Angelina's Secret

by Diane Merill Wigginton

  Each man slapped Jude roughly on the back as we walked through, calling out their advice all in fun, of course.

  “May the seas be rough tonight.”

  “Be careful that the ship doesn’t buck and roll making the rest of us sea sick this night.”

  One man even had the nerve to call out “If she isn’t smiling in the morning you might want to let a real man have a go.” For which I promptly bit his neck and heard a rewarding yelp of pain from my beloved.

  Finally, making it to the end, the cabin boy held the door opened for us as we entered, then he quietly shut the door behind us.

  Removing my head from the crook of his neck I looked around to see the incredible transformation that had taken place since lunch.

  The curtains had been drawn and the sconces and candles had all been lit, making the room glow. A white gauzy material hung from the four poster bed, creating an intimate oasis. Red rose petals were strewn about on the satin white bedspread and floor.

  “Oh, Jude, it is so beautiful it takes my breath away,” I gasped.

  “And I thought I was the one who took your breath away,” Jude protested while placing me down. “I think you drew blood, you wretched woman.”

  “Did Anna and Maggie do this?”

  “I believe Mother had a hand in it too.” Removing his morning coat, he hung it over a chair. “Would you like some wine, my love?” Jude asked from just behind me.

  Turning, I found him standing before me in only his trousers holding two wine glasses, the candle light glowing off his bare sun-kissed skin as shadows played against the ripples of his taut muscular form. My heart skipped a beat. Again for the second time in the span of thirty minutes my cheeks burned hot, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment but anticipation of the night that lay before me.

  “I think I will forgo the wine, my present view is all the intoxication necessary,” I teased as I walked around him, openly admiring his nearly naked form.

  Guzzling down both glasses of wine, he carelessly discarded the goblets and raised an eyebrow at me placing his hands on his hips. “Well, Madame, I must say I find your bold looks and brazen behavior shameless,” Jude said, trying to sound scornful as he followed my lust-ful gaze with his crystal blue eyes that sparked with humor mixed with desire. “One might even say bordering on wanton.” Catching my arm, he pulled me against his nearly unclad body. “So what do you have to say for yourself?”

  “And yet my clothes still remain,” I proclaimed while boldly looking into his eyes.

  Jude began to slowly pull pins from my ornately styled hair. “Have I ever told you of my desire to be a handmaiden?” The corner of his mouth raised in a half smile.

  “No, I don’t believe you ever mentioned it to me before,” I pretended to be oblivious to his game.

  “Well, you see, I thought it would be a very profitable if not rewarding vocation, but it seems when you are a handmaiden you don’t get to pick and choose your mistresses.” He finished pulling the last pin from my hair and it tumbled down.

  “So did you ever get a chance to practice your trade?”

  “Well,” he began seductively, “I thought maybe you would allow me to practice on you. Have I ever told you that I am very good with buttons?” Jude continued, reaching behind me as we talked and he began undoing the buttons one by one. “Undoing them that is,” he stressed the word, undoing, lifting his eyebrows as he gave me a sly look.

  “I believe you may have mentioned it to me once or twice,” I replied as my hands traced the muscles of his chest working my way down to his stomach. “Anna will be so disappointed that she will soon be out of a job.” I teased, looking up at him and smiling provocatively.

  “I have no intention of putting Anna out on the street. The way I see it we could share the job. She can dress you in the morning and I can undress you in the evening,” he said, finishing with the buttons. He dropped my dress to the floor so that it pooled at my feet. “Everybody wins.” He ended by putting his hands in the air as if to say ta-da.

  I stood there in my transparent shift with the candle light casting its soft glow over my skin and I could hear his audible intake of breath.

  “By all that is holy woman, you turn my blood to liquid fire.” His eyes examining every inch of my scantily clad form as he pulled his fingers through his hair trying to gain control.

  I placed a finger over his lips. “You talk too much, my love.”

