"Thank you. I hope you don’t mind if we skip the pleasantries, but I must know how Keldon is?” She looked up at him with her pain stricken eyes.
"I have to be honest with you—"
"That'll be a first.” Leighton interrupted with a sneer as he met them on the walkway. Nicholas wisely chose to ignore his snide remark.
"We thought it was best for Keldon to stay put in one place. He has relapsed.” He held up his hand and rushed on. “The surgeon said there is no need to worry. He needs rest is all, so he can regain his strength.” He shook his head. “He's a bloody stubborn man. We almost had to tie him to the bed. He wanted to set out to sea when he could barely stand. He feared he’d overstayed his welcome, but Laffite can be most convincing. Another stubborn man, I am afraid. I knew you would worry not knowing Keldon’s fate. I persuaded Laffite to let me send word to you."
"And I do appreciate your generosity. May I ask what happened? How did Keldon escape Captain Stevens and end up with Jean Laffite? And how did you and Keldon come to be together?”
Nicholas couldn't suppress a chuckle. "So many questions and I'll answer them soon enough. Come with me for now. Laffite has been a kind host and has offered us the best accommodations."
****
Keldon slept in a fit of restless slumber. His face was pale and drawn and he had lost a considerable amount of weight. If Nicholas hadn’t assured Arianna he would survive, she might not have believed it. She stood in the doorway for a long time before she forced her feet to move. She was certain Keldon wouldn’t want her to be here, but how could she stay away. She sat down on the bed and tenderly caressed his bearded face. His skin felt warm against her palm, too warm. "Oh Keldon.” His name caught in her throat.
Keldon’s eyes fluttered open, but the fever that raged through him left him disoriented. He thought he heard Arianna’s voice, but that was impossible. She wasn’t here. He was alone and always would be. His heart sank so low he could feel the pulse all the way down to his toes.
"Keldon?”
His eyes fluttered open again and his eyebrows furrowed. "Arianna?” He reached out his hand and touched her face.
She leaned into his palm with a kiss. "I'm here.”
Phantom or not, he pulled her to him wanting to feel her against him. He hugged her gently before he fell back to sleep. For the first time since his ordeal, he slept soundly.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Nicholas had not exaggerated. Jean Laffite had seen to their every comfort before he had left, stating he would return in two weeks. There was plenty of fresh food and every room was furnished for comfort.
Nicholas relayed the whole story of what had transpired, including his hand in the lashing. Arianna’s heart wept as she thought of the pain and humiliation Keldon endured.
Arianna walked into the bedroom with her tray of supplies. Keldon looked up, his gaze meeting hers before he looked away again.
“Leave me be, Arianna.”
This had been their conversation for the last week. He wanted her to leave and she insisted he let her care for him. “No, I don’t believe I will.”
His gaze riveted to her.
“And you can stop your green-eyed glare. I’m not leaving until you let me dress your back. I need to treat the wounds to keep the infection at bay or would you rather they festered and you can wallow in your misery a while longer.”
He snorted and crossed his arms across his chest.
“Well?” She arched one eyebrow in challenge.
Finally he gave in, making a production as he rolled over on his stomach.
She cut the bandages away. “Your back looks better.” Finally the flesh didn’t appear so angry and raw. New pink skin replaced the scabs and the puckered tissue smoothed.
Since the first day, Keldon didn’t offer to take Arianna into his arms again. She tried to talk to him, but he distanced himself, refusing to remove the invisible barrier he put forth.
She caught him watching her at times. She recognized the longing in his gaze. Her body heated with each visual caress. She wanted to go to him, but once his eyes fell upon her swelling stomach, his mouth would harden and he would turn away. With a sinking heart, she realized he would always look upon her as the woman who betrayed him and the child would be a constant reminder of it.
If there’d been any hope he would accept the baby, she would endure his cold silence. She could tell him she loved him but he wouldn’t believe her. She grasped the reality of the situation—there would never be a happily-ever-after for them and she needed to plan for her future, one without Keldon.
“You can turn over now, I’m all finished.”
****
Laffite arrived home after his successful run, anxious to put up his feet up and relish in his glory. He brought back fine wine, tobacco and fresh meat and vegetables to celebrate his good fortune. His cook was already preparing the feast.
Wanting a few moments alone before he returned to business, he walked around the back of the house to enter through the side doors of his study. He expected the room to be empty, but instead, he found a beautiful lady with blonde hair eyeing his small library of books. She turned toward him now her blue eyes showing her unease. Laffite never forgot a face; he remembered her. She had changed somewhat. Her hair was longer and he didn’t miss her expanding condition.
"So, we meet again.” Laffite removed his hat as he bowed.
Arianna only had a fleeting look at him—the time when he nearly knocked her down in his hurry to leave his meeting with Andrew Jackson.
Laffite was a tall and striking man. He entered the room with an imposing presence one could not ignore. He moved around his desk to stand in front of her. "You must be Buchanan's wife. No?"
Arianna hadn’t found her voice yet and could only nod.
"And how is he? The last time I saw him, he was not himself."
