Passion's Tide

by Sarah West

  Amber had been to balls back in Boston, but none could compare to the size and splendor of the Whitmores’. A dozen chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each one containing several tiers of candles that illuminated the room. A stage had been erected at one end of the room for the orchestra, and an entire wall was devoted to tables piled high with food and drink. On the opposite wall, glass doors were propped open to allow guests to wander onto the balcony for fresh air. All about her, men and women danced and laughed, dressed in their finest. Amber watched with amusement as a woman wearing a monstrous gown covered in ruffles and bows and a wig that was at least a foot tall, struggled to remain upright. As the woman was jostled by the crowd she lost her balance and grabbed the arm of a gentleman beside her, nearly toppling them both to the floor. Amber hid her laugh behind her gloved hand.

  She was pleased to find her apprehension waning as, despite her reserve about finding a husband, she began to enjoy herself. Logan’s face again appeared in her mind, but she pushed it aside. “Come on,” Olivia said, dragging her further into the room. “We need to stand where everyone can see us, and where we can see everyone,” her voice dropping to whisper as she smiled wickedly. “Over there is Lord Birchmore. His wife recently died without producing an heir, so Mother says he’s already begun to look for a new one. Wife, that is, not heir. And standing by the window with the glass of champagne is Lord Bedford. His father is ill and he’s next in line for the Baron of Warwick, and I’ve heard his mother is pressuring him to find a young wife.”

  “And who is the man striding towards us?” Amber asked in a rush, eyeing the attractive gentleman walking through the crowd.

  “Richard Cobham,” Olivia whispered from behind her fan.

  “Title?”

  “Now Amber, I never thought of you as a snob,” chided Dominic from behind them, offering them each a glass of champagne. “But if you must know, young Cobham is the Viscount of Kent.” Nothing more could be passed between the cousins then, because the man had reached them.

  “Olivia, my dear, it is a pleasure to see you again as always. Dominic,” he acknowledged with a nod. Then his gaze transferred to Amber. “And who is this vision before me?”

  Dom rolled his eyes but made the introductions. Amber smiled as Cobham made her promise to save the next dance for him, and watched as he walked away. She was then bombarded with introductions, as Cobham’s approach apparently opened the door for curious, gossiping women and interested, eligible men to investigate the new arrival. Within minutes her head was swimming, trying to remember names and which dance had been promised to whom.

  She drank the champagne that was handed to her, ate the food that was brought to her, and danced with the gentlemen who offered for her. Less than an hour later her feet hurt from dancing in her new slippers, and she felt her smile was frozen on her face. She was still enjoying herself, but was beginning to tire of all the attention. As late in the season as it was she had not anticipated that her arrival would be of much interest, but as Cobham told her as they were dancing, her presence was extremely refreshing.

  “I had begun to fear that my coming to London was again in vain, but I hope you don’t mind me saying, dear Amber, that your being here has changed my outlook entirely.” Taken back by his confession and uncertain how to respond, she just smiled at him. As the dance ended she excused herself and wandered back to Olivia, who was talking to Georgina and an attractive older woman with curly blonde hair. As she approached, the woman turned to her and smiled.

  “I believe it is to you I owe my thanks,” she said pleasantly.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You are Olivia’s secret cousin, are you not?”

  Before Amber could reply, her aunt approached and laid a gloved hand on the blond woman’s arm. “Penelope, what a wonderful soiree. Allow me to introduce my niece, Amber Townsend. Amber, this is Countess Whitmore, our hostess for this evening.”

  “If it weren’t for you, my dear girl, my party would not be such a great success,” exclaimed the countess, opening her arms and gesturing towards the guests. “Lady Dawson is positively seething over there by the refreshments,” she added with a wink.

  “Every year, Mother and Lady Dawson attempt to outdo each other by throwing the biggest, most extravagant parties,” Georgina chimed in.

