The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (42 page)

A searing pain shot through Jewel as the bullet slammed into her shoulder, knocking her to the ground. Gasping, she tried to catch her breath. Slowly she lifted her head to look at the rising water. “Be calm,” she cautioned herself.
You must get up . . You must hurry. . . .

Pulling herself up to her knees, she heard Lee reloading his gun. She found her footing and half staggered into the cove. Struggling against the water to get her stability, she waded through the rough tide. Twice she lost her balance and slid under the water, feeling the sharp sting of salt. The last time, she felt the tug of the undertow as it began to suck her out with the tide. Knowing she was fighting for her life gave Jewel a final burst of energy. She regained her balance and thrust her head out of the water, taking deep breaths of air. She fought the waist-high current and crawled to the other side before collapsing in the dry sand.

Lee’s men had entered the edge of the water in pursuit of Jewel. But Captain Lee made them come back and get the chest. The three of them entered the cove with their treasure. Lee fired again, but missed Jewel this time.

“We’ll never make it, Captain. Let’s leave the chest.”

“I’ll not leave without it! And I will shoot you if you try. Now I strongly suggest you carry that box. It’s only a little water and will not kill you.”

Lee realized his folly in the middle of the inlet. It was much deeper than it looked. The sand acted like quicksand, trapping their feet and pulling them under. The incoming water swirled around their necks. Their gurgled cries filled the air as the sea slowly rose . . . inch by inch . . . minute by minute
. . .

J
ewel heard the frantic screams of the men fading as the sea swept them to their watery graves. Then there was silence. Only the call of the seagulls floated in the breeze. She smiled, knowing justice had been done. Greed knew no mercy, she thought before lapsing into unconsciousness.

Jean and his men had already secured Captain Lee’s ship. Jean and Dominique were preparing to go ashore when Ben stopped them.

“You aren’t going without me,” he shouted. “I want to kill that bastard!”

“Come on, Ben.” Jean smiled grimly, knowing Ben was so angry he wouldn’t need a gun.

They made the long climb up the cliff and then down the other side. Jean noticed the brush had been moved, and he knew they were on the right trail. Many things ran through his mind. He just hoped he would be in time. Without a weapon, Jewel could suffer at Lee’s hand.

They had just passed the graveyard when Jean looked up ahead and spotted a body lying in the sand. Icy fingers of fear crept up his back. He stood where he was, paralyzed. He had waited all this time to see Jewel again, and now he might be deprived.

“Damn,” he swore, before breaking into a run. “Please don’t let me be too late.”

In no time, Jean covered the distance and was beside Jewel. He rolled her over and brushed the hair and sand from her face. Blood stained the sand beneath her, and her face was pale. He bent down, putting his ear to her mouth. Thank goodness! She was breathing.

“Jewel.” Jean shook her. “Speak to me,
cherie.
Where are the others?” he asked.

Her eyes fluttered open, “Adam?” she mumbled.

“No,
cherie.
It’s Jean.”

“Uncle Jean.” Jewel tried to lift her hand. She wanted to touch him to make sure he was real, but the pain stopped her. “Jean, they took the treasure,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry. I’ve let you down.”

He laughed that smooth laugh she always remembered.
“Cherie,
you are my treasure. I can always replace mere trinkets and gold, but I can never replace you.”

“But our blood pact.” Jewel knew she sounded like a child.

He rocked her back and forth.
“Petite,
the blood pact was made with a child and was part of a child’s game. You’re a woman now, and sometimes things change.”

“Yes, you’re right,” she agreed. “I’ve changed, Jean. I’m married now.”

“So I’ve heard.” Jean motioned to Ben. “Help me carry her back to the ship.”

“I want to kill that captain!” Ben had looked everywhere for Lee, but couldn’t find him. “Where is he, Jean?” Ben muttered.

“It’s too late. The sea took care of him for you, my friend,” Jean explained.

