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Love Me With Fury

Page 26

by Janelle Taylor


  Spencer shifted uneasily at intruding upon such a private and tormenting moment for her. He patiently, and yet anxiously, waited for her to compose herself. He dearly hoped she would not begin sobbing again; he didn’t like the effect of her tears and anguish upon him! Angel, Angel, why do you make me hurt you this way? he inwardly raged.

  Without opening her eyes, she wiped away the moisture teasing at her cheeks and quivering chin. “I’ll never let you hurt me again, Stephen,” she swore softly as if replying to his thoughts. She sighed wearily and inhaled the heady aroma of the flowers in her tight grasp. Time passed.

  For some inexplicable reason, Spencer couldn’t find the right words to open their talk. His normal poise and confidence were stormed by the sight before him. He couldn’t allow his weakness for her to continue. He toughened his heart against his emotions. He only had a few more days before his ship would be ready to put to sea again and that last moment to decide her future would be upon him. His talks with Governor Sebastian Kindelan hadn’t gone well so far. He could hardly blame the man for not trusting him and the American government. America had seized the western portion of the territory and attacked others. He hoped he wouldn’t be forced to insist upon a base here to prevent the English from using it.

  Alex opened her eyes, ready to order some hot tea to calm her frayed nerves. She jumped as her gaze touched upon the solemn man standing near her. Startled, she gasped, “How long have you been standing there gaping at me?”

  “Only a few moments,” he lied. “You looked so serene and lovely standing there, I couldn’t break your magical spell,” he teased, although serious.

  Chips of ice flashed angrily in her green eyes. “Did you want something, or is it time to go?” she scornfully asked. She lifted her chin and shoulders to reveal her courage and pride.

  His smoldering eyes eased over her body from head to foot, noting how nicely her clothes fit and enhanced her delicate air. “George says you haven’t eaten all day. From the looks of it, you also skipped dinner last night. No appetite when I’m away?” he jested.

  “My lack of hunger has nothing whatsoever to do with you, Captain Steele. Without exercise, the body doesn’t require much food to nourish it.” She noticeably failed to mention last night’s fiasco. There was something different about her this morning. He dreaded to comprehend it. She was quiet, withdrawn, and tense.

  “I’ve come to make amends for ignoring you so long, love, but I had business which came first. How would you like to attend a dinner and dance at a friend’s house?” he asked, his own aura self-assured and mellow.

  “No thank you, Captain Steele. I don’t make a practice of socializing with my enemies,” she rejected him.

  “You mean you aren’t bored enough yet to share my company outside my bed?” he teased.

  “I would prefer not to share any time with you at all, sir,” she sassily declared, looking as if she honestly meant it.

  “You could dress in one of those lovely gowns and dazzle all the men and make the women green with envy,” he added mischievously. “It would make a most enjoyable evening for both of us.”

  “I have no desire to do either, Captain Steele. As for being enjoyable, that I seriously doubt. Farewell parties have never been to my liking, especially not my own. I’m certain you can find another willing female to keep you company. Until you make the arrangements for my incarceration, I prefer to remain here…alone, if you don’t mind.”

  He could sense the withdrawal and tension within her. She wasn’t going to make this any easier for him. “The only female company I desire at present is you, Angel. I want you to come with me tonight.”

  She glared at him. “You have a strange way of revealing your interest in me, Captain Steele. The answer is still no. I find your company most disagreeable.”

  “Since when?” he snarled, his temper rising at her blatant rebuffs.

  She laughed, a cool and taunting sound. “I am not one of your strumpets, Captain Steele. I will not be flaunted or treated as such. I’m sure you’ll discover any other female more pliant and inviting than I am.”

  She placed her rigid back to him, waves of tawny hair flowing down her slender back. Was she still hurt and jealous? Was this some feminine ploy to punish him or to entreat him to plead for her attentions?

  “You’re coming with me whether you want to or not,” he ordered. No woman had ever refused him anything. Who did this arrogant girl think she was!

