Mystery in the Moonlight

by Lynn Patrick

  Suddenly she came alive in his arms. It was like she caught fire and wanted him to burn in the heat with her. She slid her hands up his chest and twined her arms around his neck, pressed her soft, slender body against his harder one so they were molded together. And then her mouth moved eagerly under his, her tongue stroking him, making his own sexual desire flame out of control.

  He knew that now was the time. He ought to interrupt. Make her tell him about Moreau…

  The hell with Moreau! Bryce thought as he wedged Caitlin’s body firmly between his thighs.

  Caitlin could hear the bell ringing as distinctly as if it were real. The sound penetrated the sensual haze that seemed to envelop them both in spite of the frenzied response Bryce evoked from her. Hadn’t she always known the right man would make her hear bells?

  But it was the feel of his arousal against her abdomen that startled Caitlin into realizing what she was doing: allowing a virtual stranger to embrace her. She felt like she was burning up from head to toe, like she was sizzling inside, and yet she wedged her hands against Bryce’s chest and pulled back. As their lips separated, she heard the light, clanging sound once more.

  Still breathing heavily, she asked, “Did you hear that?”

  “It’s just a bell someone on the yacht is ringing,” he whispered hoarsely.

  Then it was real, not something Bryce made her hear, Caitlin realized in disappointment, though the argumentative side of her thought that steamy kiss should have made her hear a whole symphony of bells. But when Bryce lowered his head to hers, she tried to back off. Something told her that if she didn’t stop now, she wouldn’t be able to. He wasn’t ready to free her, however, for he kept her pinned to his chest and tried to kiss her again.

  Suddenly anxious to be free of this man she didn’t even know, Caitlin almost panicked. She could see Bryce’s determined expression in the moonlight. It hardened his handsome face. Now, instead of desire, it was fear that coursed through her. Bryce was so strong, he could do anything to her and she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Pushing at him, she ducked her head and somehow managed to pull free of his arms.

  Swallowing hard, she backed off and croaked, “Um, I should go. I’ve got to check on Babs.”

  He seemed to pull himself together with a struggle. And as he relaxed, his expression softened, once more tantalizing her, lit as it was by a full Caribbean moon.

  “Nothing like getting carried away,” Bryce murmured, stepping toward her. It was all Caitlin could do to stand there instead of turning and running away. The instinct grew stronger when he took her arm, but all he did was guide her in the direction from which they’d come. “I’ll walk you to your cottage.”

  Taking a deep breath, Caitlin tried to relax but found that she was, as usual, a bundle of nerves in the company of this man who held such a strong attraction for her. She told herself Bryce was no threat—he’d merely been carried away, just as she had—but all of the assurances in the world weren’t going to work at the moment. She felt nervous and ecstatic, quivery and giddy, drunk on the moonlight.

  By the time they got to her door, she could no longer read Bryce’s expression, for his face was in shadow. It left her in doubt as to his intentions. Awkwardly holding out her hand, she smiled tremulously. “Well, good-bye.”

  Bryce enclosed her hand in his. “Not good-bye, Caitlin O’Connor. We’ll see each other again,” he said enigmatically. “Perhaps as soon as tomorrow.”

  She watched him walk away until he disappeared from sight. Turning to go in, a white envelope with her name on it tacked to the door caught her attention. Taking it, Caitlin quietly entered the dark interior, not wanting to disturb Babs, who must have been long asleep. Wondering who would have left her a message, she wandered into the bathroom and closed the door before turning on the light.

  The note was from Jean. Caitlin quickly scanned it, unable to believe what she read.

  Good grief, would the man never give up? She’d tried to tell him she wasn’t interested, but the amorous Frenchman had misunderstood her. He probably thought she was playing hard to get or something. Shaking her head at Jean’s persistence, Caitlin tore up the letter and threw it in the wastebasket. The Frenchman wasn’t someone she wanted to think about now.

  Instead, as she stripped off her dress and slipped her cotton nightshirt over her head, Caitlin thought about Bryce and then about Babs, who’d seemed to like him also. Too bad he didn’t have a friend for Babs…

  Suddenly Caitlin remembered the yacht. Maybe there were one or two gorgeous men from the boat at the Beach Bar. Should she wake Babs and tell her to go down and find out? Then, remembering how long it took her friend to get ready, Caitlin decided against doing so. By the time Babs got herself together, the bar would be closed.

