Archer, Jane (6 page)

He hesitated a moment as if caught in some spell, then, "You're wrong there. With no possessions at all you have a great deal to offer—if you're willing."

It took a moment for Alexandra to understand his message. She blushed and looked quickly away. "You don't treat me with respect," she said unhappily.

"On the contrary, my dear lady, I have treated you with a great deal more respect than I would have most women whom I found in my bed. But then, perhaps I'm too tired today to be fully appreciative of your charms. Another time perhaps."

"Please—I must—I need to find passage to New Orleans," she said intensely, looking at him imploringly.

"Don't," he said gruffly, his blue eyes turning icy. "A coy look doesn't fit you at all. Leave that to the experts—Southern ladies. You'd better play straight with me."

"I need to go to New Orleans," she repeated.

"You have money for passage?"

She had lost everything she had brought with her from New York—all her fine clothes, all her money—on the schooner. She couldn't risk contacting her bank to get more money because Stan Lewis would immediately come for her and she had no way to defend herself. No. She had no money, no clothes. In fact, for the first time in her life she was dependent on someone else. She hated the feeling.

"Do you have a name?" she asked.

"Jake."

"Captain Jake?"

"I'm the captain but the name's Jake. Don't tag anything else on to it," he commanded harshly.

She caught just a flash of what his anger could be like if it was ever directed at her; she hoped never to see it. She knew she had a temper, but she had a feeling that in comparison to his it would be tame.

"Call me by my name," he said softly, urgently.

She glanced at his face and caught a warm glint deep in his eyes that she couldn't quite understand, but it suddenly made her stomach jump, made her legs seem weak and heavy. She looked away and whispered, "Jake."

"I didn't hear you."

"Jake," she said loudly and looked deep into his hard blue eyes, her own green ones glinting strangely.

He was silent a moment and his voice was thick when he again spoke. "What were you doing in the Atlantic and who are you?"

She swallowed, thinking fast. "I must beg of you to let me keep my identity a secret, at least for now. Surely it can't matter to you, and for me it is—it is a life and death matter." She spoke so earnestly that he raised his brows in surprise, quietly deciding.

"All right. Have your secrets. You want to go to New Orleans. Do you know where you are now?"

She shook her head.

"We are, unfortunately, in the Bahamas so—"

"Bahamas! But—"

"We are in the Bahamas so I would assume that your original destination could have been New Orleans. The storm has not only blown us off course, but has done damage to my ship as well. All in all, it is not a fair day for either of us."

She shook her head, then looked up suddenly at him, saying, "The sailors—"

"Yes?"

"I overheard them talking. They think I'm responsible. You won't let them—" She shivered.

He watched her closely. "Cold?"

"No."

"They are superstitious about women on board ship, especially a ship like this. But they won't dare harm you. You are safe—at least for the moment," he said, grinning wickedly.

Somehow she didn't feel as reassured as she should have. She just wasn't used to coping with a man like this; he seemed so wild, untamed.

"Thank you for the small measure of comfort," she said icily.

"You're quite lucky that I picked you up, by the way."

"Really? I was beginning to think that I would have been better left in the ocean."

"Never think that. As a matter of fact, I have a few friends here I made during the war—well, never mind that, but I've already sent for supplies and for a conveyance to a plantation that's not too far away."

She looked up at him in surprise, then quickly around the cabin. So she wouldn't be forced to stay here after all. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"I didn't realize you were so unhappy with your accommodations."

She waved her hand abstractly. "It's not that. I'll just be glad to be on dry land again."

He grinned. "I know what you mean. My friend has a sister, about your size I suppose. I'm sure she'll be happy to help you out of your predicament."

Alexandra smiled up at him for the first time—a smile of happiness and gratitude that was dazzling in its beauty and sweetness. He caught his breath for a second, then hurriedly got up, turning his back to her.

"I've got work to do," he said gruffly. "I want you to stay in here. I'll lock the door. When the carriage comes, we'll go to the plantation." And he walked quickly from the cabin without another word.

