Fire and Ice

by Hart, Catherine

  Just before he left, he told Jean, “You tell that hardheaded hellcat that if she even thinks of escaping while I’m gone, I’ll sell her to the first Turk I can find. At least I’d recoup some of my losses that way.”

  “Ye’re a fool!” Kate’s emerald eyes, identical to Kathleen’s, spit fire at Reed. Kate was hopping mad. Reed had never seen her so angry.

  “I’m a fool!” he roared. “What about your darling granddaughter?”

  “Aye. Ye’re right! Ye’re both fools,” Kate amended vehemently. “A pair o’ blind, bloody fools! Too stupid to see the forest for the trees bein’ in the way.” Kate’s Irish brogue was even more pronounced in her ire.

  “You’re not entirely blameless either, Kate. You aided her in her piratical endeavors. You are as big a fool for helping her as she was to try it to start with. ”

  “Aye, but Kathleen thought she had a valid reason. Ye are the biggest fool o’ us all because ye could ha’ prevented all o’ this simply by telling the lass that ye loved her beyond all else in the world. Ye never have swallowed that enormous pride o’ yers and told her that, have ye?”

  “Do you honestly think that would have changed things?” Reed scoffed.

  “Ye bet yer boots I do! I’d stake my life on it. Ye’re second huge flaw is yer immense jealousy. Ye even went so far as to suggest her baby was someone else’s and not yer own. I suppose ye think the same o’ the child ye’ve got her with now?”

  “What!” Reed nearly came up off his chair. At the same time, he was recalling his last conversation with Kat. “Oh, Lord,” he groaned. He didn’t even have to wonder why Kat hadn’t told him. He really had a knack for knowing how to stick his big foot into his even bigger mouth!

  “So!” Kate nodded. “She didn’t tell ye, did she? I only hope ye haven’t done anything to cause her to lose this one.”

  Reed grimaced as he recalled how he had lost control and struck Kathleen. Her cheek had been swollen and already turning purple when he’d left Grande Terre.

  “Ye haven’t, have ye?” Kate saw the look of apprehension on his face.

  “No. I did strike her,” he admitted ruefully. “I lost my temper and struck her across the face. I regretted it immediately, but, my God, Kate, she made me so angry! Can you imagine how I felt finding out that my own wife had been making a fool of me?”

  “I can sympathize with that. I tried to reason with her, but she’s a stubborn one, nearly as stubborn as ye are. I just hope the two o’ ye can straighten this mess out. Ye shouldn’t have run off and left her. She loves ye, Reed, and she’s carryin’ yer child.” At his look, she said, “Aye, ’tis yer baby all right. Kathleen may be spoiled, sassy, and a pirate to boot. She may be a red-headed Irish spitfire who sails and fences and rides astride, and an outrageous flirt, but she’s not a hussy. She’s not promiscuous. She’s too honest for that.”

  “Honest! Kate, she’s a pirate, a thief, and a liar. What makes you think infidelity isn’t one of her vices as well?”

  “I know that girl. She has a reason for pirating ye. That prompted her into lying to ye, but she had no reason to be unfaithful to ye. She couldn’t live with herself if she did that. Besides, she loves ye too much.”

  “Somehow this is so crazy it’s starting to make sense,” Reed sighed and slouched in his chair.

  He’d told Kate all that had happened, and she had told him a few things as well. Now he knew about Kathleen’s father and his small shipping firm. He knew how Kat had commandeered the Enchantress, and that there were six other vessels as well, still operating legitimately out of Ireland.

  Kate had told him how Kathleen had assembled her crew, and where she had hidden the ship near the mouth of the Savannah River. She also told him of the leased warehouse where Jean’s portion of the goods was stored, as well as all of Kathleen’s personal profits. Once things were settled, neither he nor Jean would come up short, financially at least. Their booty would be recovered in full, and the profits would be even greater with the blockade still in effect and prices rising ever higher.

  Reed finally understood why Kat had struck out at him so viciously. It had seemed petty to him before, but thanks to Kate, he now saw things through Kathleen's eyes. He saw now that if he’d told her, convinced her of his love, she would have ceased to believe he’d married her for the Kat-Ann.

