Lynna's Rogue (Curse of the Conjure Woman, Book One)

by Kitty Margo

Lynna reached the cave just as fat drops of rain splashed her face. Standing in the mouth of the cave she watched the leathery tree leaves bend under the weight of the rain and gave thanks that she had reached shelter before the storm broke.

  After lighting the wall torches, she prepared a delicious lunch of oyster stew using coconut milk. Then, feeling safe and warm in her cozy hideaway, she curled up on the bed listening to the steady dripping of rain in the forest and, after wishing for the thousandth time that she had a good book, drifted into a dreamless sleep.

  When she awoke hours later, the rain had ended and the sun was shining brightly, the forest smelling fresh and alive. The huge canopy of trees above her still trickled water long after the rain had ended, drenching her as she walked under it.

  With no direction in mind she eventually found herself beside the pool. Already wet from the dripping leaves, she dove into the water and swam to her lily pad, climbing inside. Her arms and legs dangled over the side as she kicked her feet to propel mother nature’s raft through the water.

  A butterfly, the biggest she had ever seen, lighted on her knee. Its wingspan was as broad as both of her opened hands and the vivid colors were flamboyant gold, red, green and shimmering violet. “Oh, how lovely you are.” She remained motionless, watching the dazzling insect crawl over her knee until a startling noise from the bushes caused it to flutter away.

  At once alert, Lynna peered into the dark jungle, willing herself not to be afraid. She laughed out loud recalling how terrified she had been when the lily pad had bumped against her back. Closing her eyes, she relaxed, drifting over the rippling swells that her kicking feet created, convinced that the noise was nothing more than one of the jungles small furry creatures at play.

  The three men watched Lynna from behind the bushes, speechless, afraid to move or speak lest the vision before them should disappear. For two of the men, she was an ethereal golden goddess for their love starved eyes. For their Captain, she was the answer to many devout prayers. Joshua stared in shocked disbelief and felt the tremendous weight that he had carried for so long being miraculously lifted from his weary shoulders.

  After months of desperate searching, he had finally found her. And she was alive. And so damned beautiful. She looked so petite and vulnerable in the huge lily pad as her golden hair spilled over the side to float on the surface of the water. The sarong she wore had slipped up around her thigh exposing the length of her smooth golden legs to their hungry gaze.

  “Lynna, my darling.” Joshua whispered. “I have finally found you.”

  Lynna’s eyes flew open and she cried out in shock, witnessing her worst nightmare come to life as three men stood on the bank. They were soaked to the skin and their wet hair was plastered to their heads. To her terrified eyes they were the very epitome of evil. In a daze, she swam to the opposite shore, uncertain which way to run.

  “Lynna, don’t be frightened of me, my love?” The taller of the three stepped forward with a gentle smile curving his lips and a questioning light shining in his sea green eyes. He hastened around the pool toward her, but before he was within arm’s reach she was running wildly at breakneck speed through the jungle as if she were being pursued by the devil himself.

  “Dear God,” she beseeched, praying for guidance. Where could she hide? Who were those awful men that were chasing her, and why did one of them call her Lynna? Then the answer was suddenly clear to her.

  The pirates.

  They weren’t dead, as Rob had presumed. They were very much alive and evidently determined to kidnap her and return her to the pirate ship. Rob would never even know what had happened to her. “Rob, please, come help me,” she whispered, more terrified than she ever remembered being. No! Rob wasn’t here to protect her. She would have to fend for herself.

  She couldn’t hide in the cave, for they would follow the trampled path just as she and Rob had. But her weapons were in the cave, the spears that she had become so adept at using. She would need them if she were to survive the sea rover’s attack. Racing blindly through the forest, she clutched at her side as sharp talons of fear stabbed her.

  Inside the cave she grabbed two of the spears and turned to leave, but what she saw caused her body to shudder. Lynna contemplated using the spear on herself, but lacked the courage. Instead, she faced the men blocking the entrance to the cave, daring them with a savage look.

  “Why did you run from me, Lynna?” Again, the tallest man stepped forward with a look of genuine hurt and bewilderment marring his handsome features.

  He was almost convincing.

  Yet, Lynna recognized it as only a ploy to make her lose control of the situation. Raising the spear with her right hand and aiming it directly at his heart, she held out her left hand to stop his progress.

  “Stay away from me or I will use it,” she ordered fiercely, meaning every word. “Now get off my island.”

  “Your island?” Mystified, Joshua could only stare at her in complete shock. “Sam, return to the ship and give the crew leave to come ashore.” As he spoke, his sparkling green eyes never once left her exquisite face. “I can handle this.”

