Tides of Passion

by Sara Orwig

  “Mr. Raven arrives soon. We’ll be ready if he wants to see Phillip,” Betsy said, a note of curiosity in her voice.

  Lianna twisted a wispy black curl and Phillip laughed, making her smile. She kissed his cheek and went to wait in the parlor.

  She stood at the window gazing at the street, waiting for Josh’s carriage. Behind her a light tap sounded and her butler appeared, his face pale. “Mr. Brougher is here to see you. He said you were expecting him.”

  For an instant she was startled; then her heart jumped as she remembered Josh’s full name. “Show him in, Charles.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She tried to hide her shock when Josh entered the room. He wore a black hat pulled low over his eyes, a long black cape with a steeped collar, the points meeting his hat brim. His face was hidden from sight and his walk was not Josh’s long purposeful stride, but a halting limp.

  “Thank you, Charles,” she said, and waited while he closed the double oak doors.

  “Good morning, Lianna.”

  A flash of warmth stirred her blood. “Where’s your carriage? Why the cape, Josh?”

  “I didn’t want Edwin to know that I’m here.”

  “How could he?” She forgot her question as he crossed the room to the window to stand with his back to her. He removed his hat, revealing his thick brown hair. “You limp, Josh. What’s happened?” she asked in an unsteady voice.

  While he unfastened the cape, he said, “I was set upon by footpads and my face is cut badly. I didn’t want to shock or frighten you.”

  She started toward him, stopping short before she reached him. “You won’t frighten me. Turn around.”

  She steeled herself, but it took all her will to keep from crying out. On the left side of his face a jagged cut ran from hairline to jaw. Another went across the bridge of his nose. Another along his right cheek and jaw. A small one on his temple. She clamped her lips together, shut her eyes, and struggled to resist the compelling urge to throw her arms around his neck.

  Holding his breath, Josh watched emotions flicker in her face, and his heart leapt at what he saw—until she closed her eyes. Was she repulsed by the sight of him?

  He couldn’t curb his need to touch her. How he loved her! He had dreamed of her for so long now that he had to reach out and take her hand.

  Lianna looked down at her slender fingers encased in his large strong hand. He drew her closer and his touch was alchemy. It transformed her completely, reminding her of all their shared moments. She couldn’t blank them out; she wanted Josh Raven too much.

  She reached up, drawing her fingers over his cheek. “I’m sorry you were hurt.”

  “The cuts will heal with time. They’re nothing but surface wounds. It is wounds of the heart that last,” he said huskily, and watched her eyes widen.

  Lianna couldn’t speak; she trembled slightly and drank in the sight of him.

  “I love you, Lianna.”

  She saw the confirmation of his words in his eyes. Lianna had dreamed of hearing Josh say those words for so long, it was hard to realize she hadn’t imagined them.

  He waited while the silence stretched into minutes. Words rose to her lips, but she held them back. She was betrothed to another, and Josh had had almost a year to come forward and announce his love. Did he say it simply to prevent her from marrying Edwin—or to try to claim Phillip?

  “Say it, Lianna,” he whispered. “I see it in your eyes. Tell me.”

  She almost did, but her reasoning plagued her. She pulled her hand free and walked away from him, turning to the window to escape his probing eyes. She knew he would delve mercilessly into her mind and soul if she gave him the chance.

  “I love you,” she whispered, against her better judgment.

  Suddenly his arms were around her, and he pulled her tightly against him. When he flinched, she stepped back. “Are you hurt elsewhere?” she asked.

  “Dammit, yes. I want to hold you, but my shoulder has a cut. Come here.” He turned her so that she nestled against his side. When he tilted her face upward, it seemed that her heart ceased to beat as she looked into his eyes. She realized he wanted her, but she had to know why he had waited so long to reveal his feelings.

  “Josh, why now, after all this time?”

  His lips touched hers and she moaned with pleasure, seeking his with an agonizing need. His mouth met hers, and their passion was all-consuming. Tongues touched, reuniting hearts that pounded wildly. His kiss deepened into a savage hunger which she eagerly met.

