Lady Overton's Perilous Journey (Honorable Rogue Book 1) Read online

  LADY OVERTON’S

  PERILOUS JOURNEY

  Vikki Vaught

  Erotic Romance

  www.vikkivaught.com

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  Lady Overton’s Perilous Journey

  Copyright © 2015 Vikki Vaught

  First E-book Publication: July 2015

  Cover design by Dawné Dominique

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  Dedication

  This has been such an exciting journey. I have had many people who have helped me along the way, from contest judges, to my fellow authors of the Beau Monde Chapter of RWA. This chapter is a fantastic group of Regency authors. Whenever I have a historical question, they always have the answer.

  I want to personally thank my critique partner, KaLyn Cooper. Her help with the suspenseful scenes was invaluable. I also want to thank my wonderful friend and freelance editor Tammy Souch, her advice and suggestions made this book so much better. I also want to mention my gratitude for my friend and co-worker, Anissa Cook Panchyshyn, for giving me permission to use her beautiful name for my heroine.

  My heartfelt thanks goes to readers everywhere, for your willingness to give a new author a chance. Last, but by no means least, I want to thank my incredible husband for putting up with me when I’m lost in my world of books. The man truly has the patience of a saint.

  Chapter One

  Early May 1802

  The heavy brass statue dropped from her hand, and Anissa, the Marchioness of Overton, touched her lips with a shaking hand. She glanced down at Lord Howard and stifled a gasp. Blood poured from the wound on his head as he lay sprawled out on the Aubusson carpet. The smell of fresh blood assailed her nostrils, causing her stomach to roll.

  Oh no, what have I done?

  Anissa remained frozen, as stiff and unyielding as the statue she had dropped on the carpet. Finally pulling herself out of her moment of terror, she knelt beside him and gingerly touched the side of his neck with trembling fingers. She felt a weak pulse. At least she had not killed him.

  Never in a million years had she expected him to attack her in such a horrid way. Shock waves of fear raced through her heart, and she pulled the remnants of her bodice together as images of the struggle flashed through her mind. Thank goodness, she had grabbed the statue before he could ravish her.

  Of course, he had tried to corner her countless times. She had always managed to evade him before. If she had known he had arrived home, she would never have chanced coming down for a book. A good thing she had, or she would never have overheard him talking to his son. Without this knowledge, she would have been dead the next day, and then there would have been no one to keep him from carrying out his diabolical plan.

  The fright she had experienced when Lord Howard caught her still had her heart jumping in her chest. If his son had caught her, she could have been able to convince Bernard she had come from the kitchen after having a glass of warm milk. The poor young man was a bit slow-witted. With the die cast, she could not stop the turn of events her actions had started. She would have to get away before someone found Lord Howard and raised the alarm.

  Anissa stood, went over to Lord Howard’s desk, and rummaged through the drawers, looking for the money pouch he kept hidden there. As she felt around the bottom drawer, her fingers closed around the purse. Pulling it out, she dropped it on the desk, then reached inside and pulled out a wad of bank notes.

  Anissa counted the money and found well over two hundred pounds, plus dozens of guineas, and a fistful of other coins. She slipped the notes back into the pouch, along with the rest of the money, and then slipped it into the pocket of her gown. Looking back at Lord Howard, she tiptoed across the room. She opened the library door and peeked out to the darkened hall, making sure the coast was clear before she left the room.

  All the servants should be in bed, although she was not sure where Bernard had gone. She prayed he had gone upstairs to his room. The last thing she needed was to run into the boy. His father had him under his thumb, scared to death of going against him in any way. After all, the lad was barely seventeen. She truly could not blame him.

  As silent as a crouching cat ready to spring on an unsuspecting mouse, Anissa climbed the stairs to her bedchamber as the hall clock’s soft chime of the eleven o’clock hour followed her. After reaching her room, she sagged against the door, her fear-soaked clothing clinging to her clammy skin.

  Anissa rushed over to the wardrobe and threw it open, pulled out her valise, and stuffed several black gowns, undergarments, and her nightclothes into it. She unearthed the breeches she wore when riding by herself. Thank God she had kept them all these years. After donning the boy’s clothing, she grabbed her black cloak to hide her masculine attire.

  She went over to her dressing table and dumped the contents of her jewelry box into her valise. Her emerald necklace, a gift from her late husband, landed on top. Tears gathered in her eyes as she remembered Kendall fastening it around her neck for the first time, and something squeezed her heart like a vise.

  Gathering her wits and dismissing the distracting thoughts from her mind, she could not give into her emotions now, not when the life of her son was held in the balance. She opened up the hidden compartment in the bottom of her jewelry box and pulled out some letters tied together with a pink satin ribbon. These letters were more precious than gold to her. Kendall had written them to her whenever they had been apart. Some might think her silly to save them. However, she gained comfort from reading them late at night when she missed him most.

