sirenssong_132-Xe3.htm

by Siren's Song (lit)

  Philippe grabbed her hand again, then drew her toward him, "I will kill Laurent before I allow you to marry the Scot!"

  "Philippe how could you be so cruel, so mad? Laurent did not force me. I have chosen Jamie. I love him."

  "How very touching," an ugly sneer crossed Philippe’s lips. "You were engaged to me first, do you not remember, Nicolette? And now I insist you honor your word."

  "I remembered, but I must marry whom Laurent chooses, and I agree with his choice."

  "Did it take much encouragement, my sweet, before you agreed? Did you bestow favors on him that you did not give me?" Philippe grabbed her upper arms, and pulled her roughly to him, then shook her.

  "Have you allowed him to kiss you? Has he touched you? Nicolette, I must know!"

  Astonished, she felt shock ripple through her. He had seemed so cold and detached when he asked for her hand a few weeks before, as if it mattered so little, and he did not ask for so much as a kiss. Yet, now he appeared so passionate that the deranged look in his eyes frightened her.

  "Laurent forced you and I will rectify that injustice. Indeed, it is my greatest desire to call him out," Philippe laughed. "He is mine to kill for this!"

  A shiver raced down Nicolette’s arms, "No! This has nothing to do with Laurent. Please listen to me! This was my decision. I swear I love Jamie."

  Philippe shook her again, "First he takes Madeleine away and now you. He deserves to die."

  "Please," a sob caught in her throat and fear coursed through her body. "I will not let you harm him!"

  Suddenly Philippe changed again. His voice became a whisper, "How will you stop me, Chere? What will you give to keep your precious brother safe?"

  She shrank away as he touched her cheek.

  "What? You willingly give tokens of love to a barbaric peasant, yet you cringe at my touch?" Philippe pulled her roughly against him, "Allow me show you what pleasure can be yours, Chere! You will taste very sweet. Your body is young, beautiful, supple, and ready for a man’s touch," he laughed.

  The maniacal sound made her shiver again.

  "Think of the joy when your brother finds you here in the garden ruined," Philippe pulled her to him, then kissed her savagely, as his hands moved over her body.

  She bit him and he moved back howling, holding his hand across his mouth. She stood unyielding, her hands in fists at her waist, daring him to do more. Her voice rose with every word she spoke. "I hate to disillusion you, but it would be difficult to ruin soiled goods. You see, Jamie and I are already lovers," she laughed. "Lovers."

  Philippe raised his hand as if to strike her, but instead his frown turned into a grin, "So, I was not the only man to watch you bathe. To see the luscious, full breasts, or the bright sun fire curls beneath your chemise," he laughed again. The lewd sound made her cringe. "And to think that I believed you chaste. I wanted to wait until we were married, until it was completely in my power to destroy your soul as your brother tortured mine, but you have provoked my sleeping demons. I will have you as you are, perhaps a small taste of what is to come?"

  Her hand flew to his face, but he caught it in mid-air, then slapped her, causing her head to jerk backward. Before she could recover, he pulled her to him, ravishing her lips in a brutal kiss. Pain raced through her as his teeth tore her tender flesh. She felt the warm blood well in her mouth.

  He sneered as she struggled. "Scream!" he smiled. His enjoyment quite evident, "Yes, please do. I think I will like it if Laurent comes rushing to help you." His large hand clamped over her mouth again. "On second thought, perhaps that would not be best. But the time will yet come when you will scream, and no one will hear you, just as it was with Madeleine."

  She bit his finger and he slapped her.

  "You bitch!" He pulled her to him, one hand reaching around her, holding her close, as his other hand cupped her breast painfully. "Indeed, those full young breasts, yearning for the touch of a man, a civilized man, not a barbarian. You have been begging for this since I first saw you at the lake."

  His hard lips closed brutally over hers and he forced her backwards, so far that she worried she might fall. Fear gripped her at the thought, and she began to tremble. The last thing she wanted was to have him on top of her. She could never fight him then. Her strength ebbed with each passing moment, and her breath came in uneven gasps.

  "So now, tell me that you will marry me. Tell me! Beg me for my caress. Tell me you do not wish to marry the barbarian. Plead for the mercy of my touch. Do it now, or..."

