by Smith, Bobbi
Alone, Adam stood at the parlor windows staring out across the fertile fields of Willow Bend. Though he felt badly about leaving Alex to fend for himself down at the dock, the maid had assured him that Suzanne would be joining him in just a few minutes, so he'd decided to wait and take the opportunity to look around.
Willow Bend had all the outward appearances of being a very successful operation. The house, a pillared brick mansion of royal proportions, was in perfect condition. The lawns were lush and perfectly manicured. The outbuildings he'd seen on his walk up to the main house were equally well-kept, and the fields looked as if they were flourishing. No where was there any clue that the crops had failed miserably the last few years. There was absolutely no hint of poverty or despair.
Adam glanced about the parlor with a jaundiced eye, wondering bitterly if any of the exquisite, expensive furnishings had been paid for with money made off the raid on the Windwood. With an effort, he forced the thought away. He had to play the ardent lover when he greeted Suzanne. He could not afford to give any clue to his real feelings or motives. He was too close now. There was no way he was going to allow himself to fail.
Suzanne took one last look in her mirror, checking to make sure that she looked her absolute best. The blue-sprigged muslin daygown was modest enough even if the bodice hugged her breasts enticingly and the full, flowing skirt emphasized the smallness of her waist. She'd had Rosie style her hair down so it tumbled about her shoulders in a riot of soft, golden curls. Once Shark had told her that there was no man alive who could resist the temptation to run his hands though her hair when she wore it that way. She hoped will all her heart that he was right. She wanted Adam and she meant to get him. With the utmost of confidence in her appearance, she headed for the door.
"I want to be alone with Adam. See to it." The order was curt.
Rosie recognized her tone and was quick to agree. "Yes, ma'am."
With that, Suzanne swept out into the wide hall, ready to pursue the man of her dreams.
"Adam?" she called out as she descended the curving staircase.
Hearing her call, Adam strode from the parlor to greet her. As he watched her coming down the steps, he knew there could be no denying she was a beautiful woman. Gracefully elegant, her blond hair and blue eyes made her many a man's dream. But though he appreciated her loveliness, he suspected that there was far more to Suzanne than just a pretty face.
"Suzanne, you look more lovely every time I see you." He smiled in greeting, but it was not a smile that reached his eyes. He moved forward to meet her at the bottom of the stairs.
"Why, thank you, Adam," she preened as she took his arm and led him back into the parlor. "I just can't believe you're here! It's so wonderful to see you."
"It's good to see you, too," he answered huskily, playing his part to the hilt.
As Suzanne drew him down on the sofa beside her, she asked archly, "What in the world brings you all the way out here to Willow Bend?"
"You, of course," Adam answered gallantly. "I missed you . . ."
The intimacy of his lowered tone sent a tingle of delight through Suzanne. "Oh, Adam . . ." she sighed as she leaned slightly toward him in open invitation.
Adam wasted no time drawing her in his arms to kiss her, and her response to him was as wild as it had been in the garden of the Whitneys'. With cold calculation, he deepened the exchange, deliberately wanting to arouse her, deliberately trying to make her want him.
Suzanne was unaware of anything except that Adam seemed to desire her as much as she desired him. She melted against him, surrendering to the power of her own passion for him. No other man's touch had ever ignited such fires of need within her. She was certain that this had to be love.
Adam was the one who broke off the embrace. "I have something to tell you . . ." he began.
Adam sounded so serious that Suzanne feared he was returning to Charleston. "You're not leaving New Orleans already, are you?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes," he answered cryptically and went on before she could voice a protest. "But I'm not returning to Charleston yet. My business here hasn't been completed."
"That's good." she smiled up at him flirtatiously. "But if you're not going to Charleston . . .?"
"You are looking at the new owner of Belle Arbor," he announced. "I'm moving in next door, so to speak."
"What?" She was stunned, but recovered quickly. "I mean that's marvelous! We can see each other so often now . . ." She was elated at the news.
"As often as you like," Adam affirmed, giving her a quick kiss.
"But how did you manage it? I would have sworn that Lianne would do everything in her power to keep that place." Suzanne said the last disparagingly.
"It wasn't Lianne I had my dealings with. It was Antoine Ducharme."
"Her uncle?" Her eyes grew round at the realization of what must have happened. "So, he sold the plantation out from under her, did he? I always knew he was a sly one."
"He didn't sell it. I won it in a card game."
Suzanne was struck by the absurdity of it all. She knew how hard Lianne had been working to make the plantation succeed, and she thought it highly amusing that the other woman had now lost everything because of that drunken uncle of hers. Suzanne had hated Lianne ever since the incident with her brother, and she was glad that such a run of bad luck had befallen her. She gave a chortle of malicious glee.
"I take it you're pleased with the arrangement?" Adam gave her a questioning look.
"Oh, yes, and in more ways than one. I have no use for Lianne Ducharme, and it pleases me no end to see her get her comeuppance. But that doesn't matter. All that matters is that we can be together more often now . . ." She paused for effect. "That is, if you're interested?"