  The countess sighed. “I’m afraid to say we thought she had us beat this season. Just last month she held a Grecian-themed ball, and had her gardeners recreate the hanging gardens of Babylon!”

  “But the gardens were in ancient Mesopotamia…” Amber said in confusion.

  Her aunt laughed. “We know that, but most guests decided to overlook her geographical ignorance and enjoy themselves anyway. There were fountains, statues, even men dressed in togas serving wine and grapes.”

  Olivia snickered. “The best part of the evening was when Lord Dawson got drunk and stumbled, ripping the toga clear off this one server! You could see his—”

  “That’s quite enough, Olivia,” interjected her mother as she took the countess’ arm and led her towards the balcony, sending the girls a warning glance over her shoulder. Olivia and Georgina erupted into giggles as soon as they were out of earshot.

  “You really should have seen it, Amber, it was…educational, to say the least,” Olivia said, laughing.

  “Educational?” Georgina shuddered. “I found it revolting. If they all look like that then I have no desire to ever marry and find out for myself.”

  “Let’s save the anatomy lessons for a later date,” Amber suggested, glancing around her to make sure nobody could hear their conversation.

  “She’s right,” Georgina said, her giggles coming to a halt as she pulled the two girls closer. “Who has heard any delicious gossip?”

  As Olivia jumped in with some scandalous news she had overheard, Amber’s mind began to wander. She gazed about the room, half listening to her cousin, and watching the people move about the crowded party. The noise was almost cacophonous. The orchestra was taking a break and it seemed that most guests were doing what they were: gossiping.

  Amber took a step away from the two girls and fanned herself as she absorbed the sights and sounds of the party. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall man with brown hair, and dropped her fan in surprise. She quickly bent to pick it up, but when she straightened the man was gone.

  “Did you see someone you know?” asked Georgina from behind her. Amber paused, and then shook her head, turning back to her cousin.

  “As I was saying, the man was thought to be dead!”

  “And you’re certain this mysterious corpse is walking among us tonight?” Georgie asked, unconvinced.

  Olivia was growing impatient. “Look, I don’t know who it is. All I heard was that a maid nearly fainted when she saw him floating down the corridor.”

  “Well if he was floating, then I believe you,” mocked Georgie, sharing a smile with Amber. At that moment, the orchestra took up their instruments and resumed playing. The crowds dispersed as people returned to the center of the room to dance, and Amber was approached by Glenn Middleton.

  “I believe you promised this dance to me, Miss Amber,” said the young Baron, taking her hand and leading her onto the dance floor.

  “You look a little pale, are you feeling well?” he asked a moment later as he guided her through her turns.

  “I am a little lightheaded. All this champagne and spinning is making me dizzy.”

  “Shall I fetch you a glass of water?”

  “If you don’t mind.” After assuring her of his prompt return and suggesting she find a quiet place to rest, he hurried off, leaving her by herself on the dance floor. As she pushed her way towards the edge of the room she felt a twinge of guilt. Middleton seemed a nice enough character; perhaps she shouldn’t have lied to him about feeling ill.

  The cool breeze on her face as she snuck outside was reward enough for her dishonesty, so she slipped past the few people on the balcony and descended
the steps into the garden. Her head didn’t hurt. She was just overwhelmed and tired of pretending she felt fine, when inside she still ached.

  She walked along the garden path until she came across a round marble fountain, and smoothing her skirts she sat down. The sound of splashing water was relaxing, especially after being trapped for so long. The party had been pleasant enough, nothing she hadn’t prepared herself for. And she was grateful to her family for taking her in. And yet, she couldn’t help feeling that she did not belong.

  She knew that on the outside she appeared to fit in, but after so long at sea, being in polite society was dull. She missed the ocean. She itched at her side, where her corset was digging into her skin. She missed the freedom of dressing comfortably, saying what was on her mind, doing as she pleased. And more than anything, she missed the company of her unruly band of pirates.

