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Rayne

By: Sighber_playmate2001



Chapter 1

Rayne stood with his feet firmly planted on the deck of his ship the Eclipse. God, how he loved the feel of the ship as it cut through the water and the deck rolled beneath his feet. It was an almost sensual feeling, not unlike that of a mistress as she moved beneath you. Rayne walked over and leaned on the railing and studied the ink-black sky with the sparkling stars that formed the constellations and provided a guide for the helmsman to follow. It had been a long time since he had returned home. No, not home, for he no longer considered the land of his birth as home. Home was where he had spent his free time for the past several years. The tropical paradise in the South Pacific Seas, Tahiti, that was where he called home. Where Navia was always waiting with open arms for him when he returned from long voyages at sea. Where the nights were warm and filled with music and food and pleasure. He could still see Navia's face, pale and drawn in worry, as he had boarded the Eclipse. She knew this voyage was different because he returned to "the other life", as she referred to his life before their time together.

Rayne had first came to Tahiti after the untimely death of his beloved parents as a young man of twenty-one. His parents had died when he was eighteen years old and he had been forced to live with his grandfather until he had reached his majority three years later. His grandfather was none other that the esteemed Duke of Quinhurst. He was respected and feared in equal measure by the ton of London and with good reason. Lionel could make or break a person with the mere whisper of a few words, so great was his power in the highest circles of England. But Rayne had learned first hand what a hard and cynical man his grandfather was and realized why his mother had never spoken of her father with great love. Lionel taught Rayne the lessons of life, in the most diabolical ways. He had earned Raynes trust and love, only to turn it against him and humiliate him in order to teach him to trust no one. But the one thing that Rayne could never learn to live with or forgive his grandfather for was the way in which he manipulated people's lives. His grandfather truly believed that the end justified the means, in all things.

Rayne had learned early on in the relationship with his grandfather that he could count on him for nothing. So, he had become an excellent gambler and made the rounds of the clubs in London on a regular basis, a habit that had caused many a nobleman's purse to be considerably lighter. He had gained enough blunt to invest in various ventures, enabling him to amass a small fortune. He always knew that sooner or later Lionel would demand something of him that he would not be able to abide. Such had been the case when he had calmly and matter-of-factly informed Rayne that he would marry the Heiress Besedjnek. While Rayne had nothing personally against the woman, especially since he had never met her, he refused to honor Lionel's request. It had been a particular ugly confrontation, as were most of Raynes battles with Lionel, ending in Lionel issuing an ultimatum of obedience or disinheritance. Rayne had laughed in his face and walked out. That was the last time he had seen his grandfather. He had kept apprised of Lionel and his schemes through his agent in London who sent him regular reports on everything of importance. Thus it was that he learned of Lionels death. Rayne had felt no emotion at the news of his grandfathers death. In fact he had ceased to think of Lionel as his grandfather and simply thought of him only as Lionel. A grandfather represented someone kind and loving, neither term which he could relate to Lionel. He felt sadness at his lack of feelings, but it was what Lionel had taught him.

Now, he was returning to England to claim all that was his, but it brought him no pleasure. Instead he would much rather be sailing the high seas releasing Spanish galleons of their burdens of gold coin. Now, that was something he thoroughly enjoyed! Recently a new face had cut into his enjoyment on the high seas. One he had as yet to have the privilege to glimpse. This new pirate was of the feminine variety and boldly called herself La Gata. Few men had gotten a close look at her and lived to tell about it. It would seem she was of Spanish ancestry yet she harbored a strong hatred for Spain. That in and of itself was enough to raise Raynes curiosity about her. It was rumored that she was tall for a woman, dark of complexion and eyes so dark one couldn't be sure exactly what color they were.

Rayne lost in his musings didn't hear his friend Javonnie approach. Javonnie was the resident doctor on board and he managed to keep the crew and sometimes-even Rayne in good repair. "A penny for your thoughts" Javonnie said softly.

Rayne turned his head and grinned, "Hardly worth your money, I assure you."

"Worried about the return of the prodigal son?"

"Not hardly, just annoyed that Lionel had to die at such an inconvenient time."

Javonnie retorted somewhat dryly, "I'm sure Lionel took that into consideration when he died."

"Knowing Lionel, it was planned down to the very last detail. If I found a way to stay apprised of his activities, you know he knew every move I was making. If I learned one thing about grandfather dearest, it was to never underestimate him."

Javonnie knew from experience that this was one argument he would never win with Rayne and thus moved on to more pleasant topics. "Poor Navia, she looked quite lost standing on the dock as you sailed out of the harbor. I do believe she fears you won't be returning to her this time."

"Nonsense, why would I prefer to remain in England in the cold and damp climate that permeates everything it touches when I can live in a tropical paradise? She is just being silly."

"Silly? I wonder. Do you love her Rayne?"

"Love, what's love got to do with it. We're suited to each other and our arrangement is of mutual benefit. She lives in a glorious hacienda where her word is law. She wants for nothing, clothes, jewels, perfumes, nor comforts. I enjoy indulging her and she meets my needs. What more could she ask for?"

"Has it never occurred to you, that she might desire a more permanent relationship with you?"

Rayne scowled at Javonnie and turned to gaze out over the water before answering, "You know how I feel about marriage. Lionel would have shackled me to the Heiress for mere money and monetary gain alone. Mothers scurry about with their daughters in an effort to secure the wealthiest man available with no regard to the girls' feelings. I think it's absolutely disgraceful and I won't be a part of it."

"Yet, were your parents married and deeply in love, if memory serves me correct." Javonnie knew this was a dirty trick, but one did what one must sometimes to make Rayne see reason. Rayne was a hard man to convince and even harder to reason with when he chose to be so, as he obviously was now.

Rayne swung a searing gaze on Javonnie for long moments before answering tightly, "My parents, and their relationship, were entirely different to mine and Navia's relationship. You know that. My mother defied Lionel and married my father because she truly loved him. It cost her a great deal, more than even I can imagine. She never revealed just how much it cost her, because she said the joy my father and I brought her was worth any price. Thus do I feel the same about the sanctity of marriage. Should I ever chance to meet the woman that can bring joy into my world merely by entering it and cause me to feel that a day without her is not worth the living of it, you can be sure, then and only then, will I consider marriage."

Javonnie chuckled and retorted, "Be careful what you ask for old friend, you may find what you seek when you least expect it!"

"Ah, but one has to seek something to find it Javonnie, and you forget that I seek not a wench so comely that she can tread upon my heart till it bleeds" Rayne responded while his lips twitched with mirth. Javonnie, a believer of the unexpected, wondered what Rayne would do if such a woman should walk unbidden into his life. It would truly be interesting to observe.

"Tell me Javonnie, any word of our most recent competition?"

"As a matter of fact, I spoke with Jake and Tobias from the Raven who said they had seen her not three weeks prior attack another Spanish galleon. Freeing the slaves the Spanish are so fond of using, relieving them of their precious cargo and sinking the ship, leaving the Spaniards for shark bait."

"But, did they get a look at her?"

" Only from a distance, it seems she's quite an accomplished swordsman, or perhaps I should say swordswoman? They claimed she was in the thick of the fighting and dispatched not a few of the Spaniards to the gates of hell."

"A woman, fighting with a sword? Preposterous! Why, how could she maneuver in skirts and heels?"

"Oh, our little firebrand doesn't wear skirts and heels. Tobias said she was dressed in black leather breeches and boots. She wore a scarlet silk shirt and a gold sash about her waist."

"It would seem Tobias saw quite a lot, to have seem her from a distance" Rayne remarked, sounding somewhat doubtful of the truthfulness of the account.

"Well, he did have the spy glass, but perhaps he did embellish a might. I guess we won't know for sure until we are fortunate or unfortunate, as the case may be, to meet her ourselves. It grows late, and I believe my bunk is calling. Unless you have need of me, I believe I will call it a night."

"No, go ahead, I know about the card game that is scheduled below in the men's quarters, just make sure you don't take all of their cash, or there will be hell to pay when we make port." Javonnie feigned a look of injured pride before laughing heartily and heading down to the crews quarters.

Rayne continued to stay by the railing, this was his favorite time of the evening, when all of the ships chores for the day were finished, and the sailors were gathered in small groups dicing or gambling, or carving as did Red. Red was famous among the crew for his mermaid carvings and was continuously pestering Rayne to let him carve a masthead for the Phantom of a bare-breasted mermaid like the ones on the Vikings ships from days long past. So far Rayne had managed to keep the request at bay. Although it would definitely be a sight to behold a larger than life mermaid with bared breasts. He might have to give in to Reds request yet! He could hear the sad sound of a tune being played on Tuff's harmonica. He had a good crew and he knew that there wasn't a one among them that wasn't willing to risk their life to save his. They also knew the same to be true of the man they served. All of the crew knew of his circumstances and had stood beside him through many a battle. But he dealt with them fairly and treated them as the men they were thus forming this bond of loyalty and respect.

He wondered what did await him in England. He had left few friends behind preferring his solitude and privacy to the whirl of social events that had drawn Lionel like a moth to a flame. However, as the new Duke of Quinhurst his obligations would preclude his own private wishes, at least to a certain extent. Yet, he vowed it would not control his life and he would not stay overly long in England. This decided, he turned from the deck and approached the helmsman and relieved him of his duty. He felt the need to control something, since he could not control the events taking place in his life at the present this release would have to suffice. He stayed at the helm until the wee hours of the morning when the second watch took over and he made his way to his cabin where he pulled off his boots, stripped off his breeches and sprawled naked across the large bed. He was weary from the physical exertion of guiding the ship, but it was a good tired and he slept deeply.

Sun streamed through the window of the cabin to find Rayne already up and dressed and breaking his fast. The cook, an ageless old man whom Rayne believed was at least a hundred years old, was an excellent cook. He had sort of inherited the old man when he had saved him from a beating at a dock-side tavern several years before. The old man had chosen to pledge his life to Rayne in thanks. There was a brief knock on the door of his cabin and at Raynes call to enter Javonnie strode into the room with a smile on his face.

"Well friend, you look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Did you leave them enough cash for drinking and wenching when we reach port?" Rayne inquired between bites of ham and biscuit.

"Not very much. But, you know I'll contrive to let them win it all back long before we reach England, I always do." Rayne knew it was true, Javonnie gambled with the crew just for the sport, not to line his pockets. The crew knew it as well, which could account for the lack of animosity toward Javonnie when he won all of their money. Javonnie poured himself a cup of steaming black coffee before seating himself across from Rayne. "What's on your agenda for the day Rayne?"

"Oh, I don't know, I've been going over some of the papers from the solicitor and trying to grasp just what all I own now and what I'm going to keep and which holdings I'm going to liquidate. Once we reach London, I believe we will make use of the townhouse Lionel kept there, as it's smaller than that mausoleum in the country. I never liked the country estate, but as it's been in the family for centuries, I feel a certain obligation to hold on to it."

"You do know that there will be a ton of invitations waiting on you when you make port. After all it's been neigh on to ten years since you were last there, and every mother and unattached female within marriageable age will be clambering for a look at the "Duke of Darkness" as you were labeled so long ago!" Javonnie reminded him. "With Lionel's death the ton will know it's a certainty that you will be returning."

Damnation, he had all but forgotten the whole "Duke of Darkness" episode, but leave it to Javonnie to place it in the forefront of his mind once again. During the months and years following his parents death when he was living with Lionel, he had become such a brooding young man. He scowled frequently and smiled only rarely. He chose to dress in total black, broken only by the white of his shirts. With Raynes raven black hair, dark complexion, and chosen somber wardrobe, in conjunction with his cold and brooding demeanor, the only thing that wasn't somber about him were those vibrant blue eyes of his, a thwarted would-be mistress had dubbed him the "Duke of Darkness". It had been said in a jokingly manner, but, unfortunately the title stuck. Well, if anything he was even darker now, burned a dark bronze by long days on the deck of the Phantom stripped bare to the waist. He wondered what England would think of him now. The ton would whisper about how he made his fortune and call him a savage behind his back. But he also knew it wouldn't matter one fig to the money hungry mothers trying desperately to marry off their spinster daughters to a man of substance. "Let's just say the "Duke of Darkness" has returned and perhaps that damnable title will be enough to keep at least the faint-hearted at bay! I might as well get some use out of the name."

Javonnie silently agreed with his friend as he finished up his coffee and left Rayne still pouring over the vast stack of papers he had received prior to sailing from his solicitor. The day and night passed uneventfully, with the ship making good time on it's way to England. But on the following day, the wind slacked off and the sails had to be trimmed in order to catch the slight breeze, and by the night the ship was barely moving. This lull lasted for four days and nights, causing the crew to become nervous and easily irritated. There wasn't a sailor alive that didn't dread the lull in wind that could cause a ship to list for days and sometimes-even weeks. Late over in the evening of the fourth day a fog rolled in, enveloping the ship in the thick murky mess but at least the wind had picked up. Scotty, the first mate, was taking the late watch. Rayne was sitting in his cabin with Javonnie enjoying a glass of Cognac and playing cards when there was a knock on the door. Rayne bade them enter and Red walked through the door. "Scotty said to let you know he spotted a ship off the port bow about 15 minutes ago. Figured you'd want to come take a look."

"Thanks Red, I'll be right up to take a look." Rayne drained his glass and smiled at Javonnie with an impish grin.

"Now Rayne, you're not supposed to be a pirate right now, you're supposed to be a Duke on his way home. Which does require that you behave yourself!" Javonnie reminded him.

"Now, why would you jump to the conclusion that I'm not going to behave?"

"I wonder. Do you suppose it could be because you're like a bully just spoiling for a fight? Or that I know you better than anyone else and I know what that grin usually means?"

"I'm just going to have a look, and we will probably just pass on by them without them ever even knowing we were there."

Muttering under his breath Javonnie remarked, "it's that probably that's got me worried" to himself and the four walls, since Rayne was already out the door and halfway to the deck.

When he reached Scotty's side he handed Rayne the spyglass as he informed him, "Cap'n, there's a ship shadowing the first one. I didn't even see it at first, the damn thing is painted black as the night, right down to the sails. Damnedest thing I ever did see."

Rayne turned the spy glass in the direction Scotty had indicated, and at first he saw nothing, then there was a slight lift in the fog and sure enough there she was, riding proudly on the water looking for all the world like a black ghost ship. 

"Well, the lead ship is definitely a Spanish galleon, and by the way she's riding so low in the water, I would be welling to bet she's loaded with gold dablooms, fine Spanish lace and silk as well as spices. I see no reason why this ghost ship should grab all the booty, now do you Scotty?"

Scotty chuckled, "No sir Cap'n as a matter of fact I took the liberty of telling the boys to be ready. You know, just in case you decided we needed a little diversion."

"You're a good man Scotty" Rayne slapped him on the back as he raced to grab his sword. The Eclipse turned silently toward the Spanish ship El Mercado and was closing the distance fast when the black ship made a run towards the doomed vessel. Rayne saw what the other captain was trying and laughed. His crew was the best crew on the waters, and he had beaten worse odds than these to come out the victor. This was but a game to Rayne, and he fully intended to share the booty, but what would it hurt to keep the other captain guessing for a while yet. He was looking forward to seeing the look on the other captains' face when he and his crew swooped down, plucking the treasure right from beneath his nose. He bet the man would be furious.

The helmsman maneuvered the Eclipse in between the two ships and the grappling hooks hit the side of the vessel before the Spaniards even suspected they were under attack. Within in moments Rayne and his crew were swarming over the decks subduing the feeble attempts of the Spanish crew. Suddenly the crew from the mysterious black ship joined in the fray and as Rayne battled against a particularly aggressive soldier he caught a glimpse of a slim man with extremely long hair. A second look proved him totally wrong. That was no man, it was a woman in black leather breeches that molded to her every curve, outlining the contours of her lower half in infinite detail. She wore thigh-high black leather boots with a red silk shirt that was open to the waist and tucked tightly into her pants with a royal blue silk sash tied at her waist. So, this was La Gata. She was battling, not one but two swordsmen, who were displaying more than an adequate skill. But she had no problem dispatching them both to their maker in short order. Her hair was a riot of black curls in wild disarray that fell to well below her hips. She whirled to face Rayne as she felt his gaze upon her. As Raynes eyes traveled the entire length of her body coming to rest on her face he was startled out of his appreciative glance by the fiery gaze he met starring at him from the emerald green of her eyes.


