Paradise Wild (31 page)

Corinne woke late to discover that she was alone. She dressed quickly and made the bed lovingly, remembering each moment of what had happened there the night before. She picked up the clothes Jared had left lying on the floor. They were a mess. He hadn’t even bothered to empty his pockets. She laid some coins and loose pieces of paper on the dresser, then pulled a small box from another pocket. It was a jewelry box, and she couldn’t resist opening it. The solid gold heart that gleamed up at her was lovely. Slowly she read the engraved inscription.

Corinne quickly closed the box and put it back in the pocket. Then, quickly, she replaced the other items in the clothes and hung them up. He mustn’t know she had seen the necklace.

She was trembling. What did it mean?
I would marry you again, and without regrets
. Of course he regretted the first time. But now?
Without regrets
. Could it mean he loved her?

“Then why didn’t he give me the heart necklace?” she whispered to herself.

The answer was obvious. He had changed his mind. It was only lust that had prompted the inscription. Not
love. He had realized that he didn’t love her. Therefore, he was not planning to give her the gold heart.

Corinne spent the rest of the day waiting for Jared to approach her. But there were guests to attend to, and he was kept constantly occupied.

After dinner, when Jared went out to the stable, Corinne got a shawl and went out to the backyard. She sat in the bench swing, hoping Jared would join her when he finished. It wasn’t too long before she heard him cross by the front of the house and enter there. Akela would tell him she was out back. It wouldn’t be long now. But he didn’t come, and finally she went to seek him out.

Jared put the heart necklace in his pocket and smiled as he left the bedroom. He had hoped to find Corinne there, but then assumed she had gone for a walk. He waited for her in the living room. It was peaceful, their guests having departed long ago.

Jared grew impatient when Corinne didn’t return. He paced the room, then opened the front door and stood there gazing out at the bright moon. It reminded him of that long-ago promise he had made her, of a walk on the beach, and the added promise of making love under the stars, with moonlight shining down on her.

Then he smelled the strong fragrance of gardenia behind him, the bloom Corinne always wore in her hair. Her arms slipped around his waist and Jared smiled and turned to capture her lips. But the lips parting beneath his were not Corinne’s.

Jared drew back, his eyes growing dark. “What are you doing, Naneki?”

She pouted. “Well, she not only one who can wear the gardenia. Why you no come to me anymore?”

“I am married now, and my wife is more than enough woman for me.”

“She no good.”

“That’s enough, Naneki,” Jared said coldly, pushing her away from him.

“You love her then?”

“Yes, damnit, I love her!” Her hurt expression made him soften his tone. “Look, Naneki, I told you long ago to find a husband. Why don’t you give Leonaka a chance? He cares for you.”

“Leonaka?”

“Yes, didn’t you know?” When she shook her head, he continued. “That’s because you never gave him any encouragement. But he loved you even before you married Peni.”

Her face brightened. “Leonaka good, strong man.”

“Yes, he is.”

“I think I take him
laulaus
tomorrow. That encourage him, huh?”

Jared laughed. “It certainly will. Now go on to bed.”

Jared should have been hurt that Naneki could transfer her affections from him to another so easily, but he wasn’t. He loved Corinne. He couldn’t stand waiting any longer, and he left the house to find her. He would tell her how much he loved her.

But Corinne wasn’t outside. She was locked in their room, crying on the bed where just last night she had found such joy. That was all gone now, and would never return. Why did she have to come in when she did, and see Naneki and Jared embracing? Corinne had felt her heart wrenched from her, and without waiting to see any more, she had run to the bedroom and locked herself in.

She was a fool ever to believe in happiness. The love between Jared and Corinne was a thing of the past.

Jared returned to the house after a futile search outside and went to their room. It was locked.

“Corinne?”

“Go away, Jared.”

He shook his head, baffled. “Open the door.”

Corinne jumped off the bed and came to the door so he could hear her clearly. How dare he come to her after just leaving his mistress?

“I told you to go away, Jared. Last night was a mistake, and it’s not going to happen again.”

“What in damnation has got into you?” he roared in disbelief.

The anger in his voice made her answer, “I’ve come to my senses, that’s what! I had forgotten how much I hate you, but I won’t forget again.”

God, it wasn’t true—it wasn’t! But it was better if he thought so.

Tears flowed again, just when she thought she had spilled them all. “I do mean it, Jared. You can have your room back in the morning. Tonight—go sleep with your mistress! I don’t want you, but she certainly does.”

“Corinne—”

“No!” she stopped him. “I’ve had enough, Jared. You either take me back to the city in the morning or I’ll walk!”

Jared backed away, bewildered and furious. Then anger took over completely.

