by Connie Mason
Diego’s anger was boundless when he looked for his horse and found him missing. He had brought the horse with him from Havana and had trained the steed himself. He knew his horse wouldn’t wander away on his own; someone had to have taken him. What an overconfident fool he had been The delay was not to be tolerated. It was imperative that he reach Cadiz and alert the dragoons before the pirate’s ship sailed.
Diego eyed the nag hitched to the wagon with obvious distaste. The horse was past its prime, but riding it to Cadiz was a damn sight better than pulling a wagon filled with dead men. An excellent horseman, Diego didn’t balk at riding without a saddle. Fortunately he was familiar with the area, having lived mere during his youth, and knew a shortcut to town through fields and olive groves.
Diego waited a moment for the stunning pain in his head to abate before unhitching the nag and dragging himself onto the horse’s back. Grasping the leading reins, he kicked the nag’s skinny flanks and took off through the fields to Cadiz.
Luca and her father reached Cadiz and made directly for the waterfront. Luca shook with excitement when she saw the Avenger lying at anchor in the bay. She had made it! Soon she and Morgan would be together forever.
“A boat, Father, I have to find a boat to take me to the Avenger.”
Don Eduardo sighed resignedly. “I’ll take care of it, Luca. Wait in the carriage. There should be someone around willing to row you out to the ship.”
“No, Father, I’ll come along.” Clutching her bundle of clothing and Morgan’s sword, she waited for her father to help her down.
Suddenly Luca’s attention focused on a longboat discharging passengers on the quay. A thick gray fog rolled in from the sea, obscuring the figures in swaddling mist. Fog and waning daylight prevented Luca from recognizing the men scrambling onto the quay from the boat. But when two men bent to assist a third from the boat, she dropped the bundle of clothing and the sword, screamed Morgan’s name, and started running.
Don Eduardo scooped up the possessions and followed close on her heels.
Sitting upright in the longboat had cost Morgan dearly. He wondered how in the Hell he was going to sit a horse without passing out, but he was determined to do it or die trying. Luca belonged to him. She and his child meant everything to him. Without them he had no future.
“Are you all right, Morgan?” Crawford asked anxiously.
“I’m fine,” Morgan said with a gasp of pain. “Just get me on a horse.”
The horses and wagon they had rented earlier were still hitched nearby. No one had taken them back to the livery, since settling Morgan aboard the Avenger had been their primary concern. Withers unhitched one of the horses and held it so Morgan could mount. He seriously doubted Morgan’s ability to sit a horse but nevertheless did as his captain ordered.
Morgan’s head felt as if it had a thousand Devils with pitchforks inside it trying to get out. His body was on fire and his leg throbbed with unbelievable pain, but he managed to lift his leg into the stirrup without passing out. He prepared himself for the searing agony of being boosted into the saddle. When neither Crawford nor Withers moved to assist him, he glanced over his shoulder to question the delay and saw that both men were staring down the length of the quay.
He heard her call his name before he saw her, her voice frantic but jubilant. Then he saw her emerging from the fog, her cloak billowing around her and her tousled, windblown hair flying wildly about her pale features.
“Luca!” Morgan used the last of his reserves to bring his foot down from the stirrup and start toward her. He collapsed in Luca’s arms when they came together halfway down the quay. Don Eduardo, huffing and puffing from the unaccustomed exertion, reached them in time to help support Morgan’s body. Crawford and Withers arrived seconds later.
“Is he all right?” Luca asked, beside herself with worry. “He looks so pale.”
“Morgan suffered severe injuries,” Crawford replied. “Now that you’re here we can get him back to the ship and in bed, where he belongs. He insisted on going after you himself. He was crazed with worry and refused to listen to reason. Thank God you’re here. There is danger all around us. I can smell it.“He looked pointedly at Don Eduardo.
“Father brought me here,” Luca explained. “He won’t stop us from leaving.”
“You must hurry,” Don Eduardo urged. “’Tis possible that Diego is hard on our heels.”
