Authors: Connie Mason
Her husband. She closed her eyes and savored the taste of the word on her tongue, until she recalled that Diego’s plans for Morgan would make a widow of her.
Luca had found no way to help Morgan. Both Arturo and Cordero guarded her like a hawk. The only time she was let out on deck was in the company of her brothers. Pleading for Morgan’s life had earned her naught but their contempt.
“Are you ready to go ashore, Luca?” Cordero asked as he came up to join her.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, Cordero. Is there nothing I can say that will persuade you to take me back to the convent? I don’t want to become Don Diego’s wife. I never did.”
“It is for your own good, Luca. Arturo and I want your happiness. Don Diego will take care of you.” His gaze settled on her hair, and he sighed heavily. “Be sure you cover your head. Your shorn hair is a disgrace.”
“I explained why I cut it,” Luca said. “It will grow back, You haven’t told me what you’re going to do with Morgan.”
“His fate has already been decided. His death will ensure your future. Don Diego can’t marry you until you are a widow. Don’t fret, things will work out.”
Luca’s eyes took on a haunted look. “You don’t understand, do you, Cordero? I…” she bit the tender underside of her lip, “… love Morgan”
Cordero looked at her as if she had lost her mind. “The bastard ruined you. How can you love him? You are truly innocent, Luca, if you believe the scoundrel cares for you. You fancy yourself in love, nothing more. Don Diego is older, wiser, he will guide you in the right direction.”
“No, I…”
“Ah, there’s Arturo now. He will take you to Don Diego. I will follow at a slower pace with the prisoner. We will meet at the governor-general’s mansion.” He hurried away, ignoring Luca’s pleas in behalf of the pirate. His sister was young. She knew nothing about life’s trials and tribulations, or men who took advantage of innocents. He felt certain Don Diego would help Luca forget the pirate and what he had done to her.
Luca was already on the quay with Arturo when Morgan was brought up from the hold by Julio and Matteo. His fetters clanked noisily as he shuffled up the ladder and stepped onto the deck where Cordero was waiting for him. But the brief glimpse he had of Luca was enough to satisfy him of her well-being.
His wife. The thought brought him a certain amount of satisfaction, improbable as it sounded. Soon he would die, and she would be his widow and the wife of another. Bloody Hell!
Prodded forward by Cordero and his men, Morgan walked through the narrow, crowded streets to the governor-general’s mansion, dragging his chains behind him. He was the object of much speculation as people stopped to gape at him. When Julio boasted that their prisoner was none other than the infamous El Diablo, an outcry rose up against the vicious pirate who had plundered the Spanish Main without mercy these past years.
“Fear not, good people,” Cordero promised. “The pirate will be turned over to the governor-general. I hear Don Diego is a man who doles out punishment harshly. Justice will be done.”
Luca and Arturo were shown into Don Diego’s office immediately. He greeted them effusively, his dark, intelligent gaze probing Luca relentlessly. When his secretary had given him the names of his visitors, he could hardly credit the fact that his intended bride had been released by the infamous El Diablo and was here in Havana. As far as he knew no ransom had been requested. After one look at Luca he knew why El Diablo had abducted her. Luca Santiego was an astonishing beauty. What man in his right mind would willingly release her once she had graced his bed?
“Arturo, how good to see you again,” Don Diego said, grasping Arturo’s hand in welcome. His gaze slid almost insultingly over Luca. “You have changed,
querida.”
“I was ten years old the last time you saw me,” Luca said sourly.
“Sit down, sit down. You must tell me everything. I did not expect you in Havana. When I learned the
Santa Cruz
had been sunk and you abducted by El Diablo, I despaired of ever seeing you again. You must have suffered greatly. Your father must have parted with a fortune to get you back.”
Arturo cleared his throat. “There is a great deal you don’t know, Excellency. Perhaps it would be best if Luca is allowed to rest while we discuss the matter at hand.”
“Forgive me,
querida,”
Don Diego said, turning to Luca. “You must be exhausted.” He reached for a bellpull and summoned a footman, instructing him to conduct Luca to one of the guest rooms and summon a maid to see to her needs. When Luca was gone, Don Diego turned his glittering black gaze on Arturo. “You may begin now, Senor Santiego. Tell me everything.”
