"Of course, Faucon," Joaquin said and left.
When she was sure Joaquin was gone, Simone returned her attention to Esperanza. "I do not wish to speak of these matters again. Do you understand me, Esperanza?" There was no anger in Simone's voice as she spoke. "A difficult time may await us when we leave here and I cannot have this distraction for the safety of my ship and my crew. That will always include you and Joaquin. The English woman will be gone soon, so please retract your claws." The tone in Simone's voice was one of resignation.
Esperanza nodded and walked past Simone to leave the cabin.
A DOZEN CREWMEN from the four ships scoured the island for any sign of intrusion before they sent word the others could come safely ashore. Laffite and his ships had not yet arrived and Simone ordered shelters constructed while they waited. She would allow Laffite three days to appear. She looked at her charts carefully. If Laffite did not arrive she would sail back toward Martinique and leave Julia at a port in the Grenadines. She could have dropped her there on the way to Isla de Margarita. Perhaps she should have and been done with it. But she couldn't bring herself to remove the woman from her life just yet.
By mid-afternoon, with the exception of a standby crew left aboard each ship, all crew members and passengers were on the island, the ships anchored just off its western shore. Simone spent the next two days in her personal tent. Food was brought to her and she rarely left except late in the evening, when she walked the white sandy shoreline and scanned the horizon, deep in thought.
She was awakened the morning of the third day when Esperanza slipped into her tent. Ships were seen approaching the island. Within minutes, Simone observed the movement of five ships that appeared to be turning in the general direction of Margarita. Alerting her crews to remain vigilant, Simone took her telescope and climbed to the top of the rise behind their encampment. She smiled when the ships were close enough for her to identify Laffite's flag ship. As the first vessel entered the cove, it dropped its top sails and began to pilot into a position away from her ships.
An hour later Simone crossed the beach and greeted a dapper looking man with a long nose and shoulder-length, wavy black hair. Removing his plumed cavalier hat he bowed slightly and took her hand, kissing it. Simone smiled at the gesture, but knew Laffite was a gentleman of the old school, if nothing else. He was a tall, slender man dressed in black. Gold buttons and trim broke his monochromatic clothing. As the other ships joined the first of Laffite's flotilla and launched long boats, Simone and Laffite strode up the small rise overlooking the beach toward her tent.
"IT IS GOOD to see you again, Simone," Laffite said as he followed her into the privacy of her tent.
"If you had been one day longer, I would not have been here to greet you," Simone said, sitting leisurely on a chair and propping her feet up.
"The wind was not as cooperative as I had hoped," Laffite said, taking a seat nearby. "And of course, there was the British problem."
"How many British ships did you see?"
"Only a few and naturally our ships are much swifter than those albatrosses they claim as sea vessels," Laffite grinned. "I see you have added one to your little group."
"Yes, the Northumberland. Raul was able to persuade her captain to relinquish her not long ago. Drink?"
"Please. Your recent exploits have preceded you. In fact, I have heard that a certain Captain Bentham would like to renew his acquaintance with Le Faucon."
"That is not likely," Simone laughed, remembering the arrogance of the British captain, which was nearly as great as her own. "So," she said as she handed him a glass of wine and leaned back, "why did you send DuChamp to request this meeting, Jean?"
"He told you of Barataria?"
"Oui."
"A month before the destruction of my headquarters, a British naval officer visited Barataria and proposed an alliance against the Americans. The British are planning to launch an attack and seize
New Orleans."
"And what was your response?"
"That I would consider it, of course. I actually have no intention of assisting those pompous asses in taking my city. I sent a message to the Louisiana governor apprising him of the proposal and offering my services against the British."
"And their response was to launch an attack against you and destroy your home? Perhaps you should reconsider the British offer," Simone chuckled.
"Never!" Laffite said as he rose and began pacing the small area in front of Simone. He abruptly stopped his pacing and gazed down at her, his expression serious. "Our days are numbered, Simone. You know that as well as I do. I have come to ask you to bring your ships to New Orleans and help repel the British attack."
