LaBarre stomped his foot. “Damn the French nobles and their ne’er-do-well sons. Who do you think you work for? I spent too many years serving Blanchefort and bowing down to him. I just want to settle down to a comfortable plantation life. Is that too much to ask?”
Rousseau pointed at Talon and held up three fingers as LaBarre ranted on. Talon darted a glance at his target. When the man raised his hands during a particularly vociferous outburst, Rousseau seized the gun, disarming LaBarre while Talon grabbed his hands and twisted them behind his back.
All of a sudden, Alex burst through the doors with his cousin in tow. He slipped a knife under Pierre’s chin. Jean Lafitte pointed his pistol at the colonel’s head.
Talon wiped his brow. “It’s about time. Where the hell were you?”
Alex gave him a cheeky wink. “I had to tuck Talia in for the night.” Rage drenched Talon like a cold rain, and Alex laughed. “I’m kidding, Barberry. She’s safe at Maudy’s.”
“’Zis is ’zee infamous L’Archambeau? You look nothing like ’zee imposing man I imagined.” Jean Lafitte’s thick French reverberated off the walls as he scoffed at LaBarre. He adjusted the fancy bicorne hat sitting upon his brown curls. “What should we do with z’eez scoundrels?”
Alex looked at Talon and shrugged. “We’ll ship them to Governor Aringosa. The constable has Fernando Montrose in custody. L’Archambeau and the DuPonts can join their friend.”
Shackling LaBarre’s hands together, Alex shoved him toward the door. Jean followed with the pistol, pushing the DuPonts forward. Alex tipped his hat. “We’ll take care of them, Barberry. They’ll never hurt Talia again.”
Hélène rushed to Talon and enveloped him in a warm hug. “I knew my niece would be safe with you, Monsieur.”
“Is it true?” Madame Montrose took his hand in hers. “You married my Talia?” Tears wavered at her eyelashes as she cupped his cheek. “I’m going to be a grand-mere?”
Talon pecked the gentile woman’s hand. “I can see where my wife gets her beauty, Madame.” The woman enveloped him in her arms with a sob.
As Talia and Ricardo entered from the veranda, joy filled Talon like the morning sun. She fell into Talon’s arms, and he nearly wept with her. “We did it, love. It’s over.”
“Oui, thanks to you.”
“Talia?”
“Maman!” Rushing into her mother’s arms, Talia sobbed against her shoulder. “Aunt Hélène, I was worried about you both.”
Hélène placed a hand on Talon’s arm. “There was no need, ma cherie. Your husband is quite the hero. You are a lucky woman.”
Talia gazed at him adoringly. “C’est vrai.”
He smiled. “Enough. You’re going to give me a big head.” Taking her face in his hands, he placed tiny kisses everywhere, drawing giggles and stares. “I’ll never leave you again, love.”
Holding Talia’s hand, Talon followed Rousseau and Alex as they loaded their prisoners onto a small sloop anchored at the dock.
With a broad smile, Rousseau embraced her. “I will miss you, ma petite. This has been quite an adventure.”
Cupping the captain’s scruffy face in her hands, she kissed both his cheeks. “Merci beaucoup, Jean-Jacques... for everything.”
As she gazed at Talon with love and adoration, warmth engulfed him. How had he gotten so lucky to have found her? Clearing the lump at his throat, he shook Rousseau’s hand amicably. “Captain, you’ve been a good friend. Thank you.”
As Alex approached, Rousseau winked. “I’m not the only one so deserving of your praise, Monsieur.” He pulled Talon close. “He might be young, but Lafitte hasn’t got it in him to be a pirate, mon ami. He’ll be settled on land before long.”
Talon rolled his eyes heavenward. He’d believe it when he saw it. “Where do you go from here?”
“It’s time to join my wife,” the old sailor said. Boarding the ship, he winked. “Au revoir.”
Alex strode toward Talon and Talia with a jaunty grin. “Mayhap I’ll leave the sea and join Ricardo’s constables. I’ll admit it’s satisfying to dole out Cabildo justice.”
Clearing his throat, Talon extended his hand. “Lafitte, you have my gratitude. Thank you for taking care of my family.” He grinned. “And I want a rematch at whist. You owe me money, you pirate.”
