Spring Fires (41 page)

"Well, you are certainly off to a good start," he commented dryly, taking in the messy braids that had replaced her neatly upswept curls of an hour ago. Touching a dark finger to a smudge on Lisette's cheek, he inquired, "What happened here? You didn't fall into the hold, I hope!"

She tried to discern the unnerving silver gleam in Raveneau's eyes. "No, of course I didn't!" Feigning surprise, Lisette touched the dirt she'd rubbed on her cheek earlier. "Honestly, Captain, I've just been so busy these past few days that I haven't had a chance to even wash my face—let alone bathe! That's why I'm so relieved to be here, where I can rest and not have to worry about my appearance."

Raveneau regarded her in a way that made her nervous. "I see..."

"Now that we've had this little chat, you probably won't need to visit with me in your cabin. I think I'll just go up on deck and enjoy the fresh air and the view. So, if you don't mind, Captain—"

"Oh, but I do mind!" Raveneau interrupted softly, one hand gripping her arm through Stringfellow's shirt. "We'll have a nice long chat over breakfast... and then I'll arrange a hot bath for you."

"I've had breakfast!" cried Lisette, clutching at this last straw as he led her the rest of the way to his cabin.

"In that case, you may watch me eat, Mistress Hahn. I promise that you'll enjoy yourself." Raveneau couldn't resist giving her a wicked grin that made Lisette's eyes widen so apprehensively that he wanted to laugh out loud.

Looking ill, she strove for a firmer tone. "Captain, I must tell you that—" Lisette's voice broke off when he opened the door. She blinked.

A long desk was built in under transom windows that cut into the stern. Sunlight streamed over the stacks of books and the bright heads of three seated figures who were reading intently.

Children? Lisette was dizzy with confusion. What was happening? This was Raveneau's stateroom; a magnificent testered bed of cherry wood was built in not far from the desk, and she saw a handsome table complete with Sheraton chairs and many other valuable pieces that signaled their owner's rank. Bookshelves lined the walls.

She turned wildly curious eyes up to the captain.

With a lazy smile, he cleared his throat and instantly the three heads came up and pivoted toward the doorway.

"Papa!" cried a dark-haired boy perhaps a half dozen years of age. He leaped up and rushed forward to hurtle himself into Raveneau's waiting arms. "I haven't seen you for days!"

"You know, Nathan, that I have had a thousand things to do, readying
La Mouette
for a safe voyage and finishing my business in Philadelphia. It was easier for you to stay put. Did you board last night without any problems? I was counting on you to see that all went smoothly."

Nathan was answering, but Lisette found her attention wandering back to the two girls, who had turned in their chairs. Both were strikingly lovely. One appeared to be on the verge of young womanhood, with long sleek black curls and dark eyes fringed with thick lashes. The other girl was older, at least seventeen, Lisette guessed. Her delicate gamine's face was dominated by a cloud of strawberry blond curls.

"Nathan," Raveneau was saying as he returned his son to a standing position, "I want you to meet Lisette Hahn. She'll be sailing to England with us."

The little boy wrinkled his nose at this disheveled female intruder, but he knew better than to verbalize his thoughts. "How do you do, ma'am."

As she realized how utterly dreadful she must look, Lisette blushed furiously. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Nathan. I hope you will call me Lisette."

His hesitant eyes told her that he didn't intend to speak to her at all unless absolutely necessary, but under his father's watchful gaze Nathan replied, "All right, Lisette."

"You may run up to greet Lieutenant Minter," Raveneau told the boy, "but I expect you back at your lessons in one hour—and you'd better not dirty your clothes!"

Nathan whooped with joy at the prospect of freedom, however temporary, from his studies. "Yes, Papa! Goodbye!" he called over a shoulder before disappearing into the gangway.

Lisette found that the sisters had risen. To her further chagrin, she saw that they were immaculately garbed in simple, charming frocks. The younger girl, who was taller, wore demure ivory muslin with a sash of rose silk, while her petite sister looked charming in a stylish apricot-and-cream-striped gown with crisp ruching edging the sleeves and low neckline. Lisette's humiliation over her own horrid appearance intensified as Raveneau led her forward to make introductions. What must they think of her? she wondered miserably. And how could she ever explain the reason for this appalling costume?

