He turned his mount around and they cantered back to the governor’s residence. During the ride back, Henry was once again his affable self, but Wynter wished the night of the ball was that night instead of the next. She didn’t trust Morgan and wasn’t entirely certain that he believed that she wanted to see Cort dead. But he appeared to have taken her at her word, and for the rest of the evening was the perfect dinner companion.
Kingshouse blazed with lights the next evening and beckoned to the gentry for miles around. Boats carrying men and women dressed in their most elegant and expensive clothes, anchored in the harbor. The governor, solicitous of his guests’ comfort, had arranged carriages to carry them the short distance from the beach to the house. By the time the clock struck seven, almost all the guests were clustered in the downstairs rooms, drinking French champagne and listening to the sound of harp music.
Wynter was in her room, already dressed in the blue silk gown Cort had purchased for her on Saint Martin. Tiny diamonds, encrusted on the low bodice and full sleeves, twinkled in the candlelight. Mary had arranged Wynter’s hair in a simple upsweep with one long fat curl dangling over her right shoulder. Had this been any other night of a grand affair, Wynter would have spent a great deal of time before the mirror, making sure each hair was in place. This night, however, she didn’t care how she looked. Her nerves were strung tighter than the strings on the harp downstairs.
“I wish that infernal music would cease!” she told Mary and whipped away from the window where she’d been watching people alight from the carriages.
“You’re just worked up. Calm down. Everything will be fine. Dirk and Jan will get Captain Cort out of the prison. Before the night is out, you’ll be with him on the Sea Bride.”
Wynter wrung her hands, “I hope nothing goes astray in the plan, Mary. You know what to do. Shortly before eleven you’re to leave the house and go to the ship.”
“Yes, but I hate leaving you here.”
Wynter smiled softly. “I’ll be all right. I worry about Cort.”
“Dirk and Jan will free him from the prison as soon as everyone’s attention is drawn to the fire at the king’s warehouse. Some of Captain Cort’s men are already lying in wait there to set the fire, while the rest of the crew waits on the ship. When Henry Morgan and the governor and the rest of the men go to investigate, you’ll slip away from the party. By that time Captain Cort will already be aboard.”
Mary made the plan sound so simple. But was it? For nights Wynter had mulled over what might go wrong, but had to convince herself that nothing would. Cort would be freed, and they’d sail away from Port Royal to seek the safety of Santa Margarita. She decided that she was worrying over nothing. By the time Morgan tapped on the door for her, she felt calmer.
“Diamonds suit you,” he told her after they’d danced a bit. The weather had grown warm, and now they stood outside on the veranda, the swish of satins and silks audible just inside the doorway. “In fact, they suit you so well that I’ve brought you this.”
Morgan took a huge diamond pendant, dangling from a diamond chain, out of his gold satin pocket. He spun her around before she had time to protest and clasped it around the creamy flesh of her neck.
“I believe this bit of cold fire has found a warm home,” he told her and ogled the spot between her breasts where the diamond rested.
Wynter couldn’t suppress the surprise she felt. “Henry, I can’t accept anything as expensive as this. Please, you must take it back.”
“Why?”
She was going to say it wasn’t proper but thought better of it. He watched her in suspicion, though he smiled. She said, “Now isn’t the proper time. What will Lady Modyford say, and the other women in the room? They watch my every movement, and I’m sure one of them will be certain to tell your wife.”
“The old hags watch you because you’re the most beautiful woman in Port Royal, Jamaica, or the whole damn world! I don’t care what anyone tells Elizabeth, and I don’t want to hear another word out of you, my love. You see, before the week is done and Van Linden is dead, you’ll truly belong to me.” Ensnaring her in his arms, he kissed her firmly and possessively. “Isn’t that right?” he asked.
“Yes, Henry,” she admitted weakly and prayed the night would end soon. It was barely ten o’clock. One more hour to wait, and she didn’t know if she could stand another minute of Henry’s pawing or the lustful gleam in his eyes for her. But she thought of Cort, of their love and the child she carried and she’d endure anything.
