Captive Pride (38 page)

CC, seeing the desire revealed in his eyes, decided to make one last attempt at seduction. “Noah…Come to me, Noah…. I want you desperately….” In an alluring movement, she rose from the bed and walked enticingly toward him.

Noah's passion taunted him to take her and be done with it, but his logic asserted itself over his baser needs. Though he found the sight of her captivating, he kept a tight rein on his desire.

CC came to stand before him and then lifted her arms about his neck. On tiptoes, she raised up to press her lips to his, hoping to distract him from his thoughts. Noah accepted her kiss with a minimum of participation. CC was puzzled by his lack of response. Wanting to break through his suddenly icy control, she began to rub herself sensually against him. Her sinuous motions did come very close to shattering his composure, but CC never knew it as Noah viciously gripped her by her forearms and pulled her arms from about his neck.

Holding her away from him, he ground out, “I want to know what's going on here, and I want to know it now.”

CC was caught in a trap of her own making. She knew there was only one way to escape from the web in which she found herself entangled. The only solution was to tell him the complete truth from the very beginning.

“You're hurting me….” she protested.

Abruptly he released her. “Get your clothes on.”

No longer confident of her ability to seduce him, CC hurried to do as he'd commanded.

“Start talking, CC,” Noah ordered as he tried not to watch her as she dressed. Desperate in his own way, he struggled to look anywhere but at her, for the sight of her tempting breasts and dark triangle of femininity at the junction of her thighs was all too appealing.

CC sighed as she conceded, “All right, Noah.”

With jerky motions, she tugged on her shirt, quickly buttoned it across her breasts, and then pulled on the trousers. She felt decidedly unattractive and very vulnerable, but she was determined that he not know of her insecurities as she turned to face him. Schooling her expression not to reflect her nervousness, she glanced up at him. What she saw there caused her to grimace inwardly.

“Well? Why are you here? And what is it you want?” Noah folded his arms across his chest, the gesture making him seem even more unreachable, as his gaze bore unnervingly into hers.

CC wavered…. Should she just blurt it out or try something else? Finally, knowing she couldn't avoid it, she admitted, “I do love you, Noah. I have for a long time.”

“Right,” he drawled sarcastically.

“No, that is the truth.” CC almost took a step toward him, but his ominous expression put her off. “I freely admit that I didn't want to love you, but…but sometimes we can't control our feelings.” She gave a small, helpless shrug.

“So,” Noah began somewhat bitterly, “you love me, and you came here tonight only because you couldn't bear to be parted from me any longer. Is that what you want me to think? Really, CC, sometimes you do astound me. You love me, but you refused to become my wife….” His eyes were cold upon her. “Somehow, it just doesn't fit.”

Suddenly CC was angry. She had just bared her soul to him and he was mocking her. “I wouldn't become your wife because you don't love me! Do you think I wanted to be married to a man who doesn't love me? You proposed, but you didn't profess any feeling for me at all! I know you're attracted to me physically, but beyond that, what do we have? You want to return to England, and I—”

Noah was stunned by her outburst. She had said that she loved him. His heart was swelling with joy at the thought as the recognition of his own feelings surged forth. The emotion he had refused to confront for so long was before him now, and he knew without doubt that he loved her, too. Before he could speak and declare himself, though, CC went on.

“And I want to help the revolution in any and every way I can. That was the reason why I came to you tonight. I knew that you wanted me. I came here with the intention of offering to become your wife if you would sell the munitions to Ryan at a lower price.” CC drew a deep, ragged breath as she paused.

Noah went from overjoyed at the news that she loved him to completely furious at her for her deception, and his voice reflected the heat of his wrath. “So you're making the ultimate sacrifice, are you?”

“No…it's not like that at all.” CC tried to convince him that it was no sacrifice on her part, that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, but he was beyond listening to her.

“The hell it isn't, CC!” he snarled. “You didn't want to marry me before, but now that you need something from me, you're willing to barter your body to get it!”

“Noah! You don't understand!” she cried, wanting him to know that she loved him, and even if she didn't hold his love, she would marry him.

“Oh, but I do, Miss Demorest, all too well.” Noah's eyes narrowed as he studied her. “There's one thing you haven't considered in your approach, though. What if I no longer wanted to marry you?”

His words were like a physical blow, and CC blanched. “Don't you?”