  Josh ignored the pain that burned in his shoulder and the aching wound in his leg as he crushed Lianna in his arms joyfully. Desire throbbed in him and it was an effort to hold back, to take her sweet kisses and nothing more. While he curved his arm around her narrow waist, he couldn’t stop his fingers from moving to cradle her head, twirling the silken strands of her hair.

  “When may I see my son?”

  “Now,” she answered, her pulse jumping at his words. My son. “He’s in the nursery.”

  “Will I frighten him?” Josh motioned to his face and Lianna shook her head.

  “No. Of course not, he’s only a baby.”

  When they reached the nursery, Betsy stood up from the rocker and picked up Phillip. “Here’s Mum. Ah, the wee one is anxious.” For the first time Betsy saw Josh Raven as he followed Lianna into the room. Her eyes widened as she stared at him.

  “This is Betsy, who has been so good to Phillip.” Lianna blushed as she said the baby’s name. Every move, every word, proclaimed the love that had once been between them. She took the warm baby. “Betsy, this is Captain Raven.”

  “How’d you do, sir.”

  “’Morning, Betsy,” Josh said, but his gaze was fastened on the child in Lianna’s arms, and suddenly she felt a tightness in her throat.

  Betsy left the room, and Lianna couldn’t remember what was said to her. When the door closed, leaving them alone, Lianna looked at Josh. He moved closer, gazing down at the baby in her arms.

  “Phillip?” His voice was husky as he asked.

  She held out the baby. “Phillip Rinaldo Brougher Raven.”

  Josh took the child as naturally as if he had been holding babies all his life. The young boy reached up to catch a bit of his father’s pleated cravat, cooing as he pulled it free, cheerfully tugging it loose.

  “Phillip Rinaldo. How grand!”

  Lianna stared at Josh intently, shocked to see his eyes moisten with unshed tears. Her heart felt as if it were wrenched in two. What if Josh loved his son? What if he loved her—and she had pledged to marry Edwin?

  Josh turned his back, walking away and talking softly to Phillip, who gurgled and explored his father’s throat and jaw with his tiny fingers.

  How right it seemed to have Josh here! Everything blurred as Lianna had to fight back tears.

  Abruptly Josh turned. “Why isn’t he named for Edwin?”

  She drew a deep breath, remembering how angry Edwin had looked when she had told him the baby’s name. And she had countered by asking if he wouldn’t have his own son named after him.

  She couldn’t answer Josh in an even tone, for her voice was deep and breathless. “He wasn’t here, and all I could think of was that he’s yours, Josh. I named him for you, for your brother.”

  He came back and Phillip held out his hands to Lianna, who took him, acutely aware of her hands brushing against Josh’s. Phillip nestled down against her shoulder, and Josh put his arms lightly around both of them, smiling at them. Everything he did was both wonderful and painful. She loved the way he was looking at her, yet she knew she shouldn’t.

  He sobered and asked, “Was it a difficult delivery?”

  “They said for the firstborn it was not unusual.”

  “Wasn’t Edwin here?”

  “No, he was in Portsmouth.”

  “Who was with you?”

  “I had a midwife and Dr. Quenten.”

  His eyes changed to a dark green. “I’m sorry I wasn’t
here,” he said roughly.

  “I am too,” she said, wanting to tell him how she had cried and cried for him. She remembered how badly it had hurt the next month when Edwin had told her Josh was in London and didn’t want to see her or Phillip. She turned abruptly.

  “Betsy!”

  Betsy entered immediately, and Lianna returned Phillip to her. She asked Josh, “Shall we go downstairs now?”

  Josh took her arm and they left. As they descended the curving stairs to the front hall, Lianna received a shock. She looked down into Edwin’s upturned face.

  Behind him the butler said, “Mr. Stafford just arrived, ma’am.”

  Murderous rage flared in Edwin’s gray eyes, then was swiftly banked. His voice was cold when he said, “I didn’t realize you had a guest, Lianna. I didn’t see a carriage in front.”

  Josh’s hand tightened on her waist and he wanted to jam his fist down Edwin Stafford’s throat! He forced a smile to his lips. “I came another way. And I’ll leave now.”

