When Vengeance Is Noble: Maxwell Tales, #1

By Cali Moore

Captain Neil Maxwell had one goal and nothing was going to stop him. His hatred ran deep and even though it was focused on one man, it could easily spill over onto others. Sid understood this and when he realized the youth he'd thought he rescued and brought aboard was, in fact, a young woman, he knew he'd placed her in danger. Any woman would have been a problem, but a Scarborough?

            Riana was not stupid. Sid's recounting of the captain's story left her few choices. The one advantage she had was their shared enemy. The question became, how best to use that? The same man was responsible for both their presumed deaths and joining forces could well facilitate their shared desire for vengeance.

            Her proposal shocked him. He'd treated her abhorrently in his blind hatred and she was suggesting marriage? Did she truly understand what that meant? He was a noble's bastard, aye, but he was no noble and she was a lady. Her brothers would object. He could well end up a criminal in England's eyes and forced to flee. As his wife, she would have no choice but to flee with him. It was madness, and yet, it was tempting.

            The foundation of their union may have been laid on an angry sea, but those waters were no match for the solid vessel that union became. Nor was the Duke of Lansing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cali Moore
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201057060

Book preview

Prologue

Cornwall, England 1793

Samuel Claybourne, the fifth Duke of Lansing was a satisfied man. He whistled tunelessly as he rode into the village and hopped off his horse, leaving it untethered, and strode unannounced into the small cottage.

Roberta! He scooped up the mother of his bastard son and whirled her around. It’s done! The contract is signed. Lady Elsa is mine!

Roberta shivered at the gleam in his eye, but still managed a smile. Her happiness at the announcement was due to entirely different reasons than the duke’s. To the duke, the alliance meant money and a legal heir. To Roberta, with any luck, it meant freedom. The duke was a monster who had used her since his initial rape of her eight years ago, resulting in the son he wouldn’t even speak to, much less acknowledge. She wasn’t even sure he knew the boy’s name.

Take off your clothes, woman, he ordered. I want to celebrate.

Neil will be back soon, she replied weakly.

His eyes narrowed and he reached out to grasp the bodice of her ugly gray dress, ripping it off her with enough force to topple her over. Then I guess we only have time for my pleasure, he said casually. He unbuttoned his breeches, fell on her and forced himself into her dry body. With fast, brutal strokes, he found his release, taking her painful moans as pleasure. He withdrew and pinched her nipple tightly. Liked that, did you? He chuckled.

Roberta stared at him, blinking back the tears and prayed fervently that he would no longer come to her after he married his heiress. She turned away from him as he buttoned his breeches. The brat’s getting older. I’ll have to think about sending him away somewhere.

No! She wailed.

No? He repeated menacingly, punctuating his words with a kick to her side. You have no say in the matter.

She wisely held her tongue and her tears until he’d gone, leaving his insane laughter in his wake.

Lady Elsa stared at her father in disbelief. Lansing? You expect me to marry Lansing?

It’s a good match. We have the money, he has the title. Just think, your son will be a duke one day.

Elsa’s head was reeling with the horror of it. Surely her father knew what was said of the duke of Lansing. He was a cruel, heartless man. The condition of his tenants was disgraceful. He cared for no one but himself. How could her father do this to her? Deciding against useless arguing, she nodded and left the manor, plotting as she went to the stable to get her horse.

She told the groom she wanted to be alone and took off the opposite way she intended to go, planning to double back through the woods, unseen. Thirty minutes later she entered Hawkcliff Hall and was shown into the drawing room to wait for Lord Robert.

Elsa, Robert said happily. Then he saw her face. Elsa? What’s wrong?

She threw herself into his arms. Father’s signed a betrothal contract with the duke of Lansing.

Robert paled. It was unthinkable. No father would marry their daughter to that monster. It was a well known fact that he beat his mistresses. You must be mistaken, he said quietly, gently cradling her in his arms. At twenty-two, he’d already decided to marry Elsa, but since she was only seventeen, he was waiting to make his intentions known.

I wish I was, she moaned. What am I going to do?

He pulled away to look into her eyes. Marry me. I’ll come for you tonight. We’ll go to Scotland.

