Love's Fiery Jewel (58 page)

"Alright, alright, Tillie." Waving her hand in surrender, Amethyst effectively stopped Tillie's stream of
words. "You've had your way this time, and although it
pains me to admit it, Armand did arrive just in time to
save me from making a complete mess of the situation."

Shaking her head with a small, "Humph," Tillie
muttered under her breath, "Amethyst Greer never
listen to Tillie." Turning, Tillie abruptly walked away,
leaving Amethyst to smile as her tall frame disappeared
through the doorway into the next room.

Turning back, Amethyst met Armand's amused
expression. Laughing, she said softly, "I'm afraid Tillie
sometimes forgets I'm no longer nine years old, and it takes a bit of reminding now and then to make her realize
I'm a grown woman now."

Laying his overcoat on the chair by the door, Armand
advanced slowly toward her, his glance moving appreciatively over her slim frame. Her forest green dress was
deceptively simple, the deep square neckline making the
most of the smooth curve of her shoulder and the gentle
rise of her breast, the narrW waistline nipping tightly to
flare out in a graceful bell to her ankles; the only
adornment the narrow white lace that trimmed the
swaying folds that jutted out just above her elbows, and
the same delicate lace that lay against her smooth breasts.

His glance warm, Armand said softly, "Ali, but I need
no reminder, Amethyst. You are a delight to my eyes ma
petite." Lifting his hand, Armand smoothed back a stray
curl that lay against her cheek, a small shudder shaking
his broad frame as his fingertips touched her cheek ever
so lightly. "Cherie," he said softly, his dark eyes looking
intently into hers, "I should like very much to kiss you.
You would not misconstrue?"

Touched by his sincerity, Amethyst responded softly,
"No, Armand, I would not misconstrue."

His expression intently serious, Armand reached out
to place his hands on-her shoulders, his one hand slowly
moving to the back of her neck as the other slid down to
draw her close against him. Within moments his mouth
covered hers, his lips moving warmly until they
efficiently separated hers, his tongue finding the small
separation to gently taste the sweetness of her mouth.
Gradually his kiss deepened, the pressure of his mouth
growing stronger, his arms straining her tighter and
tighter against him until she was breathless in his
embrace.

Sensing the trembling in his body as he drew away,
Amethyst raised a questioning glance to his, only to see a
familiar rueful smile appear on his darkly handsome face as he whispered in a shaky voice, "I am perhaps not as
wise as I think myself to be, but I have missed you
terribly, ma petite, and have been desperate to hold you
in my arms since the moment I saw you again."

Nodding her head with a small frown, Amethyst
replied softly, "Yes, perhaps that was not wise, Armand.
I would not want to give you the impression that because
I am no longer with Damien I am available."

"Cherie, please, say no more." His expression
disturbed, Armand continued quietly, "I apologize if I
have made you uncomfortable. It is not my intention to
attempt to step into Monsieur Straith's shoes, no matter
how appealing the fit. That is not the relationship I would
have exist between us."

"What is the relationship you would wish. Armand?"
Amethyst's question was soft and direct, her lavender
eyes challenging his dark, pensive glance.

Realizing he had put Amethyst on the defensive,
Armand shook his head in self-disgust. "Please, cherie,
forget if you can what has just happened. I would not
have you think I have illicit intentions when I inquire as
to how I may help you."

Noting his obvious distress, Amethyst relented, a
small smile returning to her lovely face. "I, too, must
apologize, Armand. I'm afraid past experience has made
me suspicious and distrustful. But you have never been
else but truthful with me, and deserve my trust."

"Bon!" His expression relieved, Armand prompted
quietly, "Then you must tell me all that has happened to
bring you back to Philadelphia with your child and
Tillie."

"Please, Armand, I don't want to go into the whole
story. It's sordid and depressing, and I'd rather not..."

Taking both her small hands into his, Armand
interrupted her soft response. "Ma Cherie ...mon
Coeur.. .you do believe I want to help you, don't you?"

Her eyes searched his face hesitantly for a few silent
moments. His face intently serious, Armand returned
her glance, his eyes a soft black, melting the last of her
resistance with their warmth. "Yes, Armand. I do believe
you.,,

"Then please tell me, ma cherie, tell me what has
happened so I may assess how I may best help you out of
the situation that forced you into that jeweler's shop
today."

