Dark Rider

by Iris Johansen

  “I didn’t injure her,” Jared said, trying to keep his temper. “And we came only to look at the animal in the daylight. Were you thinking of riding out and going to your lover?”

  “No, I was feeding him.” She moved toward the door. “No one rides Kapu but Kanoa.”

  “What a pity,” Bradford murmured as he eagerly moved toward the stall. “Jared, he’s magnificent. Look at those lines … the shoulders.” He reached a hand out to touch the white star between the stallion’s eyes. “And he moves with—”

  “Don’t touch him!” Lani hurried forward and slapped his hand down.

  “I wasn’t going to hurt him.”

  “I know,” Lani said grimly. “But I have no desire to bandage your hand after he savages you. Kapu doesn’t like strangers.”

  “He apparently likes you.” Bradford looked at her with interest before bowing low. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Bradford Tyndale Danemount.”

  “I know who you are. You’re the uncle.”

  He sighed. “Such is my boring fate. The brother, the uncle, never Bradford Danemount the extraordinary, the bold knight, the wise sage, the—”

  “Stay away from Kapu,” Lani interrupted. “You have had too much to drink, and Kapu likes drunks.”

  “If that’s the case, then we should get along splendidly.”

  Lani’s smile gleamed white with wickedness. “But Kapu likes to see them dead. He trampled his former master until one could not tell he had ever had a face.”

  “Who was his master?” Jared asked as he stepped closer to the stallion.

  “An Englishman who stopped here on his way to Australia. When he was drunk, he beat Kapu unmercifully. One day he grew careless and Kapu was equally unmerciful. The king tried to claim Kapu for his own, but he was too vicious. They were going to put him to death until Charles went to Kamehameha and begged him to sell the horse to him.”

  “Nothing I’ve learned about Deville indicates he has a fondness for horses,” Jared said.

  “But he has a fondness for Cassie, and she was in love with the stallion.” She added caustically, “And this is the terrible man you wish to kill.” She watched Jared move to stand before the stallion. “You’re too close. I told you—” She broke off and stared in astonishment when Jared reached up and stroked the stallion’s muzzle. Kapu nickered softly and pushed against his hand. “Magic.”

  “No.” Jared gazed into the stallion’s eyes. “We just understand each other.”

  “Jared is very good with horses,” Bradford said.

  “Kahuna,” Lani muttered.

  It was what Cassie had said on the shore, Jared remembered. She had looked at him with that expression of desperation and fear, and he had felt as if he had been cruel to a helpless child. The abrasive memory roughened his voice. “Nonsense.”

  Bradford chuckled. “He’s definitely no priest. Though I’ve often thought he delves in sorcery when dealing with horses … and the gaming tables.”

  Jared shot him an amused glance. “Intelligence.”

  “Luck,” Bradford replied.

  Lani looked from one to the other and then shrugged. “Neither will do you any good here. This is a bad thing you seek to do to Charles, and God will not be with you.” She moved toward the door. “Test how far your good fortune lasts, Your Grace. Let the drunken one stroke Kapu.”

  Bradford watched her leave the stable. “Unusual woman. I feel quite intoxicated.” He laughed. “But then I felt intoxicated before I met her, so it’s difficult to judge.” He turned back to the stallion. “Magnificent.”

  “Yes.”

  “You want him.”

  “Oh, yes.” Now that he had a closer look in full daylight, he wasn’t sure even his Morgana could compare to the stallion. Another frustration to add to the mix.

  “A difficult situation.”

  “Without the slightest doubt.” He gave the stallion a final pat and backed away. “And probably going to grow more difficult as time goes on. I want you to go to the king and make discreet inquiries regarding Deville. Make sure the king knows we’re staying here at Deville’s cottage.”

  “If Deville is under his protection, then I may get a blow instead of an answer. He’ll know by now that your intentions aren’t friendly.”

  “I don’t think there’s any danger. He won’t want to jeopardize the possibility of persuading me to furnish him weapons. Would you rather I go?”

