Rapture's Tempest

by Bobbi Smith

  “How is she?” Mark inquired with great concern. He’d seen how pale she’d looked when Jim had carried her on board.

  “I think she’ll be all right. She just needs a little rest right now. Rose, could you stay with her while I go up to the pilot house?”

  “Of course.” Without further words, she entered the cabin and closed the door behind her.

  Mark and Jim headed for the pilothouse to supervise their leaving.

  “What happened? Can you talk about it?”

  Jim hesitated, wondering whether to tell him the whole truth, and then decided that it was time. “Delight’s stepfather tried to force himself on her.”

  “Martin Montgomery?” Mark was stunned.

  “That’s right, the bastard…if we didn’t have to pull out right now, I’d track the son of a bitch down and kill him without a second thought.” Jim’s voice revealed the agony of his position…his desire for revenge thwarted by his duty not only to his job but to Delight, as well. He knew that she needed him now, more than ever. There would be a time and place to seek his revenge on Martin, but this was not the night, no matter how badly he wanted to see the man suffer.

  “Easy…” Mark tried to calm him.

  “I know. I’m under control, but just barely…the thought of what he almost did to her….”

  “But he didn’t succeed. She’ll be fine, right?”

  Jim sighed as some of the tension left his body. “Right. It’s just that I feel so responsible.”

  “You? Why?”

  “I knew about Martin and I let her go back there.”

  “How could you have known?”

  Jim looked at Mark quickly, “I might as well tell you everything, so you can understand. Martin tried to take her once before, but she managed to get away. She disguised herself as a boy and…”

  “Delight?”

  “That’s right. Remember Del Murphy?”

  “You’re not serious?” Mark was astonished.

  “I am. Do you realize she lived with me for all that time and never once did I guess….”

  Mark smiled at the thought. “How did you finally find out?”

  “Suffice it to say that on the night of my engagement party to Annabelle, Delight revealed herself to me. And then the next morning she fled. I didn’t know her name; all I knew was that she was the most perfect woman in the world, and I wanted her for my own.”

  “When did you find out who she really was?”

  “The night of the Montgomerys’ party.”

  “I wondered why you broke off with Annabelle so quickly.”

  “I didn’t love her. Not like I did Delight. She’s the only woman I’ve ever really needed.”

  “But why did she go back home? Surely she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop Martin. Not if he really wanted her….”

  “She threatened to tell her mother everything if he didn’t stay away from her….” Jim paused. “God, Mark…if I ever find him…”

  “I know.” He clasped Jim on the back sympathetically as they entered the pilot house.

  They fell silent then as the pilot skillfully backed the huge steamboat out into the current and swung her around to head downstream. The lights of St. Louis were fading behind them as they once again went back out on deck.

  “Did you ever hear anything from Sam Wallace?” Jim forced himself to think of other things as they walked down the deck to the passageway.

  “Not a word.”

  Jim just nodded. “Well, at least we got away without any trouble.”

  “I just wish I knew what happened to Sam.”

  “So do I. I’d rest a lot easier if I knew for sure that MacIntosh was clean.”

  “You’re not the only one.” They paused at the railing. “You’d better be getting back to Delight.”

  “I know. Are you set for the rest of the night?”

  “Sure. And if I do need anything, I’ll just find Ollie.”

  “Good. I’ll be in my cabin.”

  Jim moved slowly down the texas deck to his room and went in quietly. Rose had turned the lamp down and was sitting at his desk.

  “She’s asleep,” Rose said softly.

  Jim nodded, going to stand beside the bed. Curled on her side, Delight looked very young, and he was touched by the innocence of her beauty. “Are you tired, Rose?”

  “A little.”

  “Why don’t you use Delight’s bed in the connecting room.” He indicated the door.

  “Thanks. I will.” Rose went on to bed then, leaving Jim alone with Delight.

  He stood hesitantly for a moment in the middle of his stateroom as he realized that he’d just set himself up with a chaperone. All he had thought about was lying down with Delight and holding her through the night. He wanted to soothe away her fears, but now, with Rose so close at hand, he had no such freedom.

  Cursing under his breath at his own stupidity, he slumped in his desk chair and opened the bottom drawer to pull out his oft-used bottle of scotch. Tilting it to his lips, he took a long drink of the strong whiskey. Leaning back, he propped his feet up on the desktop and tried to relax.

  So much had happened so fast. Jim let his gaze roam over Delight as she lay sleeping in his bed. He regretted deeply her abuse at Martin’s hands, and he would see that the man paid in full for his attempt. Actually, he was glad that she was here with him. Now he would know for certain that she was safe at all times.

  Bracing his shoulders against the back of the hard chair, he shifted himself lower in search of comfort. It was going to be a long, lonely night, and he knew he should try to get some rest while he could.

  Delight stirred as vivid memories of the evening just passed haunted her. In her dream, she was running…trying to get away from Martin, but he was always close behind her, grabbing at her and trying to pull her down.…With a soft, wild cry she came awake, her breathing labored, her eyes wide with the stark terror she’d felt in her dream.