  Edwin’s eyebrows arched. “It looks as if you had the worst of a swordfight.”

  “I’m here in spite of it. Perhaps something my opponent didn’t intend,” Josh said lightly, and enjoyed Edwin’s flush.

  “Beware, sir, next time they may be more accurate in their thrusts.”

  “Good advice. Next time, I’ll watch that I’m not jumped from behind.”

  They reached the bottom of the steps and Edwin came forward swiftly to take Lianna’s arm and pull her to his side. There was no opportunity for Josh to ask to see her again. He set his jaw and turned his attention fully to her. “Will you see me to the back door?”

  She started forward, but Edwin detained her. “Charles!” he called.

  The butler stepped forward. “Yes, Captain Stafford?”

  “Will you show Mr. Raven out through the back?”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Josh was incensed. It took every ounce of his self-control to remain calm and detached, to force his voice to a normal tone. “Thank you. Good day, Lianna, Captain Stafford.”

  “Josh—”

  “Come, Lianna. Charles is capable of showing your guest the door.” Edwin propelled her toward the library, closing the door behind them while Josh followed Charles. He left through a gate in the back wall, climbed into the waiting carriage, and was soon down the lane.

  “Damn!” Raven swore a string of oaths while Fletcher sat quietly waiting. “I’d like to run him through.”

  “You’re lucky they didn’t run us through. He has two men watching her house. You slipped past them neatly when you went in.” Fletcher looked out the window. “Did you tell her anything?”

  Josh grinned. “Aye, that I love her. And I saw my son. He’s named Phillip!”

  Fletcher let out his breath. “Phillip! I begin to see why you’re grinning from ear to ear.”

  “Phillip Rinaldo Brougher Raven is a beautiful baby. He has her black hair, his eyes are green, and he smiled at me! Fletcher, you should see him. His fingers are perfect and he has a dimple.”

  Fletcher laughed. “My, you sound like the proud father!” He quickly became solemn and said, “If you didn’t tell her what a scoundrel Stafford is, then does she still plan to wed Friday? And your son will belong to another.”

  “Never,” Josh said coldly.

  “Then you’d better warn her. You have two days left.”

  “There’ll be no ceremony between Lianna and Edwin Stafford. If I can’t do anything else, we’ll carry her off the day of the wedding!”

  Fletcher groaned. “And have her hate you for using force again! Tell her about him!”

  “I will, in time, if it’s necessary, but I don’t think it will be. She doesn’t love him.”

  “Then why wait?”

  Raven laughed. “I’ve already told you that I want her to love me, not return to me because Stafford is wicked.”

  “And in the meantime, while you wait to talk it over with her, Edwin Stafford slits your throat!” Fletcher snapped.

  “I almost wish he’d try that instead of sending his hired men,” Josh said coldly. “I’ll go see her tonight. I don’t think it will be necessary to discuss Stafford.”

  “I think your brains were dashed upon the rocky Chilean coast.”

  “You won’t help me?”

  “Of course I’ll help. I’d like a chance at Stafford myself.” Josh laughed.

  “Don’t call me bloodthirsty!” They rode in silence for a time, then Josh clenched his fists. “I hate to think of her with him right now. I wish these wounds would hurry and heal.”

  Lianna crossed the room and sat in a wing chair by the fire while Edwin closed the library doors and faced her.

  “Did you invite him to come?”

  “No.” She turned the diamond and watched it glitter. Then slowly she slipped it off.

  Edwin’s fingers closed around hers and he pushed the ring back in place while he knelt before her. “Don’t, Lianna.”

  “Edwin, I can’t wed you.” She pulled the ring off swiftly.

  “After all he has done, you’ll go running back to him?”

  “He has actually been so very good to me,” she whispered, remembering his husky voice declaring that he loved her.

  “Dammit! I’ve risked everything for you, and now he just walks in and takes it.”

  She stiffened and felt racked with pain. “Edwin, you’re strong and handsome, you own a ship—”

  “It means nothing if I don’t have you!” He stood up and pulled her up into his arms. “Lianna, don’t leave me! I’ll be good to you. I’ll love Phillip. I’ll love his Spanish heritage as much as his English. You’ve given me your pledge. Promise me you won’t see Raven again.”

