Linna : Historical Romance (The Brocade Collection, Book 5)

by Jackie Ivie

  Cord lifted the white dress and handed it to her. He’d found it in the corner. He didn’t have to tell her. Her face had darkened. It made her more beautiful than she already was. Cord swallowed.

  “Where are my under-things?”

  “Not yours anymore, I’m afraid. I’m keeping them.”

  “What?”

  After everything he’d shown her, the shock in her voice sounded out of place. Cord tried to stop his grin before she saw it. Then he shrugged. He didn’t care what she saw. She’d been very satisfying, and very passionate, and very much a woman. She’d been enough to make him forget his life goal for a few hours. That was more than he deserved.

  “I don’t think I can move,” she whispered.

  He barely stopped the laughter. He hadn’t felt like laughing in more years than he could remember. It probably sounded in his voice. “I’ll help you.”

  Linna shoved her hair over her shoulders and faced him, holding herself to her full height. Cord didn’t move as he let his eyes rove about every bit of her. She had to be the most beautiful female in existence. He’d thought so when he first saw her portrait in the locket. Now, he knew it.

  “Turn around,” he commanded.

  “I don’t see why—”

  “It’s not yet light. You wouldn’t ruin your bargain now, would you?”

  She set her jaw and swiveled. Cord stopped the groan from sounding as he moved to fit himself to her backside. He probably shouldn’t have dressed already. He’d sated himself with her three times and still felt the stir. He shook his head in amazement. His women wouldn’t believe it. They’d probably double their efforts if he told them of it though. He put an arm around Linna and lifted her against him. Beyond a gasp, she didn’t struggle.

  “You smell wonderful.”

  “I need a bath.”

  “Don’t have one yet. Please?”

  “Your night is almost over, Raoul.”

  “Don’t you know what this smell is?” Cord crushed her to him and inhaled deeply of her hair.

  “You’re barbaric! This is – put me down!”

  Cord had her in his arms and buried his nose between her breasts, moving the flesh out of his way. “You’ve so much to learn. How can I get you to understand if you hold me to my bargain?”

  “Not again, please. I’m too sore. Please?”

  “I should go find a preacher, make you mine, then keep you in my bed day in and day out. That’s what I should do.”

  This time, he got more than her gasp as she cried out. “We made a bargain. We did. I kept my part.”

  “I...didn’t convince you otherwise?”

  “You’re—it was...I’ve been—this is ridiculous. You can’t possibly mean—”

  “I may not be able to keep to my part of this bargain, Linna. You’re too desirable. Can’t you tell that?”

  “What? You’re insatiable!”

  “Not really. I’m just desperate. You opened up heaven and now you’re locking me out. I have only a few minutes to plead my side. I’m not doing it very well.”

  “Oh yes, you are.”

  Cord lifted his head. From the span of inches, she met his eyes and smiled slightly. “I can’t say I didn’t enjoy what you did, Raoul. I may...it will be...I, uh...let’s just say, I was hasty when I bargained what I bargained.”

  She lifted her hands and pushed the hair from his face. Then while holding his head, she moved to kiss him. He was amazed he kept the shudder inside until she pulled away from him.

  Bottomless, whiskey-tinged eyes held his. Cord felt the strangest twinge in the depths of him, almost like when he’d pulled a muscle, only sharper and sweeter. His eyes widened.

  “Let’s just say, I’ll think about it. Fair?” she asked.

  “Will you still bathe?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You can’t be serious. I smell like—I feel like—well, quite frankly, I reek. That’s how I feel.”

  “You smell like me, Linna. It’s the smell of lovers. Us. Combined. Don’t you see?”

  She was blinking rapidly. Cord couldn’t believe it. He was making her cry?

  “I thought you weren’t very good with words,” she whispered.

  He gripped her to him until she protested in his ear. He lifted his head to listen.

  “The sun is almost up, Raoul. I can’t be found here. I have to prepare.”

  “For what?” he asked.

  She giggled. “Our wedding. Remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. That.”

  “You still want to, don’t you?”

