Page 113 of A Misguided Devotion

“Then we’ll have to swim for it.”

“But I can’t—”

“I know. That’s why I intend to take you. Lie backward and let the sea support you.”

William cradled her head as she leaned back in the water. To her surprise, she didn’t sink. “Now, keep your arms and legs loose while I pull you toward the boat.”

He stretched his arm across her middle, in a compromising position that should have made her blush, but she was too exhausted to care. William was keeping her safe, and she didn’t want him to ever let her go.

After what felt like hours, the view overhead changed. Open sky replaced the roof of the cave. As they reached the boat, there was a flurry of activity as she was hauled on board and, a few moments later, William collapsed onto the deck beside her, gasping for breath.

They would live to see another day.

William lay flat on his back on the deck, staring up at the sky, as the boat sailed away from Cave Hole. His muscles ached, but his heart was singing. God had answered their prayers and rescued them. He and Kitty had a future. Together.

Once his breathing came under control, he sat up and took stock of his surroundings. His eyes warmed as they rested on the brave woman who had agreed to become his wife. Huddled against the side of the boat, wrapped in a blanket, she appeared so fragile. What trials she had faced in the last few days. No doubt there would be more ahead. But at least she wouldn’t have to face them on her own.

“Welcome back from the dead,” Anthony said, sitting down on the deck beside him. “You had us worried there for a while before we found you. I was afraid you might have tried to swim for it and—”

He choked on his words and had to clear his throat before he could continue. “How would I ever have broken it to Lotta if we were too late?”

“Don’t dwell on it. Thank God you arrived in time. Kitty can’t swim, so we were forced to wait and hope. Fortunately, Mr Barrington was so set on making my death look like an accident that he had me tossed in the sea with all my bones intact. Otherwise, I might not have had the strength to pull my future wife to safety.”

“How romantic!” said Hetta. “Faced with probable death, you finally asked her.” She wrapped a blanket around his shoulders before perching on a nearby crate. “I’m so happy for you both.”

Kitty gave a weak smile. His poor darling was exhausted. He shuffled over to her side and took her hand in his. It was so cold, he rubbed it gently as he talked.

“How did you guess where to find us, Ant?”

“Divine Providence. A maid came down with a letter some fifteen minutes after you’d left. I was directed to take it to Major Ross at the Radipole encampment. Mr Jenkin was confident his friend would know how to act. I returned to Rufus House to look for you and discovered Hetta was there before me.”

William stared at his youngest sister. “What took you to Portland again?”

“Charlotte went into hysterics after you and Anthony left. She was convinced you were in trouble. Something about being a twin. She refused to calm down until I promised to go after you. She was right, wasn’t she?”

He couldn’t deny it, but William didn’t like the sound of his sister putting herself at risk for him. “You came after us alone, Hetta?”

She rolled her eyes. “I have a high opinion of women’s abilities, but I value my own skin. Charlotte insisted Rowson accompany me, which suited me fine. One can’t take chances when there are traitors about.”

A sensible precaution, but it didn’t exactly answer his question. “That still doesn’t explain how you knew where to find us, Hetta.”

“Sending Rowson with me to Rufus House was a stroke of genius on Charlotte’s behalf. He went below stairs and within minutes had elicited the information that the master had gone down to the beach with you, but later he had come back alone.”

“One of Mr Jenkin’s men was down in the cove,” said Anthony. “A man named Kellaway. When Rowson threatened him with transportation for aiding a French officer to escape, the fellow broke down. Declared he wanted no part in murder.” He nodded toward the front of the boat. “That’s him, next to the captain. He’s the person who led us to Cave Hole.”

Kellaway? That name sounded familiar. “I believe I have him to thank for giving me a sore head the night Mr Jenkin was attacked. I suppose I shall have to forgive him, as his information has resulted in our rescue. Wouldn’t you agree, Kitty?”

Her only response was chattering teeth.

“Kitty?”

“I’m so c-c-cold.” Shivers wracked her body. Was she just cold and exhausted from the day’s adventures, or was she ill?

Hetta pulled the blanket from around his shoulders and threw it over Kitty’s middle. “William, get out of the way. You are too cold and wet to be of any use. Ant, you sit on that side and take her hands in yours. Give her your warmth. I’ll snuggle up to her from this side and do the same.”

William shifted his position as ordered, and gazed helplessly at the woman he loved as Hetta took control.

Charlotte was waiting on the dockside with a carriage at the ready. Kitty was asleep and had to be carried off the boat—a task he was forced to relinquish to Anthony, because he was too worn out from the day’s exertions.