Page 21 of Guardian Angel
âHe didnât call me a whore,â Jade shouted when Nathan reached for the knife in his waistband. âHe doesnât know about Colin. I kept my word not to tell him.â
Nathan hesitated. Jade pressed her advantage. âHe thinks you killed Colin. He has it all figured out, Nathan.â
Nathanâs hand moved back to his side, away from his dagger. Jade went weak with relief. âHe has, has he?â Nathan drawled out.
Caine stared at the intruder, knowing now there couldnât be any doubt that the pirate was Jadeâs brother. They both had the same green eyes.
âDamn right I figured it out,â Caine suddenly roared. âYouâre Pagan and you did kill my brother.â
She pushed away from Caine and took a step toward Nathan. Caine roughly shoved Jade behind his back. âDonât try to go to him, Jade.â
âAre you trying to protect me from my own brother?â she asked.
Caine didnât answer her.
âDid he touch you?â Nathan shouted the question as though it was a blasphemy.
âNathan, will you quit that topic?â she cried out. âNow isnât the time to discuss such a personal matter.â
âBe silent,â Caine commanded.
Jade grabbed hold of the back of his shirt when he started forward. The action didnât waylay him. Caine kicked the ornately carved tea cart out of his path and continued toward his prey. âDamn right I touched her,â he roared. âWasnât that all part of the plan, you bastard?â
Nathan let out a roar, then rushed forward. The two men were like bulls charging at each other.
âNo,â Jade screamed. âNathan, please donât hurt Caine. Caine, you mustnât hurt Nathan either . . .â
She quit her pleas when she realized they werenât paying any attention to her.
Caine got in the first toss. He literally threw Nathan up against the wall. A lovely painting depicting the Thames in earlier, cleaner times fell to the floor with a loud thud. Nathan finished the destruction of the artwork when he put his foot through it in an attempt to slam his knee into Caineâs groin.
He was determined to make a eunuch out of him. Caine easily blocked the blow, however, then threw Nathan up against the wall again. Jadeâs brother landed the first good punch, though it was most assuredly by foul means. Caine had Nathan by his neck and was just about to smash his fist through the back of his skull when his attention was caught by the man standing in the doorway. His hold immediately slackened. Nathan pressed his advantage. He slammed his fist into Caineâs jaw.
Caine shook off the blow as insignificant, then shoved Nathan against the wall again.
âColin?â
The name came out in a strangled whisper of disbelief. His mind couldnât accept what he was seeing. His brother was alive. Colin was leaning against the door frame, grinning that lopsided grin of his that was so familiar, so boyish . . . so Colin. He looked thin, terribly thin, but very much alive.
Caine was so stunned he didnât realize he was strangling Nathan until he heard him gasping for air. As soon as he lessened his grip, Nathan tore free and hit him again. Caine ignored the blow and finally let go.
Almost as an afterthought, Caine slammed his elbow into Nathanâs ribs, then took a step toward Colin.
âHonest to God, Colin, Iâm going to kill your brother,â Nathan shouted. âDo you know what heâs done to my sister? He . . .â
âNathan, you donât have to tell Colin,â Jade cried out. âPlease,â she added. âFor once, try to be a gentleman.â
Colin slowly pulled away from the door. He used his cane to aid him as he made his way over to his brother. Caine was shaking with emotion when he wrapped his arms around his little brother. âMy God, youâre really here. I cannot believe it.â
âIâm so damned happy to see you, Caine,â Colin said. âI know youâre surprised. Iâll explain everything. Try not to be too angry with me. I wouldnât let anyone tell you. I wanted to explain first. Theyâre evil men. You would have gone charging in . . .â
Colin didnât seem to have the strength to go on. He sagged against Caine, giving him most of his weight. Caine continued to hold him close while he waited for his brother to regain his composure. âTake your time, Colin,â he whispered. âJust take your time.â
When Colin nodded, Caine stepped back to have another look at his brother. The dimple was back in Caineâs cheek and tears had formed in his eyes. âColin, you look like a pirate, too,â he announced. âYour hairâs as long as Paganâs,â he added with a nod and a scowl in Nathanâs direction.
