The Queen of Diamonds

by Moore, Juliet

  "As you know, Harrison, we aren't strangers to taking things by force. But force doesn't mean violence."

  Catherine shivered.

  "So please, everyone, when we find him, you must follow my lead. Is that understood?"

  David got the agreement of all the men in the camp, then nodded his thanks, sat down, and went back to his dinner.

  Catherine hugged herself, even though that night was one of the warmest yet. It wasn't the weather that gave her chills. She turned to Harrison. "I hope he knows what he's doing."

  "He knows. I have no doubt about that."

  "I'm sensing there is a however."

  Harrison nodded. "It remains to be seen if we will like it."

  "Am I going to regret this?"

  "Absolutely not. Already, you are a step closer to where you need to be. We're getting there, Catherine."

  She smiled. He said we. Then she remembered that he hadn't packed his belongings and her face fell. There was also the question of her husband. Although she'd been abandoned by him, he was still out there, an unwelcome specter influencing her every move.

  It was nice that David wished her to speak to Marcus, because that had been her plan all along. She needed to confront him and hear from his own lips why he'd done what he did. If he was lucky, he might escape with his hide intact. Never mind their marriage.

  * * *

  They traveled on, each day much like the last. Catherine talked to Harrison about her life with Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Susan, realizing during the telling of the stories that they weren't all bad. She and her cousin had a lot of good times growing up, fun playing in their homemade puppet theater and putting on shows for Susan's parents. Also, her aunt and uncle were all right when they weren't belittling her. Her aunt just liked to make a big show of how much she was helping the "poor child" to make her look better to all of her friends. It was shallow, but Catherine could forgive her for it.

  Then one day started different from the rest, due to an unexpected delay.

  "I can't believe this!" David said, cursing until he was blue in the face, using words Catherine wouldn't dare repeat.

  She approached him gingerly. "What happened?"

  "It's the yoke," he said and showed it to her. It had a large crack along the wood. "We can't leave until this gets fixed."

  "The yoke could have broken while we were on the move, couldn't it? And then we'd be anywhere, possibly not in a good place to make camp."

  He looked at her speculatively. "You are right, Catherine. I suppose I should be thankful."

  Harrison approached. "She is a wise young woman, isn't she?"

  "It's a shame her husband couldn't see that. He should have taken her along with him."

  It was a strange sentiment coming from the man who was trying to catch her husband. She wouldn't ever have wanted Marcus to take her with him. What she desired was for him to have never left.

  David shrugged and looked off into the distance. "Might as well get started on fixing this yoke."

  She watched David walk off, sensing he was looking for any excuse to get away from her.

  Harrison was next to her, the sun shining through his blondish hair and lighting his head up like he had a halo. "What's on your mind?"

  "Nothing worth voicing aloud." Catherine let her gaze roam the camp. Having free time in the morning, or any time, really, was very unusual for them. "Thank you for helping me with all of this. I can't imagine how I would feel doing it alone."

  "When I make a commitment, I see it through."

  Catherine felt like he wanted to add "unlike some people" but he didn't.

  "So what shall we do with this extra time we've been gifted with this morning?" he asked.

  "Maybe David needs our help with something." They both looked in David's general direction. He was talking to Samuel and another man, moving his hands about vigorously, with a stern look on his face. Perhaps he was blaming Samuel for the problems with the yoke. Whatever it was, Catherine probably didn't want to be involved.

  Harrison seemed to come to the same conclusion. "Why don't we take a walk? There is a watering hole nearby. I rather fancy a swim."

  "Oh, Harrison! You can't be serious."

  "Why not?"

  "You can't swim out here. Who knows what is in these waters?"

  Harrison seemed to be amused by her reaction. "Samuel was telling me all about it just the other day. He goes in the water all of the time."

  She blushed. "Well, I have no bathing costume. Not to mention, I don't actually know how to swim."

  "Those are just details. Come, let's take a look."

  She couldn't resist going along with him. Would he actually do it? They walked for about ten minutes before arriving at a small lake. It was smaller than she expected and not as intimidating.

  The heat that day was stifling. She could never get used to this weather. Her clothing practically stuck to her body in the heat. All day she perspired, only to spend the night just as damp. Only once a week did they set aside water for bathing and she'd never felt so dirty in her life.

  Harrison took off his jacket. "Looks good to me. I'm going in."

  "Have you gone batty?" she asked.

  He laughed wildly, taking down his suspenders, first one shoulder than the other. His off-white shirt underneath was now sepia-toned, and the places where the suspenders had rested were a few shades lighter, giving him two odd-looking stripes down his chest and back.

  "Harrison, please. It might be dangerous."

  "Join me," he replied.

  She shook her head, laughing. "I could never do that!"

  "Why not?" He unbuttoned his shirt.

  "You seem to say why not a lot."

  "That's because you are always making excuses."

  Maybe she was. Maybe she was still constrained by her upbringing. Rules that meant next to nothing out here. Especially when she was a woman on her own, abandoned by her husband, and using up her last chance at salvation. "What about… water buffalo?"

