Catalina's Caress (22 page)

Her need to learn what he knew about Seth and her anger at his accusation that she wasn't yet a woman silenced the small voice that tried to warn her.

"If I am afraid of anything, it is most certainly not you."

"Dinner then?" he questioned, his raised eyebrow telling her of his amusement.

"Yes."

"In my... your cabin?"

"Yes."

"Eight?"

"That's fine."

"Good. I'll make the arrangements. We have a great deal to talk about____I'll bring the champagne."

"If you plan on getting me too intoxicated to know what I'm doing you can forget it One glass of champagne is my limit."

"Too bad." He chuckled. "But then, a lot of things are just as intoxicating as champagne. Maybe, if I make an effort, we might run across one or two."

"Conversation is all I want from you, Marc Copeland. Just conversation. If you have any other ideas I suggest you go find one of your little... toys to play with. I don't play your kinds of games."

His eyes were brilliant emeralds, alive with a knowing laughter that set her teeth on edge.

"Too bad. Maybe you don't know what you're missing. Ah well," he added softly, "maybe we can find some games you are willing to play. I suspect"—his voice was charged with a current she didn't understand—"your kind of woman knows more games than this brain of mine could imagine. Until tonight." He smiled again as he gave her a half-salute and walked away leaving her so angry she was inarticulate. In her fury she turned her back on his retreating figure and gripped the rail. It was quite some time before her anger lessened and she again saw the beauty about her.

Marc stepped inside just in time to see Travis walk into the dining salon. Travis's eyes were scanning the room, and Marc was sure he was looking for Catalina.

Knowing the state she'd been in when he had just left her, his malicious humor came to the fore, and with an expressionless face he walked over to meet Travis.

"Marc," Travis said when he was close enough, "have you seen Catalina?"

Still believing that Catalina had given Travis access to her room, Marc was again struck by a streak of perverse humor. "I've just been with her," he said. "I .^believe the lady is still on deck. Maybe she is thinking about your small misunderstanding last' night and would like to make amends. She seemed in fine spirits. In fact she was asking if anyone had seen you."

Not wanting Marc to suspect the truth, Travis continued to damn her. "Good. I.. . ah ... know her temper can be controlled with a strong hand. Cat and I have had these minor problems before, but a few gentle words and some... friendly persuasion, and she is more than willing to be receptive."

Suddenly Marc had the urge to put his hands around Travis's throat and squeeze the life out of him. The darkening in his green eyes and the tightening of his jaw, combined with the rigidity of his features, revealed his urge to commit violence.

"Well," Marc said in a controlled voice, "she's on deck."

He moved away before he gave vent to the jealous rage that had taken him off guard, filled with shock and disgust with himself for the hatred he felt toward Travis. He had no right to be jealous when his motives concerning Catalina were less than honorable.

Travis watched him walk away, a puzzled frown on his face. Unless there was something between Marc and Catalina, he saw no reason for the man's sudden shift in attitude. Could something have transpired the night before when he had been busy with Charlene? No. He had made sure Catalina's distrust and dislike of Marc had been well fed. He decided it was just his imagination, and proceeded to the deck to make peace with Catalina. He had rehearsed his glib apologies, and was quite certain Catalina would be gullible enough to swallow them.

He opened the door and stepped out, his attention drawn immediately to Catalina, who stood with her back to him. As his eyes absorbed her, his desire to possess and tame this sable-haired beauty increased^ He could imagine her in his bed, warm and willing, bending to his will. The thought was delicious and he savored it for a minute; then he walked toward her.

He was less than two feet away when Catalina, drawn from her reverie, sensed his presence. She spun around thinking Marc had returned to taunt her. Her eyes were aglow with a look Travis had never seen before, a look Catalina would have denied had someone confronted her with it. In them was excitement and virulent passion temporarily leashed. Travis made the mistake of thinking that look was for him.

Assuming that she had changed her mind about his advance the previous night, he smiled and reached for her.

The crack of her hand against his cheek startled them both. The print of her fingers stood out clearly on his flesh.

