Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (20 page)

Season could feel the sting of his words in the very depth of her heart. He was treating her as if nothing had ever passed between the two of them. She could feel her anger mounting. How dare he flaunt his mistress in her face. How dare he treat her as if she were a nobody!

Season looked across the table at De Fores, and he gave her a guarded smile. It was as if he were telling her to bide her time. She was almost sure he was going to help her. She would find her satisfaction for today's insults by freeing herself from The Raven.

Maude sheathed her sword and straddled a chair. "I suppose you are right, Raven; this woman is of no consequence."

All at once the table was surrounded by several other sea captains, and they all seemed genuinely glad to see The Raven. Season had never seen so many people from so many different walks of life. There were sea captains with turbans wrapped about their heads. Some spoke Italian while others spoke Spanish and Portuguese. It gave Season pause to wonder how this pesthole could exist. Where were the authorities? Was there no one to bring law and order to this part of the world?

Season was receiving her share of curious glances, but no one dared to approach her. Suddenly she became weary. There were so many people pressed into such a small space, and the noise was deafening. She took a deep breath, wishing she could leave this filthy place.

At that moment, Season heard Briggs's voice, and she watched the little man approach the table. "We put Captain Wolf on board the
Andromeda
, sir." He was addressing The Raven.

"How is Robert's health?" The Raven asked, watching De Fores' face closely.

Briggs shot the Frenchman a disgusted glance. "He's been ill-treated, sir. He's got wounds that haven't been seen to, and it looks like he ain't had a decent meal in days. He's got dysentery."

The Raven stood up slowly. "We will meet again, De Fores. Next time you may not be so fortunate as to escape with your life."

De Fores smiled and looked at Season. "Yes, it is preordained that we shall meet again . . . never fear." It was almost as if he were telling Season he would see her again. She quickly glanced at The Raven, but he didn't seem to catch the hidden meaning behind De Fores' words.

Season was overcome with relief when The Raven took her arm and led her out of the tavern. Once outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air and let it out slowly. As they crossed the dusty streets, Season noticed that Maude and her Nubian were following them. Briggs and several of the
Andromeda
's crewmembers were just a few paces behind Maude.

When they rounded a corner, Maude came up beside them and slipped her arm through The Raven's. "Where do you go from here, Raven? I hope you will be here longer than you were last time," the woman said, giving Season a poisonous glance.

"I cannot tell you where we are going, Maude. My crew is now taking on stores and supplies. I fear we must sail in two days' time."

"So soon?" she asked regretfully. "I was hoping you would stay a few days with me." Season noticed that she smiled boldly up at the captain.

He laughed deeply. "Time and tide are always against us, Maude."

"I am surprised you allowed De Fores to live, Raven. You would have done the world a favor if you had cut his black heart out," the woman said, changing the subject.

"I am not finished with De Fores yet, Maude. He knows it, and I know it."

"I don't trust him, Raven. He's a devil. You made him look bad today; he will not forget it."

Season was not listening. She was lost in her own thoughts. Her heart seemed to burn with a need to escape The Raven. Today she had been humiliated and made to look the fool. Even now, The Raven paraded his mistress before her. What better way to strike out at him than to escape with the help of his most-hated enemy. She hoped that De Fores would come to her rescue. Surely he had believed her story.

Suddenly The Raven's words penetrated Season's thoughts. "Maude, I wonder if you would mind keeping an eye on my ... prisoner for me."

Season would have voiced her objections, but Maude spoke up first. "You can't ask me to keep this fancy piece. I'd sooner cut her throat."

"She isn't so bad once you get to know her." The Raven laughed. "Do this for me, Maude. I have never asked a favor of you, but I'm asking now."

"Aye, 'tis true. You never have asked anything of me, but you have helped me often. How can I deny you this one thing? I will do it."

"I will not go with her," Season spoke up. "I don't like this woman."

