Fortune's Flames (35 page)

Captain Hawk and his men had succeeded in blowing up British ships which could not be taken, thereby destroying arms and supplies they could not appropriate for American use. Other British ships had been attacked and relieved of their cargoes, and many enemy cannons had been sent to the ocean floor. With each day, Captain Hawk’s legend increased, and with each day he missed his wife more and more.

When René Blanc visited Maren on Saturday to make sure she was safe, she asked him to lure Dan Myers away from Lady Luck so she could sneak inside to visit Mary Malone. René argued with her, but he finally agreed to assist this daring and determined beauty who stirred his blood.

And so, wearing a heavy black veil to conceal her identity, Maren waited in a carriage while René enticed Dan to go examine a new shipment of fine wine and liquors. Maren knew she had little time to talk to Mary, and she was glad to see that the guards
were not at Lady Luck that day. I have no further need for them, she angrily concluded.

When Mary answered the summons to the back door, she was astonished to see who was standing before her, for Maren lifted her veil. “I don’t have much time,” Maren said, “so we have to talk fast.”

She immediately sat down at the table and revealed what she knew about their past troubles and those involved in them. Mary’s shock was apparent, as was her torment. Maren knew the older woman believed her, and she also knew her revelations pained the housekeeper.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of such terrible news, but I couldn’t allow either of us to be used any longer. It’s been awful, Mary, and I still don’t know what to do. I have to stay in hiding because Eric’s supposed to come here at any time. But I can’t trust Dan, and I can’t endanger any of my old friends. Just pretend nothing’s wrong until Jared can help us.”

“I won’t have to, Miss Maren; Dan ended our… relationship when you left. He didn’t need my help anymore. I’m sorry for giving you so much trouble and pain, but he fooled me.”

“As he fooled me. It seems every man I know has been changed drastically by this war. I’ll be at the hotel if you need me.”

“Be careful, Miss Maren. And if there’s trouble, you can trust Ned and Harry,” she added.

“I’ll try to keep everyone out of this. Unless I keep my presence a secret, Dan could hire new villains to
harry me.”

“He’ll hear nothing from me, I swear.” “I know, Mary. Goodbye, and stay safe.”

When Maren was entering her hotel room, she was halted by a familiar voice. She slowly turned around and looked at the man standing before her in the corridor. Then she almost fainted for the second time in her life.

“Daniel Redford, can it be you? They said you were dead.”

Maren allowed her ex-fiancé to enter her room. “How did you get here, Daniel? You are in danger in this country.”

“My life’s been hell for over two years. After my ship was sunk, I was picked up by a pirate vessel and forced to work on it until I escaped. Since then, I’ve been hiding out around here until this infernal war ends and I can go back home. I’ve been keeping watch on the Lady Luck, hoping to contact you or Eric so I could get some help. I recognized you even in your widow’s garb. What does it mean?” he asked, shaking her veil of midnight lace. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Maren looked over this man with sapphire blue eyes and chestnut hair. Despite his misfortunes, he was still handsome and virile, but she realized there was much he didn’t know. “Sit down, Daniel. We have a lot to discuss.”

He took a seat near her and waited impatiently, but Maren wasn’t sure where to begin. “Just listen to me first, and then you can talk,” she said. She then told him of her trip to London, his reported death, Eric’s voyage to get her, and her present plight. She ended by revealing her marriage to Jared Morgan and Eric’s treachery.

Daniel overlooked everything to ask, “Isn’t Jared Morgan Captain Hawk?” His blue eyes had darkened and his jaw had become taut.

“Yes, he is. I’m sorry if you’re hurt and upset, but you were supposed to be dead.”

“I would be if your Captain Hawk had seen me floating away from my ship before he blasted it to splinters. He’s a murderer, Maren. He sank
the Merry Maiden and
countless other ships. He never gave us a chance, never even asked for surrender. We ceased fire and struck our flag, but he wasn’t satisfied with defeating us.”

Maren was stunned. “That doesn’t sound like Jared,” she protested.

“That was two years ago. Maybe he’s been ordered to cease his slaughter. I know what I saw, Maren; and I have scars that prove my story. I’m lucky to be alive. Get clear of him or you’ll be sorry one day.”

“Maybe you’ve changed too, Daniel,” she remarked defensively; then she disclosed what she had learned about her ex-fiancé.

Daniel lowered his head in guilt. “It’s all true. I turned into a real bastard after I last saw you. I fell madly in love with the most beautiful woman alive,
but my brother stole her from me and married her. I suppose a woman who can be swayed by wealth and status isn’t worth having, but I wanted to show him by marrying a woman just as beautiful, one with more wealth and position and power. I know it was a rotten thing to do to you, but I was hurting too badly to care. But I’ve changed, Maren. I’m my old self now. If you’ll call off this sham marriage, we can still be wed.”

“No, Daniel, I love Jared.” Since he had been honest with her about the reason for their betrothal, she told him the truth. “If we had married, it wouldn’t have worked out. We were marrying for the wrong reasons. But we can still be friends, and I can help you be safe until the war ends.”

“I hate to think of what the Americans would do to me if I were captured, but how can you help me, Maren? You’re in trouble too.”

