Flame on the Sun

by Maura Seger

  "Now, Meg," Ned admonished, "you know perfectly well it was you who kept telling us they'd both be all right."

  "Only because I trust Captain Davin here. God love you, sir, for taking such good care of her."

  Erin snorted disparagingly, but didn't get a chance to comment before Elizabeth swept her out of Meg's embrace and into her own. "I'm" so relieved you're all right. When we heard you were on board the Rising Sun during the attack, I'm afraid I imagined all sorts of terrible things."

  "Exactly what you shouldn't be doing in your condition."

  Blushing attractively, Elizabeth glanced down at her protruding stomach. "That's what Ned kept telling me, but I just couldn't help it. Even though we haven't known each other very long, I feel that we have become good friends. The thought that you might be harmed horrified me."

  Deeply touched by her words, Erin put an arm around her comfortingly. "As you can see, I'm right as rain." Glancing at Storm, who she felt was taking unseemly enjoyment in the scene, she added, "But the captain is still feeling the effects of his ordeal. We really should not linger on the dock."

  "Of course not," Ned agreed, giving Storm no chance to object. "Allow us to escort you home and then we will leave you. A celebration dinner is planned for tonight, but I'm sure you both want to rest up before that."

  He hesitated, uncertain of how to bring up a delicate point, but finally asked, "Uh . . . Erin ... if your business with Captain Davin is concluded and you prefer to stay with us . . ."

  "She does not," Storm said firmly. Glowering at her, he dared her to contradict him.

  Erin shrugged as though it wasn't important. "Thank you, Ned, but since the captain is still convalescing, I think I should return with him."

  "How kind of you," Storm muttered. So quietly that only Erin could hear him, he added, "When we get home, my sweet, we will discuss this ridiculous idea you have about postponing our marriage. It's time we settled that once and for all."

  Glancing up at him through her thick lashes, she refrained from answering. The carriage ride passed quickly as they exchanged all the latest news and caught up on the changes already being enacted by the new government. Servants were waiting outside Storm's house to welcome them.

  Meg cast him a sharp look as he helped Erin down. "I trust this business of yours will be settled shortly, Captain?"

  He nodded calmly. "That is my intention."

  Mollified, she gave Erin a final peck on the cheek. "There's a fancy-dress ball tonight. Have you something to wear?"

  Stepping out of the carriage, Erin nodded. "My blue silk, I suppose."

  Meg sniffed doubtfully. "Don't count on it fitting much longer."

  Storm and Erin glanced at each other in guilty surprise, then back to the group in the carriage. Elizabeth laughed outright and even diplomatic Ned chuckled indulgently.

  "It might interest you to know," he told Storm, "that the Reverend Blakely will be in attendance this evening. Loves a wedding, does the reverend."

  Before his startled audience could reply, he gave the horses their rein. The carriage pulled away, leaving them to stare after it in befuddlement.

  "I am afraid," Erin said as they entered the house, "that we have no secrets."

  "All the more reason to settle the issue now," Storm growled. If Meg and the Carmodys had realized Erin's condition, it was only a matter of time before the entire community did, too. He was determined she would not subject herself to the censure that was bound to come, even if he had to drag her to the altar.

  "I'm willing to discuss it."

  "How forbearing of you."

  "But not if you intend to be sarcastic."

  "Oh, very well. We'll talk about it calmly, and then you'll agree to do things my way."

  "Perhaps," Erin allowed as she accompanied him onto the enclosed veranda overlooking the garden. A servant brought the customary tea and cakes. Storm remembered to alert the staff to the fact that Odetsu and Takamori were journeying on immediately to Edo and therefore should not be expected. That done, he turned his attention to Erin.

  His eyes locked on hers as he said quietly, "I thought you had forgiven me for responding so thoughtlessly when you told me about the baby. Was that not the case?"

  Such frankness surprised her. Unwilling to have him believe she nurtured any sort of grudge against him, she blurted, "Of course it was. If I had been less fatigued and confused at the time, I would never have taken your words so seriously. But as it is, they are certainly forgotten."

