by Jewel Adams
Her brow rose and her gaze danced as the French passed like music, earning Rogan’s smile and nod.
“Come, Cherie, you must eat, and then have a hot bath and rest. Come, come, see your new home, our Dèsirèe will love you as you shall love her.”
Corin tried to keep her attention on Madame Drake and Rogan, but everything captured her as they walked through the breathtaking home. Bright sunny pastels and rich woodwork graced the tall spacious rooms they passed.
“I see you appreciate Dèsirèe?”
“It is beautiful.”
The lady motioned for Corin and Rogan to sit at the dining room table. In all the elegance, Corin felt like a ragamuffin but saw no way to avoid sitting on the ivory brocade chair. Madame Drake patted her hand. “Please, Cherie, do not feel embarrassed, you have traveled and arrived much as I did to this fine home.” She winked at Rogan, “When you have rested and are more comfortable, I will share my own adventure with you… you see we are not so different, you and I. And please, you will call me Alicia.”
“Oh, but I couldn’t.”
“Then Grandmere, as my Rogan does, and I’ll not have any stuffy arguments against it. Ah, John has brought you breakfast… you must eat and regain your strength.”
Corin became too overwhelmed by Grandmere to argue. The tension escaped from her. The lady actually told her she was accepted into this grand home. To be welcomed was all that mattered… everything would be fine. Corin felt her body relax—she felt so tired.
“Come Cherie, I will show you to your room. Rogan, finish eating and stay put. I want to hear everything before you leave to tend to business.”
He rose as they did and kissed Corin’s brow. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in a while.”
Too tired to protest, Corin followed his grandmere.
There were so many rooms to see; the stairs they took circled high above the large marble entrance hall.
“Later I will take you about the house. For now, I think you will be fortunate not to fall asleep in the bath.”
She opened two large doors at the end of the long hall. “This is your room, Cherie. Ah yes, the bath is ready, and I have taken the liberty to send some things for you to use until we can have your wardrobe completed.”
Corin walked into the room of deep blue and cream. Heavy large pieces of furniture dominated the sleeping area. The other room they stood in was a study and sitting area combined. A large desk was positioned at the corner between two sets of open laced doors that led to the wraparound balcony. The breeze felt wonderful and cooling over Corin’s nerves. Her finger ran over the desk and chart table.
“Rogan?” Her cheeks grew hot. Dear heavens! She hadn’t thought how the arrangements would be.
“Cherie, I am not blind… you and my grandson are well acquainted by now. I see no reason to pretend differently. This is his room, and now it is yours as well.”
Corin forced herself to meet the woman’s gaze. She wouldn’t allow the relationship between Rogan and herself to be dirtied, and Corin held a fierce pride. “Thank you.”
“No, Cherie, it is I who thanks you.” She walked up to Corin. “Rogan needs a woman that loves as strongly as he does. I see this in your eyes for him. I also see that you have given him back his life. Neither you nor I can stop a man’s honor from taking its course, but Rogan now has a reason to hold value to his own life.”
Their gazes locked in understanding.
“We will talk later… for now, rest. I will send Rogan up in a while.”
Corin watched the woman walk back to the door. She stopped and looked back at her. “You bring back many of my happiest memories. My own Sean Drake was much like Rogan…yes, Cherie, we have much in common, you and I.”
Staring at the closed door, Corin shook herself out of her thoughts over what just happened. “I like you, Madame Drake.”
Grandmere knew best. Corin fell asleep in the tub and only the cooling water drove her back to reality long enough to dry off and slip on the cool sheer nightgown.
She fell asleep across the royal blue satin spread. Diamond himself could have charged the house, and Corin would never have heard.
~ * ~
“I do not agree, Rogan. Waiting is out of the question.”
“But I want her to have a formal wedding and under the circumstances it can’t be. No, we must wait.”
“Not all women want to have frills; ask Corin what she wants. I think you will be surprised.”
Alicia smiled at her grandson as he paced off his temper with her. Oh, but these two have a fire between them, and it pleased her heart.
“All right, I’ll talk to her.”
