Fortune's Flames (36 page)

“Lordy, I wish I knew where he was and what he’s up to.”

“Forget about him for now. Just think about us.”

Jared’s lips and hands worked wonders on her body, and hers did the same on his. They made love slowly and titillatingly, and when that delightful crisis seized them, they rode toward a mutual victory.

Then, as they lay in each other’s arms, they talked. Jared promised to deal with Eric and Willa when time permitted and to settle their business affairs. When he told Maren that he had to leave on Wednesday morning, he added that more guards had been hired to protect her.

“I think Eric must have sailed for Jamaica. I’m going after him and the gold he took there. Maybe it will be enough to allow us to win the war.”

“Don’t go after him, Jared,” she pleaded.

“I’ll be careful, love, but this has to be done or you’ll never be safe.”

On Wednesday, Jared left and Maren cried. She
could not bear the thought of anything happening to him, and she knew Eric was insane, irreparably evil. After her love’s departure, Maren threw herself into the running of Lady Luck to distract herself. Business flourished, and days swept by.

Three and a half weeks passed without trouble; then one day Jared was standing at the door. The Royal Navy had many ships in the routes to Jamaica—between Florida and Cuba, and between Cuba and Central America—so he had been fighting these ships rather than sailing on to seek out Eric and the British gold. He surmised that the heavy enemy concentration on those routes would prevent Eric from getting to New Orleans, and assuming Maren was safe there, he stayed for three days, then left.

The following Sunday, November twenty-seventh, the United States soundly licked the British at Mobile Bay. Unbeknownst to Maren, Jared had been trapped in the Gulf and was fighting in that battle along with Andrew Jackson and others.

As December overtook them, though the temperature remained above fifty degrees on many days, Jared arrived by sea and Andrew Jackson by land. But due to the crucial stage of the war, Jared and Maren had little time for a proper reunion. They spent one night making love and then Jared returned to duty.

He met with Andrew Jackson and revealed what he had worked out with the pirates at Barataria and
Grand Isle. Jackson was most agreeable to pardoning those men and accepting their aid, and he met with their infamous leader, Jean Lafitte. Lafitte was very helpful in planning the defense of New Orleans and the blockage of the Mississippi River to the British, so Jackson was grateful to Jared for arranging an alliance with the pirate captain.

With Jared Morgan’s assistance, Jackson set about recruiting anyone who wanted to do battle with the British: blacks, Creoles, plantation owners, freed slaves, friendly Indians, and businessmen. All went to work side by side with the soldiers, digging ramparts and building barricades. As the people of New Orleans supplied food and clothing, under the watchful eyes of Maren who was the collector and distributor, a line was formed across the Chalmette between the Mississippi and the swamp. Rotting cotton bales taken from the wharfs and plantations were used as buttresses. Jackson praised the joint efforts being made for the defense of New Orleans.

And that December saw the failure of the convention at Hartford. New England did not secede, Stuart ran the blockade with the
Constitution,
the two sides fought many minor skirmishes, and unbeknownst to their participants a peace treaty was signed in Belgium on Christmas Eve.

Jared and Maren had both been very busy, running Lady Luck and aiding in the preparations for the
defense of New Orleans, but the lovers had finally planned to steal a few hours for themselves. And when Lady Luck closed on Saturday night, Maren and Jared sealed out the world beyond their door.

They spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together, talking, laughing, feasting, making plans, and making love. Maren gave her husband an exquisitely carved pocket watch so he would know when to quit work and hurry into her waiting arms, and Jared gave his wife a beautiful shawl which he had purchased from René Blanc.

Since Mary Malone spent the time with Dan Myers, the couple could enjoy just being together, and since their marriage was no longer a secret, they could be quite open about it.

That afternoon, Maren and Jared heated water and filled the tub in her bath closet. Then they played sensuously there, soaping and caressing each other from head to foot, until the water was chilled and passions were kindled. They laughed as they dried off each other and snuggled under the bedcovers to get warm. The house was quiet and the fire in the hearth crackled serenely.

Jared’s hands and lips roamed Maren’s flesh, which smelled delightful for they had bathed with the French soap Antoine Gallier had given to her. “You smell good enough to devour, my love,” he murmured.

“When you return to the men and they get a whiff of you, Mr. Morgan, you’ll no doubt drive them wild
with lust. Make sure they don’t ravish you,” Maren teased.

Jared chuckled as he stroked her silky flesh. “I had forgotten about that disadvantage when I joined my wife for a bath. I’ll be certain to dash a very masculine cologne all over me before I leave.”

