Love's Vengeance (11 page)

“You say you know this man personally?” she questioned and the captain nodded without hesitation, “And you shall accompany us?” Again he nodded. “Then I suppose we must. I have no other choice, at least none I relish.” Her cheeks felt hot with the humiliation. To be forced to return and plead for passage again from the swine she had laid low, just minutes ago.

“You shall not regret it, I assure you.” Anderson said with a smile, anticipating the reaction Stephen would display at the sight of such a beauty.

But Desiree regretted it very much already and she was fuming mad about the entire predicament.

***

“Anderson what brings you…”

Stephen Colter’s words trailed off as just behind Anderson, peeking around him, were those violet eyes. She looked like a small child, hiding behind her father for safety’s sake from some menace.

“Captain Stephen Colter, may I present Miss Desiree Chandelle and her companion Bridgett Spencer. I have assured these ladies that you would be pleased to see them safely to the colonies.”

Anderson grinned and stepped aside to reveal the beautiful young woman, expecting to see the young Captain Colter begin frothing at the mouth, as Stephen was quite a connoisseur of women and this surely, was one of the comeliest to have ever come along. But Stephen acted as though he didn’t notice the lady or her obvious attributes at all. His eyes were twinkling with mischief.

“Aye Captain—I have this very afternoon become—
acquainted
with the lady. Passage is it?” he questioned as though this were the first he had heard of that proposal, while he meaningfully stroked his cheek where not so long ago he had felt the sting of her hand. His dark eyes caught Desiree’s in silent communication, “Aye!” he grinned, “I’ll be happy to have the ladies aboard. It should make for an interesting voyage.” He chuckled, turning to call down the deck toward the stern.

“Cunningham!”

“Right away Captain!”

An elderly man waved an arm and stuck his head out from behind a stack of crates. He was easily twice the age of his captain, Desiree decided, possibly sixty, with graying hair and a bushy mustache. His eyes were twinkling merrily and he was grinning from ear to ear as he approached, causing her to wonder if he had been witness to the scene earlier. But of course he had, the whole bunch of them had had a hearty laugh at her expense.

“These
ladies
…” Stephen emphasized his words, grinning at Desiree, “will be accompanying us to the colonies. Please take them below and make them comfortable.” He turned to address Bridgett, “Ham here will see you below. Where might we send for your luggage?” he inquired pleasantly.

“The Le Havre Inn.” Bridgett answered softly. She was completely stunned by the man’s looks—he was extraordinarily handsome.

Stephen nodded curtly and with a gesture ushered them into the care of Ham. The two women followed Ham across the deck moving to the stairs leading below at the stern castle as Stephen stood with arms crossed over his chest, admiring the feminine stride of the dazzling French girl moving fluidly away. He had almost forgotten Anderson stood beside him.

“So you met with her before? Where might this have been Stephen old boy?” Anderson questioned.

Stephen clapped his friend upon the back, “Could I interest you in a drink? This will take some time in the telling for you to get all the enjoyment out of it that myself and crew did earlier.” He laughed.

“By all means! How can I resist the prospect of one of your tall tales?” Anderson chuckled, giving Stephen’s shoulder a sound pat, “Lead on!”

***

Desiree and Bridgett were escorted down a flight of steps to a narrow corridor that vert to the right, then half again down another cramped passageway.

“Here we are.” Ham announced, opening the door and standing aside, allowing the women to enter, “It certainly lacks style but I am sure you shall be most comfortable.”

The cabin was very cramped to say the least, Desiree observed. Two small berths were built into the wall on either side of the door. A table and chairs, no doubt anchored to prevent overturning on the high seas occupied the space beneath a heavily glassed window between the two berths. An armoire was built into the wall at the end of one bed and the lower half, contained a two drawer chest. A small washstand took the last inch of usable space at the foot of the other bed.

“I’ll leave you ladies to yourselves now. Your luggage will be brought from the Inn right away. I could have a tray sent in if you have not had a noonday meal.” He offered politely.