  Lynna gasped, horrified at his words. Perhaps she could defend herself against the three of them, given the arsenal in the cave, but not his entire crew.

  “Are ye sure, lad?” Sam responded worriedly, not anxious to leave him alone with this wee lass, beautiful though she may be. With her deeply tanned skin and her curve hugging sarong, none of the men had ever witnessed such a sight. There was little comparison to the pale, timid girl they remembered from her time on the Windjammer. “I am almost certain that she would not hesitate to use that thing,” he mumbled, anxiously pointing to the sharp tip of the spear.

  A deep chuckle rumbled through Joshua’s chest. “I will not hesitate to call should I need your assistance.”

  Chiding himself for being overprotective, Sam left the cave. He had seen the captain do battle with several men at once and still come out the victor. Surely he could hold his own against this slight wisp of a girl.

  Alone with Lynna at last, Joshua casually strolled over to the table and sat down, knowing full well that if he got close to her it would be his undoing. From a safe distance his eyes traveled greedily over her scantily clad form. Her shining golden hair fell in silky waves over her sun bronzed shoulders and a lavender orchid was tucked behind her right ear. The sarong molded sensuously to her alluring curves as her unfettered breasts swelled enticingly against the thin material.

  At that moment he would have given all of his worldly possessions to take her in his arms and make sweet love to her for the remainder of the day and night. But first he had to get to the bottom of this charade.

  Lynna cast a wary eye toward the man seated at her table as if he owned it. But what a magnificent man he was. Shining black hair spilled over his forehead to be carelessly brushed aside. Eyes the very color of the sea that seemed to know her deepest secrets. Eyes that seemed to strip away her sarong and leave her naked beneath his searing gaze. A deep longing shone in their emerald depths and for some strange reason, Lynna had the urge to throw down the spear and rush headlong into his arms, telling him how frightened she had been. She longed for him to hold her, comfort her, and erase her fears. She had no memory of the past, yet she felt an overpowering attraction for this man. Then something finally clicked in her brain.

  He must be Michael.

  Her husband.

  Of course. Why else would she feel so drawn to this man? Evidently he had survived the shipwreck and searched until he found her. Happiness and relief washed over her. Following her heart, she lowered her guard and asked in a breathless whisper, so close that Joshua could almost feel her warm breath on his lips, “Are you Michael?”

  Anger flared deep within Joshua as the painful words squeezed his heart. “What childish game do you play, Lynna?” he gritted, standing and grabbing her to shake her roughly by her shoulders. “You know who I am. Cease with this senseless charad
e.”

  She had been wrong. Dead wrong. This man wasn’t her husband. Stark terror was her only emotion as his fingers bit cruelly into her shoulders and his eyes probed hers for answers.

  Joshua didn’t fail to notice the terror that registered briefly on her lovely features. Therefore, he was alert when she turned to run and caught her easily before she made her escape. Pulling her around to face him, their eyes met and he saw the truth register in hers.

  Her body trembled beneath his questing hands as tears glistened on her sooty lashes. Cupping her chin, he forced her to look at him when she would have turned away. “You don’t remember me, do you, darling?”

  The soft words tugged at her heart so that she again felt the urge to be held and comforted by this man. His breath was warm against her ear as he pulled her close, their bodies touching, and igniting a fire.

  “I can make you remember me, Lynna,” he whispered huskily. “Never doubt that for a moment. We shared too much to forget.”

  His sweet lips touched hers, gently at first, then urgently demanding a response. With a will of their own Lynna’s hands moved up around his neck, entwining in his hair, drawing him closer. His hands on her body were hot, searing through the thin material of her sarong, fanning flames that demanded to be quenched. Joshua lifted her reverently, carrying her to the bed.

  “My sweet, sweet Lynna. I have been to hell and back these past months, not knowing whether you were alive or dead.” He planted soft kisses over her eyes, nose, and finally her mouth. “But I would not accept the possibility of never holding you in my arms again.” His strong hands closed over her buttocks, pressing her softness fully against him.

  Lynna.

  That must be her first name, but her last name was Devereux. The word penetrated her brain and had the same effect as ice-cold water being thrown in her face. She was Lynna Devereux, Michael Devereux’s wife. She could not allow this man, this bloodthirsty pirate, to take what belonged only to her husband. No matter how badly her body craved his touch, or how strong her desire was to continue.

  “Stop!” she cried, pushing him away. Quickly retying the sarong, she rushed outside hoping the cool evening air would clear the confusion from her head. She followed the path to the pool, wanting to wash away the feel of his hands and lips on her body, but she stopped dead in her tracks.