  I stood on tippy toes and softly at first touched my lips to his, then the kiss became deeper. His tongue slipping past my teeth to explore the warmth of my mouth and, as he groaned, my passion was only fueled. Everything and everyone faded away and there was only us. The world did not exist beyond the glow of candle light.

  “You are so beautiful,” Jude remarked, lifting his head to look into my eyes.

  “I don’t believe I could ever get tired of you making love to me. I think that even when I become a very old woman I will still desire your touch.”

  “And I believe, Madame, that I will never get tired of making love to you. Even when I am old and decrepit my desire for you will only grow,” he said, leaning down, passionately kissing my mouth.

  23

  WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1763;

  THE DREADFUL DAY OF RECKONING

  OOD MORNING, MADAME DEVERAUX,” JUDE whispered into my ear then nuzzled my neck while his hand rested on my stomach.

  “Good morning, Monsieur Deveraux,” I said with my eyes still closed. A tired smile played on my lips as I stretched. “I think I rather enjoy the wonderful sound of my new name rolling off your tongue first thing in the wee hours of the morning.” I yawned opening my eyes.

  “But it is not the wee hours of the morning, my love, it is nearly noon.” Jude laughed, raining little kisses on my neck and face. “I swear you have been sleeping for hours. Should I call for Anna and Maggie to bring around breakfast or lunch?” Jude asked, climbing out of bed. He padded across the room to retrieve his britches lying on the floor in the middle of the room. “I, for one, am starving.” Slipping on the britches, he patted his muscular stomach.

  “I am famished, maybe we should order both,” I laughed, sitting up, reaching for my robe lying at the end of the bed.

  “As you wish, my love.” Jude opened the door to our cabin and called out to James, the cabin boy, “I need you to fetch Anna and Maggie, tell them we are in desperate need of nourishment. Oh, also I need you to bring fresh water straight away.”

  “Certainly, sir, I will get right on it,” James replied as he headed down the hall.

  Standing in the middle of the room sipping a glass of water, I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of his form as he stood in the door way commanding attention and barking out orders.

  Jude turned to find me staring at him. “What seems to be amiss?” he asked with a puzzled look.

  “Nothing, my love, nothing at all, in fact everything is perfect.” I smiled provocatively at him then turned. Walking to the window I opened the curtains. “Except maybe it is a bit stuffy in here.” Opening the window to allow the sea breeze to infuse the room with salt air, I sensed him come up behind me more than felt him.

  “So, what shall we occupy ourselves with today, Madame?” He wrapped one strong arm across my front pulling me back into him while lifting some of my hair up to his nose.

  “What are you doing with my hair?” I asked, leaning my head against his solid chest.

  “Your hair smells like fresh spring flowers. I find the scent intoxicating,” he murmured through strands of hair.

  “You can thank Anna for that. It’s some kind of concoction she puts together when she washes my hair and the secret dies with her when she is gone, because I can’t get her to give it up.” Turning in his arms to face him, I stood on tiptoes so I could look into his eyes. “I love you so much, and I don’t ever want to imagine what my life would be like without you in it.”

  “Isn’t it a good thing that you won’t have to?” Pulling me cl
oser with one hand in the middle of my back and the other hand behind my neck, his lips came down on mine gently kissing and exploring.

  Several loud knocks at the door interrupted us as Jude, lifting his head but still holding me close, stared into my eyes. “Enter,” was all he said while maintaining eye contact.

  “I beg your pardon, sir, I thought I heard you to tell me to enter,” James apologized, placing the fresh water on the table. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  “No. Thank you, James, that will be all. Would you close the door when you leave?”

  “Yes, sir.” James turned to leave, holding the door open to allow Maggie to enter.

  “I have brought you a tray filled with plenty of food. I made sure the cook knew how you liked your eggs, your grace,” Maggie announced as she entered the room bobbing her head to James when she stepped around him with her large tray.

  James quietly closed the door when he left.

