Love's Vengeance (38 page)

“Desiree and Bridgett were taken on my vessel in Le Havre for the trip to the colonies and then shortly after their arrival at Portsmouth, Desiree made an unscheduled voyage to the West Indies and became a guest of…” he paused for effect, “You are not going to believe this Tim—Captain Greaves.”

Tim nearly dropped his drink and placed it upon the table soundly, “As in Pirate Captain Greaves?” he barked in disbelief.

“The very same. I was then asked by Bridgett to retrieve her and did so. Then we came here after another stop at the colonies. All in all, Desiree hasn’t been on dry land for more than a couple weeks at a time.”

Stephen awaited the next question already forming on Tim’s lips, “But why would Greaves want Desiree? How did you happen to get called into it? What of Captain Greaves? Is he everything we believed him to be?” He paused a moment and added with concern, “She was not harmed was she? She appears to have fared well.”

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and as to the legendary Captain Greaves, he is most impressive. You have never seen such a giant in all your life. He was all we have ever heard and then some and truly a fine gentleman. Desiree was treated well and left an island full of admirers behind her. You shall soon discover what me and every other man who comes in contact with Miss Chandelle discovers—she is most enchanting.” he finished with a soft smile.

“That look—Stephen you are more than enchanted with her if I were to guess. Don’t tell me you have been bitten?”

“Bitten?” Stephen mused, finishing his drink and rising, he strode to the bar to pour another healthy whiskey, “Devoured would be a better term.” he laughed.

Tim joined him and as Stephen refilled his drink for him, he continued seriously, “But Tim there is something else I neglected to mention. She is in grave danger. It seems that someone has been pursuing her for some time, an apparent vendetta against her family. Her parents were murdered in France and so she left for the safety of the colonies only to be spirited away for a large price by Greaves. I just thank the Lord that it was Red Legs, for the purse was paid to do away with her. We are going to need to keep a close eye on her and I am counting on you to help in this. I do not want her out of our sight. She is to be escorted at all times for I am not completely convinced that our isle is a safe haven.”

“Of course. I understand.” Tim nodded in agreement, then chuckled, “To think—we go to sea to find some kind of adventure and this beauty seems to be followed by it. Is she aware of the history and reputation of the pirates she was in the company of?”

“All she knows is that she found some wonderful new admirers. I know the legend of Greaves has colored him to be either sinner or saint and I tend to believe the latter of him. Oh I know they can be deadly when need be but I found them to be most honorable. You shall see for yourself when he comes with news, if you are about.”

“Here? Why?”

“He is at this very moment in search of her tormentors. He will sail for this island when he has the answers.”

“I can hardly wait for that!”

***

Desiree entered Bridgett’s room and waited for her attention to her laces, looking about the comfortable, stylish suite. The furnishings were tasteful, as in her own chambers and decorated with expensive and luxurious groupings in the sitting room and a large bedroom containing everything one might need for comfort. Bridgett laced Desiree up and then sat her at her vanity to freshen her hair.

“Bridgett?” Desiree questioned when released, standing and turning around to face her nurse, “That woman we saw today—Vanessa—did you happen to see her greet Stephen?”

Bridgett frowned in thought, “No.” she shook her head, “Why do you ask?”

Desiree shrugged, “Oh never mind. Shall we go?”

Bridgett laughed softly, “Yes I want to have another look at that bird.”

As they came down the staircase, voices could be heard and following them, they arrived at the drawing room where they entered to find Stephen and Timothy hunched over a chessboard. When the two noticed the new arrivals, both stood and smiled sweetly, their game forgotten.

“Ladies, join us please. We were just passing time until your return. Do you find your rooms to your liking?” Stephen asked, taking Desiree’s hand in his own.

“Wonderful Thank you.” Desiree assured, trying to detect a hint of unease about him but his face was calm, his eyes twinkling merrily. He obviously was unaware that she had witnessed his welcome from Vanessa and who she might be in his life, she could only guess.

