She felt Clay’s presence behind her rather than heard him. She whirled about, her hair flying. She stood as still as if she were made of stone.
Silently, he opened his arms to her.
She leaped into them, burying her face in his neck, her body pressed hard against his. She felt his face against her cheek, and she knew his eyes were also wet.
Still holding her aloft, he turned her chin so she looked at him. He studied her face, devouring it. “You’re well?” he whispered.
She nodded, her eyes on his. There was something wrong, deeply wrong. She sensed it.
He clutched her close again. “I thought I was going to go crazy,” he said. “I couldn’t bear it again.”
“You won’t have to,” she smiled, relaxing against his body, enjoying the warmth and strength of him. “My own naiveté got me into this. I won’t be so careless again.”
“Next time you won’t be given a choice,” he said fiercely.
“Clay, what do you mean by next time?” She tried to push away from him.
He pushed her head to one side and began to kiss her. As soon as his lips touched hers, Nicole stopped thinking. It had been so very long since they’d been together.
“Ahem!”
Clay’s head came up to stare at Travis and Wesley.
“I see you found her,” Wes said, grinning. “We hated to interrupt you, but this is a filthy place, and we’d like to leave.”
Clay nodded, his face serious, his dark brows drawn down over his eyes.
“What about him?” Travis said, his voice heavy with disgust. He pointed to an unconscious Isaac sprawled in the mud. The bandages around his leg were reddening with blood. There was a swelling lump on his jaw where he’d obviously been hit.
“Isaac!” Nicole gasped and pushed out of Clay’s arms. She was at the boy’s side immediately. “How could you?” she glared up at Travis. “He saved my life. Didn’t you wonder how he got such a cut on his leg? If I were his prisoner, I could have run away from him.”
Travis stared down at Nicole in amusement. “I don’t guess I stopped to think at all. I came around a corner of the shack, and he came at me with a knife.” His eyes twinkled. “I guess I should have stepped back and considered the situation.”
“I’m sorry,” Nicole said. “I think my nerves are a bit raw.” She quickly started to untie the bloody bandages from Isaac’s leg. “Clay, give me your shirt. I need some more bandages.”
When Nicole turned, her hand out to take the shirt, she looked up at three bare-chested men, each handing her a shirt. “Thank you,” she whispered, blinking back tears. It was going to be good to get home again.
Chapter 15
NICOLE PAUSED, HER NEEDLE IN HER HAND, AS SHE glanced toward the window for the hundredth time. There was no need to try to keep from crying because her tears had all been used. It had been nearly two months since she’d seen Clay. During the first month, she’d been bewildered, confused, stunned. Then, for weeks, she’d cried. Now she felt numb, as if part of her body had been removed and she was adjusting to it.
After Clay had taken her from the island, he’d returned her to the mill. All during the long journey down the river to the Armstrong plantation, Clay had held her tightly, at times preventing her from breathing properly. But she didn’t care. His arms about her were what she wanted.
When they had reached the wharf, Clay told Travis to tie the sloop first to the mill wharf. Nicole had been puzzled because she assumed she would go to the house with him. After clutching her to him almost in desperation, he had released her abruptly and jumped back into the boat, not looking back as Travis sailed the boat toward Clay’s wharf.
For days, Nicole had watched for Clay. When he didn’t come, she’d made excuses for him. She knew Bianca still lived in his house with him. Perhaps it was taking longer for him to get her on a ship to England.
When a month had passed and there was still no word, the tears started. Alternately, she had cursed him, forgiven him, understood him, cursed him again. Had he been lying to her when he said he loved her. Was Bianca’s power over him stronger than he had thought? She was too angry at him to think rationally.
“Nicole,” Janie said quietly—there were a lot of whispers in the house now. “Why don’t you take the twins and go cut some evergreens? It looks like it’s going to snow. Wes will be here later, and we can decorate the house for Christmas.”
Slowly, Nicole rose, but she didn’t feel much in the spirit for Christmas.