The time did pass, and when the clock in the large foyer chimed the eleventh hour, Wynter stiffened during the dance she shared with Morgan. Her palms perspired, and she grew dizzy from nervousness and anticipation. Soon, very soon, she’d be with Cort. She must keep her wits about her.
Precisely when the clock ceased its chimes, she heard the explosion. Cort’s men had started the fire, and when the flames swept the king’s warehouse, which was also used as a munitions storehouse, the noise was deafening. Cries of terror filled the ballroom, and, as Wynter expected, Modyford and the men ran outside.
From the further cries in the distance, she knew the island was in turmoil. But Wynter had no time to think about what damage had been done to the king’s property or about the lives that might have been lost. As soon as Morgan left the house with the governor and the others, Wynter silently made her way from the circle of hysterical women and ran down the hallway to the back of the house. As she had done a few nights earlier, she went out the back entrance and into the darkened yard.
She knew she had to leave immediately and head for the ship. Mary would already be aboard by now. Wynter’s gaze flew to the wooden building where Cort was held, and she couldn’t restrain herself. She had to know whether he had escaped!
Racing behind the row of hedges, she found herself by the darkened prison. No guards were outside. She didn’t bother to wonder how Dirk and Jan had disposed of them, or if the guards, drawn by the explosion, had gone to the warehouse. All she knew was that the plan must have worked! Now to make her way to the ship.
“Vrouw!”
She turned at Dirk’s voice.
“Where are you?” she whispered, unable to see him in the darkness.
She passed near a huge tree and Dirk grabbed her, pulling her beside him. There were no moon or stars that night, and she found it hard to see Dirk, but in the inky blackness, she heard him clearly.
“Captain Van Linden is gone!”
“He’s on the ship already? Then we must go,” she said, moving away.
“No, vrouw. The captain wasn’t in the jail. Jan and I can’t find him.”
“That can’t be, Dirk. He must be somewhere about. Did you search both rooms in the prison?”
“Ja, vrouw. He was gone. No guards were here when Jan and I arrived. I sent Jan back to the ship. You must come with me to the Sea Bride. We can’t wait any longer.”
He took her arm, but Wynter pushed away. “No! I won’t go anywhere without Cort. I’ll find him. I swear it!”
Spinning away from Dirk, she ran back to the house. God, where is he? she asked over and over. She had to find him, she must find him. Why had he been moved?
Tears of despair and fear blinded her as she entered the house and bumped into the golden doublet of Henry Morgan.
“Henry!”
“Where have you been, my dear, or need I ask?”
His voice was strangely calm. He took her arm and led her into the hallway and past the women and men milling about the ballroom. Then they headed up the stairway and entered Morgan’s room. He motioned for her to sit on a green-and-blue brocade-covered chair. Wynter sat numbly down, knowing that he’d known all along where she’d gone.
He lit a candle, and the glow emphasized the almost diabolical glint of his blue eyes. He looked coldly at her, but he smiled in amusement.
“It was a rather amateurish plan, my dear. I had expected better from Van Linden’s men, something more original. But the explosion,
I admit, was unexpected. What I do applaud is your acting ability. You were really quite good, Wynter, but your desire for Van Lynden was your undoing.”
“When did you realize the truth?” she asked.
“The night you sneaked out of the house to see him at the prison.”
“But the guards were asleep, you were in the parlor, snoring when I returned. No one saw me leave!”
“You underestimate my acting ability, sweet. You were so vocal in your hatred of Van Linden that I became suspicious. If you remember, that night on the beach before you swooned from my kiss, I pointed out the prison to you. On purpose, I might add. I was testing you, Wynter. I knew that if you loved the man, you’d be unable to resist sneaking over there to speak to him. So, I warned the guards to feign sleep if they heard your approach, and, my dear, you were quite noisy. I even followed you and heard your words of love. Then I sneaked back to the house, and when you arrived from your midnight tryst, I pretended to have fallen asleep in the parlor.”
Anger and humiliation washed over her and colored her face red. How stupid and careless she’d been! She’d ruined Cort’s escape.
“I congratulate you, Henry, but where is Cort? What have you done with him?”
