She wanted to hear him speak again so she could be sure. “Ah…there is some—”
Goose bumps rose on Madeleine’s arms as she heard a scuffle and whispering from the other side of the door.
“Some soup, miss.”
“Thank you, I’m not hungry. Perhaps you could take it up to the captain?” Unease snaked through her.
“I will just bring it in for the captain when he comes down.”
“No, thank you.”
A loud curse reached her and she watched as the wooden handle lowered until it reached the bolt she had drawn on the cabin side of the door. Madeleine stepped back with her hands over her mouth, looking around for somewhere to hide, before she realized they could not get in. She hurried over to the table and picked up the heavy chair and dragged it across to the door to be doubly sure.
She stood there for a few moments until all was quiet. Walking over to the bed she sat down and put her hands over her face. The fear that had filled her the other day when the man had hurt Jake and had grabbed her had returned. Now that they were close to New Orleans, she was unsafe. She had the knowledge of the necklace and where it perhaps was hidden be, but finding it may not be an easy task.
Safe at rest, at home.
She would have to trust Sébastien and together they would search. Then she would make her mind up about her future and what course of action she would take.
Chapter Nineteen
Luck was with the Maiden as they sailed in on the incoming tide and the docking at the wharf was speedy and trouble free. By sunset, the sails were down and there was much jovial calling out to each other among the crew who were looking forward to going ashore. As they maneuvered the boat into position against the wooden quay, Sébastien put his hand to his eyes and searched along the river’s edge. There was no sign of the British frigate that had brought Madeleine across the ocean. He wondered whether her uncle had left New Orleans.
He rolled his shoulders and stretched. To have this final mission behind him was a great relief. The crew was tired and as ready to spend some time on the land as he was. He grinned; he knew his tiredness had more to do with the return journey and Madeleine being in his bed, rather than the intercept itself, which had gone more smoothly than any other mission he had led. At the outset, he had worried about Madeleine’s presence on board but it seemed she had brought him luck. The assault by the crewman had been more problematic for the voyage than the intercept itself.
“You look tired, Captain.” His first mate came to stand beside him. “Are you going ashore tonight?”
“Yes, I will escort Captain Lamoreau to the governor as soon as we are secure.” The French captain had been compliant and had caused no trouble aboard the vessel as they had traveled back. “Why do you ask?” The gangplank had been lowered but the crew was still securing ropes to the quay.
It was out of character for Mr. Abrahams to ask Sébastien of his business unless it was to do with the Maiden, which would now be under his command.
“The three new crewmen have left the boat and gone ashore already. They must have jumped to the quay before we turned the bow in.”
“Three?”
“The man who was secured has gone too. I went down to check on him when I noticed the other two had gone but they must have released him. They have all gone. They must have chosen a time when I was occupied below.”
Sébastien frowned. He was concerned about Madeleine’s assailant being on the loose. “Can you keep a close watch on who comes on board while I am with the governor?”
Mr. Abrahams nodded and Sébastien turned for the ladder. “I will be as quick as I can in town.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Where is young Jake?” The boy was usually hovering around the first mate and was nowhere in sight.
Mr. Abrahams frowned. “I’m not sure. He must have gone below.”
Unease filled Sébastien as he climbed down the ladder. He walked along the dark passageway and entered the small cabin where the man had been locked up. The door was open and the ropes which had bound him had been cut and were lying on the wooden floor. Stepping back into the passageway he looked around, checking in each of the other spaces as he passed them. It had been a mistake hiring them for the voyage, but he hoped they were long gone by now.
He tapped lightly on the cabin door. “Madeleine, it’s me. Sébastien.”
The bolt unlatched with a sharp creak and the door opened slowly. The wanton of a couple of hours ago had been replaced by a young lady in a modest dress, her hair braided and coiled neatly at the nape of her neck. Madeleine stood demurely in the shadows watching him.
“You look very pretty.”
She bobbed a curtsy, holding her skirts wide. “Thank you, Captain.”
Sébastien reached for her and pulled her to him. “I missed you.”
Although her arms circled his waist, there was a slight distance in her response and he looked down at her. “Is everything all right?”
Relief filled him as she turned her cheek into his shoulder.
“I was frightened when you were ashore. Someone tried to get into the cabin.”
“Who tried? Did they harm you?”
“I don’t know, and no, I was not harmed.” Madeleine tipped her head back slowly. “And now, I am a little sad our journey has ended. I will be honest with you. I am unsure of what to do.”
Sébastien’s heart sank and he forgot about the intruders who had tried to get into he cabin. Perhaps she had made her decision already and was not going to accept his proposal. “To do?”
“Part of it is about Great Aunt Josephine’s necklace.” A measure of relief ran though him but he would take this slowly. “What concerns you?”
“I have been selfish.”
Tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over. He lifted his hand and cradled her cheek. “I think you have been very brave.”
She shook her head and pulled away from him. “No. Every decision I have made has been for me.”
“Every decision you have made has been for your well-being and safety. From what I have seen of your actions and heard of your thoughts, your motives have been selfless.”
