This is the last installment of Brenna's story and unfortunatly, you will cry. Enjoy ma petite cheries, but do not worry. I have even more plans for the future generations...
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Beckett?" I yelled, picking myself up from the floor where I had been rudely dropped like a sac of potatoes.
Lord Beckett sneered at me and viewed the shrinking island of Port Royal from underneath his tricorn hat. The rain began to poor, matting my hair down and my dress clinging to my pannier. "I thought your husband told you. You are to sail with us under strict order of the King."
"Where is your proof?" I spat at him, anger and fear welling in my chest.
"Mr. Mercer!" Lord Beckett chimed for his accomplice. The scare faced man brought a large leather pouch with him and opened them before handing it off to Beckett. Lord Beckett held them out in front of my face. He was telling the truth. By order of the King and for my protection, I was demanded to sail with the British Navy in case of a kidnapping.
"Who would kidnap me?" I asked my throat lodged with anguish for my current state.
Lord Beckett smirked at me, handed off the papers to Mr. Mercer, and then swung around to me, his face inches from mine. "There are those that are jealous of your position with me and therefore wish to do you harm."
"That's ridiculous!" I yelled as he moved away from me.
"Brenna!" A voice called out from behind me.
I shook my head as I looked around for the voice. I saw my trunks being taken inside a large doorway before I noticed my caller. James flew down the steps and grasped me into a large hug. I clung to him then, with all of my might. This was voyage going to be a nightmare. "I thought you said you were doing something about this?" I whispered into his ear.
"I was, until Beckett acquired letters from the King stating that you must come with us. I only found out about them today." James yanked me back and we continued speaking in hushed tones.
"He could have just said so. I didn't have to be dragged on here like cattle. I mean, what about the baby?" My face went into worry over my child.
"There is a doctor on board and he will check on your condition, but as of why he did so…I cannot say. I believe that someone told him about the child and he grew angry." James's eyes moved behind me.
I maneuvered myself to where he was staring and saw men in red uniforms move along the deck in file as the rain pelted down.
"I must go, but your rooms are inside. I shall have a maid escort you in."
At once, a maid appeared by my side. She led me into a large hallway, preceding a turn to the left and then disappeared through French double doors. I was awestruck with the furnishings of my apartments.
The walls were decorated in the French style of white paneling and golden brocade. On a dais, a monstrous four poster bed of gold sat with blue silken sheets waiting for me to crawl into them and rest. On my left was a large wardrobe being filled with new dresses by a young maid. On my right was a vanity with powders and brushes. Next to that was a screen for me to dress behind. Aside from the screen was another room containing a large tub with mirrors all around. I glanced about until I found another door which led into my own private salon and another room for entertaining. It was all decorated expertly and the fact that Lord Beckett took time to consider my own comfort was more astonishing than ever.
That did not extinguish the fact that he had kidnapped me! I was not something one could just haul over one's shoulder and then be dropped later as if unimportant. I had no choice but to accept my fate and to understand that I would be stuck on this bloody ship for at least eight months. My entire pregnancy would be experienced on it in the most uncomfortable way imaginable, no matter how comfortable the state of my rooms.
I suddenly felt cold and noted that I was still drenched water from the outside. A maid came to my side and bowed, removing the diamonds from my neck.
"Thank you, Miss…"
"Miss. Hatfield, ma'am." The woman said in a peculiar accent.
"Where do you hail from?"
"America, my lady." The woman bowed with her eyes downcast.
A small smile twitched at my lips. "Well, I will have you know that I, in particular, like Americans so you must not cast your eyes down in my presence. You must hold your head high and maintain your duty with pride. Besides, you and the other maids shall be my only women accomplices for months, so we must treat each other with kindness."
The woman tried to hide a smile, but it broke through. It was neither custom nor appropriate for a Countess to affiliate herself with the help, but when a Countess is surrounded by men and the only woman on the ship was a maid, it could be considered. Miss. Hatfield tilted her head up and continued to help me undress.