Captive Secrets (34 page)

Luis dropped to his knees, his fingers gentle as he probed the bird's bony chest. When he raised his eyes he was smiling. “It's a clean wound, Fury, straight between his ribs. He won't be able to fly for a while, but he'll mend. I can fashion a dressing with some ointment to ward off infection. If we can keep him at rest, he'll live to soar through the heavens again.”

Fury dropped her head in her hands and wept, great heartbreaking sobs of relief. “I didn't kill her, the impostor—she was alive when she went over the side!” she cried. Luis smiled at her outburst, knowing she was reacting with her emotions, as a typical female, now that the crisis was past.

Her eyes shimmering with tears, Fury looked up in time to see Pilar's wing tip feather out against Luis's cheek. The sight made her wail, a high keening sound.

“What is it, what's the matter?” Luis asked, touching a lock of her hair.

“They like you. Pilar does that only to me. You've stolen their affection,” she moaned.

Luis chuckled. “I guess they know what a sterling person I am. I never meant you harm, I told them that; little did I know that they understood me. I will never forget the day they arrived on my ship. My crew thought me daft for changing course. I knew something was wrong and that they'd come to fetch me. Now, who is to carry this gallant bird to a clean, calm resting place?”

“I want to,” Fury said softly. “He'll rest on my bunk until he's better.” She bent down to pick up the injured hawk.

How gentle she was, Luis thought, watching her. It was almost impossible for him to reconcile the bloodthirsty, hard-driving combatant with this delicate young woman who would weep over an injured bird. It must be why God chose her to serve Him. His heart shattered with the thought.

“Clear these decks and scrub them till they shine!” he ordered. “Lower all jolly boats!”

“Aye, Cap'n. What's to be done with the diamonds?” Julian asked as he bent down to pick up a sparkling gem.

It was a good question, Luis thought. “What happened to the diamond merchant? Did he sail with the governors or with Dykstra?”

Julian laughed. “Neither, Cap'n. When the fight broke out he went over the side in one of the jolly boats. I saw him paddle off with my own eyes. I've been thinking about those diamonds, Cap'n. I believe they were stolen. He could have taken them with him; he knew they were in the vinegar cask. But he valued his life more than he valued his stones.”

Luis nodded. “Sounds right to me, Julian. I myself had serious doubts about our cargo. Mynheer Dykstra pushed my back to the wall, and we struck a bargain. I had no other choice but to carry them on board. I guess they can be considered salvage.”

“That's what we thought you'd say, Cap'n,” Julian said, reaching into his pocket for a handful of the sparkling gems. “This is your share, and it'll more than make up for your lost cargoes, and your father's cargoes years ago. You could probably live the rest of your life in luxury with the remainder.” He drew closer and lowered his voice. “And, Cap'n, I finally remembered what it was about the Sea Siren I wanted to tell you. She didn't kill your father, and she didn't destroy his ship. Aye, she boarded and demanded to see all our hands. But she was satisfied the man she sought was not one of our crew. The shot that was fired and sunk our ship came from a marauder that she went after. Your father toppled over the side. She tried to pull him back on board, but he was a large man, and his weight was too much for her. In my mind and fear, all I could remember was her at the rail with your father. When I saw the lass at the rail, I remembered. It's true, Cap'n, the Siren never killed for the sake of killing. And this lass has that same trait. Her secret is safe with me and this crew. No word of this will ever pass our lips.”

“She was magnificent, wasn't she?” Luis said softly.

“Aye, Cap'n, magnificent she is. A man would be a fool to let such a creature escape his clutches. I saw the way she begged you to save that damn bird. There was love in her eyes, Cap'n.”

“For the bird, not for me,” Luis said gruffly.

“You're a fool if you believe that, beggin' your pardon, Cap'n.” Julian grinned. “I know what my eyes saw. The tears were for the bird, the love was for you.”

Luis shook his head. “She's going into a convent. I can't ... she's meant for a life of—”

“The older a man gets, the more foolish he becomes,” Julian said tartly. “I think I'll have the crew tidy this ship, shore her up good, and then we'll retire to the Lady. Tall tales and rum will be the order of the day, if you've no objection. With us out of your way, you'll have a chance to get to know the young lady before she . . . You understand, Cap'n?”

