Ashes and Ecstasy

by Catherine Hart

  A cold look of disdain further hardened Sr. Fernandez’s stern features. “Isabel has not lived here for three years, and if she is wise, she will not attempt to darken my doorstep with her presence. She is no longer welcome in my home!”

  A dismayed gasp escaped Señora Fernandez’s lips as Reed and Kathleen stared at each other in surprise. “She is our daughter, Rafael,” the woman whispered faintly.

  Sr. Fernandez shot her a quelling look. “I no longer have a daughter!” To Reed and Kathleen he said, “I am sorry you have wasted your time and mine.”

  As he turned to leave the room, Kathleen jumped up. “Wait! Can you at least tell me where I might find her? I am sorry you are at odds with one another, but I should still like to see her.”

  The look Sr. Fernandez leveled at her would have frozen water. “I have no idea where she is, and I care less. To me she is dead.” He stalked from the room, leaving them alone with the distraught señora.

  “I am so sorry,” the woman murmured, unshed tears glistening in her huge dark eyes. “My husband is a hard, unforgiving man, but he has his reasons.”

  “Why?” Kathleen asked softly, still stunned by Fernandez’s outburst.

  “I cannot tell you. He has forbidden me to speak of it, or of her. I am surprised he consented to see you at all.” She sighed deeply, as if it was an effort to breathe. “This much I can tell you. You would be wasting your time to try to find Isabel. Others have been looking for her for weeks without success, and if my prayers are answered, she is not to be found in Córdoba or all of Spain.”

  Sorrow contorted her features into a grimace of pain. “I must ask you to leave now. Manuel will see you out.”

  As they climbed into the carriage, Kathleen and Reed were still stunned. “What was that all about?” Reed wondered aloud.

  Kathleen shook her head in dismay. “Poor Isabel! What could she have done that is so dreadful?”

  “I suppose we’ll never know,” Reed answered.

  The carriage pulled out onto the street, and as it slowed at the nearest corner, an old woman waved at them frantically. She resembled a scrawny black crow, dressed as she was all in black. They were about to ignore her and go on, when she approached the carriage, looked furtively back at the house they’d just left, and asked in hushed tones, “You are looking for Isabel?”

  Kathleen exchanged a quick look with her husband and nodded hurriedly. “Yes. Do you know where we can find her?”

  “Perhaps,” the woman answered hesitantly, “but I would need to know what you want with her.” Again she glanced worriedly toward the house.

  Impulsively, Kathleen threw open the carriage door. “Get in. We can talk in privacy as we ride.”

  Once settled, the woman still did not drop her guard. “Why do you seek Isabel?” she asked abruptly.

  “I am a friend of hers,” Kathleen offered.

  “Why have I never seen you before?” the woman returned suspiciously, her small, beady eyes narrowed.

  “This is my first trip to Spain,” Kathleen explained. “Isabel and I were friends at school in England. She visited me once in Ireland.”

  “What is your name?”

  “I am Kathleen Taylor, and this is my husband, Reed.” When she got no response, she added, “Before my marriage, I was Kathleen O'Reilly Haley.”

  This brought a nod from the old crone. “I have heard the name. What are you doing in Spain?”

  The mystery and interrogation of the past hour were starting to bother both Kathleen and Reed. They exchanged an exasperated look, and Reed took over. “I am a ship’s captain, and I own a shipping firm and several vessels in America. We are here on business to trade goods. While here, my wife wished to arrange a visit with Isabel, but I am beginning to wish I’d never heard of her.” Kathleen laid a restraining hand on his arm. Leaning toward the old woman, she asked intently, “Is she in some sort of trouble? What is going on? Where is she? Why is everyone acting so strangely?”

  The old woman shook her head. “I cannot tell you that yet. I must know that you can be trusted before I say more.” Her eyes grew piercing as she studied Reed and Kathleen. “Did you come by ship?”

  At their answering nod, she asked, “Where are you staying?”

  “We are staying aboard our ship, the Kat-Ann, at the docks.” Reed wondered if he were making a mistake in telling her this.

  “How long will you be there?”

  “We plan to leave late tomorrow evening.”

