Love's Vengeance (44 page)

“Of course it is Stephen!” she laughed, “A game we have both enjoyed playing but now I must bring it to an end.”

“What the hell does that mean?” he shouted, then with a disgusted shake of his head he chuckled, “Let me see if I have this straight. I came in here this afternoon to apologize for this morning because I felt responsible for exposing you to that scene, unintentional as it was, on my part. You tell me you are not upset and it does not matter and then from out of the blue you demand to know if I have ever bedded Vanessa Haines. You
seduce
me to receive the answer you want to hear—and now you say our relationship is finished?”

“Very well Stephen,” Desiree snapped, as tears brimmed in her eyes, “I have been enlightened tremendously in the past few days as to your habits and I do not intend to be taken for a fool. Your loving words from Nevis turned my head but no more. I no longer wish your attentions and as soon as Red informs me it is safe I wish to leave for my home.”

“Enlightened by whom and on what habits? You cannot be serious!”

“Vanessa made it quite clear that she holds a place in your life and as soon as you have finished with me she will be reinstated in your bed where she is accustomed. From what I gather, incidents such as ours are a commonplace occurrence in your life.”

He was so stunned by her accusations that his hands dropped from her and she whirled away, across the room. Recovering himself Stephen came up behind her and turned her to face him. Tears were coursing down her cheeks and she was unable to turn away as his hands held her arms, forcing her to look at him. “She told you this? When?”

“No Stephen, had she told me directly I might have taken it as a vicious lie. Her cutting remarks today attest to her talent for inflicting injury. I saw you Stephen. I saw you kiss her at the
Windward
our first day in port. I saw you on the front lawn again in an embrace this very morning and I overheard her at the clothier speaking of the little fool who thought to capture your heart as had so many others and that she would bide her time until you grew tired of me and tossed me aside. Well Stephen—you have been tossed aside and are free to once more warm her bed.”

His face was a mask of rage as he barked, “You are my judge then, sentencing me without a chance to defend myself? Damn it Desiree you are a fool to believe anything that deceiving bitch would utter. She is nothing to me! How can you be so blind?”

Desiree laughed bitterly, “And when next you are in her company you shall slander me I suppose to warm her heart toward you once more. No longer shall I be your fool Stephen! If you wish, I shall leave at once—on the morrow if you desire! I can pack my things this very day—but if I stay until Red comes with news you may consider me merely a houseguest. Now release me Captain Colter. Don’t touch me again.”

“You are wrong about everything Desiree. What you saw is not what it appeared to be.” He growled, releasing her. “I give you my word.”

“It is no longer my concern whom you do or do not bed. From what I have heard most of the women of this island have been treated to your talents—so I am sure my small offering shall not be missed. I no longer wish my portion of your attentions and you may go elsewhere for your pleasure.”

She turned and fled, rushing down the hall to Bridgett’s room, leaving Stephen standing alone in her suite.

***

When a resounding slam fairly rattled the windows in the front hall, Timothy came around the corner of the drawing room to find a servant staring at the closed study door. The maid looked to Tim’s questioning expression and shrugged her shoulders, going back to her dusting.

Tim knocked upon the door and received no response. He entered anyway to find Stephen seated at the desk, glaring at him from under hooded eyes.

“Ahhh…would you care to talk?” Tim asked hesitantly, taking a seat opposite him.

“Nothing to talk about.” Stephen said stiffly, shuffling papers upon the desk.

Tim watched his face closely and knew that something was troubling him, something had devastated him.

“Tim I have to get away for awhile.”

“Get away? You only just arrived.”

Stephen stood and strode across the room, pouring a drink for himself, “I was planning to send Phillips down to Saint George for supplies but I have decided to go myself. I am leaving in the morning.”

“And leave Desiree here?”

Tim rose and joined Stephen at the bar. Stephen ignored the question, emptying his glass and patting Tim upon the back, “I have to go see to the
Windward
. Don’t expect me tonight. I believe I shall stay on board. I plan on being off first thing in the morning.”