Laughing loudly, Simone set her glass down and stood to face Laffite. "Why would I consider such a ridiculous invitation, Jean? I say stand off and see who the victor will be. We risk nothing."
"I am preparing to relocate farther to the west. By allying with the Americans we would be granted amnesty for anything we have done in the past and be allowed to continue privateering against the British, all with the blessing of the Americans. That, along with the Letters of Marque issued by the Republic of Cartagena would make Spanish ships an easy prey as well."
"You, more than anyone, should know the Americans can be trusted no more than the British. God, man! Look what they did to you."
Waving his hand dismissively at her, he continued. "They burned Barataria, yes, but they were not able to seize a single iota of my supplies. I have sent a courier to the leader of the American troops, General Jackson. His soldiers and volunteers will need the flints and powder I can offer. In return, all we have to do is use our ships to prevent the British from landing more troops near New Orleans."
"I still see no advantage in this endeavor."
Laffite rubbed his face and looked at Simone. "Despite the attack on my headquarters and the idiocy of Governor Claiborne, I believe in the ideals of liberty and equality the Americans stand for. If New Orleans falls, then all of French Louisiana will be under the control of the British."
"Do not speak to me of liberty and equality, Laffite. You, a man who has profited from the sale of slaves hundreds of times. One of your lackeys attempted to beat Esperanza into submission and sell her and her son to another pathetic excuse for a man."
"But you killed him, doing me a favor in the long run." Laffite shrugged. Reaching out, he held her by the upper arm. "Join me, Simone, and send ships packed with British troops to the bottom of the Gulf."
"I will call my other captains together and you may speak to them, if you wish. If you can sell this load of manure to them I will not stop them. You are asking a great deal for nothing more than a piece of paper."
"I am offering the chance to sail without the fear of being stopped and arrested."
"We will see, Jean. We will see. When do you set sail again?"
"I will give my men two days to rest from their long voyage."
"You shall have my final decision by then."
"Thank you, Simone."
THE SUN WAS rapidly falling below the horizon, sending red and orange and yellow rays into the sky. Simone sat outside her tent and watched the celebration beginning on the beach below. Laffite would present a strong argument for her ships to join with his to repel the British, but she doubted her crew would agree to fight for some abstract idea rather than more concrete riches. The best they could hope for was the acquisition of more ships and the paper gratitude of the Americans. If the Americans lost, they would have risked their lives for absolutely no reward.
"Faucon!" Joaquin's voice called out. A moment later she smiled as Joaquin ran over the rise leading to her tent. He was panting when he stopped in front of her. "Are you coming to the celebration? The food is wonderful!"
"I will be there shortly, mon petit." The sound of music drifted up toward her and she smiled. It had been a long time since she and her men had had cause for festivities. "Bring the instruments!" Joaquin called out as he left. "
There are concertinas, ocarinas, and other instruments. You promised to teach me to dance!"
She remembered her promise, but there had never been an opportunity to honor the request. Carrying the mandolin and dulcimer, her eyes lit up when she saw the men twirling around a large fire on the beach. It was a good night for laughing, drinking and dancing.
JULIA WATCHED THE Nineteenth Century version of a beach party from a distance. Although there was an absence of bikinis and a volleyball net, the scene didn't appear to be all that different. She stopped to remove her shoes when she reached the edge of the beach. She wiggled her toes, enjoying the feel of the sand that still held the warmth of the sun between them. Her eyes scanned the revelers until she found Kitty seated next to Anton several feet back from the heat of the bonfire.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked, wondering if Kitty would rather have some time alone with Anton.
Kitty grabbed Julia's hand and pulled her down beside her. "Isn't this wonderful!" she exclaimed.
The two women pointed to different members of the crews and laughed at their antics. Rum was dispensed freely and certainly lowered the inhibitions of the men as they reveled in the music and dancing. Julia was dragged into a dance more than once. She had never been much of a dancer. It wasn't that she didn't like the music or feel its beat inside. She thought she looked ridiculous when she danced. Right at that moment it didn't matter since the consumption of rum made it impossible for anyone to be critical. It seemed that falling down in the middle of a fast dance was an expected event.
