Island Fire

by Bobbi Smith

  Espri paused at Tommy's door, but hearing no conversation within, she felt certain that the two men had gone topside. After hurrying up the companionway, Espri was surprised to find no sign of them. She stood quietly, listening for the sound of Mitch's or Tommy's voice, and when she thought she heard them talking near the stern, she started in that direction.

  Davis and Harcourt could hardly believe their eyes when they spotted the island wench coming their way. They stared lustfully at the long-haired lovely, and gave only a fleeting, quickly dismissed thought to her able-bodied husband. If she was here, strutting around the deck at this time of night, then she must be lacking something from her old man. They exchanged heated, knowing glances and waited quietly for her to come closer.

  Espri didn't realize her mistake in wandering about alone until it was too late.

  "Evenin', missy." Harcourt gave her a wide smile that revealed uneven, blackened teeth.

  "Oh . . . hello . . ." She started to back away, but they took several steps forward until they were towering over her.

  "Lookin' fer somethin?" Davis moved even closer.

  "Yes, I was looking for my husband," Espri replied, trying to maintain an even demeanor with the two threatening seamen.

  "You mean he ain't gracin' your bed?" Harcourt leered. "If'n I was married to you, I'd sure be beddin' you good and proper every night!"

  "Excuse me. He's probably with the captain. I'll check there." She started to rush away, but a hamlike hand grabbed her by the arm and jerked her back. Pulled off balance, Espri stumbled against Harcourt's wide chest. "No!"

  "Ah, c'mon, sweetings, give me a taste of that island magic, what d'ya say?"

  When he groped at her bodice, Espri knew she could not fight them off alone. She needed help.

  She screamed, but Davis quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. "Now, that wasn't nice, dolly. Hold still."

  Espri twisted and struggled as the seamen sought to rip her dress and expose her breasts.

  Below, Mitch paused as he heard what sounded like a muffled call for help. He stood up quickly and opened Tommy's cabin door. "What was that?"

  "I think someone screamed up on deck," Tommy said as Mitch rushed from the stateroom.

  At top speed, they ran the length of the corridor and then charged up the steps and onto the deck. Briefly, they stood immobile until the sounds of the struggle taking place near the stern jarred them into action.

  "My God! It's Espri!" Mitch caught sight of her fighting against the overpowering strength of two men. If anything were to happen to her . . .

  Rage filled him, and he ran toward the sailors, Tommy close on his heels. Hearing their approach, Harcourt and Davis released Espri, and attempted to get away. But Mitch launched himself at Davis and tackled him about the waist. Then he viciously pummeled the man with his fists, not letting up until he ceased to struggle and lay unconscious beneath him. Davis subdued, he turned to help Tommy restrain Harcourt, but the younger man already had things well under control. Only then, when his vengeance had been wreaked, did his thoughts turn to his wife.

  Espri had been relieved and thankful when Mitch had appeared, and she had watched in horrified wonder as he and Tommy had quickly dispatched her two assailants. When Mitch started toward her, she was filled with love for him, and she wanted to tell him of her gratitude for his timely rescue.

  "Oh, Mitch! It was horrible!" Without thought, Espri threw her arms about him and hugged him. "Thank you . . . thank you."

  But there was no answering response. He rigidly accepted her embrace. "You are all right?" he asked coldly, and when she looked up, she was stunned to find that his expression was thunderous.

  "Yes, I'm fine, thanks to you and Tommy." She wanted to tell him of her feelings. "I'm so glad you came. I was so afraid."

  Once he was assured that she was uninjured, however, Mitch took her by the shoulders and held her away from him, his glittering eyes revealing his deadly anger. He was still in the grip of an explosive rage.

  "Didn't I tell you at the beginning of the voyage to stay in our cabin?" he demanded. "I even went so far as to explain my reasons, did I not?"

  Espri wanted to explain why she had dared to venture out on deck. "Yes, but—"

  Giving her a disgusted look, Mitch let her go. "Then get back there, now!" he thundered.