“Damn, I’ve been cheated,” Ben grumbled, swearing up a blue streak.

“Ben, is that you?” Jewel’s weak voice sounded faint even to her. “I thought you were dead.”

“Who, me?” Ben grinned. “You know they can’t kill an old bear like me.” He bent down and picked her up.

She moaned the minute Ben touched her. Excruciating pain shot through her body just before she passed out.

“I’ve hurt, her, Jean.” Ben’s voice was filled with concern.

Jean looked at his niece. “She’s just passed out, my friend. It probably will be better in the long run, especially when we start climbing that cliff to return to the ship.”

“I’ll take care of her, Jean! Nobody will ever touch her again!” Ben cradled the burden in his arms.

“I’m sure they won’t, Ben. However, I am a little concerned. She has lost way too much blood. Let’s not waste any time in getting her home.

Crazed with fever by the time he reached Grand Terre, Adam was only standing up straigh
t because of sheer determination and an iron will.

Pierre was sitting in the study when Adam stormed in, dragging three of Pierre’s best men with him.

“Where is Jean?” Adam shouted. Beads of perspiration dotted his brow.

“He’s gone, left on his ship two days ago,” Pierre explained. “What’s wrong, my friend?”

“Jewel! They have Jewel!” Adam’s fever had reached such a pitch, his speech had become slurred.

“I know.” Pierre smiled at the man staggering in front of him.

“Then why in hell are you still here? You’re her uncle!” Adam shook his head. “I’ve got to go and find her.” He now saw two Pierres and would slug the man if he could figure out which one to hit.

“The only place you’re going is to bed.” Pierre laughed at Adam’s swaying body. “Rest easy. Jean has gone after Jewel.”

It took four men and Pierre hitting Adam over the head with a bottle of his best rum before Adam was persuaded to go to bed.

“Ah, love!” Pierre smiled. “It must be wonderful.”

It was not a quiet time at Grand Terre. Jewel was in one room and Adam in another. Jean attended Jewel, and Pierre, who had lost the flip of the coin, tried to take care of Adam.

Jewel and Adam spent the next week in and out of fevered sleeps, having absolutely no idea where they were.

Jewel called for Adam in her crazed state. Jean was beside himself with worry that she wouldn’t recover. He couldn’t lose her, he just couldn’t, now that he had found her again. He diligently bathed Jewel’s forehead and arms, trying to cool the raging fever.

Of course, Jewel now belonged to Adam, but that was fine with Jean. He couldn’t have chosen better himself. One thing was sure. Adam was definitely man enough to handle her. “Hell, Adam is almost as good as I am,” Jean said out loud, then smiled over his humor.

He stood up, stretching. Damn, he was getting old. Every muscle and joint ached from being bent over the sick bed. Jewel slept peacefully now, so he left to check on the other patient.

“How’s it going, Pierre?” Jean started laughing at the sight before him. His brother was sprawled across Adam’s body as Adam thrashed wildly about. Pierre had a damp cloth, trying to wipe Adam’s face with very little success.

“I’m glad the bloke is sick, or I probably couldn’t handle him.” Pierre laughed at himself. “You want to exchange patients?”

“And deprive you of all this exercise? I think not.”

“And Jewel?” Pierre asked, giving up his struggles with Adam.

“Finally, she is sleeping peacefully. I think the fever has broken. She keeps calling for Adam, though.”

“He keeps mumbling Jewel’s name, too.”

“Let’s relax and have some rum,” Jean suggested.

After half a bottle of rum, the two brothers sat laughing over Jean’s brilliant idea.

“You probably shouldn’t have done it, Jean.” Pierre chortled.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. But hell, she wanted him and he wanted her, and we were running ourselves ragged. It made perfect sense to me. Now, they are both in the same bed. Our lives should be easier.”

“I hope you’re right.” Pierre laughed again.