  “No, I’ll do it. Braving the savages will make a fine story when we return to England. You’re staying here to watch the girl?”

  Jared nodded. “If Deville went to the trouble of pleading for that horse for his daughter, he must have some feeling for her. If he thinks she may be in danger, then he might come here.”

  “You’re beginning to speak of him as if he possesses a few human qualities.”

  “I always knew he was human. There’s usually a balance of good and evil in every man. When I was a boy, I found Deville quite amusing.” A sudden memory of Charles Deville sprawled in the chair in that hidden little room at Danjuet came back to him, Deville’s pencil moving rapidly on a sketch pad, his bearded face alive with humor as he joked with Jared. “That doesn’t mean I don’t realize what he is.”

  “But it makes it harder to execute a man who isn’t a complete villain.”

  He smiled thinly. “Try me.” He turned away and moved toward the door. “If you find out anything, let me know. Otherwise I’ll expect you back here tomorrow evening.”

  Three

  “Danemount was down at the stable looking at Kapu,” Lani said as she brushed Cassie’s hair. “He has quite an amazing way with horses.”

  Cassie stiffened. “He didn’t try to ride him?”

  “No, I said he was looking.” She paused in midmotion to meet Cassie’s gaze in the mirror. “You should not care for Kapu this much. He’s only an animal. You cannot expect total loyalty from him.”

  “He is loyal. He knows he belongs to me.”

  “But he won’t—” She broke off and shrugged. “Why should I argue? I’m wasting my breath.”

  Cassie reached up and took her hand. “Because you don’t want me hurt. I won’t be, Lani.”

  “Yes, you will. It is inevitable.” Lani smiled. “But thank God you have the strength to heal yourself. It’s a great gift.” She squeezed Cassie’s hand. “Now, how do you feel? Can you eat some supper?”

  “Yes.” Her brow wrinkled thoughtfully. “Is Clara having supper prepared for the Englishmen?”

  Lani nodded. “Of course. A meal fit more for a king than a duke.”

  “Then I’ll come to the table.”

  “You wish to eat with them? Why?”

  She quickly looked away from Lani. “It will do us no good to have me cowering in my room all night. I may learn something that may help us. You can’t defeat the enemy without knowing their strength. Where are the Englishmen now?”

  “Having brandy on the veranda.” She made a face. “The uncle drinks like a fish. Pity.”

  “Why is it a pity? Surely such a weakness is good for us.”

  “But I think he is not weak. He is just … I hate waste. But you’re right, any flaw will help. You won’t find much weakness in the other one to use.” She turned away and moved toward the door. “I’ll tell Clara that we’ll be joining them for supper. I’m sure she’ll be delighted.”

  “No, wait.” Cassie jumped to her feet. “I’ll tell her. You go on and change.”

  “Why? I can do it before I go to my room. You have to dress yourself, and it will take you longer since you’re still weak.”

  “Go on and dress,” Cassie said again.

  Lani turned to look at her speculatively. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen you so eager to confront Clara. What are you about?”

  Cassie could not involve her friend by telling her the truth, but neither could she lie to Lani. So she merely repeated, “I’ll do it.”

  Lani hesitated, then turned and le
ft the room.

  Dear God, but could she do it? She must stop this waffling; she had no choice. She had to reach her father before he arrived and was trapped. It seemed impossible that merely a few days ago her only problem had been Clara’s overwhelming oppression. Now she was being forced to commit an act that filled her with revulsion.

  Don’t think about it. Just do what has to be done.

  She drew a deep breath and moved quickly toward the armoire across the room.

  “What an enchanting surprise,” Jared murmured as he and Bradford pushed back their chairs and rose to their feet. “To what providence do we owe the grace of your presence?”

  “I was hungry.” Cassie strode brusquely onto the veranda. “You keep forgetting this is my home. Why shouldn’t I come to supper?”

  “You’re also joining us for supper? Extraordinary.”

