Midnight Fire

by Linda Ladd

  "Dios, you are beautiful in that gown," Javier remarked, leaning closer than he really needed to, his dark eyes dipping to her soft white breasts.

  Earlier that evening, while she had waited for Gray and Tyler to finish dressing for the ball, Chase Lancaster had come into the dining room to antagonize her. He'd regarded her with the same undisguised appreciation that Javier was displaying, except that Chase had been audacious enough to snatch the white rose she'd tucked between her breasts in the Parisian fashion. He'd placed it behind her ear instead, telling her she shouldn't hide her charms. But now just the memory of his rude boldness sent hot, angry color rising into her cheeks.

  The orchestra played on, and Carlisle allowed Javier to claim every dance, feeling tireless and more carefree that she'd felt in months. In the convent, she'd grown accustomed to prayers and bells and dreary white uniforms. Music and laughter were what she'd missed most. Soon an admiring group of young men surrounded her, British naval officers and French attaches, and she flirted and accepted brimming goblets of champagne from all of them, never wanting the evening to end.

  Despite her own soaring spirits, however, she did often glance toward Gray and Tyler. Sitting at their table, they both looked miserable and she hadn't seen them dance at all. Part of the reason, she knew, was Tyler's fear of the wedding night, an ordeal she must face shortly. Tyler had already confided that she had no idea what transpired between a husband and wife in bed, and unfortunately, Carlisle couldn't enlighten her. She'd certainly had no experience with men. Gray and Stone had been too strict for that.

  Needless to say, Carlisle was curious. All her girlfriends referred to it as "the thing men do to women," and the nuns called it "sinful, except when submitting to one's husband." Tyler seemed to think it might hurt.

  Tomorrow she meant to find out from Tyler exactly what did go on! She glanced at Chase Lancaster, who was dancing with Arantxa and looking deceptively like a gentleman in his impeccably tailored evening clothes. Immediately, Arantxa's story of the sparrows and big, predatory cat returned to mind.

  Later in the evening Chase Lancaster stood alone near an open set of louvered doors overlooking the hotel's garden. He watched the dancers flowing in a graceful clockwise stream, then noticed Gray Kincaid escorting his cousin, Tyler, toward the door. The fact that they were leaving so early bespoke Gray's eagerness to be alone with his bride, though Tyler's expression told him that she was just as anxious to postpone it.

  A twinge of guilt assailed him, and he momentarily doubted the wisdom of arranging Tyler's marriage so hastily, and without her consent. But somehow he knew he'd done the right thing. He knew that Gray would be gentle with her tonight, that he'd protect her and see that she was well provided for. Gray was an honorable, wealthy man, and he loved Tyler.

  Just then, Carlisle Kincaid moved across his line of vision in a breathtaking whirl of red satin and pale coppery hair caught up in intricate coils and ringlets. She laughed up at her partner, an American officer, and the poor man looked enraptured. Unfortunately, Chase knew how he felt.

  Not only was she lovely, she was all fire and spirit and perfumed white flesh—enticing in her innocent allure. She was the kind of woman who made a man incoherent, stupid, a weak-kneed fool.

  Chase was no fool, but he was in the dangerous position of wanting his good friend's sister more than any other woman he'd ever seen. He and Carlisle had clashed from the moment they met, and her willingness to spar amused him. She was spoiled and pampered, but she was incredibly beautiful, and probably a lot smarter than her brothers gave her credit for. In any case, he was captivated by her and by her continued coldness to him. He liked women, and most of them liked him, too, especially when he made an effort to charm them. But Carlisle was definitely off-limits, and he'd do well to remember it. In any case, she had obviously set her sights on Javier Perez.

  Letting his gaze circle the ballroom, Chase found the young Mexican among the spectators standing by the wall, his dark eyes following Carlisle's every movement. When Javier frowned suddenly, Chase looked toward Carlisle in time to see her tilt her head back and smile up at her partner. He found himself envying the dancing man along with Javier Perez. The only difference was the Mexican could probably have her if he wanted. Chase couldn't, and shouldn't even be thinking about it.

