by Bobbi Smith
“What did he do to you?” Jim demanded as a powerful killer instinct previously unknown to him surged to life. The man would pay for what ever he had done, and he would pay dearly.
“Nothing—I got away, thank God. If it hadn’t been for Rose—” she said plaintively.
He started forward, wanting to take her into the shelter of his embrace, but Delight would have none of it, and she moved quickly away from him.
“Who’s Rose, darling?” he asked quietly.
“Rose is my companion. She used to work for my mother, but that was before Martin came. She quit when he approached her…”
“I get the picture.” He stopped her explanation. “Remind me to thank Rose, will you?”
Delight glanced back at him, reading his very real concern for her. The emotion she witnessed on his face gave her pause, but she dismissed it quickly. He was to be married! He had no business approaching her this way and forcing her into an impossible situation. Determined to settle things between them quickly, she continued.
“What did you mean when you said that I’d used you?”
“It’s not important anymore.” Jim didn’t want to explain his doubts about her loyalty, but Delight pursued it.
“It is important,” she insisted. “I want to know what you meant!” He took a few steps in her direction, but she held up a hand to stop his progress. “Don’t you come any nearer to me, Jim Westlake. We can talk just fine the way we are.”
Frustrated, but anxious to have this whole unsavory scene over with, he retreated to his desk and sat down.
“Well?” she demanded.
“There has been a serious breach of security concerning our gold shipments, and ‘Murphy’ was the most likely suspect to have done the dirty work.”
“Me?” She was totally shocked. “You suspected me?”
Jim nodded, more than pleased by her very real surprise and knowing then, without a doubt, that she was innocent. He gazed across the desk at her, seeing her for the first time for what she really was…A beautiful young woman, victimized by a lecherous stepfather, pursued by an engaged man, desperate for some peace and contentment in her life. He smiled to himself. From now on he would personally see to it that she had everything she deserved in life. “Yes. But after tonight…well, there no longer is any doubt of your guilt or innocence. Marshall has assured me that you are in no way connected with the Southern spies.”
“Marshall assured you?!” For some unknown reason it infuriated her that he had to ask Marshall for a character reference. “You believed that I was capable of spying?”
“Delight…” He spoke her name softly, liking the way it sounded now that he was getting used to it. “How could I trust my own instincts where you’re concerned? After all that’s happened, I find that I can’t be quite as objective as I should be about you…” Jim stood and came around the desk to stand before her.
When she didn’t move away from him, he took it as encouragement and pulled her into his embrace. He bent to kiss her, but Delight pushed away, moving from the haven of his arms.
“Delight?” Jim questioned, wondering at her sudden withdrawal…one minute she seemed willing, and the next…“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” She managed to sound cold and almost indifferent. “I’ve told you what you wanted to know; now take me home.” Delight had felt too safe and too comfortable when he’d held her, and she wanted to get away from his overpowering presence before it was too late. She loved him, but in despair, she knew he would never be hers.
Jim could wait no longer to have her. In one quick move, he pulled her to him and kissed her. His mouth seared hers in a fiery brand that was breathtaking in its intensity while his hands moved over her in an intimate rediscovery of her softness.
Overpowered by his ardor, Delight was lost momentarily, drowning in the ecstasy of his desire. This was Jim, and he knew who she was and he still wanted her…There was no darkness disguising them…no liquor to cloud their senses. She looped her arms around his neck and moved closer, enjoying the feel of his hard male form against her softer, more supple one.
Jim rejoiced as he felt her surrender. She was his! Eagerly, he slipped a hand within the bodice of her gown to stroke the tempting silken flesh of her breast.
It was the shock of his bold touch that forced Delight to face reality. He wanted her all right, but he was engaged to marry another. She couldn’t allow this to happen, no matter how much she desired him, no matter how much her body ached with the need to meld with him.
“No, Jim…please, stop…” She fought to free herself from his ardent caresses.
“What’s wrong now?” He released her, stunned by her sudden refusal. Would he ever understand her?
“This attraction we have for each other is wrong, Jim,” she told him, struggling with the agony of the decision she had to make.
He stared at her in confusion, “I don’t understand. How can anything this beautiful…this perfect…be wrong?”
Delight was scandalized by his attitude. “Does your engagement to Annabelle mean so little to you?”
“My engagement?” As he finally understood her reason for denying him, his love for her swelled deep within him.
“Yes, your engagement.” She turned away from him, afraid that at any moment she might throw herself into his arms, regardless of Annabelle.
“Delight.” His voice was like velvet over her frayed senses, and he went to her, taking her once more into his arms. He drew her rigid form to his chest. “Darling, what we have is so special…I knew that I had to find you…to make you mine. Love me, Delight,” he told her, as he kissed her softly and with infinite tenderness.
“Oh, Jim…I love you, too! So much! But…” Before she could protest, his mouth descended to claim hers.
As their lips met, their fate was sealed. Joined in spirit as one, they blended together, tasting and touching each other until their passion for completion drove all thoughts from their minds, except the need for that ultimate union.
