When I'm with You (28 page)

Rafe growled softly in the back of his throat, sliding an arm about her waist to drag her closer. “You will be gossiped about.”

“That is nothing new to me,” she replied, her hand at his nape to draw him down to her. “Now kiss me and really give them something to discuss.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

The voyage to St. Phillippe was the smoothest one Katie had ever experienced. The weather remained on their side and the sun shone, lighting a path on the water that seemed meant to lead them to St. Phillippe. Dolphins crossed their path, leaping from the water as if solely for her amusement, as she stood at the bow railing and watched with rapt attention.

If the days were pleasant, the nights were downright paradise. She slept tangled in Rafe's arms and awoke with a smile. For the first time in a long time, she slept as long as she wished and awoke not when someone banged on her door, but when her eyes opened of their own accord. It was wonderful, having such leisure time now, and she felt no guilt about enjoying it. She had no need to; no one expected her to serve them or clean up after them. For the first time in her life, she could rest.

Rafe refused to let her far from his reach, spiriting her to the bed where they whiled away so many hours, lost in each other. He was lusty and playful, and she would have been content to remain sated and spent every evening.

But as they drew near St. Phillippe, some of her happiness drained away. Things were different within the Sebastiano family, and as they came closer to home, Rafe's demeanor changed. Not that Katie could fault him. Unlike Rafe, she had few memories of her mother, but that didn't mean she didn't miss her. Rafe had so many more of them, and Fiona was such a large part of who he was. It was inconceivable that she was gone. Katie didn't care that Fiona hadn't approved of her. That didn't matter when she saw how Rafe changed as the island came into view.

The San Mateo harbor was almost as busy as Kingston's, and there were four ships flying Sebastiano's flag. One slip remained free, and Katie wondered if it was reserved for the
Eastwind
.

It took several hours from the time they entered the mouth of the harbor to when the lines were finally secured, and Katie spent the entire time topside, watching. The markets of San Mateo were alive and bustling with activity beneath their brightly-colored canopies, and the air was heavy with the tang of spices and roasting meat. She inhaled deeply and smiled. It was exactly as it had been when she had seen St. Phillippe for the first time.

“Only this time, I won't be leaving,” she murmured, cradling her belly with one hand. It was rounder now, or so she thought, and she wondered when she'd feel the child move for the first time. Somehow it wasn't quite real yet, and that was one thing she thought might make it more so.

A shadow fell over her, and Rafe's hands came down to rest upon hers. “At least we will bring a bit of happiness.”

“Will we?” She peered up at him. “Are you certain no one will be upset?”

“A child is always good news.”

“Let's hope this one is.”

He pressed a kiss into the top of her head. “It is for me.”

When it was time to go ashore, Katie held tight to Rafe's arm. In the coach, her fingers threaded through his. As they faced the closed front door of the Sebastiano villa, she was afraid she might throw up.

Rafe squeezed her hand. “Try not to look so frightened, sweetheart. They don't bite. And it's not as if you've never met them before.”

“Why do you think I look so frightened?” Still, she drew in a deep breath and followed him into the shadowy coolness of the front hall.

The last bit of heat drained away to be replaced by a sudden chill, as Inigo Sebastiano came around the corner and approached them. In the months since she'd last seen him in Bermuda, he'd aged. As he drew close, a faint smile briefly lit his face, but she noticed the lines at the corners of his eyes and around his mouth seemed more pronounced. The smile didn't last, didn't linger, and there was only the briefest spark of happiness in his eyes.

“Welcome home, Rafe,” he said, and his voice was low and gravelly, as if it hurt to speak.

Rafe embraced his father, and Katie blinked back sudden tears. Fiona Sebastiano's presence still hung over the house, her absence a keen one. So keen that even Katie could feel it. Katie had spent very little time in this villa, but obviously enough, as she expected the tall woman to come bustling down the corridor any moment.

Rafe stepped back, and she cleared her throat. “Captain Sebastiano, I'm so sorry for your loss.” She meant her words. Rafe's mother might not have wholeheartedly approved of her, but Katie was still sorry she was gone.