  She had been almost certain that she had seen Eli in the crowd, but as she thought about it now, it was impossible. Eli was gone, along with Pax, Johnny, and everyone else she cared about. Along with Logan. Her hand moved to the necklace hidden beneath her dress, her fingers sliding along the gold chain, warmed by her skin. Her other hand trailed in the water, making small circles as she watched the ripples play out.

  A sound behind her made her start, and acting on instinct she reached for the knife strapped to her leg, fumbling when she felt only the silk of her stockings. She jumped to her feet and spun around to see a dark figure hidden in the shadow of a tree.

  “You should know better than to come to one of these parties unarmed,” said Logan sardonically as he walked forward into the moonlight.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “You!” she gasped, her heart leaping into her throat as Logan reached her. Her knees buckled and then she found herself collapsing against him as his arms wrapped around to support her. Hot tears began streaming down her face.

  “Oh sweetheart, please don’t cry,” he begged, pulling back to look down at her. “It’ll be all right.” She shook her head, unable to form words. He sat her down on the edge of the fountain and knelt before her, taking her face in his hands. “Look at me, Amber, please.”

  She brought her face up to meet his, and another sob escaped her. “I’m so sorry Logan, it was my fault. I left you there to die. I wanted to go back for you but I knew if I did they would kill you, and…” he shushed her, as if she were a child, and tugged her shaking body against him again.

  “It was not your fault Amber. I knew the risks going into it, which is why I had wanted to keep you on the boat.”

  “And if I had stayed on the boat then you never would have gotten caught!”

  “And our mission would have failed.”

  “Our mission did fail, Mendoza captured you and—” she stopped as realization struck her. “Where is Mendoza, Logan?”

  His eyes were dark. “Dead.”

  “How?”

  “By his own arrogance. He left me with only one guard, and it was simple enough to knock him out and disarm him. Then I stole into Mendoza’s room and slit his throat.”

  “His crew?”

  “Swore their allegiance to me and provided me with a ship.” She finally allowed herself to relax, and a wave of relief washed over her. Some of the tension she had been carrying around for weeks left her body, and she felt as though the weight on top of her had been lifted. He was alive!

  And then she heard her name being called from the balcony. It was the young Baron Middleton, whom she had deserted to seek some solitude, and alongside him stood Olivia. They both gazed into the darkness of the garden, scanning the faces of the few people strolling down the paths. Amber held her breath as they called her again, releasing it when the Baron led Olivia inside, probably to look for her among the guests.

  The heavy weight of despair settled back down upon her shoulders. Her body was drawn to Logan like a magnet, and she longed for nothing more than to throw herself into his arms. But she had to be realistic. She had come all this way to meet the requirements of her father’s will, and now that she was close to reaching her goal, she couldn’t give it up to be with him. No matter how much she loved him, or how much it hurt.

  “Logan, I…” she paused as she sought the right words to say, “I’m glad you’re alive.” She got to her feet and forced indifference into her voice. “But if you’ll excuse me, I have to return to the party. My friends are looking for me.”

  He stood also, looking puzzled. “You’re going inside?”

  “Yes,” she said dismissively.“Why, would you like to come too? I’m sure there are plenty of eager young women who would hang on your every word.” She noticed for the first time that he was not wearing his normal sailing attire, but instead was dressed formally.

  She felt her palms become damp as she took in the impressive sight of Logan in dress clothes. His hunter-green, silk waistcoat was cut short above his tight black breeches, and his green coat was so dark that she almost didn’t notice the intricate embroidery. His beard was gone again and his hair, usually left unbound, was pulled back at the nape of his neck with a black ribbon. He wore no wig, as was fashionable at the time, but had replaced his boots with a pair of shiny black buckle shoes. He was striking. Even stranger, he looked comfortable dressed this way.

  “What are you doing here?” his voice cut into her thoughts.

  “What am I doing here? I think the better question is what are you doing here?”

  His arms were crossed in front of him and a scowl appeared on his face. “I said I would find you,” he replied, sending a shiver down her spine. “Now answer me.”

