Dominique looked up at the sky and saw the ominous clouds gathering overhead. "It was my plan to get Judah to the Tempest tonight. But there is a storm coming, and we must find shelter until it passes."
Between the three of them they managed to get Judah upon Tom's horse, and the big man supported his captain with ease.
Dominique placed her hand on Judah's chest to assure herself that he was still alive. "We had best hurry," she said with urgency. "Storms come up quickly on this island."
After she was mounted, she guided Ethan and Tom through a seemingly endless forest.
It was so dark now that Ethan wondered how Dominique could find her way. After an hour of steady riding, she called for them to halt.
"Mark me well, gentleman—from this point on, the two of you must follow me exactly," she warned, her eyes reflecting a worried expression. "We have come to the swamp, and I do not want you to leave the path for any reason. It is very treacherous and dangerous for those who are not familiar with it."
A strange silence enveloped them, but for an occasional whinny of a horse, or a jingle of a bridle. After they had been riding for the better part of an hour, Dominique became aware that the sky had grown darker still and the storm was almost upon them. Jagged lightning flashed across the sky, and the soft breeze was now becoming a strong wind.
On they rode, past ghostly trees that had been misshapen by the prevailing winds, and stagnant water that smelled of sulfur.
Tom had been watching the sky and was becoming concerned. Being an experienced sailor, he knew in his bones when a storm would strike. "It's going to be a big blow. I can always tell."
Dominique halted her mount. "I am more certain than ever that we cannot rendezvous with the Tempest tonight. Even if we could signal the ship, the men could not get close to the island without being crushed on the rocks."
"What do we do?" Ethan called out, forced to raise his voice to be heard above the howling of the wind.
"I know a place," Dominique said. "Follow me."
She led them out of the swamp and up a steep hill of volcanic rock. They had not gone far when the first heavy raindrops began to fall.
The horses slowed to a walk on the slippery surface of the granite slope, Tom tightened his grip on the captain.
At last Dominique reined in her mount. "It's not far from here," she said, nodding toward the hill that rose high above them.
"Here?" Ethan asked, puzzled.
"There is a cave just ahead," Dominique said, straining her eyes in the darkness. "It's too steep to ride from here, so if the two of you can carry Judah, I will lead the horses."
Dominique dismounted and grabbed the reins of the horses. "Let us hurry," she urged.
As gently as they could, Tom and Ethan lifted Judah from the horse, one supporting his shoulders, the other his legs. With difficulty, they managed to follow Dominique up the steep incline.
By now, it was raining harder and the wind was so strong it felt like it might tear them from the slope. The last few steps were straight up, and the two men struggled with Judah's weight. At last, they made their way to an overhanging ledge, and Ethan slumped against a boulder to catch his breath.
"How much further?" he groaned.
Dominique pulled a spidery bush aside to reveal a dark cavern, which she entered, leading the horses inside. "This is where we shall remain until the storm passes. Since I know my way around and you don't, stay by the entrance until I light a torch."
Soft light soon flickered on the rock wall of the cave, and she beckoned them inside.
Ethan looked at the high cavern with passageways leading off in two different directions. "At least it's dry," he observed. "Let's lay Judah by the far wall," he told Tom.
When this was accomplished, Tom removed his cutaway and placed it beneath his captain's head. "I never thought this fancy bit of foolery would be useful," he observed.
"Tom," Dominique told him, bending down to Judah, "you must take the horses down that passage. It leads to another cavern with a natural spring."
Tom gathered the trailing reins, and paused for a moment of satisfied reflection. "I doubt that Frenchman found shelter tonight." His amused laughter followed him into the second cavern.
Dominique hovered over Judah. He was so pale, and so still. "How is he, Ethan?"
"When he awakes, he will probably be in great pain. If only we could reach the ship, where I have the supplies to treat him properly."
"We dare not venture out in this storm, Ethan. To do so would be foolhardy. Is there not something you can do to help him here?"