“Dan told me many things about Corin, and I saw her schooner for myself.”
“She mustn’t know it is here.”
“Oui, I agree.”
Her agreement surprised him. His grandmere always possessed an open mind, not like most of the weak spineless creatures of her sex. His heart warmed over her acceptance and approval of Corin. “All right, why do you agree?”
“Mon dieu, you are so suspicious. It is for her I keep the Raven hidden. Do you think she will stand idly by while you stalk around the ocean after the Black Diamond? No, my dear grandson, she would do as I would and try to protect a foolish man when he doesn’t know when to stop!”
Thinning eyes clashed with the storm gathering between them. “And that is why you must wed the child before you leave.” Her hand waved accusingly at him. “As a widow, she will at least be able to hold on to her pride when the love is torn from her heart.”
The meaning of her words hit hard and rocked Rogan to his toes, but she didn’t spare him. “And if God is gracious, she will have a child to give her love to, and I will have a great-grandson to take his dead father’s place. Now, I am tired… go take care of your Dèsirèe.”
Dismissed, Rogan stalked from the room, halting, he turned back to argue, but she turned her back to him in finality.
Furious over what she implied, he couldn’t hold to the anger over the thoughts she put in his head. “A son? My son with Corin?” The possibility hadn’t occurred to him.
Looking back at the house as he walked to the stable, he said, “I’ll be damned if you’ll raise him, old woman! If there is a son, he will know his father.”
Alicia let the lace valance fall back in place. “Think hard, my stubborn grandson.” But in her wise heart, she knew her words would not keep him from going.
Her thoughts drifted to the woman whose eyes blazed in love and a fierce protective light for her grandson. “I tried, Cherie, but in this we can only keep them safe.”
Chapter Twelve
Precious Discoveries
Corin shifted her weight, causing the woman to start spitting out angry French words flying about the room.
“Corin dear, you need to hold still.”
Under her breath, she blew at the wisp of dark hair that fell forward and unmercifully tickled her nose. “Is this really necessary, Grandmere?”
“Oui, now hold still so Madam Claviar may finish.”
She held in her scream as the lady’s hands poked and turned her again about the raised platform. A small discreet wedding, my foot! They posted notices all about New Orleans! Corin hadn’t like that. In fact, she hadn’t felt comfortable about anything since she agreed to the wedding.
She argued with the grand lady and Rogan until her face became red in anger. Her concerns over Diamond were flatly dismissed. There had been no sign of his ship, and they assured her the marriage declarations were necessary and would be read for only another week.
Why couldn’t they just elope? What Corin didn’t understand was Rogan’s attitude. What changed his mind so quickly?
And the way he watched her as if he expected something from her.
The first week she didn’t notice the changes in him, what with Dèsirèe and all Grandmere decided to teach her about the house’s management. Running a plantation was not an easy task. Corin felt overwhel
med by all it entailed and the adjustment… hell, she didn’t even know the names of the things or how they worked. Her own inadequacy infuriated her and made her determined to conquer this new life. If not for Grandmere’s patience in teaching her, Corin decided she would have failed miserably.
Rogan helped her too. At night, he would explain the things she couldn’t bring herself to ask anyone else about.
It wasn’t until after she agreed to the wedding that she saw the small noticeable changes in him. Jealousy she always knew about in Rogan, but there was a strange, fierce possessive light in his gaze upon her. What it did to her womanly senses was truly unspeakable and, even now, Corin could feel the heat striking her sex. God, Corin feared her lack of control in others’ presence, sure everyone suspected her arousal.
And when they were alone—Corin’s eyes closed over the warmth seeping through her…
“Cherie?” Alicia smiled at the dreamy look on Corin’s face. Touching her hand made the girl jump out of her memories. “You may dress now; it is over.”
“Yes, of course.”
Alicia’s understanding glance deepened at the girl’s embarrassing exit.
