Whispers of the Sea (The Compulsion Bride Series) Book II (Unedited)

Chapter Forty Five

Jake found himself on the brick of frustration, wishing that there was another way to get into the castle without getting caught. From his position across the street, Jake observe the castle's entrance without drawing too much attention. He had on a dark cloak that had more holes than the garments beneath it, suited for a beggar that had lost his right eye at war, years ago. If he stood from the tiny wooden stool and started to pace the pavement, he would use a cane for support.

His overturn hat barely had a penny inside, showing the generosity of the good old London folks. No one took a glimpse at him as they hurried by like they had seen a ghost. Though he couldn't blame them entirely for their hasty departure from him. Everyone was regarded as either a spy, murderer or pickpocket during these times of war and pockets may be empty or tight to spare a beggar a penny.

Jake groaned, stopping a piece of torn paper with his cane, he dragged the paper towards him and sighed at the striking resemblance between him and the man on the paper. He was a fugitive now, a man the king had made of great importance and danger to the ton. With muttered curses under his breath, he release the paper and watch as the wind carry it out of his sight. This told him that the King had lost all hope as far as Jake Clairwood was concern but he had to try to enter the lion's den to get to Prince Alejandro, for the crown Prince does not seem to want to leave the dam castle at all!

Every day, the entrance buzz with activities, groceries entering by the cartload. Servants rushing out after being checked by the soldiers on errands. Jake kept looking, this is what he came here for and he had no other option. His friends were depending on him, every day he wonder how they were faring. Were they still alive? And where were the commander's son taking them?

A servant returned an hour after with a basket full of fruits and vegetables. Each items were searched, along with the lady again before admission, Jake knew he wouldn't be able to enter by way of disguise, they would strip him naked. His stomach grumbled at the mere sight of food, it was darkening rapidly and he had not eaten since this morning. Jake collected several more pennies, from the night folks even a few Soldiers from Spain were generous.

Interesting.

Jake decided to call it a day as the night lights glowed in the streets, he grabbed his hat off the ground, collecting what coins was thrown inside and walked as fast as his pretentious nature could take him. Crossing the streets and finally out of the soldiers view Jake straighten his spine, his intentions were the Crissy Inn but stopped along the narrow sidewalk at the familiar voice he was hearing from the bickering outside the inn's entrance.

"Lindell, you know who I am. How could you have given the last room to someone else when I told you not to!" The lady's frustration was not hidden and by the way, her hands curled in a fist, she was ready to attack. Jake smiled, leaning against the lamppost with his arms folded and judging by her scandalous appearance, he knew who she was.

"No, no don't you dare do that to me, Miss Foxie. The letter was late on arrival, not my control dearest." The woman said, with a shook of the head. "You'll just have to wait until the guess leave in two days."

"Two days!" Gabrielle's mouth hung opened. Lady Candace's husband was back from the sea and Gabrielle hated this dodging and hiding game they were playing at the estate. "That's too much, what should I do sleep on your front porch!"

"You are always welcome to do so." The lady smiled, fiddling with the strings of her apron before finally tying it into a knot. "Now I have some biscuits to bake and don't you dare enter my inn to start a ruckus." Gabrielle groan aloud, watching as the lady disappeared inside.

"Don't worry you always find a way to get what you want," Jake said with a grin.

She turned glared at him for a moment before turning to leave. "Foxie wait, it's me, Jake!" He stood upright and pulled the hood of the cloak from his head when she turned back to stare at him with widen eyes.

"Oh, My - Jake!" She looked around the street before pulling him by the arm out of the light. "What are you doing back here in London? Do did came for your own death sentence? And what's with the bloody eyepatch!" The questions were thrown at him in haste and disbelieve.

"I was brought here by Commander Mcmillian on high treason but he's a traitor Foxie," He began. "And I need the Prince of Spain's help to save some friends of mines and this," He pointed to the eyepatch. "Is a disguise, have you not seen my sketch?"

"I have, it's a very fine piece don't you think?" She smirked, folding her arms.

"Remind me to thank the artist later," he replied curtly.

"You need to speak the Prince? Who is currently in the last place you should enter?" And the last person she wanted to see. She had wanted Distance and when he had awaken the morning after she had left that night; weeks ago. Carlos had carried him away back to the Castle to heal and regain his strength not to mention it was safer. Gabrielle had watched as Alejandro reluctantly got into the carriage and disappeared. She didn't know if he remembered the heated kiss they share or not.

But the distance was slowly driving her insane. She wanted to see him too. Distance had done nothing for her only made her want to be near him..... Always. She needed more time to compose herself but it seems unrealistic at the moment.

"It's very urgent. I don't even care what happens to me but my friends they are innocent in all of this." Foxie stare at him, his eyes were shimmering with a whirl of emotions a rare trait from the Duke. "Is there any way you can help me enter?" He pleaded.

"I'll help you, there's a lot you don't know Jake, the prince and I would  inform you." She inhale deeply and exhale slowly while keeping her eyes close momentarily. Jake drunk in her beautiful features, she didn't age one bit from her long dark tresses to her unwrinkled face. Foxie was gorgeous but Samantha with her long golden hair and startling blue eyes was a beauty that had bewitch him.

He looked away, sweeping a palm over his face. The hell was he doing? These two ladies were completely different in so many ways beyond features and he had no emotion feeling towards Samantha only..... Lust?

"The difficult part is to get through the main entrance. I'll create a distraction and you'll enter and I'll find you in the shadows." She took his arms, grabbing it as they began to walk down the street he just came from. "And one more thing. Try not to make any noises." She said sternly, keeping her eyes focus ahead.

***

Don't forget to vote and comment

Thank you.