  “Of course,” he answered, setting her back down and shaking her dress out. “You don’t have much time. It’s almost five. I’ve arranged for the carriage.”

  “When will you come for me?” she asked.

  “Soon enough. I have things to see to. I wasn’t planning on gaining a wife last night.”

  She slid the dress over her head and put her arms through the sleeves. They weren’t staying up very well. “Oh. I remember,” she told him, holding the straps up with crossed arms. “You tore it.”

  “I did?”

  “Last night. When you...you—well, you’re very impatient.”

  “We’ll buy more.”

  “You aren’t planning on tearing all my clothes from me, are you?”

  The teasing glint was back in her eye. Cord winked. “I might. Would it bother you unduly?”

  “It’s rather wasteful. And I hate waste.”

  “Change your opinion. Come along. I haven’t got all day to wait to carry you.”

  “I can walk,” she answered, taking a step in a cautious fashion.

  Cord swooped her up. He told himself it was due to necessity. He didn’t want her to be seen yet. He didn’t want her checking their surroundings. She felt wonderful. He was already feeling like he was wearing skin that was too tight and clothing that bound him in place.

  He wasn’t about to admit to any of it.

  He’d lived ten years in hell. Nothing resembling love and compassion survived. He knew it. They all did. He was actually surprised his arms trembled. He told himself it was due to lack of sleep and made himself believe it.

  One thing was certain, he’d earned Fletcher’s gold. He put her in the carriage, looked sidelong at her driver, Blight, and shut the door. Then he turned back. He had to get out of these clothes. He had to get back to the ship. He had everything else packed and ready. He didn’t look back.

  Linna was almost asleep again when the carriage halted. She wondered how she was going to sneak back into her room without Rhea or Drake catching her. She didn’t think she could walk. She should have asked Raoul for the cloak, she decided, holding to her straps. She scooted to the door.

  “What’re we stopping here for? We was told to take her to Main and make her walk. She’s supposed to be seen. That won’t happen here. She’ll look just like one of them doxies.”

  “We’re stopping because there’s some plans that are being seen through, and some that’s being changed. That’s why we’re stopping.”

  “What? Why wasn’t I told?”

  “And we’re stopping because I had a rough night. We all did. I’ve got a hankering. And she’s going to see to it. I’m going to have her, too. Why should our friend get all the goodies, huh? We earned it, too. Besides...she’s ruined. That’s what was paid for, wasn’t it? Well?”

  Linna heard the voices and found her legs really did have the capability of moving. She slid back to the far wall as the door opened. A man with the most pocked face she’d ever seen leered at her. Then he turned back to the smaller man hovering at his side. Linna didn’t take her eyes from them. Over their heads, she could tell they weren’t anywhere near Rhea’s house. It looked more like the ocean-front lay beyond them. It smelled like it, too.

  “Fletch won’t like this. He don’t like his plans changed. He won’t like it. Nope. He won’t. Not a-tall.”

  “Shut up, Birdie. Guard the door. I’ve an itch to scratch. Besides, Fletch will ne
ver even know, will he?”

  “Oh, he’ll know. He knows everything. I’m going to make certain of it, too. I’ll tell him. He’ll reward me.” The smaller man bobbed his head as he spoke, reminding Linna of a baby bird.

  “You tell him and I’ll say Cord wanted it.”

  “Cord? He’ll have your neck. I’ll watch. He will. I’ll tell him, too.”

  “Why would you tell him, when you’re going to get a turn, too?”

  Linna’s eyes widened. Her heart was hammering in the same tempo as her pulse, making it hard to hear.

  “I am? Well...that changes things. Yep, it does. It changes them an awful lot. It does.”

  “You touch me and I’ll scream,” Linna said. She knew they were near the wharf. She could hear the sounds about them.

  “Screams have a way of being ignored in this part of the world, lass. You should-a thought of that a-fore you let our Cord ply you.”

  Linna hadn’t seen any sign of a rope or cord. If she had, she’d be using it. “My husband-to-be will see you both hanged.”

  “Husband? Did you hear that, Birdie? Husband. Ha, ha.”

