Captive Innocence (24 page)

“That's it, order everyone around. Arrogant bastard,” Royall hissed.

“I can almost imagine what you're thinking, but you're wrong. Believe me. I brought you here for a reason. Upstairs in one of the bedrooms Carl's bride-to-be is waiting. She needs someone to talk to, another woman. I thought you might be able to help her; after all, you are a worldly woman and that's what she needs right now.”

Royall backed off a step and then advanced until she was standing inches from Sebastian. “That has got to be the most insulting thing you have ever said to me. I wouldn't do anything for you if you were the last person on this earth. Who,” she hissed through clenched teeth, “is more worldly than that ... that . . . decadent child who was just here? How dare you call me worldly.” Unmindful of the housekeeper's sharp ears, Royall rushed on. “You're nothing but a ... a perverted, decadent, miserable . . .”

“Charming, dashing, handsome bounder,” Sebastian finished for her. All signs of drunkenness were gone. His movements were sure and steady, his gaze cold and mocking as he stared down at her, enjoying her anger. She was quite the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, even when she was in the throes of rage.

“Ha. That just shows how stupid you really are. I, for one, never heard anyone say such things about you. It's solely your opinion,” Royall shot back.

“But that's the only one that counts. Enough of this nonsense. Personally, I don't give a good goddamn how you feel or what you think. I brought you here for a very real reason. Believe me, if there had been anyone, I repeat, anyone else I would have gone to them. Since there wasn't you were the only choice. Listen to me carefully because I won't repeat myself.” Quickly, he recounted Alicia's story, deliberately leaving out the Baron's name. That he would deal with in his own way, in his own good time.

Royall was thunderstruck at Sebastian's words. She could only stare at him with wide eyes, begging him to tell her it was all a poor joke. When he returned her cold-eyed stare, she knew that Sebastian would never jest about something so important as the dear childhood playmate who was like a sister to him. Rage, hate, pity, every emotion known to her flooded through her being. “You see,” she squawked hoarsely, “men can't be trusted. I never heard of anything so vile . . . so degradingly inhuman. I demand that you tell me who the man is who made Alicia do this! I demand to know. I'll kill him myself before he gets a chance to practice his wicked ways on some other poor female. Sebastian Rivera,” she stomped her foot, “I demand that you tell me now.”

“Shut up, Royall. I will handle the matter. You would only botch the job, and I want to be the one to make the bastard suffer as Alicia has suffered. All you have to do is talk to Alicia and help her in any way you can. Woman to woman. I'll say one thing for you, you do have a glib tongue . . . among other things.”

Royall ignored what she thought were his compliments. “Then I want your promise to at least allow me to be in attendance when you do the fiend in. Give me your promise or I'm going home.”

“I thought I told you to shut up.” Wearily, he brought his hand to his forehead. “Why is it you women feel you have to screech and squawk at every comment a man makes? You should talk softly, caressingly to a man. You should be gentle and compassionate.”

“You can just stop telling me to shut up, Sebastian. God gave me a mouth and I intend to use it. If there was a man around, perhaps I would take your advice. You,” she said piercing him with a speculative eye, “don't count. And don't tell me what to do again. Do you understand? I'm not deaf, dumb, and blind. I know where my duty lies and I'll do it. And,” she said triumphantly, “the only reason you have a headache is because you were drunk. A drunken headache, they're the worst kind. For shame, Sebastian Rivera,” she said disgustedly.

“If you don't shut up, I swear I'll ...”

“You'll what?” Royall shouted. “You're in no condition to do anything. You're fortunate you can stand erect. I find your behavior insulting and degrading. I don't even want to be in your company. What do you think of that?”

“I think you need to be taught a lesson, and I'm just the one to teach you. Like that night aboard ship. I did teach you a thing or two, if memory serves me correctly. You certainly were an apt pupil.” Sebastian leered at her, his intentions clear. She watched him with narrowed eyes as he advanced a step and then another.

