"I know that Sebastian has told lies about me, but that does not bother me overmuch. Bandera will tell the truth, if she hasn't already."
Zippora seated herself in a cane-bottomed chair and fixed her dark gaze on the handsome young man. "Bandera has done no such thing. You are in far more trouble than you realize." Zippora lowered her eyes. "And . . . there is much sadness that I must tell you of."
Judah shoved the tray aside and stared at the old woman. "Has something happened to my grandfather?"
Zippora met his eyes. "Yes. There was a fire at Bend of the River. Most of the second floor was destroyed. Your mother and grandfather are missing."
Judah felt his heart stop beating. "What do you mean they are missing?"
Zippora could see the agony in Judah's eyes. "Their bodies have not been found. It is believed they perished in the fire."
Trying not to believe what he was hearing, Judah shook his head. "If they were dead there would be . . . bodies."
"I do not know of such things. I can only tell you what is being said."
Judah moved off the mattress and grabbed the bedpost for support. "I have to see for myself. My mother could not be . . . dead. If she were, I would know it."
Zippora grabbed his arm as his knees buckled under him. She helped him back to bed and removed the tray, tucking the covers about him. "You are not going anywhere until you have fully recovered, M'sieu. You haven't the strength to take me on—how could you face the trouble that awaits you at Bend of the River?"
Judah's thoughts were of his sweet, gentle mother. No, God would not take her away from him. There had to be another explanation—there had to be! "I have to get up. I must find my mother," he said in desperation. But when he tried to rise again, he fell back in a flash of blinding pain.
Zippora placed her hand on his brow. "Rest and recover, Judah Slaughter. There are worse things that you do not know."
He stared, dry-eyed, at the old woman. "What could be worse?"
"You are accused, not only of attacking Bandera Boudreaux, but of setting fire to the house at Bend of the River. You are a hunted man. It is believed that you are responsible for the death of your mother and grandfather. The charge against you ... is now murder!"
Confusion furrowed his brow. "I do not understand. How can anyone believe that I would—"
Zippora held his gaze. "That is not so hard to understand. You are a stranger, while Sebastian is well thought of around here. People will believe anything he tells them, especially since Bandera will back him up."
Judah stared at the old woman in disbelief. "Bandera would never . . . no, I will not believe that of her."
"Believe what you will, but know this, M'sieu, if you are found, you will be shot on sight. Sebastian has the countryside howling for your blood. They are combing the whole area, searching for you. It is said that your ship has docked in New Orleans, and your crew is not allowed to come ashore. I am told there are three men guarding the ship at all times."
Judah's head was pounding and his heart felt as if it had just been delivered a deathblow. Anger and frustration waged a war within him. He didn't know where to go or where to turn. He was in a hostile land with no friends. His only companion was this old black woman who he suspected, couldn't care less about what happened to him.
Zippora's eyes took on a strange yellow glow as she smiled slightly. When she spoke, it was as if she had read his mind. "You have friends, M'sieu. Liberty has believed in you all along. She will not desert you, nor for her sake will I."
"Why should you care what happens to me?"
"I do not, M'sieu. I care about Liberty, and she cares about you."
Judah looked into the woman's eyes. "It seems I owe you much, and I do not even know your name."
"You can call me, Zippora. And you owe me nothing. As I told you, what I do, is done out of love for Liberty."
"Yes, Liberty. Where is she?"
"For the last few days she has been forced to stay away, fearing she is being watched. She did not want to lead anyone to you. I have made plans to get you safely away as soon as you are stronger."
"Why should I sneak away? I am innocent, and I can prove it."
"A dead man can prove nothing, M'sieu."
"I will not leave until I have proof that my mother is . . . dead. I will clear my name, and I have to see Bandera."
"When you are strong enough, you can do what you like. Right now, you couldn't find your way to the door, much less out of these swamps."
"I have never been good at playing waiting games," he said weakly.
"Sometimes it is wiser to leave a fight and return at a later time. You cannot help yourself if you are dead."