With a soft sigh, Amethyst walked to the couch and sat
quietly, her glance inviting him to sit beside her. Slowly,
painfully, as Armand held her hand, his quiet strength
giving her the courage to go on, Amethyst related the
events that had progressed in Kingston, her throat tight
and aching when she came to the part where she
described her departure from Jamaica. She did not tell
Armand how the picture of Damien's face haunted her,
how the memory of his arms around her left a deep void
inside, how she wished with all her strength that his
passion for her was sincere and good, and not the driven
possessiveness that would have him take William's life
with the evil obeah he practiced. She did not tell him that
she had come to realize that she could not live her life
subservient to the black magic which had become his way
of life.

His keen eyes assessing her with a sensitivity that
made further explanation unnecessary, Armand pulled
Amethyst lightly against his chest, his arms holding her
gently.

"So you find yourself in Philadelphia with only one
more week of funds remaining, and only your jewels to
fall back on, is that right, cherie?"

The mumbled response was barely audible. "Yes,
Armand."

Moving her slowly away from him, he said softly as he
looked into the wide eyes now a deep purple with unshed tears, "Then the answer is simple, cherie. You will come
home with me, and I will take care of you."

Suddenly frowning, Amethyst began to rise from the
couch. `That's impossible, Armand. I could not...I
don't want..."

Taking her hands lightly in his, Armand restrained her
from rising, his voice sincere. "Amethyst, please..."
listen to what I say, cherie. I force no arrangement of any
kind on you. You will simply be my houseguest and you
may...

"Armand, I cannot live on your charity, no matter
how generously it is given. I must find work."

"Did you not say Monsieur Henry will be coming to
Philadelphia in January to petition the legislature for
repeal of the anti-theater legislation?"

"Yes..."

"If he is successful, ma petite, the troupe will soon
return to the country, and you will have your original
place in the company, will you not?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then you will only be dependent on my 'generosity'
for a few months, after which you will be self-supporting
and able to pay me back if you so wish, is that not true?"

"Yes ...but it is all so uncertain, Armand..."

"As is your situation now, cherie. But we can do no
more than take one step at a time, can we? Come, ma
petite." Raising her hands to his lips, Armand kissed
them lightly, (Tell me you will come with me tonight so I
may rest knowing you are safe in my care."

"Armand, you know what everyone will think... that
I... that we..."

"Perhaps, cherie, but I for one will gladly suffer the
wagging tongues for the satisfaction of knowing you are
safe."

Her expression pensive for a few long moments, a
small smile slowly broke through her sober facade. "And gossip no longer has the power to hurt a reputation such
as mine, Armand, so I suppose I have nothing to
lose..."

"C'est biers, cherie."

"Then I thank you, and will accept your hospitality
until John Henry petitions the legislature. If he is
successful, I will await the return of the American
Company. If not, at least Marian will be less dependent
on me by that time, and I will find it easier to get some
work to support us. But I promise you, Armand, I will pay
you back. One way or another, I will pay you back for
your generosity."

A relieved expression moving,across his handsome
face, Armand said softly, "Bon, it is settled, and yes, you
may pay me back if you wish, ma cherie." Leaning
forward, Armand kissed her soft lips lightly, a small spark
of hope beginning to grow inside his chest as his mind
sang with growing optimism," Tort bien, mon oeur, mon
amour..."

His fists nervously clenching and unclenching, Damien
paced his narrow cell, the grating sound of his own step
mingling with the scraping pit-a-pat of other small feet as
the slippery co-occupants of his dank abode scampered
into a dark corner. But he barely noticed their presence,
now. Rubbing his palm over the scraggly beard that
covered his chin, Damien grimaced with disgust. He was
filthy and uncomfortable. He had neither bathed nor
shaved since he had entered this vile place over a month
before. The stench of his own body was nauseating, and
judging from the almost constant itching plaguing him of
late, he was now a haven for the orphaned lice that had
been abandoned by the last occupant of his cell. But the
petty complaints of his imprisonment were not the
thoughts that drove him relentlessly. Freedom and
revenge... once having attained the first, he had promised himself that he would not stop until the second
had been accomplished!

