Love's Fiery Jewel (3 page)

Darting a quick glance upward at his face, Amethyst
saw the Captain stare at her expectantly, his brow raised
as if challenging another retort. Suddenly deciding
discretion to be the better part of valor, she lowered her
head submissively and allowed him to continue rubbing
her hair.

Within the hour, the broth and warm blanket having
accomplished their task, Amethyst lay sleeping, cuddled
into a small, innocent ball as Captain Straith returned to
check his passengers' conditions. Noting she still gave an
occasional involuntary shudder in her sleep, he took the
blanket from the other empty bunk and covered her
lightly, tucking the corners around her to seal in the
warmth.

Turning quickly, he caught Nancy Hallam's scrutiny
and feeling suddenly and inexplicably uncomfortable, he
said coldly, "Feisty little brat, isn't she?"

A small smile breaking over her delicate features,
Nancy whispered in return, "Oh, she's a sweet child, to
be sure, Captain, but she considers herself her mother's
protector instead of the other way around. Marian's
health is somewhat delicate, you know."

"She's doing better since the doctor has seen her, is
she not?" Shooting a quick glance to the frail, sleeping woman, he turned back quickly to Nancy Hallam's
response.

"Yes, I'm sure she'll return to her normal state of
health soon. The doctor confirmed everything you had
already said, but she's in for some strict care when
Amethyst is again back on her feet. The girl adores her.
Her father was second lead in our company for some
time, you know, and while Marian is not as talented as
her husband, she is still a skilled enough actress to be one
of our walking ladies."

At the captain's puzzled expression, she interjected
quickly, "She plays a series of small parts in our
repertory... When Morris was killed in a coach
accident last year she remained with the company. So
now I'm afraid she and Amethyst find themselves
outcasts from the colonies like the rest of us."

"Oh, I wouldn't put it that strongly, Miss Hallam." A
conciliatory note entered Captain Straith's voice despite
himself as he recalled Nancy Hallam's triumph of just a
few short months before, when she was touted the toast
of Annapolis, and the American Company was hailed as
the most talented theatrical troupe to touch American
shores. Dramatically, the highlight of their years of
struggle to be recognized was followed by the Continental
Congress's law forbidding entertainments during the
crisis with the Mother Country.

"The law against theatrical entertainments and
frivolities has no personal overtones, you know. You and
the rest of the troupe are free to stay in the country if you
will find some other means of employment..." Captain
Straith's deep voice trailed to a halt at Nancy Hallam's
unhappy face.

"And there you find the crux of the matter, Captain,
and for that reason you find what remains of the
American Company sailing with you for Jamaica." A new
note of optimism entering the light lyrical voice that had earned her fame, she continued, "But Mr. and Mrs.
Douglass assure me that their troupe was well received in
Jamaica before they came to the colonies. I wasn't with
them then. My cousin, Louis Hallam, and John Henry
have returned to London where their talents are
recognized rather than face an uncertain-future, but the
rest of us have elected to stay closer to the colonial shores
in the event that foolish law is repealed. Mr. and Mrs.
Douglass, Mr, and Mrs. Morris., Miss Tuke, the Storer
sisters, Marian Greer, little Amethyst and I will form the
nucleus of a new troupe which will delight Jamaica!
You'll see, Captain, we'll..."

Her brilliant expression suddenly dimming, Nancy
glanced toward the bunk and the sleeping woman, and
mumbled softly, "A very inauspicious beginning, is it
not? We have begun our adventure by almost reducing
our small number by two. Perhaps this does not portend
well for the future..."

"I think you have the heart and strength of mind to
overcome all odds, Miss Hallam, and I have no doubt you
will." Bowing his tall, lean frame in a gallant gesture,
Captain Straith raised her slender hand to his lips,
bringing a flush of pleasure to the worried young
woman's face.

"Captain, you are indeed a gentleman. It is our
pleasure to sail with you."

With a small smile the captain turned and left the
cabin. After a few moments staring thoughtfully in the
direction in which he had disappeared, Nancy Hallam
gave a small sigh, and turned back to her patient.

