Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "You were right, my friend. She is a rare jewel. I will gladly pay the price you asked."

  Liberty could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. "Sebastian, what is the meaning of this? You had better take me ashore at once!"

  "Alas, ma chere, I cannot do that. You see, my friend here has plans for you." Sebastian crossed the cabin and stared down into her face. "What a pity, Liberty. It could have been so different if only you had shown me the slightest kindness."

  She was revolted by his nearness. When he reached for her hand, she clasped both of them behind her. "I never liked you, Sebastian. Your uncle and I could always see through you; we knew your real character."

  Sebastian's face reddened, and he drew back his hand to strike Liberty, but it was caught and held fast by Captain Ismar. "No, no. Do not damage the merchandise. My buyers would not appreciate any bruises on her pretty face."

  Liberty felt all the life drain out of her. She looked from Sebastian to Captain Ismar. "You cannot mean that you are going to ... No, it cannot be!"

  A slow smile curled Sebastian's lips. "You catch on quickly, ma chere. The good captain here belongs to the Barbary pirate brotherhood. He will see that you are placed in good hands." Sebastian grasped Liberty's chin and made her look into his eyes. "Who knows, with your beauty you may end up in some sultan's harem."

  Liberty spun away from Sebastian. "Do not put your filthy hands on me again, Sebastian. You are more barbaric than your pirate friend. Judah will kill you for this."

  "I expect him to try. Oh, Judah will come after you all right, because we have left a trail he can easily follow. But that will be his undoing. My friend here has long fancied himself the captain of the Winged Victory. He wants to see my cousin hanging from her yardarm."

  Liberty shook her head. "Judah will not fall into any of your traps. He is much too intelligent for that."

  "Ah, yes, under normal circumstances," Captain Ismar agreed. "But Judah Slaughter will not be thinking clearly. He will be thinking with his heart and not with his head. That is when he will lose the advantage and I will have him. There are many who would like to see the end of Judah Slaughter."

  Liberty's heart ached at the thought of Judah falling into the hands of his father's murderer. "Sebastian, do not do this," she pleaded, trying to reach a part of him that was not corrupt. "You and Judah have the same blood running in your veins. He is your cousin!"

  Sebastian nodded. "Exactly. Being of the same blood, he has cost me everything I have ever wanted."

  Liberty saw the evil in Sebastian's eyes, and she knew it was pointless to try and reason with him. She would have to pray that Judah would know this was a trap and not be caught in it. "Bandera is not ill at all, is she, Sebastian?

  You sent the note to lure me to the inn."

  "Clever girl."

  "How is Hayman?"

  Sebastian shrugged. "He suffered a few bruises. I made sure he would be able to tell Judah what had happened to you. Actually, the whole thing was rather cleverly thought out."

  Liberty took a hesitant step toward the open door, hoping she could make a dash for freedom. "It was you who sent Adriane Pierce to see Judah."

  "Another stroke of genius. Poor Adriane was so in love with my cousin, she would have done anything to see him. She did not know I was using her."

  Captain Ismar saw Liberty's intention and moved to stand at the door. Liberty took a deep breath, trying not to panic. She could hear the peal of a church bell not far away, and she realized they were still in port. She would try to keep Sebastian and the captain talking long enough for Judah to find her.

  "I know what the captain has to gain by kidnapping me, but I do not know what you have to gain, Sebastian. As much as my sister dislikes me, she would not agree to what you have in mind for me."

  "Bandera will always agree with anything that will gain her wealth. You see, Liberty, with you and Judah dead, I will at least inherit Briar Oaks, if not Bend of the River."

  "I do not know why you would want Briar Oaks. It is about to go under because of the debts."

  "I know someone who is willing to pay a good price for it."

  "Briar Oaks will never belong to you, Sebastian. If I am declared dead, it will go to Judah."

  He smiled. "Oui, but who will it go to upon Judah's death, ma chere?"

  Liberty's eyes widened in horror as she saw his evil plan for the first time. "... In that case Bandera . . . will inherit," she choked out.

