“I do trust you.” She gave him a pleading look. “My father has nothing to do with this.”
“I wish I could believe you.” He thrust her from him. “But I believed that you would stay behind when I asked it of you. You have betrayed my faith in you.”
“Alex, no!” She reached for him, but he crossed the room as if he could not stand to be near her. She stared at his rigid back and pressed her trembling lips together. Dear Lord, what had she wrought by disobeying him? “I only wanted to be with you.”
“You only wanted!” He turned to confront her, the sneer on his face completely foreign to the tenderness she had often seen there. “It is always what you want, Diana. You are a troublesome child.”
“I am not a child!”
“You are. Always it is what you want, what you need. What about what I want and need?” He shook his head, his eyes growing dull with disappointment. “I weary of this game you play. You only hear what you want to hear. I am the captain of this ship. If need be, I will lock you in the hold to keep you safe from Marcus.”
She paled. “You would not do such a thing.”
He gave a harsh laugh. “Indeed I would, my precious girl. I am a pirate, have you forgotten? A criminal. A seducer of innocents.”
“That is not true!”
He raised a brow and flashed a mocking glimpse of white teeth. “Is it not? I seduced you so well that even now you sneak aboard my ship to share my bed.”
“Don’t you dare talk that way of what is between us,” she snapped, her own temper starting to fray. “There is more than lust to our relationship.”
“I used to think so.”
She locked her hands together. “Alex, don’t act like this.”
“Like what? Like a pirate?” He advanced on her, his paces slow and measured like a tiger on the hunt. “Cruel? Insensitive?” He took her chin in his hand. “Dishonorable?”
“You are the most honorable man I have ever known,” she shot back. “And I will not stand by while you belittle what is between us.”
“And what is between us, sweet lover? Not trust. Not consideration.” He caressed her jaw, his dark eyes glittering wickedly. “Just raw passion, my darling. And naught else.”
She slapped his hand away. “You are a blind fool.”
“Fool, am I?” He raked his gaze over her, his tone dripping with contempt. “Aye, I am a fool for letting my need for you overrule my better judgment.”
“You feeble-minded ass.” She put her hands on her hips. “I followed you because I was scared that something would happen to you. Did you think I would cheerfully wave good-bye from the safety of Besosa as you sailed to your death?”
“Indeed I did.” He folded his arms over his chest. “But instead you followed me in hopes that your presence would somehow protect me.”
She stiffened at his patronizing tone. “It is not so far-fetched a notion, captain. On Marcus’s ship, who was it who watched your back when Scroggins tried to put a knife in it?”
He shook his head. “One incident does not make you a warrior, woman! I appreciate your concern, but your fears are unfounded. I have no intention of dying.”
“How gratifying.” Each syllable dripped with sarcasm. “Then if my presence offends you,” she said, “please do return me to Besosa. I assure you I will remain in my luxurious prison like a good little captive until big, strong you comes to fetch me.” She pushed a straggling lock of hair behind her ear and added with a sweet smile, “Or until they return your lifeless body for burial. I swear to shed no tears over your grave, dear sir.”
“You try my patience, wench,” he growled, clenching his hands into fists.
“No more than you try mine, Alejandro.”
“Don’t call me that.” The way she sneered his name loosed something in him that he had kept tightly leashed for far too long. With a low sound of need, he reached for her, tangling his fingers in her hair, pressing her into him with a hand on her bottom.
“Since you are already here,” he purred, “perhaps I should take advantage of your presence.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” she breathed, her eyes smoldering with banked desire.
He froze with his mouth only inches from hers. She wasn’t afraid.
“Dios,” he whispered, suddenly appalled by his conduct. When she had said his name like that, he had heard Bianca’s voice in his mind, had expected her to act like Bianca and flee from him in terror. But instead she looked him in the eye and met his passion with her own. Slowly he released her.
“Alex?” She furrowed her brows, no doubt puzzled by his behavior.
“Amada, forgive me.” He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, then closed his eyes and rested his chin atop her hair.
She pressed her face into his shoulder. “I’m sorry I made you angry,” she said, her tone growing more agitated now that his anger had abated. “But I had to come with you. I had to, Alex.”
“‘Tis done.” He sighed and held her tighter. “I merely wish that you were safely away from this.”
“I couldn’t stand staying behind,” she babbled on. “If something happened to you, if you died and I never knew…I love you so much and…” Her words trailed off, and she stiffened in his arms. “Oh dear,” she whispered.
“Diana?” He stared stupidly at her as she pulled out of his embrace.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffed and swiped a hand across her eyes damp with unshed tears. “I didn’t mean to say that.”
“Come here.” He drew her back into his arms.
“Please, let me go.” She pushed against his chest, her cheeks flaming with chagrin.
“Nay, love.” He stroked his hand through her hair. “That I can never do.”
“You mock me when you call me that.”
“I do not. I mean it.” He smiled into her widening gray eyes. “I love you, Diana. I knew as soon as I met you that you are not like other women.”
“You love me?” She blinked at him in disbelief. “Since when?”