Luis grinned and winked at his first mate. “Perfectly! Her crew, are they hale and hearty? She'll want to know.”

“A few minor wounds that'll be forgotten the moment they receive their pocketful of stones.” He saluted smartly and turned on his heel. Luis nicked the air with the tip of his cutlass. “You're a man among men, Julian,” he said lightly.

Julian turned. “All I need is a good woman who will know how to spend all my money.” His delighted laugh rolled off the decks.

The
Rana
was scrubbed down with holy stones, from bow to stern, and by sundown no trace of the bloody battle remained. A pot of simmering salmagundi stood ready in the galley, compliments of Julian and the crew of the
Silver Lady.
Gaspar was resting comfortably, with Pilar standing guard.

Fury stood on the stern of the Rana dressed in a white muslin dress. Luis thought she looked like an angel. It was hard for him to believe she'd fought as valiantly and gallantly as any man he'd ever served with. Now he had questions to ask, questions that required answers. His stomach heaved at the thought of causing this beautiful creature even one moment of discomfort.

When the first star appeared, he fetched two cane chairs and set them side by side. Fury looked up and smiled wanly.

“A diamond for your thoughts,” he teased. The rhythm of his voice remained light as he continued. “I—I need to know why you came after me. When the birds came, you weren't in danger. They were content to sail with me in the rigging. I didn't understand then, and I don't understand now.”

Fury shrugged. “I can't answer for the birds. I thought they'd deserted me; they were gone so long. They'd never done anything like that before. There are times when they seem to be so attuned to me, it's almost frightening. I came after you because . . . because I wanted to warn you, to see you one last time. I suppose I wanted to say good-bye. You left so abruptly the last time I saw you. . . . I—I should apologize for my behavior when we—”

“You should do no such thing,” Luis said harshly. “It's I who should apologize. I acted like an idiot. . . .” His voice softened. “And I'm most heartily sorry, Furana.”

The night was coal black, sultry, and sea-scented. Overhead, a silvery moon vied with the diamond-bright stars for illumination. Fury found herself wishing for cloud cover. When the low, swirling fog drifted in from the sea, she knew her prayers had been answered. Soon the only light would come from the smoky yellow lanterns hung about the ship. She smiled in the darkness. “I accept your apology.”

“You do!”

“Of course. But I also apologize for lying to you about my mother. I think you . . . deserve to know about her and why I went to the lengths I did to protect—”

“No, I don't want to hear. That's one secret that should remain a secret. I'll carry what I know to my grave,” he whispered, laying a gentle finger against her lips.

“In my heart I knew you would say that,” Fury murmured. “I have so little time . . . I must sail for Batavia tomorrow. Weather permitting, I shall arrive in time to . . . But tonight—tonight is mine. There will be no prayers to ask forgiveness . . . no regrets. I want to . . . I must be certain in my own mind that I'm doing the right thing. It isn't fair to you . . . it's all I can think of to do.”

“Shhh,” Luis said, drawing her close. “This is no time to talk.”

Fury was aware of him as never before. He was so lean and hard against her, so warm and strong. She felt his hand under her chin, gently turning her face to his as the soft gray fog obliterated the moon. His mouth was on hers, sweet and gentle. She pressed herself against him, her arms circling his broad back, her mouth trembling beneath his. She felt him growl low in his throat and knew she was responsible for the sound of pleasure. It seemed to her a tidal current rivered between them as his warm breath caressed her cheek, her neck. She regretted the fog now, wishing only to see Luis's desire for her in his eyes and for him to see her own. She felt him smile against her cheek as his hands fumbled with the buttons on her dress. Her own hands felt clumsy as she searched for the buttons on his shirt.

“I've never done this before,” she murmured.