But his burning desire was not to avenge himself
against William Sheridan. The fool had merely been a
tool for Amethyst to use against him. Through the long
dark days and nights, Damien had gone over in his mind
again and again the words William Sheridan had spoken.
"She smiled a bright farewell to me as she sailed..."
The bitch had planned well! Wide, lavender eyes
innocent and beguiling, she had confounded him, led him
to trust her while she secretly planned his arrest with
William Sheridan. But Sheridan had not received the
reward he had expected! Hah! Amethyst had used him
well, and if he knew the wily little witch at all, she had
probably left Kingston with enough of the fool's money
to maintain her in comfort at her destination. But where
had she gone.. .what was she doing now. ..who was
caring for her and his daughter? Doubtless Tillie had left
with her. Kingston held only bitter memories and a dark
future for the hapless mulatto. No, she would not allow
Amethyst to leave alone with the child.

Damn! Damn! Pounding his clenched fist into the
stone wall again and again in bitter frustration, Damien
did not stop until blood oozed from the deep gashes on his
knuckles, the pain succeeding in effectively eliminating
for a brief moment the even stronger pain he felt deep
inside. He was a fool! He had actually begun to believe
Amethyst was softening toward him.. .that she was
inwardly relieved that she had no other recourse but to
marry him! Rubbing his aching fist absentmindedly,
Damien gave a small bitter laugh. Fool that he was he had
chosen to forget Amethyst was an actress by profession,
skilled in the art of creating illusion. But she had not won
yet, damn her! He would be free of this place soon. The
authorities could not hold him much longer without
granting him a hearing on the charges against him. William Sheridan had all but admitted he had no real
evidence against him or his crew. When he was free once
again he would find Amethyst and his child, and make
her pay for her deception. Yes, he already had a plan. All
he needed now was to be free.

The sound of muffled footsteps outside his door
interrupted Damien's dark thoughts, the sound of a key
in the lock jerking his glance in its direction as the grating
sound echoed against the wall behind him. The door
opened slowly, the familiar face of the foul-smelling
guard the first he saw before the squat figure was pushed
aside to allow another to peer anxiously into his cell.

"Damien?" His eyes obviously not yet adjusted to the
poor light, the tall wiry man's voice was uncertain.
"Damien, are you in there?"

Walking slowly forward, almost unable to believe his
eyes, Damien said softly, "Yes, Hiram, I'm here. But
what are you doing here? You are not going to join me in
my elaborate accommodations, are you, old friend?"

Shaking his head with a small snort, Hiram Strathmore
said impatiently, "Enough of this foolish talk, Damien.
Come out here now. You are free to leave Kingston, both
you and your crew. The charges against you have been
dropped."

"Dropped!" Wasting no time in following his friend's
urging, Damien stepped over the threshold of the cell,
expecting at any minute to have the door slammed in his
face. But he walked freely into the corridor, his heart
beginning to thump wildly in his chest as full realization
hit him for the first time. He was free!

Turning to walk stiffly toward the wooden staircase,
Hiram urged softly, "Come, Damien. This is no time for
dilly-dallying. You must be out of this place quickly.
Your men are in a different part of the prison, and are
being released. You must make haste to get your ship out
of port in the event that fool upstairs should change his mind."

Following closely behind him, Damien questioned
softly, "But how did you know I was here? How did you
manage this, Hiram? The charges have been dropped,
you say?"

"Word of your arrest came to me in Philadelphia and I
merely impressed upon the mind of that imbecile upstairs
that the Peace Treaty between our two governments was
scheduled to be signed this month, and a reckless act
such as arresting a prominent American captain who had
served his country well might be viewed by our country
as an unfriendly step. That unhappy man upstairs did not
want to spend any more time than necessary on this
forgotten island, which was certain to be his punishment
should he succeed in irritating his government. As a
result, you are freed, Damien." Turning his sharp eyes in
Damien's direction, Hiram hesitated only briefly before
continuing. "Your men have been instructed to meet you
at the ship, and I'm certain they will waste no time
getting there."