by Jewel Adams
She longed for Rogan and Dèsirèe. Sending a letter to Alicia, Corin told her all they’d learned and their plan. Though Alicia would never try to contact her and couldn’t by the time they sailed, Corin became very cautious in what the letter contained.
The possibility of danger never left her. Whitney could be a worse threat than Black Diamond should he discover their intentions. Corin knew the man well enough now to know he would seek revenge against her. It didn’t matter that she openly refused his advances; he would never forgive her for using him in such a manner.
But it was another, and his reaction that kept Corin’s nerves in a constant storm. Rogan. No matter how many times Dan or others assured her he’d understand, Corin knew her husband too well. The violent fury that would be unleashed wouldn’t stand calm for explanations. And the longer Whitney held her from rescuing Brian and returning to Desireè, the worse Corin expected the storm to become.
Thankfully, Jacob secured another honest jeweler to make the gem exchanges. All went as agreed and the money would have to be enough. It would be too dangerous to bring the large stones into the open.
The account Corin opened with Whitney’s broker satisfied the man’s curiosity…and greed. He was so obvious it sickened her. And his greed lay behind his constant play to use Dan against her and stop any land purchase in Hattie. Oh yes, James Whitney kept his own plans over exactly how Widow Wells should be investing her late husband’s riches.
The thought of destroying his dreams concerning her wealth made her impatient to join the man downstairs.
Corin saw how he paced in the entrance hall and she forced her composure to return. No, he’d never show her the anger she glimpsed in him. James Whitney was too cunning to let emotion interfere with his objective.
She gripped the banister to stop her hand from shaking. Unfortunately, her presence captured the man’s attention on the attainable possession. When those confident eyes flamed over her descent, Corin stilled the flutters in her chest over the unmistakable desire he brazenly drew upon her. No lies could cover what that man wanted to claim, and the truth made her shutter.
“A vision as always, my dear.” His lips burned her hand.
Her cheeks flamed in unwanted evidence to the reaction he caused. Topaz jewels couldn’t be lovelier. Refusing the release she tried to salvage, James clasped the trembling hand over his arm within his own. The flowing scent of roses was an exotic enticement from the woman held beside him. “The carriage is ready. I had the staff prepare a lunch for the ride.”
The enticing rustle of her laced gown added to the enchantment of the angelic beauty. Unconventional she was, but James found no fault in the lady’s taste. She held an elegance about her. The only flaw he found was her continued stubborn refusal to give up the ridiculous notion of a plantation in Hattie. But Charles would undoubtedly help her change her mind once they arrived. The lady’s senses would revolt over what they would face in the real cruelty that life exposed.
“I hope that smile means the ship is finally ready, Governor?”
Ah yes, she wouldn’t care much for what he’d be sure his cousin let her see. “Only two weeks and already you read me so well, my dear.”
Corin forced her calm smile to remain. Damn him, but he always turned everything she did or said to his advantage.
“It should please you to know your father is, at this very moment, securing the last of our provisions for the voyage.”
“Father? But I thought…”
“Now, I didn’t think you would mind; after all, he does know how to handle the ship details.”
Another trap! The warnings rang clear and loud over being alone with him on this trip. “Yes, of course, but governor, I can’t possibly accompany you… alone. Why it’s not proper.”
James smiled deeply over the lady’s shaken sensibilities. “I wouldn’t dream of compromising you.” James led her out to the porch, refusing the release she attempted. “I invited Mrs. Morring to join us.”
Corin’s eye’s flashed to the enormous woman already seated in the open coach. Damn him again! His sly smile over her reaction said he enjoyed destroying her objection.
Of all the people at his disposal, James chose the perfect foil. Mrs. Morring was not only the town gossip, but she was also large enough to demand one full seat all to herself, forcing Corin to sit in the small front seat with James. If riding facing backward wasn’t bad enough, Corin suffered his arm about her shoulders. It took all her control to put up with his attention.
The woman’s jabbering kept Corin silent and fuming. James had no problem enjoying himself because of her ire. He knew having his fingers running up and down her arm made her furious, and Mrs. Morring eyed it with relish.
When the coach stopped for lunch, Corin was the first to light from the carriage. To her dismay, the lady refused to budge from the carriage using arthritis or some malady as an excuse not to join them.
To further vex her, James insisted they set up their dining blanket some distance from the carriage, nearer the river. If it hadn’t been for his company, the place he finally picked would have been lovely. She tried not to show any of the misgivings she felt about being alone with him. Corin busied herself with placing the food about the blanket.
“Do you fish, Janice?”
Sitting back on her legs, she stared up at him, wondering what new ploy he was up to. He kept his back to her, looking with pleasure out over the river.
“No, no I’ve never done that.”
“Then you will.” He looked so pleased by her announcement, she almost thought he meant right now and felt her breath rush out when he relieved her fears.
“After the trip to my cousin’s, we will come back here, to this very spot, and I will show you how to fish.”
Corin lowered her gaze, not wanting him to see her own satisfaction over the prospect of spoiling his plan. When he came and sat beside her, she pulled back. “We’d best eat.
