by Bobbi Smith
Brody and Michaels did not speak as they concentrated on the task given to them. Anxious to return to their ship, they moved swiftly through the bayou back to the rendezvous point. They located Lianne's deserted skiff with little trouble and then drew it along with them as they traveled the waterway back to the Belle Arbor dock. Brody was as gentle as he could be when he lifted Lianne and transferred her to the other boat, but she was holding herself in such rigid protest that it made it difficult for him. When he'd finally maneuvered her into the bottom of the skiff, he made short order of loosening the bonds at her feet and hands, leaving her hands just tight enough that she wouldn't be able to free herself before they could get away. They left her then, disappearing silently into the bayou night.
Lianne lay still in complete confusion, not understanding why they had loosened the ropes that bound her. She remained unmoving for some time, waiting for them to return, waiting for the end to come. It only after long minutes that she realized that the men had gone and they were not coming back. They hadn't meant to kill her! Spectre hadn't been ordering her death!
Relief, powerful in its intensity, swept through her, and she began to cry as she worked feverishly to free her hands. It took a while, but she finally worked them loose. Stripping away the blindfold, she stared about herself in total bewilderment. She was at Belle Arbor! She was home! Lianne took off the gag and quickly untied her ankles.
Snatching up the paddle, Lianne made for the dock. She managed to tie up all right, but she was shaking uncontrollably by the time she climbed from the craft. Stunned by all that had happened to her, she stood on the dock in the darkness, her arms wrapped tightly about her waist.
A violent torrent of emotions flooded through her as she tried to understand what had happened to her. Spectre, Captain Spectre . . . Lianne knew with certainty that she would never forget his name. How could it have happened? How could she have fallen prey to him and how could she have actually surrendered to him?
Worse yet, Lianne realized, was how she could have desired Spectre so desperately. She knew there could be no denying that she'd wanted him. The remembrance of her wild response to his passion troubled Lianne for she felt that she'd betrayed Adam. It had been shocking to discover that her body could respond to Spectre that way, even while she'd been consciously trying to resist him, and she wondered how it was that she could feel such sensual joy with two such different men.
Confused, not knowing where to turn, Lianne started back up the path toward the main house, hoping to sneak back into her room unnoticed. When she managed to reach the privacy of her bedroom she breathed a deep sigh of relief. She undressed quickly and climbed in bed, drawing the covers up protectively over her.
Lianne's thoughts were turbulent as the events of the night continued to play themselves out before her in her mind's eye. From the heartbreaking discovery that Adam was going to spend several days with Suzanne to her own shameful betrayal with her mysterious, sensual captor, the night had been a horror. Lianne wished it had never happened, but to her dismay, she knew it had.
Tossing restlessly on the bed, she finally decided that it would be best if she told no one about her encounter with Spectre. She told herself that it was Adam she loved. Yet as the remaining hours of darkness passed and the eastern sky lightened with the promise of a new day, she wondered if she would ever be able to forget the time she spent in the arms of her unseen captor.
Chapter Thirty-one
David Williams kept a supporting arm around Elise's waist as he led her to the wrought iron bench near the center of the garden. The flowers were all in bloom in a riot of beautiful colors, and the fragrance of their perfume delicately scented the air.
"I thought you might like to sit outside again this morning," he was saying as they sat down next to each other on the small bench.
"Yes, David, it's lovely today," Elise answered. "I'm glad we came outside."
David was enormously pleased with the progress she was making. Since the night she'd first spoken, she'd made steady, measurable improvement every day. Though she was still not a fluent conversationalist, she did answer his questions. She'd become much more aware of and familiar with her surroundings, and she was beginning to move about the house freely with some confidence.
Still, David was concerned about her reaction to the pain of her past. He had not yet broached the subject of her trauma, but he knew he would have to do it soon. Elise would not be able to make a healthy recovery unless she faced all her fears and dealt with them.
"How are you feeling today?"
"I'm not sure," she replied, and her response surprised him.