  “I was invited by the Whitmore family.”

  She gasped as her arm was captured in his tight grip. “Whom have you met?” he demanded, ignoring her attempts to free herself.

  “Let me go!”

  “Whom have you met, Amber?”

  “Only the Countess and her daughter,” she answered, wrenching her arm free and taking a step back. For a fraction of a second she thought he looked pained, but she blinked and it was gone. “My cousin Dominic said he was going to keep the older brothers away from me, that he didn’t trust a Whitmore as far as he could throw him.” Her lip curled in a cruel smile. “The irony is that Dom thinks I can’t take care of myself, when in fact, I’ve learned from the master.”

  “Right, irony,” he mumbled. “Now enough with these games, we have to go now.”

  “Go?”

  “Yes,” he said, glancing around him, “we must leave before someone sees us.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you, Logan,” she stated with a defiant lift of her chin, her traitorous body aching to follow him like a lost puppy. “I’m staying here.”

  His face swiveled around to meet her hard gaze. “I thought you’d be happier to see me.”

  “I’m pleased to see you’re not dead, of course. However…trivial our relationship was, it would upset me to hear you had been killed.” His grey eyes blazed with anger, but she steeled herself and continued. “Be that as it may, this is my life now. I enjoyed the adventure while it lasted, but now that it’s over, I must say I’m relieved. I’m where I’ve always wanted to be. This is where I belong.”

  “You belong with me.”

  “With you?” she said with a bark of laughter. “I apologize if I’ve led you to believe there was something more to our relationship than a casual dalliance. You were a welcome distraction from my boredom at sea. But you must face the fact that I have returned to my rightful position in society, and am soon to be courted by the handsome Baron Middleton,” she lied, her heart breaking. She could see that she was wounding him with her words; she just had to twist the knife once more and then he would leave her forever. Anguish filled her at the thought of losing him again, but she saw no other choice.

  “That is the kind of man I belong with. Not some pirate,” she said with a sneer.

  Logan recoiled as if he’d been struck. And then, as she watched, he transformed into the cold pirate Capt
ain, his face stripped of emotion. “Of course, how silly of me to assume otherwise,” he said in a callous voice. “Please accept my apologies for interrupting you. I hope I didn’t ruin your perfect evening.”

  Amber blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes. Afraid that if she opened her mouth the truth would come pouring out, she gave him a jerky nod and turned. Do not cry, she commanded herself as she quickened her pace, desperate to escape. She was almost to the edge of the garden path when his voice stopped her.

  “Amber, since I went through all the trouble of escaping and stealing this back from Mendoza, I wonder if you might take it off my hands for me.” She swiveled around to see him pull a sparkling diamond necklace from his coat. “May I?”

  He took her stunned silence as a yes, and she watched, frozen, as he approached her with the necklace. When he was no more than a foot away he reached up and untied the strand of pearls already around her throat, letting them fall into his hand. “These are nice,” he said with disinterest, “but you’ll draw more attention wearing this.”

  She could hardly breathe with him so close, his familiar scent causing her to bite the inside of her lip to keep it from trembling. He handed her the pearls and stepped around her, his body brushing hers in the process. Amber shut her eyes. She could feel the warmth of his hand as he moved aside a tendril of hair, and then the cold, heavy weight of the necklace was around her throat. Though it wasn’t tight, she felt her airway constrict as though he were chaining her into an iron neck shackle instead of a priceless piece of jewelry. Then with a final flick, the clasp was shut.

  “See? I knew if you could stand being in my presence for just a tad longer, you’d be rewarded,” he told her bitingly, the sting of his words causing her to shut her eyes even tighter. “When people ask where you got it, feel free to tell them it’s another token from a meaningless tryst. And don’t worry about me showing up on your doorstep or accosting you at another ball to get it back, I…” his voice stopped. “What’s this? You’re wearing not one, but two necklaces? Gotten greedier since you’ve returned, haven’t you?”