Desire and Deception (39 page)

Following Kyle as he pointed out various details, Lauren discovered to her dismay that her thoughts kept straying to the last time she had visited the
Siren.
She was grateful Kyle didn't take her below decks, since Jason had disappeared in that direction and she had no wish to encounter him in his cabin. She still grew warm whenever she recalled her experiences there at his skillful hands.

Tim Sutter's presence also reminded her of that night. She knew a moment of embarrassment when the young man saluted her smartly, but recovered when she saw the undisguised admiration on his face. Pausing to speak to him, Lauren made him a gracious apology for hitting him on the head and inquired about his injury. Tim turned a fiery red and mumbled a disclaimer, and after hastily begging the captain's permission to return to his chores, he scurried off, leaving Kyle laughing and even Lauren smiling a little.

Kyle didn't introduce her to any of the other men on board, even though she was the object of more than one interested glance. "I hope you can forgive being subjected to an inspection," he remarked, noting the attention she was attracting. "You're the first female I've allowed on board the
Siren.
I haven't told my crew yet that you're the real owner of this vessel. Sailors are a suspicious lot when it comes to women and ships, and I thought it better for my men to get a good look at you before I let them know they were really working for you."

Lauren was uncomfortable with the direction their discussion was headed. "Actually," she admitted, "I would prefer that nothing be said about it."

"You still don't want anyone to know you're Miss Carlin?"

She was avoiding his gaze, so she only heard the surprise in his question. "I . . . it's just that I have gone by Lauren
DeVries
for so long that it would feel strange to change."

Kyle shrugged his broad shoulders. "I understand, but you might want to reconsider. If you plan to spend any time on board the
Siren,
your ownership will provide you a measure of protection."

"Protection?"
Lauren shot him a startled glance. "But your men don't seem disrespectful."

Kyle's grin was wry. "They wouldn't dare. Not when Jason brought you on board and while I remain by your side. This lot was handpicked, so they're a cut above the normal lot of seamen, but I've seen more than one man lose his head over a beautiful woman, risking position,
name
, everything in a moment of madness." He paused to study Lauren, his hazel eyes becoming quite serious. "Indeed, for a number of years, I was convinced that was what Jason had done. I must say, you aren't at all what I had imagined. I thought
Jase
was caught in the coils of some scheming hussy, even if you
were
worth a fortune."

"You thought that of
me?"
Lauren said weakly.

There was another long pause, before Kyle added, "Jason tried for a long time to find you. He even sent me here to the States a few years ago to look for you. But I never expected . . . I've been to New Orleans once or twice since then, but I suppose you were too well hidden." His serious expression relaxed then, and he regarded her with a rueful smile. "This ship is even named after you. I'm afraid it was my idea to call her the
Siren.
And it wasn't meant to be flattering. It didn't help to find you in that gaming house, either.
But . . . well, I should have known you wouldn't be mixed up in that kind of business.
I'm just sorry I,
er
, propositioned you."

"It was understandable, Captain," Lauren murmured, discomfited by his apology. She was relieved when Kyle changed the subject.

Her tour was interrupted a short time later by Jason's reappearance. He was carrying a bundle under one arm and a basket under the other. "Some books for you to read on the shipping industry," he said, indicating the leather-bound volumes.
"And Ulysses."
With that cryptic remark, he presented the basket to Lauren.

Hearing a muffled but decidedly mournful howl, Lauren gave Jason a quizzical look,
then
carefully peeked under the lid. When an angry orange ball of fur tried to leap out, she hastily shut it again. Stunned, Lauren glanced from Jason to the basket and then back again. "My cat," she breathed.

She looked adorably bewildered, Jason thought, glad that the occupation of his hands kept him from sweeping Lauren into his arms. He cleared his throat, directing his thoughts back to the cat. "I wouldn't let him out till you get home," he advised. "I had the devil of a time coaxing him in there. And as fond as Ulysses is of Kyle, he might not want to leave the ship."

Lauren knew she should say something, do something, but she was too astonished to speak. She was also unable to tear her gaze away from the tender light in Jason's eyes. She hardly heard Kyle's remark that she was welcome to the damned beast and a reward, too, for taking Ulysses away.

She hadn't recovered from the first shock when Jason announced that he had sent for the carriage but that he would be unable to drive her home. He apologized to Lauren, explaining that a matter had come up that required his attention and that he would probably be away from the city for a few days.

Lauren stared at Jason, puzzled, wondering what mysterious mission could possibly take him away from New Orleans, and even though she intercepted the look that passed between him and Kyle, she could read nothing in their silent communication. When Kyle gallantly offered his services as driver, Lauren accepted absently.

It was after she had been handed into the carriage and the parcels had been stowed away, that Lauren asked Jason what his business was. His answer as he stood looking down at her was evasive. "It doesn't concern you or the Carlin Line directly."

"Forgive me for prying, then," she said curtly.