“Thank you…Katie, isn't it? The Hamiltons' maid?” Inigo managed another faint smile. “The one my son's pined for over this last year.”

“He's pining no more,” Rafe told him, easing an arm about Katie's waist. “I've asked her to marry me,
Papi
. And she's said yes.”

Katie braced herself, waiting for Inigo's outrage. But his eyes softened and a sad smile came to his lips.

“This is good. I know your mother would be happy.” His voice cracked, and he ducked his head, muttering, “Excuse me,” as he strode quickly in the opposite direction.

“That happens a lot these days.”

Katie swung to her left and smiled. Vanessa was halfway down the staircase, an infant in her arms.

“Katie, it's so wonderful to see you again.”

Katie clapped a hand to her mouth to hold back her gasp when Vanessa reached them. “Oh, how precious…” she breathed through her fingers, smiling at the dark-haired baby in her friend's arms. “Is this a boy or a girl?”

“A boy. His name is Eduardo. Would you like to hold him?”

“I don't know… What if I drop him?”

“You won't.” Vanessa's smile widened as she passed the baby to Katie. The warm bundle squirmed, and Katie tightened her hold on him. A minute or so later, she eased her grasp, and the baby lifted his head from her shoulder and smiled.

He was beautiful, from his mane of thick, black hair to the tiny little feet dangling out from his thin blanket. His eyes were dark blue and luminous, and he gazed up at her with such intensity that Katie wondered if he could read her mind.

“He's so serious.” She stroked one finger down the soft baby cheek.

“He is. His brother is the imp.” Vanessa peered over Katie's shoulder, and Katie was struck by the look of absolute love on her face. “But they both are beyond precious to me.”

“I can imagine.”

“That's not what she says in the middle of the night.” Aidrian Sebastiano held his other son as he descended to greet them. His eyes, like his mother's, were calm pewter. At that moment, Katie hoped her child inherited Fiona's expressive eyes. It seemed a fitting tribute to the grandmother he or she would never know.

“Katie, it's good to see you again.” Aidrian bent to brush her cheek with a kiss. “It's about time he got it right.”

“It took me a while, no doubt,” Rafe admitted, steering Katie out of the entranceway and into the parlor, where warm breezes wafted in from the terrace. “How has everyone been since I've been gone?”

Aidrian rocked the baby slowly, his eyes glinting suddenly. He blinked, and shrugged. “
Papi
has good days and he has bad ones. He's been talking about taking to the seas again.”

“And going where?” Rafe reached for the baby in his brother's arms, and Katie watched as he cradled the infant to his chest. “
Buenos dias,
Lucero. It won't be long before you have a cousin to play with.”

Katie froze, her mouth going dry as Vanessa and Aidrian both said, “A cousin?” at the same time.

Vanessa turned a knowing grin to Katie. “Is this true?”

Katie nodded. “It is. By the end of the year.”

Aidrian nudged his brother. “Have you told
Papi
yet?”

Rafe grinned as he passed Aidrian his son. “Not yet. Let's get through the memorial and the wedding first. Then I will tell him about the baby. You are all sworn to secrecy.”

“It will make him happy. And he should have some joyous news.” Vanessa cast a glance over her shoulder at the empty parlor doorway. “He hasn't been the same since Fiona died.”

A gray pall settled over them, broken only when Eduardo started screaming. Vanessa sighed, reaching for the infant. “He is always hungry, this one. I don't know why I bother fastening my bodice.”

Both men coughed, but Katie said, “Is it so difficult?”

“No. Just time-consuming. If you will all excuse me…”

After she left, Katie moved to the windows to peer through them. Nestled high in the lush green jungles of St. Phillippe, the villa offered an amazing vista of the beaches and the harbor. The view stretched so far into the ocean Katie thought she could make out a small island in the distance. Eduardo's cries faded and Aidrian sighed. “This one will be looking to eat next. I will be back in a minute.”

When they were alone, Rafe came up behind her and slid his arms about her waist. “What's on your mind?”