  He wasn’t laughing when he said it. Linna looked about for a weapon. She had nothing. The door was still open though. She screamed, startling both of them. Linna screamed again. The scarred man lunged for her, but he was too slow. Linna kicked at him, holding her dress together with both hands and yelling at the same time.

  “Help me! Somebody! Help!”

  Somebody had heard. She could tell by the little man’s reaction. Linna didn’t stop however. She kept screaming.

  “She’ll bring the soldiers with that screech! Come, Blight! Leave her!”

  The little man was running away, the scarred man on his heels. Linna bowed her head and shook as she watched the scalding trail of tears blot her dress. Why would there be tears? She didn’t cry. She never cried. She wasn’t going to cry for any reason or for anyone. Ever.

  “What’s this, young lady? You need help?”

  Linna caught the sob and looked up into her brother’s face.

  “You! What are you doing here?”

  Since they said it in unison. That would have been amusing if Linna wasn’t shaking with the relief and emotion. She wiped at any remaining tears as he put his hands on his hips and blew out a sigh.

  “Well, look. If it isn’t Linnette Daniels, in all her grown-up glory. Color me surprised. You’ve turned into a beauty.”

  “I always was,” she replied. Her voice was still trembling, but she didn’t feel any further tears. That was a relief.

  “Only my little sister would be fighting off admirers in pre-dawn like the cheapest doxie. You gave as good as you got, I trust?”

  “Of course. I’m a Daniels,” she replied, lifting her chin and sliding the dress straps back into place at the same time.

  He grinned. “Well said. So...what are you doing here?”

  “Well, I—I was attending a ball...and I over-stayed my welcome.” She stammered through the words. As lies go, it wasn’t a very good one. And she was a pathetic liar.

  He looked her over, then shook his head. “Ryan will have their heads. And yours. Remind me of that story when you try to pass it off to him, will you? He doesn’t take to lies as easily as I do.”

  “It’s the truth, Vince. I swear. I drank too much, and next thing I know—”

  “Spare me. I haven’t got time for this, anyway. I have to get back aboard.”

  “Aboard?”

  “Shipping back to the island of Nouvelle Larroque. Got me a big plantation job. Big pay. Lots of opportunity. The wife likes me, too.” He winked at her. “She likes me a lot.”

  “I’ll bet. She probably won’t like your visits to bawdy houses, will she?”

  “Bright girl. No wonder Mother sighed over you.”

  “Uh, Vince...there’s something you probably should be told. Mother...well, she—” Linna began, only to be interrupted.

  “I haven’t the time for family reunions! Weren’t you listening? We ship out at first tide.”

  “But—”

  “I’ll be late. They won’t hold the ship, either.”

  “You won’t even see me home? How chivalrous.”

  “To the Daniels plantation? Do I look stupid? Ryan will shoot me on sight. Or, I might shoot him. Either way, it’s too far.”

  Linna winced. “Not there.”

  “No?” he prompted, lifting his brows.

  “I’m staying...in town. I’d rather be disowned than go with him.”

  “If I called you bright, I was mistaken.”

  “Well, you did it and didn’t come to much harm.” Linna thrust out her jaw.

  “I’m a man. I have avenues open to me that you don’t. Speaking of which, you aren’t...employed, are you?”

  Linna rolled her eyes. “Do I look like a fancy girl to you?”

  He looked her up and down. “I probably should have fought them over your honor, I suppose. I failed at being a son and then at being an older brother. Lucky me. Have you got a cloak, at least?”

  She shook her head.

  “Take mine. I haven’t time to see you home, but I’ll find you a driver.” He untied it and tossed it at her. Then he stepped back and turned his head to call out. “You there!”

  “Can’t you, at least, see me back to St. Charles Avenue?”

  He turned back and his eyebrows lifted again. “You staying in the Faubourg Ste. Marie? The new section? I take back my comments over any lack on your part. Shows ingenuity, spirit, and a good sense of avarice. Good girl. Make him pay for everything. Start an account at the bank. Don’t spend any of your own funds. Did I leave anything out?”