  Now that his anger had had a chance to cool, he realized that over and above all else, in spite of all that had happened, he still loved Kathleen. His pride was severely injured, but that would heal. If he lost Kathleen, the wound would never heal. Armed with his new understanding, he intended to go back to Grande Terre and face her. He had an impossible task ahead of him, but somehow he had to convince her of his love, and hope she didn’t throw it in his face. He prayed it wasn’t too late for them. They were so good together when they weren’t at odds.

  Somewhere along the line, he had to get Kathleen to tell him about the baby so that he could convince her that he believed without a doubt that it was his, and how pleased and proud he was. But that would come later. Kate had advised him on that score. If he didn’t play his cards right, he’d have Kathleen thinking he wanted her only because of the baby; a possible son and heir. That would be a disastrous mistake.

  He’d never realized how calm and serene his life had been before he’d met Kat.

  Three days cooped up alone in that hot little room was enough to drive Kathleen to distraction. The shutters remained barred, and the room grew sweltering during the day, and little better at night.

  Jean had located two dresses that fit her, but most of the time she wore her vest and short breeches. They were cooler. Besides, she hadn’t forgiven Jean for keeping her locked up. He’d come only once, and she’d told him she’d saved back his part of the booty. When she tried to use it as a bribe for her freedom, he flatly refused, and she hadn’t seen him since. She knew she had hurt him badly. He was severely disappointed in her, and it would take time to rebuild his faith. His look told her he still loved her, but the trust was broken.

  It was Rosita who brought all her meals and supervised while a black slavegirl cleaned the room. Surprisingly, Kathleen and Rosita got along fairly well. She brought Kathleen news of Dominique and her crew, and tried to make her comfortable. She’d even helped Kathleen wash the black dye from her hair, so now it was a radiant copper once again. Rosita had not forgotten that Kathleen had saved her life, and she promised to help her if she found a way. Right now the island was a beehive of activity, unfortunately, and it complicated matters greatly. Besides, there was generally a guard outside Kathleen’s door, with strict instructions.

  Rosita had raided Jean’s library and pilfered a couple of books for Kathleen’s entertainment. This afternoon was dreadfully hot, and Kathleen had fallen asleep across the bed. Her book lay open beside her.

  Kathleen never stirred until the hand clamped down tightly across her mouth. Then she came wide awake to stare up into the shifty hazel eyes of Pierre Lafitte. Her heart gave a mighty lurch, and her eyes widened in surprise.

  “So, we meet again, and now it is I who have the advantage,” Pierre said conversationally. “Your guard is new. He did not know of our previous disagreement and let me in,” he went on to explain.

  Pierre was half lying across her, effectively pinning her down. With his free hand he caressed her breast, chuckling when she squirmed in protest. “I have waited a long time for this, cherie. You owe me something for nearly costing me my sword arm. That was very bad of you, Kathleen, so if I am a little rough with you, you will know it is because I have not forgotten or forgiven.”

  His hot, rancid breath fanned her cheek. The thought of being violated by this mad beast was terrifying, and Kathleen wondered if either she or her unborn child could survive it, or even if she would want to after he had sullied her.

  Now he was fumbling with the ties to her vest as Kathleen renewed her struggles. She managed to wriggle free of his hand long enough to emit one long, healthy scream bef
ore his grimy fingers closed over her mouth again.

  As he tried to tug her breeches down, she scored a connecting blow with her knee to his groin. It gained her nothing, as he cuffed her roughly across the breasts. Pain raced through her chest, and she lost precious time just trying not to pass out. Pierre’s hand was cutting off most of her air, and she was fuzzily aware of him unfastening his breeches. With a strength born of desperation, she freed her arms and clawed at his face. As he tried to ward off her attack, she fought and screamed for all she was worth.

  Suddenly the door to her room burst open, hanging crazily on its hinges, as Dominique flew into the room, Jean right behind him. They were followed by the redfaced guard, his pistol drawn.

