Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Abdul was so certain of victory, he had come below to gloat before Judah Slaughter's wife. "Will he not surrender? I have made a pass in front of his nose and he holds his fire. I am about to pass in front of him a second time. When I meet him on the third pass, I will cut him down with cannon fire. If any men are left on board after that, I will place them in irons."

  "You said you wanted Judah alive," Liberty reminded the pirate.

  "Perhaps I will still spare his life. It is something I will think on. I see no glory in capturing a man who will not even fight."

  Kaboom! The loud explosion rocked the Sea Serpent. The ship shuddered and groaned, and Liberty was thrown to the floor while Captain Ismar grabbed onto a chair, trying to steady himself. His face was drained of color, and his eyes were wild as he heard the sounds of splintering wood.

  "That bastard!" Abdul Ismar shouted, running to the door just as another explosion rocked the ship. "That tricky bastard."

  Liberty crawled over to the bed and pulled herself up onto it. By now, the sound of cannon fire filled the air and the Sea Serpent rocked drunkenly as the two ships came together in a grinding clash. Liberty clamped her hands over her ears, not wanting to hear the sounds of men in pain and agony. The exploding cannon fire soon gave way to crackling pistol shots. Liberty realized that the crew of the Winged Victory had boarded the Sea Serpent, and both crews were now engaged in hand-to-hand combat. For what seemed like an eternity she lay trembling on the bed, too fearful to move.

  Moving across the deck of the Sea Serpent, Judah finally faced the man he had sworn to kill. Eyes blazing, he crossed swords with the pirate. In Judah's heart, hatred burned. This man had killed his father and taken his wife captive. "If you are a religious man, Captain Ismar, I would suggest you make peace with a higher power. I am about to end your miserable life."

  "You will try, Judah Slaughter, but I do not think you will succeed," Abdul bragged.

  "Before I end your life, I want you to know why you must die," Judah said, slicing through the air with his rapier.

  Ismar made a thrust, which Judah easily side-stepped. "You do not have to tell me. I know it is your wife that I have below in my cabin."

  "My wife is only part of why you must die today, Captain Ismar. You see, I am also here to settle an old debt."

  Abdul thrust again, but Judah's rapier caught and held the pirate's blade. "What old debt? I know of nothing I have done to you."

  Judah's blade sliced through the air and the point rested against Abdul's throat. "Many years ago, you killed my father. I want you to remember this as you die."

  Abdul dropped his sword and stared at Judah, knowing he had been outsmarted in every way. "I do not remember your father. I have killed many men. How can I be expected to remember them all?"

  Judah’s eyes burned into the pirate's. "If you cannot remember my father, think of my wife. You will die for both deeds!"

  Before Judah could make his final thrust, the mast above him groaned and. swayed. He glanced up, and saw that the battered spar was about to come tumbling down. With a wide leap he made it out of the way, but the luckless Captain Ismar was pinned beneath the broken mast. Judah did not have to examine the man to know he had not long to live.

  Liberty pulled on the door, but it would not budge. She then paced the floor, wishing she knew what was happening on deck.

  Suddenly the door was thrust open and Judah stood before her. Liberty stared at the bloodstained blade in his hand, evidence that he had cut his way through the enemy to get to her. She reached out her hand to him, unable to force words from her throbbing throat.

  Judah's eyes came to rest on Liberty's face. He witnessed momentary hesitation, then joy and relief before he moved to her and gathered her in his arms.

  Liberty threw her arms around her husband, loving the strength that flowed through him to her. "You are alive," she cried, burying her face against his neck. "I was so afraid you would be killed and it would have been my fault."

  She felt Judah tense. He waited for her to raise her head and look into his eyes. "Were you hurt in any way. Did that bastard touch you?"

  "No, Judah, I was not harmed. I was just frightened. He was going to ... to sell me ... to—"

  "Do not think about it, Liberty. You are safe now." Judah picked her up in his arms, and held her to him for a long moment. Then he silently made his way out the door and up the companionway.