The Raven took Season's arm. "You will do as you are told, because you have no choice." He glanced up at the other woman. "Keep a wary eye on her, Maude. I don't like all the attention she attracted at the tavern. Don't trust her for a moment; she is very clever."

The Raven moved over to Maude and they talked in hushed tones so Season couldn't hear what was being said, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow moving across the street, and she realized it was De Fores. The Raven was unaware that the Frenchman was following them. Perhaps it would be best to go with Maude, Season thought. If De Fores were going to help her escape, would it not be better for her to be with Maude than aboard the
Andromeda
?

Season hid her rising excitement. Soon she would be free of The Raven. Before long she would be on her way back to England!

15

Season looked out the bedroom window at the street below. The windows had bars on them, and they were much too high. She wouldn't be able to escape through them. The door was made of heavy oak, and it, too, seemed to be impregnable. She had been locked in by the huge Nubian hours ago. The Raven had escorted them to Maude's house and had left them at the door without a word to her.

Season had been given neither food nor water, and she now found that she was both hungry and thirsty.

She walked about the bedroom, noticing how feminine everything was. The bed covering was pink lace, and the rug on the floor had a red and yellow floral pattern. Maude might dress like a man, but evidently she enjoyed having womanly frills in her bedroom.

Season paced back and forth as the clock on the dressing table ticked off the minutes. She began to wonder if The Raven had ever been in this room. Yes, most probably he had. She could tell by the way Maude had reacted to him, that they had been lovers; perhaps they still were. Season didn't stop to wonder why thinking of The Raven making love to Maude was so painful to her. She had been deeply hurt by The Raven's treatment of her that day, and she wanted to strike out at him and hurt him.

When is this horror ever going to end? she wondered. She loathed and detested the arrogant, hooded man everyone called The Raven. What mystery did he hide behind his black mask? What power did he have over her that he could make her love him?

She walked over to the window once more and glanced out, hoping to catch a glimpse of De Fores. Had she been mistaken to think the Frenchman would come to her rescue? No, she had seen the glint in his eyes when she had told him her father would pay him well for her return. Besides, she sensed a deeper reason why he would help her. De Fores hated The Raven; he would be only too glad to take something away from the captain of the
Andromeda
.

Season heard footsteps outside the bedroom door and then a key grating in the lock. She wondered if she was going to spend the rest of her life behind locked doors.

Maude entered the room, carrying a tray of food. She gave Season a poisonous glance as she set the tray on the dressing table and motioned for Season to eat.

Season was hungry, but she walked reluctantly over to the tray. Eying the food, she discovered it didn't look too bad. She noted a generous slice of meat, buttered bread, and slices of an unknown fruit.

"Does this meet your majesty's approval?" Maude asked, a sneer on her lips and a gleam in her pale blue eyes. "I surely wouldn't want to offend your majesty with my humble offerings."

"It looks good," Season replied, refusing to be baited by this woman.

"What's your name?" Maude demanded, propping her booted foot on a chair and looking Season over.

"I am known as Lady Season Chatsworth in England. My friends call me Season . . . you may call me Lady Season," she stated, biting into the meat and finding it was delicious.

"La-di-da, Lady Season Chatsworth," Maude said sarcastically. "Ain't you the grand one though," the woman taunted, with a vicious curl of her lip.

"What kind of fruit is this?" Season asked, refusing to be baited once more.

"It's a banana," Maude answered sourly.

"I find it to be quite tasty."

"What are you doing with The Raven?" Maude asked, sitting down in the chair.

Season took another bite of the banana and swallowed it before answering. "I am not with him by choice. I was kidnapped by the man you think so highly of."

"I'm certain he didn't abduct you because he was partial to your sweet nature," Maude observed.

Season looked into Maude's eyes. "I wonder how you would behave in like circumstances. How would you feel about a man you didn't even know who stole you away in the dead of night and held you captive?"

