Captive Pride (33 page)

“What do you think?” he asked with a lopsided grin as he turned to face her from the washstand where he stood.

His face was covered with a mixture of soot and red Indian war paint, and about his head he wore a headband adorned with several feathers that stuck up at a rather rakish angle. He wore dark, nondescript clothing and had a blanket thrown about his shoulders.

“Dear Lord, what are you doing?” Faith demanded after she regained her composure.

“It's part of a plan.”

“What plan?”

“The leaders have sent one last demand to the governor requesting that he send the ships back without unloading the tea. If he agrees, there will be no problem, but if he refuses…”

“If he refuses, what?” Faith was growing worried. She had no desire to lose her husband as she had lost her father.

“If he refuses, then we will take care of the tea ourselves.”

“Matthew…couldn't this be dangerous?”

He shrugged, and then, understanding her fears, he came to her to take her in his arms. “Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen to me. Who knows? If the governor comes to his senses, we may not even have to act. Now, what was it you wanted when you came into the room? You seemed rather excited about something.”

“Oh…I almost forgot.” She drew back. “Noah is here to see you.”

“Noah?” Now it was Matt's turn to be surprised. “I hadn't thought…. He's actually here?” At her answering nod, he strode quickly from the room in search of his brother. “Noah?”

Noah was standing near the window when he heard Matthew approaching. As he turned to greet him, he was totally unprepared for the sight of Matthew dressed as an Indian, and the shock was evident on his face.

“What the…” Only Faith's presence behind him stopped him from swearing.

“Faith said you wanted to see me?” Matt asked, his expression guarded. He was not sure why Noah had come, and he was not about to act as though nothing had happened between them.

“Yes, I have something of importance to tell you, but first, what are you doing dressed like that?”

“Since you desire no further contact with the rebels, I suggest you not ask.” As his brother scowled, Matt asked again, “Now, you were saying?”

Off balance and decidedly uncomfortable, Noah replied tersely, “Yes. Here.” He handed him the small portfolio.

“What are these?” Matt glanced from Noah to the papers.

“I deposited your share of the funds in your name. Those are the papers.”

“I told you how I felt about the money, Noah,” Matt said flatly.

“I know, but I would never refuse you what's rightfully yours,” he answered.

Matthew regarded him solemnly. “Thank you.”

Noah could only nod. “I understand that congratulations are in order?”

“Yes, Faith and I decided that there was no point in waiting any longer. We were married last night.”

“I'm sorry that I missed the ceremony, but I want you to know that I wish you the best.”

“Thank you, Noah.” Faith went to him. “I know that means a lot to Matthew.” She looked from brother to brother. “I think I'll leave you two alone now. Noah, it was good to see you again. Please, come back.”

When she had gone Noah glanced at Matt again. “You're not getting caught up in anything foolish, are you? I don't want you taking unnecessary chances. We both know that things could get violent at any time now.”

“As I said—”

“I know what you said,” Noah exploded, “and you know how I feel about you risking your life and limb. For God's sake, man, you have a wife now!”

“I'm very aware of that,” Matt replied heatedly, “but this is something that has to be done. Even CC feels that way.”

“CC?” Noah froze at the mention of her name. “What has CC got to do with this?”

“She's involved, just as I am.”

“Involved in what?”

Matt closed the distance between them. “There's going to be a rally tonight at six o'clock at Faneuil Hall. Word has been sent to the governor that we want the three ships returned to England with their cargo intact. If he agrees to ship the tea back, then everyone goes home, but…”

“But what?” Noah ground out in annoyance. He wasn't quite sure why he felt a driving need to know what was going to happen; he just knew that he had to find out.

Matthew hesitated only briefly before telling him all of what was planned. “If word comes back that the governor has refused, then we're going to take care of the tea ourselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, we're going to go on board the ship and dump it in the harbor.”

“That's outrageous!”

“Yes, it is, isn't it?” Matthew smiled quixotically. “But when we get done, Parliament will know that we're serious.”

“Matthew…” He wanted to convince his brother that it was foolhardy to try such a stunt.

“Don't say it, Noah. This is my decision. This is something I have to do.”

“But there are troops everywhere…. There might be trouble….”

“We have to take a stand. It's time to let them know that we will no longer tolerate their continued interference in our business.”

“And CC is in on this?” The thought that CC might get caught up in a potentially dangerous situation left him rigid with sudden fear for her safety.

Matt read his concern for CC and was inwardly pleased. “She was at the meeting and seemed most determined to participate.”

“Didn't Graves try to stop her?”

“Why? Are you worried about her?” he probed.

“She's a woman, damn it!” he snapped as his brother touched a nerve.