Judah closed his eyes, feeling as if the whole world had just fallen on him. It was too painful to think about his mother. In his mind he could see the face of his grandfather, and he realized he had cared deeply for Gustave Montesquieu. He felt sick inside. His mind and his body were in need of mending. He was so weak, it was an effort to even raise his hand. Yet inside he raged. How could he allow Sebastian to make him cower in a corner. The man would pay for what he had done!
Judah cursed the weakness that kept him from going to Bend of the River, facing his cousin, and demanding he tell the truth. He reached back into the far recesses of his mind, trying to make some sense out of the situation. He was exhausted and weak. He was feeling drained emotionally, and he sought forgetfulness in sleep.
Zippora tiptoed out of the room and softly closed the door behind her. She had not told Judah Slaughter that he had been abed for over two weeks. The young man had grief to deal with; later he would deal with his other problems. Her only concern now lay in keeping him out of the clutches of his cousin and of the men who were searching for him.
She smiled slightly. Justice sometimes ground out slowly, and revenge was a bitter pill to swallow. Sometimes both were all the sweeter after a long wait. Zippora knew, it would be a very long time before Judah Slaughter tasted the triumph of justice and revenge ... if ever.
Bandera waited in the sun-bright garden for Sebastian to arrive. Tension hung in the air, and she jumped as a fleeting shadow crossed her face. Seeing it was no more than a bird, she tried to relax.
Nothing was going as it should. Sebastian still hadn't explained to her why there had been a fire at Bend of the River, and there was a hue and cry for Judah's arrest. Surely no one would believe that he had set fire to Bend of the River and had killed his own mother. Anger encased her mind. If Sebastian was responsible for the fire, she would not easily forgive him. She couldn't bear to think of the valuable treasures that had been ruined in it—treasures that would one day have belonged to her.
She heard footsteps behind her, and she spun around, expecting to see Sebastian but instead discovering it was only Liberty. "Well, little sister, have you taken to skulking in shadows and sneaking up on people?"
"No, Bandera. I leave sneaking around to you and Sebastian. The two of you do it better than anyone I know."
Bandera instinctively slapped at her sister, missing her by inches when Liberty ducked out of the way.
"I wouldn't try that again, Bandera. I have no intention of allowing you to push me around any longer."
Bandera grabbed her arm and shook her. "I would guard my tongue if I were you, Liberty. If you do not, you could find yourself in more trouble than you can handle."
Liberty wrenched her arm free. "I am no longer frightened of you, Bandera. I have learned how to fight for what I believe in—you have taught me that."
Bandera's eyes narrowed. Yes, she could see that a change had come over Liberty. She couldn't put her finger on what it was. Liberty was . . . pretty—no more than that, she was almost beautiful. When had that happened? Most certainly there was nothing of the untamed young girl about her now.
"How quaint. What will we have to talk about now that you are all grown-up, little sister? How about old Zippora's love potions . . . huh? Did you convince that old witch to give you a
n herb or a root that would make you pretty?"
"No, Zippora does not offer me her cures and potions. And as for what you and I can talk about, we could start with truth. We both know that you lied about Judah. One word from you, and the authorities would change their mind about his guilt."
"What makes you think I would lift a finger to help your Judah Slaughter."
"I can think of one very good reason, Bandera. Judah loves you."
Bandera raised one shoulder in a shrug of indifference. "Many men love me. They are of no concern to me, and neither is Judah Slaughter."
"You are not seeing very clearly Bandera. If Judah's grandfather is dead, who do you think will inherit Bend of the River? Think ... it may not be Sebastian. What if Monsieur Montesquieu left everything to Judah?"
Bandera stared at her sister. "You know even if Judah were to inherit I could never be the mistress of Bend of the River. His grandfather would have had that stipulation added to the will."
"What stipulation?"
Bandera watched Liberty's face carefully. Was it possible that Liberty did not know that Gustave Montesquieu wanted her for Judah's wife? "You don't know, do you?"
"Know what?"
