Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) (51 page)

She didn't bother lighting the candle as she removed
her clothing and slipped into her nightgown. And in the
dark, she stood at the window watching the activity aboard the
Winged Victory
and dreading the moment when the ship would be ready to sail.

Liberty remembered what her father had once told her,
that every man must at some time in his life stand up for
what he believed in, or walk the path of cowardice. Judah
was a strong man with many convictions. He would
always face bravely whatever came his way. Liberty knew
he was afraid of no man, and that frightened her very
much. She could not love him if he were less than he was,
but at times she did wish he was just a simple planter.

She breathed in the fragrant night air. "Rest easy, my love," she whispered. "I pray that one day soon you will
find peace and contentment."

24

Liberty had spent the last week working on the house.
She tried to keep busy so she wouldn't feel lonely and
restless, but there were days when she missed Briar Oaks,
though she tried not to speculate on what was happening
at home.

She lovingly selected materials and furnishings that
would make this house a home of which Judah could be
proud. And she had selected china, crystal, and silver-
even the pots and pans for the kitchen, as well as the
household linens, the rugs, and the draperies. Some of
the furniture would be made on the island, but most of it
had to be ordered directly from France. Liberty was finding out that Judah was a very wealthy man, and that he wanted only quality furnishings in his island home.

As Liberty came in from the garden where she had been supervising the planting, she could hear a bird singing in the wild-orchid tree at the front of the house.

Hayman, the cinnamon-skinned houseboy, bowed to
her. "Perhaps
Ma'dame
would like for me to bring her
something cool to drink. You could sit in the shade of the
gallery; there is a slight breeze stirring today," he sug
gested.

"Oui,
that would be nice, Hayman. I would also like
you to contact a local carpenter and ask him to attend me
tomorrow. I want him to build shelves in the upstairs hallway. Also inform him that I would like the book
shelves in the library to be made of the finest mahogany."

"I will do as you say,
Ma'dame.
I have put Mam'zelle
Pierce in the only other bedroom with a bed; is that satisfactory with you?"

"I was not aware that we had a guest. Who is Mam
'zelle Pierce?" Liberty asked, thinking the woman might
be the wife of one of the Judah's men.

"I do not know,
Ma'dame.
She told me she was an old
friend from Boston and was expected."

Liberty smiled, thinking this might be a friend of Gabrielle's. "Extend my invitation to Mam'zelle Pierce, and tell her I would be honored if she would join me on the gallery for refreshments."

Liberty wandered outside and stood gazing at the lush green countryside. Since the house was set high on the
mountain, she could see for miles in every direction. To
the east she could see men working in the fields, and just
below, the
Winged Victory
was riding at anchor, her white
billowing sails kissing the clear blue sky.

"It will not work, whoever you are." The feminine voice
came from the doorway. "There has never been a house big enough to support two mistresses."

Liberty turned, expecting to see a woman the age of
Judah's mother. The smile left her face when she saw a
beauty no more than ten years her senior. The woman
wore a pale blue gown that complimented her rosy com
plexion. She was tall and slender, and her movements were graceful. Her heart-shaped face and the dimple in her chin added to her beauty.

Thinking the woman had a wonderful sense of humor,
Liberty smiled at her. "I trust you found your room
comfortable?" she said, still not sure how to welcome
their guest. "Had I knows beforehand of your arrival, I
would have had your room prepared. I hope you will
forgive the confusion; you see we are just furnishing the
house."

Adriane Pierce stared at the lovely young Creole girl.
Judah had replaced her with a mere child! Adriane had
dreamed of this reunion all the way across the sea, and
she certainly had not envisioned a beautiful young girl
spoiling it for her.

"I don't know who you are, but I would suggest you
pack your bags and get out immediately," Adriane said,
moving to the railing and glancing down at the
Winged
Victory.
"I have been Judah's mistress since long before
you snipped off your baby curls. If you entertain any notion that you can replace me in his affections, you would do well to forget it."

Liberty gasped in disbelief as she stared at the brazen woman. "Surely you jest? I know Judah's friends have a
wonderful sense of humor, but they would never do this
to me. I find this situation tasteless and not in the least
humorous."

Adriane stared into soft blue eyes framed with golden
lashes. Upon closer inspection she saw that this young
woman was an exceptional beauty—just the kind that would draw a man's attention. "I assure you I would
never jest about anything so serious. I am asking you to
leave so there will not be a scene when Judah arrives."

Liberty raised her chin and glared at the newcomer. It
was still difficult for her to believe this was actually happening. "If anyone leaves, it will be you. Judah will
not be happy when he comes home and finds you here,
Mademoiselle."

"Will he not? I have come a long way, and I do not
intend to have my reunion with Judah spoiled by a baby-
faced child," Adriane retorted. "Judah always hated scenes, you know."

Adriane removed her hat and patted her hair into place before facing Liberty again. "When he comes home, I will
tell him you said farewell. I'm sure he will understand."

It had always taken a great deal to make Liberty angry,
but this woman seemed to have found the means to push her past anger. Never had she known a woman to so brazenly flaunt the fact that she was a man's mistress. Not even Bandera had been so bold. Liberty was angry with Adriane, but she was furious at Judah. Her eyes were blazing as she faced her adversary.