  Suddenly, forcefully, Philippe flew through the air and into the bushes. Relief flooded though her, her knees were weak, and she thought for a moment she might faint.

  "Jamie!" Nicolette turned, wanting nothing more than to be held securely in his arms, but she stopped suddenly when she gazed into the blue fury of his eyes.

  Jamie’s voice was deep and harsh, "You bastard! I thought you naught but a jackanapes, but now I see you are but a coward. Away with you, tempt not my wrath."

  Philippe stood and walked to them, then brutally gripped Nicolette’s arm. Tears welled in her eyes as Philippe pulled her toward him, but she was too weak to fight, and simply pushed ineffectually against his chest.

  "And what makes you think the lady unwilling?" Philippe said with a sneer.

  "Unwilling or no, unhand my betrothed or I shall kill you."

  Philippe leaned down and whispered in Nicolette’s ear, "Meet me tomorrow morning at the footbridge at six, or I shall kill your beloved Jamie and send Laurent to the Bastille. Do you understand? Tell no one or I shall kill them both for sport." He pushed her away then walked quickly up the path.

  Nicolette was suddenly grabbed from behind and turned around.

  "So Lass, the very night of our betrothal I catch you with another man! And your old beau as well."

  At first she thought he was jesting, but found no humor written in eyes, "It is not what you think, I swear it!"

  His voice sounded like thunder when he spoke next, "Tell me, my lady, how often do you entertain guests in the garden? It seems only a short while ago you amused me here."

  She could not believe that he would accuse her of such deceit, but she noted his face darken with rage.

  Jamie’s grip tightened around her arm. She looked down at his fingers, blinking away the tears. He pulled her slowly toward him, and she began to know true fear. His anger was so much more threatening than Phillipe’s. She tried to step back but could not move. He shook her and pulled her toward him again. Her arm ached where he held her and she began to tremble, as the terror of the last few moments and the anguish of Jamie’s anger, ravaged her body.

  "Is this where he first asked for your hand?"

  Jamie looked around the garden, suddenly quiet. She felt the suppressed fury and shuddered. Philippe’s threat seemed almost comical to her now. His had been so much easier to deal with, to control, even in his madness.

  Nicolette gazed into his eyes, and wondered if they really held bolts of lightning, ready to punish her for her sins as she imagined. My sins? The thought seemed to give her strength. She had done nothing wrong!

  "No, you do not understand! It was not like that, he forced me here."

  Jamie shook his head, "Lady, there was a ballroom full of people, yet you did not cry out. My own men were there, still you slipped away and said nothing. I heard no protests as I walked down this path."

  Nicolette’s heartbeat raced, and she shrank from him, "Jamie, listen to me please, your distrust is unwarranted. I have done nothing wrong. He pulled me away while we were dancing. I tried to stop him but he dragged me here."

  "Then why did you not call for help?"

  He released her, then looked deep into her eyes, and it felt like a knife went through her heart from the pain of his censure.

  "I fought him!" She put her hand on his arm, but he shook it away, the anger in the cruel taunting edge of his voice evident.

  "It did not look that way to me. Indeed, it seemed as if you we
re enjoying his attentions."

  Nicolette felt her body flush with heat, from both anger and humiliation, "How dare you say that! How could you accuse me of such a thing."

  Jamie laughed, "I dare." He cupped her chin with his hand. "Tell me my lady, how many times did he watch you bathe at the lake? Were you expecting a visit from Philippe that morning?"

  His finger pushed the torn sleeve of her dress upward. "No lover?" he whispered.

  An expression of disgust covered his face, and Nicolette felt hot blood storming to the surface. She lifted her eyes to his, "Mon Dieu, is that what you really think? That I lure men to the lake to watch me bathe."

  Jamie gazed deep into her eyes, "I believe that is what he said siren, just before I arrived at your tryst."

  "No!" Nicolette was furious and she stomped her foot. "Zut! How dare you say such things to me, you barbarian!"

