Catalina's Caress (34 page)

❧

Travis and Charlene stepped down from the carriage alongside the
Belle
much later that night. They walked up the gangplank as if they had only gone on a pleasurable jaunt and had not plotted such evil things.

"Where is China?" Charlene asked of a roustabout that stood nearby.

"She's ashore, since this afternoon."

"And Marc?"

"He and the young lady haven't come back."

"Good," Charlene said softly. Then she smiled up at Travis. "Would you like to come to my cabin for a drink before you retire for the night?"

"I most certainly would." Travis drew her closer to him, knowing that the night promised more than the sharing of a drink, and that in the next few days they would be well rewarded.

❧

Many hours later, after a large white moon had risen high in the night sky, China returned to the
Belle
.

Within minutes of her arrival, she knew that Travis and Charlene had returned and that they were both in Charlene's cabin. She frowned. Charlene and Travis were close. She did not care about that, but she realized they might be conspiring against Marc. Tomorrow she would ask more questions and try to learn where Travis had gone that day.

China went to Shawna's cabin and opened the door to slip quietly inside. A lamp, still lit, shed a pale glow across the room, revealing the figure that lay on the bed. China walked over and stood looking down at Shawna, who was curled up like a child.

The lamp remained lit because Shawna's fear of the dark bordered on hysteria when she woke and found herself surrounded by it. China could imagine the terrors that had been forced on Shawna under the cover of darkness, so she never questioned the young woman's need to keep a light burning at all times.

China, as always, felt a deep pang of sadness when she looked at Shawna. The evils of Natchez had destroyed her young life before it even had a chance to blossom. She knew of Shawna's intense fear of men. Marc was the only man who could come near her, and he was extremely careful when he approached Shawna. He rarely touched her, and if he did it was with the gentle touch of a loving father or brother. The protective love China felt for Marc was renewed every time she looked at Shawna.

As if she sensed another presence in the room, Shawna's eyes flew open and she sat up abruptly. China could see the terror in her wide childlike eyes before she recognized China and smiled a tremulous smile.

She stretched and yawned like a luxury-loving kitten.

"Go on back to sleep, Shawna," China soothed. "It's not morning yet."

"Where have you been?"

"Visiting some very old friends, and asking some questions."

"Questions? What kind of questions? There's nothing you don't know about Natchez."

"Not about Natchez... about Travis. I have a feeling he has some ulterior motives I should know about. And Marc should know them too." China walked across the room to prepare for bed.

Shawna shivered slightly. "I don't like him."

Aware that Shawna often saw people clearly through her child's eyes, China returned to the bed and sat on the edge.

"You don't like him, Shawna ... why?"

"He has ..." She shrugged. "He looks at me like... like those other terrible men used to. China ... he ... he makes me feel like I should take a bath. He looks at Catalina that way too. Catalina is such a nice sweet lady, but she doesn't see his eyes. His eyes are not like Marc's. Marc's eyes smile, Travis's. . . well, he ... he looks like he is ... hungry."

"Hungry," China mused. "You might be right, Shawna. I've had the same feeling about our Mr. Travis Sherman. By tomorrow I might have some answers."

"Anyway," Shawna said brightly, "Marc won't let Travis hurt Catalina."

"What makes you say that?"

"Marc likes Catalina a whole lot," Shawna said, a happy innocent smile on her face. "I can tell. He smiles from inside when he looks at her and when he's with her he's ... he's happy. Yes, he's happy. I hope Catalina stays with Marc, and us, for a long time. We could treat her real nice China, and Marc would smile all the time."

"Marc smiles from inside." China laughed softly. "It's the first time I've heard falling in love described that way. But I do agree with you, Shawna. I just don't think Marc has any idea that he's in love with Catalina yet. In fact"—she chuckled—"it might come as somewhat of a shock when he does realize it"

Shawna blinked, then frowned. "Don't laugh at Marc, China. He is very clever. There's nothing he doesn't know. Besides, he took Catalina home with him, so maybe he wants to keep her and not let her go away like all the other lady friends he's had. I think Marc would be sad if Catalina went away. You don't think she will, do you? Maybe you should tell her to stay."

"No, Shawna," China said slowly. She patted Shawna's hand. "And don't you say anything. If she wants to stay she will, and if she wants to go, she will. That's a decision she must make for herself, a decision only Marc can help her make. You understand me, don't you, Shawna?"

Shawna nodded, but her mind was caught up in a novel idea. Shawna rarely disobeyed China or Marc But this time her mind had spun a web of happiness for her beloved Marc, and to make that a reality, she would even disobey China. Shawna decided that when Catalina came back on board the
Belle
, she was going to ask her to stay and make them all happier.

