Archer, Jane

by Tender Torment

  She waved her hand abstractly. "It's not that. I'll just be glad to be on dry land again."

  He grinned. "I know what you mean. My friend has a sister, about your size I suppose. I'm sure she'll be happy to help you out of your predicament."

  Alexandra smiled up at him for the first time—a smile of happiness and gratitude that was dazzling in its beauty and sweetness. He caught his breath for a second, then hurriedly got up, turning his back to her.

  "I've got work to do," he said gruffly. "I want you to stay in here. I'll lock the door. When the carriage comes, we'll go to the plantation." And he walked quickly from the cabin without another word.

  Chapter 4

  The day was turning to dusk when the key turned in the lock again. Jake hurried into the room, looking quite pleased with himself, and strode over to the pale girl sitting in his bunk, the covers pulled up around her neck.

  "Hurry, hurry, my girl. We're on our way."

  "But I can't go anywhere. I have nothing to wear."

  "Well, I can't think what to do with you except wrap you in a blanket and carry you outside. What do you think of that?"

  She turned horrified eyes on him, imagining her entrance to one of the genteel plantation homes in that manner. "Never," she spit out.

  "You really have a very bad attitude considering your situation, my dear," he went on quite cheerfully, digging around in his trunk until he came out with a large, woolen blanket in garish colors.

  "Now, I believe this will do quite well," Jake said as he came toward her.

  "Don't you come near me with that thing," she screamed and made as if to jump from the bunk.

  But he was too quick for her, and rolled her neatly in the blanket before she had time for any more protests. Huge, glaring green eyes reproved him but he only grinned.

  "Perhaps this is the safest way to keep you," Jake said, sitting down in a chair and holding her on his lap.

  "How can you treat me this way," she sputtered in fury.

  "You know you might be quite pretty if we ever got you cleaned up. You should see yourself. You're quite a sight. But then it's said that many men find their treasures in the ocean," he finished almost thoughtfully, then leaned forward and kissed her lightly on her small, straight nose.

  She wrinkled it at him in disgust which brought deep laughter from him.

  "I must say, my dear, you are certainly no Southern lady."

  "Thank goodness for that!"

  "Let's save your opinions for another time. At the moment we must be on our way. We're expected, you know."

  "How can you take me somewhere looking like this?"

  He grinned down at her as he stood up and, carrying her, walked to the door. "I'd take you anywhere, anyway, Alex."

  He fumbled with the latch on the door, and was finally aided by Morley, who held the door open so that Jake could carry his captive outside.

  "Do something with my cabin, Morley. She took a fit earlier and left the place a mess. You wouldn't think she'd have so much strength."

  "No, you wouldn't, Cap'n. She doesn't look too well, and that's the truth. See that they take care of her right up there," Morley said earnestly, then smiled encouragingly at Alexandra.

  "Oh, they will. They will. Caroline's there—"

  "Better get somebody else," Morley muttered almost to himself as he went into the captain's cabin.

  "Never could tend to his own business," Jake murmured as they went up on deck.

  For the first time since the storm, Alexandra could smell the cool, clean air and see land again. It felt good and she was glad to be out of the bowels of the ship.

  As Jake carried her across the deck, she drew the attention of all the sailors. An almost ominous quiet settled over the ship and a shudder went through her. She remembered the intensity of the words that she had overheard concerning herself, and she wondered just how safe she really was.

  "Are you cold?" Jake asked.

  "No—no. Just, are you sure the men—"

  "They have their orders. You'll be safe with me.

  She nodded and laid her head against the strong muscles of his shoulder. For some reason she did feel safe in his arms as he carried her toward the rope ladder. In the water, a small boat awaited their departure.

  Jake stood for a moment by the railing, looking over the edge at the sailor steadying the boat. "Now, don't be afraid, Alex. It's not really that far."

  Before she could realize what he meant, he dropped her into the arms of the man below. She was unharmed, but furious. She watched Jake climb nimbly down the rope, then jump into the boat beside her.

  "Now that wasn't really so bad, my dear, was it?"