“And let the British detect your odor from miles away and be lured to your hiding place? Very careless, my love,” she jested.

“I’ll take my chances, woman, because that adventure was worth any risk. It isn’t often a man can get clean and be inflamed at the same time. Yes, ma’am, that combination is most appealing.”

Even as Jared and Maren were enjoying their tranquil Christmas at Lady Luck and making passionate love, the British struck. They sank many American gunboats and drove to within seven miles of New Orleans. Due to their proximity the city was placed under martial law and Jackson was put in full command. Stealthily and skillfully, the British had entered the area via Lake Borgne and Bayou Bienvenue—fortunately Jared’s ship was elsewhere—and by Christmas Eve they had sneaked past Jackson’s flank and taken control of the Villère Plantation. But luck had been with the Americans, for Major Gabriel Villère had escaped and had warned Jackson. Old Hickory had been furious, and had reacted promptly and boldly. He had attacked during the night and set up a new battle line. But the British had been given time to prepare for this
new challenge.

When the alarm was sounded after dusk, Jared looked over at his sleeping wife. Hating to disturb her with such news, he gently nudged her awake. “I have to go, love,” he said. “The British are attacking nearby, or they’ve broken through our defense line. Be alert, Maren. If you sense danger, flee inland to Payne’s Point. I’ll come for you when it’s safe again.”

Maren knew he had to leave; it hurt her to let him go. The day of reckoning was near, and she prayed the British lost the war. “I love you, Jared. Please be careful.”

Maren walked him to the door and then watched him until he vanished into the chilly darkness. Tears welled in her eyes and sadness filled her. She wanted this war to be over so they could live a normal life, a safe one. Quickly, she went upstairs, dressed, and packed a small bag. She remained alert.

The Americans fought bravely and steadily, for they were determined to push the British back into the Gulf. On the twenty-eighth, Parkenham attacked. After he was repulsed, General Andrew Jackson called upon the pirates, and with their help the Americans gradually pushed back the British line.

But the battle raged on until January eighth, and Maren had not seen her husband since December twenty-fifth. She received reports from the daring
men who delivered medical supplies, food, and arms to the battle line, so she knew Jared was safe and well. Still, she worried about him. Due to the situation, Lady Luck’s business was slack, so she had little to occupy her mind and hands. She was often tempted to go cook for the soldiers or to bandage the wounded, or even to fight. But she had promised to remain where she was.

When the major battle ended, the British had lost over two thousand men, while the Americans counted only seven dead! Due to Major Villère’s warning, the defeat was decisive, and Jackson presented that brave man with Parkenham’s arms.

But all did not go in Jackson’s favor. A local paper,
La Courrière de La Louisane
had printed an article entreating the people not to obey Jackson, and the author, Louis Louaillier, had been arrested at Jackson’s order. Judge Dominic Hall, born in England, had protested, and Jackson had then ordered that he be arrested.

On January twentieth the British admitted defeat and left New Orleans, and three days of rejoicing followed. But Maren did not join in. Jared and the other sea captains had been ordered to pursue the British ships to make certain they kept sailing homeward, and he had obeyed Jackson’s request after allowing himself a brief visit with his wife, who was opposed to his facing this added peril. Despite her
position, Maren knew Jared would obey Jackson, so she sent him off with a strained smile. Then she went to the wharf every day to look for his return. But as days passed, though business was better than ever at Lady Luck, Maren was lonely and worried.

Barton Hughes had been discharged, and had married Lilibeth Payne. Maren had stood beside her friend on that joyous and long-awaited occasion, and now the happy pair were livingon Bart’s plantation.

But Marc James had lost his courage. Unable to stand up to his brother, he had fled into the wilderness. Maren feared for his life, and she doubted that she would ever see her pitiful cousin again.

During this time Dan Myers’s wound had healed and he returned to work at Lady Luck. He was romancing Mary Malone again, and things seemed to be right between them now. Maren had forgiven the man, but she hoped he would remain loyal this time.

In Savannah, Jared Morgan had received distressing news. Willa had been slain by a strapping male slave she had been savagely beating. The black had escaped, and Jared had decided not to send the law after him. He did bring Cathy and Steven home from town, however, and Bessie was placed in charge of them. After he made certain the children would be all right, Jared sailed for New Orleans to retrieve his wife.

He had been away from Maren for a long time and he did not doubt that she was becoming frantic. But the retreating British ships had sailed toward Nassau, and when he was just about to stop tailing them and return to New Orleans, several had turned northward to attack the eastern coastline or to attempt to join up with the British fleet. Jared and the other captains had been compelled to pursue these ships and to defeat them. That done, Jared had realized he was near Savannah, so he had decided to make a brief stop there to deal with Willa before fetching Maren home.