He had no sooner uttered the words than a commotion on the quay shattered the murky night. Luca gasped in dismay when she spied Diego and a patrol of armed dragoons charging down the cobbled walkway.
“Stop them! Stop the pirate!” Diego cried, wielding his sword like a battle-ax.
“Hurry, oh, please hurry,” Luca urged breathlessly as they half-dragged, half-carried Morgan to the longboat.
Luca stumbled clumsily, hindered by her pregnancy. Without missing a step, Withers scooped her into his arms and placed her into the boat. Then he helped Crawford and Don Eduardo settle Morgan beside her. The boat shoved off without a moment to spare. Tears streamed down Luca’s cheeks as she bid her father a rushed good-bye.
“I love you, Father. You will always be welcome on Andros. I want my child to know his grandfather.”
“I will come, daughter,” Eduardo promised. “I may not have always shown it, but I love you.”
The longboat slid into the dense fog just as Diego and the dragoons reached the end of the quay. Diego rudely shoved Eduardo aside, cursing the thick, gray mist that aided the pirate’s escape.
From gathered at the corners of Diego’s mouth as he vented his rage. “They’re getting away! Shoot!” he ordered as the dragoons watched the boat disappear into the thickening mist.
“Stop!” Eduardo cried, desperate to protect his daughter. Ignoring Eduardo, the dragoons shouldered their muskets and fired blindly, reloading and firing until it became obvious that their prey was out of range.
“What have you done?” Diego shouted, rounding on Eduardo.
“For the first time in my life I considered my daughter’s happiness,” Eduardo said, choking back a sob. “She carries the Englishman’s child, you would not want her in that condition. She belongs with her husband. Luca gave her word that El Diablo will pose no danger to Spanish shipping in the future.”
“And you believe her?” Diego spat contemptuously.
“Sí, I believe her. Let them be, Diego. As a consolation for your loss you may keep a generous portion of Luca’s dowry. Find yourself a wife worthy of your station.”
Diego recognized defeat and tried to make the best of it. “You are right, Eduardo. As much as I would have liked to have caught the pirate and presented his head to the king, I will settle for what you offer. I am too proud to want a woman carrying another man’s child. Unless El Diablo takes to the sea again, I will consider the matter closed.”
Eduardo bit back a smile. “Come back to the house with me and we will drink a toast to your health and prosperity.”
Wringing her hands, Luca hovered over Morgan like a mother hen, waiting for him to regain consciousness. Crawford, Withers, and Renalda stood behind her, lending their support.
“He’ll be fine, Luca,” Renalda assured her. “Stan said your Morgan is a strong man and has suffered worse in his time.”
Luca sent Renalda a watery smile. She had been too distraught to greet her friend properly, but after she was certain Morgan was out of danger they would have a joyous reunion.
Luca spoke to Renalda in rapid Spanish, which she knew neither Withers nor Crawford could follow. “Do you regret leaving Spain, Renalda? I know you were unhappy in the convent, but leaving the country of your birth can’t have been an easy decision to make. You still have family here.”
Renalda smiled wistfully. “I love my family, but I know them well. They will never change their minds about disowning me. I would have grown old and died in the convent before they relented. You and your pirate have given me a chance for a future. I will always be grateful. I hope
you’re not angry with me for pressuring Morgan to take me with him. I have no money and nowhere else to go.”
“I’m glad, Renalda; it’s what I wanted. One day soon Andros will be populated with towns and people, and you will find a man to love. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m sure of it, too,” Renalda said, casting a shy glance at Stan.
“What are you two jabbering about?” Stan asked, placing his arm around Renalda’s narrow shoulders. His gesture was so possessive that no one could doubt Stan’s feelings for the Spanish miss.
“The future,” Luca said cryptically. “It suddenly looks very bright”
“Aye,” Stan agreed, his arm tightening around Renalda. He was startled to realize that he wanted the woman in his arms. Perhaps he and Renalda would find happiness together.
Moments later Morgan opened his eyes and smiled at Luca. When it became obvious that Morgan had eyes for no one but his wife, the others excused themselves and quietly exited.