“Oh yes please.” Desiree nodded, famished from her harrowing morning.

“Right away.” he started out the door and turned back, “As far a meals go, I am afraid we have no dining room. Meals will be served here. I hope this will not put you out.”

“Of course not.” Bridgett assured.

“We’ll be leaving on the morning tide, so you will want to retire early I expect.” He added from the corridor.

“Thank you Mister Cunningham.” Bridgett called, closing the door behind him. She turned to face Desiree, “Very friendly don’t you agree?”

Desiree made no comment.

“My goodness but the Captain is a fine looking man—so handsome and young!” Bridgett marveled, noting the straightening of Desiree’s posture.

Desiree’s dark brows shot up with surprise, “That man—is completely repulsive! So arrogant! So vain!—oh—a pompous oaf!” she sputtered, “Talk no more of him! That—that—man!” She flung her hat off her head, tossing it to a bunk.

***

Captain Anderson reclined at his desk with the light of a single candle upon his desktop, throwing a glow across the charts before him. Pouring himself another Applejack, he savored the slightly tart brandy and leaned back in his chair to enjoy the libation.

He chuckled to himself, “That Stephen!” he thought, “Ornery devil.” The retelling of Stephen’s episode with Miss Chandelle was made almost as vivid by recount as the actual event must have been. For a woman to have struck the great Captain Colter seemed almost impossible but to have decked him! Preposterous!

Stephen Colter was accustomed to having women fall into his lap like ripe fruit. He had never been refused to Anderson’s knowledge, for women were Colter’s best subject. He had an almost irresistible charm about him and he had a dozen different women waiting anxiously for a proposal of marriage or at least a permanent arrangement which would never come. He was a man who enjoyed the company of many women and could not seem to limit himself to just one. The young captain should have an interesting voyage with that French beauty aboard; he mused, finishing his drink. Cupping his hand around the candle, he extinguished the flame, retiring for the night.

***

Stephen Colter was deep in thought as he drank from his tankard of ale, then rested it upon his stomach, leaning back in his chair with legs loosely crossed at the ankles before him. A young woman approached, stopping across the table from him, pulling his thoughts back into the room and he became aware of the boisterous laughter of sailors and the tittering of the waterfront women in the Le Havre Inn common room. Stephen lifted his brow inquiringly, fixing her with an even stare.

Her stomach fluttered as the dark brown eyes locked with hers—her heart melting at the prospect of being possessed by such a man as this. His looks, the like of which she had never seen before. She trembled under his scrutiny and could not deny the slight fear of him that gnawed at her courage.

She had first seen him a week ago, when he had been caught in the midst of a brawl in this very room. He had been an outsider in the conflict but soon had become drawn in, as had most of the crowd and she had watched him spring into action, giving out and receiving brutal blows. She had stood near the back of the room, away from the battleground and was in awe of his poise. When a full flask of rum had come swooshing toward his head as he turned from dealing out a flattening blow to one man, he had ducked and the flask had shattered against the mirror behind the counter. Leaving the mirror intact but cracked in shards. He had dove at the guilty party with a whoop, catching the man in the midsection and the two had fallen across a table and onto the floor.

Moments later he had leapt to his feet, grasping the man by the collar. The man’s senses had been dimmed by the assault and this blond giant had relieved him of his purse, and after heaving the weighty pouch to the innkeeper, had run the man out to the street.

He had returned to the door of the common room moments later, with his white silk shirt in tatters, the result of the sailor clutching at him to avoid being expelled. He had stripped away the useless garment and with a wide grin and a battle cry, jumped back into the fray. Her breath had caught, when she had seen the sinewy muscled body, darkly bronzed by the sun, lean and rippling with power.

He seemed to enjoy using his fists and he along with the rest, appeared to have had a rousing good time at it. Then afterward, totally exhausted, he had sat with his fellow combatants as they slapped each other upon the back good-naturedly and applauded each other’s prowess with fists as if they were fast friends.

