Ok, don't throw anything at me. I've been sick for a week :(

But I'm back now! I hope this chapter makes up for it...lots going on.

I appreciate all the reviews and I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I especially want to thank those who gave suggestions. Who knows, I just may use it!

Chapter 12

Elise went up stairs as soon as she entered the house to do as she was told and start packing. Her mind was whirling with emotion as she tossed her clothes into the trunk Gibson had brought to her.

She paused in her task and sank to the bed with a hand pressed to her forehead. She had no idea where she was going to come up with the fifty thousand pounds for the ransom. If she was in England then it wouldn't be a problem but she had no funds here.

Asking James for it seemed wrong, and besides, she doubted if he would even have that kind of money. That he would be willing to give to her anyway.

There was only one person she knew in Port Royal who had that kind of money. He would never give it to her, of course. Willingly. She stood back up and resumed her packing slowly as she tried to talk herself out of the idea brewing in her mind.

I'm sure he's sleeping by now. He'd never even hear you. It would be simple enough to take what you need, she thought to herself.

James would be very angry with you, she admonished.

I bet you could be back by the time he returned, she reasoned. He'd never even have to know you left.

Elise dropped the dress she was holding as she came to her decision. She went to the desk in the corner and pulled a quill out, scribbling a note to James just in case he should return before her.

She quietly opened the door and poked her head out to make sure Gibson wasn't anywhere around. When she determined the coast was clear she tiptoed down the stairs and had reached the front door when a thought occurred to her.

A woman out alone this late at night will undoubtedly draw attention, which is the last thing I need.

She turned around and headed for the back of the house where James had showed her a room that held extra uniforms for the officers. She tugged on a pair of breeches, a white shirt, a coat, tucked her hair under a large triangular hat and grabbed a satchel.

Better, she thought as she surveyed herself in the mirror before heading toward the front door again. There were so many officers in Port Royal no one would give her a second glance.

It was a clear, bright, full moon lit night and Elise strode silently through town trying to look as if she belonged there until she came back upon Andrew's manor. She stood stock still as she took in the darkened windows. Normally she was irritated that Andrew went to bed so early but tonight she was certainly glad. She would just have to watch out for Bright. He tended to roam the house at various times during the night.

She slipped around back to the servant entrance which he foolishly kept unlocked, Andrew never thought anyone would dare enter his domain without permission. She smiled to herself and had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing as she recalled his reply when she advised him how unwise it was to leave it unlocked.

He had ridiculously puffed up his chest, pulled a display sword from the mantel, said "let any man come uninvited into my home and see what he earns himself," and tried to do a fancy swishing jab with the sword. Unfortunately, since it was a display sword and not meant for such use, the blade had separated from the hilt and pierced his foot. Oh how he had howled.

Something like that would never happen to James. He was a man who knew how to handle himself. He was unarguably masculine yet with a gentleness that knew how handle those who needed a softer side.

She cracked the door open and let herself in, waiting with baited breath as her ears strained for any noises. When she heard none she stealthily wandered to the back of the house to his library. He kept his money in a wall safe that was located behind a portrait of himself. She had watched him open it many times, he'd always commented about how women weren't bright enough to remember numbers. She, of course, never contradicted him, letting him choose to believe what he wanted. Hi opinion mattered little to her.

The more she thought about Andrew the more convinced she became that she was making the right choice and felt no remorse for stealing from him. She resolutely swung the painting forward and spun in the combination. Her breath caught when the moonlight reflected off all the gold and currency in the safe.

Her father had never let her see inside their own safe. He thought that if his children witnessed their wealth than they would feel self important and superior. She was suddenly glad for his decision because she knew they were wealthier than the Devereaux's and if Andrew's stash was this much she shuddered to imagine what her father's was.

She forced herself into action and began counting out what she needed and slipping it into her satchel. The last bundle she grabbed had a piece of parchment balanced precariously on it and it fell to the floor when she grabbed it. She stooped to pick it up and her father's name on the letter caught her attention. Curious, she moved to stand in front of the window, using the light of the full moon to read it.

She was appalled at Andrew's obvious forgery, for this was not her father's writing and she was certain he would never do as this letter suggested. She gasped indignantly as she read it.