  "Water buffalo?" He burst out in laughter. "Really, Catherine? There are no water buffalo."

  "You don't know that."

  Harrison took off his shirt and laid it on a nearby rock. His chest glistened with sweat, but it wasn't unbecoming on him at all. His chest was tightly muscled in a way that made her heart beat faster. Harrison was perfectly formed, so perfect that Catherine was reminded of the things she'd done with her husband before he'd started spending every night at the saloon. Harrison started to unbutton his pants.

  Catherine turned away. The sun beat fiercely on her back. Sweat plastered her hair to her neck and dripped down into her dress. How good it would feel to be refreshed. There was a sudden splash as Harrison jumped into the water. Catherine turned back around, afraid to see him disappear into the depths of the lake, but he was fine. He was standing in the lake, and the depth only came up to his waist. She looked over at the rock at his pants laid out neatly beside his shirt.

  "Come into the water."

  Could she? Could she really live a little for once and not think of what other people would say? She took off her jacket and unlaced her skirt. "You're right. Who am I trying to impress?"

  "My thoughts exactly."

  She stepped out of the skirt and threw it down. She whipped off her shirt and dropped her petticoats to the floor. Then she was only wearing her chemise and Harrison looked away politely. She took a deep breath and ran into the water, leaving behind all the insults and injuries of the past two months. Forgetting all the people who didn't want her. They had no power over her.

  Harrison laughed with her, no doubt enjoying the spectacle.

  She jumped up and down in the water, causing a ruckus. The water was so refreshing that suddenly the hundred-degree weather didn't feel so bad. She was enjoying herself, the sun warming her back and lighting up Harrison's face.

  "How does it feel to let go?"

  "Glorious! I should have come to Africa alone. At least I would have known what I w
as getting myself into."

  "You've done beautifully in spite of it all. A lesser woman would have given up a long time ago."

  "I only have you to thank."

  "I would be nothing without you as the prod in my backside."

  "How lovely." She laughed with him. She admired the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. He had tanned skin that spoke of outdoor pursuits instead of gentlemanly leisurely activities. And it turned her on immensely.

  There was a slight ripple in the water and Catherine jumped towards Harrison, nearly landing in his arms. "What was that?"

  "The wind. Calm down."

  "It might be an animal of some sort."

  "If so, they are more scared of us than we are of them."

  "Speak for yourself." She realized she was much too close. She had a good view of his muscled arms. She desired the safety of being wrapped inside them.

  His mind had taken the same path. "You always run to me. Why?"

  "You make me feel safe."

  "I never thought I'd hear that sort of thing about me."

  "Really? Why?" She thought of backing away from him, putting some space between them, but she didn't.

  "I've always been quite the selfish character," he said.

  She could feel the heat coming off his bare chest and it made her forget her fears of what could be lurking in the water. "What about familial obligations? Do you have them?"

  "I did at one time."

  She took a deep breath. She thought she would have inhaled the aroma of the pond and savannah, but she could just smell him. It really would be best if she moved away. She couldn't. "What happened?"

  "My parents left me, just as yours did to you. Only mine did it through their untimely death, I'm afraid. That day we met, when you were a young girl… that was the day of their funeral."

  "I'm so sorry, Harrison. I had no idea."

  "So then, the distant relatives came out of the woodwork, all with different ideas of what I was supposed to do. Run the estate, sire a few sons, maybe join the House of Commons. I signed it all away to my uncle. Whatever happened to a man finding his own way?"

  "You escaped it all."

  "Yes." He put his hand on her arm and clasped it firmly. "So you see? I'm an irresponsible cad with poor manners and a lack of respect for family."

  "I still trust you. I know I'm safe with you."

  "Safe from everything."

  "Yes. Well, I…" She realized what he was referring to when she met his gaze. His eyes, blue like the depths of the ocean, caught her and narrowed as he leaned forward.

  His lips met hers quickly and he pulled her against his chest.

  She couldn't stop it. The feeling of the hot sun on her back, the cool water rushing around her legs, and his strong arms around her was a heady and irresistible combination. His lips moved against hers expertly, and she sank into the kiss, feeling the lower part of her body practically explode. Her knees went weak and he held her up. She had her eyes closed tightly, as though it would make everything all right. Maybe if she never opened them it would stay just a dream.

  A magnificent, delicious, wonderful dream.

  Then she felt something brush against the bottom of her leg, low on her ankle and she jumped. She jumped away from Harrison, effectively ending the moment and their stolen kiss. She turned and splashed out of the pond and back onto the land, almost hysterical. "What was that?"

  Harrison followed quickly behind. "I'm sorry," he said, hurrying after her. "I shouldn't have done that."

  "I felt something," she said, shaking the water off and staring at the pond. "In the water."

  "I'm sorry about that, too."

  She shook her head, then, in spite of herself, laughed. "Not you. Something in the water. Something swimming about."

  "You didn't have to fake an attack to get out of kissing me, Catherine."

  "There is something in there." She shuddered and grabbed her skirt. "I simply did not want to be eaten."

  Harrison put on his pants, then pulled on his shirt. As he buttoned it over his damp skin, he eyed the water. "It was probably a plant."