“You will not tear out the east wall of my house,” Clay said in a deadly serious voice.
Bianca sneered at him in disgust. “This house is too small! In England, it wouldn’t be better than a gatekeeper’s cottage.”
“Then may I suggest you return to England?”
“I won’t stand for your insults, do you hear me? Have you forgotten my cousins?”
“Since there isn’t a moment when you don’t mention them, I don’t believe I could forget them. Now, I have work to do. Get out of here!” He glared at her over the ledger, watched as she put her nose in the air and stormed out of the office.
When she was gone, Clay poured himself a drink. He’d had about all he could take of Bianca. She was probably the laziest human he’d ever encountered. She was constantly angry because the servants refused to obey her. At first, Clay had made halfhearted attempts to force them into obedience, but soon he gave up. Why should he make them as miserable as he was?
He left the office and went to the stables to get his horse. Two months he’d spent with that bitch! Every day, he tried to think of the nobility of his gesture, how he was probably saving Nicole’s life by his martyrdom. But self-inflicted pain can only go so far. Now that he’d had more time to think, he saw a way out of Bianca’s plans. He and Nicole could leave Virginia. They could plan a time when they wouldn’t be missed for a few days and then go west. There was new land opening all the way to the Mississippi River. He’d like to see that river.
Bianca was right about one thing. She’d be bankrupt in less than a year. He could arrange for Travis to buy back the plantation after Bianca ran it into the red. Travis and Wes could force Bianca off the land. Just so long as Nicole was safely out of the fat bitch’s reach.
Clay sat on his horse just at the edge of the river. There was smoke coming from Nicole’s chimney. At first, he’d stayed away from her because the sight of her caused him too much pain. Quite often in the last months, he’d stood on a hill and watched the activity across the water. He had longed to go to her and talk to her, but he couldn’t until he had a plan. Now he did.
Big, fat snowflakes were beginning to fall, and as Clay watched, he heard the sound of hammering. He could see one lone figure on top of the mill, hammering loose wooden shakes down more securely.
With a smile, Clay dismounted from his horse, slapping the sleek black rump of the horse and watching as it made its way toward the stables. Then, he went to the rowboat and rowed himself across the river.
He picked up a hammer from the toolbox at the base of the ladder leaning against the mill and climbed to the roof. Wesley looked up in surprise, grinned, and silently held out a handful of nails. Clay quickly arranged the heads in one direction and began hammering, feeding the nails with his left hand as quickly as a machine. The physical labor felt good after the quarrel with Bianca.
It was nearly dark when the two men climbed down the ladder, both sweaty and tired. But it was a good tired, from labor shared with a friend.
They went inside the mill, where it was warm and a tub of water waited for them. The snow was coming down more heavily.
“We certainly haven’t seen you in a while,” Wes said, his voice heavy with criticism.
Clay didn’t answer as he removed his shirt and began to wash.
“Janie said Nicole cried herself to sleep every night for weeks,” Wes continued. “Maybe that doesn’t matter to you. After all, you do have that overblown copy of Beth to keep you warm.”
/> Clay stared at him. “You’re making judgments about things you know nothing of.”
“Then maybe you should explain it to me.”
Clay dried himself slowly. “We’ve known each other all our lives. Have I ever done anything to cause this much hostility?”
“Not until now! Damn it, Clay, she’s a beautiful woman. She’s kind, sweet—”
“You don’t have to tell me!” Clay interrupted. “Do you think I want to stay away from her? Has it ever occurred to you that there are circumstances beyond my control?”
Wes stood quietly for a moment. He’d been wrong not to trust his friend. He put his hand on Clay’s shoulder. “Why don’t you come inside? Nicole promised to make doughnuts, and the twins will be glad to see you.”
“You seem rather free with Nicole’s hospitality,” Clay said coldly.
Wes grinned. “That’s the Clay I know. If you don’t take care of her, someone has to.”
Clay turned and left the mill, heading toward the house. He’d not been inside the house since Nicole had moved there. Even as he stood just inside the door, the warmth of the place hit him. It was more than the physical warmth from the enormous fireplace, but something intangible, felt inside rather than against the skin.