“A very capable woman,” Matt supplied. “She's proven herself before; there was no reason to doubt her now. Besides, nothing bad is going to happen.”

“I wish I had your confidence….” Noah muttered, troubled.

“Join us, Noah,” Matt suddenly implored. “You know we're right about things. Come with me.”

“No,” he snapped, striding toward the door. “You know how I feel about this.”

“And you know how I feel.” They faced each other one last time before Noah slammed from the house.

“Matthew?” Faith called. “Did Noah leave?”

“Yes.” His answer was curt, and she felt disheartened to know that they had come to no reconciliation.

“Did you talk?”

“It did no good. I should have known….” Matt looked down at her and his sadness was evident.

“I'm sorry.” She touched his arm sympathetically.

“So am I, love. So am I.”

 

Noah was furious and frustrated as he entered the taproom of the Red Lion. Even Polly was surprised by his surly mood, and she hastened to do his bidding lest she feel the bite of his jagged temper.

Bound to inaction by decisions of his own choosing, Noah sat alone as he downed his ale in a few deep drinks and then called for another. The next heady brew followed its predecessor as Noah's thoughts churned with anxiety over what might happen this night. He was concerned about Matt, but he knew Matt was a man, and most capable of taking care of himself. What concerned him most was CC's safety, and just the fact that he found himself worrying about her infuriated him. What did it matter if she got herself killed? Why should he care that she was doing something so potentially dangerous? The questions bombarded him endlessly as he consumed ale after ale, and still Noah refused to examine his true feelings to find the answers. He didn't want to worry about CC or care about her, yet there could be no denying that he did.

The conflict built within him until the sound of the clock striking six—the scheduled time of the meeting—drove him to his feet. Enraged, knowing that he could not sit idly by and let CC possibly come to harm, he drained the last of his brew and sought out Polly.

“I need a horse,” he told her brusquely. “Who should I see?”

“A horse, m'lord? Wouldn't you prefer a carriage? The weather's not the best, you know.” She was surprised by his unorthodox request.

Noah glanced outside and noticed that a light rain was falling. Still, despite the miserable weather, he insisted, “No. Tonight I need a mount.”

“Then Jack's the one to see, sir. He's out back in the stable,” Polly answered.

“Thanks.”

Without another word Noah quit the room, his pace rushed as he feared he might be too late.

The colonists, now over seven thousand strong, were crowded together in the Old South Meeting Hall. Their number had proved far too great for them to remain at Faneuil Hall, and they had been forced to relocate to the larger building. Eagerly now, they listened to the speeches calling for justice as they awaited the governor's answer to their request that the tea be returned to England.

Out of sight of the main assembly, the selected group of patriot “Indians” waited patiently for the secret signal they knew would be given if it became necessary for them to take action this night. Their spirits were high even though they were well aware that violence might result if a confrontation with the redcoats occurred. It was time to take a stand against the abuses of the Crown, and they knew it.

Matthew and Ben, both in their Indian garb, were near the rear of the group when Matt caught sight of CC standing alone off to the side. The camouflage of her costume was so good that at first he wasn't certain it was her. Hesitantly he left Ben's side and maneuvered closer, breaking into a wide smile as he finally recognized her beneath the heavily applied soot and paint.

“CC!” Matthew made his way to her side.

“Hello, Matthew.” CC had known that he was to be involved and was not surprised to see him.

“I must say, my dear, that you make the best-looking warrior I've ever seen,” he told her in good humor as he noted her long braids and the single feather stuck in her headband.

“You're looking rather savage yourself,” she returned with a tight laugh, the seriousness of what they were about to be involved in leaving her slightly on edge.

“Are you nervous?” Matt asked, hearing the tautness in her tone. Noah's concern had somehow become his concern.

“Just a bit,” she replied honestly. “With so many warships in the harbor, you can't help but wonder what will happen if we do make the attempt….”

“Perhaps you should stay behind….” He was hoping that he might be able to convince her to stay back where it was safe, but as soon as he uttered the words, he knew he'd made a mistake.

Fire flashing from the emerald depths of her eyes, she turned on him. “Matthew, I had thought you were different…that you understood. Don't you realize how long and how hard I've fought for just this moment? I have to be a part of this!”

He was about to respond when a sudden hush fell over their group, and they caught sight of Sam Adams climbing atop a bench at the front of the hall. The crowd went silent as everyone waited breathlessly to hear his announcement.

“This meeting can do nothing more to save the country.”

Adams's phrase was the signal they'd been waiting for, and the response was wild as the crowd poured forth from the hall, heading in the direction of Griffin's Wharf and the three tea-laden British ships.