  Before going back into the bedroom, Caitlin turned off the bathroom light so she wouldn’t bother Babs. Not that her friend would notice, since she wore one of those crazy sleeping masks. But before she slipped into her bed, Caitlin couldn’t resist parting the lowered blinds and peeking out the window for one more look at the gorgeous Caribbean moon. Nor could she resist thinking about the most spectacular kiss she’d ever experienced.

  There was no doubt about it: She was still drunk on moonlight.

  Chapter Three

  Luckily moonlight never caused a hangover.

  Early the next morning, as golden sunlight seeped through the narrow slats of the louvered wooden blinds, Caitlin awoke feeling clear-eyed and absolutely wonderful. Taking a few minutes to stretch first, she threw back her covers and jumped out of bed to face the new day.

  Searching her wardrobe for something pretty, Caitlin grabbed a pastel-striped skirt with a matching blouse and hastened to the bathroom to wash and dress. Still half dreaming, she didn’t know exactly what she was preparing for, but she was certain it would be exciting. Outside the bungalow, a wonderful world awaited her, a world with fresh air, adventure, enticing waters, caressing sunlight…and a green-eyed lover.

  Green-eyed lover?

  Startled, Caitlin paused in her search for the toothpaste among Babs’s collection of jars and bottles on the bathroom vanity. Up to this moment she hadn’t formed concrete thoughts of Bryce, but the unconscious feelings evoked by last night’s tryst beneath the stars must have been spurring her on.

  Had it all really happened? she wondered, touching her lips with an exploring finger. Had he kissed her beneath the full tropical moon, holding her so closely and passionately that she’d almost taken leave of her senses? Had he been truthful when he’d told her he was coming back to see her? Did a handsome man like Bryce actually desire plain, shy Caitlin O’Connor?

  Censuring her uncomfortable doubts while she brushed her teeth, Caitlin forced herself to think positively. Surely Bryce would come back, wouldn’t he? Last night he’d seemed to like everything she’d said and done.

  It had been so exciting, Caitlin longed to tell Babs all about it. But would her friend be ready to listen? Suddenly feeling a little ashamed, Caitlin realized that she’d been out getting riotously drunk on moonlight and kisses while Babs had been all alone. Her roommate had probably retired early, right after completing her lengthy evening beauty routine.

  Poor Babs! Trying to think of ways to cheer her up, Caitlin decided that the two could spend the day together, maybe even take a boat over to Harmony for a few hours to look around and shop for new clothes.

  And they might even run into Bryce there. Feeling a little thrill of excitement climb up her spine, Caitlin smiled.

  “Barbara Lee Gordon,” she called loudly, opening the door of the bathroom. No matter what time the two went to bed the preceding night, Babs was always the last to rise the next morning.

  “It’s time to get up,” Caitlin urged, smoothing some stray hairs down with her fingers. “Come on, Babs. Don’t you want some of those fluffy eggs served with crispy bacon, some luscious mangoes and bananas? Maybe we can splurge and have champagne and orange juice today.”

&nb
sp; Puzzled by the absence of Babs’s usual awakening groans, Caitlin peered out into the larger room. Her eyes widened with surprise when she saw that her roommate’s bed was empty…and neatly made! Caitlin stared around her. What was going on? Babs never woke up early and always left the chore of making her bed to the maid. Caitlin hadn’t turned on the lights to check the room last night. Could it be that her friend had never returned to the bungalow after dinner?

  Had something happened to Babs? she wondered, feeling alarmed. Her imagination running wild, she envisioned Babs drowning in the blue Caribbean or sliding down the side of the steep sugarloaf hill onto the sharp rocks below.

  But no, surely that couldn’t be. With some relief Caitlin realized that Babs wouldn’t have gone near the water unless someone dragged her into it, and she certainly wouldn’t have climbed the island’s hills for fear of snakes.

