by Dana Roquet
She emerged with her hair dripping small trails into the tub behind her and opened her eyes to be met by a velvety brown gaze peering at her from the foot of the tub.
“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming up for air.” Stephen said with a chuckle, as his eyes dipped to her breasts that were visible above the water line. He leaned his chin upon his hands resting on the rim of the tub and sighed, “Lord you are beautiful.”
Desiree slipped lower in the water, covering her bosom with her arms, “What are you doing here? How did you get in? Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?”
Stephen allowed his fingers to drag through the water, “I used the door.” He cocked his head in that direction, “You sound angry. You are aren’t you?” he smiled sheepishly.
“Why don’t you just use the door once more and leave.” She gave him a withering glare.
The smile faded from his lips and he sobered, “I am so terribly sorry about this morning. I would like to explain.”
“No need!” Desiree cut him off, “You owe me no explanations.”
“Please Desiree, I do owe you one. I would like to talk to you about Vanessa.”
She felt the panic rising. He was going to confess his long standing affair with that woman and she sat up to her neck in water unable to escape and avoid facing her fears.
“It does not matter to me.” She lied, “I do not wish to discuss it. Just leave please and allow me to bathe in peace.”
Stephen rose from the tub and enjoyed the view of her form beneath the water from his heightened vantage point, “I know you are upset and I understand that—but believe me Desiree I had no idea she would be so vicious or crude.”
“I do not want to talk about it.” Desiree stressed again sharply.
Stephen watched her face and the unfathomable emotions fleeting across her features. The deep violet blue stare was piercing. He growled in frustration and turned away, moving across the room. Leaning against the door leading to the balcony, he crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated her silently.
“Tell me what you are thinking about Desiree. Tell me what is on your mind.”
“I am thinking that I wish you would go and let me enjoy my bath!”
“You are being impossible! I am trying to apologize for the scene this morning!” he strode back to the tub and knelt beside her.
“You have apologized and I thank you for that Captain—now leave!” she said hotly, taking up a bar of soap and glaring into his eyes as she began to lather a trim arm.
“Damn it!” he barked in frustration and slammed his hand against the rim of the tub, before rising and pacing before her, “Please talk to me!”
“I have nothing to say. I am quite fine—really!” Desiree assured with a brittle and unconvincing smile.
He came to an abrupt halt, “Oh?” he questioned with eyebrows raised in disbelief. He rolled the sleeve of his shirt up above his elbow, “Really? Well—we shall see…” he said bending at her side once more and dropping to one knee as he gently grasped her hair, tilting her head back as his mouth swooped down upon hers in a passionate kiss, while his hand dipped below the water to caress her body.
The reaction was immediate and Desiree fought with vengeance, grasping his hand and digging her nails into his wrist as she struggled to free her mouth from his. He withdrew as she pushed him away from her and he sat back upon his heels, rolling down his sleeve with a satisfied smile.
“Hardly the response I would have received a day ago. Admit it! You are mad! Furious at me, for her comments!” he paused briefly, then spoke again with a voice raised in pitch and full of amazement, “And why is it you turned on me this morn? Had you given me a chance I would have responded to her questions and snide remarks but instead you attacked me with your words.”
Desiree ignored him, rinsing and standing up, she wrapped a towel about her body and stepped from the tub, moving to the door, “Please leave Stephen. I don’t want to argue with you.” She sighed wearily.
He pushed the open door shut, glaring down into her eyes, “The hell I will! I am staying right here until we get this talked out. I cannot survive another dose of your hatred in this lifetime!”
“Very well Stephen! Let’s talk about it shall we?” she hissed vehemently, “Tell me Stephen—how many times have you bedded that woman?”
His eyes narrowed but he made no response.
“What is this?” Desiree questioned with wide eyes, “Nothing to say now?”
A grin broke across his face and she was surprised to hear him chuckle. She wanted to slap that grin off his handsome face but she moved around him and crossed the room, dropping the towel and donning her chemise. He followed her across the room and turned her to face him.
“You are jealous! That’s it, isn’t it?” he asked softly, reaching out to touch her bare arm in a gentle caress.
“I am not jealous!” she snapped jerking away from his touch. “I asked you a very simple question and you refuse to answer it! Why is that Stephen?”
“You have no reason to be. There is absolutely nothing between her and I.” He stated simply.
She wanted to claw his face and confront him with all that she knew. To tell him that she was aware of, at least, some of what he and Vanessa had shared in recent days. To inform him of all she had overheard at the shop, seen on the ship, on the lawn. But more than any of this, she wanted him to answer this question and admit the truth she was already certain of. His expression told her she would not receive an answer but an idea formed quickly as she probed his eyes and studied his handsome face. She remembered a time on the Windward when she had asked of his past and she remembered what had finally brought him to respond.
Her face softened and with a deliberately measured, seductive smile, she sighed as if resigning herself to defeat and moved across the room where she lay upon her bed facing him and draped her arm along her waist and hip, “I am waiting for your answer.” She said with a soft smile.
