Page 101 of Inconvenient Honor
“On the Boreas,” Will added. “Did you really promise them safety?”
Richard nodded. “Most of these people are just going about their miserable lives. Hamidou and his crew?—”
“Hamidou is dead!” Andrew snapped.
“This man begs to differ. He commands in that name, have no doubt of that. Leave the islanders alone. Let him and his crew leave this place. What happens on the high sea in a fair fight is up to His Majesty’s Navy.”
“Good luck convincing the captain of that ship.” Will indicated the Boreas with a shrug of his shoulder.
“Tell him the Marquess of Glenaire commands it,” Richard said.Damn but it feels good to command something!
“That should work,” Will said with a grin.
“What next, Richard? How do you want us to play this?” Andrew asked.
“You two go back to fetch the gold. Demand to take Lily with you. He won’t let us both go without payment, but he might send her.”
A slight smile played on his brother-in-law’s mouth. “Your wife, Richard? And from appearances, in an interesting condition.”
“As good as, Andrew, and don’t say differently. She’s about to birth that baby any day now. I need to get her out of here.”
Will looked over Richard’s shoulder. “Our host looks impatient. Let’s get this over with.” The three men turned back to Hamidou. “Nice suit, by the way,” Will put in, looking at Richard’s tattered robe. “And remarkable hairstyle,” he added peering at the pale blond hair, now shoulder length, blowing in the wind.
“Get us out of here and you may tease me the rest of your days.”
“I plan to.” Will’s grin passed quickly. He approached Hamidou.
“I am satisfied,” he said, “That the marquess and marchioness are safe. We will go back and make arrangements for the gold. The marchioness will go with us.”
Hamidou shook his head. “These captives are valuable assets. No gold, no release.”
“If I may suggest,” Andrew put in, “I will stay here in the lady’s place.”
Richard put a hand on his arm. “Georgiana won’t thank me.”
Andrew smiled up at him. “I have no desire to make any more trips up and down that ladder than I have to.” If he meant to say more, a loud wail from Lily prevented it.
Richard shook off an arm and ran toward her. Her face twisted in pain, and she bent over. A wet stain ran down her skirts. She fell forward toward him, and he sank to his knees holding her. She sobbed, “I can’t go anywhere. The baby isn’t going to wait.” She moaned again as another pain washed through her.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispered in her ear.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Your ship is ready, Rais. Prepare your men to evacuate…”
Another loud wail from the back room of the uncle’s house distracted Richard. Only Andrew’s hand firm on his arm kept him in place.
Concentrate, Richard. This negotiation is life or death.
“You believe that captain will let us go? What of the village?” Hamidou demanded.
“My orders are to leave the village alone and to allow your ship out of the cove. The captain will follow those orders. Once you are under sail, I can’t promise.”
Hamidou nodded. “When the gold comes, we will see,” he said.
“The earl will return with your gold, Rais,” Andrew put in. “You may count on it. My presence here is surety.”
Richard heard Hamidou reply, but Lily’s cries distracted him.Can those women be trusted? What if they harm Lily? What if they harm my son?
