Fortune's Flames

by Janelle Taylor

  Maren wondered if the truth had been noticeable in her eyes and her voice, but she did not want to vow or disavow love for her deceased fiancé. “Does it matter to you now? He’s dead, his body is lost somewhere in the sea.”

  “Do you still love him?” Jared altered his question slightly, for he was the privateer who had sunk the Merry Maiden.

  Reflecting on and talking about Daniel had changed Maren’s mood. She was now thinking of death, of the deviousness of men, of her many losses, of lies and broken dreams, of silly mistakes. “I think I’ll get dressed now. Make yourself at home, but since Mary is out for the day, you’ll have to eat elsewhere or prepare your own meals. I have a previous engagement.” She headed for the kitchen door.

  “What about our deal, Maren?”

  She halted and looked at him. “Will you put our deal in writing, just in case some British privateer prevents you from returning to collect? I wouldn’t want you willing your share to another conquest.”

  “We’ll handle everything tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow is July fourth. Some people make a holiday of it. What about Tuesday?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll see you tonight. Oh, how about having dinner with me at the hotel? We have to eat, so why not dine together?”

  “I have other plans for today and tonight, but thank you.”

  Jared spent the afternoon searching Maren’s rooms for clues. He found the letters from her parents, and after reading them, he could understand why Maren was protecting Eric James: their past friendship, their kinship, her parents’ feelings about Eric, and her cousin’s alleged patriotism. She undoubtedly felt he was risking death for treason or espionage. The letters had mentioned Cameron James’s intention to make Eric a partner in James Shipping. They had spoken of Eric’s secret work for America, and they had mentioned a “special fund,” which meant Maren had already known of it. He hated to realize how easily and frequently she had deceived him. He had to teach her to trust him.

  Jared knew something which Maren did not; there was a hidden compartment behind the bookcase by her bedroom fireplace. He went over the papers hidden there, and learned some grim facts. Cameron had given Eric legal authority to handle his business, but he had been about to revoke it. There was a letter there for Jared, a shocking one. It began, “If you find this letter, please take care of my daughter Maren for me. Protect her from her cousin Eric James. How could I have been so wrong about him? He’s evil, Jared, evil and sly. I’ll tell you what he’s done and what he’s planning to do….”

  He left the papers with the “special fund” he had found in the secret compartment. After reading about Eric’s deception and hearing about how he had begun to act shortly before the Jameses’ deaths, he suspected that Eric had had something to do with their sudden demises. Of course, he couldn’t reveal such dark suspicions to Maren; they would put her in danger and would break her heart. Aware of how dangerous Eric could be, especially to Maren, Jared must wait for the proper moment to use this grim evidence. Maren was vulnerable, and he wanted to protect her. He decided to see Dan Myers to gather more facts. He realized that he must let Maren discover this terrible truth on her own; if he forced it on her, she would resist him. But he would guide her to it, and he would defend, comfort, and love her.

  Maren walked around in the sitting room of the old James townhouse, the one Eric now “rented.” She had arrived there just as Marc was returning home, so he could not avoid her. She informed her younger cousin that she had discovered who her partner was and that the man had moved into Lady Luck. She knew if Eric kept to his schedule he should return to New Orleans around the end of the month or the beginning of the next one, and the impending confrontation between Jared and Eric worried her. It would reveal the truth.

  Jared had told her that he would resist her until he decided whether she was as important to him as his country, yet he was yielding to her. Did that mean he had decided she was vital to his happiness, or was he tricking her because he had realized she was not important to him? Jared had confided so many things to her, secrets she found hard to believe: tales of treachery and treason. She had to think.

  “Do you mind if I stay here today, Marc? Mary isn’t home and I don’t want to be alone with that man.”

  “I guess it’s all right.”

  “I’m sure Eric wouldn’t mind. I loved this place,” she murmured, glancing around the room. “Eric’s kept it much the same. I’m glad he was able to rent it. He lived here while working for my father, didn’t he?” she asked casually.

  “Yes. Why didn’t you move in here with us?”

