ADELINA
„Just keep your pretty mouth shut and we'll be fine." Thorne eagerly leaned over me covering my mouth as two other men held me down ruthlessly. I could feel his alcoholic breath on my face as I realized he's drunk.
My stomach twitched and a wave of nausea abruptly get over me.
"Or shout." He shrugged changing his mind. "It would be more fun." He grinned at me releasing my lips starting to unfold his belt as I remained silent. I'm not going to give him that pleasure although I did try to disengage my arms for one more time.
It was useless. They were way stronger than me, not to mention there were five of them…
"I'll be the first one." Thorne talked to me again as he stepped in front of me leaning in for kissing my neck before whispering into my ear. "I want you to be conscious while I break you." He explained as he slipped his hand under my dress.
"Lina." Someone called my name, but his voice was faint. "Lina!" He repeated louder as I heard a screaming from the distance. "Adelina!" He now shouted at me and shook my shoulders a bit to get my attention.
It finally worked as my eyes snapped open then in a second I realized, I was the one who was screaming… I instinctively pushed the man away from me not noticing it was James as I pulled my knees close to my chest hyperventilating.
I was back there again. At that alley, where they ruined me.
I wiped away the tears frustrated. I haven't had this nightmare in months now, but I guess telling the story tore the wound open.
"Lina…" James called me quietly keeping his distance for a while as I stared in front of myself blankly. "My little warrior." He told me caressing my face as softly as he could. At first it made me wince, but then I warmed up to him quickly.
"I'm sorry…" I whispered hoarsely from the screaming as I leaned to his palm gratefully. I closed my eyes focusing on the warmth of his touch on my cheek trying to forget what happened.
It was just a dream. One hell of a horror, sure, but most of the rapists were already dead and I knew Thorne can't touch me again...
But then why did his unsought kisses still haunt my senses?
I shook my head chasing away the horrible memory. I raised my eyes to meet James' moreover I even tried to release a small smile.
He didn't ask anything just embraced me into a tight hug as I suddenly started to sob against his chest relieved.
"It's okay." He hushed me quietly. "You're safe now." He brushed my hair lovingly. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." He ensured me as his steady heartbeat calmed my weep and eventually lulled me to sleep again.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
The next morning I woke up early. The sun barely raised to the horizon providing only a dim light to the house.
I looked at James as he was still fast asleep while a small smile appeared on my face unawares. He seemed so peaceful.
I didn't want to bother him so I just slid out of the bed heading to the kitchen. It was so early that even Brace stayed in his room which meant I had to make some breakfast for myself. I didn't mind though, at least it kept me occupied.
I prepared some sandwiches with roasted beef, onion and a bit of a garlic. I just finished when James showed up already dressed.
"Here." I handed him one of the bread as he took it with a questioning look. "I knew I can't make you stay here for long." I smiled at him as he nodded, immediately taking a bite of it.
"Actually, you could." He begged to differ suggesting an alternative method as he pulled me close by my waist on his way out. "But thank you for the food, it's delicious." He decided to release me as he placed a short kiss on the top of my head. "Are you going to the hospital today?" He asked turning back from the door.
"Yeah, why?" I answered still affected by his comments.
"Wait for me." He ordered shortly. "I'm coming for you when you finished." He explained seeing my clueless face, but then I agreed.
I knew he's just trying to protect me, but honestly I didn't think anyone would try even to look at me after what happened to the Malay…
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
JAMES
It was already late afternoon and Lina's shift was ending soon, but I still needed to visit a friend…
Godders was an old buddy who now happened to work for the East India Company. Fortunately he had a little secret I'm sure he wanted to know safe.
I entered the brothel and recognized him right away even though he was masked and dressed as a woman. I could tell that he noticed me too, since he left the room suddenly.
I followed.
"Spoken for, Sir." He told me avoiding my gaze as I reached him finally.
"You haven't changed a bit, Godders." I started as he wanted to turn away again, but I grabbed his arm. "Ah, I need to speak to you." I told him. "Your secret won't remain a secret for very long in the East India Company." I informed him as he now looked at me terrified.
"Blackmail?" He asked with a shaky voice.
"Yes." I nodded admitting it. "But between friends, so where's the harm?" I asked as we searched for a more private place to talk. "Now, you take the minutes, don't you, of every meeting and you also hear everything they say when they raise their hand?" I asked him as we entered an empty room.
