Sweet Silken Bondage

by Bobbi Smith

  "And I agree, Mrs. Cordell!" Webster put in hastily, enraptured as he hurried forth to pull out the chair next to his for her.

  "Well, thank you, both." Reina smiled graciously.

  Clay, having no choice in the matter, directed Reina to the chair Webster held out.

  Reina could sense that he was annoyed, and she was glad as she sat down gracefully, bestowing glowing smiles on both the other men. Let Clay be irritated! she thought with glee. What did she care? He meant nothing to her. He was her captor, her unwanted guardian, her miserable jailer. Every minute she was forced to endure his domination. His cocksure attitude annoyed her so much that she was eager to prod him here in public. She wanted to let him know in no uncertain terms that he could not tell her what to do.

  Clay was fully and completely frustrated. He couldn't remember the last time he'd encountered so much trouble doing something so simple. All he had to do was get Reina back to California. After seeing her lift her chin in that subtly defiant move, he'd known for sure that he was going to be in for a rough night. She was a willful wench, and he was going to have a devil of a time controlling her. Hell, Clay thought in misery, bringing in Ace Denton had been child's play compared to this.

  Clay ignored the compliments the men were heaping on Reina as he sat down to her left. He didn't care for the seating arrangements, but there was nothing he could do about it without coming across as either jealous or foolish. Still, it was much too intimate, as far as he was concerned. Clay would have preferred a massive, eight-foot-long plank table like the crew used in the galley with Reina at one end and Webster at the other, rather than this rather private setting.

  As soon as everyone was comfortably seated, Michael immediately engaged Reina in conversation, and she responded without reserve, just as Clay feared she would. He realized then the mistake he'd made in trying to force her to behave. As selfcentered and stubborn as she was, he should have known that she would react exactly the opposite of how he'd wanted her to act. He cursed himself for being so short-sighted, but at the time, his temper was flaring.

  As the two of them talked on, their light, easygoing, unconcerned comments began to grate on Clay's nerves. He drank his glass of wine, then had another. When Gibson asked him a few questions in an attempt to begin a discussion of their own, Clay's answers were abrupt and discouraged any further talk. He refilled his glass and told himself that he didn't want to talk because he didn't want to be distracted from Reina. He had to keep track of what she was doing.

  Clay glanced at Webster and saw that the youth was completely taken with her. He was listening raptly to her every word, his eyes upon her adoringly. His gaze swung to Reina then, and he saw that she was looking at him quite fondly.

  Anger seared Clay. Reina was having one helluva good time at his expense! He knew she was using Webster just to make him mad, and he didn't dare give her the satisfaction of knowing she was succeeding. She was too quick and too bright to give her an inch. His baser desires urged him to grab Reina by the arm and haul her back down to their cabin. He wanted to lock her away there, safe from the young man's avid gaze. Instead, he was forced by circumstances to sit there beside Reina, acting as if her openly flirtatious ways were harmless...just an everyday occurrence that he tolerated because he loved her.

  The meal began. Course after course of delicious food was placed before them, but the business of eating did not deter Michael Webster from trying to dominate Reina's attention. He bombarded her with questions, and she blatantly encouraged him with quick answers and friendly smiles. Michael was enthralled. He had never met a woman as sophisticated and beautiful as Reina Cordell. He thought her about the most wonderful woman he'd ever known, and he hated the fact that she was married. Michael wondered if Cordell knew what a lucky man he was to have her for his very own.

  Clay ate what was placed before him, but it was all tasteless to him. He just wished the damned dinner would be over.

  Gibson could see that Webster was enamored with the beauteous Mrs. Cordell. He could also see that her husband was not at all happy with the way she and the young man were carrying on. Remembering the incident on deck that afternoon, he decided to try to defuse the situation himself.

  "Mrs. Cordell," Gibson interrupted them smoothly, "I understand that you have family in California?" He garnered an irritated glance from Michael for cutting in on their conversation, but he didn't care.