Alex laughed, clapping Talon on the shoulder. “Anytime, mon ami.” Alex turned to Talia, his voice softening. “I don’t know what to say.”
Sniffing, Talia squeezed his hands. “Be happy, Alex. That’s all I ask.”
He drew his brows together, issuing Talon a stern look. “Take care of her, Barberry.”
Talon scoffed. “Or what?”
As Jean walk toward them, Alex gave him a lopsided grin. “I’ll send the Lafittes after you.”
“We gave this up?” Jean stumbled as his eyes roved over Temptation Hall. “Quel dommage! This place is fantastique.”
Alex pulled his cousin toward the ship and growled, “Don’t even think about it, Jean. Captain Rousseau, are we ready to sail?”
“Oui, Lafitte, on to New Orleans.”
TALON SAT NEXT TO TALIA on the veranda of Temptation Hall, enjoying the cool November breeze. Sharing the loveseat across from them, Hélène and Monique gossiped about mundane affairs.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, he gazed at his beautiful wife, her hand resting on their child. He brushed his thumb across the gold band now adorning her finger. He couldn’t imagine a more perfect evening.
Kissing his cheek, Talia shivered and stood. “I forgot my shawl. I’m going in.”
Grabbing her knitting, Monique rose. “Moi, aussi. I want to show you what I want to make for the baby. Are you two coming?”
Talon stood and started for the door, but Hélène stopped him. “Un moment, Monique. I need to speak with Monsieur Barberry.” She linked her arm with his. “Will you walk with me?”
Accepting her invitation, Talon strolled with the older woman across the well-manicured lawn. As they entered the vast gardens, Hélène sat on a wrought-iron bench. A pergola draped with vines sheltered their heads.
She patted the seat next to her, and Talon joined her. “I have something for you.” She pressed a note in his hands—a bank writ in the amount of five hundred pounds.
Talon narrowed his eyes as a hiss left his throat. Shaking his head, he pushed it back to her. “Madame, I can’t take this. I was only joking about payment. This is too much.”
Hélène waved his hand away. “I must insist. You’ve lived up to my expectations immensely. And I have a confession.” Her lips pressed together, and she took a deep breath. “I sought you out for this job for a reason.”
Talon scratched his chin. “I’ll admit I thought it odd that though we’d never met, you wanted my services. I thought Jacques recommended me.”
Hélène’s eyes twinkled as she patted his knee. “It would seem so, n’est-ce pas? But Jacques’ intentions weren’t nearly as noble as mine. I hired you to take care of my niece, albeit under false pretenses.” Her gnarled hands enveloped his. “Last year, Contesse and Eric came to visit. They talked about your adventures, your time with the revolutionaries... and that red-haired harpy.” Her nose wrinkled at the mention of Madame Claire. “You made quite an impression on them.”
Talon gave her a sheepish grin. “It was my job, Mademoiselle. Edouard hired me to keep Contesse safe.”
“And so you did.” The woman paused. Eyeing him, she released a breath. “Contesse said you were unhappy. She wished more than anything that she could find a soul mate for her dear cousin—someone adventurous and free-spirited, not unlike himself.” Hélène chuckled. “Who could be better than my niece, the Cabildo spy?”
Heat radiated through Talon’s cheeks as he smiled and frowned at the same time. “You played matchmaker?”
“I’m an old French maid,” she said with a regal air. “I get bored easily.” As he shook his head, she chuckled. “Putting that aside, you were indeed the perfect person for thi
s job.”
The bank note wavered in his hands. He shouldn’t take this. It wasn’t right. How could he take payment for keeping Talia safe? As her husband, it was his duty—nay, his pleasure.
As if reading his thoughts, Hélène said, “Since you aren’t convinced you deserve this for a job well done, perhaps you will take it as a wedding gift. If you don’t accept it, I’m merely going to give it to Monique, and you’ll inherit it anyway.”
Warmth filled his chest as he fingered the talisman his wife had returned to him. Hélène Beaupraît had deemed him worthy enough for Talia and sought him out. He’d be damned if that wasn’t fate.
“I can see where Talia gets her stubbornness.” Sticking the note in his pocket, he stood and offered Hélène his arm. “Thank you, Mademoiselle. You’ve given me a lifetime of happiness. It’s more than I deserve, to be sure.”