On February thirteenth news of the peace treaty reached New Orleans, and on the sixteenth, Congress ratified it and the War of 1812 was officially ended. All British prisoners were pardoned and released; they were placed aboard a Spanish merchant ship to work their way home, Daniel Redford among them. Still Jared did not return, and Maren did not know what to think. She had last seen him on January nineteenth of 1815; it was now February eighteenth.

As she turned to leave the wharf, for it was growing late, her heart was heavy. She felt that something terrible had happened because Jared would not willingly stay away now that peace was assured. She wondered if he was searching for her cousin, if her cousin had found him, had harmed him. Her spirits lagged as she returned to Lady Luck.

It was a busy night and a noisy one. People were
celebrating America’s victory and the end of the war. Maren tried to join in the fun, but she could not. Finally she went upstairs and lay across her bed.

Around two in the morning, a hand was clamped over her mouth and she was shaken into full consciousness. The night candle revealed the ragetwisted face of her assailant: Eric James.

He glared at Maren and whispered, “It’s your day of reckoning, you traitorous bitch.”

Eric bound and gagged Maren, threatening her as he did so. She tried to resist him, failed; and panic surged through her as she was rendered helpless. She had to keep a clear head to foil such a hostile foe, but Eric had given her no chance to dupe him.

“After all I told you and how I trusted you, I come here to find you living with that bastard again,” he muttered as he worked. “I’ll find out later how you got away from Ben. No doubt he’s dead, damn you. Lewis is gone, Marc’s vanished, and Dan’s turned against me. But I’ll kill you all,” he ranted.

“Did you think Sam and Dan were my only loyal men? Fool,” he berated her. “Did you forget about Andrews? Of course you did. And I sprung Daniel, so he’s on my side now. Don’t expect him to help you.”

Maren knew Daniel Redford had been pardoned Wednesday and placed on a Spanish ship. She had watched her ex-fiancé sail, so she did not know why
Eric had mentioned him.

“All because of that damned Captain Hawk and Lady Luck! You could have had the world with me, Maren. But you betrayed me, so you’ll have to pay. Morgan is dead and this place will be burned to the ground before we sail. When I finish with you, you’ll be as good as dead. But not by my hand,” he said, and laughed wildly.

“My little false cousin, I’m selling you into slavery. You’ll be an asset to some foreign brothel. Every time you’re pierced, you’ll curse the day you betrayed the only man who truly loved you. You’ll know endless days and nights of torment, and you’ll reflecton your wickedness.”

As Eric carried her downstairs wrapped securely in the quilt from her bed, Maren noticed Dan Myers’s battered body near the front door. It was obvious that the manager had put up a terrible struggle. Maren reflected on the ironic reality that he was now fully vindicated, but she could not tell whether Dan was alive or dead. Mary was nowhere in sight, and Maren wondered frantically whether she was alive.

Eric halted long enough for her to watch his men toss whale oil here and there. Then he ordered, “Give me ten minutes head start; then set the place ablaze. Be aboard on time or we’ll sail without you.”

Maren was carried to Eric’s ship and taken to his cabin. He then forced her to stand at the porthole and
watch smoke roll heavenward as flames brightened the dark sky. Tears gathered in Maren’s eyes, but she contained them. Everything that had belonged to her parents was at Lady Luck. A sentimental and a monetary fortune was going up in vengeful flames, and two of her friends were probably dead. Maren gazed sadly at the blaze illuminating the night.

When a knock told him they were ready to sail, Eric pulled her over to the bed, and laughing devilishly, he declared, “I’ll return later, my false little cousin.” He then left quickly and bolted the door from the outside.

Maren lay on her side, trying to think. Since Eric had installed a bolt on
the
outside of the door, she could not sneak topside and jump overboard. Her world was coming apart, and it seemed there was nothing she could do to prevent catastrophe, at least not yet. She did not believe Jared was dead, but she could not imagine where he was. No doubt, Eric had discovered how long Jared had been gone, so he had lied about him as he had lied about Daniel Redford. She did fear she had seen her love for the last time, however, for locating her might not be possible if Eric carried out his horrible threat.

Maren warned herself that she mustn’t lose hope, mustn’t surrender to terror. Until she was dead, she was not defeated. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt the ship move. God, help me, she prayed.

