain was as bad for those who planned as for those who waited. The plotters watched Noah and his movements with an intense concentration, and were satisfied that he truly did not have the ability to decode the letters he had. In a few more days, it would not matter at all.

  The time had come for the dedication ceremony of a new library, a ceremony at which Lord Brandywine was to officiate . . . a ceremony where he was to die.

  Noah had been awake the whole night, worried that something in his plans might go wrong. But when he and Charity rode out to meet Lord Brandywine, it was only Charity who could see past Noah's smile to the fear that lingered in the depths of his eyes.

  The spectators arrived on foot, in carriages and coaches, in groups and singly until the area surrounding the building was swarming with people.

  Noah and Charity saw the arrival of Douglas Van Buran, his daughter, and both Gregory and Glenda Hamilton. Charity studied Gregory closely for a minute. His posture, his manner, his actions all were polished . . . but compared to Noah's air of real elegance, they seemed vulgar and affected. It was as if Gregory were merely copying the actions of others. She realized now how he deceived most people, charmed them. Now she seemed to see beyond the smile and the handsome features. There was avarice behind his smile. Charity gazed at the beautiful Eleanor Van

  Buran and remembered when she had felt jealous of her, and the thought that Gregory meant to marry her. She turned to look at Noah, and felt a wave of gratitude that fate had decreed otherwise.

  Impulsively she kissed Noah, and watched him smile. She didn't care how many people were watching. She loved him so much that she could not resist him.

  "You will be creating a scandal, my love."

  "Better a scandal over too much display of affection than a scandal over none. Besides, you're so handsome I couldn't resist." He reached to take her hand and press it to his lips.

  "Are you afraid, Charity?"

  "Yes . . . I'm afraid for you. If you succeed, these terrible people might have a way to revenge themselves against you. If you fail . . . oh, Noah"

  "We won't fail, and when this is over I will make sure there is no one left free to find revenge. I must save a very good man, Charity."

  "I know. It is just that . . . I feel so"

  "Don't worry, love, we have everyone protected."

  "Protect yourself, Noah. I would die if anything happened to you."

  Noah returned the kiss she had given him and smiled a reassuring smile. "I must go. Now, remember, no matter what happens, I want you to stay in this carriage. It will all be over faster than you can imagine. All of them are gathered, and we only have to wait for them to make their move."

  Noah had placed his carriage so that it was some distance from the library, and had taken the precau-

  tion to post a guard just to keep an eye on Charity. When he descended, he smiled and pressed Charity's hand. Then he was walking away from her, and she felt herself trembling. Noah would take care of everything, and she had nothing to worry about, she told herself. Why, then, did she feel this sense that something dark was about to occur?

  Noah moved slowly, as if he, too, were enjoying the festive air of the ceremony. But he was alert and knew exactly where all his men were placed, and where everyone involved would be.

  Noah moved past one of his guards and paused just long enough to whisper, ''Keep your eyes open, James. It's going to happen in the next few minutes."

  "Yes, sir, I'm not taking my eyes off him."

  "Can you see the two thugs he just nodded to?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "I suspect one is the killer, and the other is his support."

  "Looks to me like they're moving into position."

  "Stay alert," Noah said.

  Gregory watched Noah as closely as he surmised Noah was watching him. Yes, he thought, keep your eyes on me, Noah, while my men do what you cannot stop.

  He glanced across some distance and saw Anne Ferrier, who was sitting in the safety of her carriage, giving the appearance of a loving and supportive wife. She was a bit put out with her husband, for his mood for the past few days had been terrible. He had shut himself in his study, and claimed there was work

  that needed to be done, and he had not come to her bed for the past week. She no longer cared, for he would be out of her life in a matter of minutes. She wondered if she should purchase the black gown and veil today, or wait until tomorrow . . . when she had displayed her sorrow.

  Charles Brandywine, Rodger Ferrier, and several other dignitaries were assembled on the wooden stage now, and all the conspirators were prepared.

  There was a hum of tension in the seconds before the move was made . . . then pandemonium broke out.

  The assassins moved swiftly and surely . . . but Noah and his company moved just a step faster, and much more effectively. There was wild shouting and milling about when the onlookers finally figured out what was happening.

  Gregory's heart pounded heavily, and Douglas's face went gray when the carriage they were in was surrounded by grim-faced men. They knew that, indeed, they had misjudged and misjudged fatally.

