by Bobbi Smith
“No. I’ll be fine. I know my way around the riverfront now, so don’t worry. And I promise that I’ll be back before midnight.”
“If you say so.” Rose looked worried. “What shall I tell your mother if she should discover that you’ve gone?”
“Don’t tell her anything! If she comes up here, just tell her that I cried myself to sleep. All right?”
Rose shook her head in frustration. “I’ll try. That’s the best I can promise. But you be careful!”
“I will. I did this before, and I can do it again.”
A short time later, Delight slipped out of the house unnoticed. Striding down the streets, she made her way easily to the riverfront and located the boat with no problem. There were Union soldiers everywhere, and she worried for a moment about getting on board, but finally she just squared her shoulders and walked up the gangplank.
Her progress went uninterrupted as she headed for the texas deck. She hoped Jim would be in his cabin, but she knew the chances of that were slim. The door to his stateroom was unlocked, and she let herself in.
After closing the door behind her, Delight looked around the room in amazement. It was a mess! Not wanting to sit idly and let her worrisome thoughts run away with her, she busied herself picking up his clothes and straightening his bed.
Jim left Ollie in charge and then started back to his cabin. There were still a few hours left before Mark was going to load the gold, and he had hopes that he could get some rest. He was about to reach for the doorknob when he heard the faint sounds of someone moving about inside his room.
Who could be in his cabin? And why? Jim wished for the first time that he carried a firearm. He hesitated only momentarily before throwing the door open and bursting into the room.
“What the hell do you—” He never got any further as he came face-to-face with Delight.
Delight’s eyes had widened in fear when the door had flown open, and she cowered nervously at the unexpected intrusion.
Jim was staring at her in total confusion. “Do you realize that if I’d had a gun, you’d probably be dead right now?”
“No,” she managed to squeak out.
“I thought you were a spy…someone searching my room. Damn it, woman!” Jim was shaking as he thought of what could have happened. Wearily, he closed the door behind him and locked it. “Why are you here?” he asked, a little more angrily than he’d intended.
Thinking from his tone that he didn’t want her here, Delight faced him and hurried to tell him her story. “I needed to talk to you. I had an unexpected visitor this afternoon.”
“A visitor? Who?” He ran a hand nervously through his hair, not yet recovered from the shock of finding her in his cabin.
“Annabelle Morgan, that’s who.”
“Annabelle?” He realized how traumatic that must have been for her. Turning to her, he opened his arms. “Let me hold you…”
“Not until we’ve talked,” Delight declared.
“Delight? What’s wrong? What did she say to upset you so?” Jim was tired, and he was due to leave port in just a few hours. The last thing he wanted was a misunderstanding between them now.
“She told me that you’d made love to her…” Her eyes met his unwaveringly. “Is it true?”
Jim looked Delight straight in the eye as he answered, “No. It’s a lie.”
“Oh, Jim…” Delight went to him, clinging to his strength. “It was so horrible…she said that you had used her and that you would use me in the same way…she said…”
“Hush. She was only trying to drive a wedge between us…to ruin the perfection of what we’ve found together…she’s jealous and full of hate, darling….” His mouth covered hers, blending and giving. “I love you, Delight.”
“I was so worried…that’s why I had to come…”
“I’m glad you did…I need you badly. Right now.” He pulled back to look at her. “Will you let me love you? Will you trust me forever and know that you’re the only woman I’ve ever really loved?”
“What about Renee?” she challenged and wished quickly that she could take back the words.
Jim gave her an endearing lopsided smile. “You know about that, do you?”
“Ollie told me…”
“I loved Renee; I still do, but what I feel for her is totally different from what we share. And believe me, what we have is so breathtakingly beautiful….”
“I know,” she agreed, pulling his head down for a passionate kiss.
With eager hands they began to undress, and soon they were naked on his freshly made bed, discovering the glory of lying together once again. They didn’t speak; they didn’t want to waste the time. Each moment was precious as they touched and explored and shared the joys of love’s mystery.
Jim was as impatient to have her as Delight was to be possessed by him. And their bodies melded in perfect harmony as the tempest of their union played itself out, leaving them rapturously content in its aftermath.
“You’re not sorry I came?” Delight was almost afraid to ask.
“No. Never,” Jim told her. “I was wondering how I was going to last through the next fourteen long days and longer nights with only a kiss to tide me over.”
Lifting a hand, she touched his cheek, enjoying the sensuously rough feel of his day’s growth of whiskers against her palm.
Turning his head, he pressed a heated kiss on her palm. “Let’s rest for a while….”
“Do we have much time?”
“A n hour, maybe….”
She snuggled closer to him. “I love you.”
He kissed her softly. “I know. And you’re mine now.”
Closing her eyes, Delight lay quietly in the security of his warm embrace.
“Delight?” Jim said her name softly.
“Um,” she muttered sleepily, from the comfort of his arms. “It’s time.” “So soon?”
“Yes. It’s almost eleven. Mark will be here soon.”
“Take me with you?”
“I wish I could.” He paused to kiss her. “Next time. All right?”
“All right.”