Oh, Robbie. That’s not fair to you.

He smiled lovingly at her. It’s just a couple of years early, my love. Surely you know I’ve always wanted you.

She gave him a watery smile. And I you, dearest Robert. And I you.

The duke was in a rage. The damages paid to him by the Earl of Hawkcliff were no consolation. He’d seen the triumph in the man’s eyes at the treachery his son had committed. The old earl actually enjoyed the duke’s embarrassment. Someone would pay. They would all pay.

The first one who paid was Roberta Maxwell. With her life. The duke’s fury knew no bounds as he viciously raped the woman then beat her, leaving her to die. He had been unaware of the seven-year-old eyes watching him until he’d left the cottage. The look of hatred in his bastard’s black eyes told him the boy had seen it all.

Neil ran toward the cliffs, away from the man who’d fathered him and then killed his mother. Blinded by more hatred than a grown man should know, he ran. His father’s words repeated themselves in his mind, etching them into his memory.

"That bitch, Elsa. Thinks she’s too good for me, running off with young Scarborough! And Hawkcliff, laughing in my face. It’s their fault! All three of them. Their fault!"

Each word had been punctuated by more blows. To her head, her stomach, her sides. Hands and feet pummeling the life out of an innocent young woman whose only crime was being born into the duke’s village. And the seven-year-old boy had seen and heard it all.

Neil hated them. His seven-year-old brain vowed vengeance on all of them as he continued to run away from the madman closing in on him. The duke finally caught him and all his kicking and screaming brought were more curses. The duke hauled him up onto his horse and galloped to the cliffs, where he hurled him into the sea below.

Sid Harlen couldn’t believe his eyes or his ears as he stood at the mouth of the cave. The horrified screams filled the cavern before he saw the small body fall past it into the sea. And the laughter from above. He’d never heard such an evil sound in all his seventeen years. He crossed himself, said a prayer, and dove after the boy, hoping at least one of them would live to tell the tale.

Chapter One

Cornwall, England, 1814

Bloody Hell! Not again! Sid exclaimed quietly from the safety of the woods at the edge of the cliff. Returning from the village with information for his captain, he was the unwilling witness, once again, to foul play on these cliffs. He was really beginning to hate Cornwall.

The man, he was sure, was dead. The boy’s horse had reared, apparently hit by a bullet, and plunged the rider over the edge. As soon as he judged it safe, Sid fled the woods and headed to the cliff edge, peering down to the surf below. He saw the body bang into the rocks and did what he’d done twenty-one years ago, hoping his thirty-eight year old body would hold up as well as his seventeen year old one had. He crossed himself and jumped in, praying to God, Jesus, Mary, and every saint he could think of on his way down.

The impact with the water was much worse than he remembered. He gasped involuntarily, his lungs filling with salty water, his mind nearly going blank. He finally managed to stop his decent and fought way to the surface. He coughed and spluttered, every muscle aching and screamed another, Bloody hell, for good measure. Then, with wild eyes, he searched the water for the boy, finally spotting him, still near the rocks.

Sid swam toward the boy, his mind going back to the one he’d saved in this very spot twenty-one years ago. The boy who’d became a man and was now his captain. Neil Maxwell was a driven man. Driven by a hate that was frightening. Even as a boy, he’d been consumed by it. It had had some positive effects on him. In his determination to destroy the objects of his hatred, he’d worked hard and learned everything he could. The old captain had sensed the incredible strength in the young boy and had left everything he owned to Neil Maxwell. When the old captain had died, there wasn’t a single hand willing to challenge Neil for authority and at the age of eighteen, it had become his. The only man who disputed the claim had left rather than fight him.

The crew rarely regretted it. As captain, Neil had changed the name of the ship to the Roberta, in honor of his mother. He’d also changed its primary purpose. He’d abandoned piracy, as most had years before, in favor of privateering, and now they were a merchant vessel, trading between England and the West Indies and America. The glory days of piracy were long gone, even before Neil’s time, yet their previous captain, known only as Nemesis, had continued to challenge not only the sea, but any vessel that looked worth the risk. It was the life Neil knew. The rag tag crew had slowly become semi-respectable. None of this changed the captain himself, though. It was all to his purpose. To exact the kind of revenge he wanted, he needed respectability and he’d gotten it. Around the world.