Then she wriggled and squirmed until she forced her bound hands past her buttocks, beneath her legs,
and over her secured feet. Removing her gag, she worked at the knotted ropes until her teeth and gums were sore. At last she freed her wrists. She then untied her ankles. But the door was locked. She considered using a chair to break out the large porthole, intending to jump overboard and swim ashore, but when she looked out, she realized they had sailed too far for her to attempt such a feat. She decided she had no choice but to endure this torment until she had a better chance to escape.

Barefoot and clad only in a flannel nightgown, she cuddled into the heavy quilt in which Eric had brought her to his ship. The February night was cold, and the coals on the sturdy brazier had gone out. She did not see more wood, so she endured the everincreasing chill, thinking it one of Eric’s torments.

For some inexplicable reason, he did not return to his quarters that night. Having had plenty of time to poke about the cabin, Maren knew she was not aboard the
Martha J.
How, she wondered, could Jared pursue an unknown ship? And if there had been no witnesses to Eric’s evil deeds, what were the chances that her husband would realize what had happened? Did she even want her love to come after her? she asked herself. Jared would be reluctant to attack this ship and endanger her, and so he might endanger his life, his crew, and his ship by trying to rescue her. She would rather confront Eric’s treachery than be responsible for the destruction of the man she loved. She tossed and plotted, and
occasionally dozed, until morning was well underway, as was the ship on which she was held captive.

A few hours later, she heard the bolt being released. A cautious man slid a wooden tray into the room and quickly bolted the door again. Maren gazed at the unappetizing meal and then rolled onto her side and snuggled into the warm confines of the bedcovers. She wondered when Eric would appear and what he would do.

At midafternoon, the animal-like feeding procedure was repeated. Once more she refused to eat the unappealing fare. Instead, she boldly searched Eric’s closet for his smallest shirt and trousers and donned them, along with two pairs of fuzzy socks. It was not unbearably cold during the day, but she knew the temperature would drop swiftly at night. She paced the cabin in an attempt to keep her wits sharp and her muscles warm and agile, so she might seize an opportunity to escape. However, she did not intend to be reckless. She knew she would be permitted only one chance. After her attempt failed, Eric would make certain no more were presented, and he would be extremely hostile.

At dusk, the second tray was recovered, but a new one was not left. After that, Maren was brought neither food or water, nor any fuel for the brazier. She longed to bathe, but her water supply was miniscule and she feared an intrusion. She used Eric’s brush on her hair to relax herself a little. Then she wrapped herself in the covers and reclined on the bed. The
later it got, the cooler it got. It seemed she was being ignored, and Maren could not figure out Eric’s intent.

He came to visit Maren the next morning, and he grinned wickedly when he saw that she had managed to free herself and had found something to wear. He had assumed her intelligence and her courage would not fail her. “Hungry and cold, my fetching bitch?” he inquired hatefully.

Having plotted her strategy during his absence, Maren glared at him and then turned away. “Don’t even speak to me, you hateful traitor!” she said haughtily, though she was waiting for her torment to begin.

Eric James rushed to her and yanked her around so she faced him. Then he slapped her, and she struggled with him. Freeing herself from his grip, Maren backed away and cursed him, “You vile bastard, you’re lower than I imagined! You’ll pay for this and your many crimes.”

“How so, bitch? Your husband is dead. I caught up with him in Savannah and had my men slit his throat. You’re a widow, Maren, and you deserve to be after your final betrayal.”

“My betrayal?” she scoffed. “Eric James, you—”

“What happened to Ben?” he asked, his green eyes cold.

Furious, Maren shouted, “Peter Thomas said you
killed Murray just to get his inheritance. You were only duping me until you could kill me and take mine too, weren’t you? And to think I actually believed your pretty words! How dare you tell that beast Horben Wolfe he could have me once a week, even after we were wed! He told me all about your filthy little scheme when he tried to rape me on the way to Jamaica! That’s when he was shot by that pirate, while he was tearing my clothes off! But what do you care? You were behind it all.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Eric demanded angrily.

Having decided how to handle this man, she revealed how the
Martha J
had been attacked by pirates and she had been taken to Barataria. She described in detail the destruction of his ship and the killing of Horben Wolfe, elaborating on what the man had disclosed while trying to ravish her. She told Eric her pirate captor had been
the
raider who had supplied Lady Luck with wine and liquor, so he had rescued her and had freed her for a price. She mentioned that, after she’d returned to New Orleans, Daniel Redford had contacted her and had offered to help her retake the gambling house from Dan Myers. But she said that Jared Morgan had arrived before they could act. He had arrested Daniel and had forced her to move into Lady Luck with him. Then she had remained at home while Captain Hawk had gone off to battle. He had not returned. Maren claimed she had been unable to do anything except obey Jared in
order to avoid exposure and punishment.

