Savage Deception (Liberty's Ladies) (20 page)

“In the kitchen. She didn’t wish to join us at the table.”

“Did you ask her if she’d like to eat with us?” were the first words out of Tanner’s mouth since sitting down.

Harlan blanched at the disdain behind the question, but he answered defensively, “Of course I asked her. Your mother is a very stubborn woman, Tanner. She said she doesn’t feel comfortable eating in such grand style. Usually we eat in my room and then she reads to me before bedtime. I would have liked very much for her to join us in celebrating your homecoming.”

For a second, Tanner appeared guilty but he said nothing else. And that was how the meal progressed until Harlan excused himself at Naomi’s appearance and went upstairs to ready himself for bed.

Diana stood up, intent upon saying something to Tanner, but she didn’t get the chance. “I don’t want to be chastised like a child, Diana. So, just forget whatever it was you wanted to say.”

“Harlan is your father. He’s an old man, a very ill man, or didn’t you notice,” she reminded him anyway.

“I noticed.”

“He may not have much time left. You might have to make the first move.”

For a second Tanner’s eyes filled with tears and he said hoarsely, “I can’t. I thought I could, but too much happened between us. Anyway, why should I be the one to offer my hand to him first? He’s as much to blame, perhaps more.” He took a cheroot out of his coat pocket and stayed seated at the dining room table, his black look defying her to say anything further.

Diana knew when she was head to head with defeat. Going upstairs, she met Naomi coming out of Harlan’s room.

“Is Harlan settled for the night?” Diana asked. She was rewarded with a brisk nod of Naomi’s head and an even blacker look than the one Tanner had bestowed upon her in the dining room. Naomi attempted to move past Diana, but Diana stopped her with a hand on the woman’s arm. “What’s wrong, Naomi?”

At first Diana thought Naomi wasn’t going to respond, but she turned in a fury, her gray streaked braid whipping around and bouncing upon her shawl-clad shoulder. “Such a strange question from you! You’re what is wrong, Diana Sheridan, wife of my son. Why did you marry Tanner? Why can’t you leave him alone to live in peace? You’ll bring pain to him, pain and loneliness. Once before you hurt him, now you shall destroy him.”

Diana didn’t know what Naomi was talking about. She never hurt Tanner; he had hurt her. “You’re not making any sense…”

“Silly girl! I cannot speak to one so shallow as you. Leave me be, leave my son alone.”

“I … I love Tanner.”

Naomi laughed shrilly. “If you love him like you loved your first husband then my son is indeed doomed.” She left Diana standing in the hallway with her heart in her throat and a dreadful feeling in her soul. Never had Diana realized the extent of Naomi’s dislike for her. But why did her mother-in-law think she had hurt Tanner, why did Naomi believe she would destroy Tanner when she had been the one hurt all of those years ago?

Diana was so intent upon what Naomi had told her that she barely realized she was nearing Farnsworth’s room until she heard his voice and that of one of his officers. The door stood slightly ajar, and Diana immediately halted, her ears alert for any information.

“Another supply wagon is due to come through two days from now,” she heard Farnsworth say. “And Smythe, make certain that the Swamp Fox, doesn’t get to it first.”

“I will, sir,” Smythe assured his superior. “Marion and his men have been rather quiet. I see no reason to assume that they have information about the wagon.”

“Humph! You take too much for granted. That’s why you won’t rise in the ranks. Never assume anything.”

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

Diana heard Farnsworth sigh. “I hope so, Smythe. I do hate to call in Mariah.”

“I thought you said Mariah was ready if needed.”

“He is, but he’s not too keen on the idea.”

“I see, but we won’t need him.”

“I hope not, Smythe.”

Assuming the conversation was at an end, Diana hurriedly turned and ran quietly to the stairs to give the impression that she was just coming up. Smythe saw her on the landing and smiled. “Good evening to you, Mrs. Sheridan.”

“Good evening,” she cheerily returned and made her way to her room. Hattie glanced up at Diana’s entrance and finished turning down the bed. Diana grinned. “I’m going to need you for a lookout, Hattie.”

Hattie’s mouth dropped. “You will? You got somethin’ to tell…”

“Yes.”

“But what about Mr. Tanner? Ain’t he gonna sleep in here with you?”

Diana’s excitement waned a bit. She’d forgotten that Tanner would share her bed, and though she felt anticipation at the fact, she couldn’t help but be somewhat dismayed. How was she going to sneak away into the tunnel? Tanner was a light sleeper and was aware of her every movement. “I’ll manage to get away somehow,” Diana decided. “I only hope that Clay is waiting for me when I do.”

~ ~ ~

However, her plan to leave later that night wasn’t put into effect. Tanner did join her in bed, and when he expertly kissed and touched her, arousing her unbearably and taking her to rapture’s heights throughout the night, she forgot all about Clay and the supply wagon. It was only when she drifted off to sleep near dawn that she remembered.

~ ~ ~

One month later, Farnsworth’s operation was in shambles. Two supply wagons had been captured by the Swamp Fox and two of his best men had been killed in a surprise attack some five miles away. He didn’t have a clue as to how confidential information was being leaked to Marion. Was the man a spirit, could he become invisible and sit in on secret meetings at Briarhaven? There was no way Farnsworth could figure out how information was being passed.

At first he thought someone in the house was spying and was determined to discover who it was. His men had been posted at all the doorways leading outside. He knew that if someone was spying then that person would be captured. But no one left the house. So how, how in the name of heaven, was confidential strategy being relayed to Marion?

“I have no other alternative,” Farnsworth said to Smythe one morning. “I have to call in Mariah.”

“I’m surprised you’ve waited so long,” Smythe remarked.

“Believe me, I am too. But I didn’t want the blasted man to think I’d failed. You know whose ear he has, and I don’t relish looking like a perfect fool.”