  “Are you still pouting because I didn’t get home in time for dinner last night? If I had known you were planning such a special evening, I would have left my meeting posthaste,” he murmured.

  “Meeting, my foot!” she blurted out before thinking.

  He chuckled, baiting her. “By jove, you’re jealous!” he accused. “No need, love. That perfume was a silly joke; one I didn’t take kindly to either. That cheap floozy should be glad I didn’t beat her after rubbing all over me like that. I don’t pick up cheap tarts, Angel, in case you’ve forgotten,” he sought to disarm her with the truth for a change. “I’m sorry I missed a pleasant dinner with you.”

  “I’m not,” she crisply replied, doubting his every word now. To nettle him, she said, “Besides, it was only meant to relax you so I could convince you to free me. With your vast knowledge and experiences with so many women, you would have seen right through my ruse. So, it really was for the best you didn’t come back last night. I hate making a fool of myself, which I would have.” She somehow knew the sarcastic truth would be more disturbing than a false pretense.

  “Frankly, I’m not sure who’s the bigger fool, you or me,” he snarled.

  She laughed again. “I doubt you have ever been a fool about anything or anyone, Captain Steele.”

  “Where you’re concerned, I have, and it galls me beyond my limits of patience and endurance,” he admitted reluctantly. “Now get dressed; we’re going to that party.”

  “No,” she calmly protested, keeping her back to him.

  “You’re coming along if I have to dress you myself!”

  “I doubt you would want to tarnish your image by carrying me to a party all tied up, love,” she scoffed. “That’s the only way I’ll leave this room. I should think you would find that most embarrassing. I’ll make certain everyone there knows how much I detest you.”

  “I could care less how you feel about me.”

  “What about how they might feel if I shout your identity to them?” she retorted spitefully.

  Suddenly realizing the guests at this affair would know him as Captain Stephen Farrington of the Wandering Siren, he chided himself for his careless oversight. He couldn’t take her along. With any intelligence at all, she would figure out his identity. “If you don’t want to come along, fine. Call George when you’re ready for dinner, if you decide to ever eat again.”

  He was giving up awfully easy! Alex realized. He wasn’t going to throw his weight around? A strange look had briefly crossed his aristocratic features. Why? Was he afraid to subject himself to a pleasurable evening with her? Now she had rashly condemned herself to another boring night alone, denied herself a chance to get even with him or to change his stubborn mind!

  She hurried after him. He was leisurely changing clothes. Her eyes widened at his choice of garments. He had put on a pair of rich gold knee breeches which fit his fine form handsomely. They buttoned just below the knee over silk stockings which were concealed by shiny boots in the finest of leathers. Tailored to fit him perfectly, there wasn’t a single crease or wrinkle to mar the seductive picture of his slender hips and muscular thighs.

  A man who obviously recognized a flair for fashion and spared no expense with his clothes, she was speechless in her bold study of him. A definite sign of wealth and polish, he donned a white linen shirt which clung tightly to his chest and shoulders. A deep wine vest was added next. As if he had all evening, he gradually fastened the four buttons down its front. He slipped his arms into a matching coat which was elegant and a
ppealing with its plain lines, snug sleeves, small cuffs at the wrists, and dangling coattails. Instead of a snowy cravat, he knotted a jabot of ivory lawn at his neck to complete his attire.

  As he playfully brushed and fluffed his sable mane which fell loosely to his collar, she suddenly realized his hair was freshly trimmed and shaped. His clean-shaven face flaunted the proud and arrogant lines of his features. He was certainly taking great pains with his appearance tonight! How she longed to be the woman on his arm tonight—on any night! He exuded such animal magnetism and undeniable charm that she scolded herself for her rash and regrettable refusal to go with him.

  He turned around before her gaping eyes several times. “Well? Will I pass for a gentleman of fine breeding tonight, love?”

  Unnerved and entranced, she murmured, “I didn’t think it possible for you to look any better than you already did, but I can see I was vastly mistaken, Captain Steele. Like this, you could charm the Queen herself into deserting the King,” she admitted.

  “The Queen would be more susceptible to me than you are?” he wickedly teased, meeting her appreciative gaze in the reflective glass.

