Catalina's Caress (15 page)

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Three days passed before Charles sent word that he would book passage for himself and Charlotte on the next boat to Natchez, and that he would pay her a visit later in the afternoon to talk with her. In the meantime she was to prepare to leave.

She waited with as much patience as she could, but was more than relieved when she heard the carriage roll up the drive.

She greeted him with a warm smile of welcome, and very quick questions.

"You've found out more, Charles?"

"Confirmation. Business dealings. There were a great many between Joseph and Pierce Garrison. It seems the Carringtons could have bankrupted Pierce at any time."

"But they wouldn't have!" she said, aghast. "Joseph wouldn't have done such a thing to a man he considered a friend."

"Well," Charles said gently, "maybe his son didn't know—or didn't believe—that."

"My God, do you know what you're saying?"

"I think so."

"Then it's very possible that Cat is in much more danger than I thought. What more do you know?"

"Very little else, Charlotte. Isn't that enough?"

"When do we leave?"

"About midnight tonight. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Well, we have some time so I think I will have a drink before we get started on this journey."

"I believe, Charles, that I wouldn't mind having something with you. And you must have something to eat. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'll ask cook to make up some sandwiches."

Charles relaxed and within a few minutes Charlotte returned with a tray of sandwiches. She set the tray on the table beside him. Then she poured two glasses of wine.

She had just sat down and picked up a sandwich when they heard the front door open and close. Turning in her chair, Charlotte was astounded when Seth appeared in the doorway. She was even more surprised to see a bedraggled urchin standing beside him. It took her several minutes to realize the urchin was actually a girl.

Charlotte rose slowly from her chair, total disbelief written on her face.

"Well, Aunt Charlotte, aren't you going to welcome me back?" Seth asked. "Now don't tell me you and Cat didn't miss me."

By this time Charlotte had found her voice.

"Seth Carrington, where in damnation have you been for over a week, and what is this creature with you? You had best have some very good explanation, young man. You've cost me a year of my life!"

Charlotte's fierce explosion and her formidable appearance were enough to make Jake step back and gasp softly. This was the lovely and charming aunt Seth wanted her to stay with. Jake was having serious doubts about a decision she hadn't been sure of in the first place.

Seth laughed, which eased Jake's apprehension only a little. "Aunt Charlotte, if you'll control your temper for a minute and quit scaring Jake to death, I'll tell you what happened."

Charlotte had taken in Jake's wide innocent eyes, and she chuckled. "Jake," she said just a little more gently. "A very inappropriate name for a young lady, isn't it, Seth?"

"Her name is Jacqueline Barde, and if it were not for her and her grandfather I wouldn't be here today."

"Come here, Jake."

These words were spoken firmly by Charlotte, and Jake was surprised that she never even thought of defying her. Instead, she approached the older woman as a bird might approach a hungry cat.

Charlotte reached out to cup Jake's chin in her hand and she raised her head. They studied each other for several wary minutes; then Charlotte smiled. "Hello, Jake," she said gently.

A tremulous smile came to Jake's lips, a hesitant smile that touched her eyes. She was unable to define the strange emotion, the feeling of homecoming, that touched her.

"Are you hungry?"

"We're ravenous," Seth answered at once.

"Then join us and share these sandwiches. When you've appeased your hunger, we've a story to tell each other."

Charlotte allowed them time to eat; then she sat back in her chair.

"All right, Seth my boy, let's hear your story. And then I've one to tell you. I think we have just enough time before the boat leaves to solve some problems."

C
atalina brushed her hair until it glowed in the soft lamplight, then she coiled it at the nape of her neck drawing it back from her face. The severe hair style made her wide eyes seem even wider and drew attention to her lush lips.

She had laid out the gown that she had chosen to wear when she dined with Travis. Now she took it from the bed and slipped it over her head.

Shawna, who had been sent by China to help Catalina dress and to gather any information she could, rose to help fasten the buttons.

