FicWad

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I dozed a bit in the coolness of James’ modest room. The unseasonable warmth that gripped the Caribbean bred torpor. For me, at least. Seemingly oblivious to the heat, James dressed, departed to finish his duties. Dimly, I heard him moving about, then another man’s voice mingle with his in conversation. Then, slumber pulled me into its embrace.

I woke to languorous pleasure stealing through me. Stretched upon my stomach, I sighed. James’ fingertips swept over my back and bottom, down my legs, and slowly returned to my nape. He moved my braid aside and pressed his lips just below the hairline. I shivered. Against the smooth linen sheet my nipples pebbled.

“Who is this shameless creature napping naked in my bed?” His words touched my skin, evoking a second shiver.

“A wonton, surely.” Salacious heat his touch conjured, blended with my drowsy contentment, leaving me in a delightful state somewhere between the two.

“It’s after midday.” His hand splayed over my back, rubbing in a manner that made me groan. “You must be hungry.”

“Mmmmm.” I floated on a cloud of bliss.

I heard the smile in his voice. “Sleep a while. I’ll wake you later.”


The light had changed in the room when I blinked awake. The scent of frangipani filled the air. I turned onto my back and sat upright. A garland of the fragrant blossoms lay at the foot of the bed. My heart filled with that same sweet ache as it had earlier.

A soft knock at the door announced his return. He opened the portal and seemed to fill the frame. Those fearsome pistols hung from his belt, and a long knife in a leather sheath as well. Memories of the first time I saw him flooded in as the tide. So much had changed since that fateful moment. Most of all, myself. I sat bare as a newborn in a pirate’s bed, my outlaw lover’s bed, and I did so without guilt or modesty.

“Much as I desire otherwise,” he said, closing the door, “we must see you dressed.”

“Sending me back to my cell?” I chose a bloom from the garland, put it beneath my nose.

“Taking you swimming.”

“Oh!”

Delighted, I set the bloom aside, accepted his hand and rose. He helped me into my clothes, caught my hand in his and we walked back out the way I had entered. Outside, his big gray waited with his leathers in the hand of one of the cute stable boys. After I mounted behind James, I blew the lad a kiss and his dark cheeks flushed. He grinned, displaying a fresh gap where a baby tooth had departed in anticipation of the adult incisor.

I laid my cheek against his back as we rode. His scent had become ingrained somewhere deep in me. Mayhaps from those first nights when I laid awake, listening to him at his bath, the fragrant steam seeping under the cabin door. I hugged his narrow waist, feeling the muscles of his belly ripple. I thought of how he looked in those cut off breeches, the sun and sea loving his dark gold skin. Warmth puddled low in my hips and I basked in the slow swell of arousal.

We ascended and the sound of the falls beckoned. I lifted my head. We rode into the familiar clearing and as I slid to the ground, I glanced about. My breath caught and the sweet ache I began to call friend, pierced me anew. Garlands of frangipani draped rocks, floated upon the water near its edge. A small table and two chairs sat in a sandy spot, the lace-draped surface set formally for two, several covered, silver dishes between the plates. A carafe of red wine beading in the heat.

His boots crunched the small pebbles as he landed upon them. I turned, saw the weight of expectation upon his face. He wanted to please me, I realized. Something in that brought tears and I threw my arms up around his neck. He held me as tight as I clasped him. I blinked away the wetness.

“Eat or swim first, captain?”

As I drew back, he replied, “I forever hear one will cramp if swimming follows eating. Though I’ve seen no evidence of it.”

“Then, I wish to dine.”

He pulled out my chair, that courtier’s charm in attendance. He took the napkin from the plate, opened it with a smart snap and placed it in my lap. He helped me in with my chair, then rounded to take his. He seemed to know what to expect in the dishes. For after I handed him my plate, he served from one containing a mix of chilled seafood. I sighed in bliss over it. Chunks of lobster, crab, shrimp and mussels cooked in a spicy fish stock then placed upon ice to cool. He poured us each wine. I ate with my fingers and licked them clean. He chuckled at me, offered me his shrimp. I accepted.