Adam was wondering why she felt so vindictive toward Lianne as he responded, "Suzanne, there's nothing I'd like more than to spend as much time as possible with you." At last, something he'd told her wasn't a lie. The more he was around her, the more likely it was that he'd find the proof he was seeking about her involvement with Shark.
"I'm so glad." Suzanne felt marvelous. Not only had one of her old enemies gotten what she deserved, but now she would have ample opportunity to work on winning Adam's love. She went into his arms again, pressing herself fully against him, wanting him, needing him, hoping he would take her then and there.
Suzanne actions left no doubt in Adam's mind about what she was after. The thought of making love to her did not appeal to him at all, but he knew that if she forced the issue there would be no easy way for him to refuse. With all the inner enthusiasm of a man going to the gallows, he acted the ardent suitor.
Suzanne knew that she was being brazen with Adam, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to have his hands upon her bare flesh as he moved hard and strong between her thighs. She'd been imagining the potency of his full lovemaking for days, and now that she had the chance to fulfill that dream, she was not about to deny herself. As his hand sought her breast, she pushed him slightly away.
"Wait . . ." she murmured breathlessly, getting to her feet and going to close the parlor door. She pivoted to face him, her back pressed against the portal, and turned the key in the lock, "I don't want us to be interrupted like we were the last time in the garden." A purely sensual smile curved her lips.
Adam's gaze was hooded as he watched her move sinuously back across the room to stand before him. He felt cold inside, as if nothing could touch him emotionally at that moment. Continuing with his masquerade, he reached up and took both of her hands to pull her down across his lap. His lips sought hers. Adam put all else from his mind as he trailed hot kisses down her throat. Going on animal reactions alone, he quickly worked at the buttons of her bodice to free her bosom to his touch. He had just parted the soft fabric and moved to press his lips to the tops of her breasts where they swelled above the edge of her chemise when he saw it.
Adam froze . . . unable to move . . . unable to think. Revulsion filled him as he stared do
wn at the necklace, the golden crescent, that lay nestled between her breasts. He knew immediately that it was the same as his own, which even now burned coldly against his chest beneath his shirt in a deadly reminder of his true purpose. His jaw tensed as he let the shock ease from him, and his breathing became ragged. He had his proof. This was it. He needed nothing more. There was no other way Elise's necklace could have come to Suzanne except through the pirate. A powerful feeling of victory filled him. At last he was close. Now it was only a matter of time until Shark showed up.
"Adam?" Suzanne didn't understand why he'd suddenly stopped, and she worried that she'd done something wrong.
"I'm sorry, darling." He shifted her from his lap and turned to face her.
"Sorry? What is it?"
"I want you so much, but I don't want to take advantage of you."
Take advantage! Please take advantage! Suzanne was screaming willingly in her mind as she struggled to come to grips with what he was saying.
"Adam, you are such a wonderful man . . ." She was so dumbfounded by his statement that she could think of nothing else to say at the moment. He respected her? The idea appealed, but it did nothing to ease the throbbing desire that still pulsed through her.
"Suzanne . . . will you marry me?" Adam knew he could wait no longer to try to claim her.
"Oh, Adam! Marry you!" She stared at him in open delight. She had never expected him to propose this quickly. Her every dream was coming true! "Oh, yes, yes! I'll marry you!"
He was rather startled by her hurried acceptance. From all that he'd heard about her in the past, she'd never seriously considered marriage before, but he did not pause to question his good luck. She'd said yes, and that was all that mattered.
"You've made me very happy, Suzanne," he told her honestly as they embraced again. When he drew away, he took her hand in a confiding gesture.
"I can hardly wait to make our announcement!" Suzanne gazed up at him adoringly.
"I feel the same way. Why don't we plan a big party and announce it then?"
"A surprise?"
"Yes."
"It sounds wonderful."
"I'd like the party to be at Belle Arbor," he said smoothly.
"That would be fine, darling."
"Good. It may be a few weeks until we can get things together. Becky feels the house is in need of some work. Let's not tell anyone of our engagement for a while. I'd like to make it a special night for the both of us, and I can think of no better time to announce it than at my new home with you at my side."
"Sounds heavenly," Suzanne told him, "but I must admit I'm so thrilled that it's going to be difficult keeping it a secret."
"It should only be a matter of a few weeks . . . six at the most," he explained. "Then, my darling, we'll tell the world."
"I can hardly wait!" She launched herself into his arms. "I love you, Adam. I have for some time now."
Trapped, not wanting to declare a love he didn't feel, Adam kissed her deeply. It was a long, lingering kiss designed to assure her of his feelings. "And now, though I don't want to, I have to go . . ."
"So soon?" Suzanne pouted prettily.
"There's nothing I'd rather do than stay with you, but I didn't make the trip here alone. I came over in a skiff with Alex Ducharme, and he's still waiting for me down at the dock."
"Alex is still living there with you?" She frowned, wondering what the boy was still doing at Belle Arbor.
"Yes. They're staying on until they can make some other arrangements."
Jealousy flared in Suzanne's heart. "Surely they've got somewhere else to go. I don't see why they have to impose upon you."
"Becky seemed to think it was the least we could do." Adam shrugged as he stood and pulled her up with him. "Anyway, I'm sure they'll be gone soon."