Granted, it was largely based on fear. Neil Maxwell was a large, strong man with long raven hair and eyes that were such a dark blue, you needed sunlight to realize they weren’t black. Once he’d been taught to read, he read everything he could get his hands on, educating himself in every topic imaginable. His library on his tropical island was as extensive as any titled scholar’s and he’d read everything in it.

He liked few people and loved no one. The ice around his heart and in his veins didn’t allow for many warm emotions. Sid had rarely heard him laugh and could count the number of true smiles he’d seen on the man’s face on one hand, with two exceptions. Himself and Colin. They were the only two that ever saw the real Neil. Colin more often than Sid, but he understood that. Sid was crew first, Colin was first a friend. 

The captain was a stern taskmaster and his crew was disciplined for the slightest indiscretion. Since they learned that early on, it was rarely necessary. They did what they were ordered to in the most efficient manner possible and the Roberta was ship shape at all times and had never been boarded by pirates. In fact, the few excuses for pirates that remained weren’t willing to try, no matter how laden she looked. To attempt to take the Roberta was to guarantee your own death.

Sid groaned when he reached the boy, seeing his mistake immediately. This was no boy. The hat had been lost in the surf and the long golden tresses gave the lie to the clothes she wore.

There was nothing for it, he decided. The girl was battered and unconscious, how injured, he couldn’t tell. But even if he could get her up the cliff by himself, he wouldn’t.

Someone up there was trying to kill her.

With a sigh, he climbed up on the rock, pulled her up and pumped the water out of her by applying pressure to her chest. He was surprised to feel the binding on her breasts. She spluttered and retched, but did not regain consciousness. Satisfied that she wouldn’t die from drowning, he pulled her back into the water and swam her to the boat that he’d rowed from the ship.

Back on board, he was glad to discover that the captain was in his cabin. With menacing glares to the hands that saw him carry his bundle toward his small cabin, he ordered them to silence. One result of the captain’s quick discipline was that the hands stuck together, protecting each other, and Sid was sure they wouldn’t tell on him. Just as he wouldn’t implicate any of them when the captain learned what he’d done, which, Sid knew, he would. The question was how long it would take him.

Sid had no sooner set her on the bunk when Rory O’Donnell slipped into his cabin. Sid, are you crazy? He hissed. That’s a lassie!

What was I to do, Rory? Sid demanded. I watched a man, who I assume was her husband or father get murdered, and when they hit her horse, she was thrown into the sea.

Like the captain?

Aye. I’m aware of the similarities, he said dryly. My lot in life seems to be to rescue people from the Cornish coast.

Rory shook his head. If it was a lad, it would be one thing, but a lass? The captain will be furious when he finds out.

I know. Keep watch for me, will you? I want to see what the damage is, then I’ll go see the captain.

You better see the captain first. He was asking for you not too long ago.

Sid sighed. Are you on duty?

Nay. I’ll keep an eye on her for you.

Don’t let anyone in and don’t touch her, Sid warned. If she wakes up, make sure she stays quiet. Gag her if you have to.

Don’t worry. Go, before he comes looking for you.

Sid knocked on the captain’s door and steeled himself for his lies. If he was lucky there wouldn’t be too many of them.

Come! Came the terse reply.

Sid opened the door. I’m back, Neil. Sorry I took so long. A swell capsized the boat and it took me a while to right her.

Neil cocked a disbelieving eye at his second-in-command. Boats in Sid’s control did not capsize. He let it go, not really caring what the man had been up to that had gotten him soaking wet. He was more interested in the news. What did you learn?

Lansing’s apparently making a play for the daughter. He’s still hated and everyone likes the girl. They say she’s a bit of a hellion. Her mother died ten years back and her father’s let her run wild with her brothers. She can do anything they can, and if the villagers are to be believed, a lot of things better.

So. Lady Elsa’s dead, he said unemotionally. Sid could almost see him crossing her name off his list. Scarborough’s still alive?