“Sébastien, I know that you think I am foolish.” Her harsh cry tugged at him as she pulled away from his hold, but he let her go and she began to pace the cabin. “I have not given this enough thought. Even if I find the necklace I cannot do what I intended. Bellerose Hall is in the hands of Uncle Titus.” She turned and walked back toward him, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her brow wrinkled and her lips in a straight line. “And how would I get the necklace or the money to England? There is no one I can send it to.”
She stopped pacing when she reached him. “It was a foolish hope that I could change anything at Bellerose Hall. Jake had more understanding than I did, and his words made me think.”
“Jake’s words? What did he say?” Sébastien reached out and took her hand in his.
“He told me that having servants is very much like the slavery that you fight against.” She shook her head. “Oh, I know it is different in many ways, but it made me ponder. I cannot change the way things are and they were the foolish, immature thoughts of a silly young girl to think that I could.”
“No, not foolish. Noble and brave.” He reached his other hand up and gently lifted her chin but her tears continued.
“And why would you want me to accompany you to your new life? Can I believe that you will not leave me?”
Sébastien cradled Madeleine’s face between his hands and stared into her eyes trying to convey what he was feeling through his touch before he spoke.
“I called you my love before, but perhaps I did not put it clearly enough.” Her eyes widened as he held her gaze. “I love you, Madeleine, and it would break my heart if you chose not to come with me. But if you wish, I will help you find the necklace and take it back to England before you accompany me”
“You would?” Her voice calmed and Sébastien’s heart stilled as he looked in
to the emerald depths of her eyes.
“I would, Madeleine.”
“Oh Sébastien.” She lifted one hand and placed it gently on his cheek before she stretched up on her toes and laced her arms around his neck. Her breath was a whisper on his lips as she pulled his head down. “I will follow you.”
Her lips were warm and pliant beneath his, and Sébastien closed his eyes as he gathered her close and held her to him. They stood quietly together and it was as though, in that moment, they made a vow. Finally, he lifted his head and regarded her, his heart thudding so hard he was sure she would feel it through her dress.
“We will talk some more when we go ashore together.” Madeleine opened her mouth but he put a finger on her lips.
“Not now. We shall talk later. There is much you don’t know. Now I must leave you very briefly.”
“Can I come with you now?”
“No. I must go alone. Keep the door latched securely and pack your things ready to leave when I return. Do not open it to a soul.” He kept his voice soft as he dropped his head for a final swift kiss. The sooner he left, the sooner he would be back and their life together would begin. “Don’t forget to pack your other dress. I have become quite enamored of that scanty outfit. I would hate for you to leave it on board.”
Madeleine’s laugh followed him as he pulled the door closed behind him.
***
Sébastien paced up and down the narrow hallway behind the ballroom of La Salle Conde Theater, his footsteps echoing in the narrow space. He had been waiting for Carondelet for more than three hours, and an hour ago the governor’s aide had come to him to advise that he would be the next to see the governor who was attending a quadroon Carnival ball at the theater. The French captain waited quietly in a chair beside the door and seemed disinclined to move. At first, the governor had refused to see Sébastien and he suspected that the long wait was deliberate, due to his insistence on seeing Carondelet tonight. He had attended these balls himself and knew that the dancing could go until dawn. He turned and paced one more length of the corridor considering whether to go back to the Maiden.
“Can I get you a brandy, Captain?” The aide flicked the Frenchman a scathing glance, yet he did not appear at all concerned about the long wait Sébastien had endured. There was nothing to be gained by losing his temper. “Thank you, but no.” The aide clicked his heels and left the room. Sebastien stood and prowled around the room looking at the portraits that covered the walls.
“Holy Mother.” Sébastien peered at the portrait in front of him just as the door opened to admit the governor and the aide. Josephine du Bois looked down at him, her expression serious, but capturing his attention was the glittering emerald diamond necklace that covered the bare expanse of Josephine’s chest above her ball gown. More than twenty square-cut and oval emeralds were nestled between a myriad of countless diamonds. The artist had captured the light perfectly and the glittering gems were the focus of the portrait. He must bring Madeline to see this in the morning. She would be excited to see the necklace did exist.
“Good evening, Captain.”
Sébastien reluctantly tore his gaze from the portrait and the object of Madeleine’s quest. It would be worth a king’s ransom. No wonder Jean-Luc was seeking information.
The governor looked at the French captain and a smile of satisfaction crossed his face.
“Governor.” Sebastien inclined his head as a mark of respect.
“Did you know the necklace in that portrait has never been found? It is widely assumed that it was destroyed in the fire that killed Josephine. What is your interest in it, Captain?”
“I have no interest. I had not seen it before and I was observing the portrait only a moment before you came in.”
The governor gave him a curious look before he nodded and reached into the leather pouch that the aide handed to him.
“And now to business, Captain.”
