Catalina's Caress (7 page)

❧

Charlotte sat across the desk from a man she considered one of her dearest friends. He was influential in New Orleans, possessing more wealth than anyone in the city.

Charles Dante was approaching sixty, yet he had the grace of a man who has lived a full and active life. He was tall and retained a touch of his youthful handsomeness. His hair was still dark brown, and the streaks of white in it gave him a touch of distinction as did the full mustache he wore. His eyes were hazel and they glittered now with pleasure.

"Charlotte my dear, I swear time is a man and he's in love with you as every man in New Orleans was. He has been good to you."

"Ah, you are still the silver-tongued Charles." Charlotte laughed.

"I speak only the truth, my dear. Tell me, Charlotte, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Must I want something to visit you?"

"Some years ago I would have questioned that since you so enjoyed creating gossip. But today"—he chuckled—"you want something."

"Well, you're right, Charles. I do."

"What is it?"

"You know everyone and everything of importance in New Orleans. Have you heard of a young man named Marc Copeland?"

"Copeland ... Copeland. The name rings a bell."

"You know him?"

"I'm not sure ... seems I heard ... isn't he the one who .. . ah—" His eyes glowed. "I've heard rumors that the
Belle
has changed owners. Could it be the exchange was not to everyone's liking?"

"Hardly."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"No," Charlotte replied with a smile, "but I want you to find out about young Marc Copeland ... all about Marc Copeland. No matter how trivial you think the information might be. I want to know everything."

"And I'll do this for you without a question?" He laughed enthusiastically. "Tell me, Charlotte, how do you keep that sweet face when you're such a diabolical schemer?"

"I admire you too, Charles." Charlotte joined him in laughter. "And I shall buy you the very best dinner in town when you have the information."

"That, my dear, is a bargain I shall look forward to."

"Good. Now I must get back. My niece and nephew will be having dinner with me tonight." She put her hand on Charles's arm and looked up at him. "I'm grateful for your help. I really am. One day, when this little affair is over to our satisfaction, I'll explain it to you. I promise."

"That's good enough for me, Charlotte." She nodded, patted his arm, and left.

❧

When Charlotte arrived home she checked on the preparations for dinner, then went to her room to change.

The meal, when it was served, was exceptional. The crystal seemed to shine more brightly, the china to be more beautiful, the candlelight to glow more softly. And pleasure filled the hearts of those at the table. It came as a welcome surprise to Catalina that Travis did not appear with the promised champagne. She did not know his reason and did not care. His absence pleased her.

After they had eaten and had enjoyed their brandies, Seth rose from his chair.

"Well, I think I'd best get down to the docks. I'm impatient to see Mr. Copeland's reaction when I tell him that the Carringtons can still spit on him and his shady dealings."

"I wish you'd let me go with you, Seth," Catalina said. "After all this negotiation was really between him and me."

"After the things he suggested to you, do you think I'd let him even be in the same room with you again? Forget it, Cat. He's a blackguard and I don't intend to let his influence touch you again."

The two women sat together and listened to the door close. Both were aware that at least two hours would pass before Seth would return.

❧

Seth went to the stables. At any other time he would have had a carriage made ready, but tonight speed was more important, so he saddled a horse and rode toward the docks.

It had been many months since Seth had ridden with such assurance. For the first time in years he felt his life was on the right path. The route he chose took him along the river for some distance before it was possible to skirt the edge of town nearest the docks. The dirt road was deserted, and he rode quickly, still allowing himself the pleasure of enjoying the balmy breeze and the beauty of the moonlit star-studded night.

He was relaxed and totally unprepared for the sudden attack. Two men leapt from the shadows and dragged him from his horse. He fought them wildly, but they had weapons. They struck swiftly and violently, and he felt the pain of several blows before unconsciousness claimed him.

They stood over him then, and one took a wicked-bladed knife from his belt. He knelt on one knee and was about to plunge it into Seth's back when a voice spoke from the shadows.

"Don't stab him. Just toss his body into the Mississippi. She'll take care of him."

Travis stepped from the shadows and stood nearby. He watched as they lifted Seth's inert body and, swinging it between them, tossed it into the swift current of the river.

