by Jewel Adams
She felt little enthusiasm for packing the necessary things and left all the decisions to Tina. The girl seemed to feel Corin’s mood and even refrained from her normal humming as she rushed about the room.
Rogan had left only two weeks ago, and it felt like a lifetime.
Dan came around almost every day to check on her, not liking what he found. He would miss them today as he usually showed up at dinner time. “Tina, I’m going to write Mr. Gazer a note. Will you please make sure he gets it?”
“Oh yes, madame.”
“Thank you.”
Setting at Rogan’s desk, she hurried to write it.
Dear Dan,
Alicia has won, I am going with her to the ball at Louisa’s.
We will be staying over and should be home by tomorrow night.
Take care, I will see you when we get back.
Love,
Corin
Folding the parchment, she sealed it with wax, pressing in the scrolled “D” from Rogan’s desk.
“Here it is, Tina.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll see he gets it right away.”
Walking over to get her bag, Corin stopped and turned back, but Tina was gone. “So, the Raven isn’t that far.” For the first time since he left, Corin felt her blood stir. “Damn it, Alicia, I should not have given in.”
Corin wanted to stay and search Dèsirèe for the Raven. When she returned, it would be the first thing she did.
~ * ~
The drive tired her out more than she cared to admit even to herself. Corin knew it was her own fault; she rarely ate, and the worry she carried dragged her down.
If something did happen to Rogan, she couldn’t afford to be sick. Scolding herself, Corin would make herself get back into a healthier regimen. This lazing about on the verge of tears must stop.
She ate lunch; it wasn’t much, but a start. Alicia was fuming… it seemed Monsieur Boviar had once again disappeared. Corin left the women to their clatter, deciding if she were to get through the evening she needed to rest.
The room she’d been given looked as frilly as their hostess. Corin felt suffocated by the busy prints and lace ruffles over every piece of furniture. It was too much for the small room to handle. After having Rogan’s quarters that spanned the whole end of the main house, Corin figured she must have become spoiled and laughed at the very idea.
One thing she couldn’t laugh off was the heat. She decided it must be twenty degrees hotter in the city. It was the beginning of October and still the heat persisted. Corin shed all her clothing but the sheer chemise and laid out across the bed, bringing the pillow to the foot of the bed by the window. The slight breeze felt marvelous on her flushed skin. She soon dozed beneath the slow-moving curtain.
~ * ~
Her dark hair splayed out across the coverlet. Paul’s warm gaze traveled leisurely down the length of her back, stopping to rest on the curved rise of her shapely hip. The rich almond tone of her legs made his groin tighten with wanting. Like satin, her flesh glistened in smooth invitation, but he held his position at the door.
He would choose the time she would learn of his presence. The ball was for Corin…he could wait until tonight.
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. He will soon be out of your life, madame, but I will enjoy your company even before your husband dies. I’ve waited too long already.
Corin sat up, trying to focus. Holding herself, she felt sure someone was there. But when she looked, the room stood empty. Rubbing her brow, she lay back down. I’ve got to get hold of myself.
~ * ~
The earlier thought from her nap was amplified when she saw what her lack of attention that morning cost her. Dear Tina packed the most revealing ball gown out of her wardrobe. “And it’s red! Dear heavens, I hate red. I don’t remember agreeing to this one.”
The color made her look fragile and was too bold a contrast to her dark hair and topaz eyes. Corin thought of playing sick, but Alicia wouldn’t stand for it.
Shrugging her shoulders, she made the best of it she could, but she had to shut her eyes over the way the bust cupped her breasts, showing their fullness and so very much of them. “I feel like…no, I won’t say it, I just won’t.” It wasn’t true anyway. Corin saw the truth in the mirror. She looked stunning. Thoughts of Rogan’s reaction to the dress made her shake. “Seductive, oh stars, he’d kill me.”