Stephen started to leave but Tim’s voice halted him half way out and he peered around the door, raising his brows questioningly.

“Stephen—Desiree was asking me about you and Vanessa today. Does this excursion have something to do with that?”

“This has to do with the fact that I have been taken for a fool once too often by Miss Chandelle—but no more.” He winked, closing the portal soundly behind him.

Tim took a drink to the desk and sat down heavily, looking over the mountain of figures. Taking up a quill, he set to work, pondering that it was very odd for Stephen to leave so much bookwork unfinished.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Desiree waved in response to Timothy’s request that she join him on the back lawn and hurried from her balcony, through her bedchambers and along the hall to the front staircase. She stopped at the bottom of the flight when the front door opened and she was impaled by those dark brown eyes. Stephen closed the door; pausing to stare at her for a moment longer and she could have been a stick of furniture for the lack of emotion he showed. He looked away first, moving around the staircase, disappearing within the study and closing the door behind him.

With a trembling release of her breath, Desiree touched her flaming face with her hands and proceeded around the stairs and out the door to the back lawn. It had been two days now since his return from the unexpected trip to Saint George, two unbearably long days, she mused. The week had seemed endless with his absence but now once more in his company, each day seemed an eternity. During the week she had passed the time doing whatever she could to keep her mind off of him and what had occurred between them, which had caused him to leave. Now there was no escaping.

The party would be in but a few days and during his absence she, along with Bridgett, had done as he had suggested and paid a call at the clothier in town, to have gowns made for the affair. The young woman who had assisted the seamstress had been plain and heavyset with a round face and mousy brown hair and Desiree knew by the voice, that this was the one speaking with Vanessa that day. She was polite and Desiree was unaware if she knew who she was. She was very helpful and went over mountains of sketches and bolt after bolt of material as if delighted with the task.

Desiree had chosen a gown with Stephen in mind and now was thankful she had, for he had not spoken more than a courteous greeting to her and she had found no excuse she might use to speak with him. The words were all said before and she could not very well take them back. Still her mind worked feverishly trying to devise some way to mend the damage her vicious tongue had inflicted. Her only hope, frail though it may be, was the gown and the hope that perhaps it would catch his eye and entice him.

It was quite a departure for her. A bodice cut so low and off the shoulder that it was very revealing. The waist was cinched snug and the skirt less full than she was accustomed, showing more of her shape beneath. She had picked a gold crepe with matching satin ribbon that trimmed the entire gown, which was quite a daring choice. She was very pleased with the finished product and now the dress was in her room, readied for her assault. She could only wait for the party and pray it turned his head. She was going to act with her nature and beg his forgiveness if she could but have the chance.

***

Bessie flung the door wide and exclaimed excitedly, “Welcome home Captain…Madame.”

“Thank you Bess. It is so wonderful to be home at last. I have had enough sailing to last me at least a year.” Margaret Colter sighed happily.

Bessie helped her out of her bonnet and then took her master’s tricorn and the three leisurely made their way to the drawing room.

“Please Michael a glass of wine. I am parched from the morning on deck.” Margaret requested, slumping onto a sofa while patting her windblown hair, which was, arranged in a wispy pile of medium brown ringlets.

“Yes my love.” Michael chuckled, pouring himself and his wife a glass and taking a seat beside her upon the sofa, “So Bess tell us what has been going on around here in our absence. By the crowded lagoon I would venture to guess you have seen those two wild men.”

“Yes sir, both Stephen and Timothy are home at present. It seems they have taken a liking to staying in port. At least Timothy has. More than a month now he has been about.”

“Now that is hard to believe.” Margaret interjected with a shake of her head, “I don’t believe we have been able to keep them home for more than a week at the most in the last few years. Bessie do I smell an unusually strong scent of lemon oil?”

“Yes missus, we have been planning a ball for weeks now. Stephen and Tim thought it would be nice to have a gala and we have been waiting on your arrival. It shall be this weekend.”