  He started to walk away from her, but she grabbed his arm. "Wait, Mitch. Listen to me! I only came out here because—"

  He shrugged off her hand, impaling her with a frigid glare. "I don't care why you came out here. The point is, you did and you were almost raped. Now, get below!"

  Unshed tears glistened in Espri's eyes as she stared up at his stony expression. "I will not!" she cried defiantly. "Not until you listen to me."

  Mitch's jaw tensed. "Madam, since you care so little for your own safety, I withdraw my protection. You may stay or go as you please." He left her, then, striding away without looking back.

  Espri suddenly became aware that Tommy was watching her sympathetically. Embarrassed by his concern, she whirled about and fled. Blinded by her tears, she hurried down the dimly lit companionway, but in her haste, her long, unfamiliar skirts became tangled and she lost her balance. Espri tried to grab the banister, but she missed and tumbled to the bottom of the steps. Wracking pain gripped her when she landed heavily, and she clutched her stomach.

  "Mitch . . ." She called his name in soft desperation as the spiral of welcoming darkness slowly overwhelmed her, freeing her from the excruciating torment.

  Mitch sighed as he stood at the rail, staring with unseeing eyes out to sea. The truth had come to him tonight as he had fought to defend Espri, yet, at the time, he'd been unable to face it. Running a nervous hand through his windblown dark hair, he grimaced at his own ridiculous self-deception. It all seemed so clear now—and so simple. He loved Espri.

  The jealous frenzy he'd experienced when he'd seen the other men trying to harm her had been unlike anything he'd ever felt before, but it had been that emotion which had forced him to acknowledge, at long last, the truth. He knew now that he could not live without Espri. He loved her more than life itself, and he would do all in his power to protect her for the rest of their lives, despite his recent disavowal. Briefly he thought of Andrew, but he dismissed such reflections. No longer would he let his friend's misfortune shape his own future. He would spend the years to come with Espri and their child, and they would be happy. He would see to it.

  Mitch knew he should tell Espri now he felt, but he wondered how she would react to his declaration. Certainly with disbelief at first, he mused. He'd given her absolutely no reason to think that he felt anything but contempt for her since the moment of their union, and now it was up to him to prove to her that his feelings for her were true. Somehow, he knew that was not going to be an easy task.

  "I've turned the seamen over to the first mate," Tommy told Mitch as he joined him.

  "Thanks, and thanks for helping me."

  "No problem. Is Espri all right?" He had seen the way she'd hurried from the deck, and he'd feared that she might be injured.

  "Espri was frightened, but otherwise unharmed," Mitch told him flatly.

  Tommy paused thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "This may not be any of my business, but I couldn't help but overhear what you said to her on deck. Why were you so hard on her?"

  "I had told her not to come topside by herself," Mitch replied tersely.

  "Even so, if she was frightened by their attack, why aren't you with her now, comforting her?"

  Mitch knew Tommy was right, and he had the good sense to feel ashamed. He was resisting returning to their cabin because he dreaded the upcoming interview. He'd never professed his undying love to a woman before, and he was more than a little unnerved at the prospect of facing Espri.

  "You're right," he answered, pushing away from the rail. "I'll see you in the morning."

  "Wait. I'll walk as far as my cabin with you."

  "Fine."
<
br />   They crossed the deck in silent companionship, but when Tommy entered the companionway, he suddenly stopped.

  "Mitch . . ." His voice was hoarse as he reached back and grabbed Mitch's arm to pull him forward.

  "Oh God, no . . ." Mitch took the steps two at a time and then knelt beside Espri. Seeing the blood that stained her skirts, he ordered, "Get Mildred, Tommy. Quickly."

  "Right." Tommy raced away to the captain's cabin as Mitch tenderly touched Espri's pale cheek.

  "Espri . . . darling, can you hear me?" he murmured, bending over her to make sure she was still breathing. Satisfied that she wasn't dead, he decided to move her from the corridor. Carefully, he lifted her in his arms, and though she moaned softly, she did not come to as he carried her swiftly to their stateroom. Kicking the door open, he placed her, fully clothed, upon the bed. Then he dampened a washcloth, sat beside her, and pressed it to her brow. Taking her hand, he stayed at her side as he waited for Tommy's return. It seemed an eternity before he heard footsteps clattering down the companionway. He rushed to the door and threw it open just as Mildred raised her hand to knock.