She did try to concentrate on thoughts of wearing it to entice him, but they failed. He wasn’t here to enjoy what she felt he’d do. “If only it didn’t shimmer so much.” The slightest movement made the material glitter as if a thousand diamonds were sewn into the material. “Diamonds…”
Shaking her head made the mass of curls fall over her shoulder. Louisa’s girl did a beautiful job with her hair, pulling it back and to one side. The curls cascaded down her bare shoulders and back, hiding the capped sleeve.
She pulled on the long gloves that left her hands bare. Corin looked as if she were going to war. “I will be. You will deserve my anger, Rogan.”
As she started out the door, she told herself again she didn’t care what any of these people thought. Married a day and the groom takes off on the high seas; her chin rose a little higher as she descended the stairs.
People from the wedding greeted her, and Corin felt pleased she remembered most of their names. Louisa and Alicia were inseparable. The woman may be flighty, but she knew how to throw a party. Corin congratulated her.
“Oh, no child, it isn’t me, I wish it were. No, Paul did all this; he certainly has exquisite taste, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, yes he does.” She shook her head against the warnings as her gaze darted about the room seeing what she almost wished. “Orchids.”
“Aren’t they beautiful? A marvel, I tell you.”
A guest called Louisa away. Alicia didn’t follow. “Corin, what is it?”
It was just a coincidence, wasn’t it? “Nothing.”
“Rogan warned me about your nothings.”
“Did he? Well, it’s a shame he’s not here to take care of it.” Taking a deep breath, she took Alicia’s hand. “I’m so sorry… that was uncalled for. I just feel so strange.”
“I know; it’s because he’s not here with you.”
Corin let the lady believe what she wanted and tried to act casual. “Have you met this Paul, yet?”
“No. Louisa said he’d be here later.”
“We probably wouldn’t know if he appeared or not.”
“Oh yes, I would. Louisa said he has the most distinguished eyes.”
“Eyes?” Corin felt cold.
“Yes, like silver. Can you imagine?”
Corin didn’t stay to hear the rest. “Silver… oh, Rogan.” I must get away…
Slowing her steps, she tried not to draw attention to herself. Corin told herself not to panic… she needed to think, decide what to do. How to get away from here and reach Rogan? “Dan… he’d know what to do.”
Slipping into a quiet room, she shut the door behind her. It was the library and, thankfully, no one was in it. Walking over to the lantern, she blew it out, needing the darkness. She sat there by the open French doors for a long time. Silver and orchids… they were not just shadows. Diamond was here, which meant he wasn’t meeting Rogan.
All the warnings came back to haunt her. “I must find him.”
Telling Alicia was out of the question, at least until they were at Dèsirèe. She would pretend to be sick; it would be easy, as bad as she felt. Corin would insist on going home. Then she’d send for Dan.
Taking the initiative, she hoped she would prevent Diamond from taking his. This ball was for a reason, and he’d gone out of his way to show her he was here—somewhere. Groaning, Corin knew the presence she had felt must have been him.
Sucking in her breath, the whispered truth came out. “Today, in the bedroom. Oh God, I’ve got to get away.”
Refusing to dwell on the fear, she pushed out of the chair, but voices directl
y outside the door froze her.
“It can’t fail, Diamond.”
“Nothing is perfect; he is not an easy man to catch, as you well know, Billings.”
“Aye, but the bastard won’t get out of this; those Brits will hang him if they don’t blow him out of the water. Real sneaky the way you set him up on a raid like that… two English brigs aren’t easy to outrun.”
“You better go.”
“This is some party, Diamond. Why didn’t you take her before the wedding?”
“Does a flower taken from the vine lose its essences? No, my friend, the taking is sweeter when the separation is final.”
Corin’s stomach rose to her throat, leaving her gasping for breath when they finally moved away.
A trap! Rogan would be caught as a pirate by the British. They said he’d hang. Her denial rushed out. “No.”
She must stop Rogan, but how? If she knew the name of the ship, maybe even the coordinates of where the raid would take place. “I’d have to… get on Diamond’s ship.” Corin’s body rocked over what that meant. Was it possible? She couldn’t do anything unless she got away from Diamond.