"I don't know," Maude answered speculatively. "My own father sold me to a man who was three times my age when I was but fourteen. He said if I was nice to the man I would become his wife and be provided with a decent home. Less than a year later, I found myself on the slave block in Madagascar. I was bought by a Moor, and was forced to live with him as his woman. He was a pirate and as mean as they come. I could tell you things that would curdle that blue blood of yours. I would still be his woman had not The Raven attacked Ajon's ship one day and freed me."

Season was horrified by Maude's confession. "Why did The Raven rescue you?" she asked.

"Oh, he didn't attack Ajon to save me. He didn't even know of my existence at that time. Ajon had foolishly shanghaied several of The Raven's men, and he was merely taking them back. Ajon lived to rue the day he tangled with The Raven."

"What did you do once you were free? Surely you could have returned to America."

Maude's eyes seemed to turn sad. "What was I to do, return to my loving father? I had sunk as low as a human being could go, and many times I wanted to die; yet I lived. I had nowhere to go and no friends or money."

"So you came here to live." Season couldn't disguise the horror in her voice. She now felt pity for this woman who had been so badly treated. She couldn't help but see the similarities between her life and Maude's.

"No. I didn't come to Tripoli right away," Maude continued. "I begged The Raven to give me Ajon's ship, the
Albatross
, and he agreed. That is how I became what I am today. No man puts his hands on me unless I say so. I have gained a certain amount of respect, and I do live well."

"You are a . . . pirate?"

"Yes, and a damned good one, too."

Season shook her head in disbelief. She began to admire this woman for standing up for herself. "I could never be as brave as you are. I admire your courage."

Maude frowned. She did not know whether this grand lady was making fun of her or whether she was being sincere. The light in the other woman's eyes led her to believe she was speaking the truth. "It's a hard life. The hardest part is dealing with men and trying to convince them I am their equal. I have managed to succeed quite well."

"Are you never frightened? Do you never wish for another kind of life?"

"I am often frightened, but I can't allow it to show," Maude confessed. "As for wanting another life—the sea is in my blood. I suppose I will sail the world until I die. I wouldn't trade places with any female I know."

On a sudden impulse Season reached over and placed her hand on Maude's. "My life has been not unlike yours. I was offered in marriage to a man who was older than my father. When I objected, my father sent me to America to wed a man I had never met. Before the wedding could take place, I was abducted by The Raven. It seems both you and I have had very little control over our lives."

Maude blinked her eyes. Against her will, she was beginning to like this young woman. There was no doubt in her mind that Season spoke the truth.

"Aye, it would seem we were both ill-used by men."

Both women lapsed into silence, then Season spoke. "Are you in love with The Raven?"

Maude's pale blue eyes seemed to soften. "There are many women who love the elusive Raven, but no woman has ever clipped his wings. I have known many men, but not a one who can compare with him. He is very compassionate, loyal, and fearless. Yes, I love him, but to love him and try to hold onto him is like trying to catch the wind . . . or tame the wild raven. His mistress is the sea."

Season sighed heavily and stood up. "I fear I do not see him as you do. Perhaps you have seen a side of him that has not been revealed to me. I picture him as an abductor of innocent women, a looter, and a pirate."

Maude walked over to the bed and lay down, propping her head up on a pink satin pillow. "If The Raven abducted you, he must have had a good reason. Do you know what it is?"

"I have been told that he was holding me hostage until a man named Silas Dunsberry could be exchanged for my release. It is said the man was executed; still I remain The Raven's prisoner."

Maude made a whistling noise through her teeth. "You're in a hell of a fix, ain't you?"

"Maude, could you help me escape," Season asked hopefully. "If you would take me to England, my father would pay you well, I promise."

"No, I would never go against The Raven. He knows he can trust me. Even if I agreed to take you to your father, The Raven would catch up with us and there would be all hell to pay."

Though Season had known what Maude's answer would be before she asked the question, she was desperate and could leave no avenue of escape untried. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she looked into Maude's blue eyes.

