by Bobbi Smith
Shocked, Jacques stared at the priest. "You're serious?"
"Very. She has just confided everything to me."
"There is only one thing we can do. He'll have to marry her," Jacques declared instantly.
"I agree," Father Pierre told him solemnly.
"I will speak with him myself," Jacques went on. "I may not have been the best father to her, but I love her and I will not allow him to use her this way."
"I understand. Do you want me to come with you?"
"No. This is something I must do alone."
The priest watched Jacques walk stiffly toward the village.
Chapter 15
Espri was tremulous as her father escorted her toward Mitch, who stood before Father Pierre. Though she had had three days to come to terms with the fact that he had agreed to the marriage, her anxiety had not lessened. Mitch did not love her, and she knew that he never would. Even her father's and Laiti's comforting reassurances that she was a beautiful bride did nothing to ease her panic at being joined with a man who did not, she was sure, really want to marry her.
The ebony silk of her hair had been artfully styled, delicate tropical blossoms having been woven among the thick tresses, and the white sarong she wore was almost Grecian in form, fastening over one shoulder and falling in flowing folds over her slender body. Nervously, she clung to Jacques's arm; sensing her distress, he patted her hand encouragingly.
Espri's eyes were focused on Mitch as she drew near the altar. He looks so tall and forbidding, she thought as she took in the stern line of his dark, angry features. No man likes to be forced, and she was certain that Mitch was not an exception. Furthermore, though she had thought herself immune now to his potent masculinity, his dominating presence still affected her. Her heart pounded in her breast, her limbs quaked as Jacques handed her over to Mitch's keeping. His hand engulfed hers in a warm, steady grip, and Espri looked up at him quickly, questioningly. Her impetuosity cost her her pride, though, for his eyes mockingly met hers. Glancing quickly away, she tried to pull her hand free without drawing any attention to herself, but Mitch refused to relinquish his hold on her.
Her mind full of agonizing thoughts, Espri tried to listen to the words Father Pierre had begun to speak over them. How had this come to pass? In a few short minutes her fate would be sealed; she would be married to Mitch. It seemed so long ago when she had wanted nothing more than to be his wife, but now . . . so much had changed. He wasn't marrying her because he loved her. He was marrying her to claim the child that nestled contentedly deep within the protection of her womanly body.
"Do you, Espri Duchant, take this man to be your wedded husband?"
Father Pierre's question stormed the meager defenses Espri had tried to erect against the happenings of the day, and though it seemed an eternity before she could answer, she paused only an instant.
"I do." Though she spoke softly, her voice quavered.
"Do you, Mitch Williams, take this woman to be your wedded wife?"
"I do," he rasped harshly, and Espri shivered at the impact on their lives of those two small words.
"Then by the power vested in me by God, I pronounce you man and wife." Father Pierre beamed.
The islanders who had gathered for the wedding erupted in a cheer of delight, showering the newlywed pair with flowers as the final words were spoken. Espri cast Mitch a sideways glance and found his eyes on her again, but this time their expression was cold and inscrutable. She tensed as he took her in his arms, and when he bent to kiss her, she trembled violently.
His mouth slanted across hers in a passionate demand that left her weak and breathless, and when he finally released her, she stared up at him in bewilderment. She had expected hatred—fury—but never this passion!
"I never said I didn't want you, Espri," he taunted softly. Then he coolly turned away to speak with the others.
Luatu smiled to himself as he observed the kiss from a distance. Mitch, though he had protested against the marriage before finding out about his child, proved by his actions that he did still want Espri, and the chief felt certain that, given time, they would find together the joy they deserved. It was good.
Knowing that the blessing of the ancestors was an important part of any Malikan wedding, Luatu led the celebrators up the path to the temple, where Manti awaited them. After instructing Mitch and Espri to sit on the cloth that had been spread in front of the altar, the island priest chanted praises to his gods and invoked Espri's ancestors, whose skulls were displayed in honor before them, to bless the marriage. Tikiru came forth, finally, to perform the fertility ritual that would ensure the happy couple the gift of many offspring.