I, Lord Charles Gold, leave this as my last will and testament. In the event of my death I bequeath to my beloved wife, Charmaine, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds to care for her and my five cherished daughters. My kin is also left with Gold Manor and the one hundred acres that goes with it. My business, Gold Transport, I leave to my eldest daughter, Elise. In the unlikely and regrettable event of her death Gold Transport will be left to my future son, Lord Andrew Devereaux.

Elise felt an angry roar in her ears and her knees go weak with disbelief and had to lean against a wall to keep herself upright. She heard a floorboard creek above her head and she kicked herself back into action as she pocketed the letter. She returned to the safe to close it quietly and move the painting back before walking as fast and silently as she could down the hall.

The moment she reached the servant's entrance door and closed it she took off at a run. She needed to find James. The sooner the better.

She ran most of the way to Netherfield until a stitch in her side forced to a brisk walk, the moment it wore off though she took off at a run again. She burst in the front door, no longer caring about being secretive and began calling for James.

"James?" She shouted frantically as she ran up the stairs.

"James?"

"Lady Elise, he's not back yet." Gibson said as he emerged from lounge below her. "Good heavens. Is everything alright? You look panicked."

"No, it's not. I need to speak to the Commodore. Most urgently." She replied and ran back down the stairs.

"Shall I fetch him?" Gibson asked, noting her attire and the almost wild look in her eye.

"Please do. As quickly as possible." She answered.

"I'll do so at once." Gibson said immediately and went for his coat. "Will you be alright alone for a bit?"

"Yes. Of course. Thank you." She replied when he reached the front door.

The second the door closed she raced upstairs to finish her packing. She tossed her things half hazardly into her trunk and threw the satchel of money in there before slamming it shut with a resounding bang. Then she had nothing to do but stew and pace, finally forcing herself to sit at the desk.

She pulled the letter from her pocket again, reading and rereading it. Mindlessly scribbling on it with her quill until she pulled back and saw that she had written the word 'lies' on it several times.

Elise started at the soft knock on her door, happy at Gibson's speed in his task. She crossed the room quickly and instead of James found Andrew on the other side, with a gun aimed directly at her head.

"Good evening darling." He said cheerfully and cocked the pistol.

"Andrew! What are you doing here?" She asked nervously and backed away from him.

"Nice attire. Joined the Navy have we?" He asked sarcastically.

"I was just err.." She began.

"I know what you were doing. I saw you." He interrupted.

"Saw what?" She asked.

"Don't play innocent with me. I won't be fooled by a mere woman." He said.

"Mere woman?" She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"You are far too rash, my dear." He replied maliciously.

"I don't know what you're talking about Andrew." She answered and stood her ground.

"I think you do. You took money. From my safe." Andrew said with a cruel smile.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Elise replied.

"I saw you." He shouted. "What I want to know is where's your hero now, darling?"

The fact that she was very much alone hit her hard but she put on a brave face as he continued.

"A Commodore Elise? I must confess I'm very disappointed. Only a fool wouldn't be able to see it. Love is shining from your eyes every time you look at him. Of course he looks as if he couldn't give two straws about you. Being thrown over for a naval officer is hardly flattering to myself. He's quite savage." Andrew said snidely.

"He's more of a gentlemen than you can ever hope to become." She spat.

"There's that sassy spirit I despise so." He replied.

"Not half as much as I despise your ignorance, selfishness and arrogance." She said, saying the words she's been longing to say for eight years.

"Pretty strong words for a woman being held at gunpoint." He retorted and aimed the barrel at her temple.

Elise snapped her mouth shut as that fact just sank in. She looked into his maniacal blue eyes and tried to gauge what he was plotting.

"What do you intend to do Andrew? Kill me?" She asked, knowing he would never be able to kill her himself.

"My darling fiancé, you and I are going on a little trip. I see you've already packed, how helpful of you." He said.

"The only way you're going to be getting me out of this house is if you toss me over your shoulder and drag me out kicking and screaming." She replied angrily.

"You know, I thought you'd say that darling." He said with a wry smile and crossed the room swiftly. He brought the butt of the gun down sharply where her neck met her spine and caught her over his shoulder as she blacked out. "And you say I don't know you." He added with a smile.