  “I must confess, Captain Steele, you are most attractive, too much, so I fear. Is it too late to change my mind about going with you tonight?” she asked, causing him to tense up.

  “I’m afraid so, love. I’m late as it is,” he stated stoically.

  “I can dress quickly when I must,” she hinted boldly.

  “After your little display of temper earlier, I don’t think I could trust you. Tonight, I’m in the mood to relax and have a good time. I don’t relish remaining on guard against your wily tricks.”

  “Not even if I promise to be on my very best behavior?” she pleaded.

  He eyed her intently. How he wished he could take her along—but it was much too dangerous. “Don’t wait up for me. I expect to be late, if I come back tonight.” With that he headed for the door, opened it and told George to bring her dinner when she was ready for it. He glanced at her, winked and left.

  Hearing him take the back stairs, Alex hurried to the balcony to watch his retreat. She berated herself for being so stubborn. She leaned back to hopefully catch another view of him while denying him one of her. He halted just beneath the balcony to talk with Andy, his first mate and good friend. As the words drifted to her alert ears, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  Winking at Andy who was reluctantly a part of his devious scheme, Spencer played his role to the hilt…

  XIII

  “Delays have dangerous ends.”

  —Henry VI, William Shakespeare

  “I’m tired of all her wily games and taunts, Andy,” Spencer confided. “One minute she’s all over me, and the next she’s fighting me tooth and nail! I’ve given her ample time to tell me what I want to know. I can’t take her back to sea with us; it’s getting too dangerous out there. Besides, I’m exhausted with trying to figure out a woman who’s so temperamental.”

  “What do you think they’ll do with her?” Andy questioned, not daring to look up at the balcony.

  “I wish I knew. Maybe she’ll convince them she’s innocent. Maybe they’ll turn her loose to return to this so-called uncle of hers. Who knows?”

  “What if they don’t accept her claim of ignorance? Look how close you two have been, and you don’t believe her for a minute.”

  “I could if she would tell me everything, Andy. My stars, man, doesn’t she realize how suspicious her story and actions are? Once we sail, she won’t be my problem anymore,” he stated.

  “Come on, Josh; you know you care about her,” Andy injected, bringing a scowl to his friend’s face at his audacity.

  “Of course I care about her! She’s different; she’s refreshing and entertaining. But there are lots of sexy mermaids around.”

  “Have you mentioned her to the authorities yet?”

  “I dropped a few hints about a possible spy,” he nonchalantly answered.

  “Is she really an English spy?” Andy skeptically inquired.

  “If she isn’t, she knows who is.”

  “Have you given any serious thought to her fate? It could even be death.”

  “I know, Andy, but it can’t be helped. If she confesses all, I’ll let her go. If not,” he halted and burst into hearty laughter.

  “What’s so funny?” Andy quizzed.

  A new idea came to mind. If Angelique didn’t fear the authorities, there was another fate she would surely wish to avoid. “I have a better solution for our silent Angel. Since I don’t want to endanger her life, I know a place where she’ll be kept out of any further activities. She can spread a little joy while being out of the Americans’ hair.”

  Assuming he was referring to his Virginia plantation, Andy jumped on this hint, “Where?”

  His elation was short-lived when Spencer murmured in sardonic pleasure, “In Maria’s brothel. She guards her girls like an eagle. Angel would never get out of there to transport any more codes.”

  “You can’t mean that!” Andy debated, noting he was indeed serious.

  “Why not? She would be alive and out of the way. It would serve the little tease right! By now, she’s experienced enough to survive there nicely. If she’s cunning, she just might earn her freedom one day.”

  Alex winced at the coldness in Spencer’s withering tone. She burned at being discussed so intimately and spitefully and fury filled her. She strained to catch his every word and inflection.

  “That’s exactly what I plan to do. If Angel doesn’t come across by midday tomorrow, she’ll be sleeping at Maria’s from now on.”