Twice. She had made an utter fool of him twice. She had always hated him and she always would. There would not be a third time. He would take her back to the city. He would escort her right to a ship. He would see that she got on it. To hell with Corinne!

Jared went to summon Corinne. The carriage was waiting and a cart was attached to carry the luggage to the harbor. In a very short while Corinne would walk out of his life. He ought to be glad to be rid of her and the rage she inevitably caused him. But he didn’t feel glad. He felt lost.

The baby’s cries drew Jared to Florence’s room. He knew he would find his wife there. Both women were trying to soothe the child at the same time, obviously without success.

Jared shook his head as he came into the open room. “If everything is packed, ladies, I’ll start taking your things downstairs.”

“Not now, Jared,” Corinne answered curtly without looking his way.

“Well, it will have to be soon. Your ship leaves in about three hours.”

“I don’t care about the damn ship!” She turned to him. Her eyes were wide. “Michael is sick.”

“You know there won’t be another ship until the fourteenth.”

“Whenever,” she said absently and turned back to Michael.

“Have you sent for a doctor?”

“I was just going to go,” Florence answered.

“Nonsense,” Jared replied. “Your place is with your child. I’ll send Soon Ho.”

He started to leave the room, but Corinne stopped him. “Jared. I want Dr. Bryson. Michael knows him. And tell him it’s an emergency.”

Jared frowned. “Where is his office?”

“On Alakea Street.”

“Very well,” he replied. “But I want you to come downstairs with me. With both of you fussing over the boy, you’re probably frightening him.”

“No, I’m staying here.”

“Go on, Corinne,” Florence said sternly, with a meaningful look.

“All right,” she agreed reluctantly. “But only until the doctor comes.”

After Soon Ho was sent on his way, Jared joined Corinne in the living room. “You look as if you could use a drink,” he offered.

“I could, thank you.”

She sat on the edge of a chair, clasping her hands in her lap and keeping her eyes on the stairs. Jared watched her as he made the drinks. She seemed terrified.

“The boy will be all right.”

“Of course he will.”

He handed her the glass and noticed her hands trembling. “What’s wrong with him?”

“We don’t know. He’s burning with fever, and he won’t stop crying.”

“That could be any number of minor things, Corinne,” he tried to reassure her.

“It could also be serious!” she snapped. “I’m sorry, Jared. I’m just worried about him.”

“I can see that.”

Corinne lapsed into silence and Jared watched her. He wanted to soothe her. Damn, he wanted to offer her his love.

“Corinne, there is no reason for you to leave on the fourteenth, or ever.” She wasn’t listening to him, but to the crying that continued upstairs. “Did you hear me?”

Finally she glanced his way. “What did you say?”

“I said there is no reason for you to leave. You can stay here.”

“With you?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes focused on him now. They were a dark emerald. “And share you with Naneki and God knows how many other women? No thank you.”

“Share me?” he asked in surprise. “I haven’t had another woman since I married you.”

“Spare me, Jared,” she said bitterly, and her eyes darkened even more. “I happen to know differently.”

“What?”

“I saw you!” she shouted, all the pent-up pain and anger coming out. “You and your mistress kissing!”

Jared stared at her several moments, but then it all became clear to him. He laughed. “That was nothing. She came up behind me that night, but I thought it was you. I kissed her without looking, but stopped as soon as I knew I didn’t have you in my arms.”

“I don’t believe—” Corinne jumped up when Michael’s cries grew louder.

She ran to the stairs, but Jared stopped her. “I don’t want you up there, Corinne.”

She tried to yank her arm free, but he held her fast “Stop it, Jared. He needs me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Corinne. Florence can take care of him.”

“I want Michael.”

“If it’s serious, then you could get sick as well. I won’t have it.”

“I don’t care what you’ll have!” Her voice rose frantically. “Now let go of me!”

“Corinne, stop it!” Jared said harshly. “All that boy needs is his mother. My God, you’ve become obsessed with that child. Can’t you see that?”

“Obsessed!” she screamed and started crying. “Yes, I’m obsessed. Because Michael is my baby! Do
you
understand now? He—is—mine!”

Jared released his hold so suddenly that she stumbled. She didn’t stop to see the pained look on his face as she ran up the stairs.

He is mine—
Jared heard her scream again over and over in his mind. Not “ours,” but “mine,” she had said. It didn’t occur to him that she was simply upset. No, this proved what he had once suspected.

The baby was Drayton’s, all right. That was the only possible explanation for Corinne’s keeping the truth from him. If the child were his, Corinne would have told him the truth.

Corinne fell back in a chair and sighed deeply. She was exhausted and looked it.