  “Jim!”

  The sound of her voice woke him, and he moved quickly from his seat to the bedside. “Are you all right?”

  Delight held her arms out to him in a silent plea, and Jim, not caring that Rose was in the next room, slid into bed next to her and held her close.

  “Rest, love. I’ll keep you safe from now on.” He felt her sigh as the tenseness left her, and in a few minutes she’d fallen back asleep. Jim sighed, too, but for very different reasons. There he was with the woman of his dreams sleeping peacefully in his arms, and there was nothing he could do. He was fully dressed, fully chaperoned, and fully miserable. Resigning himself to a night of complete frustration, he kissed her brow gently and then closed his eyes.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  The sun was just streaking the horizon with its golden promises when Martin emerged from the saloon. After leaving Clara, he’d taken a room at the Planter’s Hotel and then spent the evening trying to devise a plan that would set him up for the rest of his life. Though he was in no danger of financial embarrassment at the present time, Martin definitely needed more money. He’d become accustomed to the good life, and he wanted to maintain that standard of living.

  Taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air to clear his head, Martin headed back toward his hotel. He had made many decisions out of necessity before, so he didn’t resent the position he now found himself in. The only thing that bothered him was the fact that he had never made Delight his own. But it was too late to worry about that; Delight had made her choice to go with Westlake, and Martin knew that she would get what she deserved. Right now, his own survival was all that mattered to him, and Martin fully intended to come out of this awkward situation in good financial shape.

  As he saw it, he had two opportunities—he could go to Nathan and threaten to expose their involvement in the upcoming robbery unless they paid him more money; or he could go to Marshall Westlake and warn him about the planned attack. Though either plan might pay off handsomely, they were both fraught with risks. Nathan and his group ju
st might turn vicious and try to silence him permanently, while the Westlakes might not believe what he had to say.

  The possibility of endangering his own life was enough to convince Martin to go to Marshall with what he knew. Not that he wanted to save Jim’s life, but he did need to get the most possible money with the least possible effort.

  His decision made, he now had to come up with a believable story of how he had come by the information, and he also had to present himself in such a way that his approach did not sound like blackmail. Convinced that the only thing Marshall would buy was desperation, Martin knew he would have to act the part of a hunted man.

  It was after nine when he ventured forth from his hotel room and made his way to Marshall’s office.

  “Good morning,” Marshall greeted him.

  “Marshall.” Martin was grave and a bit jittery as he came forward. Martin wondered quickly if Jim had told his brother of his involvement with Delight, but his cordial welcome belied those fears.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I’d like a minute of your time. It’s important that I talk with you,” Martin said nervously, glancing about the open reception area.

  Marshall, sensing an urgency behind his words, said nothing as he ushered him into the privacy of his office. “Please take a seat. Would you like some coffee?”

  “No. I don’t have time,” Martin replied, looking fearfully around the room.

  “What’s wrong?” Marshall urged, taking a seat behind his desk and assuming his professional manner.

  “I’m in trouble.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “I accidentally overheard some plans being made….”

  “Plans? For what?”

  “They were talking about the gold you ship and…”

  “What?” Marshall was convinced of his agitation and now understood why he was so upset.

  “They know that I heard everything that was said.…And if they find out that I came here, to you…” He hoped he sounded suitably panic-stricken. “I have to get out of town.”

  Marshall leaned forward urgently. “What did you hear?”

  His tone reflecting his agitation, Martin rushed on. “The Rebs are going to attack the Enterprise.”

  “When? Where?”

  “I can’t be sure. I only heard them say that by tonight Jim would be dead and everything would be taken care of.”

  “I have to get word to Jim right away.” Marshall stood, knowing that he had to act and act quickly. “Do you need any help getting away?”

  “I hate to admit it, but I do.”

  “How much?”

  “What ever you think…I need to go somewhere where they’ll never be able to locate me….”

  Disappearing into the outer office, Marshall returned with a stack of hundred-dollar bills.

  “Here’s three thousand.” He handed the money to Martin.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’ll be all right?”

  “I should be, once I can get out of town.” Martin stood up, stuffing the money into his coat pocket.

  “What about Clara? Is she involved in any of this?”

  “No. She doesn’t know anything about it.”

  “Good. She’ll be safe, then.” Marshall nodded as they left.

  “Do you have a back door?” Martin asked, following through with his ruse.

  “Right over here.”

  “I won’t forget this, Marshall.” Martin turned to shake hands before he left.

  “Good luck.” And Marshall watched him disappear down the alley before turning back into the room. There was little time to waste. He rushed to get his coat, and, telling his clerks that he was leaving, he headed home.

  “What do you mean, Jim’s boat is going to be attacked?” George Westlake demanded as Marshall related the whole story to his father.

  “Martin Montgomery came by the office. It seems that he overheard the plans being made and the spies were after him. He was terrified, so I gave him some money to get out of town.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “The only thing possible. Catch the next boat south.”

