by Connie Mason
Later, in another skirmish, Colonel Tarlton’s English troops were practically destroyed by a cavalry attack led by American Colonel William Washington at Cowpens, southwest of King’s Mountain. Despite the weakening his army suffered by these losses, Cornwallis marched rapidly through North Carolina, giving General Greene a hard chase. Later still, the two armies met at Guilford courthouse and a virtually drawn battle was waged in which no one came out a clear winner. Tactically, the English were victors given their tenacity and superior numbers, despite the loss of 600 men. A few weeks later, however, Cornwallis abandoned the heart of the Carolinas and Georgia and marched to the coast at Wilmington, North Carolina to recruit and refit his command.
“What about the war at sea?” Alexa asked. “How is it progressing?”
“The French are doing all in their power to aid us,” Adam replied. “Admiral De Grasse has orders to cooperate with Washington’s armies in a joint operation. It looks like the tide of war is finally turning in our favor.”
“Thank God,” Alexa fervently prayed. “Is Prevost still in control of Savannah?”
“Aye, unfortunately. But I think I’ve tired you out enough for one day. Sleep, my love, I won’t be far away.”
And he wasn’t, for some time during the night Alexa awoke to feel Adam’s warmth lying beside her, though carefully keeping his distance so as not to hurt her. Sighing contentedly, Alexa cuddled closer and went back to sleep, feeling safe and protected.
Adam awoke at dawn and stared down at his sleeping wife, marveling at the peaceful look on her beautiful face despite her recent ordeal. Over and over he cursed himself for allowing her to continue her charade as Vixen when he realized the infamous privateer was his own wife. It was true, just as he told Alexa, that he had recognized her immediately, especially after he made love to her. If nothing else convinced him, that alone did. He chuckled beneath his breath, imagining how shocked she must have been, knowing that he was Adam Foxworth, to find him so anxious to make love to another woman. It serves her right, the little minx, he thought perversely.
He blamed himself for not insisting she give up the sea and return to Nassau immediately. He should have escorted her there personally. But he knew, determined as she was, Alexa would have found some way to circumvent his orders and bring the Vixen back into being. But this time he meant business. He fully intended to place two guards ashore with her in order to make damn certain she would not slip away once her arm healed.
Alexa opened her eyes, watching the play of emotion on Adam’s handsome features in the murky darkness. “What are you thinking?” she asked quietly.
“How much I love you and how I nearly lost you through my own stupidity,” confessed Adam unhesitantly. “Have you forgiven me yet for lying to you?”
“I can forgive you almost anything except how badly you treated me while I was imprisoned for treason. I hated you when you showed up at my trial with Gwen.”
“I hated myself for hurting you. But as I explained, it was necessary. I had to be free in order to rescue you as Fox. I was shocked when I returned to Savannah to find you were being held prisoner along with Mac. It was everyone’s assumption that you would both hang.”
“What took you so long in returning?” Alexa asked. “When Mac showed up at the plantation gravely wounded and told me of the trap set for you I feared for your life.”
“I was wounded, my love. I took a ball in the shoulder and another in the thigh,” explained Adam. “I tried to reach the plantation but passed out in the woods. Evidently the English lost my trail and found Mac instead.”
“What happened?”
“As luck would have it I was found the next day by a hunter, one loyal to our cause. He carried me back to his shack in the woods where I recuperated. We were so isolated I knew nothing of what was going on in Savannah until informed by a chance visitor. Then I hastened back to take charge of your rescue.”
Alexa trembled. “I shudder to think what would have happened had you not returned when you did.”
“Don’t even think it, my love,” frowned Adam who had often thought the same thing during the past months.
Raising up on one elbow, Adam captured her mouth in a tender kiss, gentle at first but quickly passing the bounds of gentleness as his tongue explored the sensual contours of her lips, then the warm, moist sweetness within. Alexa sighed, wishing she could put both arms around his neck instead of just one.