"Oh? Why not?" David probed. During all their previous conversations, she'd always told that she was doing fine. This was definitely a good sign.
"Last night . . ." She hesitated, not quite sure how to tell him what was troubling her.
"Yes? Did something happen to disturb you?"
"I've been having these dreams . . ." Elise told him slowly, "nightmares, I guess. They're so terrible that they wake me up."
"Do you remember what they were about?" David questioned.
"I don't remember much." She shrugged, obviously puzzled by what was happening to her. "Just little things . . ."
"Why don't you tell me whatever you can recall, and we'll see if we can't piece it all together and make some sense out of it for you."
"I'd like that." Elise knew she always felt better after she confided in David. He had a way of explaining things that made everything seem all right.
"What is it that frightens you about these dreams? Is there any one thing in particular?"
Elise frowned, trying to remember details that had faded when she'd come awake. "I'm in some kind of strange room. It's small. There are no windows and very little light. At first, it seems safe enough . . ."
"Does anything in that room seem familiar to you?" David asked, carefully studying her expression as she pondered his question.
"No."
Her answer was firm, so he nodded for her to go on.
"There are loud noises going on. It sounds like thunder, only it makes me afraid." She looked up at him, her face pale, her hands shaking, and David reached out to take her hands in his reassuringly.
"Don't worry, it's only a dream. Nothing can hurt you. I'm here."
"I know." Elise managed a faint smile as she looked deeply into his eyes and saw the unwavering strength and inner peace reflected there.
"Are there any people in the room with you or are you alone?"
"I don't know . . ." Her hold on his hands suddenly tightened as if she'd caught a glimpse of something in her nightmare that she just wasn't ready to face yet. "I don't know, David! I don't know!"
"Easy, love," David murmured as he put an arm about her and drew her head down on his shoulder.
"I want to remember, David!"
"I know. It'll all come to you one day soon, and when it does, I'll be right here with you to help you."
"Thank you," she whispered as she gave a soft sigh.
It was all David could do to keep from taking her in his arms and kissing her at that moment. He wanted to, but she was so sweetly vulnerable that he didn't dare take advantage of the innocent trust she'd put in him. He loved her too much to take a chance on ruining things between them before they even got started.
"Do you want to go back inside now?"
"No, I don't think so. I want to stay here, where it's open and free."
"Then, we'll stay right here until you say it's time to go," he told her with a smile.
"I'd like that," she returned his smile.
The following three days passed in a blur of emotional turmoil for Lianne. She thought of Adam constantly, wishing he would return, yet at the same time dreading having to face him again. The guilt she felt over her response to Spectre's touch haunted her every waking moment, and she grew frightened and insecure.
Lianne feared that Adam would discover her betrayal, and, when he did, he
would throw her out. She was even afraid that he might be so vengeful as to take her baby from her. She touched the slight swell of her stomach almost reverently and vowed to herself that she could never let Adam find out about Spectre.
Lianne felt tired as she wandered back to her bed to lie down. Though she'd spent the past few nights restlessly courting sleep, she had managed to get precious little. Now, however, it suddenly seemed that she couldn't keep her eyes open a minute longer. Lianne was glad, for she hoped that at least in slumber, she would be able to escape her fears. Stretching out upon the wide softness of the bed, exhaustion claimed her, and she was soon fast asleep.
Even in repose, Lianne's troubled thoughts would not give her peace. Her subconscious served up dreams of Spectre, faceless yet compelling, to fire the havoc in her soul.
She tossed and turned, trying to escape her mysterious captor in the dream, but there was no escape. As his arms came around her in the vision, though, he suddenly changed. No longer was he faceless and frightening, instead, he became Adam, holding her and loving her. The dream faded then and was gone. Lianne, finally finding a moment's peace, drifted into a deeper, restful slumber.
Adam had thought he would feel better about returning to Belle Arbor after three days at sea. He'd thought that he would have had time to bring his emotions under control and be able to live in the same house with Lianne without desiring her so much, but it hadn't worked out that way.