There was a rice dish, served only just warm in deference to the heat. I had never eaten rice before my venture into the Caribbean. I found this, mixed with still crisp vegetables, much to my liking. Next, came chunks of melon and strawberries. I sipped the wine, savored the food and even more, the sight of him.

My stomach full, I curled sideways in my chair to finish my wine.

“Had enough?” he asked.

“Food? Yes.”

He looked at me from under half-lowered lashes. “Ready to swim?”

I set my glass on the table and rose. “Are we alone?” I gestured to the food. “Several servants must be about.”

He gave a whistle. Eza and several other girls from the villa soon appeared to clear the food. The wine they left, table and chairs as well. When they had scurried down the trail, I heard the sound of horses. Such effort on my behalf.

“Etienne and Walks Softly guard our privacy,” James said, pulling the pistols from his belt and placing them on the table. He pulled off his boots.

I removed my sandals, set them by my chair. Rising I shed my skirt and blouse, draping them over the chair‘s back. I realized James had gone very still and I looked at him as I unlaced and removed the new undergarment. He sat taking in the rather wonton display. Feeling playful, I pulled my braid over my shoulder, untied the ribbon and quickly unbraided and gave my head a shake. My hair spilled around me past my hips, concealing me. I shimmied out of the pantilettes and walked to the water.

Though I had but one lesson, I felt at home in the water. I waded out, letting the silky water close about my body. I reclined slowly, lifting my feet and let the water cradle me. It closed over my ears, shutting out the world for a moment with the faint roar of tumbling water. I let the current created by the falls push me slowly.

A few moments later, movement caught my eye. I put my feet back upon the pebbles and sand, shielded my eyes, and gazed up at the apex of the falls. The sun directly behind him, James stood with his broad-shouldered, slim-hipped silhouette haloed by the brilliant gold. My breath caught as he took two long strides and dove from the precipice. Arms outstretched, body almost flat, it seemed he hung suspended by some strange ebb of gravity. Then, he streamlined himself and cleaved the water with a surprisingly small splash.

I waited, then ducked under the surface. Sunlight slanted through the clear depths. I could see him, a distance away and swimming an arm’s length above the light-patterned bottom. I fancied myself a maiden sacrificed to the water god. In proper sacrificial fashion, I stood straight, and closed my eyes and awaited my fate.

He barely changed the stir of the water as he approached. I did not hear him break the surface, but I heard the water droplets splashing down from him. I felt him move my hair from in front of me. His slick, warm lips touched my forehead, eyebrow, the bridge of my nose. I tried to remain aloof, as befitted a doomed maiden. It simply was not in my nature.

I opened my eyes. The visual impact stunned me. How could a man possess such beauty? I wrapped my arms around his neck and lifted myself to circle his waist with my legs. The core of my body touched his hard belly and I saw the change in his face at once.

“You were born to play with fire, Lili.”

“I am in no danger.” I brought my lips to his, playing with him, changing the angle of my head and venturing into his mouth. His big hands caught my bottom and he held me tighter to him. I brushed my breasts across his chest. That won me a throaty growl. “What difference would it make,” I asked, nipping at his lower lip, “if you leave me virgin? You’ll kill Huntington if he comes. He will never know.”

“I will know.”

“Then I shall do away with it myself.”

He squeezed my bottom a bit in subtle warning, took control of the kiss until I felt quite boneless. Experimentally I moved my hips, rubbing myself against him. A rush of sensation rewarded me. He guided my hips, adding to the friction. The pleasure became so intense my scalp tightened and the palms of my hands tingled. A moan escaped me. He seemed to try to taste the sound.

“God help me,” he murmured, tone hushed and rough, “I do want you.”

I tightened my arms around his neck, whispering, “Have me.”

He silenced me with his kiss. I felt the hardness of him touching my bottom. Just a little adjustment and it would be done. I tried to shift, but he held me still, guessing my game at once. Ruthless and knowing, he ground my heating flesh in slow circles upon the hardness of his belly. I clawed his back, bit at his lips, thwarted but too aroused to fight back the pleasure. My climax sent a violent shudder through me and I clung to him.