“Here, I think we can both use some of this.” Florence came into the room with a bottle and two glasses.

“Did you see Dr. Bryson out?”

“Yes.”

“You know, I don’t understand why I did it.” Corinne sighed. “After all the trouble and the lies to keep Michael a secret from Jared, I just screamed the truth at him. And it wasn’t even necessary! There was no danger. Michael wasn’t seriously ill at all.”

Dr. Bryson had been amused when he discovered that
the “emergency” was teething. Michael was simply cutting molars.

“Don’t worry about it, Cori. It’s time he knew, anyway.”

“Don’t say that, Florence.” Corinne shook her head from side to side. “What if he tries to keep Michael now?”

“You have more money with which to fight him in court if it comes to that. But I don’t see why you two just don’t settle your differences.”

“It’s too late for that,” Corinne said quietly. “I couldn’t live with him, knowing he doesn’t love me—not even a little bit.”

“Who says he doesn’t?” Florence asked huffily.

“I do.” Corinne sat up and moaned. “Oh, I wish we hadn’t missed that ship today.”

“There will be another, if you’re really set on going.”

“Yes, but what’s going to happen in the meantime? What am I going to say to Jared when he demands to know why I kept the truth from him?”

“You tell him the truth, that’s all.”

But Jared stayed away all that night. Nor did he return the following day. Corinne waited nervously, frightened of a confrontation, but wishing to get the inevitable scene over with.

But Jared stayed away from the house until the fourteenth. By then, Corinne had given up hoping.

“We certainly didn’t pick a good day to be leaving this island.”

Corinne turned, putting on her bonnet. “Why? It’s a nice day.”

“Haven’t you been reading the papers, Cori?”

“Whatever for? News is too depressing.”

Florence shook her head. “There has been nothing but talk of revolution.”

“You mean war?”

“I don’t know. But there seem to be a good many people on Oahu and all over Hawaii who want to get rid of the monarchy. It will all come to a head very soon. And today is important.”

“Why?”

“Queen Liliu—oh, I just can’t pronounce the name. She’s planning to throw out the present constitution and introduce one of her own. The foreign citizens here, mostly Americans, are set against that. It’s all a test of strength between the revolutionaries and the monarchists—and between the foreign settlers and the Hawaiians.”

“Then it’s a good thing we decided to leave early today. We can take a roundabout way to the harbor and stay well clear of Iolani Palace.”

“You’re still not going to wait a little longer to see if your husband will come home?”

Corinne didn’t hesitate before answering. “No. It’s been a week. He’s either too angry with me for keeping Michael a secret from him, or he just doesn’t care.”

“I can’t believe he doesn’t care, Cori.”

“I can. I know Jared better than you do. Now let’s go.”

She picked up her gloves and purse, and left the room to get Michael. The luggage was already in the cart. After perfunctory good-byes to Akela and Malia, they set out for the harbor with Soon Ho driving.

Before long, another carriage came bounding after them. Both carriages stopped. Corinne tensed when she saw Jared. He left his carriage and approached hers.

“I didn’t think you would be leaving this early. I almost missed you.”

He was so casual about it! “Why did you bother?”

“I came to escort you to your ship. There may be trouble today. Already people are fired up in the streets—a bunch of hot-heads.”

“We know about the trouble, Jared. We had planned to go around the palace.”

“The trouble is everywhere, Corinne. There will undoubtedly be street fights.”

“And you’re worried about me?” she muttered sarcastically.

He didn’t answer. He ordered Soon Ho to take his carriage home, while he climbed up on theirs. Corinne simmered silently. Jared hadn’t said one word about Michael. He must have seen the child on her lap. Not one word! Why had he come? Probably to make sure that she left.

The streets were more crowded than Corrine had ever seen them. There was a great deal of noise, mostly
shouting. People were running in the direction of the palace, and Corinne spotted several weapons. She became frightened, then, especially for Michael, and put him down on the floor of the carriage. Then she began to worry about Jared, sitting high up in the driver’s seat, in plain view. He hadn’t even brought a gun, although he’d known what was happening. Just as she was wondering why he hadn’t, shots rang out from in front of the carriage and Corrine screamed. The carriage stopped slowly, and Corinne screamed again as she watched Jared slump over on the seat.

She jumped out of the carriage and climbed up to the driver’s seat. When she got there, Jared was sitting up, breathing heavily. “Are you all right?”

“I only got a little dizzy,” he replied roughly. “I’m fine.”

But she saw the blood on his side, and her heart stopped. “You’ve been shot, Jared!”

“It’s only a nick.”

“I don’t care, I’m taking you to a doctor.”

