Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

Author:Jennifer Moore [Moore, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Jamaica, Love, Sea, Voyage, Romance, LDS, Regency, Navy, Clean, Antipathy, West Indies, England, War, Widow
Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.
Published: 2014-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

William stepped through the dark doorway of the operating theater, lifting his lantern, but saw only Dr. Spinner fast asleep upon a barrel. Where was Amelia? Sidney had reported searching the stern’s hold and then discovering that the woman had apparently spent the entire day assisting the surgeon with the wounded. The lieutenant had recounted the events of his interaction with Amelia and even confessed to embracing her when he had seen her devastation at the death of her friend, Mr. Wheeler. How William wished he had been the one to comfort her.

William raked his fingers through his hair. Why hadn’t he ordered Corporal Thorne to remain with her and shield her from the unspeakable things she must have seen? She should never have been exposed to such atrocities.

In all his years at sea—most of them during war time—William never ceased to be amazed by the depths of violence men were capable of inflicting upon one another. There were no words for the depravity and horror of battle, and to think that his joyful, softhearted Amelia should be a witness to men’s most savage acts caused him immeasurable sorrow.

He shook his head to clear the thoughts in order to focus on what needed to be done. It was crucial that he get this ship out of the French waters immediately. But it was not only the French that concerned him.

He had spent the last hours in conference with the lieutenants discussing a letter found in the captain’s quarters of the enemy ship. The marines and officers had stormed the damaged French vessel, continuing with their swords the fight begun by cannons. As she sank, Sergeant Fairchild had the presence of mind to search the French captain’s documents.

When the missive was delivered to him, William had read it and felt as if he’d been struck a blow. The message detailed the Venture’s mission and course and even went so far as to offer a reward should the frigate be defeated. A betrayal.

Very few people would have had access to the information concerning the mission. Which of them had designed this trap? He’d questioned the French captain relentlessly, but the man had revealed nothing.

A theory began to niggle itself into William’s mind. Amelia’s father, the admiral, would have known their course. He was likely the man who had chosen it. And he had a personal interest in at least one of the passengers. Amelia had mentioned that her father had been surprised to find that the plantation had not become his property upon the death of his wife. Would he have gone to such lengths to obtain it? Admiral Becket was a ruthless man. William might even go so far as to question the admiral’s ethics, but the man would not endanger the lives of eight hundred men and a vessel worth nearly eighty thousand pounds, would he? And the very thought of the admiral killing his own daughter to obtain her inheritance—that was far too reprehensible to consider.

Besides, the theory did not take into account the suit for her jointure after Lawrence’s death.

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