Ashes and Ecstasy

by Catherine Hart

  His long fingers dug into her shoulders, his face blazing with anger. “Just as you forgot me, Kathleen? So quickly —so easily?”

  Her eyes widened in surprised denial. “I never forgot you!”

  He ignored her protest. “You replaced my ring with his, and he took my place in your life—but no longer! I will have no other man’s mark on you, no other man’s symbol on your finger while I make love to you. I will kill you myself before I see you in his arms again!”

  With precise motions, he took her emerald wedding ring from her right hand and replaced it on the proper finger. “Never,” he ground out, “never take this ring off again!”

  “Reed, I swear to you, it has been but two weeks that I wore Jean’s ring in place of yours. We thought you were dead!” Her eyes reflected her agony, tears swimming in their emerald depths.

  “If you ever remove that ring again, you will wish I was dead—or that you were!” he threatened darkly. “Never again will any man claim what is mine!” As if to prove his words, his mouth covered hers in a hard, possessive kiss meant to dominate. Only when her lips softened in submission did he raise his head from hers. “Say it, Kat,” he commanded. “Whose woman are you?”

  “I am yours, Reed,” she whispered softly. “Always yours.” With tears blurring her vision, and an ache in her heart, she yielded her lips to his once more.

  A short time later, Kathleen once again retreated to her private perch high in the shrouds. There she sat, contemplating her future and all the problems she faced. It was there that Reed found her.

  “Hiding again?” he suggested wryly.

  “Just thinking,” she said with a shrug.

  “You know, Kat, I am heartily sick of having you disappear up here each time you want to escape me. It is time you learned that this particular ploy will no longer work.”

  Kathleen frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Precisely this,” he said, clamping hold of her leg with a firm hand.

  His motion caused her to tilt toward him, and her hands flew out to catch at his shoulders. “Reed!” she shrieked. “What are you doing?”

  As his broad shoulders took her weight, he shifted his hold. In one, smooth, unexpected movement, he slung her across his shoulder, face down, her bottom near his bearded cheek.

  “Reed! For God’s sake! You’ll get us both killed!” she screamed. “Put me down!”

  One hand clinging to the mast, and the other holding onto her thighs, Reed nipped at her bare leg with sharp teeth. At her outraged screech, he ordered, “Be still and stop wriggling!”

  Steadily, if awkwardly, he began to descend the mast. Kathleen closed her eyes against the swaying deck far below. “This is insane!” she gulped.

  Reed laughed his devilish laugh. “Insane it may be, but I mean to get you off of this mast and keep you off. No more running off to hide in your private world of clouds and daydreams. No more secluded refuge where I cannot reach you. Wherever you hide, I'll find you and drag you back again. There will be no reprieves and no escapes any more.”

  When his feet finally touched the deck, he still did not release her. Feeling much safer now, Kathleen’s temper flared. Beating on his back with her fists, she raged at him. “Put me down, you brute!”

  He had the nerve to laugh at her. “Settle down, Kat! You are making a spectacle of yourself!”

  “Oh, you swine! You mad beast!” she shrieked. “You are purposely demeaning me before my crew, and I will never forgive you for this!”

  “What a shame!” he taunted with a chuckle that vibrated through her ribs. “I am severely wounded, Kat!”

  “I’ll show you wounded,” she snarled ominously. Seconds later, her teeth sank into the flesh of his back.

  His surprise yelp of pain was followed by a smart slap to her bottom.

  “Yeow!” she yelled, releasing her teeth from his skin. Kathleen subsided in silent mortification until they had gained the privacy of their quarters. There, Reed tossed her unceremoniously upon the bunk.

  “You hit me!” she declared heatedly.

  Hands on his hips, Reed glared down at her. “Yes, and you bit me. Nasty actions bring nasty returns. Remember that in future!” With that, he stalked to the door. “And stay off that mast, unless you want a repeat of this morning’s demonstration!” he warned in parting.

  Her outraged screech of impotent fury followed him out the door. Reed’s answering laughter only increased her anger and humiliation to the point of exasperated tears and useless oaths. “Impudent, overbearing, son-of-a-skunk!” she wailed.