“Of course, I’m right. Let Mother Nature take her turn in the healing process.” Jean smiled as he sipped his rum. He was quite pleased with himself. Yes, sir, he was sure Mother Nature would solve all their problems.

Contentment filled Jewel. The warmth of Adam’s body made her relax, and she had calmed down. She felt someone nibbling on her ear, and she moaned from the pleasure she experienced. “At least, my love, I can still have you in my dreams,” Jewel murmured as she turned to welcome Adam’s kisses. This dream felt so real. “I’m sorry I never told you the truth, but I thought you’d send me away. Oh, please don’t leave me, Adam,” Jewel whispered against his lips.

Her dream lover captured her mouth with hungry violence as his arms enfolded her. She never wanted to wake up from this delicious dream.

“I love you, Jewel Bona,” Adam whispered tenderly.

Jewel’s eyes flew open. It was real! She was here in bed with Adam! “I—I don’t understand. Where? How?” Jewel couldn’t seem to get a complete sentence out. The last thing she remembered she’d been on the beach. She’d been shot and Jean was there . . . not Adam . . . but how?

Adam smiled. “Even with one-word sentences, you still manage to ask all your questions at once.” He brushed her lips softly with his. “Don’t ever change. I love you just the way you are.”

“But the note. Didn’t you find it?” Jewel’s confusion grew. Adam should be disgusted with her now that he had found out she was related to pirates, but he was smiling. She looked wildly around at her surroundings. This was not Adam’s house ... it was Jean’s. But how did Adam get here? Something strange had happened. She’d told Pierre about her marriage, but she hadn’t mentioned Adam’s name.

“Yes, I did get the note.” Adam propped up on his good elbow so he could see her better. “I must say you have little faith in me, sweetheart.”

“I do, Adam. I really do. But you’re a duke. And I’m nothing.”

“You are
my
wife.”

“Then you don’t mind?” Jewel’s eyes widened as she waited for his reply.

“Jean and Pierre are friends of mine, and when it boils down to it, we’re all pirates at heart. I was born into my title, which is something I cannot help, the same as you can’t help where you were raised.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.” Jewel’s heart hammered with love. With her good arm, she pulled Adam to her for a long-awaited kiss. This time she held nothing back, for she knew Adam loved her for who she was. There would be no more lies between them. She heard his quick intake of breath when she bumped his side.

“What’s wrong?” Her gaze scanned his body. “You’ve a bandage?”

“This is my war wound, sweetheart. I got it saving my fool friend Jonathan.”

“Is Jonathan all right?” She watched Adam nod. “Your wound isn’t serious?” He shook his head.

“You mean we both have wounds?”

“That appears to be the case. Didn’t you know women are supposed to be soft and gentle and never play with guns and swords?” Adam teased.

“I guess I never learned that in finishing school.” Jewel giggled. “And you’re sure Jonathan is going to be all right?”

Adam’s brow raised slightly. “I sent Elizabeth to tend to him. And if she doesn’t kill Jonathan with her nursing, I’m sure he’ll be just fine. But I don’t want to talk about Jonathan. . . .” She saw a fire burning deep in Adam’s eyes.

Adam stared at her beautiful face. The thought of almost losing her ripped agonizingly through his chest. Life had been dull before she’d stormed in. He’d been but a mere shadow of a man without her. This slip of a woman had taught him patience and she had eased his cynical outlook on life. And he knew he’d move Heaven and Hell to keep her close.

“I love you, Adam.”

The silkily spoken words stirred him with a flaming desire that only Jewel could quench.

“I love you, too, sweetheart. You want to compare wounds?” Adam teased as he gazed down tenderly at the beauty beneath him.

“I’d rather make love . . . that is, if you’re able,” Jewel purred.

With a wolfish grin, Adam pulled her into his arms before answering. “Sweetheart, I’m always able where you’re concerned!”

The Ladies Series

THE DUKE’S LADY

THE EARL’S LADY

THE WICKED LADY