"Lisette," the older girl said before Raveneau could speak, "we are so pleased to have you with us. I am Devon. I hope that you'll think of me as your friend from this moment on."

"I'm glad to meet you, Devon." She managed a smile, but her cheeks burned as she sensed the faintly curious gleam in Devon's sapphire eyes.

"And this is my daughter Mouette," Raveneau, the proud father, was saying. "Our ship is her namesake."

Lisette and Mouette exchanged greetings, while Devon and Raveneau exchanged glances. Searching for words to fill up the pause that followed, Lisette blurted, "How is it that your mother allowed you girls to go off to sea while she waits behind? Is she ill?"

Mouette turned confused eyes toward Devon, who was staring at Raveneau in amused astonishment. He, in turn, choked on a burst of laughter.

"Our
mother
?" echoed Devon, sounding delighted. She stepped close in front of Raveneau, laid a hand on each shoulder, and continued innocently, "You, I gather, must be my papa!"

He swatted her derriere lightly, but kept his hand there, drawing her near. "Devon doesn't mean to be rude, Lisette, but she's never been able to resist an opportunity to make mischief."

"Oh." Lisette nodded blankly. Why did it seem that she was missing a perfectly obvious point? And why was Raveneau holding Devon so closely and caressing the small of her back as if she were his—

"They're married," Mouette explained. "She's
my
mother!"

Giggling, Devon reached over to touch Lisette's arm. "Please don't think I am laughing at you! I'm grateful! To be taken for Mouette's sister is the best compliment I've had in weeks. I just couldn't resist the chance to tease Andre—"

"I should see what Nathan is doing up on deck, don't you think so, Papa?" Mouette queried tactfully. Her parents assented and she bade their guest good-bye before leaving the cabin.

Lisette was thinking that if she continued to blush much longer, her face would probably burn up. The entire scene had been so embarrassing that she wasn't even able to feel relieved that Madame Raveneau was on hand to warm the captain's bed. What a spectacular impression she must have made on her first meeting with the captain's wife—the one person who might have supplied companionship during the long voyage!

"I have never felt more foolish," she sighed. "Yet, I still find it impossible to believe that you could be old enough to be Mouette's mother!"

Devon laughed again. "Andre, I can't thank you enough for bringing Lisette along."

He gazed heavenward in mock exasperation. "Try to contain yourself,
petite chatte."
To Lisette, he explained, "Believe it or not, this minx is thirty years old. Our daughter is eleven, but she has her height early. It has become rather confusing for strangers now that Mouette is taller than her mother."

"Andre failed to mention the other qualities of womanhood that Mouette has begun to acquire," Devon couldn't resist adding. "There's nothing harder for a father than the sight of his baby girl blossoming."

He gave her a black look. "I don't want to hear about it. I shouldn't have to begin thinking of locking her up for years!"

Witnessing this exchange, Lisette almost forgot her own discomfort. On the surface, the taunts they traded sounded antagonistic, yet their eyes sparkled with unmistakable affection.

Devon snorted delicately. "You only want to lock her up to protect her from unprincipled rakes like you. Wasn't it fortunate for
you that
my
father wasn't around to protect me!"

"You
were the one who stowed away on board my ship!" Raveneau protested. "And, for that matter, you practically
forced
me to take you to bed—"

Coloring prettily, Devon reached up to press a hand over his mouth. "Darling, do remember your manners. There is a female guest present!"

Lisette struggled not to laugh as Raveneau pried the tiny hand from his mouth and held fast to both of Devon's wrists. In the process, her back and the curves below came in contact with her husband's hard body. Instead of offering even token resistance, Devon relaxed, happily imprisoned in Raveneau's embrace. She gave Lisette an engaging smile.

"I hope you don't think we're rude, but we've been apart for a few days and our reunions tend to be... absorbing! As for you, Lisette, I can't allow you to feel foolish. It's all Andre's fault for not telling you that his family was here. No one could blame you for being slightly bewildered!"

