Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (22 page)

De Fores smiled, apparently undaunted by her outburst. "If you want my help, you must pay for it," he said, as his hand settled on her arm. When Season tried to move away, his grip tightened.

"I have told you that my father will pay you when I am safely returned to him. He is a very powerful man and will see that you are greatly rewarded," she said, choosing to misunderstand his meaning.

His eyes opened wide in amusement as his hand trailed across her shoulder then down across her heaving breasts. Season shuddered in disgust. A scream formed in her throat, but she held it back, knowing no one aboard the
Blue Dolphin
would come to her aid. De Fores smelled of stale rum and body sweat. She pushed against him and stepped back a pace, only to find herself against the bed.

"If you touch me, The Raven will kill you," she whispered through trembling lips, knowing deep down that it was the truth. She knew she would rather die than have this man put his hands on her again. Season now realized she had been very foolish to ask a man like De Fores to help her.

She couldn't bear to look into his leering face another moment, so she closed her eyes. As he slowly advanced toward her, Season prayed for death. Anything would be preferable to what this man had in mind for her. The Raven had been so different from De Fores. While he had often frightened her, she had never felt disgusted by him. In that moment she wished that The Raven would come for her. She had very little doubt that The Raven would try to find her, if for no other reason than to show De Fores that he couldn't take something away from him . . . but he wouldn't know where to search for her.

"You have nothing to fear, my lady. De Fores knows how to please a lady," he said, pushing her back on the bed.

Season scrambled off and ran for the door. "Don't come near me!" she screamed.

De Fores was across the cabin before she could reach the door. He gathered her up in his arms, threw her onto the filthy bed, and dropped down on top of her, pinning her onto the mattress. Season tried to struggle, but the Frenchman was too strong for her. His evil laugh made her want to hit him, but he caught her hands in one of his and grabbed the neck of her gown with the other. She heard the material rip, and she cried out.

Season realized the hopelessness of her situation when he straddled her and let his hand drift down to her exposed breasts.

"Don't touch me, you are filthy!" she screamed. "I don't like you!"

A frightening gleam came into the Frenchman's eyes as he stared down at her. "You are so lovely," he said in a harsh voice. "I will soon have you. I knew it the first time I saw you with The Raven. You made it easy for me to spirit you away from him."

Season struggled as his hand clamped down on her breast. Kicking her legs and twisting her body, she managed to catch him off balance, and she wriggled out from under him and off the bed. Loud sobs were coming from her throat as she looked about for somewhere to run. Realizing the door wouldn't be locked, she ran in that direction. If she could only make it topside, she would throw hen elf over the side before she would submit to this awful man!

Sinister laughter issued from De Fores' lips as he leaped across the room and, grabbing Season by her hair, yanked her back against him. "I like women with spirit, although I do not understand why you are fighting me when you have obviously been violated by The Raven."

A calm seemed to descend upon Season and she raised her head as she felt her courage returning. She knew the captain of the
Andromeda
would face danger bravely, and that thought gave her the courage she needed.

"You are unfit to speak The Raven's name, De Fores. He is twice the man you will ever be," she said, tossing her head defiantly.

She watched as her words struck home and De Fores' face became distorted with anger. "I will show you who is the better man," he said between clenched teeth.

Season's head reeled as he struck her several times across the face. Then her body seemed to fly through the air as he shoved her toward the bed. As her head hit the bedpost and she slid to the floor, a dark cloud descended upon her. She tried to force it aside. Raising her hand to her mouth, she found it was bleeding. Season tried to rise as De Fores advanced on her but she no longer had the strength to fight him.

"Captain, come quick!"

Season heard the excited voice through a haze of pain.

"There are sails off the horizon and she's closing fast. As well as I can make out, she looks like the
Andromeda
, sir!"

De Fores muttered a strangled oath and reached down, jerking Season to her feet. "We will settle this later, after I have disposed of your lover," he ground out, striking Season again and sending her reeling against the wall and onto the floor.

As Season looked up the cabin seemed to tilt. Her head was in a fog, but her heart was lighter. Hearing the door being locked, she crumpled into a heap.

