Love's Vengeance (43 page)

“No reason—well would you care to hear of our morning?”

“Yes I would.” Stephen turned his mount and the two started toward the stables.

“Quite simple actually—Desiree wanted to walk on the beach…” Tim began as they entered the dimly lit barn.

***

Desiree padded on tiptoes through the front door and had not placed a foot upon the stairs when a gasp sounded behind her. She turned slowly around to face Bessie and Bridgett. Bessie’s mouth hung open aghast at her appearance while Bridgett’s eyes twinkled and she held an amused smile upon her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Miss Desiree what on earth have you been up to child?” Bessie moaned, with a shake of her head.

“I fell into the ocean.” Desiree stated with a giggle and Bridgett’s laughter joined her own.

Desiree proceeded to tell them her version of the story, while Bessie covered her mouth with her hand, shaking her head in disbelief over such a calamity and Bridgett laughed at the all too familiar chain of events.

“Come along child.” Bridgett sighed, at the end of the tale, starting for the stairs with a shake of her head. “Bessie I believe a bath is in order.”

“Yes indeed.” Bessie nodded in agreement, heading off toward the back of the manor but stopped short as the door opened again and Timothy sauntered in.

“Bessie!” he hollered and then saw her coming back toward him, “I believe I would like to have a bath.” He said grandly.

Bessie looked from his dirty, partially clad body to Desiree halfway up the stairs. Desiree leaned against Bridgett and the two were almost in tears with laughter.

The old nanny placed her hands upon her broad hips, her head wagging from side to side as she spoke to Tim, “Let me guess—you fell into the ocean?”

“No…” Tim grinned wickedly at Desiree, “I was pushed into the ocean!” He started up the stairs after her as if stalking his prey. “Isn’t that so Miss Chandelle?”

“With good cause Master Colter.” Desiree said lifting her nose haughtily with a giggle. “With good cause.” Then scampered up the steps with Bridgett, leaving him behind.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Bridgett selected a dressing gown from the armoire while watching Desiree putter about the room silently. At her dressing table, Desiree paused and Bridgett caught a glimpse of her face reflected in the mirror. She watched as Desiree closed her eyes, biting her lower lip, holding back tears.

“Let me unlace you sweet.” Bridgett offered softly, moving up behind her.

Desiree wiped her eyes impatiently and smiled at Bridgett.

“Sweet you needn’t be so brave. Would you care to talk to me?”

Desiree turned around and embraced her, while tears spilled over, “Oh Bridgett I have been such a fool. You were right about everything. I—I was so blind.” Desiree croaked, “Why did I not listen to you? Why did I believe him?”

“Oh my poor babe.” Bridgett crooned stroking Desiree’s tousled hair.

Desiree stepped back from Bridgett with a deep breath, “I shouldn’t bother you with all this. It is my own doing.” She said in apology, slipping off her soiled dress and accepting the robe Bridgett offered.

“Dear you should…” Her words were interrupted by a light knock and she opened the door admitting three servants carrying large buckets of warm water.

Desiree turned her back, looking out the doors to the balcony until the tub had been filled and the maids departed. Bridgett returned her attention to Desiree but Desiree shook her head, gesturing to the waiting bath, “Bridgett we can speak of this later. I would rather be alone for a time please.”

“Of course—but may I give you one tiny bit of advise?”

Desiree nodded reluctantly.

“Go to him—tell him what you know and ask for his honesty on the matter. Do not allow this to go unresolved. You have never been one to hold in your feelings until this time—this man. You must not do so now.”

“You would have me humiliate myself and face the shame of his admittance to trifling with my affections? To have him laugh in my face and cast me aside?” she asked in disbelief, “It has always been you Bridgett who rebuked me for my openness.”

Desiree stomped across the room, digging through her bureau drawers in search of a chemise. Flailing her arms in the air at her inability to locate them she croaked, “Damn! Where are my shifts?”

Bridgett brushed her aside, locating the garments and laying out the chemise along with the other accessories needed for her bath. Desiree turned away silently, fighting to control her emotions and awaited any further comments from her nurse.