Chapter 4

The day was turning to dusk when the key turned in the lock again. Jake hurried into the room, looking quite pleased with himself, and strode over to the pale girl sitting in his bunk, the covers pulled up around her neck.

"Hurry, hurry, my girl. We're on our way."

"But I can't go anywhere. I have nothing to wear."

"Well, I can't think what to do with you except wrap you in a blanket and carry you outside. What do you think of that?"

She turned horrified eyes on him, imagining her entrance to one of the genteel plantation homes in that manner. "Never," she spit out.

"You really have a very bad attitude considering your situation, my dear," he went on quite cheerfully, digging around in his trunk until he came out with a large, woolen blanket in garish colors.

"Now, I believe this will do quite well," Jake said as he came toward her.

"Don't you come near me with that thing," she screamed and made as if to jump from the bunk.

But he was too quick for her, and rolled her neatly in the blanket before she had time for any more protests. Huge, glaring green eyes reproved him but he only grinned.

"Perhaps this is the safest way to keep you," Jake said, sitting down in a chair and holding her on his lap.

"How can you treat me this way," she sputtered in fury.

"You know you might be quite pretty if we ever got you cleaned up.
You
should see yourself. You're quite a sight. But then it's said that many men find their treasures in the ocean," he finished almost thoughtfully, then leaned forward and kissed her lightly on her small, straight nose.

She wrinkled it at him in disgust which brought deep laughter from him.

"I must say, my dear, you are certainly no Southern lady."

"Thank goodness for that!"

"Let's save your opinions for another time. At the moment we must be on our way. We're expected, you know."

"How can you take me somewhere looking like this?"

He grinned down at her as he stood up and, carrying her, walked to the door. "I'd take you anywhere, anyway, Alex."

He fumbled with the latch on the door, and was finally aided by Morley, who held the door open so that Jake could carry his captive outside.

"Do something with my cabin, Morley. She took a fit earlier and left the place a mess. You wouldn't think she'd have so much strength."

"No, you wouldn't, Cap'n. She doesn't look too well, and that's the truth. See that they take care of her right up there," Morley said earnestly, then smiled encouragingly at Alexandra.

"Oh, they will. They will. Caroline's there—"

"Better get somebody else," Morley muttered almost to himself as he went into the captain's cabin.

"Never could tend to his own business," Jake murmured as they went up on deck.

For the first time since the storm, Alexandra could smell the cool, clean air and see land again. It felt good and she was glad to be out of the bowels of the ship.

As Jake carried her across the deck, she drew the attention of all the sailors. An almost ominous quiet settled over the ship and a shudder went through her. She remembered the intensity of the words that she had overheard concerning herself, and she wondered just how safe she really was.

"Are you cold?" Jake asked.

"No—no. Just, are you sure the men—"

"They have their orders. You'll be safe with me.

She nodded and laid her head against the strong muscles of his shoulder. For some reason she did feel safe in his arms as he carried her toward the rope ladder. In the water, a small boat awaited their departure.

Jake stood for a moment by the railing, looking over the edge at the sailor steadying the boat. "Now, don't be afraid, Alex. It's not really that far."

Before she could realize what he meant, he dropped her into the arms of the man below. She was unharmed, but furious. She watched Jake climb nimbly down the rope, then jump into the boat beside her.

"Now that wasn't really so bad, my dear, was it?"

She
was too angry to speak; she turned her eyes away, studying the horizon.

"Look at the water, Alex. Have you ever seen any so clear, so beautiful?"

Reluctantly, she looked down into the calm, placid water reflecting the last of the dying sun and smiled as she saw what Jake meant. It was beautiful. Her anger left as quickly as it had arrived, "It's as if one could see forever in it."

"Perhaps one can," Jake said softly.

They were not long in gaining the shore and Jake leaped into the shallow water, then once more picked Alexandra up as if she weighed nothing. There was a carriage awaiting them, with an old coachman patiently sitting in the driver's seat. He silently got down and helped them into the carriage. Soon they were slowly moving down the packed dirt lane.

