A Taste of Paradise

by Connie Mason

  “None at all, as long as it isn’t me.”

  Reaching up, Amanda wound her arms around Chris’s neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Her lips were soft, lush, the promise in them apparent. Chris fell into the kiss reluctantly, wondering why this she-devil had picked him to torment when London was full of men.

  When she came up for air, she sent him an enticing smile. “It is you, Chris.” Then she pulled his head down for another kiss.

  A bush rustled. “Excuse me—am I interrupting something?”

  Chris pushed Amanda away, searching his mind for an explanation.

  “Oh, no, Sophia, you’re not interrupting,” Amanda purred. “I was just enjoying the garden and your husband’s company. We are intimate friends, after all.” She sent Chris a seductive smile. “I hope to continue our . . . conversation at a later date.”

  Chris groaned inwardly. He couldn’t be alone with Amanda again. The woman was a troublemaker, and he had enough trouble for one lifetime.

  Chris did the only thing he could think of to get himself out of an uncomfortable situation. “It’s time I returned to the distillery, ladies. We lost valuable time during the hurricane and its aftermath, so every hand is needed. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Lady Amanda. My carriage will be waiting to take you home whenever you are ready. Sophia, I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you,” Amanda replied. “I’ll see you again soon, Chris.”

  Turning on his heel, Chris made a hasty exit.

  Amanda regarded Sophia with cool composure. “I suppose you saw your husband kissing me.”

  “It seemed to me that you were doing the kissing,” Sophia shot back. “How well do you know Chris?”

  “Intimately, if you know what I mean.”

  Sophia bristled. “I don’t care what you were to Christian in the past. Keep away from him. I’m not going to stand by idly while another woman seduces my husband.”

  “I know men, and believe me when I say Chris is ripe for seduction.”

  “I’ll thank you to stay away from him in the future.”

  “Stay away? Indeed no. I’m finding Jamaica to my liking. Shall we return to the house? It’s time I left.”

  As far as Sophia was concerned, it was past time. How had Chris become involved with a wanton little vixen like Amanda? Why were the Chesters not aware of her wicked nature? Was she the only one who saw Amanda for what she really was? Now she knew why a woman of Amanda’s sophisticated tastes would leave the comforts of London for Jamaica. She had followed Chris.

  Sophia postponed dinner when Chris failed to return to the house and she finally ate alone. She retired immediately afterward. Lady Amanda’s visit had left her exhausted and feeling inadequate.

  Kateena was brushing Sophia’s hair when Chris entered the bedroom. He must have just bathed, for his hair was wet. He dismissed Kateena with a wave of his hand. She bobbed a curtsy and left.

  “I’m sorry about dinner. A piece of machinery broke down and I couldn’t leave until it was fixed. I ate leftovers from the kitchen when I returned.”

  “Would you like to explain about this afternoon?”

  “If you’re referring to that little episode in the garden with Amanda—”

  “Little episode? Is that what you call it? The woman followed you to Jamaica to continue your affair. You were kissing her. What does that say about our relationship?”

  “You’re making too much of it, Sophia. For your information, Amanda kissed me. And I didn’t invite her to Jamaica. I said good-bye to her in London and thought that was the end of it.”

  “Did you enjoy the kiss?”

  Chris flushed. “Not exactly.”

  “What exactly did you feel?”

  “Surprise, mostly. Amanda was the last person I expected to see at Sunset Hill. You believe me, don’t you?”

  Sophia turned away. “The evidence was pretty damning. I don’t want you to be alone with your former mistress again.”

  “Hardly a mistress, Sophia. I only saw her during my occasional visits to London.”

  “She’s a man-eater. I don’t know what the Chesters were thinking to invite a woman of loose morals into their home.”

  A smile turned up the corners of Chris’s mouth. “You’re jealous.”

  Hands on hips, eyes defiant, she glared at him. “You’ve given me sufficient reason to be.”

