Come Love a Stranger

  Lenore entered the second on the arm of Malcolm, and heads turned to view the couple in wide curiosity. Those closely acquainted with the Natchez man had heard some of the rumors floating about and were anxious to see the lady who was causing such a stir. She was hardly a disappointment! Gowned in pearl pink satin with touches of ecru lace adorning the sleeves and narrow bodice, she looked as delectable as any confection that was available on the lavishly filled tables. Her auburn hair was swept up in a soft, elegant coiffure, and at each ear teardrops of pearl dangled prettily from clusters of diamond-wreathed rubies. Falling around the long, slender column at her throat were two carefully matched strands of the same opaque gems, brought together with a similar catch of ruby encircled with smaller diamonds. The jewels were a recent gift from Malcolm, who declared them a peace offering for the way he had lost his temper over Heart o’Mine. He was most anxious for her to know that he could be generous with her, too.

  The décolletage bared her shoulders sublimely and dipped enticingly to reveal the higher curves of her creamy breasts. Malcolm seemed taken with the display of the jewels on such a beautiful setting, but eyed his gift far less than he did the tempting roundness that was pressed full and taut above her gown. There his gaze lingered with much admiration.

  With her at his side, the tawny-haired man strutted like a proud peacock with his hen, except in this case the latter far outshone the male. His manner seemed tender and solicitous as he stroked his hand along her arm or squeezed her waist, bestowing his caresses most whenever others were around and she could not resist without drawing some notice. He seized upon this advantage when they stood at the gaming tables. There, under the guise of watching the fall of cards, he laid an arm about her shoulders and stroked her arm, now and then brushing his long fingers against her bosom. Lenore blushed beneath his careless caresses and cast a surreptitious glance about to see who might be watching. To her relief everyone seemed more interested in the game of cards and the high stakes that were being waged than in her; everyone, that is, but Marelda Rousse, who had come to stand beyond the players at the far side of the table. As always, Horace Titch was with her and seemed as nervous as ever as his eyes flitted about in search of the Natchez man, who had not yet made an appearance. Marelda was troubled by Malcolm’s display of affection, but she was amused by the distress it caused the younger woman. Any form of misery that came upon that one was bliss to her soul. She smirked as the green eyes clouded darkly beneath a disturbed frown, then raised a mocking brow when they found her and widened in surprise. Marelda offered a condescending smile and a meager nod of greeting. More than that might have indicated some slight forgiveness in her heart, and there was none.

  Lenore’s evening took on a lighter, warmer sheen when Ashton stepped through the door. Unmindful of how Malcolm’s features tensed as he glowered at the other man, she filled her own gaze with the much-welcomed sight. Ashton was looking no less than magnificent in midnight-blue dress coat and trousers, gray silk vest, and blue-and-gray striped silk cravat. The usual crisp, white shirt struck a stark contrast to the bronze skin that had taken on a deeper, richer hue since his venturing to Biloxi. As he paused in the doorway, his gaze wandered searchingly through the guests, and when it touched her, his questing perusal ended. The green-brown eyes swept her with a slow, unhurried regard, then, lifting to meet hers, communicated a compliment with a warmth that was clearly unmistakable. If love was a substance to be seen and felt, then it was what she saw in his eyes and felt at that very moment. He wrapped her within its tender tendrils, and for a small space in time she reveled in her spiraling senses. She loved him; she could no more deny that fact than she could dismiss what he conveyed to her now.

  At her side Malcolm sneered: “I suppose the fool thinks he can whisk you off to his cabin while you’re here aboard his ship. He’d like nothing better than to show you a lengthy view of the ceiling.”

  Lenore coughed as she choked on her wine, and she turned her face away, delicately clearing her throat as a flush of color crept into her cheeks. She could not bring herself to tell Malcolm that she had already savored that view. Not only once, but on several different occasions.

  An amused chuckle drew Lenore’s regard back to the man at her side. “Wingate has no doubt arranged this whole affair to bring about such an end, but I have no intention of letting that happen.” The dark eyes dropped to her. “You will stay by my side throughout the evening, madam. I have not forgotten the sight of you favoring the man with a kiss on the shore, and I wouldn’t want you to embarrass me by falling all over him here.”

