by Jewel Adams
“We will leave first thing in the morning for the plantation.”
Beneath the table, her hand stayed Dan’s anger. “How far is it?”
“Two hours by horseback; a coach will take much longer.”
“Horseback is fine.” James dared anyone to argue.
Stearns’ gaze shot to James in amusement over his adamant stand. “My cousin appears anxious for you to conclude your plans.”
Corin no longer hid her rebellious gaze. “I will be ready at first light.”
Stearns’ low laughter made James’ face turn red in anger.
The night held no rest for Corin, even behind locked doors. Tomorrow, we must be gone from here…
Chapter Twenty-two
Shadows
Riding between the two men, Corin felt the exhaustion in every part of her body. Sleep deserted her during the long night. Maintaining a tight hold on her emotions in light of James’ seething temper was having its effect.
“As you can see, Mrs. Wells, the fields are still in fair condition. Why I’d say two hundred slaves could still salvage the harvest.”
Her knuckles were white on the reins. She told herself for the hundredth time since they’d left Stearns’ plantation, that she must keep the front going a while longer. Dan, don’t fail me.
If he didn’t locate Jacob and the others, Corin feared their success.
“You are quiet this morning, madam.”
There wasn’t any concern in James’ words. He’d like nothing better than for her to challenge them with her anger. Instead… “If the house is also in adequate condition, I doubt we’ll need to see any of the other properties.”
Stearns’ broad smile made her stomach contract.
“Having you as my neighbor would certainly take away the boredom.”
“We will see, Mr. Stearns.”
Thankfully, the man dropped the subject.
“The house is up this lane.”
Nodding, Corin ran out of questions to delay their arrival. Dan needed all the time she could gain by keeping them away.
Stearns announced, “It looks as if someone else might be interested in the property.”
The sudden fear radiating through her wouldn’t be stilled by her internal scolding. She couldn’t seem to pull her attention away from the coach sitting before the house. She absently accepted James’ help in dismounting. Meeting the odd light in his gaze made her move nervously away from him as his cousin went ahead into the house.
James refused to let her maintain their distance, moving directly up behind her. “Give up this foolishness, Janice.”
A well of angry words never passed the stern control she maintained as she moved around the coach, trying to act interested in the structure.
“I won’t let you do this.”
Corin could almost thank Stearns for interrupting them, but the second figure following the man out of the house killed all she wanted to say as her body froze.
“…another customer, Paul, though a more enjoyable one for the rest of us, as you can see.”
Run!
The command fell in silence against the terror smiling down at her from the steps. Corin’s mind raced as she fought back the fierce waves of darkness warring to consume her. But to faint in fear would be worse than facing the devil.
Stearns started making the introductions between them. Corin couldn’t pull her sight away from Diamond’s glittering eyes. Excitement sparked, telling her of the victory he held over her.
She hardly noticed the tightening hold of his fingers over her own as he captured her to him.
“Madam… Wells, the pleasure is mine.”
His lips were cold, his eyes demanding as they completed their invasion over her.
She waited for him to tell them…expose her, cursing him in the same terrified thought passing through her pained emotions. Everything they struggled to accomplish whirled before her, shattering against the cold reality his presence instilled. Corin lost the battle she waged, wavering dangerously before him.
Touching her again was worth all the trouble she caused. Diamond moved to possess what her shock allowed, aware all along of the predatory glare coming from Whitney. Before the man could interfere, Paul captured Corin up in his arms. “Gentlemen, I think the ride has exhausted the lady. There’s some brandy in the coach. James, would you fetch it?”
Ignoring the man’s exasperated anger, Diamond turned and carried her into the house. Paul wondered at his own lack of anger for Whitney. The man was smitten by the lady’s charm, but then what gentleman wouldn’t fall before the temptress? Her weak protest against his chest only caused him to exert more pressure to keep her still. He felt the victory swelling inside him for the defeat in her soft curves. No, she’d not escape this time, and Paul enjoyed the power he held over her.
Sending Stearns to fetch some water, Diamond took his advantage. “Alone with you once again, sweet Corin, or should I call you Raven?”
The flash of fear in those brilliant eyes was short-lived. “Put me down.”
“You’re trembling, my dear… your companions are returning.”
She hadn’t heard their approaching steps, hating what his touch had already stolen from her. The destruction in his gloating stare promised what would soon follow. As he set her down on the settee, Corin watched him back away before James rushed to her side. There was no need for words or threats… Diamond controlled her more than he ever had before, and the sickening truth held its own effective weapon.
He stood back and savored the scene before him. Corin’s defeat settled like a strong brandy into his senses. Only the delay in her arrival to save Brian Drake still sparked his anger. Where she’d been was obvious from Whitney’s performance. His cold admiration for her accomplishments came as a pleased smile when he nodded in response to her wary glance in his direction.
Spoiling her plans almost seemed a pity, especially when the lady would have duped the pious governor. Paul quickly tired of the game, impatient for his own to begin with this wayward beauty.
“It must have been the ride.”
Stearns’ flustering excuse was comical in light of the golden fire blazing across at him. “No doubt the heat affected the lady. I offer my carriage for the return trip.”
