Tides of Passion

by Sara Orwig

  “He’s young.”

  “He’s a childish popinjay!”

  Josh laughed, momentarily gazing out at the mists rising off the fields, thinking of Lianna and the raptures of the night. If it were his last night, it had been worth every moment. How she had clung to him! He thought of her wild abandon and felt a swift renewal of desire. He forced his thoughts elsewhere, knowing he had to have a cool head for the next hour.

  When they stopped at the edge of a grove of trees, he climbed out. In moments Paddington’s carriage came into the clearing, and he stepped down.

  As Paddington crossed the open space to them, Lord Brenthaven snapped, “You damned fool!”

  “I didn’t think I’d find you here as second,” Timothy said coldly.

  “You have, and you’d better lower your voice. We may not be surrounded by friends! You fool, don’t you know we need every man?”

  Timothy’s cold blue eyes looked with haughty disdain at Josh. “We need every reliable man. We don’t need a dishonorable pirate who’s shut out of every club in London for his thefts!”

  “Dammit!” Lord Brenthaven snapped, and Josh put his hand on his arm.

  “Let’s get this done and over,” Josh said.

  “Say your final prayers, rogue!” Timothy snapped, and walked away.

  Josh patted Lord Brenthaven’s arm and said, “He’s young and foolhardy. There’s nothing you can do now.”

  “I know. Kill him before he can harm you. I need a man with intelligence to help me. I’ll see to the pistols.” He left to join Paddington’s second. As he walked away, another carriage emerged from the trees and halted. When the door flung open, Lianna stepped out, pulling her cape close around her.

  “What’re you doing here?” Josh asked, feeling his breath catch. Momentarily he remembered the night, and his parting this morning while Lianna lay in bed.

  “I had to come. I wish there were some way to avoid this.”

  “Get in the carriage.” He leaned down. “If I don’t survive, Fletcher has instructions. He’ll go with you right now to get you back to El Feroz and England.”

  “Josh!” She sounded stricken, and his heart pounded violently. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the mouth, her tongue thrusting into his mouth, startling him with her reaction. His arms tightened around her, and he kissed her for long moments. He wanted her desperately. Finally he remembered the occasion and released her, looking down at her dazed expression. “Last night was heaven, Lianna…”

  He turned quickly, striding back to find the men waiting for him. He walked to the center and picked up his pistol as he looked at Timothy Paddington; then they turned their backs to each other and listened to the count as they stepped off the long distance.

  “Turn and fire!”

  The call finally came, and Josh whipped around as Timothy turned and raised his pistol to fire at him.

  Josh yanked his pistol up and fired, blasting the pistol out of Paddington’s hand.

  It was over. Paddington snatched up his injured hand and looked at Josh, who could have reloaded and killed him if he had wanted to do so. Lianna ran to Josh to fling her arms around his neck and cling to him with relief.

  He held her, kissing her temple, thinking about the night that was ended. With his survival, would her thoughts turn once again to Edwin? He watched Lord Brenthaven approach, and talked to him over Lianna’s head. “I want to take my wife home,” he said, the words ringing in his heart in an echo. His wife—how he wished she truly loved him!

  “I’m sorry. Remember, we’re moving the cannon today from your ship to Santiago, and we’ll hide it in town until we can move it to the mountains. We need you to ride to the coast with us.”

  “Give me an hour.”

  Lord Brenthaven clamped his hand on Josh’s shoulder. “You should’ve killed the stupid pup, but I’m glad you didn’t. He may have learned a lesson today. Thank God, you survived!”

  “Thank you. I truly thank you for being my second.” As he looked into Reginald’s eyes and saw only friendship and approval, Josh felt a swift rush of warmth. Perhaps he would win a few of them over! It would be worth every hint of danger, every threat, to overcome the hatred of his father.

  He wrapped his arms around Lianna and led her to his carriage.

  Inside, he pulled her onto his lap, and in the warmth of the carriage, as reaction to the past hour, the memories of the night stirred Josh to passion. In moments he had her clinging to him as he turned her beneath him on the carriage seat and took her swiftly and passionately.

