“Nothin’ will go wrong.” He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and she was caught between a sigh and a moan. “Doonae worry so much.” Then he closed his mouth hard over hers and she melted into his embrace.
****
On the evening of the third night the lookout spotted her. The Spanish frigate had kept their steady course unaware the Good Intent had entered into view and was now pacing them.
As the sun set the fog rolled in, hiding the Spanish ship behind its wall of haze, but Keldon shouted the orders for their plan to go into effect. Arianna thought he had lost his mind to venture out now.
She took a step forward, but Vincent put a restraining hand on her arm. “You must stay back.”
“He’s going to be lost out there.”
“Keldon knows these waters like the back of his hand.
“Well, that’s all he’ll see once he’s out there on this suicide mission.”
“I’ll be watching his back,” he said and headed for the long boats.
“Yeah, who’ll be watching yours?” she whispered. She didn’t want to watch this, but she’d go crazy if she waited down below.
Keldon gave the order to have the long boats lowered. Keldon, Vincent Aubrey, Nicholas Sherborn and a select group, made their way toward the armed Spanish frigate.
Arianna couldn’t see a thing, but she could hear the first cries of battle. The not knowing was unbearable. She leaned against the ship’s edge, staring out through the eerie, deathlike mist. She clutched her hands together in prayer.
“You seem worried.” Samuel came to stand next to her at the railing.
Arianna nodded, not taking her eyes away from the depths of the white swirling fog.
"Well, dere's no need, I assure you. Mista Keldon be de finest of dem all. He will return.”
Arianna nodded, grateful for Samuel’s company. They stood by each other, adding comfort as they waited for the Captain’s return.
Bernadette was also standing vigil, but everyone knew her anxiety didn’t lie so much with the captain, but with Vincent Aubrey. Her prayers no doubt were for his safety.
Bernadette never thought she would want the attentions of a man. Most of her life she’d feared them, but Vincent Aubrey treated her like a lady. She loved how his muscles flexed and relaxed with the flow of his movements and how his body spoke of power, endurance, strength. His skin was tawny-velvet with dark stubble on his chin and his eyes were the color of whiskey shimmered with golden depths. She sighed. Her heart raced when he drew near.
She wasn’t a naïve country girl. She knew what lust looked like and Vincent‘s eyes didn’t smolder with passion when he gazed at her. She hoped in time she’d persuade him to change his mind. He meant everything to her and desperation to keep him gave her strength. Surely, if there were a God, he wouldn’t let her find such a wonderful man, only to have him slip away.
Keldon and his men had boarded the frigate, claiming control almost immediately.
Vincent approached one of the crewmembers and ordered him to point out his captain. "Quien es el capitan de este barco?”
"Qué quieres de nosotros?" the captain asked as he came forward already fearing the answer.
Vincent turned to Keldon to translate. "He wants to know what we want from them."
Keldon chuckled. "Tell him that we only want their cooperation and if they follow our orders, no harm will come to him or his crew.
Vincent nodded and turned to the captain. "Nomas tu coperasion. Si siges nuestro ordenes no les asemos dallo a ti ni a tu hombres."
Keldon watched the captain, his gaze assessing him. Slowly his eyes widened in horror. He made the sign of the cross, repeatedly. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. "El es el Fantasma de los piratas."
Vincent lips slid into a wide grin. "Si, el es El Capitan Highland Piratas."
The captain began to speak rapidly, fear motivating his commands.
Vincent reassured the captain again, that no harm would come to them if they followed the orders given. Finally after careful deliberations, the man agreed to the terms offered.
“The coins are below as we were informed they would be,” Nicholas relayed to Keldon.
“Good. Make haste then.”
Nicholas nodded and shouted for a few men to help with the task.
Vincent glanced at Keldon with a spark of amusement touching his lips. "It seems, my friend, your reputation has preceded you. They’ve dubbed you the Phantom Highlander. You appear out of nowhere to capture your prize. You then disappear into the deep waters without a ship of your own.”
