Taken by You

by Connie Mason

  Morgan heaved a weary sigh He’d heard it all before. Not only from the queen but from his friends as well. “Let’s not go into that again. My marriage is not open for discussion. Are you ready to leave?”

  “I look a sight,” Jane complained, trying without success to rearrange her hair like it was before entering the gazebo. Finally she gave up and pushed it into a semblance of order. When she and Morgan entered the queen’s Presence Chamber, they looked as if they’d just returned from an illicit rendezvous.

  Luca lingered at the edge of the crowd, having arrived at Whitehall only moments ago. When told she was Lady Scott, a footman directed her to the queen’s Presence Chamber, informing her that the queen had just knighted Sir Morgan Scott and that she’d find the entire court gathered for the ceremony in honor of her husband. When Luca arrived the room was teeming with people, all richly dressed in every manner of court attire. She felt drab and out of place in her travel-stained velvet gown and unpowdered hair. She searched the room for Morgan but did not see him. She started violently when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning abruptly, she was more than a little startled to see a black-clad Jesuit priest hovering at her elbow.

  “Forgive me for startling you, daughter, but I could not help noticing that you are Spanish. What are you doing so far from your homeland? Elizabeth’s court is no place for a Spaniard right now. Tempers are running high against our people.” The Jesuit’s fluent Spanish was music to Luca’s ears.

  “Are you from Spain?” Luca asked hopefully.

  “Si. I am with a delegation of Jesuits in England to convince the heretic queen to stop oppressing the Catholic population of England. We also carry assurances from King Philip and the pope that Spain has no intention of retaliating for Queen Mary’s murder, though we condemn the act as a blatant miscarriage of justice and reprehensible in the eyes of God. What are you doing here, daughter?”

  “It’s a long story, Father,” Luca said, sighing.

  “You seem lost. Come with me, I will introduce you to the rest of our delegation, and you can tell us what brings you to England. We must all stick closely together in this immoral court.”

  Suddenly Luca spied Morgan, and her breath caught painfully in her throat. He had just walked into the chamber through a door across the room, accompanied by a beautiful woman who clung Possessively to his arm. The woman was young, blond, regal, and charmingly disheveled in a way that was unmistakable. Luca’s gaze returned to Morgan, who looked as if he hadn’t had time to dress properly. His clothing was awry, and he appeared flustered. It occurred to Luca that she’d seen that look on his face many times in the past … after making love to her. Her fingers curled into fists. Dios, she wanted to kill the woman!

  “What is it, daughter?” the priest asked as he followed Luca’s gaze to Morgan and Lady Jane.

  “Who is that?” Luca asked, nodding in Morgan’s direction.

  The priest scowled fiercely. “‘Tis the vicious pirate, Morgan Scott, and his puta, Lady Jane Carey. He’s sent more Spanish galleons to the bottom of the sea than any other man living or dead. It was reported that he had met his death in Havana, then he turned up recently in England, very much alive. He’s made quite a splash at court. The queen fairly dotes on him. The pirate was knighted today for his loyalty to England.”

  Luca’s heart sank. Morgan was knighted, and she didn’t even know about it. Clearly he chose to forget he had a wife. She was an embarrassment to him. When she saw Lady Jane whisper something in Morgan’s ear that made him smile, a sob caught in her throat.

  “Forget these godless people, daughter. Come with me, we will pray together for the conversion of England.”

  Too distraught to object, Luca meekly followed the priest from the chamber, away from Morgan and his mistress.

  Chapter 15

  “Ah, here we are, daughter,” the priest said as he opened the door to his chamber and ushered Luca inside.” ’Tis small but adequate. We are accustomed to simple pleasures.”

  Luca entered the chamber, and three other priests turned from their prayers to stare at her. “Sit, daughter,” the priest said, motioning to the only chair in the room. “I am Father Pedro and these are Fathers Juan, Bernadino, and Raphael.”

  Luca greeted each in turn. “I am Luca Santiego, from Cadiz.”

  “Don Eduardo’s daughter?” Father Pedro asked. “I know your father well. He is a benefactor of our order. I heard you had married Don Diego del Fugo, governor-general of Cuba. What in God’s name are you doing in England?”