“We’ll figure something out,” she promised. “I’ll get you a room here and give you money for food and clothing. And I’ll help you work on dropping that English accent. When Jared gets here, he’ll—”

“He’ll have me arrested and jailed—or hung,” Daniel declared heatedly.

“He won’t. He’ll listen to me and he’ll help you go home.”

“Still the naïve innocent, Maren,” he chided softly. “This is war and he’s my enemy. Hear me well; he will not listen, nor will he help.”

Maren could not accept his appraisal of her husband, but an idea came to her mind. She doubted
that Marc knew the things Eric had told her. If she revealed them to him, perhaps Marc would side with her. Since two weeks had passed and Eric had not arrived, obviously he had changed his destination or he had been killed. With Marc’s help, she and Daniel could have a safe place to live—the townhouse. She would find a way to get Dan Myers out of Lady Luck and then she would take advantage of Ned Jones’s and Harry Peck’s loyalty.

She explained her idea to Daniel, who was wary but receptive. “If you stay out of sight most of the time, we’ll be safe,” she added. “I’ll even hire more guards to keep Dan Myers under control. Once he sees I’m in power and on to him, he’ll probably leave town. And if Eric does show up, we’ll capture him. The element of surprise will be on our side.”

“It’s dangerous, Maren, but exciting. I’m already feeling like a new man. When do we start?” Daniel asked eagerly.

“What about Monday?” she replied, and they laughed.

On Monday night, Maren and Daniel sneaked to the townhouse. Marc was astonished to see her and surprised to meet Daniel Redford, and Maren soon sat him down and revealed Eric’s treachery, including the probability that he had murdered Murray. When she told Marc that Horben Wolfe was dead, the young man almost cried with joy!

“Eric has broken many laws, Marc, and he’ll be
punished. He can no longer harm you, so please help us,” Maren implored.

“I’ll help you,” Marc replied. “I don’t like Eric anymore, and I ain’t gonna be scared of him. He’s bad.”

“We’ll move in here tomorrow; then we’ll all go to work together.”

“Am I smart enough to help you?” Marc asked childishly.

“More than smart enough, Marc. You’ll see.” Maren smiled.

By nightfall on Tuesday, Maren and Daniel Redford were settling into the James townhouse. Marc was very excited about being included in her plan and he doted on Maren. When Maren finally climbed into her old bed, unbeknownst to her, Jared’s ship was anchoring near Grand Isle….

On Wednesday Maren and Daniel made and discarded plans while Marc observed, wide-eyed. Finally they decided to simply walk into Lady Luck and take it over on Friday morning.

On the following afternoon, someone knocked loudly and persistently at the front door. When Maren peeked out the front window near the stoop, her eyes enlarged and joy surged through her—it was Jared. But suddenly she feared for Daniel. Before answering the door, she told Marc and Daniel to hide
in the carriage house until she spoke with her husband and assessed his feelings on certain matters.

When both men were gone, Maren opened the door and flung herself into Jared’s arms. He eased her inside and closed the door behind them; then he kissed her.

“I just came from Barataria, and René. Did those bastards harm you?” he asked. Maren knew he was referring to Eric and Horben, and she told him everything that had happened after he’d left Savannah. When he asked why she was here, she sighed heavily and told him of her plan, excluding Daniel.

“Dang you, woman! This is too dangerous. Eric is still loose.”

“I’ve seen Daniel,” Maren disclosed softly. “He isn’t dead.”

Jared’s expression altered. As his gaze locked with hers, he asked, “Where is the Brit? I’ll take care of him.”

“No, Jared, you won’t. He’s suffered enough. Let him be.”

Jared stared at her oddly. “You’re protecting one of our enemies? You could be jailed too, Maren. I forbid it. Where is he?”

“He’s no longer a threat to America, or to you, Jared Morgan. You nearly killed him once. I can’t allow you a second chance. He’ll remain hidden until the war ends; then I’ll get him home. He won’t cause any trouble; I swear it. He’s been my friend for years.”

“Eric was your friend for years too, but look at him. No, Maren.”

“You’re being stubborn and mean, Jared Morgan. For just a moment forget you’re Captain Hawk; be my understanding and generous husband. If you turn Daniel in, he’ll be imprisoned or hanged, yet what harm can he do? He’s only a man who’s been through hell.”

Jared scowled. “Have you forgotten what you learned about him?”

“He explained everything,” Maren said rapidly. Then she told Jared what Daniel had revealed to her.

“And you believed his lies?”

“They’re not lies! I know him, Jared.”

“Like you knew Eric?” Jared was angry with her.

“That isn’t fair. I’m not the only person Eric fooled.”

“You’ve a blind spot, Maren. Don’t be taken in again.”

“Like your father was taken in by Willa Barns?” she snapped. She related what she had learned about Steven. “He is Jeremy’s, isn’t he?”

“For damned sure he isn’t mine! I’ve never put a hand on that bitch.”

“I know you haven’t. You see, I’m not always wrong about people. Daniel did terrible things, yes, but he’s paid for them. Give him a chance, Jared,” she urged softly.