  A less than gentle hand shook her until she thought she would faint. Jamie smiled. "Aye, back to that again. Yet, even as an uncivilized savage I will not allow you to see that coward again! Do you understand?" He tilted her face to his. The edge in his voice a silky, frightening, caress. "I found the letter that day at the stream, the one you were so desperately trying to deliver to him."

  Nicolette gasped and shook her head, unable to speak.

  "Aye. The one where you asked him to come and save you?" Jamie’s eyes glittered dangerously. "You are mine, Lass, now and forever. He cannot take you from me. I thought we were long past your desire to marry him. Only yesterday you told me you loved me."

  "Jamie, please, you are mistaken, I..." Nicolette felt a tremor of fear again course through her body.

  "Frightened?" Cruelty laced his voice.

  She looked into his eyes, and could almost see the pain reflected there, "I wrote that letter, but everything has changed since then. Can you not see that I feared falling in love with you then? The letter was a terrible mistake." Her voice thick with tears, "You do not understand. Philippe is quite mad. He..."

  Jamie’s visage turned grim, his voice was a raw deep, whisper. "Do not mention his name!" he shook her. "You will not see him again under any circumstances. I will not allow it. Do you understand?"

  Nicolette pulled away from him, completely torn. A sob caught in her throat. She needed him now more than ever before, but he would not listen. Her heart was breaking, and her fear of Philippe grew with every passing minute. God help her, but she would have to disobey him this one last time.

  "You do not answer me, Nicolette."

  Jamie pulled her violently back into his arms and held her so tightly, that for a moment she thought he meant to crush her. His lips descended in a deliberately punishing kiss so like the first one at the lake that a sob tore at her throat. Choking back her tears she struggled, refusing to plead for mercy. Indeed, there would be no use. She could see it in his eyes.

  Despair filled her soul, and she went limp in his arms. Suddenly, his kiss changed, becoming soft and sensual, and his touch a teasing caress. Against her will a tremor rippled through her, and she cringed realizing he must have felt it too.

  Jamie raised his head, gazed into her eyes, and smiled, "So, you hunger for my touch even now."

  Courage came to her from nowhere, and her hand flew threw the air. The deafening slap resounded into the night air.

  Jamie’s head snapped to the side, then he turned to face her. The back of his hand rose into the air but stilled.

  Nicolette stood straight, facing him fearlessly, "You cannot tell me what to do nor beat me like a servant."

  Jamie smiled, "The wildcat has returned."

  She felt her cheeks grow warm, "Zut!"

  "Nicolette!" Jamie’s eyes widened with surprise.

  "Zut alors! If I were only a man I would call you out and run you through for that last insult!"

  He turned away but his laugh erupted wildly.

  Confusion filled her as she wondered how his mood could change so quickly. She realized her error when she gazed in the icy blue fire in his eyes. He grabbed her bruised wrist and whirled her around.

  Jamie leaned forward, "Perhaps it is time."

  "Time?" Her voice sounded as bewildered as she felt.

  "Yes. Time to learn who is your master," Jamie pulled her into his arms and plundered her mouth. Deep kisses, one after the other, savage kisses, kisses filled with his need for her.

  Nicolette fought him, pounding against his chest, until a shiver raced down her spine. She trembled, her fury at his arrogance mingling with the confusion she always felt at his touch. This time she would not surrender! This time he would apologize.

  Nicolette pulled away and slapped his face again, "No, you are not my master, and I will not allow you to treat me thus. I will not have you like this! Not like this! Voyeur!"

  Jamie roared, "God’s teeth, vixen! How much can a man endure! I felt your tremble! I know you want me."

  Nicolette gasped, "How dare you! There is so much more to this than my desire for you. We need more to build a life with...I need trust, not simply your lust!"

  "Aye lass, there is much more, to build a life we need love, but how can there be love when your skin still bears the marks of another man? A man that has seen you at the lake and touched your body!"

  "No. There has been no other. Search your heart! You know it’s true. There is only you."

  Jamie pushed her away, roaring in frustration, then turned so quickly that his kilt flipped high and she saw a peek of his derriere. She felt an insane urge to laugh one moment and sob the next.

  "Jamie," she called softly after him, begging for reprieve, but he did not stop. "Jamie, come back."