Keldon's deep laugh vibrated through the night air, sending shudders through the already intimidated crew. "Imaginations do run high. Let us take what we came for and.…" Keldon leveled his gaze on the captain. With an exaggerated wave of his hand, he said, "disappear... desaparece!”
The captain flinched and turned away to hurry his crew.
****
Finally, Arianna thought she saw something move in the ever, shifting haze. She grabbed Samuel’s arm and pointed. "Do you see? There to the left.”
Samuel squinted into the night, then a slow smile spread across his face. "It be them!"
Arianna and Bernadette waited to the side, while the men lifted the heavy cargo onto the ship.
As soon as Bernadette spotted Vincent, she ran over to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him. His shocked expression caused the crew to snicker.
“Ye have a love sick pup on yer hands,” Leighton said in passing.
The remarked not only embarrassed Vincent, it sent him into a panic. He quickly removed Bernadette’s arms from around his neck.
Keldon was at the wheel and Arianna made her way over to him. She wanted to throw her arms around him, too, but hesitated until she saw him beckon her. She ran into his strong welcoming embrace. Tears sprung to her eyes, making her feel foolish, but she couldn’t help it. She had been so worried.
"It is all right, lass. No’ a soul was hurt."
"Lass, is it!” Keldon and Arianna both turned to see Leighton. His face turned red and his hands clenched into fists. "I thought her face was familiar,” he accused. “What is wrong with ye, Keldon that ye let the witch venture on yer ship?"
Keldon protectively shielded Arianna behind him. "Ye mind yer mouth. Ye best be givin’ Arianna the respect she deserves or ye'll be answerin' to me."
"We'll all be answerin' to the devil himself by the time she's through with the likes of us.”
"If I need yer advice, I'll ask for it. Ye ken?”
Leighton’s whole body tensed. “Yer a fool, Keldon Buchanan.” He turned his back on him, stomping away.
Keldon protectively pulled Arianna back into the folds of his arm.
"God, he hates me," Arianna’s voice was a thin whisper.
"Nay. He doesnae know ye, Arianna. Give him time.” He gave her a hug and a quick kiss on top of her head, but it didn’t make her feel any better.
Arianna spotted Nicholas Sherborn down below. He briefly glanced up at them, nodding toward Keldon in a questioning gesture. Then she remembered her last conversation with Nicholas.
"Keldon?” She looked up at him.
"Aye," he answered as he gazed ahead of him.
"Who is Richard Hawkins?”
She felt every fiber in his body tense at the mention of the name and he glanced down at her startled.
"Who is he, Keldon?"
He hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “He's long been buried."
"What happened to him?"
Avoiding the issue, Keldon met her question with one of his own. "Why is there a need to be knowin’?"
"I heard his name mentioned and wondered who he was, is all."
"He's no one. Ye need no’ concern yerself with him.” He shrugged. "Now come here and keep me warm. We have a long journey still ahead of us."
"Aren't you worried the Spanish frigate will come after us?"
His mouth twitched at one end and th
en into a roguish grin. "Nay. Who would be fool enough to venture out in this thick muck?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
They traveled to Willow Bend, a small river community located in Louisiana where Keldon had an antebellum style home. Keldon allowed his men to use part of his land to make permanent homes and shops for trade.
A skeleton staff was hired to help Arianna and Bernadette clean and organize their temporary base. They dusted every piece of furniture, scrubbed the floors and changed the linens. Arianna discovered a harpsichord under one of the coverings and was thrilled by the prospect of playing it.
Vincent Aubrey and a few men stayed behind, while Keldon, Leighton and Nicholas went ahead to meet with officials and naval officers in New Orleans to begin the negotiations for the trade. Once they dispersed the cargo and paid the crew, Keldon and Arianna would set sail again for Blue Run.
