JULIA WAS AMAZED at the simple beauty of Simone's home. Surely she had taken enough booty to live in opulence, but chose instead to live no more than comfortably and simply. Julia had been to Martinique on dives many times. Now, surrounded by its former unspoiled natural beauty, she felt like she was seeing it for the first time. A beautiful, undisturbed haven. The red-roofed, distinctly Caribbean home was graced by a large front porch and nestled in a grove of tropical trees. To protect it from the seasonal tropical storms and occasional hurricane, each window was adorned with heavy tan shutters. With nowhere else to go, Julia took a leisurely stroll through the brick-lined gardens surrounding the house.
"Would you wish to see Faucon's children?" Joaquin's voice asked as it broke into Julia's thoughts. "They are very beautiful."
"I didn't see any children at dinner," Julia said.
"Too big for dining room," Joaquin smiled. "Come."
Julia followed Joaquin along a path and was surprised when they entered a long low building with a red roof matching the one on Simone's home. Joaquin struck a match and a lantern illuminated a clean stable housing twelve stalls. Joaquin carried the lantern down the hay-covered floor and began pointing out each animal.
"What kind of horses are they?" Julia asked.
"Arabian. Faucon says they are the most beautiful of all horses," Joaquin answered. "They are the fleetest of foot." He stopped in front of a stall and made a clicking sound with his tongue. A moment later a large dark brown head with soulful eyes appeared over the stall door. Joaquin hung the lantern next to the stall and reached into his pocket, pulling out a chunk of something and held it out to the animal. Soft, velvet lips stroked his hand as the horse gently took the offering and chewed contentedly.
"What is that?" Julia asked.
"Sugar cane," he said as he took another piece from his pocket and handed it to her. "They like it."
Julia extended her hand and laughed as the huge animal's soft lips tickled her palm.
"This is Hercules. Someday he will be mine," Joaquin said as he reached up and stroked the side of the horse's head. "Perhaps, if you lucky, Faucon let you choose a horse also."
Julia rested her hand on Joaquin's shoulder. "Taking care of a beautiful animal such as this is a big responsibility, you know," she said. "Despite their size and strength they depend on someone like you to take care of their needs."
"Like big baby, yes?" Joaquin grinned up at Julia.
"Yes." Julia laughed again and ruffled his hair.
Simone stepped out of the darkness, leading her horse. "You know horses, Mademoiselle?"
Startled, Julia blushed when she saw Simone approaching. Her form-fitting tan pants accentuated a honed lower body. An off-white peasant blouse under a sleeveless maroon tunic fell softly over her upper body. I was definitely born in the wrong century. Clearing her throat, she said, "Not well. My parents owned horses when I was much younger."
"Perhaps you would like to go riding with Joaquin while we are here," Simone said. "I have one or two horses that do not require an expert rider."
"I know how to ride," Julia responded a little indignantly. Looking down at her dress she said, "However, I have never ridden in a dress and certainly not side saddle."
"Ah, I see. If you decide to join the boy I will see that proper clothing is found," Simone said. Turning to Joaquin she said, "Would you see that Napoleon is taken care of, s'il vous plait?"
Joaquin beamed as he took the offered reins and led Simone's horse toward its stall. Simone stood next to Julia and stroked Hercules's neck. Julia watched the quiet woman next to her and shifted from one foot to the other nervously. She wanted to say something just to hear Simone's voice again, but had no idea what to say. "You have beautiful horses," she finally managed.
"Merci. They are very good animals, but occasionally temperamental," Simone said as her hand ran along Hercules' neck. "They are like people in many ways. Proud, encouraged by praise. Quite intelligent, but do not tolerate abuse." Looking at Julia, she added softly, "They must be cared for and touched with only a gentle hand."
Julia, mesmerized by the sultry softness of Simone's voice, wished desperately she could tear her eyes away from Simone, but she couldn't.
"We will be leaving here within a few days time," Simone said, her fingers running through the Arabian's mane. Finally her eyes met Julia's, lingering a moment before she spoke. "For obvious reasons I cannot take you to a British port. I will take you and Mademoiselle Longmire to another port where you will be able to find passage."