  Where on earth was she, then? Almost running out of the bungalow and down the path toward the Beach Bar, Caitlin set forth to scour the island. But the search was over almost as soon as it had begun. Attracted by the beat of rock music and the sound of voices, she slowed near the Beach Bar and caught a glimpse of yellow material as it fluttered around the cantilevered deck like bright butterfly wings. Drawing nearer, Caitlin recognized the yellow sundress Babs had been wearing last night. Her friend was there, laughing and dancing with a tall man.

  Caitlin stopped at the bar’s entrance. “Babs! I thought you’d disappeared.”

  Turning from her partner, Babs exclaimed, “Caitlin, honey! Come and join the party. Why, that shipload of men finally came in. We’ve been havin’ the most fun, and we’re set on dancing till dawn.”

  “It’s a little past dawn now,” said Caitlin dryly, relieved that Babs was all right. Glancing around, she saw another tired-looking couple moving slowly to the music while two men slept on makeshift beds of chairs in one corner. Observing the yacht still anchored out in the harbor, Caitlin assumed that the group had arrived aboard her. Squinting into the morning sun, she tried to read the name emblazoned on the ship’s side.

  “Don’t frown, Caitlin,” admonished Babs, leading her dance partner over. “It’ll make the worst ole wrinkles in your pretty forehead. Trent.” Babs turned to the pleasant-looking blond man. “This is my best friend, Caitlin. Caitlin, this is Trent Robbins. Don’t you remember him? We met on St. Vincent before you and I took a boat to Hibiscus. Why, I declare, I thought he was tellin’ us tall tales when he said he owned a yacht.”

  “And you never thought I’d come to Hibiscus and whisk you away on a cruise, either, did you?” asked Trent, hugging Babs with one arm and laughing good-naturedly. “But Lady Liberty is all stocked up and ready. I’m even set to pick up a four-man steel band later today. We can calypso around these islands for weeks if we want.”

  Babs fluttered her eyelashes provocatively. “Honey, I don’t have enough clothes to last me that long! But I would surely enjoy a few days of your company. Caitlin, Trent is invitin’ you along too. Why don’t we go back to the bungalow so we can pack and I can freshen up?”

  “And we can talk about this idea,” Caitlin added.

  As they made their way down the path Babs said assuringly, “Don’t worry, I’m certain Trent is a nice guy. His sister and her fiancé are with him, as well as a few other friends. We’ll have our own cabin on the yacht, and I’ve inspected it, so I know it’s very comfortable.” She yawned. “I think I’m going to take a long nap as soon as we leave the island so I’ll be refreshed for tonight’s party.”

  “Are you really planning on partying for days on end?”

  “Why, sure. We’ll be going to different ports, of course, and seeing the scenery. But what fun! Dancin’ all night and flirtin’ and talkin’ and havin’ fun. I can wear all my outfits. And we certainly need a change. There’s been nothing to do on boring old Hibiscus.”

  “I’ve enjoyed it here.”

  Babs assumed a knowing look as she swung along, her yellow skirts fluttering. “Oh, you mean you’ve enjoyed the company of that handsome Bryce, don’t you? Well, bring him along, then. I’m sure Trent won’t care if there’s one more. All the men are bunking together in the crew’s quarters.”

  “Bryce went back to Harmony, and I have no way to reach him,” Caitlin said, “but he’s not the only reason I don’t want to leave on Trent’s yacht. Parties get on my nerves. You know I’ve got to have some peace and quiet after a while.”

  “You don’t want to leave this island?” Babs asked incredulously as they entered the bungalow.

  “No, I’d prefer to stay here,” Caitlin insisted stubbornly. She liked to be agreeable, but going on a “party cruise” was too much to ask of her. How could one appreciate the natural beauty of the outdoors when surrounded by loud music and noisy people?

  “You want to stay and broil in the sun, catch slimy fish, and maybe watch those newlyweds hang all over each other? That’s the most excitin’ thing that’s going to happen around here. Why, even with your boyfriend to accompany you there’ll be precious little to do.” Babs looked distinctly unhappy as she pleaded, “Come along for a couple of days, and if you can’t stand it, we’ll come back.”

  “I’d really rather not.”