"The gown is very beautiful," she said. "It makes your skin look so soft and your eyes so gold."

"Thank you ... Shawna, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"You are a friend of Mr. Copeland's?" Catalina asked as nonchalantly as she could.

"Oh, yes. Marc is a very good friend of mine and of Nina and Charlene and Paulette. But mostly he and China are ... well... really close friends."

"I see." Catalina was enraged. The man had an absolute harem at his beck and call.

"You all live on this boat?"

"Yes," Shawna said brightly. "We live here and we work here."

Catalina nearly choked on her outrage. It was obvious that Shawna was not the brightest person she had ever met, and she was now certain that Marc chose women who would be totally dependent upon him. But curiosity and anger at Marc brought the next question to her lips before she could stop it. "What do you do here?"

Having asked it, she could have bit her tongue. She wondered if Shawna would be hurt by the question. But Shawna gave her such an innocent smile that Catalina was forced to realize the truth: Shawna was a little girl in a woman's body. Somewhere, somehow, nature had stopped her mind from growing although it had molded her body to perfection. A new anger swept over Catalina. What kind of man would take advantage of her.

"Oh, I deal the cards for the men who like to gamble, and I serve drinks. Sometimes I play the piano and sing. I like that... to play music and sing. Marc says I have a pretty voice."

"I'll bet he does," Catalina declared grimly.

There," Shawna said, as she stepped back to look at Catalina again. "You really are so beautiful."

"Thank you, Shawna. Have you ever thought of leaving here and finding a nice home to live in, with friends or family? Do you have a family?"

Shawna's face blanched and tears sprang to her magnificent, yet innocent, eyes. Her lips quivered.

"No," she gasped. "I... I don't want to leave China. Marc says I don't have to—I don't have to. He says I don't ever have to go back there. I don't have to! I don't have to!"

Catalina was totally shocked, for she realized that Shawna was terrified. She was again filled with disgust. Marc Copeland was obviously taking advantage of Shawna's fear to keep her where he wanted her—under his command.

She had to change the subject before Shawna succumbed to the strange fear that held her.

"China," she said gently. "China is your friend?"

"Oh, yes." Shawna's face brightened at once, as if she had shut one door and opened another.

"I haven't met China yet. She lives on the boat also?"

"Yes. She lives with Marc."

The words were said with such total trust that Catalina was nearly struck speechless. "I see," she said grimly.

She decided that Marc Copeland was a total scoundrel. What could she put past him after what she had heard? A wave of horror washed over her as she thought about what such a man might have done with Seth.

Seth had gotten in Marc's way and she was now certain that Marc had done something about it. She just wondered what. She had to find out, and she knew there were two people who might have that information—Marc and the elusive China.

"I thank you for helping me dress, Shawna," Catalina said gently. "It was considerate since I left home so quickly I had no opportunity to bring a maid."

"You're welcome. It was a pleasure to help. You're nice. I like you. Sometimes Nina and Charlene and Paulette can be mean. Oh, I don't mean real mean ... but they're not like you."

Catalina's heart went out to Shawna, who seemed to be caught in a terrible life, and fury at Marc settled in her breast like a live coal.

"Catalina?"

"Yes?"

"Are you Mr. Sherman's mistress?"

The question was asked so casually that Catalina, at first, could only stare at Shawna in disbelief. Then she realized in Shawna's childlike mind a man and woman who traveled together and were not married must be in such a situation.

"No, Shawna, I am not. Can you see that the door between us is securely bolted? I have no intention of unbolting it. Mr. Sherman is just a friend who is trying to help me find . .. something I recently lost."

"Oh..."

"What made you think I was ... that our situation was involved?"

"He is very handsome."

"H'm, yes, he is."

"But not as handsome as Marc." Shawna giggled softly.

"Handsome only describes the exterior, Shawna. It is the man within that counts. I think Marc Copeland lacks what it takes to be truly handsome. He is a cold and calculating opportunist who does not hesitate to take what pleases him."