Bridgett made none until she paused before she departed, drawing Desiree’s attention, “Desiree my dear you must make up your own mind concerning this man. Just follow your heart and you may be surprised by what you find.” The door closed silently and Desiree was alone.

***

Desiree finished washing her hair and body, then lay back against the side of the brass tub and closed her eyes, enjoying the warm fragrant water. She slipped down, dunking under completely, listening to the silence of the water in her ears and wishing she could silence the thoughts racing through her mind as easily.

She emerged with her hair dripping small trails into the tub behind her and opened her eyes to be met by a velvety brown gaze peering at her from the foot of the tub.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming up for air.” Stephen said with a chuckle, as his eyes dipped to her breasts that were visible above the water line. He leaned his chin upon his hands resting on the rim of the tub and sighed, “Lord you are beautiful.”

Desiree slipped lower in the water, covering her bosom with her arms, “What are you doing here? How did you get in? Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?”

Stephen allowed his fingers to drag through the water, “I used the door.” He cocked his head in that direction, “You sound angry. You are aren’t you?” he smiled sheepishly.

“Why don’t you just use the door once more and leave.” She gave him a withering glare.

The smile faded from his lips and he sobered, “I am so terribly sorry about this morning. I would like to explain.”

“No need!” Desiree cut him off, “You owe me no explanations.”

“Please Desiree, I do owe you one. I would like to talk to you about Vanessa.”

She felt the panic rising. He was going to confess his long standing affair with that woman and she sat up to her neck in water unable to escape and avoid facing her fears.

“It does not matter to me.” She lied, “I do not wish to discuss it. Just leave please and allow me to bathe in peace.”

Stephen rose from the tub and enjoyed the view of her form beneath the water from his heightened vantage point, “I know you are upset and I understand that—but believe me Desiree I had no idea she would be so vicious or crude.”

“I do not want to talk about it.” Desiree stressed again sharply.

Stephen watched her face and the unfathomable emotions fleeting across her features. The deep violet blue stare was piercing. He growled in frustration and turned away, moving across the room. Leaning against the door leading to the balcony, he crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated her silently.

“Tell me what you are thinking about Desiree. Tell me what is on your mind.”

“I am thinking that I wish you would go and let me enjoy my bath!”

“You are being impossible! I am trying to apologize for the scene this morning!” he strode back to the tub and knelt beside her.

“You have apologized and I thank you for that Captain—now leave!” she said hotly, taking up a bar of soap and glaring into his eyes as she began to lather a trim arm.

“Damn it!” he barked in frustration and slammed his hand against the rim of the tub, before rising and pacing before her, “Please talk to me!”

“I have nothing to say. I am quite fine—really!” Desiree assured with a brittle and unconvincing smile.

He came to an abrupt halt, “Oh?” he questioned with eyebrows raised in disbelief. He rolled the sleeve of his shirt up above his elbow, “Really? Well—we shall see…” he said bending at her side once more and dropping to one knee as he gently grasped her hair, tilting her head back as his mouth swooped down upon hers in a passionate kiss, while his hand dipped below the water to caress her body.

The reaction was immediate and Desiree fought with vengeance, grasping his hand and digging her nails into his wrist as she struggled to free her mouth from his. He withdrew as she pushed him away from her and he sat back upon his heels, rolling down his sleeve with a satisfied smile.

“Hardly the response I would have received a day ago. Admit it! You are mad! Furious at me, for her comments!” he paused briefly, then spoke again with a voice raised in pitch and full of amazement, “And why is it you turned on
me
this morn? Had you given me a chance I would have responded to her questions and snide remarks but instead you attacked me with your words.”

Desiree ignored him, rinsing and standing up, she wrapped a towel about her body and stepped from the tub, moving to the door, “Please leave Stephen. I don’t want to argue with you.” She sighed wearily.

He pushed the open door shut, glaring down into her eyes, “The hell I will! I am staying right here until we get this talked out. I cannot survive another dose of your hatred in this lifetime!”