  Maren replied deviously, “I wanted to live at Lady Luck and take care of myself. How long have you been living with Eric?”

  “He brought me here after your parents died. Murray didn’t want me around, so Eric takes care of me.”

  That told Maren why Marc was obedient to his brother, gratitude and the fact that Marc was afraid of Eric James. “That’s nice of him. Do you have any plans for tomorrow? Would you like to visit me?”

  “That man, your partner, is he the one who came to the office and asked me all those questions?”

  Maren decided to learn whether Eric had recognized Jared as Captain Hawk during the raid on the Martha J and had mentioned it to Marc. “Worse, Marc, he’s the awful pirate who attacked us at sea. Eric will be furious when he gets home and finds that beast living at Lady Luck. I tried to persuade Mr. Morgan to sell his half to me, but he refused. Imagine, me in business with the notorious Captain Hawk!”

  “I don’t like him. Eric won’t like him either. I’d better stay away from him or Eric will be mad. He doesn’t like people nosing around here.”

  Maren did not want to argue the point with the sulky youth. She had other things on her mind. In fact, she intended to spend the night here and avoid Jared until her head cleared. It might do that cocky rogue good to suspect she was with another man.

  “You relax, Marc, while I prepare us a nice dinner. We’ll talk and play cards afterward.”

  By midnight, Jared was worried about Maren. There were many lowlifes abroad in New Orleans, and he had upset Maren. She might not be thinking clearly. He tried to imagine where she had been all day. Mary Malone had returned after four, and he had had a long talk with her. He liked Mary, and she appeared to like him. She had cooked him a delicious meal, and they had eaten together. However, when he had questioned her about Maren’s absence, the woman had known nothing and had been just as worried as he was.

  A knock drew his attention, and going to the door of his suite, he found Mary standing before it. “She isn’t home yet, Mr. Morgan. She must be in trouble.”

  “Can you think of any place where she would go to be away from me?”

  “To be away from you? Whatever for?” the woman inquired.

  “I gave her a good start today. I may as well confess that I’ve been pursuing her for a long time and I’ve asked her to marry me. I think she wants to say yes, but this mystery partner stuff has her annoyed and baffled. She’s probably off somewhere pouting.”

  Mary was pleased by that news because she had been impressed by Jared Morgan. She replied honestly, “I hope she says yes, but she is a headstrong, independent girl. What about her cousin’s place? She could be there. He lives in Mr. Cameron’s old townhouse.”

  Jared recalled the address, and hurried over there. When he peeked through the sitting room window, he saw Maren and Marc at a game table. He knocked on the door until Marc responded, looking frightened. “Tell Maren I’m here to take her home.”

  Maren suddenly appeared behind her cousin and asked, “What are you doing here, Mr. Morgan? How dare you follow me about and give me orders! I’m staying here tonight.”

  “No, you are not. Remember that precious reputation you have to guard? When people see you returning home in the morning, how are they to know you stayed the night with your cousin? Your behavior is rash and childish. Mary is worried sick about you.”

  Maren c
onceded on this point. “I should have left her a note. We were having such fun that I lost track of time. When I saw how late it was, I decided to stay the night. How did you find me?”

  “Mary suggested I check here before scouring the city for you. Fetch your things and let’s return before she becomes more frantic.”

  Maren didn’t argue further. She retrieved her shawl and reticule, and joined the tawny-eyed man at the door. “Good night, Marc. I’m sorry to leave in the midst of our game. I’ll see you on another day.”

  Marc did not respond; he just kept staring at Jared Morgan.

  When Jared mounted his borrowed horse and reached for Maren, she tried to back away, but he seized her arms and lifted her up before him. She protested, and he ordered, “Be quiet, woman. You’ve caused me enough discomfort tonight. It’s late, so no one will notice us.”

  To prevent the clattering of hooves, Jared walked the animal back toward Lady Luck. “Next time you pull something like this, you’d best let us know where you’ll be. And don’t try to provoke me. Those bayous are filled with pirates and smugglers who would love to get their hands on a treasure like you. I won’t tolerate such recklessness. You’ll do as you’re told or our deal is off.”