He was thoughtful for a moment. "Have you a petticoat?"
She nodded and rushed to a dark corner. A few moments later, she returned with a white lawn petticoat and extended it to him with a slight tinge to her cheeks.
Ethan pretended not to notice. With practiced precision, he began to tear the fine material into strips. "Can you bring that torch closer so I can see what I'm doing?"
She quickly did as he asked, staking the torch in the deep sand on the floor of the cave. Soft flames danced across Judah's face, and she dropped to her knees. "Shouldn't he have regained consciousness by now?" she asked with concern.
"Not necessarily. I suspect he is more in a deep sleep from exhaustion as much as anything else." Ethan frowned when he touched Judah's forehead and found he was burning with fever. "Can you help me?"
Dominique nodded, taking one of Judah's hands in hers. Even though he was unconscious, she could feel the strength of his hand. She watched as Ethan ripped Judah's shirt, and gently turned him to his side. She gasped at the deep, angry lacerations she saw on his back.
Ethan's face was grim. "All I can do is bind his wounds for now. The rest will have to wait until we get him out of here." As he worked, he shook his head, angry with himself for his own negligence. "I should have foreseen this. I should have brought more supplies."
Dominique gently touched Judah's face. "Oh, Judah," she said brokenly. "Judah, my dearest."
Ethan looked at her for a long moment. "What will you do now? Will you come with us?"
Sadly she shook her head. "I cannot do that. I belong here. Someone I love is in danger—" She shook her head, refusing to tell even Ethan any more about her private life.
He saw the great sadness in her eyes as she looked down at Judah.
"Is there some way I can help you?" Ethan asked.
She shook her head. Her home had been burned, she did not know where to find her brother, and she was sure that she would be arrested if the soldiers at the fort found her. "No one can help me," she said at last.
Ethan nodded down to Judah. "When he is safely aboard the ship, he will want to know what happened to you."
"Then you will tell him . . . tell him I . . . love someone else."
He had watched her with Judah and knew that she was not telling the truth. "I know you love Judah."
Her brilliant turquoise eyes sought his and he watched tears form there.
"He must never know. To be near me would only bring about his destruction. It is my fault that he was captured."
"1 cannot believe that, and he won't either. Not after what you did tonight."
She reached out and placed her hand lightly on Ethan's sleeve. "But you must make Judah believe that I betrayed him. Otherwise, he would come searching for me, and that would put him in grave danger again. Colonel Marceau is not his only enemy."
Ethan was silent for a long time. He knew that Judah loved Dominique, but he also believed that love could bring about his downfall. "If he believes you betrayed him, I will do nothing to correct that assumption, for I do not even know the truth."
She avoided his eyes. "The truth is that I came aboard the Tempest for just that reason."
Now Ethan was studying her closely, reaching for her and pulling her into the light. "What in the hell happened to your face? Come closer so I can see better."
Her hand went to her face and she turned away from him. The rain
must have washed away the cream that hid the scarring.
"Tis nothing that should concern you, Ethan."
"And I say it is." He grabbed her face and turned it to him, examining it closely, running his finger over an angry red scar that ran across her cheek. "In my professional opinion, I would say these are burn scars. Dear God, what happened to you, Dominique?"
"Nothing I am willing to talk about."
He stared at her with disbelief. She had been terribly hurt, and should even now be in bed recovering. "I care about what happens to you. Allow me to help. I am your friend, you should know that."
"You can help me more by watching over Judah." She shook her head. "He must not continue with what he is doing, it is too dangerous."
Ethan stood and offered her his hand, pulling her to her feet. "You know Judah, he is just as stubborn as you. What a pair the two of you would make."
She crossed the cave to stand silently at the entrance, not caring that she was getting wet. The wind howled like the scream of a woman.
Tom appeared beside her. "There will be a lot of destruction on the island," he said with a shake of his head.