  “Thank you, Maggie, you are a dear for doing that. I am simply starving,” I said to her, breaking the spell by looking away first as I peeked around Jude’s bare chest.

  “Can I get out a dress for you, Lady Angelina? I thought the blue one would be nice today,” Anna asked, coming in on Maggie’s heels.

  “Yes, thank you, Anna, that would be lovely.” I winked at her still resting my hand on Jude’s naked chest. Anna gave me that all knowing smile and winked back.

  “Did you want me to stay to dress you, my lady?”

  “No!” Jude answered somewhat quickly then turned around with me in the front as his human shield. “I will be happy to get the lady buttoned up and proper just as soon as we have had some breakfast, if that is agreeable with everyone.” He smiled, trying to hide his irritation at being interrupted.

  “I could lay out your clothes as well, if you like, sir,” Anna said over her shoulder while she rummaged through the cabinet for my blue dress, trying to be helpful.

  “That won’t be necessary, Anna, but I thank you. Years of military service tends to make one self-sufficient in that way,” Jude answered while running his fingers down my spine sending bolts of sensations throughout my body.

  Coming out of the cabinet with the prized blue dress in hand, she laid it across the high back chair with matching slip and stockings. “It wouldn’t be any trouble.” Anna said, looking at him. “If you are certain that I can’t be of any help, Maggie and I will be back later to make the bed and pick up the dishes.” Walking to the door, she placed her hand on the latch. “I will take my leave then. Enjoy your meal.” Anna softly closed the door behind here.

  “Well, you were less than hospitable with everyone. What was your rush to send everyone on their way?” I asked, looking at him over my shoulder.

  Jude pulled me firmly against him as his manhood involuntarily made itself known. “Truly, Monsieur Deveraux, you are incorrigible. How is a woman supposed to keep her strength up if you won’t even allow her to eat a bite?”

  “It appears that certain parts of me have a mind of their own,” he announced, giving me a sheepish grin, lifting me in his arms as he headed for the bed.

  “A piece of toast or a wedge of cheese, I beg of you.”

  Stopping mid-step he hesitated a moment then headed for the tray sitting on the table, bending slightly allowing me to grab a piece of toast and a hunk of cheese, which I promptly placed together and took a bite. “Oh, this is delicious. Did you want a bite?”

  “How can you think of food right now?” he asked, sounding almost incredulous.

  “Must I remind you that I am growing a child inside of me, and he is hungry. Nay, ravenous!”

  “That is an excellent point.” He sat on the edge of the bed with me still in his arms. “Do you really think it’s a boy?” Jude asked as he sat thoughtfully a moment.

  “The only thing I do know at this very moment is that the child will be ours. So, girl or boy, I will be happy as long as we are together,” I replied, taking another bite of toast and cheese. “Are you certain you’re not hungry? This is really delicious.”

  “No, no I’m fine.”

  “What’s the matter, darling, why do you have that look?” I asked.

  “I don’t think that it has truly hit me until just now I’m going to be a father.”

  “But you are happy about it, right?” I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling anxious.

  “Yes, yes, but of course. It isn’t that I would ever be unhappy with a child born of our union.” He cupped my face in his hands. “You are the one true love of my life. This is going to happen and I am truly happy.” Softly he kissed my lips.

  “What shall we name our little one? Do you have any preferences when it comes to names?” I asked.

  “Well, I did have a grandmother that I loved a great deal. She died four years ago.”

  “What was her name?”

  “Isabella,” Jude said almost reverently.

  “Isabella? That’s beautiful.”

  “My grandparents met at Court. My grandfather was a liaison to the French crown. There he met and fell madly in love with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Isabella Monique Gerard was attached to the princess’s inner circle. After a year of courting her, my grandfather won her over and they were married.”

  “Isabella is a beautiful name. I wish I had met her.”

  “She would have loved you very much.” Jude cradled me on his lap then pulled me closer.

  Loud knocking at the door interrupted us a second time. “Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but Monsieur Lacroix said to fetch you immediately,” James hesitantly called through the door.

