Velvet Chains (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  I send you my highest regards and wish you all that happiness can bring.

  Your loyal friend

  Edna Tibbs

  Season placed the letter on the table and stood up. Tears of anger at his betrayal blinded her. How could Lucas do such a thing? Her heart shattered into a million pieces and an agonizing sob broke from her lips. Lucas didn't love her—he couldn't—not if he found pleasure in another woman's arms. Edmund had warned her that Lucas was seeing Lorona Southerland, but when Lucas had told her it wasn't true she had believed him. Mrs. Tibbs would never have written and accused Lucas of being with the woman if she hadn't believed it to be the truth.

  She walked into the house and slowly climbed the stairs. In the last letter she had received from her father he had asked her to come home to Chatsworth for a visit; perhaps she would do just that. She would wait a few more days for Lucas to come home, and if he didn't, she would consider her father's suggestion and return to England.

  * * *

  Season was arranging a bouquet of fall flowers in a vase when Rebecca came running into the house, her cheeks glowing and her eyes shining.

  "Season, it's over, it's over. We have won!"

  Season was trying to make sense of Rebecca's excited clamor. "What are you talking about? What's over?"

  "The war is over. America is free!" her sister-in-law cried excitedly.

  Season almost dropped the vase she had been holding. Her hands were shaking so badly she spilled some of the water onto the floor, so she placed the vase on the hall table. As she watched Rebecca dance gleefully around in a circle, Season's heart sank. She was happy that America had won her independence, but she couldn't help feeling a painful ache because the land of her birth had suffered defeat and humiliation.

  "Where did this happen, Rebecca? When did you receive the word?"

  "At Yorktown! Robert came home this morning and told me all about it. As soon as I could get away, I rushed over to tell you. General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington yesterday!"

  Season closed her eyes. Her life seemed to be filled with conflicting emotions. She didn't know whether to laugh because of the victory or cry because of the defeat.

  Rebecca seemed to sense Season's torment and she hugged her tightly. "I know how you must be feeling, but perhaps the time will come when our two countries will become friends again. After a period of healing on both sides, I believe that's just what will happen."

  "I pray what you say will come to pass, Rebecca. I am so torn within my heart."

  Rebecca took Season's hand and led her into the sitting room. Once the two girls were seated, Rebecca smiled. "We must look on the bright side. You have been alone so much, because of Lucas' absence. Now that the hostilities have ceased my brother will be coming home to stay."

  "Yes, I suppose you are right. I wonder how Lucas will handle the end of the war?"

  Rebecca sighed. "I wonder about that myself. I hope our friends and neighbors will put aside their hostile feelings toward Lucas. In time, my brother will come to know that he was misguided in his choice of a government for the United States."

  "I pray that is so, Rebecca. Lucas did what he thought was right, just as Robert did what he considered his duty. They stayed friends despite the difference in their political views."

  "I know Lucas felt strongly about his loyalty to the British. Right or wrong, he has always stood up for what he believes in." Rebecca defended her brother.

  "Have either you or Robert heard from Lucas?" Season asked softly.

  Rebecca looked at Season and saw the tiny shadows under her eyes. She couldn't understand why Lucas neglected his bride so shamefully. "No, we have heard nothing. Have you still not received a letter from him?"

  "No, nothing since he left," Season saw no reason to tell Rebecca of what Mrs. Tibbs had written about Lucas and Lady Southerland.

  Rebecca patted Season's hand. "Try not to fret. One day soon Lucas will come home. I just know he will! If he has not written, there must have been a good reason."

  Season stood up and walked over to the window to stare out at the trees with their bright autumn colors. She had many reasons to distrust Lucas, and she didn't know if she ever wanted to see him again.

  She didn't tell Rebecca that she had received a letter from her father asking her to come home. He had written that the war was going badly, and he feared for her safety if she remained in America, thinking she might become the target for revenge. He thought she might be in danger since the colonists seemed to despise everyone and everything British, and he felt it would be wise for her to come home to Chatsworth until things cooled down.

  Season had almost made up her mind to return to England. Now that the war was over she would give Lucas one more week to come home. If by the end of that time he hadn't put in an appearance, she would pack her belongings and sail for England and Chatsworth.

  In the early evening Season walked in the garden, watching the multicolored leaves drift to the ground. It had been over two weeks since Rebecca had told her about the end of the war, and still she had heard no word from her husband. Her trunks were packed and tomorrow she and Molly would sail for England.

  To Season's surprise, Molly had been the one who put forth the loudest objection to their departure. She had adamantly aired her view that she didn't consider it proper for a wife to desert her husband without first letting him know she was leaving.

  Season allowed her eyes to move over the land. It was painful to be leaving Rosemont, and Virginia. She had come to love it here and considered this her home.

  She shook her head. What right did she have to expect fidelity from Lucas? He had once said he loved her, but she had doubted the sincerity of his words. She had been his wife such a short time; still she didn't feel obligated to sit at home alone while he paid court to another woman. If she had owed him a debt, she considered it now canceled.

