by Jo Goodman
It was like a game of chess, a tournament marked by stamina, patience, daring, and eerie silences. For an hour the Dark Lady flirted with the reef, swinging in graceful arcs, the pattern of her taunting movements marked by her frothy wake, sparkling bread crumbs for her opponent to follow. The Raleigh matched her steps, not gracefully, but competently and powerfully, as if she scorned the edge of strength which belongs to beauty.
It happened without warning. A powerful upsurge of water captured the Dark Lady, and the Raleigh was forgotten and Redland and Cloud battled for life at the helm. Her sails strained and her rudder groaned at the position it was expected to take. Her crew was pitched forward and sideways while in her belly the other Dark Lady cried out in fear and pain for three people who could never answer. Then, as if she were shivering in revulsion at the current’s domination, the ship shuddered from stem to stern and pulled free moments before the reef would have claimed her. It was only then that anyone dared to look back and see how the Raleigh had fared.
Sounds travel in water. The great wrenching and scraping of the Raleigh’s keel as it drove into the coral reef reverberated in an underwater chasm. The slicing of her underbelly and starboard side delivered a message of splintering wood and shredding metal in fanlike waves to nearby animal life.
On the surface those sounds were muted. What the crews of both ships thought they heard clearly, they heard only in their imagination.
Water rushed into the Raleigh’s hold and the frigate began to tilt at a dangerous angle before the boats could be lowered. The Dark Lady looked on as men began to abandon their ship and strike out toward her. By the time four boats had been released, filled to overflowing with men of the Raleigh’s crew, the surrounding water was dotted with the bodies of men who had been trapped in the current and was red with the blood of those who had been cut by the reef. One of the boats overturned before Cloud’s men could reach it with a hook. Sharks claimed all but fifteen of those lives. The remaining boats were towed until they were in sight of land and then were set free.
One hundred twenty men reached Anegada Island as the Dark Lady sailed to Roadtown. Horse Shoe reef held two hundred of their mates.
“Did you really have a girl named Prudence?”
Cloud’s chair fell backward as he leaped from his place near the window to the four-poster where Alexis was lying. She spoke as if she had been awake for hours, listening to some conversation and only now deciding she wanted to contribute.
He knelt beside the bed and placed a hand on her forehead. She was watching him curiously, as if she did not know why he looked so concerned.
“Sally! Her fever’s gone! Sally!” he called for Mrs. Grendon.
Alexis brushed his hand aside with an air of impatience that made him laugh.
“Yes, Alex. Prudence.”
She placed a finger on his cheek and traced a line Cloud thought was imaginary until he saw her finger come away wet.
“You’re crying,” she said softly, wonderingly. She found his hand and held it, feeling no need to say anything more as she drifted back to sleep.
It was this scene that Sally Grendon viewed from the threshold of the bedroom. She dabbed at her round violet eyes with a corner of her apron and closed the door quietly.
When Alexis woke later she demanded to be allowed out of bed. Sally would not hear of it and called Cloud and her husband to restrain her. The threat of both men holding her down was enough to make Alexis promise to stay put, but when Sally told her how long she had been ill she was hard pressed to make Alexis keep her word.
Cloud visited her for several hours, entertaining her with carefully selected episodes of the days she had missed. He told her nothing of the Raleigh, preferring her to remain ignorant of the dangers they had faced while she was still weak. He described the hospitality they had received from the townspeople and the Grendons’ generosity in opening their home to them while Sally took over caring for her.
“I think she suspects,” he whispered conspiratorially, brushing his thumb lightly along the sensitive underside of her wrist.
“Suspects what?” she whispered back, equally secretive.
“That I want to crawl into bed with you.”
She fell asleep with an attractive flush highlighting her features.
From that day on Alexis was permitted a few visitors each afternoon, and to insure that she received enough rest Sally gave her laudanum. Alexis took the drug but complained bitterly until it had its desired effect.
