Tides of Passion

by Sara Orwig

  What a shock she would receive when she reached England and discovered the extent of her father’s wealth, wealth that would belong to Edwin Stafford! His! He forced his thoughts back to the present and whispered, “I’ll never let you go, Lianna.”

  He ran his hand along her cheek, watching the effort she made to open her eyes. “Take…me back…” She murmured the words in a slurred voice. Her lashes fluttered. “Josh…”

  Edwin couldn’t resist. He lowered his head to kiss the soft fullness of her breast, his hand touching her, stroking to stir a response.

  “No! Josh…” she said, her hand fluttering in the air, the protest a mere whisper.

  “You’ll be mine and you’ll want to be mine by your own choice,” Edwin said. “I know you, Lianna, and I’m no longer a simple farm lad.”

  “No,” she whispered again. Her head spun, and a wave of blackness engulfed her.

  He felt her go limp in his arms and laid her back on the bed. His body was hot with desire, and he was tempted to possess her now, yet his ardor cooled as he thought about her being unconscious. He wanted a response from her; he wanted her to know when she was his.

  He ran his hand over her body, feeling the softness, the curve of her hip, slipping his hand beneath her skirt to touch her legs. “You’ll be mine soon enough,” he said, smiling as his hand moved higher beneath her skirts, taking liberties that he had dreamed of many nights. He moved away abruptly, knowing he should go above. She would stir soon enough and then it would take all his wits to placate her.

  32

  Josh held the sword at the throat of Don Armando while Quita wailed and mumbled prayers. The carriage with Lianna started up and gained speed, rushing down the road away from them, but her words floated in the air, running through Josh’s mind. “…so little love in our lives…don’t throw away love…”

  The only barrier left between them was his own hatred and revenge. He glanced at the coach receding in the distance, then at the trio in front of him, and his thoughts churned.

  He knew if he plunged the sword into the count, he might lose Lianna forever—he would lose the best part of his life. Lianna loved him and gave her love whether he was a pirate or not.

  What did she have to do with this evil man sweating before him? In truth, he had to answer: Nothing! He didn’t want revenge to cost him love. He lowered the sword. “God deliver justice to you. Get in your carriage and go.”

  Marcheno’s eyes narrowed; then he moved swiftly. “Get in, Lianna.”

  “Marcheno.”

  Josh’s cold voice stopped the man instantly. It was on the tip of Josh’s tongue to reveal Quita’s identity. He looked into her big dark eyes, watched her bloodless lips move in prayer, and realized she was part of the reason he had Lianna.

  “Go,” he repeated.

  Marcheno picked up Salina, and the three climbed into their carriage. Within seconds it rocked down the road as the horses ran at full tilt.

  And slowly, steadily, Josh felt a weight like an anchor lift from his shoulders. Nothing stood between him and his love for Lianna! Nothing!

  No longer would hatred lie between him and the woman he loved. And his blood heated at the thought of crushing her in his arms, of seeing her look at him with love in her eyes.

  “Lianna!” He cried her name and laughed aloud as he threw his arms in the air, looking at clouds sweeping across the blue sky. He leapt on his horse and urged it forward. Tonight they would sail for England and he would hold her in his arms, hold her close as he had that night high in the mountains in a rocky cave. Images made his loins ache and his breath halt. He gave the horse freedom to gallop, the wind tearing at his face as he shouted, “Lianna!”

  He drove the horse as fast as possible, but the time seemed to drag. When he finally reached the dock at Valparaiso, he flung himself off his mount and raced up the gangplank of El Feroz. His heart thudded and he was breathless from more than his run as he reached his cabin.

  Behind him Fletcher called, “Josh!”

  “Later, Fletcher. Set sail for England!” He flung open the door and stepped into the cabin.

  One glance showed it was empty, and he turned to face Fletcher, who stood behind him.

  Fletcher’s cheek was blue with a bruise, his lip was swollen, a cut ran across his forehead, and he scowled murderously.