  Anne's shrill cry was cut off when hard hands took her from her carriage. She sought and found her husband, and when their gazes met she saw no pity there and her fighting ceased. Her face was pale and tears coursed down her cheeks.

  Glenda was fighting both her rage at knowing they had been thwarted and her fear of what was going to come of it. She was not going to admit to knowledge of the plo
t. Glenda was a cat who usually landed on her feet, and she meant to do so this time . . . until

  she looked into the eyes of Noah Morgan and Lord Brandywine.

  Douglas Van Buran was the true realist of the group. From the moment he saw that the attack had been anticipated, he knew all was lost. He was the only one who took his failure with any kind of courage.

  When he faced Noah and Charles, he smiled. "You really did decode the letters."

  "Long ago," Noah agreed. "We have just been waiting for you to make what is the most drastic mistake of your life."

  "No, Lord Morgan, the most drastic mistake of my life was not eliminating you first. I should have known you were a worthy opponent."

  "You will pay a terrible price for that mistake. The queen does not look on the attempted assassination of her favorite with mercy."

  "I do not expect it. I might have succeeded if I had had someone like you on my side."

  "Murder is not my way, Lord Van Buran. It has failed assassins down through history. There were better means of acquiring power. You might have tried honest endeavor . . . or chosen honest friends."

  It was then that Gregory and Noah came face to face. Noah held Gregory's gaze while he stepped down from the carriage.

  "It's over, Hamilton. You will have ample time in prison to consider the folly of using my wife as a tool to forward your nefarious plans."

  "Ah, sweet Charity. I shall have a wonderful time with her reputation during my trial."

  Now Noah smiled. "I would not if I were you. You see, the queen is considering the death sentence. Your silence on that subject might mean the difference between prison . . . or hanging. You will have some time to consider your . . . ah . . . testimony."

  "You bastard," Gregory snarled.

  "I'm afraid not, Hamilton, old boy, not in my case . . . but there is now a question of your parentage."

  At this both Glenda and Gregory froze. Noah chuckled and nodded. "The heiress has been found. At this moment the proof lies with the judges. We have the portraits, the letters, and all the proof needed to make sure the Hamilton wealth and name are returned to their rightful owner."

  At this Glenda simply closed her eyes and collapsed, while Gregory breathed deeply of the air of freedom . . . while he could.

  Noah was roundly congratulated and hands clapped him on the back as he turned toward his carriage. He had only walked a few steps when his whole being froze. The carriage was gone.

  Charity had remained still, watching with interest as Noah and his men filtered through the crowd. She had been one of the few who knew when each of the carriages was surrounded, and she had seen the entire capture.

  Her carriage was rocked by the force of the crowd about her when pandemonium broke loose, but she sought only one face in the flurry, only one broad-shouldered form, only one tall and formidable man

  who carried his anger and his desire for justice like a shield.

  She was so startled when three men jumped into her carriage that she didn't have time even to scream. The driver was gripped from behind and tossed from the carriage, and they were moving before she could react to the sudden attack.

  By that time a small, wicked knife was being pressed to her side.

  "Don't make one sound or one move, or you'll be making your last." The voice was rough, and she knew her captor meant exactly what he said. She had an idea that he didn't care if she was alive or dead.

  The carriage raced through the city and soon was leaving the better side for the dirtier and more shadowed one. Only then did they slow the horses to a fast trot.

  "You will regret this! Do you know who I am?"

  "Yeah, we know who you are. We don't make mistakes. You was what we was after, and you was what we got."

  All three men responded with harsh laughter at that, and Charity sat back in her seat. She had to use her head. Obviously this abduction was well planned and the timing had been carefully worked out. Noah and everyone who might have helped her was totally involved . . . but so was every enemy they had. Who, then, would want to take her like this?

  It was hard to think. She had not been married to Noah long enough to know or recognize where his enemies might come from. She had to remain calm, and try to find a way to get help.

  But there seemed to be no answer as they came to a dingy street, filled with debris and shadows. Just to look down its length brought a shiver of fear. She had been in some nasty places in this city, but never had she seen a place like this. She had no idea where she was.

  Roughly she was dragged from the carriage, and one of the men drove it away. She and the other two men were left together. Then, one on each side of her, they walked her down the dirty alley toward a blackened door.

  "What do you want? If it's ransom, my husband will pay you well to bring me back. Let me write him a note, and he'll give you money . . . I promise."