"He has come!" she cried. "The Raven has come for me!" Crawling on her hands and knees Season made it to the porthole. It was not as high as the one on the
Andromeda
so she pulled herself up to look out.

Tears and blood mingled on her face as she caught sight of the
Andromeda
, white sails unfurled and waving proudly in the wind. She knew her dark lord would be standing at the helm, and soon he and De Fores would be in a life and death struggle. The battle between the two men wouldn't end until one of them was dead!

Never had anything looked so beautiful to Season as the
Andromeda
striking her colors and raising the Stars and Stripes to wave magnificently in the breeze. It was strange, but she no longer thought of The Raven as her enemy. He had found out she was in trouble and had come to save her. She wouldn't allow herself to think of what would happen if De Fores won. She was sure no one could come up against The Raven and win.

Season watched as the
Andromeda
changed course several times to catch the wind, each time gaining on the
Blue Dolphin
, and she held her breath as a white puff of smoke bilged from the
Andromeda
. Moments later the
Blue Dolphin
wavered under the impact of a direct hit.

Season could hear men scurrying about, and loud screams announced that the shot had taken its toll. At that moment Season felt pure joy. It didn't matter to her that The Raven might have sunk the
Blue Dolphin
and she end up at the bottom of the sea with the crippled vessel. All that mattered was that The Raven had come for her! Even if she died, she would take with her the thought that he had cared enough to come after her. No! She couldn't delude herself into thinking he had any tender feelings for her; she was merely his possession and he would never allow anyone to take from him what he considered his own.

Season's eyes filled with tears as she watched the
Andromeda
pass the porthole to be lost from her sight. She knew now that she loved the dark lord of the sea. He had made her a woman and had stolen her heart.

He might deny it, but she
was
The Raven's lady!

16

The Raven's eyes narrowed as he made a pass at De Fores' ship. He saw that the shot he had fired had caused considerable damage. He would come at the
Blue Dolphin
from the port side. Knowing De Fores would have taken Season to his cabin, he didn't want to risk injuring her in any way.

He muttered an oath as he slipped his leather helm over his head and steered the
Andromeda
directly for the crippled ship. As he watched the
Blue Dolphin
change course, a laugh escaped his lips. De Fores would use every trick to escape, but this was one time he wouldn't get away.

The Raven wouldn't allow himself to dwell on Season's fate, because if he did, he knew he might lose his nerve and make some fatal mistake.

"Keep her into the wind, Briggs. Steady as you go," he called out.

By now the Frenchman had swung his ship around and fired his bulwark guns. Three of his shots went wild, but the fourth hit the
Andromeda
, and splintering wood flew into the air.

The Raven made a quick assessment of his ship. Several men lay on the deck, and the mast had begun to sway as though it might come down.

"Ease the helm down, Briggs. You men there clear the deck of rubble, and prime for firing." At the captain's command the crew sprang into action. Some of them threw splintered planks overboard while others loaded and primed the nine pounders on the quarterdeck.

The Raven took the helm and sent Briggs to direct the firing of the cannon. He turned the Andromeda into the wind and brought her about broadside across the Blue Dolphin's helm.

"Steady, steady, blast her as she comes by, Briggs," came the loud command from the captain.

The noise was deafening as the cannon let loose. Not one of the five shots fired missed their target. The hull of the
Blue Dolphin
was shattered, her mast was hanging over the forward deck—she was crippled. As the
Andromeda
made a forward pass, The Raven watched as utter pandemonium broke out on the
Blue Dolphin's
deck. Men were jumping over the sides, and a fire had broken out below.

Bringing the
Andromeda
about, her captain sailed her alongside De Fores' ship.

"Quarter, quarter," many crew members on the Frenchman's ship cried as the men of the
Andromeda
threw their grappling irons over the side to hold the two ships together.

"Where is your captain?" The Raven yelled.

"I am here, Raven," De Fores called. He stood on deck, holding Season in front of him. "If you value your lady's life, you will remove your hooks and sail away."

The Raven tensed. He could see the blood on Season's face, and his anger overruled his good judgment. He watched as she struggled to cover her nakedness by pulling her torn gown together.

"If you have harmed the lady, De Fores, I will kill you." The threat was softly spoken.