  Curling his arms around her waist, he brought her against him, bent his head and kissed her, little nibbling kisses on her mouth and down her throat. She arched her neck, breathing deeply of his essence, of the clean smell of soap. He held her close with one arm about her slim waist and pressed his face in the hollow between her breasts. His tongue flicked out and he licked her skin.

  “You taste delicious.”

  Sophia’s skin felt on fire. But she had to find the strength to stop him, no matter how difficult it might be. Breathless, shaking with suppressed need, she pushed against his chest. Chris backed away, cocking his head to stare at her.

  “What is it now?”

  “I want to discuss Lady Amanda.”

  “Later.” He reached for her. This time she went willingly into his arms.

  He bore her to the bed and began to make slow, sensual love to her, leaving no part of her body unattended. With hands and mouth and tongue, he aroused her until she lay quivering beneath him. But when he would have completed the act, she pushed him onto his back and lifted herself astride him.

  Her blue eyes gleamed with wicked delight. “It’s my turn to torture you.”

  She felt his body jerk in response and smiled. Then she lowered her head and licked his flat nipples. He let out a curse. She didn’t let his pained expression stop her as she slowly and thoroughly kissed and licked down the length of his body. When she took his engorged staff into her hands and ran her tongue over the tip, he nearly bucked her off the bed.

  “You don’t have to do that, love,” he gasped breathlessly.

  She raised her head. “I want to.”

  She continued to lavish her undivided attention on his throbbing sex until he roared an oath, lifted her up and thrust hard and deep inside her weeping center. She tightened her muscles around him, savoring the feel of him stretching her, thrusting deep and fast inside her.

  She panted. She moaned. She lifted her hips to meet his passionate assault. Then suddenly the tempest building inside her burst into a thousand bright stars of shimmering joy. Every muscle in her body contracted. Dimly she heard Chris shout her name, and then she closed her eyes to savor his release and the aftermath of her own.

  Arms and legs entwined, Sophia relaxed against Chris. She could tell by his even breathing that he was nearly asleep.

  “Chris.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “What did Lord Chester wish to speak to you about?”

  He sighed. “Can’t it wait until morning?”

  “No, you usually leave the house before I awaken.”

  “Very well, what do you want to know?”

  “Lord Chester. What did he want?”

  “Trouble has erupted on his plantation. His slaves are upset about the long hours they’ve had to work to restore the plantation after the hurricane and have retaliated in small ways. He’s afraid the situation will only get worse.”

  “Did you tell him what Udamma said?”

  “Telling planters to free their slaves is a waste of breath. In fact, they hold me responsible for causing dissatisfaction among the slave population because I freed my slaves when they didn’t.”

  “That’s ludicrous!”

  “Tell that to Chester and the others. This situation was a long time in the making. I’m afraid it’s going to come to a head soon.”

  “What do Lord Chester and the others intend to do?”

  “Chester is sending Lady Agatha and the children to England on the first available ship. He thinks I should send you home with them.”

  Sophia shot up. “I’ll do no suc
h thing! Surely you’re not considering it, are you?”

  “I’m tired; can’t we discuss this later?”

  “We most definitely will not discuss it later.”

  “If you must know, I’m seriously considering it. You can stay with my brother and his wife until it’s safe to return. Go to sleep; nothing is final yet.”

  Sophia lay awake long after Chris fell asleep. She wasn’t going anywhere until she spoke to Lady Chester. Was this Chris’s way of saying he wanted to rid himself of her?

  The earliest opportunity Sophia found to visit Lady Chester was a week after her conversation with Chris. Three days of soaking rain had left the roads a quagmire, but three more days of sunshine had dried up the muck. Sophia and Kateena set out for the Chester plantation shortly after luncheon.

  After days of being stuck inside with two lively children, Agatha was happy to see Sophia. Kateena visited with the servants while Sophia sat on the veranda with Agatha and Amanda.

  “What brings you out this sunny day?” Agatha asked.

  Sophia took a sip of fruit juice from a crystal goblet as she considered her answer. Upon entering the house she had noticed boxes and crates piled up in the foyer.

