Tides of Passion

by Sara Orwig

  The sky changed from blue to gray while clouds boiled on the horizon. The sky and water blended in a charcoal gray to the southeast, and jagged lightning streaked the sky. After a time, Edwin reappeared at her side.

  “Lianna, get below. We’re in for a real blow.”

  Before she could answer, a seaman called, “Sails! Northeasterly!”

  At an angle to the storm clouds loomed white sails. Edwin’s eyes narrowed and he called for a sailor to bring a telescope. He raised it to his eyes. “Someone is coming after us swiftly.”

  Lianna’s heart began drumming and she held her breath. Her fingers shook as she reached up. “May I look?”

  Edwin frowned, handing her the telescope. “It’s a frigate.” His voice faded as Lianna held the telescope to her eyes and peered intently at the sails. She couldn’t make out the colors in the distance, but her heart pounded wildly. Suppose…

  Edwin raised an eyebrow and looked through the glass again. “The damned storm grows worse with each second. We have to outrun it.”

  “Oh, Edwin, turn back. You’re sailing into the teeth of the storm.”

  “If we wait, it could be a pirate ship. One of the Spaniards.”

  “It could be Josh.”

  “You’re seeing what you want to see. We have to go swiftly before the storm’s fury sets in.” Raising his voice, he called an order, and within seconds the Eagle ran faster, cutting through choppy water with a swift rise and fall.

  Lianna raised the glass and looked again, still unable to make out the colors. Her heart jumped when she saw the ship was slowly gaining on them. Edwin patted her shoulder. “Lianna, go below before you get the ague in this wind.”

  Her throat burned as if she had swallowed a chunk of hot coal. Those sails resembled El Feroz—yet how many other frigates under full sail would look exactly the same?

  Edwin left her to join the helmsman. Lowering his voice, he commanded, “Put in toward shore as we go south.”

  The man’s eyes widened. “Sir, this is a rocky coastline.”

  “Helmsman!”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Run as close as you dare until I tell you to change course sou’westerly again.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  Edwin Stafford turned to look at the sails following him. “I’ll win this time, Raven. I’ll win everything.”

  “Captain?” the helmsman asked.

  “Nothing. Hold your course.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Within minutes the sky darkened more, the waves rose higher, causing the ship to roll. Lianna clung to the rail, watching the white sails grow larger. Cold drops of rain began to pelt her. She raised the glass to look as sheets of rain drifted across the sea. Great white sails dimmed and blurred into gray—white sails and a blue-and-gold flag.

  Aboard El Feroz, Josh Raven let the helmsman take the wheel, while he stood with his feet braced apart to ride with each pitch and roll of the ship. He raised the telescope to his eyes. “Dammit! I know that’s them. Look, Fletcher, see if it’s his flag.”

  Fletcher took the scope, raised it, and in a second handed it back. “Aye, it’s the Eagle. And a damned bad storm we’re sailing into.”

  “It won’t be the first.” Josh looked through the telescope again. “We’ll overtake the ship in two hours. It doesn’t have the speed of El Feroz.”

  “They’re changing course, sir. They’re headed southeasterly—toward land.”

  “Damn! Doesn’t the fool know this coast! It’s rocky and dangerous. Change our course to follow.”

  “Captain—”

  “If they drop anchor, I don’t want to sail past them. Nothing can stop me. Fletcher, the woman I love is on that ship. And my babe.”

  Fletcher’s head snapped around, and suddenly he grinned. “Glory be! Josh Raven a father. A damned good one you’ll be, too!” Fletcher’s grin widened. “Glory, a child! That’s good news!”

  Josh raised his eyebrows. “I thought you didn’t approve of my lady.”

  Fletcher flushed, his burnished skin becoming flaming red. “Aye, sir, I didn’t when we sailed from England. But I do now. She’s a fine woman, sir.”

  Josh felt warmth fill him, because he knew Fletcher didn’t give his praise lightly. At some time Lianna had earned Fletcher’s grudging admiration.

  Fletcher turned to stride to one of the men, and within seconds all the men on shipboard were grinning—and working as hard as they could to help their captain reach his goal.

