Seger, Maura (25 page)

Impatient with the barriers between them, she lifted her head and glanced around. They were sheltered from the other people in the hut by a bamboo screen taller than her own head. Disentangling herself from him briefly, she stripped down to her thin chemise and pantaloons, then crawled in again beside him.

The icy touch of his skin against hers made her gasp. She resumed stroking his body until slowly but steadily it lost its chill and grew warm. As the coldness fled from him, Storm seemed to grow more relaxed. His limbs lost their rigidity and wrapped naturally around hers. His breathing grew deep and steady.

As Erin listened to it, she allowed herself the first tentative stirrings of hope. He would be all right; he had to be. Fate could not be allowed to separate them like this, not when they had endured so much to find each other again. The vitality she felt radiating through him reassured her. A tentative smile curved her lips as she drifted into sleep.

Takamori found them like that in the morning when he peered behind the screen to see how Storm was doing. Blinking in surprise, he grinned down at the pair. They both looked considerably better than they had the night before.

He was about to leave them to their privacy when a movement caught his attention. Storm had opened his eyes. His friend glanced first at him, then at Erin. As Takamori struggled to restrain an understanding laugh, Storm slowly but unmistakably winked.

Chapter Seventeen

"I don't think i want this book after all," Storm said. "Would you mind bringing me the ship's log instead?"

Erin rose at once to fetch it. She was greatly relieved by his willingness to follow her instructions and not try to rush back to work before completely recovering. Never mind that he was a rather demanding patient who became restless if she strayed out of his sight. She was far too happy to begrudge him anything.

"Here it is," she said, handing him the journal. "How are you feeling this afternoon?"

"Better," Storm allowed. "But I still think it would be a mistake to overexert myself."

"Oh, I agree. After what you went through, you need a great deal of rest." Cozily ensconced in their cabin on board the
Rising Sun,
she was more than content to look after him. But she realized their quiet interlude could not last forever. The weather was fair and they were making good time back to Yokohama.

"When does Takamori think we will make port?" Storm asked.

"Tomorrow, if the wind holds. He said to tell you not to worry; everything is under control."

She didn't mention that their friend had grinned when he said that. Takamori smiled frequently of late. Odetsu had agreed to marry him as soon as they were received by the emperor in Edo.

The formal announcement of the new government was due within a matter of weeks, after which they would be wed. Erin hoped to be at the ceremony, but she didn't want to go without Storm and she wasn't certain he would admit to being up to it.

He was taking longer than she'd expected to recover from his ordeal. His appetite was fickle, he didn't like being left alone, and if she so much as stirred from their bed at night, he woke instantly. Still, he seemed cheerful enough and except for wanting her constantly at his side, showed none of the impatience she had encountered before in sick or injured men.

"Do you think you might feel well enough to take a turn on deck?" she asked, glancing outside at the clear blue sky. Except for those days when it was extremely cold or snowing, she had managed to coax him outside regularly.

"Perhaps, if you will come with me."

"Of course, but you must promise to tell me the moment you begin feeling tired."

"I will," Storm assured her solemnly. Erin missed the devilish gleam in his eye as she went to fetch both their cloaks. Wrapped up snugly against the wind, she tucked her arm around Storm's as they left the cabin.

At that hour of the day, the ship was very quiet. Only a few seamen kept watch while the first mate manned the helm. They all nodded cordially as Storm and Erin passed, restraining their humorous comments about the captain's talent for handling women until they were safely out of earshot.

Odetsu and Saido joined them briefly. The little boy, who with the innocence of children had managed to sleep through the battle that changed the course of his country's history, overflowed with enthusiasm for everything around him. He had already announced his intention to become an admiral when he grew up.

Erin helped him assemble the pieces of a wooden ship one of the seamen had carved for him. Having never spent much time with children before, she found Saido a delight. He was an intelligent, happy little boy secure in the love of his mother and his father-to-be. Seeing what pleasure a child like him could give made her all the more eager for the arrival of her own baby.