After a sharp glance at Raveneau, Lisette smiled gratefully. "I appreciate your understanding. This has been a hectic day, as you can see by my bedraggled appearance." She blushed anew, but managed to continue, "If I had known that I would be meeting
you, I certainly wouldn't have entered looking like a beggar!"

Devon had a few questions along that line, but had decided to save them for Andre. "The first time I boarded our privateer, the
Black Eagle,
I wore breeches, too. My hair was stuffed inside a smelly red knit cap... and Andre thought I was a boy for hours after we met. I even filled his bath and washed his back without arousing the tiniest suspicion!

"

Raveneau narrowed flinty eyes down at his wife before interjecting evenly, "
Ma chere,
the passage of time has exaggerated your memory regarding a few significant details."

"The facts are what count, Andre, darling," she replied.

Lisette smiled, feeling the tightness ease inside of her. "Thank you for telling me your story, Devon; I feel much better."

"Good! Since you are already wearing your breeches, why don't I change into mine and give you a tour of the ship? The children don't have to continue their studies for an hour and I would love to prowl the decks and soak up some sun!"

"That would be wonderful, but I must comb my hair and, well, tidy my appearance."

"Fine!" Devon replied gaily. "I will meet you on deck in—"

"Half an hour," Raveneau supplied. "I will walk you to your cabin, Lisette."

When they were alone in the gangway, she whirled on him. "How dare you play games with me, Captain Raveneau," she railed in a hoarse whisper. "Why didn't you tell me that your wife was aboard? You let me play the fool not only in front of you and Minter, but Devon and your children as well!"

Raveneau smiled ruefully. "If you hadn't flattered yourself from the first moment we met that I desired only to ravish you, I certainly would have told you. However, it was amusing to see what schemes you would hatch to keep me at arm's length—" He swept an ironic hand in front of her. "I particularly enjoyed the speech about your natural tendency toward slovenliness. Are you sure you weren't just playing hard to get?"

Eyes flashing, she aimed an open palm at Raveneau's dark cheek, but he easily captured her wrist. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Devon greedily insists on claiming all my charms for herself."

Although she saw the teasing smile that flickered over his mouth, Lisette was in no mood for further taunting. "You are a cruel, insensitive man!" she hissed.

Following her, Raveneau couldn't resist a few more words: "Please... try not to take it so hard."

Lisette swung around, flushed with rage, but the sight of his face as he tried to look repentant while smothering merriment was too much. It was a relief to give way and join in his laughter and together leaned against the bulkhead, laughing until they were weak.

"Oh..." she managed to moan at last, "my stomach aches!"

Raveneau extended a firm hand. "Friends?"

Lisette placed her own hand in his and they shook. In view of her attire, it seemed an appropriate gesture. "Friends." She beamed.

"No more tricks—from either of us."

"I promise," agreed Lisette. "At any rate, Devon's presence solves everything."

"Even if my wife were not on board, Lisette, you would have nothing to worry about. I cherish her too much to ever even
want
to sleep with another woman—for
any
reason."

Lisette had been regarding Raveneau in awe as he spoke. Appearing to be at least forty and probably older, he was no callow youth spellbound by first love. In fact, her original assessment of him hadn't altered; he was dangerous looking, except when it came to his family.

"I apologize. It's just that you don't
look
the devoted husband! More like a lawless pirate."

"A dozen years ago, your description would have nearly hit the mark. Devon changed all that." Raveneau paused in her doorway to add a subtle piece of advice. "No doubt you are something of an expert on men after your years of observation in the CoffeeHouse. But don't forget that people never conform to generalizations. Each of us is different, and you will be making a big mistake if you prejudge every man without evidence to back up your assumptions."

After an amiable parting exchange, Lisette went into her cabin. Despite the time it would take to repair her appearance, she sat on edge of the bunk and spent several minutes pondering all that Raveneau had said... particularly his comments about men. For the first time, she realized how often she had anticipated that Nicholai would respond to a situation in the same manner as the men in the public room, or like John, the congressman who'd broken her heart.

After several minutes, Lisette sighed and forced herself back to the present. She didn't want to further tarnish her image by keeping Devon waiting....