Catalina's Caress (9 page)

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Charlotte made several stops on her way to her planned visit with Charles Dante, stops to see remarkable people who would not, in the minds of her society friends, be persons the illustrious Charlotte McNeil would know.

All these stops were made for the same purpose. Slowly she spread a web across the city, created a network to find out who Marc Copeland really was. For in the back of her mind she was sure she bad seen or known him. Ordinarily blessed with a good memory, she was annoyed that she could not put his face and a name together.

It was well after one in the afternoon when she again called on Charles, who welcomed her with warm enthusiasm.

"Charlotte my dear, two visits in just days. Could I hope that you have developed a fondness for my company?"

"I have always been fond of you, you scoundrel." Charlotte laughed.

"Then have dinner with me tonight."

"I might consider doing that if you can provide me with my answers."

"It's too soon for me to have found out anything. This Marc Copeland seems to have something to hide. His past just vanishes. He's a very elusive character."

"I thought he might be."

"Have you had lunch yet, Charlotte?"

"No, I haven't."

"Then share my lonely lunch with me."

"I'd be delighted."

Charlotte accompanied Charles to one of New Orleans most elegant restaurants, where they were greeted graciously. Seeing two such eminent citizens together sent a ripple of excitement through the other luncheon guests.

After they were seated and Charlotte had endured all she could stand of the nearly overwhelming maitre d' they ordered and exchanged superficial conversation until the food was brought and they felt they enjoyed some semblance of privacy.

"Now, Charles, suppose you tell me what you have found so far."

"I told you, Charlotte, most of the people I have looking into his background have not yet brought me any information. The others have learned little more than what we already know."

"Which is?"

"He has a signed deed to the
Belle
. He has deposited a great deal of money in the bank, and he plans to turn the
Belle
into one of the most elaborate gambling casinos on the river. He has even acquired all the .. . ah . .. luxuries any man could ever expect to find."

"The word is whores, Charles ... whores. And you mean he's hired a few beautiful and well-accomplished whores to ply their trade aboard the
Belle
," Charlotte said in well-controlled rage. "The
Belle
, one of the most beautiful and well-known boats on the river!"

"Well at least you're blunt." Charles smiled. He was never surprised at what he heard from Charlotte's mouth. She is the only lady, he thought, in high New Orleans society who bluntly calls a whore a whore.

"He has a purpose, Charles. I know it, I can feel it. He is unscrupulous, and I've a feeling his purpose is directed at one goal. I want to know what that goal is before any more harm befalls my family."

"Maybe, Charlotte," Charles said gently, "if you were to trust me more and tell me all that has happened, I might be able to get some answers sooner. Don't you think it's time you laid all your cards on the table?"

Charlotte held his eyes with an intense look, and Charles had the very uncomfortable feeling she was reading his soul. But he knew if he did not return her steady gaze he would never get another word of explanation from her.

"All right," she said quietly. "I'll tell you all I know for certain... and what I suspect."

Charles breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she had allowed him to take a step closer to her.

In a dignified and quiet voice Charlotte explained all that had occurred. Charles did not interrupt until she was completely finished.

"Charlotte, I want you to know I am honored by your confidence. No word of what you have said to me shall pass my lips. I will do everything, move every mountain, to find out just who this man is and what devious plot he has in mind. In the meantime I would like you to get Catalina to stay as far away from him as she can."

"One does not tell Cat what she can or cannot do. She rises to a challenge like a gladiator. I'm afraid my words of warning will only serve to make her angrier."

"She can be angry so long as she stays out of his reach until we can find some answers and some proof."

"She went to see him last night."

"How foolish!"

"I couldn't stop her. I have no idea what time she came home. I fell asleep on the settee in front of the fireplace and she must have thought I was in bed. After a while I woke and heard her in the kitchen. We shared a few confidences over a cup of tea, but I know no more about her visit to Marc Copeland last night than I knew yesterday. She was still asleep when I left this morning."