"She will be unharmed if you sail away," the Frenchman called out.

Season raised her eyes to where The Raven stood. She could tell he was rigid and undecided. She sent him a silent message, begging him not to leave her.

Everyone suddenly fell silent, waiting for The Raven to speak. Season feared he would do as De Fores asked and leave, so she took matters into her own hands. De Fores was holding her about the waist, a knife blade at her throat, but with a sudden move, she stomped down on his foot as hard as she could and simultaneously jabbed her elbow into his stomach. She caught the Frenchman by surprise, and he loosened his grip on her long enough for her to slip away from him. Season's legs flew as she ran across the deck toward the
Andromeda
and safety.

She didn't see the dark lord of the
Andromeda
grab a rope and swing himself onto the deck of the
Blue Dolphin
. His crew quickly followed suit, and the clash of metal could be heard as both sides came together.

Season was bumped and jostled about, all but forgotten in the heat of battle. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she swung about to see James's smiling face.

"Come with me, ma'am, it ain't safe here," he said, pulling her forward. The two of them ran across the deck and climbed quickly aboard the
Andromeda
as sounds of pain and death echoed across the water.

When James tried to lead Season below, she jerked free and climbed up to the quarterdeck for a better view of the battle. She had to know if The Raven was safe; it was hard to judge which crew had the advantage. She sought The Raven in the melee and finally found him. He and De Fores had drawn swords and were crossing blades.

She clutched her hands tightly together and watched as The Raven's powerful forward thrust caught De Fores in the forearm and laid the flesh open. The Frenchman went down on his knees, begging for mercy. When Season saw The Raven raise his sword, she turned quickly away, not wanting to witness De Fores' cowardice or his death.

Clamping her hand over her mouth to stifle a cry, she at last allowed James to lead her below. Her legs felt so weak she was sure she would never make it down the companionway, but the horrible sounds of battle followed her to the captain's quarters. Season lay on the bed and buried her head under a pillow, hoping to drown out the sounds of the dying. She felt it was her fault that men would die this day. If she had not enlisted De Fores' help to get away from The Raven, none of this would have taken place.

"If you are all right, ma'am, I'll just go topside," James said, patting her awkwardly on the shoulder.

Season was too sick to answer. Tears stung her eyes, and she felt as if this were the end of the world. Soon the battle would be over and when The Raven would come to her—she did not doubt that he would be the winner—she would have to tell him it was her fault that so many men had died. She thought about Maude's death and felt worse than ever.

The fight aboard the
Blue Dolphin
ended as soon as her crew realized their captain was dead. The Raven's men stripped the burning ship of her valuables, and put her crew to sea in longboats, giving them enough food and water to see them safely back to Tripoli.

The grappling irons were removed and the
Andromeda
sailed a short distance away and aimed her guns at the dead Frenchman's crippled vessel, which took three direct hits and quickly sank, taking her dead captain to the bottom of the sea with her. The only evidence that the
Blue Dolphin
had existed was the yellow sulfur cloud that hovered over the water where she had sunk.

Season had been so exhausted she had fallen asleep. When she awoke, she could tell they were under sail by the gentle swaying of the ship. The cabin was in total darkness, and she sat up, thinking how wonderful it was to be free!

She moved off the bed and groped her way toward the desk where she knew she would find the lantern. When light filled the cabin, she looked about her as if she had come home. How fresh and clean the quarters were. Tears of hopelessness washed down her cheeks.

How foolish she had been to think she could ever escape The Raven. He would have gone to the ends of the earth to get her back, and she knew now that she didn't ever want to be parted from him again. As surely as she lived and breathed, she belonged to him heart and soul. Probably he would soon tire of her and set her free, but until that time she would relish his nearness and what little affection he showed her.

Season saw the tub of fresh water that awaited her, and she silently blessed Briggs for looking after her comfort. Opening the trunk, Season removed her white nightgown and laid it across the foot of the bed. Undressing, she lowered herself into the tub and almost groaned when the soothing water caressed her battered and bruised body. She lathered her hair with the sweet-smelling soap and leaned back, closing her eyes and enjoying the cool cleansing water. At last she rinsed her hair and washed the blood from her face. Then she scrubbed every part of her body that De Fores had touched. She wasn't sorry he was dead. The world is a far better place without men like him, she thought. Indeed, she doubted that anyone would mourn his passing.