“Now look, Sebastian. Perhaps I was a little hasty in my tirade. You're suffering from your headache, and I wouldn't want to add to the pounding in your temples.” Royall backed off, her eyes trapped, her heart pounding. “You wouldn't take advantage of me in my position. You said Alicia needed me and I'm ready to ... to help her. I know exactly what you're thinking and you aren't going . . . ever again . . . I told you I hate you . . . you hate me . . . you even walked out on me and made a fool of me ... Get away from me, you . . . you . . .” She babbled on as she backed deeper into the kitchen.

Royall retreated into the kitchen, watching him advance after her. There was intent in his eyes; she could see the muscles bunching beneath his white cambric shirt, saw his arms reaching out to her, to capture her, to bring her hard against him in an angry, malevolent embrace.

“Don't, Sebastian. No. I don't . . .” Roughly, he seized her, demonstrating his strength, holding her fast, making her his prisoner. At his touch Royall felt herself stiffen. What was the look in his eyes? “Take your hands off me, Sebastian!” she cried, her voice tinged with fear. “Let me be!” she insisted, wrestling loose.

No sooner had she gained her freedom than she was running for the door. She knew defeat when Sebastian's fierce hold imprisoned her again.

“And what is this?” he mocked. “The golden girl afraid of me? A mere man?” he smiled churlishly.

“Let me go, Sebastian! I hate you this way!” she cried defiantly.

“This way,
is it? And how is it you like me, Royall with two L's?” His voice was controlled fury, his eyes glittered like fragments of glass.

“God help me, but I wonder what I ever liked about you!” Her tone matched his for venom.

“Would you like me to remind you?” he smiled crookedly, wickedly. His hands on her shoulders burned through the scarlet silk of her dressing gown, searing her flesh as he pulled her against him again.

“Sebastian! Leave me alone! Don't touch me!”

“Make me,” he taunted, his lips so near hers, his breath fanning her cheek.

“Don't do this, Sebastian. Let go of me!”

“Do what, little cat,
mi poca leona?
Take you in my arms, hold you this way? You love the things I do to you, to your body.”

“You're a pig!”

“No, love, a man. A man whose mouth and hands can stir you, can leave you panting, purring like the cat you are.” His grip became stronger, pressing her against him, making her aware of the lean hardness of his thighs, the flatness of his belly, holding her until she thought it would be impossible to draw another breath. His voice was smooth, yet his tone harbored a vengeance.

“Tell me, Royall, should I press my lips to that most secret place where your passions flare and your body turns to liquid fire?” He needed no answer, refused one. He wrapped his arms around her, grabbing hold of the long tumble of gold that fell below her shoulders and yanked her head backwards, lifting her face, baring her mouth to his hungry kiss.

Royall struggled, feeling him tug at her hair, clamping her lips shut, refusing his kiss, feeling his teeth biting against her mouth, his tongue demanding entrance.

“Tell me how you love the things I do to you, Royall,” he taunted, pressing her downward, knocking her legs out from under her, holding her against the rough brick floor, his face only inches away.

She brought her arms up in defense, wedging them between herself and Sebastian. Her struggles were useless, she was defenseless as a child. He seized her wrist, pulling her arms upward over her head, keeping them there.

“Tell me, little cat, my little lioness, tell me. Do you like it when I caress your flesh?” He transferred possession of both her wrists to one of his, leaving him a free hand that delved into the neckline of her dressing gown, covering her bare flesh, cupping her heaving breasts. “Do you love it when your breasts swell, filling my hand, their tips standing erect beckoning my lips? Admit it, you love it, don't you?”

Against her own will, her body betrayed her. Even before he said the words, she could feel her flesh swell, seeming to reach for him, proudly rising, tempting him. Royall refused to speak, to give him more ammunition.

His knees forced their way between her thighs, the rough fabric of his trousers scraping the tender skin that her half-open, rucked-up dressing gown exposed. His lips were where his hands had been, torturing her, teasing, evoking in her a response she desperately wanted to deny.

Again, claiming her lips with his own, he slowly traced the outline of her mouth with his tongue, moistening it, penetrating it. A tremor passed through her to him, exciting him, spurring him to continue his assault. He could feel the perfect symmetry of her figure beneath his fingers. He was familiar with the purity of her breasts narrowing to her tiny waist. Her skin glowed amber in the morning light filtering through the kitchen window, tantalizing him, whetting his appetite for more, always more.

