Catalina's Caress

by Sylvie F. Sommerfield

  Besides, she thought miserably, I am not ugly!

  ❧

  Before Benjamin rose in the early morning, Seth came to him and asked if he had any books on the boat.

  "Only my Bible boy."

  "Would you mind if I read a bit?"

  Benjamin was both surprised and suspicious, but he handed him the worn Bible anyway.

  Seth curled up in a corner of the desk, opened the Bible, and waited patiently for Jake to get up.

  When she did come on deck, he studiously ignored her and seemed to be deeply engrossed in reading. An accomplishment she had never achieved. He knew, although she kept her distance and moved about her work, that she kept an eye on him, so he pretended to be more and more deeply involved in reading.

  He was counting on one feminine trait he hoped to arouse—curiosity.

  He wanted to smile in satisfaction when he saw her working her way closer to him. Finally she was a shadow that fell across the book, and he looked up, pretending surprise.

  "Oh ... Jacqueline. Am I in your way?"

  "My name is Jake," she said defiantly, but she still dropped down on her knees near him. "What are you doin'?"

  "What does it look like, or don't you approve of what I'm reading? You've probably read it already anyway," he said coolly, and went back to his book, totally ignoring her.

  It was a good five minutes before she spoke again. "That's Grandpa's Bible."

  "I know. He loaned it to me. You don't mind, do you?" Seth asked as an afterthought. "You weren't using it, were you? If you were ..." He didn't finish the sentence, only closed the book and handed it to her.

  She gave an inarticulate sound that might have been construed in any way. But her eyes looked like two blazing emeralds and her cheeks were crimson.

  She struck the book from his hand, sending it skittering across the deck. "Who needs to read a damn book anyway?" She sneered; then she walked away. But Seth smiled. He'd touched a vulnerable spot. Jake was too intelligent not to want to reach for the unknown, but she was afraid to do so.

  Benjamin had listened to Seth's story and to his request to be returned to New Orleans. As he watched Jake being torn apart, he decided that the quicker he got Seth home and off his boat, the better it would be for all of them.

  He motioned to Seth, who came immediately to his side.

  "You want to talk to me, Ben?"

  "Yes. I thought I'd tell you that I gave orders to my boys. We're turnin' back upriver. We'll get you home a day or two before you thought."

  Seth was quiet for a moment; then he spoke firmly. "Getting rid of me is not going to get rid of the problem you've got."

  "I don't have a problem."

  "You don't? What would you call Jacqueline's future—something to play with?"

  "What the hell is it you want, boy?"

  "I don't want anything." Seth looked at Benjamin levelly, trying to make him feel his honest intent. "Jacqueline and you, you saved my life. That's worth a lot to me. I'd like to repay the debt somehow. The only way I can think of doing it now is to give her a future. Would you or Jacqueline take money as a reward?"

  "No. We don't expect to make money from doin' our Christian duty."

  "Well then, I have a debt on my shoulders that my honor and my pride says I must repay. Can you see another way?"

  "Suppose you just forget it."

  "I've a supposition for you. Suppose you tell me what you would do if I saved your life. Would you let me tell you to forget it? Besides, I think Jacqueline is a very intelligent young girl. Once you peel off that facade of hers, I think you'll find a girl who's trying to get out. I just happen to think she deserves the chance. Of course"—Seth smiled as he turned to walk away— "it's your decision."

  Benjamin watched his retreating figure, wanting to do battle with his words, but unable to fight the reasoning behind them. His eye caught Jake working with one of the men to untangle some nets. She laughed, and he saw the beauty that could be hers under different circumstances. He also saw the ragged and patched men's clothes that hid her completely, and the old hat she wore to cover her mass of beautiful hair. With a sinking heart he knew Seth was right. He didn't know yet what Seth's plans were, but he intended to find out.

  For the balance of the day, Jake avoided Seth to the extent the limitations of the boat would allow, but Benjamin, who knew her better than any other, was aware that she was watching him. And he knew that she was frightened. He even knew of what.