The winter sun was coming through the sparkling clear windows. There was very little furniture, and Clay recognized most of it as the castoffs he’d sent some time ago. The dishes in the cabinet next to the fireplace were chipped and mismatched. There were very few cooking utensils.
Yet, in spite of the plainness, at that moment Clay would have traded his beautiful house for this simple dwelling. Janie bent over an iron pot of bubbling oil, turning doughnuts as they rose to the surface. The twins hovered over her, oblivious to the men standing behind them.
“Mandy,” Janie said, “if you try to eat them while they’re so hot, you’re going to get burned, and you know it.”
Mandy giggled as she grabbed a fresh doughnut and bit into it. Her eyes teared when she burned her mouth, but she wouldn’t show Janie that she was in pain.
“You are as stubborn as your uncle,” Janie said in disgust.
Clay chuckled, and Janie whirled to face him. “You’d better be careful when you talk about someone. They just might be listening.”
Before Janie could reply, the twins screeched, “Uncle Clay!” and leaped into his arms. Clay grabbed one child under each arm and swung them around. When he lifted them, they put their arms around his neck. “Why didn’t you come before? Do you want to see my new puppy? You want a doughnut? They’re good but very hot.”
Clay laughed and hugged them to him. “Did you miss me?”
“Yes, very much. Nicole said we had to wait until you came to see us, that we couldn’t go see you.”
“Is that fat lady still there?”
“Alex!” Nicole said from the staircase. “You are to remember your manners.” She walked slowly toward Clay, her heart pounding in her throat. She was appalled that his presence could upset her so much. Since he’d been able to abandon her so lightly, obviously she meant very little to him. She worked at keeping her anger under control. “Won’t you have a seat?” she asked formally.
“Yeah, Clay,” Wes grinned. “Have a seat. Janie, you think those doughnuts are cool enough now?”
“Just about.” She set the plate on the big table. “Where have you been, you ungrateful, wretched—” she hissed under her breath, unable to think of a word strong enough for him. “If you mistreat her again, you’ll answer to me.”
Clay smiled at her, then grabbed her rough, raw hand and kissed it. “You’re magnificent as a protector, Janie. If I didn’t know you, I’d almost be frightened.”
“Maybe you should be,” she snapped, but her eyes were twinkling.
Nicole had her back to them as she calmly poured out noggins of eggnog. With shaking hands, she set a mug before Clay.
His eyes never left hers as he lifted the cup. “Eggnog,” he said. “I’ve never had that except at Christmas.”
“It is Christmas!” the twins laughed.
Clay looked around him and noticed for the first time the evergreens and holly across the mantelpiece. He hadn’t realized it was Christmastime. The last months of hell, spent near Bianca’s nagging tongue, were fading into the distance.
“Nicole is going to make a turkey tomorrow, and Mr. Wesley and Mr. Travis are going to be here,” the twins said.
Clay looked at Wes. “Think there’ll be room for another guest?”
The men exchanged looks. “That would be up to Nicole.”
Clay looked at his wife for a long moment, waiting for her answer.
Nicole felt her anger coming to the surface. He was using her! He spent days in bed with her, told her he loved her, then suddenly he dropped her on her doorstep like so much baggage. Now he comes sauntering into her house after months of silence, and what does he want? He expects her to kiss his feet in welcome. She stiffened her back and turned away from him. “Of course, you and Bianca are welcome. I’m sure she would enjoy the festivities as much as anyone.”
Wesley smothered a laugh as he watched the frown crease Clay’s brow.
“Bianca can’t—” Clay began.
“I insist!” Nicole said narrowly. “May I say that one isn’t welcome without the other?”
Suddenly, the atmosphere of the house was more than Clay could bear. They didn’t realize the picture they presented. Wes leaned back in a chair smoking on a pipe he’d taken from the mantel. The twins happily stuffed themselves with doughnuts. The mention of Bianca’s name made him remember the misery of his own household.