Behind the dressing screen, Corin started pulling on the silky folds. The brush of her hand against herself made her hesitate and without thought her fingers pressed through the slit in the material, touching the aroused nub of her clit. She sucked in her breath over the instant rush of erotic heat. Her juices started to flow, and she let her other finger dip into the moist pool, bringing it forward to lubricate her sensitive nub. Rogan filled her mind and with his image her fingers worked at a feverish pace that made her close her eyes. Breath came in short, whispered gasps as her body rushed to find fulfillment. Corin couldn’t remember masturbating in such a feverish manner, but then she had never known what making love with a man like Rogan entailed.
When her climax came, Corin, needed to hold the dress stand to keep from falling under the rushing waves of intense pleasure. Ever so slowly the waves eased into gentle wisps of ecstasy. In slow motion, she straightened the layers of the dress about her as her senses came back to the present, sorry to leave the haven of feeling still warm beneath the surface.
The angelic empire cut for all its femininity showed an amazing amount of her cleavage. Corin pressed her palm against the excited rise and fall of her breasts and concentrated on controlling her breathing. Corin swore under her breath that Madame Claviar’s next creations better have more modest lines. Where did she ever get the idea that these people were prudish? It seemed nothing in this era would scandalize their historic senses.
As she adjusted the beautifully pleated bonnet with its elegant satin bow at the side of her cheek, she wondered just how many dresses a girl needed. Between what Grandmere had given her, and the gowns already sent to Dèsirèe, the wardrobe stood packed full. She gave up arguing with these two people.
“Ah, Corin, we are finished.”
“Thank goodness.”
“The wedding dress will be sent out to Dèsirèe next week, I will make all the necessary adjustments there,” the dressmaker said.
“Thank you, madame.”
Corin settled back in the open carriage with Grandmere, anxious to leave for Dèsirèe. To come into New Orleans for the fittings turned into an all-day affair, especially in Alicia’s company. The lady was a true French aristocrat. The Boviar name was one of the oldest families in New Orleans and as such, Alicia seemed to be in demand, as she called it.
Again, any objection Corin might utter about riding about the city in an open carriage visiting Alicia’s friends was instantly dismissed. Rogan was as well-known as his grandmere, but as Monsieur Rogan Drake, wealthy shipping magnate and owner of Dèsirèe, not the illusive pirate known as the Dragon.
Alicia insisted they must visit her cousin Louisa Boviar for lunch before heading back home. Corin put her misgivings aside. Repeatedly telling herself nothing could happen… after all, she and Rogan did not seem concerned… why should she worry? Spoiling Alicia’s day went beyond Corin as she had grown too fond of the lady.
“Rogan said you have not been to New Orleans. I will take you all around my home before winter sets in. Winter is the time for parties and balls.”
They agreed to say that Corin came from Boston on the marriage postings to hopefully end all questions. Lying to Alicia left Corin with a hurt feeling inside, but it could not be any other way. And it wasn’t such a big lie. Alicia’s New Orleans certainly wasn’t the place Corin left. There were hints here and there of what it would become, especially in the French Quarter they were traveling through. Corin could feel the fresh and young New Orleans, one she’d fallen in love with all over again.
Louisa Boviar was a plump and rather flighty version of a French lady. About the same age as Alicia, the similarity ended there. Corin couldn’t help but wonder how these two different women had become such close friends. Alicia cloaked a practical, serious side, whereas Corin doubted Louisa knew the meaning of the word.
“Oh, she is a beautiful girl, Alicia. So tiny.”
As they followed her into the tea room, Alicia leaned closer to Corin and whispered, “Pay her no mind Cherie, she has a heart of gold, but…” sighing deeply, “God forgot a dose of sense to accompany it.”
Raising her hand, Corin tried to cover her giggle over Alicia’s disclosure.
The lady showed herself to be exactly as Alicia said. Corin felt Alicia’s impatience with the woman, but she never once let on. Corin suspected that in the past, Alicia hadn’t been beyond shaking some sense into her cousin.
“Oh my, I did hope Paul would have come back in time to meet you, my dear.”
Corin smiled at Louisa, not paying much attention until Alicia spoke up. She didn’t mistake the wary edge in Alicia’s voice.