Bess came to the door of the room just then and announced dinner would be served in half an hour and then snapped, “Stephen! Would you get yourself upstairs and cleaned up? Your brother is not going to disappear if you take ten minutes to dress and neither are your guests!” She glared at him with her hands upon her broad hips.

“Yes Bessie I will.” Stephen gritted with a teasing sneer.

“And do not be giving me any of those looks of yours master Colter.” she shook a finger at him in menace.

“You had better obey Stephen. Bess has grown quite cruel since we saw her last and I believe she may deny you dinner if you are not careful.” Tim interjected with a laugh.

“Oh it is
great
to be home!” Stephen sighed, pressing a kiss to Desiree’s hand, “I will be right back. Take a look around if you like—Tim could you show them around the place?”

“Surely,” Tim grinned at Desiree.

“Bessie you have grown cruel haven’t you?” Stephen teased softly as he walked toward her then gave her backside a soft pat as he passed from the room.

“Ohhh!” Bessie shrieked.

Stephen hurried on his way and Tim coughed and sputtered, forcing down a mouth full of brandy through his laughter.

***

Tim toured the ladies around the first floor including the dining room, the ballroom that faced the back lawn and the study; ending their tour at the front veranda on a large porch swing watching the sun grow lower and lower in the sky. Shadows spread across the lawn as it slipped below the palm trees and the sky turned to reddish hues.

Tim brought Alexander from his perch for Bridgett to have a closer look. Both ladies hesitantly stroked the silken plumage as Tim gave them a few of the particulars about parrots and their nature.

***

“She is a beautiful girl.” Bessie said with a smile, watching Stephen descend the stairs. He was shaved and had donned a clean shirt, suit coat and breeches.

“That she is Bess.” Stephen agreed, stopping at the bottom of the steps and giving his old nanny a light kiss upon her brow.

“Does her family know that she is here?”

“She has no family Bess. Her parents were killed some months ago in a carriage accident.”

“Poor thing.” Bessie said with a shake of her head, “So young to be left alone.”

“Yes but she is strong Bess and has coped well. She is quite remarkable.”

“Stephen you sound as though you care for that young girl a mite. Would you perhaps be planning—to settle down?”

“Ohhh no—one word to you and the cat would be out of the bag.” Stephen laughed.

“You best hurry and propose before that brother of yours steals her away from you. He is quite taken with her I fear.” she teased.

“Fear not Bess, I am almost positive I have her heart.” he assured, patting her shoulder and heading for the front door.

“Well ,dinner is ready whenever you are.” Bess called after him.

***

“Stephen!” Tim greeted him warmly.

Stephen joined the two ladies seated upon the porch swing while Timothy put Alexander through some of his tricks. Tim was explaining the process of teaching a parrot to mimic and Stephen chuckled, interjecting, “One important aspect about a parrot,” he said, “Never say anything in earshot that you do not want repeated. Isn’t that so Tim?”

Tim laughed, taking in Desiree’s quizzical expression, “As young lads we had a devil of a problem with this fellow.” he explained, “He was forever following us boys about during our days and I believe it was at garden party of some sort that our mother brought him out to entertain the guests with his amazing vocabulary and you should have heard the language this beast had picked up from us. Mother was mortified—her treasured Alex speaking as if a…well let us just say in a not very gentlemanly fashion. It took months to remove the words and phrases from his vocabulary. They are very receptive to words they hear often.” he laughed, returning Alexander to his perch.

“Bess informed me that dinner is ready, shall we go in?” Stephen asked, extending a hand to Desiree.

***

“So where has Bess put you?” Stephen inquired softly as Bridgett’s door closed behind her after bidding them each good night.

“There.” Desiree said pointing to the room next to her nurses.

“Oh that is just wonderful!” Stephen drawled, none too happy, as he led her to her door.

“What is the matter?” Desiree asked with a giggle at his affected ire.

“Not a thing except that my room is on the opposite side of the house. Perhaps Bess is trying to tell me something.” he whispered with a deep lingering kiss, “Good night my sweet. I shall see you first thing in the morning.”