He felt the change in her when his lips traced moist patterns on her throat, felt the heat in her loins pressed so tightly against his own, and he knew he had won. The power was his; Royall was his! He could never have enough of her. The freshness , of her skin, the spun gold of her hair, the sweet curve of her breasts and thighs. Every inch of her was created by the gods to entice him, to fever his passions, to make him dissatisfied for any other woman.

Her legs wound round his hips, clinging in a honeyed embrace, and he knew a sense of coming home. Of a familiar welcome that he had tasted before. Her hips followed his, moving against him, making demands beyond her will.

He was lost in her, adrift in a golden sea. He released her wrists, half expecting her to curl her fingers into claws, to rake his face, to vent her rage. Instead, she forced her hands between their bodies, creeping lower, fumbling with the fastenings on his trousers. She wanted him with a hunger that was expressed in searching lips and seeking tongue. Soft moans of desire emanated from her, singing passion's sweet song.

His night dark eyes glowed with exaltation as he entered her and she trembled beneath him, opening herself to him, imprisoning him in love's tender sheath.

Royall whimpered softly, relishing the weight of him, loving the sound of his husky whispers when he told her of her beauty, and how he loved the feel of her body, the scent that was hers alone.

He crushed her mouth beneath his, savoring her, tasting the ambrosia of passion's promise. Slowly, tantalizingly, he withdrew from her, entering again forcefully, making her cry out, anticipating the rake of her nails on his back as she realized what his next move would be. Sebastian rolled over onto his back, bringing her with him.

She felt his muscular torso between her knees, knew the sweet fulfillment at the center of their embrace. His fingers worked the few remaining buttons of her dressing gown, drawing the scarlet silk apart, seeing her body outlined in stark golden relief against the vibrant color. His hands possessed her breasts, cupping their firmness, teasing their rosy crests. She arched beneath his touch, throwing her shoulders back, offering herself to him.

Fire sparked where their flesh was joined, and her movements were instinctive and unstudied, arousing him beyond the limits of his control.

A waterfall of gold cascaded forward over her bared shoulders, hiding her breasts from his view. Impatiently, he took hold of it, reluctant to remove his hands from that precious flesh they had held captive. Pulling, persuading, he drew her downward, seeking her mouth with his own, eliciting from her a fevered response that quickened the movements of her hips, carrying him with her into a rapture that transcended the limits of the flesh and became a fusing of the spirit.

 

Head high, chin lifted to a level denoting confidence and pride, Royall turned toward Sebastian, holding his eyes with her own, feeling his returning gaze penetrate and warm her. They climbed the long, curving staircase and walked down the wide corridor leading to Alicia's room, side by side. Sebastian didn't touch her; he didn't have to. She could feel his warmth, his own wonder, experiencing it as though it were her own. Something had changed between them. She no longer felt the deep, abiding hurt and rage that had consumed her all these past weeks. Whatever this new feeling was, it was fragile, gossamer thin, easily penetrated, more easily destroyed.

Sebastian's voice was deep and husky when he spoke. “This is where Alicia is staying. I'm certain she's sleeping, but she wouldn't mind if you woke her.” He looked down at Royall, whose hand was gripping the door knob. She met his gaze and smiled, reassuring him, silently pledging to do her best to help his friend.

“I want you to know something, Sebastian,” she whispered. “I don't expect you to understand this, but I'm not really doing this for you. I'm doing it for Alicia and myself, and pray God I can say the right things, get through to her. And,” she continued, looking directly into his tortured black eyes, “I want to say that Alicia is indeed fortunate to have you for a champion. Whatever is or isn't between us, I want you to know how I feel.” Not allowing him time for an answer, she pushed open the door and closed it behind her and tiptoed across the room to Alicia's bed.

How frail she looked, almost ethereal. Soft, dark hair was scattered on the pillow, and her piquant face was troubled, even in sleep. Blue smudges of weariness were beneath her eyes and blemished her peaches and cream complexion.

Royall hated to wake her, but Sebastian seemed to think it would be better for Alicia to talk to someone than to sleep. Touching the girl lightly on the shoulder, Alicia stirred, her breathing harsh and tormented. Alicia woke, her eyes wide and frightened. “Alicia, it's all right,” Royall soothed. “You're in Sebastian's home. He brought me here to talk to you. I'm Royall Banner,” she said quietly.