Reluctantly, they got up and began to dress.
“I’m going to arrange for a carriage to take you back.”
“But Jim, somebody might see me.”
He frowned. “Then tell the driver to drop you off a short distance from your house.”
“I can walk.”
“No. The only way I’ll know that you made it home safely is if I send you home in a carriage. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she replied respectfully.
“Thank you,” he grinned. “That’s the tone I like to hear. I must have trained you right.”
Delight smiled at him, and he went to her and took her in his arms to kiss her. Reluctantly, he finally put her from him.
“You are much too tempting. It’s a good thing you’re going ashore, or Mark might not see me for the entire trip.”
Her fingers were shaking as she finished pulling on her clothes. “I’m ready now.”
“All right. I want you to wait in here until I come for you. I’ll go get the carriage right now.”
He left the room quickly, pulling on his coat as he went, and he was back in a very few minutes.
“Everything’s set.”
“Thank you.” Delight didn’t want to look at him, for she knew he’d be able to read the misery she was feeling in her eyes.
“Darling?” His tone was coaxing.
“Yes?” She raised tear-filled eyes to him.
“Your coming down here was the best going-away present I’ve ever had.” He reached out and wiped gently at the crystalline teardrop that traced a path down the softness of her cheek.
“I’ll miss you,” she said softly and then, raising up on tiptoes, she hugged him quickly and kissed his cheek before hurrying from the room.
Jim waited, taking a minute to get himself under control before following her outside. From his vantage point on the texas deck,
he watched Delight as she started to get into the hired conveyance. She turned toward him only once and lifted her hand in a mute good-bye before she disappeared within the safety of the carriage.
Chapter Thirty-one
Delight instructed the driver to stop two blocks from her house, and went the rest of the way on foot. The streets were dark, damp, and deserted, and she shivered as she hurried the short distance home. Grateful to discover that Rose had left the back door unbolted, she entered the kitchen quickly, anxious to be out of the chill of the night air. It was as she was turning to start up the backstairs that he spoke from the shadows.
“So. You’ve been to your lover again, have you?” Martin’s voice was cold with menace. “And in such clothes…is this how he likes you? Dressed like a boy?”
Delight froze in the middle of the dimly lighted room. “What do you want, Martin?”
“You know what I want. And I intend to have it right now.”
“There is no way I’m going to let you touch me ever again,” she told him, and she was amazed at how calm she sounded.
“We’ll see about that, you little bitch,” he seethed, and with lightning speed he grabbed her and pulled her to him.
His hands were rough as they tore her shirt, popping the buttons off, and his mouth covered hers in a punishing kiss that muffled the sound of her scream as his groping fingers sought her exposed breast. Struggling, Delight tried to kick him, but Martin was too fast for her. Tonight, he was ready. His lips bruised hers as he roughly pushed her back against the wall, trapping her effectively.
Delight felt faint. How could this be happening? A few minutes ago she had been safe in Jim’s tender care, and now she was being ravaged by this animal. Twisting, she tried to break free. She couldn’t let him do this, she couldn’t! But Martin was too strong for her, and he held her immobile as he continued his assault, forcing her to submit to his fervent caresses. Her tears fell unheeded as she felt herself weakening. Her knees were barely able to support her, and she slumped heavily against the wall as Martin moved closer and wedged himself against her.
It was the sudden brightening of the room, followed by the cold, deadly words that Clara uttered that brought Martin back to reality.
“Take your hands off my daughter,” Clara ordered, cocking the pistol she held and pointing it directly at the center of his back.
Martin froze, unable to move for an instant.
Clara repeated her warning as Rose joined her, carrying a lamp. “I said, get your filthy hands off Delight!”
He paled as he realized that he’d been caught, and he quickly dropped his hands from her and moved away.
“She met me down here…she tempted me….” he began, but the look in his wife’s eyes was one of open contempt.
“Rose,” she said softly, looking at Delight as she stood helplessly sobbing against the wall.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I want you to take her upstairs, away from this pitiful excuse for a man, and pack a few things for the both of you. I’ll have the carriage brought around, and I want you to go to Jim Westlake. Tell him what happened here.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Wit h tender efficiency, Rose led Delight out of the room and upstairs to the safety of her bedroom. Locking the door behind them, she helped her to the bed.
“Sit here a minute while I get everything together.”
“I need a bath, Rose…I have to wash…I feel so…” Delight was shivering uncontrollably from the shock of Martin’s attack.
Rose paused in her work and quickly poured a bowl of water for her at the washstand. “Use this for now. We’ll get you a real bath on the boat.”
“Yes…on the boat…” Delight said, slightly reassured. “We have to hurry.”
“I know. You wash and I’ll pack. Here, wear this.” Rose handed her the other boy’s shirt that she owned.
In less than five minutes, they were ready to go. Descending the staircase, they heard the sound of voices in the kitchen.
“Delight, you wait here. I’ll tell your mother we’re going.”
Delight nodded, not wanting to face Martin again.
“Clara, we’re ready.”