Arturo studied Don Diego in silent contemplation. He hadn’t seen the man in years, but he’d changed little over time. Of medium height his slim, aristocratic build and arrogant stance gave scant hint of his volatile temperament and cruel nature. Only those who dealt closely with him knew of his dark, vindictive side. The mouth beneath his slim mustache revealed perfect white teeth and a sensuous, self-serving nature. Few people were allowed a glimpse of the real Don Diego. He revealed only as much of himself as served his purpose.
But to Arturo, a man known more for his explosive temper than for his good judgment, Don Diego appeared a dignified, sensible man who would deal gently with his sister. Having come to that conclusion, Arturo launched into a lively account of his sister’s rescue, leaving out the fact that Luca was discovered in the pirate’s bed. Nor did he explain the reason for the hasty wedding aboard the
Santa Maria.
“Father thought it best to bring Luca and the pirate directly to Havana,” Arturo explained when he came to the end of his story. “Once you’ve seen to the pirate’s death Luca will be free to marry again.” Arturo smiled, thinking he’d handled the situation quite sensibly in Cordero’s absence.
Don Diego wasn’t so easily deluded. “Why did you and your brother deem it necessary to force a marriage between EI Diablo and Luca?” His face was rigid, his voice taut.
“We thought it necessary in order to stem gossip that is bound to stir up around Luca’s abduction. Since she will soon be a widow, I can foresee little problem on that score.”
“Hmmm,” Don Diego said, drumming his fingers against his desk. “Perhaps you are right. Still, you haven’t told me what I really want to know.” He stared intently into Arturo’s eyes. “Did the pirate defile my intended bride?”
Arturo swallowed visibly. He had hoped the delicate subject wouldn’t be brought up. Unfortunately it was something Don Diego had a right to know. “We have good reason to believe he did. But Father anticipated just such a disaster and provided for it. I already told you we have recovered Luca’s dowry in its entirety. What I didn’t mention is that in view of what has happened Father generously doubled the amount upon which you originally agreed. Every gold doubloon, each precious jewel and silver plate is intact aboard the
Santa Maria.
It will all be yours when you and Luca marry.”
Don Diego’s eyes gleamed with avaricious pleasure. “Doubled the dowry?” he repeated, his eyes dark with excitement. Luca’s dowry was generous even before being increased by her anxious father.
It was at that point that Cordero was announced, requesting an immediate audience with Don Diego. The governor-general granted it. His expression darkened when he saw Morgan being dragged into the room by Cordero and his men.
“So this is the infamous El Diablo,” Don Diego said with cool disdain. “The nemesis of the Spanish Main You don’t look so dangerous now, pirate.”
“His name is Morgan Scott,” Cordero explained. “He is one of the queen of England’s courtiers.”
“Too bad he must die an ignoble death in Havana.” Don Diego smiled thinly. Death would not come easily for El Diablo. “He has defiled my betrothed bride and grown rich on Spanish plunder. I will see him in Hell for what he has taken from me.”
Morgan’s lips stretched in wry amusement. “No man, including you, will have from Luca what she willingly gave to me. If you or her brothers care for her at all you will return her to the convent. It is what she wants.”
“Bastard!” Don Diego aimed a vicious blow to Morgan’s middle, sending him reeling backward. “I intend to make Luca a widow very soon and wed her as Don Eduardo and I planned. But first I will make you suffer for corrupting my bride-to-be. A quick death is too easy for a rapacious abuser of Spanish womanhood.”
Before Morgan could gather his wits, Don Diego summoned the guards and had Morgan taken away to the prison. Located near the waterfront, the foul air, filth and dampness soon tamed the most recalcitrant prisoners, if they didn’t sicken and die first.
After Morgan was dragged from the room, Diego turned fiercely to confront the Santiego brothers. “Was your sister the pirate’s willing whore? I want the truth.”
Arturo flew out of the chair, but Cordero wisely held him in check. “Our sister was forced, Don Diego. Luca was an innocent, gently reared in a convent. Surely you don’t think she invited ravishment.”