Morgan reached for Luca’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “How did you get here?”
“We have my father to thank. He isn’t the demon you think he is. When he realized I carried your child and that I could be happy with no other man, he relented. We are still husband and wife, Morgan. I read the annulment document It states that the terms are invalid if I am carrying your child.”
“It doesn’t matter, I would have married you again.”
“I regret that one of Father’s ships was responsible for your family’s death and your enslavement, but I beg you to put that behind you and try to forgive him. It isn’t fair to hold him responsible for what each and every one of his ships did during their voyages.”
“I don’t want to talk about your father, sweetheart” Morgan murmured. “I’m willing to let bygones be bygones if he is. He brought you to me, and for that I’m grateful. Did I hear gunfire before I passed out?”
“Sí, Diego brought the dragoons, but fog and darkness worked in our favor. We’re safe now. Stan has set a course for Andros. I can’t believe you came to Spain for me when the danger to you and your men was so great. You’ve given my countrymen no reason to love El Diablo.”
Morgan stared at Luca as if she had lost her senses. “Not come for you? How could I not, loving you as I do? You belong to me. I’ve risked my life for you many times in the past and will do so again should it become necessary. When you love someone the way I love you, no sacrifice is too great. Now I’ll have our child to love, too.”
Luca gave him a glowing smile. “I can’t believe you truly want our child. I was resigned to raise it by myself and love it enough for both of us.”
Tenderly he placed a hand on her swollen stomach. “I want this child as much as you do, sweetheart. Finally I’ll have a family of my own. Until I met you, that hard, bitter mass that beat within my breast couldn’t even be classified as a heart. Vengeance ruled my life and hatred dwelled in my soul. Now I am so filled with love I can find no room in my heart for any other emotion.”
Luca’s dark eyes sparkled wickedly. “Some things have not changed, my love. You are the same handsome rogue who came into my life like a whirlwind and carried me to rapture. If not for you I would never have known such bliss existed.”
“If I recall correctly, you wanted to become a nun,” Morgan said with a twinkle in his eye.
Luca sent him an impudent grin. “I did not know then that I would burn so hotly for you.” She bent down, kissing him full on the lips. “All I want now is to be your wife forever.”
“From the beginning I recognized the passion you tried desperately to deny. Even as you fell to your knees in prayer, your sultry dark eyes hinted of a boundless desire just waiting for release. I love you, Luca.”
Luca’s eyes glowed happily. “I love you, Morgan. Once you are well I’ll show you how much.”
“Lie beside me,” Morgan urged, holding back the covers. “I need to feel you in my arms.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I can’t love you properly yet, I just want to hold you.”
The urgency in his voice shattered her resolve. Gingerly she sat on the edge of the bed, preparing to slip in beside him.
“No, not like that, take off your clothes.”
“Morgan, I… it’s not a good idea. You need to rest.”
Morgan smiled crookedly. “it’s a wonderful idea. I want to feel our child move against me when I fall asleep.”
Luca didn’t resist when he lovingly undressed her and made room for her on the bunk. When he curved his bruised body around hers, he felt renewed vigor surging through him; he felt whole again.
Epilogue
Andros Island
1592
“Isn’t it spectacular, Morgan?” Luca sighed as they watched the sun slowly sink below the sparkling water. Luca rested her head on Morgan’s shoulder as the sky turned from brilliant orange to subdued gold to mauve, sprinkling a blanket of glittering diamonds on the placid sea stretched out before them.
“Every sunset is spectacular when I’m with you,” Morgan replied, hugging her tightly. “Do you regret coming to Andros with me?”
“I love it here,” Luca replied dreamily. “it’s what I always imagined paradise would be like. And the village is growing by leaps and bounds. There are plenty of playmates for Richard. Stan and Renalda’s daughter is but a year younger than our son, and Renalda is expecting again.”
“Were you upset when Clyde Withers brought Rouge to Andros?” Morgan wondered. “I have to admit it came as a shock to learn that he had met Rouge on one of his voyages and fell head over heels for her. Do you want me to send her away?”