  The first icy touch of disaster rocked him. “What happened? Where is she?”

  “Edwin Stafford came aboard with his men. She left with him.”

  Josh felt as if he had turned to glass and was shattering into a million tiny fragments. Never had he truly loved a woman before, and never had he truly lost as much. He closed his eyes and swayed, clenching his fists until his arms ached. He wanted to be dead, to do anything to avoid the pain that tore at his insides.

  Hot tears stung his eyes. He had lost her forever, through his own damn-foolery. He opened his eyes and saw Fletcher had turned his back and was standing a few feet away.

  Josh’s voice was a croak, sounding distant to his ears as he asked, “Did she go willingly?”

  Fletcher nodded without looking at Josh. “Yes, sir. She did. Stafford had his own ship; his men prevented us from interfering while she left with him. They’ve sailed.”

  Josh was consumed with fiery pain. He had lost the one thing in life he wanted with his whole heart. He had lost her forever. She was with the man she loved. For the first time in his life he felt totally defeated. And the hurt engulfed him in waves.

  “Set sail, Fletcher. We go north. We’ll sail around the world. Let’s be gone from this place.”

  “Aye, sir. There are storm clouds to the south. Perhaps we can outrun them.” Fletcher’s boots clattered on the ladder, then faded.

  Woodenly Josh closed the door, torturing himself with memories, staring at the bunk where Lianna had lain in his arms.

  He leaned against the door, lost in his thoughts, unaware of the commotion abovedecks as they set sail, of the rise and fall of El Feroz as she put out to open sea.

  Josh was mired in memories, of Lianna’s lips, her arms, her sweet laughter. How she had grown and changed, risking her life for Madryn, making the grueling trek over the mountains. Risking all by giving her love to him freely.

  He wanted to go home to England, to give her everything she wanted, to pamper and love her and see her eyes light with happiness.

  He swore and ran his hands through his hair.

  And remembered her fingers twining in his hair…her pink-and-ivory body writhing in passion, her gasps of love…her words, “I love you.”

  She couldn’t love Edwin Stafford! He straightened and his thoughts began to clear, to see everything from her view. She thought he had murdered the Marchenos, and maybe her feelings were in a turmoil. She might have wanted to tell Edwin that she no longer loved him. Suddenly Josh could think of logical reasons why she might have gone with Edwin—yet why would she sail with him? And he thought about Edwin, any man who had gone from a groom to captain of his own ship was bound to be ruthless, clever, and persuasive.

  Josh’s heart began to pound. He would get her back! She was still his wife and he wanted his chance to tell her he had let the Marchenos go unharmed. How could she have cried so much when she pleaded for the Marchenos if she hadn’t loved him deeply? He remembered the night in the cave, her ardent lovemaking—she couldn’t love Edwin Stafford and have made love to him as she had that night! He had to see her face-to-face and have her tell him she wanted to be with Edwin.

  Clinging to a thread of hope, his blood thundering in his veins, he whirled to open the door and race up the hatchway. The first mate stood beside the helmsman, giving commands. In long strides, his breathing constricted by his urgency, Josh reached them.

  “Helmsman, put about.”

  Fletcher spun around to look at him.

  “We’re going after her. She’s still my wife. I have to hear her make the choice. Overtake that damned Eagle!”

  “Sir, look south,” Fletche
r said grimly. “We’ll be riding into a squall.”

  “So be it. Go with full speed.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  Josh ran below to change clothing. He felt intoxicated with purpose. She had to love him! He could feel it to the marrow of his bones. And how much he loved her! He would take a lifetime to show her.

  He crossed the cabin, and as he did, for the first time he noticed something crumpled in the chair. She had left something behind. He picked up a soft blue-and-white woolen square of material, so tiny. Turning it in his hands, he puzzled over it. Why would Lianna have a bit of knitting? It was finished, yet too small for warmth, for anything except…

  His chest constricted violently. “Lianna!” He crushed the woolen blanket to his chest, then flung it down and raced abovedecks to take the wheel himself.