  “I don’t intend to fall all over anyone, Malcolm,” she stated crisply.

  “Ah, my dove, I see I’ve ruffled your feathers.” He laughed without humor. “Well, ’twill be more than your feathers I’ll ruffle if I ever catch you with him, and I will start by gelding the man…before your eyes.”

  Lenore stared at him in horror and dismay, dreading the day when she would have to tell him that she was carrying Ashton’s child. She shivered as his hand lightly caressed her arm and carefully lowered her eyes to hide her distaste.

  Ashton sipped his drink as he watched the broad hand glide fondly over the arm of the one he loved. Unable to see her face at the moment, he could not tell how she was accepting this freely bestowed attention, but envy prodded him with cruel spikes, for it was strong in his mind that he should have been the one standing there claiming her as his wife. He noted Marelda nearing the couple and distantly wondered what mischief she was brewing.

  The dark-haired woman halted before the pair and extended her hand to Malcolm, who immediately affected a gracious mien as he accepted it.

  “I don’t think we’ve met, sir,” she murmured warmly. “I am Marelda Rousse….” She turned aside to indicate her escort of the evening: “And this is Mr. Horace Titch, a good friend of mine.”

  Gallantly Malcolm brushed his lips against the thin fingers. “Malcolm Sinclair, at your service, my lady,” he vowed and, straightening, rested a hand on the small of Lenore’s back, feeling her stiffen as he did so. “And this is my wife, Lenore Sinclair.”

  Marelda’s eyes briefly touched Lenore, and her smile grew slightly mocking. “I had the pleasure of meeting your wife while she was at Belle Chêne. Except that then, everyone…that is, almost everyone…thought she was Ashton’s wife.” She nodded in a curt acknowledgment of Lenore. “Your jewels are lovely, my dear. They remind me of some I’ve seen before, except those were lost…or stolen….” She tossed the subtle gibe down like a thrown gauntlet and, then dismissing Lenore, turned back to continue her conversation with Malcolm: “I, of course, realized at the time that it was impossible for a drowned woman to come back alive, but Ashton was clearly befuddled and insisted that she was his wife.”

  “He can be a difficult man,” Malcolm replied, briefly directing a cool glance toward that one.

  “I see that you’ve had some disagreement with him.” At his brief nod Marelda laughed gayly and shrugged. “Haven’t we all.” She bestowed a tight smile on Lenore. “With the possible exception of your wife, of course. The two of them seemed quite cozy there for a time. It’s a wonder that you and Ashton didn’t end up in a duel.”

  Malcolm raised a wondering brow as he considered his wife. “I fear Mr. Wingate took unfair advantage while my wife was in his home, but she has quite dearly rejected all thoughts of being his wife now.” The dark eyes met the hesitant glance of the green ones. “It’s been enjoyable having her home where she belongs.”

  “I’ve heard that Ashton is still pressing the matter.” Marelda glanced aside at Horace, who was eager to accept any attention she gave him. His dark, watery eyes glowed with warmth until she continued: “Someone should tell him he’s not welcome here.”

  Horace opened his mouth to deny the possibility that he would be the bearer of such a declaration. He thought he would just as soon avoid any frontal clash with Ashton, but when Marelda’s eyes hardened, Horace felt the sweat pop from his
pores, and he groaned within himself. Hadn’t he done enough for her already?

  “I’ve tried.” Malcolm put on an injured expression. “But the man is stubborn and refuses to listen, even to Lenore’s father.”

  “I…ah…don’t think he listens too well,” Horace stated nervously.

  “Then he should be shown,” Marelda suggested. “A man who is blind must be led about by the hand.”

  “He doesn’t lead too well either,” Malcolm observed dryly.

  “Come now,” Marelda cajoled and turned a taunting smile upon Lenore, noting how the color had drained from her cheeks. She could not believe the little twit cared enough for Ashton to become physically upset by their discussion. “There must be a way to deal with a man like that.”