  Dominique was ready to forget the weapons and strangle his younger brother with his bare hands, but Jean intervened, sending Pierre from the room at gunpoint with the guard.

  “This is what you call keeping her safe from harm?” Dominique challenged Jean as he flipped the coverlet over Kathleen’s near-naked body.

  “It will not happen again, I assure you both.” Jean’s gaze went from one black set of accusing eyes to Kathleen’s deep emerald glare of unspoken accusation.

  “You’re damned right it won’t!” Dominique answered. “Because I’m taking her away from here as soon as I can arrange it.”

  “You’ll do no such thing.” Jean was in command once more. “I’ve given Reed my word as a gentleman.”

  “Your word almost cost her life just now, brother.”

  Jean looked at Kathleen with dismay. “Mon Dieu, Kathleen, I am so very sorry! Are you all right? Did Pierre do you any harm?”

  “I’ll be fine, no thanks to you,” she retorted. “I’m suffocating up here, I haven’t seen the light of day in half a week, I’ve barely escaped rape, and there is no telling what Reed has in store for me whenever His Majesty deigns to return. Shall I go on?”

  “Besides that,” Dominique cut in, “all this is not good for the child she is carrying.”

  Now Kathleen turned her glare in Dominique’s direction. “Why don’t you take out an advertisement in the Washington Gazette, Dom?”

  Dominique looked down at her with regret. “I’m sorry, little one, but I feel it is something he should know.”

  “Is that so? It is not a trick?” Jean questioned.

  “It’s true, Jean,” she admitted. “The child is due in September.”

  “Yes, and look what that idiot of a husband does to her.” Dominique waved a huge paw at her bruised and swollen face.

  “Again I am sorry, but a husband has the right to discipline his wife. In this case, I think Reed had every justification.”

  Dominique looked thoughtfully at his brother for a moment. “Maybe so,” he said at last, “but right now perhaps he is a little hotheaded, and his judgement is unfair. It is up to us to save him from committing a terrible mistake, and perhaps harming his unborn child. It is also our responsibility to remove Kathleen from Pierre’s reach. You know how he feels about her. He will try again, and perhaps the next time he will succeed. We must help her off the island and away from here.”

  Jean contemplated this a moment. He knew Dominique would do anything to aid Kathleen’s cause, yet his words held the ring of truth to them. “You are right,” he said quietly, then to Kathleen, “Dominique will see that your ship is made ready.”

  “And my crew, Jean?”

  He smiled, knowing she was pressing her advantage. “Your crew also.”

  “Thank you, Jean. I shall never forget you for this. You will always hold a special place in my heart. ” Only her eyes told him just how special.

  “Where will you go?”

  “Back home to Ireland.”

  “Write to me now and then, and to Dom, of course.” She nodded. “And Eleanore, too.”

  He came close and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Reed will have my skin for this. I will leave now so you can dress. Have Rosita bring you anything you need. Hurry now, before I think better of this and change my mind.”

  “Goodbye, Jean. I’m grateful. I may even name my child for you.”

  Dominique looked hurt. “What about me?”

  “You, too. How does Jonathon Alexander sound?”

  Jean smiled gently. “I like it.”

  “So do I,” Dom said, “even if I do get second billing.”

  “Well,” Kathleen mused. “If it is a girl, I could name her Alexandra Jean. We’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”

  Kathleen and Jean parted as special friends once again. Since it was too late to load the ship before dark and still catch the tide, she would sail first thing in the morning.

  Using every available man, they hauled the frigate out of the water that afternoon. Quickly scraping the hull as best they could in their rush, a necessity for the long voyage ahead, they then repainted the hull a gleaming white. While one crew was busy painting, another was changing the green sails for white, and yet another was loading food and water and other needs aboard. When they ran out of daylight, they worked by torchlight. Dan had even put together a crew to restore the figurehead to her original state, and paint out the name. All in all, over a hundred men accomplished in one day what would have normally taken three days.

  By the time they sailed the next morning, the Emerald Enchantress was no more. Kathleen had even left behind her pirate outfit, and wore a pair of Jean’s black trousers and a white ruffled shirt, hastily altered by Rosita. Kathleen shrugged. Physically she was growing out of her costume anyway, as her waistline started to thicken.