  “Are you going on a trip, my lady?”

  “Perhaps, but I’m not sure yet. I’m preparing just in case my dear Chester decides the slave situation is getting out of hand and sends us home to England.”

  “Oh, pooh,” Amanda scoffed. “I’m not going anywhere. If Aunt Amanda leaves, I intend to remain and see to the household for Uncle Chester. What about you, Sophia? Will you be leaving Jamaica? If you do, rest assured that I will do my very best to take care of your husband in your absence.”

  Agatha sighed. “I’ve tried to convince dear Amanda to leave with me and the children, but she adamantly refuses.” She spread her hands in defeat. “There is nothing more I can do.”

  “You’ll be happy to know, Lady Amanda,” Sophia said, “that I fully intend to remain at Sunset Hill no matter what. My husband’s welfare comes before my own safety.”

  “How admirable,” Amanda said sourly.

  “I feel the same way, but neither of you have children to worry about. Their safety must come first. When Chester says it’s time to leave, we will go.”

  “As well you should,” Amanda agreed. “So should you, Sophia. What if you are carrying Captain Radliff’s heir? Shouldn’t you have a care for your health and welfare?”

  “Amanda is right, my dear,” Agatha concurred. “I know the captain would want you safe. He must have mentioned his wishes on the matter to you.”

  “Oh, indeed he did, but I have a mind of my own. I don’t always do as he says. I am of the opinion that Sunset Hill will remain safe from marauders.”

  Agatha let out a gusty breath. “I admire your courage, but I must warn you that no one is safe in these troubled times. When slaves revolt, madness takes over. Plantations are burned and people are killed indiscriminately. It happened before, late in the last century.”

  “Nevertheless, I’m not leaving Chris,” Sophia insisted, sending an unspoken message to Amanda.

  “Then you and dear Amanda can keep each other company,” Agatha maintained, “unless I can convince Amanda to leave the island when the time comes.”

  Agatha shot from her chair when a child’s scream echoed through the house. “Oh, dear, it’s one of the children. I must go; I’m sure dear Amanda will entertain you in my absence.”

  Amanda studied Sophia through narrowed cat’s eyes. “I finally remembered why your name sounded familiar. Though I don’t recall the details, the scandal you caused set London on its ear several years ago.”

  “You have a good memory, my lady, but you have little room to talk. I doubt your reputation is as pristine as Lord and Lady Chester believe. I assume you and Chris were lovers at one time,” she said bluntly.

  “We were intimate friends,” Amanda purred. “Make of that what you wish.”

  “I know exactly what to make of it.”

  “I know enough about you to go to your husband with the facts. He might not be as forgiving as you think. He may send you away after he hears me out.” Amanda’s smug voice set Sophia’s teeth on edge. “And I will be here to relieve his loneliness.”

  Sophia stifled a smile. Amanda didn’t know as much as she thought if she wasn’t aware that Chris had been involved in the scandal himself.

  “Be my guest, my lady. Tell my husband whatever you wish. Nothing you can say will cause a rift in our relationship.”

  Lady Agatha returned. “Motherhood has its rewards, but it’s also trying. Are you looking forward to providing your husband with a family, Sophia dear?”

  “I hope to have children one day,” Sophia replied.

  “You’ve been married several weeks; perhaps you’re already increasing.”

  Sophia was saved from replying when a servant arrived to announce that Captain Radcliff had arrived.

  “Chris is here?” Sophia said, half rising from her chair.

  “Remain seated, Sophia. I’ll invite him to join us, then send for Chester.”

  Agatha gave the appropriate orders. Sophia noted with some irritation that Amanda fluffed her blond hair and tugged at the neckline of her bodice in anticipation of Chris’s arrival.

  Chris strolled onto the veranda, stopping abruptly when he saw Sophia. “Sophia—I had no idea you were here.”

  “Obviously,” Sophia muttered darkly. Had he come to see Amanda?

  “Chuba said you and Kateena had taken the carriage, but I assumed you had gone to Kingston.”