"Find out what happened if you can, but for God's sake keep her at home. I have a feeling this man doesn't possess a sense of honor."

"I will most certainly do my best, Charles."

"Good. Now that that is settled, where would you like to have dinner tonight, and what time should I call for you?"

The balance of their lunch was relaxed and filled with laughter. When Charles waved goodbye and watched her carriage roll away he was more than pleased.

Charlotte arrived home only to find that Catalina had gone out to have lunch with Travis. She waited patiently, but Catalina did not return before it was time for Charlotte to dress for her dinner engagement with Charles.

Oh, well. She is with Travis now, so Marc Copeland is not involved, Charlotte thought. I shall speak with her when I return.

She went to join Charles, not knowing that it would be a very long time before she saw Catalina again and that their lives would have changed drastically before she did.

T
ravis sat across the table from Catalina in a small but excellent restaurant. He had had to coax her into lunching with him because she had been caught up in worry over Seth's sudden disappearance and even over her aunt's absence.

"It will do you good to get out of this house for an hour or two, Cat."

"But Aunt Charlotte—"

"Is probably having a good lunch with a friend."

"All right," she agreed.

Now, as they sat opposite each other, questions bubbled from Catalina. It seemed that she felt if she could voice her worries, she could find answers to them.

"Where could he have gone, Travis? He left our house with one destination in mind. I can't believe that he never got there."

"Most likely he did, and Marc Copeland is lying to you for some reason."

"But why? Why?"

"I don't know. I have some men out searching the city. If he's in it, we'll find him."

"God, Travis, he might be hurt somewhere. He might need us desperately."

"Cat, don't get so upset. I'll find him for you."

He reached across the table and took her trembling hand in his.

"There's a lot of other news I have to tell you."

"What?" she said. Her brow furrowed as if she knew what he was going to say was something she didn't want to hear.

"It's about Marc Copeland and the
Belle
."

"What more can he do? The boat is his."

"He's turned it into a gambler's heaven and plans to go up and down the river with it. He has made a point of not changing her name. That means he's deliberately making her a scandal to strike out at the Carringtons."

"He is an atrocious man. If my father hears of this he will be shamed. It will make any redemption for Seth impossible."

"I want you to consider something, Cat."

"What?"

"It might be dangerous and I wouldn't blame you if you refused."

"What is it? I'll do whatever is necessary."

"He's taking the
Belle
out late tonight."

"We can't stop him."

"No ... but I think we should be passengers on her when she leaves."

"That's impossible!"

"Think about this, Cat. If Seth is nowhere in the city, he might just be aboard the
Belle
."

"Why?"

"So he could be gotten away from here and disposed of in a safer place. Or Copeland might be wanting more from the Carringtons and Seth might be his hold on your family."

"What else could he want?"

"Ransom," Travis said bluntly. "Your father might be angry, but what would he—or you or your aunt— pay to get Seth back?"

"Anything," she whispered, her eyes widening with the realization.

"I think it would be clever on our part—and it would spoil any plans he might have—if we were passengers on the
Belle
when it left."

"He would never let us aboard."

"I will have someone else book our staterooms. We will arrive at the last minute. Outside of admitting his reasons he can't stop us."

"I... I don't know," she began hesitantly.

"Think of it, Cat. We will watch carefully. If Seth is aboard, we will find him."

"I would like to talk to Aunt Charlotte."

"She is a cautious woman, and the trip would be hard for her. If she talks you out of it, your brother might be lost."

Travis was the only one who knew Seth was not on the
Belle
, but he wanted Catalina away from New Orleans and the protection of her aunt. He wanted her where he could seduce her with gentle carefulness. Her hatred of Marc Copeland would certainly preclude that man from coming to her rescue, and he would easily be able to convince Copeland that Catalina was his willing mistress. That should fan the embers of distrust between those two.