  That night, when the boat rocked gently in the shallows, and everyone slept, Benjamin went on deck.

  He sat beside Seth, not surprised to find him awake.

  "Beautiful night,'' Seth said after a few minutes.

  "Most times it is on the river. Guess that's why I gave my life to her. She's a beautiful lady."

  "It's been a good life for you, Ben?"

  "Yes... for me. But maybe you're right. I been givin' it some thought"

  "What's really troubling you, Ben?"

  "Troublin' me?"

  "You didn't come out here to tell me it's a beautiful night."

  "No, I came out to ask you some questions."

  "About what?"

  "About what you got in mind for Jake."

  "I'll tell you what I was thinking would be best for her. I have an aunt... Charlotte. She's about the grandest lady I know, well-traveled, rich, and intelligent. And I have a sister, Catalina. She's beautiful. Aunt Charlotte and Catalina would be more than grateful for what you've done for me, and they'd be delighted to take Jacqueline under their wings and give her all the advantages she deserves. Ben, Cat could be almost a sister to her. She could teach her how to laugh and have fun, how to dress pretty. Maybe"—he laughed—"she'd be the belle of New Orleans with all the men at her feet. And Aunt Charlotte, well, she could do for her what she's done for Cat, sort of keep her level and teach her how to be a lady. No one is as honorable or respectable or capable a lady as Aunt Charlotte. Ben, she could have a new life."

  "And you, boy," Ben said softly. "What is it you plan to teach her?"

  Seth turned to look at Ben. At first he was surprised; then he smiled. "I'll tell you what I'd like to teach her, Benjamin," he said quietly. "I'd like to teach her what it's like to have a brother, a sister, an aunt—a whole family who'd like to love her if she'll give us half a chance."

  "She'll fight it, boy."

  "From the past two days I'd say I agree. But I'll fight too. Maybe she'll be so busy being mad at me, she'll make it easier on Aunt Charlotte and Cat." Seth grinned.

  "I'd want to see her."

  "Ben!" Seth grew impatient. "I'm not trying to cut her away. You're her grandfather for God's sake. You can't lose touch with her. I just sort of want to ... borrow her." He laughed. "Sort of polish her up. I wouldn't ever try to separate you, Ben. She loves you."

  "I can't find anythin' wrong with it," Benjamin said, as if he were puzzled by that fact.

  "That's because there isn't anything wrong to find."

  "You're a damn stubborn man."

  "Who's run up against a girl who's about twice as stubborn."

  They both chuckled over the truth of that. "Seth ... she's scared," Benjamin said quietly.

  "I know."

  "Her world's been destroyed so often. She's gonna take this hard, if she takes it at all."

  "I know that too."

  "I don't know what to do about it," Benjamin admitted. "I can't just tell her I'm cuttin' her loose. I couldn't stand the hurt in her eyes. I've seen it too often."

  "It'll be another two days before we reach New Orleans you said?"

  "Little better than two days."

  "For these two days why don't you let me try to handle it. If I fail, then well tell her together and just let her scream out her anger until she's exhausted enough to weaken ... then we can carry her off."

  "Well, you give it a go, boy. Damn if I believe you'll get her to go. But it looks like you're stubborn enough to try."

  "Thanks, Ben."
/>
  "Don't thank me too soon. Far as I can see you just got yourself into one hell of a fight. Me, I'm safe, I'm just the referee."

  "Well, we'll see what happens in two days. I've a few tricks up my sleeve too."

  "Good night, boy." Benjamin rose and went below to his own bed. Surprisingly, he felt relaxed and comfortable, and went to sleep almost at once.

  It wasn't quite as easy for Seth, who spent a long night pondering just how he was going to reach an independent, angry, and frightened girl.

  ❧

  The next day would offer generous proof that Benjamin was right in his warnings and Seth was right in his misgivings: it started with a fight.