“I'm not sure….” Noah took a step toward her and reached out to tangle one hand in the velvet curtain of her hair. “Perhaps I should sample of the merchandise you're trying to trade one more time before I firm up or dismiss the deal….”

His hand tightened in her hair, and CC whimpered slightly as he pulled her to him. Noah's mouth ground savagely down on hers, raping the sweetness there, and CC felt her knees buckle at his cruelty. She struggled to get free then, knowing that her cause was a useless one.

“Noah…please…”

“What?” He quirked a brow in sardonic disbelief of her protest as he drew back. “You aren't willing to let me taste of the charms you want me to ‘purchase' for a lifetime? Come now, CC, be reasonable.” His lips curled into a sneer as he jerked her tightly against him and ran his hands over her with insulting familiarity.

CC felt degraded and abused by his actions. “Noah…I do love you. Please don't do this….”

“Do what? Take what you're offering? This time, my dear, there can be no dispute that you
are
offering, can there?”

Tears stung her eyes as she looked up at him, and for an instant Noah felt himself waver. Did she really love him? Had she been telling the truth, or was it a ploy? He was confused and angry, and he shoved her from him.

“Get out of here, CC,” he told her brusquely, “and tell Ryan and all the others that my terms have to be met or I will sell the shipment to someone who has the money.” With that, he stalked to the door and opened it for her.

CC stood in shock for a moment before snatching up the rest of her belongings and racing from the room. Noah closed the door quickly behind her, and when she heard him turn the lock, she could no longer prevent her tears from falling. In failure and misery, she leaned against the hallway wall as she pulled on the rest of her clothing. Disguised once again, she hurried from the now deserted inn.

When the loud knocking on his bedroom door did not abate, Geoffrey angrily struggled to sit up in bed, taking great care not to move too quickly, for his head was still pounding from the excess of liquor he'd imbibed after leaving the party the night before.

“Blast you, Bartley! What is it?” he shouted in irritation, and even the sound of his own voice pained him.

“I'm sorry, m'lord, but a letter has just arrived for you.” Bartley's tone was suitably apologetic through the solidness of the closed chamber door. “The bearer said it was extremely important.”

“Just who was this ‘bearer'?” Geoffrey snarled as he climbed slowly from the comfort of his bed and began to pull on his red satin dressing gown.

“He was a seaman from a merchant ship, m'lord. The missive is from your family in England.”

Geoffrey was halfway to the door when he stopped, a frown creasing his brow. Incredulous, he asked. “Did you say it was from my family?”

“Yes, Lord Radcliffe.”

With great haste, Geoffrey unlocked the portal and took the letter from the servant. “Bring me a cup of hot tea,” he directed. Then, staring down at the envelope and immediately recognizing the strong, slanted lines of his father's script, he changed his mind. “No…wait. Make that a generous portion of whiskey instead.”

“Right away.” Bartley scurried off to bring his suffering master the libation he'd requested.

Geoffrey closed the door and wandered back into the room, his mind racing as he tried to imagine what news could be in the letter. Since his “exile” to the colonies, his family had made little effort to keep in contact with him. His funds were deposited directly to his accounts, and they seldom sent any news. As he studied the envelope, he couldn't help but wonder what major event had occurred to merit sending him a letter. Curious, Geoffrey sat back down on his bed and tore it open.

Geoffrey paused in his reading to look up and stare about him in stunned amazement. His brother was dead! He smiled in cunning delight at the news. So old James was dead, was he? Geoffrey couldn't be more pleased. James had been a thorn in his side from the earliest days of their childhood, and he would not miss him.
And,
he thought with a real sense of triumph,
I will one day be the earl—not James!
Realizing then that there was more to the letter, he directed his attention back to the missive….

Geoffrey's eyes widened as he stared in utter disbelief at the news. Kincade had been responsible for his brother's death? The same Kincade who'd had the gall to face him at numerous social engagements? The same Kincade who'd refused his challenge last night? He read on….

Geoffrey's joy at the unexpected change in his fortunes was still there, but his hatred for Noah had intensified. Kincade had murdered his brother and had cowardly refused to accept his challenge last night. The man, if he could be called one, was a spineless fool who deserved what he got. No longer content with just proving Noah guilty of treason, Geoffrey was resolved to make him pay for his actions, and pay with his life.