  "Now, don't you worry none about us being paid. We're getting enough just to make sure you get brought safe and sound here. We don't expect we'll have to ask your husband for nothing . . . and you ain't goin' back."

  "Shut up, Henry. You talk too much."

  "Please . . . why are you doing this?"

  "You got an anxious friend who just can't stand sharing you with anyone else. He'd kinda like you all to himself for a while . . . before you take a nice, long boat trip."

  "Henry, I told you to shut up."

  Henry decided that it would be better to stop talking. Charity reached for courage. If they meant to harm her, they had had more than one opportunity, so they didn't mean to harm her . . . yet. But why bring her all this way?

  She could smell the stench of the docks, and hear

  the lap of water somewhere nearby. The room in which they finally locked her was surprising, for it was reasonably clean, and held furniture, which included a huge bed. She went to the bed and sat down. It was here for a purpose, and she had an idea someone meant for her to have a long stay in this room.

  She gathered herself together. She looked about to see if she could discover a weapon or some means of escape. There seemed to be neither. Now she gave herself over to trying to figure out why someone would pay to abduct her. A boat trip . . . someone had paid them well . . . but, a boat trip?

  Noah had gazed about in surprise, and thought for a minute he was disoriented or that Charity had moved the carriage. Then another, more horrible thought came to him, and he raced to where the carriage had been. He scanned the area, then accepted the fact that it was nowhere in the square. Charity had vanished.

  For one awful moment panic took over, and he fought for breath. Charity! This could not be! He was soon joined by his friends, who were alarmed at his pale face.

  "Noah, what's wrong?"

  "Charity's gone!"

  "Send for Lord Brandywine!" someone said. Brandywine came to Noah's side at once.

  "She's been taken," Noah groaned. "Someone"

  The search was on, and within two hours it was clear that Charity was gone. Noah had never felt such a surge of fear in his life. Police were turned out in

  force, and every area of the city was swept, but there was no sign of her.

  When news was taken to Beth and Jason, they came to Noah at once.

  "I don't understand," Beth said tearfully. "Who would want to hurt Charity? All the people who were involved in this plot are in custody. There is no . . ." She paused in sudden realization.

  "Beth?" Noah said hopefully

  "Charles Brentwood."

  "Damn!" Noah said. "I should have thought of him. I was thinking about people who meant me harm. I never considered him, but I'll find him."

  There was grim determination on Noah's face that promised retaliation, and Beth leaned close to Jason and whispered.

  "Go with him, Jason. Don't let him do anything foolish, and for God's sake, make him bring Charles to justice. Don't let him take it into his own hands."

  "I'll do my best." Jason didn't ask if Noah wanted him to go with him
, because he knew Noah would refuse. He simply went to the carriage and got in. Noah looked at him directly, saw that he was not going to be moved, and decided not to waste time in arguing. He got in and drove to Charles's home, but there they were to get another surprise.

  "No, sir, Mr. Brentwood hasn't been home for nearly two weeks . . . in fact, since the day you were here last," the housekeeper said. "He was very upset, and he packed and made plans to take a long trip. Said he wouldn't be back for three months."

  "Do you know where he went?"

  "No, sir."

  "Have you had any messages, any word?"

  "No, sir, but I don't expect any. My wages is paid until he's to come back, and all I have to do is collect his mail and take care of the house."

  "Thank you. If you do hear anything at all, will you contact me?"

  "Of course, Lord Morgan. I'll send round word right off when he comes back, or if I hear anything."

  They left, but Noah stopped when the door closed. "He's got her, he's taken her somewhere. I'll kill that man with my bare hands."

  "Where would he take her, Noah? He had to have had this well planned. For all we know, they could be miles from the city now."

  "If need be, I'll tear this city down brick by brick. When I find him"

  "Noah . . . wait!"

  "What?"

  "I know someone who knows this city better than anyone else. There is noplace to hide that she cannot find, and she has all the help you could ever want. Help from people who can go places that you and the police will never find."

  "Who?"

  "Amiee. Come on, let's go."

  Noah didn't question Jason. In his desperation he would have gone anywhere or done anything. He had to keep going, because he was afraid to stop . . . and think. He could picture Charity at Charles Brentwood's mercy, and the black rage that was forming inside him was terrible in its force.

  Amiee was surprised to see Jason, and even more surprised to see Noah. But one glimpse of Noah's ravaged face was all she needed to tell her that something was drastically amiss.