Captain Pitt assumed direction of the “Indians” and divided them into three distinct groups, each one being responsible for a different ship. Caught up in the excitement of the moment, there was no time for CC and Matthew to talk further as the eager disguised patriots started off toward the wharf.

Riding as quickly as conditions would permit, Noah raced over the narrow, winding, rainslick streets on the mount he'd gotten at the inn. The considerable amount of liquor he'd consumed had erased his usual stoic control over his emotions, and he was frantic to find CC. Noah's thoughts were only of her sweetness and the possible danger she was facing. He knew he had to do something to protect her, if not from the troops, then from herself. When at last he rounded the corner and spied Faneuil Hall ahead, he was surprised to discover that it was deserted.

“Where's the rally?” Noah called to a small group of men still lingering near the entrance as he sawed on the reins to bring his horse under better control.

“Moved to the Old South Meeting,” one returned.

“Thanks.” Putting his heels to the horse's flanks and giving it full head, he was off again.

The light, chilling drizzle had ceased, and the moonlight, pale and bright, broke through the remaining low cloud cover as Noah finally reached his destination. The crowd was streaming out into the street, and it was only with great difficulty that he managed to keep his mount under control. Desperately searching for some sign of CC, he attempted to wind his way through the crush of bodies. His expression was thunderous as he scanned the huge crowd.

“The Indians…where are the Indians?” Noah knew he was taking a chance to ask.

“They're up ahead,” someone shouted back.

With iron-handed control, Noah urged the horse forward, paying little heed to the people who were forced aside to make room for him to pass. His quest seemed endless as he fought his way through the crowd, his silver gaze combing the multitude for CC's slender form. He moved ever onward, oblivious to anything but the driving need to find her. Griffin's Wharf came into distant view, and the fear that he might not reach her in time filled him. It was then, just as his frustration reached its zenith, that he spotted the Indians emerging from a side street slightly ahead of him.

“CC!” He roared, kneeing his mount on at a more hurried pace.

CC had stayed close to her group through the entire trek to the wharf, but when she heard someone call her name, she stopped to look back. The sight of a horseman charging her way through the mass of people paralyzed her with fear. Who knew she was here besides those directly involved? No one, she thought, unless her father had decided to check up on her story of being at Marianna's house tonight for dinner. The knowledge that her hesitation had revealed her true identity sent her on a run back down the side street in hopes of eluding her unknown pursuer.

For one heart-stopping moment Noah lost sight of her, and he was forced to rein in near the intersection to search the crowd for her again. It was through sheer luck that he glanced back the way the Indians had come and saw her fleeing through the shadows of the narrow side street. Furious with CC for involving herself in something so potentially dangerous, he gave a vicious curse and wheeled his mount around. Leaving the excitement of the wharf behind, he galloped after her down the nearly deserted lane.

CC had hoped to escape the man who was following her, but the thundering of horse's hooves coming in her direction made her realize that he was still behind her. Dread filled her. The blanket she'd worn was slowing her movements, so CC threw it off as she ran desperately on, blindly seeking refuge down another, more narrow, alleyway. Her ragged breath scalding her throat, her limbs quaking under the strain of her flight, she darted through the darkness.

Any other horseman might have had difficulty following her, but Noah was an experienced equestrian who'd spent many hours riding to the hounds in England. Compared to the chase given a fox across the open countryside, CC presented little challenge to him. Swooping down the alleyway, he charged up beside CC. Without slowing his pace, Noah leaned to the side and scooped her up with one arm, pinning her effectively against his side. Only then did he pull back on the reins and slow his horse's breakneck pace. Panicked, CC fought with all her might against the steely strength that held her.

“Let me go!” Wriggling and kicking, she struggled to be free. When one of her kicks struck the horse the wrong way, causing him to move skittishly, she froze, thinking she was about to be thrown. In the tense moment, the strong arm about her waist tightened threateningly.

“I wouldn't do that again if I were you, CC,” Noah growled in her ear. “I'm not all that familiar with this horse, and if he decides to bolt, we both might find ourselves in the mud.”

“Noah!” she exclaimed in fury and surprise as she finally recognized his voice. Quieting, she twisted partially around to look at him. “What are you doing?”

“Right now?” He raised one dark brow mockingly. “Well, right now, my dear, I'm rescuing you before you get yourself involved in something you might not be able to handle.”

His arrogant, self-assured words infuriated her. “How dare you? Just who do you think you are?” Her temper was seething.

Noah didn't bother to reply as he grasped her more firmly and shifted her to sit in front of him. To hide her costume from any possible prying eyes, he pulled her close and wrapped his greatcoat around her. The feel of her slight weight resting against him filled Noah with an odd sense of tightness, and a small smile curved his mouth for just an instant before her next sharp words penetrated his liquor-induced haze.