"How dare you?" she grated. "How could you even approach me. Such arrogant unmitigated nerve."

"Cat, at least let me explain. This is all a most dastardly misunderstanding planned by Marc Cope-land."

"I don't believe you." Her voice was so firm and hard that he was unaware of the renewed doubts that assailed her.

"I've just learned the truth about what happened last night. Can I at least explain? You damn me when it isn't my fault. I only made the mistake of falling for his treacherous scheme myself."

"Explain," Catalina said shortly.

"He set this up. .. arranged it. He is the one who had your door opened. I received a note that was, so I thought, from you. The whole thing seemed an open invitation—and I took it. A woman who is as beautiful as you should understand that I could hardly contain my excitement. I thought... well, in my passion for you I thought you were ... enticing me to your bed. I can't be held to be totally at fault, Cat, and I hope you can understand and forgive me."

"
I
would prefer to forget the entire situation ever happened. We are aboard a boat and I know space is limited, but I want to keep as much distance between us as possible."

"Cat, I've been your friend too long for you to be so unforgiving of this one mistake. Please let me make amends. Accept my abject apology. I swear to you no such thing will ever happen again."

Catalina was weakening. He knew it and pushed his slight advantage.

"I've been asking a great many questions of the crew and the roustabouts."

Her curiosity was piqued, and he whet her interest more.

"It seems Seth was aboard this boat the night he disappeared."

"Travis!"

"If you'll give me time m find out the entire truth, whatever it is."

"Marc Copeland told me he hadn't seen Seth since the night he won the boat."

"The man is clever, devious, and quite a liar. He wanted to split us up so he set me up for the incident that occurred last night. I'm ashamed that my pride made me say things I shouldn't have. Please, Cat . . . please forgive me. Don't throw away the only friend you have on this boat"

"Let's just let it lie, Travis. I'd rather not speak of it anymore."

"Good. Will you have dinner with me tonight?"

"I... I can't. I'm eating in my room."

"Of course," Travis said sympathetically. "This has been an uncomfortable trip for you so far, and you must want to rest."

"Yes, I really need to rest," she replied, uncomfortable with the lie.

"We will be in Natchez day after tomorrow, and I shall take you to the finest restaurant. By then I should have some answers for you."

"I will enjoy that, but I will enjoy the answers even more. Travis, maybe I should speak to the crew and—"

"No, Catalina, that is no job for a woman. I'll do it," he said with a condescending attitude that set Catalina's teeth on edge. "Now why don't you just enjoy the rest of the day and I'll talk to these people. A few well-placed coins will make them talk to anyone about anything. Now be a good girl and stay out of trouble, or Marc and his slant-eyed mistress will realize what you are up to."

Remembering her short association with China, Catalina was profoundly irritated by his ugly reference to the woman. Whatever Travis might think, Catalina knew that China was an extremely beautiful woman.

Suppressing a sudden urge to lash out in defense of China, she decided she would rid herself of his presence.

"I appreciate your help, Travis. I shall rest much easier tonight knowing you are moving among the crew and asking the questions I need answered, and we shall have dinner in Natchez. In the meantime, if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a while ... to think."

"Of course, my dear." He took her hand in his and bent to kiss her cheek. "Enjoy your quiet dinner in your cabin. Should I send someone to check on you later, to see that you're all right?"

"No, please Travis. I believe I'll be fine tonight. I'll retire early, and we can spend some time together tomorrow."

"Then, if you'll excuse me, I shall begin asking questions."

"Good."

He smiled and left her, and she turned back to the rail, not wanting to look in his direction again.

As she gazed over the water, Catalina let herself savor the pleasure of the boat's slow journey upriver. Then her gaze began to roam the length of the craft.

Her attention was quickly caught by a figure. He sat against a bale of cotton that must have weighed three hundred pounds, and he looked as if he could have lifted it himself.