  She was too angry to speak; she turned her eyes away, studying the horizon.

  "Look at the water, Alex. Have you ever seen any so clear, so beautiful?"

  Reluctantly, she looked down into the calm, placid water reflecting the last of the dying sun and smiled as she saw what Jake meant. It was beautiful. Her anger left as quickly as it had arrived, "It's as if one could see forever in it."

  "Perhaps one can," Jake said softly.

  They were not long in gaining the shore and Jake leaped into the shallow water, then once more picked Alexandra up as if she weighed nothing. There was a carriage awaiting them, with an old coachman patiently sitting in the driver's seat. He silently got down and helped them into the carriage. Soon they were slowly moving down the packed dirt lane.

  Inside, the carriage was cool and dim, and they seemed to be enclosed in a world of their own.

  "Your ship—is it badly damaged?" Alexandra asked.

  "Bad enough."

  "How long do you think it will take to repair it?"

  "Long enough."

  "Really, Jake. How long will we be here?"

  "Probably too long."

  She did not try to pursue a conversation, his obvious taciturnity advised Alexandra that it would do no good.

  Night had fallen by the time they reached their destination, and Alexandra had only caught glimpses of a lush, green island with strange smells and sounds all around her. It was like nothing she had ever known before, and yet it did not feel hostile to her. Would she at last be safe?

  When the driver stopped the carriage outside a large, dark building, Jake got out, then leaned in to take Alexandra in his arms. But she hesitated, pulling back from him. How would she be received? How could she be received in her state? But Jake was not going to let anything stop him in his decision, and he jerked her almost roughly into his arms. As he walked toward the mansion carrying Alexandra, he whispered in her hair.

  "I won't let anything harm you, Alex. Remember, you're under my protection."

  She shuddered against the warmth of his chest, then steeled herself for what would come.

  Whatever she had expected it was not the beautiful woman who ran off the verandah of the mansion and toward Jake.

  "Jake. Jake, darling, at last."

  The woman stopped abruptly several feet away, unable to understand the body Jake carried in his arms. Her lovely dark eyes clouded and her full, sensuous lips formed a pout.

  "You said you would bring someone, Jake, but I hardly expected—"

  "Now Caroline, don't say a word to me until I get this taken care of. Then I'll explain. But if you say a word now, I'll never tell you a thing."

  She shut her mouth abruptly, believing him, and followed, half running to keep up with Jake's long strides. Alexandra hid her face in Jake's shirt, feeling embarrassed and confused. But it was only the beginning. As Jake mounted the wide steps to the verandah, another figure came out of the shadows, this one holding a tall drink.

  "Jake. Glad to see you, old boy. Sorry about your trouble, but glad you turned to us. What the—" he exclaimed as he caught sight of Jake's bundle.

  "Don't say a word, Hayward, or Jake will never tell us," Caroline said softly as she caught up with the two men.

  They all hurried into the house. In the foyer, Jake looked up at t
he long flight of stairs.

  "Is everything ready like I ordered?"

  "Of course, Jake darling," Caroline said in a voice dripping with honey.

  "Good, then I'll take care of this myself."

  "You'll what?" Caroline asked, more disturbed than shocked.

  Jake took the stairs two at a time. "Just have a drink ready when I come down."

  Jake found the door he wanted, kicked it wide, then strode into a large, ornately furnished room. Sitting in a rocking chair was a large dark woman.

  "Hello, Leona," Jake said familiarly as he approached her with his burden.

  "Well, if it ain't Mister Jake himself. I've been waiting myself for your secret," she said, grinning at him while trying to see Alexandra better. "You always was one for secrets. Yes sir, you sure was."

  "I need your help. I fished this surprise right out of the ocean, Leona, and it's special."

  Her eyes grew large and she looked askance at Alexandra, saying, "You done drug this out of the ocean? It's no sea creature, now is it, Mister Jake?" she asked worriedly.

  "Not in the least," he said pleasantly, then promptly set Alexandra on her feet and unwound the blanket.