He kissed her once more and she entered her chambers, closing the door as Stephen headed back downstairs to do some bookwork and continue the chess match that he and Tim had started before dinner.

She had wanted to ask him of the woman today and had thought and pondered on how to approach the subject all through dinner but now she was still in the dark about what she had seen and she did not feel at ease to ask him about it.

She was on shaky ground because she was beginning to realize that there was much more to Stephen Colter than she even suspected. The woman could be his lover, just as she had become or perhaps held an even more important role in his life. He had never mentioned anything of the women on his island home. She had known that there would be women of course, but she had not considered that some of those he had been involved with would be right here—but of course they would! After seeing the extent of his family’s holdings—the mansion, ships, it was obvious to her that his wealth far exceeded her own and of course he would be sought after. Rene’ Vermillion and the others, although on a much less grand scale, had wealth and were the target of many women, so of course Stephen would be.

Suddenly feeling very insecure she hurried back out of her rooms to request Bridgett’s assistance in undressing and her evening toilette and to clear her mind from its current train of thought.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Desiree stretched her arms above her head, then slipping into her robe and opening the doors to her balcony she walked out into the fresh morning air. The sunlight spilled upon the back lawn and the lush jungle beyond bringing it all alive with brilliant hues and the fresh sea air made her feel exhilarated and wonderfully at peace.

She moved to the stone wall of her balcony looking down upon the lawn and there she saw Stephen, standing with his arm raised out from his side looking to the sky. As she watched a throaty squawk preceded Alexander as he swooped down from the trees and landed upon Stephen’s outstretched arm. Stephen stroked the head of the parrot and then held out his hand. The bird took the offering from him with gusto and then Stephen signaled and waited as another bird appeared from somewhere among the palm trees. This one had predominately yellow plumage and was small in comparison to Alexander. It landed beside Alex upon his arm and accepted a reward. Then with a lift of his arm, both birds took to the sky heading for the trees.

Stephen turned, walking toward the house and happened to glance up to see Desiree. She waved in greeting and he hastened his steps disappearing under the balcony. Desiree rushed back into her room grabbing a dress from her armoire and slipping it on herself haphazardly. She had barely drawn it on before a light knock sounded upon the door of her sitting room and she dashed to open it.

“Good morning my sweet.” He breathed, engulfing her in a kiss as the door closed quietly behind him, “I missed you so. I fear I have become spoiled, having you with me all through the night.” he confessed with a chuckle.

“I missed you as well—Stephen would you help to lace me please?” she requested turning her back to him and waiting. But instead the dress came off her shoulders along with her undergarment and Stephen slid her arms out of the sleeves while placing searing kisses upon her shoulders and back.

“Stephen!” Desiree spun around to face him, “We can’t! Not with your family in the house. If someone were to come to the door…” she sighed weakly as the gown slipped below her breasts and his hands engulfed them. She could not remember her train of thought—it was completely lost to her.

“The house still sleeps for the most part and if someone comes to the door I shall simply exit over the balcony. No one will come, trust me.” He assured as his mouth, found her throat, tracing down toward her breasts.

Her gown slowly moved downward and his lips followed until her clothing slipped from her hips to the floor and Desiree gazed unseeing, while his mouth moved down her stomach and he dropped to his knees before her. She touched his soft curls as his kisses moved down her hip to her thigh. There he paused to look up into her eyes, which were glowing with passion.

“Perhaps I better continue with this on the bed.” He whispered and stood, lifting her into his arms and proceeding through the door to her bedchamber, kissing her all the while. He lay her across the bed and then disrobed quickly as she watched with admiration.

“Now—where was I?” he breathed as he moved atop her and his hips came to rest between her thighs. His body touched hers intimately as he moved slowly; lowering himself. His lips coursed along the side of her breast and down her ribcage until he had positioned himself at waist level and his mouth moved down from her stomach once more, very leisurely. He nipped at her hip with his teeth and then his kisses resumed where he had left off, moving languidly downward.