  George looked nervously at his pocket watch. “I’ll bring the horses around. Martha—pack my things.”

  He strode from the room, anxious that they should be on their way, and Martha followed after him, leaving Renee alone with Marshall.

  He gave her a quick hug as he picked up his saddlebags.

  “You’ll be careful?” she asked.

  “Of course. You know I always come home to you.” He reassured her further with a passionate kiss and then started downstairs to meet George. There was no time to waste.

  Jim was thankful that he awoke first. Easing himself from the bed, he quickly washed up and left the cabin in search of Mark. The sun was just breaking over the treetops as he strode down the deck and entered the Grand Salon. The sound of voices drew him to the saloon, where he found Ollie, Mark, and several of the other soldiers already eating breakfast.

  “Good morning, Captain.” Ollie was pleased to see him.

  “Is there any more food left around here?” Jim asked good-naturedly as he sat down at their table and was served his breakfast.

  “Are the women all right?” Mark was concerned.

  Jim nodded. “They’re still asleep.”

  “Delight wasn’t injured, was she?” Ollie asked.

  “No. Physically she’s fine.”

  “Good. I was worried, after what Mark told me.” Ollie wanted to say more, but he knew it was best to hold his tongue. Mark had explained how angry Jim was over the situation and talking about it again wasn’t going to help.

  “It was a rough experience for her to go through, but things are going to work out better this way,” Jim grinned.

  “Why?”

  “Because, as soon as we can find a preacher, I’m going to marry her.”

  Mark lifted his cup of coffee in a toast. “May you have a long and happy life together.”

  Delight was already up when Rose emerged from the connecting cabin.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead,” she teased.

  “How are you this morning?” Rose went to her friend and hugged her.

  Delight returned the embrace with deep affection. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. I haven’t felt this good since before…”

  “I understand.” Rose knew it was too soon to talk about all the ugliness that had happened. “Do you want to change into a dress? I packed a few things for you last night.”

  Delight looked down at the trousers and ripped shirt she still had on. “I think I’d better. I don’t want to remind Jim of what happened last night.”

  After a rather quick toilet, she put on an attractive pale green daygown with tiny pearl buttons that buttoned down the front. It was trimmed with white collar and cuffs. Brushing out her hair, she realized that they hadn’t brought the hairpiece.

  “Do you suppose I’ll start a new fashion in hairstyles?”

  “Well,” Rose grinned. “Shorter hair was the vogue some years back.”

  Delight brushed her shining ebony locks into a mass of curls and stepped back. “What do you think?”

  “If we pin the sides up it might look a bit longer.” Rose set to work and in a few moments had fashioned a style that helped to disguise the uneven layering of Delight’s hair. “How’s that?”

  “It looks great. Thanks.” Delight glanced in the mirror once more before going to get her cloak. “Shall we go see if we can find Jim and Ollie?”

  “That sounds like a good idea. I’m getting hungry.”

  As they turned to head out the door, it swung open, and Jim and Ollie entered carrying trays.

  “So you’re up,” Jim said as he set the breakfast trays on his desk. “We were wondering how long you were going to sleep.”

  Delight smiled. “We were just going to try to find you.”

  “We thought it mi
ght be wiser if you ate up here.”

  “Thank you.”

  With Ollie and Rose in the room, Jim had to resist the urge to take Delight in his arms. Lying in bed with her last night had been a test for sainthood, but this morning he found that she was even more irresistible. Restraining himself with great effort, he deliberately kept his manner impersonal as he directed her to the food.

  “You’d better eat while it’s hot,” he urged, and the women sat down without hesitation. “Ollie and I will be back later. It will be safer if you stay in the cabin until one of us comes for you.”

  Delight frowned, but didn’t protest as the men left. She understood the importance of the mission they were on, and she wanted to do all she could to make Jim’s job easier.

  “Do you think it’s really that dangerous, Delight?” Rose was worried.

  “Yes. I do. They’re carrying Union gold.” Delight let the sentence drop as she said a small prayer for Jim’s safety.

  It was near noon when Delight sensed a change in the boat’s rhythm. Opening the curtains, she was surprised to find that they were pulling into a small town on the Missouri side.

  “We’re stopping, Rose,” Delight remarked as the roustabouts threw out the lines. Remembering Jim’s instructions not to leave the cabin, she stayed inside and watched as one of the soldiers hurried off in the direction of town.

  “Do you want me to go see if I can find out what’s going on?”

  “No. He told us to wait here. If it’s anything important, I’m sure he’ll let us know….” She sounded convincing, but in her heart she was worried. Why had the man gone into town? This obviously wasn’t one of the regular fueling stops, so why the interruption of their schedule?

  Almost a half an hour later, Ollie came to the cabin.

  “You’re both to come with me,” he informed them mysteriously.

  “Both of us?” Rose was genuinely surprised.

  “Is something wrong, Ollie?” Delight asked and when he didn’t answer, she began to worry.

  Hurrying them along, he escorted them down the gangplank and up the small levee toward the town.