Standing in the kitchen with the gun still pointed directly at Martin, Clara answered, “Fine. The carriage is out in front. I want her safely on that boat, Rose.”
“I’ll take care of her.”
Clara nodded, and Rose hurried from the room, anxious to be away from Martin’s vicious presence.
Clara focused all of her attention on her husband once she heard the carriage drive away.
“I want to hear what you have to say for yourself,” she demanded, never wavering in her purpose.
“I have nothing to say. You’ve already convicted me in your mind.”
She looked at him, smiling thinly. “You’re right. I convicted you a long time ago, when I found out that you were sleeping with Sue, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Until tonight, that is.”
“Sue?” He hadn’t known that she’d been aware of his activities.
“Of course. Did you think I was so stupid I wouldn’t find out?” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “Just one question, Martin. Why?”
He looked up at her, regretting that he’d been discovered. She had been a generous wife, and he wondered quickly if he could salvage any of their relationship. “Sue offered.” He shrugged. “Surely I’m not the first master of the house to take advantage of a willing wench?”
“I could care less what you do with her. I’m talking about my daughter.”
“She’s gone now. Let’s forget about her….” He thought he’d made progress, for he saw a softening in her expression, but when he started to stand, she lifted the gun toward him again.
“It would be that simple to you, wouldn’t it?”
“Why not? It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. You can get rid of Sue, too, if you want. Then it will be just you and me. Like it was before Delight returned.”
Clara saw him for what he was, then. An opportunist. “No. I’m afraid that won’t happen. If you’d really cared about me, you wouldn’t have needed other women. Especially my daughter. What you’ve done is unforgivable. I want you out of here, now.”
“But darling—” he began, as his hopes faded.
“Out, Martin. Or I’ll use this gun on a part of your anatomy that you’re exceedingly proficient with.” She lowered her aim and gave a grim laugh as he headed quickly upstairs.
Taking time only to get the money he’d hidden and his clothes, Martin prepared to leave the house. Clara was standing in the front hall when he came down on his way out, but neither spoke. There was nothing left for them to say. When he closed the door behind him, she stared at it for a long time before heading back up to bed, knowing that she wouldn’t sleep that night.
Mark arrived with the gold right on schedule. It was loaded onto the Enterprise with no problems, and the guards settled in as the boat made ready to get underway for its long journey south. Mark met Jim in the pilot house, where they were going over last-minute details when the shout of one of the soldiers drew their attention to the dock area.
“Captain! There’s a carriage coming at full speed…it might be trouble!”
Mark and Jim raced down the companionway so they could get a better look at what was going on. With their sidearms drawn, two guards left the boat to approach the vehicle that was now stopped at the foot of the gangplank. They exchanged a few words with the driver before taking a cursory look inside. Then one of the soldiers came back on board and headed up to where they stood.
“What is it, Corporal?” Mark asked.
“It’s two women, sir. And they said they need to speak with Captain Westlake immediately. Some sort of emergency, sir.”
“Delight—” Jim glanced at Mark worriedly before hurrying below. Dodging soldiers and freight, he ran full speed down the gangplank.
Rose saw him coming and opened the carriage door to climb
out. “Jim—”
“Is she hurt? What happened?”
“It was Martin….” Rose started to tell him, but the look on his face was so fierce that she thought better of it. There would be time for that later.
“No—” He brushed past her to reach Delight. “Darling?”
Delight sat in the shadows, still tormented by what had nearly taken place. She had been so sure that she’d be able to handle Martin, and he had overpowered her so easily….
“I’m sorry…I didn’t want to worry you….”
“It’s all right, love. You’re coming with me.” He lifted her lithe form in his arms and carried her quickly on board.
Delight clung to him, secure at last in the haven of his strong embrace. Jim took her directly to his cabin and laid her down on the bed. Helping her with her coat, a cold rage grew within him.
“Montgomery did this to you?” His voice was taut with anger as he saw the bruises Martin had inflicted on her.
“Yes…he cornered me in the kitchen when I got back…I tried to get away from him….”
Jim sat down next to her and pulled her across his lap as she sobbed out her whole story, telling him of the helplessness she’d felt when Martin had forced her back against the wall. With a gentle touch, Jim smoothed her hair back from her face and pressed a soft kiss on her brow.
“It’s all over now. You’ll never have to go back,” he reassured her calmly as he felt her shivering slowly stop. “Never.”
Finally calming down, she looked up at Jim, her eyes luminous with her love for him. “Thank you.”
He kissed her then, reminding her of all that they meant to each other, and sat holding her close and cherishing the feel of her against him.
Filled with a primitive fury, Jim wanted to track Martin down and strangle him with his bare hands. The bastard had actually laid his hands on her…he’d hurt her…Jim tensed as he fought to control himself. The mournful whistle from the pilot house broke through his thoughts, giving him an element of stability to hang on to.
“I need to speak with Mark; it’s time for us to shove off. Will you be all right alone for a few minutes?”
She nodded.
“I’ll be right back.” Against his better judgment, he left her, knowing that the pilot was awaiting his command to leave port. He found Rose and Mark standing anxiously outside his cabin.