"I am not British," Julia said quickly. "I mean, my mother is, but my father is an American."
"My apologies. I simply assumed from your presence on the British ship..."
"They rescued me at sea. I...uh...fell overboard from the vessel I was traveling on."
As Simone frowned and stared at her, Julia explained. "We were caught in a storm unexpectedly and I was swept off deck," she added, hoping her story sounded plausible. There was something unnerving about the way Simone looked at her, but Julia couldn't force herself to break the eye contact. She was certain Simone would never believe the real story. Hell, she didn't believe it herself.
Several uncomfortable minutes later Joaquin rejoined them. "Napoleon is brushed and fed, mon Faucon."
Simone smiled down at the boy and wrapped an arm around his slender shoulders. "Then perhaps we should return to the house and get some rest."
When they entered the main house it was quiet. Joaquin looked around the downstairs rooms quickly. "Everyone has retired," he reported.
"It has been a long day," Simone said. "A good night's sleep would do us all good. We will ride in the morning. I have business to attend to midday."
Simone and Julia followed Joaquin to his room at the top of the stairs and kissed him good-night.
"I shall have clothing made available for your ride tomorrow," she said.
"Thank you, Captain," Julia nodded. "I shall look forward to it."
Unexpectedly, Simone took Julia's hand, turned it over, and brought the palm to her lips in a soft kiss. "Sleep well, Mademoiselle," she said.
"You as well," Julia said with a smile. Her eyes caught movement at the far end of the hallway. She saw a shadow pass by the partially opened doorway of the room she was certain belonged to Simone. Esperanza. She quickly backed into her own room and closed the door as Simone proceeded down the hallway.
BEFORE RETIRING, JULIA was able to finally take a proper bath and wash her hair. A cool breeze flowing through her bedroom window lulled her to sleep immediately. When she awoke the following morning she found appropriate riding clothes lying on a chair inside her room. She dressed quickly, surprised the clothing seemed to fit fairly well and wondered if the clothing belonged to Simone. She left the main house and turned toward the stable, but was stopped in her tracks when she saw Kitty and Anton exchanging a breathtaking kiss in the side garden. She knew Kitty was attracted to the handsome young man. It appeared he was equally attracted to the outspoken Irish red-head.
Maybe this is Never-Never Land, Julia thought, and all their wishes would come true. She almost laughed out loud as she approached the stable. She decided to enjoy whatever time warp she was now living in and waved when she saw Joaquin at the far end of the paddock. As she walked along the outside of the stables and neared the entrance to the stall area, loud voices stopped her.
"Do you think I do not see the way you look at her, Simone?"
"How do you think I am looking at her, Esperanza?" Simone's voice asked. "She is my prisoner for the moment and nothing more."
"Your eyes tell me something different. You desire her."
"Would you fault me for noticing a beautiful woman? I have not been unfaithful to you, but you do not own me. You do not have the right to presume to tell me what I should or should not do!"
"I owe you a great debt, Simone, but will not be cast aside due to your lust for this English woman."
"I have never demanded your favor, Es
peranza, and I never will. You came to me of your own free will."
"And you were more than glad to take what I offered."
"You, too, are a beautiful woman. Would you have been less offended if I rejected you? The English woman will be gone soon. Until then you will treat her with the same respect you would any of my guests."
"Don't turn away from me, Simone," Esperanza said.
"I promised Joaquin we would take the horses out before I leave today."
"And this third horse? Is it for the new object of your desire?"
Julia flinched when she heard the sharp sound of a slap. She turned to walk away, but hadn't gotten more than a few steps when Joaquin called out to her. As she glanced back toward him, her eyes met the dark amber of Simone's eyes and she saw the angry red mark on her cheek. Simone held the reins of a beautiful chestnut out to her and Julia retraced her steps and took them with a nod. Simone didn't speak as she pulled herself into the saddle and waited for Julia. Adjusting herself in the saddle, she caught a glimpse of Esperanza in the shadows of the stable entrance.
