“I promise I'll not do anything foolish,” she stated simply.
“Good,” he said, and he lifted the dagger from Grant's throat.
Fara glanced at Grant. She knew he had a plan, but she did not know what it was. She knew that in order for them to survive, they would have to separate the men. Grant could most likely handle two men, but not three. She needed to get Nicholas away from the others somehow. Grant would hate her plan, but she had to do it.
“Why are you doing this, Nicholas? There's no reason to kill Grant or anyone else. Leave them out of this. Really, all you want is me.” She sighed. “If you cut these bonds, I'll go willingly.”
“You don't mean that. You haven't until now.” With an inquiring eyebrow, he looked at her closely. “Why would you succumb? To save your family and him?”
“Partly, yes.”
“And?”
“And I understand the need for revenge. I did, after all, humiliate you.” She played up to his ego.
He remained quiet for a moment, studying her face. Fara hoped her words conveyed sincerity.
“Well, then,” he said, putting his arm around her. “Messieurs, let the man go. But, do what you must. I have somewhere else to be.” He led her off as swiftly as he had kidnapped her family.
* * * *
Grant grimaced. That took care of part of the problem, but he would have to worry about what Nicholas was capable of and as far as he knew, there were no limits. As the men cut his bonds, he swung around and deftly took one man's rapier while leaving him with a bloody nose. Knowing he was no match for a pistol, he ran behind a vendor cart, ducking to avoid the shot.
“You will pay for that.”
The man whose nose was bloodied stood in front of him. He was either mad or stupid for he carried no other weapon. Then another shot rang out and a blood stain on the man's shirt appeared and rapidly grew. He fell to the ground.
Grant shook his head in disbelief and ducked down. For a man to kill his own comrade was serious business. If he didn't find some way to gain an advantage he'd end up the same, with a hole through the center of his chest. No doubt, at this very moment the ruffian hurried to ready his pistol.
Grant heard cautious footsteps approaching from behind the cart and he tensed, poised to fight. He sprang from his position when the man came close. Eric pulled up, rapier in his grasp. Grant gasped in surprise. “Eric…I nearly killed you! Why are you here?”
“Maitre, I assumed when you came to me there was much more to worry about than a mere priest. I thought you might have need of my assistance.” He gestured to the man with the pistol, who lay dead on the street several feet away.
So Eric had killed the other one with his sword. It wasn't the first time the man had saved his life. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Oui, oui. Many thanks, mon ami. I need your help. You must go to the house and release Madame Devereux and my son. I assume they are bound up. The servants are there as well. Then find a safe location for them and I will try to meet up with you later.” He frowned. “Fara is in danger…”
Eric nodded. “It will be done, Capitaine. Go and save the woman you love.”
“Merci, my friend.” He scoured the streets in a panic. Nicholas would have taken her at a safe distance from the Devereux dwelling so that if the authorities did learn of his intent, he could not be found. Grant rushed on to find her, hidden in the relenting darkness.
* * * *
“I am amazed at you, Fara, constructing that story just to save the man you love,” he said as he loosened her bonds.
“What?”
“You think I would believe that? You must think I'm an idiot.”
“Perhaps only to think you can pull this charade off and not be caught.”
“I think enough bribes will work. Money solves a lot of problems. It is how the world is run.”
“The world is wrong then.”
“Perhaps that is so, but now you are stuck with me, condemned to a life with a man who desires you, but mostly wants your dowry.”
She heard his rapid breathing from behind; he disgusted her. When he threw the rope aside, she turned and kneed him in the groin. It worked once, but there'd been three of them. If he'd not anticipated she'd attempt this move again when there was only one, then he proved himself the idiot she thought him to be. Fara turned and ran down the hill, tripping through her skirts.
“Bitch! It doesn't matter how far you run. I will still go back and kill your fiancé, you know!”
She gasped. There was no one to help her now and Grant was trying to fight off Nicholas' accomplices. He would not see it coming! Grant would be hurt and she certainly couldn't let him be killed because of her. Her heart constricted in her chest. She halted in her run and saw Nicholas coming toward her. “No!” she screamed and threw herself against him. They hit the ground rolling and the dagger pierced her thigh. Fara stiffened in shock, but grasped it firmly. He had lost his hold on it when they had tumbled.
“Bitch,” Nicholas muttered through clenched teeth.
The dagger still lay in her hand. As he made a slight movement to throw her off, she lifted it to his throat. “Don't move or you may never see the light of day again.”
“Fara, you do not learn. You cannot always carry empty threats. You see, there is nothing to lose.”
“Nothing? What about that money you wanted so badly?”
“There is surely your presence in the package and my estate is sufficient enough.”
“You will not have me.” She sighed, but didn't ease off. “You attempted to kill the man that I love, you threatened my well-being, my family's well-being...you proceeded to compromise my child's safety. You deserve to die by my own hand.”
“Do it and be done with it.”