“Non, Monsieur. It was your destiny. Fill your home with love and children. You will never forget the adventure that got you here.” The woman patted Talon’s cheek with her gnarled hand, and they strolled back to Temptation Hall.
Epilogue
AUGUST 1799
“Thank God, they’re finally here.”
Anxiousness seeped from Talon’s pores as he raced to the docks to await his father’s ship.
Upon returning to Paris, Hélène had promised Talon that she’d contact Luca and convince him to visit his new grandson. Fortunately, she’d been successful.
But Luca wasn’t comfortable on boats. Indeed, it had taken several letters just to get him to sail across the Atlantic.
As Marcus ran by with one of the neighbors, Talon grabbed his shirt collar. “Come, lad. I want you to meet GranPapa Barberry.”
“See ya lata’, Zaria!” A grin spilled over the boy’s face as he grasped Talon’s hand. “They’s here, sah?”
Talon rolled his eyes. “Marcus, stop calling me that. I’m your papa, remember?”
“Yes sah, Papa.” The boy pointed to the river. “Lawd, is ’dat them?”
“Looks like it.” Talon raked a hand over the back of his neck as three large keelboats rounded the bend. As the vessels moored at the shoreline, the dockhands pulled on the ropes and fastened them to the pylons.
Talon wrung his hands impatiently. “Does it take all bloody day to—”
The door to the cabin slammed back on its hinges. And as his father blinked in the midday sun, Talon breathed a sigh of relief. “Welcome, Papa.” He grabbed his father in a warm embrace.
With his eyes wide and his mouth agape, Luca blinked as if he didn’t recognize Talon. Tears fluttered at his dark eyelashes. “My son...”
“Hells bells, it’s hot.” His brother, Carlo, stepped off the gangplank fanning himself. Talon grinned, and Carlos’ face dropped. “Is that really you? I don’t think I’ve seen you smile, ever. Or without long hair and a beard.”
Laughing, Talon gave Carlo a manly hug. “What in the world did you bring?” He stepped back as three crew members pulled four of their steeds to land.
Holding his chin high, Luca gestured to the magnificent animals. “A wedding gift. Unfortunately, we lost a mare on the trip.”
A lump formed in Talon’s throat. He pushed the tears away, touched by his father’s unconditional acceptance of his life. “Oh, Papa.” Swallowing his emotions, he grabbed his father by the arm. “Come. Meet my wife and your new grandson.”
Marcus peeked out from behind him. “What ’bout me Massa Talon?”
Frowning, Luca gave Talon a chastising look. “What is this? You own a slave?”
Talon opened his mouth, ready to explain, but Marcus stopped him. “No, sah. I’s free. Massa be my new papa.” Marcus grabbed Talon’s hand. “He saved me from pirates.”
Both Luca and Carlos stopped. Eyeing Talon incredulously, Carlo whistled low under his breath. “What in the world happened to you?”
Talon laughed. “I’ll tell you all about it. It’s quite a story.”
As they walked toward the veranda, Carlo’s eyes darted around the grounds. “This is your home?”
Monique Montrose stood in front of the French doors with a haughty gaze. “I beg your pardon, Monsieur. Temptation Hall is mine. Talon and my daughter are indentured to me until they have at least ten children.” After a moment, Monique’s lips curved into a smile as she and Talon burst out laughing.
“Oh, Maman, don’t start. You two are incorrigible.” With an exasperated sigh, Talia pushed past them. Rearranging the bundle swaddled at her breast, she greeted Luca and Carlo. “Monsieur Barberry, welcome to our home. Forgive my mother’s insolent manners. You’re lucky my father isn’t here. When the three of them get together, I have to leave the room.”
Talon clapped a hand on Luca’s shoulder and grinned. “Talia’s father, Ricardo, plans on joining us for dinner tomorrow, Papa. He spends most of his time in New Orleans.”
Talia smiled at Carlo. “You are Talon’s brother, oui? I see the family resemblance.” Carlo’s eyes widened as he stared at Talia indecently.
Luca smacked his younger son in the back of the head with a stern gaze. “We thank you for your hospitality. Is this—?” His voice caught as he touched the dark curls on his grandson’s head.
Unraveling the blanket, Talia placed the three-month-old baby in Luca’s arms. “This is Boden Luca Barberry. He looks just like his Papa... and his Grandpére, it seems.” Talon wrapped his arms around her lovingly.