“They seem truly taken with one another,” Luca allowed. “As long as Rouge doesn’t set her sights on you, she’s welcome to stay.”
Morgan laughed. “No need to worry about that, I’m well and truly taken and she knows it. I do believe Rouge has found true love with Clyde.”
Luca nodded, her thoughts turning to their other friend. “I’m glad you made Stan part owner of the lumber business,” she said, quickly losing interest in Rouge and Clyde. “He and Renalda have been such good friends to us throughout the years. Isn’t it ironic that two men who hated Spaniards would end up with Spanish wives?”
“Stranger things have happened. I never thought I’d be content without a deck beneath my feet,” Morgan contended. “You and Richard make every day an adventure; I no longer feel compelled to roam the seas. Did you enjoy your father’s visit? He appeared quite loath to leave yesterday.”
“Very much. I know you still don’t feel comfortable around Father, but he enjoys his grandson so much that he wants to return in a few months. He wants to bring Cordero and Arturo next time. On their last visit home they expressed their desire to meet their nephew.”
“I’m reconciled to the fact that your father and brothers are a part of our lives.”
“Morgan, do you regret being banished from English shores?”
“Not in the least,” Morgan said earnestly. “One day the Bahamas will be populated beyond our wildest expectations. The islands have been more or less ignored since being discovered, but I foresee a time when people will flock to our private paradise.
“Perhaps we can return to England in time, for a visit. The queen is ailing. My solicitor informed me that Bess sent envoys to his office inquiring about my well-being. I think she’d welcome us back to England if we wished to return.”
Luca wrinkled her nose. “I do not like England.”
Morgan chuckled. “And I’m not welcome in Spain. We seem to have the best of two worlds right here on Andros. Shall we go back home and rescue our son from Lani? She spoils him outrageously.”
Luca gave him a provocative smile. “Not yet.” She took his hand and led him along the beach to a thick stand of palm trees. The grass beneath was thick and spongy, and she pulled Morgan down beside her.
“What do you have in mind, wife?”
“it’s been a long time since
we’ve made love beneath a swaying palm on a balmy night. Make love to me, Morgan.”
Morgan’s eyes glowed darkly. “An invitation like that is hard to resist.”
His lips sought hers, taking satisfaction in the hungry joy of her response. Luca had come a long way from the frightened girl whose ambition in life was to become a nun. He pressed her down into the moss, slowly undressing her and then himself. They came together in splendid passion, their naked bodies vessels of adoration as they stroked and caressed and worshiped with hands, lips, and mouths. A gasp of splintered wonder sent Luca’s teeth sinking into his shoulder when he thrust mindlessly between her thighs.
“My God, this is madness,” Morgan gasped as her heat surrounded him. “I want you as much today as I did five years ago. Sweet nun, you’ve held me spellbound since the moment I set eyes on you.”
“Don’t talk, Morgan. When you’re inside me I can’t think clearly. I can only feel.” He flexed his hips and drove himself deeper. She arched upward, rejoicing in his hunger, his unbridled passion, in his expanding thickness. Deep rapture stole her breath and her thoughts, and she cried out her pleasure.
He covered her mouth with his, her hoarse, gusting cries of ecstasy joining with his as she convulsed around him. The ferocity of her climax triggered his own tempest as utter fulfillment coursed through him.
Their mouths still clinging, Morgan shifted to lie beside her. He drew her into his arms as the last pulsebeat of pleasure shivered through them.
“We might have made a baby tonight,” he whispered into her ear. He tried not to sound too hopeful, but their son was over three years old and he thought it was time to give Richard a brother or sister.
“That’s impossible,” Luca said with certain knowledge.
Morgan tried to hide his disappointment. Didn’t Luca want another child with him? Renalda was already expecting a second child. “What makes you say that? How can you be certain?”
Luca touched his face with exquisite tenderness. Then she took his hand and held it against her flat stomach. “it’s impossible to make a baby tonight because I’m already carrying your second child.”