“My goodness a gala! And I have just the perfect gown. I had it made while in London.” Margaret laughed, “I don’t believe we have had a gala for at least a good year or more.”

“Quite right my love. What has come over those two?” Michael questioned.

Bessie smiled sheepishly, “Well it was my idea of course but I have an inkling that Miss Chandelle had a bit to do with their consent. You will meet her directly I suppose. She came to the island with Stephen. She is French and my word what a beautiful girl she is. Both of the boys are quite taken with her.” She laughed with a wink of her eye.

“Now it all makes sense.” Michael drawled, “That explains everything.”

Bessie nodded in agreement, “Miss Chandelle and her nursemaid are staying with us indefinitely. They are awaiting word from a pir…well I shall let Stephen tell you all of the circumstances. I think you will be quite surprised.” She snickered.

“I am anxious to meet this young woman who could keep those two at home.” Margaret marveled, “I had better go up and freshen before I do so—Bessie would you have a bath drawn?”

“Right away Missus Colter.”

Bessie headed off to make arrangements as Margaret mounted the stairs to the second floor and Michael Colter went in search of his sons.

***

Stephen pulled himself away from the study window and watching Desiree and Timothy put the birds through maneuvers on the back lawn and took a seat at his desk with a heavy sigh, staring at the pile if figures before him. He rubbed his eyes, then leaned back and looked about the large lonely room.

The week away from the island had done nothing for his mood and the two days he had been home had been very hard to endure. He had left here, determined to put Desiree out of his mind but it had proved to be more difficult than he had even imagined it could be. He could find no peace for she was constantly in his thoughts. Instead he had found himself trying to think of some way, any way to regain her! And for what purpose he argued with himself? She had intentionally made a fool of him with her seduction, or
ploy
as she called it. His anger flared every time he thought of it—anger at himself for acting the gullible fool. Besides since his return she had seemed content enough with the way things set. At every meeting her mood was distant and cool, at least matching his indifferent regard.

Stephen stood from the desk and moved to the window once more, looking out at the yard. He saw Timothy standing behind Desiree with one arm about her waist and the other outstretched with hers as they waited for Alexander to alight. The parrot swooped down from the trees and landed upon her booted arm, clutching with sharp talons and Desiree turned her face to Tim with a happy smile. Tim grinned and gave her a fleeting kiss upon her cheek and Stephen felt the blood surge and his jaw tighten convulsively. Although it was an innocent gesture, it was a privilege and a closeness he again no longer shared with Desiree and the jealousy was constricting. As he watched, Desiree snuggled against Tim’s chest, then looked to the bird, stroking it gently and was obviously delighted with the experience. Then together, the two lifted their arms in unison and the bird flew for the trees. Tim released Desiree and removed the leather boot from her arm.

“So that’s the lady Bess has been telling us of.”

Stephen looked around with a start to find his father standing behind him looking out the window. Deep in his own thoughts, he had not even heard to door open, “When did you arrive?” he asked, grasping his father’s hand in a sound shake and clasping his shoulder in a brief embrace.

“Just a few minutes ago. Your mother is freshening up. She is a beauty Stephen.” He declared smiling out at the two upon the lawn.

“Yes she is.” Stephen agreed, watching the two move toward the house.

“I see you have a mountain of work here—care to fill me in? Perhaps I could help out with some of it.”

“Of course.” Stephen turned from the window, joining his father at the desk, “Somehow it has gotten away from me lately.”

***

Desiree and Bridgett entered the dining room with expectant smiles in place as this was their first meeting with their true hosts upon the island. Stephen made the introductions and he smiled at Desiree warmly as he presented her to his parents, hiding well his dislike for her, she mused. She and Bridgett exchanged pleasantries with the Colter’s and Michael Colter immediately exclaimed his disbelief over their circumstances, which Stephen had related to him.

“And to think we can expect a visit from Captain Greaves! Well it is just hard to imagine.” He chuckled, “Desiree dear is it true you single-handedly captured the hearts of Greaves and every pirate at his command?”