“And you’ll stay at Court; I’ll not take any refusal.”
Bowing his consent to Stearns, Diamond’s steeled gaze didn’t miss her renewed distress over the conversation. “Shall we depart?”
~ * ~
Sitting beside him proved to be pure torture. Corin forced her gaze to remain on the horses riding before them, trying to gather her scattered wits and defense. But she failed miserably, knowing she lost all and any weapon to stop him. Diamond could demand anything he wanted from her, and she felt suffocated by the trap closing in.
Dan… Brian and yes, her own life were held in his evil hands. Worse, Corin knew he could also destroy Rogan by announcing her true identity. She wanted to scream and fight, but couldn’t find the strength.
“You are quiet… Mrs. Drake. I expected curiosity, at least, over how I found you.”
“Does it matter?”
She ignored his half smile.
“In respect to you, no. Though where my ledgers would lead truly was obvious. The fire proved an ingenious touch. My men never saw you board or leave. Quite a daring accomplishment.”
Closing her eyes, Corin swallowed hard, knowing her own anger in leaving the note had defeated her that night on his ship. But she refused to acknowledge his belief that she was the Raven.
She held no desire for his toying game with her. “What do you want, Diamond?”
Refusing to be drawn to him by his silence, she continued not to look at him.
“Everything… you have only delayed the inevitable.” His cold decree made her tremble beside him.
“Rogan is not dead.”
“Unfortunately, Whitney must have been too eager and somehow alerted the Dragon. It’s a shame he’s not a p
irate; it’s a waste of superb skills.”
Schooling her features not to change, she felt the first spark of hope enter the darkness. He couldn’t know about the Raven. No, he believed Rogan discovered the trap as it happened.
“You really shouldn’t put your hopes in him, Corin. No doubt he is waiting for my return to the island… a grave mistake, one I have already seen to.”
“Billings…” The vile name slipped out before she could stop it.
“I never doubted your intelligence, something our friend Whitney seems to have overlooked.”
Corin unconsciously flinched at him, and then James, who spun half way about in his saddle staring back at them. The man’s anger turned into a vital force in the space separating the riders from the coach.
“It would be a shame to destroy his belief and… pride concerning you. Don’t you agree… Mrs. Drake?”
Her fingers closed over the coach door. He finally voiced the threat, and she forced herself to ask. “What do you want?”
“Must I spell it out?”
Glaring at him, she no longer cared if he recognized her fear. His returning smile wrenched her stomach.
“Send him away, and then we shall leave.”
His demand didn’t surprise her. Corin almost let herself believe she might survive.
“You will also get rid of your husband’s mate.”
Before she could stop him, his hand captured her own to his lap in a brutal hold. “And my dear, you will forget about your husband’s brother, or I’ll have my friend up there… kill him.”
Grimacing under the physical and emotional pain he inflicted, Corin struggled to hold back her tears.
“I think you understand unless you need me to give you proof.”
“No… I’ll do it.”
His hold eased, his fingers caressed the red bruises until they faded from her fingers. “You are an accomplished actress… make sure you don’t betray me again. I may not be so willing to forgive you a second time.”
The silence condemned her. Corin felt too devastated to think beyond the threat beside her. Her only thoughts were to do as he commanded and prevent the destruction that failure ensured.
In her heart, she cried for Rogan and prayed he stayed far away from where they both believed his revenge took him.
~ * ~
She reached her wits’ end over James’ attentions and Diamond’s impossible scrutiny since arriving back at Court plantation. Corin’s nerves were stretched taut; she feared the smallest crisis would destroy her tentative hold on her emotions. Only hating the pleasure she witnessed in his silvery gaze kept her from losing it entirely when she learned that Dan never returned, making it impossible for her to prepare him for Diamond’s presence. The manservant conveyed Dan’s excuse that he was checking out another possible plantation purchase of livestock and necessities.
The announcement reignited James’ rage with her, his concern forgotten over her weak display this afternoon. Corin felt as if her whole body were caught in a vise, leaving her physically ill.
“This is utter nonsense!”
Corin remained silent, refusing to look at Paul’s reaction to Whitney’s outburst. But James wasn’t in the mood to be reasonable, and Corin didn’t have the strength to fight him and Diamond. Stearns only made everything worse, relishing his cousin’s discomfort. Corin decided the man’s existence sorely lacked in entertainment. A cold sadistic man to begin with, he enjoyed any pain he could inflict on anyone.
“Now, James, the lady can decide for herself. I, for one, am looking forward to her presence here, and the other plantations will no doubt welcome Mrs. Wells with open arms.”
She tired of the conversation that obviously forgot her very presence. She rose on shaky legs, drawing all their unwanted stares. Diamond remained propped up against the desk as if the whole matter were beneath him. Only Corin saw the fierce daggers of light in his gaze for James when he started toward her.
Avoiding him, she walked past him to the door, stopping only when she reached it and the support it offered as she turned back to face them. “Charles, please contact the necessary authorities for the purchase of the plantation.” Corin forced herself to confront the enraged curse storming from James. “I’m staying, James. I think it would be best if you went home. Thank you for your assistance. I couldn’t have found such a suitable place without it.”
