Love's Vengeance (20 page)

His disposition had continued to be gentle and caring since that evening. At each meeting, his eyes would be tender and his manner at ease, until she pricked his pride, goading him into yet another confrontation. She knew she must or resign herself to succumbing to the dreams of her endless nights and if she were to succumb, what then? What if she were to take his seed? Perhaps even now his child could be growing within.

Her mind conjured terrible scenes—her growing heavy with child under her aunt’s roof; Bridgett’s shock and horror that she had lain with a man without the marriage vows so important to Bridgett’s sensibilities. Returning home to face the Roche’s with a bastard child in her arms. All these images helped to strengthen her resolve against him and that which she longed to share once more.

***

Stephen took the steps to the helm, in one bound, relieving Davison from his shift. His eyes scanned the ship and fell upon Desiree as she was joined by Bridgett. He noted the brilliant smile bestowed upon the older woman and grit his teeth in rage. He would rout the wench from his mind if it were the last thing he ever did, he vowed. He had felt the bite of her rancor for the last time. She was but one of many women, there would be many more and once rid of her presence, day after day, he would again be in control.

But during his tortured nights, he had to admit, she had gotten into his blood. He had never thought he could succumb to any woman or those possessive, elusive emotions other men displayed but he was feeling them and he could not deny it, at least not to himself.

He had tried everything he could think of to bring her back to him. He had begged her for forgiveness. He had talked until he was weary. He had confronted her with the truth, trying to force her to see what had really happened that night for what it had been, but she preferred lying to herself and to him. He had tried to ignore the subject altogether—to simply share warm conversation with her as they once had, but she threw it up in his face every time they met. Never allowing them to get past it, never giving him the warmth he was now desperate to recapture. What more could he do? Get down on his knees—grovel at her feet? She would most likely laugh in his face.

Since the first time he had possessed a woman, any need had been eased in a moment of passion—but not so this time. Not only did he agonize over the need to feel her body beneath his own once more but also for that which lay beneath her womanly allure. He had come to know her moods, her quick wit and quicker mind and the loss of her was devastating. It seemed that with attaining that completing bond between them—he had destroyed all.

Chapter Sixteen

The ship groaned and strained under the effort, as it sought to tack windward against the prevailing winds. With an order from the helm the sails were trimmed and again the ship cut through the wind, at an odd angle; making progress by zigzagging across the ocean.

Desiree had stood at the rail for hours at a time in the past few days, as they passed the stark wilderness of North America. Along the coast, the harsh terrain was dotted with signs of civilization, becoming more frequent as they moved south. Rustic towns flourished and even from the distance, she could see buildings at Bar Harbor. In just two short days they would arrive at Portsmouth and she yearned for the feel of solid ground beneath her feet.

***

It was a late morning, late in the month of July that they approached Portsmouth New Hampshire. At first the scene resembled France and ports along England but was revealed to be distinctively different as they moved closer. Although through the spyglass she held to her eye, Desiree could see the activity was very similar—hectic, dirty, with crates and livestock waiting to be loaded and ships large and small all doing business, the buildings and warehouses looked somehow unfinished—plain. Not what she was accustomed to seeing on the coast of France. The endless wilderness seemed to crowd in all around the small hamlet. She wondered when or if she would get a glimpse of the gigantic white pine trees used for the masts in the booming ship building industry that Stephen had told her about once during their discussions. She did see the islands dotting the entrance to Portsmouth that flourished with fisheries, which he had told her would be one of the first sights as they approached. Those discussions, during their times together, seemed so very long ago at this point.

She and Bridgett stood quietly watching, as the New World came into distinct detail before their eyes. And as they observed the land, the captain joined them, speaking to Bridgett while keeping his eyes intentionally averted from Desiree. He leaned against the rail beside Bridgett as he looked out over the water and Desiree could not help her sense of longing as she watched his face, while appearing to look past him to the land.