"Why do you feel like that? Marc is a good man."

"You are being deceived. Shawna, will you tell me something?"

"Yes, if I can."

"Is there another young gentleman aboard anywhere? I mean... maybe he is ill or something and your friends are watching over him."

"I do not think so. But I can ask China."

"No. Don't do that. It's all right. I was only curious. Please don't bother. I'll ask Marc myself."

Catalina had no intention of doing that, but she had thought it possible Shawna might tell her where Seth was without Marc and China knowing. Catalina was more than curious about the woman called China. She thought China was the madam for Marc's hoard of prostitutes and she envisioned her as a hard cold woman who used people as freely as Marc did.

Before either woman could speak again, there was a light rap on her door.

"Catalina?" Travis called from the hallway.

"I'll be with you in a moment," Catalina replied. She didn't want to invite him in and give the impression that he could come and go as he chose. The adjoining door still irritated her.

"Thank you again, Shawna. I believe it's time for dinner. Would you care to eat with us?"

"No, I will eat in China and Marc's rooms."

China and Marc. Of course. Was she his mistress too? The man must be an insatiable satyr. God, how she detested him. Whatever blow she could strike at him, she would carry out without hesitation.

Catalina opened the door and stepped out into the hall with Shawna behind her. Since she was draping a lace shawl over her shoulders, she missed Travis's lascivious glance. But Shawna didn't. Her smile faded, and she shivered slightly. She hoped Catalina knew what this man was like.

By the time Catalina looked up, the heated look in Travis's eyes had been replaced by a cool and friendly glance.

"You look lovely as usual, Cat," he said. "The dining room is exquisite, and I hear the chef is excellent. We can look forward to a very pleasant evening."

If he hoped the evening would end in Catalina's bed, he kept his thoughts in control. What Catalina didn't know was that he had laid a plan for their evening hours ago.

After asking several pertinent but subtle questions of the crew, he had found the man he wanted, a man who would do anything for a price, no questions asked. He had returned to his stateroom and sent for the man, who appeared after a lengthy wait.

The crewman was short, rather squat and shapeless.

His dark eyes were shielded by hooded lids that gave him a reptilian look, and his teeth were broken and yellowed. He had been hired by Marc's captain due to a last-minute need for a roustabout, but the captain had already decided to replace him at the first opportunity for this was not the type of man Marc liked to have on his crew.

Travis was appalled by the scent of the man's obviously unwashed body. But no matter, he was a tool Travis needed.

"What's your name?" Travis said in a commanding voice that cowed the roustabout

"Best, sir. Willie Best"

"Well, Willie, I have a little job for you."

"Aye, sir." Willie's eyes followed Travis's hand as it went to his pocket and brought forth several gold coins. He licked his lips in anticipation.

Travis was assured that he had found the right man. He had seen the glow of avarice before. "It seems I need a door to be opened for me and a little ... work to be done on someone. Can you do this?"

Willie knew exactly what Travis wanted, entrance to someone else's stateroom. He had no qualms about breaking in if he were paid enough for it

"I can gets into any room on this boat any time I wants ta."

"Good." Travis smiled. "I want this little job done while the lady and I are at dinner."

"Sure." Willie's eyes narrowed. "What'cha payin' fer this little bit o' work?"

Travis let the gold coins clink from one hand to the other. Their glitter held Willie spellbound.

"They're all yours. I'll see you on deck when I finish my dinner. If you tell me this little job is done, I'll give you these." Again he let the tinkle of coins fill the air.

But Willie fashioned himself too shrewd for this ploy. Besides he had been fooled too many times. "Give me half of 'em now and half later, and I'll do what ya want. If not, ya can just do the job yourself."

Travis laughed to himself, but he kept his amusement camouflaged. Without another word he counted out half the coins and put them into Willie's dirty hand.

"Now, Willie, here's what I want you to do."