THE REMAINDER OF the time spent at Le Repos was relatively peaceful. Once or twice Julia spotted Simone and Esperanza involved in a heated discussion and wondered if they were still arguing over her. Whenever possible Julia avoided the two women, spending the majority of her time with Joaquin. She was uncomfortable with the way Simone looked at her, but anticipated those times with a guilty pleasure nonetheless. On the other hand, the way Esperanza looked at her made her wish she were wearing a Kevlar vest to protect her from the daggers the woman's eyes threw her way. Despite her attraction to Simone, she was not a home wrecker and refused to become one now, even if it was another century, and quite probably nothing more than a dream.
Simone insisted Joaquin study every day and Julia was more than glad to serve as his temporary instructor, always careful not to bring anything from the future into their discussions. They collected shells along the island's beaches and Julia identified each species for him, explaining that she grew up on the Virginia coast and received her knowledge from her father. In truth, Talbot Blanchard hated the ocean and never understood his youngest child's career choices, let alone her sexual ones.
Chapter Eight
LOW HANGING CLOUDS of fog rose from the floor of the thick tropical forest surrounding Le Repos as Simone made her way into the stable area. Her time away from the sea was passing much too quickly. She had already announced to the captains of her ships that they would be leaving Martinique and sailing westward within a few days. As she reached Napoleon's stall she looked into the animal's large, gentle brown eyes and stroked his neck. Riding Napoleon always calmed her and she needed the time to think. Or perhaps just an hour or so not to think at all. Just enjoy time alone without distractions.
Simone should have enjoyed the time spent at her home on Martinique, but her time there was marred by too many external events. She knew she was partially to blame for the discontent. If she hadn't arrogantly felt the need to kiss Julia Blanchard the day she seized the Viper and then compounded her blunder by taking the woman as her prisoner, she could have avoided Esperanza's jealousy. A smile made its way across her lips as she threw a saddle over Napoleon's broad back. The English woman was attractive. But Simone did not foresee either the feelings the brief kiss created within her or the subtle acceptance she felt from Julia. Unwilling to admit her actions were deliberate, Simone knew they had needlessly, and perhaps recklessly, forced her in close proximity to her captive on more than one occasion.
During the week Le Faucon de Mer was anchored off shore on Martinique, two additional ships joined her, one a newly captured British sloop, the Northumberland. Simone met with the men appointed as captains of her ships twice before she announced they would be leaving Martinique and sailing westward. Her time on Martinique would soon come to an end and she hadn't yet named one of her crew to captain the Northumberland. As she mounted Napoleon and settled comfortably on the saddle, she knew she should choose Henri Archambault, but something was keeping her from it. There was only one person she believed she could trust with the new ship. Archambault would be upset, but he wouldn't argue with her decision. He would get the next ship as soon as they took one. She ducked her head as she lightly tapped Napoleon's sides and moved toward an enclosure near the paddock area.
JULIA STEPPED ONTO the porch of Le Repos and breathed the warm, moist air deeply into her lungs. She had slept well and lazed in the comfortable bed for nearly an hour before finally getting dressed. The sun was barely at the top of the trees and the early morning dew which accumulated on the greenery and gardens surrounding the house still clung to the vegetation, awaiting the sun to evaporate it. As she left the porch and strolled through the gardens, inhaling the scent of the blossoms around her, she caught sight of a horse and rider leaving the stables. She watched Simone, sitting astride her favorite horse, adjusting the stirrups while the horse ambled slowly away. Julia walked partway down the brick path leading from the main house to the stables to a rough-hewn bench. She took a seat, admired how elegant Simone looked as she patted the horse's neck. She would have sworn Simone was talking to the animal when they moved toward an enclosed ring. Simone leaned down from the saddle, opened the gate to the enclosure and guided the horse inside. She sat erect in the saddle for a moment in the center of the ring, then nudged Napoleon forward. A gentle trot changed into a skipping step, replaced moments later by a side step. The horse's hooves kicked up small puffs of dirt as he moved effortlessly around the paddock. Simone seemed to be motionless and simply along for the ride.