  Sebastian worked his hands into his gloves. "I have managed to solve all my problems with a single stroke, ma chere. You will have to excuse me now. I must board a ship sailing to New Orleans."

  Silently, Liberty watched Sebastian step to the cabin door. "We all have our crosses to bear, Liberty. Mine will be knowing I will never see your lovely face again." For a moment his eyes swept her face. "I love you, you know. I think I always have."

  Liberty stared at him in disbelief. "If this is love, Sebastian, I would not want to see how you hate."

  "The hate I have for Judah is stronger than any other emotion I might have. I will be glad when he learns that I have at last got the better of him."

  "You will never get the best of Judah, Sebastian." Liberty turned her back on him, knowing that, for her, all was lost. She dared not dwell on what her fate would be at the hands of this pirate. She heard the door shut and spun around to find she was alone. Panic seized her, and she ran to the door and pounded on it. Only silence met her ears.

  Liberty leaned her head against the door and allowed tears to fall freely down her cheeks. Why had she gone to the inn today? She had not been thinking clearly or she would have realized it was a trap. Now her foolishness might cost Judah his life.

  She felt the ship break away from the pier and move with the tide. Then she sank to her knees and buried her head in her hands. She knew in her heart that Judah would come for her. She had foolishly set in motion the wheels that would bring destruction to them both!

  25

  Judah stood at the helm of the ship, staring straight ahead. His turquoise eyes were cold with anger, and the line of his jaw tightened. If the owner of the Trade Wind Inn had been telling the truth, and Judah had no reason to believe otherwise, Liberty was in the hands of Abdul Ismar, his father's murderer!

  For the first time in his life, Judah had the bitter, acid taste of fear in his mouth —fear that Ismar would harm Liberty before he could save her. The pirate had seven hours' head start on Judah. It was doubtful that Judah could catch him before he reached Tripoli.

  Philippe stood at Judah's side, sharing his captain's concern for Liberty. The first mate glanced up at the dozen men who had climbed the masts, and then at an equal number who had formed a bucket brigade, preparing to wet down the sails.

  "The men are standing by for your order, Captain," he stated.

  Judah allowed his eyes to move over the waiting crew. The process of wetting the sails was very simple, and he wondered why it wasn't practiced more often. The theory was that when the sails were wet they held breeze better, thus allowing the ship to gain several knots. Judah was desperate to shorten the distance between the Winged Victory and the Sea Serpent.

  "Issue the order to commence, Philippe. I do not want one dry thread on the sails."

  Philippe yelled down to Rojo. "Step lively. Wet the sails!"

  The first bucket was lowered into the churning sea. When it was full, Rojo pulled it up by the rope, and passed it down the line. He then lowered another bucket, and another. The men worked fast and silently, knowing their captain was on a desperate mission. Each of them wanted to reach the pirate before the captain's lovely wife was harmed.

  The water splashed on the canvas, some falling onto the deck and filling the crew's nostrils with its salty aroma. In no time at all, the sails became heavier, and responded by catching the stiff breeze. All afternoon buckets of water were run up the masts to the men waiting to splash them on the sails. By nightfall Judah knew he had gained on th
e Sea Serpent. He expected to sight her sails early the next morning.

  Liberty huddled on the bed, her eyes wide with fright. Every time she heard approaching footsteps, she would cringe. For three days she had been locked in the cabin, seeing only the silent man who brought her food twice a day. Now she heard a key grate in the door, and she pressed her back to the wall as Abdul Ismar entered.

  The man gave Liberty a long searching glance before he approached her. Then he picked up a chair, and straddled it. "I can see that you are looking pale. I am told you have not eaten." His dark eyes moved over her with such intensity that she could almost read his dark thoughts. He feared that if she became ill, he would not be able to sell her at the slave market.

  "I will not eat your food," she told him, her eyes flashing defiantly and her chin rising stubbornly. She was frightened, but she did not want this man to know.

  His eyes narrowed, and he stroked his beard. "You must tell me what food you prefer, and I will have my cook prepare it for you. I cannot get money for a sickly woman." His eyes raked her face and then her body.

  "You can go to the devil," she declared, pressing her back against the wall, frightened of what he might have in mind for her.