  Chase had been a fool to suggest that Gray entrust Carlisle into his care while she was in Mexico. Now he'd have to act the chaperone to a red-haired, green-eyed beauty who was obviously dying to lose her virginity—and one whom he didn't dare touch without totally dishonoring himself.

  Regardless, he couldn't help but want her. Most of the women in his country—at least those in his own social class—were polite, coy, boring. American women weren't quite so docile, although Carlisle Kincaid's upbringing had been strictly monitored by her two brothers. Which was most likely the reason Carlisle was so headstrong. She'd been caged up too long, and now it was apparent that she was ready to fly free. Gray would have been wise to arrange a prompt, sedate marriage for her instead of allowing her to travel to Mexico.

  However, as far as Chase was concerned, Javier was not the man for Gray Kincaid's little sister. He was a known rake, and worse, the Perez family had been staunch opponents of President Juarez. They had welcomed the Austrian Archduke Maximilian with open arms, until the end, four years ago, when the emperor had been executed by a firing squad and his French supporters had sailed back to Europe. Then the Perezes had welcomed the victorious Juaristas into the capital city as long-lost brothers. Chase had no reason to trust them.

  Rumors of rebel activities crept like a dank, clammy fog around the corridors of the Palacio Nacional, and Benito Juarez himself had asked Chase to look into anti-government plotting. The trip to fetch Tyler had given Chase the opportunity to inquire discreetly among the expatriates residing in New Orleans, but he'd learned little. Everyone knew about his close relationship to Benito Juarez, meaning that any traitor would remain closemouthed in his presence.

  The waltz ended to a polite round of applause, and immediately a knot of admirers formed around Carlisle. When they'd first arrived, she'd kept close to Arantxa and Javier, but as the night had worn on, she'd danced with many different partners and appeared to be having the time of her life.

  After a few moments Chase watched her head for Javier Perez, and suddenly he found himself eager to get her out of the hotel and safely home, as he'd promised her older brother he would. He wended his way through the crowd toward her, well aware that she wouldn't want to leave—especially if she had to do so on the arm of a man she loathed.

  2

  "It's beautiful outside on the terrace," Javier Perez said to Carlisle when she reached him after having waltzed with the young American officer. "Instead of dancing, shall we get some air?"

  Desiring to be alone with him and hoping he might be bold enough to try to steal a kiss, Carlisle went along without further urging. The evening air was cool and refreshing after the crowded ballroom, and as she stood looking out over the balcony, a gentle wind touched her face, lifting the tiny tendrils of hair around her temples. She remembered, suddenly and without warning, the way Chase's fingers had felt when they'd brushed her breast as he withdrew the rose from her bodice. Again a slight chill swept over her bare flesh.

  "I'm mad about you," Javier muttered thickly, very close to her ear.

  No man had ever said such a thing to Carlisle before, probably because Gray or Stone was always guarding her like a fire-breathing dragon. She savored his compliment, feeling very wicked and deliciously adult, standing alone in the dark with a beau—something else she'd never done before. Any other time, Gray would have intercepted them before they'd even reached the balcony doors, but tonight he was much too distracted by Tyler to care. Was Javier going to kiss her? she wondered hopefully, and then her question was answered.

  "Carlita, I cannot bear to stand here another moment without touching you." Javier's words were wonderfully low and tortured. Carlisle raise
d her face to him, closing her eyes in expectation. She'd certainly never been kissed, and her heart pounded like a drum as he drew her lightly against him. Then his mouth touched hers. To her dismay, the long-awaited experience was over in a twinkling, and though Javier certainly seemed rapturously pleased with the outcome, Carlisle felt vague disappointment.

  "Dios, Carlita, do you have any idea what you do to a man?"

  Javier was breathing heavily, and Carlisle wondered why on earth he was so affected.

  "The thought of you traveling with Chase Lancaster fills me with anger," Javier continued, capturing all her attention. "He's notorious for his treatment of women. Every family in Mexico City hides its daughters away from him. How could your brother think to trust him with you?"