Espri sat rigidly at Mitch's side as she watched Tikiru's dramatic, sensual dance. Never before had she been aroused by the fertility ceremony, but now, sitting so close to Mitch and feeling the heat of his presence, the priestess's explicit movements created a stirring of awareness within her. Uncomfortably, she finally shifted her position to try to quell the disturbing surge of feeling that was racing through her. Mitch, however, seemed unaffected by the lustful exhibition of the lovely taupau, and the glance he directed at Espri, when he noticed her restlessness, was sardonic. Embarrassed to find that he was aware of her agitation, she prayed that the wanton portrayal would soon end.
When at long last Tikiru completed the performance, she fell in supplication at Manti's feet. At Manti's signal, a servant came forth and carried her back out of sight into the temple. Then, turning to Espri and Mitch, Manti bid them stand, and he ended the ceremony with an exhortation to the newly married couple never to let their love for one another die.
Manti's commandment seared Espri's heart. Her love for Mitch would never die, she knew that, but she saw little hope for her future with him. He wanted her, he'd never denied that, and she was his, now and forever, by the decrees of God and man; but there would be no love in his coming to her. Espri only hoped that, with time, he could forget the circumstances of their marriage, that he would come to feel some warmer emotion toward her. Maybe after the baby is born it will happen, she thought; and a flicker of happiness lit her face.
As Espri's features were transformed by the radiance of her smile, Mitch scowled blackly at her obvious happiness. It irritated him to think that she was perfectly content with the arrangement, but then why shouldn't she be? She'd gotten almost everything she wanted. The only thing she didn't possess was his love, and he would do his best to see that she never did. He might be married to her, but he would not allow her to have any power over him.
His eyes glittered as they skimmed over her loveliness, missing nothing in their intimate perusal of her; not the slightly fuller thrust of her breasts or the gently rounded swell of her stomach beneath the clingingly soft material. Mitch knew a moment of awe as he silently considered that his child was alive and thriving within her. As soon as he'd learned of its existence, he'd become resigned to the marriage, for he had never doubted for a moment that the baby was his. Despite his protestations that he did not want to marry, the decision had been made for him. He'd been caught, well and good, by Espri's tender innocence.
Passion swelled within him at the thought of possessing her again, and he lifted his gaze to hers, allowing her briefly to see his desire for her reflected in his eyes. Espri was stunned by the smoldering heat of his glance, and her eyes widened in nervous anticipation of the time when they would finally be alone.
"Espri! Mitch!" Luatu's voice broke through the sensual web that had been woven about them by Tikiru's performance, and they both looked up at the chief. "It is time for the feast!"
She quickly glanced back at Mitch to see if what she'd witnessed had been real, but Mitch's expression was once again shuttered, revealing nothing. At Luatu's encouragement, they led the way to the beach, where a big bonfire had been burning since that morning in honor of their upcoming nuptials. Once they'd taken their seats in the flower-strewn place of honor, the procession of the gifts began. As a princess of th
e Malika, Espri was due tribute from every family, and a representative from each clan came forth with presents. Cloth and mats, utensils and livestock were all brought forth for their approval, then taken to the hut which Jacques and Luatu had given them earlier that morning.
Tana was bitter as she watched the procession from a distance, her heart wrenched by Espri's happiness. Konga was dead and Mitch had married Espri in spite of her ploy in his bed that night! She remembered with some embarrassment how angry Mitch had been when Tommy had come back and found them. He had been furious with her; he had denied her insinuation that they had slept together, telling her that he could recall everything that had happened that evening. Grimacing at the hateful memory, she wondered if there was ever to be any joy in her own life.
"Tana?" A deep male voice interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to find Ka standing nearby.
"Ka . . . what do you want?"