  Jake took quick revenge when she found Seth, who had not slept until the wee hours of the morning. She looked at him for a moment, and a half-smile touched her lips, bringing a glow to her eyes. He was curled with his face toward the rail, and the curve of his buttocks beneath the blanket was too great a temptation for her to resist.

  She swung her foot with enough force to bring him awake with a yelp of surprise. He came scrambling to his feet, angrier than he had ever been in his life, then turned to glare into green eyes filled with satisfied laughter.

  "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

  "Breakfast is ready, bilge rat." Her smile broadened. "We eat early and we work around here."

  "What kind of a way is that to wake someone up?"

  She shrugged nonchalantly, but he could read the satisfaction in her eyes. "One good kick deserves another," she declared flippantly. Before he could answer, she went below.

  He followed and sat opposite her at the table, trying to control the urge to strangle her or to slap the smug look from her face. He finished his food, and as they all stood to get about their work, he reached across the table and grabbed Jake by the front of her shirt, half dragging her across the table.

  "The next time you call me a bilge rat, you little brat, I am going to turn you across my knee, strip down your breeches, and smack some sense into the only end of you that seems to understand anything."

  Her eyes widened, and he saw the first drop of respect he'd noticed in them. Then he let her go and walked out.

  Benjamin stood by silently, but he had to contain his laughter. For the first time he thought that Seth might just succeed in what he planned to do.

  Jake worked in belligerent silence, but she was thinking. Seth knew it, and it was what he wanted. He intended to give her a lot more to think about. He started when they were all seated on the deck eating a hasty lunch. As if he had totally forgotten that Jake was a girl, he brought up the subject of girls he had met and parties he'd attended.

  He was, ostensibly, talking to Benjamin and the other two men, but he knew quite well Jake was listening intently. He spoke of beauty, the kind she had never tasted. He spoke of music and fine silk dresses, of elaborate tables set with crystal, china, and real silver. He spoke of dancing and laughing, and then he began to tell them about his family, dwelling on Aunt Charlotte and Cat.

  The meal was over much quicker than Jake wanted it to be, for Seth's words were like rain falling on drought-touched earth. She sat at the table after the others had gone about their business and only Seth remained, hoping she could at least ask a question or two.

  "Is it really true?" she whispered. "You're lyin' aren't you? Nobody lives in a house like you say. Nobody eats like that." She stood up and he thought he saw the glint of tears in her eyes. "You're a damn old liar!" she cried. "A damn old liar! I wish Td let you drown!"

  Seth didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had reached her, only he'd hurt her too. He just hoped he would have the chance to do something to ease her hurt. Time was running out on him.

  He made a decision. Tonight he was going to try to talk with her. That was going to be a battle he really had no taste for.

  He laughed to himself. Would any of his old friends believe what he was involved in? He wondered just how many of them were out looking for him ... and he wondered if Cat had had any luck in buying back the Belle or in telling Marc Copeland to go to hell.

  Anyway he'd see Cat soon, tell her he was all right and they would be fine.

  Another thought, not quite as pleasant, intruded upon him—one he had been too involved to think about until now. Someone had tried to kill him in a most unpleasant way. Marc Copeland? Why would Marc Copeland want to kill him? But then, why would anyone want to kill him? It was certain he was going to move heaven and hell to find out when he got home. Remembering the beating and the heartless way he had been thrown into the river to drown, Seth knew a furious need to avenge himself.

  Then he turned his thoughts to Jake and Cat, setting his anger aside but quite prepared to make locating his attackers a priority when he reached home.

  With help from friends, he would search every tavern and disreputable place until he found the men who had attempted to kill him. Then, one way or the other, he would find a way to get from them the name of whoever was behind this. No one was going to attempt to kill him without his finding some way to get revenge.

  Seth thought of the change in himself, and he wondered if the old Seth would have cared enough to try to rescue Jake from the situation she was in. He didn't know for certain, but he wanted to do it now and that was all that mattered. With new resolve, he got to his feet. It was time to renew his campaign. He was going to bring Jake—Jacqueline, he had to remember that—home to his family if he had to resort to kidnapping her.