She sat cross-legged on the bed, and watched China prepare to retire. Her world could be complete, she thought All she needed was her home on the
Belle
, China to be her friend, and Marc and Catalina to make up the family she had never known.

When China got into bed, the dimly lit room became quiet All that could be heard was the gentle swish of water as the boat gently rocked the two women to sleep.

No one heard the soft moaning sounds of passion in Charlene's cabin or the rustling as bodies sated themselves. And no one heard the laughter and quiet conversation when passion was temporarily eased, and the evil pair took pleasure in the dark and wicked plans they had made.

The new day dawned, streaking the horizon, before the two conspirators slept, satisfied that the coming days would bring their plans to fruition.

S
eth and Charles stood side by side at the rail of the
Constitution
. Neither had been able to sleep so they smoked in companionable silence as the night waned. In fact there had been very little sleep for Seth since the journey had begun. Question after question tore at his mind, and he found himself torn between the desire to know Catalina was safe and well, and the aching need to return to his Aunt Charlotte to make sure Jake was also safe and well.

He laughed silently, wondering to himself if he would ever think of her as anything but Jake. He could not believe that he had actually dreamed of her when steep had actually come. The little termagant was lodged in his thoughts and he found it hard to eject her. He was more than amused at himself when he realized if it wasn't necessary to make sure Cat was all right, he would dash back to Jake.

Charles spoke twice before he jolted Seth from his thoughts.

"What... what did you say, Charles?"

"I said we'll be reaching Natchez by this time tomorrow night"

Thank God. The strain is making sleep nearly impossible. I'm sure Cat is all right"

"But you're a little worried about how your ward, Jake, is doing?" Charles grinned.

"She's not exactly my ward." Seth laughed. "In fact she'd go off on one of her tangents if you labeled her as such. Of all the independent creatures I've ever known, Jake is the toughest. And she has one hell of a temper. You might get a taste of it if you refer to her as my anything."

"I'll try to remember not to do that, but I wonder if you will remember not to do it."

"What do you mean?"

"You've a connoisseur's eye, Seth, especially when it comes to women. You saw the sleeping beauty beneath the rough exterior. The most beautiful of diamonds is cut from the roughest stone."

"That's what makes me worry."

"About the metamorphosis you're going to be responsible for? I should think you'd feel quite proud of yourself. It's a very charitable act."

"I didn't do it to be charitable!"

"Well, then"—Charles turned to face Seth—"suppose you tell me ... about yourself… just why you did do it."

Seth thought for a long silent moment, envisioning Jake... her rough men's clothes and her defensive temper. Slowly he replaced her clothes with others—a silk dress, even ribbons for her glorious hair. What Seth saw in his mind's eye disturbed him. He turned to look at Charles and his confusion was evident.

"I don't know what my motives are. I felt I was indebted to her and her grandfather."

"You could have bought them a new boat."

"Yes, I suppose I could." Again Seth was shaken. "Good God, Charles, you don't think I would take advantage of Jake, seek some kind of reward for what I'm doing?"

"Would you, Seth?" Charles questioned gently.

Seth searched his heart. His reputation had not always been untainted, and he couldn't blame Charles for having some doubts. But he suddenly felt secure in his answer. He also was pleased to have found a Seth he had never known existed.

"No, Charles. I want to see Jake happy. I don't think she's had much in her life. I don't want to hurt her—in any way. I think she and I can become friends .. . and that's all I demand from her."

"You know, Seth my boy, you have grown into quite a man. I know your aunt is going to be more than pleased, and so will Cat, when you meet again. I think it's the first time in our acquaintance that I can honestly say I'm proud to know you."

"Thank you," Seth replied. He felt good, and he realized he had a great deal more than saving his life to thank Jake for. He decided to buy her a nice present in Natchez.

The thought of Natchez turned his mind to Catalina and the problems she might be facing. Reevaluating his own life had led him to reevaluate his friends, and his opinions of some of them had changed. He now viewed Travis in a different light, and realized the man had goaded him toward his debauchery and had continually urged nun into wilder excesses.

No wonder Cat disliked the man. Seth groaned silently. Because of him Cat had put herself in Travis's hands. He was terribly aware of his sister's love and of his own blind foolishness. He thought of Marc Copeland, a man of iron who might be much more of a threat to Cat than Travis.

But Seth knew that his own newly developed sense of honor would not allow him to let Cat pay any of his debts. If he had to call Marc out and fight a duel with him, he would, but he would no longer stand behind Cat's skirts. Grimly determined, Seth decided that if Marc Copeland had harmed Cat in any way he would pay with his life....