"Now," Travis stated, "that's one barrier out of the way. Keep an eye on the
Belle
. When Copeland leaves, make sure he follows his friend. I don't want any bodies found. As far as anyone will know, he has just disappeared. Make it the same with Copeland."

"Don't worry," one man replied gruffly. "Nobody will ever find a sign of them. We do our work well."

Travis took a small pouch from his pocket and watched the men's eyes glow avariciously as he tossed it to them. By the time they opened it and took out the money, Travis had silently faded into the night.

He was pleased with himself. He would soon have a clear path to Catalina ... all the barriers would have been washed away in the muddy waters of the river.

A
s the hall clock chimed midnight Catalina and Charlotte paced the parlor floor. Both knew it was long past the time when Seth should have returned.

Charlotte watched Catalina closely, somehow knowing her niece was coming to a decision, and afraid that she knew what the decision was. What she didn't know, at the moment, was how she was going to prevent her from pursuing such a course.

She watched Catalina, knowing she was seeing her own younger self, and she felt a keen camaraderie with her niece, even though she could not show it without encouraging Catalina to do something extremely dangerous.

"Do sit down," she said. "You have been pacing that floor for hours and you make me nervous."

"Aunt Charlotte, Seth should have been back."

"Seth is a young man. He has probably stopped to share a drink with friends now that he's cleared his mind."

"Really, Aunt Charlotte, you don't believe that any more than I do. Something has happened."

"What could possibly happen? He was only going to speak to the man. For heaven's sake, Cat, is this Copeland foolish enough to do something to Seth when he must realize Seth would be expected to return?"

"Marc Copeland is completely without scruples. He would most certainly try something. Good God, he might—"

"Come, Cat. It would be idiocy for him to hurt Seth."

"He's shrewd, and he might just think that would solve his problem." Catalina began to walk toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

To find out what happened," she called over her shoulder. She dashed up the stairs as Charlotte rose and came to the bottom of the steps. In her room Catalina grabbed up her reticule. Then she went to a drawer and jerked it open. She ruffled through piles of lacy lingerie until her hand came to what she sought—a small single-shot derringer. She slipped the small gun into her bag and then ran from the room.

When she reached the bottom of the steps, Charlotte grasped her arm.

"Cat, you cannot do this!"

"But I can, Aunt Charlotte."

"One woman alone! What do you expect to accomplish?"

"To find out what happened."

"It's too dangerous. I won't let you go." Charlotte gripped her arm firmly. For a moment the two women looked at each other. Then slowly and deliberately Catalina's free hand loosened Charlotte's fingers.

"Don't try to stop me, Aunt Charlotte. I must find out what happened. Most likely, if Seth is still there, we will come home together."

"And if he's not?"

Then Mr. Copeland had best have some answers. Aunt Charlotte"—Catalina's voice softened—"don't try to fool me. If you were in my place, you would do the same. I'll be careful."

"Cat, please ..." Charlotte began, but Catalina was already moving toward the door. In a moment, it closed behind her.

Less than twenty minutes later Catalina was slapping the reins against the horse's rump to urge it to pull the buggy more rapidly through the streets.

❧

Marc drained the last of his drink and set the glass aside. He was annoyed. Annoyed with himself and with, the unwelcome thoughts he had tried energetically to put out of his mind.

He had been certain there would be much more of a reaction from Joseph Carrington, had expected something explosive by now. He knew the story of his taking the
Belle
was no longer a secret He had had alterations started and that would show all of New Orleans he fully intended to make the famous
Southern Belle
into a floating palace of gambling and other delights. That alone should be enough to bring the old man howling, he thought.

His confrontation with Catalina was one thorn that pricked him, but he was determined. After all, a need for revenge was all he had. It was a point of honor that he see justice done.

What irritated him the most, however, was his loss of pleasure in Nina. He had used business as an excuse and had promised her a special night tomorrow, then had gone to his own cabin to try and clear his mind.

Nina was less than happy about this, but she knew well that Marc was not a man to push.

Now he removed his boots and jacket, and unbuttoned his shirt cuffs. As he slowly unbuttoned his shirt he allowed his mind to touch on the elusive Catalina again. His tongue explored his lips as he vividly remembered the taste of hers and the feel of her body against his.

Forcefully he pushed her from his mind. The luxury of enjoying her was more than he could afford. He wanted to seduce her, then discard her. He wanted to use her, to hurt her, to make her pay her share of the price. For one by one he would destroy the Carringtons.