Nathan scowled back. âI havenât told him anything, Colin,â Nathan said. âBut your astute brother has it all figured out. He knows Iâm Pagan and I sent my little sister to whore for me.â
Jade wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Her face felt like it was on fire. âNathan, if Caine doesnât kill you, I very well might,â she threatened.
Colin was staring at her. When he started laughing, she knew exactly what he was thinking. âDidnât I tell you . . .â he began.
âColin, do sit down,â she commanded. âYou must get your weight off that leg. Itâs too soon for you to be walking.â
Colin wasnât about to forget Nathanâs horrid comment. âI knew you and Caine would . . .â He let out a sigh. âI did warn you, didnât I?â
âColin, I donât want to hear another word about Caine and me,â she shouted. âItâs over, finished. Do you understand? Where is Winters?â she added in a rush, hoping to turn his attention. âThe physician should be at our side.â
âWinters was with you?â Caine asked.
âPagan convinced him to take care of me aboard the Emerald, â Colin explained. He hobbled over to the settee and sat down. âHe was a little resistant at first, but Pagan can be very persuasive. And in the end, I think Winters had the time of his life.â
âWell, where is he?â Jade asked.
âWe let him go home,â Colin answered. âNow quit fretting. Itâs just going to take time for the leg to heal.â
Jade pushed a pillow behind Colinâs back, then propped his feet up on a large round footstool.
âI believe I will order some refreshments for you, Colin,â she said. âYou look too pale to me. The walk from the drive tired you out, didnât it?â
She didnât give him time to answer, but picked up her skirts and started for the drawing room doors. Caine blocked her path. âYou arenât going anywhere.â
She refused to look up at him as she tried to move around him. Caine took hold of her arm. The grip was stinging. âSit down, Jade.â
âJade?â
Colin said her name in a surprised whisper.
âI have allowed Caine to call me by my given name.â
âAllowed?â Nathan asked.
âWhat do you call her?â Caine asked his brother.
âShe has several nicknames,â Colin answered. âI call her Red most of the time, donât I, Jade?â
When she nodded, Colin continued on. âNathan calls her Brat all the time. He has a particular fondness for that nickname.â
His slow wink increased Jadeâs blush. âBlack Harry calls me Dolphin,â Colin went on to explain. âItâs meant as an insult, too.â
Nathan shook his head. âDolphins are gentle, Colin. It wasnât meant as an insult.â
Caine let out a weary sigh. âWho is Black Harry?â
It was suddenly hitting him full force, this amazing miracle. He found his strength deserting him. Caine dragged Jade over to the wingback chair that faced the settee, sat down, and forced her with his hold to sit on the arm.
He stared at his brother all the while. âI still cannot believe youâre alive,â he said.
âYou have Pagan to thank for that,â Colin replied. âAnd I canât believe youâre so calm. I was certain youâd go into a rage when you found out I made Jade promise not to tell you. Caine, thereâs so much I have to explain. First, however, I do believe Nathanâs sister has something she wants to tell you.?
??
Jade was shaking her head vehemently. âI have nothing to say to him, Colin. If you feel like enlightening him on all the facts, do so after Iâve left.â
Caine wasnât paying any attention to her rantings. He let go of her arm, leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and said, âI want you to tell me who did this to you. Give me the name, Colin. Iâll do the rest.â
Jade took advantage of Caineâs inattention. She once again tried to leave. Caine never took his gaze away from his brother when he grabbed hold of her hand. âI believe I mentioned that you arenât going anywhere.â
Nathan looked incredulous. âWhy havenât you put your knife through him yet?â
She shrugged before answering. âColin would have been upset.â
âWhatâs taking Black Harry so long?â Nathan asked Colin then. He strolled over to the settee, took his place next to Colin, and propped his feet up on the same wide stool.