  She closed her eyes in agony. “I can’t!”

  “Yes, you can. You’ve promised to become my wife. Can you ignore that he refused to see you or Phillip when you needed him?”

  “Edwin, please!”

  “You’ll throw everything we have aside, and then, when he leaves you to sail, to take a mistress, to ignore his son…”

  She felt tears course down her cheeks.

  “Put my ring back on your finger, Lianna. If you don’t, you’ll shed tears forever over him.” He pulled her to him. “You’ve promised me.”

  “Edwin, I have to think things over. I must ask you to go.”

  He stiffened, then crushed her in his arms and kissed her roughly on the mouth. She could only remember how sweetly it had felt to have Josh’s fingers brush hers. She struggled away from Edwin, wanting to be free. But his grip tightened and he kissed her bruisingly.

  “Edwin, stop!” She gasped for breath and touched her sore lip. How could Edwin love her so deeply when she felt nothing for him save fond childhood memories? Her eyes opened, and she wondered if there was another reason for Edwin’s love…

  Edwin released her, his gray eyes darkened to slate. “I won’t let you go. I won’t let him hurt you again.” He held her arm tightly. “Get your cloak and come with me for a carriage ride. I won’t leave you alone here to think about him.”

  Desperate to avoid going with Edwin, she said, “I have a dressmaker’s appointment for my wedding dress.”

  “Then come to dinner with me tonight.”

  “Edwin, give me time to think!”

  “Dinner tonight, Lianna. Promise me.”

  “Very well.”

  With one more embrace, Edwin left. As soon as he was gone, Lianna hurried upstairs to bathe and dress in a pale gray woolen dress. An hour later, she sat in the office of her solicitor.

  “Mr. Drayton, I want to go over the figures of my inheritance from my father.”

  “Of course,” he said, peering through rimless spectacles at the papers before him. “Mr. Stafford has all the facts at his disposal, and he’s handled everything quite well. Perhaps you would like to summon him, since he has made the decisions for you to date—”

  “Mr. Drayton, may I see what I’ve inherited?”

&nb
sp; “Of course.” He opened a drawer, rummaged in it to produce a stack of papers tied in a band. He unfastened it and turned one for her to view.

  “Now, you’ve inherited the house in London. Your father owned two ships—a three-masted schooner and a main-topsail schooner. Both are presently at sea, but the Lexington will dock shortly.” Lianna scanned the list, already knowing about the schooners and the house.

  Mr. Drayton turned to another page. “Your father had his last cargo stored in a warehouse. This you gave your permission for Mr. Stafford to handle. He sold it for you at a tidy sum. You’ll see the figures here.”

  She scanned the list, satisfied that Edwin had driven a good bargain.

  “Now, money on hand which is currently in the bank. Here is the list, because your father kept sums in the bank in Liverpool, where his ships dock, as well as here in London. Mr. Stafford, I’m sure, has informed you of all this. You inherited the sum of three hundred thousand pounds.”

  Lianna’s mind reeled. She felt as if she had stepped off the edge of a mountain and slammed to earth hundreds of feet below. “Three hundred thousand pounds!”

  “You didn’t know?” Mr. Drayton frowned and peered intently at her, his blue eyes filled with curiosity.

  “No. I left everything to Captain Stafford.”

  “I presumed he had reported everything. You signed the papers.”

  “I was ill, then bore a child and hadn’t recovered when I signed them. He simply showed me where to sign and I left everything else to him.”

  “Good Lord!” His narrow jaw dropped. “Let me get you a glass of water. You look as if you might faint.”

  “I won’t faint,” she said so emphatically that he sat back down in his seat.

  “Mr. Stafford said it was all right to keep these funds in the banks where your father had them—that does meet with your approval, doesn’t it?”

  She stared out the window, barely cognizant that the solicitor was talking. Three hundred thousand pounds! In addition to ships and the house and the farm, the land. The first thought that struck her was how frugal her father had been. How few enjoyments in life he’d had.