After a time, his eyes had surveyed the women moving amid them, filling their cups and he had grasp Gretchen as she passed, pulling her onto his lap. With a few soft words spoken in her ear, they rose and took their leave up the stairs and Gretchen had had a look of excited anticipation upon her face as she led the way for the handsome foreigner.

He was virile, more extremely masculine than any man she had ever seen. He seemed to fear no man and from what she had heard of him, could have any woman he desired. He was magnificent. With sun lightened blond hair and finely chiseled features. Even with his display of brute strength, she knew Gretchen had lain beneath him and found pleasure there. This was a rare occurrence in the life of a prostitute.

“
Monsieur
, might I interest you in a bit of entertainment?” she began hesitantly, in English, “For a mere pittance I will make it well worth your time and investment.” She smiled demurely across at him, trying to hide her trepidation.

Stephen smiled slowly at the girl. Her delivery of a proposition could stand some improvement, he mused. She was obviously a newcomer to the profession and if she expected to compete with the lusty women at the inn, she would have to work on her execution.

Looking into the pale green eyes, to the hope they held, he couldn’t help but be moved; and he did find her mildly interesting. She possessed a full, voluptuous bosom; but the waistline was a bit broad and although she might have served to alleviate his momentary needs, this night he was not in the mood for her grade of entertainment. His mind was on the lovely woman he had met this day. Her face and figure had left him wanting, as he had never known before. Her spirit and fight impressed him no small amount either. Throughout the afternoon, she had crept into his mind until he could think of nothing else. He had busied himself on deck, catching himself looking aft in hopes of getting another glimpse of her. There would be time he had consoled himself. She would be with him for nearly two entire months and the ship was small enough to afford plenty of opportunity.

The woman sat across from him, tensely awaiting his answer. She watched his face as he pondered the transaction. If he agreed, it would mean a meal this night and enough left over for breakfast on the morrow.

Stephen took another brace from his tankard, looking at her across the candle flame, “I am afraid I must decline my dear. This night my mind is too troubled to think of such sport.” he smiled gently.

Her face sank and her shoulders slumped as she rose, looking about the crowded common room for another.

“But here,” Stephen beckoned her back as he dipped into the pouch at the waist of his breeches. He laid several coins in her palm, “Have your sup on me and keep the change.”

She gazed at him in surprise and looked down at the francs’ she held, “Thank you
Monsieur
. You are most generous.” She blushed with gratitude.

“Just see you don’t let that bit of knowledge get around to the rest.” he warned without a trace of a smile.

“No
Monsieur
.” She shook her head emphatically and with a curtsy, flounced off, leaving Stephen to his drink.

Downing it in one swig, Stephen rose and made his way from the crowded common room. Walking leisurely along the docks, his mind was once more on the French girl, now residing on his ship.

***

It was a little past midnight, when Desiree heard heavy footfalls in the passageway. They slowed just outside her door and then continued on around the corner. She heard a door close and all was quiet but for the creaking of the ship. Presuming it to have been the captain checking to see all was well, she relaxed and tried to drift back to sleep but the visions of the scene today on deck came back to haunt her.

What a beast of a man that Captain Colter was, and now she would have to endure his presence for months to come. Had their initial meeting been different, she might well be enjoying the prospect, for he was a most handsome man. She remembered the measured strength of his hands about her—the muscles of his chest and how they had flexed beneath his open shirt. He had a way about him and she had felt his effect.

“Lord Desiree!” she chided herself within her mind, “You are a virgin for goodness sake. How can you even entertain such thoughts?”

It was some time later that she finally drifted back into a sound, if not peaceful sleep.

Chapter Eight

It seemed but a moment later that Desiree awoke to a light tapping at her door. She looked about the bed and floor for her dressing gown and paused until Bridgett had donned hers also before unlocking the door and opening it slightly. She peeked out and was greeted by Cunningham’s broad smile.

“Morning Miss. I’ve brought your morning fare. We’ll be shoving off soon. Sorry for the early hour.”