  Turning her footsteps back to the house, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She would go back to her father and hope she would never hear from Lucas again. She was so absorbed in her misery that she didn't see the shadow that moved from behind an oak to stand in her path, but when Season heard the deep raspy voice her head snapped up, and she stared at the dark cloaked figure.

  "Were you not expecting me, my lady? I told you when the war was over I would come to you one more time."

  Season could hardly catch her breath. "What are you doing here? Go away and leave me alone!"

  "Are you not glad to see me?"

  "No, I am quit with you and Lucas Carrington. I want nothing that will remind me of the grief I have suffered because of you both."

  The Raven chuckled. "Could your ill temper be caused by the fact that your husband and I have neglected you so shamefully?"

  Season's temper soared. "You may find cause to laugh at me, but I can assure you I find no humor in anything you have to say. For your information my trunks are all packed. By tomorrow I will be on my way back to England. I never want to see you or Lucas again!"

  "Lucas was a fool to leave you for so long. You are feeling neglected and who can blame you."

  Season's eyes blazed. "Move aside and allow me to pass, Raven. I am in no mood to listen to you. I cannot take much more from you or Lucas."

  Suddenly The Raven seemed to tense. "Have we both hurt you so badly, my lady?"

  Season could feel tears gathering in her eyes. "I just want to go home."

  The Raven was quiet for a moment; then he reached out and pulled Season into his arms. "If it is your wish I will take you to England," he whispered against her ear. "If you do not wish to go to England, I will take you back to the island where we once swam in the sea. Would you like that?"

  Season closed her eyes, feeling The Raven pull at her heart. There was a time when she would have given her life to hear him say those words to her. Now it was too late. She was a different person from the innocent girl he had once known. She had felt love for two different men, but neither loved her. Se
ason knew that deep inside she still yearned for a true and lasting love. She wanted a man to love her totally and wildly. Neither Lucas nor The Raven had been able to satisfy that need. Both of them had asked more of her than she was willing to give.

  Season raised her head and stared into the black leather mask. "No. I cannot allow you to take me to England, and I will not go with you to your island. After tomorrow I will never have to think about you again."

  The Raven touched her face with a gloved hand. "Actually, my lady, you have little choice as to whether you want to go with me or not. You see, I have come to take you away, with or without your consent."

  Season stepped back a pace. "Surely you aren't saying…you wouldn't try to—"

  "I believe the word you are having difficulty with is 'kidnap,' Season. I abducted you once before, this time it will be even easier."

  "I will scream, Raven. You can't just come to my home and spirit me away as you did before. There are many here at Rosemont who would stop you."

  "There are those who would try," he said, reaching out and lifting her into his arms.

  Season struggled when he placed a hand over her mouth. She couldn't believe this was happening to her again! Surely The Raven couldn't be so bold as to abduct her a second time! She ceased struggling when he lifted her over his shoulder and carried her toward the back of the garden and out the gate. He had removed his hand from her mouth and Season knew if she were of a mind to, she could scream loudly enough to bring someone to her rescue. She considered the consequences if she were to call for help. Whoever challenged The Raven, would surely lose his life.

  Once outside the garden, The Raven placed Season on her feet and she saw that a carriage was waiting for them. Looking back at the gate, she wondered if she could outrun The Raven.

  "Don't try it, my lady. I would only come after you and cause us both a great deal of trouble."

  "I despise you!" she spat out. "You are a black hearted pirate."

  He merely chuckled. Scooping her into his arms, he placed her in the carriage and then climbed in beside her.

  Season moved into the corner and faced him defiantly. "How can you justify what you are doing to me, Raven? The last time you abducted me, you had a cause—this time there is no excuse. I don't know why you are doing this!"

  "It's really very simple, my lady. I want you."

  "Lucas will never stand for this. I am his wife and he will hunt you down."

  "Your husband will have a very difficult time tracking us, my lady. The Andromeda leaves no tracks to follow," The Raven declared in an amused voice.

  As the carriage raced on through the night, Season realized the hopelessness of her plight. She stared into the darkness, barely able to see The Raven since he blended in with the shadows. Suddenly she realized that he had braved danger to see her. Was he not risking his life by kidnapping her? Surely that must mean he loved her. She thought of Lucas, he hadn't even bothered to come home to her when the war had ended.

  Season felt an ache deep within her and she wished with all her heart that it was Lucas who sat across from her. She realized in a flash that it was her husband she wanted to be with and not The Raven. She knew suddenly that even if Lucas didn't want her, she still couldn't betray him.

  "I will never allow you to touch me, Raven. If you think you can win me over as you did the other time you abducted me, you are sadly mistaken," Season declared in a voice that shook with emotion.

  Before The Raven could answer, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. He opened the door, jumped to the ground, and pulled Season into his arms.

  "No, I will not go with you," she declared, kicking her feet and trying to escape his grasp.

  The Raven merely laughed as he strolled down the sandy beach. When Season continued to struggle, he plopped her across his shoulder and she pounded him on the back with her fists.