"Have you ever seen The Raven unmasked? Do you know what he looks like?"

Maude laughed aloud. "I have been with him when he was unmasked, but I didn't actually see his face, if that's what you are asking."

Season knew only too well what Maude was implying. She was saying The Raven had made love to her in a darkened room. Season flushed and lowered her eyes.

"Why do you think he wears a mask?" she asked hurriedly.

"Everyone has a theory about that. Some people say he is horribly deformed, but I know that to be false. Others say he is an English nobleman. Me, I have my suspicions as to why he keeps his identity a secret, but I ain't telling no one what I think."

"I know he doesn't wear his disguise aboard the Andromeda. I believe his crew know who he is."

"That may well be, but not a one among his crew would ever betray him. He has a way of inspiring loyalty in men as well as women."

"I suppose," Season sighed.

Maude reached over, took Season's chin, and tilted her face up so the dying rays of the sun hit her. "I wonder why The Raven hasn't sent you back. Why does he continue to hold you hostage?"

"Season shook her head. "I wish I knew the answer to that myself. I would give anything to be free of that man. It seems a lifetime since I was first abducted."

Maude moved off the bed. "You are very lovely; could it be that he has at last found a woman who has a claim on his heart?"

"No. I hate him and he always tries to humiliate me. I suspect he will be almost as glad to see the last of me as I will be when I am free of him."

"I wonder?" Maude speculated; then she smiled. "The Raven will be here tonight and I want to look my best." Maude walked over to a trunk and removed a bright red satin gown and held it out for inspection. "I have been keeping this for just such an occasion."

Season turned away and stared out the window as Maude began dressing. Why did she feel such an empty ache deep inside? she wondered. She would have to be crazed to feel jealous of The Raven.

"Fasten me up the back, will you?" Maude asked. Season performed the task and then watched as the woman brushed her wheat-colored hair. When she had finished, Season noted that the woman was not unattractive.

"I may not be as beautiful as you, lady what-ever-your-name-is, but I'll wager I'm more woman than you will ever be. I have pleased The Raven in the past; I shall please him again tonight. Your beauty will not help you, for you will sleep alone while I enjoy the company of The Raven. Something tells me that thought bothers you."

Season watched, speechless, as Maude moved to the door and swept out of the room, turning the key in the lock once she was outside. Wild, jealous feelings coursed through Season's veins.

"I hate The Raven!" she shouted, picking up a pink pillow and throwing it against the door. Then, hearing Maude's muffled laughter, she sank down on the bed.

The time passed slowly as day gave way to night, and Season again began to pace the room. She wondered if The Raven and Maude were locked in a passionate embrace. Would he kiss Maude as he had her? Season threw herself on the bed and pounded the pillow with her fist. "Just you wait," she cried. "I will make you pay, Raven."

The day's events had tired Season, and when she noticed the clock marked the midnight hour, she felt sure if De Fores intended to rescue her, he would already have come. No. Perhaps he would wait until The Raven left. She closed her eyes, no longer fighting sleep. Why should she care what The Raven and Maude were doing? Neither of them meant anything to her. She hoped De Fores knew that The Raven would be sailing in two days. If he were going to rescue her, it would have to be soon.

She yawned and closed her eyelids, drifting off to sleep.

The Raven stood at the railing of the
Andromeda
, staring at the lights of Tripoli. Perhaps it had been a mistake to leave Season with Maude. He had grown accustomed to having her aboard his ship and it seemed lonesome without her.

"It don't seem the same without the little lady, does it, Captain?" Briggs said, as if he had been reading The Raven's mind.

"No, it doesn't, Briggs. I was just wondering if I made a mistake in leaving her with Maude."

"You always visit Maude when we are in Tripoli— will you be going to her house tonight, sir?"

The Raven watched the distant lights play on the water. "No. I don't seem to want to, Briggs."

"The little lady really got under your skin, didn't she, Captain? I've never known you to turn down an invitation from Maude."