The Case of the Lost Island (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 6) Read online

  The Case of the Lost Island

  A “Justice” and Miss Quinn Mystery

  Book Six

  By

  Felicia Rogers

  The Case of the Lost Island

  A “Justice” and Miss Quinn Mystery, Book Six

  Copyright ©2016 by Felicia Rogers

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Contact Information:

  Website: http://feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com

  Email: [email protected]

  Published by:

  Felicia Rogers

  Cover Design by For the Muse Designs

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One: Formentera

  Chapter Two: Farewell and Hellos

  Chapter Three: Undiscovered Territory

  Chapter Four: The Truth Will Set You Free

  Chapter Five: Concern

  Chapter Six: Mounting a Rescue

  Chapter Seven: The Knight

  Chapter Eight: Home

  Chapter Nine: Revelation

  Chapter Ten: Plans

  Epilogue: The End

  Author’s Note

  Chapter One: Formentera

  November 1815

  Justin’s back muscles burned as he carried the basket of laundry from the spring to the house.

  Sir Walter had rescued them from S'Espalmador and given them temporary employment and shelter. Naturally Justin was grateful, but he’d never worked so hard in his life. The drudgery of chores was not for him. However, the activity had given him a newfound respect for his household servants.

  Magnolia waited at the clothesline. Her normally creamy skin had tanned from constant exposure to the outdoors. Even with the cooling weather she wore a dress without sleeves. Soon her entire body would be tanned. The thought wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

  He drew alongside her.

  “Do you think father has gotten our message?”

  Today he’d not even lowered the basket and she was already inquiring. He felt the same desperation, but he tried to hide it. His panic would not help him or her.

  He pushed his lips into a half-smile. “If not yet, then he should soon.”

  He prayed for word from their fathers every day. Sir Walter had been kind enough to offer room and board for their work. And if not for him, they would have starved. Their food and fresh water had run out a day before Sir Walter had noticed them on the opposite shore and come to their aid. But even with the kindness afforded them, he would prefer to be home. He might even give his valet, Keane, the day off!

  Sir Walter had also provided clean clothes. Justin wore a woolen shirt and linen breeches which made him itch profusely, but it was still better than pirate castoffs. Even if Magnolia hadn’t complained about his previous attire.

  He lowered the basket and Magnolia grabbed an item and secured it to the line. A cool ocean breeze sent the article swinging. Magnolia held the line in place until the wind settled.

  His love had been provided a brown, square dress that resembled a feed sack. He’d like the wench outfit better. But at least it would keep her delights covered from prying eyes.

  She bit her lip as she stared past the line and toward the water. “He’ll come for us, right?”

  Her fear had increased with each passing day. As November neared its end she’d become more despondent. Her natural confidence had wavered. He hated to see the change. He longed for yesterday when she was full of life and ready to take on new adventures.

  The dinner bell rang. Justin assisted with hanging the clothes. Once finished they headed for the house. The adobe home was surrounded on all sides by an eight-foot wall. The gate remained open and people came and went freely. At this time of day most were entering to eat. In the front courtyard a long table was laid with ham, cheese, grapes, and biscuits. The servants were required to eat outside. Another reason that Magnolia’s skin continued to brown.

  They took a seat. Immediately, Magnolia slid an extra slice of fish onto his plate. He tried to return it but she squeezed his hand beneath the table. The simple touch warmed him to his toes. He’d missed that more than anything.

  “No, keep it. You need it more than I.”

  He’d disagreed before and angered her so he gave in and accepted the offering.

  They didn’t talk as much as they had in the past. He missed the idyllic person he’d been before the hunting trip. They’d been young and carefree. He’d had plans to solve hundreds of mysteries with Magnolia. As the mysteries were solved their relationship would be as well. After the wandering spirit left them both they would marry and begin the greatest adventure of all. But now that seemed unlikely. The only adventure left to them was survival.

  Sir Walter stopped at the table and engaged him. “I will travel to Ibiza tomorrow, if you would like to sojourn with me?”

  He opened his mouth to say yes, but Magnolia grabbed his arm. “We told Father we’d be here.”

  Justin sighed. “Thank you, sir, but we ask to stay on a little longer.”

  “As you wish.” Sir Walter patted the shoulder of some of his other servants as he walked toward the house.

  The table was cleared and Magnolia returned to the clothesline. Yes, she had changed. The fire in her eyes had diminished. He feared what their life would be like if they ever returned to England. Would she sit in her parlor and pick at him as she had before, or would she hide away from the world, haunted by the memories of her last adventure?

  ****

  Magnolia sensed Justin’s worry. If she was any kind of friend, she would relieve his fear. But she couldn’t. Not yet. Until they returned to England, until life become normal, she would never know if his kiss had been genuine or a product of their situation. Justin resembled most men; he loved a damsel in distress.