  When they reached the longboat that rested on the shore, The Raven placed her in it, and Season lapsed into silence, knowing she was wasting her energy.

  In the dim moonlight she recognized the men who were rowing the boat out to sea, but she was too angry and upset to acknowledge any of them.

  In her mind she pictured Molly's distress at finding her mistress missing and she imagined Lucas coming home and finding her gone. If he discovered she was with The Raven, would he think she had gone with him of her own free will? That thought made her feel empty inside and tears gathered in her eyes. She wished with all her heart that she was with her husband.

  She wanted to beg The Raven to take her back, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her. She had been planning to leave Lucas anyway, but not this way—never this way. The man who had married her and then abandoned her had stolen her heart. It was he who fit the realization of her youthful fantasies.

  Suddenly Season wanted to feel her husband's arms around her. She ached to be held tightly by him. A sob escaped her lips when she thought of never seeing Lucas again.

  The longboat bumped against the hull of the Andromeda, and Season had no time to think as The Raven lifted her into his arms and climbed the rope ladder. Season didn't voice her protest as he carried her below, knowing it wouldn't gain her anything. Once in his cabin, he placed her on her feet.

  "Put out to sea," The Raven said to someone who stood just out of Season's view.

  "Aye, aye, Captain," Briggs replied.

  The Raven closed the door softly behind him and turned to Season. As he took a step in her direction she moved back a pace.

  "Don't do this to me," she pleaded. "Please allow me to go back to my husband."

  "Were you not going to leave him tomorrow? Why would you want me to take you back to him?"

  "I don't expect you to understand this and I am not sure I understand myself. ... I love Lucas and even if he does not love me, I want to be with him."

  The Raven stood so still it was almost as if he had been turned to stone. "You are right, my lady, I don't understand. You were prepared to leave him tomorrow.

  I happen to know your trunks were already packed. Why should you suddenly decide that you love your husband?"

  "I ... it was a mistake to think I could run away from my heart. I had learned that Lucas has been seen with another woman. I suppose I was hurt and wanted to hurt him in return."

  "What did you hear?"

  "I…do not want to discuss it with you. It concerns Lucas and myself."

  "I know what you are referring to. You think your husband betrayed you with Lady Southerland."

  Season looked at The Raven. "How could you know that? If you tell me one more time that you have ways ol finding out everything I'll scream. Everyone but me seemed to know my husband is in love with another woman."

  "Believing this, you still want to return to Lucas Carrington, my lady? Would you not be better off with a man who loves you?"

  "You?"

  "Yes, me."

  "No. I once thought that I loved you. I suppose it was because you made me feel things that I had never experienced before. Perhaps I do love you in a way. There were many times when I couldn't separate you and Lucas in my mind. I will say this about you, Raven. I admire many things about you. I found you to be a man of very strong loyalties and convictions. You fought valiantly for what you believed in . . . but 1 don't love you. How can I love a man whose face I have never seen? I love my husband."

  "If you were blind and had never seen Lucas Carrington's face, would you still have loved him?" The Raven asked.

  "Yes, I suppose so. One experiences love through the heart, not through the eyes."

  "What does your heart tell you about me, my lady?" he asked softly. Season sat down on the edge of the bed and was surprised when The Raven knelt down beside her. She could feel the ship rock as the waves lapped against its hull. "I told you I admire you."

  He removed his glove and touched her face softly. "It's more than your admiration I crave, my lady."

  When Season felt his touch, a shiver of delight passed through her bod
y and she was momentarily startled. How was it possible that he could so easily make her react to his touch?

  "You will get no more from me than admiration, Raven," she said quickly, trying to cover up her overreaction to his nearness.

  But The Raven had seen her eyes dilate and knew what she was feeling. "I am not sure you speak the truth, my lady. I believe you will never forget what we shared. We were once bound together by the child you carried inside of you." His hand moved down to rest on her stomach, and Season quickly drew in her breath at his tenderness.

  "Our baby died, Raven. I want my memory of you to die as well."

  He pulled Season into his arms and she could feel herself melting against him. "No, no," she pleaded. "I don't want this. Please don't make me love you. I love Lucas."

  "Perhaps you love both of us," he suggested softly against her ear.

  Season rested her head against his shoulder as his hands ran up and down her back. "It isn't possible. How can it be?" she asked in a tortured voice. "I don't want to love either one of you; yet I do. As surely as I live and breathe I love you both," she whimpered.

  The cabin became strangely silent and the only sound that could be heard was the wind catching at the canvas sails. Season sobbed in The Raven's arms. He tried to soothe her by kissing her cheek and gently rubbing her back.

  "It would seem that neither Lucas Carrington nor myself are worthy of your love, my lady. We have both taken too much from you and have given back very little in return. Why should you waste your time with either of us?"

  "I . . . want to go home, Raven. Please take me back," Season pleaded.

  "By home, do you mean back to your husband?" he asked, almost tenderly.

  "Yes. Take me back to Lucas."

  "Will you forgive him for what you think he has done?"

  "I don't know if he will want my forgiveness. 1 don't think he wants me."