  “I…ah…think I’ll go out for a breath of fresh air,” Horace said and hurriedly excused himself. Wiping his heavily sweating brow, he hastened across the room. He would never object to Ashton Wingate getting his due. Indeed, he hoped it would fall upon him soon…but not from him personally.

  As he stepped beyond a small grouping of people and came into a small open space, Horace raised his gaze and was startled to meet Ashton’s mildly amused and inquisitive stare.

  “Good evening, Mr. Titch.” Ashton conveyed the greeting over the rim of his glass.

  A chill coursed through Horace’s veins, and ducking his head, he stumbled away with a lame excuse: “I’ve got to talk to a man outside about some business.”

  He charged out of the suddenly airless room and, gaining his escape, leaned against the outside wall to pant for breath. It seemed to be a growing fear of his that Ashton would one day take revenge for all he had done. A form moved in front of him, and not sure who it might be, he gasped in sudden fear.

  “Mr. Titch?”

  Horace sagged in relief. It was not the Natchez man, but the one he had consented to meet aboard the vessel.

  Inside the hall Lenore fought her own discomfort as Malcolm’s hand settled on her bare shoulder and pulled her to him, but her growing nausea roiled up like an ugly serpent. Marelda had turned the topic to the weather, engaging the man in conversation, and observed the play of his fingers on the naked skin while she discussed the past history of violent storms along the coast. One of similar intensity raged up within her as she witnessed his casual caresses. It set her on edge that he displayed such an eager interest in his wife. Ashton had been equally enamored with the wench, and yet, when she, Marelda, had offered him the untainted gift of her body, he had coldly rejected her, as if she might be something worthless in his eyes. It galled her unmercifully that both men lusted after the little tart. Yet as she continued conversing with Malcolm, Marelda began to detect a subtle leer in his smile and eyes that hinted of an interest in her. The idea of extending an invitation to the man tickled her fancy. She could then show his haughty wife what it was like to lose a man to another woman.

  “Tell me, Mr. Sinclair…”

  “Oh, please, there’s no reason to be so formal,” he objected with a smile. “Malcolm is my given name, and I freely give you leave to use it.”

  Marelda accepted the correction with a slight nod: “Malcolm, then.”

  “That sounds better,” he replied. “Now, you were saying?”

  “I was going to ask if you had ever toured the River Witch.” Her dark eyes glowed above a sultry smile. “There are a number of rooms to see, all rather quaint and cozy…very private. Would you care to see them? I’d be more than happy to show you around…and, of course, Mrs. Sinclair. I’m sure Ashton wouldn’t mind.”

  Malcolm glanced aside at his wife, putting the question to her in the form of a raised eyebrow, but Lenore had been standing tense and very still throughout their conversation, hoping against hope that her nausea would go away. It seemed evident to her that Marelda Rousse quite literally sickened her. “I’m sorry, Malcolm, but I’m really not feeling too well at the moment.” She made the statement cautiously, hardly daring to breathe. The air in the room seemed stale and musty, and she had difficulty maintaining a calm demeanor while the heat pressed down upon her, and her stomach threatened to rebel against the strong wine. Even Malcolm could not mistake the pallor in her cheeks as she urged, “But please, go on without me.”

  Malcolm inclined his head, readily accepting her direction. He could clearly see that she was ill, and he doubted that even Ashton Wingate could become amorous with a woman who was threatening to heave up her stomach. As for himself, he was going to indulge himself for a few moments and possibly initiate an intimate friendship.

  When the two left, Lenore walked slowly and carefully through the press of people. Her goal was the nearest door, whatever direction that might be, and she dared not turn her head to see where Ashton was as she made her exit, for any slight movement might prove her undoing. As the night air settled its warm breath upon her, she heard Marelda’s distant laughter mingled with Malcolm’s deep chuckle and turned stiltedly in the opposite direction.