The candle light was supposed to make a room romantic, but it was a weak attempt since the whole place was smelling from cheap sex.
"I want that information." I continued bending down a bit to look him in the eye as Godders set down on the bed being desperate. "I will pay you for it. I'll pay you a pound every month." I ensured him trying to make the business as fair as it was possible.
"How did you know about me?" He asked still managing to process the deal.
"Because I have eyes and ears everywhere throughout the city in many places, much like the Company itself." I informed him as I saw tears gathering in his eyes. "I honestly mean you no harm, Godders." I attempted to make him more comfortable as I sat next to him placing my hand on his shoulder.
"If I were caught..." He gabbled fighting back a cry. "If I were caught passing company secrets to a Delaney..." His voice broke as I interrupted him.
"You're not going to get caught because I will protect you." I told him gazing into his eyes wanting to make sure he understand my words.
"You know, at the seminary, I was in love with you." He confessed tilting his head down and since I remained silence he continued. "Of course you do." He shook his head. "Of course."
"And there was I thinking that we were just brothers in arms." I answered eventually. "Didn't we share a bed sometimes in the great hall?" I reminded him at the past days as he just chuckled bitterly.
"It was torture." He whispered as tears started to roll down on his face. "Exquisite." He added as he still managed to smile at me remembering those nights.
"Mm." I hummed as I suddenly felt sorry for him. If it was only half as tormenting as when I had to sleep next to Lina last night without being able to make her mine… "So you can trust me and I will protect you." I promised as I forced my mind back to the present then I placed a coin down on the table. "Your work starts now."
"Oh, God." Godders swore as I stood up from the bed.
"How fair is the split between the East India and the King?" I asked ignoring his comment.
"I'm a little drunk for business." He tried to pipe down, but I pushed him.
"Have they found common cause or are they still divided?" He just sobbed against his fist panicking. "Talk to me, for fuck sake." I gave him a slap on his face stopping his whimpering as he finally gave me the information I needed.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
ADELINA
"It's not so polite, I must say..." I started folding my arms in front of myself pretending to be offended as James showed up at the hospital in the end. "Making a woman wait for so long…" Actually I only waited a few minutes, but he didn't need to know that.
"And how can I make it up to you, little Lina?" He asked picking me up and spinning around as I giggled placing my arms around his neck. "You know, I'd love to propitiate you." He reassured me slowly putting me down as he left his hands still laying on my hips.
I gulped hard trying to banish the meddlesome pictures about James propitiating me.
"How about a race?" I asked instead.
When we were little we used to challenge each other riding a horse. He had more experience, but I was way lighter than him, so the odds were kind of equal.
"On the forest - road." I added answering his next question as he smirked.
I mentally face-palmed myself as I realized the cause of his smile. My mind subconsciously gave him the place where our first-and-only kiss happened a lifetime ago. We were both just kids…
"I mean," I struggled to correct myself blushing furiously but he interrupted me nodding.
"It's a deal."
The rest of the way back home passed in silent as I was desperately seeking for some good excuse to avoid the race or at least to change the destination of it.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
"There is a woman here to see you and I swear the only way I could have stopped her would have been to use the pistol you gave me and don't think I would be loathe to use it because she's mad and she claims she is my mistress." Brace told it with only one breath as we stepped into the house. I looked at him confused as he seemed really troubled.
"Your mistress?" I asked Brace frowning.
"She says she owns this house." He nodded to me confirming.
Oh hell, no!
"Right." James told him as he walked inside the house seeing our mysterious guest. Who actually wasn't that mysterious at all. Miss Lorna Freaking Bow…
"I have engaged the services of the best lawyer in London." She started, sitting cockily in our arm chair in the living room next to the fire. She smiled at us challenging.
"He should've shoot her…" I muttered inaudible as I tiredly massaged my temples. She's already giving me a headache yet she only said a sentence.
"Is that your lawyer?" James asked coldly as he uncovered a little cage. There were a tiny yellow bird in it.
"My lawyer assures me that, as Horace Delaney's widow, by natural law of the land, this house is therefore half mine." She stated ignoring his mocking question as she showed us a paper.
James took it out from her hand throwing it to the fire.
"It's a copy." She said not being surprised as she continued smiling uppity.
"Oh look, and it's now kindling." I returned her smile sassily as I sat down in front of her crossing my legs leaning back showing I'm home and she's not.
"My servant wants to shoot you in the face." James continued taking a place next to me as he took off his boots.
