by Jewel Adams
“Corin, I don’t like it. Diamond is the only one that knows that.”
“And Billings.”
“But he’s the one you and Rogan spoke of.”
“I must get on his ship or Paul’s. Dan will be able to find out which is closer. But first, we must get you out of his reach.”
They turned and started walking back through the garden.
“You can take us to my cousin Emily’s plantation. Louisa mustn’t be told anything until the last moment. Yes, Emily’s will be a good place to hide the Raven until you leave. It’s up the coast near New Orleans, closer than Dèsirèe if their ships are docked there.”
“I believe Diamond was in Galveston waiting for Rogan, and then sailed back here.”
“We must stop him. If he’s caught in the act, nothing will save Rogan from execution. English courts would love to hang a French man under any circumstance.”
“But Rogan is not French, not really.”
“Corin, his lines trade with French wares, a French possession, the names Drake and Boviar are inseparable and unfortunately, very well known.”
That information added to her growing worries for Rogan. Stopping by some roses, Corin picked a few and added them to the basket in case Paul was watching. “Alicia, there’s something else… it’s a little shocking.”
“I don’t faint.”
Corin hadn’t been one to do that either before coming here. Looking back to Alicia, she placed her hand about her arm. “It’s Brian… he is alive.”
Alicia staggered, but Corin held her up. “Diamond didn’t kill the crew.” Her hand tightened on the woman’s. “He sold them.”
“Mon Dieu, my poor baby.”
They walked slowly, giving Alicia time to compose herself.
“I am all right now. Where, Corin? Where is my Brian?”
“I don’t know. There may be records on Diamond’s ship or at the villa on the island. If he kept records, I’ll find them, I promise.” Corin held back her thoughts over how she might be able to learn Brian’s whereabouts, not even sure if she herself could take such a risk.
“He is alive. Such a pig-headed boy wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Corin heard the fear in Alicia’s adamant statement. “He’s not stupid, Alicia, even Rogan would know when to bend, at least until he could figure out how to get free.”
“You are right… we must believe both will be safe.”
“Now I need advice, Alicia.”
“Yes, Paul and tonight. I think I can help to ensure he does not hear you leave.”
“There may be others; his men were at the ball. They could be here on Dèsirèe.”
“Yes, but without him, they are only dogs without a flea. Leave the flea to me.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dangerous Liaisons
“Paul, more brandy?”
“No thank you, Cousin Alicia.”
Paul stifled a yawn. Alicia’s pleased look met Corin’s.
“Louisa, be a dear and play something soft and slow on the harpsichord. I feel melancholy tonight.”
Her cousin played two pieces before stopping and saying her goodnights.
Before Alicia could get back to her chair, Paul’s chin fell onto his chest. Alicia walked in front of him and clapped, but the man never moved.
“The drug should last two hours, not much more. You must hurry, Corin. I will stay with him.” Alicia moved to the clock, setting it back two hours. “Be back here before he wakes.”
“I will.”
Corin raced up the stairs. She changed in the moonlit room into dark pants and a shirt she’d found earlier among Rogan’s childhood clothes. Slipping out onto the balcony, she stayed in the shadows, watching for any movement below. The large magnolia limb offered her an easy descent.
Once away from the house, she stayed out of the open; it was longer, but safer. As she feared, it wasn’t long before she saw two of Diamond’s men. They guarded the road into Dèsirèe, the one she needed to cross to reach the cane fields. Before Corin could decide what to do, a hand came up from behind her and clamped over her mouth.
“Mistress, it’s Sam.” The whisper halted her arm and leg in midair. His hand fell away when her struggles stopped. Corin was breathing hard over the injury she’d almost inflicted on the man.
“I thought you might need some help.”
“I do.”
“Give me five minutes to get above them and draw their attention away from the road. I’ll keep them running and hopefully lost well and good.”
“Be careful, Sam, these men are killers.”