  They lost sight of the Eagle as sheets of rain lashed El Feroz. Grimly Josh fought the wild sea, hauling on the wheel, clinging to it when waves battered him. “Lianna!” he called hoarsely.

  Fletcher clung to a lifeline and shouted, “What’s the fool doing?”

  Josh peered into the storm. “He’s doing it deliberately!” Josh realized Edwin Stafford was running close to shore for only one reason. He shouted, “Change course, mate!” He tugged on the wheel in desperation.

  Suddenly an outcropping of land and rock, jutting miles out to sea from the mainland, rose before them. Frantically Josh fought the waves, but the wind caught El Feroz in all its fury and smashed it against the rocks.

  The sound of splintering wood was loud; a great shuddering ripple coursed through the ship, throwing men off balance as they slipped into the sea.

  Josh gave one wild cry of futility; then a wave smashed down, slamming him into unconsciousness as his head hit the deck.

  Aboard the Eagle, Lianna clung to the rail until hard fingers grasped her shoulders to turn her around. Edwin lifted her off her feet.

  “I know it’s El Feroz! I know it!”

  “Shh, Lianna. It doesn’t matter now. We’re separated by a storm. The wind carries us south.”

  “Edwin!” she screamed as she watched the ship turn in a crazy angle and dip down out of sight, waves washing over it. Then it was seen no more. “Josh!”

  “My God,” Edwin gasped, feeling a swift surge of joy. His plan had worked! El Feroz had gone down against the rocky shore! Now there would be no rival to stand in his way! He fought a grin as he turned Lianna to him, scooping her up to carry her below while she sobbed wildly.

  He poured a brandy and dropped something into it, swirling it as he crossed to thrust it into her hands. “Drink this.”

  She took it and drank, distraught and, to his relief, not thinking that he might have drugged her again. He knew she didn’t want him to touch her or comfort her so he moved away, securing the cabin as the storm’s fury increased. In minutes Lianna turned to him.

  “You gave me something…” she said, her words slurred. “I don’t know you…”

  He moved to take her arm, holding her steady as she clung to a bulkhead. “You’ve had a shock. You need rest and that’s the easiest way. I’m sorry, Lianna, for your loss.”

  Tears welled up and she cried; her knees buckled and he caught her, holding her in his arms until her eyes closed.

  She would get ague easily if she didn’t get warmed. He undressed her swiftly, flinging down the wet clothes until she lay naked on the bunk. He felt a swift stir of desire as he looked at her. She was beautiful, with a tiny waist and lush, full breasts. He ran his hand over her, feeling her cold flesh, and crossed the room to a chest to produce a heavy nightshirt. He slipped it on her, getting her into bed and beneath the blankets. He tucked them in tightly so she wouldn’t roll out with the tossing of the ship.

  The squall became a gale, and Lianna became ill. For days she was sick, the rough sea adding to her misery.

  They sailed back the way she had come with Josh, and each day became more difficult and lonely. Edwin seemed subdued and left her alone for the first half of the voyage; then gradually he began to appear at her side more and more often until they reached a point of being politely civil with each other, but beyond that Lianna could not go.

  She reached England in October, in time for the birth of her child, a black-haired, green-eyed boy whom she named Phillip.

&
nbsp; When Lianna entered the parlor, the skirt of her pale yellow batiste dress swirled slightly with each step. As she entered a dark, high-ceilinged room with plain mahogany furniture, Edwin rose to his feet. Lianna held out her hands and turned her cheek for his kiss.

  She noticed how handsome Edwin looked with his elegant blue woolen coat and trousers. His golden hair was pale from days at sea, his skin burnished like teak. She had gradually grown more civil to him, but there was still a stiff formality between them.

  She sat down facing Edwin, who moved his chair closer. “I have an appointment soon. There’s so much business to take care of in selling the Eagle’s cargo.”

  “I hope you’re getting good prices.”

  “They’re excellent. And as soon as Dr. Quenten says you can go out, I’ll take you for a ride in my new carriage.”

  “I hope it’s soon,” she said with a lack of interest. “Lord Raven, Josh’s father, wants to see me,” she said. “I don’t know whether to see him or refuse.”