  "Then why don't you want to marry me?" Storm demanded, striding over to her. Seizing her by the arms, he fought against the urge to try to shake some sense into her.

  "I do," Erin said hastily, "but I must be sure of your feelings." Her eyes darkened with anguish as she at last revealed her most deeply held fear. "You say you love me, but how can you be certain it is me you love and not the girl you remember from eight years ago?"

  Storm stared at her in dawning comprehension. His grip loosened, becoming gentle, as he said, "What I felt for you eight years ago was nothing compared to what I feel now. If I can spend the rest of my life at your side, I will only be able to begin convincing you of how much I treasure and adore you."

  Yearning to believe him, Erin did not yet dare to. "How can you care for me so much when I behaved so selfishly and turned my back on you when you needed me most? I was shallow and insensitive and—"

  She meant to go on, but Storm stilled her with a gentle kiss. "I was thinking only of myself when I asked you to marry me on the eve of the war. If you had agreed, you would have been separated from your family and the only way of life you had ever known. Once I rejoined the army, you would have been left on your own, subject to all sorts of dangers. No, I realize now that it was my callousness that I have fought against admitting all these years, preferring to think badly of you instead. But at last I can freely admit the truth, knowing that what we have found this time is infinitely more precious."

  "You really don't just feel obligated because of the baby?"

  A throaty laugh escaped him. His big hand spread gently over the curve of her hip to settle on the satiny skin of her abdomen.

  "My love, what I feel for you is a great deal less decorous than obligation. I want you in the most primitive way possible. I want to tie you to me in every way devised by man and God."

  Softly his lips trailed over her delicate throat to nuzzle in the sensitive hollow behind her ear. "And I want to watch you swell with the child we have made together, to see you with our son or daughter at your breast."

  Looking up, he saw the sheen of tears in her eyes and smiled tenderly. "Most of all, I want to be there when your hair becomes streaked with silver and the bloom of youth leaves your cheeks, to be replaced by the serenity and grace that come to an older woman when she is truly loved. I want to share all the years with you, every precious day of them."

  A teasing note entered his voice as he asked, "Now, does that really sound as though I merely feel obligated?"

  Erin shook her head mutely. She had to swallow several times before she could speak. "It sounds as though you mean to fulfill my most precious dream."

  Despite her immense happiness, she could not quite suppress the urge to gently tease him. "But are you sure you aren't doing this just because you're scared of Meg? She packs a mean umbrella, you know."

  "Oh, it isn't only Meg. Elizabeth Carmody may look small and delicate, but I'd hate to ever get her mad."

  Erin took a playful swat at him. "Just what did you tell them all to get them to agree to my moving in here?"

  Storm had the grace to look a bit abashed. "That day I took you back to the Carmodys' house after the attack in the market, I told them I was in love with you and wanted to convince you to become my wife, but that there was much in our past we needed to overcome. I thought the best way to do that was to have you living here. At the time, I honestly believed I could be near you without taking you to bed. How I ever got such a crazy idea, I'll never know
."

  "Even then you knew you loved me?"

  Storm nodded. "From the moment I saw you in Carmody's office, I was overwhelmed by the need to make you mine. But I kept fighting it, because wanting you so much made me acutely vulnerable. The worst moment of my life was when I saw the samurai attack you. Seeing you standing in front of him, with no way to escape or protect yourself, I knew all my anger and hurt for what had happened between us eight years before was gone. In its place there was only the desperate need to save you."

  "I know this will sound strange, but in a way, we owe that man our thanks. Coming so close to death forced me to realize how foolish I had been to let pride stand between us. I made up my mind that if I somehow miraculously survived, I would do everything possible to win your love."

  "You have it. Now, will you please agree to marry me?"

  Erin grinned, happiness spilling out of her. Tilting her head back, she gazed into the quicksilver eyes .whose loving warmth mirrored her own. "I suppose I'll have to, what with a party already planned and all."