Aye. The earl now. Other than the girl, her name’s Riana, there are two boys, Lucas, the heir, and Wesley. The girl’s between them.

The near-black eyes narrowed to slits. Has the financial situation in the village improved?

No. And Lansing never did marry. Some say he went so crazy after losing Lady Elsa, he forgot even the pretense of being a gentleman for a while. Rumor has it, since he realized the girl was going to look like her mother, he’s been working on ways to get her. He’s got some sort of hold over Lady Elsa’s brother. If he were to become the guardian, he’d probably get her. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wondered about the man he’d just seen murdered. Could that have been the earl? Could the girl be Riana? There isn’t much time, though. Lucas just turned twenty. He’ll be of age in a year and able to assume her guardianship.

Neil shrugged. What do I care if he marries the bitch’s daughter?

She’s got nothing to do with this, Neil. Your quarrel is with her parents.

True, but I have no reason to concern myself with her either. We’ll make one more trip, spend some time at home, and then we’ll return for the finale. Give the order to set sail, then get yourself cleaned up. I’ll be on deck in a few minutes. You have one hour to appear.

Aye, Aye, Captain, Sid replied, addressing him formally in response to the order.

Dismissed, Neil said automatically.

Sid wasted no time sponging himself off and donning clean clothes. He wanted a chance to look at the girl before he reappeared on deck. He removed her torn shirt, his eyes spying the gold medallion that had slid on its chain toward her armpit. The design on it meant nothing to him. The inscription on the back verified his suspicions. The name Riana Scarborough was etched there, with last year’s date. On instinct, he took it off her and stashed it in his sea chest.

Satisfied that there were no broken bones, he cleaned the scrapes covering her body from her battle with the rocks, covered her with one of his own clean shirts, and turned his attention to the frightening bump on the back of her head. He carefully cleaned the gash that was still bleeding and tore a sheet to wrap around her head, hoping it would be enough pressure to stop the blood.

Other than two faint moans, he heard nothing from her. Time was running out and he didn’t know how long it would be before he was able to get back to her. Afraid she would wake up and reveal her presence, he ripped more strips from the sheet and tied her hands and feet to the bunk. Then he gagged her.

I’m sorry, lass, he said quietly, just in case she could hear him. But the captain can’t know you’re here. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Sid quietly left the cabin, locking it behind him.

Lucas Scarborough, saddened by the realization that he was now the earl of Hawkcliff, gazed at the sea below, praying his sister had met a quick end. When his father’s horse returned to the stables without his rider, the groom had reported to him. On his way to the cliffs, he’d come across Riana’s bloody mount. It wasn’t hard, once he arrived at the scene of death, to determine what had happened. He just wished he knew for sure whether the sea or the murderers had gotten Riana. The sea was preferable.

He had no doubt that the duke of Lansing was behind this. Proving it would be next to impossible, but if he dared turn up with Riana as his wife, Luke wouldn’t bother trying. He would kill him and take his chances.

His father had been growing more concerned about Lansing’s intentions and had confided in his oldest son and his daughter. He’d instructed them to get Riana to friends in America if anything should happen to him. The duke had managed to win everything their mother’s brother owned, but had failed to call in the markers. Robert Scarborough had discovered that Richard Lindsey would get them all back if he could deliver Riana to Lansing as his wife. The only way that could be accomplished was by becoming her guardian.

And now Robert was dead. What about Riana? Surely she was too. Lucas couldn’t bear to think about what would happen to her if Lansing got her hands on her. They’d underestimated their adversaries, assuming they were safe on their own land. Lucas could only assume that with his majority being only a year away, they’d gotten nervous and therefore bolder. Once he reached that age, they would need to dispose of more than just his father to get to Riana.

He turned as the cart approached and watched silently as his father was taken away to be prepared for burial. The tears filled his eyes, but they didn’t fall. God, he dreaded telling Wesley. Wesley, away at school, adored his father and his sister. He knew nothing about Lansing and Lucas planned on keeping it that way. One of them filled with hate was enough.

I’m sorry, my lord, Reverend White said quietly.

So am I, Reverend, Lucas replied unemotionally.