  Jamie! Pain ripped through her heart. After last night how could he think she would invite the touch of another man, and worse Philippe’s? Her soul felt as if it had been torn from her body with his callous disbelief. Nicolette turned and walked toward the summerhouse, unseeing, uncaring, until she stood silently in the middle of the latticed room with one fist pressed against her mouth.

  Moonlight poured down upon her. She looked down with sadness at her beautiful gown, brought from Paris for her special day, now wrinkled and torn. One sleeve was far down on her arm, she pushed at it hatefully. Jamie thought she invited Philippe’s touch! She shivered in revulsion.

  Unable to control her emotions, tears began to flow down her cheeks. Her feet felt leaden, too heavy to move. Finally, she leaned into the darkest corner, slid to the floor, with her legs tucked beneath her and her skirt billowing out in a puffy cloud.

  The silvery light seemed to make even the long, empty shadows seem desolate and lonely, and a sob escaped.

  "This isn’t the way it was supposed to be! It should have been perfect," she dabbed her eyes with her hand. "Why did he say those hateful things?"

  Nicolette began to cry again, at first only a few tears, then it became heart-wrenching sobs. "What am I to do now?" she whispered.

  Thirteen

  The loud crunch of his feet slamming against the stone path echoed into the night as Jamie stalked away. Fury, like a molten river of fire, flowed through his veins as he mindlessly walked toward the verandah. He suddenly stopped.

  A fop dressed in cream satin and brocade took a woman’s hand, kissing her wrist. She laughed then opened her fan with a snap, flirting outrageously.

  "God’s teeth!" his voice so loud the couple jumped. "Is that how Philippe approached Nicolette? Does she yet love the milksop then? I had thought that long since past." Muttering to himself, he began to pace back and forth, "Is she so much like my own mother? Are all women alike? Are they not to be trusted?" Yet, even as he said the words, he did not believe it was true, not of Nicolette. Then after several minutes, Jamie walked up the staircase entering the dim room above. A low flickering fire gave the library some illumination, and he found the darkness soothing. Relieved to be alone he poured himself a drink at the sideboard then moved silently to stand at the window overlooking the gardens. He noted the same couple drifting i
nto the shadow of the trees and remembered Nicolette in Philippe’s arms. Jumbled thoughts tore through him like a hot knife, as he sorted through feelings of anger and jealousy, yet he failed to come to a resolution. Miserable, after two long hours of pacing, he marched toward Alec’s room. The door slammed against the wall with a crack as he entered.

  Alec jumped, "Jamie, ye must learn ta knock. Do ye ken Marie hates ye bargin’ in ta my room!"

  His cousin stood naked and from the look on his face he clearly wanted to do battle. Jamie nearly laughed then realized his lack of consideration, "I..." he cleared his throat. "Sorry Alec, I forgot about the last time I rushed into your room. I’ll knock in the future," he smiled. "Now, aren’t you glad to see me?"

  His cousin nodded, "Aye, I always am." Alec grabbed a plaid that had been thrown over a chair and wrapped it around his waist. "Tell me why are ye here? Ye look none to cheerful."

  "I’ve never been so angry in all my life! I have worn myself out with the fury."

  "What are ye talking about man?"

  Jamie’s voice rose, "I caught Nicolette with Philippe in the garden tonight."

  "Nicolette?" Alec shook his head. "Alone?"

  "Aye, alone. When we left the library I searched everywhere for her. Finally, I walked through the gardens thinking she might be in the summerhouse, and found them together on the path," Jamie whispered. "In a heated embrace."

  "Are ye sure man?" Alec led Jamie to a chair near the fireplace, but he refused to sit, and instead he put an arm on the mantle and rested his head there.

  "Aye. I saw them with my own eyes."

  "Jamie..."

  "She was in his arms! Needless to say, I dispatched him. She denied everything, yet I saw her and heard his words! There was no need for her to lie." He took a deep breath. "The day she sprained her ankle, she had a letter that she lost in the fall, begging Philippe to come home. I have it yet."

  "He did not come," Alec smiled.

  Jamie shook his head, "he never received the letter. I kept it with me, and Nicolette did not know that I found it. I believe she wrote another."