Seeing the stubborn set of her chin, Jason flashed
her a
grin. "You were the one who wanted to keep our relationship impersonal," he reminded her. "Business partners only, if I recall your warning correctly." When her lips tightened, he cocked his head at her in amusement. "Do I dare hope you will miss me, Cat-eyes?"

"Dare whatever you wish," she replied haughtily.

He raised a quizzical brow.
"Whatever
I wish?"

At his intimate tone, Lauren felt vivid color stain her cheeks. She managed to return his gaze steadily, though. "I doubt your absence will cause anyone any particular distress, my lord," she said sweetly.
"Certainly not me.
I am sure to discover
something
to occupy my time."

"You have the reading material I gave you. You should find it informative, if a bit dry."

The sparkling devils in Jason's eyes suddenly made Lauren suspicious of his motives. Her own eyes narrowed. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

"Probably not," Jason laughed. "But Kyle will be here to watch over you. I trust you won't lead him on any wild chases." Taking her hand, Jason brought it to his lips. Even this simple gesture sent a flood of warmth surging through Lauren, and she nervously withdrew her hand from his grasp.

Jason released her reluctantly. He didn't want to leave; he felt far more than she the loss of parting. But he didn't intend to jeopardize his goal with a premature action.

When he spoke, however, he failed to maintain his light tone. "Take care of
yourself
, Lauren," he murmured, gazing at her intently. "I'll see you as soon as I return."

Held by the spell of that vivid blue gaze, Lauren was almost glad when Kyle gave the horses the office to start and Jason was left behind.

For much of the return drive to Bellefleur, Lauren remained silent. Then she bestirred herself to question Kyle about the suddenness of Jason's trip.

"You know as much about it as I, Miss
DeVries
," Kyle replied guardedly.

Lauren's raised eyebrow declared her disbelief. "But you do know where he's going?"

Kyle arched his neck, as if his collar had suddenly become rather uncomfortable. "You wouldn't expect me to betray a confidence, would you?"

"I suppose not," Lauren conceded. "Is Jason going to
Barataria
?" When Kyle gave her a startled glance, she realized she had hit upon the truth. "Don't be alarmed. You didn't
actually divulge any secrets."

Kyle looked at her in amazement. "Was that merely a wild guess, or do you have the same outstanding powers of deduction that Jason has?"

She smiled. "It was only a guess. A trip to the swamps might take several days, and I couldn't think of anyplace else he might go that he wouldn't want to divulge. Besides, at the bank I saw Monsieur Sauvinet give Jason a note. Everyone knows that Sauvinet has connections with the smugglers. He's said to have handled Jean Lafitte's affairs for years."

Kyle pulled the horses down to a jog. "Are you acquainted with the pirate?" he asked curiously.

"Not personally. Jean-Paul is, of course, but I only saw Monsieur Lafitte once when he was walking along the street. And I understand he prefers to be called a privateer, not a pirate."

"Same thing, to my mind, considering the fate of British merchant ships at his hands.
I understand that all his property was confiscated after the war."

Lauren nodded.
"After he earned his pardon by fighting for the Americans.
Jean-Paul was outraged at the way he was treated. Now Lafitte has challenged the government in court in order to regain what was taken from him. But does that have anything to do with Jason? He wants something from Lafitte, doesn't he? Else he wouldn't be going to see him."

Kyle kept his gaze trained on the horses. "I can't tell you, Miss Car— Miss
DeVries
."

"You mean you won't tell me. I don't see why it's such a secret. I've been exposed to smugglers all my life. Very well, then," she said when Kyle remained silent. "Will you tell me if what Jason is doing might be dangerous?"

Kyle sighed. "I don't think it is.
Unless Lafitte has nursed a grudge all these years."
He glanced at Lauren and noted the question in her eyes. "That was how Jason acquired his first ship. He won a British frigate from the pirate on a throw of the dice."

"Jason told me he didn't care to associate with Frenchmen. Was he telling the truth?"

"Most certainly.
It's his greatest prejudice. And I doubt if Jason would ever willingly lie to you," Kyle said carefully.

"You have great faith him," she returned, her tone dry.

"I should. You might say that Jason changed my life. With the reward money he received for returning the frigate to her owner, plus a little that he had saved, Jason bought the
Leucothea
,
his first vessel. He signed me on to teach him what I knew about seamanship, in exchange for half interest in the ship."

Remembering her own agreement with Jason, Lauren glanced down her hands. "Was it . . . did you find you had made a good bargain?" she asked after a moment.

"The best."

Each of them became lost in their own thoughts then, and they were more than halfway to Bellefleur when something else occurred to Lauren. "Has anyone ever succeeded in outwitting Jason?" she asked suddenly.

Kyle grinned at her question.
"Only you, to my knowledge."

Lauren shook her head.
"Oh, no.
If I had, I wouldn't be here with you." Seeing Kyle grimace, she smiled ruefully. "I didn't mean quite mean it that way. It's just that again Jason managed to get me to do precisely what he wished. I meant to pay a visit to Veronique, but I was so surprised when Jason said he was leaving that I forgot. I suppose you wouldn't consider taking me back to town?"