She hesitated above his throat. “You are not worth it. You deserve so much more. You deserve to live so that everyone will know of your cowardice, what a conniving bastard--”
“Witch,” he muttered, his eyes flashing, and another blade came into view.
How had he had two of them? She'd seen it in time; with an outstretched hand, she gripped his wrist to avoid the coming blow aimed at her side. She struggled to fight Nicholas off, but her strength was failing and he was quickly overpowering her. She lost her grip on the first dagger and brought her free hand up to assist the other. The blade turned in both their grasps to an unknown direction. It could hit either of them anywhere. “No.” She gasped, afraid of losing her life but more for the prospect of never seeing Grant or Gabriel again.
Within seconds, the dagger hit its destination. A low oath and footsteps sounded behind her but she could only see the emptiness in Nicholas' eyes and the spreading stain of blood over his heart.
Shaken, she rolled off of him, and lay still, closing her eyes. The scrape of a footstep and a voice could be heard. She then felt the pain suddenly taking over and she shuddered. Warm arms pulled her close, familiar arms...Grant's arms. Her eyes fluttered open and Grant held her across his lap.
“My love,” he rasped, kissing her knuckles. “You are hurt,” he said, inspecting the wound on her thigh.
“I fear I'll have a terrible scar. Will you still want me after I am healed?”
“Oh, every day of my life.”
“I am bleeding all over you.”
He looked down at her, laughter dancing in his eyes. “Do not be concerned by that.”
“I feel outside of myself. It's such an odd feeling. Grant, should I not make it...”
“Oh, nonsense. We'll have none of that talk.” He hauled her roughly into his arms and proceeded to walk forward as he carried her.
“But...the wound is immense.”
“It's a scratch. You'll heal in no time.”
“Were you worried for me, Grant?”
“You silly girl...of course I was worried. You're brave, ma chère. I am proud of you.”
She sighed, grimacing because of the pain. “Grant?”
“Oui?”
“Do I deserve
to know how you feel about me?”
“You most certainly do. I'm in love with you, Fara Bellamont, and I would like for you to be my wife because I know we'll both be happy. After all, Gabriel needs a strong name to protect him.”
Her heart soaring, she grinned against his throat. “And of course he needs his father very much.”
“Oui, I imagine he does.”
“Oh, did I mention what his mother needs?”
“No, you did not. Enlighten me, chère.”
“Gabriel's mother gets lonely sometimes. She needs someone to give her pleasure, to understand her, and even to be her companion at times.”
“Gabe's mother needs a husband...”
“Not just a husband. Gabe's mother definitely needs his father.”
“Ah. We'll have to see what can be done about that.” And before she could protest further, his lips were greedily sipping hers and she felt lost in the moment. Despite her agony, desire stirred within her and she moaned against his lips.
“Grant,” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“You know I cannot make love with you in my obvious predicament.”
“You are quite right. The task requires abstinence, I think, for a few days. And then I shall be most careful of your wound whilst I love you until we're both sated like animals.”
“That sounds decadent,” she murmured as her vision clouded and her head spun.
“Oui,” he agreed.
Fara smiled and then the world went dark.
* * * *
When she came to, she was annoyed by the bright light above her. Her vision gradually came into focus and she could see that she was in the cabin, tucked away in Grant's bed. She lifted the sheet from her naked body to peer at the bandage covering her upper thigh. It felt binding, but she had no doubt of the doctor's expertise. Besides, it was a mere surface wound from a dagger.
She sighed and nestled deeper into the bedclothes. Fara glanced around the cabin to find Grant's long form upon the settee and she smiled. He was magnificent, even in sleep. When he stretched while dreaming, a shirt button came undone to reveal a cord of muscle with a light covering of hair. She longed to reach out and touch him. She was too familiar with his body. It was a wonder she hadn't forgotten anything about him in four years’ time. A knock came at the door. Fara cleared her throat. “Entré!”
Eric appeared in the doorway. “Petite!” he exclaimed excitedly, approaching her. “You are looking well and awake long before the captain--”
“No, m'ami. I'm merely resting...” Grant yawned and stretched prodigiously. He then stood to advance upon them. “But, you are quite right. Our patient is looking well. How about some breakfast, Eric?”
“Oui, Capitaine. I think the petite needs a little nourishment.” He turned on his heel to exit the cabin.
“I believe he's right. It may put more color in your cheeks. Why are you looking so, chère? You look betrayed. What is going on? Are you not well?”
A thought had just occurred to her and she'd not realized she could be that transparent after so many years. She tried for a smile, but failed. “Of course I am much better, Grant. However, I did not expect to find myself on your ship.”
“There was a distinct possibility that persecution might have come to your good name. I'll not remind you that you killed a man...in self-defense, of course. I couldn't have predicted any of it, but I assumed that we would have to leave quickly in the case of something like that.”
“But, I could have worried about that...”
“I expected you to...but you were indisposed, if you remember. And, we had planned to escape, if necessary,” he reminded her.