***
There was little packing for Madeleine to do. She slid her bare feet into her beribboned slippers and lit the lamp on the table before laying the shawl on the bed. She held up the red and black outfit that she had fashioned to wear on the ship and smiled. She had not thought to take it with her but now she placed it on the shawl with her ribbons before rolling it up in a neat bundle. Placing it on the bed beside her, she looked around the cabin which had been her home for the past weeks.
Her doubts had been dispelled with Sébastien’s words and a warm flush ran through her as she held his declaration of love in her thoughts. She wondered what was so urgent that he had had to leave her.
All will be well. She looked forward to embarking on a new adventure; this time with Sébastien by her side.
###
Madeleine was asleep by the time Sébastien returned. She woke briefly as he climbed into the bed and wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her hair.
“A successful visit, my love. And I have something to show you in the morning that will make you very happy.”
Madeleine rolled over and pressed against Sébastien’s naked length and whispered saucily. “You can show me now if you would like to.”
His deep laugh vibrated on her chest and she placed her hand on him. He was ready as he had been each time they were in bed together—and other times that they weren’t and had made use of other alcoves in the cabin to slake their desire for each other. Madeline sighed with pleasure as her fingers stroked his silken but firm length.
His voice was husky as he lifted her hand away. “Now that you are awake, let me tell you what I have found.”
“Can it wait?” she murmured as her lips found his neck.
“I have found the necklace you seek.” He grinned as Madeleine sat bolt upright in the bed.
“The necklace? Great Aunt Josephine’s necklace?”
He nodded with a smile and she threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, Sébastien, where is it?”
“Be calm, my love. I will show you in the morning. I have found a portrait of your aunt wearing the necklace.” He buried his face in her hair and she smiled. If the necklace was found, perhaps she could sell it and somehow send the money to Bellerose and she could follow Sébastien’s dreams?
“As soon as we awake, I shall take you and show you. We shall then book a passage for England as I believe there is a three week wait, so time is of the essence.”
Madeleine’s happiness was complete. It was the first time since her family had been killed that she felt free and happy. If indeed, they found the actual necklace in the next few weeks, she would give deep thought to her future. She must have stiffened in his grasp as he dropped his head and ran a soft kiss along her cheek.
“What is it?”
“You read me so well.” Madeleine turned her face to meet his lips. “I just need to be sure of what I will do.”
Sébastien lifted his head and stared at her, his dark eyes shining in the soft moonlight. “You are the only one who can make that decision. If you have any doubt, you must think long and hard.”
Madeleine swallowed her doubt and smiled up at him as her fingers found their quarry. “Speaking of long and hard…”
It was a long time before they slept.
Chapter Twenty
Madeleine’s anticipation at seeing the necklace and the portrait of her Great Aunt Josephine was satisfying to watch. Her belief in the existence of the necklace had been confirmed and she drew in an excited breath as she grasped Sébastien’s hand.
“Can we go and seek it now?”
Sébastien had not shared with Madeleine his knowledge that Josephine’s house had burned to the ground. It was not the right time to deflate her excitement. He would take her to the land where the house had once stood and perhaps they would find a clue of what may have happened to the precious necklace. He would get Madeleine to tell him what she knew and together they would search.
Despite his joy in her excitement, a heavy feeling settled in Sébastien’s stomach as the time came closer to b
ooking their passage to England. His dream of starting anew and moving to the islands was slowly dissipating like the morning mist over the Mississippi river and he was beginning to wonder if he had made too hasty a decision. When he was in Madeleine’s presence, and particularly when her hands and mouth were on him, he had no doubt that he wanted to be with her. When he was alone, the doubts crept in and he struggled to make sense of the joy he took in being with her and the need to accompany her to fulfill her quest…which would put his own dreams in jeopardy.
“Mr. Abrahams has told me of a ship that is departing for England next week but the berths are filling quickly.” Sébastien said as he opened the cabin door. He shook his head with a smile. “Still abed, you lazy strumpet?”
Madeleine slid her long bare legs over the side of the bed and her dainty feet rested on the carpet. The now familiar jerk of desire ran through his blood and Sébastien pushed it aside.
“I shall go into town and book our berths while you prepare yourself to go ashore to see the portrait.”
“I can be ready quickly.” She smiled up at him.
“No need. I will simply be standing in a crowd for a long while. There is a great demand for berths because there is a shortage. The information came to Mr. Abrahams and I must go quickly.”
“Sebastien?” Madeline chewed her lip and frowned at him. A shaft of worry shot through him and he wondered if she had changed her mind.
“Yes? What is it?”
“When you are ashore, would you…would you see if there is any sign of my uncle?”
Sébastien chastised himself silently as the guilt of taking Madeleine’s innocence came hurtling back. He had forgotten about her uncle entirely since he’d noticed the frigate had departed. The pleasures of her body had addled his brain. Perhaps the decisions he had made were equally as foolish?
He nodded. “I will.” He cast a long glance at her and tried to ignore the bewitching pull she had over him, and his voice sounded terse even to his own ears. “Ready yourself and we shall go to the salon to see the portrait as soon as I return.”
Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) Page 16