He was a good man. We’ll all miss him.

And now it’s my turn, Lucas said quietly. Don’t expect me to be as forgiving. Lucas shot a final look out to sea and strode away. He would have to send for Wesley, he might as well do it and get it over with.

The reverend watched him leave. No, I won’t, he said to himself. When a boy is forced to become a man in such a way, I for one, am willing to grant a little leeway. Let’s hope the Lord agrees. He turned and said a prayer over the sea. For like Lucas, he hoped that was where the spirited Riana had met her fate. He wondered what God would make of that.

Richard Lindsey was a ruined man and he knew it. How could those idiots have screwed up so badly? Shooting a horse on the edge of a cliff! Did they have no brains?

Lansing would never forgive him. Lansing would likely ruin him publicly and then take his ultimate revenge by hastening his death. Well, he wouldn’t give him that pleasure. He was already damned, so the sin of suicide was inconsequential. He didn’t even think about leaving a note before he blew his brains onto his library wall.

Riana swam up from the black depths of unconsciousness slowly. There was so much pain she wasn’t in any hurry to complete the journey. Gradually, she became aware of rocking and assumed she was in a carriage. Then she realized the noise was wrong. A ship? What on earth was she doing on a ship? She tried to move her hand to the throbbing spot on her head. With a sudden rush of awareness, she realized her unpleasant predicament. She was not only in pain, but bound and gagged and on a goddamned ship.

How the bloody hell did that happen?

Opening her eyes infuriated her more. It was pitch black and she couldn’t see a thing. Not even moonlight was coming in through the porthole. The last thing she remembered was riding on the cliffs with her father on the new stallion he’d just bought. It had been a good horse and she couldn’t wait to teach it to jump.

She struggled against the bonds until she’d only succeeded in tightening them and making herself even more uncomfortable. She gave up and tried to relax her muscles. She had two choices. Eventually someone would show up and she could either lambaste them or remain passive and silent. Shouting would be her preference, but there were definite advantages to remaining passive, she decided. If she didn’t raise any hackles, they might drop their guard and she would learn more.

Of course, if the duke of Lansing walked in, she would kill him the first chance she got. It would be worth the gallows for that. Was this the duke’s doing? Had he become that obsessed? Father had been worried and warned her repeatedly to steer clear of the man. He’d been urging her to choose a husband to get her out of his reach, but she’d been reluctant. She didn’t want a husband. She hadn’t met anyone that even came close to sparking an interest in her and refused to marry out of cowardice.

She wasn’t particularly fond of the nobility. Most of them were pompous asses in her view. Not her father, of course, but he was atypical. He was a farmer at heart, as was his son, Lucas. Luke, she cried silently. Does he know what’s happened to me? Does Father?

Too many unknowns made her choose complacency. Actually, she’d go one better than that, she would play mute. If they thought her stupid, they might really let their guard down. She would be a model captive, within reason of course, and learn as much as she could about her circumstances. She hoped she could manage a blank look. It wasn’t in her nature to be stupid.

Or passive.

Riana turned to the door at the sound of the key in the lock. Why was she tied up if she was locked in? Was the lock that poor? If she gained enough trust to be untied, would she be able to break it? Then what?

A wiry figure entered, the glow from his lantern illuminating the small cabin. He shut and relocked the door before approaching the bed. Ah, lass, he said in such a kind voice she almost showed her surprise. I hope you haven’t been too uncomfortable, but I had no choice. He pulled a stool up to the bed and hung the lantern on a hook on the wall. We’re in a bit of a fix, you and me. If I remove the gag do you promise not to scream? The captain don’t like women on his ship and he’ll flog us both. As I said, I had no choice. I couldn’t get you back up the cliff by myself and didn’t want those murderers to have another shot at you. Seems to me you’re better off if they think you’re dead. At her narrowed eyes, he asked again, Will you be quiet?

She nodded, unwilling to pretend she didn’t understand if it meant getting this thing out of her mouth. He untied it and threw it onto the floor. Then he released the bonds at her feet and hands. You struggled, didn’t you, lass? Tightened them right up, you did. He smiled at her. Can’t say I blame you. I would have too.