Rayne Ch. 01



Rayne stood with his feet firmly planted on the deck of his ship the Eclipse. God, how he loved the feel of the ship as it cut through the water and the deck rolled beneath his feet. It was an almost sensual feeling, not unlike that of a mistress as she moved beneath you. Rayne walked over and leaned on the railing and studied the ink-black sky with the sparkling stars that formed the constellations and provided a guide for the helmsman to follow. It had been a long time since he had returned home. No, not home, for he no longer considered the land of his birth as home. Home was where he had spent his free time for the past several years. The tropical paradise in the South Pacific Seas, Tahiti, that was where he called home. Where Navia was always waiting with open arms for him when he returned from long voyages at sea, where the nights were warm and filled with music and food and pleasure. He could still see Navia's face, pale and drawn in worry, as he had boarded the Eclipse. She knew this voyage was different because he returned to "the other life", as she referred to his life before their time together.

Rayne had first came to Tahiti after the untimely death of his beloved parents as a young man of twenty-one. His parents had died when he was eighteen years old and he had been forced to live with his grandfather until he had reached his majority three years later. His grandfather was none other than the esteemed Duke of Quinhurst. He was respected and feared in equal measure by the ton of London and with good reason. Lionel could make or break a person with the mere whisper of a few words, so great was his power in the highest circles of England. But Rayne had learned firsthand what a hard and cynical man his grandfather was and realized why his mother had never spoken of her father with great love. Lionel taught Rayne the lessons of life, in the most diabolical ways. He had earned Rayne's trust and love, only to turn it against him and humiliate him in order to teach him to trust no one. But the one thing that Rayne could never learn to live with or forgive his grandfather for was the way in which he manipulated people's lives. His grandfather truly believed that the end justified the means, in all things.

Rayne had learned early on in the relationship with his grandfather that he could count on him for nothing. So, he had become an excellent gambler and made the rounds of the clubs in London on a regular basis, a habit that had caused many a nobleman's purse to be considerably lighter. He had gained enough blunt to invest in various ventures, enabling him to amass a small fortune. He always knew that sooner or later Lionel would demand something of him that he would not be able to abide. Such had been the case when he had calmly and matter-of-factly informed Rayne that he would marry the Heiress Besedjnek. While Rayne had nothing personally against the woman, especially since he had never met her, he refused to honor Lionel's request. It had been a particular ugly confrontation, as were most of Raynes battles with Lionel, ending in Lionel issuing an ultimatum of obedience or disinheritance. Rayne had laughed in his face and walked out. That was the last time he had seen his grandfather. He had kept apprised of Lionel and his schemes through his agent in London who sent him regular reports on everything of importance. Thus it was that he learned of Lionels death. Rayne had felt no emotion at the news of his grandfathers death. In fact he had ceased to think of Lionel as his grandfather and simply thought of him only as Lionel. A grandfather represented someone kind and loving, neither term which he could relate to Lionel. He felt sadness at his lack of feelings, but it was what Lionel had taught him.

Now, he was returning to England to claim all that was his, but it brought him no pleasure. Instead he would much rather be sailing the high seas releasing Spanish galleons of their burdens of gold coin. Now, that was something he thoroughly enjoyed! Recently a new face had cut into his enjoyment on the high seas. One he had as yet to have the privilege to glimpse. This new pirate was of the feminine variety and boldly called herself La Gata. Few men had gotten a close look at her and lived to tell about it. It would seem she was of Spanish ancestry yet she harbored a strong hatred for Spain. And that in and of itself was enough to raise Raynes curiosity about her. It was rumored that she was tall for a woman, dark of complexion and eyes so dark one couldn't be sure exactly what color they were.

Rayne lost in his musings didn't hear his friend Javonnie approach. Javonnie was the resident doctor on board and he managed to keep the crew and sometimes-even Rayne in good repair. "A penny for your thoughts" Javonnie said softly.

Rayne turned his head and grinned, "Hardly worth your money, I assure you."

"Worried about the return of the prodigal son?"

"Not hardly, just annoyed that Lionel had to die at such an inconvenient time."

Javonnie retorted somewhat dryly, "I'm sure Lionel took that into consideration when he died."

"Knowing Lionel, it was planned down to the very last detail. If I found a way to stay apprised of his activities, you know he knew every move I was making. If I learned one thing about grandfather dearest, it was to never underestimate him."

Javonnie knew from experience that this was one argument he would never win with Rayne and thus moved on to more pleasant topics. "Poor Navia, she looked quite lost standing on the dock as you sailed out of the harbor. I do believe she fears you won't be returning to her this time."

"Nonsense, why would I prefer to remain in England in the cold and damp climate that permeates everything it touches when I can live in a tropical paradise? She is just being silly."

"Silly? I wonder. Do you love her Rayne?"

"Love, what's love got to do with it. We're suited to each other and our arrangement is of mutual benefit. She lives in a glorious hacienda where her word is law. She wants for nothing, clothes, jewels, perfumes, nor comforts. I enjoy indulging her and she meets my needs. What more could she ask for?"

"Has it never occurred to you, that she might desire a more permanent relationship with you?"

Rayne scowled at Javonnie and turned to gaze out over the water before answering, "You know how I feel about marriage. Lionel would have shackled me to the Heiress for mere money and monetary gain alone. Mothers scurry about with their daughters in an effort to secure the wealthiest man available with no regard to the girls' feelings. I think it's absolutely disgraceful and I won't be a part of it."

"Yet, were your parents married and deeply in love, if memory serves me correct." Javonnie knew this was a dirty trick, but one did what one must sometimes to make Rayne see reason. Rayne was a hard man to convince and even harder to reason with when he chose to be so, as he obviously was now.

Rayne swung a searing gaze on Javonnie for long moments before answering tightly, "My parents, and their relationship, were entirely different to mine and Navia's relationship. You know that. My mother defied Lionel and married my father because she truly loved him. It cost her a great deal, more than even I can imagine. She never revealed just how much it cost her, because she said the joy my father and I brought her was worth any price. Thus do I feel the same about the sanctity of marriage. Should I ever chance to meet the woman that can bring joy into my world merely by entering it and cause me to feel that a day without her is not worth the living of it, you can be sure, then and only then, will I consider marriage."

Javonnie chuckled and retorted, "Be careful what you ask for old friend, you may find what you seek when you least expect it!"

"Ah, but one has to seek something to find it Javonnie, and you forget that I seek not a wench so comely that she can tread upon my heart till it bleeds" Rayne responded while his lips twitched with mirth. Javonnie, a believer of the unexpected, wondered what Rayne would do if such a woman should walk unbidden into his life. It would truly be interesting to observe.

"Tell me Javonnie, any word of our most recent competition?"

"As a matter of fact, I spoke with Jake and Tobias from the Raven who said they had seen her not three weeks prior attack another Spanish galleon. Freeing the slaves the Spanish are so fond of using, relieving them of their precious cargo and sinking the ship, leaving the Spaniards for shark bait."

"But, did they get a look at her?"

" Only from a distance, it seems she's quite an accomplished swordsman, or perhaps I should say swordswoman? They claimed she was in the thick of the fighting and dispatched not a few of the Spaniards to the gates of hell."

"A woman, fighting with a sword? Preposterous! Why, how could she maneuver in skirts and heels?"

"Oh, our little firebrand doesn't wear skirts and heels. Tobias said she was dressed in black leather breeches and boots. She wore a scarlet silk shirt and a gold sash about her waist."

"It would seem Tobias saw quite a lot, to have seen her from a distance" Rayne remarked, sounding somewhat doubtful of the truthfulness of the account.

"Well, he did have the spy glass, but perhaps he did embellish a might. I guess we won't know for sure until we are fortunate or unfortunate, as the case may be, to meet her ourselves. It grows late, and I believe my bunk is calling. Unless you have need of me, I believe I will call it a night."

"No, go ahead, I know about the card game that is scheduled below in the men's quarters, just make sure you don't take all of their cash, or there will be hell to pay when we make port." Javonnie feigned a look of injured pride before laughing heartily and heading down to the crews quarters.

Rayne continued to stay by the railing, this was his favorite time of the evening, when all of the ships chores for the day were finished, and the sailors were gathered in small groups dicing or gambling, or carving as did Red. Red was famous among the crew for his mermaid carvings and was continuously pestering Rayne to let him carve a masthead for the Phantom of a bare-breasted mermaid like the ones on the Vikings ships from days long past. So far Rayne had managed to keep the request at bay. Although it would definitely be a sight to behold a larger than life mermaid with bared breasts. He might have to give in to Reds request yet! He could hear the sad sound of a tune being played on Tuff's harmonica. He had a good crew and he knew that there wasn't a one among them that wasn't willing to risk their life to save his. They also knew the same to be true of the man they served. All of the crew knew of his circumstances and had stood beside him through many a battle. But he dealt with them fairly and treated them as the men they were thus forming this bond of loyalty and respect.

He wondered what did await him in England. He had left few friends behind preferring his solitude and privacy to the whirl of social events that had drawn Lionel like a moth to a flame. However, as the new Duke of Quinhurst his obligations would preclude his own private wishes, at least to a certain extent. Yet, he vowed it would not control his life and he would not stay overly long in England. This decided, he turned from the deck and approached the helmsman and relieved him of his duty. He felt the need to control something, since he could not control the events taking place in his life at the present this release would have to suffice. He stayed at the helm until the wee hours of the morning when the second watch took over and he made his way to his cabin where he pulled off his boots, stripped off his breeches and sprawled naked across the large bed. He was weary from the physical exertion of guiding the ship, but it was a good tired and he slept deeply.

Sun streamed through the window of the cabin to find Rayne already up and dressed and breaking his fast. The cook, an ageless old man whom Rayne believed was at least a hundred years old, was an excellent cook. He had sort of inherited the old man when he had saved him from a beating at a dock-side tavern several years before. The old man had chosen to pledge his life to Rayne in thanks. There was a brief knock on the door of his cabin and at Raynes call to enter Javonnie strode into the room with a smile on his face.

"Well friend, you look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Did you leave them enough cash for drinking and wenching when we reach port?" Rayne inquired between bites of ham and biscuit.

"Not very much. But, you know I'll contrive to let them win it all back long before we reach England, I always do." Rayne knew it was true, Javonnie gambled with the crew just for the sport, not to line his pockets. The crew knew it as well, which could account for the lack of animosity toward Javonnie when he won all of their money. Javonnie poured himself a cup of steaming black coffee before seating himself across from Rayne. "What's on your agenda for the day Rayne?"

"Oh, I don't know, I've been going over some of the papers from the solicitor and trying to grasp just what all I own now and what I'm going to keep and which holdings I'm going to liquidate. Once we reach London, I believe we will make use of the townhouse Lionel kept there, as it's smaller than that mausoleum in the country. I never liked the country estate, but as it's been in the family for centuries, I feel a certain obligation to hold on to it."

"You do know that there will be a ton of invitations waiting on you when you make port. After all it's been neigh on to ten years since you were last there, and every mother and unattached female within marriageable age will be clambering for a look at the "Duke of Darkness" as you were labeled so long ago!" Javonnie reminded him. "With Lionel's death the ton will know it's a certainty that you will be returning."

Damnation, he had all but forgotten the whole "Duke of Darkness" episode, but leave it to Javonnie to place it in the forefront of his mind once again. During the months and years following his parents death when he was living with Lionel, he had become such a brooding young man. He scowled frequently and smiled only rarely. He chose to dress in total black, broken only by the white of his shirts. With Raynes raven black hair, dark complexion, and chosen somber wardrobe, in conjunction with his cold and brooding demeanor, the only thing that wasn't somber about him were those vibrant blue eyes of his, a thwarted would-be mistress had dubbed him the "Duke of Darkness". It had been said in a jokingly manner, but, unfortunately the title stuck. Well, if anything he was even darker now, burned a dark bronze by long days on the deck of the Phantom stripped bare to the waist. He wondered what England would think of him now. The ton would whisper about how he made his fortune and call him a savage behind his back. But he also knew it wouldn't matter one fig to the money hungry mothers trying desperately to marry off their spinster daughters to a man of substance. "Let's just say the "Duke of Darkness" has returned and perhaps that damnable title will be enough to keep at least the faint-hearted at bay! I might as well get some use out of the name."

Javonnie silently agreed with his friend as he finished up his coffee and left Rayne still pouring over the vast stack of papers he had received prior to sailing from his solicitor. The day and night passed uneventfully, with the ship making good time on it's way to England. But on the following day, the wind slacked off and the sails had to be trimmed in order to catch the slight breeze, and by the night the ship was barely moving. This lull lasted for four days and nights, causing the crew to become nervous and easily irritated. There wasn't a sailor alive that didn't dread the lull in wind that could cause a ship to list for days and sometimes-even weeks. Late over in the evening of the fourth day a fog rolled in, enveloping the ship in the thick murky mess but at least the wind had picked up. Scotty, the first mate, was taking the late watch. Rayne was sitting in his cabin with Javonnie enjoying a glass of Cognac and playing cards when there was a knock on the door. Rayne bade them enter and Red walked through the door. "Scotty said to let you know he spotted a ship off the port bow about 15 minutes ago. Figured you'd want to come take a look."

"Thanks Red, I'll be right up to take a look." Rayne drained his glass and smiled at Javonnie with an impish grin.

"Now Rayne, you're not supposed to be a pirate right now, you're supposed to be a Duke on his way home. Which does require that you behave yourself!" Javonnie reminded him.

"Now, why would you jump to the conclusion that I'm not going to behave?"

"I wonder. Do you suppose it could be because you're like a bully just spoiling for a fight? Or that I know you better than anyone else and I know what that grin usually means?"

"I'm just going to have a look, and we will probably just pass on by them without them ever even knowing we were there."

Muttering under his breath Javonnie remarked, "it's that probably that's got me worried" to himself and the four walls, since Rayne was already out the door and halfway to the deck.

When he reached Scotty's side he handed Rayne the spyglass as he informed him, "Cap'n, there's a ship shadowing the first one. I didn't even see it at first, the damn thing is painted black as the night, right down to the sails. Damnedest thing I ever did see."

Rayne turned the spy glass in the direction Scotty had indicated, and at first he saw nothing, then there was a slight lift in the fog and sure enough there she was, riding proudly on the water looking for all the world like a black ghost ship. 

"Well, the lead ship is definitely a Spanish galleon, and by the way she's riding so low in the water, I would be willing to bet she's loaded with gold dablooms, fine Spanish lace and silk as well as spices. I see no reason why this ghost ship should grab all the booty, now do you Scotty?"

Scotty chuckled, "No sir Cap'n as a matter of fact I took the liberty of telling the boys to be ready. You know, just in case you decided we needed a little diversion."

"You're a good man Scotty" Rayne slapped him on the back as he raced to grab his sword. The Eclipse turned silently toward the Spanish ship El Mercado and was closing the distance fast when the black ship made a run towards the doomed vessel. Rayne saw what the other captain was trying and laughed. His crew was the best crew on the waters, and he had beaten worse odds than these to come out the victor. This was but a game to Rayne, and he fully intended to share the booty, but what would it hurt to keep the other captain guessing for a while yet. He was looking forward to seeing the look on the other captains' face when he and his crew swooped down, plucking the treasure right from beneath his nose. He bet the man would be furious.