  “I am here with my husband,” Luca explained, recalling now that she’d heard her father speak of Father Pedro and his order.

  The priests grew very excited, speaking among themselves in whispers. Finally Father Pedro turned to Luca and said, “We had no idea Don Diego was in England. We must confer with him immediately.”

  “Obviously you haven’t seen or spoken to my father or brothers in a very long time. I am married to Morgan Scott.”

  Never had Luca seen such an open display of shock as evidenced by the expressions on the faces of the Jesuits. “El Diablo, the pirate? Dios!” They crossed themselves and looked at Luca as if she had suddenly grown horns. “How did such a travesty happen, my child?” Father Juan asked, reserving judgment until he heard the entire story. “Obviously there is more here than meets the eye.”

  “I’m not sure where to begin,” Luca said, reluctant to bare her innermost secrets to the priests.

  “At the beginning,” Father Bernadino prodded gently. “Afterward, if you like, I will hear your confession and give you absolution. You may begin, daughter.”

  Luca swallowed past the lump in her throat and started with her abduction at sea and how she had assumed the guise of a nun in order to protect her virtue. The priests exchanged knowing looks when she admitted that the pirate had seen through her ruse. Without going into intimate details, she explained how her brothers rescued her and insisted upon an impromptu wedding ceremony. The Jesuits were dismayed when she described Morgan’s escape from Havana on the eve of his execution and her abduction from Don Diego’s home.

  “You poor child,” Father Pedro said, shaking his head in commiseration. “You have experienced Hell. How you must hate the pirate for what he has done to you. We will pray for you. Are you aware that your husband is committing adultery with immoral women? Since we’ve been at court, we have seen Captain Scott and Lady Jane together often. Rumor has it they will wed soon, that the queen is pushing for the marriage. Surely these heretics aren’t allowed two wives, are they?”

  “Morgan will probably annul our marriage and send me back to the convent.”

  “You are married in the eyes of God. No heretic marriage can take place without the Holy Father’s approval of an annulment. What God has joined no man can set asunder,” Pedro quoted piously. “Do you wish to return to Spain, daughter?”

  Luca frowned. What she really wanted was to pull out every golden hair on Lady Jane’s regal head. But if Morgan cast her aside, she’d be content to spend the rest of her days in a convent. One love in a lifetime was all she could tolerate.

  “It might be best for all concerned,” she admitted.

  “We will be leaving England as soon as the Spanish Armada hoves into sight of English soil,” Father Juan confided, lowering his voice to a whisper. “You must tell no one about this. If we are caught in England when the great armada arrives we will likely be imprisoned or put to death.”

  “Why are you here?” Luca asked curiously.

  “We were sent by King Philip and Lord Parma to learn what we can of England’s defenses and the queen’s intentions.”

  “You’re spies!” Luca said, aghast.

  Father Pedro shifted uncomfortably. “That is a harsh term, daughter. We are on a peace mission. If you wish to return to Spain we will take you with us, and I will personally see that you are reunited with your father. We are entrusting you with our secret, but you must tell no one what we have just revealed. S
hall we pray together for the success of the expedition?”

  The Jesuits dropped to their knees, joining in prayer with Father Pedro. Luca scrambled quickly to her knees, but her mind wasn’t on her prayers. She wondered if Morgan realized how close the armada was to sailing and if the queen’s navy was sailing out to meet them. She had seen the fleet at Plymouth, but she had gotten the impression that no preparations were being made to leave the port any time soon.

  After a long interval of prayer, Luca rose to leave. “We will keep in touch daughter,” Father Pedro said. “If you wish to leave England you must be prepared to move at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, you can perform a great service to your king and God by relaying anything of importance to us that you learn through your husband. When we reach Spain we will encourage the pope to declare your marriage to the heretic pirate invalid.”

  Luca left the Jesuits’ chamber in a state of confusion. She had been surprised to learn that the Jesuits were Spanish spies and even more shocked when Father Pedro asked her to spy on her own husband. Morgan might be ruthless and utterly unscrupulous, but she could not force herself to spy on him.

