Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) (16 page)

"I happen to know he has very little money to pay the
crew and keep that ship afloat. He will take my offer, if for no other reason than to have money to repair his damned ship."

Alicia edged her way out of the shadows and rushed
across the hallway to her bedroom to avoid meeting
Judah on his way out. Her worst fears had been realized;
she had heard enough to know her son was no longer to be the future master of Bend of the River.

How dare that old man hand everything she and Sebas
tian had worked for over to Judah Slaughter and his
mother. Something had to be done quickly. This was a
desperate situation, and it called for desperate action. She
would tell Sebastian what she had overheard; he would know what to do.

"They will never put me out," she muttered to herself,
as she rushed to the stables where she knew she would find Sebastian.

Judah's boots clicked against the cypress boards as he
crossed the ornamental bridge that spanned the wide pond. He was remembering the conversation he'd had with his grandfather earlier, and paying little heed to where his footsteps were taking him.

Finding himself on a wooded hill with a wide vista of
the surrounding countryside, he drew in his breath at the
magnificent sight that met his eyes. There was no mistake,
Bend of the River Plantation was queen of this valley. There were fruit orchards in full bloom, and vegetable
and flower gardens that were larger than most farms in
Boston. Beyond the orderly barns and stables, was the
blacksmith shop and a smokehouse, and beyond that,
whitewashed slave quarters. The pastures were so green it
was almost painful to the eye. On them, cattle, horses,
and sheep grazed in peaceful contentment. As always, dominating the landscape, was the mighty Mississippi,
meandering its way through the countryside with compli
cated twists and turns.

Judah felt a stirring in his heart. Some small part of him recognized this as his heritage. Some part of him
wanted to reach out and take what had been offered. No,
he thought, Bend of the River did not belong to him.
This was Sebastian's domain. Even if he did not like his
cousin, he recognized the man's right to inherit this land.

Judah heard someone approach from the pine woods
just below, and he turned to see Bandera climbing the hill
toward him. Her midnight-colored hair swirled about her
face; her pink gown clung to her like a second skin.

Through the thin material, with the sun behind her, Judah could see the outline of her body.

Unconsciously, he took a step toward her, holding out his hand to help her up the last few steps of the hill. She
was panting slightly, and his eyes were drawn to the rise
and fall of her rounded breasts.

"I was told, by your mother, that I would find you here," she said breathlessly.

"I was walking and found myself on this hill." He made
a wide gesture with his hand. "This is magnificent, don't
you think?"

Bandera gravitated toward him, her arm brushing against his.
"Oui,
there can be no place on earth like Bend of the River." She stared at him for a moment
before she spoke. "I have heard that your grandfather is
considering making you his heir over Sebastian."

"From whom did you hear that?"

"Sebastian."

Judah was aware of her closeness, and his pulse quickened as he stared into her lovely face. "Sebastian must be
made aware that I turned down my grandfather's offer."

She placed her hand on his, and raised her face, a
gesture that was staged to call attention to her long, white
neck. "Why? Surely you cannot turn your back on all this. Why do you not accept it?"

"Have you heard my grandfather's conditions?"

She shook her head. "What conditions?"

"In order to acquire the plantation, I must marry your
sister, Liberty."

Bandera's face drained of color, and she shook her
head in disbelief. Ever since Bandera could remember, she
had coveted the position of mistress to this vast domain.
When Sebastian had confessed his fear that his uncle might change his will in favor of Judah, she had been
secretly pleased. She wanted to be the bride of this man
who fired her blood, but only if Bend of the River was
included in the bargain. Now it appeared Gustave Mon
tesquieu had other plans. Hatred and envy burned in her
heart. Liberty would never be mistress of Bend of the
River—never! And she would never have Judah; Bandera
would see to that.

"Do you want to marry my sister?" She held her breath,
waiting for his answer.

"Liberty is a child. I cannot see myself as her husband.
When I marry, it will not be to a child." Judah was still
angry at his grandfather, and it showed in his hard tone.

There was a pout on Bandera's lips, and tears gathered
in her eyes. '"Your grandfather has never liked me, and I
never knew why."

Without thinking, Judah took her hand in his, wanting
to comfort her. Her tears were like a knife in his heart. "If my grandfather thinks ill of you, that is an excellent
representation of your fine character as far as I'm con
cerned."

She smiled slightly. "Are you saying you like me just a
little?"

"I believe I am falling in love with you," he confessed,
the admission coming as a surprise to him. "I shouldn't have said that," he added, dropping her hand and stepping back a pace. "Forgive my boldness." Bandera was such a lady, that Judah feared he had shocked her with his forwardness.

But she took the step that brought her up against him,
and her heart was pounding as she looked into his unusual eyes. For the moment she had forgotten her ambition to rule Bend of the River Plantation. All she
could think about was this exciting man who had just
admitted his love for her.

She raised her face, and invited his kiss. Judah felt his
body tremble as her soft hands slid around his neck. As
his lips touched hers, he was momentarily startled when
she thrust her tongue into his mouth. Aching to possess her, he pulled her body tightly against his.