  His laughter sounded sinister. "If you fear you will lose your virtue with me, you can put that fear aside. I have never had any interest in a reluctant woman. I do not relish having a woman cry and wail in my bed. Still, you are an unusual beauty. I should have no trouble getting a high price for you."

  "I know about you and how you sell women to the highest bidder, Monsieur. I had heard that you kidnapped an American sea captain and his whole family. No doubt you have already disposed of the man's wife and daughters."

  His lips thinned in a smile. "You are speaking of Captain Blackburn. I have not yet found a buyer for the two Blackburn daughters, but I shall."

  Liberty was very frightened, but she thought if she kept Abdul talking that might draw his attention away from her. "Do you hold the Blackburns captive in Tripoli? Are you taking me to Tripoli?"

  He flicked the lace at Liberty's collar, and she pulled away from him. "I am taking you to Tripoli . . . but the Blackburns are in Martinique. I tell you this because you will have no means of passing the word to anyone else. You may be surprised to learn that the Blackburn family is being held in the basement of the Trade Wind Inn."

  Her breasts were rising and falling with her heavy breathing. Liberty could not stand to be in the same room with the man. "You are a monster."

  Abdul Ismar gripped her chin, and stared into her face. "And you are exceedingly lovely."

  Liberty batted his hand away and scooted off the bed. "Do not ever touch me again, Monsieur. You are a heathen and a barbarian."

  Abdul's laughter startled her. He stood up, and swept her a bow. "I am glad to see that you have not lost the fire that flamed in your eyes." He walked to the door, and smiled at her. "I will send fruit and sweets to you. Let us hope you will eat. You may want to keep your strength up so you can witness the battle between myself and your husband. Captain Slaughter's sails were sighted about an hour ago. It is an inspiration to see how he hastens to meet his death."

  Liberty clasped her hands behind her. She did not want Abdul to see how badly they trembled. "The man who can beat my husband in a fair fight has not yet been born. You should prepare to meet your end, Monsieur."

  "Ah, but you see, pretty lady, my salvation rests on the fact that I will not play fair. I will always remember this as the day I captured the famous Judah Slaughter."

  Liberty turned her back, no longer wanting to talk to the man. She hoped he had not seen the fear in her eyes. Judah was sailing into a trap, and it was her fault.

  Liberty did not hear the sound of Abdul's soft, Moroccan leather boots as he crossed the cabin to her. She jumped, and spun around when he touched her arm.

  Abdul held his hands palm up to show he meant her no harm. "I merely wanted to point out your husband's ship. Come and see it for yourself."

  Abdul pointed at the scuttle, through which bright sunlight streamed into the cabin. "Look well on the Winged Victory, Madame Slaughter, for she will soon be mine."

  Liberty stood on tiptoe and glanced at the white sails that appeared against the blue horizon. For a moment joy sang in her heart at the thought that Judah was so near. Then she realized that he was sailing into danger and her heart ached. "Will you spare my husband's life?" she asked, turning to look beseechingly up at the captain.

  "If he cooperates I will not take his life. It will be a great triumph for me to march through the streets of Tripoli, displaying Judah Slaughter as my prisoner. Knowing the proud man he is, I do not think he would like that. He would probably rather face death than disgrace."

  "Why do you hate my husband? What has he ever done to you?"

  Abdul stared at Liberty in amazement. "I do not hate Judah Slaughter. If anything, I admire him. It is said he is the greatest captain of his time. Will I not be praised and admired if I capture such a man?"

  Liberty turned her eyes back to the triangular sails of the Winged Victory. Even now the gap between the two ships was becoming less, and Liberty wished she had some way to warn Judah of the danger he faced. "Perhaps, Captain, my husband will be the victor today. If he is as great as you say, he may know you have set a trap for him."

  Abdul's dark eyes flashed. "That is true, beautiful lady. This will be a contest between your husband and myself. Before sunset one of us will be victorious. I wonder which one of us it will be?"

  "You will be the loser, Captain. My husband will see you dead."