  Babs gave a long-suffering sigh, slowly dropping her head in a gesture that reminded Caitlin of a wilting sunflower. “Well…all right. I guess I’ll go and give Trent my excuses.”

  “Why? You don’t have to stay here because of me.”

  “We’re supposed to be vacationing together.”

  “But I like outdoor activities or reading, and you’d rather party. Why should either of us suffer? Go on the cruise with Trent. I’ll be fine by myself.”

  “Well, I don’t know,” said Babs indecisively.

  “You can come back in a few days. I’ll have plenty of exercise, stimulation, and a tan by then…and you’ll have run through all your outfits.”

  “Are you sure you won’t be lonely? This island is pretty deserted.”

  “I’ll have a great time,” Caitlin said positively, getting her friend’s suitcases out of the closet. “Come on. I’ll help you pack.”

  “Well, okay. If you’re sure,” Babs finally agreed, her violet-blue eyes beginning to sparkle. She took an armload of dresses out of the closet. “But I’m sure going to miss you, honey, and I plan to insist that Trent brings me back soon. By that time you’ll likely be in the throes of serious boredom, anyway. One of Trent’s good-looking friends will have to give you artificial respiration.”

  Laughing, the two women hugged each other before they set about packing Babs’s extensive wardrobe.

  The day that had started so beautifully ended with a brilliant, fiery sunset. Sitting at a table in the Beach Bar, Caitlin admired the vibrant flames of purple, lavender, salmon, and red that blazed up from the golden orb as it plunged into its own reflection on the watery horizon.

  “It’s going to be very quiet around here now that the Lewis family left,” Basil said from nearby. Cleaning the tabletops with a damp towel, he continued, “Your friend left on that yacht this morning, didn’t she, miss? And those honeymooners, the Drakes, are on an overnight tour. You’ll be the only guest for dinner at the Longhouse tonight.”

  “The staff will be working,” said Caitlin. “I won’t be the only living human on the island.”

  Basil grinned and said jokingly, “Well, speaking of humans who aren’t so alive, those pirate ghosts could get to sneaking around later. There’s going to be a full moon again tonight.”

  Caitlin laughed. “I’ll have something to look forward to, then. Where do you suppose the pirates will be gathering? I’d like to ask Blackbeard a few questions.”

  “Actually Blackbeard wasn’t seen much in this area.”

  “I was only joking. I just mentioned him because he was supposed to have been the worst type of pirate—outrageously cruel, clever, and flamboyant. He even put lit matches in his hair to appear more fierce. I’ve always wondered how he kept himself
from catching on fire.”

  “Maybe he did catch on fire. I know he came to some bad end—like most of them.”

  Caitlin rose to leave. “Actually I think I like a more attractive image of the pirate, somebody like Errol Flynn or Burt Lancaster winning the admiration of the ladies and swashbuckling over the seas.”

  “I’m afraid books and movies have romanticized the profession, miss. In truth, most pirates were—are—common thieves and sometimes murderers.”

  “Are?” Caitlin asked. “There aren’t any pirates around nowadays, are there?”

  “Yes, there most certainly are. Why do you think people keep guns on their boats? There aren’t many Spanish treasures left to steal, but there’s smuggling and other undercover activities.” Pausing in his cleaning task, Basil looked thoughtful. “In fact, I heard a story from some fishermen about a ship being sunk north of Harmony recently…they said it was attacked by a mysterious black sailing vessel.”

  “A ship was attacked and sunk around here?” asked Caitlin with surprise. “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Hurt? One of the ship’s crew was murdered.”

  “Really?” Caitlin frowned, thinking about Babs on Lady Liberty.

  “Oh, but I can see I’ve gone and frightened you. I wouldn’t worry, miss,” Basil said with a reassuring smile. “You have to remember it was only gossip I heard. Tales tend to become exaggerated as they travel from one fisherman to another, from one island to the next. And fishermen are notoriously superstitious, anyway. Someone may have had too much rum and seen ghosts for all we know. Besides, real pirates have no interest in pillaging resorts…and Mr. Moreau has security men posted in boats out on the water for protection.”

  “Good. I’d hate to have to walk the plank,” she said with a smile before she went to freshen up for dinner.