Winter Bride (9780345546197) (7 page)

“I belong on this island, Mr. Arnold saw to that. You’re the intruder.” Betty turned back to Ysabel. “Get your clothes on. I’m taking you back to the castle where you belong.”

What better way to get your revenge?

The woman’s words echoed in Ysabel’s mind, bringing with them a mysterious hurt.

Betty glared down at her. “You heard me. What are you waiting for?”

There was no reason to be hurt, Ysabel told herself. She had known Jed’s feelings for her were complicated, and revenge was probably one of them.

Betty’s hard palm lashed out and connected with her left cheek.

Ysabel’s head snapped back as the room went black for an instant. She dimly heard Jed’s low exclamation and realized he had exploded into motion.

He was off the bed in one leap, his hand grasping Betty’s nape. “Out!” he said between his teeth. “Or you’ll find yourself tossed into the ocean and swimming back to the castle.”

“Not without her. It’s my duty to make sure she—” She squealed as Jed’s grip tightened and he forced her toward the door.

“Ysabel, you get up out of that bastard’s bed and come along. I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You know you must obey—”

Her words were cut off as Jed pushed her out of the cottage, slammed and locked the door behind her.

He stood there a moment, his hands clenched at his sides. “Lord, I came close to strangling the old bitch.” He strode back to the bed. “Did she hurt you?”

“No,” she lied. Her cheek still stung from the blow. She raised a shaky hand to comb back her hair from her face. “I’m fine.”

“The hell you are.” He tilted up her face, and his fingertips gently traced the bruised flesh. “She really gave you a wallop. It seems my father wasn’t the only one who used you for a punching bag.”

“Betty’s never struck me.” She had to force herself to remain stiff and unyielding. His touch was so gentle, she wanted to lean forward into his arms. Dear Heaven, she needed comforting right now. She felt raw and exposed and unable to close out the ugliness. “I guess she’s never been this angry before.”

“Because you probably always gave in to her.” He stood up and moved toward the sink. “And you never slept with the enemy.” He took a clean washcloth from a drawer beneath the sink and dampened it with water from the faucet. “Lord, she must be losing her marbles to think she can get away with something like this.”

“She’s never been very stable where I was concerned. My marriage to Arnold was like salt on an open wound. She was in love with him, you know.”

He wheeled to face her. “What?”

“I don’t think he ever saw it, but I wasn’t on the
island a month before I realized it. When he paid me too much attention, it hurt her.”

“And then she made you hurt too.”

She nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me she was this much of a threat to you?”

“You wouldn’t have understood. I think you saw her as some kind of a joke.”

“Well, I don’t view her that way any longer.” He was beside her, dabbing the cold cloth on the bruise. “This is
not
funny.”

“No.” She was beginning to shake. She had to get out of there before he noticed. She reached up and covered his hand to stop the soothing motion. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. I think I’ll get up and get dressed now, if you don’t mind.”

“If I don’t mind? You’ve just been attacked and you’re wondering if I mind if you put your clothes on?” He tossed the washcloth on the floor. “What the hell do you think I am?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry again. I don’t seem to be able to think very—”

“Good Lord, you’re shaking yourself to pieces.” He sat down on the bed and drew her into his arms. “Relax. You’re as stiff as a board.”

“This isn’t necessary. I’m really quite all right.”

“Sure, that’s why you’re shuddering like a malaria victim. Give in, dammit. I’m not going to hold it against you if you react like a normal person.”

She was afraid to give in. She had held on so long, she wasn’t sure what would happen if she let down the barriers.

“Fine, let’s approach it in a different way.” His fingers stroked her hair. “You said you’d accept
anything I wanted of you. I’m. going to be very upset if you don’t stop this nonsense. You don’t want me to be upset with you, do you? It would spoil all your plans.”

“No I … you mustn’t …” She suddenly collapsed against him, her arms encircling and holding him tightly. “I’m so sorry.…”

“Hush.” His tone was rough, but the hands stroking her hair was exquisitely gentle. “You’re human. It’s stupid being sorry you’re human.” She should push him away, but she couldn’t seem to move. She felt as if she were breaking apart inside and all the pieces were flowing into him. “You’re just a kid … so little.” His voice was thick. “Why couldn’t they see how damn little you are?”