He threw the shirt aside and removed the rest of his clothes. Then he extinguished the lamp and went to his bunk. It had been a very eventful day, nonetheless sleep seemed to, purposely, elude him. It was replaced by the misty apparition of a slim defiant woman.

It was past midnight and he was sure the next day promised to be more interesting. Surely repercussions would begin. He smiled as he turned over to try to sleep. Maybe she would come again to beg ... and she might realize she was in a position where she would have to meet his demands.

This thought was pleasant enough to hold, and he did, until he relaxed and slowly felt sleep approach.

❧

Catalina stopped her carriage some distance from the boat. She pulled her dark cloak about her and made her way through the dark shadows to the
Belle
.

The boat was dark, but she found her way slowly, making no noise.

She was amused that he had so much confidence in his power that he had not even posted a guard.

Such arrogance, she thought. He needs to be taught that others are clever too—clever enough to stop him.

She stood outside his door and reached for the handle. Gripping it, she turned it slowly ... so slowly. When it clicked softly, she laughed to herself. He had made his first foolish misstep. Very carefully she opened the door, just enough to slip inside and close it behind her.

She had to stand immobile for a minute because her heart was pounding, her mouth was dry, and she was shaking. Slowly she regained control of herself, and her mind returned to her ultimate goal.

Her eyes began to become accustomed to the darkness, and she could vaguely see his form on the bed.

She moved very slowly, setting her feet down carefully to keep her movements soundless.

One step ... another .. . another. She held her breath as she came close to the bunk. Slowly she removed the gun from her bag and bent forward to nudge him into wakefulness.

But before she could touch him a hard muscular arm came around her, pinning her arms to her body, and a large hand covered her mouth. She tried to scream and fight but both attempts were futile. She was most thoroughly caught against a body that felt as solid as granite. To make it worse she heard a soft amused chuckle and then a deep seductive voice spoke near her ear.

❧

Marc had heard the first sound made when she had turned the handle of the door. He had immediately thought an assassin had been sent. He'd slipped from the bed, covered his pillows to make it look as though someone was still sleeping. Then he had moved behind a nearby chair to wait.

When the dark cloaked figure had entered, he would have struck, had not the scent of her perfume told him immediately who this shrouded intruder was.

He had moved close behind her and just as she'd bent over the bunk he'd caught her against him with one arm and covered her mouth with his hand.

"And I thought it was going to be a lonely and uneventful night Welcome aboard. It's about time you came to your senses. This promises to be a very warm night."

She struggled and sputtered in anger, but, behind his hand, all that came out was a muffled sound of resistance.

"I'm going to let you go, but before I do, let me warn you. No screaming, unless, of course"—he chuckled— "you want all of New Orleans to know you are here with me. Are you listening?"

She nodded.

"No screaming?"

Again she shook her head, this time negatively. He released her mouth slowly, almost expecting her to scream, but she remained silent. Then he turned her around to face him.

It was impossible to see his face, but she was sure of one very startling thing, he was naked.

"I'm going to light a lamp," he warned. "Don't think you can make it to the door before me. I know the cabin, you don't."

"I... I won't... only ..."

"Only what?"

"Put on your clothes."

She heard his soft laughter, and her face burned with a combination of embarrassment and pure rage.

"You come into my bedroom in the middle of the night so I can only believe you have more delightful ideas about entertaining me. Why should I bother to dress?"

She heard him moving about and then the clink of the glass chimney of a lamp. She squeezed her eyes shut as light flooded the room. Again she heard his tormentingly evil laugh. Cracking her eyes open slightly, she found him with one hip braced on the edge of his desk, his foot swinging indolently back and forth. He had put on his breeches, but that was all. The taunting smile on his lips and the glitter of laughter in his eyes incensed her even more.

"Now, my dear lady, can I attribute this nocturnal visit as a desire on your part to share my very willing favors?"

"You are damned arrogant!" She snapped. He was completely unprepared when she raised her hand from the folds of the cape and the small derringer pointed at him. "I could easily shoot that smile from your face."

His eyes became wary, but the smile remained. He did not move and appeared to totally disregard the gun.

"It wounds me to think you didn't come to share the night with me. I thought our mutual attraction was what had drawn you here."