The helmsman maneuvered the Eclipse in between the two ships and the grappling hooks hit the side of the vessel before the Spaniards even suspected they were under attack. Within in moments Rayne and his crew were swarming over the decks subduing the feeble attempts of the Spanish crew. Suddenly the crew from the mysterious black ship joined in the fray and as Rayne battled against a particularly aggressive soldier he caught a glimpse of a slim man with extremely long hair. A second look proved him totally wrong. That was no man, it was a woman in black leather breeches that molded to her every curve, outlining the contours of her lower half in infinite detail. She wore thigh-high black leather boots with a red silk shirt that was open to the waist and tucked tightly into her pants with a royal blue silk sash tied at her waist. So, this was La Gata. She was battling, not one but two swordsmen, who were displaying more than an adequate skill. But she had no problem dispatching them both to their maker in short order. Her hair was a riot of black curls in wild disarray that fell to well below her hips. She whirled to face Rayne as she felt his gaze upon her. As Raynes eyes traveled the entire length of her body coming to rest on her face he was startled out of his appreciative glance by the fiery gaze he met starring at him from the emerald green of her eyes.




Rayne Ch. 01



She walked towards Rayne with her gaze never leaving his face. Her walk was as graceful as a tigress stalking her prey, and he had no doubt that he was her prey. When she stood before him she inclined her head slightly and assumed the perfect fencing stance with one arm slightly back and her hand and fingers arched. Rayne took in the sight before him and raised one black eyebrow in question before assuming the stance himself. The duel began. Between sword thrusts he managed to ask what they were dueling for. To which his beautiful and skillful opponent replied, "To the victor go the spoils...senor" the last word had been spoken so softly it was almost a whisper.

They fought on completely unaware that their crews had gathered round to watch with interest. As their swords crossed and the fought to hold one another off, their faces mere inches apart Rayne gave her his most seductive smile and asked, "Are you considered part of the spoils of victory?"

She retorted with a toss of her exquisite ravel curls, "It matters not to you, for you will not be the victor."

Rayne laughed a full-bodied laugh at her confidence.

"Ah senorita, you are a trifle overconfident. If you concede your loss now things will go much easier on you."

"Easier senor? I really do hate to disappoint you, but it is you who should admit defeat now and save yourself the embarrassment of losing to a woman in front of your crew."

Rayne had to admit, the woman had courage, or else she was extremely foolish. No matter, he decided to put a little more effort into the duel to show her that she couldn't win, but still give her the option of admitting defeat. After all, he was a gentleman and he wouldn't want to destroy her reputation in front of her crew. So, Rayne became the aggressor, putting her on the defense and adding strength to his thrusts. However, much to his surprise, she also stepped up the pace and met each of his sword thrusts with an equally as skillful parry. He was indeed impressed with her skill as a swordswoman. They fought on, each one enjoying the duel and appreciative of the others skill. Rayne had never seen a woman with this kind of skill, endurance or bravado.

She, of course, noticed the way his muscles flexed as he moved with an almost feline grace across the deck of the ship as she pursued him with her sword. He was extremely handsome, with his jet-black hair and she especially liked the way he arched one eyebrow at her in a silent question. Yes, she found him intriguing, but she wondered what he was doing this far from his usual hunting grounds. There was no doubt in her mind who her worthy opponent was. He didn't look the typical pirate, yet she thought sardonically, neither did she.

Both opponents seemed equally matched and both were beginning to show signs of fatigue. As they crossed swords and stood face to face, almost nose to nose she offered him a truce. "If you would like to save face in front of your men, I will allow a draw in this duel. If not...." she left the sentence dangling with a careless shrug of her beautiful shoulders.

Rayne considered her offer and wondered what was behind it, but decided that he would concede, even though he knew if he wanted to be a brute, he could outlast her and eventually win the match through sheer endurance. So with an equally careless shrug he retorted, "I see no reason to humiliate you in front of your men, so we will effect a draw, thereby allowing us both to save face."

She took a step back, but kept her sword at the ready, until he too stepped back saluted her with the sword and dropped it down to his side. Both their crews gave a wild cheer, for neither crew wished to see their captains defeated.

"Now, Madame Capitan, why don't we retire to my cabin while our crews divide the cargo and set these Spaniards adrift?"

"Your cabin? I think not. We go to my ship instead."

"As you wish Madame" Rayne said with a twinkle in his eye.

With that settled Rayne and the sultry beauty abandoned the Spanish galleon and returned to the Scarlet Flame amid chuckles and appreciative looks from the crews. As the pirate captain led the way to her cabin Rayne leisurely enjoyed the sensual sway of her hips encased in the leather breeches. As they entered the cabin the dark beauty turned and offered Rayne a glass of tequila. "Aren't you a little out of your normal waters, senor?" She questioned Rayne.

"Oh, and where would my "normal waters" be?"

"Please senor, I am not so stupid as not to recognize you, even though you are not in your normal ship, The Phantom."

"You are very well informed Senora, or is it Senorita?"

She smiled a slow, seductive smile and answered him with amusement tingeing her voice, "It is Senorita."

Rayne thoroughly intrigued probed further, "It seems a bit strange that you of all people would be a plague to the Spanish fleets."

She gave him a long hard look before answering his question with a question of her own. "Why would that seem strange?"

"Well, you are obviously of Spanish descent. I mean with your sultry dark good looks..." Rayne suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable with the knowledge that he had obviously put his foot in his mouth. 

She saved him from further discomfort by adding, "Yes, both of my parents were Spanish. As to why I plague the Spanish that is personal. It need not concern you. Have I questioned you about your reasons for attacking the Spanish?"

Rayne, somewhat chagrined at his bad manners suggested "I am sorry, I was just curious. Perhaps we could start over. I am.."

"I know who you are, or at least what you're called, El Diablo. I know that you primarily attack in the waters surrounding Tahiti, off which you own a small island where you live with your mistress. I know you do not discriminate in whom you attack, as you owe allegiance to no one, but your crew profits much from your talents. But, I doubt you do it for financial gain. I believe you pirate for the adventure and danger."

Rayne looked at her in amazement that she knew so much about him, while he knew not even her real name. "I feel that it only fair that you tell me your name. You have me at a distinct advantage here.

"My name is of little importance senor. After all, what's a name?"

"Well, perhaps names aren't important, when actions often speak louder than words" Rayne's words dripped with innuendo. Rayne was used to having women fawning over him and so was in total shock when the gorgeous woman threw back her head and laughed at his blatant invitation. Rayne walked over to her and drew her into his arms. He bent his head to kiss her only to have her to laugh just before his lips reached hers. He drew back from her is surprise and she turned and walked out of his arms. After she had put some distance between them she turned and looked at him as she spoke softly, "Senor, I believe you have business to attend to, as I certainly do. Perhaps you have mistaken me for one of the many putas that rush to do your bidding. Let me assure you, I am not a puta. I rush to do no mans bidding. Besides that, I have no wish to have to deal with the wrath of your woman, Navia. So, I suggest you return to your ship and be on your way. I'm sure you were headed somewhere when you decided to have a little sport with the galleon."

Rayne was for the first time in his life almost speechless, but he managed to conceal his confusion and frustration behind a tight smile, that was glacial to say the least. However, she did not miss the dangerous glitter in his eyes that promised there would definitely be another time and place. However, he bowed courteously to the vixen and said, "Perhaps you're right, another time then." Rayne turned and left her cabin and shortly thereafter her ship.

He soon stood on the deck of his ship watching the Scarlet Flame and the enchanting seductress sail away. He suddenly realized she knew quite a bit about him, while he still knew virtually nothing about her. With this realization upon him, he threw back his head and laughed out loud, before saying to himself, "Oh yes little one, there will definitely be another time and place." He turned and strode off the deck in search of Javonnie.

He found him in the men's barracks dressing minor cuts sustained by the crewmembers during the fray aboard El Mercado. 

"Is everyone all right?"

"Yes, just a few minor cuts and bruises, nothing too serious. The Spaniards didn't put up much of a fight and the Scarlet Flame's crew simply joined forces with your crew against the Spaniards."

"Good, good. Did you by chance hear her crew mention her name?" Raynes asked.

"Good God, you slept with the woman and you didn't even get her name? Blast it all, you're slipping Rayne" Javonnie laughed at his friend.

Rayne, somewhat indignant and caught off guard replied, "I didn't sleep with her."

Javonnie turned to look at Rayne with surprise on his face, and said somewhat incredulously, " You didn't? Damnation, you really are slipping." Then as if the thought had just occurred to him he said, "Damn, now I've gotta pay Scotty his hundred pounds."

Rayne somewhat put off by his admission of not having accomplished the task he had set out on with the beautiful captain looked at Javonnie through narrowed eyes as he asked, "You bet on me?"

"Well of course, I figured it was a sure thing. We all saw the sparks between the two of you and assumed it was a foregone conclusion. Women never say "no" to you Rayne. How did you manage to let her get away from you? I mean, since I am losing a hundred pounds on this, I figure I've got a right to know" Javonnie said good-naturedly. 

Rayne, losing some of his ire as he began to see the humor in the situation admitted sheepishly, "She just said "no" and walked away from me."

"Ouch, that must have hurt that oversized ego of yours" Javonnie chuckled.

Rayne sent Javonnie a blistering look that said more than words ever could before persisting, "Yeah, well, did you find out her name?"

"Actually the only thing I heard them refer to her as, was La Gata"

"The Cat, well, it certainly fits. She was definitely a cat...more like a tigress in that outfit. But we already knew she was called La Gata."

"Yeah, well from the way she handled that sword, that's one "kitten" I believe I'll try to avoid. At least her bad side!"

Rayne gave him a look that said, "You better avoid her altogether." But he only said, "I don't know, I'm looking forward to seeing La Gata again soon. Next time, she won't get away so lightly." Rayne once again wished this trip to England wasn't necessary. It was playing havoc with his personal pursuits.



Rayne Ch. 02



It was damp, foggy and cold as Rayne and Javonnie made their way through the dark, quiet streets of London to Lionel's townhouse. They had each brought only a small valise with a couple of changes of clothes. There would be time tomorrow to have the remainder of their belongings transferred from the ship to the residence and anything else they required could be purchased. They were both exhausted and wanted nothing more than to find their beds and get some sleep. Javonnie as well as the crew members from The Eclipse had kept well out of Rayne's way since the interlude with the Scarlet Flame as his temper had shortened with each passing day of the journey. Even now, Javonnie noticed, Rayne had a scowl on his face. He was just wondering if it was the task of sorting through his grandfathers business and the round of social events that would be mandatory for him to attend or more likely he was still smarting from the "you-don't-impress-me" attitude of the femme fatal from the Scarlet Flame. That thought brought a smile to Javonnie's lips as he thought once again that it was high time his friend Rayne got his comeuppance from the opposite sex. He had never seen a woman refuse Raynes attentions and he thought this was absolutely priceless.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the townhouse and Rayne climbed out leaving Javonnie to pay the driver. They climbed the steps and rapped the doorknocker loudly. Needless to say as the hour was extremely late and no one was expecting them it was quite some time before the butler arrived to let them in. The sleepy butler, startled into complete wakefulness at seeing Rayne standing on the doorstep, apologized profusely for the long wait. Rayne waved the mans apologies away and disappeared up the stairs to the master suite while Javonnie calmed the man down and assured him that it was quite alright, they had not sent word ahead and that he couldn't be expected to know of their arrival. The poor butler was beside himself with worry, as he had been witness to multiple arguments between Rayne and his grandfather. The little man most assuredly did not want that ferocious temper aimed at him. He hurriedly promised he would have the staff assembled for instructions at the Dukes convenience. Javonnie wryly informed the butler not to expect either the Duke nor himself before lunch. Having finally convinced the man he was not about to be drawn and quartered, he took himself up stairs to the guestroom where he crawled tiredly into bed.

There was a pounding in his head, or was it the door? Javonnie cracked an eyelid and turned his head toward the bedroom door, which was swinging open. "Are you planning to lay abed all day long?" Rayne demanded.

Javonnie glanced sleepily at the clock on top of the chest of drawers, which showed the time to be 9:00, and from the sunlight streaming in from the nearby window, he knew it was morning. He turned a disgruntled gaze on Rayne before gracing him with a response. "Have you any idea what time it is Rayne?"

"Well of course I know what time it is. Time for lazy lie-abeds like yourself to be up and about."

"It would seem you are finally in better spirits. Of course, you weren't the one left standing with that ninny last night while he whimpered and whined because he was afraid you were going to wring his scrawny neck because he hadn't the foresight to know you were going to arrive last night."

"Oh, Rupert always was a whiner. If he weren't so competent at running this house I'd hand him his walking papers. But, he might as well stay around and earn his keep! Come on Javonnie, get up, we've got things to do. The crew's waiting at the docks to dispose of our cargo."

Javonnie lay with his arm over his eyes trying to block out the sound of Raynes voice, but knew it was useless. So, he finally agreed to get out of bed and meet Rayne downstairs for breakfast. An hour later Javonnie, freshly shaved and dressed with his blonde hair still glistening with dampness appeared at the breakfast table where Rayne sat finishing up his own breakfast. "Nice of you to finally join me" he said with mock irritation as Javonnie helped himself from the sideboard. 

Javonnie, being still just a little put out at having been awakened so early after such a late night, retorted, "No problem your Dukeship! It was my pleasure to get out of bed to come down here and look at your ugly face."

"Ah, but you are about to be thanking me for dragging you out of bed."

"Hardly likely."

"Guess who's having a ball tonight in honor of their nieces upcoming nuptials?" Rayne asked with obvious smugness.

Javonnie, now just a tad wary, gave Rayne a questioning look as he reached for another slice of smoked ham.

"None other than the esteemed Mulholland sisters" Rayne announced with merriment dancing in his sparkling blue eyes.

Javonnie felt like the floor had just tipped out from under his feet, leaving him dangling from the dining table. "Veronica is getting married?" he asked totally stunned. He was trying to adjust to this unexpected turn of events without much immediate success.

"So it would seem. If I've told you once, I've told you a million times that girl wasn't going wait forever" Rayne said shaking his head in mock sadness.

"Who's she engaged to marry?" Javonnie asked with amazing calm, especially since he was seething inside. He had actually thought she would wait until he got through roaming the seas and decided to settle down. Damn women, couldn't they ever be just a little patient?

"It says here she's engaged to Lord Steven Finch."

"Good Lord, not little Stevie? He walks with a mincing step and he dresses like an absolute fop. What can Veronica be thinking of? He couldn't begin to satisfy a woman with Veronica's appetite  uh, that is to say, that he's not very manly" Javonnie finished somewhat weakly as he saw Rayne slowly raise one black brow in both question and surprise.

"Do tell Javonnie, and just how would you know exactly what it would take to satisfy Miss Veronica Mulholland?" The last half of the sentence was spoken with deadly quiet.

"Now Rayne, don't you go giving me any lectures about Veronica's virtue. How many women have you seduced? How many times have I had to save your hide from an irate husband?"

"Exactly, husband. I never compromised an unmarried lady of Veronica's caliber. Veronica doesn't have a husband, and she was still virginal, at least I believed her to be until now. Are you telling me you took her innocence thereby compromising her?" Rayne demanded.

"Well, you don't have to make it sound like I raped her or anything. It was not planned, it just sort of happened and it was by mutual consent" Javonnie hated the way Rayne had him on the defensive. Although the memories of that date brought a smile to his lips and a warmth to his heart, as well as to other places he would prefer not to think of just at that moment.

"And when exactly did this take place?"

"The last time I came to take care of your business with your attorney for you. But she saw me off with a smile on her face and assurances that she would be waiting for me when I returned. I had no idea she would up and marry anyone before I got around to asking her myself, much less that popinjay!" Javonnie was now realizing just how much he did not want Veronica to marry Stevie, or anyone else for that matter. He just couldn't figure out what that peculiar ache was in the vicinity of his heart. Must have been the darned kippers he had just eaten.

