“Oh, by the way,” Anna said, “Sylvie is here.”
His hand froze. “Oh, by the way?” he asked pointedly.
Anna shrugged. “I’ve been trying to pretend she’s elsewhere. You can’t blame me for wanting to put her out of mind.”
Clare wondered who this Sylvie might be, and why Anna’s news had garnered the reaction it had.
“How long has she been here?” he asked tightly.
“Since March. Apparently her husband asked that she leave. She said she had no place else to go.”
“Couldn’t convince anyone else to take her in.”
“Is that any wonder?” Anna replied, her sarcasm plain. “She spent the first two days here making demands and ordering me to do her bidding, all of which I ignored.”
Dominic sighed inwardly. It had been his hope that he and Clare would be able to settle in and enjoy each other until the time came for her to sail home, but now he had to remove the snake from paradise first. Sylvie had once been his mistress, but her faithless, lying nature caused him to send her packing. She was a vixen in bed. Out of bed he learned not to trust a word she uttered. It was a given she wouldn’t leave his house quietly or willingly, but she would go. He refused to have her sully Clare’s small taste of freedom. He looked down into her dark eyes and ran his eyes over the features he’d remember always. “Are you comfortable?” he asked quietly.
“I am.”
“Good. Plan on being so for your entire stay.”
Her shy nod pleased him.
“How long have you lived in this place?” she asked.
“Four years.”
“That’s not very long.”
“No, but with each passing year our roots grow deeper, more children are born, and our harvests increase.” For a world that he and the others created, the colony’s success was a remarkable achievement.
Travel was slow but it gave him the opportunity to point out the rivers and the wealth of fruit trees that later in the year would be thick with bounty like bananas and mangoes, both of which were foreign to her.
Clare couldn’t believe how many different kinds of birds there were. “I’ve never seen such a variety.”
“At one time this was called Isla de Cotorras.”
Clare made the Spanish translation. “Parrot Island?”
“Yes, it’s also been called Isla de Tesoros.”
“Treasure Island?”
“Yes. During the age of Blackbeard and Bellamy when piracy ruled, ships regularly stopped here to take on fresh water or hunt for food. Legend has it that some also buried treasure.”
“Has any been found?”
“Not as far as I know.”
Clare didn’t know what to say about this adventure she was on. Her previous life had been so narrow and colorless, she felt like an emerging hermit staring directly up into the sun. Pirates, sea battles, and musical compositions bearing her name. Who knew existence could be so rich? Having accompanied the Sullivans all over Europe, she thought she knew how people lived, yet this was something different entirely, and it was threatening to take her breath away. The moment Dominic carried her off the frigate and onto the Marie a new woman arose, one who walked freely, thought freely, and watched sunsets at her leisure. One who’d been kissed by a man and given tastes of passion and desire. It was all so heady Clare was surprised she was still upright. She stole a quick glance over at his face. He caught the look and gave her a smile that made her insides melt. The day he abducted her from the frigate, it never occurred to her that in the end she might be thankful, but at that moment she was, very.
A short while later they entered an area that had been cleared of trees. The open land, now fields, stretched for seemingly miles. A sea of bright green shoots dotted the rich black soil. “What crop is that?”
“Sugarcane, the life’s blood of the Caribbean.”
A settlement of small wooden houses flanked the fields, and behind it stood a tall stone wall that hid from view whatever might be on the other side.
“Welcome to Liberté,” he said, picking up her hand and pressing the tips of her fingers to his lips in a gesture one part formal and a hundred parts sensual.
Freedom, she thought, translating the word and trying to remain unmoved by the sensations flaring from his eyes to hers. “Thank you.”
“I hope you will enjoy my hospitality.”
“And if I do not?”
“Then I shall try harder to please you.”
That took her breath away.
As the wagon rolled closer she saw people in the fields and near the houses, many of whom came running at their approach, calling Dominic’s name. Anna halted the mules so he could speak with them. They were as happy to see him as the crowd down by the water had been and were of African descent as well. They stared at Clare curiously and he made the introductions. When he was done, Clare looked at all the faces. She was certain she wouldn’t remember many of the names but they greeted her warmly.
Anna got the mules moving again and the wagon rumbled its way through the large arch opening in the wall. They entered an enormous stone plaza that was surrounded by what could only be described as a small castle of Spanish design, complete with intricate ironwork over the windows and making up the many verandahs attached to the wall face. A few of the windows even had stained glass. The sand-colored structure looked old, as though aged by time and weather.
“This is your home?” she asked, turning his way.
He chuckled at the surprise on her face and threading her voice. “Yes. It was built by the Spanish at the close of the last century.”
In spite of the age and worn condition the building was spacious and beautiful.
“The Spanish king required that all of their colonies erect a church, along with a building to conduct crown business and a mansion for the governor. The people here only got around to building the mansion before abandoning the island.”
As Anna drew the mules to a halt, Clare viewed the tunnellike alcoves leading from the plaza into the house. A weathered bell hung in a battered stone tower rising from one of the cone-shaped roofs.