  “Are you leaving Spain? Where are you headed?” the woman persisted.

  “We are making a short stop at Seville for additional goods, since the port of Cádiz is under French blockade and we cannot trade there. Then we proceed to Ireland to attend to Kathleen’s estate there,” Reed told her.

  “And then we will return to Savannah,” Kathleen added.

  “That is in America?” the woman asked, as if it were of great importance.

  “Yes.”

  Again she nodded. “That is good.”

  “Why?” Kathleen prodded.

  The woman disregarded her question, posing instead another of her own. “Will you be aboard your ship tonight and tomorrow?”

  They assured her that one of them would be there if it was necessary.

  “Bueno. Someone will contact you. I only hope that I am not placing Isabel in danger by talking to you.” Her concern and suspicion were evident.

  “I swear to you that I am Isabel’s friend,” Kathleen vowed. “If she is in trouble, I want to help her if I can.”

  “Bah!” The woman spat the word in contempt. “Her own father has turned his back on her. You must place your trust carefully when your own flesh and blood turn you out.”

  Reed pinned the woman to her seat with his own determined glare. “If my wife says we will help Isabel, then help her we will.”

  The woman motioned for the carriage to stop. “You will hear from Isabel or from me soon. Be alert, and beware of strangers lurking about or asking questions. Isabel’s life may depend on your discretion. Tell no one that you have spoken to me, or what we have discussed.” With that, she descended from the carriage and disappeared into a nearby alley.

  Kathleen and Reed stared after her in bewilderment. “This is getting stranger by the minute,” Reed said with a frown.

  “Oh, Reed!” Kathleen raised worried eyes to his in a long look. “Isabel is in trouble of some sort! I’m wondering if we should alert the authorities?”

  He smiled wryly. “I have an odd feeling that it may be authorities who are searching for her so diligently, Kat.” Kathleen slumped in her seat. “But why?”

  “If we knew that, I wouldn’t be so worried,” he answered thoughtfully. “On second thought, knowing might make it worse. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

  “I hope she is all right.”

  “So do I, kitten, and I hope her troubles don’t become ours. I hear Spanish jails are not the most hospitable places in which to find oneself.”

  “Strange talk for someone so deeply involved in piracy,” she commented dryly, a sparkle lighting her green eyes.

  “Privateering,” he corrected with a mocking look. “You, my dear, are the only one in this family who has ever practiced actual piracy.”

  Three years of relative tranquility in his marriage had dulled Reed’s mortification at finding out that his own wife had pirated him very successfully. Now Reed could almost laugh about it; or at least he could accept and understand why Kathleen had done it. In all honesty, he had to admit he admired her courage and skill in handling both her ship and her rapier.

  Kathleen had been stunning as the piratess Emerald of the Emerald Enchantress, he recalled. Disguising herself so that Reed would not recognize her, she had dyed her hair raven black and wore a mask and an extremely bold, revealing outfit consisting of long black boots, a green vest, and matching green trousers cut off short to just cover her buttocks . . .

  Later that evening aboard the Kat-Ann, Kathleen snuggled
deeper into Reed’s enfolding embrace. “Alone at last,” he mumbled gruffly into her hair. “Is Della still in charge?”

  “Yes,” Kathleen laughed. “The children are all hers until morning, and I am all yours.”

  “That is the best news I’ve heard all day.” Reed’s lips found the smooth skin of her neck, trailing tiny, nipping kisses to her creamy shoulder and sending shivers of delight dancing across her skin.

  Her seeking fingers feathered sensuously through the dark mat of hair on his chest. Kathleen always marveled that the tufts were both coarse and soft at the same time. She loved the feel of it against her palms, and brushing the tips of her breasts when Reed made love to her.

  She nuzzled her nose into his neck and worked her way upward to nip at his earlobe. Her tongue traced the shape of his ear, and she blew softly into it, laughing when she felt him shudder in response.

  “Witch!” he muttered huskily, turning his head to meet her eager mouth with his own. Their breath mingled, and her lips melted beneath his like warm wax. Tongues met and teased and tangled. Beneath her open hand, Kathleen felt Reed’s heartbeat accelerate to match her own.