  “I’m staying with Rhea,” she replied.

  The cloak was heaven-sent, she decided, pulling it close about her. Vincent was more than nine years her senior, she hadn’t seen him in years, yet she still recalled his scent. Linna breathed deeply, then looked up.

  “With Drake Taggett? What kind of fool would send you there? The man’s a lecherous snake. His reputation bars him from several of the finer houses of um...well, I’ll leave that to just lie there. You couldn’t possibly be staying with him, and I can’t possibly be standing here talking about whores with my little sister. This is a strange morn. I have to go. My ship’s sailing and I’ve little enough time. Here. Here’s a Gilbert silver. All right. Two. See her to the Taggett house. Do you know the one?”

  He spoke outside her carriage, then stuck his head back in. “You appear to be in luck, Lin. He may know the house. ‘Pink paint and lots of fancy iron scrollwork?’ he asks.”

  She nodded.

  “Good enough. Try to stay away from the docks, Linna. The men here aren’t your type. I should know. I’m one of them.” He tossed his hat back on his head and grinned.

  “Vince, wait!”

  He stopped the motion of shutting the door and waited. Linna put her hand on his. “It’s not what it looks, honest. I wouldn’t do that to the Daniels name.”

  He looked her over. “Right. Nobody with eyes would believe that, Linnette Marie. Running about the docks in the early morning with very little clothing on? And completely unaccompanied? If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.” He shook his head. “Stay away from these kinds of men. Promise me.”

  “I was with my fiancé,” she answered.

  “Fiancé, eh? Anyone I know?”

  “His name is...Raoul. Raoul Larroquette.” Despite her every effort, Linna blushed through the name.

  Vincent’s eyebrows rose. “Larroquette, eh? Small world. Does he live on Nouvelle Larroque, too? Never mind this! I haven’t the time and if I miss my ship, I’ve lost my pay and a very fancy girl, if I do say so, myself. Raoul, you say?”

  She nodded.

  “Never heard of him. Tell the man to take better care of his property. I’ve got to run. Say hello to Rhea and the lads. Give my love.”

  He had the door shut before she could answer and Linna slumped back aga
inst the cushions. She hadn’t told Vince about the family troubles, but that was the least of hers at the moment.

  She still had to sneak back into the Taggett house.

  CHAPTER NINE

  She had her pathway to the house ready in her mind before they arrived. As it was past dawn and all the staff was about, it took every bit of her ingenuity to sneak through the ironwork gates and to her room. Only the midwife saw her from the street and that only because she looked out the window at the wrong moment.

  Linna shrugged the woman’s censure off. She already knew what Rhea’s midwife thought of her - what everyone did. It wasn’t going to bother her another moment. She was escaping! She had a fiancé who was purchasing a special license and readying for their journey. Rhea would certainly be surprised, and that was before seeing him! As would her husband, Drake-the-snake. Linna closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before sliding further along the wall, using the shadow of the upper balcony as well as hiding from the height. It was a good thing she was in a room off the servant stair. They wouldn’t have that door locked.

  I’m free! she told herself again.

  All she had to do was ready herself for his arrival. And rest. Linna sighed in relief as she gained her room and crossed to the bed. She hadn’t gotten much sleep. She could order a bath and sustenance for later. Raoul probably wouldn’t come for her before noon. She’d give him that much time.

  Linna yawned as she watched the ceiling. She wouldn’t sleep the entire time. She’d wake before he came, she’d pack. She’d have everything ready so he wouldn’t have to wait. She knew how to be the perfect wife. Raoul would have no complaints.

  She certainly didn’t. Linna hugged herself again, lay on her pillows, and didn’t remember sleeping.

  “Linna? Are you there? You’ve been asleep all day. We would have awakened you earlier, but I told everyone to let you sleep. May I come in?”

  Linna jerked awake. She didn’t know what time it was - surely past noon. She rubbed at her eyes as she sat. She wasn’t in her ball gown anymore. She was in one of her nightgowns, buttoned to the chin, and tucked in her bed. She wondered when that had happened.