  Within the hour he kissed her good-bye and left her to meet Lord Brenthaven. Lianna listened to his fading footsteps as he went down the hall, and her heart beat with warmth and relief that he had survived the duel. Beyond that, she wouldn’t search her feelings.

  Two days later, Lianna summoned the carriage and rode to the stables on Avenida Blanco, where she halted the carriage. A bronzed young man, shorter than Josh but with broad shoulders and powerful muscles, worked over an anvil. When her carriage halted, he straightened, wiped his hands, and approached. Lianna leaned out the window.

  “Buenos días. Are you Rinaldo Sepulveda? I’m the Marquesa de Aveiro.”

  White teeth showed against Rinaldo’s brown skin as he smiled broadly. “Marquesa, Madryn has told me about you. She gave me a picture you drew of her.”

  While they chatted, hoofbeats approached. Lianna’s smile widened the moment she saw Josh astride his horse. Dressed in a brown leather coat and breeches, a broad-brimmed Spanish hat low over his eyes, he drew rein beside the carriage and smiled down at her.

  As soon as Josh had been introduced, the men talked. Lianna’s attention was barely on the conversation; she was far too aware of her husband. His horse stood near the carriage, and it was impossible to ignore him. Lianna waged an inner struggle with her emotions, aware that her feelings for Josh were intensifying every day. As Rinaldo and Josh talked, a crowd gathered down the street, where shouts and laughter rang out.

  “What’s happening?” Lianna asked, noticing the commotion.

  “I’ll ride down to see,” Josh said.

  “Take me with you,” she said on impulse, and opened the carriage door.

  Laughing, Josh looked down at her. “You have a devilish taste for adventure, Lianna!”

  She smiled, feeling lighthearted. He swung her up on his horse and held her close in front of him. “We’ll make tongues wag today.”

  “I don’t care. It’s a beautiful day, and I’d like some excitement. Let’s see what the laughter is about.”

  “How happy you sound!” With a long, searching stare that made her momentarily forget everything else, he looked at her, and they both smiled. Near the square the noise grew louder. A crowd had gathered in front of a building where the flag of Spain was displayed prominently over the door.

  A small brown monkey swung from the pole, tugging on the flag. The flagpole jiggled; then the flag was scooped up and thrown over the pole, to wrap around it.

  The crowd cheered the monkey on, applauding and laughing at his antics in twisting the flag of Spain into a turban while he danced on the pole.

  “Josh, look at him! What a funny little fellow.”

  Josh rode toward the group, but as they approached, he suddenly turned his horse around.

  “Wait—”

  “Look, Lianna, soldiers,” he said tersely. For the first time, she noticed soldiers approaching from the opposite direction.

  “There’s General Farjado,” Lianna said. As she watched, the general draw his pistol, and a cold realization dawned on her. “They’re after the monkey.” She wriggled free and slipped down.

  “Lianna!” Josh snapped.

  Paying no heed, she hurried forward as General Farjado called commands and a soldier raised his pistol. Those in the crowd who had become aware of the soldiers and the general stepped back; some turned to go.

  Lianna pushed past a cluster of people and started to call to the general. Her breat
h was crushed out in a gasp. Josh’s arms locked around her violently, and he swept her up before him. “Hush, Lianna. You’ll endanger us.”

  “But they’ll shoot the little beast. He means no harm.”

  “The monkey is destroying the flag of Spain, and the crowd loves it. Soldiers won’t stop if you call—or if they do, the general will wonder about your loyalty. Don’t look—”

  “We can’t abandon a simple animal! I don’t care!”

  Josh wheeled the horse, his arm locking around her waist until her head swam and blackness threatened. She struggled to break free as they rounded a corner. He relaxed his grip, and her breath returned in gulps.

  “It’s only a monkey—and we would risk a multitude of lives if we interfere. I’m sorry.”

  A shot rang out; screams were heard. Josh urged the horse forward. “We have to get out of here!”