“Of course not, I do not blame Luca at all,” Diego lied smoothly. “She is young. Fear not, we will deal well with one another once she learns her place. About the dowry,” he reminded Cordero. “You have it with you? Arturo wasn’t lying when he said Don Eduardo graciously doubled the amount agreed upon, was he?” He was nearly salivating.
“My brother spoke the truth. Father increased Luca’s dowry in hopes of making Luca’s ‘small indiscretion’ easier to disregard.”
“Very generous,” Diego said, “though unnecessary. Luca is a treasure. You were wise to marry her to the English scoundrel. It will put many a tongue to rest. Once she is a widow people will forget her shame. You can leave Morgan Scott in my care, he will be executed with all due haste. You may leave Havana with the knowledge that Luca is now under my protection.”
“Gracias,
Don Diego,” Cordero said. “We should leave immediately. King Philip needs every ship he can get his hands on for his Expedition. A great armada is gathering at Lisbon and is to sail soon for English waters. The heretic queen will be destroyed for the greater glory of God. Hopefully the
Santa Maria
will return in time to join the armada.”
“Make haste, my friends. I will send my most trusted men to the
Santa Maria
to transfer Luca’s dowry into my keeping. I will also authorize my secretary to turn over to you the reward for bringing in El Diablo. Whatever you need to provision your ship for the journey is yours.”
“Shouldn’t we say good-bye to Luca first?” Cordero asked, suddenly not so certain of Don Diego’s intentions toward his sister. He hadn’t mentioned marriage. The man was too smooth, too cool and calculating. Vaguely he wondered if he and Arturo had made a mistake in bringing Luca to Havana.
“It is best that you do not upset your sister more than she already is. I will tell her in the kindest way possible of your departure.”
“I don’t know…” Cordero said doubtfully. “Luca will expect to see us tonight.”
“Don Diego is right,” Arturo concurred, looking forward with relish to the reward money. “We should leave Luca to her fiancé. He will do what’s proper. We have accomplished what we set out to do. Father will be pleased.”
Cordero wasn’t so sure but pushed his doubts aside. After all, Diego del Fugo was a respected and honest man.
Diego had extended every luxury and amenity to Luca. She had soaked in a much needed and appreciated bath, then tested the comfort of the bed. She had promptly fallen asleep and was awakened later by her maid, who told her Don Diego expected her presence at dinner. The usual dinner hour was nine o’clock.
Luca wanted to look her best and donned one of the beautiful gowns from her trousseau. The silk was a particularly lovely shade of yellow, fashioned with a high neck and wide ruff that circled her throat and framed the delicate beauty of her face. The maid had clucked her tongue disapprovingly at the unfashionable length of Luca’s hair, but by the time the lace mantilla was draped over a turquoise comb atop her head, her lack of hair was barely noticeable.
There was a compelling reason why Luca wanted to look her best. She still had hopes of persuading her brothers and Don Diego to spare Morgan’s life. Slim hopes, but hopes nonetheless. If she failed, she hoped to convince them to allow her to spend the remainder of her days in a convent atoning for her sins. If Morgan’s life was to end in his prime, her own life meant nothing to her. She’d rather let another woman have him than contemplate his death.
At the stroke of nine Luca swept down the long curving stairway to the main floor below. Don Diego was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.
“You’re punctual; how refreshing.” His penetrating gaze traveled the length of her form, then upward to her face. Admiration shone in the shimmering depths of his eyes. But beneath the admiration lurked something else, something deep and dark and disturbing.
“I’m always punctual,” Luca murmured.
He offered his arm and she graciously accepted, suppressing a shudder of revulsion. She hardly knew the man but had already judged him harshly. No man could compare favorably to her handsome pirate. They entered the dining room, ablaze with a bank of branched candles. Luca searched the room and was dismayed to see that the table was set for two people.
“Won’t my brothers be dining with us tonight?”
His eyes gleamed darkly. The smile that curved his lips appeared sinister in the candlelight. “Your brothers returned to Spain. They were quite anxious to return in time to add the
Santa Maria
to King Philip’s armada.” He seated her in the chair at his right and took his own place at the head of the table.