  “You might as well see him and find out what he wants,” Edwin said, wondering about the latest turn of events.

  “I suspect he wants to see his grandson, and I’m not sure he deserves to.”

  “Let the past alone, Lianna. Hatred serves no good purpose.”

  She looked up sharply, and he frowned. “You still hate me over your loss.”

  She shook her head and turned away. “I know you meant no harm to Josh. I’m sorry, Edwin. It’s still hard for me to accept.”

  “And you still hope,” he said bitterly.

  “I can’t stop hoping,” she said. “I’ll send word that I’ll see the duke.”

  Five days later she faced the man who had caused Josh so much misery. The duke was intimidating from the moment he swept into the living room. The family resemblance in Lord Raven’s green eyes and the shape of his jaw and cheekbones was so strong it made her hurt to look at him. How she wished it were Josh! Extremely handsome, the duke had thick white hair, and his size was formidable. She wondered how Josh had ever defied such a giant of a man. As his cold eyes seemd to bore through her, she wanted to take a step back away from him, but she refused to do so. She smiled and waved her hand. “Won’t you be seated?”

  He dropped his cloak negligently on the sofa and sat down beside it. “You’re my daughter-in-law.”

  “I didn’t think I was, since you’ve disinherited Josh and refused to claim any kinship.”

  He smiled. “You’re not afraid of me. I expected you to be.”

  “No, I’m not afraid. Perhaps I should be; I know a great deal about you.”

  He frowned and leaned forward. “I came to see my grandson. I’ve heard he’s named Phillip.”

  She had debated over and over whether to allow him to see Phillip or not, but suddenly she wanted him to see Josh’s child. She rose and tugged on the bell-pull, having left instructions earlier. In moments there was a faint rap at the closed door. Lianna crossed the room and opened the door to take the baby in her arms.

  Phillip gazed at her with wide green eyes, tugging at the lace on her dress. She carried him across the room. “Your grandson, your grace.”

  She put the child in his arms and moved away slightly.

  “He looks like a Raven. He’s a fine one,” he said, and she wanted to cry out and ask why he was so proud of this baby, yet had treated his own firstborn so dreadfully. “Look at him smile,” the duke went on.

  “I don’t know if he smiles or if it’s just a twitch of muscles,” she said.

  “He’s smiling at me,” Lord Raven said proudly. “Look at that. I’m your grandfather, Phillip.”

  Lianna was stunned to hear him talk to the baby in tones that changed rapidly from proud to wistful. He stood up and carried Phillip up and down the room.

  “Ah, he looks bright and healthy! Phillip’s namesake. Too bad you didn’t know Phillip.”

  She received another shock, wondering why the duke was so certain she hadn’t known Phillip. He glanced at her and smiled. “I see the surprise in your eyes. I’ve learned about you. You’re from Wiltshire and you married Joshua in Spain.”

  “Josh went to Chile to fight because you caused him to be unaccepted in London,” she said, the words tumbling out rapidly.

  The duke scowled. “I wondered why he chose to get involved in the conflict, but I never understood his actions.” He looked down at the baby in his arms. Phillip was tugging loose the duke’s cravat, trying to chew on the ends of white silk. Lord Raven chuckled. “Acts starved. This one won’t be unaccepted in London. Indeed not!” He handed Phillip back to Lianna. “He’s a fine boy. Thank you for allowing me to visit.”

  “Come anytime you’d like.”

  “Thank you. I’ll do that. He’s a fine baby.”

  He picked up his cloak and left. Lianna followed him into the hall while a butler opened the door.

  In an hour Edwin appeared, wanting to know about the visit. Early the next morning Lianna was summoned downstairs to find a large wooden crate had been delivered for Master Phillip Raven.

  The servants pried open the crate, and Lianna picked up a card with the duke’s name. Inside the crate was a wooden rocking horse for Phillip. When she showed it to Edwin later, he ran his hand across the glistening wood.

  “The old devil must be softening with the years. He has a soft spot for his grandson.”

  “Too bad he didn’t have one for his own son.”

  “Maybe he has regrets,” Edwin said solemnly, and she looked up.