  "Thank God, you've come," he declared. Then he stood aside to allow her to enter.

  "How is she?" Tommy asked, though he remained in the passageway.

  "She's alive," Mitch answered distractedly. "I'll speak with you later."

  Tommy nodded and then turned toward his own cabin as Mitch closed the stateroom door.

  "What happened?" Mildred asked as she moved to the bedside and quickly began to unfasten Espri's clothing.

  "She must have fallen down the steps."

  "You didn't see it?" She glanced at him sharply.

  "No. I was on deck with Tommy and she was returning to the cabin," Mitch answered. "What can I do? There's so much blood. Has she lost our baby?"

  "Espri was pregnant?" Mildred looked up in surprise.

  "Yes, she was about three months along." Mitch stared down at his wife's colorless features.

  "I see. Why don't you wait outside? I told my husband to bring the ship's surgeon, and they should be here any time. Will you let them in when they arrive?"

  "I'd like to stay with her," Mitch argued.

  "No." Mildred's reply was firm and brooked no comment. "Wait outside."

  Mitch felt that his chest was in a vise as he left the cabin to stand in the narrow corridor, awaiting the ship's doctor.

  When he'd gone from the room, Mildred hurriedly unbuttoned Espri's gown and carefully stripped it from her. Then, just as she was covering her with a blanket, Dr. Canfield arrived. Mitch admitted him right away, but when he started to follow the doctor into the room, Mildred again barred him, bidding him to join the captain for a drink before she closed the door.

  Mitch stood in the hall, staring at the closed portal, uncertain of what to do. The idea of staying there, yet not being allowed in with Espri, left him frustrated, but it seemed a better alternative than leaving to search out the captain. He wanted to be there, just in case Espri awakened and needed him. Leaning against the wall, he stood in silent vigil, determined not to move from that spot until he'd found out what her condition was.

  Mildred waited anxiously as the ship's doctor examined Espri. His expression was grim when he looked up.

  "I'm afraid the baby's lost," Dr. Canfield concluded.

  "Oh, no." Mildred was saddened by the news. "How terrible . . . but Espri . . . will she recover?"

  "There are no bones broken," the doctor said, "and her bleeding has stopped, but she suffered quite a loss of blood. She will no doubt be weak for a while."

  "And children?"

  "I think she will be able to conceive again. This was just an unfortunate accident. I feel certain that, with time, she'll make a full recovery."

  "Thank heaven."

  "She should be coming around soon." Dr. Canfield took her pulse again to reaffirm the steady, regular beat of her heart.

  "Shall I go fetch her husband?" Mildred asked. "I'm sure he's anxious to know how she is."

  "Yes. I'd like to speak with him."

  Mildred expected that she would have to search the ship for Mitch, and when she opened the door and found him waiting outside, she was deeply touched.

  "You didn't go to the captain?"

  "No. I thought she might need me." Mitch looked haggard as he quickly stepped forward. "Is she awake? How is she?"

  "Dr. Canfield wants to talk to you. Dr. Canfield, Mr. Williams is right here."

  "Good." The doctor left Espri's bedside and stepped out into the hall. "Stay with her," he instructed Mildred.

  "I will," she assured him as the two men faced each other in the narrow expanse of the corridor.

  "How is she?" Mitch asked. He tried to see into the stateroom, but Mildred shut the door as she reentered.

  "I'm afraid there is bad news," the doctor began, and Mitch knew a moment of panic.

  "She's not going to die, is she?" he asked, horrified.

  "No. I'm sure her recovery will be complete, but she has lost the baby."

  As much as he'd dreaded the news, Mitch had known that was a possibility because of the heavy bleeding. "But she will be well?"

  "I believe so, yes," Dr. Canfield replied. "As I was telling Mildred, she did lose a substantial amount of blood during the miscarriage, but there was no permanent damage."