“Well, if anyone can discover who’s passing information to Marion, then Mariah can. He’s one of the best-trained spies we have.”

“He is. By this time next week, with Mariah’s help, I intend to have Marion’s little ragtag band as my prisoners, and I’ll take great delight in discovering who has been passing information and even greater delight in learning how it left Briarhaven in the first place.”

Her ear pressed against the library door, Diana turned hurriedly away when she saw the front door opening. Tanner entered, looking fit and trim in brown trousers and boots with a dark brown jacket thrown over his broad frame.

He smiled at her, and instantly Diana felt herself color and grow heated, not only from the fact that he might realize she’d been eavesdropping but from their passion-drenched nights. The fact of the matter was that Tanner didn’t come to bed until quite late. He often spent a great deal of time downstairs with Farnsworth and his men, playing cards. Not once had she complained about the card games, because they allowed her the opportunity to sneak away into the tunnel and find Clay in the swamps whenever she had information, but she felt very guilty deceiving Tanner.

If Tanner suspected that she’d been listening at the library door, he didn’t say anything. Instead he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “How’s my girl this morning?” he asked her.

Diana snuggled willingly against him. “Lonely without you. You woke early and left me.” She forced her mouth into a mock pout.

“Then I suppose I’ll have to remedy that.”

“Now?”

“Now,” he whispered huskily into her ear and suggestively nibbled on the lobe.

“Tanner Sheridan, you’re a shocking man and I love you for that.”

Laughing, they began to ascend the stairway, but Farnsworth’s voice halted them. “What is it?” Tanner asked in a growl.

“I need to speak with you, please, about your losses at cards.”

“Let it wait until later.”

“I can’t. Remember we discussed that I might need your resources.” Farnsworth returned to the library.

Tanner cursed under his breath. “I’ll join you upstairs as soon as I can,” he promised Diana.

“I’ll be waiting.” Diana watched as her husband joined Farnsworth and Smythe in the library. She decided that she was going to have to speak to Tanner about his losses. She hated gambling. His departure, however, lent her adequate time to think about what she’d overheard.

Once again Farnsworth had mentioned a person named Mariah. Evidently he was a spy, soon to be engaged to discover Marion’s informant. She must warn Clay Sinclair about this Mariah. She didn’t consider her own safety since she had the security of the tunnel and could come and go at will. Clay had only the swamp and palmettos for cover and was always vulnerable to capture.

And if this Mariah person was as good a spy as Farnsworth had said he was, then Clay must be warned soon.

~ ~ ~

Tanner rose above Diana and slid effortlessly inside of her. She met his first thrust and moved with him, feeling the warm and utterly devouring sensation writhing within her. He held her tightly, taking the breath from her but driving her wild with wanting. It seemed that she never got enough of Tanner’s lovemaking; her body could flame with the fire of his kiss and not be quenched until they both lay panting and satiated in each other’s embrace, only to be roused to desire again when he touched her.

What was this spell Tanner had woven over her? She couldn’t put a name to it, knowing only that she loved him more and more every day.

The moment of fulfillment drained both of them.

Slowly they returned from their private paradise, filled with awe at their bodies’ responses. Tanner took her face between his large hands and whispered, “You’re a temptress who has stolen my heart.”

“Oh, I hope not,” she disagreed. I’d rather you gave me your heart. I hate the thought of stealing it. It sounds as if I’m a thief who came in the night.”

“You are, Diana. You took me unawares. I was determined not to love you, but I couldn’t help myself because I’ve always loved you.”

“Will you love me forever?”

“Forever.”

That answer always appeased Diana. Sometimes she worried Tanner would stop loving her. They were so different in so many ways that she knew he wouldn’t understand about her connection to the Swamp Fox. But he’d never discover that fact, because tonight would be the last time she’d go and find Clay — at least for the time being. She had to warn him about this spy named Mariah.

Afternoon sunshine spilled across the bed and covered their bodies in a golden counterpane. For the first time, Diana felt that their problems were behind them. Now they could concentrate on each other, no longer filled with past hurts. And maybe, just maybe, she might conceive a child.

A beguiling smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “What do you think about our chances of making a baby?” she asked.

Tanner didn’t smile. “But you said you’d lost a child. Are you sure you want to risk that again?”

“Oh, Tanner. I want your baby.”

Possessively he covered her body with his. “Anything you want, anything at all.”

He came into her willing body and brought her to ecstasy again.

~ ~ ~

“Where’s Mr. Tanner?” Diana asked Hattie from the doorway of her bedroom later that night.

“He’s downstairs, playin’ cards with Captain Farnsworth and his officers.”

“Good, that will give me time to leave and warn Clay.”

“What you warnin’ him ‘bout, Miss Diana?” Hattie raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

“Nothing, really. Don’t worry about it.” Diana threw on her black cape, intent upon not worrying Hattie further. Jarla had recently died in childbirth, the baby not surviving either. Ezra, Hattie’s son, was having a hard time coming to terms with his wife’s death and was unable to adequately care for Jackie. Thus Jackie’s care fell to Hattie, and with the old woman’s other responsibilities, Diana didn’t want to frighten her about a spy in the area.

Diana had to warn Clay this one last time. She prayed she wasn’t too late. The grim possibility existed that by now Clay could have been captured — or killed. She wouldn’t dwell on the image of Clay Sinclair being hanged or lying dead in the swamps. She couldn’t. Time was all-important now.

Hattie clutched at Diana’s arm. Her dark eyes welled with tears. “You be careful. I get so scared with you runnin’ ‘round the swamps at night. If Mr. Tanner would ever find you gone, I don’t know what I’d say to him.”

“I suppose you’d have to make up some excuse, but I promise that tonight will be the last time for a while.”