Pure Temptation

by Auria Jourdain

  “Yes, sah.”

  Walking down the hall, Talon knocked on Talia’s door. “Talia, love? Are you ready?” He rapped again with no answer, frowning. Was she still in the tub?

  Maybe Lafitte has seen her.

  He rapped on the door next to hers. “Lafitte?” Nothing. His heart plummeted to his stomach, fear engulfing him. What if the bugger had taken her to DuPont after all?

  Returning to her room, Talon banged as hard as he could. “Blast it! Talia Montrose, open this door!”

  His ruckus produced the landlady quickly. “Mister Barberry, is anything the matter?”

  He smacked the wood with his open palm. “Yes, damn it. Talia’s gone off with that lout. I need to get in this room at once.”

  With a cluck of her tongue, the matron patted his hand. “Aye, I’ve seen it before. Mr. Lafitte is a charming fellow.” Talon glared at her. Clearing her throat, she knocked. “Miss Montrose, are ye decent?”

  Mrs. Arnold attempted to summon Talia three more times. Crossing his arms, Talon glowered at her. “Not here, is she?” Desperation poured from his soul as the woman produced a key.

  “Not to worry, dear.”

  When she released the latch, he burst past her. The bed was made, and all of Talia’s belongings were missing—everything but his trunk.

  The woman sighed. “Will you look at that? She is gone.”

  Stalking to the nightstand, Talon found a letter:

  Monsieur Barberry,

  This is to inform you I no longer have need of your services. Monsieur Lafitte has agreed to take your place and will escort me home. When you return to England, I will have Aunt Hélène forward your payment. I think 250 pounds is a fair price for completing half the job. Monsieur Taylor should be able to find you passage back to the mainland. You may tell him to take the cost from the Montrose account. I thank you for your assistance.

  Formally,

  Mademoiselle Talia Montrose

  Temptation Hall

  Clenching his fists, Talon slammed them against the wall and yelled, “Damn it all to hell!”

  Part Three:

  Forbidden

  Temptations

  Chapter 24

  “I NEED ’NOTHER.”

  Scowling at her drunken patron, Lina stood behind the counter, nursing the broken-hearted man as he sat at the bar. The smell of desperation wafted from his person... along with a whole bottle of whiskey. He’d spent the last two hours telling her his life’s tale. It was obvious he loved this Talia more than he’d ever loved another.

  Not that it surprised her. Talon Barberry always been a passionate man. Even as a child, he ran and played with zeal. The love he’d poured upon his family increased two-fold when his mother died. He’d taken care of his baby sister as if she were his own. It’s why he’d taken his brother’s rebuke and his clan’s mockery to heart.

  At least his father hadn’t cast him out.

  Like I had.

  With a heavy sigh, she wiped the bottle of scotch and set it on the shelf. She missed her family. And she’d missed him. She hadn’t realized it until she’d spoken with him.

  I could have had a good life with him.

  As he tossed his glass in her direction, she picked it up with a stern glance. “I think you’ve had quite enough, my friend.”

  Attempting to stand, he fell to the floor in a heap and moaned. Lina rolled her eyes heavenward with a sigh. Placing her cleaning cloth aside, she traversed the bar. “Dear Lord, what next?”

  She ducked under his arm. “Come, Talon. Let’s get you to your room.”

  Nodding, he used her stability to rise. His weight forced her knees to buckle as he leaned on her. Touching her hair, he slurred, “You shure look pretty thish—thish tonight.”

  Her heart pounded against her chest. Forcing a laugh, she guided him to the bannister. “You’re drunk, sir.” He plodded up the stairs, barely holding onto the handrail. She gripped the back of his shirt. “You must help me. I can’t do this by myself.”

  When she’d finally wrangled him to his door, she propped him against the wall. “Where’s the key?”

  Digging into his pocket, he produced the metal and proceeded to hand it to her. He pulled it away with a cheeky grin. And chuckled. “Come get it. I dare ya.”

  Aye, there he is. Same old Talon.

  Irritation swirled through her. Snatching the key from his hand, she unlocked the door. “In you go, you bugger.”