  Once on deck, Liberty closed her eyes against the ghastly sights and sounds that surrounded her. The Sea Serpent's three masts had been shattered, and men lay under their weight, either dead or dying. Judah's arms tightened around Liberty. He wished he could spare her the sight of men dying.

  He stepped over debris, and was about to leap onto the deck of the Winged Victory, when a weak voice called out to him. "Judah Slaughter, help me. Be merciful and put me out of my pain."

  Judah glanced down at Captain Ismar, a grim expression on his face. "You deserve nothing from me."

  Liberty shuddered when she saw that Abdul was pinned beneath a splintered mast and blood was trickling out of the corner of his mouth. She raised her head, stared in disbelief at her husband. This was a side of Judah she had never seen. How could he be so heartless? Pity softened her heart, and she wriggled out of Judah's arms. Moving quickly across the deck, Liberty picked up a dipper of water, then knelt down beside the dying man. Despite Judah's protest, she raised Abdul's head and gave him a drink.

  "Judah Slaughter," Abdul whispered in a pain-dulled voice. "You are a most fortunate man to have this . . . angel for a wife. You have won . . . you are the better…" Captain Abdul Ismar's eyes darkened, and his head fell sideways in death.

  Liberty could only stare in horror at the death mask that descended over Abdul's face. Judah muttered an oath, and picked Liberty up in his arms. She could feel the anger in him as he jumped across the rail, and landed on the deck of the Winged Victory.

  A shout went up from the Winged Victory's crew as Judah placed Liberty on her feet. Joy was on the faces of the men who had just performed a daring rescue. Liberty's heart reached out to every one of them, as tears ran freely down her cheeks.

  "Thank you all," she said, looking at each dear face, and receiving smiles of adoration in return.

  When Liberty saw Philippe, she ran to him, and was quickly enclosed in a hug. "We are glad to have you back," he said in a gruff voice. "I know I speak for all of us when I tell you how glad we are that you are safe, Madame."

  Liberty moved out of the circle of Philippe's arms when she saw the scowl on her husband's face. "How many of our men were injured or killed?" she asked, looking around to see who might be missing.

  "Not a one, Madame," Philippe assured her. "Unless you count the dunking Rojo got when he missed the rail and fell into the sea. He almost missed the whole battle. By the time he got onto the deck of the Sea Serpent, the battle was over and most of the prisoners had been rounded up and placed below in chains."

  This brought laughter from the rest of the crew and a mumbled oath from Rojo.

  "Philippe, if you can be spared to attend to your duty," Judah said acidly, "you can come about, and fire shots into the Sea Serpent. Send her to the bottom of the sea."

  Philippe cleared his throat. "Aye, aye, Captain. Men, look sharp we still have work to do."

  Judah took Liberty by the hand and led her down the companionway. By the time they reached his cabin, she saw the anger burning in his eyes. "Must you flaunt yourself in front of my men?" he asked angrily. "I could not believe you gave comfort to Abdul Ismar. Did you make him fall in love with you too."

  "Judah ... I ... no. That is not fair. I never ... I wouldn't do that." Hurt showed in her blue eyes. "How can you even suggest that I — "

  He broke in, his voice sharp. "I will expect you to remain below until we reach our destination. Now, that we have come this far, we must proceed to Tripoli and try to rescue the Blackburn family."

  Liberty was hurt and angry. She raised her chin a
nd gave him a haughty glance. "The Blackburns are not in Tripoli. Captain Ismar told me that they were being kept at the Trade Wind Inn, at Martinique."

  Judah's eyes narrowed with jealousy. "How did you come by that little piece of information? Did you charm it out of the pirate?"

  "No, I did not. He was so sure you would not be able to rescue me that he volunteered the information."

  At that very moment, the sound of cannon fire ripped through the air, followed by a splintering of wood and a loud explosion. Liberty knew that the Sea Serpent would soon rest in a watery grave. She shuddered, thinking how differently this day could have ended.

  Still hurt and confused by Judah's attitude, she went to the bed and sat down. She could feel his eyes on her, but she refused to look at him.

  "I trust you will heed my advice and remain in this cabin," he said.