âHeâll be a while yet,â Colin explained. âHe lost his spectacles.â
Both men started laughing. Jade was horrified. âBlack Harryâs here? In England?â
Her voice shook. Only Nathan seemed to understand the reason for her distress. âHe is,â he announced in a hard voice. âAnd when I tell him . . .â
âNo, Nathan, you mustnât tell him anything,â she cried out. She tried to get out of Caineâs grasp. He tightened his hold in reaction.
âWho is Black Harry?â Caine asked, ignoring Jadeâs struggles.
âHeâs the uncle,â Colin answered. âHe took care of Jade after her father died.â
Caine was trying to filter all this information through his mind. The way Jade had reacted to the news that Harry was here indicated she was afraid of him.
âHow long was she with him?â he asked Colin.
âYears,â Colin answered.
Caine turned to Nathan. âWhere the hell were you when she was growing up? Out robbing people blind?â
âDamn it, Colin, a man can only take so much,â Nathan muttered. âIf he keeps it up, Iâm going to kill him, even if it means losing your friendship.â
Colin was still too exhausted from the walk to take part in the conversation. He wanted to rest for just a few more minutes before he started his explanation. With a loud yawn meant to draw attention, he said, âNo oneâs going to kill anyone until this has all been straightened out.â He leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes.
A loud commotion drew everyoneâs attention then. Caine looked up just in time to see a large flower pot fly past the windows to the terrace. The pot crashed against the stone wall. A sharp blasphemy followed the splintering noise.
âHarryâs here,â Colin drawled out.
Caine continued to stare at the entrance, thinking to himself that he was prepared for just about anything now. Nothing more could ever surprise him again.
He was, unfortunately, mistaken. The man who finally strutted across the threshold was so outrageous looking, Caine almost laughed.
Harry paused, put his big hands on his hips, and glared at his audience. He was dressed all in white, with a wide red sash tied around his pot-bellied waist. His skin was bronzed by the sun, his hair was silver as clouds. Caine judged his age to be near fifty, perhaps a bit more.
This one could give children nightmares for months. He was amazingly ugly, with a bulbous nose that covered most of his face. His eyes were bare slits, due to the fact that he was squinting fiercely.
The man had flair, heâd give him that much. He literally swaggered into the drawing room. Two men rushed ahead of him, moving objects out of his way. Two more filed in behind. Caine recognized the last two. They were Matthew and Jimbo. Both of their faces were covered with fresh bruises Caine had inflicted when heâd had his little talk with them.
âItâs getting damned crowded in here,â Caine stated.
Jade jerked her hand away from his hold and rushed over to Black Harry. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. Caine noticed Harryâs gold tooth then. When he smiled down at Jade, one of the front teeth gleamed in the light.
âOh, Uncle Harry, Iâve missed you,â she whispered.
âOf course you missed me,â the elderly man grumbled. âIâm going to beat you good though,â he added after heâd given her another hug of affection. âHave you gone completely daft, girl? Iâll be hearing every spoiled morsel of this tale, and then Iâm going to beat the daylights out of you.â
âNow, Harry,â Jade said in a voice meant to soothe. âI didnât mean to upset you.â
Harry let out a loud snort. âYou didnât mean for me to find out, thatâs what you didnât mean to do,â he countered. He leaned down and kissed her loudly on the top of her head.
âThat one be Caine?â he asked, squinting at the man in question.
âHe is,â Jade answered.
âHe ainât dead.â
âNo.â
âYou done your task well then,â Harry praised.
âHe will be dead soon enough if I get my way,â Nathan drawled out.
âWhatâs this mutiny Iâm hearing?â
âHarry?â Jade asked, tugging his attention back to her.
âYes?â
She leaned up on tiptoe and whispered into his ear. Harry frowned during the telling.
When she was finished, he nodded. âI might be telling, and then again, I might not. You trust this man?â
She couldnât lie. âI do.â
âWhat does he mean to you, girl?â
âNothing,â she blurted out.