  In the first place, she doubted Morgan would reveal anything of importance to her. In the second, he’d probably be so angry at seeing her in London he’d send her forthwith back to Scott Hall. Her presence here would definitely hamper his activity with the ladies, particularly Lady Jane. I certainly hope so, she thought with a hint of malice.

  Luca wandered down the corridor, having little idea where she was going, and caring less.

  After the queen left the Presence Chamber the crowd began to disperse. Having grown bored with Lady Jane and her possessiveness, Morgan excused himself politely.

  “Where are you going, Morgan?” Jane asked, refusing to release his arm To my room, my lady. Then to Billingsgate to meet my first mate aboard the Avenger.”

  “You may escort me to my chamber,” Jane suggested coyly. “Since the queen hasn’t summoned me I’m free to do as I please.”

  Finding no ready excuse, Morgan offered his arm, and they strolled off together. They had to pass Morgan’s chamber before arriving at Jane’s. When they reached Morgan’s chamber Jane stopped abruptly and dragged him toward the door.

  “Show me your room, Morgan”

  “I think I’d better…”

  “That’s your problem, you think too much.”

  Morgan groaned in dismay when Jane turned the knob and stepped inside. Morgan had no recourse but to follow. Was there no discouraging the hot little bitch? He’d had his fill of court intrigue and calculating women and wished himself aboard the Avenger instead of wasting his time playing court to a woman for whom he cared not a wit. Or in West Sussex with Luca, who managed quite nicely to dispel his boredom.

  “This isn’t wise,” Morgan said in an effort to discourage Jane. “Think about your reputation.”

  “Since when did a woman’s reputation matter to you?” Jane asked huskily. “We’re in the privacy of your room, there’s no one to stop us from enjoying one another. What better place than here and now? The queen expects us to wed, there’s no reason to wait.”

  “Probably not,” Morgan allowed, “except that I’m pressed for time. I must leave very soon to meet with Mr. Crawford aboard the Avenger. There isn’t time to do us both justice. When I bed you I want to do it properly.” He stroked her breast, hoping his intimate caress would convince her of his sincerity.

  His words seemed to pacify Jane, who writhed passionately against him. “When?” she asked breathlessly. “I can hardly wait. I want you to make me yours.”

  Morgan nearly snorted in disgust. He thought about all the other men who had made Jane theirs. “Soon,” he promised with as much fervor as he could muster. It would be sooner man he liked if he allowed Queen Bess her way. Luca would be his past, and Lady Jane, his future.

  “Kiss me good-bye,” Jane said, molding herself against the hard wall of his chest.

  Morgan complied, aware that it was the only way to rid himself of Jane without a fuss. He really did need to meet with Stan and was anxious to be on his way. Lowering his head, his lips moved over hers, grimly aware that his kiss was tepid compared to what it would be if it were Luca in his arms.

  “Are you lost, madam? Perhaps I can direct you to your room.”

  Luca stopped abruptly. Distracted by her thoughts, she had nearly run headlong into a handsome courtier. “Oh, I am sorry, my lord. I did not see you.”

  “These corridors are rather complex and confusing if one isn’t familiar with them. I don’t think we have met. I am Dennis Burke, Viscount Harley, at your service.” He executed a pretty bow. “And you are…?”

  “Luca… Scott,” Luca said, stumbling over the name that was now hers by right of marriage.

  “Good heavens! You’re Sir Morgan Scott’s Spanish bride. We were wondering when Scott was going to introduce his wife at court. I can understand his reluctance. You’re a rare beauty, my lady. I would guard you jealously were you mine. Let me escort you to your husband’s chamber. Or would you prefer looking for him in the Presence Chamber? Did you miss the ceremony? I don’t recall seeing you there earlier.”

  “I would prefer to wait for Morgan in his chamber, my lord,” Luca said. “I am travel weary and not dressed properly to attend a grand function. My husband did not know I was coming to London.”

  Luca thought Viscount Harley quite elegant, attired as he was in hose that hugged his shapely legs, satin pantaloons, and brocade doublet. He appeared courteous enough and harmless. She accepted his arm as he guided her through a maze of corridors.

  “I’m betting your husband will be surprised to see you at Whitehall,” Harley said with disguised glee. Scott’s blatant affair with Lady Jane was common knowledge, and Harley wondered how the pirate would handle the situation. Queen Bess wanted to dissolve his marriage and bundle his Spanish bride off to Spain, freeing Morgan to wed the English heiress. Harley couldn’t wait to spread the word of Luca’s arrival among his cronies.