  Lianna stirred and sat up. Her head pounded and she was disoriented, trying to think, to remember. She swung her feet to the deck; her mouth was dry and she held her head in her hands a moment. Memory returned and she gasped, crying out, “No!”

  She stood up, but dizziness struck her and she had to sit down again. She stood up slowly this time, clinging to the bunk, feeling the deep rise and fall of a ship in stormy waters.

  The door to the cabin opened and Edwin entered. He stopped, seeing her awake, and then he came inside and closed the door behind him.

  “Lianna—”

  “How could you! You put something in the brandy.” She wanted to scream and shout at him, but her head swam and words were an effort; her mouth felt dry, as if filled with cotton.

  “Forgive me,” he said, crossing to sit near her. “I just want some time with you. When we reach England, if you still love him, I’ll let you go.”

  “I love him! I want to be with Josh now!”

  “Listen for a moment.” He leaned closer, his fingers laced together and elbows resting on his knees. “Fate separated us when we were on the brink of realizing our love. You didn’t love Captain Raven then, nor when you married him. He told me he forced you into the union. I love you, Lianna, and at one point in time you loved me. Give me a chance—just for the length of the voyage. I promise once we reach England, I’ll return you to him if that’s what you want.”

  She hurt badly and all she wanted was her husband. “Please take me back. Please…”

  “I beg you, give us this chance!”

  She blinked, feeling tears rise as she gripped Edwin’s hands to plead with desperation, “Please take me back to him before he thinks I’ve chosen willingly to sail with you!”

  “He took you by force and you didn’t like him, much less love him. If I take you by force now, how do I know but what you’ll love me—I’m the man who has known you since we were babes. We’ve laughed together, played together…my kiss was your first, and at the time you liked it. Give me this chance, Lianna. If I hadn’t been poor, you would be my wife now, and we would have a blissful union.”

  His eyes became red, and she felt torn with conflicting emotions. She regretted what had happened, she regretted that Edwin still wanted her, but she loved Josh with every ounce of her being, every breath.

  “Edwin, I’ve changed,” she said. It was an effort to get out the words. “I love Josh, truly love him for eternity. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you, but you’re a very handsome man. You’re young and captain of your own ship—the world is filled with lovely women who would adore you.”

  “I only want one,” he said, looking at her intently. “Please, Lianna, give me this voyage.”

  “I can’t. Don’t you see, it’s as if you’re tearing my heart out. I love Josh.”

  They stared at each other and she realized Edwin was as hard and ruthless as Josh and the Count of Marcheno. She saw her answer in his eyes.

  “I won’t ever change,” she said.

  “I think you will.”

  “How can you expect me to love you when you treat me this way!”

  “He was worse and you think you love him!”

  “He wasn’t!”

  “He took you. Don’t tell me you willingly fell into his bed when you sailed from Portsmouth!”

  She blushed, not wanting a discussion with Edwin about her intimate moments with Josh. She looked down. “Please let me go.”

  “I’ll promise not to take you to bed until you want me.”

  “Edwin, please don’t do this! I beg you to reconsider.” She began to cry, feeling helpless and unable to control her emotions. Her head throbbed violently and she felt queasy, unable to cope with all that was happening.

  He leaned closer, his voice quiet as he said, “I’m sorry for the manner I’ve done this, but I saw no other choice. I love you with all my heart—more than Captain Raven ever could. The man’s a pirate, Lianna. Is that what you want, to wait at home for a pirate who is an outcast in his own land?”

  “I love him.”

  “And later, if you had children, they too would be outcasts, left alone with you while he sailed around the world.”

  “Nothing you say can change my mind.”

  “I’m sorry, but I think you’ll change. If not, you’ll have my deep apologies when we reach England.”

  He stood up to go. “You should eat soon; we’re sailing into a violent storm.”