  Chapter 19

  Supper that evening would have been a silent affair, but Reed began questioning Kathleen about Chimera, and she told him what she knew of friends and relations. From Finley, Reed had gotten news of the war. Now he wanted to know of things closer to home.

  “How long has it been since you have seen Katlin and Andrea?” he asked.

  Kathleen hesitated, knowing her answer would displease him. “Four months,” she admitted sheepishly.

  “Four months!” he exclaimed. “Do you mean to say that our son just spent his third birthday with neither parent there?”

  Kathleen’s chin rose in defiance. “I sent instructions to Kate to buy a pony and cart as my gift to him, and to tell both of them that I would be home soon.”

  Reed was having none of it. “Gifts do not take the place of a mother’s love!”

  “Drat it all, Reed!” Her eyes begged him to understand. “Don’t you see? Katlin is your spitting image! I couldn’t bear to look at him and be reminded at every turn just how much I had lost. I tried—believe me, I tried— but my heart broke each time I looked at him.” Tears sparkled and her lips trembled as she recalled the agony of separating herself from her children. “It wasn’t easy to leave them, but it was the only solution I could find at the time.”

  Reed could only begin to imagine what it had been like for her. “Was it that bad, kitten?” he asked softly, his eyes searching her face.

  “It was hell,” she whispered simply. “Pure hell!”

  Another discussion that could not be avoided concerned Sally Simpson, and the need to get Emerald out of the picture and return Kathleen to her natural role without raising Sally’s suspicions. Even Reed had to agree that it was best to keep Emerald’s true identity a secret between them.

  “We will exchange ships at Grande Terre, and have the Enchantress returned to Savannah when she has been transformed into the Starbright once more. That, at least, takes care of one problem,” Reed said.

  “I don’t see why we can’t leave Miss Simpson at Grande Terre or New Orleans. She is certainly able to find her way from there.” Kathleen wanted nothing more to do with the little blonde, but Reed felt responsible for her.

  “Don’t be spiteful, Kat,” he advised. “She was a passenger aboard the Kat-Ann, and as the captain, I have a responsibility to see her to a safe, accessible port. At least from Savannah she can travel overland, and not risk further dangers at sea.”

  “Just where is her destination?”

  “She was headed for Washington. I believe she has an uncle there. Our problem now,” Reed continued, returning to their original discussion, “is how to bring my wife on the scene and retire Emerald gracefully. I do not suppose you want to spend the entire voyage to Savannah hidden in the cabin.”

  “Not on a bet!” Kathleen declared, envisioning Sally clinging adoringly to Reed, while she sat huddled below-deck.

  “Well, then, have you anything to suggest?” Reed prompted.

  Kathleen thought a moment. “First of all, we must see that Sally gains little information from the residents of Grande Terre. One word from any of them, and it would destroy all our efforts at secrecy. Also, if Isabel returns to Savannah with us, Miss Simpson must not get a good look at her either.”

  Reed noticed the doubt in Kathleen’s tone. “Why wouldn’t Isabel want to go home with us?”

  “Isabel and Dominique are quite taken w
ith one another,” Kathleen explained with a smile. “When Dominique was wounded a few weeks back, Isabel elected to stay behind and nurse him back to health. I am not sure what she will want to do now.”

  Reed’s brow wrinkled in disgust. “What the devil is Jean doing—growing passion flowers on the island?”

  “I thought we were discussing our dilemma,” Kathleen reminded him curtly.

  “By all means, continue.” Reed waved a hand in sarcastic apology.

  “I was saying that Miss Simpson needs to be kept occupied so she is not tempted to wander about on her own.”

  Now Reed smiled, a bit devilishly. “I could undertake that mission,” he volunteered.

  “I’m sure you could,” Kathleen snapped.

  Jealous, kitten?” he taunted, his teeth flashing in a grin.

  “When pigs fly!” she lied.

  Reed raised a skeptical brow, but merely said, “Go on with your plan.”

  “I could sail the Enchantress out of Barataria Bay, and anchor her in a nearby inlet, letting everyone assume Emerald has gone on another mission. Isabel could come along. If we could arrange to be picked up by pirogue, we could return the next day and you could meet your wife at the dock.”