“Rogan’s off chasing pirates, and they’ve come to our door… it figures.” His hand caught her arm. “There are two more around the house somewhere.”
Nodding, he moved off.
She heard them shout and start running, crashing through the woods and brush after Sam. She took off across the road, running for the fields and skirting the edge looking for Dan.
“Damn it, lass, get over here.”
Turning, she went toward his whispered order. She almost fell from relief against his great form when he pulled her to him.
“Oh Dan, I’m so glad you came.”
“Really, you are lucky I did. It took me until an hour ago to figure out what a green sea might be. We need a better code… Raven.”
“I didn’t have much time, and I’m not a poet.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Once I saw you’d signed it Raven, it didn’t take much to figure that you got yourself in one hell of a mess. So, who is the predator?”
“Black Diamond.”
“That bastard!”
“Dan, I can’t tell you everything right now. I need you to find out if either Billings’ or Diamond’s ship is docked in New Orleans. I also want you to get the Raven ready to sail out of here.”
“Now lass, I can’t do that, the captain made me swear.”
“If you want to stop Rogan from sailing into Diamond’s trap of two British Man o’Wars, you’ll move her and fast. Alicia has to be taken away from here and hidden. He’s using her to control me, and get everything once Rogan is dead.”
Dan’s anger blew out in a hiss. “All right lass, we’ll sail.”
“We need a crew, men who will listen to me.”
“Aye, I know just the boys. They just came into port this last week. I’ll get them tomorrow when we check out Diamond’s ship.”
“I’ll need you here tomorrow night about this same time.”
“With Alicia?”
“And Louisa. I can’t let her suffer his anger. We will only have two hours to get out of here.”
“We can make it; he won’t be watching the waterways.”
“Let’s keep it that way. Dan—Brian is alive.” She wished she could have said it slower, but she needed to get back. “He sold them into slavery. Except the one that spotted Rogan on Diamond’s island. That’s how he found out who the Dragon really is.”
“All right, lass, we leave tomorrow night.”
“I’ve got to get back.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “Be careful, Dan. Billings may still be around, and he could recognize you.”
“Aye, I’d like to pluck his eyes out and a few other unspeakables.”
Corin left him. Reaching the road, she saw no movement. Racing across, she didn’t slow down until she neared the house. Unfortunately, Sam was right… there were two guards, and the other two from the road came running up and joined them. She crawled into the bushes when they started walking her way.
“Who was it?”
“Didn’t see anything but a shadow. It was too big to be the Drake bitch.”
“You two better get back out there.”
They parted, and Corin kept the two by the house in sight. The bushes almost reached the magnolia tree. Fearing Paul would wake before she could get back, she ran for the limb as soon as they turned the corner. A sharp burning sensation bit her arm, but Corin blocked it out.
She pulled h
erself up the tree. Once she reached the room, she rushed to change back into her gown, throwing the discarded clothes under the bed. She was still straightening the dress as she entered the study.
“Ah Corin, did you find the book?”
Her confirmation fell away when Paul came to his feet. “No, Grandmere, Rogan must have packed it.”
“Yes, he always takes some with him.”
Corin moved over toward Alicia. It was Alicia’s hand on her sleeve that halted her. Their eyes locked and Corin followed Alicia’s gaze when she removed her hand, Corin paled over the widening blotch of blood staining the material. Dropping her arm to her side, she could feel the warm seeping line moving toward her wrist. He’d surely notice; she needed to do something.
On the desk was Rogan’s letter opener. Alicia kept Paul talking and Corin could hear his impatience as he was quickly coming out of the drug stupor. Corin moved the letter opener to the side of the desk. Laying her arm against it she let the blood run on the blade. Stepping back, she began to move forward, making a rather clumsy act of tripping and then crying out.
Paul was at her side before she could rise. When his hand grabbed her arm, there was no act in the groan of pain that escaped. Once he touched the wound, it turned to fire.