  At last she gave him a scorching glance. "I would not dream of disobeying. I thank you for the rescue, Judah. I do not thank you for your cruel words. You treat me like a wayward child when I am your wife."

  "I am very aware that you are my wife, Liberty. I could hardly forget that."

  "Perhaps if I were your mistress, I would get more courtesy from you," she said in an angry voice.

  Their eyes locked in mental combat. Liberty did not flinch or lower her eyes. All Judah really wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her close to his heart. He realized he had been acting like a jealous fool.

  He took a hesitant step toward her, but when she looked away from him, he felt a chill in his heart, "I will not disturb you tonight, Madame."

  "I am sure you would rather spend your time with Adriane Pierce. It is a pity you had to interrupt your little reunion with her to rescue your wife."

  Judah's jaw tightened, and his turquoise eyes burned with green flames. Without another word he turned, and left a confused Liberty, wondering why he had acted as if he despised her. She lay back on the bed wishing Judah would come back.

  For the three days that it took to reach Martinique, Liberty remained in Judah's cabin. In that time, her husband did not visit her, and her pride would not allow her to ask to see him. Finally Philippe came to the cabin to escort Liberty ashore.

  A clear blue sky welcomed the Winged Victory back to Martinique, but Liberty did not see Judah as she crossed the deck of the ship, and climbed down the rope ladder. The first mate accompanied her to the house and left her in the hands of a smiling Hayman. Adriane Pierce was gone, but then Liberty knew she would be. Judah was not so foolish as to keep her under the same roof with his wife.

  After Liberty had eaten cool sliced melon and drunk a cup of tea, she felt more like herself. She stood on the front gallery and gazed down at the Winged Victory. There was a lot of activity on deck. She watched several men leave the ship, armed with guns and swords, and she knew they were going to the Trade Wind Inn to rescue the Blackburn family.

  Liberty went to her bedroom. She was exhausted because she had not slept in several nights, and she only intended to lie across her bed for a short rest. Instantly, her eyes fluttered shut, however, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.

  She was awakened by someone shaking her shoulder. "Ma'dame," Hayman said, stepping back a respectable distance. "Philippe Cease is below with orders to take you to the ship. I am to tell you that you should pack your belongings because you will be going home."

  Still under the drug like influence of sleep, Liberty went downstairs to find Philippe waiting for her. "The captain told me to inform you that you would be sharing his cabin with Madame Blackburn and her two daughters. He hopes this will meet with your approval," Philippe said.

  "Then you managed to rescue the Blackburn family?"

  "Oui, there was nothing to it. The captain told the man who owns the inn to deliver the Blackburns to us immediately."

  "You met with no resistance?"

  "None. The man was only to glad to comply. You see he had a dozen guns pointed at his head." Philippe laughed. "As a matter of fact, he could not wait to have the Blackburns off his hands. Especially when he heard Captain Ismar was dead."

  When Liberty turned to the houseboy who had served her so well, she held out her hand to him. "I will miss you, Hayman. You have done your duty well."

  His dark eyes glowed as he shook her hand. "It was a pleasure to look after Ma'dame."

  "I know you will look after the house. Perhaps I will see you again before too long."

  Hayman nodded. "It is a big responsibility to keep things in order. I will see that the house is kept nice for your return, Ma'dame."

  Philippe smiled down at Liberty. "Are you glad to be going home?"

  "Yes. It will be good to see Briar Oaks."

  Philippe led her out of the house, and Liberty was settled in the buggy before she spoke. "Philippe, will Adriane Pierce be sailing on the Winged Victory with us?"

  The first mate met Liberty's eyes. "No. The captain put her on a ship for Boston."

  As the carriage moved away, Liberty waved to Hayman, who looked like a lost soul standing all alone. She wondered if she would ever see him or Martinique again.

  When she boarded the Winged Victory, she noted that Judah was at the helm of the ship, but he spared her no more than a quick glance. With her chin held high and her back straight, Liberty made her way down the companionway.

