Free Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall Page A

a swaying plank and onto a ship, did you?” James snorted. “You must have been quite out of your head!”
    “I was, sir.” Hayden gave the doctor a sardonic look then cocked his head in scrutiny. Seconds ticked by as the two men stared at each other, and Eliza began to wonder if perhaps they had met before. Although James seemed more annoyed than pleased. Then for no apparent reason, Hayden gave a hearty laugh and faced forward. “Yes Doctor . Quite delirious. And feverish, in fact.”
    Eliza didn’t recall noting any fever, but she kept that to herself.
    Magnolia stood and pointed a trembling finger his way. “I assure you, his assault on me was no accident!”
    Hayden’s interested gaze took her in. “Princess, though your beauty may warrant such an action from a desperate man, I, myself, have never had to beg, force, or steal affections from any woman.”
    A grin lifted the corner of Hayden’s lips as he continued to gaze at Magnolia. Eliza agreed. He was far too charming to have to beg for feminine attention. Not only was the man appealing to look at but he had a dark, mysterious quality about him that, coupled with a roguish charm, made him quite alluring. Magnolia, apparently, was not of the same opinion, for the Southern belle stomped her tasseled boot on the deck, her eyes seething. “You have your proof! He is a beast!”
    Mrs. Scott drew her daughter into an embrace. “Captain, you must do something to ensure my daughter’s safety.” The deck tilted, sending the ladies back down to their seats and the gentlemen bracing their boots.
    Parson Bailey gave Hayden a look of pity. “God can forgive any sin, son. You have only to ask.”
    The colonel took a step toward Hayden. “What were you doing in Miss Scott’s cabin, sir?”
    “I was searching for something with which to bandage my wound. What else would I be doing?” Hayden stretched his broad shoulders beneath what had once been a fine, silk-lined, wool coat but was now torn and marred with blood.
    “Mrs. Crawford and I can vouch for his condition, Captain,” James offered, rubbing his chin. “He’d lost a significant amount of blood and could hardly stand.”
    “That doesn’t mean he didn’t have vile intentions.” Mr. Scott’s jowls quivered with his pronouncement.
    “The heart is inherently evil,” Parson Bailey added. A sail thundered overhead.
    Hayden rolled his eyes. His jaw hardened beneath a sprinkling of dark stubble. “I did not mean to frighten the lady.”
    “Very well.” Captain Barclay scratched his scraggly beard. “But there is the matter of why you were shot, sir.”
    Hayden hesitated, staring at the canvas rug beneath his boots. “Tavern brawl.”
    Magnolia huffed. “Mercy me. Does that not attest to his character?”
    He gave her a sideways glance, a hint of a grin toying with his lips.
    “That doesn’t answer the question.” The colonel’s commanding tone had returned.
    “A misunderstanding.”
    James rubbed the scar on his cheek. “Then why didn’t you seek medical aid?”
    “Like I told you, I was delirious. I don’t even remember coming on board.”
    “Very well.” Captain Barclay stood, opened and shut his pocket watch, then placed it on his desk. “There’s naught to be done about it now. I’m afraid you’re stuck with us, Hayden, all the way to Brazil. As soon as I drop off these fine people, I’ll take you back to Charleston if that is your desire.”
    Hayden shifted in his seat and glanced over those present, his eyes softening for the first time since Eliza had entered. “I wouldn’t mind trying my luck out in Brazil, seeing what she has to offer.”
    “She has nothing for you, I’m afraid.” The colonel’s gray eyes hardened around the edges. “You have not paid for your voyage, nor have you passed the criteria for joining our new society.”
    Hayden chuckled then clutched his side with a wince. “Zooks, what criteria? I’m strong and capable. You’d be fortunate to have