  Truthfully, Carlisle had wondered the same thing. She lifted her shoulder in a slight shrug. "Gray has faith in him, I suppose. They became friends when my brother traveled in Mexico last year, and for some reason, Gray seems to think Chase is a gentleman. He's wrong, of course, but Chase puts on a good act around everyone but me. Even Tyler took his part until he betrayed her by forcing her to marry Gray." She glanced around, lowering her voice. "After we land in Mexico, will you be able to come for me soon?"

  Javier hushed her with a finger to his lips. "Silencio, Carlita. There are many here who would expose us."

  "Do you mean Chase?"

  "Si. He is a close friend of El Presidente. You must be careful about what you say in his presence. He is a dangerous man. Did you know he always carries a pistol hidden in his clothes and has killed many men with it?"

  Intrigued and slightly appalled, Carlisle was entirely ready to believe the worst of Chase Lancaster. "Who has he killed?"

  "He fought with the Juaristas in our war. There was a small village in the mountains, San Miguel, and he was with the Juaristas who took it. They murdered everyone there, even the women and little children. That's where my brother died. They nailed his hands to the wall of the church." Carlisle gasped aloud, and Javier's voice changed, becoming brittle with fury and grief. "San Miguel was an atrocity we will never forget. We will avenge that massacre and make them pay for their crimes."

  "But how can that be, Javier? I can believe that Chase is ruthless, but never would I have dreamed he could murder children!"

  "The war was very terrible. The Juaristas committed many horrors against those of us who fought for the Holy Church with the French. That's why we still fight them. And now you can help us, Carlita, more than you know."

  Carlisle's delicate eyebrows gathered in a faint frown. "I? But how?"

  "Senor Lancaster is muy importante in Mexico. He is close to Benito Juarez and, as foreign advisor, he's privy to all that goes on in the capital. We have heard that he is eager to strengthen Mexico's friendship with the United States, but we must stop any alliance between Juarez and President Grant. Can you not see now how you can be of use? Lancaster would never suspect you to be our informer."

  Carlisle stared up at him and saw that his eyes were shining with zeal.

  "You want me to spy on him?" she asked incredulously, her voice a bare whisper. The notion struck her as exciting until she thought of the big, dangerous man who would be her mark.

  Javier seemed to sense her sudden reluctance. "Carlita, you must know I'd never consider putting you in danger. You are much too dear to me, and to Arantxa. I wouldn't even consider it if I wasn't absolutely sure no harm will come to you. Even Chase Lancaster, with the blood of San Miguel and other villages on his hands, would not harm his friend's sister."

  Carlisle didn't really think Chase would hurt her, either, not even if he discovered her anti-Juarista sentiments. But then, she didn't know him very well yet. He was unpredictable, she did know that. But if he'd done the terrible things Javier claimed, he was nothing more than an animal. Why, then, did she feel such a strong, inexplicable attraction to him?

  "Carlita? I have frightened you, no?"

  Carlisle shook her head. It wasn't Javier who scared her. It was her own reaction to Chase Lancaster.

  "While I'm at his ranch, I'll try to learn all I can about his activities. But you must promise me that you and Arantxa will come for me as soon as you can and take me to join the guerrilleros."

  "Si, it will be difficult to leave you in his charge. If this were not so important to us, I would steal you away from him the moment your feet touched Mexican soil."

  He was close to her now. She could almost feel his breath against her cheek as he went on.

  "But remember one thing, Carlita. You mustn't let on that Arantxa and I have joined the guerrilleros in Saltillo. Let Lancaster believe that we are awaiting your visit in the capital."

  "Carlita? Where are you?"

  They turned as Arantxa's low whisper drifted from the shadowy terrace. She found them a moment later, her summons urgent.

  "Senor Lancaster is looking everywhere for you, Carlita! And I'm not sure, but I think he's angry. You mustn't let him find you out here alone with Javier. If he tells your brother, Gray won't let you come to Mexico! Hurry!"

  The two girls quickly left Javier and reentered the ballroom by a different door. They mingled with a boisterous group of young people on the edge of the dance floor, but only a moment after they were inside, Chase appeared before Carlisle. He wore his usual charming grin, but Carlisle knew instinctively from the look in his eyes that his smile cloaked something darker.