  Oh, why did Kendall have to die?

  Anissa forced these thoughts from her mind. She could not afford to think of these things now. She needed to get to her son. She had to protect Harry and get him safely away. After she added the letters to the valise, she took one last look at the room she had lived in for seven years. Despair threatened to consume her, but she refused to give in to her terror and hurried out the door.

  Once back in the hall, she crept up the next flight of stairs. She entered the darkened nursery and made her way across the room to her son’s bedchamber. The sight of Harry curled up in his little bed, sleeping in the innocence of a young child, caused her heart to surge to a gallop. Since Kendall’s death, Anissa had suspected Lord Howard had evil intent planned for her. She had never imagi
ned he would harm her child. Months of unease began to make sense.

  Anissa placed the candle she carried by Harry’s bed, then hurried to his wardrobe, gathered up some of his clothes, and added them to her valise. Kneeling by Harry’s bed, Anissa shook his shoulder. “Wake up, darling.”

  Harry blinked and opened his eyes, heavy with sleep. Their green depths—so like his father’s—widened. “Is it morning already, Mama?”

  Anissa smiled as she shook her head. “No, darling, you and I are going on a trip. Mama needs you to be very quiet. We do not want to wake anyone up. Can you do that for me?”

  Harry looked up at her with questioning eyes. “Are we going on an a’venture, Mama? Like in my stories?”

  “Yes, darling,” she replied, hugging her son close to her breast, “albeit, you mustn’t ask any more questions right now. I will tell you more, once we have left on our trip. Now remember, we cannot make any noise.”

  Anissa helped Harry put his clothes on, and once she had him dressed, took him by the hand, and led him out of the nursery, making sure they did not wake up the nursemaid in the next room. Her heart hammered as they went down the servant’s stairs and out through the back of the house.

  A full moon and a sky filled with stars lit the path leading to the stables. She kept a tight grip on Harry’s hand as they entered. Anissa glanced around, making sure the stable boy was not there. When she did not see him, she let out the breath she had not realized she was holding. “Harry, sit down on the hay,” she whispered in his ear. “Mama’s going to saddle Piper.”

  Harry asked, “Am I going to get to ride her too? Oh, boy, this is the best a’venture I’ve ever been on!”

  Terrified the stable hand would hear, she raised her finger to her lips and put her other hand over his mouth, “Hush, darling. Remember we must be quiet. Save your questions for later.”

  Anissa strapped the valise to the back of the saddle and lifted Harry. His little hands grabbed the pommel and his feet moved against Piper’s flanks. “Come on, Mama,” he ordered. “Let’s go.”

  Grateful her father had taught her to ride astride—much to her mother’s horror—Anissa led Piper out to the yard and swung up behind her son. Riding sidesaddle with Harry would slow them down, and tonight, they needed all the speed she and Piper could manage.

  It should be morning before anyone found Uncle Howard, unless he regained consciousness. She sent a silent prayer to heaven that a ship was leaving Plymouth as soon as they arrived. She hoped it would be high tide so it could leave right away. As long as the weather held out, they should make it by three in the morning.

  Dear Lord, please let us get away.

  Harry slumped back against her, falling fast asleep. Once out on the open road, she gave Piper her head and soon they galloped along, leaving Overton Park far behind them. Her precious child stirred when she picked up the pace, then settled down and continued to sleep. The unseasonably warm May night and clear skies helped lessen her fears, yet the shadows beyond the trees lining the road had her nerves winding tighter and tighter. She kept looking back to make sure no one followed them. After some time passed and the road remained clear, she relaxed her taut muscles and her shallow breathing evened out.

  Her mind wandered to the events of the past seven months. If only Kendall had named a guardian in his will for Harry. Since Lord Howard was Kendall’s uncle and last living male relative, he had convinced her late husband’s solicitor to give him guardianship. She had never liked Lord Howard. People in town knew him as a notorious rake and a gambler. She even suspected he abused his wife, because in the last seven months, she had seen evidence of the many “accidents” Christine had suffered.

  Anissa glanced up at the sky. Judging by the moon’s position, several hours had passed. She saw signs of life up ahead. At last, she had arrived at her destination.

  When Anissa entered the port town of Plymouth, she made her way to the pier where dozens of towering masts obstructed the view of the starlit sky. As she maneuvered Piper toward the dock, ridge-capped waves rose and fell as the restless seas splashed against the hulls of the ships and threatened to come over the top of the deck. The salty smell of fish and the high-pitched squeal of seagulls resounded as the mottled gray and white birds made a nuisance, flapping and hopping around the crates as stevedores loaded them into the belly of the ships.

  She spied an inn and pulled into the yard. A groom ran forward and helped her dismount. Lifting her sleeping son down, she cradled his head against her, shielding him from the light streaming out of the open door to the stable.