  Another shot was heard, and Lianna clung to his arm. When they reached the carriage, Josh tied his horse to the back and told the driver to start home. He swung Lianna inside and climbed in to ride with her.

  She was ashamed of her reaction. “I know it was only a monkey, but it seemed so unnecessary. I didn’t think about endangering you or others.”

  “I’ve dealt with men like this before, Lianna.”

  They rode in silence, and she became aware of his glances, his knee lightly touching hers—and she exchanged one hurt for another. He was home so seldom now, she barely saw him, and she missed him with an ache that was intense. And she attributed it to being alone, so far from Wiltshire and all she had always known.

  When they reached home, Josh alighted to help her out. Within seconds after she reached her room, the door opened from Josh’s rooms. He stood in the doorway holding a pistol in his hand. He motioned with his head. “Come here.”

  Startled, she crossed the room. He lowered his voice. “I think it’s time I showed you how to use a pistol. I’m gone too often; you may need to protect yourself. As soon as possible, I’ll take you out to let you practice. Let me show you how to load this.”

  They went into his room, where a rod and powder lay on the desk. She listened, watching his hands move competently. He gave her another pistol and waited while she did as he instructed.

  “Don’t hesitate if you have to do something to protect yourself,” he said grimly. “If anything should happen when I’m gone, any of my men will take you to the coast. I’ll leave these pistols in the trunk. I have others.”

  “I don’t think I could shoot someone,” she said.

  His mouth curled in a sardonic grin. “Pretend it’s me, love.”

  She looked up sharply. “You think I hate you, Josh?”

  His brows arched, and the gentle rise and fall of his chest stopped.

  “You have a right to, Lianna,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have forced the marriage. There are grounds, so we can have it annulled when we reach England. Then your life can go on as before.”

  “With one great change,” she said.

  “If Edwin loves you, your virginity won’t matter.”

  She bit her lip, watching him, wanting to shout that that wasn’t the great change, but she held her silence, wondering how strongly he wanted out of the marriage.

  “I regret bringing you into this danger. I was so—” He bit off the words. “Use this gun if necessary. Take care,” he murmured, brushing her cheek with his lips as he left in long strides.

  As soon as she was alone in her room, she sat down by the window and gazed out the front at the wide tree-shaded street. It looked so peaceful, yet not far away, soldiers had murdered a monkey because it had played with a bit of cloth. What evil undercurrents ran through a place that appeared so calm on the surface? She shivered and felt cold. Josh Raven, again mounted on his horse, rode into view, leaving to go down the street.

  She looked at his straight back, the breadth of his shoulders. Would he sacrifice her as easily if a choice had to be made to save his cause?

  Lianna didn’t see Josh again that day or night, and learned he had gone to their estancia. As Wednesday approached she was torn by conflicting emotions, but finally the time came and she went downstairs to meet General Farjado. Dressed in black lace with a mantilla on her head, she entered the salon to find him waiting. His black eyes flashed with admiration, and he smiled. The green uniform set off his swarthy skin, his handsome features.

  “How beautiful you are!” He took her hand to kiss her fingers. “And how fortunate I am for a few hours.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “Perhaps next time Don Cristóbal will be here to go with us.”

  He smiled. “Perhaps—and perhaps not. I prefer it this way. Just you and I, Doña Lita.”

  “You make me regret my decision to go.”

  “Never! Come, let me show you the sights of Santiago.”

  He took her arm and they left to climb into his elegant carriage, and she waited to feel that swift current of excitement she always felt around Josh. From the first moment Josh Raven had opened his cabin door, every encounter had stirred dazzling responses. His slightest touch made her breathing alter. She willed the same with General Farjado—heaven knows, the man was handsome by all standards. As if seeking what she found with Josh in another man, she moved her hand so that it brushed General Farjado’s arm. He turned and smiled, but she felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.

  When they emerged from the carriage, they entered the Italian Renaissance church, stepping through the heavy doors into a cool, darkened interior.

