Bandera's eyes flamed with jealousy as she whirled on Sebastian. "You never told me you had tried to get in to see Liberty."
He waved her aside. "It was not important."
"You can't get it through your head that my sister despises you, can you, Sebastian? If she would give you a second glance, you would be on your knees to her. You should have married Liberty instead of me."
Colonel Newman walked out of the room, closing the door behind him and thinking he would take a stroll on the grounds, get a breath of fresh air. For his part, he decided the lovely Liberty Slaughter was just where she ought to be. She certainly had no friends in this house. "I salute you, Captain Slaughter," he said under his breath. "Well done."
22
January 8, 1814
It was just daylight when the British fired a rocket into the air. That rocket was quickly followed by another and still another. This was their signal to attack, and was hastily answered by volleys from the Americans who were dug in behind the mud ramparts, their guns primed and ready.
Across the river valley, in New Orleans and points beyond, the whole earth seemed to tremble as two warring factions came together in a life-and-death struggle. Wild creatures fled as man pitted his strength against his fellowman.
Gaps were blasted in the American lines by enemy artillery, but were quickly filled with fresh troops as the enemy marched within musket range.
lb the advancing British, the American line looked like a continual wall of fire because the American soldiers stood four deep behind the protective wall. One soldier would fire his gun, step back to reload, and be replaced by another. The sequence was repeated over and over.
Nonetheless the never-ending line of British soldiers marched forward, fell, and died. They kept coming at the Americans, with guns blasting and flags waving.
Twenty-five minutes of continual firing, of ripping apart their offense, passed before the advancing British withdrew from the line of fire.
As the day wore on, filled with British advances and retreats, it soon became clear that the Americans were triumphant. A brave, but sorely wounded army finally retreated in defeat.
Judah picked up the tattered American flag that had fallen near him, and waved it in the air, while patriotic voices cried out in unison. Then Jackson rode among his troops, speaking words of encouragement.
When the report came in later, it was hard to believe there had only been seven Americans killed and six wounded. The British had suffered a far greater loss; their dead and dying littered the battlefield.
Liberty stood on the deck of the Winged Victory, listening to the sounds of battle in the distance. She could see nothing but an occasional puff of smoke that drifted through the air to disappear among the clouds that hung low in to the sky. Yet cannon fire shook the earth and rumbled like distant thunder.
She was horrified by the fighting. She wanted to cover her head and pretend it was not happening. She closed her eyes tightly, and prayed with all her might that Judah would not be among the casualties. All day she stood at the railing, searching, waiting, hoping for Judah's return.
It was not yet afternoon when the big guns fell silent, and an ominous feeling of unreality settled over the land. Philippe tried to get Liberty to go below and rest, but she would not give up her vigil, weary though she was. She was determined to wait for some word of her husband.
Liberty thought only in terms of the human lives that were being sacrificed. When night fell, she still stood on deck, unable to leave until she had heard some word from the battlefield. An hour passed, and then another; and still she waited.
Philippe brought her a tray of food, but she couldn't eat it. "I am sorry you had to stay with me, Philippe. I know you wanted to be with Judah today."
The first mate's eyes held an earnest light. "The captain paid me a very great honor today, Madame. He entrusted his most valued treasure to me when he placed you in my keeping. That means a great deal to me."
Liberty could find no appropriate words to say, so she and Philippe stood silently together, waiting and listening for the small-arms fire to cease. Finally, just before dusk, the firing did stop and a deathly quiet hung over the land. Liberty held her breath, wondering what the silence meant. Exhausted and frightened, she refused to go below and rest as Philippe suggested. She kept watching for the approach of a small craft, hoping for word of Judah.
It was almost midnight when Philippe's keen ears picked up the sound of a small boat rowing toward them. He pushed Liberty behind him, as the craft bumped against the Winged Victory.
"Ahoy, you aboard, I have news of the battle."
Philippe recognized Rojo's voice and threw the ladder down to him. As soon as Rojo was on deck, Liberty rushed to him. "Tell us your news," she cried, trying to read his face in the half-light of the one torch Philippe held in his hand.
"It is a victory! We did not let the British break through our lines. We held them back. General Jackson believes the war is all but over. America has won!"
Liberty felt her body tremble. "What news of my husband?" she asked, almost afraid to hear.
"The captain is a brave man. As always, he was in the middle of the heaviest fighting. Even though he is not an infantryman, today he fought as if born to be one, Senora."
"He ... is unharmed?"
"The captain did not even get a scratch, Senora," Rojo assured her.
Liberty reached out her hand to Philippe for support as she felt herself falling, and for the first time in her young life, she fainted.
Philippe quickly handed Rojo the torch, then gently lifted her in his arms and carried her toward the captain's cabin, while a concerned Rojo followed. The mate laid her on the bed, bent down beside her, and patted her hand. "Madame, are you all right?" Philippe asked with concern.
Slowly Liberty's eyes fluttered open. For a moment she wondered where she was. Then she remembered Judah was unharmed! She smiled sheepishly at Philippe, who had such a look of distress on his face. Rojo was hovering behind Philippe, his face drawn up in a worried frown.