“I know.” Luis chuckled deep in his throat. His voice was thick and husky, her own sounding the same. Suddenly he lost patience and ripped at her camisole. She reveled in his touch, welcomed it, demanded more, and he obeyed, his head dropping to the softness of her breasts. This was no dream, she told herself, this was what she'd dreamed of for so long; what she'd craved. She arched her back, drawing him closer.

She felt beautiful and desirable as Luis murmured her name over and over, his lips trailing down, down, until they reached the flat plane of her stomach.

Their clothes lay next to them, discarded and forgotten. He was against her, the length of him. She writhed with pleasure as she pressed her body against his. He kissed her cheek, her throat, her breasts, his fiery tongue scorching her body. She felt his name escape her lips again and again as his hands reached out, circling her bare back, luxuriating in the satiny warmth of her skin. His mouth was drawn to the place where her neck joined her shoulders, and she was aware of her own shudder of delight and the anticipation that coursed through him. A tear fell from her eye and slipped down her cheek. Seeing it, Luis kissed it away, tasting the salt of it, as though it had come from the sea.

He moved just slightly from her—only far enough for his eyes to focus on her through the soft mist, needing to commit her face to memory so that she would live in him for the rest of his days. How bittersweet this love, he thought as he drew her close again.

Magic spun a web and cloaked them from the world; they were in love this night. His hands caressed down the length of her body, loving her, worshiping her. Their passion, he knew deep in his heart, was a gift from God. A gift for this night only and to be treasured unto eternity.

Fury rolled over, pulling him against her, into every curve, as she fought to keep from losing herself in the fierce, hot joy spreading throughout her body. She felt light, soft nibbles against her lips. The pressure of his lips on hers was increasingly demanding, persuasive. Her breathing became his as he explored her mouth with his probing tongue. His hands on her body were fluid, hypnotic, touching her intimately, spreading fire throughout her entire body. Her arms moved naturally to encircle his broad back. She felt his hands cradle her head as her wealth of ebony hair fell over their faces. She began to moan softly as his hands tantalized her with their gentle, sensuous caresses. The warmth of his body and the rippling muscles beneath her hands so delighted her, she crushed her lips against his, demanding he return her ardor. Her heart pounded as she heard him emit low animal groans of passion.

“I need you,” he panted as his mouth came down against hers, crushing her, driving the breath from her body.

His lips were hungry, demanding that he be satisfied by her. She strained toward him, willing him to demand more of her so that she could feed his insatiable appetite. Her lips parted, and she tasted his sweetness as she felt his hands continue to explore her body. She moaned with pleasure when his fingers found the way to the soft, silky place between her thighs.

The searing heat of her desire washed everything else away. Everything was forgotten, all her promises, all her religious longings. All she wanted now was to be near him, to have him be a part of her. He whispered soft endearments that were barely audible as his lips blazed a burning trail from her mouth to her neck to her breasts, his hands tender yet searching. Nothing matters, Fury told herself as she sought his devouring lips and the delicious feel of his body next to hers. Passion rose in her in waves as she felt him stiffen against her.

“Now,” he whispered huskily.

Fury gazed at him with passion-filled eyes. He wanted her, needed her as much as she wanted and needed him. God help her, she meant to have him, no matter what the cost. Her eyes flooded with tears as she nuzzled her head into the hollow of his neck.

The prick of pain as he entered her was minuscule as her overriding passions rose and fell to match the rhythm of his thrusts. Suddenly, unexpectedly, the core of her being shattered, flooding her entire body with hot, scorching release.

Spent, they lay in each other's arms. Fury sighed deeply. So this was what it was like to be a total woman, the kind of woman she'd heard whispered about at the convent school. She closed her eyes, reliving each exquisite moment of their lovemaking. How, how was she to give this up? How was she never to think of this again? Her sinful flesh had betrayed her. Could she atone? Tomorrow she would think about atonement. For now she wanted to lie in this man's arms and whisper all the words lovers whispered to one another.

They slept then, their cheeks pressed close together. Fury smiled in her sleep, her dreams sweet and gentle, and when the last tendril of fog lifted to expose the silvery moon and twinkling stars, she woke, her silky lashes fluttering against Luis's cheek.