Savage Deception (Liberty's Ladies)

by Lynette Vinet

  Assuming the conversation was at an end, Diana hurriedly turned and ran quietly to the stairs to give the impression that she was just coming up. Smythe saw her on the landing and smiled. “Good evening to you, Mrs. Sheridan.”

  “Good evening,” she cheerily returned and made her way to her room. Hattie glanced up at Diana’s entrance and finished turning down the bed. Diana grinned. “I’m going to need you for a lookout, Hattie.”

  Hattie’s mouth dropped. “You will? You got somethin’ to tell…”

  “Yes.”

  “But what about Mr. Tanner? Ain’t he gonna sleep in here with you?”

  Diana’s excitement waned a bit. She’d forgotten that Tanner would share her bed, and though she felt anticipation at the fact, she couldn’t help but be somewhat dismayed. How was she going to sneak away into the tunnel? Tanner was a light sleeper and was aware of her every movement. “I’ll manage to get away somehow,” Diana decided. “I only hope that Clay is waiting for me when I do.”

  ~

  However, her plan to leave later that night wasn’t put into effect. Tanner did join her in bed, and when he expertly kissed and touched her, arousing her unbearably and taking her to rapture’s heights throughout the night, she forgot all about Clay and the supply wagon. It was only when she drifted off to sleep near dawn that she remembered.

  ~

  One month later, Farnsworth’s operation was in shambles. Two supply wagons had been captured by the Swamp Fox and two of his best men had been killed in a surprise attack some five miles away. He didn’t have a clue as to how confidential information was being leaked to Marion. Was the man a spirit, could he become invisible and sit in on secret meetings at Briarhaven? There was no way Farnsworth could figure out how information was being passed.

  At first he thought someone in the house was spying and was determined to discover who it was. His men had been posted at all the doorways leading outside. He knew that if someone was spying then that person would be captured. But no one left the house. So how, how in the name of heaven, was confidential strategy being relayed to Marion?

  “I have no other alternative,” Farnsworth said to Smythe one morning. “I have to call in Mariah.”

  “I’m surprised you’ve waited so long,” Smythe remarked.

  “Believe me, I am too. But I didn’t want the blasted man to think I’d failed. You know whose ear he has, and I don’t relish looking like a perfect fool.”

  “Well, if anyone can discover who’s passing information to Marion, then Mariah can. He’s one of the best-trained spies we have.”

  “He is. By this time next week, with Mariah’s help, I intend to have Marion’s little ragtag band as my prisoners, and I’ll take great delight in discovering who has been passing information and even greater delight in learning how it left Briarhaven in the first place.”

  Her ear pressed against the library door, Diana turned hurriedly away when she saw the front door opening. Tanner entered, looking fit and trim in brown trousers and boots with a dark brown jacket thrown over his broad frame.

  He smiled at her, and instantly Diana felt herself color and grow heated, not only from the fact that he might realize she’d been eavesdropping but from their passion-drenched nights. The fact of the matter was that Tanner didn’t come to bed until quite late. He often spent a great deal of time downstairs with Farnsworth and his men, playing cards. Not once had she complained about the card games, because they allowed her the opportunity to sneak away into the tunnel and find Clay in the swamps whenever she had information, but she felt very guilty deceiving Tanner.

  If Tanner suspected that she’d been listening at the library door, he didn’t say anything. Instead he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “How’s my girl this morning?” he asked her.

  Diana snuggled willingly against him. “Lonely without you. You woke early and left me.” She forced her mouth into a mock pout.

  “Then I suppose I’ll have to remedy that.”

  “Now?”

  “Now,” he whispered huskily into her ear and suggestively nibbled on the lobe.

  “Tanner Sheridan, you’re a shocking man and I love you for that.”

  Laughing, they began to ascend the stairway, but Farnsworth’s voice halted them. “What is it?” Tanner asked in a growl.

  “I need to speak with you, please, about your losses at cards.”

  “Let it wait until later.”

  “I can’t. Remember we discussed that I might need your resources.” Farnsworth returned to the library.