Rayne sat watching his friend and wondered how long it would take him to figure out that he was in love with Veronica and put a stop to this nonsense about her marrying that little twit Stevie Finch. "I'm going to send a response to this invitation and accept for the both of us. As soon as you're done with breakfast I suggest we leave for the docks and on the way we can discuss a few of the other invitations I've received."

Javonnie just nodded dumbly as he was still thinking about this new turn of events. It looked like they had returned home just in time.

Once on the way to the docks Javonnie at least made a pretense of being jovial, with pronounced lapses of silence that had Rayne chuckling to himself. Boy, he was glad he wasn't suffering from that affliction called love!

Several hours later the cargo was being unloaded and a bolt of brilliant sapphire silk caught his eye and he had Red pull it out and put it in the carriage. Whenever he had first caught site of the fabric he had had a mental picture of his mysterious piratress in a low cut gown that hugged her curvaceous body made of the sapphire fabric. He almost called Red back, it wasn't likely he would see her anytime soon, but as he was already opening the door to the carriage to put the bolt of fabric in, he refrained from calling him out to him.

After having concluded the business of the dispensing of the cargo Rayne and Javonnie stopped at a local hotel for lunch and then continued on to the well-know establishment of Xavier & Xavier. Rayne had used the tailors at Xavier & Xavier since he been old enough to purchase his own wardrobe. He like the simplistic lines of elegance that was a long tradition of this establishment as well as mirroring his own taste in clothes. He shuddered to think of the outlandish clothes some of the men of London sported. It was all the rage to dress the part of a dandy in chartreuse, pink, canary yellow, stripes and plaids. If he wanted to look like a peacock, he would just purchase some feathers. As the two gentlemen entered the establishment Freidman the head tailor approached them with a smile of greeting on his face.

"Ah Mr. Rayne and Mr. Javonnie. It has been ages since you have gifted us here at Xavier & Xavier's with your presence. What can I help you two gentlemen with today?"

Both Rayne and Javonnie were well acquainted with Freidman and knew that whatever they required would be fulfilled in the most efficient and timely manner possible by this exuberant tailor.

"Freidman, we have only arrived in London late last night, and find we are to attend a ball this evening. As you are aware, I've been traveling abroad in much warmer climates and I'm sadly lacking in the appropriate evening apparel as is my friend here. It most important that Mr. Sumner looks especially dashing this evening. So, do you think you can help us out of this spot we're in?"

Freidman knowing full well that he would be handsomely rewarded for pulling off such a feat was already mentally ticking off the suits in the gentlemen's size range he had available for alteration. "Of course it will be difficult, but as usual, if it can be done, I can do it!" Freidman said with his usually enthusiasm. Javonnie had stood listening to the entire exchange between the two men with a look on his face that clearly let Rayne know he knew he was up to something. As Freidman scurried off to pull together two evening ensembles he and Rayne sat in the private viewing room sipping coffee.

"Okay, what are you up to? 'Mr. Sumners must look especially dashing this evening'? Don't even try to tell me you're not up to something."

"Oh, I just thought by now you would have come to your senses and realized that you're about to let a perfectly good woman get married to a man that hasn't a clue how to be a man. Now, you tell me could you live with yourself if you allowed that to happen?" Having said that, Rayne sat back to see what Javonnie would say.

He looked incredulously at Rayne before asking "Just what do you expect me to do? I mean this ball is to announce her engagement. Don't you think it's a little late for me to do anything about it now? Don't you think I haven't thought of every conceivable scheme that I could come up with to stop this? But nothing I come up with is believable." As Javonnie ranted on and on Rayne wondered what Javonnie would say if he could hear himself. Yep, the guy had it bad. Rayne, feeling badly for his friend, wanted to put him out of his misery so he simply said, "Abduct her."

Javonnie stopped in mid-sentence and said "What?"

"Simple, abduct Veronica."

"Oh yeah right, like that's gonna work." But Rayne could see he was giving the suggestion serious thought. "Just how do you propose I accomplish this abduction?"

Rayne hadn't thought that far in advance, so he was silent for a few moments before suggesting, "Aren't you familiar with the Mulholland's gardens and house?"

"Well of course. I've been there dozens of times."

"Well then, I suggest you attempt to get her alone and try to first talk some sense into her. Tell her you love her. If she chooses not to believe you and you feel like it's gonna take you longer to convince her than time permits let me know and I will manage to get her into the garden near the back gate. We will have the coach waiting there and we can whisk her away before she or anyone else is any the wiser" Rayne finished with a wide smile amazing even himself with this spur of the moment plan.

Javonnie just stared at him like he had taken leave of his senses. "You really expect me to believe this harebrained plan of yours is actually going to work?" Javonnie rolled his eyes heavenward and leaned back in the chair. But Rayne could see the wheels in Javonnie's mind turning and knew before the night was out, his "harebrained" scheme would most likely be a reality.

Freidman returned with a very elegant charcoal gray evening suite with a pearl gray silk shirt and matching cravat as well as a jet black suite with a white shirt and emerald cravat for the two gentlemen to look at. "I suggest that Mr. Sumners wear that black ensemble as he would look most dashing with his golden skin, Adonis-blonde hair and emerald green eyes. Perhaps a diamond cravat pin would be the perfect touch to compliment the outfit? While this elegant charcoal suite will be the perfect foil for your dark good looks Mr. Quinhurst" Freidman suggest with his usual expert opinion. Both Rayne and Javonnie agreed with the choices and moved into the dressing rooms to try the apparel on so that Freidman could see to any necessary alterations.

Rayne emerged first and Freidman began making the necessary adjustments assuring Rayne it could be accomplished within a few hours and delivered to the townhouse in plenty of time for the evenings festivities. Javonnie emerged looking quite handsome in the elegant black suite, with the cravat making his eyes seem even greener than normal.

"By jove Freidman, I believe you have succeeded in making my mangy friend here as handsome and dashing as possible" Rayne joked with a jovial grin at Javonnie who was preening in front of the large mirror. "Careful Javonnie, you are starting to remind me of a certain popinjay of our mutual acquaintance" Rayne said barely able to contain his laughter at the dark scowl he received for his wit.

"I could never be like dear Stevie even if I tried" Javonnie snorted, imitating the mincing steps of the referred to dandy and looking quite the fool for his efforts. He soon had Rayne howling with laughter at his antics, that is until Freidman managed to poke Rayne with the straight pin as he was attempting to pin the back seam of the trousers he wore.

"Good God Freidman, watch where you're poking that damnable pin!" Rayne shouted at the now nervous tailor who was desperately trying to apologize.

"Oh yeah right, make him nervous before he gets a hold of me, why don't you Rayne" Javonnie said with mock concern. "Guess I'll feel like a pin cushion by the time he's through with me from the way his hands are shaking. Now, Freidman, pay no attention to my friend here, he's suffering from a bad case of rejection from a certain lady of the feline persuasion." Javonnie received a glowering look from Rayne for his trouble and should have known it would be wise to let the subject drop, but this was Javonnie after all! "Yes siree, I don't believe I've ever seen his Dukeship here receive quite a set-down like that before." He leaned closer to Freidman and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "You know, the ladies always prostrate themselves at his feet, but not this lady. She flat out refused his advances without batting an eyelash. I fear the Duke here was quite undone by the lady's rebuff. You know, not knowing how to handle a refusal as it's never happened before."

"Javonnie, I believe that's enough, unless of course you would like to know what if feels like to have me really take my frustration out on you?" Rayne said with deadly quiet and a furious look on his handsome face. Freidman looked as if he was a mouse caught between two hungry cats and the look cause both Rayne and Javonnie to burst out in laughter. Freidman managed to get through the rest of the fitting and breathed a sigh of relief as the two gentlemen walked out the front doors of the establishment to the street. These two particular gentlemen could be very volatile but they always made it worth his time he thought as he looked down at the handsome tip he had received. The tip alone was more than he normally made in a month, so he shrugged his shoulders at the nervous tension their visits always brought him.

True to his word, Freidman had the suits delivered to the townhouse in plenty of time for Javonnie and Rayne to dress for the ball. Rayne had been dressed and sitting in the study for almost an hour before Javonnie put in an appearance.

"Damn Javonnie, you take longer to dress than most women. Why, I bet ole Stevie boy doesn't even take as long as you do to dress" Rayne just couldn't refrain from taking that little jab at Javonnie.

"Yeah, that may be so, but then Stevie doesn't stand a chance when I walk in the room either!"

"My, my, we are feeling confident tonight aren't we?"

"Have you spoken to your coachman?"

"My coachman will be in front of the estate where he should be. I have made arrangements with Scotty to be waiting in the back alley with the new landau I bought. Just in case your charm and good looks aren't enough to convince Veronica to call off this engagement."

Javonnie at least had the decency to look chagrined as he spoke, "I know I owe you for this one Rayne. I should have taken care of that little detail by proposing before I left to return to Tahiti. At least then she would have known what my intentions were. I just can't believe she wouldn't wait for me." Then as if it just dawned on him he looked over at Rayne with a stricken look.

Rayne seeing the very real fear mixed with denial on Javonnie's face cautiously asked "What?"

Javonnie cleared his throat and asked somewhat shakily, "You don't suppose she conceived that one time do you?"

"Good Lord Javonnie, you mean to stand there and tell me you didn't have the wherewithal to take the precaution to withdraw before...no, never mind, I can see you didn't. How could you let this happen? I mean it's not like this was the first woman you were ever intimate with. I happen to know for a fact there have been numerous women and times. Would you care to explain yourself?" Rayne exploded.

"Rayne, I know you're not going to believe this, but it was like it was the first time. I hate to admit this, but...I totally lost control of the situation and before I knew it we were both there and I spent myself before it occurred to me to pull out." Javonnie looked extremely uncomfortable with his admission and tugged at his perfectly tied cravat as if he were suddenly suffocating.

Rayne had never seen his eloquent friend so flustered and he had rarely seen him blush, but he stood before him now with his face a dull red and looking totally miserable with the situation. "Javonnie, I have to ask you before this gets totally out of hand. Do you love Veronica? Now hear me out. Are you in love with her, because once you take her from the ball by force, there will be no turning back. Her reputation would be totally ruined and you will have to marry her once the deed is done. Do you understand all of the consequences of your actions if you do this?"




Rayne Ch. 02



Javonnie still looking miserable replied dismally, "All I know is that ever since you told me of this damned engagement this morning, I feel like someone punched me in my gut and the pain just won't go away. Every time I imagine that little prissy Stevie or any man putting their hands on her I am filled with a rage I can't control. And when I remember the night I spent in her arms, not making love to her, but making love with her I become so aroused I almost spend myself! God, that's embarrassing to admit. What's wrong with me? I've never felt this way about a woman before?"

Poor Javonnie, he had fallen and fallen hard, and he didn't even know it. "I believe you've just answered all my questions. Let's go. We've got a ball to attend and a engagement to stop."

As the two devilishly handsome men walked into the ballroom there was a twitter among all the mama's with daughters of a marriageable age as well as the married women looking for a discreet lover.

"Well, the wolves are circling" Javonnie muttered and Rayne grimly agreed.

"I suggest you find Veronica, isolate her as quickly as possible and try and talk some sense into her. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to let her know how you feel about her" Rayne suggested. With a nod, Javonnie searched the faces as they swirled past him on the dance floor. Finally he caught a glimpse of her talking with another couple and there was that twit Stevie hanging on her every word wearing a horrid puce suite that made him look like an overgrown elf. With a surge of confidence Javonnie knew at least his physic and handsome visage were a plus in his favor. He already knew that the beautiful and serene Veronica was a tigress in bed, and he knew little Stevie wouldn't know what to do with that side of Veronica. But he sure did he thought with a chuckle.

He approached Veronica with the stealth of a lion stalking its prey. When he stood directly in front of her he said, "Good evening Miss Mulholland, how very beautiful you look tonight."

Veronica had not noticed him as he had approached, in fact she had no idea he had returned from Tahiti. Her breath caught in her throat and the room tilted dizzily for a few seconds as she drank in the sight of him. Then her anger at his cavalier attitude towards their relationship caught up to her and she gave him a frosty greeting, "Why Mr. Sumner, I can hardly believe my eyes. I would have thought you were still off on one of your high sea adventures. And instead here you stand in my humble ballroom. You must be terrible bored with all of us common, uninteresting, everyday people."

The couples around them picked up the undercurrent of the conversation and had almost gasped at the barely veiled hostility with which Veronica greeted the gorgeous man who stood staring at her. Javonnie knew she was furious with him and that she had that anger on a very short leash, so he decided to push the issue just a little. Before he spoke again he let his eyes rove over her freely from top of her head to the tip of her dainty satin slipper with a look that clearly told everyone there he was staking his claim on her. Veronica shivered because that look was. so bold it felt as if Javonnie had actually run his hands over her entire body. She knew firsthand how it felt to have Javonnie's hands on her body, that thought brought another round of shivers as well as arousal to her. She wanted to stomp her foot in frustration that he could make her feel so much with just a glance. How dare he come here after leaving her alone for so long without even the promise that he would come back or a declaration of his feelings?

The musicians began to play a waltz and Javonnie reached for her hand, even before he bothered to ask her for a dance. "May I have this dance, Veronica?" he asked softly.

Stevie, feeling way out of his element said in his wheedling voice, "Miss Mulholland, you said I could have this dance."

Javonnie kept Veronica's hand firmly in his as he turned and fairly snarled down into the little mans face, "She's changed her mind, twit, so go ask one of the wall flowers to dance." Stevie face turned the same shade of pink as his suite as he stood there looking like the idiot he was.

Veronica felt like laughing out loud at his expression, but anger at Javonnie held that emotion in check. "He may just challenge you to a dual over this obvious insult Mr. Sumners" she informed Javonnie with a frown on her beautiful face.

"One can certainly hope, love" Javonnie responded dryly. Javonnie used all of his charm as he cajoled "Please Roni, smile at me and tell me you forgive me."

"Forgive you? Why, whatever would I have to forgive you for? And please don't use that disgustingly male version of my name, you may address me as Miss Mulholland" she replied icily.

"Now Roni, you liked it when I called you that when I was last here. Remember when we were.."

"I remember when you were last here! I'm not a dottering old fool that can't remember so much as my own name. I also remember you sailing out of the harbor and not receiving one letter from you in all the months you've been gone, you inconsiderate, pompous, overbearing, egotistical,........Oooooh man!" Veronica could have bitten off her tongue for letting all of that slip out. She had at least wanted to salvage her pride by letting Javonnie believe that he meant nothing to her. So much for that idea! Her eyes were swimming in tears and she absolutely refused to stand here on the ballroom floor in front of all these guests and him and cry. She twisted out of Javonnie's arms and raced off the dance floor. Rayne who had thought things were going pretty well shook his head. Damn, couldn't Javonnie ever do anything the easy way? He decided to work his way around the dance floor and out into the garden to apprise Scotty that it would seem that he would be having a somewhat reluctant passenger before the night was over.

Having notified Scotty and the two men inside the carriage of the upcoming chain of events Rayne was making his way back through the gardens when he heard Javonnie pleading his case to Veronica. He faded into the shadows to await the outcome of Javonnie's second attempt to straighten out this mess.

Javonnie began to speak to Veronica in that voice that could charm the devil right into giving up hell. "Veronica, darling, you're being silly. Of course I know you're angry but did you really think I wasn't going to come back?"

Rayne rolled his eyes heavenward. Didn't Javonnie know women hated to be told they were silly? He wanted to snatch Javonnie away from Veronica and tell him he better get down on his knees and start begging for her forgiveness. Because that was about the only thing that was going to save him at this point in the game.

"Silly am I? Well, it would seem to me that you're the silly one. Did you really expect me to sit here and wait forever, darling?" That the word "darling" was dripping with sarcasm should have warned Javonnie he was on thin ice. But no, he just plunged ahead still believing she was ready to forgive and forget.