  Luca did not reply to the handsome English lord’s remark. No one knew better than she the extent of Morgan’s temper. Her own temper could be just as formidable when provoked. And God knows Morgan had given her every reason to dislike the dissolute, licentious life he was living at court.

  The corridors seemed endless, Luca thought, but Lord Harley appeared to know where he was going. He chatted excessively during their stroll expecting no reply and receiving none. Finally they stopped before a door, and Lord Harley released her arm with marked reluctance.

  “Here we are, my lady. I do not think the door is locked, for ‘tis unnecessary here at Whitehall. Perhaps I will see you anon,” he murmured, raising her hand and kissing it with a flourish. Luca watched as he swaggered down the corridor, thinking him quite the dandy.

  Luca considered knocking before entering Morgan’s chamber, but she decided there was no need. Morgan was probably still in the Presence Chamber paying court to his mistress. Besides, she was Morgan’s wife and had every right to enter his chamber at will. The door opened on silent hinges, and she stepped inside. The scene that met her eyes brought a gasp of dismay to her lips. The sound prompted the chamber’s occupants to spring apart.

  “Who are you?” Jane asked, outraged at the intrusion. “How dare you enter Sir Scott’s chamber without knocking? I must speak with Her Majesty about having you evicted from Whitehall. You’re a brazen baggage.”

  “Luca.” Morgan shuddered in awareness.

  Dismissing Jane with a frosty glare, Luca’s gaze collided with Morgan’s. The silence between them stretched as Jane watched their reaction to one another with growing dismay. In that poignant silence, Luca saw Morgan’s expression change from fury, to stunned disbelief, to guarded pleasure.

  “Who is this woman, Morgan?” Jane demanded to know.

  Both Luca and Morgan seemed oblivious to Jane’s presence.

  “Morgan, answer my question.” Jane had a sneaking suspicion who the
dark beauty was and needed only Morgan’s confirmation.

  Finally Morgan could ignore Jane no longer. “Leave us, Lady Jane.”

  “What!” Jane’s rage was boundless. Turning to Luca, she boldly announced, “I am Morgan’s fiancée. What right do you have to intrude upon a private moment?”

  Muttering in annoyance, Morgan realized how shamelessly vocal Jane was in her pursuit of him, not that he hadn’t known that all along. Until now he didn’t care enough to let it annoy him. Seeing Luca now drew him from polite boredom into stark awareness. It disgusted him that he had put up with Jane’s possessiveness all these months. Furthermore, he had conducted his days at court indiscreetly and carelessly. He had gambled, flirted, drunk excessively, and visited the most disreputable sorts of gentlemen’s clubs with careless disregard for the consequences. He had told himself he had fallen into dissolute ways in an ef fort to erase Luca from his mind and heart, but it hadn’t worked. And by some miracle Luca was here, and all he could think of was making love to her for long, blissful hours.

  Tearing her gaze from Morgan, Luca turned to Jane, her eyes hostile with fury. “You may be Morgan’s fiancée, but I am his wife. If you do not leave immediately I will cut out your heart and feed it to the pigs.” As if to reinforce her threat, she stepped menacingly toward Jane. Jane gave a squawk of dismay and fled in terror for her life.

  When they were alone, Luca rounded on Morgan in splendid rage. Morgan thought her anger daunting. “The same goes for you, Morgan. Your faithlessness is appalling. I will cut your heart out as easily as that of your mistress.”

  Morgan struggled to contain his mirth but failed. Laughter rolled from his chest as he stared at Luca in astonishment. “I believe you would, my fiery little bride.” Then his amusement ended as quickly as it began. “What in bloody Hell are you doing in London? I left orders that you were to remain at Scott Hall.”

  Luca sent him a disgruntled look. “Did you think I would stay there while you cavorted shamelessly at court with your mistress? If you plan on dissolving our marriage, Morgan, do it now, but do not shame me by conducting your scandalous affairs while we are still husband and wife.” She eyed him narrowly. “We still are husband and wife, are we not?”