Catalina thought she had never seen a man so large, and that thought was followed by the memory of the huge hand and the strong arm that had caught her in the hold the previous night. She left the rail, and slowly, so as not to arouse suspicion about where she was going, she went inside, down the steps and out the door to the main deck. Then she walked in Jacob's direction.

He half lay on the wood deck, his back against the cotton bale and his long legs stretched before him. He wore only a ragged shirt and a pair of pants. He was barefoot, and his ham-like hands rested across his flat abdomen.

She stood near him, debating his size should he stand. Then she remembered what Marc had said, and it brought a soft laugh to her lips. She had scared Jacob—that thought, when she looked at him, was utterly ridiculous. Her laughter bubbled aloud. It brought Jacob awake, then to his feet when he saw who was standing near him.

He seemed to unfold his length, and Catalina's eyes grew wider and wider as he finally towered above her. What she didn't realize was that Jacob was frightened. Frightened of her soft delicate beauty.

"Ma'am?" he questioned.

"Your name is Jacob?"

"Yas, ma'am. How be yo kno's me, missy?"

She smiled a comforting smile. "It seems I caused you a bit of a problem last night, Jacob, and I've come to apologize."

"Missy, ah doan know what yo'all be talkin' 'bout. I hain' nebber seen yo'all befo."

"You remember grabbing a stowaway last night, Jacob?"

"Yassum, a young boy. I takes 'im to Mista Marc."

"Well I'm afraid the young boy .. . was a young girL"

She watched his eyes widen in shock and his huge hands grip into fists.

"No, ma'am. Ah wouldn't do no such thing."

"It was me, Jacob. I stole some clothes so I could roam about the boat."

"Oh, ma'am, yo'all shouldn't tease me like that."

"But it was, Jacob." Catalina proceeded to describe what she was wearing. "I deserved what I got and I've come to tell you so."

"You hain't lyin' to me?"

"No, Jacob. Can I sit and talk with you for a minute?"

Her request so took Jacob by surprise that he stood speechless. Such a thing had never happened to him before.

"Jacob?"

"Yassum." He moved aside so she could sit on the cotton bale. Her skirts spread wide about her, she lowered herself onto it, while Jacob stood in stricken awe, looking down at her.

"Jacob.'' She laughed softly. "Sitting down and talking to you when you're standing is somewhat like talking to a mountain.''

"Yassum," he muttered, and refolded his huge body until he sat cross-legged on the deck before her. "Wha' fo' yo'all wan' to talk to me, missy?"

"How long have you been on the
Belle
?"

"Mista Marc, he done brought me from da
Princess
when he cum on board."

"
The Princes
s was his boat too?"

"Yassum."

"Do you remember the night he won the
Belle
?"

"Yassum... dey waz playin' on de Princess."

"Jacob, do you remember the people in the game? The one who lost the
Belle
?"

"Yassum."

"Did you know him?"

"No, ah din' know none of dem."

"But you remember what they looked like?"

"Yassum." He was puzzled now. "Wha' fo' yo want to know what dey look like?"

"I'd like to know if the young man, the one who lost the
Belle
, came aboard her the night we left."

"Dat same boy? De one dat lost... no, missy, he ain' been 'bout heah. Ah sees everyone comes 'board de boat. Dat boy, he ain' never come back heah."

"Jacob ... you knew Marc a long time ago?" "Yassum, ah knows him since he was a boy, when his pappy—"

"Jacob!" The voice was firm and commanding; both Catalina and Jacob turned to see Marc standing before them.

Jacob was quick to find his feet, and even though he towered over Marc, his attitude and his warm smile spoke of a profound respect.

"Yassah." Jacob grinned.

"You have work to do, Jacob?" Marc said in a gentler voice. He smiled so Jacob would not be worried. He knew his anger was one thing Jacob found very difficult to cope with. But Jacob was alert enough to realize he'd been saying something Marc disapproved of.

"Yassah." He grinned amiably at Catalina and ambled off, promising himself to steer clear of Catalina Carrington and her questions.