"Thankfully though," Dominique said, "it was not a hurricane. But these violent tropical storms can sometimes do almost as much damage as a hurricane. We can only hope it blows itself out by morning."
Her brow furrowed with worry and she spoke softly. "I hope the Tempest is riding out the storm."
"Ah, you needn't worry about her," Tom stated with pride. "She's a fine ship."
Dominique suddenly smiled. "I wonder how Colonel Marceau is faring in the swamp. If he is wise, he will take shelter in the open and risk the rain and wind rather than hide beneath a tree that will likely topple onto him."
Tom grinned as he thought about how terrified the cowardly Marceau must be. "You should have let me slit his throat."
Dominique placed an elegant hand on his arm and squeezed it, which brought a brightness to his eyes.
"Dear Tom, you are one of the finest men it has been my pleasure to know."
He felt pride swell inside him that she should have such a fine opinion of him. He had not been a good man, or even an honorable one, before he met her. She had brought out that which was best within him. He wanted to tell her this, but she turned away and walked to the captain.
Dominique sat beside Judah, watching the rise and fall of his chest, and she thought that there might be more color in his face. Soon, he would be safely aboard his ship, and out of her life forever.
Ethan awoke when someone shook him. He glanced in puzzlement into the eyes of Dominique's friend, Bartrand Dubeau. He raised up, noticing that Tom and Judah still slept. However, Dominique was not there.
Bartrand read his mind. "Have no concern, Dr. Graham, she has come to no harm."
Ethan rose slowly, still trying to shake off the much-needed sleep. "Where is she?"
"She has merely gone to visit an old woman who will give her medicine for Captain Gallant's wounds." Bartrand glanced toward Judah. "As a doctor, can you say that he is strong enough to travel?"
"No. He is still very weak—too weak, really. I wish we had more time for him to rest and mend," Ethan confessed.
"There are other problems. Soon there will be soldiers tearing this island apart looking for the four of you," Bartrand said, his eyes narrowed reflectively. "I believe it would be better for the captain if he remained here until he is able to travel on his own."
"Perhaps," Ethan agreed hesitantly.
"Then he shall have a week. I am here to lead you and the other one, Tom, to the place where you are to signal your ship to come for you."
"1 do not want to leave Judah."
"You have no choice in the matter, Doctor," Bartrand stated firmly. "Trust me to do what is best for all concerned. And know this about me: I shall always do what Dominique wants. She wants you and Tom safely aboard the Tempest, so that's where you're going."
"And the captain?"
"She will take care of Captain Gallant until he is strong enough to join you. You know this about her."
"Yes, I do. And I can see the sense in what you say," Ethan admitted. "If I don't rendezvous with the Tempest, I expect the whole crew to swarm over the island looking for us, and likely end up in the garrison cells themselves."
"One week hence, I shall send you word of where you can meet your captain." He stood up. "I believe you and your friend should leave before Dominique returns."
"May I know why you are helping us, Monsieur Dubeau?"
"Because you are important to Dominique," he said simply, "and she is important to me."
"Will they be safe here?" Ethan wanted to know, still reluctant to leave.
"None but a few know of this cave, and they will not tell. I can assure you that the French at the garrison are not aware of its existence."
Ethan moved across the cave and bent down to Judah, who had just opened his eyes.
"How do you feel?" he asked, tightening the binding about Judah's shoulders.
"Like hell." He licked his dry lips and looked about the cavern with drowsy interest. "Where am I?"
"Safe," Ethan told him. "Are you hungry?"
"So .. . weary." Judah's eyes drifted shut and he was again wrapped in the arms of blissful sleep.
Ethan stood, his eyes on Bartrand. "I am not certain I should leave the captain. I could send Tom back to the ship with a message."
"That will not do. It will be easier for Dominique to guide one person through the swamps than to guide two. And because the island was hit hard by the storm, everyone will be concentrating on the damage to their property. Therefore, we shall meet few who will question who you are.