Watching surreptitiously from the bunk, two wide
lavender eyes followed the captain's broad frame out the
doorway. Still smarting from his insulting comments of a
few hours before, Amethyst pulled a revealing, unseen
grimace and stuck out her tongue at his retreating back.

"He thinks he's so smart! Stupid, am I? Well, he can keep his advice to himself from now on. I'll take care of
Mama and he can go to the devil!" Feeling fully justified
for her silent cursing, Amethyst struggled to her feet,
still clutching the blanket around her. "I'll show him,"
she mumbled as she picked up the dry clothing Nancy
Hallam had laid out for her and began to dress. "I'll show
him!"

Moving slowly along the narrow corridor, Captain
Damien Straith approached the cabin door, not really
certain what it was that drew him there again for the
second time in two days. The Sally `s sailing had not been
delayed by the small accident on the dock and now the
second day out, all was well. They were making excellent
time. Still he felt a strange sense of disquiet. Certainly he
was sorry for the unfortunate group of actors forced to
abandon the colonies at the very pinnacle of their
success, but he had seen less fortunate people than this
group before. It was the terribly frail young woman and
her daughter that surprisingly seemed to weigh on his
mind. Unless he missed his guess, Marian Greer's time
was limited.. .he had seen women in her dire condition
before. There was a look to her eyes.. .she would
probably not live to reach thirty.

Stopping momentarily, he ran a broad hand through
his tawny, sun-streaked hair, his brows drawing together
in consternation. He was not accustomed to the nagging
concern he had been unable to dismiss from his mind,
and he was impatient with the hold the unfortunate pair
appeared to have effortlessly secured over him. His mind
usually followed a different line of thought when he was
unoccupied by shipboard matters. At 26 he was one of the
youngest and most respected captains in the colonies,
having won that position with his quick mind and strong,
willing back. And since the Continental Congress had
authorized privateering the year before, he had increased the fortunes of his men and himself with several ventures
that had only added to his stature. Now with war with the
Mother Country appearing imminent, his services would
be of even more value. In his personal life, his wide
reputation and more-than-pleasing appearance availed
him of endless romantic liaisons which he was able to
achieve with a minimum of effort and serious involvement. His world was too wide to content himself with one
place or one woman for very long.

"So," he asked himself for the hundredth time, "why
the nagging involvement with this unfortunate woman
and her child?" He would have no control over their
destiny in the long run. The woman would surely
recuperate from this accident, but the child would
undoubtedly be orphaned before she entered puberty.

Unable to answer his own silent questions, he frowned
deeply, not conscious of the formidable sight he
presented. Extremely tall, a few inches over six feet, his
shoulders were broad and heavily muscled from the
active shipboard life that also kept his waist and hips flat
and lean. Obvious in his trim fawn britches were the
powerful muscular thighs that bespoke years of heavy
manual labor that had preceded his position as Captain.
Light gray eyes under dark brows within a deeply tanned
face imparted to his gaze a penetrating, unnerving quality
that was not easily dismissed, and his strong, even
profile, full lips and firm chin completed the aura of
masculinity and power he effortlessly exuded.

Shaking his head in bewilderment at his own confused
thoughts, he resumed his approach to the cabin and
within a few seconds was knocking on the door.
Whatever it was that drew him to these two unfortunate
victims of uncertain times and hapless circumstances, he
would not know peace of mind until he had satisfied
himself as to their present well-being.

The opening door interrupted his thoughts as a small, belligerent voice inquired, "Oh, it's you. What do you
want?"

An embarrassed gasp was heard from the bed as Marian
Greer's shocked voice called out, "Amethyst!"

Looking down severely into the small, unfriendly face,
Damien shot the girl a withering glance, mumbling under
his breath for her ears alone, "Still the discourteous little
brat, aren't you?" Stepping past her as if she no longer
existed, he turned the full warmth of his smile on the
embarrassed sick woman.

"Mrs. Greer. It is good to see you looking so well
today."