Vincent did his best to distract Arianna with cards or amusing stories. Weeks passed and she couldn’t believe it had been a month since she’d been home to see Maeve, Sally Mae, and everyone else at Blue Run. She missed them terribly.
Usually she could camouflage her loneliness with mindless work around the house, but today she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of melancholy. She rose from her seat and went over to the window, pulling back the heavy drapes. She turned when she heard someone enter the room. Bernadette looked at her with genuine compassion in her eyes as she strode over to stand at her side.
Arianna’s gaze traveled over Bernadette’s attire. She wondered if the woman owned anything other than a pair of baggy pants and oversized shirts. “I was daydreaming,” Arianna told her.
Bernadette pointed to her chest where her heart was and then she pointed to the window. “Triste… sad?”
Arianna nodded. “Yes, I am sad. I miss Keldon, terribly.”
“Oui,” Bernadette said, obviously understanding perfectly.
Even though Vincent was here, he might as well not be, for all the attention he paid Bernadette. It wasn’t as though he ignored her, but Arianna couldn’t help but notice he treated her as if she were a child.
Arianna may not know French, but she had no problem recognizing an aching heart. “You’re in love with Vincent, aren’t you?” Arianna asked using the same sign language that Bernadette had used, by placing her hand on her heart, while emphasizing Vincent’s name.
Bernadette smiled. “Oui.” She nodded with a sigh.
They looked at each other for a long time trying to think of a way to communicate with one another about their gloomy disposition. Then for no reason at all, they started laughing. They were laughing so hard that they had to sit down on the sofa to catch their breath.
“Are we pitiful, or what?” Arianna exclaimed as she took large gulps of air. “Here we are feeling sorry for ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I needed to laugh.”
Bernadette had no idea what she had said, but she answered her in French all the same.
Arianna gave her a quizzical look and then they both started laughing again.
Vincent had heard the merriment and obviously couldn’t resist finding out what was so funny. When he walked into the room, both women fell silent and just stared at him. Then they looked at each other before they burst out laughing all over again.
“We’re sorry…” Arianna managed to say between chuckles. “We were just talking…”
“You were?” His eyebrows quirked as he regarded each woman.
Arianna dabbed her eyes. “It’s difficult to explain, but believe me we had a conversation.”
“I see.” He scratched his head. “I have to admit, I am most pleased to see smiles on your faces.” He rapidly translated to Bernadette, which was his habit.
Arianna glanced at Bernadette, then to Vincent, a plan formulating in her head on how she could bring these two together. Vincent clearly cared for Bernadette. He was handsome, charming and most importantly—single. Maybe if she gave him a nudge, he would see Bernadette as a woman and not as a child. She cleared her throat drawing their attention. “I was wondering if you both could show me how to dance.”
“Dance?” Vincent raised his eyebrows.
“You do know how to, don’t you?” Arianna prayed he did.
“Well of course, but I don’t…” Vincent began but never had a chance to finish. Arianna was on her feet, leading the baffled Bernadette toward him. She placed Bernadette’s hand in Vincent’s, making her blush from head to toe. The poor girl had no idea what was going on. Vincent cleared his throat and quickly explained Arianna’s request.
Bernadette’s gaze riveted to her and one lovely brow arched in question, but Arianna didn’t say more as hurried over to the harpsichord and sat down on the bench.
“Now you will need some music.” Arianna chanced a look at the couple.
Bernadette face flushed from head to toe and Vincent pulled at the neck of his shirt, but his lips curved. “Shall we?” He started out slow, but soon he twirled her around the room.
Arianna could tell Bernadette was thrilled to be so close to Vincent. Her cheeks were rosy pink and her eyes lit up every time her gaze met his.
“You dance beautifully, Little Bear,” Vincent complimented her, adding to her embarrassment.