Stephen frowned, approaching the bed and stopping just short. He looked down at the soft alluring vision, suspiciously. “What is this Desiree? What game are you playing now?”
“Game? Not I.” She laughed innocently. She slid over, giving him room to join her and then ran her hand up the inside of his thigh and was amazed by the rapid response of his body.
Stephen shook his head in bemusement but lay down beside her and tested her lips hesitantly. Desiree moved atop him as her lips clung to his and she caressed his body through his clothing. She pulled her shift over her head, letting it flutter to the floor and then shook her damp hair into a cascading mane that fanned about her body. She opened his shirt, caressing his chest with her breasts.
“Tell me Stephen.” She urged softly, “Surely you can give it an attempt, a guess.”
“It doesn’t matter Desiree.” He whispered. “It is only you I want.”
She realized that he was beginning to take control of the situation. He pulled her beneath him as his lips traced down her throat and his hands moved over her body possessively. She had not intended to make love with him, only entice him to admit and then cast him away but now he was in control and she had to bring him to a halt before it went too far.
“It is strange how she was so certain we had been intimate.” She whispered close to his ear, “What did she do to gain that bit of information if I can’t with this ploy?”
His caress ceased and he lifted his head to look into her eyes, “Ploy? That’s what this is? A ploy?” he chuckled harshly and moved to her side, glaring down at her. “Very well Desiree—yes I have been intimate with her in my past. Are you happy now?”
Desiree smiled coldly and to his disbelief she rose from the bed and donned her shift, “Oui thank you for admitting it. Now please leave. I have nothing more to say to you.”
She turned to her armoire and selected a dress, stepping into it and slipping it up over her shoulders, ignoring his presence completely.
He rolled out of the bed
and crossed the room in one swift movement, grabbing her by the upper arms and turning her around. His grip was firm but did not cause pain and he studied her face closely, “Who do you think you are? What have I done that gives you just cause to pull something like that?”
“I need not answer to anyone for my actions.” She returned caustically, “But you must admit it worked Monsieur. I received the answer I was after. Now release me.”
He did not respond to her request, instead the pressure grew uncomfortable, “God you can be so cold! You can put on any face you wish, just like that!” he roared, snapping his fingers, “From cold to hot and back to cold—without a thought! Am I so readable? Gullible?” he didn’t wait for an answer but continued. “But of course I am. You know just how to toy with me don’t you? What is all this to you? What am I? What is that?” he raged, pointing to the bed sharply, “Just an amusing game to you?”
“Of course it is Stephen!” she laughed, “A game we have both enjoyed playing but now I must bring it to an end.”
“What the hell does that mean?” he shouted, then with a disgusted shake of his head he chuckled, “Let me see if I have this straight. I came in here this afternoon to apologize for this morning because I felt responsible for exposing you to that scene, unintentional as it was, on my part. You tell me you are not upset and it does not matter and then from out of the blue you demand to know if I have ever bedded Vanessa Haines. You seduce me to receive the answer you want to hear—and now you say our relationship is finished?”
“Very well Stephen,” Desiree snapped, as tears brimmed in her eyes, “I have been enlightened tremendously in the past few days as to your habits and I do not intend to be taken for a fool. Your loving words from Nevis turned my head but no more. I no longer wish your attentions and as soon as Red informs me it is safe I wish to leave for my home.”
“Enlightened by whom and on what habits? You cannot be serious!”
“Vanessa made it quite clear that she holds a place in your life and as soon as you have finished with me she will be reinstated in your bed where she is accustomed. From what I gather, incidents such as ours are a commonplace occurrence in your life.”
He was so stunned by her accusations that his hands dropped from her and she whirled away, across the room. Recovering himself Stephen came up behind her and turned her to face him. Tears were coursing down her cheeks and she was unable to turn away as his hands held her arms, forcing her to look at him. “She told you this? When?”
“No Stephen, had she told me directly I might have taken it as a vicious lie. Her cutting remarks today attest to her talent for inflicting injury. I saw you Stephen. I saw you kiss her at the Windward our first day in port. I saw you on the front lawn again in an embrace this very morning and I overheard her at the clothier speaking of the little fool who thought to capture your heart as had so many others and that she would bide her time until you grew tired of me and tossed me aside. Well Stephen—you have been tossed aside and are free to once more warm her bed.”
His face was a mask of rage as he barked, “You are my judge then, sentencing me without a chance to defend myself? Damn it Desiree you are a fool to believe anything that deceiving bitch would utter. She is nothing to me! How can you be so blind?”
Desiree laughed bitterly, “And when next you are in her company you shall slander me I suppose to warm her heart toward you once more. No longer shall I be your fool Stephen! If you wish, I shall leave at once—on the morrow if you desire! I can pack my things this very day—but if I stay until Red comes with news you may consider me merely a houseguest. Now release me Captain Colter. Don’t touch me again.”
“You are wrong about everything Desiree. What you saw is not what it appeared to be.” He growled, releasing her. “I give you my word.”