  The forest was alive with the sounds of shouting and robust laughter. Moving as stealthily as a cat, she peered through the thick undergrowth and found her pool filled with naked, frolicking men, enjoying their first real baths and fresh water in months. Her face was a bright shade of pink as she turned and ran headlong into the broad chest of the one she sought to escape.

  “I should have warned you, my love.” Joshua laughed, holding her ensnared as his gaze roamed over her enchanting face. “The men have been at sea for many months, and unless you prefer their company for the night, I would suggest that you return to the cave with me.”

  “I will return to the cave,” she gritted. “But I will go alone.”

  “As you wish,” he stated simply, walking past her to join his men for a much needed bath.

  Later that evening, Lynna lay in bed wide awake as shouts from the men’s camp carried through the jungle making sleep impossible. If only the cave had a door and a latch. What was to prevent this pirate captain from coming tonight and taking advantage of her while she slept? She had no doubt that he was entirely capable of such brutish acts.

  She got up, went to the corner, and taking the sharpest spear, placed it under the mattress. Feeling somewhat safer, she was finally able to drift off to a fitful, dream laced sleep.

  She awoke the following morning smiling a greeting to the new day, having momentarily forgotten the events of the previous one.

  “Good morning.” Joshua smiled from his vantage point beside the bed.

  Gasping, Lynna tugged the cover up to her neck, giving him a look that she hoped accurately conveyed her feelings. “What are you doing here?”

  “Seeing that no harm befell you during the night,” he replied, puffing lazily on a cheroot.

  She flew from the bed to stand before him, outraged at his possessive manner. “I can assure you, sir, that I do not need or want your protection. I have managed to survive quite nicely thus far without your assistance and I’m sure that I can continue to do so in the foreseeable future.”

  Ignoring her angry outburst, Joshua sipped from a cup from which drifted a most delicious aroma.

  Coffee.

  Real coffee.

  How her mouth watered for a taste. Lynna couldn’t draw her eyes away from the steaming liquid as she suddenly realized how tired she was of water and coconut milk.

  Following her eyes, Joshua handed her the cup. “Forgive me, love. It slipped my mind that you have been without the luxuries that most of us take for granted.” A slow smile curved his lips as he watched her drain the cup before turning serious. “Tell me, Lynna. How have you managed here alone?” Joshua made a sweeping gesture with his hands. “How did you happen to acquire all of this furniture? Surely you didn’t carve it yourself.”

  Lynna decided that it wouldn’t hurt to answer a few of his questions. After all, he had shared his coffee with her.

  She moved closer to the edge of the bed where her spear was, just in case. Going to the fire that he had built in the fire pit just outside the entrance to the cave, Joshua lifted a coffee pot and refilled the cup.

  “The cave was like this when we found it,” she answered over her shoulder while making the bed. “All Rob and I had to do to make it livable was clean it up and chase out a family of...”

  “Rob?” Joshua’s voice was low, almost a growl, as he slammed the cup down, splashing most of its contents on the table. “Did you say Rob?”

  Lynna felt a cold shiver of fear race down her spine. “Yes… Rob.” she said, inching toward the spear. It was obvious that the man was barely able to control his rising anger. He appeared livid, ready to explode at any given second. What had she said to make him so angry? She had to keep him talking until she could reach the spear. “We have been blissfully happy here, Rob and I.”

  In one violent motion Joshua threw the cup, sending the remains of the coffee splattering against the wall. Grabbing her roughly by the shoulder, his eyes bore into hers. “Who in the hell is Rob?” he ground out as an indescribable pain began eating away at his gut.

  Had he been replaced by this Rob so easily?

  Lynna wondered if perhaps the man was mentally unstable or possessed by hidden demons? But then again, if he guessed that she and Rob were more than just friends, perhaps he wouldn’t attempt any more intimate advances towards her. She had to convince him that they were indeed lovers. “Rob?” she paused dramatically. “I cannot tell you very much about him, because I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know,” he seethed. “You set up housekeeping with a man that you don’t know anything about?”

  “Rob tells me that the ship I was traveling on with my husband sank after being attacked at sea and we were the only survivors. But it seems he was gravely mistaken.” Then, remembering her ploy, she gazed with longing into his eyes and sighed, “I would have never survived on this island without Rob to protect me.”

  “And where is this Godsend now?” Joshua spat, his voice filled with the anguish that he was unable to hide.

  “Who?”

  “Rob!” he snapped. Then he spoke slowly as he would to a small child. “Where – is – he - now?”

  “Oh.” Lynna had to cover her mouth to hide her smile. “He left a few days ago to explore the other side of the island. He should return any day now.”

  She turned around just in time to watch him storm out of the cave.

  Chapter 36