  Suddenly, he turned to her and stroked her cheek. Her heart began to race. As he gazed into her eyes, she was transported back to their youth, simpler times she often longed for.

  His lips whispered against her ear. “Your eyes are so beautiful, love. They turn emerald green when you’re angry, did you know?”

  Lina frowned. Suddenly, his mouth was on hers, his lips coaxing her to participate. Her knees buckled. He held her closer, stroking his tongue around her mouth. She moaned. Twining her arms around his neck, she gave in to the emotions swirling through her body.

  He broke the kiss, and she gasped. “Oh, my.”

  Closing his eyes, he whispered, “Talia, I love you.”

  With a scowl, Lina shoved away from him, the fleeting attraction gone. He crashed to the floor. Gathering her skirts, she stepped over his lifeless form and dragged him into the room by his arm.

  “Massa Talon? That you?”

  Lina whipped around. As a small colored boy sat up in bed, surprise nearly knocked her over. Surely, Talon wouldn’t keep a slave. He’d hated how the Brits treated their people and often blamed them for this barbaric practice of the colonials. At least he had.

  She gestured to the boy for help. “Mr. Barberry had too much to drink.”

  Crawling out from the covers, the boy padded across the floor in his nightshirt and helped Lina get Talon into bed. “No worries, ma’am. I’s know how to handle him.”

  Talon rolled over. “Talia, please don’t leave me.” Burying his head beneath the blankets, he began to snore.

  The boy’s eyes widened. “Sorry, ma’am. Massa don’t drink very often.”

  “No need for apologies. Talon and I have been friends for a long time.” She arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t know he owned slaves.”

  The boy squinted at her. “How you know him?”

  “We grew up together in England.”

  “Can I’s tell you a secret?” She raised her brow. He looked around conspiratorially and whispered, “I’s not his slave. I’s gonna be his son when ’dis is finished.”

  Lina smiled at the precocious child. “How old are you?”

  “Marcus, ma’am.”

  “Marcus, how old?”

  “Ten.”

  She frowned. He was only a few years older than Arden and Antonia. His accent didn’t sound like any Islander she’d met. “You’re not from here.”

  “I’s born in N’awlins, ma’am. My firs’ massa made me serve on board his ship ’til Massa Talon killed him.” Lina clasped a hand to her mouth, but Marcus waved her off. “He was evil. ’Sides, I likes my Talon. He a good man.”

  Indeed, he is.

  Sighing, she went to the door. “I’ll bring a fresh pitcher of water. Be sure he drinks it.”

  “Yes’m.” Wringing his hands in his oversized shirt, he gazed at her through lowered lashes. “Promise not to tell anyone our secret?”

  Smiling, she patted his head. No wonder Talon wanted to save this boy. It was hard not to like him. “I swear it, lad. Now, off to bed.”

  “Yes,’m.” He closed the door to their room.

  Taking a deep breath, Lina closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, attempting to gain control of her senses. Confusion settled in her heart.

  Why couldn’t she have made different choices? This evening, while reminiscing with Talon about their carefree childhood antics, it felt right. His sensuous kiss would be etched in her mind forever. No man had ever curled her toes like that, not even Robert. It had been so long since she’d felt a loving touch...<
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  Tingles danced around her lips as she remembered her first kiss. And Talon’s. A summer of innocence was lost as they’d followed her sister Holly sneaking to the brook with one of Talon’s older cousins.

  “TALON, HOLLY IS MEETING Pira again.”

  Throwing his fishing pole aside, Talon sighed. “You wanna follow them?”

  “Yes. I gotta know what they do.”

  He shook his head. “You’re too curious, Lina. Why do you care?”

  She stuffed her hands on her hips. “Because I’m sure they aren’t just gathering berries. Bring your pole. That’ll be our excuse in case they catch us.”

  Talon’s brown eyes sparkled, and he grabbed her hand. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  They hid amongst the tall grasses as Holly and Pira crossed the river to a wooden lean-to and settled beneath the shelter. At first, the lovers just talked. After an hour of sitting on their haunches, Talon grabbed his fishing pole and stood.

  “I’m leaving. This is boring.”

  Lina grabbed his hand. “Wait!”

  Suddenly, Pira kissed Holly.