Marc smiled, an aggravating, knowledgeable smile. "You weren't berating Jacob for the unconventional way he 'discovered' your presence on the boat, were your

"On the contrary," Catalina replied coolly. "I was simply telling him I understood his protective attitude toward you. As far as I can see it's something that is frequently used. Jacob deserves a commendation, either for being the most devoted of employees or a friend who has been sadly abused."

Catalina swept past Marc with a disdainful look and returned to the (lining room, passing through it to return to the cabin that had once belonged to Marc.

Marc chuckled. Catalina was certainly unpredictable, and intriguing. As he watched her disappear, he realized how intensely he'd been wishing away the day. The evening was going to prove to be an interesting challenge, to say the least.

When Marc returned to his cabin he sent for China, who appeared within minutes. She came in without knocking and closed the door silently. Marc was seated on the edge of the bed, and she stood for several minutes before she realized he was so lost in thought he hadn't even heard her enter.

She remained silent, watching his face, knowing almost intuitively that he was caught up in an emotion he couldn't understand, and didn't want to understand. China wondered if there was a way she could remove the blinders from Marc's eyes long enough to make him see that he was falling in love with Catalina.

She wished she had a few more answers to the questions that plagued her. Although she wasn't sure that the situation with Marc's father and the Carring-tons had been what Marc believed, she still had too many loose ends that couldn't be tied. Nonetheless, she had as many outlets for information as Marc did, and she hoped to secure answers soon enough to keep him from making what she now felt was a grave mistake. She had become certain when she had met Catalina.

"Marc?"

His eyes jerked in her direction almost as if he were surprised to find her before him. The swift lack of recognition passed, and he smiled and rose to his feet.

"China, I'm going to need a little help from you and Charlene."

"Help?" She laughed. "What are you up to now, Marc?"

He chuckled. "We get to Natchez tomorrow night. By that time I hope to put into motion a plan that will rid the
Belle
of one Travis Sherman."

This was not a proposition to which she was averse. The sooner Travis Sherman was taken out of the picture, the sooner Marc and Catalina would find then-way to each other. Their close proximity on the
Belle
would make them unable to resist what she felt was growing between them.

Time, she thought. Time and their close proximity will be enough

"What is it you want me to do?"

He looked at her quizzically. "No arguments, no questions?"

"I am not overly fond of Mr. Sherman, nor, I think, is Catalina. I'm sure after the little fiasco of the bolted door she doesn't trust him very far."

"The bolted door," he repeated. "You sound as if you still believe her."

"I'm afraid I do."

"China, how could you possibly believe a story like that? How could you explain it in any other way than that she unbolted that door for the purpose of indulging in a little romantic interlude."

"I can explain it in two words." She laughed.

"Two words?"

"Willie Best."

"What?"

"He is a roustabout that works on this boat"

"A roustabout." Marc was truly puzzled now. "What does he have to do with that bolted door?"

"He, my dear suspicious friend"—she reached out to pat his cheek in a teasing way—"is how the door got unbolted."

"China, would you kindly tell me just what the hell you are talking about?"

"I'd be delighted... no, more than delighted. It seems one Travis Sherman paid Willie to get into Catalina's room and unbolt the door." China added in a soft voice, "You made a very big mistake."

Marc was silent, in fact he couldn't seem to find the words to reply for several minutes, for no matter how much doubt he felt, he knew China would not say what she could not back up.

Finally he grated roughtly, "Mistake ... China, tell me the whole story."

Slowly, elucidating each word firmly, China told Marc what she had found out and how she had verified it.

"I intended to make sure Willie left the boat in Natchez, to spend the gold Travis gave him."

"And just when did you intend to tell me about this?" He scowled.

She looked at him innocently. "Why, Marc, why should I? You really didn't care that she was innocent of this, did you? She played right into your hands, and it worked out just the way you wanted. Guilty or not. She might as well take the blame for this as for everything else. After all," China added softly, "if she's her father's daughter, she must be guilty of something ... mustn't she?"

Marc held her eyes for a minute; then he laughed again. "Won't work, China. So maybe he managed the lock. That doesn't really change a thing.''