  With his hands, he spread her coppery hair across the pillow. Then his fingers traced her slightly slanted eyes, her high, delicate cheekbones, her up-tilted nose; and on to her stubborn chin, her luscious, kiss-reddened lips.

  “You are so lovely,” he whispered. “So very beautiful. I’ll never get enough of you, sweetheart; not if I live to be a hundred.”

  “I’m sure I won’t be beautiful then,” she teased, gazing into his passion-darkened eyes.

  “You will always be beautiful to me, my love,” he assured her.

  His lips traced the path his fingers had taken, and while he tenderly teased the rosy nipple of one breast between a finger and thumb, his lips pulled insistently at the other. His teeth gently grazed the pert nub, and her back arched as she drew in a sharp breath. Her fingers laced through his dark locks as she held his head tightly to her.

  “Reed! Oh, Reed! Yes!” Her mind was whirling as she felt his hand wending its way across her hip; her thigh. His fingers feathered lightly up the inside of her leg and on across her stomach, before delving down to stroke the tiny, throbbing essence of her femininity.

  Kathleen was on fire for him. Without thought, her hands caressed the width of his shoulders in broad, sweeping gestures, as his mouth came up to ravage hers and silence her moans of ecstasy. She clutched him to her, unconsciously reveling in the feel of his muscled strength under her hands. She writhed beneath his touch, and as his fingers delved deeply into her silken warmth, he found her moist and ready.

  With her body she urged him to take her. Her hand reached down to find his velvet shaft, the hard proof of his desire, and her fingers stroked out their urgent plea.

  As he positioned himself above her, her body rose to meet his. “Tell me, Kat. Let me hear the words,” he whispered hoarsely.

  “Take me,” she gasped. “Make me yours. I need you so badly!”

  The first spasms shot through her body as he plunged deeply into her. Her long nails dug into the bunched muscles of his back, and he let out a low hiss. His kitten had turned into a tigress, and her passion fired his. The rhythm of their lovemaking gradually increased, taking them both higher and higher on an ever-building wave of desire. Their damp, slick bodies strained toward the peak, the pleasure almost unbearable. Then the wave crested, and they rode the sparkling wake together until it lowered them into gentler waters.

  Weak with the force of their loving, Kathleen lay limply in his embrace, her head now cushioned on his broad shoulder. A long sigh of contentment shuddered from deep within. “I love you, Reed, more and more each day.”

  He smiled, and his arm tightened about her small waist. Reed never failed to treasure her words of love, for there was a time when each of them had feared to let the other know of their deep feelings. Now he tenderly kissed the damp tendrils of hair on her forehead. “I love you, too, kitten. Forever.”

  Kathleen fought the intruding sounds that repeatedly forced their way into her deep slumber. She mumbled groggily, feeling the mattress give as Reed shifted position, and then the light of the lantern pierced her closed eyelids. Just as the fog of sleep was lifting from her brain, she heard the creak of the cabin door, and Reed talking to whoever was on the other side.

  “All right, I’ll take care of it. Give me a minute,” she heard him say.

  “What is it?” she croaked sleepily, as she watched him tug on his pants.

  “Just some little wharf rat caught sneaking on board. He probably intended to stow away, but he got caught instead.”

  “Why can’t Kenigan take care of it?” she frowned.

  “Because the cheeky little waif keeps spouting something to him in Spanish, and the only thing he can make out is that he wants to see the capitán. So, the captain he shall see, and no doubt be sorry he disturbed my rest.”

  Reed looked so put out that Kathleen almost felt sorry for the lad. Just as she was about to plead with him to be gentle with the boy, the sound of shouts and running footsteps reached their ears. The noise came closer, and just as Kathleen concluded that the pursuit would lead past their cabin, the door flew open, and in tumbled a dirty, skinny little urchin. Clutching the bedcovers to her chest, Kathleen watched in open-mouthed amazement as four burly seamen crowded in after the ragamuffin.

  At Reed’s enraged bellow, the boy scrambled to his feet, gesturing wildly and chattering excitedly in rapid Spanish. Beneath the shouts of the men, the lad’s voice was barely heard.