  “Edwin—”

  He turned back to face her.

  “You must take me back. I’m expecting his child.”

  Edwin blanched and his jaw firmed in anger over Lianna’s announcement. “It won’t matter, if you love me,” he said stiffly.

  “It matters, I see it in your eyes.”

  “No!” He crossed the room to her to stroke her cheek. “There’s enough love for you and a child. It will be my child, Lianna. We’ll both love it,” he said quietly, but his thoughts were seething. She would bear the man’s whelp. A child! He hadn’t counted on that, but it shouldn’t matter. There was sufficient money to hire nannies and governesses and he would be free to do as he pleased. “If you love me, this child will have both parents. You know what it means to go without a father’s love, and Captain Raven’s first love is the sea.”

  “I can’t help what’s wise—I love him!”

  He stroked her throat. “You’ll change once you near England.” His fingers drifted to her shoulder. He felt her stiffen and removed his hand swiftly.

  “Don’t draw away from me. I’ll wait, Lianna. Don’t fear me.” He would wait, for a time. Soon enough she would grow hungry for a man’s touch, and she would be more vulnerable. He thought of Molly, and the thought of Molly’s lush body, her lusty needs, made him hard with desire. Swiftly he turned his thoughts to sailing. He walked toward the door and said, “This is your cabin for the voyage.”

  “No!” She stood up to stop him from leaving, but her head spun and she had to cling to the bunk while Edwin closed the door behind him.

  After the door had closed, she stood quietly staring at it until finally she felt able to get a cloak and go abovedeck.

  Lianna stood at the rail watching the high waves and empty horizon. A chill wind whipped across the deck, pulling her long black hair free of pins and twirling it across her cheeks.

  An arm dropped across her shoulders and Edwin said, “Come below. It grows chilly. A squall is rising.”

  “I can’t bear to sit in a cabin.” She turned to face him. “This is so futile. When we parted, we both were children. We didn’t know what we wanted.”

  “I did, Lianna. And I wasn’t a child. A child doesn’t gain captaincy of his own ship within the time I have. A child—I had known women since I was fifteen! I know what I want. I love you and I always will and I think in a month’s time you’ll love me in return.”

  “Never! I’d fling myself into the sea if I thought I’d never see Josh again.”

  “And destroy his child?” he said with a sardonic smile.

  She felt a hot flush rise to her cheeks. “No, I want this child. But I want my husband desperately. Edwin, Papa is dead. When I get home I
’ll inherit everything.” She tilted her head to study him. “If I gave it all to you, you’d have wealth and you could find a desirable woman who would truly love you. If I did that, would you take me back to Josh now?”

  The question hung in the air while Edwin’s mind raced wildly over the possibilities. It was on the tip of his tongue to say yes. He didn’t want Lianna and Raven’s child. He wanted everything else, because she was right: there were ample women who could make him happy. But wisdom cautioned him—she might go back on her promise. And even if she didn’t, Josh Raven would force her to do so. Edwin had tried to learn everything possible about Raven when he had been in London. He knew that Josh had been disinherited and made his livelihood as a privateer, a pirate. With a child, Raven would be a total fool if he let Lianna give away her inheritance, and Edwin knew enough about Josh to know he wasn’t a fool. Josh also was a sea captain with a wide reputation for his seamanship, and there were few fools who survived at sea.

  Lianna’s wide blue eyes looked up hopefully. How he wished with all his being he could make the exchange with her and get her off his hands, but he knew he would come out with nothing.

  “Lianna, can’t you understand—it’s you, not your inheritance I want,” he lied, wishing there were some way to ensure the bargain but knowing there wasn’t.

  She turned away to cling to the rail, and he felt bitter disappointment that he couldn’t have given her what she wanted—and received from her what he wanted. He left her to see about the ship, watching her from the poop deck. Wind whipped her hair and cloak, and he frowned. He didn’t want her to become ill. If she died, he would lose everything. He frowned, rocking on his heels.