Inside, the carriage was cool and dim, and they seemed to be enclosed in a world of their own.

"Your ship—is it badly damaged?" Alexandra asked.

"Bad enough."

"How long do you think it will take to repair it?"

"Long enough."

"Really, Jake. How long will we be here?"

"Probably too long."

She did not try to pursue a conversation, his obvious taciturnity advised Alexandra that it would do no good.

Night had fallen by the time they reached their destination, and Alexandra had only caught glimpses of a lush, green island with strange smells and sounds all around her. It was like nothing she had ever known before, and yet it did not feel hostile to her. Would she at last be safe?

When the driver stopped the carriage outside a large, dark building, Jake got out, then leaned in to take Alexandra in his arms. But she hesitated, pulling back from him. How would she be received? How
could
she be received in her state? But Jake was not going to let anything stop him in his decision, and he jerked her almost roughly into his arms. As he walked toward the mansion carrying Alexandra, he whispered in her hair.

"I won't let anything harm you, Alex. Remember, you're under my protection."

She shuddered against the warmth of his chest, then steeled herself for what would come.

Whatever she had expected it was not the beautiful woman who ran off the verandah of the mansion and toward Jake.

"Jake. Jake, darling, at last."

The woman stopped abruptly several feet away, unable to understand the body Jake carried in his arms. Her lovely dark eyes clouded and her full, sensuous lips formed a pout.

"You said you would bring someone, Jake, but I hardly expected—"

"Now Caroline, don't say a word to me until I get this taken care of. Then I'll explain. But if you say a word now, I'll never tell you a thing."

She shut her mouth abruptly, believing him, and followed, half running to keep up with Jake's long strides. Alexandra hid her face in Jake's shirt, feeling embarrassed and confused. But it was only the beginning. As Jake mounted the wide steps to the verandah, another figure came out of the shadows, this one holding a tall drink.

"Jake. Glad to see you, old boy. Sorry about your trouble, but glad you turned to us. What the—" he exclaimed as he caught sight of Jake's bundle.

"Don't say a word, Hayward, or Jake will never tell us," Caroline said softly as she caught up with the two men.

They all hurried into the house. In the foyer, Jake looked up at the long flight of stairs.

"Is everything ready like I ordered?"

"Of course, Jake darling," Caroline said in a voice dripping with honey.

"Good, then I'll take care of this myself."

"You'll what?" Caroline asked, more disturbed than shocked.

Jake took the stairs two at a time. "Just have a drink ready when I come down."

Jake found the door he wanted, kicked it wide, then strode into a large, ornately furnished room. Sitting in a rocking chair was a large dark woman.

"Hello, Leona," Jake said familiarly as he approached her with his burden.

"Well, if it ain't Mister Jake himself. I've been waiting myself for your secret," she said, grinning at him while trying to see Alexandra better. "You always was one for secrets. Yes sir, you sure was."

"I need your help. I fished this surprise right out of the ocean, Leona, and it's special."

Her eyes grew large and she looked askance at Alexandra, saying, "You done drug this out of the ocean? It's no sea creature, now is it, Mister Jake?" she asked worriedly.

"Not in the least," he said pleasantly, then promptly set Alexandra on her feet and unwound the blanket.

Leona gave a little shriek as the golden red hair came tumbling all about and the green eyes looked at her coolly, appraisingly.

"Never seen hair that color before," Leona said, as if disbelieving her eyes. "This creature ain't natural, and that's for sure. You best take her back where you found her, Mister Jake."

"Now—please," Alexandra began. "I fell in the ocean and Jake saved my life. That's all. I'm perfectly normal, or at least I will be if that's a bath I see over there."

The question seemed to remind Leona of her responsibilities. "That it is and you need it, that's for sure. What happened to your clothes, child? That's a man's shirt!" She rolled her big black eyes toward Jake and a thunderous look came over her face.

Jake spread his hands wide and began backing away. "No fault of mine, Leona. No fault of mine. If you'll just repair the damage, I'll be happy."