The single knock at the door brought him back to the reality of the moment, and he bid his servant to enter.

“Your whiskey, sir.” Bartley placed the silver tray on the bedside table.

“Thank you, Bartley.” Geoffrey was still a bit distracted as he considered the best way to proceed. It was only as the servant turned to leave that he spoke up. “Bartley…”

“Yes, m'lord?”

“I have a most important job for you….”

 

It was late afternoon as Matthew and Ben sat in the parlor of the Hammond house, their serious expressions reflecting their grim mood as they regarded each other.

“There's no other way?” Matt asked, his tone revealing his disturbance over the news that Ben had just given him.

“None. We've tried everything we know,” Ben confided. “You're our only hope, Matthew.”

Matt shifted uncomfortably at Ben's request. He had hoped it would never come to this—a complete showdown between Noah's goals and his own. When Noah had sent word to him earlier that morning that the
Sea Pride
had made port, Matt had notified the rebels immediately of the ship's arrival. He had just received word back from Ryan Graves, through Ben, that they could not meet the terms of their original agreement with Noah. According to the rebel leader, their funds were completely drained, and there was no way they could come up with the additional money needed by the time Noah had demanded.

“If you could just talk with your brother,” Ben was saying hopefully. “We will pay him the amount agreed upon. It will just take us longer to get it, that's all.”

“I know. I trust you, but…” Matt hedged, knowing what Noah's answer was going to be even before he asked.

“Matthew, we must have those supplies.” Ben's gaze was earnest upon him.

“I know, Ben.” Matt stood up, squaring his shoulders in an unconscious gesture against the battle of wills he knew was to come. “I'll do my best.”

“That's all we ask, Matthew. That's all we ask.” Ben shook his hand fervently.

“Faith,” Matt called to his wife. The women had retired to the kitchen to give the men the privacy they'd needed for their political discussion.

Faith appeared in the parlor doorway with Ruth beside her. “Did you want me?”

“Always.” Matthew gave her a warm grin as he moved toward her. “I must meet with Noah, so I'll be gone for a while.”

“It's important?”

“Very, but I should be back before dark.”

“We'll wait dinner for you then.”

“Good.” He bent to press a soft kiss on her lips before retrieving his greatcoat and heading from the house. “I'll be back.”

When Matthew had gone, Faith returned to the kitchen while Ben and Ruth stood alone in the parlor.

“There are problems?” Ruth asked tentatively as she gazed up at him.

“Yes,” he answered tersely, trying to come to face the fact that they might not get the supplies they so desperately needed.

“Is there anything I can do?” she offered sympathetically. She remembered how the injustices of the day had upset her husband, and she wanted to be of any help she could to Ben. He was such a dear man, and he had come to mean so much to her….

Ben turned to Ruth, his eyes dark with unspoken emotion. “Just letting me be here with you helps.”

She sensed the meaning behind his words and boldly took a step closer to Ben. “Really, Ben?” She touched his arm lightly, and there was an immediate feeling of real intimacy to the moment.

Ben found himself caught up in a situation he wasn't sure how to handle. Should he gruffly dismiss her question or confess to her his long-denied devotion? Frustrated by all aspects of his life at that instant and feeling that things could not possibly get any worse, Ben decided not to hide his true feelings any longer.

“Yes, Ruth. It helps. Your warmth and hospitality are the only sweetness in my life.”

“Just my warmth and hospitality?” Ruth pressed the issue. The feelings she had for Ben had long since passed being strictly friendly. She had been out of mourning for her husband for quite a while now, and she knew it was time to begin life again. Ben was the man she wanted in her future.

Ben was trapped. He wanted to tell her that he had loved her forever. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and make love to her. Casting his fear of rejection aside, Ben gave in to the power of his wayward emotions and took her into his arms.

“Ruth, my darling…you are the one constant that makes my life worth living,” he declared fervently just before his lips met hers. It was a soft, gentle exploration that sent shudders of excitement through him, and when Ruth molded herself willingly to him, he could hardly believe his luck. “Ruth?”

“Oh, Ben! I've wanted this for such a long time….” She smiled up at him, her eyes alight with her true feelings for him.

“You have?”

“Oh yes,” she sighed, kissing him again.

“I have, too,” he finally admitted when they drew apart. “You're always in my thoughts…. I love you, Ruth. I always have.”