  With each step she took, the skirt of Lianna’s black dress rustled in the silent church. Beside her, General Farjado’s boots were loud on the stone floor.

  “This church was started in 1568, but not completed until years later. See the statue there on the altar—it was brought to the New World by Don Pedro de Valdivia.”

  As Lianna studied the small carved wooden statue, a shaft of sunlight came through the high stained-glass window, giving a warmth to her cheeks. She turned and caught the general’s gaze on her, an undeniable flame in the depths of his black eyes. He took her arm to stroll to the cloister to point out certain pictures, and again she hoped he would stir some flicker of response, but there was nothing.

  Later, when they had returned home, he said, “Tomorrow we’ll ride up Santa Lucia hill.”

  “I shouldn’t go out again…”

  “Oh, but you will. It’s better than sitting home with your sewing. I’ll call at the same time.” He turned to go without waiting for an answer from her. Lianna watched him climb into his carriage, regretting the day. All it had done was confirm her fears.

  Josh stayed at the estancia, and as the days passed, General Farjado’s visits came with regularity.

  23

  Dockside in London, Edwin paused on the deck of the Adrian. “We made it,” a deep voice said at his elbow, and he turned to nod at Steedham. Edwin’s gaze swept the ship, the broken mainmast and tattered sails, the splintered and burned deck. “But I don’t know how,” Steedham added.

  “More than the first half of the journey was smooth as a windless sea,” Edwin said. “I thought it would all be easy.”

  “Can’t count on anything at sea,” Steedham said.

  Edwin thought about their days sailing toward the islands, where they had crossed paths with a Dutch ship. This one was not old and weighted with cargo, but a fighter that had almost blasted them out of the sea. They had turned back for England, and then had run afoul of a storm. The storm wreaked its own havoc and the surviving crew was down to twenty men. One night when they were at the height of the gale, Edwin had thought his life was over as waves crashed over the ship. Remembering the howling wind and freezing water, he recalled the moment he had encountered Captain Turner as they both had clung to starboard lifelines.

  In the darkness on the wind-tossed ship, Edwin had seen his chance and shoved Captain Turner into the foaming sea. Remembering the swift decision, he clenched his fists, dismissing fleeting regrets.

/>   Before that night was over they were down to nine men and no captain. Of the nine, four were as new to sailing as Edwin. Edwin had proclaimed himself captain, saying he had as much right as any of them, and if anyone wanted to challenge him, he would meet the challenge.

  After his announcement, the seconds he’d waited had been the longest in his life. Once again he had felt as if his life hung in the balance, and when they nodded their heads in agreement, a flare of satisfaction went to his soul. And he had learned an unforgettable lesson—to the bold belong the spoils.

  “Damned ship’s a wreck. Most of the cargo is gone, the ship’s barely afloat…” Edwin said.

  “You’re going to fix her?”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” he said, despising the small molelike Steedham, who had immediately tried to become friends with Edwin when he had taken over the Adrian.

  Edwin suspected the main reason the men hadn’t threatened him as captain was simply that they hadn’t expected to get safely into port and didn’t want to risk their lives over a hopelessly battered ship. It was no longer seaworthy and would take more than all of them had gained to attempt to repair it.

  The moment they had docked in London, three of the sailors disappeared from the ship, and Edwin knew they wouldn’t return.

  Nor did he care. He had his own plans. “I’ll be back in two days,” he said, knowing the men might see to it that he was no longer captain if he returned.

  Carefully retrieving his hoard of gold from the successful ventures, he packed. The moment he left the ship, the first thing he did was to find lodgings at a comfortable inn. Next he went to see a tailor to be fitted and order clothes.

  Then he sought out a fencing instructor. He faced Monsieur Toussaint, a thin, dark-eyed Frenchman. Plunking down his money, Edwin said, “I want lessons. I don’t have long between voyages, so make the lessons twice a day.”

  The wiry Frenchman looked at him and smiled. “Would you like to begin now?”

  “Yes,” Edwin said, and shed his coat, following the man to the large room where an array of weapons were displayed along one wall.