It was not until Alexis had been improving steadily for six days that Cloud enjoyed his first restful sleep. During the night he turned on his side, dreamily thinking his room had never been so warm or his bed so comfortable. He was asleep again before he could question the difference. When he woke to discover Alexis curled in his arms he was unhappy that she had left her room. Then she turned in his embrace and he wanted only to kiss the parted lips she presented.
“You shouldn’t be here with me,” he said gently. “Why did you leave your bed?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
Cloud sighed. “No, I guess not. It was all I could do to keep from joining you.”
“You should have. I’m much better.”
“You won’t be if Sally finds you here.”
“Oh, she’s pampering me too much. Don’t let her give me any more of that drug. I’ve missed so much already.”
“She pampers you because she cares and she’ll be here any minute looking for you. And it’s just as likely she’ll have my head as yours.”
She traced his mouth with her finger. “I couldn’t bear that. Help me back to my own room.”
Cloud washed and dressed quickly then carefully gathered Alexis into his arms and carried her down the hallway to her bed. “Let me look at your wound. If you opened it because you got out of bed then I won’t stop Sally from drugging you.” She consented wearily and he lifted her shift to remove the bandages. “No harm done,” he said after inspecting the livid gash. “She’ll be able to remove the stitches in a few days. You’re going to have to be more careful, Alex. You were very, very ill, and you can’t pretend you weren’t.”
“Promise you’ll stay here tonight.”
“I won’t promise, and if you don’t obey Sally I won’t even sleep in this house.”
“All right. You win. Do you suppose Sally will allow me to have a bath?”
“No, she won’t. She’ll give you a sponge bath later.”
“Please ask her to come here, Cloud. I can’t stand another day of being fawned over.”
“Most people enjoy it,” he said as he left the room, ducking to precisely the right moment to avoid the feather missile she threw at his head. In a few minutes he was back with Sally only a step behind him.
“If this is about getting out of bed you can think again, Alexis Quinton,” Sally said sternly as she smoothed her patient’s sheets.
“I will never understand how someone with such a round chin can be so stubbornly set in her ways.”
Sally looked at Alexis askance. “On this island stubborn and Alex Danty are synonymous.”
Cloud laughed and Alexis sighed to keep her mouth from curling at the corners. “When will I be able to take out my ship, Sally?”
“Give it some more time, Alexis. You’ve waited this long for Travers; another week won’t matter.”
“One week. Then we’re sailing. May I visit my ship today, perhaps review the repairs that were made?”
“You’d fall over before you reached the front door. I will not hear of it.”
“Then what will you hear of?” she demanded, frustrated at being under someone else’s supervision. “May I have a real bath?”
“No. You cannot get your stitches wet.”
Alexis dared Cloud to say I told you so. “May I work with Frank on the company books?”
“Yes, but in bed.”
“Am I allowed to get up at all?”
“No. I will not be responsible for wh
at would happen if you do.”
Alexis ignored the groan that came from Cloud when he heard Sally’s last sentence. “Then it’s settled,” she replied quickly, raising herself on her elbows. “I’ll be responsible.”
Too late Sally realized her mistake. She turned to Cloud for assistance. “Can you talk any sense into her?”
“I haven’t been able to yet.”
There was a long pause while Sally examined Alexis’s wound closely. Finally, she said, “Have it your way. But remember later that you forced me to do this.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t try anything strenuous. I’m glad you realize I can take care of myself.”
Cloud was appalled. “You can’t be serious, Sally. You can’t mean to allow her out of bed.”
Sally confirmed this with a nod of her head. “You heard her. She’s relieved me of the responsibility. She may do whatever she likes.” Her tone registered defeat but when Cloud opened the door for her she gave him a dimpled smile. It was a smile of victory.
Cloud stared at the closed door, as if it would give some clue to the woman’s behavior. No answers forthcoming, he focused his attention on Alexis’s struggle to get out of bed.