“Since the night you attempted to prove your independence in your father’s garden.” His smile faded as he grew serious. “But I am not free to claim you. I am bound by my oath to avenge my brother’s death at Marcus’s hands. Until that time I must put aside my own needs.”
“I will wait for you.” She took his hand and kissed it. “Perhaps I can even help you.”
“No.” Caressing her lips with his thumb, he said, “I will not risk you.”
“But—”
“My decision is final.”
She tilted her head. “I am not known for my meekness, Alex. You surely do not expect me to stand by and watch you die.”
“That is exactly what I expect.” He took her hand. “Marcus is dangerous, my love. I will not be responsible for your death at his hands.”
“My life is my own responsibility.”
“Not when it is my quest that would get you killed.” He squeezed her fingers. “Please, my sweet. I could not stand to watch you die, too.”
She twined her fingers with his and asked gently, “Who else did you watch die, Alex?”
He let out a long breath. “Bianca,” he said. “My wife. And it was my fault.”
He dropped her hand and crossed the room. Standing with his back to her, he rubbed the back of his neck and pondered how to put his feelings into words.
“How was it your fault?” she asked quietly. She dreaded the answer, anticipating some lurid tale with details too horrible to be told.
He finally turned to face her. “I was seventeen when we married, she a mere five and ten. She was from a noble Spanish family and beautiful in a fragile way, fair-haired, blue-eyed, delicate. As the second son, I could marry whom I liked, unlike my older brother. When I met Bianca, I was completely infatuated.”
Diana had not realized how difficult it would be to listen to him speak of desire for another woman. “Go on,” she whispered.
“She married me to please her family. I did not learn until
later that her true vocation was the church, but by then it was too late. We were wed.” He sighed. “I am not proud of my behavior at that time in my life. I was young. Hot-blooded. My bride was shy and innocent. She begged me for time to get used to being married before we shared a bed. I agreed. I thought it would take but a few days. After three months I reached the limit of my patience.”
Diana sank down on the edge of the bed. Thus far everything he had said gave credence to the rumor that El Moreno was of noble blood. She wondered if what he was about to confide had been the impetus that had driven him from his privileged lifestyle. She braced herself for the worst. “Go on.”
His face took on a faraway look, as if he relived events as he spoke. “I came home one night, drunk as a lord. In my arrogance, I decided that I had given Bianca enough time. I stormed into her chamber, demanding my rights as her husband.” His voice thickened with self-disgust. “She was terrified. She begged me not to touch her. Cried. Prayed. Called upon God to strike me down before I defiled her.”
“Did you…?” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Nay, she ran from the room.” He curled his lip, mocking the youth he had been. “But I was determined to see the issue settled once and for all, so I followed her.”
He paused. Diana twisted her fingers together. “Did you catch her?”
“I did.” He swiped a hand over his face. “I can still see her, beautiful and ethereal, poised at the top of the stairs. The moonlight coming through the window cast an angelic glow over her.”
He stared ahead as he spoke, and Diana knew that he didn’t see the cabin around him, only Bianca and that terrible night so long ago.
“I called her name,” he continued. “She turned. I could tell she had not expected me to follow her. I came nearer and she put out her hands as if to ward me off…whispered ‘no’. I reached for her, but she took a step back. I can still see her eyes, the terror in them, as she flailed about in midair…I swear I stopped breathing in that instant. I tried to grab her…I felt her hair brush my knuckles…so close…but my hands closed on empty air.” He paused, his breathing harsh. “She…died instantly of a broken neck, but I still hear her screams in my nightmares.”
He fell silent. Diana rose and came to him.
“Alex, what you have described is an accident.”
“Nay, I killed her. Had I not chased her, she would not have died.”
“No.” She took his face in her hands, made him look at her. “You fell in love. You offered your name to this woman. She accepted. She did not tell you that her heart belonged to the church, so of course you thought she would share your bed. It is what any man would expect.”
“But I hunted her like a rutting beast.”
“She was your wife, Alex, and you had been more than patient. When she first refused your attentions, did you go to any other women?”
“No.”
“Because you loved her, and you wanted to show her that. If her parents had only let her fulfill her true desires, then none of this would have happened.”
“You are more understanding than I deserve.” He enfolded her in his arms. “Recently it occurred to me that Bianca should never have married. She should have been permitted to follow her heart’s desire and join the holy order.”
“Indeed she should have. I am sure if you had realized her vocation, you would not have married her.”
“No, I wouldn’t have.”
“Her death was an accident, Alex. Accept it and go on with your life. She was a woman of God. I don’t think she would want you to hate yourself for what happened.”
“Perhaps. I would like to think that she has forgiven me.” He kissed the top of her head. The tension that had gripped him while retelling the tale faded away, and he changed the subject. “Why is it that your hair smells like rum?”
“Perhaps because I sneaked aboard inside a cask of rum?” She traced her finger over the front of his shirt and refused to meet his eyes.
“You did what!” He gripped her arms and gave her a hard shake. “Don’t you realize how dangerous that is?”