❧

Jake laughed softly as she twirled the white-and-green ruffled parasol. She pretended to look flirtatiously from beneath the matching green-and-white bonnet as she studied herself in the full-length mirror.

The green silk dress she wore enhanced her extremely well proportioned figure. Its bodice and sleeves were snugly fitted, and its draped skirt was drawn back into a large ruffled bustle that magnified the slenderness of her waist At the hem of her skirt the white lace of her petticoat was barely visible. With her hair pulled into a mass of burnished ringlets at the nape of her neck, Jake made an entrancing picture.

Sophie, having finished helping her dress, sat on the bed smiling admiringly at Jake. It was hard for her to believe that this was the rough and dirty urchin she had first seen a few weeks before.

"Miss Jake, you sure do look so pretty. You're going to take everybody at the party this afternoon by storm, especially all the young men. Miss Charlotte's having trouble now, but after today she's going to have to hire protectors to keep the young men in New Orleans from storming her house."

Jake's smile faded slightly as she regarded herself in the mirror. What she saw reflected there was a frightened girl hovering on the threshold of womanhood, and she was astounded by the change in her.

The doors Seth had opened were very wide.

She looked at herself critically. Was she pretty as Sophie said? Would Seth think her pretty? She was shaken by how important the answer to this question was.

Despite Charlotte's subtle warnings, Jake made every move, bought every item of apparel with one thought in mind. Would Seth like this? She envisioned his quick smile or the disappointment in his eyes. This last possibility she could not bear.

She constantly reminded herself to abide by Charlotte's wishes, for she knew Charlotte's disapproval would ultimately lead to his.

"Am I really pretty, Sophie?"

"Oh, Miss Jake, you're one of the prettiest girls in New Orleans. I hear lots of people talking and they keep saying how pretty you are. All those invitations you get, do you think they just send 'em because of Miss Charlotte? No sir. Every eligible bachelor in New Orleans is frothing at the mouth to be first in line. In fact I've seen some of the married ones looking pretty funny too."

"Do you think," Jake asked hesitantly, "that Seth will like me?"

"He can't help but like you. Mister Seth has known a lot of pretty girls, but I'll bet he falls in love with you when he comes back and he just gets in line with all the other boys."

Jake's cheeks grew pink, for it seemed to her that Sophie had exposed her dream. And it was a dream, she knew; for men in Seth's position did not fall in love with girls from the docks, no matter how pretty they were. Still, it was a dream she could cling to until Seth returned.

Suddenly thinking of the changes in her life, she was reminded of the look in her grandfather's eyes when she and Charlotte had visited the boat.

Charlotte had given her a last critical look before they had left the house, and her smile of approval had made Jake feel much more secure. She had hoped to see the same look in her grandfather's eyes.

As they had ridden slowly toward the docks in an open carriage, Jake had been made more aware of the changes in her by the realization that the docks on which she had been raised seemed to have changed. Had they always been this dirty and rowdy? Had they always been so filled with the dregs of humanity, with wandering souls that could not seem to find a permanent harbor?

When the carriage had at last stopped near the fishing boat on which she had been raised, she was even more shaken at seeing how small it suddenly seemed.

The driver aided Charlotte to descend from the carriage, then extended his hand to Jake, who stepped down with the regal bearing of a grand lady despite the fear that tore at her. Would her grandfather's feelings have changed—or would they change when he saw her?

With Charlotte behind her, she walked slowly up the gangplank. The deck of the boat was deserted, but she knew, even if the crew men were ashore, her grandfather would be in his cabin. Nervously, she walked toward it.

Charlotte watched her hesitant approach, aware that Jake was not lacking in courage. Dressed in an orchid silk gown with a matching bonnet and parasol, Jake seemed exceptionally delicate and very beautiful.

Benjamin sat at his desk, trying to sort out the figures in his record book. He did not hear Jake's approach until she spoke softly from the doorway.

"Grandpa?"

Benjamin immediately spun around, but for some moments he did not recognize the slim, beautiful, well-dressed young woman that stood in the doorway. When he saw tears glistening in her green eyes, his heart leapt in joy.

"Jake ... baby," he cried, as he stood and extended his arms to her. Jake flew across the room and flung herself into her grandfather's warm embrace.

"Oh, Grandpa," she sobbed.

Benjamin took hold of Jake's shoulders and held her away from him while he looked her over closely.

"My God, you are such a beautiful young lady I can hardly recognize you."

"I'm still me, Grandpa; I didn't change. I've got some pretty clothes, but I'm still me."

Benjamin could hear the desperation in her words. She had not yet molded herself to her new life, and was afraid to break her ties to the old.