“But, Ben, I never knew.” Ruth was amazed as they moved to sit together on the sofa.

Ben shrugged almost guiltily. “I was afraid. I didn't know how you felt about me.”

“Oh, Ben, I love you, too.” She went into his arms again, thrilled at the joy of her newfound love.

He was surprised by the discovery, his blinding happiness dimming his worries about the war supplies and Matthew's confrontation with Noah. He gathered Ruth close, seeking out her lips for another cherishing embrace. He knew that from this moment on, no matter how dark the following days became, he would be happy. He had his love, and it was a love that would last forever.

 

Noah sat at the desk in the captain's cabin on board the
Sea Pride,
going over the contracts and manifests. At the sound of the door opening he looked up expectantly, thinking to find Captain Wells returning. He was surprised and pleased to find that it was his brother entering the room. Noah came to his feet and moved from behind the desk to greet him.

“Matthew, I'm glad you're here. I see you got my message this morning.” He hoped that Matt was the bearer of good news regarding his deal with the dissidents.

“Yes, I received it.” Matt's response was guarded.

“And have you notified Graves?” Now that the
Pride
was in port, Noah was anxious to conclude the business negotiations as quickly as possible.

“I did.” Matt sat down in the chair before the desk as Noah returned to his seat behind it.

“And?”

Matthew had been dreading this moment since he'd left Ben. He knew his brother's loyalties, and he knew that there was very little real hope that he would change his mind. Still, he had to try.

“Graves has sent word that they do not have the funds to complete the deal at this time,” Matt supplied levelly. “They do promise to make full restitution if you allow them to take delivery now and pay the balance due later.”

“Damn!” Noah exploded. “I should have known they wouldn't be able to come up with the money!” Angrily he got up and began to pace the small cabin. His expression was thunderous as he mentally calculated the cut in profit he would have to take in selling directly to agents to the Crown. “Tell him the deal is off. I warned them.”

“Noah…surely you don't want to cancel the whole thing,” Matt began.

“The name of the game is profit, Matthew,” Noah replied dispassionately. “I trusted them once. I can't afford to trust them again.”

“What if I tell you I am willing to forgo my share of the profits if you will let Graves have the goods at the price they've now paid?” Matt considered this as the only solution for settling the problem to the benefit of both sides.

“What?” His suggestion took Noah completely by surprise.

“I want you to conclude the transaction with Graves, and any monies that are not forthcoming can be taken out of my share of the profits.”

“I can't let you do that!” he argued logically. “What are you going to live on? You have a wife now, and she's dependent upon you.”

“I am fully aware of my obligations, Noah,” Matt replied stiffly. “However, there are some things that take precedence. If the sanctions come, as they most certainly will, we have to be prepared. We need those supplies.”

“Matthew,” Noah said in his most earnest tone, “you can't be serious about this.”

“I am.”

“I can't let you do this. What will you live on? How will you exist?”

“If I have to, I will get a job. I'm not averse to hard work, Noah.”

“That's ridiculous! You're a nobleman…a Kincade, for God's sake! I'll arrange a deal through Demorest. I should be able to clear enough to support us both for the time being,” he conceded.

Matthew realized then that the change in his brother had been so complete, he was now sounding just like the avaricious English money dealers who'd gleefully claimed their possessions in payment of their father's debts. “I don't believe this….” he remarked, stunned as he perceived the overall view of everything that had happened to them and the final results.

“What don't you believe?” Noah glanced at him quickly, wondering at his tone.

“I don't believe that you've changed so completely. You've actually become one of them.”

“What are you talking about?” Noah demanded in annoyance.

“I'm talking about your obsession with money. Just now you sounded exactly like the bankers and debt collectors who scavenged our inheritance after Father's death. Don't you remember how callous they were? Money was all that mattered to them. They didn't care about the lives that would be destroyed, or the traditions that would be broken—only the money mattered.”

Matthew's analogy jolted Noah deeply. For the first time he saw clearly how very greatly he'd changed and what those changes had wrought in his life. He had followed the path he'd thought would bring him happiness. He had believed that reclaiming their lost wealth and status would make him happy again, but now he knew it wouldn't. Happiness was not related to things. Happiness came from within. In that silent moment of introspection, Noah accepted that he was not happy with himself.