âThen look at me eyes,â he ordered. âYouâre talking to the floor and that tells me something trickyâs going on.â
âThereâs nothing tricky,â she whispered. âIâm just glad this deception is over.â
Harry didnât look convinced. âThen whyâd you bother watching out for him if he meant nothing to you?â he prodded, sensing she wasnât telling him the full truth.
âHeâs Colinâs brother,â she reminded her uncle. âThat is the only reason I bothered.â
Harry decided to wait until they were alone before he forced the truth out of her. âIâm still not understanding,â he bellowed. He was squinting in Caineâs direction now. âYou should be kissing Paganâs feet to my way of thinking,â he added. âYour sorry brotherâs alive, ainât he?â
âNow that youâre here, we can sort all this out, Harry,â Colin called out.
Harry grunted. He looked back down at Jade. âIâm still going to beat you bloody, girl. Do you doubt me?â
âNo, Harry, I donât doubt you,â she answered. With an effort, she hid her smile. In all their time together, Harry had never, ever harmed her. He was a kind, gentle man with a soul so pure, so white, God was surely smiling down at him with pride. Harry liked to threaten all sorts of horrid punishments when there was an audience listening. He was a pirate, he would often remind her, and appearances had to be kept up.
Caine had started out of his chair when Harry made his first threat, but Colin motioned to him to sit down again. âBluster,â heâd whispered to his brother.
âGet me a chair, men,â Harry shouted. He continued to squint at Caine as he walked over to the hearth. Both Colin and Nathan got their feet and the stool out of his way just in the nick of time. While Jade helped resettle Colin, Harry stood in front of the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back.
âYou donât look anything like Dolphin,â he remarked. He grinned, displaying his lovely tooth again, then added, âYou and your puny-arsed brother are both homely as sin. Only family resemblance I can see.â
Caine didnât think the man could see much of anything, but he kept that opinion to himself. He looked over at Colin to see how he was responding to that insult. Though Colinâs eyes were once again closed, he was smiling. Caine concluded Harryâs thunder was all for his benefit.
One of his men carried a big chair over to the hearth, and when Harry was settled, Jade walked over to stand behind him. S
he put her hand on Harryâs shoulder.
âYou wear spectacles, me boy?â Harry asked Caine.
Caine shook his head. âAnyone here wear them? One of your servants perchance?â
âNo,â Caine answered.
âUncle, do you know where you lost your last pair?â she asked.
âNow, lovely, you know I donât remember,â he answered. âIf I did, I wouldnât have lost them, now would I?â
Harry turned back to Caine then. âThere be a village close by?â
Colin started laughing. Even Nathan broke into a grin. Caine didnât have the faintest idea why they were so amused.
âThere is a village close by,â Colin said.
âNo one was asking you, you twit. Go back to sleep, Dolphin. Itâs all youâre good for,â he added with a wink.
Harry turned to his cohorts and bellowed, âMen, you know what to do.â
The two unsavory-looking men lounging by the terrace doors both nodded. Just as they turned to leave, Jade prodded Harryâs shoulder. âOh, all right, girl,â he muttered. âNo pillaging, men,â he shouted then. âWeâre too close to home.â
âAye, Black Harry,â one of the men called out.
âDid they jump to do my bidding?â Harry asked Jade in a whisper.
âThey did,â she answered. âAs quick as lightning.â
Harry nodded. He clasped his knees with his hands and leaned forward. âNow then, I was hearing talk of mutiny when I came inside. Youâd think this was a time for rejoicing, but I ainât hearing any cheering. You hearing any cheering, girl?â
âNo, Harry.â
âCould it be that the Dolphinâs such a bother, you ainât glad to have him back?â he asked Caine. âCanât say I blame you. The boy canât even play a decent game of chess.â
âI was half out of my mind when we last played,â Colin reminded him.
Harry snorted. âYou only got half a mind, twit.â
Colin grinned. âCaine? Do you know why this sorry piece of flesh is called Black Harry?â
âIâll be telling it,â Harry announced. âItâs because I got me a black heart.â