Page 19 of A Kiss Of Lies

Nor would she ever be free.

Sarah’s panic grew and she stepped backward, determined to go below. However, she slammed up against a wall of solid muscle. Strong arms reached out to steady her.

“Are you all right, Mrs. Cooper?” Christian did not release her, and for a moment she grew dizzy from the heat and feel of his hands. She looked up at his face, but it was in the shadow of the upper cabin.

She pushed herself out of his hold and stepped back against the railing, her face hidden from those on the dock. “I’m fine, my lord. I was heading below deck to unpack. I’d like to get both my cabin and Lily’s sorted out before we reach the open ocean.” She nodded toward Lily. “Just in case.”

“In case what?” piped up Lily.

Christian caught on immediately. In case Lily got seasick. He winked at Sarah and held out his hand to Lily. “Let me escort you around the ship while Mrs. Cooper unpacks. I’ll show you where it is safe to play and the areas that are out of bounds.”

Feeling as if all the eyes on the dock were upon her, Sarah slipped down the hatchway and into the shady bowels of the ship. For once darkness was her friend.

* * *

“Was it her?”

The tall, bearded man known throughout the Lake Erie territory as “Find Them Jack” was one of the best slave trackers alive. He slowly turned his eyes away from the deck of the departingDoreenand focused on the man behind him.

“I didn’t get a good look, but my instincts tell me it’s her.”

The other man cursed and swung away from the sight of theDoreensailing up the river. “I have to be sure.”

Jack shrugged and spat. “I’m sure she’s on that schooner. She’s gone. TheDoreen’s bound for England.”

The other man’s arm shot out to stop him from leaving. “How do I know you’re not lying? I’ve been tasked with bringing her back alive. What if she’s actually still in York?”

“She’s not. But you’re welcome to stay and look.” Jack stared hard at the man’s hand until he removed it from Jack’s arm. “Anyway, it’s not my problem anymore. My job was to find her in York. I’ve done that. My contract is complete.”

“A little late, though. I’m sure my boss will be none too pleased.”

Jack was a big man. Stretching to his full impressive height and flexing his wide shoulders, he uttered, in a tone that would scare the bravest of men, “If your boss has a problem with my services, tell him to come and see me.” Then he spun on his heel and walked away, calling over his shoulder, “You’d best check with the harbormaster as to what route they plan to take. TheDoreen’s a cargo ship. They’ll likely be stopping along the way.”

The other man was pleased at how quickly Jack had found the woman. He’d made the right decision to employ Jack.

His anticipatory smile deepened upon hearing the ship would likely stop on route to England. He desperately wanted to catch her. Perhaps he hadn’t lost her yet. The monetary reward for her capture was immense.

With blood racing and heart pounding, he swung around and headed toward the harbormaster’s office. At the entrance, he turned and watched theDoreendisappear around the bend in the river before ambling in through the open door and speaking to the nearest clerk. “I’m wondering if you can help me. I’ve just missed theDoreen’s sailing and I wanted to pass the captain a message.” He gave a polite smile. “What’s theDoreen’s next destination?”

The young clerk chuckled. “Then your message will get to the ship when she docks at Plymouth. TheDoreen’s sailing directly to England. Lord Markham’s in a hurry to return home.”

“Is theDoreenLord Markham’s ship?”

The clerk nodded assent. “Aye, she is.”

With a polite thank-you, he stepped out into the sunshine, a thrill coursing through his veins. He now knew where to start looking for her.

What on earth was she doing with the Earl? Had Lady Serena Castleton known Lord Markham prior to her marriage? His lip curled in disgust. He knew who Lord Markham was, a burned war hero shunned by polite society. Why would that man want to protect her?

Had Serena Castleton used her body in exchange for protection? A woman on the run would need protection and couldn’t be too fussy about whom she bedded in exchange for it, even a hideously disfigured man like Markham. She was certainly beautiful enough for any man to offer protection in exchange for her body.

Whore!

There was only one way to find out: follow theDoreento England.

He would find her. Once clear of the docks, he strode purposefully to where a young boy held his horse. As he swung himself up into the saddle, he inwardly swore that no slip of a woman would evade him. Hewouldcatch her.

ChapterSix

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