"Wake your friend, Doctor," Bartrand said. "Then the three of us will leave."
23
It was strangely quiet as Dominique sat beside Judah, watching him sleep. He had hardly stirred when Bartrand and Ineaz's husband had lifted him to place him on a soft straw mattress. Ineaz had helped Dominique clean Judah's wounds and apply healing cream, then they rebound his ribs.
He had awakened just enough for Dominique to spoon nourishing broth into his mouth, but he did not open his eyes, and he did not speak, and she said nothing to him.
It was now late afternoon. The others had gone and Dominique rose and walked across the cave to stand at the entrance. A gentle trade wind cooled her face while she gazed upon the beauty of her island. She could see all the way to the sea from this lofty vantage point.
Between her and the sea was the mangrove swamp, teeming with wildlife, an amphibian world that meant death for those who were unaware of its dangers. Her grandfather had often taken her and Valcour exploring there when they were young. He taught them about the perils and the beauties of those swamp. Now she knew them as well as some might know their own land.
She glanced just beyond the swamp, where a mist hung over the tropical forest that was heavy with lush vegetation. The brilliant colors were dominated by the exquisitely flamboyant flame trees. Beyond that were waterfalls and hidden coves that were home to the freshwater crayfish that had been one of her grandfather's favorite foods. Her eyes swept past the forest to the beautiful white sandy beaches sheltered by high banks of coral, kissed by turquoise-colored sea. There again was danger to those who did not know about the storm tides. Many a ship had been dashed on the rocks there.
This had once been her home, her sanctuary, but no longer. Her grandfather was dead, Valcour was still missing, her home burned, and the crops were rotting in the fields.
In that moment, she heard Judah groan and relief made her giddy. Turning, she approached him slowly.
Judah seemed groggy at first, and then his vision cleared and he saw her. He seemed confused. "Where am I? In hell?" he asked bitterly.
"You are safe," she answered him without hesitation. "You were brought to this cave, and be assured that no one can find you here."
Sudden realization came over him, and he sat up, his dark gaze on her. He was struggl
ing to stand, but was too weak. "Why are you here?" he demanded, falling back on the straw mattress.
She rushed forward and held her hand out to him, but he shoved her away and struggled to his feet on his own. "You have not answered me. Why are you here?"
"To help you."
He stood on unsteady legs and reached out to brace himself against the rock wall. "You want to help me," he said with irony. "I believe I have had enough of your help."
"Judah, allow me to—"
He stepped away from her, his body corded with tension, his eyes bright with a feral light. "How did I get here?" His voice was cold and demanding, his manner distant.
"We brought you here."
"We? Define we?"
"Do you remember nothing about—"
Anger clenched like a tight fist within him. "Ah, yes, you want me to remember," he interrupted. "I believe you had played Delilah to my Samson. I do recall Colonel Marceau bragging about how you brought about my destruction."
She wanted to cry, to beg him to understand what she was trying to tell him. "Is that all you remember?"
"Bits and pieces, nothing I can hold on to." He glared at her. "I remember enough." There was ice in the hard tone of his voice. "You betrayed me."
She felt as if her heart had been wrenched from her body. "Please, Judah—"
He would not listen, but moved toward the entrance and stood there, silently trying to get his bearings. His gaze naturally went to the sea, watching the perpetual motion of the waves slamming against cliffs and sending a fine spray of water high into the air. From this vantage point the water and sea seemed to merge with the sky.
"What is this island called?" he asked without turning to her.
"You are on Guadeloupe."
"I have never been here before."
Suddenly, Judah felt dizzy and leaned his head against the stonewall; she ran to him and slipped her arm about his waist.
"Lean on me and I will help you to the mattress."
It did not help his temper any that he was too weak to protest. He leaned heavily on her and almost fell onto the mattress.
Siren's Song Page 18