“That coastline there—as far as you can see, is New Hampshire and yet it spans only over four leagues. That harbor there is the mouth of the Piscataque River and leads up near Dover. That will be my stop after leaving you ladies here at Portsmouth before I head on down the coast to Virginia. We will be docking within the hour and I will be escorting you straight to your aunt’s home—Miss Chandelle.”

His brittle regard fell upon her and Desiree’s stomach fluttered with the brief encounter. Then he abruptly turned on his heels, going about his duties and the next hour flew by as the men prepared to land at Portsmouth.

***

Stephen led the women up the narrow cobblestone path toward town and Desiree found herself looking at the foreheads of the men passing by for the brand Stephen had once told her indicated punishment from years past but she saw none. They walked amid a throng of people—men dressed in buckskin tunics and long breeches, women in styles subdued but not unlike France. Desiree noticed a peculiar absence of small children that lined the streets of Le Havre, begging for food or coin. All children seemed to be in the company of their parents and all were dressed well, if not particularly clean.

A few shops dotted the road and Desiree stopped to admire a window displaying fine furniture. The styles were elegant, wonderfully carved—with brightly stuffed cushions.

Stephen noticed her halting and stopped beside her, “Most of the finer arts of Europe are slowly being transported here. Wood for the making of furniture is abundant and there are local craftsman so imports of such are no longer in demand.”

Desiree nodded her affirmation and looked away, losing interest in her browsing. Stephen shrugged his shoulders, with a shake of his head and continued on his way.

As they walked close behind the captain so as not to lose him in the crowd, from somewhere up ahead, a shrill squeal above the bustle caught their attention and from out of the crowd, a young girl emerged. Dressed in a dark crimson gown, she stood out like a sore thumb and to Desiree’s surprise she rushed up and flung herself into Stephen’s arms. Desiree was taken aback by the ardent kiss she placed upon his mouth, in broad daylight and in public no less.

The girl’s
décolletage
was indecently low, nearly spilling her charms forth, as she crushed herself against Stephen’s broad chest and Desiree felt her ire coming up. When the girl finally pulled back, she was truly shocked to see how young she was, possibly a bit younger than herself and so brazen. She was absolutely enthralled with Captain Colter.

She was pretty, Desiree conceded, with auburn hair in bouncy cascading ringlets, falling about her shoulders, striking features, full lips. But it could be easily assumed by her daring garb that she was a serving maid, probably from a local tavern. The captain did not seem ruffled by the familiarity of the girl, in fact, he had welcomed her happily and his arms had come about her slightly buxom figure with ease, a broad grin breaking out upon his face.

“Stephen Colter!” She cried with pleasure. “I haven’t seen ye for nigh on to six months now, luv. It’s been so long—too long!” Her eyes flitted down his frame, resting indecently long on his well fitting breeches, “Say ye will be comin’ to the Commons this eve. Ye will be won’t ye?” She beamed hungrily.

Stephen inclined his head to the two standing beside him and Desiree’s eyes caught his for a moment. She glared at him, for once without looking away.

“I have an errand to run first Lass.” He smiled broadly at the giddy girl, “Heather you do my sorry state good. Missed me did you?” he chuckled, ignoring Desiree’s glare.

Heather opened her mouth to reply but looking past him to the two women instead pulled him close, whispering quietly in his ear and he roared with laughter.

“I’ll see you later sweet. After I deposit my passengers safely at their destination.” He promised with a wink.

Desiree watched the girl Heather pout prettily, kicking idly at the cobblestones with a slippered foot and then lace her fingers before her. "I’ll be waitin’ for ye.” She assured with another kiss and flounced off down toward the docks.

Stephen turned to Desiree and Bridgett momentarily, “Sorry ladies, I hope your delicate sensibilities were not offended. The lady meant no harm. She is quite young and ardent.”