  Dominique had wanted to escort her safely to Ireland, but Kathleen vetoed that idea. “I don’t need a protector, Dom. I’m going home. I have friends there. I’ll be fine. Don’t forget, I have a faithful crew, and I’m a skilled captain and swordswoman. Besides, there is a special feeling, a certain understanding, between the sea and me. I’m as comfortable on the sea as most women are in their own parlors.”

  He regretfully agreed, and they parted with the promise that one day they would again see one another.

  Fireworks would have seemed quiet compared to Reed’s explosive reaction when he sailed back into Barataria Bay three days later to find Kathleen gone. It took all of Jean’s patience and persuasion to keep Reed from murdering all three of the Lafitte brothers. Dominique practically had to sit on Reed to get him to stay still long enough for Jean to explain. Once Jean’s words began to penetrate through the red haze of Reed’s anger, he calmed down a little and started to listen to what was said. At last he realized what they were telling him, and his common sense told him they had done what they thought was right, both for him and Kathleen.

  He lost no time in replenishing his supplies. Once he had convinced Jean and Dominique that he meant Kathleen no harm, they assisted him in every way. Kathleen was three days ahead of him, and he had to travel light and fast.

  As they waited for the tide to turn, Reed had a long talk with Dominique. His jealousy had allowed him to read more into Dominique’s relationship with Kathleen than was actually there. He realized that now, even as he saw that Dominique truly loved Kathleen. If not for the respect and friendship between Reed and Dominique, Dom would have tried to win Kathleen for himself. As Dominique explained, it would have done him no good, as Kathleen’s heart belonged to Reed alone. Dominique’s place in Kathleen’s affections was that of a dearly loved brother, and he would be content with that.

  “I hope we can remain friends, Reed. We go back a long way, and true friends are too hard to come by these days,” Dominique said. “I’d never try to come between you and Kathleen. The happiness of both of you means too much to me.”

  Reed clasped the huge hand Dominique extended toward him. In a rare moment of humility, he admitted, “Kate was right. I’ve been a blind, jealous fool. I’ve almost lost two of my best friends, and I still have to see if I can win my wife back. ”

  “Shall I go with you?” Dominique offered.

  “Thank you, but no. T
his is one time when I have to do my own explaining.”

  It took Reed over a week to overtake the Starbright. He recognized the sleek lines of the infamous Emerald Enchantress even under her new sails and paint. It still came as a shock, as they came alongside, to see Kathleen at the wheel, her coppery hair flying out behind her, her long legs clad in well-fitted black trousers instead of her usual brief outfit. Somehow, he’d expected to see a black-haired temptress in green, a mask across her face. Here stood his wife, tall, proud, with her rapier at her side.

  The grappling hooks found their mark, and Reed swung swiftly aboard to meet an irate Kathleen, rapier drawn and ready.

  "Get off my ship!” she commanded, her eyes flashing emerald fire.

  “I’ve come to take you home, Kat.” He stood fast, eyeing her calmly.

  “I’m headed for my home under my own power, thank you.” Her voice was full of spite.

  “Your home is not in Ireland any longer, Kat. You are my wife. Your home is in Savannah with me.” He spoke firmly, but without rancor. His expression was almost tender.

  Kathleen’s eyebrows arched upward in surprise. At the very least she had expected his usual domineering attitude, with a tad of barbed sarcasm thrown in.

  “What do you need with a full-fledged pirate for a wife?” she demanded. Then her brows knitted thoughtfully. “Or have you devised some especially demented, subtle torment for me as punishment?”

  “Kat, I’m willing to forgive and forget if you are. Regardless, you are coming home with me. I’d hate to use force on you. I’d much rather have you come willingly.”

  “I don’t know what your game is this time, Reed, but I’m not playing. Now remove your carcass from my deck and let me go on my way, before I cut you down where you stand.” She brandished her rapier at him.

  He took a step backward, his hand going to the hilt of his own weapon. “I don’t want to fight with you, Kat. I only want to take you home with me.”