The hall was empty when she stepped out. Corin looked desperately in the direction of the kitchen but knew she couldn’t leave Alicia. The music was playing—if she could stay in the crowd he couldn’t possibly do anything. She fought with the need to run and forced herself to walk toward the ballroom and people.
Once she entered the room, she searched for Alicia. She saw Louisa across the room, but Alicia wasn’t with her. Corin made her way to the lady. “Excuse me, Louisa, where is Alicia?”
“Why, I believe she went with Paul onto the terrace.”
Corin paled and turned toward the open doors. Her knees were shaking as she forced herself to go to the doors, all the while fearing what she might find. A man suddenly appeared before the open exit, blocking her way. She looked up at him, turning quickly away from what she saw. Her gaze darted from one door to the next. A man stood at each one. Diamond’s men, though they dressed in finely tailored suits. She couldn’t mistake the coldness in their faces and eyes.
Escape proved impossible, but she still wanted to find Alicia. With more determination than she felt, she walked back toward the door—the man didn’t move. Grinding her back teeth, Corin forced the words out. “Move out of my way.” She kept her gaze to his and didn’t flinch. He just smiled at her and stepped aside.
Corin immediately saw them standing by the rail. Alicia didn’t look frightened; in fact, she was laughing. Walking toward them proved difficult; she felt him watching her every move. Yelling in silence Corin told herself not to show him, any of them, the fear tearing her up inside.
“Corin, here you are.”
“Alicia.” Corin’s gaze never left his. He hadn’t changed. All the cold hardness still glittered in his unearthly gaze, if anything, stronger than before. He looked the predator, his eyes glued to his prey in anticipation of capture. Corin felt helpless and trapped.
“…this is Paul Boviar.”
He took her hand, holding it in a cruel clasp she couldn’t break as he raised it to his lips. “Madame Drake.”
His lips felt cold and revolting. But Corin showed him nothing of the pain or revulsion he inflicted. “Monsieur.”
When he released her hand, she stilled the urge to wipe it clean against her dress. She feared to look away from him, sure he’d strike like a snake if she did. “Alicia, Louisa would like us to join her.”
“You will join us inside, Paul?”
“I’d be delighted, Cousin Alicia.”
Corin waited until Alicia passed by, and then she turned to follow.
“Stay, Corin.” The hissed command stiffened her spine, but she kept walking. “Don’t test my patience—Alicia is an old lady.”
Stopping, Corin swayed but caught herself. Dangerously unsteady she dared not move. “All right, I’m here… what do you want?”
His breath touched her neck from directly behind. “You know ‘who’ I want.”
She didn’t move.
“Do you like the dress and orchids, Cherie?”
“I loathe them.”
“A pity, for they mirror your own exotic beauty.”
His hand trailed lightly down her neck. Corin’s breathing came in short, strained gasps. “Your skin gleams in warmth when you are frightened. Does it pulse when it’s heated by passion?”
Biting the inside of her cheek, she held back the terrified moan rising in her throat.
“Come dance with me, Corin.”
He took hold of her hand and his arm encircled her waist, holding her to his side. His thigh brushed her own as he led her back into the ballroom. She didn’t hear the music, feeling only the damning touch of his hand on her waist as he drew her out among the couples. “Smile, Corin, your grandmere is watching.”
“Go to hell, Diamond.”
“Tch, your eyes spark in temper, Cherie.” His fingers deliberately dug into her ribs. “I love a challenge, madame, and you present the most appealing one I’ve ever encountered.”
He was playing a sick game Corin couldn’t escape. She looked at Alicia, and at Diamond’s man directly behind her. The sick smile he gave her said it all, earning her misstep.
“That’s right, Corin, his grandmother is my weapon against you. And I must congratulate myself on the choice. It’s more effective than any physical force. Don’t you agree?”
“Leave her out of it.”
“Ah, and would you promise to behave if I do? No, Cherie, I have time to ensure you agree…to everything.”