Adam’s mouth left hers, sliding along her cheek, caressing her neck, the soft skin above the shirt she wore. His head raised and his powerful arms lifted her slightly so that he could shove up her nightdress to uncover her breasts. A surge of fiery sparks flew down her stomach to that spot between her thighs with the first hot, wet touch of his mouth full upon that perfect mound, drawing it deeply into his mouth, sucking, then biting gently.
Alexa moaned softly and to Adam it was like a dash of cold water in his face. “My God, Alexa, what am I doing?” he cried. “You’re not well enough to make love!” Abrupty he drew back and Alexa experienced a feeling of deprivation, but she knew he was right. She was far too weak to respond as she would wish.
Three days later the Bahamas could be seen in the distance, jewels of verdant green floating in a setting of turquoise-blue and surrounded by crescents of white sand sparkling like diamonds against the sun. Though still weak Alexa was out of bed for the occasion and basking in the warmth of the perfect day. Adam had agreed to let her out of bed but would not allow her to don Vixen’s revealing clothes. Instead, she appeared demurely clad in a dress he had taken as booty from an English ship. In fact, there was a whole trunkful of clothing at Alexa’s disposal.
As they approached New Providence Island Adam, still under the guise of Fox, climbed the rigging to scan the harbor. What he saw sent his senses reeling. Several English warships lined the beautiful bay and two of them in the process of weighing anchor and heading toward open sea. Thinking swiftly, Fox scampered down the ratlines in record time, hitting the deck on the run. Within minutes the wheel was in his competent hands as he skillfully maneuvered the ship about to scurry before the wind. The English were afforded no more than a glimpse of their stern as the fleet sloop disappeared over the horizon.
Once the British ships were left in their wake and no longer visible, Adam went in search of Alexa whom he sent below fuming at the first sign of danger. “We’ve outrun them, Alexa,” he told her. “For the time being the danger is past. But we can no longer assume Nassau to be a safe place for you.”
“What will you do now? Does this mean I can remain aboard the Ghost?” she asked hopefully.
“No, my love. I told you I must return to Savannah. It’s imperative I find out from General Prevost what the English plan next.”
“What about me, Adam? Is there nowhere I will be safe?”
“I know of no place I can leave you and be absolutely certain of your safety,” Adam pondered, deeply troubled. “If only I could take you back to Foxworth plantation and keep you with me. We’ve been parted far too long for my liking.”
Suddenly Alexa brightened considerably. “Why not, Adam? Take me to Foxworth plantation, I mean.” Excitement colored her words. “Who would think of looking for me there? If anyone comes I’ll hide.”
“I don’t know, my love,” Adam hesitated, considering her words. “What if someone should accidentally discover you?”
“I’ll remain a blond! It’s been months and months since anyone has seen me. If they do by chance catch a glimpse of me they won’t recognize me.”
“It’s risky. Alexa, damn risky. But it could work. If need be I could always hide you away with rebel sympathizers.”
“It’s settled then!” Alexa rejoiced. “You’ll take me back home?”
“I have no choice. It’s either that or send you back to sea on the Ghost. And I refuse to endanger your life in such a manner again. I told you before the Vixen is dead.”
Alexa lamented the death of Vixen as sorrowfully as she
would have mourned her best friend. Vixen was a vital part of her and she regretted the loss sorely. But in one thing Adam was right. It would be months before she would be well enough to resume her daring exploits at sea.
Adam waited until dark to bring the Ghost into the secret cove. From there he and Alexa were forced to walk to Foxworth Manor. After taking on fresh water the Ghost was to take to the sea again under the able direction of the first mate. She was due to rendezvous with Mac in the West Indies and await instructions from Captain John Paul Jones. In six weeks she was to return again for Fox. In the meantime Fox would resume his Adam identity and gather vital information from General Prevost and Governor Wright.
Alexa was so exhausted Adam carried her the last few yards to the house. It was late when he entered and all was dark but for a single lamp left burning in the hallway by Jem who by now was accustomed to his master’s comings and goings. Alexa was taken directly to their room where she fell asleep even before Adam tenderly tucked her in.