  Reina wanted to deny her father's very existence, but for the sake of outward harmony, went along. "Why, yes, I do. My father's ranch-Rancho Alvarez is just outside of Monterey. It's quite a showplace He's very proud of it." Bitterly, she believed that he loved the ranch far more than he loved her.

  "That is a beautiful area," the captain agreed.

  "I was telling Captain Gibson this afternoon, how eager you are to return home," Clay explained tightly.

  "Oh, yes. I'm definitely looking forward to our making landfall." Reina meant every word. "How much longer will it be?"

  "For us, barring bad weather, we'll be at sea at least five more days," Gibson answered.

  Five more days, Reina groaned mentally.

  "After that," the captain was saying, "you still have to cross the Isthmus and then take another vessel up the west coast."

  "It sounds like it'll be an eternity before I see my father again." Reina's emotions were torn at the thought. She'd had a close relationship with her father all her life, and it hurt to think that had all changed. She wished things could be as they used to be, but she wondered if that would ever be possible again. Nathan Marlow stood between them now.

  Smitten as he was, Michael wanted only to please her. Trying to brighten her day, he didn't think about how his idea would sound to her husband.

  "I'll be glad to help you pass the time," Michael offered quickly, dreaming of spending endless wonderful hours in her company, escorting her around the deck, listening to her delightful laugh. She was such an excellent conversationalist and so lovely to look upon that he thought it heaven just to be with her.

  Reina was a bit surprised by his suggestion, but was not about to discourage him. She accepted graciously, "Why, that's very kind of you, Michael..."

  Reina's ploy stoked Clay's blazing fury to even greater heights. Wanting to put the young interloper in his place once and for all, Clay slipped an arm possessively across the back of Reina's chair. His gaze was steely as it met Michael's across the table.

  "The lady does have a husband, Webster," he said in a flat, but dangerous voice.

  Michael flushed as he realized how forward he'd been. "Sorry, Cordell ...I...um..."

  "It's all right, Michael. I'm sure Clay understands you were just being nice." Reina spoke up in his defense, her dark gaze gleaming with challenge as she met Clay's.

  The heat of Clay's anger burned in his eyes and in every muscle in his body. Had Reina known him better, she would have realized just how dangerous a line she was treading. Clay Cordell was the type of man who could be pushed only so far. Reina, however, was unaware that she'd just reached the point of no return.

  Furious with her, Clay leaned closer. In an exaggerated whisper, he said, "It was nice of Webster to be thoughtful, love. But if you find the trip boring, my darling bride, I can think of many more enjoyable ways to pass the time than by walking the deck or making idle conversation. I'm sure you know what I mean." He lifted one curl from her shoulder and rubbed it between his fingers in a sensual gesture that declared his private ownership to those looking on.

  Though to the world Clay appeared the adoring, doting husband, Reina heard the ice in his tone and saw the flintiness in his eyes. A tingle of fear threatened, but she ignored it. Let him be angry! She didn't care. He was not going to intimidate her. He deserved every bit of this and much, much more.

  "Oh, I'm not bored in the least, Clay, darling," Reina returned, "It's just, you know how anxious I am to be home with my father, and sometimes the time does pass so slowly. You know how miserable I was when I was indis
posed and couldn't leave the cabin..."

  Clay responded through gritted teeth, "Oh, yes, I know very well how miserable you were and how very anxious you are to go home to your father."

  "Have you been away from home long, Mrs. Cordell?" Gibson asked.

  "Far too long, Captain," Clay answered for Reina. "Her father's missed her greatly and is most eager to have her back."

  "There's nothing quite like a loving family waiting for you at home," the captain agreed.

  Reina wanted to shout at the good captain that she didn't want to go back, that the loving home she'd grown up in didn't seem to exist any more! She wanted to cry out that Rancho Alvarez must mean more to her father than she did, for he hadn't even bothered to come after her. He'd sent Clay in his stead. But she remained quiet.

  "Do you come from a large family, Mrs. Cordell?" Michael asked, having recovered from Clay's curt remark.