"Good," she declared as she linked her arms around his neck. "Now, when am I going to get to see you again?"
"Are you staying here or going back into town?"
"Now that I know you're near, I'll be staying."
"Good. There's a lot of work that needs to be done at Belle Arbor, but I promise I'll try to get away to visit as often as I can."
"I'll be waiting to hear from you," Suzanne told him as she pulled his head down to kiss him one last time.
Chapter Eight
Shark waited and watched. He had wanted to set sail earlier that day, but the sighting of an unknown clipper plying the coastline had held him at bay. He'd been forced to cool his heels and hide out in the bayou since early morning.
"Whoever this is," Will Johnson began as he kept careful watch at his captain's side, "he's looking for something."
"Or somebody," Shark growled, remembering what he'd heard about the mysterious Captain Spectre who was searching the Gulf for him and wondering if this was him.
"Do you think it's the law?" Will asked.
"There's no reason why the law would suddenly be looking here for us."
"Then Spectre? We've all heard about him . . ."
"Shut up." Shark's eyes narrowed as he considered what to do. If this was Spectre, and somehow, instinctively, he knew it was, he had half a mind to confront the ship and have it out right here and now. Common sense held him back, though. The risk of exposure was too great. He didn't want to jeopardize his smuggling trade. Besides, the Banshee was the fastest ship on the high seas. No one could catch her. All he had to do was keep outrunning this Spectre, and then perhaps one day soon the mysterious captain would tire of his search and go back to wherever it was he came from.
"What are you gonna do?" Will finally asked.
"It'll be completely dark soon. We'll make a run for it then, before the moon rises."
"Aye, aye, sir." He hurried off to begin their preparation to sail.
That Beau was frustrated in his effort to locate Shark was nothing new. What was new was the unusual conviction he felt that he was close . . . very close for the first time in all the months they'd been looking. Since his meeting with Adam the week before, Beau had begun systematically searching the maze of coastal waterways for some sign of the pirate. He'd found nothing definite yet, yet somehow he sensed he was near. As dusk faded and the inky blackness that was night enveloped the land and seas, Beau was just about ready to call the search off for yet another day when the call of his lookout alerted him to possible trouble.
"Ahead, sir!" the mate called excitedly.
In the darkness only the ghostly outline of the ship's white sails could be seen. The sails were full to catch the brisk night breeze, and it was obvious to those aboard the Sea Shadow that the vessel meant to move and move fast.
"Make full sail and be quick about it! We may have something here!" Beau bellowed. "Stay with them, men!"
The Sea Shadow seemed to spring to life in the water as she immediately took up the chase. Beau was tempted to bring his guns to bear, but he was not certain of the identity of the other boat and could not take the risk. Hurrying to stand beside the helmsman, he watched and waited.
Aboard the Banshee, Shark nervously paced the deck. This was the first time since he'd begun smuggling slaves that anyone had even come close to catching him, and he didn't like it. He didn't like it at all.
Shark was tense as he barked out a continual stream of orders to his men. Though they were at full sail, they were not pulling away. The unknown vessel was staying with them and possibly even gaining ground.
On through the night they sailed. As the Banshee took evasive maneuvers, the oncoming, threatening boat matched them. Shark knew that the hours of total darkness were limited and that, as fleet as the other ship was, they would have to break away from them soon or be prepared to fight it out.
"Head due west!" Shark ordered, a plan he hoped would work forming in his mind.
Will heard his command and knew immediately why he'd ordered the change in course. They generally steered clear of that area, for it was not unusual for cloud banks to form there. This trip, however, the shielding curtain of fog might be
just what they needed to aid them.
Time seemed suspended as they raced on through the night, and when the cloud of devouring whiteness loomed suddenly visible in the darkness, Shark smiled.
"Take her in!"
Even though Beau was not overly familiar with the waters up until this point, he'd managed to hold his own with the other ship. Now, however, as the fleeing craft disappeared directly into the fog bank, he knew he had to slow down. A frustrated curse echoed across the Sea Shadow's desk as he ordered his crew to slow their own racing vessel and steer away from the white oblivion that lay dead ahead.
"But, sir!" a mate protested. They'd searched long and hard for Shark, and this was the closest they'd ever come to catching up to him. If indeed it was him.
"I know, I know." Beau, too, mourned the lost opportunity.
"Do you think it was him, Mr. Hamilton?"
"It was him," he concluded firmly, "and the next time, he's not going to get away."
Even though night had fallen, the shutters in the study at Belle Arbor were still closed as they had been all afternoon against the day's brilliant intrusion. The study door, too, remained closed against unwanted interruptions. Adam had made sure that Becky knew he needed to be alone. He had declined to dine with her and had secluded himself there to think. As the darkness claimed the room, he'd lighted the lamp on the desktop, and now he sat staring into its flickering golden flame, trying to sort out his thoughts.
His mood was black. When he'd first returned from Willow Bend, though, he'd felt victorious and in need of a little personal celebration. He'd toasted his success alone, feeling very confident. Everything had turned out just as he'd suspected it would, and his plan was working perfectly. In a few more weeks, Shark would be his!