Vincent was amazed Bernadette knew how to dance, but again his little bear was full of surprises. She was young, but educated, knowing how to read and write mostly due to her own persistence to better herself. Life had dealt her a cruel hand, but she was a survivor. He had to give her credit for not giving up. He’d come to respect and care for her deeply. He wanted to keep her safe, give her a chance to start over. He wasn’t sure how he was going to accomplish the feat, but he was determined to see it through.
He moved his hand to her waist, surprised at how tiny she was. Her baggy clothes hid her attributes well. He impulsively pulled her closer, relishing in the way her softness moved against him. She gave him a small tentative smile, nothing seductive and yet he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her face. Her eyes were warm and expressive with long lashes to frame them. His gaze automatically dropped to her full lips—sensuous lips made for kissing. He frowned, wondering how his thoughts had taken him where he had no right to be. Hadn’t he sworn moments before, he would protect her? He had no right to seduce her. Holding her like this was wrong. She was a child for heaven’s sake.
He closed his eyes, trying to distract himself from making a mistake, but her sweet scent enveloped him, betraying him. His eyes snapped opened and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
He tried to throttle the dizzying current that raced through him by diverting his gaze, but the desire didn’t diminish. He feared it was already too late. He had witnessed a longing in the softness of her brown eyes.
Arianna continued to play not realizing they had stopped dancing.
He gingerly caressed Bernadette’s cheek. She wasn’t a little girl, but a woman. Blithely ignoring the voice of reason, which told him to let her go, he lowered his head, letting his mouth cover hers.
Nothing could prepare him for what the onslaught of that gentle drugging kiss would mean. Every curve of her body molded against him, his arousal painfully obvious. He wanted more, so much more, but he pulled away with a tearing reluctance, still feeling the sweet throbbing of her lips.
The music had stopped. He quickly pushed Bernadette away, taking several steps back, as if the distance would be enough. “You must pardon my actions,” he said shakily before he turned and fled the room.
Bernadette lowered her head the light in her eyes going out like a flickering light.
Arianna stood and went to her, placing her arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be all right. I’ll think of something to turn him around.”
****
Arianna awoke early and made her usual morning jaunt down the brick walk lined with exotic wild flowers. She passed the cherub fountain in need of repair. She’d have to add it to her list of things to do.
Willow Bend had many majestic oaks but
oddly, there was only one willow tree. She leaned against it with its weeping bluish-green leaves. She breathed in the clean morning air, while enjoying the warmth of the sun before it rose too high in the sky, making the heat unbearable. She hadn’t been out there long before she heard footsteps coming down the walk. She glanced back to see who had risen so early to join her.
“It’s a beautiful day,” Vincent greeted her as he looked toward the panoramic view of turquoise waters.
"Yes, it is.” She studied him for a moment, wondering if she should mention what happened yesterday or leave well enough alone. "Has Bernadette risen, yet?"
Wariness entered his expression as he glanced her way. He cleared his throat. “I am not sure.”
A flicker of a smile rose at the edge of Arianna’s mouth. He was nervous and preoccupied, all very good signs, which indicated he was smitten. Now, it was persuading him to admit it. "So, what do you think of her?"
"Think of her? Whatever do you mean?”
So he wasn’t going to make it easy. So be it. She would lay it on the line. "As a man, how do you feel about Bernadette?"
Vincent chuckled and pulled at his collar. "She's a mere child.”
She shook her head. "She doesn't think she's a little girl and I don’t believe you do, either."
“I see.” He became defensive with the truth so blatantly out in the open.
“And what else do you seem to know?” He purposely folded his arms across his chest as though he could protectively hide his true feelings behind them.
“I know that Bernadette is in love with you.”
"She… How is it that you know this when you cannot speak French? She couldn’t possibly have told you."
"We women can sense these things, just as I also know you’re in love with her, too."
Vincent opened his mouth to deny it, but he shut it without uttering a word.
Arianna saw the flicker of emotions cross his face, the realization of the truth, but then his expression turned grim. He shoved his hands into his pockets and his shoulders hunched.
Karen Michelle Nutt Page 17