  Reed shook his head. “That is fine, as far as it goes, but it would still give the impression that you are in close association with Jean’s operation.”

  Kathleen agreed, and after a few minutes of concentration, she finally hit on a workable solution. “Suppose you found out that Isabel and I were visiting New Orleans just now, staying with friends? Quite a coincidence, I will grant you, but who is to dispute the possibility? Naturally, you would send someone for us. Miss Simpson would assume that we have traveled from New Orleans to Grande Terre at your request.”

  Reed mulled this over thoughtfully. “Yes, I think it will work,” he said at last. “It will take teamwork and good timing, but it seems plausible.”

  So it was decided. Reed would see to informing Jean of their plans. Jean would alert his men, and Reed would keep Sally occupied while Kathleen went about the actual work of the deception. Kathleen was not thrilled by Reed’s part in the plan, but she kept her annoyance to herself for now, in the fervent hope that Miss Simpson would soon be out of their lives.

  The next day brought a final encounter at sea before reaching the seclusion of Grande Terre. Mid-morning the Enchantress crossed the path of a Spanish barkentine, heavily loaded and riding low and heavy in the water. She was easy prey, and too good to forfeit. Kathleen's eyes sparkled with anticipation. She had been aching for a good fight for days, ever since Reed’s reappearance and meeting Sally Simpson. The tension had been building within her —a swift attack and a hearty swordfight would greatly relieve it.

  Reed could not fail to see the excitement on Kathleen’s face. “You are itching for one last victory, aren’t you?” he said, grinning and shaking his head in mock dismay.

  “Yes,” she admitted without reserve. “I want that ship! Every once in a while, we take a Spanish vessel. It keeps the crews well paid, since there is little profit in attacking British warships. One last haul would fill the men’s pockets before heading home again.”

  “And perhaps provide a few baubles for a greedy piratess in the bargain?” Reed suggested.

  Kathleen laughed, her spirits high. “That, too.”

  “Signal Jean for the attack, and let’s go to it, then,” Reed said. “I could use a little practice after all those months without a sword in my hand.” He, too, was getting caught up in Kathleen’s excitement, and the desire for physical action. He hoped his sword arm hadn’t lost its skill.

  The chase was short, the two faster vessels closing in swiftly. The Spaniards were not eager to part with their precious cargo, however, and the fighting began in earnest. Swords flashed in the sun, and the melee was loud and fierce as the outnumbered Spanish fought for their ship and their lives. This time, Kathleen fought at Reed’s back, and though her attention was focused on her worthy opponent, her ear was tuned to the sounds of fighting behind her. Realizing how long Reed had been away from combat, she was wary lest he be wounded.

  Reed was handling the challenge with ease, and enjoying every moment. A wide grin split his face, and a devilish glint lit his eyes, as he partied and counterparried his enemy’s moves. Heating Kathleen’s cry of victory behind him, he quickly finished his own match, and they went in search of further action.

  Kathleen’s color was high, and she felt more alive than she had in days. Observing her, Reed admitted a reluctant admiration. As Emerald, Kathleen was stunning to behold; her dark hair flying about her, her rapier singing in the air. Her face held a bold confidence, a defiant challenge echoed in her brilliant eyes. Her husky laughter matched her daring mood. She was magnificent! She was in her element! She was his! Even while he preferred her as Kathleen, Reed’s heart expanded with pride that this marvelous, bold creature belonged to him.

  In the end, the barkentine was theirs. Since neither she nor Jean had claimed the British warship, this ship counted as Kathleen’s. As she went about the business of securing the captured ship and investigating the cargo, Reed slipped away to talk to Jean about their plans upon reaching Grande Terre. The Spanish vessel abounded in treasures worthy of a king. The hold was filled with gold, silver, jewels, and finely wrought items of great beauty and worth.

  In one particular crate, Kathleen came upon platters and plates, goblets and dinnerware, all of solid gold and encrusted with jewels of every description. As she inspected a beautiful chalice, she suddenly knew what she wanted to do with it. Finding Dan, she gave her instructions, swearing him to absolute secrecy.