"Sweetheart, I know I should have made myself clearer before I left, but, I did think after what we shared that you understood my intentions" Javonnie explained still in his most charming tone of voice as he reached for Veronica.

Veronica sidestepped his embrace and turned to face him with murder in her eyes, "Oh "sweetheart" your "intentions" were perfectly clear." This said in a voice that was raising about one octave with each word. "Your "intentions" were to seduce me, compromise me and then leave me to face the music alone, pining for your return. Well guess again my "darling sweetheart". I won't wait around being made a fool of by you any longer." Having finished her speech Veronica stood glaring at Javonnie with tears streaming down her face.

Javonnie at last caught on to the fact that he was going to have to pull all the stops out to convince her of his sincerity and he was begin to doubt that even then she might not be swayed to his path. He managed to capture her hands in his and he looked into her eyes as he said softly, "Veronica, I know I've been an absolute cad. I didn't intentionally set out to seduce you or compromise you. Or fall in love with you." This last was said barely over a whisper and Veronica (as well as Rayne) wasn't sure they had heard Javonnie correctly.

"What did you just say?" Veronica asked him, a look of hopeful incredulation on her face.

"It's true you know, I guess it just took me a while to identify exactly what these feeling were. But I do love you Veronica. I can't stand the thought of another man touching you, making love to you or giving you babies. And as for that little popinjay Stevie, he isn't man enough to remove your slipper, much less be a real husband to you."

At the mention of Stevie, whom Veronica had forgotten all about with Javonnie's startling declaration her present situation was brought home to her. She had the overwhelming urge to stomp her foot yet again. (A terribly unladylike habit of hers that the aunts continuously admonished her about.) After all, this was a ball to announce her engagement to the little twit. Ugh, now Javonnie had her admitting that she could hardly stand the sight of Stevie. It was hardly fair to Stevie as she had her god-like Adonis Javonnie to compare him to. Of course Stevie couldn't compete with Javonnie, she didn't know many men who could, except for possible the Duke of Darkness. But he was much too formidable for her taste. 

"Veronica, aren't you going to say something?" Javonnie asked impatiently. Which was what Rayne himself was wondering.

"Well, you've made a fine mess of things Mr. Sumner!"

"Me? Mess? I stand here baring my soul to you, professing my love for you, asking you to be my wife, mother to my children and you accuse me of creating a mess of things? Blast it women, you're never satisfied" Javonnie said running his hand through his hair distractedly.

"Damn it Javonnie" Rayne wanted to shout, you were almost home free. Couldn't the man hold his arrogance in check for even one moment?

"Yes, you've made a mess of things. Here I am already promised to marry another man, at a ball to announce that very engagement and you show up and drag me out here, confess your love and expect me to just walk in and tell all these people, what? That I've made a terrible mistake, that I allowed one of the most notorious rakes and debauchers in London to make wild passionate love to me for one entire glorious night and then sail away into the sunset, without me? But oops silly me, I didn't know I was supposed to wait a lifetime for you to sail back into my life as if nothing had happened? Damn you Javonnie, how could you? All of this could have been avoided it you would have opened your mouth and told me of your intentions, or picked up a pen and written to me." Well-said Rayne chuckled to himself.

Javonnie sighed, took a deep breath and asked, "You're not going to be reasonable about this are you Veronica?"

"What exactly do you expect me to do Javonnie?"

Well, at least she had stopped calling him Mr. Sumner and was calling him by his given name. "Well, we could get Stevie boy out here so you could break the bad news to him in private. Then with that out of the way, we could speak to the aunts in the study and apprise them of the situation and since this is a ball to announce your engagement, why not do just that?"

"You lost me Javonnie," she said exasperatedly. "You just suggested I break my engagement."

Javonnie explained it once more patiently, "Announce our engagement sweetheart. Just think of how envious all those other single females will be. Then they will have to turn their attentions to my wonderful friend Rayne, the Duke of Darkness." The last part had been added for Raynes benefit, because Javonnie knew without a doubt Rayne was just behind the hedge listening to every word.

"Do you think it would really work? I mean could we do this? You know everyone is expecting me to announce my engagement to Stevie."

Javonnie was stunned by the look of hopefulness and doubt mixed on Veronica's beautiful face. "Baby, you just leave everything to me. You wait right here, okay? Promise me when I return you will be standing right here in this exact spot."

Veronica blushed becomingly before saying "Oh Javonnie, I do love you! Of course I'll wait right here you silly twit." There was a long silence as Javonnie pulled Veronica into his arms and kissed her deeply. Rayne moved quietly away to give the two lovers a few moments of privacy.

Javonnie came around the bend in the walkway and grinned at Rayne, "Guess you heard?"

"Every word. By God Javonnie, I didn't think you were going to pull it off there for a while. Stuck you foot in it didn't you son?"

"Never mind that now, I've got an idea. Can you keep Veronica company for a little while? Give me a half an hour and then meet me by the back gate."

"Javonnie, what are you up to?"

Javonnie gave Rayne one of his award winning smiles and started up the steps toward the ballroom where he turned and said "Keep her company, but keep your hands off of my future wife!"

Rayne rolled his eyes and returned to keep Veronica from having second thoughts.

Javonnie reached Stevie's side and clapped him on the back so hard the small-framed dandy almost went sprawling in the floor. He probably would have except Javonnie had a hold on his arm. As Stevie turned his owlish eyes toward the offender he was met with one of Javonnie's most brilliant smiles. "Stevie ole boy, I'd like you to join me in the study. You know old man, sort of a pre-celebratory drink" Javonnie winked. Stevie, who had long wanted to fit in with the crowd Javonnie ran with, known rakes and debauchers, jumped at the chance to rub it in that he was about to announce his engagement to the beautiful Veronica. Once Javonnie had him alone in the study he began to ply Stevie with Cognac. After several drinks of the strong spirits poor Stevie was well into his cups and easily convinced that the voluptuous Veronica was eagerly awaiting him by the back garden gate for a few stolen kisses. 

As arranged, Rayne excused himself from Veronica just in time to see Javonnie and Stevie weaving down the path. Stevie had a goofy smile pasted on his face in obvious drunken oblivion and Javonnie was looking extremely pleased with himself. "Okay, you've managed to get him drunk. Was that before or after you told him Veronica had changed her mind?"

"Actually, we never quite got around to that part. I decided it would be unjustly cruel to tell Stevie that bit of bad news without compensating him in some way."

"So, what exactly is it you've planned by way of compensation?"

Javonnie couldn't stop the laughter as it bubbled up in his throat and his chest rumbled with the sound of it. "I thought Red and Scotty could take him over to one of the houses of ill-repute that you and I used to frequent so regularly and let him wake up with not one but two of the brawdiest "ladies" the establishment has to offer. Of course it would be my "treat"."

Rayne had to admit, it was terrible clever on Javonnie's part and he would love to see the look on the little twit's face when he woke up with two naked "soiled-doves" as he referred to them. Yes sir, old Stevie was in for quite a surprise.

Stevie was soon deposited into the landau and on his way to a night he would never remember, or forget either for that matter!

Javonnie took Veronica by the hand and entered the ballroom. "Excuse me, could I have your attention please?" The musicians stopped playing and everyone turned to look with interest at the handsome man standing beside Veronica Mulholland. "I know you are all gathered here expecting to hear Mr. Finch and Miss Mulholland announce their engagement. Well, there has been a slight change in plans. Miss Mulholland is announcing her engagement tonight, to me." There was a great deal of twittering among the guests and the aunts approached with quizzical expressions on their faces. But when they saw the smile on Veronica's face, they were the first to offer their congratulations. 

Rayne inclined his head in a silent salute to Javonnie that said he totally approved of the way he had handled the situation. As the guests made their way to the glowing couple to offer congratulations Rayne caught sight of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen before. When she approached closer he had a nagging feeling that he had seen this woman somewhere before, but just couldn't put his finger on where he knew her from. He wrangled an invitation from one of the aunts as she drew nearer. "Miss Quientanilla, may I introduce the Duke of Quinhurst?" As the beautiful woman turned a momentary flicker of recognition flashed across her face. It was concealed so quickly that Rayne thought he had imagined it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Duke Quinhurst. It would seem that while your friend has stolen the night, you are the talk of the single women here tonight."

"The pleasure is all mine Senorita Quientanilla. I'm afraid people here in London tend to talk when they should be listening."

"Really? And what would they hear if they were listening?" she said with a provocative smile on her lush ruby red lips.

"Only that the other ladies present pale in comparison to your beauty."

"So, the things I've heard about you are all true, senor?"

The way she said the word "Senor" was so familiar. "Well, I'm not sure what you've heard, so it would be hard for me to confirm whether or not it's true, now wouldn't it?"

She liked his rapier wit and the banter with him was much better than the boring conversations she had had to endure so far this evening. "Senor, it's terrible stuffy in here, would you think me terrible forward if I asked you to escort me into the garden for a breath of fresh air?"

"Not at all, senorita, I rather like a woman that knows what she wants and isn't afraid to say so" Rayne bowed gallantly before placing her hand in the crook of his arm and leading her out the French doors to the moonlit garden beyond. He led her to an iron bench and after seating her he stood with one foot on the small seat leaning closer to her while resting his forearm on his knee. "You seem very familiar to me Miss Quientanilla, have we met before?"

"No, not to my knowledge and I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten if I had met you before" she said with the compliment thinly veiled. Rayne was quite good at this game, in fact it was one he excelled at. But he thought with humor, she didn't know just how good he was at this particular game and so thought she could turn his head with her compliments. He would let her think that for a while, but he knew he wouldn't play this coquettish game for long, before he demanded more than she would want to give.

"I understand you recently lost your grandfather, I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Unfortunately, my grandfather and I were not close and I had not seen or spoken to him in years. I am here only to sort through the estate and make necessary arrangements before returning home. What brings you to London Miss Quientanilla?" Rayne inquired politely.

"Last names are so formal, don't you agree? Please, Mr. Quinhurst, I much prefer you call me by my given name, Gabriella."

Rayne took in the sight of her beautiful skin and seductive eyes and her ruby red lips, full and pouty and felt himself quicken. "A beautiful name to fit an equally beautiful woman. By all means, I would be honored to call you Gabriella, but only if you consent to stop calling me Mr. Quinhurst, it makes me sound like my grandfather. That's a fate worse than death" Rayne said with mock horror.

"Very well senor, but what should I call you? Perhaps the Duke of Darkness?" Gabriella said somewhat impishly.

"Ah, I see you have already been treated to the entire sordid history of my background. Perhaps you could find it in your heart to simply call me Rayne?"




Rayne Ch. 02



"Rayne, that's an unusual name, but then you are a most unusual man, aren't you?"

"Now, where would you get that idea, Gabriella? Do you know something you're not telling me?" Rayne inquired with a sardonic lift of his black brow.

"One can hardly help but pick up little tid-bits when you are all the ton has discussed for the past month."

"So, you've been in London for the past month?"

"Actually, I've only been here for a few days, I was, um detained on my way here by a small side diversion."

So was I, Rayne thought, as he once again thought of the beautiful Spanish woman in the leather breeches with the dancing emerald eyes and wildly disarrayed hair and the seductive smile. Those pouting ruby red lips. As these thoughts ran through his head he realized with a start that he was seeing those exact same features before him. Except that this woman's hair was smoothed into a perfect chignon and it was hard to tell if her hair was curly or not. His eyes narrowed as he studied the beautiful face tilted up at his and wondered if it could possible be...but, no, that would be impossible. This elegant lady before him couldn't possibly be La Gata. But then one would be hard pressed to see Rayne as he was tonight and the way he was when he was aboard The Phantom dressed as El Diablo and make the connection.

"Senor? Is there something wrong? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"Wrong? No, it's just that you suddenly reminded me of someone I recently met. You bear a strong resemblance to her that for a moment I almost thought you might be her. But then that's preposterous, isn't it?"

"Senor, you have a friend, and yet you're not sure if I'm her? You must not be very good friends if you can't recognize her." He couldn't possible know! No one had ever made the connection. She had to get away from Rayne, to put some distance between them. She knew it had been foolish to play with this man, he was much too dangerous for these kinds of games. "I believe I am quite revived now, and perhaps we should return to the ballroom."

"As you wish senorita." Rayne had hoped he might convince her to dally in the garden for a short while. It had been a long time since he had bedded a woman, and this was the first woman he had felt any sexual attraction to since the night in La Gata's cabin. That had been the reason for his surly mood that Javonnie and his crew had been dodging. It was strange that this woman made him feel just like La Gata did.

Once inside the ballroom Gabriella was set upon by no less than half a dozen young swains begging for a dance. She flashed Rayne an apologetic look as she was swept onto the ballroom floor to the haunting strains of Mozart. Rayne joined Javonnie and Veronica to offer his congratulations and tease Javonnie that he guessed he would have to find him a new doctor for the ship. Veronica answered before Javonnie had the chance, "Yes, you had better! Next time he sails off, I won't be so easy to convince to give him another chance!"

"Easy!?! I thought we were going to have to make use of that landau before you finally gave in and consented to marry the fool!"

"Landau? What are you talking about Rayne?"

"Didn't Javonnie tell you about his little plan?" Rayne asked with devilment dancing in his eyes.

Javonnie with a murderous look on his face quickly answered, "No, we didn't exactly get to that part of the story, Rayne!"

"Javonnie, what is Rayne talking about?" Veronica asked. She could tell there was something going on between these two handsome friends, but she wasn't sure just what it was.

Javonnie took Veronica's hand in his and pressed a kiss to it before answering, "Darling, it is such a romantic story, I was saving it our wedding night. So that I could share it with you as we lay in our marriage bed sipping champagne and convince you of just how much I loved you and to just what desperate lengths I was willing to go to, just to make you mine. You wouldn't want to spoil that would you?"

Javonnie's charm came through for him again, and Rayne smiled knowingly as Veronica melted under that seductive smile of Javonnie's. Poor girl, she didn't stand a chance against the rogue! "I believe I will try to wade my way through the crowd of young swains surrounding your beautiful Spanish guest. I believe she owes me a dance."

"Rayne, you sure do seem to have developed a taste for Spanish women of late. I just hope you have better luck with this one!" Javonnie laughed as Rayne gave him a dirty look and made his way to the woman of whom he had just spoken. As Javonnie took a good look at the woman Rayne had indicated and he got a strange premonition that this woman would be a controlling factor in Rayne's life. He tried to shake off the feeling. He hadn't had one of these de´ja vu feelings in over five years. But even though he laughed and smiled the night away as he accepted congratulations from well wishers, but by the end of the night, if anything, the feeling was even stronger. He felt a certain obligation to Rayne to tell him of his "feeling". He had no fear that Rayne would laugh at his "feeling" because too many times in the past these "feelings" had proven all too fateful.

As he and Rayne rode home that night, Rayne was laughing and congratulating Javonnie on his stroke of genius in disposing of Stevie. Rayne noticed that Javonnie for all that he was trying to be attentive and jovial, he was somewhat subdued. "Come, come ole man. Don't tell me that you're already feeling the tightening of the noose?" Rayne joked.

"Oh, that not at all. Actually, I'm quite relieved that I was fortunate enough to get Roni to consent to marry me. It was what I wanted all along, only I was too bull-headed to admit it, although I will miss our days at sea Rayne. You know I could make a couple of more voyages with you, just until you find a replacement for me. I know Roni wouldn't begrudge me that."

"No sir, I'm not going to have you lose that woman, now that you've finally landed her! You just concentrate on getting her to the altar and keeping her happy afterward!"

"Actually Rayne, I do need to talk to you about something. I'm just not sure how to put this into words."

Rayne could see that Javonnie was dead serious and seemed to be somewhat upset about something. "Javonnie, I haven't heard you talk like this since the last time you had one of those damnable visions of yours."

"Yes, I haven't had one since that time, that is not until tonight."