  A heartfelt sigh of relief escaped from Storm. Taking a firm grip on her hand, he headed toward the bedroom.

  "Where are we going?" Erin inquired, though she already had a fair idea.

  "To put you into your blue silk," Storm informed her. A mischievous smile lit his rugged features. "While it still fits!"

  Chapter Eighteen

  Erin took a cautious breath, willing the buttons of her dress not to give way. A sigh of relief escaped her when she realized they were holding, if only just. Managing a smile for the Reverend Blakely, who had conducted the brief but moving wedding ceremony, she was grateful the clergyman could not read her thoughts. Married barely an hour, and she could hardly wait to get her clothes off.

  Beside her, Storm grinned devilishly. He raised her hand to his lips, brushing a gentle kiss just above the gold ring he had slipped on her finger barely an hour ago. "How thoughtful of Elizabeth and Ned to invite the entire diplomatic and business community. I thought the congratulations would never end."

  "It wasn't entirely their doing. When I mentioned it to Meg, she said something about wanting to make sure there were plenty of witnesses."

  Storm laughed appreciatively. "And not because she harbors any doubts about me, I'll wager. No, she was determined you'd be locked up good and tight with the key thrown away."

  Erin gazed up at him laughingly, hardly daring to believe that the compelling man who hovered over her so protectively was actually her husband. "Speaking of keys, you don't have any more ideas about keeping me a prisoner, do you?"

  Storm appeared to give that some serious thought. "There's no denying you're headstrong and impulsive. Left to yourself, you'd probably get into all sorts of mischief. For the sake of our baby, I'll have to find some way to drain off all that excess energy."

  "Helping you in your business will be a good start," Erin assured him sincerely. Storm had taken the occasion of their wedding to announce, with her full approval, the merging of the Black Star Trading Company and Conroy Shipping. He had also made it clear that he expected Erin to be a full and active partner.

  Their conversation broke off briefly as Captain Foster came over to offer his congratulations. The white-haired seaman positively beamed as he wished them a long and happy life together.

  "You're fortunate there's no need for you to be separated by long voyages," he pointed out a bit wistfully. "I wish that was true for the missus and myself."

  "Is there no way she could come along?" Erin asked sympathetically. Her love for Storm made her abhor the thought of even the briefest parting. To go for months without seeing a dearly loved spouse seemed intolerable beyond belief.

  Captain Foster shook his head regretfully. "It's against the regulations of my shipping company. I've tried to convince them otherwise, but they won't be persuaded."

  Storm and Erin glanced at each other. An instant of silent communication was all that was needed to bring them to agreement. Quietly Storm said, "You may be interested to know that the Conroy-Black Star company has no such regulation. Furthermore, we are looking for an experienced captain to take two ships back to the States. Perhaps you would care to come by our office next week to discuss it."

  When Captain Foster realized Storm was serious, his grizzled features lit up in an ear-splitting grin. "Well, now, I'd be right pleased to do that. Imagine if I could tell the missus she'd be coming with me from now on. Why, that'd be about the best thing that's happened to us since our own wedding day!"

  Delighted to have been able to truly share their happiness with someone else, Erin and Storm spoke awhile longer with the captain before he took himself off to ready his reports and log. If he was going to leave one company for another, he wanted to make sure everything was shipshape for his successor.

  "I think we may have found the right man," Storm said when he was gone.

  "I'm sure of it. Remember, I sailed over here on his ship. Not only did he make the crossing in excellent time, but he did so without ever losing the affection and respect of either crew or passengers."

  "Then it's settled. Now, I believe we were discussing how I can keep you busy . . ."

  The sensual flare of his eyes warmed Erin all the way through. She swayed toward him slightly, only to quickly pull back when Meg suddenly appeared before them.

  "Don't be seeing how much of that champagne you can drink," she scolded, ignoring the fact that Erin's glass was untouched. "I declare, Captain, you've got your hands full with this one." Her stern words were undermined by the sheen of tears in her eyes and the audible sniffs she could not hide.