  Talon swallowed. “Er, I’m not sure we should be —.”

  “Sit!” Lina pulled Talon down, transfixed. Warmth gathered at Lina’s thighs as Holly and Pira removed their clothing. They kissed. They touched. And as the lovers finished, Lina trembled, her body humming with unknown emotions. Silence surrounded them as she wrapped her arms around her knees.

  Talon stared at the river with a bizarre look plastered across his face. He sank lower into the weeds. Swallowing hard, Lina broke the silence. “They kissed...” Talon grunted, and she placed her hand on his. “They were naked. He touched her, and they—”

  Talon glanced away from her. “We shouldn’t have watched them.”

  He went to stand, but she refused to let him leave. “Is that what grown-ups do? Will we do that when we’re married?”

  “I-I don’t know,” Talon said blankly.

  “I wonder what it feels like.” Lina gazed at him. “Do you want to try it?”

  Talon’s eyes widened as he clenched his fists. “Are you daft?”

  “Just the kissing,” she said quickly.

  Glancing over the weeds, Talon sank to his haunches. “I guess we could. Just once.”

  They turned toward one another. He bent his head awkwardly. Then, he placed his mouth on hers. His lips hardly moved. After a moment, he licked her lips like Pira had done with Holly.

  Lina pushed him away. “Eww! That’s disgusting.” She pointed to the bulge at his trousers. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Blushing, Talon opened his mouth. He didn’t make a sound. In a trice, he burst up and ran away.

  TEARS FILLED LINA’S eyes as she returned to the present. They’d both grown up that day. And from then on, his attitude toward her changed. They never ran off together again nor had they shared the camaraderie like they had as children. When she’d tried to talk to him, he made every excuse to avoid her.

  Unfortunately, that incident and the distance he’d put between them had ruined their friendship—and their future. Watching her sister’s escapade had fueled her own desires, and after a few years of Talon’s silence, she went looking for another.

  Leaning against the wall, she swallowed the emotions flooding through her. It was a mistake. She should have stayed in England. Talon would have been a good husband. He was a kind, upstanding man who would have given her all the devotion in the world.

  And she could have fallen in love with him. Perhaps if she would have forced him to talk to her, she wouldn’t have wasted the last several years of her life with a worthless gadjo.

  Now, it was too late.

  GRASPING HIS TEMPLES, Talon awoke with a groan. Pain shot through his throbbing head like the hoofs of three steeds. “What in the bloody hell happened?”

  “Mornin’ sah! I’s get the shuttahs for you.” Marcus sprang up and flung the two large louvers open.

  “Dear God, lad, don’t—” Talon clamped a hand over his eyes as the bright light streamed through the window. The pain intensified, and he buried his head in the pillow.

  Oh Lord, kill me now.

  Marcus laughed. “You’s had too much whiskey las’ night. Maybe you ain’ used to the drink, sah.”

  “Enough. Just help me up, son.”

  The boy helped him dress. As he caught a glimpse of Talia’s letter on the bureau, the details of the previous evening returned. His mood soured.

  The love of his life had left him. And Lafitte went with her. He didn’t remember much after that as he’d been in his cups ever since.

  What about Lina?

  He bolted up. “I was with Miss Lina last night?” He’d poured her heart out to her. He vaguely remembered her helping him to his room. Had he kissed her? Or worse?

  “Yep. She done brought you back real late. Said you drank too much.”

  “But you put me to bed, right?”

  The boy grinned. “Yes, sah. No worries, you did right by her.”

  Relief washed through Talon. “Good lad.” The last thing he needed was to be unfaithful to Talia, even if they weren’t betrothed.

  As he threw the rest of his clothing in the empty trunk, the familiar ache of losing her pierced his heart. “Damn the woman. She even took my favorite hat.” Gazing out at the tropical trees that swayed in the breeze, he muttered a curse.

  Why couldn’t he get her emerald gaze out of his mind? She’d said she loved him. Then why did she abandon him? Nay, he hadn’t returned the sentiment, but after talking with Rousseau, he had every intention of doing so. He just hadn’t worked up the courage.

  Mayhap I should have done it sooner.