“Very well Stephen! Let’s talk about it shall we?” she hissed vehemently, “Tell me Stephen—how many times have you bedded that woman?”

His eyes narrowed but he made no response.

“What is this?” Desiree questioned with wide eyes, “Nothing to say now?”

A grin broke across his face and she was surprised to hear him chuckle. She wanted to slap that grin off his handsome face but she moved around him and crossed the room, dropping the towel and donning her chemise. He followed her across the room and turned her to face him.

“You are jealous! That’s it, isn’t it?” he asked softly, reaching out to touch her bare arm in a gentle caress.

“I am not jealous!” she snapped jerking away from his touch. “I asked you a very simple question and you refuse to answer it! Why is that Stephen?”

“You have no reason to be. There is absolutely nothing between her and I.” He stated simply.

She wanted to claw his face and confront him with all that she knew. To tell him that she was aware of, at least,
some
of what he and Vanessa had shared in recent days. To inform him of all she had overheard at the shop, seen on the ship, on the lawn. But more than any of this, she wanted him to answer this question and admit the truth she was already certain of. His expression told her she would not receive an answer but an idea formed quickly as she probed his eyes and studied his handsome face. She remembered a time on the
Windward
when she had asked of his past and she remembered what had finally brought him to respond.

Her face softened and with a deliberately measured, seductive smile, she sighed as if resigning herself to defeat and moved across the room where she lay upon her bed facing him and draped her arm along her waist and hip, “I am waiting for your answer.” She said with a soft smile.

Stephen frowned, approaching the bed and stopping just short. He looked down at the soft alluring vision, suspiciously. “What is this Desiree? What game are you playing now?”

“Game? Not I.” She laughed innocently. She slid over, giving him room to join her and then ran her hand up the inside of his thigh and was amazed by the rapid response of his body.

Stephen shook his head in bemusement but lay down beside her and tested her lips hesitantly. Desiree moved atop him as her lips clung to his and she caressed his body through his clothing. She pulled her shift over her head, letting it flutter to the floor and then shook her damp hair into a cascading mane that fanned about her body. She opened his shirt, caressing his chest with her breasts.

“Tell me Stephen.” She urged softly, “Surely you can give it an attempt, a guess.”

“It doesn’t matter Desiree.” He whispered. “It is only you I want.”

She realized that he was beginning to take control of the situation. He pulled her beneath him as his lips traced down her throat and his hands moved over her body possessively. She had not intended to make love with him, only entice him to admit and then cast him away but now he was in control and she had to bring him to a halt before it went too far.

“It is strange how she was so certain we had been intimate.” She whispered close to his ear, “What did she do to gain that bit of information if I can’t with this
ploy
?”

His caress ceased and he lifted his head to look into her eyes, “
Ploy
? That’s what this is? A
ploy
?” he chuckled harshly and moved to her side, glaring down at her. “Very well Desiree—yes I have been intimate with her in my past. Are you happy now?”

Desiree smiled coldly and to his disbelief she rose from the bed and donned her shift, “
Oui
thank you for admitting it. Now please leave. I have nothing more to say to you.”

She turned to her armoire and selected a dress, stepping into it and slipping it up over her shoulders, ignoring his presence completely.

He rolled out of the bed and crossed the room in one swift movement, grabbing her by the upper arms and turning her around. His grip was firm but did not cause pain and he studied her face closely, “Who do you think you are? What have I done that gives you just cause to pull something like that?”

“I need not answer to anyone for my actions.” She returned caustically, “But you must admit it worked
Monsieur
. I received the answer I was after. Now release me.”

He did not respond to her request, instead the pressure grew uncomfortable, “God you can be so cold! You can put on any face you wish, just like that!” he roared, snapping his fingers, “From cold to hot and back to cold—without a thought! Am I so readable? Gullible?” he didn’t wait for an answer but continued. “But of course I am. You know just how to toy with me don’t you? What is all this to you? What am I? What is that?” he raged, pointing to the bed sharply, “Just an amusing game to you?”