“You won’t get any help from me,” he told her.
“I was not aware I asked for any,” she said. But she could not conceal her grimace as she walked to the small cherry wood breakfast table only several feet from her bed. Nor could she hide her problem finding a position in a chair that caused only minimal discomfort.
“Why do you insist on being so stubborn, Alex?” Cloud asked her after he joined her at the table. “You’ve bullied Sally into going against her judgment. You are in no condition to be issuing orders—in or out of bed.”
“I won’t stay in this room a second longer than I have to.” She lifted her chin defiantly.
Cloud pushed away from her in disgust.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. Anywhere. I do know that I’m not staying around to watch you injure yourself. You promised not to do anything strenuous. Since you have already managed to get out of bed without toppling to the floor I assume you will want to try other, equally insane things.”
“But I thought you would share breakfast with me.”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” He opened the door but his path was blocked by Sally’s husband. Cloud stepped aside to let Frank enter.
When Frank realized Cloud was intending to leave he shook his head firmly. “My wife said you would be eating breakfast here. She doesn’t think Alexis should be alone.”
“And why is that?” Cloud remained poised between taking the initiative to leave and shutting the door.
“Sally just said she was not to be left alone.”
Alexis broke in. “It’s all right, Frank. If he wants to leave he can. You stay with me and we’ll go over those books you wanted me to see.”
“Oh, no,” Frank answered quickly. “That is, er—there’s nothing to do right now, not until we hear from Scott Hansom. He’s ten days late returning from Baltimore. When he arrives we’ll have a clearer picture of our profits.”
Alexis would have liked to inquire as to the possible reasons for Hansom’s delay, but she was sidetracked by the tray placed in front of her. The aroma of freshly cooked bacon stopped her from voicing an objection when Cloud shut the door and returned to his place at her side.
“Sally made these biscuits this morning,” Frank murmured, placing two on each plate. “And this tea is freshly brewed and piping hot. Sally says you’re to drink it that way, Alexis. She told me if you insist on getting out of bed you should have as much strength as you can.”
“You see, Cloud,” Alexis said, lifting her cup. “She hasn’t given up on me completely. She’ll worry and fret and complain, but she’ll help me do what I want.”
Cloud said nothing in return. He was more interested in Frank’s barely successful attempt to keep from grinning. He glanced from the man’s angular face to Alexis’s hands holding her cup and when he made the connection between Sally’s earlier confident smile and the steaming cup of tea, he raised his own cup to his lips to hide amusement and satisfaction.
After Frank was gone Cloud enjoyed his meal, ignoring Alexis’s attempts to justify her actions. When he was done he pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair, eyeing her expectantly.
“Why are you watching me that way, Cloud? It’s unnerving. It’s as though you hope I’ll collapse any moment.”
“I believe it is inevitable.”
She paid no attention to his smug tone. “I’m afraid I will disappoint you then. A good meal was all I needed. Indeed, I’m hardly in any pain at all.”
“Oh, yes. I’m certain the meal is responsible for your lack of pain. Just think: a filling meal, a hot bath, a trip to Dark Lady, and a decent burial beside the people you vowed to avenge.”
“Don’t say that. There’s no call to be cruel.” She shoved her plate away. Silverware to clatter to the floor.
“Cruel?” he asked conversationally. “I’m cruel because I don’t want to see you hurt? It’s cruel to point out that perversity will be your undoing? I’m cruel because I remind you of a promise?” He shrugged. “Maybe I don’t love you enough. Right now I’m not sure I even like you. I should probably tie you in bed and leave you there. Then I wouldn’t have to listen to your curses. I heard enough of them while you were ill.”
Alexis’s eyebrows arched dramatically. “What did I say?”
“Nothing you haven’t said to my face on occasion. I deserved it then. It’s just disconcerting to hear it when I haven’t done anything. And now you accuse me of cruelty. Madam, if you want to know the truth, I would like to beat some sense into you since reason doesn’t seem to be working!”