At last feeling clean, she stepped out of the tub, dried herself thoroughly, and slipped into her nightgown. She then climbed into the middle of the bed and began to brush the tangles from her golden hair.

She sat there a long time, not thinking or feeling anything, just overjoyed to be alive. When she began to feel hungry, she climbed off the bed and made her way to the cabin door. Turning the handle, she found it to be locked as she had known it would be.

Season was in the process of returning to the bed when she heard a sound at the door. Turning, she came face to face with The Raven!

He just stood there, staring at her through the slits in his helm, and she could sense his anger. Season wanted to run and throw herself into his arms, but she didn't think he would welcome such a gesture at the moment.

She noticed for the first time that he was carrying a tray of food when he motioned that she should be seated. He kicked the door shut and followed her across the room. When she was settled on the bed, he placed the tray on her lap.

"Have you taken on Briggs's chores?" she asked, unable to think of anything else to say. She watched him closely and could feel his displeasure. She felt that she deserved his contempt. He had every right to be angry with her.

He said nothing, merely sat down on a chair and continued to stare at her. Season's throat became dry, and she nervously clasped and unclasped her hands. It was most unsettling to be observed so closely by someone at whom you couldn't stare back. She realized how The Raven's enemies must feel when they were on the receiving end of his anger.

Season could not stand the silence. "I have observed that when you go into battle, you wear the leather helm, Raven. On all other occasions you use the soft leather hood."

He didn't answer, just sat and stared at her, but when she thought she could stand his scrutiny no longer, he spoke. "Just tell me one thing, Season, did you enlist De Fores' help at the tavern when I wasn't listening?"

"Y-yes."

"Are you aware that because of you two of my men are dead and three more may not last the night?"

Season's mouth flew open in horror. "I am so sorry, I never meant this to happen. I merely wanted to go back to my father."

"I warn you that in the future, Season, I will not tolerate disobedience, is that clear?"

Some of her old fire returned. "I am not a child. I have never had to obey anyone except my teachers and my father. What gives you the right to tell me what to do?"

"You are fortunate to be alive." His voice trailed off and he reached out to touch her bruised cheek, but she flinched at his soft touch.

"Damn De Fores," he swore. "He has hurt you. Your face is puffy and your lip is cut."

"It is nothing ... no more than a few bruises," she said, not knowing how to deal with this sudden shift to tenderness. She could feel a tenseness in him and knew instinctively that he was worried about more than a few bruises.

His finger tenderly touched her swollen lip. "Did he touch you in any other way?" It seemed as if he had to force himself to ask her the question that had been haunting him.

Season swallowed a lump that had come to her throat. "No, but he would have if you hadn't come when you did."

"Did you wish to be free of me so badly that you would enlist the help of someone like De Fores? Didn't you know what he would be like?"

Season shook her head. "I didn't think. All I knew was that I had to get away and he was the only one who seemed willing to help me."

He withdrew his hand. "I have come to realize how greatly you have suffered at my hands. I abducted you out of anger, but I kept you for a reason that, until now, I wouldn't even admit to myself. You were nothing more than an innocent young girl when I took you. I am in a repentant mood tonight, and you have my word that you will not have to suffer my presence any longer than is necessary."

"Are you taking me home?" she asked with a sinking heart. Where only days ago she had wanted only to escape from him, now she realized she would be heartbroken should he cast her aside.

"I regret to say I have pressing business in France or I would take you back now. Once my business is completed, we shall talk again."

"Are we now on our way to France?"

"Yes. Depending on the weather, we should be in France within two weeks' time.

The Raven stood up and stared down at her. "Will you ever find it within your heart to forgive me, Season?" he asked in a strange voice.

"I don't know," she said, tears sparkling in her green eyes. She was feeling very like the young girl he had earlier accused her of being. "Perhaps it is I who should ask your pardon. Because of me, Maude is dead. I know how you felt about her."

"Do you, Season?"

"Yes, I think so."

"I doubt that you do, but set your mind at rest. Maude still lives."