“My God, Corin what did you do?”
“I don’t know. I just tripped on the desk foot.”
Paul bent down and picked the bloody blade up off the floor. He looked like he wanted to strike something when his gaze fell to her bloody sleeve.
“I’m all right, really. It’s just a scratch.”
The gentleness in his fingers as they lifted back the lace surprised her. The jagged slice in her arm was hardly a scratch and neither was the amount of blood running from it.
“Sit down, Corin. Alicia, get some bandages, hurry.”
Paul looked around and went for the brandy decanter. “Look away, Corin.”
She did and grabbed the chair arm with her good hand over his instructions. The brandy burned like a hot iron in the open wound. Corin tasted blood over the hold on her lip not to scream.
Paul held the bottle up again.
“Oh, please Paul, no more.”
“It must be cleaned.”
He poured it again. Corin wasn’t as brave this time and a small whimper escaped. His hand cupped her cheek. “It’s cleaned, but if the bleeding doesn’t cease, it will need to be stitched.”
She tried to pull her arm out of his hold. “It is fine.” No one was going to stitch her arm. She started to rise to ensure they didn’t, but a wave of weakness swept over her, making her fall back into the chair.
“Here, drink this.” Paul pressed the glass of brandy to her lips before she could protest.
Alicia’s gasp filled the room. “Paul, she’s so pale.” Alicia’s gaze caught Corin’s and she pointedly looked at the glass in concern. Corin groaned in awareness. It was the drugged brandy she’d given to Paul.
“Enough, both of you, I need to lie down.”
“Sit, Corin! The wound must be attended first. Alicia, it’s bleeding too much… did you bring the needle and thread?”
Alicia came to her side and looked at the wound. “Yes, I will do it…you hold her. I’m sorry, Corin, but he’s right…the bleeding must be stopped. Give her some more brandy, Paul.”
“Alicia, no, I don’t need anymore.” Already she found voicing the words difficult to form.
“It will help. Don’t argue, Corin.”
Between the two of them and the drug taking effect, Corin’s arguments died in her throat as Paul raised the glass until she finished it. In seconds a lazy euphoria came over her. She watched in fascination as Alicia threaded the needle.
“We’re ready. Please hold her, Paul.”
It took all her remaining strength to tell Alicia. “Sterilize the needle, hold it over the…flame…until it glows.” The effort cost her, but she didn’t close her eyes until Alicia had done as she asked. The last words she heard were Alicia’s.
“She never drinks spirits, Paul, I’m afraid in this case it is a blessing she is passed out.”
She felt a dull awareness of pain and people moving about, then being lifted in a strong hold that made her feel small. Her mind filled with the longings of what she wanted most in the world.
~ * ~
Paul’s jaw muscles jumped under the crushing force he used not to scream at Corin. Her dreamy ramblings for Rogan created an inferno of hate inside him for the man she thought held her.
“Rogan, my love, hold me…I knew you’d come back…always and forever, remember Rogan, always…”
Her caressing hand slid away from his cheek, falling limply out into the air as he carried her up the stairs.
Alicia opened the door, looking directly into his eyes as he passed her with Corin. “They have a very special love; one that can’t be killed.”
Walking stiffly to the bed, he gently laid her down. When he straightened, the old woman’s eyes were waiting for him and they looked fiercely on him. Paul left without a word.
Outside the closed door, he asked himself if the woman just sensed his purpose concerning Corin or if the girl crossed him and told her. “It doesn’t matter, old woman, she won’t escape me… ever!”
Alicia remained beside Corin’s bed for the rest of the night to ensure she had no other visitors. Just before dawn, Corin stirred and looked over at her. “It’s all right child, go back to sleep.”
“Alicia, we leave tonight.”
“Yes dear, we must. Now rest up.”