Peace. Warmth. Strength.

She stayed quite still, cherishing the moments, taking from him. Minutes passed. Finally, reluctantly, she straightened and scooted a few inches away and immediately felt alone. She didn’t look at him as she said haltingly, “I thank you very much.”

“You’re very welcome.” He looked at her quizzically. “Okay?”

“Of course. It was only the shock. I wasn’t prepared for her.” She swung her feet to the floor and jumped out of bed. “I’d better get dressed and get back to the castle.”

He stiffened. “The hell you are.”

She quickly began to dress.

“You’re not going back there,” he stated flatly.

“I have to go back. I have nowhere else to go.” She sat down and pulled on her boots. “When do you want me to come back?”

“I’m supposed to let you go back and face that six-foot dragon again?”

“She’s no danger.”

“You have a bruise that will last you a week that says otherwise.”

“I told you, she caught me off guard. I’m not afraid of her.”

“Well, I’m afraid for you.”

She turned to stare at him. “You are?”

“Don’t look so surprised. I’m responsible for that she-devil hurting you. It’s not going to happen again.”

“It won’t.” She tried to ignore the warmth flowing through her as she smoothed her hair into some semblance of order. “Shall I come back tomorrow?”

“Lord, you’re stubborn.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “Hasn’t it occurred to you that you could use this to force my decision on San Miguel?”

“No.” She gave him a faint smile. “I told you I wasn’t good at manipulating events to suit myself.” She strode toward the door. “And if I tried, you’d probably toss me in the sea like you threatened to do to Betty.”

“Let me understand this scenario. You’ll just come back here and let me use you until I get tired of it and then go back to the castle and be abused by that Godzilla?” His breath escaped in an exasperated rush. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m sure I’ll be—”

“All right, dammit. I’ll take you to San Miguel.”

She stilled, her heart leaping with joy. “You will?” she whispered. “Truly?”

“I don’t lie, Ysabel.” He smiled crookedly. “I’ll
consider it a catharsis. I take it you’re still willing to accept me in your bed?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a long way to San Miguel. Since you appear to have become an obsession with me, maybe I’ll get you out of my system by the time we get there.”

“When can we leave?” she asked eagerly. “Right away?”

He nodded curtly. “I want you out of that place.”

After all these years it was going to happen. She closed her eyes, dizzy with relief.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Her lids flew open and a brilliant smile lit her face. “Nothing’s wrong. Nothing in the world is wrong.” She hurried to the door, unlocked it and threw it open. “I’ll be back in an hour. I have to pack and get my passport and …” She stopped as she remembered something. “Oh dear, my passport’s expired.”

“I have a few friends in the State Department who can rush a renewal.” He started to dress. “Wait for me. I’ll go with you.”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother. Your presence will only complicate things.”

“You’re not facing that bitch alone.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “She won’t hurt me.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I won’t let her.” Her face was radiant with joy. “Don’t you see? It’s over!”

She heard him call after her but didn’t stop. She felt as if she were floating instead of walking as she climbed the hill toward the castle. She hadn’t expected this overpowering euphoria to envelop
her, but she welcomed it. It would bolster her strength for the scene that was sure to come with Betty.

“So he sent you packing?” Betty sneered as soon as Ysabel walked in the front door. “It’s no more than I expected. Do you know how many women have been in that cottage before you? He was like a tomcat flaunting those sluts he’d bring from the mainland. Every now and then I’d see them parading down the pier back to his boat and think—Where are you going?”

“To my room.” Ysabel quickly climbed the steps.

Betty hurried after her, still spurting venom. “He only used you to get back at Mr. Arnold and you let him do it. You spread your legs and let that spawn of Satan—”

“Be quiet, Betty.” Ysabel threw open her bedroom door and crossed to the closet.

“Don’t you be insolent with me.” Betty marched in after her. “You’ve been too uppity by far since—What are you doing?”

Ysabel pulled out her pigskin suitcase and flung it on the bed. She went to the bureau, gathered up an armful of underwear and carried it to the suitcase.

“Answer me.”

“Isn’t it evident? I’m packing.”