"Mutual attraction," she spat out furiously. "I find you a disreputable rogue and I'd die before I let you touch me!"

"Then might I ask," his voice dripped with casual amusement, "why you disrupted some very pleasant dreams?"

"Where is my brother? What have you done with him?"

This was the last thing Marc expected. He had been prepared for threats or vindictive anger.

"Your brother? The last time I saw him was across a card table."

"You're lying!"

Marc stiffened and his smile faded. His eyes took on a cold glint and he stood erect, causing Catalina to step back a step or two.

"I'm not in the habit of allowing people to call me a liar. I have not seen your brother."

"He left my aunt's home with the sole intent of coming here. That was just after dinner. Are you trying to convince me he never arrived?"

"I don't recall trying to convince you-of anything. You're the one who came here remember?"

He had moved closer to her as he'd spoken and she had been so caught by the dark scowl and the breathless effect he was having on her that she hadn't realized how close he was until his hand whipped out and struck the gun from her grasp, sending it rattling across the floor. She gave a startled cry and started after the weapon. But he caught her wrist, and the force of his grip as he pulled, combined with the forward motion of her body, slammed her against his hard frame.

He then gripped her other wrist and pulled her arms behind her back. She was effectively caught against him.

"Let go of me, you brute," she demanded.

"Sorry, my dear, but I've a strong inclination toward self-preservation. Besides"—he laughed—"I much prefer the position we're in now."

She writhed and struggled, glaring at him furiously, but succeeded only in exhausting herself and becoming breathless in the process.

Besides the glow in his eyes had changed in its intensity as her body began to create havoc with his. His gaze now seemed to smolder as it moved over her. To Catalina, it felt like a physical caress.

"Stop staring at me and let me go." She tried to put more authority into her voice but she knew the attempt was less than effective.

"Are you by chance frightened of me... or of yourself?"

She looked up into his eyes and saw a smiling warmth there. A multitude of strange and unwelcome emotions came over her, but, to her surprise, fear was not one of them.

"I'm certainly not fool enough to think I can fight you physically. I suppose"—she held his eyes with a stubborn gaze—"I am somewhat at your mercy. I can only hope you might have developed some sense of honor since we first met. Or is rape not beyond you?"

His eyes sparked with anger, but his lips curved in a half-smile. He deliberately tightened his arms about her, and his voice was suggestively smooth.

"Are you so sure it would be rape ... that you would not be more than willing?"

His loins pressed intimately against her, and despite her renewed rage she was aware of the hard masculinity of him.

She stiffened at the subtle humor in his voice.

"Tell me," he said with casual softness, "shall we put it to the test... or are you really afraid?"

The barb stung, for at this moment she was touched for the first time with a premonitional fear of something unknown.

It was as if he did not hear the storm in her words, only the uncertainty. His eyes were heated now with a real need she could not help but understand.

He stood towering above her, tall and bronzed, and for a long moment there was a silence in which Catalina could hear her own heart begin to pound. Beneath his touch she had felt herself begin to tremble.

Her lips were parted and her breathing was ragged, then her eyes half closed as he bent his head. His parted lips found hers in a kiss that stirred something volatile in both of them, forging them together, and time seemed to hover, motionless, in this moment preordained like the blending of sand and sea.

It was enough to sap their resistance, this strong intoxicating nectar. His mouth savored hers with a growing urgency that was echoed in her as her mouth opened and her tongue flicked against his teasing, taunting... accepting. The heat of his kiss flooded her senses until a raging desire consumed the last of her will and she lost the reins of her self-control.

The awakening pleasure deep within her was strong with the promise of fulfillment of the hunger that seemed to ravage her. Warm strong fingers expertly loosened and discarded clothing, and she watched with half-closed eyes as if she were not a participant but an onlooker. She was mesmerized by the glistening bronze of his body as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed.

All her resistance and strength were sapped as he enclosed her in a strong embrace and his open mouth took hers again. She found herself molding to his frame and moaning softly under the expert touch of gentle hands. She forgot all her darkest intentions as his lips brushed her hair, her cheek, and then nipped lightly at her ear. She closed her eyes as his searing lips traced her throat and shoulders.

Slowly, tenderly, he leisurely aroused her, stroking her breasts and then her belly. She was filled with a warm tingling excitement.