Shedding their clothes with a desperate urgency, they moved together to his bunk. Jim threw the blankets aside carelessly and then lifted her into his arms and laid her down on the welcoming softness. Lying on his side, he stretched out with her, drawing her full to him. He shuddered at the touch of her smooth body against his.
Gone were all thoughts of right and wrong. All that existed was Jim and her undying need for him. Delight clung to Jim then, drawing his head down to her so she could kiss him, expressing her full need for him in that flaming caress.
Knowing that he couldn’t hold himself in check any longer, Jim moved up over her.
“My beauty…” His voice was husky with emotion as he looked down at her. “You’re no longer just a dream.”
With infinite care, he claimed her as his own.
Giving and taking, they melded into one as his steady rhythm stoked to life the flames of their need. Her hands were never still as she held him and caressed him, her touch fueling the fire that was already burning out of control within him. Delight was consumed by the heat of his desire. Straining against him, her body crying out for the release only Jim could give her, she joined him in a spiraling climax. She called out his name in reverent love as his mouth found hers in a gentle kiss that soothed the painful beauty of their fervid mating.
Clasped in each other’s arms, they floated back to reality, and it was only then that Delight realized with a heavy heart that Jim had never declared his love.
“You feel so wonderful to me,” he told her as he held her. “I could keep you like this forever.”
“How would you explain that to your fiancée?” The words were out before she could stop them, and Delight was mortified that she’d revealed so much of what she was feeling.
“Annabelle has nothing to do with us,” Jim began, but the moment of exquisite loving was gone, shattered by Annabelle’s unspoken presence. He wanted to tell her that by tomorrow she would never have to worry about Ann
abelle again, but before he could explain Delight left the bed and began pulling on her clothes.
“Please…take me home now.” She kept her back to him, afraid that he would see the pain she was feeling clearly etched on her strained features.
“Delight…”
But she refused to listen to anything he had to say. “I’m leaving here, with or without your help, Jim Westlake.”
Reluctantly he got up and began to dress, hoping that by tomorrow everything would be straightened out.
Martin had observed Delight’s secretive departure from the house, and he was livid. He had seen her get into the carriage with Jim Westlake, and he knew what she was up to now…why she was nothing more than a slut!
The mental image of Delight naked in Jim’s arms drove Martin nearly insane with jealousy. He was outraged by what was happening, and he threw caution to the wind as he stalked up the servants’ stairs to Sue’s bedroom. Without knocking, he entered her room and woke her abruptly.
“Martin? Is something wrong?” Even though she was still half asleep, Sue could sense the violence in Martin.
“Come with me.” He spoke curtly.
If he couldn’t have Delight tonight, at least he could have the next-best thing…Sue in Delight’s bed. Grabbing Sue by the forearm, he practically dragged her down the staircase to the second-floor hall.
“Where are you taking me?” she whispered as they headed down the hallway past the master bedroom.
“Where I want to be,” he replied mysteriously as he pulled her into Delight’s room and locked the door.
The ride from the levee seemed interminable to Jim, for he could not coax Delight into a conversation. To his every ventured question, her expression remained impassive—almost stony—and Jim wondered at her mood. He didn’t understand how she could have been so responsive in his bed only moments before and now wouldn’t even look at him. It was as if she wanted to forget the entire night…
As the hired carriage pulled to a stop a block away from Delight’s house, he finally gave up the struggle to understand her. Deciding that he would see her tomorrow after he’d broken off with Annabelle, he opened the carriage door and climbed out.
“I’ll walk you the rest of the way,” he offered, not wanting to part from her so quickly.
“There’s no need,” Delight responded with frigid indifference. She had to get away from him as soon as possible. She couldn’t break down in front of him. He didn’t love her…he had used her…forced her own body to betray her, and now he was taking her home as casually as if nothing had passed between them.
“There is every need!” He was growing angry.
She shugged. “Suit yourself.” And she started off at a brisk pace down the sidewalk.
Jim stood in total frustration for a minute and then went after her, accompanying her in silence all the way to her back door.
“Delight,” he murmured as she started to open the door and go in.
“Good night, Captain.” And then she was gone, leaving him staring in thoughtful surprise at the closed and now locked kitchen door.
Saddened and feeling somehow cheapened by the night that had just passed, Delight headed slowly upstairs to her room. The hour was just before dawn, and she was more than startled to find Rose bustling about her bedroom when she opened the door.
“Rose? What are you doing?”
“I thought I heard a commotion up here, so I came up to check on you and discovered that you were gone. I was worried.”
Delight went to her and hugged her tightly. “Thank you for caring…but why are you straightening up the room? It was clean when I left.”
Rose debated whether or not to tell her what she’d discovered when she’d come in to check on her. Deciding that Delight should know what was going on, she braced herself to explain.
“When I came in I found this.” She held up the remnants of the once lovely negligee.
“My God…do you suppose Martin did it?”
“I know he did, and also what he did right here in your bed!” Rose said vehemently, pointing to the pile of dirty sheets she’d just pulled off Delight’s bed.
“He’s sick, Rose. He must have seen me leave,” she murmured thoughtfully.