Tears fell from Luca’s weathered eyes as he bounced the baby in his arms. “I’m a grandpapa.”
Crossing his arms, Carlo glowered. “You’ve been a grandpapa four times over.”
“Aye, but this one is special.” Luca winked. “Did you or Mala name your sons after me?”
Talon rubbed his son’s head. “It was Talia’s idea. She wanted a French name and a Romani name so our son will know his roots.”
Luca eyed him sternly. “Then you must get on one of those floating wooden beasts and bring my grandson to England so he can meet the rest of his family.”
“We will. As soon as Bo is old enough to travel.”
“Refreshments are ready, Madame,” Minnie called from the house.
“Merci, Minnie. Shall we?” Taking Luca by the arm, Monique escorted them inside.
Talon stood on the veranda, gazing across the newly planted rows of sugar cane. As the sailors led his new steeds to the fallow field beyond, he smiled. Their dreams were taking shape. With the brood he’d buy the following spring, they’d soon have the biggest horse ranch in the territories. What more could he ask for?
“Are you ill, mon cher?”
As Talia touched his arm, contentment flooded his soul. “Nay, love. I’m perfect.” Taking hold of his beautiful wife, he guided her inside their home.
Surely, life couldn’t get any better than this.
The End
DEAR READER,
Thanks so much for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed Talon and Talia’s story. If you enjoyed the book, won’t you please leave a review at your favorite retailer? Join me for the next adventure in the Pure Escapades series, Pure Enchantment.
Auria Jourdain
About the Author
HISTORY BUFF, FRANCOPHILE, and hopeless romantic—the perfect mixture for writing romance! With fond childhood memories of reading on quiet afternoons, I loved the happily ever after sweet teen romances. As my love of history grew, I quickly plunged into the world of historical romance, my get-away-from-real-life transporter. With six published works in four different sub-genres of romance, I can’t to decide which is my favorite. I love reading YA romance, so perhaps that’s my next endeavor.
I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my husband of twenty-four years, four children, and two Golden Retrievers. In my other life, I’m a licensed massage therapist and owner of a day spa. Can you think of a more relaxing place to write? The long Northwoods winters are perfect for plotting my next book, and in the mild summers, my family and I spend every free moment explori
ng the Northwoods. With every adventure, new ideas bloom. The forest is my happy place. Lake Superior’s awe-inspiring beauty is my muse. I live where I play, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Find me here!
https://www.auriajourdainromance.com/
Other Works by Auria Jourdain:
Pure Escapades Series: Historical Romance
~Pure of Heart – 1st edition~
(©April 2015)
~Pure Temptation – 1st edition
(©December 2015)
~Pure of Heart –2nd edition~
(©September 1, 2016)
~Pure Enchantment~
(©July 2017)
~Pure Captivation~
(©August 2020)
~Pure Temptation – 2nd Edition~
(January 2021)
Young Adult:
~Spirit of the Northwoods~
(©April 2016)
The Northwoods Trilogy: Romantic Suspense
~Silence the Northwoods~
(©January 2017)
~Silence the Waters~
(©August 2018)
Paranormal Romance:
~Lantern at the Gate~
(©July 2019)
Pure Enchantment
Book 3: Pure Escapades Series
AN INFAMOUS CREOLE sea captain... a beautiful quadroon stowaway... and a forbidden love that swells with the ocean tides.
A rum privateer on the run, Captain Alex Lafitte wanders the Caribbean aboard his ship, the Enchanted Lady, avoiding his infamous cousins at all costs. But when his childhood love, Talia Barberry, begs him to save her adopted son from the New Orleans authorities during the slave rebellions. Alex welcomes the little slave boy he once owned with open arms. However, Marcus is now a man grown—with a secret: he’s snuck the woman he loves onto Alex’s ship.
The last thing Zaria St. Claire wanted was to sail to the islands hidden in the cargo hold of a ship. After her white father’s death during the slave rebellions in New Orleans, she has no choice but to live now and fight another day. However, she never thought she’d find a demi-god of a man standing half-clad on the deck of the ship. Alex’s strong, male presence ignites a fire deep within her soul, and as their voyage progresses, Zaria can no longer hide her feelings for the Creole.
Pure Temptation Page 36