Henry pursed his mouth and looked levelly at her. “Cort, of course, is quite safe at the moment.”
“I demand to see him!”
Wynter rose from her chair, but Morgan firmly pushed her back down.
“Don’t raise your ire, my dear. By all means, you shall see Cort. In fact, I demand that you do.”
Wynter sensed a trick in this. “What is your plan, Henry?”
He touched the long curl resting on her bare shoulder. His fingers lightly skimmed her flesh and sent shivers down her back.
“If you recall, I sent a note to you. I told you that only you could save your beloved. Well, now is the time to prove just how much you do love him. Van Linden has been in my power for a few weeks now. I could have had him executed at any time, but I didn’t. Hasn’t this thought ever occurred to you, Wynter?”
It had, but she replied nothing and let him continue. “I wanted you to come to Port Royal, which you did. To be honest with you, I never intended to execute your lover. Death for such a man would be too easy. He must pay for stealing my ship and humiliating me before my crew all those years ago. And you are the perfect revenge, my dear.”
This time his fingers crawled lazily up and down her back. “Of course, I don’t mean to use you only for vengeance. You’re far too irresistible for such folly. I mean to make you my mistress, Wynter, and you will agree to this. Otherwise I shall make certain your beloved Cort suffers such physical tortures that he’ll wish for death to release him from his suffering. And for such a young, robust man to lose the ability to walk, or talk, or whatever I decide, will be far worse than death. Do you understand me, Wynter?”
Numbly she nodded, but her eyes were filled with hatred for Morgan.
“Good, my dear. Now, when I summon Cort here—and by the way, he has been held in the governor’s room all evening—you shall tell him in no uncertain terms that you wish to remain on Port Royal with me. Nay, not only do you wish to stay here, but that you’re already my mistress and quite in love with me. If he has any doubts as to this, all he must do is look at the diamonds I’ve hung around your neck. If I see any indication by eye contact or deed that he doesn’t believe you, I shall carry out my threat and maim him for life. So, my little dove, since you are so adept at play-acting, I suggest you give the performance of your life. Otherwise—”
“I understand!” she snapped, not wishing to hear any more of how he’d make Cort suffer. “Will you release Cort if he believes me?”
“I’ll make certain he is escorted to the Sea Bride.”
“You won’t harm him?”
“You have my word as a gentleman.”
“Gentleman? Surely you jest, but I have no other alternative.”
He inclined his head and knocked on the door that separated his room from the governor’s.
Before Wynter’s startled gaze, the two guards from the prison escorted Cort into the room. His white shirt was torn, and a bruise marred his face, but his eyes held defiance and hatred. When he saw Wynter, concern flooded his countenance.
“Wynter! You should be on the Sea Bride,” he said.
Morgan came forward and placed his arm around Wynter’s waist. “As you can see, she isn’t.”
“What’s your plan?” Cort’s voice was tinged with suspicion.
Morgan let out a huge guffaw. “Still don’t trust me, lad, but then you shouldn’t. But this time there is no plan. It seems all the planning has come to naught. Of course, you and your men are responsible for a great deal of damage, and Modyford won’t be as quick to look the other way as I, but then he has nothing to gain by such an oversight. However, I shall be magnanimous and allow you to leave Port Royal, with your ship intact.”
Cort’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true, lad. Ask Wynter if I didn’t say just minutes ago that I had given my word for your safe departure.”
Wynter nodded at Cort’s quizzical look. “Henry has given his word.” Was that her own voice? she wondered. She sounded so cold, so aloof, exactly as she wished to. She had no doubt that Morgan would harm Cort if Cort suspected anything.
“Very kind of you,” Cort said. “Now untie my hands, and Wynter and I shall be on our way.”
Morgan gave the order to untie Cort’s hands, and when he was free of his bonds, he made a grab for Wynter, but she shook herself from him with such vehemence that he thought he had burned her.
“I’m not going with you!” she cried.
“You’re going to Santa Margarita with me, Wynter. Morgan can’t keep you here against your will, and I gather that’s what has happened.”