  “Just what am I being told not to do, Mr. Morgan?”

  “Since you’ve agreed to my terms, you’re promised to me if you fail to repay your debt. That means you may not see other men or try to irritate me at every turn.”

  “I wasn’t seeing another man. Marc is my first cousin.”

  “But you wanted me to think otherwise, didn’t you?”

  “Why would I do that?” Maren asked, lowering her lashes.

  Jared reined in the horse. Grasping her chin, he raised it, and his gaze bored into hers. “Either to make me jealous or to punish me.”

  “Don’t be silly,” she chided, trying to free her chin.

  “Do not toy with me, Maren,” he warned, then his mouth closed over hers. The kiss was swift, to the point, staggering.

  “Toy with you, Jared?” she scoffed, though dazed by the kiss. She wanted nothing more than to rush home and get into bed with him, but she could not. Even if he were being honest, he had to be taught how to treat her properly and fairly. She must not allow him to take her for granted, to think only of his wishes. Her mother had told her that a man had to learn how to treat a woman, that he must not be allowed to get away with even a minor offense. Yet, this training had to be done carefully and gently and slyly. “Why did you wait four days to reveal our partnership? And why are you making these crazy demands?”

  He ran his tongue over his lips for another taste of her. “I wanted to look things over, to see how you were handling the place, and yourself.”

  “And?” she prompted. “Were you satisfied or disappointed?”

  “Both.”

  “Would you mind explaining that answer?”

  “You’re doing great with the place, and business is wonderful.”

  “And?” she said impatiently. “You only covered satisfied.”

  “Well, on the other hand, I seem to be out of a lot of earnings. We both know you can’t possibly repay so much money, no matter how you scrimp or how many games you win. If I take over to cover what’s due me, Cameron James’s daughter will be out in the cold. I can’t do that to the offspring of my old friend and partner, so I will lose the money but I will gain a wife.”

  “Leave my father out of this. And don’t feel sorry for me. I can take care of myself. I may surprise you by coming up with the money. If I can’t, I’ll marry you before I’ll give up Lady Luck.”

  “That sounds like the perfect compromise. Think about it, Maren. You’re twenty and single. I’m twenty-nine and single. Most people are married at our ages. You love Lady Luck, and I need someone to manage my half while I’m at sea. We both need a home, money, and respectability. And it doesn’t hurt that we’re attracted to each other, just in case we might want children some day.”

  Maren stared into his eyes and murmured sultrily, “When you add up the facts, Mr. Morgan, it does sound like a perfect arrangement. But I wonder… perhaps I could find a better one with someone else.”

  As they covered the remaining distance, he ordered, “Just make certain you don’t seek one out until your debt to me is settled.”

  After Jared eased her feet to the ground, Maren inquired saucily, “Does that stipulation also apply to you when you are in ports, Captain Hawk?”

  Jared dismounted and grinned. Before heading for the stable, he reasoned in a playful tone, “Why should it? I’m not the one in trouble.”

  “Until January first, I’m not either,” Maren informed him; then she went inside while he tended to the horse. After making a quick explanation to Mary, she hurried to her room.

  On Monday morning Maren asked Mary Malone to send Dan Myers to her room. She told Mary she would talk with her later over tea, but first there were some matters she had to settle with her manager.

  Maren hated to put Dan on the spot by asking him whether Jared Morgan had talked privately with him since his arrival, so she did not. She hoped Dan would be loyal enough to tell her anything so crucial. After explaining that Jared Morgan was her previously silent partner, but that he was planning to make public his half-ownership this week, she told Dan about the missing money that Jared had claimed was due him even before the war had begun.

  “I told him I wasn’t responsible for his understanding with Papa, but I have to find a way to pay him everything he’s got coming since Papa died. If he discovers Eric’s theft, there’s no telling what he’ll try to pull.”

  “Jared Morgan isn’t a devious or cruel man, Miss Maren.”

  “That’s what you think, Dan. He’s asked me to marry him. Or, I should say he demanded it. He ordered me to repay him by January first or to marry him. I’m not sure which prospect is worse.”

