marriage.”
“What can I do, Alexa?”
“Help me pack, quickly. Only the necessities, nothing fancy. Include all my jewelry, my warmest cloak and sturdiest shoes. And please hurry, Maddy.”
Together they managed to stuff a large portion of Alexa’s vast wardrobe into two large carpetbags. While Alexa took care of last-minute details. Maddy disappearedfor a few minutes. When she returned she pressed a heavy purse into Alexa’s hand. When Alexa demurred. Maddy insisted.
“It’s of no use to me, Alexa. I have a good home here, no relatives to support. You’re the closest I’ve ever had to a daughter. Please take it.”
In the end Alexa took the money, promising to pay it back one day. Then she sent the housekeeper out to hire a public conveyance. Before Sir John returned home late that afternoon expecting to force Alexa into marriage with Sir Henry after hearing all about Alexa’s deplorable behavior the night before from the old man. Alexa was gone, taking with her all her valuables and Adam Foxworth’s child.
6
Alexa had no doubt as to her destination. A new life beckoned to her. A life far from England and the people she once considered her friends, and the father upon whom she once doted. Alexa realized that the waterfront was no place for an unaccompanied lady, but she had no choice. She prayed that it wasn’t too late, that Mac was still at the Stag and Horn, that he hadn’t finished his business early and sailed away.
Alexa bade the coachman wait while she made her inquiries at the inn. To her chagrin she learned that Mac had indeed concluded his business and checked out that very morning. Her face crumbled with dismay and she looked so woebegone that the innkeeper was emboldened to add, “He mentioned he would not sail until this evening’s tide so perhaps you can find him aboard his ship, milady.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you,” cried Alexa with such obvious relief that the inn keeper had the distinct feeling his disclosure spelled the difference between life and death for the beautiful young lady.
It was but a short ride to the docks and Alexa was filled with anxiety while she waited for the coachman to return. Once they reached the harbor she had pressed a coin on the man and sent him to find out if the
Lady
A was one of the ships anchored in the Thames and where she was berthed.
Just as Alexa was certain she could no longer stand the suspense, the coachman returned from his visit to a nearby tavern where he learned the
Lady
A did indeed ride at anchor in the harbor. She was slated to sail with the evening’s tide. Not only had the obliging coachman ferreted out the information but he brought a crewman back with him.
After questioning the man Alexa learned that the sailor, Andy Beggs, had been engaged in rounding up any straggling crew members who still lingered ashore. His duty completed, he was about to row himself the short distance across the water where the
Lady
A was moored.
After wasting precious time convincing the skeptical Beggs that it was imperative she be taken aboard the ship to speak with her captain, the doubting sailor reluctantly agreed to row her to the
Lady
A. The coachman loaded her bags into the longboat and with Beggs manning the oars they were soon bumping the hull of Mac’s ship. In answer to Begg’s bellow a dozen hands appeared to lower chains to the boat and winch her aboard. A short time later Alexa stood before an astounded Mac.
“My God, Lady Alexa, what are you doing here?”
Alexa found herself enclosed in two strong arms and she felt as if she had come home. “Oh, Mac,” she pleaded, her courage suddenly deserting her. What if he sent her away? “I need your help. I’m so miserable and afraid.”
Alexa’s impassioned plea stabbed directly into Mac’stender heart. “Alexa, you know I’ll help you. Calm yourself. Sit down and tell me what’s troubling you.”
While Alexa struggled for composure Mac went to the desk and poured a generous
“What can I do, Alexa?”
“Help me pack, quickly. Only the necessities, nothing fancy. Include all my jewelry, my warmest cloak and sturdiest shoes. And please hurry, Maddy.”
Together they managed to stuff a large portion of Alexa’s vast wardrobe into two large carpetbags. While Alexa took care of last-minute details. Maddy disappearedfor a few minutes. When she returned she pressed a heavy purse into Alexa’s hand. When Alexa demurred. Maddy insisted.
“It’s of no use to me, Alexa. I have a good home here, no relatives to support. You’re the closest I’ve ever had to a daughter. Please take it.”
In the end Alexa took the money, promising to pay it back one day. Then she sent the housekeeper out to hire a public conveyance. Before Sir John returned home late that afternoon expecting to force Alexa into marriage with Sir Henry after hearing all about Alexa’s deplorable behavior the night before from the old man. Alexa was gone, taking with her all her valuables and Adam Foxworth’s child.
6
Alexa had no doubt as to her destination. A new life beckoned to her. A life far from England and the people she once considered her friends, and the father upon whom she once doted. Alexa realized that the waterfront was no place for an unaccompanied lady, but she had no choice. She prayed that it wasn’t too late, that Mac was still at the Stag and Horn, that he hadn’t finished his business early and sailed away.
Alexa bade the coachman wait while she made her inquiries at the inn. To her chagrin she learned that Mac had indeed concluded his business and checked out that very morning. Her face crumbled with dismay and she looked so woebegone that the innkeeper was emboldened to add, “He mentioned he would not sail until this evening’s tide so perhaps you can find him aboard his ship, milady.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you,” cried Alexa with such obvious relief that the inn keeper had the distinct feeling his disclosure spelled the difference between life and death for the beautiful young lady.
It was but a short ride to the docks and Alexa was filled with anxiety while she waited for the coachman to return. Once they reached the harbor she had pressed a coin on the man and sent him to find out if the
Lady
A was one of the ships anchored in the Thames and where she was berthed.
Just as Alexa was certain she could no longer stand the suspense, the coachman returned from his visit to a nearby tavern where he learned the
Lady
A did indeed ride at anchor in the harbor. She was slated to sail with the evening’s tide. Not only had the obliging coachman ferreted out the information but he brought a crewman back with him.
After questioning the man Alexa learned that the sailor, Andy Beggs, had been engaged in rounding up any straggling crew members who still lingered ashore. His duty completed, he was about to row himself the short distance across the water where the
Lady
A was moored.
After wasting precious time convincing the skeptical Beggs that it was imperative she be taken aboard the ship to speak with her captain, the doubting sailor reluctantly agreed to row her to the
Lady
A. The coachman loaded her bags into the longboat and with Beggs manning the oars they were soon bumping the hull of Mac’s ship. In answer to Begg’s bellow a dozen hands appeared to lower chains to the boat and winch her aboard. A short time later Alexa stood before an astounded Mac.
“My God, Lady Alexa, what are you doing here?”
Alexa found herself enclosed in two strong arms and she felt as if she had come home. “Oh, Mac,” she pleaded, her courage suddenly deserting her. What if he sent her away? “I need your help. I’m so miserable and afraid.”
Alexa’s impassioned plea stabbed directly into Mac’stender heart. “Alexa, you know I’ll help you. Calm yourself. Sit down and tell me what’s troubling you.”
While Alexa struggled for composure Mac went to the desk and poured a generous
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