She scolded Eric harshly. “You have no right or reason to mistreat me, Eric James! What was I supposed to do, tell Morgan the truth? When we talked in Savannah, you told me to pretend I was your captive if I was caught escaping Morgan! You said to act as if I were terrified of you so he wouldn’t harm me for taking off with you. I did what you suggested, but look where it’s gotten me! Damn you, Eric!”

“Who killed Samuel Lewis and shot Dan Myers?” he questioned.

“I don’t know about Mr. Lewis; that happened before I reached New Orleans. As for Dan, he tried to kill himself, probably because of guilt. He told Jared in front of me that you paid him to harass me.”

“What was Dan doing at Lady Luck? Surely Morgan was on to him.”

“He told us everything he knew, Eric, and asked for our forgiveness. Jared believed him and put him back to work when he was well. Damn it, I don’t know who or what to believe anymore. You and Morgan both give me different stories! Dan said you never wanted me harmed, just frightened out of Lady Luck. Is that true?” she queried, guilefully softening her gaze and tone.

“I told you, my fiery vixen, that you were going to get everything back by marrying me. Now everything is spoiled.”

“And you blame me?” she asked in a dejected voice.

“If you had trusted me and been loyal, things would be fine.”

“If you had truly loved me and trusted me, I wouldn’t have intruded, wouldn’t have doubted you. But what was I supposed to think and to feel when people were terrorizing me? Your people, Eric James!”

“I told you I didn’t give those orders! But that doesn’t matter now. It’s too late to change my plans. I’ve been exposed and lots of people will be after me. After I take care of you, I’ll have to disappear.”

“You hate me that much?” she asked, staring sadly at him.

“You must be punished.”

“For your crimes and failures? That isn’t fair, Eric.”

“Life hasn’t been fair to me either.” He sneered.

“But I’m not the one to blame! I’m caught in the middle of a private war between you and Morgan. Why hurt me?”

“If you think I’ll let Morgan have—” He halted and glared at her.

“You said he was dead,” she reminded him, unwisely.

“He will be if he comes after us. I’ll blast him out of the water. I swear he’ll never see you again, Mrs. Morgan. And if he settles down somewhere and drops his guard, I’ll track him and slay him.”

“Let it go, Eric, or you’ll be killed. Find a safe place and begin a new life, with or without me,” she urged,
wanting to protect her love.

“What do you care if I’m killed!” he stormed.

“We were so close for years, Eric, and I loved you. Stop this madness before it’s too late.”

“I told you, bitch; it is too late—for all of us.”

Before Maren could argue further, Eric left the cabin and locked it.

Two long and agonizing days passed without another visit from Eric. Food and water were placed inside the door twice a day, and now Maren consumed them to keep up her strength. They had sailed farther south, and the weather had warmed. She knew, even if she could get the door open, she would not jump overboard in the middle of the ocean. So she waited tensely, and she prayed constantly.

At dawn on February twenty-fourth, Maren heard shouts and boots scraping the deck. She hurried to the porthole, gazed out and saw a ship on the horizon. Her heart pounded wildly, for its sails were the color of the sky and its hull was painted to match the sea. Eric entered the cabin, laughing wickedly. Maren frantically eyed him as he casually stripped to the skin before her and changed into clean clothes. As he brushed his freshly clipped hair, she could see that he had shaved recently. His curious behavior intrigued and dismayed her.

He glanced at her and said, “You might want to witness this battle, Maren. Your husband’s ship is
gaining on us, and I’m going to kill him today.”

“Jared…” she murmured fearfully. She knew it was futile to beg or bargain for her love’s life.

“I thought so,” Eric concluded aloud. “But whata superb little liar you are. I’ll let you watch me send him below before you meet your own fate.”

Maren watched from the large porthole as the
Sea Mist
closed the distance between the two ships, then slowed its pace and rode the waves just out of cannon range. The two vessels continued their crafty cat-andmouse game for over an hour, and Maren feared her heart would explode from tension before the first shot was fired. She could not guess either man’s strategy, so she kept her eyes on the ship trailing them.

Eric’s vessel abruptly slowed and made a half-turn, placing her broadside to Jared’s stern, and suddenly it shuddered as several cannons were fired simultaneously at Jared’s ship. Maren screamed, and panic flooded her. She was relieved to see that her husband’s vessel was not hit; nonetheless she was breathing so rapidly that she became dizzy. She felt hot, then cold, then hot again. Moisture glistened on her face and dampened her flesh. Her entire body was trembling.