"I have no intention of leaving,
Mademoiselle.
I am
sure you can find your way back to Boston, or wherever it
is you came from." Liberty entered the house, hoping to
put an end to the conversation, but Adriane followed her
into the parlor.

The older woman laughed deep in her throat while she
seated herself on a chair. "No, that's not the way it is going to be. You will go to the village, back to your
mama, or wherever you came from. For years now I have
watched pretty girls trying to insinuate themselves into
Judah's life, but he always returns to me." Her eyes narrowed, and she spoke the words Sebastian had in
structed her to say. "You do not stand a chance with him while I'm here. You see, Judah asked me to join him—he
was afraid he would be bored."

"Judah did not ask you to come here, he wouldn't."

Adriane did not answer, but merely smiled, while look
ing down her nose at Liberty as if she were a bothersome
child.

Liberty was so angry that tears filled her eyes. She would not believe that Judah had sent for this woman.
No, he would never do that. Surely there had been some
mistake. "I do not believe you,
Mademoiselle."

"Believe what you will
...
or you can wait to hear the
truth from Judah himself, Adriane responded."

Liberty had never been one to give up a fight, and she
wasn't going to give in. "Will you leave now, or shall I have Hayman show you the door,
Mademoiselle?"

"That is not very sensible. I am being kind when I tell you that you are young and pretty," Adriane offered
generously. "There will be many men tripping over them
selves to get to you, but Judah won't be one of them."
At that moment Hayman entered the room. His eyes
moved to Adriane and then to Liberty. "This came for you,
Ma'dame.
A boy handed it to me and then left."
Liberty was glad for the interruption so she could have
time to think. Her hands trembled as she took the note from Hayman, then nodded for him to leave the room. Her eyes blurred as she read the message.

Liberty, I have word from your sister. She is gravely ill and has been asking for you. If you want to hear
more about her condition, you can find me at the Trade Wind Inn.

There was no signature. Liberty shook her head in
confusion. Had the whole world gone crazy today? She
glanced at Adriane, knowing she would have to wait until
later to deal with this woman. Right now, she had to find
out about her sister.

Liberty placed the note on the table and turned to face
Adriane. "I will be going into the village,
Mademoiselle,
and will be away most of the afternoon. I hope that you
have the good judgment to be gone before I return. If you
do not, I will have you thrown out."

Liberty squared her shoulders, and swept out of the room without a backward glance. In the hallway, she almost bumped into Hayman. From the look of concern
and confusion on his face, Liberty realized that he must
have overheard the conversation between her and Adriane
Pierce.

"Did I do something wrong,
Ma'dame?
The
Mam'zelle
said that she was expected. I did not know that — "

"That does not matter, Hayman. Have the carriage brought around to the front. I will be going into town."

"But,
Ma'dame,
the master will be most distressed if
you leave. You stay here, and I will see that the
Mam'zelle
leaves. She will not bother you again."

"Hayman," Liberty said, speaking sharply to him, "I told you to have a carriage brought around to the front. Do it now." She was sorry for the hurt she saw in
Hayman's eyes, but she did not intend to stand in the hall
and discuss something of such a delicate nature with a servant. Nonetheless as her anger reached its zenith, she
told herself that poor Hayman wasn't to blame this situation was Judah's fault.

"Do not be concerned on my account. I hold you blameless in all this," she assured Hayman in a kinder voice.

"But,
Ma'dame-"

Liberty turned away and climbed the stairs. She had to
get to the village and find out about Bandera. There was
no love between them, but they were sisters, and for that
reason alone, Liberty could not bring herself to wish Bandera ill.

Liberty made it to her room before the tears fell. She
knew that Adriane Pierce was, or had been, Judah's
mistress, and it wounded her deeply. Angrily she brushed the tears away. Judah would have some explaining to do.
Always before when she was hurt or troubled, Liberty
had gone into the swamp to talk to Zippora. But she was
no longer a child; she was a woman in love with her husband, and she would fight for him!

She picked up her bonnet and placed it on her head. When she heard the carriage pull up to the front of the
house, she dashed down the stairs, hoping she would not
encounter Adriane Pierce. If the woman was still in the
house when she returned, then she would deal with her.

Judah had been aboard the
Winged Victory
all day,
supervising the loading of supplies. Kegs of explosives were stowed below decks in readiness for the hazardous
venture ahead. Since the crew had not been to sea in some
weeks, they were anxious to set sail.

Judah had come home to tell Liberty that he would be
sailing on the morning tide. As he climbed the path to the
house, he thought it was strange that only the parlor was lit and the rest of the house was in darkness. He hurried up the steps, thinking it strange that Hayman did not meet him at the door.

On entering the hallway, Judah stopped short when he
saw Adriane Pierce standing in the doorway that led to the parlor. Confusion knitted his brow, and his eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"What, in God's name, are you doing here, Adriane?
Where is Liberty?"

"Not a pretty greeting, Judah." Her lips pursed into a pout. "I was told you would be happy to see me." Adriane saw no welcome in Judah's eyes.

He pushed past her, and his eyes scanned the parlor.
There was no sign of Liberty, so he turned back to Adriane, anger smoldering in his eyes. "You had better have a very good reason for being here," he declared.

"Judah, I do not understand. I was led to believe that
you would welcome me. Otherwise, I would never have
come."