While she watched, Julia tried to reconcile the woman she was seeing now with the woman who was the captain of a ship whose purpose was to attack and plunder other vessels. She was a soft-spoken woman, vibrantly sensual, yet a woman who didn't hesitate to kill. In reality, the elegant lifestyle Simone led was funded by her success as a thief. She had murdered a man to attain her position, if what Joaquin said was the truth. It all seemed incongruous with the woman Julia now observed. Simone was polite and courteous, unsettlingly charming, but certainly did not appear to be a vicious killer. Yet Julia had seen her murder two men before her very eyes without a second thought. She ran a hand through her hair and stared at Simone. She couldn't deny her growing attraction. There was something inherently dangerous about the captain, yet she was inexplicably drawn to her.
AS SOON AS she stepped on board Le Faucon, Simone felt at home. She wanted to check the ship's stores and ammunition before they set sail again. The journey to Isla de Margarita was no more than three or four days, even with less than favorable winds. Most of her crew had already returned and were busily making preparations to set sail on her order. They were all sound seamen and most had been with her since she took control of the ship. Satisfied that everything was progressing adequately, she entered her cabin and began going over charts of the area they would be sailing into. A knock at her cabin door distracted her for a moment.
"Entrez," she said. Henri stepped into the cabin and she smiled when she saw him. "We will be departing in two days," she said.
"Everything will be ready," Henri said.
"Please tell Carlos he will be sailing on the Northumberland as her navigator," she instructed.
"He is a good choice."
Simone leaned back in her chair and looked at her first mate. "Anton will be her captain," she stated.
"Anton!" Henri said before he could stop himself. "He doesn't yet have the experience to captain a ship such as the Northumberland."
Simone stood and moved to stand in front of Henri and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you are disappointed Henri, but he needs this experience. The trip to Margarita will be his test. In all likelihood it will be an uneventful journey and give the crew an opportunity to know him better. He has been on board the sloop all week making preparations."
"But..."
"The next ship will be yours, Archambault. You have my word. I need you to remain here on Le Fauc
on with me for now." The look on her face told Archambault further argument would be futile.
"As you wish, mon Capitaine," he snarled. "But you are making a mistake."
"Perhaps," she shrugged. "But the decision is mine to make and my responsibility if something goes wrong." She took her seat at the desk again, adding, "Continue the preparations for leaving."
LATE THE FOLLOWING afternoon, Simone took one last ride and bid her beloved Napoleon farewell. She went over the financial matters for Le Repos with her cousin and caretaker. By evening she was satisfied all of her affairs were in order. She stepped into the garden behind the main house, stopping for a moment to light a small cigar Joaquin gave her a few days earlier. He claimed to have won it in a contest with some other boys on the island, but Simone suspected he stole it. Considering how she paid for her own way in life, she didn't press him to be more truthful. By mid-morning the next day Le Faucon and her other three stolen vessels would be leaving their home once again. During her years at sea she had done everything she set out to do without the satisfaction she once felt. It didn't, and wouldn't, bring her mother and father back to her. It wouldn't allow her to reclaim the property on Montserrat stolen from her family which eventually turned her into a criminal. And now she found herself inexplicably drawn to an exasperating English woman whose eyes and lips seemed to promise much while her behavior remained annoyingly ambiguous.
Sitting on a bench in the garden, she leaned against a tree and pulled a leg up onto the bench. Thinking it might be her last peaceful evening for a long time, she closed her eyes and tried to memorize the smell of the flowers and air around her. In the stillness she heard the sound of laughter and let her eyelids slip open far enough to look around. The laughter came from the stable behind her. Joaquin. But his was not the only laughter she heard. Pushing her body up from the bench, she puffed on the small cigar. A few minutes later she saw Joaquin dash from the stable, looking behind him at a taller figure running after him, holding her dress up to keep it from dragging the ground. Simone smiled as Julia caught Joaquin and tortured him with tickles. She hadn't heard him giggle that way since he was much younger. Julia was good with Joaquin, spending hours with him during the layover on Martinique, while seeming to avoid more contact with Simone than necessary.
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