  Dan looked shocked and dismayed. “Why would Jared Morgan try to force you to marry him?”

  “He says it’s because we’re partners, we’re too old to be single, and we both need homes and respectability. He made it sound like a business deal instead of a marriage. He’s so arrogant and bossy! I have to repay him, Dan, so I won’t be indebted to him.”

  Myers remarked, “From what I observed the other night, you two were attracted to each other.”

  “I don’t have to marry a man just because I’m attracted to him. You don’t marry every woman who catches your eye. But this isn’t a simple matter. To be honest, Dan, I don’t really know what I want to do. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Did you know about Jared’s claim on Lady Luck before he arrived last Thursday?”

  “If I had known who your partner was, I would have told you.”

  “Have you talked to him privately since he came here?”

  Dan answered her truthfully. “Yesterday. If you want to fire me, you can, but I told him the truth about the missing money.”

  “Why, Dan?” she asked sadly. “He hates Eric.”

  Dan thought it wise to say, “Because I didn’t want him blaming you for taking it. Plenty of people suspect that Eric James stole you blind, and Jared claims he only wants to help you.”

  Yes, Maren scoffed silently, help me right into his bed! “You might trust him, Dan, but I don’t. There are some things I must learn about the infamous Captain Hawk. For one, what did he say when you told him about Eric taking his share of the money? For another, is he going to send him to jail?”

  “He promised not to do anything about your cousin or the missing money until you agree to proceed based on the evidence.”

  “It is more likely he won’t make any move until he gets Eric trapped like I am. What kind of man blackmails a woman into marrying him?”

  “You can always repay him or reject his proposal and marry someone else,” Dan suggested, observing Cameron’s daughter closely.

  “You call those choices, Dan?” she murmured dejectedly. “If only
he weren’t so damned cocky and secretive! I don’t even know if this so-called deal is a genuine offer.”

  Outside the door, Jared suppressed a chuckle. But when he heard someone heading for the stairs, he hurried to his room.

  Maren looked at Dan and said, “You’re right about one thing; I do want to marry Jared Morgan. I have wanted to since I was fifteen. But if you tell him, I swear I’ll break your neck before I fire you and vanish!”

  The manager hated to imagine how such a marriage would alter his life, yet he could not speak against it and remain here. He wondered how Eric James was going to take this news. Dan was wary of Jared Morgan because of his sudden arrival during wartime, his pursuit of Maren James, his revelation of half-ownership in Lady Luck, and his interest in Eric James. Dan knew he needed to think over these matters, and he had to think carefully.

  Chapter Eight

  Maren did not know where Jared had vanished to that morning, but she had not seen him. She had just decided that he might have gone to his ship, when a note from Lilibeth Payne was delivered.

  Maren was already wearing a lovely promenade gown of sky-blue muslin, so she put on a straw bonnet trimmed with ribbons and flowers, took her parasol and string bag, and left Lady Luck. All she told Mary Malone was that she would return before nightfall.

  July fourth celebrators were in a festive mood, and Maren James quickly cast her worries aside. As she went to meet her best friend for lunch, the poised, young brunette smiled and nodded at everyone she met.

  When she was seated at the restaurant, Maren said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Beth. How are your parents, and how is everyone at Payne’s Point?”

  Her blond friend laughed merrily. “Everyone is fine. Papa came to town to amuse himself, and I persuaded him to let me come along to visit with friends and have a little fun. But you know Mama; she despises the heat and the insects so she remained at home.”

  Beth’s Southern accent became more pronounced as she asserted, “I do declare, Maren, life will leave Mama behind for she only sits around sewing and reading. I’ve heard Papa tell her she’s as boring as a faded strap on a cotton bale. It’s true, Maren; she’s like an old sow. If I were Papa, I would stick a cocklebur in her drawers and liven her up. If Mama isn’t careful, Papa’s going to become too entangled with one of those fancy little piglets he sneaks off to see. Can you imagine the proper Mr. Payne having several tarts?” Beth giggled, but Maren tried to keep a straight face.