Having made love to Lianne as Spectre in his cabin aboard the Sea Shadow, Adam had found himself reminded of her every time he'd gone into the room. Sleep had been an impossibility for him in the bunk they'd shared. Every time he'd tried to get some rest there, the memory of her sensual surrender to him torched his passions, and he had had to leave the cabin to get himself under control.
Now, as Adam made his way back through the bayou toward the plantation, he was dreading seeing Lianne again. It had been difficult enough before, living in such close quarters with Lianne and never having her, but now that he'd tasted of her love again, he didn't know if he'd be able to keep himself from her.
Guilt stabbed at him over his deception, but Adam tried to dismiss it. She was his wife, and he'd wanted her. No harm had been done . . . he thought.
Becky had been worried the entire time Adam had been gone. She alternately feared that Adam and Beau would find Shark and be hurt trying to capture him or that they wouldn't find him and the limbo they were living in would continue on indefinitely. She was weary of all the secretiveness and was afraid that Adam's plotting ultimately might ruin any chance he and Lianne had for happiness before they could even begin a life together.
It was easy for Becky to see how Adam's behavior was affecting Lianne. Though her friend had said nothing about his lengthy absence, keeping to herself mostly since he'd left, Becky could tell that it was troubling her deeply. Lianne always seemed tired now, and her appetite had lessened. She looked exhausted, and Becky was starting to worry about the baby.
A sound in the hall drew Becky's attention, and because she knew that Alex and Lianne had already retired for the night, she got up to see who was there.
"Adam!" She was delighted to see him, and she went to him quickly and hugged him.
He returned her embrace as he glanced around for some sign of Lianne. When she didn't appear to greet him, he felt greatly disappointed.
"I'm so glad you're back," Becky was saying, "How did it go? Did you have any luck?"
"No," he answered curtly. "Nothing."
"I'm sorry," she sympathized.
"Where is everyone?" Adam finally asked, not wanting to get into a discussion of the fruitless hours he'd just spent with Beau.
"Lianne and Alex both went to bed. I'm sure they would have waited up for you, if we'd known you were coming home tonight."
"That's all right." Adam knew Alex would have waited up, but he doubted cynically that Lianne would have bothered. He led the way into the study and poured himself a bourbon.
"How was Beau?" Becky tried to sound casual as she inquired, but her heart was pounding at the thought that he might have sent a message with Adam.
"Fine," he answered without elaborating. He took a deep drink of his liquor.
Becky frowned, irritated by Beau's neglect. She missed him dreadfully and had been hoping to hear something from him.
Caught up in his own disappointment, Adam was oblivious to his sister's mood as he finished off his drink. He'd been mentally ready to face Lianne again when he'd entered the house, and her absence left him feeling decidedly let down. Suddenly Adam knew a driving need to see her, asleep or not.
"I think I'll go up and look in on Lianne."
His statement pleased Becky. She hoped he was coming to realize how special Lianne really was and that he'd missed her while he was away.
"I'll see you in the morning, then."
"Good night, Becky."
As he went upstairs, Adam was surprised to find that he was nervous. He paused before the closed bedroom door for a moment, then finally opened it and went in. The room was dark except for the faint, pale streams of moonlight that shone through the windows.
Adam approached the bed, his gaze never leaving Lianne's sleeping form. He stared at her hungrily, wanting her, but keeping a tight rein on that raging need. He remained standing in the shadows near the bed, worshipping her beauty from afar and wishing things were different between them.
Lianne didn't know what it was that woke her. She only knew that one second she'd been sound asleep, and the next, she'd been awake. She lay still, wondering what it was that had disturbed her. As she realized someone else was in the room with her, she became terrified. Lianne sat bolt upright in the bed, clutching the covers over her breasts as she stared at the man who stood silently in the shadows. In her sleepy state, she automatically thought the intruder was Spectre.
"You!" Her cry was a strangled whisper, and she was suddenly trembling at the thought that he'd come back for her.