"I am fine," she assured them both. "It is more embarrassing than anything else. I promise you, I have never before fainted."
"No need to be ashamed, Madame. It is no wonder you fainted, because you had nothing to eat all day. If I bring you a tray with something special that the cook has made for you, will you try to get it down?"
She smiled. "Oui, I feel like I could eat my weight in food, Philippe. This is a glorious time to be alive." She glanced at Rojo. "Did my husband send word to me as to when I should expect him?"
"No, Senora. I was to tell you to remain here on the Winged Victory until otherwise notified."
Philippe saw the disappointment on Liberty's face. "Let us leave and allow Madame privacy." He turned to her at the door. "I will bring you something to eat."
Liberty, deep in thought, was hardly aware that the two men had left. If the war was drawing to a close, then everything in her life would be coming into focus, and she would have to deal with the many problems that faced her. Most pressing was her dilemma over what to do about Sebastian and Bandera. They must be made to leave Briar Oaks, she knew that, as she knew that Judah would demand satisfaction from Sebastian!
Another thought came to her; she would now have to face some truths about Judah. Could he have married her just to get back at Bandera as her sister, had suggested? Liberty would not allow herself to believe that Judah had married her only to get his hands on Bend of the River. She could not admit that might be true, because if it were, Judah's motives had not been that different from Sebastian's. No, Judah was no more like Sebastian . . . than she was like Bandera.
Liberty looked at the cabin for the first time. It was paneled in dark wood. Besides the bed, there were green leather chairs, a desk, and several bookshelves containing books, charts, and maps. Her senses were filled with the aroma of leather and sea air. Liberty had a feeling that she was intruding. This was Judah's world and she had only been invited int
o a small corner of his domain.
She moved to the bookshelves where maps and charts were stacked. Absently she removed a map, unrolled it, and traced the different coastlines with her finger. She noticed that a circle had been drawn around one of the islands.
In response to a rap on the door, Liberty called out to bid whoever it was to enter. A smiling Philippe appeared and placed a tray of food on the desk.
"Do you think Judah will mind if I look at his maps, Philippe?" she asked in a troubled voice, thinking she should have asked before she took out the map.
He glanced down at the map Liberty was studying, and smiled. "No, he would not mind. I see you are interested in the West Indies." He pointed to the circle on the map. "That's Martinique. I suspect as soon as this war cools down the captain will be taking you there."
"Martinique. I have never heard Judah speak of it."
"Perhaps I spoke out of turn. It could be that the captain wants to surprise you. Please forget I mentioned it and eat your dinner so you can renew your strength."
She smiled at the way Philippe treated her. He spoke to her much as her father would have. He was growing dearer to her every time she met him. She rolled the map up, then placed it back on the shelf. "The map will be our little secret," she said, smiling brightly.
Philippe was charmed by his captain's lady. Every moment he spent in her company made him more aware of why Judah had married her. She was exceptional. Not only beautiful, but kind and thoughtful as well. A real lady, she was, with winning ways and a genuine smile.
Philippe held the chair for her, then waited to see if she would eat. When she picked up the fork and speared a piece of chicken, he was satisfied and he left to attend to his duties.
Liberty surprised herself by cleaning her plate. She felt safe and more secure than she had felt in a long time. Weary, she stripped down to her petticoat and climbed into Judah's bed. Here, among the things he loved, Liberty felt close to her husband. Her body sank into the soft downy mattress which enveloped her like a caress, and she was soon asleep, lulled by the soft, swaying motion of the Winged Victory.
Liberty stirred and opened her eyes. It was dark in the cabin, and she couldn't see anything, but she had the feeling someone was in the room with her.
"Have no fear, it is me," Judah said reassuringly. "I tried not to awaken you since Philippe told me you needed your rest."
Excitement flowed through Liberty. She was alone with her husband, and his deep voice stirred flaming desire to life within her.
"Do you mind a bed partner?" he asked, bending down and placing a quick kiss on her lips.
"I ... no, of course not." How could she mind being in bed with her husband when she had yearned for his touch for so long?
Judah pulled the covers aside and slid in beside her. He allowed her no time to think, but pulled her body against his. "You feel so good," he murmured, as he pressed against her body molding it to his. "In the thick of the battle today, thoughts of holding you like this kept me going."
Liberty suspected that Judah was a master of pretty words, that he always told a woman what she wanted to hear. At the moment it did not matter. A sigh escaped her lips when he smoothly removed her undergarments. His breathing was deep as he allowed his hands to glide sensuously across her naked flesh. Softly they caressed her breasts, cupping, circling, driving her out of her mind. When he bent his head to take a swollen nipple between his lips, she could feel the warm heat from his mouth. Meanwhile his wonderful hands were working magic all over her body. Her skin seemed to tingle everywhere he touched her.