  "Then we'll still be able to have children?"

  "I would think so."

  Mitch was saddened by the loss of their unborn child, but the knowledge that Espri was going to live filled him with joy.

  "Can I be with her now?" he asked anxiously.

  "Yes. She hasn't regained consciousness yet, but it's just a matter of time."

  Mitch nodded in understanding as he shook Dr. Canfield's hand. "Thank you."

  "Call me if she seems to be worsening; otherwise I'll just look in on her tomorrow."

  Mitch watched until Canfield had gone. Then, girding himself, he quietly opened the cabin door and went in. Espri lay unmoving on the bed, her eyes closed, her color ashen. Mitch was stricken for a moment—she looked dead—but the comforting touch of Mildred's hand drove that unbidden thought from his mind.

  "How is she?" His voice was gruff and just above a whisper.

  "She hasn't stirred yet, but she will. Why don't you sit by her? I'm sure you'll be the one she wants to see when she awakes," the older woman said encouragingly.

  Mitch hesitated. He wondered if Mildred was right in her assessment. Espri might despise the very sight of him. After all, wasn't it his fault that she'd lost the child? If he hadn't been so cruel to her on deck, this would never have happened. Riddled with guilt, he started to refuse, but Mildred drew him forward.

  "You sit with her while I go back to my own cabin and put on something a little more appropriate." She gave him a reassuring smile, and Mitch noted for the first time that she wore a dressing gown and slippers.

  "All right," he agreed nervously, and she bustled from the room, leaving him alone with Espri.

  Mitch stood uneasily in the silent room. The hour he'd just spent waiting in the hall had been the longest of his life, and now that it was over, he wasn't quite sure what to do next. His prayer that Espri's life be spared had been answered, and he knew he would be thankful forever.

  Soberly, he moved forward and, unable to resist doing so, sat down on the edge of the bed, taking great care not to disturb her. Espri looked so pale and delicate that he hesitated to touch her, but his need to reassure himself was strong and he took her hand, pressing a devoted kiss to it before holding it over his heart.

  "I love you, Espri," he told her softly, choking over the intensity of the emotion that assailed him. "I was on my way to tell you when I found you at the foot of the stairs . . ."

  Gently, with his free hand, he brushed a stray dark curl from her cheek, then grimaced when he saw the vivid bruise that had been hidden beneath it. The contusion was a forceful reminder of his part in her accident, and as guilt, heavy and damni
ng, swept over him again, Mitch knew he could never forgive himself for the pain he'd caused her.

  Standing up, he wished Mildred would return so he could leave. The cabin was now a torture chamber as memories of their time together assailed him. He had known almost from the first how innocent she was, yet he had not treated her with the tender respect she'd deserved. He berated himself silently. He couldn't lose her now—now that he'd discovered his love for her!

  Some minutes later, the sound of Mildred's soft knock came as a relief, and Mitch let her in without hesitation.

  "Is she any better?" Mildred asked as she glanced uncertainly at the bed.

  "No, she hasn't regained consciousness yet," Mitch told her hoarsely.

  Sensing his despair and wanting to encourage him, she patted his arm. "She will, Mitch. Don't worry."

  He felt a sudden urge to unburden himself to this sweet, understanding woman, but his pride held him back. His jaw tensing as he fought for control, Mitch nodded tightly.

  "I'll be up on deck."

  Mildred glanced at him quickly, surprised. "Don't you want to be here when she wakes?"

  "I'll be close by. Just call me if she wants to see me," he answered curtly as he opened the door to go.

  "Mitch?"

  He froze and looked back questioningly.

  "I'll call you as soon as she begins to stir," Mildred said quietly.

  Again he nodded, and without speaking, he quit the room. Mildred had been about to protest his departure, but when their eyes met, she had witnessed such torment in his expression that she'd realized he desperately needed the time alone to pull himself together. Though this was a terrible situation, Mildred couldn't help but smile as she thought of the love these two shared. Espri obviously adored her husband, and Mildred knew, after watching Mitch in his sorrow, that her feelings were fully returned.