Adam didn't respond immediately, for he was too busy taking in the glorious sight of her, sitting in the middle of their bed with her hair tumbling about her shoulders in sensual disarray.
"What are you doing here? Why did you come back?" she challenged breathlessly, still believing him to be Spectre.
Adam was jarred by her words, for they reaffirmed to him that she still hated him. Despairingly, Adam wondered if he would ever be able to win her love. He took a step forward into the pale light as he spoke, "I came back because this is my home, wife."
Lianne stared at Adam in bewilderment. She had truly believed it was Spectre, and it startled her to discover that it was Adam. She said a silent prayer of thanks that she hadn't called out the other man's name in her fear. But just because she now knew it was Adam didn't lessen her upset.
"What do you want?" Lianne watched him, her eyes wide and wary. She tightened her grip on the blanket she held protectively to her breasts.
Adam knew what he wanted. He wanted her love. He wanted her in his arms, in his bed, in his life, forever. Suddenly nothing else mattered but his love for her. Without speaking, he moved to sit down on the edge of the bed beside her, and he flinched inwardly when Lianne sidled away from him.
"Lianne . . ." He lifted one hand to touch her cheek in a gentle caress. Her skin felt like satin to him, and he found himself longing to caress every inch of her silken flesh.
Lianne didn't trust him one bit. She admitted to herself that his being here like this was a dream come true, that she wanted Adam to love her and share her life with her, but she knew he didn't mean it. Hadn't he just spent three days and nights with Suzanne?
Adam's eyes held hers, watching, waiting, as his hand slipped lower. He brushed the obstacle of the blanket away from her nerveless fingers and boldly cupped the curve of her breast.
Still, Lianne didn't move away. Her breath caught in her throat as his thumb moved provocatively across the nipple. Excitement radiated throughout her body at that single touch. Lianne
was torn. She wanted to give herself over to the wonder of his caress, but the memory of his time with Suzanne loomed before her.
Adam was looking deep into her eyes, trying to gauge her thoughts. He knew a real need tonight to tell her everything and have it all out in the open. He didn't know if it would improve things between them or not, but he was willing to take the chance. He was about to speak, when she erupted in anger and slapped his hand away.
"Get your hands off of me, Adam Trent!" She was shaking in a combination of fury and self-reproach as she pulled away from his touch. Desperately, she wanted to hurt him as badly as he was hurting her. "I hate you! I can't stand to have you touch me!"
Adam's moment of weakness vanished abruptly as her refusal sent his temper soaring. A muscle twitched in his cheek as he struggled for control. Her continued avowals of hatred for him left him grim as well as angry. He stood up and, without a word, left the room.
Much later, when Adam sat alone in the study downing a full tumbler of bourbon, it occurred to him that Lianne had never once vowed any hatred for Spectre during the time she was his captive. She had responded wantonly to his embrace as the pirate, but had continually rejected him as her husband. The thought outraged Adam and left him wondering dismally at her response to Spectre.
Adam was angry and upset as he drained his glass. He felt the need to get away for a while, so he quit the house and headed to the stables to saddle a horse. Mounting, he gave his horse the lead, thundering off into the Lousiana night in hopes that a challenging ride would relieve some of the tension that filled him. As he rode off in the direction of Willow Bend, Adam was unaware of Lianne watching him from the bedroom window, tears streaming unheeded down her face.
Adam urged his horse to top speed as they raced across the moonlit countryside in reckless abandon. When at last his mount slowed, Adam reined in to a walk to allow him to rest. He had hoped his anger would ease with time, but he found himself still furious over Lianne's actions.
As her husband, Lianne had spurned him time and again, but as Spectre, she had loved him. It annoyed Adam that his desire for her had not abated with her rejection. He wanted her just as badly now as he had when he'd been sitting on the bed with her. Adam recalled then how wonderful her breast had felt against his palm, and knew he had to have her again. He sawed viciously on the reins to turn his horse back in the direction of the house. She might not want him, but he'd already proven she wanted Spectre. As he rode toward Belle Arbor, Adam began to plan.