“You knew all along?”
“No, Cherie, not until he came to my island. Though it was difficult not to take you then. Oh, but that is another answer to a question you haven’t asked. You see, one of his brother’s crew recognized Monsieur Drake, and the loyal sort he was he rushed on to inform me of the Dragon’s true identity.”
“But…”
“You believed his brother’s ship and all to be destroyed. Sometimes we are this cruel, but Corin, there is more bounty to be had from live men than dead ones.”
The steel band of his arm kept her from falling over the revelation. “Brian is alive…”
“Oh yes, though most men would probably say that being owned by another is a fate that, if given the choice, death would be preferable.”
“Slavery?” Corin felt the shock slam into her. Rogan’s revenge… Brian lived… the room spun dangerously beyond her grasp.
Paul lifted Corin and cradled her against his chest.
“Oh dear, Corin…”
“She will be fine, dear Cousin Alicia. I’ll take her upstairs.”
The crowd parted before the forbidding grey-eyed gaze of the man carrying the young beautiful mistress of Dèsirèe.
Alone with Corin in the room, Paul waited for the delicate lashes to flutter open. The coppery eyes crystallized beneath his metallic gaze. Silver could bend copper to its will. “Your grandmere will be here shortly, Cherie. You do understand I have no compassion for what you could render a useless weapon.”
Oh God! Corin’s world rocked beneath the real threat for Alicia.
“I never doubted your intelligence.” His finger traced her trembling chin. “Nor your compassion for an old lady. We will be leaving for Dèsirèe in the morning. I know you will help eliminate any misgivings the grand lady may hold over my presence.”
Paul rose away from her as the ladies rushed into the room.
Corin’s fist clutched at her stomach to control the violent rush of fear over what his deliberate gaze upon Alicia had wrought. Closing her eyes, she wished feverishly she could make him disappear, and though he was gone when she did open them to stop Alicia’s fearful pleas, she knew Black Diamond just became a dangerous presence in their lives; one that wouldn’t be willing to dislodge his talons.
Chapter Fifteen
Villain at the Door
“Dèsirèe appears to be a well-run plantation, Cousi
n Alicia.”
“It is, Paul; my grandson runs her as well as the shipping line.”
“But both need a man’s presence to continue to do well.”
Corin kept her gaze on the fields so no one would see the dread Diamond’s light conversation brought. During the entire ride from New Orleans, he’d carefully played on Alicia and Louisa’s trust in him as a relative. He learned all he wanted about Dèsirèe and Drake shipping. Only Corin realized why he had waited to make his move. She glared at him over the look he shot her when she tried to change the subject. She gave up trying. With Diamond sitting directly across from her, Corin was forced to endure his company and the far-reaching web he began to spin.
More than the man and his threat to herself and Alicia put the fear in Corin… the fact both ladies fell so easily under Diamond’s charisma. Even Alicia’s earlier suspicions disappeared. Corin discovered Diamond could adapt himself to any situation. His obvious knowledge of the Boviar, and what she remembered him saying at the villa that night about his upbringing made her believe he was exactly who he claimed to be—Paul Boviar, alias Black Diamond, King of the Virgin Island pirates.
“Corin?”
Alicia’s concerned voice broke through Corin’s distant attention. “Are you feeling ill? Oh dear, I knew the ride would be too much after last night.”
Paul’s warning in the darkening of his gaze wasn’t necessary.
“No, Grandmere, I’m just tired.”
“You must go directly to your room and sleep until dinner.”
“Yes, I think you are right.”
Corin didn’t delay in following Alicia’s order, allowing her to escape Paul’s company and earn his displeasure.
Obtaining the safety of her room, she locked the door to ensure the solitude remained. Changing into her robe, in case unwanted company did demand entrance, she could fake the weakness she hoped to continue displaying. It was imperative to keep Paul at a distance until she could figure out what to do.
“First I must warn Dan to stay away.”
Corin penned a note, one she hoped Dan would understand, but no one else should it fall into the wrong hands.