"I saw you standing here alone and thought you might want to come to the celebration with me." His dark eyes looked upon her appreciatively.
Tana paused, her previous misery forgotten. "I would like that, Ka, very much." And turning her best seductive smile on the chief's most important servant, she went with him to join the merrymaking.
Tommy stood in the crowd near Mitch, watching with interest all that was transpiring. In his heart, he wished that this celebration had been his—a wedding between himself and Tikiru—but he knew that would never be. In fact, he was desperate for he feared he might never be with her again after receiving her cryptic letter telling him that the danger of discovery had become too great and they could no longer risk meeting. He did not know what had happened to cause her to break off their rendezvous, and at first, he'd refused to accept it, returning nightly to their meeting place in the hope that she might have changed her mind. But long, lonely hours on the bluff had convinced him that she'd been serious. Being apart from her was driving him into despair, and he wondered if they would ever have the chance to be together again.
Drinking from the cup of kava that someone had pressed into his hand, he surveyed those before him. He realized that if Manti was here there was no one at the temple to prevent Tikiru from slipping away. An expectant thrill surged through him, and he excused himself from the merrymakers to head for the bluff, where he hoped his love awaited him.
Tikiru had seen Tommy in the wedding party at the temple, and it had taken all of her inner strength not to betray her feelings for him. She loved Tommy, yet because of that love she knew she could not allow herself to put him in danger. She had to continue to deny her own passion in order to protect him. Sitting on the veranda of her hut, Tikiru stared out into the darkness, listening to the distant sounds of revelry and knowing that she would never have such a chance for happiness. Tears fell silently as she mourned the loss of her love.
Tommy was furious as he stalked across the deserted bluff top. Why hadn't she come? Did she not care for him anymore? Surely, she realized that he needed to be with her! Despondent, he sat on the ground where they had made love so many times and prayed for her to come, but his prayers were for naught. After waiting nearly an hour, he gave up his vigil and decided to take action. Tommy wasn't quite sure where her hut was located, but he knew it was somewhere in the tapu section of the island near the temple. Setting out, he followed the path she'd taken when she'd left him after their meetings. Though the way was obscured, guided by his instincts, he finally came upon a structure which appeared dark and deserted in the darkness of the moonless night.
"Tikiru?" he called out softly when he saw a lone figure reclining on the veranda.
The woman sitting there stiffened at the sound of his voice, then flew from the porch into his arms. "Tommy! My love!"
They embraced with pagan wildness in the shadows of the night until Tikiru came to her senses and drew away from him.
"You must go. Manti will kill you if he finds you here."
"That does not matter to me anymore, Tikiru. My love is like a living thing, hungering for your touch and the sound of your voice. I thought I would go mad tonight at the wedding ceremony. You looked so beautiful and I needed you so badly."
"I feel as you do, but there is nothing I can do. We must remain apart."
Tommy clasped her to him and kissed her hungrily before she again freed herself from his arms.
"If you love me, you will go, Tommy. Now!" she ordered, her fear heightened by the intensity of the feeling he had aroused within her.
"When will I see you again?" he asked recklessly.
"We cannot continue to meet." Her answer was cold and final. "Our only contact can be through the temple ceremonies. Anything else could mean your death, and I could not bear it."
Tommy began to protest, but she turned her back on him.
"Go. Now."
"I will go, but I will never give up the hope of someday being with you." Turning away in bleak despair, he left her.
As was the tribal custom, the women of the village stole Espri away from Mitch to prepare her for the wedding night. Escorting her to her new home, they stripped off her wedding sarong and combed the flowers from her hair. When she'd been bathed and anointed with monoi, they hastened to leave, knowing that at any moment the groom would arrive to claim his husbandly rights.
When the women left the feast, the festivities became far more raucous and Mitch was almost glad when the time came for him to go. Accompanied by Jacques and Luatu, he started up the path that led to the secluded hut where his bride awaited him.