  Chapter 11

  Jacqueline Barde knew Seth wanted something from her, no, expected something from her, but she didn't know what it was and that frightened her more than anything else ever had. Because, she thought, I am supposed to know what it is.

  For this reason she felt helplessly deficient in some way. She wanted to strike out at Seth. She wanted to wipe away the look in his eyes that told her she was lost. As her insecurity grew so did her almost violent resentment of Seth who seemed to be the source of her sleepless nights and miserable days.

  It was fate that turned the tide—fate, a small storm, and a slippery deck. Gray clouds had begun to gather on the horizon by the time they sat down to supper. It was a meal enclosed in ice, for Jake was silent and cold as a glacier. The two crewmen ate quickly and left because of the chill atmosphere, but Seth refused to be the first to leave the table, knowing Jake would then think she was having the effect she wanted. As for Jake, she was determined to remain seated until Seth left.

  Benjamin was totally engrossed in this amusing and unbelievable situation. Mentally he began to gauge how long it would be before they were at each other's throats.

  Knowing Seth's goals he was more than interested in how he was going to go about handling Jake in this mood—or any mood for that matter. He was surprised at the method Seth used.

  "Jake?" He used the masculine name she had chosen because he realized there were more important things at stake.

  He knew he had taken the right first step when he saw her gloating satisfied look. She thought he had finally given up on trying to thrust another name at her.

  "What?" she answered, suspicious as well as satisfied.

  "I'm really sorry about what happened—about the Bible. I had no way of knowing you couldn't read."

  Jake cast an accusing eye at her grandfather, but she remained still, her pride gathered about her like a shield.

  "I don't care. I don't need to read," she said sullenly.

  "But, if you'd call a truce I'd teach you to read. As smart as you are, it wouldn't take long."

  Seth knew there would never be enough time to teach her before they arrived in New Orleans, but he wanted to catch her interest, stir her desire to learn so his next offer wouldn't alarm her.

  "I don't want you to teach me anythin'! I don't need you!" She rose to her feet. "Why do you keep on pokin' into my life?"

  "Because," he said calmly, "you need someone to poke into it. What kind of life do you have? The life of a dock rat. One of th
ese days you'll be an old lady. What are you going to do then, Jake ... or have you ever thought about it? In fact have you ever thought about the rest of your life at all?"

  A low rumble of thunder penetrated the cabin which dimmed as clouds shadowed the sun. Seth watched Jake's face, and it was hard to remain cool and detached when he saw the panic she was trying desperately to control light her eyes.

  She started to speak when a louder crack of thunder sounded, and the boat suddenly lifted as if a large hand gripped and shook it.

  The argument was forgotten as all three dashed for the door. Benjamin, who had been closest, reached it first. He yanked it open to be met by a sheet of rain.

  The boat was heaving about in the waves caused by one of the sudden squalls that struck without warning in the gulf. It shifted drastically at the moment Benjamin stepped out onto the deck.

  Momentarily unbalanced by the sudden change in his footing, Benjamin skidded on the wet deck, fell, and struck his head.

  As he lay in a crumpled heap, Jake gave a cry of dismay, then rushed to his side and knelt by him. Seth was right behind her, and when she looked up into his face he was shaken by the mingling of rain and tears on her face. Jake was suddenly a terrified child, watching what she thought was her stability, her hold on life, slipping away.

  "Grandpa."

  It was a groan of sheerest misery, and Seth's heart was torn by it. Despite the face the girl turned to the world, within she was vulnerable.

  Seth ordered the crewmen to carry Benjamin below, and Jake followed close on their heels, clinging to her grandfather.

  Below Benjamin was laid gently on his bunk, and Seth firmly took over his care. He bathed the wound on the old man's head before examining it closely. It was a gaping one, but Seth felt it was not fatal.

  Jake watched, fascinated, as Seth rummaged through drawers and cupboards until he found thread and needle. She did not turn away when he proceeded to sew the cut closed and then bandage it carefully.