“Christopher Columbus was the first European to drop anchor here.” He undid the wagon gate and stepped out. “Spain enslaved the native population but lost them all to the diseases the Spanish brought with them.”
Once again he placed his hands on her waist and gently swung her out and onto her feet. “They abandoned this outpost a half century ago.”
Clare stood on suddenly wobbly legs. From past voyages she knew this was to be expected after so much time aboard ship and that it might take a day or so for her body to accustom itself to walking on solid ground again.
He seemed to be cognizant of what was going on with her and so scooped her up into his strong arms.
“Put me down!” she said, scandalized. Richmond was viewing them with humor, but his grandmother’s face was closed.
“Put me down, Dominic! I can manage on my own.” Although Clare didn’t know a thing about Richmond’s grandmother, something inside made her wish for the woman not to think her weak and in need of coddling.
Clare was just about to restate her demand when a tall, brown-skinned woman dressed in an expensive-looking green gown swept into view. Her stomacher and petticoats were of high quality, and the lace at her wrists flowed elegantly. Beneath her lacy cap, the features of her face were too sharp to be considered truly beautiful, but she had a regal bearing and appeared to be well endowed.
The sight of Clare in Dominic’s arms brought her to an abrupt stop. Viewing Clare up and down as if she were an ugly insect she asked him coolly, “Your latest plaything?”
He slowly lowered Clare back to her feet. “Anna, will you escort Clare in, please.”
Anna, shooting daggers at the woman, replied to him with a terse nod, while her grandson looked on coldly.
Before they departed, Dominic took a moment to gently raise Clare’s chin. “I’ll join you in a moment, petite.”
Chapter 7
W
alking with Clare and Richmond by her side, Anna sniffed, “With any luck, she’ll be on a boat back to Jamaica by sunset.”
“Lord willing,” Richmond replied.
Anna had already given Clare the impression that she didn’t care for the woman and this was further proof. As much as Clare wanted to know the extent of their relationship with Sylvie, she didn’t ask. Being a servant herself, she knew gossip was frowned upon, and she didn’t wish to put Anna in an awkward position.
“Miss Clare, I’ll be leaving you now, but I shall see you this evening,” Richmond said, favoring her with a bow very much reminiscent of his captain.
“Thank you, Richmond. You’ve been very kind.”
After placing a kiss on his grandmother’s cheek and receiving a strong hug in response, he left them to seek what Clare supposed were his own quarters.
“He’s a fine young man, Anna.”
“I’ve done my best to honor my daughter, his mother, with his raising.” She didn’t say more, so any questions Clare might have had about the powder monkey’s personal life went unspoken.
A few short steps later, Anna pulled open a large iron grille that led them into a quiet courtyard awash with tropical blooms that scented the air. From her travels with the Sullivans, Clare knew that in Spain such places were known as piazzas. Stone benches flanked a reflecting pool built into the marble plaza. The enclosure had a peaceful, restful atmosphere that was almost palpable.
“This is beautiful.”
“Yes it is. The captain sits out here to relax, and when he needs to think over things.”
Clare wondered if this was the same piazza he’d made mention of on the Marie when he’d whispered his desire to have her stand nude in the sunlight. The scandalous thought scalded her cheeks. Hastily setting it aside, she focused on following Anna across the marble-paved way of the stone-capped breezeway. She couldn’t help but wonder about what Dominic and the Sylvie woman might be discussing, though. What if he decided he’d rather entertain her instead of Clare? Yet another thought she put aside because she didn’t wish to dwell on it or the possible ramifications.
They entered the house through another intricately worked iron gate. The interior with its soaring curved ceilings was many degrees cooler than it had been outdoors, and was filled with diffused light from the windows. To her left she saw an elegantly furnished sitting room, anchored by an enormous fireplace with fine Turkish rugs spread across the marble floors. She and Anna climbed a stone stairway to an upper floor and then walked down an expansive hall. Every few feet there were elegantly carved wall niches that might have held statuary at one time but now stood empty. At the hallway’s end stood another decorative grille, and behind it an imposing, heavy wood door with aged brass fittings.
Inside Clare’s eyes were caught first by the wealth of hanging panels of gold-toned netting flowing about the entrance, and as she advanced farther, by the view through the wide pane-free windows of the sparkling blue Caribbean off in the distance. Only then did she see the bed. The area around it was draped in the same fine-gauge netting, and it appeared to be even larger than his bed on the ship. The highly polished wood and the gilt-edged headboard with its monogrammed inset could have easily come from Versailles. “Is this the captain’s quarters?”
“It is,” Anna replied.
“Might there be another room for me to use?”
Anna studied her for a silent moment. “You don’t wish to be in here with him?”
“If he needs privacy, I’d like to spare myself the embarrassment of having to move elsewhere.” Clare had always been a realist and in spite of Dominic’s promises to her on the Marie, she had no idea what would really happen between him and the tall and elegant Sylvie. If he chose to entertain her instead, Clare didn’t want to be in the way.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“Then come.”