  Alex nearly fainted. She didn’t doubt his ruthless threat at all. Taking her chances with the American government was one thing, but risking enslavement to a filthy brothel? She had heard tales of this horrible fate of young girls who unfortunately fell into the hands of evil men like Joshua Steele. She could never endure such degradation. It was a far worse fate than death. How far did her loyalty to her family go when it endangered her survival and honor? Could she allow Captain Steele to confine her in such a deplorable place?

  Could this man who had artfully seduced her body and claimed her heart and soul subject her to such an existence? They had shared blissful moments of unbridled passion—was he capable of such cruelty? Had she so misjudged him and their fiery relationship? Why, Joshua? she wretchedly cried. He was no human god after all; he was a sadistic demon who was devouring her heart, soul, and body.

  “I have a meeting with Minister D’Onis and Governor Sebastian Kindelan tomorrow afternoon, then one with Commandant Lopez and some American named Campbell afterwards. I’ll know all by lunch, or Angel will be keeping company with Maria before either meeting.”

  “I can’t change your mind, Josh?” he worriedly pressed.

  “No!” he objected arrogantly. “Let’s go or we’ll miss dinner.”

  The two men, so different in looks and character, strolled off. Alex slowly entered the room, suddenly stuffy in her highly emotional state. Yet, she did not dissolve into tremors and tears. A pleased smirk claimed her lovely lips and revenge danced brightly in her eyes. Her careless captor had just become her unknowing liberator.

  She ran to her trunks and opened them. She quickly selected a special outfit for this final act to a desperate drama. She pulled two black dresses from her trunk, ones chosen by her uncle for a smiliar deception. She rolled them into a neat bundle and bound them inside a dark blue shawl. She put on a bright red gown with a daring neckline and billowy shirt. She placed her collection of jewels on the bed beside the other bundle to select a few pieces to aid her plans. Let him keep the rest; it would look too suspicious if she managed to escape with the entire collection. She headed to the door to set her desperate plan into motion, clutching a heavy object within her grasp. As a better plan came to mind, she sat it upon the table in the middle of the room.

  She called George’s name. The door clicked as he unlocked it and stuck his head ins
ide. “I need some help, George. Captain Steele is coming back for me later, but I’m having trouble with this dress. Some empty-headed seamstress placed hundreds of tiny buttons down the back. Could you do it up for me?” she sweetly entreated, smiling demurely.

  Unaccustomed to helping a lady dress, he shifted nervously and hesitated. She innocently coaxed, “It’s all right, George. Josh won’t mind. I must hurry before he returns for me. Please. We won’t tell him,” she wheedled conspiratorially.

  He laughed amiably and shuffled forward to comply. Just before he could fasten it halfway, Alex gasped in surprise and shrieked, “Who’s that?”

  George naively turned around to glance at the door. The statue thudded down upon his head, instantly rendering him unconscious. Alex hurriedly checked to make sure he was still breathing. She sighed in relief, hating to injure this genial man. To show him her apology, she placed a flower in his right hand and a diamond bracelet in the left. She stripped off the red gown and rolled it into a tight ball, then swiftly dressed in a dark blue gown and covered her head with the lacy Spanish scarf which she had bought just before leaving Philadelphia. What a wise purchase it had been!

  Alex stuffed two necklaces of expensive gems into her dress near the waist and seized the red gown and her other bundle. She left without looking back, locking the door behind her. She rushed down the stairs as quickly as she could without making any excessive noise. She cautiously skirted the rear of the next building before stepping out to the main street. As if she were merely taking an afternoon stroll, she headed toward the tall white structure which was sure to be the governor’s home. If she were mistaken, a large slice of her precious getaway time would be consumed.

  The mantilla of midnight lace clutched tightly before her face, no one caught sight of the beauty revealed there. As she passed a heap of trash, she tossed the red bundle upon it. She had never liked the tawdry gown anyway and shouldn’t have allowed that seamstress to convince her to buy it. She walked to the side gate and called out through the iron barrier. It was but moments before a Spanish soldier came to answer. She eyed his uniform in bright red and midnight black. Perplexed, he asked what she wanted.

 

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