  “Please sit down and join the conversation, Captain,” Agatha invited. “Chester will be here directly.”

  “Something has happened,” Sophia said when she noted the worried expression creasing Chris’s brow. “What is it?”

  “Please do tell us, captain,” Agatha said. “I’ll hear it from Chester sooner or later.”

  “I’d prefer to wait for Lord Chester.”

  “I am here,” Chester said as he joined them. “What is it, Radcliff? Have you news?”

  “Are you sure we should discuss this in front of the ladies?”

  “If this is something that will affect all of us, then please speak freely, Captain,” Agatha said.

  “Very well. I received word that marauding slaves burnt a plantation near Spanish Town. The violence could spread down here.”

  “That settles it,” Chester asserted. “My family will leave Jamaica on the Mary Deare. She’s due in port next week.”

  “Oh, pooh, Uncle, I’m not afraid,” Amanda scoffed. “I shall remain and see to things here while Auntie takes the children to safety.”

  “You should leave with your family, my lady,” Chris said. “I’m sending Sophia to my brother until the danger is over.”

  “You can try,” Sophia warned, “but it will do you no good. I’m staying, Chris.”

  “We’ll discuss this at home, Sophia.”

  Though Chris appeared determined, Sophia refused to be coerced into something she didn’t want to do. And she most definitely didn’t want to leave him.

  “I think you should leave, Sophia,” Amanda said, breaking the tense silence stretching between Chris and Sophia.

  “Why should you remain behind when I cannot?” Sophia shot back.

  “I’m the logical choice to see to the men. Auntie has her children to protect, and you may be carrying your husband’s heir.”

  Chris’s head shot up. “Sophia, is that true?”

  “It’s time I left,” Sophia said, rising and smoothing out her skirts. “I’ll find Kateena while you and Lord Chester discuss this latest development.”

  “I’m going with you. From now on, I don’t want you leaving the plantation without a guard.”

  “Chris, really—”

  “He’s right, my dear,” Lord Chester concurred. “Things are fairly quiet for the time being, but one never knows. Rest assured that my family will be aboard the Mary Deare when sh
e leaves Kingston.”

  Chris and Sophia took their leave. Once Kateena joined them, there was no opportunity to continue their argument.

  Riding beside the carriage on Atlas, Chris pondered Amanda’s startling words. Was Sophia carrying his child? If so, he had to convince her to return to England. Chris’s emotions were bewildering. How did he feel about becoming a father? He searched his heart for an answer and was surprised at what he found. He hadn’t felt anything so emotionally exhilarating in more years than he cared to count.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Three days later, Rayford arrived at Sunset Hill after Chris had left the house for the distillery.

  “I’ve come to bid you good-bye, Sophia,” Rayford said.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Sir Rigby offered me employment as his overseer, but I refused. I might have accepted if I hadn’t learned what he and other plantation owners are planning. I wanted no part of it. I’m not putting my life in danger for them. I’ve booked passage aboard the Mary Deare. Most of the planters are sending their families home, and I wondered if you were going with them.”

  Sophia’s mind was focused on what Rayford had said about the plantation owners’ plans. “What do you mean? What are the plantation owners planning?”

  “You mean your husband hasn’t told you about the militia?”

  “What militia?”

  “Rigby and some of the other planters have formed a militia. They intend to flush the Maroons out of the foothills and kill as many of them as they can find.”

  “No! That’s inhuman. When is the attack supposed to take place?”

  “Soon, I think. They believe Sam Sharp is behind the recent problems they have been having with their slaves. They think he’s inciting the slaves to act against their masters. I know nothing about slavery and care even less. Why should I place my life in jeopardy when none of this means anything to me?”

  “I think you should go home, find gainful employment and beg Claire to take you back,” Sophia advised. “Your unsavory vices are ruining your life. Associating with men like Sir Oscar was a big mistake.”

  Rayford’s shoulders slumped. “I know that. He’s a vindictive man. He won’t let me rest until I redeem my markers from him.”