Holding her breath, she prayed the man would take his out as given. When he stormed past her from the room, the door she still held was all that kept her from falling in his wake. The warning glare she sent Diamond when he moved to come to her stayed him. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me. I need to freshen up before dinner.”
Charles smiled and bowed. Diamond’s consent came with ice in its veiled warning.
Once she had gained the room, she dismissed the servants and the waiting bath. In all haste she changed, not really caring what she wore, her only thoughts centered on finding Dan before Diamond did.
Slipping out into the silent hall, Corin approached the landing cautiously. She could hear the argument ensuing between cousins, and she hoped it would be enough to hold their attention. A fleeting warning tingled down her spine when Diamond’s voice seemed absent; it was a chance she must take as she moved passed the closed doors.
The gardens were a far cry from Dèsirèe, more a rambling foray of the encroaching jungle. The cover lent to her passing was all that Corin cared about… she headed for the stables.
Her dire emotional state escalated by the time she reached the dark interior. For a second she clung to the doors, watching the yard to see if Diamond followed. Not daring to remain away for any length of time, she moved back into the barn. “Brian?”
Whispering, she called for him, refusing to think about the chance she put them all in by seeking him out. Biting her lip, she dared to try again. When he didn’t answer, the tears burned her eyes.
Corin hated to give up, but she needed to get back.
“Here… I’m here.”
Spinning about at his voice, she didn’t move until the shadow did. Rushing to him, she cried, “Brian?”
When he stepped into the light, her heart pounded in her chest, crying for the man’s suffering. But that all too familiar pride of the Drake men forbade any comfort she might want to lend. She pulled her thoughts back, nervously looking at the door, before giving him her attention. She wanted to ask his forgiveness for yesterday but choked on the words, forcing out what needed to be said. “Brian, you must tell Dan when he returns to take you and leave, immediately. I don’t care how he does it… just don’t let him come to the house.”
“Tell me what’s gone wrong.”
So much like Rogan… that commanding pride tore at her senses, making her hand reach out to soothe away the anger. But she stopped before telling him of Diamond’s presence. One Drake’s vengeance spoke of what she’d face in the other. “Please Brian, I know you have no reason to trust me, but believe me, you and Dan must be gone—tonight.”
He moved closer, his furious gaze penetrating her own, searching for what she held back from saying. “If I leave without you, Rogan will be chasing me down.”
She gave him a half smile for his fleeting humor.
“I’ll keep Dan away, but you must come.”
Could she? Her eyes fell away, fearing he’d see the truth. She would count on Dan to do the right thing.
“There is an old processing shed down the dirt path to the left of the main house. Be there by midnight, Corin.”
“You mustn’t wait…”
“We wait or come for you… the choice is yours.”
“Brian…”
“Go back, Corin.”
Turning, she knew he’d refuse to listen to her arguments.
“Corin.”
She didn’t turn… the sound of his chains dragging said he once again moved back into the shadows. “Yes, Brian?”
“My brother?”
“He’s fine, but we must reac
h him soon.”
The silence sent her from the barn. I pray I haven’t lied to either of us.
Chapter Twenty-three
Failure is forbidden
Dan’s failure to appear by dinner did little to boost her hopes. Everyone took it for granted that he’d probably stayed over in town… everyone but Diamond.
She avoided his commanding stares that continued to wear away at her defenses. She feared he knew of her visit to Brian, even though he said nothing. She figured his men were probably about the plantation… how else could he have known of their trip to see Whitman’s plantation today?
The possibility of escaping their presence grew more remote as the hour grew late. How she would even leave the house without him knowing captured her thoughts. Preoccupied, she failed to hear Diamond’s question, only the silence alerted her of her error.
“I’m sorry… it’s late, did you ask me something?”
Her lame excuse earned his raised brow.
“I asked you how many slaves you would consider purchasing.”
He enjoyed her discomfort, and Corin nearly faltered before these men, each gaze holding its own eager reason for her answer. Finding her courage, she held his gaze, “I’d prefer buying from domestic stock if possible.” She wanted to spit over her hateful words. He loves to see me squirm like this.
Unwise though it may have been, a small flicker of defiance took life in Corin. She refused the complete surrender he wanted.
Diamond felt the woman change before him. Recognizing his mistake in baiting her, he said, “Maybe I should speak to your father of such matters.”
Corin’s hatred for this man set bitterly on her tongue. “Do you fear the loss of business, Mr. Boviar?” His face grew dark with the warning she chose to ignore. “You do apparently have a lucrative trade here on Hattie, though one could never say it is conventional.”
James stepped between, them ending their clashing gazes.
“Janice…” James gained her attention. “You look tired, Janice, it might be best if you retire after the day you have experienced.”
Her gaze blazed at him for interfering, but then she lowered her glaring anger, admitting she’d been foolish to attack Diamond. James and Charles were as vile as the enemy they dealt with. Corin pulled herself together and accepted James’ hand. “You are right, of course, it has been an exhausting day. Please excuse me, gentlemen.”