Across the fire ring, she watched as Simone joined the celebration and was happy to see her again. It seemed to Julia that the captain had been avoiding her while they waited for Laffite's arrival. She smiled when Simone and Joaquin took out their instruments and joined in the music. Simone looked more relaxed than usual and the sound of her laughter was sweeter to Julia's ears than the music around her. Julia suspected Simone would be quite an enjoyable woman to know if taken away from her life on the sea and placed in a safe and comfortable setting. Especially if the intimidating Esperanza wasn't continually hanging on her.
Julia smiled when she saw Simone take Joaquin's hand and walk with him to an area not crowded with drunken crewmen. Julia observed them as Simone spoke to the boy briefly. Placing his hands in the proper position, more or less, she slowly took him through the simple steps of a slow dance, smiling down at him as his face became a mask of concentration. Several times he stopped to regain the beat of the music. Simone was the epitome of patience, periodically offering words of encouragement and praise. By the second dance, he would be the hit of the dance floor among the tenyear-old set, Julia thought.
Well after dark, as Julia chatted with Kitty and Anton, their conversation stopped when there was a change in the music. The sound of drums, guitars, and concertinas began a pulsating, sultry tune. Kitty caught Julia's attention and pointed to the far side of the fire. Julia's mouth fell open as she watched Esperanza dancing alone, her body moving erotically with the driving pulse of the music. What the hell is she doing? Julia thought. She blinked, but couldn't take her eyes off Esperanza's undulations, her body becoming an offering. The movements were more than suggestive. They were a prelude to sex. It was the most sexually inviting dance Julia had ever seen. She scanned the others sitting around the fire. Esperanza had everyone's undivided attention, but it quickly became obvious the dance was intended for only one person. Simone's eyes followed Esperanza appreciatively and a knowing smile teased the corners of her mouth. By the time the music ended, even Julia was considering jumping Esperanza's body. Glancing at Kitty for a moment, she noticed the Irish woman was blushing even though she, too, was unable to look away. Esperanza's chest rose and fell as she extended a hand down to Simone. Taking it, Simone stood and drew Esperanza to her, kissing her lightly. They exchanged a few words before Simone returned to her seat.
"God!" Kitty breathed. "How did her body do that? Her hips must surely be double-jointed!"
"You may dance for me in such a way anytime you wish, my dear," Anton chuckled.
"I...I...," Kitty attempted as her cheeks reddened, bringing laughter from both Julia and Anton as the redhead fanned her face with her hand.
In the midst of their laughter Joaquin sat down next to Julia and folded his legs in front of him. Smiling up at her as she brought her arm around his shoulders and hugged him affectionately, he handed her a tankard. "What is this?" she asked as she took it.
"Rum, of course," he laughed. "It is mixed with a fruit of some kind."
"Have you been drinking rum, Joaquin?" Julia frowned.
"No. Faucon says I am yet too young," he said.
"Well, in this case, Faucon is right," Julia said.
Leaning closer to her, he whispered conspiratorially, "But I took a very small sip."
Julia couldn't suppress a laugh at the unrepressed mischief in the boy's dark eyes as she brought the drink to her lips. She could hold her liquor well and was surprised by how sweet the drink was. "This is very good, Joaquin. Thank you," she said as she took another deep drink.
By the time Julia finished her drink she felt much more relaxed. She closed her eyes and listened to the music and smiled. When she opened her eyes a few moments later everything around her seemed sharper, clearer. She shook her head and wondered what kind of fruit was mixed with the rum. Her skin prickled and she felt suddenly quite warm. Maybe she couldn't hold her liquor as well as she thought she could. Perhaps rum in this time period is stronger than the rum I'm accustomed to.