Time and space were forgotten as Bandera boldly nipped at his lips with her sharp teeth. It did not occur to him to wonder how she had become so wise in the ways of pleasing a man. He was experiencing love for the first time. To him, Bandera was a pure and sweet angel.

Bandera took his hand, pulling him toward the pine-scented woods. When they reached the cover of the trees, away from prying eyes, she melted against him again.

Raw passion tore at Judah as her hands moved across his chest. Somehow, he could not quite remember how, he found himself lying on the soft green grass, with her body pressed against his.

Passionate gasps ripped from Bandera's lips as Judah pressed her against his body, and she could feel the tight bulge that announced his desire for her.

Bandera felt her blood running hot in her veins. But her lust for power was still greater than her desire. She would do what she must to gain the Montesquieu fortune. For now, she had to use her charms to keep Judah near. She had to keep both men interested in her. That way, no matter which one Gustave Montesquieu decided to make his heir, she would have him in the palm of her hand.

Judah's lips devoured Bandera's and she trembled with excitement. Suddenly she was losing control. This man's body beckoned to her, and she ached for him to thrust his manhood into her. Real tears gathered in her eyes as she arched away from him. If she gave in to him now, all would be lost. Judah must not discover that she was not the coy young maiden she pretended to be. He must not learn that she had given herself to Sebastian many times. Her instinct told her it would be dangerous to play games with Judah as she did with Sebastian.

"No!" she cried, turning away and straightening her gown. "No." She scampered to her feet and turned her face away. Raw passion burned in her heart, but she could not allow it to make her forget her real goal.

Judah, mistaking her refusal for maidenly coyness, felt
guilty and remorseful, thinking his overwrought desire frightened someone with her sensitive nature. Pulling his
shirt together, he rose to his feet. "There is no excuse for
my behavior, Bandera, but I beg you to forgive me. I can
only say I was so taken by you that I lost my head."

"I am so ashamed," she said, hiding her face. 'You must believe the worst of me."

"It is I who took advantage of your innocence." Judah
walked around her and reached for her hand. "You have
my word as a gentleman that this will never happen again.
Will you trust me?"

With real tears running down her cheeks, Bandera
walked up the hillside, while he stayed in step with her. "I
will always trust you, Judah. I . . . believe I am beginning
to feel… affection for you."

His heart took wing, and it was all he could do to keep
from shouting his joy to the heavens. "Can I hope that it
will turn into love?"

She lowered her lashes, knowing his charm was still
pulling at her. "I believe it may be so. But I need time to think. I know there is no future for us if you take your
grandfather's offer."

"Come away with me. We will sail the world and visit
faraway places with names you have never heard."

For a fraction of a second she was tempted, but as
always, her greed took charge. "I cannot live so frivolous
a life. I would rather be your wife at Bend of the River."

Judah thought of his grandfather's outrageous offer.
How dare he use little Liberty in his devious plans. "Alas,
that can never be, Bandera. My grandfather made his
terms clear. If I am to inherit Bend of the River, I must
marry Liberty. I would not take his offer on any terms."

Bandera's dark eyes were now half-closed, almost slits.
Liberty had always had everything.  She was the true daughter at Briar Oaks. She was the one who always brought out tenderness in their father. Liberty was not going to have Bend of the River, nor would she have Judah—Bandera would see to that. "Your grandfather
chose my sister because he believes her to be of superior
breeding. My real father was not of the aristocracy."

Judah felt bitterness in his heart. "Yes, I know what importance my grandfather places on proper breeding. He
did not think my father was good enough for his daughter either."

By now Judah and Bandera had reached the hill, and
Judah gazed out over the land. "What has me perplexed is
why my grandfather now prefers me over Sebastian."

"That is not so hard to guess. Sebastian is headstrong
and has a passion for gambling. I am told he is not very
good at it, and loses large sums of money. Once, while in
New Orleans, Sebastian lost heavily. To pay his debt, he
agreed to deed over certain property that would be taken
over when he inherited Bend of the River. He offered two
hundred acres of prime bottomland. When your grandfather discovered what had happened, he was in a rage for
days. He threatened to throw Sebastian out of the house
and cut him out of his will. That is when he sent for you.
I believe in time Monsieur Montesquieu would have for
given Sebastian's indiscretion."

"I see. If I had never come, then Sebastian would have
been back in Grandfather's good graces."

"Perhaps. But I know your grandfather did not want
Sebastian to marry my sister."

"How can you know that?"

She smiled, hoping to make Judah jealous. "He thinks
Sebastian and I were made for one another. According to
Sebastian, he believes we deserve one another."

"What do you think?" Judah asked in a deep voice, as
possessiveness burned in his heart. He could not stand the
thought of Sebastian touching Bandera. "I have never
hesitated to take any woman I wanted. But with you it is different. I hope you know that I respect you, and would
never do anything to shame you."

"Do you hesitate because you think I belong to Sebas
tian?"

His eyes burned into hers. "Yes. After all he is my
cousin. I cannot take from a man when I am living under
the same roof with him." Judah took her hand and raised
it to his lips. "Be warned, however. The moment I leave, I
am no longer honor bound to keep my distance from you."