When she didn’t reply, only watched him carefully as she rubbed her ankles, he began to see her game. Unless it was the injury to her head. He didn’t think so. He smiled again. The girl was no fool. That would help them both. At the slight rap on the door, he rose and asked, Who’s there?

It’s me, Rory. I brought some food and ale.

Sid opened the door, took the tray and thanked the man. He hadn’t asked Rory to do this, not wanting to involve his friend in his problems. No more, Rory. No point in both of us getting flogged. I’ll take care of the lass myself.

Rory would have liked to be able to say the captain would never flog Sid, but just because it had never happened didn’t mean it wouldn’t. The captain didn’t take disobedience from anyone and from Sid, he would view it as a personal betrayal. Who knew how he would react to that? As you wish, but if you find you need help, I’m always here.

You’re a good friend, Rory O’Donnell. Sid shut the door and set the tray down before relocking it. Now, lass. No games with me. First of all, I saw that man shoot who I assume was your da. Then he shot your horse, who reared, dumping you into the sea. At her widened eyes, he asked. Do you remember any of this?

She shook her head. She really didn’t.

Well, that’s what happened. I was on my way back to my boat when I saw it all from the woods. I jumped in after you, saved your life. You might want to keep that in mind. Now, to continue, when I got a chance to look at the damage, I saw your medallion, Lady Riana Scarborough. I also know from what the villagers said that you’re no mute. My name’s Sid. Sid Harlen. So, I think you could say something now.

She sighed. He did seem to be a nice man and did seem to be concerned about her. My father? Is he ...dead?

I didn’t take the time to look, but I think he probably is. I’m sorry, lass.

Tears filled her eyes, and a few overflowed. Sid wiped them away with the discarded gag. Lansing, she said quietly. That butcher. She raised her eyes to his. He wouldn’t want me dead. My father, yes, but not me.

I know. Sid handed her a mug of ale and took a sip of his own. I’m going to tell you more than I should because I’ll need your cooperation to keep you from getting discovered. The captain’s a hard man. He has reason to be, but still, sometimes I think he goes too far. Twenty-one years ago, I fished him out of that same stretch of water. Only wasn’t a horse that put him there. His father did.

His father! On purpose? Riana couldn’t imagine any man being that cruel, not even Lansing.

Aye, lass, he confirmed sadly. The captain was born on the wrong side of the blanket and his father had no use for him at the best of times. When the captain saw him kill his mother, his father decided to get rid of the only witness.

Dear God, he sounds worse than Lansing.

Sid took another swig of ale and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. One and the same.

Riana took a moment to absorb that. Then the captain will like me. We have a common enemy.

It was Sid’s turn to sigh. Nay. It’s not that simple. While the duke was murdering his mother, he was blaming your parents for all his troubles. In the eyes of a seven year old, it was enough to add them to his list of hated. He’ll have no use for you. He wants revenge. If he finds out who you are, he may well use you to get it. You’re better off not telling him if he discovers you on board. That mute act of yours might be a good idea if he does discover you.

She nodded. Dumb and biddable?

Aye. With no reason to suspect you, he’d have a hard time staying mad at you if you don’t fight back. He’s a hard, strong man, but unlike his father, he takes no pleasure in tormenting someone weaker than him.

But he’ll flog us if he finds out. You saved his life and he’d flog you?

It’s a matter of discipline, lass. He can’t single me out. He’d lose the respect of his men. Bringing a woman on board is about the worst thing you can do. Actually, he’ll probably leave you alone. I plucked you out of the water, knowing the risks, you had no choice in the matt.

She’d be damned if she let him flog Sid for saving her. He’d have to flog her first, but she saw no need to tell Sid that. Where’s my medallion?

In my chest. I’ll give it back when I can.

Thank you, Sid. For everything. Where are we headed?

Home to the island in the West Indies. If we make it to the island without him finding you, I’ll leave you there with my wife. She’ll see to it that the next trustworthy captain that comes in brings you back.

I can’t go back, she said quickly. Not for a year. Until my brother reaches majority, my uncle will be my guardian. He’s in Lansing’s pocket. I need to get to America. We have friends who will take me in until it’s safe.