The next morning before Alexa awoke Adam approached Jem, instructing him to replace all the house servants. Jem was so shocked by the request that Adam took the man into his confidence, explaining why he wanted no one left in the house who might recognize Alexa as his wife. Because Jem had become fond of Alexa he readily agreed to Adam’s strange request. But when Adam revealed that the household was to regard Alexa as his mistress, Katy, a name he quickly made up, Jem balked.
“It ain’t right, Mastah Adam,” Jem remonstrated. “That lady upstairs has been treated badly enough already without the servants considering her a loose woman.”
“Would you rather see her dead, Jem?”
Once Jem considered the alternative he followed Adam’s instructions religiously, so that when Alexa was finally introduced to the new servants they were inclined to look down their noses at a mere mistress, but being slaves, had no recourse but to accept her as their master instructed.
Alexa knew that Jem alone knew her secret, as well as Adam’s, and suffered the other servants’ contemptuous treatment in silence. What hurt the most was that Adam told her she was not to see her dear friend, Mary Forbes, for fear of discovery. Not only was it best for Alexa’s safety but also for Mary’s. It had been nearly two years since she last set foot on Foxworth plantation and she was too happy to be back to complain.
A young girl named Missy had been assigned to her as personal maid and Alexa set out immediately to win the girl’s friendship. The maid reacted dramatically to Alexa’s friendly overtures and from then on Missy would allow no one to speak ill of her beautiful mistress, loose woman or no.
A week later Adam came to Alexa with the news that he must go to Savannah to confer with General Prevost. “I don’t want to go, my love, but I must. Something big is brewing and I must learn what it is.”
“Adam,” Alexa blushed and looked away. “Will … will you see Gwen?”
“It’s unavoidable, Alexa,” he replied, wishing it could be otherwise.
“I won’t ask, Adam, if you have to … to bed her. You know how I feel about it.”
“I will do what I must, my love,” Adam said with bitter emphasis.
A wash of tears blurred Alexa’s vision and she turned away. Was courting Gwen really the chore he made it out to be? she wondered bleakly. He had not attempted to make love to her since the island even though she was recovering rapidly from her wound. Adam had even left her to sleep alone since their return and she made up her mind not to send him off to Gwen without a reminder of how beautiful it was between them.
Lifting her vibrant violet eyes still shimmering with large drops of pearly tears, Alexa asked huskily, “Do you love me, Adam?”
“My God, Alexa, how can you ask such a thing? You mean everything to me.”
“Then make love to me. Now! Take me upstairs and love me!”
A surge of hot desire spiraled up through him at Alexa’s impassioned plea. He had deliberately bridled his passion until he was sure she had recovered her full health. “Are you certain, my love?” he asked, his voice harsh with emotion. “Are you well enough? I had hoped … but did not want to rush you.”
“You aren’t rushing me, Adam. Oh, my darling, I want it. I want you. Please don’t deny me the right to be your wife again when I want that more than anything. If you must take Gwen, I want it to be me you think of me while you’re … you’re making love to her.”
“Come then, my love,” he gasped, scooping her up in his arms, “I’ll make love to you the rest of the day and all night, until you tell me to stop.” Racing with her into the hall, up the stairs and past the shocked servants he bore her into her room, setting her on her feet only when the door was firmly shut behind them.
With agonizing slowness he undressed her, murmuring over the perfection of her breasts, the slimness of her waist, the roundness of her hips, her long shapely legs, following his words with soft, feathery kisses on her lips and breasts. When she was completely nude she helped him disrobe, running her hands lovingly through his tawny hair, then twining them into the fur of his brawny chest. Her fingers played shamelessly with his male nipples, surprised when they hardened much like her own. Continuing her sensuous exploration, she skimmed his slim hips, feeling the corded tendons in his bulging thighs. When she grasped that part of him that grew long and hard, he moaned and raised her high in his arms, then slowly lowered her to the bed.