  Suddenly the young scamp spied Kathleen in the bed, and he lurched unsteadily toward her, his black eyes seeming to plead with her for help.

  Reed grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “What the hell are you trying to prove here?” he shouted.

  The boy’s eyes never left Kathleen’s, and Kathleen’s own gaze was swiftly transmitting signals to her sleep-dazed brain. Those eyes! Those huge black eyes, heavily fringed with long, dark lashes. Those lips, perfectly shaped into a cupid’s bow! Those eyebrows; delicate arches as fine as a bird’s wing!

  “Oh, my God!” Kathleen gasped in disbelief.

  Before she could say more, Reed was shepherding the men from the cabin, dragging the lad after him.

  “Wait!” Kathleen shrieked, gathering the covers about her as she leaped from the bed.

  “For heaven’s sake, Kat! Get back in bed!” Reed exploded.

  “No! You don’t understand!” she interrupted. “Let the boy speak! Let him go!”

  “Have you gone daft?” Reed demanded.

  Kathleen took a deep breath and said more calmly, “Reed, please. Send the men away and let me explain. I know what I am doing, believe me.”

  Something about her absolute certainty made him relent. “All right, but I’m staying, and we are going to get to the bottom of this.”

  When the men had gone, Kathleen said, “You can let him go now, Reed.”

  He looked at her doubtfully, but reluctantly complied.

  The lad stood mutely as Kathleen approached. With a mischievous smile, Kathleen reached out and pulled off the boy’s cap, releasing a mass of waist-length black hair.

  Through Reed’s amazement, he heard Kathleen say softly, “I’d like you to meet Isabel Fernandez.”

  One huge sob tore loose from the very depths of the bedraggled Isabel as she flung herself into Kathleen’s open arms. Her hot tears wet them both as Kathleen clutched her friend and the covers tightly, rocking Isabel gently as she often did in comforting her own children.

  As she stroked the tangled hair, Kathleen’s own eyes shimmered with tears. “What on earth has brought you to this end, my dearest Isabel?” The girl weighed less than nothing, and Kathleen could feel her bones through the thin shirt she wore.

  Full of pity, Kathleen pulled herself slightly away, looking down at her diminutive friend. Pleading jet-black eyes looked up into hers. When Isabel spoke, her voice quavered with f
atigue, and she sagged weakly against Kathleen’s supporting arm. With obvious effort, she begged faintly, “Ayudeme, Katrina. Help me! For the love of God, hide me! Save me!” With the last of her strength, she added, “Por favor—please.” Then, as if aware she had reached safety at last and could finally relax, she wilted in a dead faint.

  Reed caught her before her head hit the floor. Scooping the frail girl into his arms, he looked questioningly at Kathleen. “Well, Kat? Do we find her a bed and let her rest, or do we give her a bath first?”

  Kathleen smiled her thanks. “I think she needs the sleep more, or she wouldn’t have fainted.”

  Reed frowned. “That, or she passed out from sheer hunger. Good grief, but she is a skinny little thing! Was she always so thin?”

  “No.” Kathleen shook her head in dismay. “She was always very tiny and petite, but never anything like this! The poor girl is practically dying of starvation, Reed! I wonder when she last had decent food?”

  “Well, I can tell you she will have plenty of it as soon as she wakens, my love,” he promised solemnly. “But we may have another problem first.”

  At her quizzical look, he explained. “Kat, she’s burning up with fever. We have a very sick lady on our hands.”

  Kathleen let out a cry of dismay.

  “Don’t worry,” Reed soothed. “We’ll tend to her. It is a good thing we have our own doctor aboard, since we obviously do not dare risk calling in a physician from town, not knowing what kind of trouble Isabel is running from. But, until the doctor confirms that whatever ails her is not contagious, I want you and the children to stay well away from her.”

  “But, Reed ...” Kathleen started to protest.

  He cut her off, his words sharp and brooking no more argument. “No, Kathleen. She is your friend, and we will help her, but I’ll not risk your life or the children’s for anyone. You mean too much to me.”