  After making sure her cloak covered her masculine attire, Anissa turned to the young groom. “Do you know if any ships are bound for America?”

  “The Renegade, ma’am,” he replied. “Captain Hawks is inside the tavern, and his ship leaves at dawn.”

  Anissa adjusted Harry to a more comfortable position. He had grown much heavier in the last few months. “Could you describe Captain Hawks, so I have an idea what he looks like?”

  “He’s th’ biggest man in there. He’s got massive shoulders and dark hair. You can’t miss ’im, ma’am.”

  Taking her valise from the groom, not daring to leave it unattended with all her jewels inside, she entered the tavern and looked around. She spied a huge man with deep chestnut brown hair and immense shoulders. He had to be the man the groom told her of. As the man raised a glass to his mouth, the sleeves of his deep blue jacket pulled taut across his muscular arms. Anissa felt a pull in her lower belly when she took in the sight of this attractive man. This would never do. With ruthless determination, she pushed those thoughts from her mind. She had no time for such foolishness.

  She cuddled her sleeping child close as she scanned the common area. Her insides churned as she wove her way through the crowded tables, the chairs filled with dirty, unsavory-looking men. The strong smell of sweat mingled with ale threatened to turn her stomach and had her breathing through her mouth. Anissa went over to the man. “Sir, are you Captain Hawks?”

  The man turned around, and in a drawling voice, he answered, “Well, darlin’, that’s my name.” He swept his tri-corn hat from his head, stood and bowed. “Captain Alex Hawks, at your service. What can I do for you?”

  Anissa gazed up into the blackest eyes she had ever seen and wanted to fall into them. Mesmerized, she blinked as a shiver ran across her shoulders. This was not the time to notice this man’s eyes, no matter how compelling they were. Now was the time to use her charms to convince him to take her on his ship.

  “My name is—” she quickly searched for a name, not wanting to give him her identity, “—Mrs. Carlson. I would like to pay for passage on your ship. I understand you are leaving for America this morning.” Then, thinking of a city she had heard of in America, she added, “I need to go to Boston, where some of my family lives. Would you be able to help me?”

  Captain Hawks gave her an appraising stare, which unnerved her. This man was intimidating, to say the least. “I’m not going to Boston. And, I don’t normally take on passengers. I’m headed to Baltimore, and it’s a far piece from Boston, darlin’.”

  “Please take me. I have to leave for America as soon as possible.” Anissa had to convince him to allow her passage. “And as far as your destination is concerned, I’m sure once I am in America, I shall be able to travel to Boston from there.”

  “Darlin’, do you even know where Baltimore is and how far it is from Boston?”

  Anissa wished he would quit calling her darling. It was quite presumptuous of him, and she did not appreciate it at all. Of course, she did not want to anger him, so she kept her feelings to herself. “Well, no, not really. How far is it?”

  “It’s over four hundred miles,” Captain Hawks explained, as if he were speaking to a child, which further irritated her, tugging at her frazzled nerves. “You would be better served if you found a passenger ship going there. I have an associate who should be arriving in a few days, and his ship is going to Boston
. He also takes passengers. I’m sure he would be happy to take you on board.”

  Oh, dear, why did I say Boston? Please, Lord, let me convince him to take me.

  Every hour brought her closer to the chance of discovery. She could not afford to wait for another ship. She needed to get as far away from Lord Howard as possible, immediately.

  “Captain, I do not have a few days to wait. My uncle is dreadfully ill. He may only have a few months to live, so I need to leave as soon as possible. Please allow me to travel on your ship.” She looked up at him, willing a few tears into her eyes, praying to gain his sympathy.

  Captain Hawks sighed and rolled his obsidian eyes toward the ceiling. “I know I’m going to regret this. All right, darlin’, if it’s that important, I’ll take you. I hope you realize how uncomfortable this voyage will be for you and the child. The cabin you will be in is minuscule and barely has room to turn around in. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

  “We shall be fine, regardless of the conditions.”

  He shook his head, sending her heart to the floor.

  Oh, Lord, please don’t let him change his mind.

  What shall I do if he has?

  Her pulse surged and her hands grew slippery as she waited for him to speak. She schooled her features into what she hoped was a pleading expression.

  Then his demeanor changed and he shrugged. “As long as you’re sure. Follow me.”

  Breathing a sigh of relief, her pounding heart slowed to a steadier pace. She could not believe her good fortune. She had talked him into taking her. “Oh, thank you, sir. Would you also be able to take my horse? I do not want to leave her, since I shan’t be returning to England for a long time.”

  Captain Hawks threw a few coins on the counter and met her gaze. “There’s no way I can take your blasted horse. I wouldn’t have the provisions and don’t have time for my purser to get them. You’ll have to leave her here. Either that or I won’t take you with me. It’s up to you. What do you want to do?”