The pounding of her heart sounded loud in her ears, and when his mouth sought hers, his drugging kiss made the earth spin. Liberty clung to Judah as if he were her lifeline. Her body seemed to belong more to him than to her, because he controlled her every move.
"I ache for you, little one. I need you desperately. Do you know what it felt like to board my ship tonight, knowing you would be here?"
"No," she whispered through trembling lips. She only knew that he was stamping his ownership on her body, and she would belong to him forever.
Judah could not wait any longer. His flesh cried out for this woman. He gently pulled her beneath him and parted her thighs, and her body arched to meet his glorious thrust. His searing entry was made easier by the moistness of hen
Judah was powerful and strong, yet with Liberty, he was gentle. He took her slowly and easily, filling her body and filling every empty void in her life. He was everything a young girl could ever hope for in her hero, and more— so much more.
As their bodies moved together in perfect unison, Judah's hot breath fanned her lips. "Kiss me," he whispered. "Help me forget the things I witnessed today."
Liberty heard his cry and took his head between her hands, guiding his lips down to her mouth. She would help him forget the men he had seen die. She would give him so much of herself that he would be unable to think about anything else.
Judah's body trembled as her soft hands moved down his spine to clamp his waist. The sweet aroma of her was in his heart, embedded in his brain, filling his mind and his being. She had the power to make him a beggar if she but knew it. A groan escaped his lips as she arched her hips, taking him further inside her. It was bliss, it was seething excitement. Rigid pulsating fire emptied from his body into hers, filling her with the life-giving miracle.
For a moment everything stopped. There was no life outside this room, there were no feelings outside what they were feeling. They were suspended in time, carried away by a feeling every man and woman hope to find, but few ever do. Wave after wave of sensuous feelings bonded them together. They were two halves that became a whole. It had been so perfect —a thing of beauty and unreality.
When Judah could speak past the lump in his throat, his voice was husky in her ear. "You are mine, Liberty. You always have been, you always will be."
How could he know? she wondered. Could he have guessed that she had loved him from that very first night they met? "Oui" she said, against his lips. "I am your wife."
Suddenly, just having her for his wife was not enough—Judah needed to hear her say she loved him. He rolled over and clasped her to his manly chest. "Liberty, how do you feel about me?" He hoped she would say that she loved him. He was tense as he waited for her reply.
Liberty longed to confess her love, but she could not. She had been hurt too many times by the people she loved. How could she tell Judah she loved him, knowing he loved her sister? There were two things she didn't want from Judah, pity and disgust. If she admitted her love for him, it might bring out both.
"I am most grateful to you, Judah. I did not get a chance to thank you properly for the Christmas presents and-"
He cut off her words as he jerked her against him. He wanted to hear her speak of love, not gratitude. Perhaps it was too soon to expect her to have the same deep feelings he had. She was so young yet. If he were patient, and proceeded slowly to court her affections, she might learn to love him. They had not had the chance to spend much time together. They must get to know one another better.
Liberty softly touched his golden hair, wondering why he had become so silent and withdrawn. She loved the way he held her in his strong arms; it gave her a feeling of belonging. She loved him so desperately, she wondered if she could keep him from finding out how much she cared for him.
"I have a surprise that I think will please you, Liberty," Judah said, resting his face against hers. "At least I hope it will please you."
She nestled her head against the crook of his arm and snuggled as close to him as she could get. "I like surprises—good surprises."
He laughed deep in his throat. She could be so adorable that she melted his heart. "What would you say if I told you I was taking you to a beautiful tropical island with me?"
Joy surged through her. "Oh, Judah, that would make me so happy. I would so love to be on an island with you."
He traced her lips with his finger. "Would you, love?"
"Oh, oui . . . but can I just leave like this —I mean without letting anyone know?"
He chuckled. "You are my wife, who else would you like to tell?"
"I . . . your mother and grandfather."
"I have already informed them. They both wish us a happy voyage. As a matter of fact my mother knew you would be needing a few things so she packed a bag for you. She hopes you will not mind wearing some of her gowns. When we arrive at our destination you can buy whatever you desire."
"Your mother is always so kind," Liberty said, still having misgivings about just sailing away and leaving her responsibilities behind. "But I do not feel right about leaving Briar Oaks. There is so much to do."
"All you have to do for the next few months is be young and carefree . . . and keep me happy." Judah could not tell Liberty that he was taking her away because he feared for her safety. She had been used as a pawn to trap him; he couldn't take a chance on that happening again. When General Jackson had asked Judah to go on this mission for him, Judah had known he could not leave Liberty at the mercy of others.
Happiness warmed her heart as she nestled her cheek against his. "When do we leave?"
"With the morning tide."
Liberty was confused. "But the war—the British?"
"The war is all but over, Liberty. Jackson scored a tremendous victory today. All that remains is the mopping up, and they don't need me for that."
"Why are you leaving now?"
"General Jackson has asked a favor of me and I could hardly refuse." His eyes darkened. "Besides, this is my chance to settle an old score for my father."
"Is it anything you can talk about?"
"Not to any extent. I have given my word that what I do will be a secret."
Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Page 35