"Maybe you're right. Aunt Charlotte would never let me go alone. But I must find out if Seth is there ... if he's alive. When does the boat leave?"

"Late tonight." Travis could hardly keep the elation from his voice. Catalina was walking into his well-laid trap. By this time next week, having used every ounce of leverage he had, he would have Catalina in his bed. After that, she would be forced to marry him. Society would brand her, and her life would be a disaster if she refused. The Carrington line was as good as his.

"Travis, please take me home. I must think."

"Do that, Cat, but remember your brother's life is at stake. If you decide to go, just pack a few things and come to me. In the meantime I'll have two staterooms purchased in case you decide to go."

The carriage ride back to her aunt's home was a troubled one, for Catalina was totally immersed in the fact that if she didn't grasp this opportunity, Seth might pay for her lack of courage with his life. She thought bitterly of Marc Copeland and his cold way of taking everything he wanted despite what hurt he caused anyone else. Maybe, if she did go, she might find some way to strike back at him.

Travis dropped Catalina off at her aunt's home, but he was certain he would see her soon. He had known her too long not to realize that if she had an opportunity to help her brother she would take it He then went directly to the
Belle
. His request to talk to Copeland brought quick action, and he was taken to Marc's quarters.

Hiding his curiosity well, Marc sat back in his chair, displaying an attitude of disinterested nonchalance. He knew quite well what Travis was. He just couldn't figure out a legitimate reason for Travis's wanting to talk to him.

"Sit down, Travis. Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you. What I would really like is to discuss something... ah ... personal with you."

"Personal?" Marc questioned. He couldn't pin down the feeling he had, but he was suspicious.

"Yes. You're taking the
Belle
upriver tonight?"

"I am. I wasn't aware that too many people knew about that yet"

"Well, I would like to ask about the possibility of securing passage upriver for two."

"Passage can be arranged, but the
Belle
is not really a passenger boat."

"I know. That's why I wanted to book the trip on her. I want it to be discreet."

"Discreet," Marc echoed. Then he smiled. Obviously Travis had a mistress with whom he wanted to share time, but he wanted very few people to know that. Most likely a lady with a good reputation she didn't want to tarnish. "All right. What do you require?"

"Two rooms."

"Two?"

"Yes." Travis smiled. "With an adjoining door between of course."

"Of course." Marc chuckled. "One is for you, I presume?"

"It is."

"And what name will I put down for the other?"

"Catalina Carrington," Travis said softly, watching Marc's eyes for any sign of what he thought.

There was none, but only because Marc made an almost superhuman effort to control the rage that went through him. He had no right to be angry, but that made no difference in him. He suppressed a distinct urge to pound the pleased smile on Travis's face to a bloody pulp.

He should have known. Catalina Carrington was as much like her father as her brother was. He had been a fool to harbor thoughts of her that were almost romantic. She was a Carrington. They were all alike. He had come close to making a mistake, but he'd be damned careful not to trust her pretty face and enticing body again. Whatever happened now, Catalina Carrington would get what she so justly deserved.

"Two rooms, adjoining doors," Marc confirmed in a casual voice that disappointed Travis.

"If you want to be even more discreet, I will post them in the books under assumed names." He grinned knowingly at Travis. "No one need ever know you shared a ... trip with Miss Carrington."

"Ah, a wise idea, a very wise idea."

"When will you board?"

"What time do you leave?"

"Just after midnight."

"We'll be here a few minutes before."

"I'll make sure your boarding is unobserved."

"I won't forget this, and Cat will be grateful too. I'm sure she'll find a way to tell you."

Marc smiled. "Maybe," he added softly, "I can find some way for Miss Carrington to express her gratitude."

Travis nodded and left Marc's quarters. By the time the door had closed behind him Marc's smile had faded.

"So Catalina Carrington wants to play, does she? Well"—his chuckle was less than humorous—"maybe I had best join the game."