  When she joined Reed on deck, he was brusquely concluding his business with Jean. Before she could speak a greeting, Reed was hurrying her aboard the Emerald Enchantress, but not before Jean’s sharp gaze had noted the absence of his ring on her hand, replaced now by the emerald. His eyes flew to her face, taking in the passion-bruised lips still swollen from Reed’s lovemaking that morning. Kathleen flinched visibly at the hurt reflected on Jean’s face, and wordlessly begged for his understanding.

  Jean made his way slowly toward his cabin. He wished he could vent his agony in anger, but he could not. He had read the apology on Kathleen’s features, and he understood Reed’s anger. After discussing their plans, Reed had abruptly asked Jean if he and Kathleen had been lovers. Evidently, Kathleen had not told him, and Jean knew her well enough to doubt she ever would. Jean had simply told Reed he would have to ask his wife. He did not want to make things more difficult for Kathleen. Lose her though he must, he could not begrudge her. He had seen her agony when she believed Reed dead; he had held her while she sobbed until the tears would no longer flow. He loved her enough to let her go and wish her happiness, though his own pain was immense.

  The moment he opened his cabin door, Jean saw the chalice on his desk. There it sat in golden splendor, its jewels sparkling in all the glorious colors of the rainbow. He had never seen a goblet so beautiful, and he knew immediately who had sent it, and why. It was a shining symbol of Kathleen’s love—a love never again to be voiced aloud. It was an apology; a mute plea for forgiveness. It was also a final farewell, a gift to remember her by forever.

  There, in the privacy of his solitary cabin, Jean Lafitte, the notorious privateer, the most feared pirate of his time, broke down and cried for the love he had lost, and would never find again.

  Immediately upon their arrival at Grande Terre, Reed went aboard the Pride to check on Sally. While the others dallied purposely, Jean went ashore, to warn the islanders to silence, and to inform Dominique and Isabel of the details of Reed’s reappearance. Kathleen remained aboard the Emerald Enchantress, awaiting Isabel.

  Before long, disguised as a sailor, Isabel arrived, carrying a loaded knapsack. She had also brought dresses for herself and Kathleen, and the special herbal soap Kathleen used to remove the black dye from her hair.

  With much commotion, and noisy farewells, Eme
rald set sail out of Barataria Bay, in full view of everyone. The famed piratess and her notorious green frigate were apparently headed for the high seas once more.

  Once out of sight, Kathleen swung the ship about and put in at a small secluded inlet Jean had designated. The evening was spent with the two women catching up on one another’s news, and returning Kathleen’s hair to its natural red-gold state.

  “I nearly fainted when Jean told us Reed was alive after all!” Isabel proclaimed.

  “I nearly died of shock where I stood. I thought my mind had finally come unhinged and I was seeing a ghost!” Kathleen finished telling Isabel about her first encounter with Reed. “I swear to you, Isabel, I never want another such shock as long as I live! It is a wonder my hair didn’t turn white instantly!”

  “I don’t think I am going to like this Simpson woman.” Isabel's delicate nose turned up at the thought, though she had yet to meet Reed’s lover.

  “You can always stay here with Dominique,” Kathleen offered. “I know you two are in love.”

  Isabel nodded. “Yes, we are, but until the war is over, Dominique will by busy, and I cannot desert you when you need me. You stood by me when no one else would, and I shall do the same for you. Something tells me this Miss Simpson will not easily give Reed up.”

  “I am afraid you may be right,” Kathleen sighed, “and things are difficult enough between Reed and me just now.”

  Isabel frowned. “Docs Reed know you and Jean were lovers? Can he possibly blame you, when all of us thought he was dead?”

  Kathleen laughed ruefully. “Reed strongly suspects the truth, though I have not admitted it—and yes, he does indeed blame both Jean and me.”

  “That is preposterous!” Isabel exclaimed heatedly. “He has had his own lover all this time, with no excuse whatsoever!”

  “Yes, but what is sauce for the gander is not necessarily sauce for the goose in Reed’s book,” Kathleen responded with irony. “He is as hurt and angry as I am, and I am very much afraid he will never forgive Jean.”