They left the room, and Anna led her back down to the other end of the hall and around a corner. The room they entered next also looked out on the water, but was smaller, as was the bed.
“I’ll have to get bedding,” Anna explained.
Clare could see the bare mattress. “If you bring it to me I can place it on the bed.”
Anna stared again.
“Is something the matter?”
“I’m not sure.” For a few more moments she evaluated Clare silently, then shook her head. “You are certainly nothing like the others he’s brought here.”
Clare didn’t say anything but Anna must have seen something in her eyes because she added, “I like you. Settle yourself in and I will return with bedding. Is Gaspar bringing your trunks?”
“I have none.”
“No? The others usually arrive with trunks bursting with gowns and make straight for his bed. You undoubtedly have an interesting story to tell.”
Clare’s eyes lit with humor but she didn’t respond further.
“I will bring the bedding and send someone up with water so you may bathe.”
The idea that she would soon get to bathe made Clare want to kiss the woman. “Thank you, Anna.”
“You are welcome, miss. I’ll return shortly.”
Downstairs in the courtyard, Dominic was eager to join Clare but had to rid himself of Sylvie first. She was trying to make the process difficult.
“But Dominic, where will I go?” she asked, pouting.
“Back to Jamaica and your husband.”
“He’s forbidden me to return. I told you the old fart caught me with one of the grooms. It was very embarrassing but what’s a woman like me supposed to do for pleasure? I certainly don’t find any with him, and besides,” she said, sidling closer and draping her arms sinuously around his neck, “we both know I can warm your bed better than that one who is with you. I doubt she’ll consent to any of the things I know you’ll want her to do.”
A muscle tightened angrily in Dominic’s jaw as he gently but firmly removed her arms. “If you have nowhere to go you should have considered that before being mounted by one of Lord Kinney’s stable hands.” Her husband, Lord Kinney, was a retired Jamaican official. He was well up in age, and although she’d known that when they married last summer, at the time her desires had centered solely on having unlimited access to his gold. “Either remove yourself and your belongings, or I’ll have placed them out by the road.”
“But Dominic—” she whined pitifully.
“Good day, Sylvie.” He bowed with icy formality and strode off.
Dominic entered his room, and the familiar sight of his sanctuary coupled with the idea of sharing it with Clare put a smile on his face. Now that he no longer had to contend with Sylvie, Clare filled his mind. He walked farther into the room expecting to find her there, but was met by echoing silence. Perplexed, he did a quick search of the rooms that led off his suite of rooms. No Clare. Thinking she must be somewhere with Anna, he strode back to the stairs. Anna was ascending, her arms laden with bedding. “Where’s Clare?”
“In the blue room.”
“Why?”
“That is the room she chose. She wants to give you privacy in case you need it.”
Dominic didn’t understand.
“She’s not like the others you’ve brought to the island.”
“I agree, and it’s those differences that make her so special.”
“I like her.”
That pleased him. Anna was very special to him as well, even if she did tend to be abrasive more often than not. “Why would she think I’d need privacy?”
“Sylvie, maybe?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe to you. To her, maybe not.”
Dominic sighed. “I’ll just have to move her back.”
“That is her decision.”
“Then I’ll have to change her mind. Give us some time alone b
efore you come up.”
Anna nodded.
While waiting for Anna to return, Clare stepped out onto the verandah connected to the small room and looked out towards the water. They’d sailed in from the south, so the windows were facing north. She could see the southern coastline of Cuba’s main island. Somewhere beyond it and the glistening sea were the colonies and home. She wondered how the war was faring. Had the rebels surrendered, or were the crown’s forces on the run? Were the patriots still holding Savannah, or had the British invaded and restored the city to the crown? There was no way of knowing. Being on the Marie and now here had distanced her so much from the everyday events on the continent that her former life might as well have been imaginary. It wasn’t, of course, and neither were her children, but at the moment she felt as if she were living inside a dream.
Her musings were interrupted by the sounds of footsteps in the room. She glanced in, and there stood Dominic. Her heart skipped. As he joined her out on the verandah he focused his gaze on the sea.
“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” he asked, looking down at her.
“Spectacular.”
Because he was gazing at her so intently, she set her eyes back on the panoramic view.
“Anna tells me you have chosen this room. May I ask why?”
She offered a tiny shrug. “I assume you and Sylvie were once together and I didn’t wish to be an impediment if you decided to take up with her again.”
He asked her softly, “Did I give you any indication that I might?”
“No, you didn’t, but truthfully, I haven’t much experience with men. However, I watched Violet’s intended pursue her for nearly two years with pretty words and promises, only to not show himself at the church on the day they were to marry.”
“I see. So you were trying to spare yourself and your feelings just in case.”
“Yes. I may not know men but I know that I will not share you, Dominic, no matter how short the time we spend together.”
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