My wits had not begun to return when I heard the herald cannons. James stilled, listened to the musket fire that followed.

“Gamboa,” he said softly, “He is not expected. Which means he may be limping in with trouble behind.” He kissed me again, slow and clearly regretful of the interruption.

“But,” I protested as he carried to shallower water, then set me from him. “You haven’t …”

“Make it up to me later.” He waded out and I watched shamelessly as he walked back to the table to dress. I knew a secret. At some point, the captain sunned himself without those abbreviated breeches. He dressed with an economy of motion. “Stay as long as you like. I’ll have Etienne keep watch.”

“I am sleeping with you this night.”

“Lili, must you ever oppose me?”

“You‘ve an entire island answering to your command. Someone must take up the role of resistance.”

He halted for a heartbeat, then armed himself. “We shall discuss it this evening.”

I leaned back to slick my hair from my face. “You may discuss it all you like.”

“If there’s trouble coming,” he replied, tone something between vexation and humor, “I shall send for you. There’s not a French or British captain with the grit to fight you.” He untied the reins of the half-dozing gray.

I smiled. “Be careful. I have plans for you, captain.”

“Come kiss me once more.”

I waded out, wet hair hanging down my back. Naked in the sun, beads of water sliding down me, I walked to him. Careful not to wet him further, I stretched up and used the very tricks he had taught me. He made a sound deep in his chest that made my belly flutter.

When he lifted his head, he stared down at me with glowing eyes and grit out, “Gamboa better be dying.”


I watched him mount and depart, then frisked in the water for a bit. For practice, I dove deeper and deeper in the sun-spangled water. Within a quarter hour, I heard something that made me stop and glance about.

“Lili!”

Etienne called for me and I answered. “Yes?”

“Make yourself presentable, mon tressor. We must go.”

I did not like his tone. It made me feel uneasy. So I dressed quickly, and called for him. “Help me with my hair.”

He made short work of braided the wet mass. “Prepare yourself, cher. Captain Gamboa of the Prideful Folly has brought your brother.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I rode behind Etienne, thoughts whirring, heart thudding a cadence of dread and excitement. “How came you to know this?” I asked.

“A stable boy hurried to tell.”

I had not seen Christopher in almost three years. Eight years older than I and the heir, his life and mine had barely intersected. In retrospect I realized I had been something of a pet to him. A clever thing to teach.

I wondered what he would think of the choices I had made.

Before we reached the docks, I heard the noise. Many people swarmed in the common, as any visiting ship represented contact with the world and therefore news. Etienne halted the horse to avoid a small crowd of men walking toward the docks. I slid to the ground and began pushing my way through.

“Lili!”

I ignored Etienne’s call, forcing my way through the throng. At last I saw a clear space and I burst through. James, Walks Softly, my brother and an unknown man I presumed to be Captain Gamboa stood on the dock beside a tethered row boat. A sleek sloop farther out in the harbor bore the name Prideful Folly.

“Christopher!”

I broke into a run. He turned at my call, his expression filled with relief. I threw myself into his arms as he came to meet me, something I would have never done before. He fairly cut off my breath with the fierceness of his embrace.

“Lili. My God. My God.”

He smelled of the sea and unperfumed male. I held him tightly, overwhelmed with nostalgia and gratitude that despite the world and all its rules, he had come for me. After a moment, he held me away for inspection.

“You’ve wet me through,” he observed. “God’s Mercy, girl, you’re wearing breeches!”

I laughed at his tone. “How did you find me?”

“That is the bit of news I was about to discuss with your kidnapper.”

It required a bit of thought to realize he meant James. I had come to think of him as my liberator rather than captor.

Christopher took my hand, kissed it, then released me. He walked back down the dock to where the other men stood, half bowed, straightened. “Captain, sir, it is my duty to inform you that Major Huntington is dead. Your missive found him in Jamaica with me, rather than the colonies. He refused to answer your summons, I called him out and killed him in a duel. In his stead, I offer myself.”