“Where did you go tonight?”
“It’s a long story, Rose…”
“One that I’m sure you should have told me long ago.”
Desperately needing to unburden herself, Delight blurted out the whole story. Telling her dearest friend of her time disguised as Jim’s cabin boy and of how she’d fallen in love with him, she left out only the truth about their lovemaking, but Rose was sensitive enough to know what had already taken place.
“So, you do love him?” Rose asked gently.
A sigh shuddered through Delight as she faced her. “Yes. I love Jim, but he doesn’t love me. He’s engaged to Annabelle, and I know there’s no hope.” Tears stung her eyes, and when Rose opened her arms to hug her, Delight was grateful for the comfort.
“Let’s just wait and see what tomorrow brings,” Rose consoled her. “Things may not be as bad as they seem.”
Delight forced a teary smile. “Thanks, Rose.”
“Now, let’s figure out what we’re going to do about Martin.” Rose looked at the gown in disgust.
“I’ll just have to make sure to lock my door every night.”
“And I’ll start sleeping in here with you, beginning tonight.”
“That’s a good idea, Rose.” And Delight wondered if maybe it wasn’t time to tell her mother the truth about Martin…
Chapter Twenty-four
Martin stood in the darkened hall outside Delight’s bedroom listening to Delight and Rose’s conversation. So, she was in love with Jim Westlake, was she? It didn’t matter to Martin that she declared that Jim had no love for her. He was determined to have no obstacle in his way to having Delight…especially now that he knew she was no longer the sweet young innocent. She was going to be his, and if it meant getting rid of Westlake, well, that’s what he would do.
As soon as possible, Martin decided, he was going to do a little investigating. From what he’d heard tonight, Jim would be leaving very shortly on a trip downriver, and more than likely he would be carrying gold. Martin knew that certain Southern sympathizers in town would pay handsomely for information about the gold shipment, and they might also eliminate the problem of Jim Westlake for him in their quest for that gold. His thoughts were black as he plotted Jim’s demise. No one would ever have Delight except him…no one!
Set on a definite course of action, he went on to bed, anxious to put his plan into motion.
Startled to wakefulness by the soft knock at her bedroom door, Annabelle called out in irritation, “What is it?”
The maid opened the door and told her in hushed tones, “It’s Mr. Wade, Miss Annabelle. He’s downstairs and he wants to see you. He says it’s urgent.”
“Wade? Here? Now?” Annabelle looked groggily around her dark room. “What time is it?”
“It’s about five o’clock, ma’am.”
“Oh.” Realizing that it must be very important or Wade would never have come at this hour, Annabelle rose and threw on her dressing gown. “Tell him I’ll be right down.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The maid disappeared down the hall while Annabelle took a few quick moments to pull herself together.
He was waiting in her father’s study when she finally came downstairs.
“Wade? What is it?” Her question was urgent as she entered the room and closed the door to ensure their privacy.
“I have some news that I thought you’d be interested in.”
“About the gold?”
“No. I’m afraid it’s more personal than that.”
“Tell me.” Annabelle could not imagine what it was that he knew.
“After I got off duty, I decided to ride down to the riverfront to see if anything was going on.”
“And…?”
“And I saw your
precious fiancé going on board his boat with a woman….”
“Jim? With another woman?” She was shocked and hurt. While admittedly he had seemed a bit distracted when he’d left her tonight, she’d never suspected that he’d had a rendezvous with anyone else. “Who was it?” Her voice was hard and dangerously quiet.
“I waited, because I knew you’d want to know. They went to his cabin and it was a good hour before they came back out. I couldn’t make out who she was, so I followed them. It was Delight de Vries, Annabelle.”
“Delight de Vries…that slut! With my fiancé?!” She was livid. How dare Jim Westlake play her for a fool!
“I’m afraid so.” Wade knew that he’d upset Annabelle, but secretly he was delighted. He loved her, and he didn’t like this engagement of hers to Westlake. It seemed to him that lately it had come to mean more to her than just an arrangement to get information for the Cause.
Annabelle paced the study in a controlled rage. Had Jim no honor? How could he see another woman while he was betrothed to her? It didn’t occur to her that she had slept with Wade since her engagement. It only mattered that Jim obviously was not totally under her power. She had failed, and failure didn’t sit well with Annabelle.
“I’m sure there must be a valid explanation for his behavior. I’ll just have to ask him,” she rationalized.
“Of course,” Wade responded dryly. “He just happened to pick her up at three in the morning and take her back to his boat for a friendly visit. It happens all the time….”
“Shut up!” She turned viciously on Wade. His snide comments rankled her, and she refused to listen to him.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to ask Jim about it first thing tomorrow.”
“You are?” Wade was indeed surprised.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to reassure me that it was a very innocent happening. Jim Westlake loves me. He wouldn’t do anything so foolish as to risk what we have together.”
“You’re a fool, Annabelle,” Wade declared harshly as he swiftly crossed the room and took her forcefully into his arms. With cruel fingers, he gripped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “But, God help me, I love you…more than life itself.” And he kissed her, savagely.