  This was neither the girl on the beach nor the defiant waif he had confronted in the bedroom, Jared thought with dissatisfaction. She still looked a mere child, but now everything about her was tight and confined. She wore a high-necked gray silk gown that fell straight to the floor, hiding any hint of a possible curve. Her dark-brown hair, scraped back from her face and captured in a bun on top of her head, looked too heavy a burden for that slim neck. Jared had a sudden desire to take out the pins and let her hair flow free, as it had that night on the beach.

  “Not at all unusual, Jared. She’s quite right,” Bradford said as he moved swiftly to escort Cassie to a chair. “But as he said, a lovely surprise. We thought that your injury would keep you to your room. Please sit down.”

  She shook her head. “I came only to tell you that I refuse to hide in my room like a culprit.”

  “Sit down anyway. You must conserve your strength.” Bradford smiled. “May I get you a glass of wine?”

  “No.” She sat down and perched on the edge of the chair, her back rigid. “And I don’t need to conserve my strength. I’m much better now.”

  “I can see you are,” Bradford said warmly. “You have a lovely color in your cheeks.”

  Jared watched the color deepen. Bradford was right: her cheeks were flushed and her dark eyes shone brilliantly, almost feverishly. She clearly wasn’t as well as she claimed. Why the devil hadn’t she stayed in her room and rested?

  “You’re the uncle?” she asked.

  Bradford nodded. “Forgive me. I feel as if I already know you after that trip down the mountain. I’m Bradford Tyndale Danemount.”

  She studied him. “I remember you … I think.”

  “I consider that very promising.” He slanted a glance at Jared. “You see, even out of their senses, women find me unforgettable.”

  “They would have to be out of their senses,” Jared said.

  Bradford flinched. “What a cruel blow.” He turned to Cassie. “You can see how afflicted I am. I raise the lad from boyhood, and he gives me nothing but insult. Are we also to be honored by the presence of the beautiful lady I met at the stables? Lani …” He looked at her inquiringly.

  “Her name is Lani Kalnarai. And, of course, she’ll be here. What a stupid thing to ask. She belongs here, too.”

  “So she told us.”

  “Do you doubt it?” she asked, bristling. “Do you think because she’s not married to my father that he honors her any less? Lani is stronger and kinder and more clever than any woman you’ve ever met. She may have been raised an islander, but that doesn’t mean she’s ignorant of your ways. She’s always reading and learning and is probably better educated than either of you.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s not the custom in England to house a mistress in the same domicile as a man’s daughter,” Jared interrupted. He met her gaze. “And it’s also not the custom in France.”

  “That means nothing. We’re no longer in France.”

  “Your father is a Frenchman. If he holds the woman in as much honor as you obviously do, then he would have wed her.”

  She glared at him. “Does that mean you don’t want to see Lani at the table? Well, I will not—”

  “I didn’t say that,” Jared said. “This is your home and we are your guests.” He sat back down and reached for his glass of brandy. “I was merely defending my uncle, as you were defending your friend. He meant no insult, but you’re clearly used to jumping to your Lani’s defense. I wonder why …” He glanced speculatively at the doorway. “Your housekeeper?”

  She stiffened. “Has Clara been telling you lies about her?”

  “I’m not on such intimate terms with the lady. Does Miss Kidman usually tell lies?”

  At first he didn’t think she would answer, but then she said curtly, “She hates Lani.”

  “She doesn’t appear to be on good terms with most of the world.”

  “Lani says that Clara finds you most agreeable,” she said bitterly. “It didn’t surprise me.”

  “Since we’re two such detestable creatures?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why have you chosen to dine with me? Unpleasant company is certainly not good for the digestion.”

  The words seemed to disturb her. He could see the leap of her pulse in the delicate hollow of her throat. “This is my home.”

  “Why?” he repeated.

  She met his gaze. “I gain nothing by avoiding you.”

  “Ah, then this is an exploratory foray?”

  “Call it whatever you like.”

  “Or perhaps you wished to persuade me to abandon my plans for your father.”

  Her eyes widened. “Don’t be ridiculous. How would I do that?”