  Tanner cursed under his breath. “I’ll join you upstairs as soon as I can,” he promised Diana.

  “I’ll be waiting.” Diana watched as her husband joined Farnsworth and Smythe in the library. She decided that she was going to have to speak to Tanner about his losses. She hated gambling. His departure, however, lent her adequate time to think about what she’d overheard.

  Once again Farnsworth had mentioned a person named Mariah. Evidently he was a spy, soon to be engaged to discover Marion’s informant. She must warn Clay Sinclair about this Mariah. She didn’t consider her own safety since she had the security of the tunnel and could come and go at will. Clay had only the swamp and palmettos for cover and was always vulnerable to capture.

  And if this Mariah person was as good a spy as Farnsworth had said he was, then Clay must be warned soon.

  ~

  Tanner rose above Diana and slid effortlessly inside of her. She met his first thrust and moved with him, feeling the warm and utterly devouring sensation writhing within her. He held her tightly, taking the breath from her but driving her wild with wanting. It seemed that she never got enough of Tanner’s lovemaking; her body could flame with the fire of his kiss and not be quenched until they both lay panting and satiated in each other’s embrace, only to be roused to desire again when he touched her.

  What was this spell Tanner had woven over her? She couldn’t put a name to it, knowing only that she loved him more and more every day.

  The moment of fulfillment drained both of them.

  Slowly they returned from their private paradise, filled with awe at their bodies’ responses. Tanner took her face between his large hands and whispered, “You’re a temptress who has stolen my heart.”

  “Oh, I hope not,” she disagreed. I’d rather you gave me your heart. I hate the thought of stealing it. It sounds as if I’m a thief who came in the night.”

  “You are, Diana. You took me unawares. I was determined not to love you, but I couldn’t help myself because I’ve always loved you.”

  “Will you love me forever?”

  “Forever.”

  That answer always appeased Diana. Sometimes she worried Tanner would stop loving her. They were so different in so many ways that she knew he wouldn’t understand about her connection to the Swamp Fox. But he’d never discover that fact, because tonight would be the last time she’d go and find Clay — at least for the time being. She had to warn him about this spy named Mariah.

  Afternoon sunshine spilled across the bed and covered their bodies in a golden counterpane. For the first time, Diana felt that their problems were behind them. Now they could concentrate on each other, no longer filled with past hurts. And maybe, just maybe, she might conceive a child.

  A beguiling smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “What do you think about our chances of making a baby?” she asked.

  Tanner didn’t smile. “But you said you’d lost a child. Are you sure you want to risk that again?”

  “Oh, Tanner. I want your baby.”

  Possessively he covered her body with his. “Anything you want, anything at all.”

  He came into her willing body and brought her to ecstasy again.

  ~

  “Where’s Mr. Tanner?” Diana asked Hattie from the doorway of her bedroom later that night.

  “He’s downstairs, playin’ cards with Captain Farnsworth and his officers.”

  “Good, that will give me time to
leave and warn Clay.”

  “What you warnin’ him ‘bout, Miss Diana?” Hattie raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

  “Nothing, really. Don’t worry about it.” Diana threw on her black cape, intent upon not worrying Hattie further. Jarla had recently died in childbirth, the baby not surviving either. Ezra, Hattie’s son, was having a hard time coming to terms with his wife’s death and was unable to adequately care for Jackie. Thus Jackie’s care fell to Hattie, and with the old woman’s other responsibilities, Diana didn’t want to frighten her about a spy in the area.

  Diana had to warn Clay this one last time. She prayed she wasn’t too late. The grim possibility existed that by now Clay could have been captured — or killed. She wouldn’t dwell on the image of Clay Sinclair being hanged or lying dead in the swamps. She couldn’t. Time was all-important now.

  Hattie clutched at Diana’s arm. Her dark eyes welled with tears. “You be careful. I get so scared with you runnin’ ‘round the swamps at night. If Mr. Tanner would ever find you gone, I don’t know what I’d say to him.”

  “I suppose you’d have to make up some excuse, but I promise that tonight will be the last time for a while.”