“I don’t want a doctor.”

But he swayed as he spoke, and she grabbed the reins he had dropped and started to Alakea Street.

Luck was with them. Dr. Bryson was at his office and he helped Corrine get Jared inside. She refused to leave the room while he examined Jared, but stood by helplessly, anxiously watching the doctor probe his wound, while Jared tried to hide his pain.

Dr. Bryson peered over his shoulder at her. “Why don’t you wait in my outer office? This will take a while.”

She shook her head firmly. “Not until I know he’s going to be all right.”

“I can assure you of that right now. The bullet has
not damaged any vital organs. It’s just a matter of removing it. He’ll be as good as new in a week.”

“Very well,” she said, not wanting to get in the doctors’ way.

But Jared sat up, his face a stony mask. “Never mind waiting, Corinne. You go on and catch your ship.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jared!” she cried. “I can’t leave you like this.”

“You will, damnit!” His voice rose harshly. “I’m not going to be responsible for your missing your ship. You wanted to leave today—just get out of here and do it!”

She thought he would say
something
about their son before she left. “What about Michael?” she ventured.

Jared closed his eyes against the pain and anger. Love for Corinne was driving him crazy. And she was mocking him with Drayton’s child! She must surely loathe him! Jared said coldly, “You take your son and get out of my life. Go back to Boston where you belong. And you damn well better get a divorce this time, Corinne, or by God I will!”

She turned blindly and ran from the office. So! His own son meant less than nothing to Jared.

Jared slumped back on the examining table, drained. It had taken all his strength to tell her to go when he really wanted to beg her to stay.

“Don’t you think you were a bit harsh with her?”

Jared opened his eyes and stared at Dr. Bryson. He had forgotten the man was in the room.

“It was necessary.”

“You mentioned divorce. I don’t understand. I thought—”

“Yes,” Jared interrupted sharply. “I understand. You thought she was Mrs. Drayton. But you see, she’s my
wife, although the baby you treated is Drayton’s child. It’s a very…complicated story,” Jared finished wryly.

“Well, well.” Dr. Bryson was thinking rapidly. “This explains a lot. You’re the ‘Jared’ that pretty woman cursed up and down when she was giving birth. I never did understand why, if her husband was called Russell.”

After a pause, Jared asked, “How would you know? Corinne had her child in Boston. Were you there?”

“I don’t know what misconception you’re under, Mr.—”

“Burkett,” Jared supplied impatiently.

“Mr. Burkett. Your wife delivered her child here on the island. I saw her the first time in December before last, shortly after she arrived, and regularly after that until she delivered in June. At her request, I even had a family ready to adopt the child.”

Jared sat up abruptly. “My wife arrived here in August of last year!”

Dr. Bryson did not wish to argue with such a large and belligerent man, wounded or not. He shrugged. “If you say so.”

Jared scowled. “But you say otherwise?”

Dr. Bryson nodded hesitantly.

Jared shook his head as if that would help him to understand. “You said she gave birth in June. When in June?”

“I can check my records for the exact day, but I believe it was in the middle of the month.”

Jared calculated quickly. “You mentioned an adoption. She didn’t want the child?”

Dr. Bryson frowned, remembering. “She certainly didn’t. It was unnatural the way she seemed to hate that unborn baby. I never could understand it.”

Words came back to Jared, words of long ago. “I certainly wouldn’t keep a child of yours.”

“What did Drayton think about the coming child?”

“Well, that was puzzling too, since he was the husband, or so I’d thought. He didn’t want the baby either. Now I understand about that situation. Why, they didn’t even share the same room, not even after the birth.”

“How would you know?”

“I was called on often enough before and after the birth.”

This was all happening too quickly for Jared. “Why didn’t she give the child up?”

Dr. Bryson chuckled. “That was Miss Merrill’s doing.”

“You mean Mrs. Merrill?”

“Oh dear, is she married?”

“Never mind,” Jared replied curtly. “Go on.”

“Well, Miss Merrill convinced me that Mrs. Burkett would regret giving away the baby. She said she was obsessed with other things and wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Jared grimaced.
He
was the other thing. She hated him so much that she couldn’t bear to keep his child.

“Are you all right? I really should be getting that bullet out.”

“It can wait a bit more. I want to know what happened.”

“Well, Miss Merrill and I arranged it so that Mrs. Burkett was left alone with her new baby for a while. That was all it took. It was love at first sight, you might say. I rarely see mother love any stronger.”

Jared sighed and lay back on the examining table. He was hurting badly. It was time to remove the bullet.

Just before the doctor administered pain killer, Jared realized everything fully.
My God, I have a son!