For a long moment the world seemed to still. My brother had been in Jamaica. We had passed so close to each other and I had not known. I looked to James. His expression gave nothing away to the unpracticed eye. Yet, I saw the ferocious rage beneath. I feared he might kill Christopher right there, prepared myself to defend my brother against my lover. Etienne suddenly stood beside me. Like lightning, it struck me this moment might decide my entire future.

When James spoke, something black and terrible lurked beneath his words. “My quarrel was with Major Huntington. With you, sir, I have none. I release Lady Lili to do as she chooses.” He inclined his head. “Consider yourself my guest.”

My brother replied coolly, “Your offer of hospitality is misplaced, captain, for I have ample quarrel with you. You’ve ruined my sister and for that, you shall answer to me.”

I refused to let this turn into a mess of masculine ’honor’. “Christopher, I won’t have it. Captain Gamboa, will you excuse us?” He seemed reluctant to lose his box seat in this little drama, but bowed and walked down the dock toward shore. I stepped between my brother and James, gazing up at the former. “I would not return to society now that I have learned how much it is to be had outside it. I have been free since he took me from the Gallant. Not once have I been mistreated. In truth, I have enjoyed far better treatment.”

Christopher’s face flushed, voice lowered, “You cannot expect me to believe he has not soiled you.”

James stepped forward, I half turned to place my hand upon his chest. “If you only knew what he has withstood to keep his word. Despite all my attempts at seduction.” Perhaps I imagined it, but I might have sworn Walks Softly groaned.

“Lili!” Clearly Christopher suffered a terrible shock. His eyes seemed to focus first upon James, then myself. I gathered he had just made the leap in logic and realized we were both wet and for the same reason. He sounded almost strangled. “That not withstanding, it is my duty.”

“No it is not. I answer to myself alone. There will no fighting over decisions I have made.” I met his gaze. “You have no idea what it means to me that you came. But please, the matter is finished. I have no need of rescue.”

Christopher shook his head. “I will decide what’s best for you. Providing Captain Gamboa will indulge me again, we shall sail on the morning tide.”

Walks Softly’s deep voice turned every head as one. “Anyone attempting to further press Lady Lili against her will must come through me.”

“And I,” Etienne added quietly.

My brother fairly flinched as he took his first real observation of the indian. Dressed today like a white man, his heritage remained clear nonetheless. Christopher said in the purest Englishman’s shock. “Good God, Lili. This man is a savage.”

“And yet who seeks to drag me back to be made a pariah?”

Christopher ran a hand over his face as if he wished to wipe the situation away. “Might we speak in private, rather than air this so publicly?”

James responded. “My offer of hospitality stands. I shall take my leave. Gentlemen. Lili.” He nodded briefly then strode up the dock.

I wanted to run after him, but reasoned a while alone might help him deal with my brother’s news.

“Walk with me to the villa,” I said.

We made our way through the crowd to shell road. I became conscious of my two champions following at a discreet distance. Christopher glanced backward, fingering the hilt of his sword. I knocked his hand away from the weapon.

“Honestly, Lili, how can you draw an easy breath with that red indian prowling about?”

“I breathe far easier knowing him close.”

“What have they done to you?” He sounded as if he suspected witchcraft or the like.

“I have been shown that my gender need not be a prison sentence.” As we ascended, I noticed I accomplished the thing with greater ease than expected. My walks and rides had built my wind.

“You were not unhappy before.”

“I was too ignorant, Christopher. One cannot yearn for freedoms one does not know to exist.”

“You cannot think to remain here now that you are free.”

“There is still much to settle between the captain and I,” I answered, surprised at my lack of modesty in the situation. “I believe he will wish me to stay.”

“He’s become your lover, I could see it all over you both.”

“Yes, though he did not break his word to keep me intact.”

“The mind boggles with the perversions that must have necessitated.”

I laughed. “You sound like some old spinster. Mayhaps because you have kept yourself pure?”

“That is different. I am a man.”