"Never mind," Bandera said, thinking it was better not to tell Liberty that Gustave had favored her as mistress of Bend of the River.
"Perhaps Monsieur Montesquieu cut Sebastian out of his will," Liberty said, planting seeds of doubt in her sister's mind. She was finding out that Bandera was not very intelligent, and could be easily led by others.
Bandera was quiet for a moment while she digested all that her sister had said. Then she spoke without thinking. "Judah would never forgive me for what I did to him in the barn."
Liberty heard the confession, but she realized Bandera didn't know what she had just said. "I believe Judah would forgive you anything, Bandera. Just suppose, for a moment, that Monsieur Montesquieu had left everything to Judah, would you not be casting your lot with the wrong man by joining forces with Sebastian?"
"I need time to think," Bandera said, rubbing her temples. "I am confused."
"Yes," Liberty said sarcastically. "You think, Bandera. That is always what you do best." Liberty no longer felt like a little girl basking in the sunshine of her sister's beauty. After what Bandera and Sebastian had done to Judah, she felt only contempt for them both.
"Let me see if I have this right," Bandera said with a soft laugh. "You have come to me offering the supreme sacrifice. You love Judah, but you will give him to me ... I wonder why."
"It is very simple. He loves you, and he isn't mine to give."
"Love is an emotion I have no wish to feel. Maman says money and power are the only lasting things. Desire is often mistaken for love. I will admit that in the past I had a strong desire to be with Judah. I am not ashamed to admit it. He is a most handsome man."
"Crudely put, Bandera," Liberty said, as her lips curled with contempt. "I will make a deal with you. If you help clear Judah's name, I will say nothing about the lies you and Sebastian have told about him. You can have Judah and Bend of the River, and everyone but Sebastian will be happy. In my estimation, Sebastian does not deserve to be happy."
Bandera's eyes sparkled with just a hint of admiration. "I can see you have given this a great deal of thought, Liberty."
Sebastian had come up behind them undetected. With a slight smile on his face he spoke. "How bloodthirsty your little sister has become, Bandera. Would she throw me to the wolves because my cousin sprinkles star dust in her eyes?"
Bandera lowered her eyes, wondering how much of the conversation Sebastian had overheard. She willingly allowed him to pull her to his side in a show of possessiveness. "You never told me your sister could be so vicious."
Bandera slipped her arm through Sebastian's. "Did you hear what she said?"
"Most of it, but I do not believe we have anything to fear. I came by to tell you that tomorrow we will be holding a memorial service for my uncle and Gabrielle."
Bandera shivered. "I suppose it is necessary."
"Yes, it is," Sebastian replied. He reached out to catch Liberty's hand and pull her to him. His eyes roamed over her face, and he wondered why he had never noticed that her eyes were an exceptional color of blue. "You have changed somehow. There is something new about you that I cannot define, Liberty."
"It is the disgust you see in my eyes," she spat out, pulling away from that odious man. "I am disgusted by you and my sister."
Sebastian laughed. "It would seem, my love, that your sister does not hold us in high esteem. Can it be that, in defending my cousin, she has turned away from us?"
"She threatened to make trouble," Bandera warned.
Sebastian's eyes grew cold. "That would not be advisable, and anyway, no one will believe her. I have spread the word that your sister is—how can I put this delicately? — enamored of Judah. Everyone feels sorry for her for being taken in by such a monster." He shrugged, "You see how it is, Liberty."
"I see what you want people to believe, Sebastian, and one day Judah will see you dead for this. I believe it was you who set fire to the house at Bend of the River, the fire that took the life of Judah's mother and grandfather."
Sebastian swaggered over to Liberty and stared down at her, his upper lip curling. "I challenge you to prove it."
"Judah will prove it."
"I don't think so. Personally I have my doubts that he is even alive. Knowing my cousin, I would expect him to be making trouble if he were able."
Liberty was glaring at Sebastian, and for the first time, she noticed how strangely he was staring at her. His eyes ran almost caressingly over her face. He was looking at her the way he always looked at Bandera. Revulsion made her step back. "Judah will come back, Sebastian, and when he does, you and Bandera will have to face his wrath."