  Her surprise was genuine and free of coyness. She knew nothing about the sensual games women of his world played. He felt a flicker of annoyance, and he realized he had wanted her to display that familiar coquetry. It would have given him reason to indulge in the same game. No, not reason, he amended in disgust. An excuse. “It was only a thought.”

  “A very stupid one,” she said bluntly.

  Bradford chuckled. “Yes, where is your perception, Jared?”

  Jared ignored the gibe. “Why did you say your name was Kanoa?”

  “It is my name. Lani gave it to me when she came here. She said that since we were to be sisters, she wanted me to have a Hawaiian name.”

  “That’s not what I mean. You knew I thought you Hawaiian.”

  “Why should I correct your mistakes if you jump to foolish conclusions?” She lifted her chin. “Besides, I am Hawaiian even if I’m not an islander. I belong here and I should have an island name.”

  “Do you? I’ve noticed your friend Lani seldom uses it.”

  Color flushed her cheeks. “There are certain difficulties here. Clara can be— I don’t have to make explanations to you.”

  “I take it you have no desire to return to France?” Bradford interceded quickly.

  “What is there for me?” she said simply. “Here I have everything.”

  “Including a very fine piece of horseflesh,” Bradford said. “You wouldn’t care to sell him?”

  “Never.” She added, “And certainly not to you.”

  “I didn’t think you would, but I had to try. Magnificent animal.” He lifted his glass. “And it would have been a great coup to own the horse that dumped Jared into a sand dune.”

  A tiny smile tugged at her lips. “I admit I value him all the more for his good judgment.”

  “You should. Jared hasn’t been thrown since he was—”

  “What are you going to do with the stallion?” Jared interrupted. “Keep him as a pet to ride around your beautiful island?”

  She stiffened at the faint sarcasm beneath the silkiness of his tone. “If I choose. Why not?”

  “Because it’s a damnable waste. A horse that fine should be put to stud and sire horses equally splendid.”

  “I do intend to breed him. I’m going to have a horse farm on the other side of the island.”

  “You have a mare?”

  “Not yet. I haven’t fou
nd one suitable.”

  “And I doubt if you will on this island.”

  She glared at him. “I found Kapu.”

  “One chance in a thousand.”

  “Fate,” Bradford murmured. “It appears that destiny has a special fondness for this place.”

  “Not enough to provide a fit consort for the stallion,” Jared said. “And do you have enough money to buy her if you do find her?”

  “I will find a way to get her.”

  “You won’t find a mare by playing in the sand and dreaming about it,” he said tauntingly.

  “What makes you think that’s all I do?” Her hands clenched the arm of her chair. “You know nothing about me.”

  “Jared.” Bradford’s tone carried both puzzlement and warning.

  Christ, Jared thought. The girl was gazing at him with defiance, but her eyes were glittering with moisture. He had clearly stumbled on a dream she was desperate to fulfill, and he was as puzzled as Bradford at his desire to rob her of it. He had found a weakness and had instinctively attacked. “My apologies. You’re correct, I know nothing about you.”

  “I’ve been looking for a mare,” she insisted. “I meet every ship and talk to the captains. I’ve traveled all over this island. I was going to Maui next month to see if—”

  “I said I was sorry,” he said roughly. “It’s not my concern.”

  “No, it’s not.” She stood up and moved quickly toward the door. “I’ll be back. I must see what’s keeping Lani.”

  Bradford shook his head as she left the room.

  “Don’t say it,” Jared said.

  “I don’t have to, do I? I just wondered if you were planning on sticking pins into her during supper. If so, I really prefer not to be around.”

  Jared didn’t answer.

  “Of course, there’s the possibility she won’t join us for supper. I don’t know many women who would come back for that sort of punishment.”

  “She’ll be there.”

  “You seem very certain.”

  He was certain. All through that barbed exchange he had been aware of the core of strength beneath her fragile, childlike exterior. She had not yielded; she had only retreated because he had struck her in a vulnerable spot. “She’ll join us for supper.”