“It is no longer my concern whom you do or do not bed. From what I have heard most of the women of this island have been treated to your talents—so I am sure my small offering shall not be missed. I no longer wish my portion of your attentions and you may go elsewhere for your pleasure.”
She turned and fled, rushing down the hall to Bridgett’s room, leaving Stephen standing alone in her suite.
***
When a resounding slam fairly rattled the windows in the front hall, Timothy came around the corner of the drawing room to find a servant staring at the closed study door. The maid looked to Tim’s questioning expression and shrugged her shoulders, going back to her dusting.
Tim knocked upon the door and received no response. He entered anyway to find Stephen seated at the desk, glaring at him from under hooded eyes.
“Ahhh…would you care to talk?” Tim asked hesitantly, taking a seat opposite him.
“Nothing to talk about.” Stephen said stiffly, shuffling papers upon the desk.
Tim watched his face closely and knew that something was troubling him, something had devastated him.
“Tim I have to get away for awhile.”
“Get away? You only just arrived.”
Stephen stood and strode across the room, pouring a drink for himself, “I was planning to send Phillips down to Saint George for supplies but I have decided to go myself. I am leaving in the morning.”
“And leave Desiree here?”
Tim rose and joined Stephen at the bar. Stephen ignored the question, emptying his glass and patting Tim upon the back, “I have to go see to the Windward. Don’t expect me tonight. I believe I shall stay on board. I plan on being off first thing in the morning.”
Stephen started to leave but Tim’s voice halted him half way out and he peered around the door, raising his brows questioningly.
“Stephen—Desiree was asking me about you and Vanessa today. Does this excursion have something to do with that?”
“This has to do with the fact that I have been taken for a fool once too often by Miss Chandelle—but no more.” He winked, closing the portal soundly behind him.
Tim took a drink to the desk and sat down heavily, looking over the mountain of figures. Taking up a quill, he set to work, pondering that it was very odd for Stephen to leave so much bookwork unfinished.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Desiree waved in response to Timothy’s request that she join him on the back lawn and hurried from her balcony, through her bedchambers and along the hall to the front staircase. She stopped at the bottom of the flight when the front door opened and she was impaled by those dark brown eyes. Stephen closed the door; pausing to stare at her for a moment longer and she could have been a stick of furniture for the lack of emotion he showed. He looked away first, moving around the staircase, disappearing within the study and closing the door behind him.
With a trembling release of her breath, Desiree touched her flaming face with her hands and proceeded around the stairs and out the door to the back lawn. It had been two days now since his return from the unexpected trip to Saint George, two unbearably long days, she mused. The week had seemed endless with his absence but now once more in his company, each day seemed an eternity. During the week she had passed the time doing whatever she could to keep her mind off of him and what had occurred between them, which had caused him to leave. Now there was no escaping.
The party would be in but a few days and during his absence she, along with Bridgett, had done as he had suggested and paid a call at the clothier in town, to have gowns made for the affair. The young woman who had assisted the seamstress had been plain and heavyset with a round face and mousy brown hair and Desiree knew by the voice, that this was the one speaking with Vanessa that day. She was polite and Desiree was unaware if she knew who she was. She was very helpful and went over mountains of sketches and bolt after bolt of material as if delighted with the task.
Desiree had chosen a gown with Stephen in mind and now was thankful she had, for he had not spoken more than a courteous greeting to her and she had found no excuse she might use to speak with him. The words were all said before and she could not very well take them back. Still h
er mind worked feverishly trying to devise some way to mend the damage her vicious tongue had inflicted. Her only hope, frail though it may be, was the gown and the hope that perhaps it would catch his eye and entice him.
It was quite a departure for her. A bodice cut so low and off the shoulder that it was very revealing. The waist was cinched snug and the skirt less full than she was accustomed, showing more of her shape beneath. She had picked a gold crepe with matching satin ribbon that trimmed the entire gown, which was quite a daring choice. She was very pleased with the finished product and now the dress was in her room, readied for her assault. She could only wait for the party and pray it turned his head. She was going to act with her nature and beg his forgiveness if she could but have the chance.
***
Bessie flung the door wide and exclaimed excitedly, “Welcome home Captain…Madame.”
“Thank you Bess. It is so wonderful to be home at last. I have had enough sailing to last me at least a year.” Margaret Colter sighed happily.
Bessie helped her out of her bonnet and then took her master’s tricorn and the three leisurely made their way to the drawing room.
“Please Michael a glass of wine. I am parched from the morning on deck.” Margaret requested, slumping onto a sofa while patting her windblown hair, which was, arranged in a wispy pile of medium brown ringlets.
“Yes my love.” Michael chuckled, pouring himself and his wife a glass and taking a seat beside her upon the sofa, “So Bess tell us what has been going on around here in our absence. By the crowded lagoon I would venture to guess you have seen those two wild men.”
“Yes sir, both Stephen and Timothy are home at present. It seems they have taken a liking to staying in port. At least Timothy has. More than a month now he has been about.”