His mouth fell to hers in a bruising kiss, his tongue thrusting into her mouth much as she longed to be pierced from below. One huge hand found her breast, to torment her before it followed a path to her flat stomach, and below, toying with the softly curling hairs there. She yearned for him to touch her, and when he did a moan of intense pleasure escaped her lips. With gently probing fingers he teased and parted her moist flesh while his lips took first one nipple and then the other deep into his mouth until she writhed beneath him, mad with desire.
Alexa cried aloud when his mouth left her breasts for sweeter pastures as his tongue plundered, then retreated, then launched a delicious foray into the moist cavern, piercing the very center of her need. Squirming to escape the exquisite torture, yet fearing he might stop. Alexa moaned in an ever increasing crescendo. But Adam was relentless as he grapsed her hips to hold her in place, allowing her no respite from his questing mouth and tongue.
Finally the tension became too great to bear and Alexa screamed as she broke apart into a million blazing pieces, scattering and falling to earth, only to revive again when Adam thrust deep inside her. Alexa felt herself responding to Adam’s drugging kisses and words of love as his forceful movements goaded her still higher. Their simultaneous climax eclipsed anything she had ever felt before.
After a short respite Adam took her again, and yet again. All through the day and night, until Alexa begged him to stop. In the morning he was gone.
18
Savannah 1781
Adam returned from Savannah three days later, and Alexa welcomed him joyously until he presented her with several gifts. The moment he handed her a large box containing a beautiful yellow dress fashioned of the finest linen she had ever seen, and a smaller box which revealed a string of matchless pearls nestled in a bed of velvet, a coldness pervaded her body and refused to be dislodged. Her first thought was that Adam was pandering to her for his indiscretions with Gwen. It was all too obvious that his guilt drove him to extravagance on her behalf. She made her feelings quite clear when she contemptuously tossed his gifts aside.
“Don’t you like your dress. Alexa?” Adam asked, puzzled. “Or the pearls? I had hoped to please you.”
“They would have pleased me, Adam, were I not aware of what they represent.”
“What do they represent?”
“They were meant to assuage your guilt over Gwen,” Alexa accused sulkily. “I need no such presents, Adam, to remind me that I share my husband with another woman.”
“You share me with no one, my love,” Adam revealed. “I couldn’t make love to Gwen. Not afte
r what we shared before I left.”
Alexa stared at Adam incredulously, happiness lighting her flawless features. “Do you mean it, Adam? What … what happened?”
“I was careful to avoid Gwen the whole three days.” He grinned deviously. “I made a concentrated effort to remain close to General Prevost the entire time I remained in the city.”
“Oh, Adam,” Alexa cried, throwing herself into his arms. “I do love you!”
“Should I tell you what else I learned or shall I take you to bed immediately?” Adam laughed.
Alexa flushed prettily. Was she so transparent? “Tell me, Adam, please.”
“Drake caught up with the British frigate and Captain Barrington. There was a fierce fight and Drake killed Barrington. The surviving crew were set adrift and the ship scuttled. They were picked up by another British ship.”
“Good for Drake!” Alexa declared, her eyes gleaming with pride. “What else did you learn?”
“All of Savannah is agog with the news that the Vixen is dead. The survivors of the frigate reported she was mortally wounded by Barrington and subsequently drowned when he threw her overboard. Their belief was reinforced when their frigate was overtaken by My Lady Vixen and the lady herself failed to materialize during the fighting. So, my darling, the Vixen is well and truly laid to rest.”
Alexa looked so sad that Adam was prompted to ask, “Why so pensive? It’s what we’ve hoped for.”
“I feel as if a part of me has been torn out,” Alexa ventured. “I liked the Vixen. I liked her independence, her courage, her ability to operate on her own. She was beholden to no man, victim to none. I’ll miss her.”
“You’re wrong, Alexa. The Vixen is dead in name only but she lives on in the heart and soul of Alexa. Nothing or no one can take that from you, nor will defeat claim you. I should know, for once I set out to destroy you only to be conquered in the end by a violet-eyed vixen.”
Then Adam carried her upstairs to show by his actions what his words attempted to convey.