"Of course you are, child. You will always be my Jake. Do you know you look so much like your mother it's as if she's here too? And your pa would be so proud if he could see you now. Proud like I am."

"Are you, Grandpa? Are you pleased?"

"I couldn't be more pleased." He looked past Jake to Charlotte. "And I couldn't be more grateful for all you've done for my little girl," he said.

"I've done nothing but put pretty wrappings on the fine gift you created. What Jake is, you made, Benjamin Barde, and I won't take the credit for all the years you must have worked and sacrificed to raise her. May I come in?" Charlotte's smile was warm, and Ben was glad that she had crossed Jake's path.

He knew who Charlotte McNeil was, but she walked to him and held out a slender gloved hand.

"I'm Seth's aunt, Charlotte McNeil, and I am most pleased to make your acquaintace, Mr. Barde. Jake has spoken of you quite often, and I have been looking forward to meeting you from the moment Seth brought Jake home."

"Meeting me?" Ben asked with a smile. "Just why would you want to meet me?"

"As I told Jake, I wanted to meet the man who took the time to make her into the sweet girl she is."

Ben smiled.

"Come and sit down," he invited, brushing off a chair for Charlotte. She did so, then watched as Benjamin again turned to Jake. "And where is young Seth? Didn't he come with you?"

"He's not in New Orleans, Grandpa," Jake began. She began to relate all that had happened since she and Seth had left the boat.

"Travis Sherman," Ben mused. "Seems to me I've heard a few stories about him."

"You know Travis Sherman?" Charlotte questioned.

"Well, not exactly," Ben confessed. "But I've heard a lot about him, and I know some gentlemen who've .. . ah . . . done business with him."

"That doesn't sound so favorable," Charlotte said, her gaze holding Ben's.

"Is Mr. Sherman a friend of yours?"

"Hardly," Charlotte responded dryly.

"Then the truth is, it's not too favorable. The man's a sly fox I wouldn't trust."

"I see."

"Miss McNeil, I'm right pleased you came to pay me a visit and that you brought my girl," Ben declared.

"Seems to me, Mr. Barde"—Charlotte smiled— "that no family should be separated. We look forward to your coming to visit us also. Jake has missed you, I'm sure, so you must come as often as you can."

"I don't think that would be very wise," Ben said gently.

"Grandpa! Don't you want to come and see me?"

Jake went to his side and knelt beside him, and Ben reached out to place a hand on her cheek. His smile was patient.

"Jake girl," he said quietly, "this is your chance to be something special. People will look at you and smile and say what a lovely lady Charlotte McNeil's ward is. You can go so far, be so much. But"—he paused as if searching for words—"what are people going to say if they see this old fisherman hanging around? They're going to say, well maybe that girl's not a lady at all. No, Jake. Your old grandpa's not going to spoil things for you by being a weight around your neck. No. You go and be what you need to be, and I'll stay here where I belong."

Jake gazed at her grandfather for several moments. Then she stood and turned to face Charlotte.

"Aunt Charlotte," she said softly, "you can go back home alone. I won't be returning with you. Tell Seth when he comes back that he can find me here if he wants to talk to me."

"Now just a darn minute, girl!" Ben rose abruptly to his feet. "You can't do that. This is the chance of your life. You can't throw it aside!"

"Grandpa," Jake said softly, "you're my family. You've given me all the love I've ever known. Do you want me to be the kind of person who would give up those who had loved and cared for her just to have pretty clothes and sweet-smelling perfume? Well, I won't. I love you, Grandpa, and if you won't be a part of my life up there, then I won't be there. There is no choice when it comes to you or being a lady."

Ben's eyes glowed and they were suspiciously moist. He reached out and drew Jake into his arms.

"All right, girl," he choked out. "If you want to invite me again ... well I guess I'll come."

"Come soon, Grandpa, please, I want to show you so much. I can read, Grandpa ... well almost. I get stuck on some big words, but I'm pretty good. And I'm learning to ride a horse! Oh, come soon, Grandpa!"

"I will, child. I will."

"I extend an invitation to come and see us at any time you choose, Mr. Barde." Charlotte smiled.

"The name is Ben, Miss McNeil." He chuckled. "I guess if I'm going to be around some, you might just call me by my name."

Charlotte rose from her chair, a warm smile lighting her eyes. "Then you must also call me Charlotte, for I do believe we are going to be good friends."

"I wouldn't doubt it Seems my girl wouldn't have it any other way."

They all laughed, and then they spent the balance of the afternoon talking of both the past and the future.

The words Charlotte had spoken when they had left resounded in Jake's ears as she dressed for the afternoon party to which Ben had been invited.