Stunned, hearing words from him she had never expected to hear, Alexis bolted upright in her chair. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“I would dare it, Alex,” he answered. There was a pause between each word for emphasis. “I would dare it, if I thought it would help.” The hard lines of his face softened as he continued to meet her accusing stare.
Alexis wondered at the change in his expression. She felt as if she were going to melt beneath his emerald gaze. She put the back of her hand on her forehead. It felt unnaturally hot. She smiled weakly, forgetting her anger, part of her even recognizing she was being unreasonably obstinate about her present situation. She got to her feet and moved to his side.
She had a fleeting thought that it was odd she felt no pain at all, but the thought was lost as he pulled at her hips and gently sat her on his lap.
“Please don’t be angry with me, Cloud. I know you think I deserve it, but I have to do things my way. I don’t want you to worry so much. I’ll be all right.”
“I know you will,” he said. She missed his smile because he pressed it into her hair.
“Of all the things I said while I had a fever…did I tell you I love you?” She whispered the words against his chest while she dismissed the euphoria taking hold of her as merely an indication of the intense pleasure she felt at being in his arms. She listened to the quickening of his heart, her ear pressed to the smooth material of his shirt.
“No. That was something you didn’t say.”
“Then I’ll tell you now.” She lifted her head, placing her hands on either side of his face, drawing him close. “I do love you. I love you…I adore you…everything about you.”
Cloud smiled. “I have a confession.”
Alexis laughed brightly. “Saying you love me won’t be much of a confession.”
“Don’t anticipate me,” he cautioned, kissing her forehead. He paused, another thought taking precedence before he said, “Tell me again.”
“I love you. Again? I love you. I worship you! I need you. I won’t tire of saying it, Cloud.” She felt pleasantly warm in his embrace. She knew her face was flushed, reflecting her desire and the overwhelming contentment she experienced when she was close to him. “I love
you,” she offered once more with no prompting. It sounded as young and earnest as the first time she’d ever said those words.
“Sally put laudanum in your tea.”
“What!” She intended it to be a cry of indignation but it came out as a groan of despair. She pushed away from Cloud and tried to stand. The euphoria was replaced by a heavy drowsiness and she recognized the drug was as much responsible for her flushed face as Cloud. When she realized her legs would not support her she accepted defeat, collapsing onto his lap, rather than fall to the floor. “I think you’re right. How could she do this?”
Cloud suppressed a grin at her plaintive cry. He carried her to bed and after he had covered her with a blanket he asked, “You’re not angry?”
“I’m furious.” The statement sounded inadequate to her own ears as she had to stifle a yawn. “Tell Sally I’m furious with her. She shouldn’t have done it. I don’t like not being in control…not being able to do things.”
“I know, but she warned you that you were forcing her. Don’t fight it now. Just rest.”
“Don’t leave.” She gripped his hand tightly to prevent an escape he never considered making. She struggled to keep her eyes open. “It’s not natural to fall asleep this way.”
Cloud heard the genuine despair in her voice and he placed his free hand over hers. “I’ll stay, Alex. I’ll be here when you wake. Promise you’ll wait until Sally says you are well enough before you try to do things again.”
Her eyes closed. “You ask so much.”
“Promise me,” he insisted gently.
“I promise.” Cloud had to bend close to her mouth to hear the words but upon hearing them he relaxed, certain she would keep her commitment.
In the following days there were many times Alexis regretted her promise. She accused Cloud of extracting the words under duress but he refused to listen to her. The knowledge that she had given her word, no matter the circumstances, and her dislike of the laudanum kept her confined to her room. When Sally pronounced her fit for cautious exercise she made no pretense of hiding her excitement. Similarly, Sally made no attempt to hide her displeasure when she overextended her time at the ship. Both women were irascible and irresistible by turns and Tanner Frederick Cloud opted to stay well out of the way when they disagreed.