“And what gender is it you’ve sinned with?”

He stopped, looked back to see if our followers had drifted close enough to overhear. “What sort of Devil’s question is that?”

I kept walking and he hurried to catch up. “A legitimate one. If only men are free to sin, then surely by your reasoning it must be among yourselves.”

“Of course not,” he snapped. “There are certain women for that sort of thing.”

“Ah, yes. Harlots.”

“Lili, I object-”

I spun on him. “So do I! Most heartily, to the double standard. A proper lady may not even speak the word. While a proper man may stick himself in one at his leisure!”

I heard Walks Softly cough and Etienne snorted a chuckle.

Christopher turned red to the tips of his ears. “I cannot agree with this manner of speaking.”

“Naturally, ‘tis not pleasant to hear one’s villainy dissected.”

“That’s a strong word for a natural urge.”

I shot back, “I agree. By that then you have no complaint about the fact I shall be doing away with my virginity at the soonest possible moment.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. After a moment, said, “You will never be able to return to society if you do not return with me.”

I turned and began walking again. “Did you think society would welcome me? You’d have to commit me to a nunnery or risk its wrath.”

“I confess, the thought had not occurred. I have acted on outrage alone.”

“Tell everyone I took my own life rather than live with the shame. They’ll be exceedingly proud and remember me fondly.”

He did not reply and I knew as well as he why. Because I had spoken the truth. In silence, we finished the trek. Eza rushed out to meet us, eyes nervously cutting to my brother, who I noticed perked up considerably as he looked the pretty girl head to foot.

I whispered, “Get that thought from your mind, Christopher. She’s a good girl.”

He flushed again. “I shall take some time getting accustomed to this free manner you have adopted.”

I saw my guards sit themselves under a huge tree on the lawn, so I closed the big front door behind us. “Does that mean you’re willing to accept me and my choices?”

He threw up his hands, clearly beaten. “I would not see you imprisoned for another’s wrong-doing. Nor would I wish you unhappiness. Therefore, what choice am I left?”

Eza spoke with clear reserve. “Will we have guests?”

“Yes, at least one. Eza, this is my brother, Christopher.”

Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, sir, I am so sorry …”

Gallantly, he waved away her apology. “Not at all, miss. I cannot fault you for doing as told. Your part in this was assuredly innocent.”

I kept my gaze upon him. Christopher inherited Father’s dark good looks and Eza plainly found him attractive. “Will you send someone to invite Captain Gamboa to dine with us tonight, and stay if he wishes?”

“Yes, miss.”

“Lili,” I reminded for who knew what dozenth time.

She blushed and scurried off with my brother’s attention fastened in the area of her skirt. “Guess I come by my urges honestly.”




When James did not show up for dinner, I played hostess and tried not to worry. Captain Gamboa and my brother had sailed from Port Royal together, and their conversation flowed familiarly. Walks Softly and Etienne had politely declined the invitation, so I was left to get to know our guest. He had perhaps gained a score and ten, very young for a barely legal captain with three ships to his command. I guessed his ancestry contained some indian blood despite his Spanish name.

Several times, I caught his gaze lingering upon me longer than it should. I considered that while I found him very attractive, and knew by a certain confidence he displayed he would prove a lady-pleaser in bed, I thought only of James.

By the meal’s conclusion, I resolved to find him and try to ease his no doubt tender emotions. I adjourned with my brother and Gamboa, the former planning to retire early and the latter returning to sleep aboard his ship. We stood in the foyer, they discussing their morning departure and myself anxious to have finished with hostess duty.

The front door opened. In strode James, gaze trained upon me. I noticed he seemed surprised to see me there, and by his manner, had come seeking me. “Gentlemen, you’ll have to excuse us. We have business long unfinished.” He didn’t falter a step as he bent and neatly flipped me over his shoulder like a villain would the heroine in a play. His hand firmly upon my bottom prevented our guests from seeing up my skirt, as well as anchoring me.

He started up the stairs two at a time. I looked through my hair and saw my brother recover from his startle and begin to give chase.

I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t you DARE save me!”