The musicians began a slow pounding rhythm that seemed to match the beating of Julia's heart. She began to feel too warm and untied the fabric around the neck of her blouse to cool off. Across the fire circle, Simone was engaged in an animated conversation with Laffite, who was seated next to her. Julia couldn't force her eyes away from Simone's smile and rose to her feet. Walking slowly around the edge of the celebrants, the sand warm beneath her bare feet, she stopped in front of Simone. She was inexplicably overcome with the desire to please her. Her body began swaying in its own provocative dance to the driving pulse of the music. She looked down at Simone's face, her beautiful face, framed by hair the color of midnight, golden eyes taking her in. Holding a hand out, Julia beckoned Simone to join her. Julia never took her eyes off the captain's beautiful face as she rose, seemingly moving in slow motion. When Simone stood, Julia circled her, bringing their bodies closer. She felt the heat radiating from Simone's body, inhaled her changing scent as her body reacted to Julia's dance. Running her hands through her short hair, Julia felt completely uninhibited while still knowing this was something she would never ordinarily do, not even in her most erotic dreams.
Turning her back to Simone, Julia pressed against her, hips swaying seductively with the music. Simone placed her hands lightly on Julia's shoulders and slowly drifted them down her arms. Julia wanted more of her touch. She wanted Simone. Reaching behind her, she pulled Simone as close as possible. Hot breath grazed her ear and neck as she raised a hand over her head, drawing Simone's head down. She felt the skin of her neck ignite as Simone's lips made contact. Spinning to reverse their positions, Julia pressed her body against Simone's back and slipped her hands around her waist and teased her way up Simone's sides and over her chest. Feeling firm breasts beneath her hands inflamed Julia's passion and desire to the point of painfulness.
The music faded away and Simone turned to face Julia, both of them aroused and breathing heavily. Julia brought her hand up and stroked the side of Simone's face with her fingertips. Then she pulled her hand away and stared at it. Simone tilted Julia's chin up, their mouths close enough for their breath to intermingle. A frown flickered across Simone's face when she saw the desire in Julia's eyes. As Julia clung to her, Simone scooped her into her arms and carried her up the rise toward her tent, followed by the stares and knowing smiles of her crew.
SIMONE WAS FURIOUS realizing what had caused Julia's sudden affectionate behavior. She would deal wit
h Esperanza the following morning. She gently laid Julia on the cot in her tent and watched the rise and fall of her breasts. It would be so simple to succumb to the offering before her. Esperanza was right. She did want Julia. She wanted to feel the lushness of her body against her own, its softness beneath her fingers. But not in this manner. She turned her eyes away, unable to look at the enticing woman any longer. A warm hand grabbed hers.
"Simone," Julia breathed. "My body burns for you. Please."
Simone smiled down at Julia. "You have a fever. It will be gone soon. You must rest now."
Julia sat up, swung her feet off the cot and stood. She stared into Simone's eyes as she moved closer, her hand stroking over the captain's chest. "I know you want me," she said, her voice husky with desire. "My God, you are so beautiful," she continued, her fingers making their way along Simone's waist.
"I cannot deny my feelings, but..."
"Then why do you hesitate? Do you not find me desirable?" Julia lower lip stuck out in a teasing pout.
Simone felt herself weakening as Julia drew her closer. She wanted to feel Julia's touch. She ached with desire as she took Julia's face between her hands and kissed her cheeks. It would be so easy to have what she couldn't get out of her mind.
"Captain Moreau?" Kitty's voice said from outside the tent.
Simone gently drew away from Julia. "You are not yourself, Mademoiselle. Please lie down." She took in a ragged breath and turned away.
She was certain her face was flushed as she pushed the flap of the tent open. "Mademoiselle Longmire," she acknowledged, her voice hoarse. "Mademoiselle Blanchard is not herself. May I ask you to see to her? I am returning to my ship for the evening. We leave soon."
"Captain," Kitty said as Simone stepped by her to leave.
"Yes, Mademoiselle," Simone answered without turning around.
The Sea Hawk Page 11