“Of course I do, but ‘twas the only thing I could think of at the time.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. “You will be the death of me, woman. But what is done, is done. Perhaps this would explain why you are wearing my clothes? Not that they don’t look fetching, you understand.”
Sensing his lighter mood, she stepped out of his arms and gave him a smile of pure seduction. “Would you like them back?” She toyed with the hem of the shirt.
He arched a brow. “Aye, I would.”
“Very well.” His love gave her a confidence she had never felt before. Inching out of the shirt, she drew out the task until he was all but salivating. She tossed the garment aside triumphantly and smiled at him, bare to the waist.
He took her into his arms, pressing her soft breasts against his naked chest. “You’re a wanton bit of goods.”
She gave him a cheeky grin. “Aren’t you lucky?”
“I am at that.” He nuzzled her neck. “So when do I get my breeches back?”
The door crashed open. Birk charged inside, then halted as he took in the scene before him. “Well now,” was all he said.
“Damn it, Birk!” Alex had turned his back at the sound of the door to protect Diana’s modesty. “What the devil do you want now? Haven’t you caused enough trouble for one day?”
“Ha!” Birk grinned as much as he was able with his split lip “Ye should be thankin’ me for makin sure she didna end up buried in the hold.”
“You knew!” Diana’s temper snapped as she recalled every word and deed since Birk had first approached Mister James and young Carver. She all but climbed over Alex to get to the grinning Scot, but her lover held her firmly and would not loose her.
“Easy, my love,” Alex laughed. “You are not exactly dressed for battle at the moment.”
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she recalled her state of undress. Peering around Alex’s muscular torso, she narrowed her eyes at the physician. “You will pay, Birk Fraser. Beware.”
“Indeed, lassie.” Still chuckling, Birk left the cabin, closing the door behind him.
“What was that about?”
“Your friend has an odd sense of humor,” she muttered. “I will tell you the whole of it later. In the meantime, where were we?”
“Right here.” He lowered his mouth to hers.
“Ah, Port Royal. A golden treasury of information.”
Dressed like a lord in a blue satin coat and breeches with a snow-white shirt, Marcus looked down on the busy street from the window of his room above the Hart & Hound tavern. Much as he preferred the comfort of his own cabin on the Renegade, Morgan had made it virtually impossible for him to drop anchor in the harbor anywhere near Port Royal. So Marcus had been forced to send his ship into hiding further down the coast while he and a few of his men took rooms in the city. But the situation did have its advantages.
“If there is information to be bought about El Moreno, this is the place to purchase it. Anything in this city can be had for a price.” He smiled and glanced at the bed. “Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?”
The young girl tied spread-eagled to the bed gave a frightened whimper from behind her gag and turned her face away.
“Now, none of that.” Marcus approached the bed. He stopped about a foot away, admiring the contrast of the girl’s pale, naked body against the dark coverlet of the bed. He sipped at the goblet of wine he held, his gaze missing no detail, allowing her no secrets. “For instance, it was quite simple to find a man so fond of drink that he was willing to sell his virgin daughter for the price of a cask of ale.”
The girl whimpered again, hiding her face in her long, dark hair.
Marcus chuckled. “Given that, my dear, it should be a simple matter to acquire information about my enemy.”
He said no more, merely stood there sipping his wine and watching her body tremble ben
eath the weight of his stare. He enjoyed this game, making her so aware of him, so frightened of him, before he even touched her. It made the triumph of bedding her that much more exciting.
A knock sounded at the door. He scowled. “Enter.”
Scroggins shuffled into the room. “He’s comin’, cap’n.”
“Is he?” Marcus turned away from the girl. “Are you certain?”
“Aye. Ship’s been sighted. He’s comin’ all right.”
“Excellent.” Marcus rolled the pewter goblet between his hands. “Send a man to the docks. I want to know everything he does from the moment he drops anchor. And if that red-haired bitch is with him.”
“Aye, cap’n.” With a bob of his head, Scroggins retreated from the room.
Marcus turned back to the bed. “What marvelous news!” He dipped his finger into the wine and slowly traced a line of crimson over her naked thigh. Then he set the goblet down. “We must celebrate. And, my dear, I insist that you share in my joy.”
Smiling, he began to take off his clothes.
The return voyage to Jamaica seemed to pass much more swiftly than had the journey to Besosa. Diana stood at the rail and watched the familiar buildings of Thames Street become clearer as the ship approached King’s Wharf. Though she knew Port Royal as well as she knew her own estate, the city looked different to her now. More colorful. More alive. More exciting. She knew that Port Royal could not have changed that much in the time she had been gone, which meant the transformation had to be in her.
Alex came up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. “Happy to be home?”
“Yes.” She let her head fall back against his shoulder and closed her hands over his where they clasped around her waist. “But at the same time I wish we had not returned. What are we to do now? I worry about you walking so freely through the city with so many soldiers about.”
“Do not concern yourself,” he reassured her. “I have never once been detained by the military.”
“There is always a first time.”
He laughed and turned her to face him, dropping a kiss on her lips. “There is no need to fear, my sweet. You are the only one who can identify El Moreno.”
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