  "Certainly not." She reattached her bodice. Even getting dressed over a wet chemise, she was better off than before. It was easier to deal with the heat when her first layer was wet. "I hope I didn't alarm you."

  He stepped forward and grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry. I know I was inappropriate."

  "Then why did you do it?"

  "I couldn't resist."

  She got serious then, not taking her gaze off him. "Neither could I."

  He started to pull her close.

  Catherine pulled away. "But I'm not free to do such things. I took vows."

  "Little good they did you."

  "Nevertheless." She pointed to the path back to camp. "Shall we?"

  "I don't know. Maybe we should talk about this a little bit."

  She frowned with resignation, once again remembering that his plans didn't include her any more than Marcus's did. "Or perhaps we should talk about the fact that there are water buffalo in that lake and also perhaps snakes or eels."

  "How big do you think a water buffalo is that it could swim around your legs?"

  "Then it was a snake. Probably the length of an elephant's trunk."

  "Your imagination is brilliant, my dear."

  She swatted him playfully and they continued in the same vein for the rest of the walk back to camp. It was certainly easier than speaking about emotions. She wasn't free to have thoughts about him, especially not ones spoken aloud. So she did her best to once again pretend nothing had happened between them.

  Moments later, while still speaking about things of no consequence, she realized how willing Harrison was to change the subject.

  What did that say about him?

  Chapter Eleven

  When they returned to the camp, Samuel hurried up to them as soon as he saw them, as though he'd been waiting for them. "We found your husband," he said in an altogether harsh voice, as though the very word disgusted him. "We found him."

  Catherine's heart jumped into her throat, almost impeding her ability to speak. She felt she would lose her breakfast just through the effort of asking. "You found Marcus?"

  "Yes. He is in David's tent."

  All she could think of was what had just happened between her and Harrison in the lake. She could still feel the heat of him on her lips. She reached up and touched her mouth, as though she could wipe away the evidence. "Take me to him, please."

  Samuel led the way without a smile.

  Catherine followed, not looking behind her until she reached the tent. It wasn't until then that she knew Harrison hadn't followed her. She felt a pang in her heart. It was as though he was already passing her back into the hands of her husband. Marcus had been found, so Harrison's job was done.

  She turned to the door of the tent and took a deep breath. It was unfortunate she was going to confront her husband on that day, of all days. The one day that she finally succumbed to temptation, even if only a little bit. Why did she have to be reunited with him after she'd fallen from grace, even though he might never know?

  She pulled open the flaps and walked inside, stopping just over the threshold to take it all in.

  Marcus was seated in a narrow wooden chair, hands tied behind the wooden back slats, ankles bound to the legs of the chair.

  David was sitting next to him, looking about ten times more comfortable. At least physically.

  "Marcus!" she cried, rushing forward. She couldn't see him like that, even after all he had done. He looked miserable. Ashamed.

  "Hello, Catherine." He frowned. "I'm sorry."

  She glared at David. "Does he have to be tied up like this? He's not some common criminal!"

  "Oh, but he is," David replied.

  Catherine almost wanted to back away from him, escape that look he had in his eyes. It was like he'd changed since the last time she saw him. Maybe because he was finally the victor? He felt like a big man, she
supposed. She turned away from him and back to her husband. She would not give David the satisfaction of arguing about it. "Marcus," she started. "Where have you been?"

  He sighed and looked at David. "I'm not sure how much I can say."

  "Is that really how it is going to be?"

  Marcus looked pained. "I do wish to speak to you, Catherine. But consider the circumstances."

  She turned to David. "Mr. Abraham, we were once friends, were we not?"

  He nodded, expressionless.

  "Marcus is completely bound. You may stand right outside the tent, so you would see if he escaped. May I please have a few moments alone with my husband?"

  David looked past her at Marcus and stood up. "If you think you are uncomfortable now, consider how you'll be treated if you try anything."

  Marcus hung his head. "I'm a broken man, David. You need not worry about any resistance from me. The jig is up."

  David left the tent finally.

  Catherine's face fell. Even though David knew and understood all of the circumstances, it was still as though she couldn't fully let out her anger in front of him. "So, Marcus?" she said. "What happened? How did we get here?"

  "I'm so sorry, Catherine. I didn't want you involved in any of this."

  "Is that supposed to be nice? You didn't want me involved in your business? In your life? So you abandoned me without a second thought?"

  "I did think about it. Don't assume I didn't."

  She approached him warily, looking at his face as though it would give her the answers. "So you thought about it, but did it anyway. I would think any time at all spent thinking it through would make you realize what a bad idea it was."

  He strained against the ties, but not in a way that seemed to be looking for a release. "I don't even know where to begin."

  "How about at the beginning?"

  He frowned. "How much do you know?"

  "Assume I know nothing."

  Marcus sighed loudly. "I tried to dig our claim, I really did, but it wasn't working."

  She groaned. "It takes more than a few weeks labor to get a foothold in this venture, Marcus. You gave up too quickly."

  "I was depressed. So I started going to bars more often."