Rayne swallowed, with unease because he knew from experience, Javonnie and his "feelings" were never wrong. "Well, what is it?"

"Actually, it was sort of a vague feeling, but it did seem to involve the beautiful Spanish woman you were dancing with. Rayne, I'm sorry, I know you hate it when I get these visions, and I wish I could be more specific. But I don't think she's of any danger to you, it was more like...well, like she was your destiny" Javonnie finished lamely.

"My destiny, huh? Well, I must say, you've definitely had worse visions. I certainly don't mind having her in my future! It's strange that you should have a vision about her, it seemed like I had met her before. She closely resembles my little feline friend."

"Do you think it could be her? It is possible you know."

"No, I think I could have been sure if it was her, I guess it was just that they had the same eyes, but somehow I can't imagine Gabriella in leather breeches wielding a sword."

"You never know. Just be careful."

The carriage pulled up to the townhouse and Rayne bid Javonnie 'goodnight' as he went upstairs to bed.



Rayne Ch. 03



Stevie felt all warm and comfy as he hovered in that place between sleep and wakefulness. His head ached but the softness his head rested on made it feel much better. As Stevie slowly opened his eyes his vision was a bit blurred but it almost seemed like he was in a pink room. He blinked a couple of times to clear his vision and when it was fully restored he was astounded to find he was indeed in a pink room. The comfy softness his head rested on was a plump naked breast! He was almost afraid to move, but he wanted to find out where the warmth to his back was coming from, so he slowly lifted his head and glanced behind him and there he found another naked female pressed close to him. His movement had disturbed his "pillow" and as he was trying to decide where he was and how he got there his "pillow" reached down and closed her hand "around" him. Stevie boy let out a yelp, he was so startled.

"Now, now Stevie my boy. It's a little late to play the shy game don't ya think?" the red-haired "pillow" asked with a sly smile.

"How, how, how did I ggggget hhhere?" Stevie stuttered. When Stevie was nervous the stammer he had worked so hard to control manifested itself and it always caused him undue embarrassment. And Stevie was definitely embarrassed, especially since his other bed companion had awakened and was rubbing her naked form against his back. He could feel her hard nipples as they brushed against his naked back and her stomach and lower was pressed tightly against his buttocks as she moved suggestively.

"Why Stevie, you arrived with a couple of your friends last night, and you were celebrating getting you neck out of a noose you said" the large breasted red-head told him all the while stroking him while the petite blonde behind him continued to move against him.

"BBBut I dddddon't remmmmbbbber bbbreakkking mmmmmy engagggammment!"

"Well, lucky for us you did sweetie" this from the petite blonde.

"You shore was a tiger once we got you to purring!" the red head sniggered and the petite blonde giggled her agreement. "We weren't too impressed with your looks when you first came in, but you assured us that you could handle the two of us." She tightened her hold on his tool as she increased the movement of her hand and Stevie felt himself harden in spite of himself. "And you was as good as your word!"

"Even better!" the blonde giggled again. "Mayhap you wouldn't mind a little something to tide us over till you come back to see us sweetie?" the blonde wheedled.

Stevie wasn't sure how he got here, or why he was here. And he wasn't real clear on anything after joining Mr. Sumner for a drink. But however he arrived here he sure was grateful, because he hadn't ever felt anything like this before! He gave himself up to the ministrations of the two "ladies" sharing his bed. Mommy had always warned him about the sins of the flesh and he had always believed her. He should have known she was just trying to keep him from having a good time. He decided right then and there that he would be back to visit the "ladies" on a regular basis. Three hours later an extremely tired Stevie emerged from The Honey Pot wearing a rumpled suite and a goofy grin. Bertha and Belle had pure tuckered him out, but he had already arranged to visit them again the following evening. Yes siree, he had decided his life was going to be a bit different from now own. But first things first. He was on his way to see a solicitor about a house. It was high time he was on his own, of course Mommy wasn't going to like it, but she would just have to get used to the idea. After all, he didn't want her monitoring his comings and goings. And he planned on doing a lot of coming and going. Suddenly he laughed out loud at his own pun when it suddenly occurred to him that he had never made a joke in his life.

Javonnie and Rayne sat observing Stevie as he emerged from the whorehouse and went off in peals of laughter at the look on Stevie's face. After Stevie was completely out of sight the two of them climbed down from the carriage and entered the establishment Stevie had just vacated.

"Good morning gents. What can we do for you? You're a mite early for business, but, we might be able to work something out for the right price" the bawdy proprietress suggested.

"Ah good madame, it's a truly tempting offer" Javonnie said in his most charming voice while pressing a kiss to the back of her beringed dimpled hand. "However, I came to conclude some business with Belle and Bertha. If you could be so kind as to either fetch them or direct me and my good friend to their whereabouts?"

The chubby Madame thought with regret that the handsome man was not here for entertainment. A glance at his companion and she almost made the sign of the cross. That one was handsome as the devils own, but he was much to dark and brooding for her taste. She directed the men upstairs and breathed a sigh of regret as they walked the direction she had indicated.

Belle and Bertha were still in bed as Rayne and Javonnie walked in. Both girls sat up with smiles wreathing their faces at the two handsome men.

Javonnie spoke first, "Ladies, I've come to settle a business arrangement that was made in my stead by my friend Scotty last night."

Before he could say another word both girls bounced out of bed and showered him with kisses. Javonnie was quite taken aback by their reaction and finally managed to disentangle himself from their arms and inquire "What is this all about?"

"Why, we want to thank you for sending us our Stevie boy! We ain't never had one like him!"

Javonnie was thinking he bet they hadn't. "A little on the shy side was he? I understand, I'll pay you double whatever Scotty discussed with you to make up for your disappointment."

"Oh we'll take the money, but he weren't no disappointment." The chubby one jiggled all over as she laughed and said, "I had my doubts when I got a look at his slight frame, he was so little, but he was big where it counted. If you know what I mean" she gave them both a wink. 

"Oooh, Bertha's right, Stevie boy was a wild man, I ain't never had a man stay hard the whole night! Why we just had to touch him and he was ready again. Not like a lots of gents who just wants to climb on top of a girl and rut and then leave. No sir, not our Stevie, he was willing to try anything we suggested."

Rayne and Javonnie stared in open mouth surprise at each other. Both speechless over what they had just heard.

"We can't hardly wait for him to come back! But he promised he'd be here tomorrow night, why, he's already paid in advance for the whole night for the both of us. It's us who should be thanking you if you're the one responsible for landing him in our bed!"

With their business concluded Rayne and Javonnie exited the building and Rayne burst out laughing. "Stevie boy sure did empress the ladies. It's a good thing you arrived back in London before he had his way with Veronica. Or else you're chances of winning her back might have been considerably slimmer!"

Javonnie shot Rayne a glare of warning, before exclaiming "Who'd of thought Stevie had it in him. And he liked it! Now, how do you suppose he's going to explain his all night absence to his 'Mommy'?" Everyone was very familiar with the fact that Stevie was a mammas boy and never crossed his "Mommy". So he would be hard pressed to explain his absence last night. Yes, Javonnie thought, he just might have the last laugh after all.



Rayne Ch. 04



In the weeks that followed the engagement ball, Javonnie and Veronica were busy making arrangements their wedding. There were dresses for the bridesmaids, flowers, and of course, the finishing touches to Veronica's wedding gown. Javonnie had asked Rayne to stand as his bestman and several of his closest friends, including Red, Tuff and Scotty, to act as groomsmen.

Rayne had arranged for a night on the town the night before the wedding as a farewell to bachelorhood for Javonnie. But he had assured Veronica that he would not let Javonnie out of his sight and he would make sure he was at the church on time. She had been extremely reluctant to agree to this outing, and Rayne could hardly blame her with Javonnies earlier exploits, but he gave her his word and he wouldn't break it. He actually felt quite pleased with himself for his part in bringing these two friends he cared so much about together.

He and Javonnie left the townhouse around eight that evening, having earlier made arrangements to meet Scotty, Red and Tuff at a favorite haunt, The Tin Horn a local bar. They whiled away several hours there drinking and flirting with the barmaids there. Javonnie had become enamoured with a red-head who had large breasts and firm bottom, the latter he had discerned from patting her on it every time she brought a round of drinks! Since Javonnie was showing signs of escorting her upstairs to a private room, Rayne deemed it time to move on to a different tavern. Under protest Javonnie joined Rayne and the other three gentlemen as they made their way to the The Blue Eel to continue the celebration. Rayne was taking his time consuming his drinks, as he wanted to maintain a clear head. After all he had given Veronica his word, and that wasn't something Rayne took lightly. He was determined that Javonnie would have a good time, but that he was not going to bed a wench tonight. Instead, Javonnie would be quite able to say his wedding vows with a clear conscience.

It was well past midnight, in fact it was closer to two in the morning when the four friends stumbled from the tavern to climb into the waiting carriage. Rayne, the most sober and last one to enter the carriage was just climbing onto the carriage step when he noticed a woman walk from a warehouse further down the waterfront. He stepped back down onto the ground and watched with interested as she climbed into a waiting carriage. The woman had seemed familiar to him and as her carriage rolled past him he stepped into the shadows to watch her unobserved. Just as he had first thought, the woman was none other than Gabriella Quintanella. After she had passed by, without having seen him, he climbed into his carriage and rode home in thoughtful silence as his drunken carriage mates sang and carried on their revelry.

As Rayne stood in church the next morning next to Javonnie he saw Gabriella walk in and find a seat on the brides side. He wondered again, as he had last night, what she had been doing at that warehouse at that time of night, without chaperon and unescorted. The more he saw of Gabriella, the more intrigued he became. She reminded him much of La Gata in mannerisms and certain nuances. Tonight would be an excellent opportunity to pursue both this matter and her, at the wedding ball.

The last of the guests had arrived and the pianist and organist began to play the wedding march. All eyes turned to the back of the church as Veronica, absolutely breathtaking, in a stunning gown of pristine white with rows and rows of seed pearls, beads, sequins, lace and net began her walk down the aisle towards her husband to be. A lifelong friend of her family, Judge Andrew Fredicus, escorted Veronica. Rayne finally tore his eyes from the vision of loveliness and glanced at Javonnie, who was looking extremely uncomfortable. He could almost see the wheels turning in Javonnie's head and knew he was feeling suddenly hemmed in. Rayne actually thought that Javonnie might bolt from the church, so he laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze that bespoke of his understanding. Javonnie glanced at Rayne with panic in his eyes and seemed to draw strength from the Rayne's gaze and a calmness descended on him as his gaze returned to his beloved as she slowly made her way down the aisle towards him.

It had suddenly occurred to Javonnie that he was gaining a very beautiful, desirable woman to spend the rest of his life with. That he would have someone to laugh with, to cry with, to share secrets and dreams with. Later they would raise their children together and grow old together. The panic that had been hard upon him moments before vanished as he realized what a lucky man he was. It was in a strong, clear voice that Javonnie and Veronica made their wedding vows, pledging their lives and love to one another. Even Rayne was touched by the ceremony.

Later, at the wedding feast and ball, Rayne managed to get the "aunts" to sit him next to Gabriella who seemed both surprised and somewhat disconcerted to find that she had been paired with Rayne.

"Good evening Gabriella, you are as always looking lovely" Rayne said in greeting as he held out her chair for her. Privately he thought to himself just how seductive she did look in the pale green chiffon dress that floated off her lovely golden shoulders with her hair was pulled back in her traditional chignon and held in place with emerald combs. The plunging neckline exposed a large expanse of her golden colored breasts, which caused his breath to catch in his throat., especially since as he held the chair for her to sit, he could see straight down her decotague. He felt himself start to quicken, and groaned as he realized this was going to be a very long night.

"Senor, I would have thought as bestman to the groom, you would have sat with the wedding party?" Gabriella questioned, almost warily.

"Yes, well, you'll find I rarely do things people expect me to do. Besides, tonight is Javonnie and Veronica's night, let them be the center of attention, I much prefer to say in the "shadows" so to speak" Raynes words dripped with innuendo and Gabriella suddenly knew that Rayne knew about her rendezvous at the warehouse the night before. She didn't know how he knew, but she knew in his own subtle way he had just let her know, he knew. She would not panic, she could be wrong, but she didn't fool herself into believing that either. She just didn't know how much he knew about that meeting or her for that matter. She had hoped to avoid this, but it seemed fate wasn't with her this time. So, instead of avoiding Rayne as had been her plan since the engagement ball, she decided she would set out to charm him, thereby giving her the advantage and learn just how much he knew. But, she also knew Rayne Quinhurst was a very dangerous adversary, and she sincerely hoped that when the dust settled, he was standing on her side.

That decided she turned to him with her most charming smile and asked "Duke, oh I'm sorry, we did agree to first names didn't we?"

"Yes, Gabriella, we did" Rayne responded wondering at the sudden change in attitude.

"Rayne, I was wondering why it is I haven't seen much of you since the engagement ball?"

"Actually, I got the feeling that it was you that was avoiding me, senorita."

"You tease me now! Why would a woman avoid you Rayne? Every woman in London talks of you and hopes to catch your attention. Why would I be any different?" Gabriella queried.

Ah, so she had caught his subtle hint that he had seen her last night. Now she was wondering just how much he knew. She would be surprised to know he knew nothing, but would, through her own admissions and before this night was through. "I'm not certain why it is that you are different, but without a doubt you don't fall into that category you just described. Perhaps you upbringing was different, or perhaps because you are rich in your own right, and therefore not husband hunting? Whatever the reason, I am just grateful that you are different."

"Just how different do you think I am?"

"That would depend on the circumstance."

Gabriella knew that which he alluded to. He was bold, assuming that she would let him make love to her! But then again, her body seemed not to be her own when he was near. Even now there was a tightness in her stomach, her breasts tingled where his gaze seared them and there was a longing for something she knew not what when she was with him. For all that she had endured, she had managed to escape ravishment during those long horrible days in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. Just the memory of those horror filled times caused a shudder to pass through her.

Those were times that Gabriella tried hard to push to the deep dark recesses of her mind, only brought out when she was that other person, not the Lady Gabriella Quantinilla. It had been in 1479, when she was but twelve years old; that the Spanish Inquisition was at its worst. Her mother and father were labeled as heretics because of their wealth and possessions. It had mattered not to the General Inquisitor, Thomas de Torquemada, that her father had taken the small fortune he had inherited from his father and worked long hours to assure his business was successful. She had been terrified the day the inquisitors had forced their way into their home and attacked her father. Her mother had tried to help Carlos and had been beaten severely for her efforts. After that it was an almost daily ritual of the inquisitors visiting their home until the fateful day when Thomas de Torquemada had come himself. When his lecherous eyes had feasted on the beauty of Gabriella, he had ordered her mother and father removed from their home and taken to the inquisitors' dungeons. Her father had begged Torquemada to at least tell him who his accusers were, so that he could prove they were lying. But, the Inquisition kept that information confidential, and once arrested the accuseds property was seized and those properties were administered by Torquemada. So it was general knowledge that people were accused of heresy to make Torquemada a rich and powerful man.

Torquemada had tried to seize Gabriella to bring her to his home, but she had slipped away during the scuffle with her parents as had been their plan. Gabriella had cut her hair and dressed like a boy and covered herself with filth until she no longer resembled the beautiful child she was, but rather she looked like a bedraggled street urchin. Thus, was she able to come to the inquisitors' dungeons to see her parents, at least from a distance. She was present the day they murdered her mother. Torquemada had used the strappado, a device that used ropes to strap her mothers arms and legs, and then weights were attached to the ends of these ropes. She had watched them strip her mother and using the strappado her mothers nude body had been stretched painfully, pulling her arms and legs out of their sockets until finally at long last she had died. Her father had been tortured using the aselli. This involved him being placed on a trestle with sharp-edged rungs and secured with an iron band. His feet were elevated above his heads, and a small piece of linen was forced into his throat. Then a jar of water was poured into his mouth and nose, producing a state of semi-suffocation. The inquisitor did this over and over stopping only to give her father a chance to confess to the charges. When he refused, they would repeat the procedure again. Once, during that time, her father had seen Gabriella's face in the crowd and his eyes had locked on hers in a silent command for her to leave and go into hiding as they had discussed when they first began to be harassed by Torquemada. With tears streaming down her face she turned and ran and never looked back.