Alicia closed her eyes and leaned back against the snowy whiteness of the pillows. Oh, Sebastian, her mind rebelled. How could you do this to me? How could you want me to talk to the woman Carl is going to marry? Tears gathered in her eyes.

“Sit up, Alicia, and we'll talk. Sebastian has told me why you're here and why you came to him. I know it's going to be hard for you and that you feel ashamed, but I want you to put that aside. I want to help you, and I want to be your friend. Sebastian has told me how dear you are to him, and we both know he wouldn't subject either of us to this meeting if he didn't think it was necessary.”

Alicia was silent, staring at this beautiful woman with the wealth of golden hair. Imagining her in Carl's embrace. Seeing Royall's full, ripe mouth and seeing Carl's lips caress it—it was too much. Too humiliating! Sebastian, what are you doing to me?

“Alicia, I must tell you right from the beginning that I have no intention of marrying Carl. How could I? He's never asked me! Alicia, Carl has never treated me as anything but a friend. He's never made any advances toward me, and deep in my heart I've always felt he loved someone else. You, Alicia.”

At the girl's incredulous expression, Royall hurried on. “I know the Baron would like a marriage between Carl and myself, but I'd never marry anyone unless I truly loved him. I've made that mistake already and I won't make it again. Carl is a wonderful man, tender and sweet, and obviously in love with you!”

Gratification came in seeing Alicia's pansy blue eyes brighten, and then fall back into the shadows of misery. “I should be happy to hear what you've told me. I was so confused . . . when I was told that Carl was going to marry you . . . Oh, please, go away,” she cried, deep sounds of sorrow, like an inexorable tide, coming from her as she rocked back and forth, hugging herself. “Don't you see, now it's worse! So much worse! I'll never be able to face Carl again. How can I tell him what I've done? He could never love me again, never! No man could ever love me.”

Royall moved to the bed, taking Alicia in her arms. Waiting for this new wave of misery to subside. “Alicia, there's no need for you to tell Carl. He'd never have to know. Why would you tell him?”

Alicia shook her head, “I could never lie to him. I love him.”

“And for that reason you should never tell him, and he'll never hear it from anyone else either. Sebastian will say that you've been here under his protection the whole time. And if a word of scandal should ever reach his ears, he'll make it known that he'd kill the man who'd spread such lies. Besides, this man, whoever he was, wouldn't want to be ostracized from society, and that's exactly what would happen. Do you understand?”

Alicia nodded in agreement. “But I'd have to be honest with Carl.”

Royall was angry. Her fingers dug into the soft flesh of Alicia's arms and she threw her back against the pillows, following her, putting her face only inches from the girl's. “I thought you said you loved him!” she hissed, venom spitting from her lips.

“I do. I do.”

“Then why would you want to hurt him? Are you so weak that you can't carry your secret by yourself? That you'd need to lay it on Carl's shoulders and make him miserable?”

Eyes widening, Alicia's mouth formed an O; she shook her head in denial. “But . . . but . . .”

“No buts, Alicia. Sebastian told me you were made of strong stuff, and this only happened because you were miserable and frightened that you'd lost Carl forever. You were stupid, Alicia; you should have gone to Sebastian to tell him what that man was trying to make you do. But no, you wanted to wallow in your own misery and compound it, triple it, kill yourself with it! You were stupid, but I know that we all make the wrong choices sometimes. But do you really want to burden Carl with it? Do you want to cheat him of his happiness just because you cheated yourself out of yours? Needing to confide in Carl isn't love, Alicia, it's selfishness. If you need to punish yourself, Alicia, find some other way. Some way that won't punish Carl in the bargain!”

Alicia seemed to crumble in Royall's arms. Holding her, Royall softened her tone. “It will have to be your secret, now and forever. Soon the time will come when memories will fade because Carl is at your side and you'll hold his child in your arms.”

Drawing away, pushing Alicia from her, Royall stared deeply into the girl's eyes. “You're young, you're resilient. You've survived the worst and you can't go back now! You're safe now, Alicia. And Carl will keep you safe and you'll be able to go on with your life as it was meant to be!”