Winds Of Eternity Part 6

"It is a plantation named Belle Mer. The princ.i.p.al crop is sugar cane. The house faces the bay. You will love it there, Miranda. Things are different on the island. Society is not as rigid, and the natives use black magic - what they call voodoo - frequently."

She drew a pattern on his chest with her fingernail. "Will you continue to sail?"

"Not for awhile. I plan to eventually settle down and become a staid plantation owner."

Miranda's laughter was light and seductive. "I cannot picture you as being staid, my darling captain. Many other14.

things, yes. But never that. Thank you for the jewels."

"There will be more later," he promised. "You will have jewels to wear every day." He kissed her, allowing her to pull him into the berth beside her.

Judah stood ramrod straight on the raised platform, his eyes, cold and dark, staring ahead. There was a circle of people surrounding this place of death. Some were his followers.

The executioner held out a black hood. Judah shook his head, refusing it. Master of darkness. Help your faithful servant to defeat his enemies. Help me to show them the strength of your power. Help me, master of my soul, my mind.

Judah went to his knees and bent forward, placing his head on the block. Directly in his line of vision stood Miranda at Aaron's side. His gaze locked on their faces.

Aaron felt that dark gaze and placed an arm around Miranda to try and shield her from it. But she did not move. She seemed in a trance, her eyes locked with Judah's. "Miranda. Look at me." Still she did not move.

You will pay for your betrayal, said Judah's voice in her mind. For helping my enemy. This will not be the end. We will meet again. And when we do, I will be the victor.

"No," Miranda moaned softly. "NO."

"Miranda," Aaron spoke, shaking her gently. Her hold tightened as the axe fell. At that precise moment, Miranda collapsed like a marionette when the strings have been cut. Aaron lifted her into his arms, then took a final look at the lifeless body being moved away. "d.a.m.n you, Judah Zachary. May your soul rot in the h.e.l.l that sp.a.w.ned you."

Miranda woke in Aaron's cabin, feeling his chest beneath her cheek, noted the moonlight coming through the porthole. "Aaron?"

His hand caressed her waist. "I was beginning to fear that you were not going to wake."

"Judah?"

"He is dead. You fainted."

"I remember now. Is the ship moving?"

"We set sail immediately. I wanted to get you away from there."

She shuddered. "Judah's eyes. They seemed to be staring inside me. I could hear his voice in my mind. Saying that we had won this time, but next time--"

He felt her shudder. "It is over, Miranda. Judah is dead, and can no longer harm you. Think about me and our future in Martinique."

"What will it be like?"

He laid back, tangling his fingers in her blonde hair. "We will have a dress ball to introduce you to island society. Everyone will come to meet the mistress of Belle Mer."

Miranda's voice was dreamy. "I have never been to a ball."

"You will on Martinique. There is a ball at least once a week."

"Will your neighbors accept me, do you think?"

"I am sure of it. They are mostly French - I bought Belle Mer from a Frenchman with a big gambling debt. He returned to France, but his sister stayed on as my housekeeper. She preferred the island to her homeland. Madame Marie Bouchet is a marvel. I think you and she are kindred spirits. Marie has certain - minor powers, and she lives by the Tarot."

"Who else is there?"

"Some house servants, Jaques and Robert, both natives. The neighbors. Let me see..."

He spent the rest of the smooth pa.s.sage telling her about the people she would meet. On the day they entered the harbour, Miranda stood at the railing as he pointed out the large white house high on the cliffs. "It is - beautiful," she told him.

"This it is a fitting setting for your own beauty. Come. We must make ready to go ash.o.r.e."15.

They made landfall on the beach beneath the house, and climbed the steps hewn into the rock cliff. At the top, Miranda shook her head in amazement. "I have never seen so many flowers. It is like - like Paradise."

"It is probably the closest either of us will come to that place," Aaron commented. "Marie will most likely be at the door, waiting."

Marie Bouchet was not an attractive woman. Her features were too sharp, her hair an unbecoming shade of red-brown. But her smile was warm and welcoming. "Capitan. The cards told me you would return today - with a wife."

Aaron lifted Miranda's hand. "The cards were correct - as always, Marie. Allow me to present Miranda Forsythe. My wife. Miranda, Marie Bouchet."

Miranda hid her surprise at his introduction while the woman greeted her. "Madame Forsythe. Welcome to Belle Mer. It is time that M'sieur Capitan brought a woman into this house. And such a beautiful one. You have chosen well, Capitan."

"Thank you, Marie. I am glad you approve. I want you to send for the dressmaker. Miranda must have a new wardrobe. And you and she must make plans for a grand ball."

"Right away. I will have your cases seen to." She paused. "Your business was satisfactorily concluded?"

"He is dead," Aaron told her. Marie turned and left the room. Aaron pulled Miranda into his arms. "Did I not tell you she was priceless?"

Miranda pulled away. "Aaron, you told her that I am already your wife."

"You are," he insisted, holding her more tightly. "In my heart. As far as anyone here is concerned, we were married before setting sail from Bedford. And once I introduce you as my wife at the ball, the marriage will be as legal as any performed by clergy." His hazel eyes met hers. "Unless - you would prefer a wedding with all of the fal-der-rals -"

She placed a hand to his mouth to silence him. "No. I only want you."

He kissed her fingers. "Then it is settled. Marie can show you around the house later. Do you ride?"

"Yes. Judah - Judah taught me."

"Then we will go to the stables and choose a mount for you. Then I will give you tour of the plantation." He pulled her behind him into the foyer. "Marie!"

She came to the rail on the landing at the top of the wide stairs. "Oui?"

"Miranda and I are going for a ride. We will have dinner in our room."

"I have already ordered it so, Capitan," she said, smiling indulgently. "Enjoy your ride."

Aaron was pleased at the way his workers took to Miranda. The children looked up at her fair beauty with wondrous eyes. Miranda was the perfect wife for him, and the perfect mistress for Belle Mer. She was a strong-willed woman. Strong enough to run the plantation alone if necessary. There was much she had to learn before his next voyage. So very much.

And she was an apt, willing student. After only a week, she knew almost as much about the cane as if she had spent her entire life at Belle Mer. Leaving the house to Marie's excellent administration, she spent every possible moment with Aaron.