“Why didn’t you stay put at the hotel? It’s dangerous for you here.”

Maren told him about Samuel Lewis’s death, and she added, “I couldn’t wait around for months doing nothing. I knew I would be safe if I hired plenty of guards and got rid of Dan Myers.”

“I’m going to see Dan right now. By the time I return, Redford had best be gone, but we’ll move into Lady Luck and carry out your plan.”

“You’re serious?” she asked.

“What I don’t do for you, woman! You have my word.”

After Jared left, she summoned Marc and Daniel and informed them of this new development. Then she gave Daniel some money and told him to try to find a safe place. “Jared says the war can’t last much longer. Peace negotiations are underway. Just stay out of sight, Daniel.”

Daniel hugged her and thanked her, but he was already making plans of his own as Marc took him to the warehouse, where he bedded down for the night.

Jared returned in less than an hour with stunning news: Dan Myers was badly wounded and might die. “He tried to kill himself last night. Guilt or fear of discovery, no doubt. There’s no reason we can’t move into Lady Luck immediately. I plan to remain here for a few days, just in case Eric shows up.”

“What about the law, Jared? Can’t we expose him and have the sheriff on the lookout for him?”

“I’ve already done that, but he could sneak past him. We’re taking no more chances, Maren Morgan. Understand?”

Maren smiled and melted into his arms. As he held her tightly, she said, “I’ve been so worried about you, Jared.”

He told her that he had been ordered to speak with the pirates again, for they had not yet accepted the government’s terms and the British were going to attack New Orleans. He added, “We can certainly use their help, so I hope I’m convincing. I wish I could take you somewhere safe, but I doubt any place is safe right now. We’ll make sure the Brits don’t get in here.”

Within the next hour, Maren and Jared entered her suite at Lady Luck. They sat down and went over everything once more; then Jared went downstairs and saw to that night’s business. It was late when he returned, exhausted.

Maren was in bed, naked beneath the sheet. She smiled at her husband as he entered the room. “I thought you weren’t coming back,” she teased.

Jared glanced at her bare shoulders, which were revealed, and he grinned. After stripping, he joined her and they embraced and caressed each other. The desire to make love having seized them, both were highly aroused and eager to fuse their bodies.

But Jared knew the past weeks without Maren had him on a sexual precipice and he had to move cautiously. He tantalized her until she was writhing with need; then he joined their bodies and they moved rhythmically until rapture claimed them.

Later, in the golden afterglow of lovemaking, they
caressed each other gently and kissed tenderly. “I love you, Maren. Thank God you’re safe,” he said.

She shifted her head and looked into his eyes, so tender in the candlelight. “I love you, Jared Morgan, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

When Eric’s ship had been steadily driven southward because of the blockade, he had finally decided to postpone his business in New Orleans and sail onward to Jamaica. After enjoying a brief time there with Maren and Ben, he would once more try to make it to New Orleans….

On Sunday, Daniel Redford sneaked into Lady Luck and tried to kill Jared Morgan. The two men fought and quarreled for an hour, breaking some of the furniture downstairs. For his wife’s benefit, Jared tried everything in every way he could to break off the conflict with Daniel. He tried reasoning, brute strength, explanations, threats, an apology, and bargaining. But Daniel was determined to slay the man who had nearly killed him and who had made his life hellish for two years. After Daniel was finally subdued, Maren realized that Jared had no choice but to turn him over to
the
authorities. She apologized to Jared for her mistake.

“Don’t worry about it, love. I knew he would try to kill me. His pride demanded it. I would have done
the same.”

That afternoon, Maren and Jared visited Dan, who, though very weak, was recovering slowly. Dan made a full confession and begged for their forgiveness. Mary Malone was with him, and he spoke of his real love for her and of his remorse over fooling her. He promised he would never come near any of them again. He explained that he had killed Evelyn Sims and Howard Heath and Samuel Lewis because they had planned to harm Maren, and he wouldn’t allow that, and he swore to slay Eric if he ever saw him again. Then, suddenly realizing he would be imprisoned for his crimes, he pleaded with Jared to protect Cameron’s daughter and to slay their mutual foe.

“Don’t worry, Dan, I’ll handle Eric, sooner or later.”

Dan wept pitifully as he murmured, “The Devil got into me and filled my head with evil desires. What I did was wrong, and I couldn’t live with my guilt any longer. I tried to stop them, but it was too late. Maren wasn’t supposed to be injured. It sounded so simple when Eric approached me and tempted me. I honestly thought Maren would give up without a fight, and I never imagined you were her partner. When I realized how wicked Eric was and knew he would keep coming after Maren and Lady Luck, I had to end this treachery before I was unmasked. But I couldn’t find a way to defeat him. I know you two must hate me for what I’ve done. I’m
sorry, Maren, Jared.”

“We know, Dan. Sometimes people just get caught up in their rash dreams and make mistakes,” Jared replied, and Maren’s heart warmed.

Using his remaining strength, Dan then revealed all he knew about Eric’s treachery.

Later, at Lady Luck, Maren lay in Jared’s arms. “It’s nearly over,” she murmured, “Only Eric is left.”