Wynter caught the arch of Morgan’s brow as he gazed in her direction. She prayed she’d be able to be convincing.
“Against my will?” She laughed. “Cort, please stop treating me like a child, for that’s the only way you’ve ever treated me, and I’m weary of it. You think I have no mind of my own, that I’m a foolish little girl to be hauled off the Mary Jack and thrown into your arms and your bed. Thanks to you, I’ve grown up. And under Henry’s hands, I’ve truly become a woman. He doesn’t treat me as an adolescent with no regard for my well-being. Henry pampers me, spoils me. Things I’ve missed since Papa died, and something I’ve never known with you.”
“What have you done to her?” Cort cried and made a bolt for Morgan, but the two guards caught him and pulled him back.
“I’ve done nothing but love her, lad. Does she look abused?” Henry purposely fingered the diamond necklace around her throat and grinned, “The lady seems quite content in my company. Aren’t you, my love?” he asked her.
“Oh, yes, Henry,” Wynter answered adoringly, almost fawningly. Even her eyes sparkled like fine crystal, and to an observer seemed to shine with happiness and love. But Henry Morgan saw the huge tears filling their gray depths and knew these weren’t tears of joy.
With great control, Wynter turned her attention to Cort. “I’ve not forgiven you for what you did to me, Cort. I thought I was your wife and you let me believe a lie. When I visited the prison and spoke to you, I decided that you deserved to suffer the same fate. I lied to you about loving you. How could I love someone as despicable and untruthful as you? I hate you, Cort Van Linden, and I shall go to my grave hating you.”
She put her arm possessively through Henry’s and kissed his cheek. “I want to stay here with my Henry. He can give me everything I want, while all you offer is a life on a dreary little island. Port Royal has parties and clothes and elegant people. Things I’ve been too long without. Don’t fret over me, Cort, for I shall be quite content here. Now if you will excuse me, the hour grows late.”
Wynter went to the door and looked directly at Cort. She would never forget the appearance of the man, totally shaken, wi
th eyes no longer the color of gold but a deep, murky brown. Never had she seen such pain in another human being’s face before, and she hoped never to see it again. But though her heart was breaking and she felt close to tears, she controlled herself for Cort’s sake. Just a few more seconds and he would be safe. She didn’t know if she had convinced him, but if not, she knew she would within the next few moments.
“You’re a pitiful wreck,” she said scathingly. “How glad I shall be when you’re gone from here and permanently out of my life.” Then she leaned against the door jamb and said in a husky, suggestive voice to Morgan, “I’ll be waiting in bed for you, my love. Don’t let this filthy pirate keep you longer than necessary.” She blew a kiss and left the room, going to the sanctuary of her own room on wooden feet. It was after she had closed the door, and stood weakly in the center of the room, that she heard the sound of an animal’s agonized wail. She realized when she fell into a crumpled heap on the floor that it wasn’t an animal at all.
It was Cort, crying her name.
CHAPTER
18
As the first pale streaks of dawn lightened the sky, Wynter watched from her window as the Sea Bride sailed out of the harbor. The tears, which had flowed so freely during the night, were now gone, but dried remnants remained on her cheeks. She didn’t believe she’d ever cry again. Inside, she felt dead.
For a moment, she thought she noticed Cort on the quarterdeck, but she realized with a sinking sensation that it was Jan with Mary beside him. Despite her pain, she smiled to think that someone was happy.
When she could no longer see the sails, she left the window and sat tiredly on the bed. Her blue silk gown billowed about her, and she hadn’t realized how rumpled it was, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered but the image of Cort’s face, the chilling shriek of his voice the last time she saw him. His image would haunt her for the rest of her life. She’d never forgive Henry Morgan for what he had done to Cort, to her, to their child. But she’d had no alternative. At least, Cort was safe.
A knock on the door caused her to jump, and when she didn’t bid entrance, she heard Morgan’s voice. “I know you’re in there, Wynter. Unlock the door or I’ll break it down. I don’t think the governor and Lady Modyford would care to have the door repaired.”
Pirate's Golden Promise Page 18