While she was too occupied to notice, Odetsu glanced at Storm and smiled wryly. An unrepentant gleam lit his eyes, only to be quickly masked as Erin turned back to him.

After a sedate stroll around the deck, she was feeling just a bit sleepy. The steadily increasing demands of pregnancy sapped her strength more than she cared to admit. When Storm announced he was fatigued and wished to return to the cabin, she offered no demur.

The steward arrived with dinner shortly thereafter. Though Erin had no great inclination for food, she had learned that unless she made a sincere effort to eat, Storm would not do so.

His tastes had changed since his accident, causing him to prefer plain broiled fish and chicken, a few lightly seasoned vegetables and quantities of milk obtained from the cows brought on board before they left Hyuga. The menu suited Erin well enough. It did not upset her uncertain stomach and it seemed to meet the changing needs of her body.

When the remnants of the meal were cleared away, she accepted Storm's help in unfastening her dress. He insisted that since she did so much for him, he had to be allowed to assist her.

"You're becoming a passable ladies' maid," She teased as he undid the last button and slid the dress from her shoulders. Beneath it she wore only a chemise, pantaloons and warm petticoats. Pregnancy gave her the perfect excuse to abandon her stays entirely. She was convinced they could not be good for the baby and therefore refused to wear them.

"I think I'll stick to seafaring," he growled as the rest of her clothes drifted in a lacy heap at her feet. "It's much easier on the nerves."

Erin laughed softly. The fire of his gaze wandering over her warmed her most effectively. He made no secret of the fact that he found her ripening body beautiful. Yet he also made no attempt to renew their intimacy. Their nights were spent sleeping chastely in each other's arms.

Wrapped in her robe, she sat down to brush her hair. Storm watched her silently. The grace of her movements coupled with the loveliness of her face and form stirred him to a desire so intense as to be painful. He longed to feel her slender length beneath him, to hear her cries of rapture, and find within her sweetness fulfillment beyond anything he had ever known with another woman.

Yet he was absolutely resolved not to take her again until they were married. Shrewdly he realized that her desire equaled his, and she could not long remain content with any arrangement that denied her the most fundamental expression of their love.

Besides, he worried that a resumption of their intimacy might endanger the baby, especially after all Erin had been through. Until he could get her safely back to Yokohama, he was determined to exercise the greatest self-control, whatever the cost.

Gritting his teeth, he managed to return her smile as she stood up, removed her robe and with a delicate shiver pulled on her nightgown. Her arm tangled in the sleeve, much delaying the process. By the time she was once again covered, a sheen of perspiration had broken out on his forehead.

Erin eyed him with concern. "I think you may have done too much today. You look quite pale."

"I'm fine. Just come to bed."

She obliged as willingly as any man could ask, cuddling into his arms. Within minutes she was fast asleep, a contented smile curving her delectable mouth.

Storm sighed softly. Gathering her closer, he reconciled himself to yet another uneasy night.

They reached Yokohama the following morning, to great rejoicing by the populace. In honor of the occasion the gates of the Black Star Trading Company were thrown open and celebrants allowed to stream onto the docks to welcome the proud clipper ship home.

In a city founded on the sanctity of trade, there was immense relief that a protracted war had been averted. Businessmen who had previously professed loyalty to the shogun had no problem switching their allegiance, such as it was, to the new regime.

A few were presumptuous enough to believe the reform leaders could be convinced to take a smaller share of the profits than the shogun had demanded. But most realized that was not likely to be the case. They understood that men such as Takamori would not tolerate the expropriation of their nation's wealth by anyone, Westerner or Japanese.

Instead of being content with quick gains for a few, the reformers would insist on a much longer-term view of what was best for the nation as a whole. To all but the most exploitive hucksters, that was a welcome change.

Leaning over the railing, Erin waved eagerly to Meg and the Carmodys, whom she had spotted on the dock. She tugged on Storm's sleeve, calling his attention to them.