  Once the chores were finished servants were allowed to enjoy the remainder of the day however they chose. She wanted to stare at the ocean and wait for Father. He would arrive soon—he had to.

  She lifted her skirt and dipped her toes in the ocean surf. They had been fortunate. Sir Walter had rescued them before they starved. A few more days and he would have only found their bodies.

  Toes chilled, she pulled back and slipped her feet into her borrowed slippers. She longed for the days of lounging in her parlor concerned over dust covering the sideboard. Or agonizing over which soiree to attend. Or wondering if she should message Justin about the latest gossip.

  She scooted farther up the beach and settled on a hollow log. The water had cooled considerably. Would it hamper Father’s travel?

  She palmed her chin. Fortescue Cunning, the Baron of Eure, had sailed away with Captain Vernon Shelby. Would he return to England and hide their condition from Father? Or would he say that Shelby kidnapped them of his own accord? Somehow Cunning would keep his name from being connected to the event—which meant he probably wouldn’t share his involvement at all. He might even watch the post to make sure no letters reached her father!

  She jumped up and ran toward the house. They couldn’t wait around until Father happened to find them, because it would never happen. Cunning would make sure of it!

  No, they needed to find a way back to England all on their own. Maybe sojourning with Sir Walter was the answer they’d been seeking a
fter all.

  ****

  Fortescue slapped his gloves against his palm as the hired driver lugged his baggage to the door.

  Eudora had been peeping through the window covering. Now she was lounging against the doorpost. Her eyes were in narrow slits, showcasing her unhappiness.

  The driver approached the door. Fortescue said, “Leave my baggage here.”

  The driver cocked a bushy brow. “You don’t want it in the foyer, sir?”

  “No. I fear my lady may not let me enter.”

  “Very well.” The driver stuck out his hand. Fortescue paid him and turned away.

  Eudora looked at her nails with indifference. That wasn’t a good sign. “So you’ve returned.”

  He breathed deeply. “I have.”

  Eudora stepped closer. The aroma of jasmine and vanilla reached him and he inhaled. It was her scent. He’d missed it so.

  She crossed her arms over her chest then just as quickly dropped them to her sides and stomped her foot. “I waited for you at the docks until someone happened to tell me that the Captain’s Jewel had already disembarked. I could have been waiting there all week!”

  He tried to massage her upper arms, but she slapped him away. He deserved that. “I am sorry.”

  “I don’t care if you’re sorry. I think you should go back to whence you came and leave me be.” She entered and tried to slam the door, but he barred it with his arm.

  “Eudora, that is no way to treat me. And this is my house, or have you forgotten?”

  She threw her arms around his neck and planted quick kisses all over his face. “I’ve missed you so much! This town has been so boring without you. Not to mention all the questions that Blakemoor and Quinn have been asking.”

  He disentangled from her grasp and grabbed his baggage. “Let’s go inside.”

  The house hadn’t changed. The furniture was still subpar, the lighting still sparse, the carpet bare in more places than not. His articles and stories hadn’t sold as well as he’d hoped and his venture with the good captain had proven to be an enormous failure. Eudora wouldn’t like it when he revealed that the money they’d made by selling the artifacts stolen by Tyrrel was spent without anything to show for it.

  Eudora spread out on a chaise, and he took the sofa. A spring struck his rump and he moved to the other side. Another article of furniture that deserved to be discarded.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  “Has there been any word?”

  She shook her head and golden ringlets bobbed around her face. He wished he could run his fingers through them, but alas that would be for a later time.

  “Nothing. The rumors are all about how Magnolia and Justin went for a ride while at the hunting cabin, got caught in a storm, and never returned.” She paused. “Were they with you?”

  There was a jealousy to her tone. Should he tell her that he’d spent the better part of a month on a ship with Magnolia Quinn? Of course the woman had been within the captain’s cabin and he’d been delegated to the filthy hold. He’d hardly seen her enough times to prove it was her.

  “Yes.”

  She jumped to her feet and flung her arms over her head. “I knew it! I knew it!” She took the seat beside him. “I want to know everything and I want to know now. People have noticed your absence coincided with theirs. I’ve kept the rumors at bay, but now that you’ve returned we need a believable story or you might be lynched!”

  Chapter Two: Farewell and Hellos

  Justin shook hands with Sir Walter. While the servants had been happy for their departure, they had showcased said happiness with apathy. He understood. Most of them were stuck. Stuck on the island. Stuck in their situation. Stuck in their station. Just stuck. Magnolia and he had a chance to leave and return to another life—a better one. That was if they ever reached England.

  “I wish you Godspeed, young man.”

  “Thank you, sir. Trust that as soon as we reach shore we will return what we borrowed.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  Sir Walter’s reason for visiting Ibiza had disappeared, but seeing their desperation to leave for England, the gentleman had given them enough funds to secure passage on the ship in his stead. Once they reached Ibiza, they hoped to board a larger vessel bound for Spain.