  Abdul smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "It may be as you say, but I will find no shame in dying at the sword of Judah Slaughter." He bowed to her once more and crossed the cabin. "I will send food to you, which I will expect you to eat."

  Liberty watched Abdul disappear out the door. He was right; this battle would be a contest between him and Judah, and one of them would lose. Please, she silently pleaded, do not let it be Judah.

  Judah lightly turned the Winged Victory into the wind to slow her. "There is something amiss here, Philippe.

  Abdul Ismar has lowered his canvases as if he wants us to catch up with him. What do you make of it?"

  Philippe focused the eyeglass on the pirate ship, Sea Serpent. "I see a lot of activity on deck, Captain. They are loading their cannons. Like you said, they appear to want us to catch them."

  "Let's do the unexpected then. Let the sails run loose. We will force them to make the first move. Ready cannons."

  Philippe passed the captain's orders on to the crew. If any man thought his captain's decision strange, he did not say so. As always, Judah's orders were obeyed without question.

  Abdul Ismar walked the deck, watching the wind ripple the slack canvas on the Winged Victory. His dark eyes raked the sky, and then he looked back at his adversary. "They must have been hit by a sudden wind squall," Abdul said to his second in command.

  "I believe it is a trick, Captain. I believe that Judah Slaughter wants us to lose our nerve so we will make a mistake. Or, perhaps the American captain is a coward and does not fancy a fight."

  "No, Judah Slaughter is no coward, but he is a slippery bastard. I have heard it said that when he is outgunned by an enemy, his astuteness and valor carry him through to victory. I believe he does not fire because he fears his wife will be hit." Abdul stroked his beard. "Yes, that must be the reason. I do not believe he will fire on us at all. He lies out of range of our cannons, thinking to wait us out. Turn the ship into the wind and raise the sails. We will offer him a target that he cannot resist. I want to see just how far he can be pushed."

  Philippe glanced at Judah. "Watch him, he's coming in close, Captain."

  "As quietly and inconspicuously as possible, raise the cannon barrels," Judah called down to his men. "Let the Sea Serpent make the first pass without firing. I have a strong suspicion she will make a second pass, and even a third. Hold your nerve, she is testing us." />
  "What if they fire a broadside, Captain?" Philippe asked.

  "I don't think they will. I believe Captain Ismar fancies the Winged Victory for himself. He thinks to win in hand-to-hand combat, thus saving damage to the ship."

  The Sea Serpent passed so close that she sprayed seawater onto the deck of the Winged Victory. Judah smiled at Captain Ismar, who stood at the helm, and gave him a bold salute.

  "Hold your fire, men," Judah cautioned. "Steady, steady. Wave to them—act friendly."

  Rojo glanced up at his captain as if he had finally lost his reason in wanting them to smile at the enemy. Having no liking for the pirates, the most Rojo could manage was a scowl.

  "Do not despair, men," Judah called out. "You will get your chance. We will give them a few surprises on the second pass. Look lively, she is coming about."

  Judah watched the oncoming ship with a smile on his lips. "Philippe, pass among the men and tell them to aim the cannon high. I want to hit the masts and nothing else. I do not want a shot going astray and injuring Liberty."

  Philippe grinned. "Aye, aye, Captain. We will put the masts right in their laps."

  Liberty could see nothing from her vantage point. Standing on her tiptoes, she almost lost her balance when the Sea Serpent came about. Finally, as the ship turned leeward, she caught a glimpse of the Winged Victory, and she wondered why her sails were running lose. What was Judah doing? Was he going to give up without a fight?

  The cabin door opened, and Captain Ismar strolled in, a wide smile on his face. "It would seem your husband wants to offer me the Winged Victory as a gift. He offers no resistance for fear of harming you. I had expected a glorious battle from Judah Slaughter. Apparently it took his love for a woman to bring about his destruction. What a pity."

  Liberty felt tears in her eyes. Captain Ismar was mistaken; Judah had not come because of his love for her. He had planned on facing Abdul Ismar in battle anyway. Her capture had merely advanced the time of the fight. "You have not won yet, Captain. Judah will never surrender the Winged Victory to you without a fight."