"You're in luck. Meg doesn't have her umbrella with her."

He laughed confidently. "It's not me who needs to be concerned about the formidable Mrs. Gilhoully. Unless I'm very much mistaken, you're in for an earful about all the worry you've caused her."

"She should talk, after believing your blarney about having no disrespectful designs on my person."

"I wonder if she really did believe me," Storm mused. "After all, hasn't she been trying to get you married off for some time now?"

Erin made a face at him. Provoked by his suggestion that she was hard up for a husband, she said, "Are you starting that marriage business again?"

Storm scowled. "I wasn't aware I had ever dropped it."

"Just don't expect me to do anything about it soon. After all, we still have to finish buying cargoes for the
Emerald Isle
and the
Nantucket Moon,
find crews for them and see them safely on their way home. There'll be plenty of time after that to think about getting married."

"Your priorities leave much to be desired, madam. Before you finish dreaming up reasons to delay our wedding, our child will have arrived."

"Would that be so terrible?"

"Erin . . ."

The warning note in his voice alerted her to the fact that she was treading perilously close to the edge of his temper. But before she could attempt to make amends, Storm sighed dramatically. "You have me at a great disability. Being still so weakened from my ordeal, I can hardly compel you to obey me."

Erin managed to look immediately contrite. "I am sorry, dearest. That was thoughtless of me. Just put the whole issue of marriage out of your mind. We'll discuss it when you're completely recovered."

That was not what Storm had wanted to hear. He was still scowling as they made their way down the ramp and were engulfed by the joyful crowd.

"Praise God you're back safe and sound," Meg declared, hugging Erin to her ample bosom. "Many the night I've lain awake praying to the Blessed Virgin to return you to us."

"Now, Meg," Ned admonished, "you know perfectly well it was you who kept telling us they'd both be all right."

"Only because I trust Captain Davin here. God love you, sir, for taking such good care of her."

Erin snorted disparagingly, but didn't get a chance to comment before Elizabeth swept her out of Meg's embrace and into her own. "I'm" so relieved you're all right. When we heard you were on board the
Rising Sun
during the attack, I'm afraid I imagined all sorts of terrible things."

"Exactly what you shouldn't be doing in your condition."

Blushing attractively, Elizabeth glanced down at her protruding stomach. "That's what Ned kept telling me, but I just couldn't help it. Even though we haven't known each other very long, I feel that we have become good friends. The thought that you might be harmed horrified me."

Deeply touched by her words, Erin put an arm around her comfortingly. "As you can see, I'm right as rain." Glancing at Storm, who she felt was taking unseemly enjoyment in the scene, she added, "But the captain is still feeling the effects of his ordeal. We really should not linger on the dock."

"Of course not," Ned agreed, giving Storm no chance to object. "Allow us to escort you home and then we will leave you. A celebration dinner is planned for tonight, but I'm sure you both want to rest up before that."

He hesitated, uncertain of how to bring up a delicate point, but finally asked, "Uh . . . Erin ... if your business with Captain Davin is concluded and you prefer to stay with us . . ."

"She does not," Storm said firmly. Glowering at her, he dared her to contradict him.

Erin shrugged as though it wasn't important. "Thank you, Ned, but since the captain is still convalescing, I think I should return with him."

"How kind of you," Storm muttered. So quietly that only Erin could hear him, he added, "When we get home, my sweet, we will discuss this ridiculous idea you have about postponing our marriage. It's time we settled that once and for all."

Glancing up at him through her thick lashes, she refrained from answering. The carriage ride passed quickly as they exchanged all the latest news and caught up on the changes already being enacted by the new government. Servants were waiting outside Storm's house to welcome them.

Meg cast him a sharp look as he helped Erin down. "I trust this business of yours will be settled shortly, Captain?"

He nodded calmly. "That is my intention."

Mollified, she gave Erin a final peck on the cheek. "There's a fancy-dress ball tonight. Have you something to wear?"