His eyes purposefully fell to Desiree’s and she could feel the color coming up in her cheeks. She glared at him, angry and hurt, although she did not completely understand why. It was none of her business what he did, or with whom. Yet she felt as if the young woman and he shared some secret together, of which she was well aware, but an outsider. The feeling of envy was most disturbing.

He led the way again without another look at her and soon they arrived before a large two-story house. It was whitewashed, with flowerbeds in late bloom, adorning the foundation. It was a fine home, Desiree thought, large and gracious. A tower atop the roof, circled by a banister caught her eye and she wondered what purpose it served. She wanted to ask Stephen but thought better of it. He opened a black wrought iron gate and she entered, leaving him at the fence.

Stephen waited at the gate as they knocked upon the door and a young servant opened the portal. The two followed the girl inside and the door closed. Just like that—they were gone, without a word of farewell. With a sigh of relief, he thought, “Free of that unnerving woman at last. Now I can clear her from my mind and get back to my normal state.” With a lighthearted whistle, he started down the road, feeling the weight of the past weeks lifting.

***

The maid allowed Desiree and Bridgett into the front hall and when Desiree informed her of her name and relationship to her mistress, the girl curtsied and hurried off to find the lady of the house.

While waiting, Desiree looked about the rooms visible from the front hall, taking note of the steep staircase stretching to the second floor. Finely polished oak banisters glistened in the late morning sun, spilling in from a small window at the top of the case. The floors were polished until they glowed with brilliant luster.

The furniture was handsome and had an English air about it, not as ornate or fragile as French styles. A mammoth stone fireplace took up the majority of one wall on the far side of a spacious front room.

Bridgett watched Desiree’s face, looking for some sign of her mood concerning the abrupt leaving of the captain, without so much as a word to Desiree or herself. He had looked as if he had wanted to say something, just as they entered the gate leaving him there, but had decided against it. This occurrence held with the mood of late, which had developed aboard ship, leaving her very much baffled.

***

Within minutes gleeful laughter preceded Colette Dubois as she rushed through the front room with arms outstretched toward Desiree, “Oh my sweet! How you have grown! Bridgett my dear, how are you?” She squeezed Bridgett’s hand in her own; then embraced Desiree once more.

Taking both Desiree’s hands, she held her back to get a better look, “Oh you have grown so very beautiful! You are the image of your mother at your age. What on earth are you doing here? Are your parents with you? How are they?” She gushed excitedly.

Desiree was in confusion. She had sent word of the accident months ago, well before they had begun their journey, “Didn’t you receive my letter?”

“No, not for six months, at least. What is it Desiree?” Colette could see something amiss in her niece’s face and fear gripped her.

“Come.” Desiree urged, leading Colette by the hand into the front room and taking a seat beside her upon a sofa.

“Aunt Colette—Mama and Papa were both killed in a carriage accident months ago—in May. I sent word to you then—honestly I did.”

Colette covered her mouth in horror and she sobbed, grieving the loss of her sister and brother in law as though the events were fresh and new. Desiree found herself swept into the mourning as well and they held one another as Bridgett helped her to relate the events, which had prompted their visit.

***

It was much later, when the shock began to subside that the three sat, shaken and drained, sipping at warm tea. They talked of their immediate plans for the future and Colette assured them, they would be welcome in her home for as long as they wished to remain.

Desiree smiled softly at her dear aunt who looked so similar to her own mother, feeling very happy she had decided to make this trip. Colette seemed to have lost some of the gaiety and laughter that had once shown in her face but then her memory of her was limited. They had been in the colonies for over ten years now but she did remember how much she had loved her mother’s older sister. She was still beautiful, with the same dark hair and eyes her mother had possessed and yet her features were subdued, while her mothers had been as she had inherited, very defined and vivid.

“Mum the ladies rooms are readied.” The young maid who had shown them in stated from the front hall.

“Thank you Theresa I will show them myself.” Colette said dismissing the maid; then smiled brightly at Desiree, “Shall we?”