He rose. “Nicole, could I speak to you?” he asked quietly.
“No,” she said firmly. “Not yet.”
He nodded and left the warmth of the house.
Bianca was waiting for him when he entered Arundel Hall. “So! You couldn’t stay away from her, could you?”
He brushed past her, not answering her.
“That man who runs the stables came to me and asked where you were. He was worried that you’d been hurt since your horse came back alone. They’re always worried about you—and about her! No one on this place cares anything about me.”
Clay turned and sneered at her. “You care enough about yourself to make up for everyone. Did you realize that tomorrow is Christmas Day?”
“Of course! I told the servants I wanted a special meal to be prepared. They, I am sure, will ignore me and, as usual, you won’t do anything about it.”
“A meal! That’s your main interest, isn’t it?” Suddenly, he lunged at her, grabbed her dress by the neckline. “You’re going to get your wish. Tomorrow we’re going to go to Nicole’s for dinner.” Maybe if Nicole saw them together, she’d realize how miserable he was. And he wanted to spend the day with Nicole, so badly that he was willing to subject them all to Bianca’s vile personality. Perhaps she’d just eat and remain quiet.
She tried to jerk away from him but couldn’t. His closeness made her stomach turn. “I will not go!” she breathed.
“Then I’ll give orders that no food will enter this house all day.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “You wouldn’t.”
He pushed her away from him until she slammed into the wall, hard. “You make me sick. You will go even if I have to carry you.” He looked her up and down. “If I can. God, but it’s going to be good to get rid of you.” He stopped, appalled at what he’d said. He turned away, went into the library, and slammed the door behind him.
Bianca stood quietly for a moment, staring at the door. What did he mean, get rid of her?
She turned away and slowly went up the stairs. Nothing was going as she had planned. Abe had visited her soon after she’d given the map to Clay. He’d been bleeding from the cut in his arm, and Bianca had nearly become ill. The dreadful man demanded money from her so he could get out of Virginia, away from Clay’s revenge. Bianca had had to pry open a box in the library to get him some pieces of silv
er.
She’d told him he had to stay near because she might need him again. He’d just laughed at her as he tied a piece of cloth around his arm, saying Bianca’d caused him to lose his family and his inheritance. Then he’d said something very rude about what she could do with her future needs.
Now, Bianca knew there was no one else. She told Clay she had other relatives, but that was a hollow threat. If he did throw her on a ship, no one would take Nicole as she had threatened. Nothing would happen. Bianca would be thrown aside, and no one, absolutely no one, would care.
She closed the door to her bedroom and looked out the window into the dark garden. The new snow was making it beautiful. Would she have to give it up? For a while she had felt safe, but now she was beginning to worry again.
She had to do something—and quickly. She had to get rid of Nicole before the French bitch took everything. Abe was gone, so she couldn’t carry out her threat to send Nicole back to France. But, of course, Clay didn’t know that—yet. Bianca had no doubt that he would sooner or later find out.
She clutched at the curtain, crushing the pink silk. The way the two of them rutted, it’s a wonder Nicole wasn’t pregnant by now. After seeing Clay with the twins, Bianca guessed that if Nicole were going to have a baby, his baby, no power on earth would make him leave her.
Suddenly, Bianca dropped the curtain, smoothed the fabric lovingly. What if someone else were going to have Clay’s baby? Wouldn’t little Miss Frenchy have her nose put out of joint? And what if Clay thought Nicole were bedding someone else? She probably would, Bianca thought. She’s so hot for a man, she probably slept with Isaac on the island. Or Wesley!
Bianca smiled and caressed her stomach. Thinking always made her hungry. She started toward the door. She had a lot of thinking to do, and she’d need her nourishment.
“Merry Christmas!” Travis bellowed as Clay and Bianca entered Nicole’s little house. Bianca wore a sullen, hostile look. She ignored Travis and looked at the food piled high on the big table in the center of the room. She wrenched her arm free from Clay’s grasp and went toward the table.
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