When the girl fell back to sleep, she left and returned to the study, turning the clock up to the right time. Taking the brandy decanter, she refilled it and added more of the fine powder to the amber liquid. Swirling the bottle until it disappeared before setting it to the back of the others, she then sent one of the kitchen boys off to fetch Sam.
Sitting in the darkened study, she watched the light begin to breathe life into Dèsirèe. “She’ll do just fine, won’t she, Sam?”
“Yes, madame.”
“Come, sit down, Sam, we need to plan for tonight.”
“There are six of his men altogether.”
“Make sure they are all taken care of during dinner. Then I want you to take everyone into the bayou and don’t come back until Mr. Andrews arrives. Diamond should be gone by then. You better send little Jake to Glen’s, and tell him to come prepared for a fight, just in case.”
“Yes, madame.”
“We will be at Emily’s if you need to reach me… tell Glen. I’ll get in touch once Diamond sails.”
“Will he stay away?”
“Oh yes, you see, he’ll be chasing her, but I think Black Diamond will soon find he is no longer the hunter but the prey.”
Alicia stayed long after Sam left her. Her own memories carried her well into the morning. “You would have liked her, Sean; she’s just like I was, remember?”
~ * ~
Corin didn’t fully awake and dress until noon. Her arm ached terribly, but the bandage was dry when Alicia came to change it.
To both their dismay, Paul seemed determined not to leave their presence.
Every instinct told him these women were up to something. It was Corin’s lack of fear when she met his gaze that told him. That angelic air didn’t fool him; he knew what she was capable of turning into. Why she failed to call on her skills hadn’t concerned him until today.
In that yellow dress with its high collar and long sleeves, she looked like a puma. Her eyes glowed in confidence, softening to the color of polished teak. Watchful and alert, they missed nothing.
Paul cursed the absence of the fear he purposely instilled in her. Without it, Corin’s senses were sharpened, and she would soon strike out to stop him. He’d have to hurt her to stop her, but Paul didn’t want to do that.
Her words from last night when she thought him to be Drake still gnawed at his pride. My name, you will soon call for me. I’ll see that you do.
He n
eeded to warn the men of what he felt would happen tonight.
~ * ~
Corin’s gaze lifted from the embroidery board following his movement as he went out onto the porch.
Alicia motioned for her to stay put. “He’s gone across the lawn.”
“To meet his men, no doubt. Alicia, he knows… I can feel it.”
“Then we must be careful.”
“I need some dark clothes that don’t fall off me. Would any of the boys have some I could wear?”
Setting down her crocheting, Alicia said, “Come with me. I have just what you need.”
Alicia found Louisa first and told her they were going up to change Corin’s bandage.
“It will give us some time if he comes back.”
“I must reach the ship tonight before he returns to it.”
Alicia led them to a small room off her own. “I haven’t been in here for years. Here, help me with the trunk.”
They pulled it out. Kneeling before it, Alicia pulled a key out from a big chain beneath her dress.
“Someday, when all is settled, I will tell you what all this is, and then you can tell my great-grandchildren so they will know their great-grandfather and grandparents.”
“Rogan’s mother and father?”
“Yes, Cherie, they died together… for love. Rogan was ten; Brian was just a baby. Ah, here is what I need.”
She pulled out a large leather-bound package.
“Open it, Corin, go on.”
There was an air of excitement around them as Corin opened the parcel. All neatly folded were two complete sets of matching satin blouses and pants. They were a deep scarlet, almost to the shade of black. But as she held them up, Corin knew these had been made for a woman. A small piece of black satin fell from between the garments. Picking it up, the two stitched eyeholes finally told Corin what it was. “It’s a mask.”
“Here, you will need this to hide your hair.” Alicia passed her a black hat with a scarlet plume. “Promise you won’t cut it… the hat will work; it has a tie to secure it.”
“Did you cut yours?”
“Regretfully, yes, but then mine was blonde and had to be concealed with the mask and hat. Now, no more questions. We must hide these until tonight.”