  “Tell him I will be up in a moment,” Jude called back.

  “It seems that my presence is required on deck.” Jude kissed me again before standing and heading for the clothes cabinet to retrieve a fresh shirt and pants.

  Rushing across the floor, I threw off my robe and slipped into the shift Anna had laid out. Then pulling the blue dress over my head, I began buttoning it up.

  “And where do you think you are going?” Jude asked when he turned around and found me dressing.

  “I want to know what’s going on too.”

  “I need you to stay here, in case there is trouble. I want you to be safe.”

  “I promise that I will come back if there is trouble, but you have lost your faculties if you think that I am just going to stay cooped up here, wondering and imagining what is going on up top,” I said, sitting down in the nearest chair to slip my stockings on.

  “Promise me, Angelina, that you will keep your word and return to our cabin at the first sign of trouble.” He paused when I gave no immediate response, as I slipped into some shoes. “Angelina Deveraux, promise!” Jude said sternly, raking fingers through his hair, something he always did when he was worried or frustrated, and in this case he was both.

  “Yes, yes, of course. I promise,” I replied, slightly irritated at his tone. I presented my back to him so he could button my dress for me, then smoothing my hair with my fingers, I grabbed a ribbon, tying it back, then quickly followed Jude out the door.

  I had to run to keep up with his long strides. As we hit the deck the bright sunlight caused me to shade my eyes. I grabbed the nearest railing as a wave of dizziness threatened to overwhelm me. “Oh no, not now, please, God, not now,” just kept repeating in my head as I took several deep breaths of salty sea air until the dizzy spell passed.

  Determination was the only thing that kept me upright as I continued to the upper deck to take my place next to Jude.

  Honore was standing at the railing past the helm looking through a hand-held telescoping lens.

  “What do you see that has you spooked, old friend?” Jude asked, trying to sound calm.

  “It’s an English clipper coming up fast.” Honore handed Jude the glass.

  Holding the lens to his eye, Jude studied the other ship for a few minutes. His spine stiffened and I could feel his uneasiness.

  Jude calmly began giving orders
to Honore. “When they get closer I want you to bring us about and quietly give the order to load the cannons, but don’t bring them out until I give the order. We don’t know if they are truly an English patrol or someone concealing their true colors.” Collapsing the lens down, Jude turned to Honore. “Tell the men to discreetly load weapons into their belts and tuck a few extra weapons along the port side railings just in case they are needed. We may be in for a fight.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Honore turned and descending to the main deck called out the orders.

  The men didn’t run around the decks like madmen but, instead, set about calmly and deliberately completing their orders. Like a well-oiled machine every spring, sprocket, rod, and gear had a purpose.

  “You need to go below deck and gather my parents and the women in our room. Barricade the door and don’t come out until I come to get you,” Jude ordered. He watched his men on deck carry out their tasks, barely looking at me. I could see the wheels turning in his head.

  “Jude stop! I am not one of your crew and yes, I did promise if there was trouble I would retreat.”

  Jude quickly turned cutting me off. “Yes, you did promise, and I am telling you that I have an uneasy feeling and something about that ship doesn’t sit well with me. So I am asking you to keep your promise and do as I ask.” Jude’s warning tone telling me that it was more of an order than a request.

  “As I was saying we don’t know if there is trouble coming, but I will go below deck at the first sign, and I will barricade your parents and the ladies in our cabin, I swear it.” I indicated my secret weapon by patting my right hand pocket “And I will take out the first person to step through the door that isn’t you.”

  “Madame, do you still carry that dagger in your pocket?” Jude asked, admiration and surprise showing on his face.

  “Anna puts it in my dress pocket every morning without fail. She believes the dagger has saved my life more than once, so now she won’t let me get dressed without it.”

  “I’m just surprised, that’s all, but it doesn’t change anything. I want you safe—” Jude’s tone changed back to serious.