Although he had not wanted to marry, he could not deny that the night ahead held great appeal. Espri is mine, he thought possessively.
Mitch had tried to deny his passion for Espri during their long weeks apart, and he'd almost convinced himself that he didn't want her; but after seeing her again the night Father Pierre returned, he'd realized that he was still very much attracted to her.
When Jacques had first approached him about the marriage, he had been adamant in his refusal. He did not want to marry, had no intention of doing so. But when Jacques had told him of the baby, his whole perspective had changed. No longer were his wishes of paramount importance. A child was involved, and there was no doubt that it was his.
The news had surprised him. Through all the years and all the mistresses, he had never before sired any offspring, and he knew that marriage was the only way to deal with this situation. He would have a son or daughter, and he would proudly accept the responsibility.
Mitch had wondered about Espri's attitude toward their prospective union, but he had not ventured to question Jacques about it. And, since she had made no effort to see him since the wedding had been arranged, he had felt certain that she was pleased by the prospect. He frowned now at the thought.
Jacques glanced at Mitch. Noticing his suddenly ominous expression, he knew it was his duty to speak. Though the man may not have wanted to marry Espri, he was the father of her child, and as such, he should hold to his duties as husband and parent.
"Mitch." Jacques's harsh tone penetrated the younger man's thoughts, and he turned to his new father-in-law. "Espri is my daughter, and I love her very much. I won't abide any cruelty to her."
Pinning Jacques with a glacial glare, Mitch was about to give a heated reply when Luatu interceded.
"Do not worry, Jacques. Mitch loves Espri, and he will do well by her." The chief smiled serenely.
Knowing there was no point in denying the old man's words, Mitch faced Jacques. "She will come to no harm."
"She is your wife now," Duchant said pointedly.
"And I am her husband," Mitch retorted sharply just as they came to the edge of the glade near the newly constructed hut.
"We will leave you here." Luatu put a restraining hand on Jacques's arm when the other man would have gone on with Mitch. "May your marriage be a strong one, bonded in love," he said, and then he and Jacques turned away, leaving Mitch to face Espri alone for the first time since the wedding.
Espri was
apprehensive as she waited for Mitch. They had not spoken since the marriage had been arranged, and she had no idea how he felt about their situation.
Though her father had been reluctant to speak of it, she had forced him to tell her what had transpired when he'd gone to Mitch, and what she'd learned had not been particularly encouraging. According to Jacques, Mitch had refused to marry her at first, but, after learning of her delicate condition, he had agreed. She sighed heavily. Many of the island men would have joyfully taken her to wife, but she was now married to the one man who had let it be known from the beginning of their time together that he did not want to be bound to her. Espri felt sure that Mitch resented their marriage. Certainly, he'd indicated by his passionate kiss after the ceremony that he desired her physically, but beyond that their union would be empty, save for their child.
A slight sound drew her attention, and she looked up to see Mitch silhouetted in the doorway.
He stared down at her as she sat in nude splendor before him.
"You look very lovely, my dear," he said casually as he stepped inside the hut.
Espri swallowed nervously and watched him walk toward her. She could not see his expression in the darkness, but the coolness of his tone frightened her. Mitch, however, could see her clearly, and he noticed how wide her eyes were and how tensely she held herself.
Kneeling beside her, he reached out and cupped her chin, asking coldly, "Why do you look so afraid? Could it be you realize that a man doesn't like to be forced?"
"No one forced you!" she snapped, jerking free of his grip.
"Did you plan this?" he jeered as he ran his hand down her shoulder to her breast.
"Plan?" Espri was suddenly furious with him. So, he thought because she'd told him of her love that she'd connived to wed him! "Hardly. This baby was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."
Her sharp words gave him pause and he looked at her with new interest. "Do you want the child?"
His question stunned her, and she was too open to lie about such an important thing. "Of course I want our child. It's you I didn't want! Did you think for one moment that I desired to marry a man who doesn't want me?" she demanded, brushing his hand away.