  When she entered the cabin, she saw that three cots had been set up. Silently she looked at Madame Blackburn and her two daughters. The mother was plump with graying hair and a ready smile. One of the daughters was only a child, about ten years of age. The other daughter was very pretty, with glorious red hair and soft white skin, and obviously in her early teens.

  "You must be Liberty Slaughter," the woman said. "I am sorry you will be forced to share your cabin with us, but, we have little choice in the matter. I cannot tell you how much we owe your husband for rescuing us from those horrible men. We thought we would never draw another free breath."

  Liberty smiled at her. "I am sure my husband was only too glad help you. Since we are going to be sharing this cabin, I suggest we introduce ourselves by our first names. I am called Liberty by my friends."

  Mrs. Blackburn nodded to her youngest. "This is Charity, and her sister is Hope. My name is Faith."

  "How very clever," Liberty observed. "Faith, Hope, and Charity."

  The oldest daughter seated herself on Judah's bed and smiled up at Liberty. "This is his bed," she said with a sigh. "You are so fortunate to have such a brave and handsome husband, Mrs. Slaughter. I may try to steal him from you."

  The girl's mother gasped and looked embarrassed. "Hope, how can you say such things after all Captain Slaughter has done for us."

  Liberty's eyes met Hope's and she saw the smile that lingered there. Somehow it reminded her of Bandera. "Do not scold your daughter, Madame. Judah is accustomed to ladies throwing themselves at him."

  Liberty saw Hope's eyes narrow, and she smiled at the girl. "I am sure Judah will be amused by your daughter's attentions, Madame." Liberty was weary of scheming women who tried to get Judah's attention. In her present mood, she would gladly hand him over to any one of them.

  "I beg you to forgive my daughter's bad manners, Mrs. Slaughter. She really means no harm. She is just young and flirtatious."

  Again Liberty looked into Hope's eyes. This mother and daughter reminded her of her own mother and Bandera. She did not relish the thought of being cooped up with them all the way back to New Orleans. "All is forgiven if you will instruct your daughter to remove herself from my bed, and seek her own cot."

  Liberty knew she was not being very gracious, but she was fresh out of patience. Right then, all she wanted to do was get home to Briar Oaks. She could not wait to see Sebastian's face when he discovered she had not met some terrible fate at the hands of Abdul Ismar.

  26

  On their journey to New Orleans the passengers and crew of the Winged Victory had been blessed with two weeks of golden sunshiny days and star-studded nig
hts.

  Judah now stood at the helm and watched his wife take a turn around the deck with the youngest Blackburn girl. He yearned to feel the touch of Liberty's soft skin, he dreamed of kissing her sweet lips until she begged for mercy, he ached to possess her body, to hold her to him so she would know she belonged to him alone.

  Judah could not blame Liberty for her anger toward him. He had done everything wrong. Instead of confessing his happiness at having her safely back with him, after he had rescued her from Abdul Ismar he had acted the jealous fool. Instead of telling her how much he loved her and ached for her, he had been cold to her. Judah knew Liberty still wondered about his relationship with Adriane Pierce. He wondered how he would explain to her that Adriane was a part of his past and now meant nothing to him.

  Judah watched the older Blackburn girl make her way up the steps of the quarterdeck toward him. She was an obvious flirt, and she irritated him.

  "Good afternoon, Captain Slaughter. I hope you do not mind if I watch you for a while?" She batted her eyes coquettishly. "I am fascinated by this ship . . . and her captain."

  He watched her face beam with pleasure as he looked at her. "You are welcome to watch as long as your mother or father are with you. I do not recommend that you come to the quarter-deck unescorted."

  Hope moved closer to Judah, and it was no accident that her arm brushed against his. "Why, Captain, would I not be safe with you?" Again she batted her eyes, a habit that was beginning to annoy Judah.

  "Let us just say that it is not wise for you to come here, Miss Blackburn."

  She boldly slid her hand through his arm. "Will you not call me Hope?"

  "No, I will not, Miss Blackburn." Judah glanced down and saw Liberty watching him. He issued a silent oath, knowing what the situation must look like from a distance. In irritation he glared at his wife for making him feel guilty when he was not.