The visions of her mothers' death and her fathers' torture that had also ended in his death haunted her dreams throughout her childhood. She and her maid Maria had managed to get themselves out of Spain and to England using the money her father had secreted away. For years she and Maria had lived with her fathers life-long friend Roberto Cantu. Roberto had escaped from Spain just before the inquisition had begun, and using his political clout as an attorney, he managed to arrange to gain control of the Quantinilla estate and holdings before Torquemada had claimed them. He had then set about rebuilding Carlos's empire for Gabriella. But Gabriella had vowed she would avenge her parents' deaths, and she wouldn't rest until Torquemada was dead.

"Gabriella?" Rayne spoke softly to the woman who sat in strained silence, her face drained of color and her eyes filling with tears. Rayne had to call her a second time and touch her shoulder to bring her back to the present.

Gabriella turned her face to Rayne and realized she must have been silent for a long time, because the guests seated around her were all staring with avid interest at her. She rose from the table and mumbled "Please excuse me, por favor, senor" before she hurried from the room.

Rayne could see that she was visible shaken and he wasn't sure exactly what had just happened. But he felt whatever had just taken place was brought about by his comments. So, with that in mind, he excused himself and followed Gabriella out into the garden. As he approached her on silent feet, she stood with her back to him and he could see by the way she trembled that she was extremely upset and when he turned her to face him, her cheeks were wet with tears. "Gabriella, what's this?" he asked as his finger traced the tracks of her tears.

"Rayne, I'm afraid I owe you an apology" she tried to smile, but instead her bottom lip refused to stop quivering. In an effort to get a hold of herself, she caught her lip between her pearly white teeth. The sight of her full lush lip caught between her teeth made Rayne feel so protective of her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and crush her to him and protect her from the world. Those thoughts and feelings themselves were alien to Rayne. He had never had these feeling for Navia. Oh he had cared what happened to her, but the thought of her being in someone else's arms caused him not the slightest concern. While the thought of Gabriella being in someone else's arms made him want to snarl and do bodily damage.

"Gabriella, you have nothing to apologize for. Won't you tell me what's wrong?"

Gabriella was fighting to gain control of her emotions. She had not lost control like this in a very long time, and she couldn't believe Rayne had brought out all of these old emotions with just a look. "It's a long story, and one best left untold. The telling of it would only cause me more pain, and there is nothing you or anyone else can to do change the events that evoked these memories."

Her voice so full of pent-up emotions, the waver of her voice and the tears that still flowed freely down her cheeks tugged at Raynes heart-strings and made the desire to hold her and block out all of the ugliness that brought her this pain even greater. "Won't you let me help you? I'm sure there's something I could do?" Rayne asked in a voice fraught with concern and frustration.

"If you really want to help me, you will get me out of here. But it is unfair of me to ask this of you; this is a night to share in the joy and happiness of your friend and his new bride. Forget I asked."

"And I have already told you, this is Javonnie and Veronica's night, I have never liked being the center of attention, while Javonnie seems to thrive on it. Wait here, I will go make my excuses to Javonnie and return for you. Will you be alright here alone?"

"Yes,....and Rayne, thank you, I don't believe I could face all those people just now."

Rayne gave her a smile that made her heart beat just a little faster as he turned and disappeared into the house. He approached Javonnie and leaned over and spoke for several minutes to Javonnie, who inquired if there was anything he could do. To which Rayne replied, "Yes, enjoy this night and the rest of your life, friend, I wish you both only good things."

As Rayne and Gabriella rode through the streets of London in the security of his carriage, there was silence in the carriage. Tears continued to flow freely from Gabriella's eyes and Rayne continued to feel absolutely powerless to stop them. Finally in an effort to offer her comfort he pulled her onto his lap and rested her head on his chest under his chin. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head, and when she would have moved off of his lap, he whispered, "Don't worry little one, you have nothing to fear from me, I only seek to offer you comfort.....for now." Rayne had added the last because he felt it only fair that she know where she stood with him. He wanted her, and eventually he would have her. He knew if he pursued the issue tonight, he could have her in his arms and bed, but to do so would be to take unfair advantage. Rayne was a man of pride, and that's something he would never do. Besides, when Gabriella came to his bed, and she would, he wanted it to be because she wanted to. She had relaxed against Rayne's chest, and that coupled with the warmth from his body and the gentle rocking motion of the carriage as it wound it's way through the deserted streets of London soon had her fast asleep.

Rayne realized she had fallen asleep as he heard her deep even breathing and thought wryly that he had never had a woman this beautiful so immune to his charm, sensual nature and good looks that she fell asleep in his arms. At least not unless it was after she was exhausted from his lovemaking!

The driver stopped before Gabriella's large townhome and opened the door to the carriage for the couple inside. He discreetly averted his eyes to what he thought was a passionate embrace at first glance. But as Rayne descended from the carriage and carried the sleeping Gabriella up the steps to the front door, the driver realized his mistake and hurried to rap for entry for the gentleman. The butler opened the door as Maria stepped of the stairway onto the landing.

"What have you done to my baby?" she demanded in alarm.

Rayne shushed her and turned so that the woman could see for herself that Gabriella was just sleeping. Maria looked questioningly at Rayne and then led the way to Gabriella's bedchamber. Rayne carried her up the long, winding staircase as if she were a feather. Truth be told, she was as light as a feather and Rayne begrudgingly laid her on the bed Maria had indicated. But when he attempted to remove her arms from around his neck she only tightened them and murmured incoherently in her sleep. Maria motioned for Rayne to lay with her on the bed. As Rayne lay down on the bed next to Gabriella the aged old woman settled in the chair next to the bed to keep vigil. This seemed to satisfy the mumbling Gabriella and shortly she released him and just snuggled up close to the warmth of his body. He lay looking down on her peaceful features, as she lay sleeping she had a certain vulnerability about her that brought out Raynes protective instincts in full force. At the same time, the sight of her breasts all but spilling forth from her low cut neckline was almost his undoing. Honor be damned, it he didn't get out of this bed and soon, he was liable to take her right in front of the old crones very eyes! He slipped quietly out of the bed and Maria followed him out, closing the door softly.

"So, you're him?" the woman stated baldly.

"I bed your pardon?"

"You're the Duke of Darkness" it was a statement, not a question and Rayne slowly raised that raven brow of his in question.

"And just who might you be?" Rayne asked with his voice dripping in arrogance.

"Don't you use that tone with me young man, I've known you would come into her life since she was a wee babe in her cradle. A vision it was. As she lay sleeping, a raven lit on her cradle to watch over her. It has come to pass," she said resignedly.




Rayne Ch. 04



Rayne looked at the old crone as if she had sprouted two heads. "What is this you babble about old woman?" Rayne demanded.

"I, sir, do not babble. In my lifetime I have foreseen many visions, and they have all come to pass except for two. You are the dark one in my visions, sent to protect Gabriella. You already feel the ties that bind the two of you together. You will fight the attraction, but it will be to no avail. It is destiny; it is your fate. Yours and Gabriella, even an ocean apart, she felt herself pulled to you. That's why she..but, I say too much. It can't be told, it must unfold itself, only then will you believe, as will she."

"Who are you? Where do you come from?" Rayne was beginning to feel a little uneasy with her talk on the heels of Javonnie's "feelings or visions" as he too thought of them.

"I am Maria, I have been Gabriella's nurse since the day she was born, and her mothers before her."

The woman certainly looked old enough to be what she said she was. "Speaking of which, where are Gabriella's parents?"

"Dead."

Rayne, taken aback apologized, "I am terribly sorry, I had no idea."

"How could you? It was their destiny, it was fulfilled many years ago."

"How did they die?"

"Gabriella will tell you, when she is ready for you to have that information. It is something that she has not spoken of since it happened. But it is a driving force in her life and a destructive one as well."

This old crone fascinated Rayne with her half-truths, innuendoes, and riddles. But it was late and he obviously wouldn't find the answers to his questions tonight. He turned to leave and Maria placed her gnarled old hand on his sleeve, "Thank you for seeing her safely home. She will probably not remember much of what happened tonight. She can't accept some of the things she has seen in her life, things that haunt her still. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm trying to be mysterious. There are so many things that will be clearer to you once Gabriella explains who and what she is."

Rayne knew it had taken much for the old woman to share this with him. He put his large tanned hand over hers and a smile graced her lined, aged face causing her blue eyes to sparkle. He suddenly knew that he believed the things she had told him, and he knew that he would grow to love this old lady.

Rayne arrived home and sat before the fire sipping cognac and smoking a cigar. His thoughts were filled with many things. He thought about the happiness of his friend Javonnie, the tears of Gabriella and wondered not for the first time what could cause one so lovely as she to know misery such as was revealed on her face when she had sat in the garden crying. Then there was the mysterious Maria. He firmly suspected that beneath that gruff, grouchy exterior beat a warm and loving heart. He had planned to take care of his business here in London, tour the estates he had inherited and leave as quickly as possible to his carefree life in Tahiti. He realized with a start that not once since the night he had met La Gata had he given Navia more than a passing thought.

Perhaps Javonnie was right, maybe she wanted a permanent relationship, but he also knew that relationship would never be with him. He cared for her, she was a bright, intelligent and extremely sensual woman, but he felt only affection for her. He remembered the conversation he had had with Javonnie about marriage and he had a strange feeling that Javonnie might have been right. Mayhap he had met the woman that would turn his world upside down and steal his heart. Funny, he had never envisioned himself settled with a wife. He rose from the chair, finished off the cognac and tossed the half-smoked cigar into the fire. His thoughts had turned melancholy, something that had not happened since the loss of his parents. What a coincidence that both he and Gabriella had both lost their parents at such a young age.



Rayne Ch. 05



She felt the barrier of his shirt between his chest and her and made a sound of protest. To which Rayne immediately rose and stripped off his clothes. He returned to her lying between her legs as he again lavished attention on her breasts. He kissed her lower and lower until he reached the juncture of her thighs and he toyed with the silky, raven curls that covered her womanhood. He parted that secret place and Gabriella sucked in her breath as he pressed kisses there. She started to protest when Rayne slipped his tongue deep inside of her and the feelings that evoked caused her to gasp in surprise. He continued to suck and probe her with his tongue as well as press kisses to that part of her that seemed to be her entire being now. Rayne knew she was close to her peak; she was so hot and wet. He was so hard it was almost painful. He slipped his finger inside her and began to move it slowly as Gabriella tossed her head and moaned. She began to move against his hand and Rayne felt the barrier that proved that she was as yet untouched. He wanted to break that barrier so that it wouldn't interfere in what he was about to do. He knew it would be less painful this way, leaving only pleasure once he entered her with his shaft. She reached her climax and cried out in ecstasy. As she lay panting on the chaise he realized she was ready for lovemaking, to know the full extent of what it felt like to have him buried in her warm, wet depths. But, damn, this sudden protectiveness he was feeling was sure putting a damper on his ardor. He felt himself start to soften as he thought of Maria's words. Damn the old crone! Rayne knew he would not be teaching Gabbi the finer art of love making this night. So instead he settled for holding her close and knowing he had at least given her a measure of pleasure. He would over come this damn protectiveness. It was all well and good to protect what was yours, but not from ones own self. Now where had that come from? She didn't belong to him, or did she? Was she his destiny, as the old crone seemed to think? 

Gabbi removed the blindfold and looked questioningly up at Rayne. "Why did you stop?"

Rayne laughed raggedly, " Not by choice. It seems I have developed a conscience of late, thanks to your Maria. I could swear the woman has put a curse on me, if I believed in that sort of thing."

"Maria can do such things, it's true. But, she would never do so to you" Gabriella told him while running her hands over his chest. She was amazed that she felt no shyness or embarrassment lying here with her legs entwined with Raynes and his manhood resting against her thigh, her breasts pressed to his chest talking casually.

"What makes you think she wouldn't do such a thing to me?"

"Because she truly believes you are the 'one'" she said matter of factly.

"Gabriella, I don't scoff at visions, Javonnie has them occasionally, and most of them have been true. But what makes you so sure Maria had a vision, and if so, how could she have known me, she's only just met me."

"Maria has had many visions, they too have all come to pass, except for two. It had been four, but then you came into my life just as in the vision, and fulfilled the fifth vision, leaving only the two."

"What are the other two visions?" he asked quietly.

Gabriella looked up at him and studied his face intently. She knew she had to tell him the truth, he had that right, as this was his destiny as well as hers. But, she knew in the telling of all that had come to pass and all that would come to pass, he could walk out of her life. Most men would, but then again Rayne Quinhurst was not most men. She took a deep breath and spoke softly, "This is a long story, that began long before I was ever born. Are you sure you want to know these things? For once the words are spoken, they cannot be recalled. Your life will be in danger, as has mine been since I was twelve years old. Also, once you are told, you may feel differently towards me, and wish never to see me again. Are you sure?"

"Gabriella, I can foresee nothing on earth causing me to wish never to see you again. As for my life being in danger, I have faced danger many times. Many are the men who would end my life, as I have made not a few enemies in my lifetime."

"Yes, I know" she said, "but it's not the same thing as having the evil one trying to kill you. He never gives up."

"I can take care of myself, and if I'm truly the 'one' I must know this story in order to be able to protect you as well."

"Yes, you're right. When my mother was a small child, Maria had a vision that she would meet a young man when she was twelve years old. This young man would be a noble man with a heart filled with love for my mother. They would fall in love and be married. They would have one child, a girl child. It came to pass, just as Maria's vision had foretold. It was while my mother carried me inside of her that Maria began to have megrims and each time her head would pound with pain and she would have to lie in a darkened room with cool, wet clothes pressed to her eyes a vision would come to her. Maria's second vision foretold of a man, an evil man that would shatter my mothers' happiness and covet that which my father possessed. The church and a person of high power himself protected him. The third one foretold of dark days in my beloved homeland of Spain, of faceless faces filled with fear, anguish and death. There were children with no parents, children slaughtered to fill the voracious appetite of the evil one. The fourth vision revealed that my family would be torn apart, that my mother and father would be swallowed by the evil one. That he would take me to a dark sinister place and he would torture me until I ceased to amuse him, then he would devour me too. The next vision was that I would leave my homeland and live in a foreign land that my father's estates and riches would be returned to me through the kindness of another. The sixth vision was that the dark 'one' would come into my life, that he would protect me, and fight against the evil one."

Gabriella sat looking at Rayne, knowing that this last vision could very well make him flee from her. But it was too late to turn back now. She took a deep breath and gazed up into his dark sensual eyes and said, "The seventh vision foretells of a great battle between good and evil."

Rayne, never for one second doubting the honesty of her words asked the single question, "Who is the evil one?"

Gabriella looked almost frightened to say his name, but finally said in little more than a whisper, "Torquemada."

At the mention of Torquemada's name Rayne sucked in his breath in a quick hiss. Everyone knew of the madman and his brutal rape of Spain and its people, all with the blessings of the church. It wasn't wise to tangle with the man; few lived to tell the tale. "How do you know Torquemada?"

A brittle laugh echoed from Gabriella's lips. "How do I know him??? He stole my birthright, destroyed my home, murdered my father and raped and murdered my mother. And for years has haunted my every step, determined to claim me as his prize." Tears glittered in her fathomless green eyes as she stared into nothingness. The raw pain, and red hot rage that was displayed there in those enormous green orbs gave Rayne more answers than the words ever could have. A fierce protectiveness welled up inside him and he knew without conscious effort that his decision had been made. He would see Gabriella safe, he knew that he would never let her go...that he could not let her go. The realization left him shaken to his very core.