  "No, my family's quite small, really," she declined to be more specific, not really wanting to talk about her father. "What about you, Michael?"

  Encouraged, Michael launched into a long dissertation about his oversized family.

  Clay saw red as Reina turned more fully in her chair to face Webster. She made it plain that she was giving him her undivided attention and she smiled warmly as she encouraged him to talk about himself.

  "That's quite a large brood you come from," Reina told him. "It must be nice having so many brothers and sisters"

  Clay wondered in irritation what it mattered to her what size family the boy had. He couldn't care less if Webster had thirty sisters and four hundred brothers! Wanting to distract Reina from the avid young man, he commented, "I know we haven't talked much about having a family, love, but perhaps one day soon we'll be having our own baby. I'm particularly fond of children and would have no objection to quite a few, if you're so inclined."

  Reina had been caught by surprise by his comments, and she took them as snide. She turned a fiery regard on him. "I do want children some day, but I don't think I'm ready just yet."

  "We mustn't keep your father waiting too long. You know, we're his only hope for grandchildren since your sister entered the convent."

  Her gaze hardened at his taunt. That's very true, darling," she stressed the endearment. "Mary Regina definitely won't be having any children." She deliberately turned back to Michael. "Tell me more about your family, Michael. Were they upset when you left home?"

  He shrugged. "I'll miss them a lot, but we need the money. I'm never going to have a chance to get rich back there, so this is about my only hope to really make it big. I'll start sending money back to help out just as soon as I can start making some."

  "That's very noble of you," Reina was honestly impressed with his sincerity and his determination to make good. She didn't know if he'd find gold or not, but she hoped he found some way to make his fortune when he got to California.

  Clay sat there, barely able to contain his irritation as the boy seemed to swell with pride over Reina's praise. It aggravated Clay that she was making him out to be some kind of a knight in shining armor and it annoyed him greatly that Webster was believing it. He seemed to be hanging on her every word, gazing at her with stars in his eyes, and his precious bride was enjoying every minute of it and not discouraging him in any way. Clay's annoyance was rapidly threatening to turn to full-blown anger at her playing him for a fool here in public. As soon as he could manage it, he was going to drag her out of there and set her straight about a few things.

  "I've always envied you men," Reina said honestly.

  "Why?" Michael asked.

  "Well, you wanted to take a big chance and go to California, so you are. That's exciting. You're free to do what you want. Now, take my husband and me, for example. Our life's really quite dull and very restricted. There's little excitement." Rena said with hidden delight.

  Clay tensed at her implied insult. "I didn't know it was excitement you wanted, darling" Reina glanced at him, and she saw the unspoken threat in the depths of his gaze.

  "Every woman wants some excitement in her life. She also longs for the power to make choices for herself," she said pointedly, her eyes holding his momentarily.

  "I don't understand," Michael put in, decidedly confused. "I thought women wanted to be protected and cared for."

  Reina almost groaned, thinking of how her father had always told her that he would take care of her and see that she was protected. He'd lied. She'd been helpless before the power of his authority over her.

  "They do to a certain extent," Reina began, "but they want to have a voice in their own destinies. Our opinions are never asked. Sometimes, we aren't even consulted about matters that deal directly with our very lives. You see, we're not free to make our own decisions the way you men are. Why, first we're dominated by our fathers, who give us absolutely no voice in matters directly concerning us and our welfare. Then, when we marry, we're forced to be completely submissive to our husband's wishes, no matter what."

  Clay reacted angrily to her words, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he took her hand and brought her attention back to him. There was a smile on his handsome face, but it was a cold one.

  "But, darling, you're giving everyone the wrong impression," Clay protested in a mild tone that belied his mood. "It's not that way between us. Force has never been a part of our relationship." Yet, he added in his mind. Then, sounding as if he was teasing, he went on, "Now that I know you feel this way, though, I promise that we'll discuss everything you want to discuss from now on, including which of my wishes you don't want to submit to." He gave her a knowing look. "Although, I never knew you to be so shy about such things before..."