“You are afraid of me, aren’t you, Janice?”
He caught her off guard, and her incredulous look met his.
“You are a presumptuous man, Governor.”
“Am I? Or I am just being honest?”
The conversation wasn’t to her liking, and Corin refused to let it go any further. She ignored him, took a plate and started filling it, then passed it to him. But he wasn’t going to end what he started. Taking hold of her wrist, he relieved her of the plate. Corin looked cautiously at him.
“You are a beautiful woman, too beautiful to remain alone in the world mourning a lost love.”
“I really don’t think we should be discussing this.”
“No? Maybe you are right.” He held the advantage and when he pulled her toward him, she lost her balance, allowing him to move over her.
She found herself beneath him, her lips parted to object only to be taken in his possession. There wasn’t any gentle asking in his kiss as he drove to conquer the protest she waged. Her hands were pinned beside her head, and Corin felt the controlled strength at the man’s disposal. Her senses revolted at the assault, causing her breath to come in short, frightened gasps when he finally pulled back but retained his hold to keep her trapped.
“Lovely is too minor a description for what you can give a man.”
Only the distant hope of the life of a man she didn’t even know kept her from using her skills against this man. Remembering why she laid beneath him made her try to think and act as he would expect from her. “Please…you mustn’t do this…”
“Your fear brightens your beautiful eyes to a golden luster.”
“Let me up, Governor.”
“And if I do, will you run? I have every intention of seeing you don’t, dear Janice. In fact, I think it is time you understand exactly what my goals concerning you really are.”
When she renewed her struggle for release, he quickly ended the attempt. The seductive glare in his eyes told her she made a mistake and that he enjoyed feeling her move against him. Concent
rating, Corin forced herself to relax. His brow rose in awareness, and he smiled as if congratulating her intuition.
“I want to marry you.”
She wanted to laugh at his preposterous statement, but her indignation and pride ruled. “Your method of asking is rather forceful.”
The truth failed to dampen his mood. “Was your husband so gentle with you?”
Turning her face to the side, she said, “That’s none of your business. Now let me up!”
“For now, Janice.” His hand brought her back to face him, taking his pleasure with her lips once again before allowing her release.
Pushing away, she struggled to her feet and glanced down at him, wiping at her mouth with all the disgust she felt. “Don’t you ever manhandle me again!”
He remained there staring up at her. “And how will you stop me? I don’t believe your senses are quite so delicate, my dear. I think you enjoyed the excitement racing through you as much as I did.”
“That is absurd.”
“We will see…” He didn’t move to stop her from leaving, calling calmly to her retreating back, “When shall we set the date, Janice?”
Her steps faltered, but she refused to give him any further satisfaction. Corin kept walking when his laughter followed her retreat.
The rest of the journey became unbearable. Gloating like a stuffed peacock, James grew bolder than ever, and she found no way of preventing his intimate touches.
When they finally arrived at their destination, the business took less than an hour to complete, making her sure the whole affair had been staged by him for the scene at the river.
By the time they reached the mansion, Corin was livid with him. He, on the other hand, appeared unfazed by her anger as if he expected no other reaction. Fearing what Dan might do should he learn of the liberties the man took kept her silent. They were to sail that following afternoon, and it became the only hope she had to hold onto.
She refused to join them for dinner. She wasn’t at all surprised by Dan’s appearance at her door that evening.
“All right, lass, let’ hear it. He’s too damn pleased with himself, and you are in a fiery rage, so what happened between the two of you?”
“Leave it be, Dan. He’s an obnoxious creep.”
“We’ve both known that since the start. Did he hurt you?”
When he took hold of her shoulders to stop her from avoiding him, she replied quietly, “Yes…”
Seeing her eyes brighten with tears, he pulled her to him. “Now lass, I should have realized he’d planned it this morning.”
“It is not your fault. If we weren’t so close, I’d…”
“Hush now, I know, but we are.”
She nodded against his chest.
“Oh Dan, it was awful. I can’t stop thinking about Rogan, what he’ll think if he’s safe.”
“Now girl, that man can take care of himself.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“And as far as how he’ll take all this, well, we will just have to tell him it was the only way to reach Brian. But that bastard downstairs… now he’s got to be set straight about a few things.”
Corin almost missed Dan’s last remark, “No, Dan, you mustn’t.”
Chucking her chin, “But I must, as your father. I’m going to have a man to man talk with his honor, one that should cool his plans for a while.”
She feared what Dan implied, and yet Corin couldn’t find an argument to stop him. “Be careful.”
“Always am, now you rest easy. He won’t bother you again.”
She stared at the closed door for a long time, feeling the tension leave her. All her life she wondered what it meant to have a father. Corin decided Dan was everything she could ever have wanted.
~ * ~
It wasn’t until they were boarding the ship that she actually saw James once again. Lifting her from the gangway, he helped her down onto the deck. When his hands remained at her waist, she had no choice but to meet his gaze.