The kisses, begun gently, turned savage and fierce as their mouths slanted across each other in mutual impatience. His lips, hot and wet, seared her breasts, and his teeth lightly nibbled the soft flesh of her belly.

She gasped, panting, breathless and pliable beneath his caresses as time seemed to hover on the brink of eternity.

Marc was unaware yet that all his grim intentions were floundering like sandy rock beneath the raging waves of an angry sea.

He had tried to hold his passion in control, wanting to use it to batter her pride when it was over, to reduce her will to ashes, but he was caught in his own trap. His body was afire as it had never been and he was sinking in the scented beauty of her.

His eyes were aflame as he lowered his weight upon her, parting her thighs, and, the sound of her rapturous sigh echoing in his ears, pressed himself deep within her.

An indescribably beautiful expanding bloom of joyous pleasure sent a splintering feeling pulsing through her. She arched against him with a fierce passion that matched his, and a wild ecstasy surged through them fusing them. They moved together as one, the thunderous beats of their hearts blending in a drumming tempo. Both had lost touch with reality, and their world careened crazily beneath rhythmic strokes. With fierce naked abandon they possessed each other, spiraling up to breathless heights and then tumbling into the oblivion of completion.

For a long moment they clung to each other as if caught in a deep trance, neither wanting to break the spell, knowing already what lay beyond it. But the sweet taste of passion turned bitter in both as reality intruded mercilessly.

Catalina was struck by disbelief and dismay. His words had been true. There was no way she could say rape when she knew how willingly she had succumbed to his touch. She closed her eyes and wept at her body's betrayal.

Marc looked upon himself condemningly as well. He could not let the soft touch of the woman in his arms destroy all his well-laid plans. His every sense urged him to take and hold this fragile offering of something rare and valuable while his mind resisted these leanings. He had planned too long, hated too long, to let go so easily.

In a moment, that caused him more struggle and frustration than he could ever admit to her, he donned his armor of self-defense and the eyes he raised to hers were filled with all the assurance and self-control he could manage. He smiled, a knowledgeable I-told-you-so smile that struck her like a physical blow.

She gasped and closed her eyes, turning her head away as if she could deny the reality of what had happened. But her body would not deny the feel of his hard body.

"Let me go," she whispered raggedly.

"Running away again?" he chided. "Why not just face the truth of what you want?"

She choked on the anger slowly boiling to the surface. It filled her like a brilliant and painful explosion.

"If this is a sample"—he laughed—"in a few weeks I might just be willing to turn the
Belle
back over to your brother."

"Damn you! I didn't come here to sell myself to you. I came to find Seth."

"You needn't cling to that story anymore." He chuckled. "It was a good excuse to come, but we both know this was the real reason. Now that we're done with the excuses and the preliminaries"—his voice lowered and his eyes gleamed suggestively—"we can concentrate on the pleasures we've only just tasted."

"You are a vile-minded person!" she shrieked, and doubling her fists, she pushed against his chest. "I would like to leave," she grated as coldly as she could manage, considering her body was forming arguments she refused to acknowledge.

"Why leave so soon?" he questioned, a touch of teasing humor in his voice. "It's a long and beautiful night and I have something... you want. Who knows"—he shrugged—"maybe one night would be enough to get what you want."

"You know where my brother is?" she cried triumphantly.

"No. I told you I don't, but I still have the
Belle
."

Now it was her chance to turn the tables and bring to an end any hold he had on Seth or on her.

"You have the
Belle
... and you may keep her. Neither Seth nor I will give you any hold over us. Keep the boat and know that you have failed in whatever it was you tried to do."

He was taken by surprise upon seeing her assured hold over herself and the glow of satisfaction in her eyes. He had misjudged her strength. But it was a mistake he would never make again.

In a quicksilver move she escaped his hold and leapt from the bunk snatching at her clothes. She dressed in haste, refusing to acknowledge his presence as if he were no longer of any account. Then she flung her cloak about her and nearly ran from the cabin, slamming the door behind her.

Marc rose from the bunk and walked to a corner to retrieve the derringer. He picked it up and looked at it. Then he smiled and tossed it into his desk drawer.

"We're not finished yet Catalina Carrington. Oh no ... we're not finished yet."