I’ll get you where ever you want to go, he promised. I have to go get a hammock. You keep the bunk.

Lucas couldn’t believe it when he saw Lansing at the graveyard. His hands clenched at his sides. He wanted nothing more than to put them around the bloody bastard’s neck and squeeze the life out of him. He’d been told yesterday of his Uncle Richard’s suicide. He’d felt nothing.

Uncle Richard had been a fool. He’d managed to squander everything Lucas’ grandfather had left him. Elsa had received nothing from her father. In fact, she hadn’t seen him at all since she’d eloped with Robert. She’d been disowned and disinherited. Richard had gotten everything. And then promptly lost it. Lansing would not get rich off Richard’s markers. The last of the money was gone and all he’d see was property with no capital to make it produce an income.

Lucas thought it was poetic justice. More land to maintain on less money. Not that Lansing would bother trying. He’d recover and set his sights on another heiress and some poor unsuspecting girl, probably American, would be sold into bondage for a title. Unless of course, Lucas found a way to stop him.

Riana was dead, he was sure of that. Uncle Richard would not have killed himself otherwise. Lucas was convinced it was Richard’s plans that had gone awry. Richard’s doing that his father was being lowered into the ground at this moment.

It didn’t excuse Lansing’s part in all this. Lucas would find a way to make his life miserable. Lucas Scarborough, the new earl of Hawkcliff, was not the laughing, carefree boy the villagers all loved anymore. That boy had died with his father and sister. His husky, six foot frame, shook slightly when he said his final good-bye to his father. It was the only outward sign of grief he showed.

He watched his brother’s free flowing tears and envied them. At fifteen, Wesley was still more boy than man. He would return to school and his friends would surround him with laughter and companionship. In time, he would cry his grief out and he would heal. Lucas knew he would have to help his brother by keeping his bitterness to himself. It was a burden Wesley didn’t need. Wesley was all he had left and he would do anything to keep him happy.

Luke put his arm around his brother’s shoulder. Come on, Wes. It’s time to go.

Wesley looked at Luke’s tight face. I wish I was brave, like you.

Luke squeezed. Tears take more courage. You’re a better man than I. But we already knew that, didn’t we?

Wesley’s answer was a sniff, and the brothers left the graveyard arm in arm to face the well-meaning villagers at the Hall.

Sid grew fonder of Riana by the day and the feeling was mutual. The time they spent together was passed with tales of their lives. Sid learned that Riana’s parents had truly been in love and had had a good marriage. Her father had been crushed when their mother died, taking their fourth child with her. He’d mourned for a full year, before he began to come out of his gloom and remember that he still had her with him through their surviving children. Laughter had slowly returned to Hawkcliff Hall.

The girl was obviously fond of both her brothers. They seemed completely lacking in sibling rivalry and he pictured a warm, loving household. Riana even talked of the servants like they were family. Sid thought it was sad that there had been so much pain brought to a gentle, noble house. He felt especially sad for her brothers who would surely believe her dead.

She hadn’t mentioned that or cried any more tears other than the few the first night that she’d quickly brought under control. He didn’t like it. It wouldn’t do her any good to lock it up inside. At the same time, she could hardly bawl her eyes out when the captain could walk by at any time and hear her.

He found her to be amazingly resilient. Within twenty-four hours, she’d been up and about the cabin, complaining of only a headache. Within forty-eight, she didn’t even complain of that. Her occasional curses made him smile. A gently bred young woman shouldn’t even know the words, but judging from her familiarity with the servants and villagers, it didn’t really surprise him. It did, however, amuse him. All in all, he found himself looking forward to his time off duty. Usually he hated those slow passing hours, preferring to be busy and useful. No one had ever accused Sid of being lazy.

For her part, Riana had enjoyed learning about Sid. Sid Harlen, though given an English name, was as Irish as any man she’d ever met. His mother had been Irish and his father English. The paternal influence in his younger life had been almost non-existent. His father was a seaman and rarely home. Of course, Sid joked, every time he was home, he planted another babe inside his wife’s belly. As a result, the girls married or went into service young and the