“I owe you an apology, madam. Can you forgive me? I could use the excuse that your beauty blinded my senses, and unfortunately, it would be the truth.”
“Governor, I…”
He practically groaned. “Janice, your father had every right to put me in my place for what I did, but my motives have not changed. I am serious; I want to marry you.”
“James, I can’t answer that now.”
“I know, but don’t dismiss me because I acted like a fool.”
She never voiced her doubts over his sincerity, but accepted his apology and hoped it cooled his attentions for a while. Common sense told her to accept what he said at face value or injure the man’s pride. She placed her hand on his chest. “James, you must give me time. It is not you. It is just very difficult to cope with the loss…”
He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I understand, and my impatience was unforgivable. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Corin caught Dan’s attention on them; his intense scrutiny made her wonder exactly what he’d said to bring on such a change over the man.
“All is forgiven, James.”
“Thank you, dear lady.”
Dan walked up to them. “I will see my daughter to her quarters.”
James bowed his consent. Corin felt the man’s eyes fixed upon their departure.
For now, little lady, believe your father has saved you. But by God, I’ll see he never interferes with my plans again.
Before entering the companionway, and playing the chastened suitor, James forced a smile. His fist tightened with his desire to hold what he felt beneath him a short while ago. It was a memory he replayed with pleasure. Soon. I’m not a patient man, Mistress.
Chapter Twenty-one
Hattie
All seemed to be well during the voyage. The weather proved perfect, as did the company. And yet, Corin couldn’t shake the foreboding she felt. To believe Whitney changed so completely wasn’t possible. She didn’t believe Dan’s threats, though he denied making them, would make that man back off so completely. No matter, Corin’s attention soon became captured by their arrival in Hattie. The island itself was breathtaking on approach.
The wharf proved a bustle of activity as they docked and began unloading. Her expectation flared as she watched from the deck as Whitney greeted the coach that drove up and the man that disembarked.
Shorter than James and rather small, the man appeared younger than his cousin. Corin felt the heavy intake of her breath as she stared down at them. Charles Stearns just took over; orders were issued with the authority no one dared question. Her brow rose as her gaze dropped to the riding crop he waved like a weapon, making the dark figures on the dock scurry.
She gripped the rail and swallowed her scream when he struck one poor man who didn’t move fast enough to avoid the whipping blow. Her gaze met James’ satisfied glare as it shot up to her.
James smiled. It is only the first example, my lady; take it all in.
As if she heard his declaration, he watched as she turned rigidly from the rail.
“Charles, if you’ll excuse me, I will go and fetch Mrs. Wells.”
“The anticipation lights your eyes, cousin. I take it she is spoken for?”
“Your thoughts are true; my plans are already known by the lady, and before we return I will have her agreement.”
“Then the venture you wrote of is not to be taken seriously?”
“Cousin, if I have to use force to dissuade the lady, she won’t be staying.”
Charles’ approving laughter rang out across the dock as he slapped James’ back. “Go and get the lady. I’m impatient to meet the woman that has finally captured your interest.”
~ * ~
“Dan, do you see them?”
“Nay, Lass, not a one… they’ll find us.”
“I hope you are right.” Corin kept her hands from wringing with the nerves taking hold. “Did you see what he did?”
“Aye… Well now, Janice, are y
our cases ready?”
Her confusion ended when James took hold of her elbow. “Yes, Father… Oh, Governor, isn’t Hattie beautiful?”
“If you like the tropics, madame.” She felt like a coiled rope beneath his touch. “Come and meet Charles. The boys will take care of the trunks.”
Catching Dan’s slight nod, she agreed. “Yes, of course, James.”
~ * ~
The jungle the coach drove through felt suffocating. “Are we near your home, Mr. Stearns?”
His sharp laughter grated on her mounting fears. “Why Mrs. Wells, we have been on Stearns property for the last hour.”
“An hour… it certainly is beautiful and… wild.” She didn’t care what they thought of her declaration.
“Wild and untamed, madam, and so are the people we use to milk the land.”
Her chin rose over his dark meaning. She held her thoughts silent. The way James watched her didn’t help her growing unease.
“Charles has some properties for you to see.”
“Yes, one is exceptional. Cliff Willards… you remember him, don’t you James?”
“I do, has he given up?”
Charles leaned forward in his seat, and she instinctively stiffened, knowing his next words were for her benefit.
“He did more than that, James… he died. An unfortunate event.”
“An accident?”
She wished James hadn’t asked. There was no way to avoid the other man’s expectant look. The way his tongue darted over his lips made her heart race.
“His slaves killed him in his bed. Thought he could rule with kindness, a mistake he paid for with his life.”
Dropping her gaze, she felt grateful for Dan’s hand covering her own in support. They were trying to frighten her; she could feel it, and her gaze shot over to James accusingly. She refused to let them get to her. “And you, Mr. Stearns, I suppose you have no problems controlling your workers?”
A confident smile eased over the man. “None, madam, as you will soon see. Stearns plantation is the finest run place on Hattie. I don’t allow trouble to start, so there is none.”