  “Did you know that there are soldiers guardin’ every door to the outside?”

  Diana hadn’t known that. Farnsworth had never placed guards on the entranceways before now. Did he suspect that the news being relayed to Colonel Marion was coming from inside the house? A shiver of apprehension slid down her spine. This would be the last time.

  “I’ll be all right,” Diana assured her. “Now go check the hallways for me.”

  Dutifully, Hattie did as Diana requested, and soon she motioned Diana forward from the bedroom. Diana made her way to the backstairs and then to the cellar, where she let herself into the secret tunnel. With a torch lighting her way, she meandered along the damp corridor to the tomb’s doorway. She soon found herself outside beneath a moonless sky as she stealthily padded into the murky swamp.

  Peering into the darkness for some sign of Clay, she almost gave up hope of seeing him that night. But his low imitation, like that of a nightingale, drew her attention to a nearby cypress tree. “I’ve been waiting for you,” Clay explained when she drew near to him.

  “I have news.” Diana hurriedly began telling him about the spy named Mariah. She’d never felt apprehensive about her nightly visits before now, but she did tonight. The sooner she returned home, the better off she’d be. “Until Mariah is gone from the area, this is the last time we’ll meet. I can’t take the chance of my husband discovering I’m gone. I don’t know what I’d tell him, because Farnsworth’s men are guarding the doors and I don’t know how I can explain my absence.”

  “What about your husband?” Clay asked with a hint of jealousy in his voice. “You told me the last time we met that he was sympathetic to the British. Do you think he trusts you?”

  “Tanner doesn’t have a reason to mistrust me. He may wonder about my sentiments, but I’ve been more than circumspect in my actions and my words.”

  “Don’t take chances, Diana. Just know that Colonel Marion is pleased with the information you’ve brought him all of these times. He also knows the risks you’ve been taking. So do I. If ever you have a reason to contact me in the future, leave a piece of ribbon on the branch of a nearby tree. I’ll find it and will be on the lookout for you.”

  Diana smiled and hugged Clay around the neck. “Take care of yourself.”

  Clay assured her that he would, and as silently as he’d approached her, he left.

  A ragged sigh of relief rushed through Diana’s teeth. It was over for now. The danger of imparting information had grown too great. But the real reason she was relieved had to do with Tanner. She didn’t have to lie to him any longer about what she was doing. Not that she’d lied in the first place, but she’d never mentioned her secret life, which was almost the same thing as being untruthful.

  Now to return home and be with her husband. Diana’s body quivered with the sense of anticipation at their lovemaking. It seemed that it just got better with every time. Now she felt truly like a woman, Tanner’s woman. She almost giggled with joy.

  Her mind was so filled with images of Tanner that she barely heard the sound of a horse’s hooves coming toward her when she left the swamp. The inky blackness of the night enfolded her, but suddenly, almost as if it were destined to happen, a sliver of a moonbeam emerged from behind a black cloud and cast a silvery glow upon her. It was then she heard the soft grunt of the animal and lifted her head. What she saw almost stopped her heart.

  A large powerful horse reared upward, its dark-clad rider silhouetted against the moonlight. She stifled a gasp but wasn’t certain she’d been spotted, even though she was out in the open with no trees for cover. Glancing to her right, she saw that the cemetery was within one hundred feet of her, but fleeing to it was impossible since the black horseman blocked her path. Instead Diana stood stock still, barely breathing, her heart beating so hard that she knew the man must be able to hear it. But apparently he didn’t, and he didn’t see her either, at least not until the horse either sensed or smelled her presence. Her worst nightmare suddenly became reality when the horse turned toward her, causing the rider’s gaze to settle upon her.

  “Surrender yourself!” came the man’s booming voice.

  It was this harsh command that spurred Diana to finally move.

  Her legs turned of their own accord, headed for the swamp. Clay must be nearby, he had to be! Somehow she knew that the rider pursuing her was the spy called Mariah, and she knew that if she didn’t find Clay she’d soon be at Farnsworth’s mercy. Her mind quickly played out scenes of Tanner looking on as she was led away to prison or the gallows. She saw herself swinging by the neck, and she doubted her husband wielded enough power to free another condemned person — even his own wife.