Obviously pained at her daughter's discourtesy, the
woman's pale face flushed hotly. "Captain Straith, you
have my apologies. I don't know what has come over
Amethyst!" Then addressing the girl who still stood in
the open doorway, "Amethyst! You will apologize to the
Captain for your unforgivable behavior this minute!
Besides having been immensely helpful after my
accident, he is captain of this ship and deserving of our
respect and courtesy!"

Suddenly becoming frightened as her mother's agitation seemed to rob her of breath and color, Amethyst
turned toward him, making sure to keep her back to the
disturbed woman. Apologizing in a sincere tone that
contrasted vividly with the expression on her small face,
she said sweetly, "I'm sorry for my unforgivable
behavior, Captain Straith."

Using her mother's words, she managed to convey ever
so subtly without increasing the woman's anxiety that
the idea for her apology was entirely her mother's, and
conceding to himself he had to admire the little brat's
deviousness, Damien managed to subdue his annoyance.

"Sincere apologies," he answered with a double
entendre of his own, "are always accepted, child."

Satisfied that he had incensed the little twit even further by his condescending use of the word "child"
when she so obviously considered herself adult, he
walked toward the bunk with extreme satisfaction and a
wide smile.

"I trust you are feeling as well as you appear, Mrs.
Greer. We were all considerably worried by your nasty
fall."

The woman's pale blue eyes reflected her appreciation
of his concern. "Oh, yes, Captain, I'm much better today
by far. But the doctor warned I was to stay in bed until my
headaches passed, and Amethyst is determined I will not
move a muscle in defiance of his orders." Looking to the
corner where Amethyst had retired to sulk, she shot the
child a forgiving and obviously loving glance before
addressing her again.

"Amethyst, dear, would you see if you could bring me
some broth from the galley? I feel a slight chill."

Without a word, the child was on her feet and out the
door, and once it had closed behind her, Marian Greer
turned apologetically back to Captain Straith.

"Please sit down, Captain." Indicating a chair beside
the bunk, she continued, "I wanted a few words in
private with you, Captain, to apologize for Amethyst's
behavior. She is a very strong-willed child.. .her
father's daughter in every way. Morris, my husband, and
she were very close and during my most recent illness he
seemed to instill in her a strong sense of responsibility for
my welfare. Since his death she has assumed complete
responsibility for my care, as much as I try to convince
her I am quite well."

Nodding his head in polite assent, Damien inwardly
realized the girl was far too observant even at her young
age to be taken in by her mother's valiant protestations of
good health.

"Sometimes I fear," the woman continued in a
worried tone, "that she is far too strong-willed for her own good. Surely a woman must be a more pliant
creature.. .not possessed of such fierce
determination.. .1 fear for her future, should I..."

Suddenly lifting her eyes, she continued with a new
brightness of expression, "Morris was such a handsome
man, Captain, and possessed of tremendous talent. He
was so proud of Amethyst. He called her his little
jewel... She has worked so hard since his death to
compensate for my occasional inability to fulfill my
obligations to the troupe when I have been ill. She is a
surprisingly accomplished seamstress for such a slip of a
girl, and is endlessly helpful." A cloud seeming to settle
over her expression, she continued, "She has grown
quite thin with her constant running and fetching for
this purpose and that.. .but I will soon be well and then
she will grow as plump and lazy as a child should be..."

Suddenly intensely serious, Marian Greer's pale eyes
filled with tears. "I hope you will not hold her childish
rebellion against her, Captain. She is so very young, you
know..."

Overcome with pity for the poor woman's plight,
Damien took her small, cold hand into his. "You need
not worry, Mrs. Greer. I certainly would not..."

A sudden sound at the doorway drew both their eyes to
Amethyst who had returned, a small tin of broth
balanced carefully in her hands. Walking slowly into
the room, she placed it carefully on the shelf beside her
mother's bunk, darting a quick, obviously heated glance
to the large, tanned hand that held her mother's. Oddly
discomforted by the open disapproval reflected on her
small face, Damien allowed the woman's hand to slip
from his grasp before continuing to speak.