“Nothing, really. I'm at peace. I'm happy to be here.”

“Good. Because I have no plans to leave.”

“Really?” She turned in his arms to face him. “You're going to give up sailing?”

“For now. Who knows what the future holds, but right now I think I'll be very happy right here.”

* * * * *

Their wedding was held in the small chapel up the hill, where Fiona Eden and Inigo Sebastiano had been married nearly thirty years earlier. Palms trees rustled softly in the distance, and the sweet scent of orange blossoms wafted in through the open windows. Katie was certain nothing could ever mar her happiness as they were pronounced man and wife, and Rafe took her in his arms for a deep kiss that sent a cheer up from those gathered in the pews.

When the ceremony was over, and Katie and Rafe had made their way up the narrow aisle, they stepped out into a glorious morning. The day was overcast and threatening, but at least that comfortable breeze blew through the trees.

It was a small gathering, although Katie only knew anyone whose surname was Sebastiano, but Inigo had insisted on hosting a celebration that Rafe suggested would most likely last for the next two days. As everyone started back to the house, Katie tugged on Rafe's arm. “Wait, there's something I wish to do.”

Without waiting for him to respond, she made her way to the opening in the low stone wall surrounding the family cemetery and picked her way over to the shadiest corner, where orange blossoms perfumed the air and several orchids watched over a simple marble stone that read:

FIONA EDEN SEBASTIANO

“Finn”

1657—1709

Forever Missed

Katie gazed down at the simple stone, slipping her hand into Rafe's and squeezing. A quick glance up and she saw his eyes redden, so she squeezed again. Then she crouched and set her simple bouquet of orange blossoms on the grave, letting them rest against the stone's base.

“They were her favorite,” Rafe murmured when she straightened up.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Orange blossoms—” he gestured to the fragrant bouquet, “—were my mother's favorite flowers. She and Diego's wife Gabby nearly came to blows because my mother was so insistent Gabby carry orange blossoms when she married Diego.”

Katie smiled. “And did Gabby give in?”

Rafe chuckled, shaking his head. “Gabby is every bit as stubborn as my mother was. From what I've heard, she nearly missed her own wedding because she was so determined not to give in. But in the end she decided flowers weren't enough to end what had become a deep friendship.” He drew in a shaky breath. “I do miss her.”

“I know.” Katie slid her arm about his waist. Her husband. Forever. Now she could comfort him any way she liked, and she did just that, nestling her head against his chest as she whispered, “If this child is a girl, I should like to name her Fiona.”

He didn't say anything, but she felt his breath hitch, and his arms tightened about her. As they stood there, the clouds overhead broke and dazzling sunlight poured through the leafy canopy to bathe the chapel, the cemetery and them in its brilliant glow.

“I think she approves.” Rafe kissed the top of her head.

“Finally.”

He stepped back and threaded his fingers through hers. “Come. They're waiting for us. You haven't seen Diego dance and I promise you, you
don't
want to miss that. There's always someone on hand who thinks he's having a fit of some sort.”

Katie laughed as she and Rafe wove their way out of the graveyard and down the rock-lined path leading to the villa. From the sounds wafting their way, the party had already begun, and she wondered exactly what Rafe meant by Diego's dancing, and then she wondered which one was Diego. Then she decided that it really didn't matter, she'd figure it out soon enough, and she couldn't hold back her smile. She just wanted to join in the celebration with her new family and lose herself in her husband's beautiful topaz eyes. The musicians were warming up, and the faint strains of melody floated up to greet them.

About the Author

Kim Nee fell in love with historical romance when she was sixteen, and blames it on Kathleen Woodiwiss, since it was her
The Flame and the Flower
that got her hooked. Not long after finishing it, she sat down to write one herself and now, many years later, she's still writing them.

A native Jersey girl, Kim still lives there with her husband, two children and a dumb but lovable dog. When she's not pounding away at the computer keyboard, she does crossword and Sudoku puzzles, knits, breaks up wrestling matches between the kids, and occasionally she gets to read. She's a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants and the New York Rangers. She also loves Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John and the Rolling Stones.