“Oui, and what of the other two men that were with Nicholas?”
“I fought them off when you lured Monsieur Bordeaux away. Unfortunately, they're both dead, one being shot by his comrade, the other killed by Eric, who saved my hide.”
She nodded, knowing he was competent at fighting. “And my...our family?”
“Well, as you put it, our family is just fine. There is no need to worry. Eric was intuitive enough to realize something was wrong and came to help. He brought them onto the ship. Gabriel is staying in Eric's cabin and Lina... er, Madame Devereux is currently occupying physician's quarters. All is well. Rosalie and Pierre are also aboard. There is even a priest here to wed us as soon as we request it. Lina, however, had something to say of this temporary arrangement. That one's a pure nuisance. She seems to think I'm not competent enough to run the ship or to care for her niece. What gave her that idea?”
She giggled, reaching for his hand. “Grant, you must understand. I was already two months with child and you'd been gone for a while when Lina began to take care of me. Ma tante, was always cursing your good name as if you completely had a hand in it. You must try to be patient with her. She doesn't hate you. She is glad you are here, and that we are to be wed, but it is difficult for her to get past her resentment toward you for abandoning me...” When he opened his mouth to protest, she went on. “I'm sorry...those are her words, not mine.”
He sat down on the mattress and gathered her into his arms. “She thinks I had a hand in it? Well, I did.”
“But, not completely.”
“No, you very nearly seduced me with your innocent charms.”
She grinned. “I cannot be that bad, Grant. After all, I carried your child to term. I did not give him up.”
“No, you did not. And, of course, you are not all that bad. Fara, you are good and I'll never know what you saw in me.”
“See...what I see in you,” she corrected urgently, sliding her fingers up his arm to cup his face. Taking his chin in her grasp, she brought his face down near her own and kissed him with all of her heart. “Mmm,” she murmured, pulling back to look at him, her eyes searching. “And I will never know what you see in me.”
“Oh, everything, chère. Everything...because I love you.” And then his lips found hers, seeking and demanding in their own way, and she knew everything would be all right now that she had a family...her soon-to-be husband, their son, and even a loving, if somewhat overbearing, aunt. Then suddenly Grant pulled away and a mischievous smile lit his eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat. “What is it?”
“I have a surprise for you. I figured you would want it with you.”
“Oh?”
“Oui.” He untangled himself from her and went across the room to a lamp table, where a lavender velvet-covered box sat. He picked it up and brought it to her, sitting on the mattress beside her once more.
The white ribbon that was wrapped about it felt like satin falling through her fingers as she untied it. When she lifted the lid and grasped the perfect white fabric inside, her eyes filled with tears. She recognized the embroidery and the pearl beading on the white gown. It was her mother's dress, the heirloom she was meant to have for her own wedding. She had forgotten about it since it had been tucked away all of those years while living with Lina. “Oh, Grant. How…?”
“I had Eric go back to fetch it last night. We'll send for the rest of your wardrobe later.”
The gift, even though it hadn't been purchased, meant more to her than any bauble he could ever offer. Her feelings of gratitude were beyond words as she leaned over to kiss him. As he pulled her close, her mind reeled with thoughts of the future.
Now she could be with her whole family; now she felt complete. They were traveling to another land... another world that might accept them, perhaps even to New Orleans, where she knew her uncle had provided a property of plantation as her dowry as well as the money. It couldn't get much better than that. And Grant would always be the man she loved...it would never end, even if her belly became filled with child again, which was absolutely certain to happen if Grant continued to love her as he did. But, it was not as if she minded. No, not at all.
About the Author
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty
years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands.
At the tender age of nine, she began writing stories. Her imagination fueled a lot of her early child’s play. Even growing up, she entered writing contests and received a certificate for achieving the second round in one. She majored in Creative Writing in college because that was all she ever wanted – to be a writer. While there, she published two works in a university publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student journal. After graduating from college, she sought out her dream to publish a book.
Since then, Marie has published sixteen other books. Marie Lavender’s real love is writing romances, but she has also written mysteries, literary fiction and dabbled a little in paranormal stories. Most of her works have a romantic element involved in them. Upon Your Return is her first historical romance novel.
Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Acknowledgments
Ten years is a long time, especially when you’re an unpublished author. But, no matter how long this project took, both in writing and perfecting, I have eternal gratitude for so many people.
I owe thanks to the moral support of my family.
I am so grateful for my fiancé. Without his love, constant support and the occasional push, I’m not sure where this journey might have ended up.
I have to offer my gratitude to the Romance Writers Critique group on Yahoo. Those girls (and guys, I’m sure, because I want to be politically correct) are so helpful, and they took time out of their busy schedules to help me polish my manuscript.
And thanks to Solstice Publishing for taking a chance on a girl from Indiana. You are so great!
Other Solstice Books that might be of interest
THE SCALES OF SIX
Upon Your Return Page 29