  Reina felt the heat of a blush sting her cheeks as mortification washed over her. She wondered how Clay dared to say those things, but even as her fury grew, she knew how he dared. He had her trapped, and he knew it. She longed to strike out at him, but she couldn't. Some day, Clay Cordell! she swore to herself. Some day!

  Seeing how upset Reina became, Michael was embarrassed for her. He wished he could defend her honor in some fashion, but he knew he had no right to say anything. He wondered why she had married such a man in the first place.

  "It really surprises me to find you feel this way, Reina," Clay continued almost philosophically. He'd found his excuse for getting out of there, and he was fully intending to use it. "Maybe, dear wife, we need to discuss this at greater length, in private-if we're going to remain so happily married."

  Reina stifled a gasp of indignation as Clay stood up and drew her to her feet with him.

  "Captain, Mr. Webster, if you'll excuse us?" Clay was coolly precise as he made their excuses.

  "Of course, Mr. Cordell," Gibson answered, his eyes alight with admiration for him. He'd been wondering just how long Cordell would stand for his wife's unusual friendship with Webster. He was pleased to find that the other man was a lot like himself-a strong believer in the old school that women needed a firm hand to keep them in line. The captain was certain that the Cordell marriage would be a good, long and happy one.

  "Good night, Mrs. Cordell," Michael said softly, miserable that the evening was coming to an end so soon.

  "Good night, Michael. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow on deck."

  "That'd be wonderful!" He brightened almost immediately.

  "And Captain Gibson, thank you for dinner. It was a splendid meal," Reina told him graciously.

  "Thank you, ma'am."

  "Gentlemen." Clay gave a brief nod of dismissal and led Reina from the dining room.

  Reina carried herself with regal dignity as Clay ushered her out of the dining room into the passageway. She kept her head held high as he practically dragged her along to their cabin. His grip on her arm was almost painful, but Reina was not about to let him know it hurt. She had too much pride for that. As they reached their stateroom, Clay opened the door and stood back to let her go in first. When she defied him, refusing to go obediently, she tested his temper even further.

>   "Get in there," he seethed in a low, dangerous voice.

  Reina was furious. She heard the threat in his tone, but refused to heed it. She would not show any fear before him. Chin up, she marched inside. She lit a lamp as Clay followed her inside. Once the door was closed, she whirled around, attacking him full-force before he could say a word.

  "How dare you, Clay Cordell!" she snarled, her eyes flashing fire.

  "Shut up, Reina, before you push me too far," Clay returned ominously.

  "Push you too far?" she raged. "You've pushed me too far! How could you embarrass me that way? How could you say those things in front of Michael!"

  Her throwing Michael up to him at that moment broke the last thread of tenuous control Clay had over his wrath. He had not intended to get physical with her, but all rational thought fled. Grabbing her by the arms, he hauled her bodily up against him.

  "Michael... what the hell do I care what Michael Webster thinks about anything?" he ground out savagely. "There's only one thing that's important to me! There's only one thing I care about!"

  "Oh, yes. I know all about what's important to you!" she taunted. "Money is what you care about ...only money!" She fought to get free of him, struggling against his hold, as she threw the words at him in a verbal slap. "You don't care about honor and decency! You're an amoral bastard!"

  Clay gave a vicious chuckle as he worked to control her. "And you're such a model of virtue?" he demeaned, thinking of her betrayal of her fiance and the misery she'd caused her father. "I pity your father, and I pity the man who wants you. You're a lying, deceitful, self-centered, little coward. At least, I keep my word"

  "Your word?" she seethed, pounding on his chest with her fists. "Your word isn't worth the breath it's spoken with! You'd probably double-cross your own mother if you thought you'd profit by it!"

  Her statement just stoked the flame of his own fury that much hotter. Releasing her arms and quickly seizing her wrists to stop her from hitting him. With one easy move, he'd twisted her arms behind her back, effectively subduing her, and yanked her tight against his chest.