“You’re moving into that cottage with him?”

“I’m leaving Winter Island.”

Betty gasped. “You can’t leave. You belong here.”

Ysabel went to the closet and gazed with distaste at the collection of dresses and gowns. She took
one dress to wear on the trip, gathered up three pairs of suede boots and carried them to the bed. The soft suede rubbed against her arms as she threw them into the suitcase.

“
I’ve always liked the feel of suede against my skin
.”

A flash of heat went through her and she paused for a moment, gazing down blindly. Good Heaven, she must be turning into a nymphomaniac if just the thought of him could cause this reaction.

“Ah, you’ve come to your senses,” Betty said with smug satisfaction as she saw Ysabel’s slight hesitation. “Now unpack that suitcase and I’ll try to forget all this nonsense.”

“Go away, Betty.” Ysabel turned and went to the desk, opened the top drawer and got out her passport and checkbook. She put the documents in a purse. “I have things to do and you’re in my way.”

Betty’s jaw went slack. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re actually going?”

“After I shower and change.” She moved past Betty as she headed for the bathroom. “I don’t want you here when I come out.”

Betty’s meaty hand closed on Ysabel’s arm and jerked her around to face her. “You’ve forgotten your place, slut. I’ll teach you—”

“Let … me … go.” Ysabel spaced the words with icy precision. “You’ve never taught me anything nor shall you ever. I choose what I will or will not learn. It was my choice that I let you bully me all these years. But all of that is over now. You’re a
wicked, cruel woman and I hope I never see you again as long as I live.”

Betty’s hand tightened on her wrist. “You little savage upstart.”

“I said, let me go.” Her eyes blazed with ferocity, her entire being focused on enforcing her will on the woman. “You’re right, I can be savage. I was taught the art in a school you’ve never attended and I’ve never forgotten one single lesson.”

Betty laughed contemptuously. “You’re no bigger than a puppy snapping at my heels.”

“It won’t make any difference.”

“You think you can make me—” Her laughter faded and ceased altogether as she met Ysabel’s gaze. She took a step back.

Ysabel pried her fingers off her arm. “Never again, Betty. You will never touch me again.” She turned toward the bathroom. “Get out!”

Betty shook herself, trying to regain her aplomb. “You’ll be sorry. He doesn’t want you. He only wants the Winter Bride just as Mr. Arnold did. When he’s tired of you, you’ll come running back here to me and—”

“I’ll never come back here. I told you, it’s over.”

She shut the door on Betty’s enraged face.

She desperately hoped Betty hadn’t seen that she had drawn blood on that parting shot. She was being foolish. What did she care if Jed was obsessed with the blasted painting? No emotional attachment existed between them, only this powerful sensual need. It didn’t matter if he saw her only as…

It did matter.

Well, she must not let it matter. Her new life was just beginning and she had too much to accomplish
to moan and weep about the things she couldn’t change.

“Are you okay?” Jed’s concerned gaze searched her face as he took her suitcase and then lifted her into the speedboat.

“Fine.” She smiled as she sat down beside him. “I told you there would be no problem.”

“You seem in excellent spirits anyway. She didn’t try to stop you?”

She quickly changed the subject. “Where are we going from here?”

“The airport in Seattle. I’ll make a phone call there to a friend in Puerto Rico before we catch a flight out to San Juan. From San Juan we’ll go by cabin cruiser to San Miguel.”

“Won’t going by sea take a long time?”

He shrugged. “About four days but it’s safer than by air when you need to enter a country unobtrusively.” He started the engine and backed away from the dock. “And I plan on being very unobtrusive, I assure you.”

“So do I.”

“You couldn’t prove it by what you’ve told me, or I should say not told me. Am I allowed to ask how long you think it’s going to take to find this treasure you left?”

“I’m not sure. It depends on how good your contacts are.”

He slanted her a glance. “And you’re not going to confide in me, I take it.”

“When we get to San Miguel.”

He cast a glance at the suitcase. “You didn’t pack much.”

“There wasn’t anything I wanted to take away from here.” She looked out over the water. “As soon as we reach San Miguel, I’ll sign over possession of ‘The Winter Bride’ to you.”