Arianna cleared her throat and forced the words to leave her mouth. "Much better, thanks to you.” She felt strangely awe-struck by the man and covered up her self-consciousness with conversation. "How was your voyage? Did you take many ships?” As soon as the questions left her mouth, she wanted to kick herself.
Laffite’s eyes twinkled amused rather than offended. He flashed her, his charming smile. Women would be drawn to him, but she sensed the appeal could also prove lethal.
"We did very well. We will have a feast tonight to prove it.” He came closer to her and she felt a whisper of apprehension course through her as a prey would feel when stalked. She took an involuntary step back, bumping into the bookcase. "Now Mademoiselle..."
"Madame," Arianna corrected him.
"Ah yes. Madame Buchanan, would you join me in a glass of wine?” She let him lead her to the small sofa before he went over to the bookcase and took down the decanter he had hidden on the third shelf.
"I really don't want any wine, thank you. It's not good for the baby.”
Laffite raised an eyebrow. "I had not heard of this, but if it is what you wish…" He shrugged. He only poured the rich liquid into one of the crystal glasses before he came to sit down beside her. "Now Madame Buchanan, how do you know General Jackson?"
She cleared her throat. "I don't know him, not really."
"I see, but you requested a private meeting."
"I wanted to obtain a Letter of Marque for my husband."
"Ah, oui.” His eyes lit up as if he remembered something important. He removed an envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to her. "I believe this is what you have been waiting for."
"But how did—" Arianna began only to have Laffite interrupt.
"Jackson entrusted me to give it to you.” He took a sip of his wine. “It was an interesting meeting. It seems it was you who convinced Jackson to renegotiate my demands. In exchange for their cooperation with my terms, my men and I will help keep the British at bay.” He took another sip of his wine as he studied her. “I make you nervous, no?”
“I…” she knew she couldn’t fool him so why try. “Intimi
dated, would be more like it.”
"I do not wish for you to be uncomfortable. No harm will come to you. You have my word.”
She nodded.
“Good, for I only wish to thank you for your assistance.” Laffite continued. “One thing has puzzled me. Why would you come to my defense? We do not know each other.”
"You’re right, but it's difficult to explain.”
“Try me.”
“Keldon would say I have the sight. Maybe, I do. All I can tell you is—I know things. It’s like I've read about your adventures from a book."
He let out a warm chuckle. "A book?"
"Whether you choose to believe me or not, you’ll be dubbed the gentleman pirate."
His gaze touched and held. “You are quite serious.”
“I am.”
“Then who am I to doubt a woman who possesses the sight?” He paused as if weighing his next question carefully. "This battle of New Orleans, will we win? I do so hate to lose."
She hesitated for it wasn’t all clear, but without having anything to back up her apprehension, she kept it to herself. She nodded. “Yes, we’ll hold New Orleans.”
Laffite’s face broke into a grin.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Vincent didn’t agree with Arianna, but he helped her make all the arrangements. She would stay with his sister, Chantal and her husband, until the baby was born.
"I wish you would reconsider.” Vincent tried, one last time to make her see reason.
"There isn't any other way around it.” She closed her trunk before she turned to face him. “If I stay, all I’m doing is causing Keldon more pain."
"And what about you, my friend?” He couldn’t help but worry about her.
She tried to be brave, but the light in her eyes had faded.
She sighed wistfully. “I have to let him go.”
Vincent wrapped his arms around her. How he wanted to beat some sense into Keldon for being so blind. The man held happiness in the palm of his hand and yet he chose to let his stubborn pride destroy it. "Chantal and Gerard will take good care of you.”
"I wish I didn’t have to impose."
“You’ll be most welcome. You stay with my sister. After the baby is born, then you can decide what you must do. Perhaps by then, your stubborn husband will stop being the fool and come to his senses."
She gave him a wry smile. "I must ask you to promise me one thing.”
“You only need to name it.”
“I beg of you, don’t tell Keldon where I am. He may not love me anymore, but his honor will make him feel obligated to see to my welfare.”
“As he should.”
She shook her head. “He divorced me, but he didn’t kick me out of our home.”
Vincent frowned not understanding. “What do you mean, he divorced you?”
“Back at Blue Run, I found the papers in his desk. It seems he divorced me some time ago. Whatever his reason may have been, he kept it a secret from me. Maybe because we had started to build a new relationship, he thought we would have a chance.” She sighed miserably. “However, I ruined any chance of it happening.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, not knowing what else he could say.
“So you see why I don’t want you to tell him where I am. I won’t take his charity. I can play the harpsichord for a living. I could give lessons to children. I can make this work.” She took hold of Vincent’s hands. “You must not tell him," she said, demanding him to give his word.
He sighed. "Oui, my friend. You have my word.”
****
Keldon was in the study nursing his afternoon drink, a ritual, which was beginning to resemble a bad habit. He glanced up as Arianna walked in, his eyes glazed, already too deep in his drink. She took the glass from his hand and he didn’t have the strength to argue. She then handed him two envelopes.
"What is this?" he asked. His tongue felt thick in his mouth.
"It’s your freedom.”