  He moved closer, waving his hands helplessly. “I’m sorry. I did you a great injustice, Lianna, but I was so blinded by love—”

  “Don’t apologize, Edwin. We can’t undo the past.”

  “I still love you,” he said huskily, and she drew a sharp breath, moving away from him swiftly.

  “I’m sorry. My heart is elsewhere.”

  Edwin paced the solicitor’s office and swore. “El Feroz was smashed in a storm. And you can’t find out if there were survivors?”

  “Sorry, sir. No. The Chilean coast is remote.”

  “Dammit, now she may be a widow and free to wed again.”

  “Right, but it will take time to have him declared legally dead. Quite a good deal of time.”

  “I can’t wait!” Edwin wheeled and struck the top of the desk with his palm.

  “Matters of the heart tend to make one impatient—”

  “Heart!”

  “Ah, Mrs. Raven inherited quite a sizable estate. Which you handle, since she has been shut in at home awaiting the birth of her child.”

  Edwin drummed his fingers on the desk. Raven had to be tough to have survived at sea, so it was even possible the man had survived the shipwreck.

  Devon Tarpley continued, “I hope her health is better now.”

  “She’s still weak. It was a long delivery. If she requests the annulment, can we start procedures?”

  “Yes, I can try. She should write a letter stating her reasons, that she was forced into marriage against her will…”

  Edwin rubbed his jaw impatiently. How could he get Lianna to request an annulment? He squared his shoulders and said, “You’ll have the letter this afternoon if possible. What time should I return?”

  “Isn’t that hasty when she has just been through the throes of childbirth?”

  “No. We know what we want.”

  “How’s three o’clock this afternoon?”

  “Fine. I’ll be here with a letter from Mrs. Raven.”

  Edwin ran through several plans on his drive home, rejecting first one idea and then another, finally deciding on a course of action. His jaw firmed and he took a deep breath, turning his horse around toward Lianna’s.

  Within minutes after they were seated in the front parlor, she noticed his frown and asked, “What’s wrong? You look concerned.”

  “Problems of first one sort and then another,” Edwin said tersely, and stood up to walk to the windows and stare outside. She wondered about his bus
iness, knowing he had taken up lodgings in London and sent his ship out under his second in command while he remained behind to be with her.

  She wondered what could bring such a shuttered look to Edwin’s face. “My father’s estate is impoverished—is that what concerns you?”

  Edwin faced her, shaking his head. “No, Lianna. Your father’s estate is ample for your needs.”

  “Thank you for handling all the details. I couldn’t have before Phillip’s birth, and I still don’t have the inclination to do it.”

  “I’m happy to do it. It’s only right and natural.”

  “If that isn’t what disturbs you, what causes your scowl?”

  “I don’t know whether to tell you or not.”

  “Edwin!” She stared at him in surprise, thinking it was something to do with him, not her. “For heaven’s sake, what’s wrong?”

  He frowned, a muscle working in his jaw. “This will come as a terrible shock, but Josh Raven is in London.”

  The room spun briefly and Lianna felt faint. “When did he get here?” she asked, and her voice seemed to come from a great distance.

  “While I was in Portsmouth seeing about my ship.”

  Her eyes widened. “He’s been here…”

  “For over a month,” Edwin lied. “I met with him this morning.”

  Suddenly she knew why Edwin was solemn. Her feeling of foreboding deepened. She wanted to hear what he had to say, and she wanted to stop him at the same time. “And?” she prompted.

  “Lianna, I don’t know how to say this.”

  She looked down at her hands clenched in her lap and fought tears. After all this time, she had hoped and prayed that it had been El Feroz pursuing the Eagle into the storm, that Josh might have survived and come after her. And time and again she had told herself how foolish it was to hope that he could have survived a shipwreck, yet each night she prayed for his safe return. And now…

  “He doesn’t want to see you—or Phillip,” Edwin said quietly.

  “I can’t believe it!” She clenched her hands while her heart seemed to stop beating. She hurt, a long, aching pain that started in her heart, and she wondered if she would ever be free of it again. “I have to hear him say it,” she said, unable to believe Edwin, momentarily wondering if it were some of his deceit again, yet what would he gain? She wouldn’t have known about Josh if Edwin had kept quiet.