  Stroking his scruffy chin, Talon groaned. “Jesus, I’m a right bastard.”

  Marcus grabbed one end of the trunk. “Sah, we betta’ go. The boat’s gonna leave soon.”

  Sighing, Talon stuffed the oversized hat on his head. Hopefully, Rousseau had some words of wisdom. “Leave that for now. We’ll talk to the captain. He needs to know Talia isn’t with us. This changes things.”

  As they strode to the docks, he cursed his cowardice. If Talia knew how he felt, they’d be boarding the Winged Runner together, her lithe form snuggled against his hip.

  Fitz greeted him heartily from atop the quarterdeck as he ascended the gangplank. “Halo, Master Talon. Beautiful morning, aye?”

  Scowling, Talon shushed him with a hiss. “Are you daft, man? I’m supposed to be dead.”

  The first mate held out his hand sheepishly. “Sorry, chap. Where’s Miss Montrose?”

  Talon pressed his lips together. “She isn’t coming. I need to talk to Jean-Jacques.”

  Lines creased Fitz’ forehead and he nodded. “You have the helm, second.” The man led Talon and Marcus to the captain’s cabin and smiled at the boy. “Come along, Marcus. Want to be my assistant?” Marcus’ eyes lit up. As he and Fitz took their leave, Talon gave the man a grateful smile.

  He knocked on the door. Rousseau granted permission for him to enter, and he burst in. Jean-Jacques rose from his desk, his brow drawn down. “Dieu, what is going on? Where’s Talia?”

  Talon couldn’t speak. His tongue bobbed at the back of his throat, the emotional turmoil choking him. Nothing would come. Sinking into the chair, he held his head in his hands, despair filling his heart. He handed the letter to Rousseau. “She left with Lafitte.”

  Perusing the missive, the captain passed it back to Talon, cursing under his breath. “Merde. It has only been a day. Lafitte said he was going to see DuPont, and you and Talia were going to shop for provisions. What happened?”

  Talon held his palms up. “I have no clue. Lafitte took us to this dodgy inn off the main street. I wanted to treat Talia to a romantic dinner, so she went to freshen up. I meant to clean up as well, but I discovered the cook at the inn was my former betrothed. We sat for a cup of coffee for a spell and then—”

  Rousseau held up his hand, cutting off Talon’s rambling. “Did you
say your betrothed? And Talia was perfectly fine when you left her in her room?”

  Talon’s eyes narrowed. “She must have seen me with her.”

  The captain squinted at him suspiciously. “Why? Did something happen that shouldn’t have?”

  “Nay! Lina and I had coffee and talked. I might have hugged her, but she was merely relaying her bad fortune. We hadn’t seen each other in years. She’s a friend, no more.” Dread enveloped his soul. What if Talia had gotten the wrong impression? “Dear God, I’ve lost her, haven’t I?”

  Rousseau shook his head irritably. “Non, Monsieur, but we must fix this.” He pushed away from his desk. “That rapscallion Lafitte is worthless. I wish she would have come to me first.”

  Talon stood. He’d be damned if he’d let an upstart like Lafitte steal the love of his life. “I have to find her, Rousseau. I love Talia more than life itself. I never got the chance to tell her.”

  Rousseau clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, mon ami. We’ll find her. Lafitte isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks. Most likely, they found another vessel to Nouvelle Orleans.”

  “What about our marque? That was his job, remember?”

  Rousseau chewed on the end of his pipe. “It isn’t the first time this pirate has sailed without proper authority. Come, we need to leave.”

  “I have to gather our things from the inn. I’ll return within the hour.”

  “And no more.” Jean-Jacques shook Talon’s hand.

  Racing back to the inn, Talon packed the rest of their belongings. He made the bed and grabbed the trunk, locking the door behind him.

  “Talon!” Lina called from the floor below. “You’re leaving?”

  “Aye. Within the hour. We need to follow Talia.”

  He hit the landing, and Lina threw herself into his arms. Her eyes shimmered with tears. Glancing over his shoulder, she whispered, “Please take us with you. I hate it here. This might be the only chance we have to escape.”

  Placing space between them, Talon hesitated. Hadn’t he screwed things up already? “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”