  Erin put an arm around her shoulders consolingly. "I'll be fine. Don't you be worrying about me." With just a touch of wickedness, she added, "After all, you've got to save your strength, what with not one but two babies coming soon."

  Meg snorted disparagingly. "No one could ever accuse you of being a slave to convention, Miss Erin. But at least you're safely married now and are the captain's problem. The best of luck to you, sir. You'll need it."

  Storm accepted her good wishes cheerfully, ignoring Erin's pout. "Wouldn't you agree, Meg, that the brand-new Mrs. Davin is looking a bit peaked? It can't be wise for her to be standing around like this."

  "If you say so, sir. Why don't I just find the Carmodys for you and you can make your farewells?"

  "Splendid idea, Meg. Thank you."

  As the Irishwoman bustled off, Erin shook her head resignedly. "I should have known the two of you would team up against me. Like as not, I won't be able to take a step without hearing about it."

  Not at all misled by her tartness, Storm asked gently, "Are you sure you don't mind about Meg staying here instead of coming to live with us?"

  Erin did mind, but she was too unselfish not to want what was best for her old friend. "Meg wouldn't be comfortable sleeping on the floor and eating raw fish. But at least she'll be able to come over part-time to help with the baby."

  "You couldn't keep her away," Elizabeth said gaily as she beamed at the newlyweds. "It's a good thing we're not due at the same time, or poor Meg would be run ragged."

  "Due?" the Reverend Blakely, who happened still to be standing nearby, repeated. He smiled benignly at the startled group. "Don't tell me you're talking schedules and suchlike on a wedding day. Ned, my boy, surely you won't permit that?"

  "Uh, no, of course not, sir." Under his breath, he added, "This might be a good time for you two to pull out. My guess is it'll be hours yet before anyone else leaves."

  "Just what we were thinking," Storm murmured. He and Erin offered their sincere thanks to the Carmodys,. who accepted them graciously while promising to come to dinner the following week.

  Easing toward the door, they hoped to make a quiet exit, but the other guests wouldn't hear of it. Showered with rice and well-wishes, they stepped quickly into their carriage. Storm took the reins while Erin waved happily. She had greatly enjoyed her wedding, but she was also glad it was over. As they roun
ded the corner and started toward home, she snuggled against Storm contentedly.

  "I had no idea it was that easy to get married. Back in Boston, all the girls I knew spent months agonizing over their nuptials."

  "Probably with good reason, if some of the local swain I met were anything to go by."

  "You know that's not what I meant. It was marvelous of Meg and the Carmodys to do all the organizing."

  "I wouldn't be surprised if they started planning for it the day you moved in with me."

  Erin giggled softly. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she murmured, "How fortunate we are to have friends willing to take care of all that for us, especially since I know you are still feeling so weakened by your ordeal."

  Storm winced. He had spent a good part of the evening trying to think of some way to convince Erin it was time to put an end to his convalescence. A discreet word with the understanding physician who served the Yokohama community had assured him there was no reason to delay the consummation of their marriage. Provided, of course, he could convince her he was able to do so. The ploy that had served so well both to keep her near him and to persuade her to follow a healthy regimen for a pregnant woman just might be about to rebound on him.

  "Uh . . . about that..."

  "Now, don't you give it another thought. Heavens, we've got all the time in the world now." Hesitating a moment, she added, "Would you like me to drive?"

  "No! That is, thank you, but it isn't necessary. I really feel quite recovered."

  "Don't be misled by an unusually good day. Why, the moment you start to exert yourself, all sorts of things might happen."

  "I've been rather counting on that," Storm muttered. He kept prudently silent the rest of the way home. Not until the horses and carriage were led away by a beaming servant and he and Erin stood in the entranceway pulling off their shoes did the matter of his disability come up again.

  "I believe," Storm said softly, "it is customary to carry the bride over the threshold."

  He was about to lift her when Erin demurred. "Perhaps we'd better skip that. After all, we wouldn't want your strength to be taxed any more than it has already been today."