  "Senorita Kincaid, forgive me for this intrusion, but Gray has asked me to see you safely home."

  For some reason, all Carlisle could think of was how he towered over her. Suddenly she felt reluctant to be alone with him, even for the brief carriage ride home.

  "It's awfully early to leave. Perhaps I could have Arantxa and Javier drop me off—"

  Chase interrupted her. "I'm sorry, but I gave Gray my word that I'd see you safely home myself. And I'm afraid I'm ready to leave now."

  Carlisle's anger flared when he took firm hold of her arm and bowed courteously to Arantxa.

  "Buenas noches, Senorita Perez. I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow aboard the Mayan. I hope we'll get to know each other better during the voyage. Adios."

  Chase Lancaster barely gave Carlisle a chance to bid Arantxa a proper good-bye before he marched her away, still gripping her arm as if she were a rebellious child. Bristling with humiliation, she said nothing as he retrieved her cape and helped her into the waiting carriage. He paused to give instructions to the coachman, then joined her, lounging indolently beside her, though a more proper place would have been on the opposite seat. She stared coldly out the window, determined to snub him all the way home.

  "Tell me, Senorita Kincaid," Chase said as the driver slapped the reins and the coach began to roll, "was your dress revealing enough to make Javier mad with desire? Wasn't that your plan when you bought it?"

  His sudden sarcastic attack startled her, and as usual, she felt a dangerous surge of anger. She wanted to tell him it was none of his business, but she decided that was what he wanted. Perhaps she should try to pry information out of him now, she thought, entice him to talk about himself. He might let something slip which would be helpful to Javier.

  "Why do you ask, Mr. Lancaster? Did my dress make you mad with desire?"

  A low laugh was her answer. "I must say it's rather rare for me to be stricken mad with desire."

  "I wouldn't think that the case, considering your reputation. Arantxa told me all about you."

  Chase said nothing, but his lips curved slightly, as if he were amused. His silence made it more difficult for Carlisle to lead the conversation in the direction she wanted.

  "Aren't you curious about what she said about you?"

  "Not particularly. Are you?"

  "I found it interesting, but I usually discount gossip unless I know it's true."

  "That's very gracious of you, Senorita Kincaid."

  Carlisle bit her lip, recognizing the sardonic undertone of his remark. He could make her so furious!
>
  "You don't like me, do you, Senor Lancaster? You think I'm immature and flighty, don't you?"

  "Does it matter what I think of you?"

  "Why do you always answer my questions with questions?"

  "Do I?"

  Chase's eyes reflected the flickering glints of light filtering in from the carriage lamp swinging on its bracket outside the window, and his grin was disarming. But Carlisle was not to be put off.

  "She said you're called El Gato Grande in Mexico City because you prey on women."

  "Is that right?"

  "Doesn't it bother you to be called such a thing?"

  "One grows used to it."

  "I also heard you always carry a gun, and that you're not afraid to use it."

  "What are you really trying to find out, Carlisle?" Chase asked then, still sprawled carelessly beside her.

  "I'm just trying to get to know you better."

  "By listening to idle gossip?"

  "I'm asking you about it because I don't know whether to believe it or not. Why are you being so exasperating? Can't you see I'm trying to be friendly for a change?"

  "Look, Carlisle, I'm not much for playing silly word games with romantic young misses. Save it for your dandy, Javier. He's more your type."

  "And what type am I?"

  "Young, curious, and naive."

  "You are despicable. You won't even let someone be civil to you."

  "Why the abrupt change? You haven't seen fit to be civil before."

  Had he seen through her questions already? Dismayed, she attempted a reasonable explanation. "Because you finagled your way into escorting me to Mexico and hosting me at your hacienda. Why you wanted me there, I can't imagine."

  "I'm merely doing your brother a favor. He thinks you need supervision."

  "Well, he's wrong. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself." She stopped, realizing the carriage had passed the corner which would take them to Gray's house on the corner of Third and Prytania streets. Surprised, she looked at Chase.