“What do you think you're doing? Let me down!” CC tried to push free of his grip.

“Shut up, CC,” he told her in an emotionless tone as he fought down the warm feelings that had stirred to life. He could tell by her outrage that it would do little good to try to explain his motives in coming for her. She hated him now, just as she always had, and he had no doubt that his behavior had only hardened her already firm resolve not to have anything to do with him.

“I will not!” She struggled against Noah's overpowering strength with all her might and almost succeeded in getting herself dumped from the horse as it shifted nervously beneath them.

“CC!” He said her name threateningly through gritted teeth as he fought to keep his hold on her and to bring the horse under control.

Knowing that she could not break free, CC suddenly found herself panicking for a different reason as his hand slid familiarly about her midriff to pinion her protectively against his chest. Excitement, burning and breathless, streaked through her at his touch. It shocked her that her senses were responding so wantonly, for this was no sensual embrace. Noah was not trying to arouse her. CC was determined that he would not learn of her weakness, and she responded with false bravado.

“I don't want to go anywhere with you, Kincade. If you don't let me down this instant, I'll scream!” she hissed as she glared up at him.

Warning Noah of her intent was CC's biggest mistake, for he reacted quickly, clamping a hand over her mouth and stifling even the smallest of her objections.

“I am in no mood to listen to your viperish tongue,” he ground out as he guided the horse through the maze of streets, heading in the opposite direction of the wharf. “I'm getting us both out of here before the trouble starts.”

CC was humiliated by his move, and her fury knew no bounds and she began to fight him again. Still, his superior strength prevailed and he held her immobile. Realizing that it was impossible to free herself, CC gave up her efforts.

As they continued to ride on into the night, CC tried to control the wild emotions that were plaguing her. She loved Noah. She wanted to relax comfortably against him and enjoy riding within the warm circle of his arms. She longed to press herself intimately against the solid heat of his chest and listen to the strong, reassuring beat of his heart. Romantically, CC realized that Noah had come for her, that he had swept her up on his steed and had carried her off…just like Anna had imagined all those weeks ago.

It was the thought of her maid that brought CC back to the present, and she found herself amazed by the direction of her thoughts. Mentally she berated herself for being ridiculous. She understood and had accepted that Noah didn't really care about her. CC knew it would do no good for her to pretend otherwise. He desired her as he desired any woman, and being the virile man that he was, he would take her if the occasion presented itself. Beyond that, she was certain Noah harbored no deep-seated affection for her. When they had argued that night in the carriage after having made love, Noah had seemed quite relieved when she'd declared that she felt no attachment to him. CC could still remember his mocking response to her statement that she didn't even like him, and even now the memory of his disdainful attitude hurt.

The few kisses they'd shared the night she'd taken him the payment from Graves had been nothing more than a momentary slip of willpower on her part. He had made the overture and she had not denied him. CC knew that she had no one to blame but herself for that encounter, and she was still thankful that Matthew had interrupted them in time. The only way she could save herself from another intimate encounter with him was to get away as quickly as she could. Holding herself rigid, she strove to keep herself aloof from Noah and from the feelings of desire that were surging through her.

When Noah felt CC stop struggling, he knew it was a partial surrender. He was used to her fighting him every inch of the way, and in his drunken haze, he felt inordinately pleased with himself that he had at least mastered her that much.

“If you promise not to scream, I'll take my hand away,” he told her in a low voice. “Nod if you agree to be quiet.”

Quickly CC nodded, and she sighed in relief as he took his hand away from her mouth. “Where are you taking me?”

“Out of harm's way,” Noah answered shortly, not really having an answer. He had not considered before
where
he would take her once he had her away from the scene. He had only known that he had to find her. Now, faced with the dilemma, he glanced about, trying to gauge their location. Finding that they were near the Green Dragon Inn, he headed in that direction. He felt relatively certain that it would be deserted now, for most of its patrons were probably involved in all the excitement at the wharf.

They rode on in strained silence to the inn. Noah guided the horse around to the stables at the back and halted near the stable door. As he had suspected, there was no one in attendance. Reluctantly releasing his hold on CC, Noah swung down from the saddle and quickly helped her to dismount. His hand at her waist, he aided her descent, her body sliding intimately against his as he lowered her to the ground.

The damp, sweet scent of hay and the cloaking darkness of the night poignantly brought to mind the last time they'd been here. Noah felt his blood quicken at the memory. He had not expected his reaction to the thought to be so powerful and so exciting, and he kept his gaze hooded as he looked down at her, his hands still possessively at her slim waist.