“Louisa, who is Paul?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? Let’s see if I can get it right. You do remember Ramon Boviar?”
Corin tried not to be obvious as she watched the sharp light in Alicia’s eyes darken. “No Louisa, I am afraid I never met him.”
“Of course, you did. He’s my Jan’s second cousin, I think… well, it isn’t important; there are so many. Paul is just over from France.”
“Did he come on his own ship?”
“Heavens no, he arrived on the… I can’t remember the merchant’s name. Is it important?”
“No dear. Is Paul staying here with you and Jan?”
“Yes, and I’m so glad for the company, what with Jan away and all; it is so lonely.”
“We must be leaving. Corin will you get our things?”
“Yes, Grandmere.”
Forcing back the uneasy feelings over Alicia’s strange attitude toward this Paul Boviar, she went and found the servant as requested.
Corin waited in the hallway for Alicia. The strangest feeling came over her. Spinning around, she searched the hall, sure she felt someone’s presence. The warnings she carried for so long intensified. Her stomach tightened over the strength of awareness.
~ * ~
Paul’s hand gripped the handle of the cane he held. “Yes, Miss McCloud, you are as aware of me as I of you. Soon, mademoiselle, there will be no need to hide.”
Turning back to his room as the women left Louisa’s company, Paul went to the front window and watched Miss McCloud leave with Madame Drake. He pulled back to avoid the woman’s sharp gaze up at the window as her carriage pulled away.
~ * ~
Alicia became too involved in her own troubled thoughts over Louisa’s revelation to notice the shaking in Corin’s hands. Pulling them into her lap, she battled the unreasonable fear that tried to overtake her. It couldn’t be him. Her silent argument seemed foolish as the carriage left the city. She wondered if she should tell Rogan. No, he’d think it was only her overactive imagination. He said she saw shadows everywhere. Maybe she did, but in her defense, she couldn’t help but worry. Damn you, Rogan, if only you’d give it up!
~ * ~
All thoughts of telling Rogan about what she experienced at Louisa’s fled upon their arrival. Glen Anderson, Rogan’s manager of Drake Shipping, was at Dèsirèe, and he wasn’t a man to be ignored. Even before Alicia and Corin entered the house, Glen’s deep-throated laughter could be heard. For all his boisterous humor, the man radiated his business expertise.
Corin loved having Glen around. He knew so much about ships, not one arriving or leaving in the harbor escaped his notice. He could tell the type of ship, its cargo and its worth on the market.
Alicia’s casual question immediately killed Corin’s pleasure.
“Why yes, there was a French merchant, arrived about two weeks ago.”
Corin didn’t know if it was her rapt attention over Glen’s answer, or Alicia’s unusual interest that drew Rogan into the conversation.
“Aren’t Madame Chaviar’s creations current enough, Grandmere?”
“Don’t be silly, Rogan, you know perfectly well the madam gets all the newest dolls directly from the designers themselves.”
“Then why would a French merchant’s arrival interest you?”
“Oh, it is Louisa… she has a guest. A Paul Boviar, some son of a cousin of whom I have absolutely no memory. It just bothers me.”
“The Boviars are a large family.”
“Of course, but I should know of this Paul and his father Roman… it’s odd, don’t you think?”
Rogan smiled at his grandmere, hiding his own concern and cursing the foolishness of it. Corin kept watching him, and he realized she had him looking at shadows as well.
Unconsciously, his gaze sought her out. Ah cat, you are both impossible.
Corin turned away from his knowing gaze and shrugged in resignation. She told herself to forget it; he already decided she and Alicia were being silly.
The evening held laughter and revelry with Glen. But beneath Corin’s gaiety, the warnings still simmered.
Chapter Thirteen
Wedding in the Air
The weeks flew by in a swirl of activity to prepare Dèsirèe for the upcoming wedding. Corin’s discreet wedding took on the trappings of an extravagant affair; she felt incapable of holding down Alicia’s enthusiasm. The lady insisted that she only invited the absolute minimum that propriety allowed. Corin wore a constant frown over the number attending.