His eyebrows lifted high on his brow. “Arianna—”
"Let me say my peace.” She took a seat across from him and folded her hands over her stomach. "I know you have let me stay these months out of obligation and it isn’t that I don't appreciate the fact, but it cannot go on. I have brought this unfortunate situation upon myself. I could live with it, but there is another person I have to worry about now.” He watched her unconsciously put her hand on her stomach. "No matter what my wrong doings are, this baby is innocent."
"Arianna, I am no’ a cruel man. I wouldnae mistreat the wee bairn. I would make sure it had all its needs satisfied."
"I have no doubt that you would support the child—financially. However, a child needs love. I have thought this over carefully. The letters you hold are your way out, and I want you to take it.” She looked at him, caressing him with her gaze.
Desire clawed at him, but he refused to give into it. No matter how much he wanted to kiss her and let his fingers slide through her hair, he couldn’t because if he did, he would be lost within her charms. A man had to have some pride. He looked away.
Her sigh spoke of sadness, but he could comfort her. "This child that I carry could very well be yours. You don't know how much I want it to be. If I’m lucky, the baby will be born with your dark hair and cat-like green eyes, but if the baby has light hair, I’ll never know.” A sob escaped her lips and Keldon fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would be all right. He wanted to be able to tell her he would love the baby she carried. That it didn't matter if the child was of his blood, but he couldn't bring himself to speak the words.
Arianna rose from her seat and came to him. She leaned down and touched her sweet mouth to his before he knew what she’d been about to do. He tasted the wet salt of her tears and felt the quivering of her lips. He knew without a doubt that she had given him a farewell. It wasn't until she left the room he realized he was crying, too.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Arianna had left Keldon alone to wallow in his misery. He stayed up all night wondering what he was going to do with this freedom she offered him. He had thought if she was gone from his life, he would feel relief, but he felt like the air had been whooshed out of him and he’d never catch his breath again.
She had to walk out for him to realize he didn’t want her to go. He would learn to trust her again. He vowed he would love the child she carried. He just needed some time. That’s all he was asking.
He drank the last of his whiskey straight from the bottle, clumsily putting it down on the table. None-too steadily, he walked out of the room and went to find her.
He knocked at her door, but she didn’t answer. He knocked louder. "I know ye’re in there. I have a few words to say to ye."
Silence.
"Arianna?” He put his hand on the doorknob, turning it easily. Upon entering the room, he saw that the bed was neatly made as though she had never slept in it. "Where is she?" he said aloud.
"She's gone."
Keldon whirled around to see Vincent leaning against the doorframe.
"Gone? Where?" he demanded to know. He knew she offered him freedom, but he hadn’t expected her to leave the moment she granted it.
"I can't say, my friend. She left early this morning."
Keldon’s mind raced as he pieced together his last conversation with her. She truly left him. His heart sank. Could it be possible that she had left with Nicholas Sherborn? He rubbed his temples. Did she say she was leaving with him? Wouldn't that just serve him right since he pushed her away? He looked a Vincent, again. "Did she leave alone?"
"What are you asking me?"
"Ye verra weel know what I be askin'. Where is Sherborn?"
"He's not with her, if that is what you think.” He matched Keldon’s clipped speech.
"I have to find her.” Keldon tried to go around Vincent, but he blocked the doorway. "If ye willnae move on yer own volition, I shall be only too glad to move ye myself.”
Vincent still didn’t
budge. He planted his feet and folded his arms in front of him. "She doesn't want you to go after her.”
"I said, let me by.” He tried physically moving Vincent, but he continued to hold his ground.
"Let her go, Keldon. If you can't love her completely, let her go."
Keldon took a step back as if he had been slapped. He turned away and ran his hand through his hair. "Let her go, ye say.” Keldon walked over to the window. “What will I do without her?”
Vincent sighed. "We’ll set sail."
He turned to look at him. "Set sail? To where?"
"There's a war to be fought. We must join Laffite's men at New Orleans."
"We doonae have a ship or men for that matter."
"We do. Didn't I tell you that Thaddeus and some of the other slaves... pardon me, they're free men now; we all came aboard the Spanish frigate. She looks a mite different. We raised the gunwales for greater battle protection. The renovations were made below deck to accommodate the men. She’s named Hope."
"Hope," Keldon said as he parted the curtain and looked outside. What else do he have to do? Defending New Orleans seemed the best course to take. As soon as the battle ended, he would look for Arianna. He glanced at Vincent, again. "What is this ye say aboot freemen?"
"Arianna freed all the slaves. Some went with a man named Paul Cuffee to Sierra Leone with a promise of a new life. Some stayed behind.”
"Blessed saints.” He shook his head, a small smile curving his lips. "Aye, I should have known, she would do such an act.” He straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Weel Vincent, let's put the wolves to sea."
Vincent saluted him. "Aye, aye Captain."
While Vincent rounded up the men to ready the Hope for her voyage, Keldon went to his room to change. When he took off his coat, the papers Arianna had given him fell out. He hadn’t opened them. He did so now, his eyes widening as he read the document:
James Madison, president of the United States of America,
To all who shall see these present, Greeting:
Karen Michelle Nutt Page 26