  Leona gave a little shriek as the golden red hair came tumbling all about and the green eyes looked at her coolly, appraisingly.

  "Never seen hair that color before," Leona said, as if disbelieving her eyes. "This creature ain't natural, and that's for sure. You best take her back where you found her, Mister Jake."

  "Now—please," Alexandra began. "I fell in the ocean and Jake saved my life. That's all. I'm perfectly normal, or at least I will be if that's a bath I see over there."

  The question seemed to remind Leona of her responsibilities. "That it is and you need it, that's for sure. What happened to your clothes, child? That's a man's shirt!" She rolled her big black eyes toward Jake and a thunderous look came over her face.

  Jake spread his hands wide and began backing away. "No fault of mine, Leona. No fault of mine. If you'll just repair the damage, I'll be happy."

  "Be gone with you. We've got woman's work to do."

  With that Jake was pushed out the door, and Leona turned her attention to Alexandra.

  "You're sure a sight, child. Now, get in that bath while I see what I can do about clothes. You're taller than Miss Caroline so I'll have to let some-thin' out."

  Alexandra stepped gratefully into the bath, delightedly feeling the warm, fragrant water swirl up around her hips then over her breasts. "I'll be happy to wear whatever can be spared," she said.

  "No lady can go down with her gown too short, and that's a fact, Yankee or no Yankee."

  There was no answer to that so Alexandra turned her attention to her bath, scrubbing her skin until it glowed pink and healthy again. Then she washed the sea water from her hair until it shone brilliantly. When she emerged from the bath, Alexandra was feeling her old self again, except for the unaccustomed weakness from her sickness and the coldness that had invaded her heart.

  "Be through in a minute, honey. You sure look better. Before you looked like a drowned rat. This is one of Miss Caroline's second dresses, but we didn't know what to expect so we'll find something better later."

  "This will be just fine. I don't need much."

  They both continued in silence for a time. Alexandra dried her hair while Leona hemmed the pale green dress. Alexandra was pleased that the gown was of a style and color that would look good on her. For once she really wanted to look pretty. The woman downstairs was certainly lovely, and seemed to know Jake very well; for some reason, Alexandra did not like that at all.

  Finally, Leona broke the silence by standing up and saying, "This is ready so we'll just get you into it, child."

  There were soft cotton undergarments for Alexandra to put on. They were not the sheer silk ones she was used to, but they were comfortable and serviceable. She was grateful for anything to wear. Leona expertly dressed Alexandra, then led her to a full-length mirror.

  Alexandra was a little taken aback by her appearance for she was unaccustomed to seeing herself in such soft, revealing garments. She had always worn high necked, heavy silk dresses in New York, but this gown was of thin cotton and cut low to reveal the swell of her breasts. Also, her hair hung down in riotous curls to her hips, still damp and drying in the air, giving her a sensuous look that she had never connected with herself before. The contrast was even greater because her skin was so pale and finely drawn over her bones from her illness that her eyes appeared large and luminously green in the soft light of the room, giving her the look of an enchantress. And she wondered if losing her virginity had made her look more sensuous.

  "You're sure a pretty thing. No wonder Mister Jake took such special attention with you," Leona said behind her. "But remember, child, he's Caroline's man, and she'll take no one coming between her and her man."

  Alexandra whirled abruptly to look closely at the woman, but there was no trace of expression on the soft black face.

  "I—I hardly know the man, and I have no plans to know him any better. He is merely doing a stranger in distress a favor."

  Leona chuckled to herself, then motioned toward the door, saying, "They're waiting for you, honey."

  "Thank you. You have been very kind," Alexandra said before leaving the room and the old woman behind.

  Chapter 5

  Alexandra had followed the lights and laughter to a room just off the foyer. She stood there now, just within its entrance, watching the occupants of the room. Jake was leaning against the fireplace. He had changed clothing and looked much more the Southern gentleman than the ship captain that she had known before, but still there was that feeling of carefully restrained energy about him, like a tightly coiled steel spring.