  She must make it into the swamps and to Clay.

  By some miracle she outran the horse and rider, rushing headlong into the swamp and passing the spot where she and Clay had stood only minutes earlier. She splashed into the knee-high water, pushing deeper into the palmetto darkness. How far did she have to go? Where was Clay? she wondered. The skirt of her gown billowed around her like a balloon and she hung onto tree roots and overhanging limbs to keep her balance when her legs grew heavy as the soft bottom sucked at her feet.

  Diana made an aborted attempt to call for Clay, but her vocal cords were paralyzed with fear, her lungs threatening to burst. Instead, sobs of frustration rose in her throat and choked her. A primal darkness enshrouded her figure, preventing her from seeing anything at all, and this gave her hope that Mariah would be blinded too.

  But her hope was short-lived. She heard the splash behind her and felt the warm breath of the horse on her neck. Instantly, as if she’d been plucked from the bowels of hell by a deity who was even more hellish, she found herself lifted from the water by a strong arm to be unceremoniously positioned across the back of the horse with her head drooping downward. The cold steel of a pistol dug into her backside.

  “Scream and you’re dead,” the man named Mariah growled.

  She couldn’t speak, much less scream. Instead she nodded that she understood, horribly aware that tears streamed down her cheeks. Silly twit, she silently groused, hating herself for her weakness, her fear. What sort of a patriot was she when she could be reduced to a quivering idiot? Her life was over, she knew that. With each step the horse took out of the swamp, her time on earth diminished.

  Please let me be brave at the end, she prayed. But it wasn’t so much her fear of death that frightened her but the idea that she’d never again lie in Tanner’s arms. Never again would he take her to paradise, never would she feel the absolute awe of the climactic moment when their souls soared to the heavens. All of the wonders that Tanner had taught her about her own body had been for nothing.

  This man was going to kill her.

  13

  Mariah reined in the horse outside of
the swamp, dumping a soaking wet and shivering Diana onto the grass. The hood of her cloak covered most of her head, preventing her from glancing up at her assailant, but she didn’t need to see him. She knew he was powerfully built and strong from the way he’d picked her up and then dropped her onto the ground. But she instantly decided that she wasn’t going to be at his mercy or swing from the hangman’s noose, not if she could help it.

  Apparently he thought she was much too weak to run because after he’d gotten off of the horse he stood on the other side of the animal, fiddling with the pistol. Now was her chance of escape. The white of the Sheridan headstones loomed in the distance. If she could make it to the cemetery, if she could somehow outrun him …

  Which was exactly what she tried to do. With lightning speed, she jumped from the ground and bolted in that direction. But with even more speed, Mariah easily grabbed her by the waist and tackled her to the ground.

  He fell atop her, his voice sounding ragged in her ear. “Now, lad, what did you want to do that for? You’ll only make things harder on yourself.”

  Lad? Diana’s head shot up. How could he think she was a boy? Then she realized that her wet skirt hugged her legs, causing her to appear to be wearing breeches. But whether he thought her to be a woman or not, she wouldn’t let this man win without a fight.

  When he turned her over on the grass, she lashed out at him. Her nails raked the side of his face, and she knew she drew blood by the sticky warmth sliding down her fingers. She’d have done more damage, but he was much stronger than she. His two hands pinned her arms above her head and his lower body leaned on top of hers, quelling her urge to kick out.

  “God, you are a wildcat, son. Now tell me how you’re getting information from Farnsworth and passing it to the Swamp Fox.”

  Mariah didn’t waste any time. Diana didn’t either. She lifted her head, allowing her hood to fall away and spat at him, hitting him directly in the face. “I won’t tell you anything. I won’t. You’ll get nothing out of me, you bounder.”

  Suddenly she felt the man’s body tense, fearful that she’d gone too far, that now she was truly doomed. Then his hold slackened upon her and his hand touched her face so she’d be forced to finally look at him.