"Your servant is also now half mine." She retorted shamelessly.
"You only wish…" I scoffed staring daggers to her.
"So did I just burn advice or did I burn speculation?" James asked wanting to know more.
"You actually burnt a letter of intent." She informed us with her as a matter of fact tone
"Oh! And what do you intend to do with our house?" He questioned her ignorantly as he threw his boots away carelessly.
"Actually, it's only your house." She told my brother indicating I have nothing to do with it as I rolled my eyes. "Firstly to change those awful boards." Then she looked at the windows despising them.
"Miss Bow..." James started, but she corrected him right away being self-conscious.
"Mrs. Delaney!"
"Miss Bow," James neglected her whish continuing. "Do you know why there are boards on the windows of this house?"
"So the fortunate people outside can't see inside of the state of this place, I imagine." She teased shamelessly. "I have to admit, I thought it would be different. After all, a woman lived here for so long…" She turned to me examining, but before I could've say anything, James explained.
"No, because there are wicked men out there who would wish me dead."
"However, neither the East India or the King will kill you because of your will." She noted for all of us surprise. "The only people who would benefit from your death are the Americans, but you're already in negotiations with the Americans, so surely once the boards have gone we could put curtains up..." She said picking up the thread, but it was enough for James.
He stood up pouring some brandy for himself.
"You seem to know such a lot for somebody who knows so very little." He said it now seriously. "You should know that I am a very dangerous man."
"I was told that, too." She nodded being aware of it.
"And who keeps telling you all this shit?" James questioned sipping the drink for one gulp.
"I was told the details of your situation by a representative of his Majesty The King, George." She announced it proudly. "And indirectly it was the King who financed the drawing up of that very expensive piece of paper, which you just burnt." She added like it would mean a thing.
"As a rule, the King's council very rarely makes business with an actress unless it's up the back alley of Maiden Lane." I told her mockingly raising my eyebrow. I knew her kind. They were all the same, and the way he tried to use her feminity on my brother just made me feel sick.
"The piece of paper you just burnt also states that" She continued as we stared daggers to each other while I felt James's curious gaze on me. "As Horace Delaney's widow, I also own half the trading post at Nootka Sound and I believe Nootka is of value to you and to the King. So, as you can see, it's a very simple swap, Mr. Delaney." She said and I had a very bad feeling about what's comes next. "Your half of the house for my half of a piece of land that I have no interest in or use for."
"What? No!" I protested but James remained silent as he stared into the fire.
"I also have a trunk full of your father's belongings, letters to you, to your father from your mother. Paintings of Nootka, drawings..." She would've continued as I shook my head, but James interrupted.
"No! No!" He muttered stepping away from the fire obviously being startled. "Brace! Brace!" He called out for our butler as he arrived running.
"Do I fetch the pistol?" He asked willingly.
"Yes, please." I would've taken advantage of the situation, but James didn't let me.
"No. Make this woman a room up right now." He ordered.
"What?" I asked him confused. "James, you can't…" I started to talk sense into him, but the lady interrupted.
"I'd like a river view." She demanded also being surprised.
"Granted." He nodded without hesitation as I stared at him in disbelief. "Go on now. Make her a fire in mother's old room immediately." He nudged Brace who was just as puzzled as me, but eventually he obeyed as I stormed out raging.
"Ugh, I can't believe that, what is she thinking?" I paced in my room up and down trying to process what did just happen.
Right now I could've strangle her with my own bare hands…
"What?!" I snapped to direction of the opening door assuming it's James and I was not wrong. "You realized that my room has a better view?" I questioned sarcastically as he stepped in. "Or that it the closest room to yours so you want to give it to her instead?" I continued bitterly, yet he seemed calm not being affected by my words.
I scoffed and turned around being annoyed at his ignorance.
"Your jealousy is truly flattering, my little Lina." He started in the end as I felt his strong arms embracing me from behind. "But I can assure you, it's completely unnecessary." He added resting his head on my shoulder making my heart melt in one second.
"I'm not jealous." I disagreed as he just hummed knowingly. "I'm not… It's just…" I tried to explain the feeling. "She vex me even with her breathing." I shrugged turning back to face him. "Something is not okay with her."
"I know." He nodded not showing any intentions to release my waist. "But do you trust me?" He asked as my expression softened.
"Of course I do." I nodded honestly. "But trusting and being happy with a decision is not the same." I told him as he smiled at me understandingly.
"That seems fair enough."