Sebastian turned to Bandera. "Can it be that your sister has grown into a woman? Has it escaped your notice that she defends my cousin very eloquently. It raises the question in my mind of whether Judah has been taking liberties with our little Liberty." His lurid laughter filled the air, but there was no laughter in his eyes.
Liberty could no longer stand to be near her sister or Sebastian. Turning quickly away, she rushed toward the house. Did her guilt show in her face? she wondered. Could Sebastian tell Judah had made love to her?
Bandera pulled away from Sebastian, suddenly aware that he was intrigued by her sister. "You show far too much interest in Liberty, Sebastian. One would think you were in love with her instead of me."
He swung around and smiled slightly. "There is something new about Liberty, a promise of excitement in her eyes. I believe she is beginning to grow up."
"She is just a child," Bandera snapped, her eyes narrowing as she glanced toward Liberty, who was disappearing around a hedge.
"Child or no, Bandera, I can tell you that if she talks she could make a lot of trouble for us."
Bandera's eyes gleamed. "You said no one would believe her."
"When her father comes home, he may believe her, and that could be a mistake, because Louis Boudreaux is greatly respected in these parts."
"Do you really believe Judah is dead?"
"Yes, I believe so. His boat was found drifting upside down in one of the bayous."
Bandera shook her head regretfully. Judah Slaughter had been an unusual man. He had swept into her life like a tidal wave, and she realized that she could easily have fallen in love with him. "Sebastian, did you have anything to do with the fife at Bend of the River?" she asked, putting Judah out of her mind.
He pulled her into his arms. "Of course not. Are you beginning to believe your sister's wild ravings? Come with me," he said, leading her to the far side of the garden out of sight of the house. "I have need of you."
Judah slipped through the gate that was hanging on rusted hinges. Driven by a need to see Bandera, he had come, into her garden, hoping to find her alone. On hearing voices, he had pulled back into the shadows. Instinctive hatred b
urned within his heart when he heard Sebastian's laughter.
"We have won, Bandera. There are no more obstacles in our way. Bend of the River will soon be mine."
"I wish we did not have to observe a year of mourning before we can be married, Sebastian. I want to be your wife as soon as possible."
Judah's eyes burned with disgust as he watched his cousin run his hands familiarly over Bandera's breasts. "I may devise a plan by which we can speed things up a bit, my love. Since it is believed you were attacked by Judah, my friends will think I am being magnanimous by marrying you to save you from possible disgrace."
There was a pout on Bandera's lips. "I do not like my friends believing I was almost violated. I wish there had been another way to — "
Sebastian unfastened the top hook of her gown and fumbled with one of her breasts. "What a little hypocrite you are. You do not mind being a party to ruining a man's reputation, but you do not want the slightest smudge on yours." Running his fingers across her nipples, he stared into her face. "What would your friends think if they knew I first took you when you were fifteen, h'm?"
Bandera laughed breathlessly, pretending to be moved by his searching hands. "You were very persuasive that first time, Sebastian. You swept me off my feet."
Sebastian took her chin and forced her face up to his. "I have no illusions about you, Bandera. The first time you gave yourself to me, it was with the promise of a diamond ring that had once belonged to my grandmother. Your price has gone up considerably. You now demand to be mistress of Bend of the River."
Her laughter was warm as she pressed her body against his. "Neither of us has any illusions about the other. We are not guided by love and devotion."
"No, my sweet. That is why we make such a good pair; we are both guided by money and power."
Judah felt sick inside. The woman he had made love to in Zippora's cabin had been pure and innocent, and Bandera was not. Had he dreamed the whole incident? In his fevered imagination had he dreamed he had made love to someone unforgettably sweet? The woman he had thought to be an angel had turned out to be a devil. If he had anything to say about it, she would never be mistress of Bend of the River! Stepping out of the shadows, Judah spoke.
Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Page 18