  Sir Walter’s wife had sewn silver into a borrowed vest, warning against the dangers of trusting people. He had firsthand experience with such dangers. Vernon Shelby had been a welcomed guest in his country home when he had kidnapped Magnolia. No, the issues that worried Justin were the ones he had yet to think of.

  Magnolia stood behind him with her hands clasped. She’d been eager to leave since she had her epiphany. He had not disagreed with her logic. Fortescue Cunning, a man with a worthless title, who had orchestrated and funded the trip to the island of S'Espalmador, was hardly going to reveal his part in their kidnapping. He’d take the information to his grave. The only way to ensure that his involvement wasn’t discovered was to stop any posts that involved their fathers. And Cunning was more than capable of enacting such a feat.

  Magnolia’s suggestion that they try to reach home on their own was their only solution—no matter how hard it might be.

  “You will write?” Sir Walter shook his hand.

  “Of course. And thank you again!”

  He waved as he lifted the small valise and ran to meet Magnolia. It would only take ten minutes to reach the dock and the ship. But he couldn’t wait. He wasn’t excited about being on the sea again. He’d made sure to ask Sir Walter’s wife for some ginger, especially for Magnolia, but he was excited about heading home. He’d been gone far too long. And once they reached home he would ensure Magnolia understood his feelings for her whether she liked it or not.

  “Can you believe it? We are finally going home!”

  Excitement. It was the first time she’d expressed the emotion in at least a month.

  Justin clenched the bag in his hand. “I’m ready.”

  “As am I. Father must be worried sick. I hope he is well.”

  Now she was back to worrying, and sorrow tinged her voice. Continued happiness seemed to be too much to hope for.

  He wrapped his arm in hers. “Let’s look at our journey as an adventure, a mystery.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  He needed to give her a focus. “I don’t know how many islands are off the coast of Spain, but what if we pretend we are searching for a lost island—one that has never been found.”

  She stopped. “I don’t want to be stranded on any more islands. I don’t want to go on any more adventures. I don’t want to solve any more cases. I just want to go home.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. He felt worse than he had when he was beaten with the whip on Shelby’s ship.

  He pulled her into an embrace and smoothed her hair. “Magnolia, life is all about adventure. But we can table the talk for now if you like.”

  She sniffled. “I would like to discuss other things.”

  He rewrapped their arms. He really needed to think of something else to talk about. Were their adventures and investigating all they had in common? He certainly hoped not.

  ****

  It was as she had suspected. Without cases to solve they had nothing to discuss.

  She sucked her lower lip. When they arrived home he would go his way and she would go hers. There was no other solution. Unless she could find something they had in common.

  “Maybe we could discuss…”

  She didn’t enjoy needlepoint, cleaning, cooking, or other typical feminine pursuits. She loved to ride horses, traipse through the woods, investigate and learn new things. Adventure. She loved adventure as much as Justin.

  “Yes?”

  She sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think I enjoy Justice and Miss Quinn as much as you do and I can’t see myself not solving mysteries.”

  He released a breath. “Finally!”

  She slapped his arm. “Don’t get too excite
d.”

  He lifted his hands as if surrendering. “I’ll try to withhold my excitement.”

  She smiled. “Just don’t withhold it too much.”

  The ship bounced and rocked against the narrow dock. The vessel looked barely seaworthy. Barnacles clung to the undersides; seaweed hung from the rail; Spanish moss dangled from the bowsprit.

  Fog rolled across the water’s surface and the air chilled. She tugged the sleeves of the woolen gown until they covered half her hand. She moved closer to him.

  Clip, clop, clip, clop.

  “Welcome to the Barco Fantasma. I’m your captain, Carlos Drake.”

  Magnolia bit her lip. Captain Drake had a peg leg? She plastered a fake smile on her face and lowered her voice to speak to Justin. “Did he say ghost ship?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  She swallowed. The journey home looked to be more interesting than she’d hoped.

  ****

  Justin shared Magnolia’s concern, but Sir Walter had insisted the ship was the only one that would take them off the island and that was what Magnolia wanted. She wanted to go home. Back to the way things were. Where they were separated only by distance between their homes. At least she had admitted that she enjoyed adventures. That was a step in the right direction.

  Captain Drake stomped around the vessel, throwing his hands in the air. “Climb aboard. Our first stop will be Ibiza then we shall journey northward to the country of Spain.”

  Justin scratched a spot between his brows. He hadn’t expected to make the entire journey on the same vessel, but perhaps it would save time. Even if the captain seemed a little odd.

  Justin assisted Magnolia up the gangplank and the captain pulled the board onto the deck.

  Unlike the Captain’s Jewel, the Barco Fantasma didn’t have a captain’s cabin or fore-cabin, it was all main deck. The railing only rose to the height of his knees. In truth the Fantasma was little more than a raft. They would need to sit down to keep from sliding off into the ocean depths.