  For the first time she looked closely at her host and hostess. Jake had called them Hayward and

  Caroline. They were both handsome people, having soft dark eyes and hair. There was a calmness about them which contrasted sharply to the intensity of Jake's presence.

  Alexandra's thoughts were abruptly stopped when she realized that the group had noticed her, and were now staring at her intently. She smiled at them, then stepped into the warm light of the room. Hayward gallantly escorted her to a seat by Caroline on a settee near the fire. She smiled gratefully at him, then sat down by the lovely woman.

  Alexandra felt frankly disturbed by the look she had caught on each person's face when she had realized they were staring at her. Jake was openly pleased with her transformation, as was Hayward. Caroline's expression had turned hard, calculating, almost filled with dislike, but it had lasted only a moment, then it became soft and lovely again.

  "Alex," Jake said, breaking into her thoughts. "I believe this is the quietest you've been since you were seasick."

  She smiled softly at him. "I'm afraid I've just not adjusted to land yet."

  Their eyes held for a moment and she felt a shattering inside herself, a weakening, and hated herself for it. His eyes were too blue, too piercing, she thought angrily, and turned from him to stare into the fire.

  "Let me introduce you, Alex, to two dear friends of mine. This is Hayward Graves and his sister Caroline."

  "I'm delighted," she said graciously. "And I do want to thank you for your generous hospitality."

  "Think nothing of it," Caroline returned, her smile edged with ice.

  "We're only too glad to be of help," Hayward said, holding her eyes with his warm brown ones for a long moment.

  "And," continued Jake, "I can only present my ward as Alex."

  "Your ward?" Caroline asked, too quickly.

  "That seems to be the way I must think of her."

  "Whatever do you mean, old boy?" Hayward asked.

  "I did promise them a tale, Alex. What shall it be?"

  She looked down at her hands, then raised her clear green eyes to his. "Really, Jake, you know perfectly well that anything you say will be as much as I know," she said innocently, sweetly. Then she turned to h
er hostess. "You see, I remember nothing."

  Jake laughed out loud, then quickly agreed by saying, "And that my friends is our plight. She has no memory. And since I saved her I must see her to her destination. Isn't that right, Alex?"

  Her eyes glinted mischievously in the firelight as she looked up into his handsome face. "Yes, Jake. You see," she said, turning toward Hayward, "Jake actually fished me out of the ocean."

  "And what I catch, I keep, or so the saying goes," Jake mumbled but loud enough for the others to hear.

  "I had nothing with me—nothing. I was desperate until Jake helped me. And now the two of you are being so kind. I cannot thank you enough."

  "We are delighted to help you, my dear," said Caroline. "Such a terrible story. You must have been a pitiful sight when Jake brought you in."

  Jake laughed deeply, then said, "For once you're absolutely right, Caroline."

  Alexandra flushed deeply and turned her back on Jake.

  "But then how did you come by the name Alex?" Hayward continued. "It really doesn't seem to suit you."

  Alexandra smiled at him. "It seems to be the one word I do remember."

  "Ah, perhaps it's the name of your fiancé, or husband?" Caroline asked, then glanced quickly at Jake to see his expression, but he was finishing his drink and she could tell nothing.

  "Why, that is interesting, Caroline," Alexandra said, "though somehow I don't think so."

  "But you don't know?"

  "No."

  "Wait," Hayward said excitedly. "Suppose it's a shortened version of another name."

  Alexandra sat very still. The others waited attentively as Hayward struggled in his mind with names.

  "I've got it. Alex—Alexandra! Now that is a name that fits you perfectly. Alexandra." His eyes glowed as he regarded her intently.

  She paled slightly, then turned a bright pink.

  "Is that it, Alex?" Jake asked, watching her closely.

  She didn't dare look at him, but instead kept her eyes on the floor. "I don't know. I can't remember."

  "Well, we'll call you whatever you want, Alex," Caroline said as if she would be done with the subject. She was used to being the center of attention, especially the center of Jake's attention, and this girl was an unwanted obstacle to her desires.