  Ashton dabbed his handkerchief in a glass of water and leisurely strolled across the room. He left by the same door and then paused on the deck to listen. He thought he saw Horace Titch stumble back into the shadows farther down the passageway, no doubt to avoid meeting him, but he caught no glimpse of the one he wanted to see. He strode along the deck, his eyes probing the darkness between the lanterns until, on the far side of the steamer, he detected the pale glow of Lenore’s gown near the railing. He moved to where she leaned against a post and laid an arm about her shoulder, making her start and stare up at him in wide-eyed surprise.

  “It’s all right,” he soothed in a whisper.

  Lenore sagged against him in relief, feeling weak and completely drained. She marveled at his gentleness as he bathed her face, and beneath his tender ministering the waves of revulsion began to ebb.

  “Feeling better?” he murmured after a moment.

  She nodded lamely. “I think so.”

  “Do you want to lie down in my cabin?”

  “Oh, no. Malcolm would be angry.” She started to laugh, but gulped and waited until the twinge of sickness passed before she again attempted a smile. “I think Malcolm is afraid of the sights you’ll show me in your cabin.”

  Ashton placed a gentle finger beneath her chin and lifted it until he could meet her gaze. The moon cast a multitude of starry lights in her eyes, and he lost himself in their tender warmth.

  “You’ve been drinking,” she observed. The smell of brandy on his breath was strong enough to make her heady. “More than your usual glass or two, I’d wager.”

  “Worry can drive a man to drink,” he replied wryly.

  “Worry?” She searched his face with the inquiry. “What are you worried about?”

  Ashton chafed as he confessed, “Malcolm…and his hands on you…and you being up there in the house with him all the time…while I have to stand and watch you from afar.”

  Footsteps came along the deck toward them, and they looked around to see Malcolm approaching them with long, irate strides. His cravat was gone, and his shirt and vest were open down the front, showing his wide chest. Apparently he had been busy in the short time he had been gone.

  “Something told me I’d find you making a pest of yourself!” Lunging forward, he caught Ashton’s shoulder and shoved him back against a post. “Damn you! I want you to leave my wife alone!”

  “And I want you to leave mine alone!” The retort snapped back as Ashton tossed away the offending hand. He was not long on temper tonight.

  Malcolm shook a large fist before the other’s nose threateningly. “She’s mine!”

  Ashton scoffed: “I say not, and if you care to, we can settle the matter tonight.”

  In a quick movement Malcolm slid his hand inside his coat and snatched forth a small derringer. Ignoring Lenore’s startled gasp, he shoved it beneath Ashton’s chin. “Don’t think you can make her a widow so soon, my friend.”

  He had hoped to arouse at least the same show of concern he had s
een in Ashton’s face on the beach, but this time the tolerant smile remained. Distantly Malcolm wondered if the icy rivers of the North coursed through his adversary’s veins. He craved to shake that unperturbed confidence just once and see the man grovel for mercy at his feet. He hated that unruffled composure almost as much as the man himself. “Go ahead. Move one muscle,” he urged. “I’d like to blow your head off. It wouldn’t distress me in the least to feed your carcass to the fish.”

  “You have a witness,” Ashton calmly reminded him, “unless you intend to do away with her as well.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be happy to be rid of you,” the younger man sneered.

  “Malcolm, stop it!” Lenore was not as casual about the threat as the one who was being menaced. “Please! Put that thing away before you hurt someone!” Her fear mounted as he ignored her request, and her panic drove her to be forceful. “Put it away, Malcolm, or by all that’s holy, I’ll go to Ashton’s cabin and forget that I ever had anything to do with you!”

  Ashton’s brows rose in heightened interest, and he taunted the man with a lopsided grin: “Well, what should the lady do?”

  “Ashton!” Lenore cried, aghast at his careless disregard of the danger he was in. “He will kill you!”

  The tiny derringer prodded Ashton under the chin as Malcolm’s fingers tightened convulsively on the ivory handle. He wanted so desperately to have the man out of his hair, but there was much he would lose, and he did not consider himself a fool when it came to what was important. Still, he trembled at the sheer temptation of what was at hand…until there was a loud clatch and something small and hard probed into his belly. Warily Malcolm’s eyes descended and then widened as he saw the bore of a somewhat larger pistol pressed into his midsection.