Rayne Ch. 06



Rayne retuned Gabriella to her home, reluctant to leave her, but knowing he had much to think about. His own affairs needed settling, and there was the crew to think about as well. They were not accustomed to being long in port and there were decision to be made. Then there was Navia, who he knew would be waiting for his return, as always. And yet, he could not see himself leaving Gabriella here alone and unprotected. Yet, there was very little chance of Torquemada presenting himself here, or was there. It suddenly dawned on Rayne that he still had no idea what Gabriella had been doing down at that warehouse at such a late hour. He seemed to lose all train of thought when she was near. 

The hour was indeed late and all of his musings would accomplish nothing, so he picked up his glass of cognac, amber liquid that reflected the fire dancing in the grate, and headed upstairs to bed. He knew sleep was a long ways away, and most likely fleeting, but he sprawled across the bed anyway. Sleep did indeed eventually come, just before the dawns lights streaked across the heavens, but with it came dark and sinister dreams. 

Rayne sensed danger, it lurked and permeated the room. He saw evil eyes, that glowed red and the snarls even shook his strong heart. He heard shrieks of pain and terror and saw a small urchin dressed in rags with tears streaming down her dirty cheeks. He tried to see what it was the small child focused on to cause such distress, but couldn't see. Suddenly the small bedraggled child turned and ran as if the hounds of hell chased her. She ran down the crowded street, dodging men in uniform and for one so slight in stature, she seemed indeed strong, for she managed to elude the men and disappear as if she had never been there. Rayne awoke a sheen of sweat on his body, soaking the sheets he lay on and there was an uneasiness upon him that he just couldn't seem to shake. A bath and breakfast would return him to normal, or so he thought. But as the morning wore on, the unease only increased, and when he could stand it no longer with an oath, he left the house and took a his horse to Gabriella's house. 

Maria answered his urgent knock, and with one look at Rayne, she made the sign of the cross, and swore, "Dios mio" under her breath as she let him in. She turned to fetch Gabriella, but Rayne forestalled her, it was she he had come to see first. He told her of the dreams, and the old lady's breath caught in her throat, he had seen the very scene the day Torquemada murdered Gabriella's parent s in his dreams. If there had been any doubts that he was the raven from her visions, there were none now. She wanted to tell him that all would be well, but she was not so sure that would be true. She had no advice to give him except that good could and would over come evil, but, that did not mean they had nothing to fear, for she knew that until Torquemada was dead...they all had something to fear. 

With no more answers forthcoming from Maria, he asked to see Gabriella and Maria ascended the stairs to fetch her. Rayne paced the parlor, for what it seemed an eternity, and a slight movement caught his eye and he turned to see a very pale Maria standing as if a statue in the open doorway. Gabriella was not with him and one look at the old woman made a chill run down his spine. 

"Where is Gabriella? Is she coming?" he asked.

"No, she is gone" the old woman managed to get out.

"Gone? Gone where?" Rayne demanded.

Maria only held out a piece of paper to Rayne, which he quickly read thru.

"Dearest Maria, 

I got a dispatch late last night that Torquemada is close, closing in on us. I knew it could not be long before his henchmen learned where we were. It is my fear for you safety, yours and Raynes more than my own that that has brought me to the decision to leave here. Please keep him safe for me and if and when I return, we will no longer have anything to fear, or flee from. I know that your visions foretold that Rayne was the one that would protect me, but I love him far too much to put him in harms way. So, I have gone and when I am ready, I will arrange for Torquemada to find me, and then, and only then will I face my nemesis and be done with this game once and for all. If I do not return, please know that I did what I deemed best for all concerned and know in your heart that I loved you like the mother I lost. Tell Rayne that my heart did and does belong to him for all eternity. My only regret was that our time together was far too short lived. 

Always,

G"

Raynes face was drained of color and his hands shook, his heart ached for the woman that was so fearless and naive to think she alone could defeat Torquemada. He had thousands of men at his command, while she only had her crew. For there was no longer any doubt whatsoever that Gabriella was indeed La Gata. The realization hit him like a punch to his stomach and he wondered how he had not known that immediately after meeting her. There had been those enormous emerald eyes that when focused on you felt as if she could see into your very soul. Then there was the attraction between them, it was electric, instantaneous and undeniable. How could he have been so stupid not to have recognized all of these things in the beginning? He looked at Maria and knew he must questions her, that he must know all that she knew before taking off in search of Gabriella. 

"Maria, I saw Gabriella coming from a warehouse several nights ago, do you know what she was doing there?

"Si, she went there to meet some men who have helped her, they have kept her apprised of Torquemada's whereabouts and saved our lives multiple times. "

"Do you have any idea where she is headed to and where her ship is anchored?" he asked tersely.

"Si, I know where the ship is, it is anchored off a small waterway several miles down river from the docks, and well concealed. I can show you. But I have no idea where she is headed, but perhaps a vision will come to me to help us."

Us? Rayne thought, did she think he was taking her with him? She was far too old and having to worry about Gabriella was enough of a distraction without having two women to worry about. But, one look at Marias face and the stubborn jaw line and he knew that he would waste his time and his breath arguing with her about this. As if she could read his thoughts, she quickly said "I can take care of myself, and you need me, I know visions will come, they always do when Gabriella is in danger. Besides, you need me to show you where her ship was anchored, if we hurry we may catch her." But Rayne knew that was wishful thinking as the tides had long since gone out taking Gabriella with them.

Rayne assured her that he would return for her and for her to pack light, the ship had all that they would need, but it didn't have the speed nor the invisibility that the Phantom would accord him. So, his first business at hand would be to round up the crew, get the rest of the supplies on board, contact Javonnie to have him handle his estates here and dispose of the cargo he had brought in. He sure wished that he was coming with him, he had an inkling that they would be in need of his services, but it was a favor he couldn't ask. Off Rayne set to accomplish the tasks he had mentally ticked off, then he would return for Maria and they would sail with the evening tide to Tahiti where he would collect his ship of choice and then, Torquemada would be hunted down and dealt with, and God help him if he found Gabriella first. He was overcome with such a fierce protectiveness for her that rocked him to his very soul. If one hair on her lovely head was harmed the atrocities that he had heaped on the Spanish people during the Inquisition would be nothing to what Rayne would do to him.

The evening tide found The Eclipse sailing out of the harbor, Javonnie and Veronica waving until they were mere specks on the docks and Maria nervously pacing the deck of the ship. The crew had all been apprised of the situation and what they would be up against, Rayne giving them the choice of sailing with him or remaining in England. Non had taken the later choice, which did not surprise Rayne in the least for they were indeed a loyal lot. Rayne had offered Maria his cabin, but she chose instead to occupy Javonnies old cabin, insisting that she was as good a physical as he had been and that she would earn her way by administering to the crew as required. Rayne had no doubt that she was capable, however, convincing the crew she was not a witch would take some doing.

It was a moonless night and the wind was brisk, popping and filling the sails and The Eclipse was making good time. Rayne took the helm at midnight as sleep evaded him, his worry and anger at Gabriella was so great. How could she have not trusted him enough to have come to him with this instead of placing herself in harms way and most likely in grave danger? He swore, not for the first time, under his breath about the hard headedness of the woman! It was way over in the early hours just before dawn that he saw an eerie sight and for a moment he was taken aback before he realized it was Maria. She could not find sleep either it seemed. However, as she approached he saw the look of anxiousness on her face. He asked her, "a vision?"

"No, just a feeling of great unease, nothing else" she responded. So, together the two stood in worried silence watching the ship eat up the distance and yet knowing that as yet, they had no idea where Gabriella had headed. Maria knew her crew was a loyal one and would fight to the death for their capitan, but it was that what worried her. Death...it seemed to permeate the air, and deep into her very being. She knew bad things were on the horizon for both Rayne and Gabriella, but as of yet, she had no clue as to what that would be. 

Finally tiring, she found her bunk and fell into a troubled sleep, as did Rayne when the helmsman took over at dawn.

The next day dawned gray and foggy, a chill permeated the air and Marie set about figuring a way to get into Raynes' cabin unbeknownst to him to put some charms to ward off the evil that she couldn't shake. As soon as she saw him climb to the upper deck she slipped into his cabin and set about the task at hand. She burned some incense and wandered around the cabin almost in a trance like state mumbling incoherently and shaking burning sage, the pungent smoke slipping into cracks and crevices. Beneath his mattress she placed a charm and performed an elaborate incantation to keep him safe. With the task accomplished she slipped unnoticed from the cabin and returned to her own. The incantations had taken their toll on the old crone and she fell exhausted into the bunk. Rayne had seen her leaving his cabin and he was curious as to what she had been about. As he entered his cabin he smelled the pungent smell of the sage and he shook his head, as if some burning leaves could ward off evil, but if it made her feel useful, there was no harm.

The days turned into weeks and no sign of Gabriella came as he made his way for home and his preferred ship. Finally at long last the ship anchored off the island of his home and smaller boats took the returning crew to the island. There was Navia, excitedly waving as they drew nearer and nearer. Then she saw Maria, and she froze as if rooted to the spot. She could feel the power of the woman and knew that the future was about to be irrevocably set in stone. She knew the day she had dreaded had arrived at last. She turned to walk away just as Rayne stepped from the boat. 

Rayne watched her walk away and knew something was amiss. When he confronted her later at the house, she told him that she knew Maria was a woman of power, the mystic kind and that she knew that Maria could protect him far better than she could. He told her that Maria was just an old lady with fanciful thoughts but Navia told him he was wrong. That she could feel danger in the air, and she knew he would not be here long, that he would leave to fulfill his destiny and that when he returned she would no longer be there. She knew their time together was over, and that she wished him well. It seemed that Javonnie was right, she had hoped and even dared dream that he would be with her forever, but it was like she knew about Gabriella already, even though no mention had been made of her. Rayne had no time to reassure her, and he wasn't even sure that he could, even had he believed it himself.



Rayne Ch. 07



Gabriella's body trembled with exhaustion as she lay in her bunk. The long days at the helm of the The Scarlet Flame hunting the seas for her nemesis had taken its toll on her. A few hours sleep a day was all she was affording herself and her crew was worried for her health. For she seemed like a woman possessed, driven by something deep within and her slim frame was to the point of being gaunt, there were dark circles beneath her beautiful green eyes and there was a desperateness to her demeanor that bespoke volumes about her quest. Sleep quickly claimed Gabriella and dreams haunted her as each night since the voyage began. There were screams of pain, the sounds of boots scraping against the decking and the clang of swords. Groggily she surfaced and realized that it was no dream, it was in fact the sounds of a battle raging just above her head. She sprang from her bunk and grabbed her sword, sprinting for the stairs. As she emerged she saw the mayhem around her, her crew bleeding and at a severe disadvantage to the three to one odds that swarmed the decks, and she was immediately in the thick of it, slashing and paring, the sounds of bones crunching and flesh slicing as they fought on. The acrid smell of blood, the decks slick with it causing her to slip many a time as she fought on all but making her retch, for she knew the majority of the blood was from her own crew.

  She knew the smart approach was to surrender and save their lives, but there was no guarantee of that happening even if she surrendered, and the looks in her pirates eyes told her they would rather die than surrender to this blackguard, so the fighting continued until finally there were only herself and a handful of pirates left and they were surrounded. She and her loyal crew stood in a tight circle backs to one another guarding each other with their lives. But instead of advancing and finishing them off, the other men seemed content to hold them as they were, waiting, but for what? All was quiet with the exception of the men who lay mortally injured and dying, calling for their mothers and angels of mercy to take them from their suffering. Slowly the men began to part, and Gabriella, who stood with her clothes tattered, from the many slices of sabers her own body covered with many, many superficial wounds, her own blood mixing with her mens on the decks felt a shiver run down her spine, for there stood Torquemada, an evil smile on his lips effecting a grimace that was the closest thing to a smile he had ever exhibited.

  "Ah senorita, we meet again at long last. I am most displeased that you have managed to cheat me out of my delights I had planned for you when you were just a child. But, nonetheless, I am sure I can come up with some way to amuse myself at your expense that while it may not be as gratifying as what I had originally hoped for, it will still be as equally excruciating for you, I can assure you. More so as you have thwarted my plans for so long, I promise you." He barked orders to his henchmen "find that old crone and bring her to me, I want her drawn and quartered and fed to the sharks before she can cause even more trouble for me" 

  Gabriella threw back her head and laughed "look all you want, you will never find Maria, for she is not aboard my ship. So you see Torquemada, I have still thwarted at least part of your plans." Gabriella was afraid so very afraid, but she was not about to show that to him, at all costs. She knew that she would die a slow and painful death at his hands, but at least she had kept Maria and Raynes safe. Her hands were bound and a filthy rag shoved in her mouth and tied to keep her quiet, then she was pushed and shoved aboard Torquemada's ship and thrown into a small rat infested room in the bottom of the hold and the hatch slammed shut and the bolt shot home. For all her bravado, she wanted to scream in fear, for she hated rats almost as much as the evil son of a bitch that was the Capitan on this ship! Her many wounds oozed blood and she was weak from the loss of it, yet fear for her crew kept her conscious, straining her ears to hear anything she could hear, but she heard no shuffle of feet to signal that they too were being brought aboard. She felt the lurching movements of the ship as it got underway and she wondered in vain what would become of her men. She feared the worst, that Torquemada had slit their throats and left them to rot on the ship. The blood loss finally got the better of Gabriella and she slipped into unconsciousness, blissful nothingness. 

  Late the next afternoon the door was opened and the bright sun all but blinded her, her eyeballs feeling as though they were being seared from their sockets. Her arms and legs, numb and asleep from the long hours of being tied and unable to move made it impossible for her to walk, so she was dragged up the steps and onto the deck, her knees bloodied and bruised by their efforts. Buckets of salt water was thrown on her washing away the dried blood and causing her to wince in pain as the salt stung mightily on the cuts that covered her body. The hatred for this monster welled up in her throat making her all but retch as he stood leering at her in her filth and degradation.

  "Scrub her down and bring her to my quarters" he ordered the two men that had previously dragged her up the stairs. So, Gabriella was subjected to a scrubbing that was none to gentle and brought to Torquemada's quarters wrapped in a coarse blanket that chaffed her soft skin. He was there, reading some letters and studying maps. "Ah, my little Spanish bird, you look much better, if it was a little less genteel than you were accustomed to. I have provided you a choice of gowns to wear, there on the bunk. In the trunk at the foot of the bunk you will find everything a lady needs to be appropriately attired. I will give you an hour to get dressed while I attend to business topside, and then when I return we will sup as I am sure you're famished."

  Gabriella looked at him in disbelief, famished? She felt as if not a morsel of food would pass down her throat as long as he sat across from her. But, she thought perhaps if she hurried, she would be dressed and have a little time to peruse the cabin for some sort of weapon. For there was no doubt in her mind she would require one at some point. The likelihood of him leaving anything behind was slim, but perhaps fate would smile on her. Torquemada took his leave and Gabriella snatched up the first dress her hand touched. She wrenched open the lid of the trunk he had indicated and quickly pulled on all the undergarments a lady was required to wear. There was a beautiful pair of slippers that she slipped her feet into, barely noticing the beauty of them. She set about setting her hair in some sort of array, as she quickly scanned the desk and side cupboards for anything she could use as weapon, careful not to leave anything out of place to warn the monster of her intent. Time was running out, and she had all but given up hope, when she reached far back into the cabinet, and her finger was pricked by something sharp. With no heed to injury to herself, her fingers closed over a very small, very sharp bejeweled dagger that she quickly withdrew. It was covered in dust, in spite of the fact that it was hidden in a cabinet. She deftly hiked up her voluptuous skirts and slipped it into the garter of her left leg, for safe keeping.

  She had barely arranged the skirt of the gown around it when the devil walked through the door. Following him was a cook with a tray laden with food and drink. The devil began ticking off the food being presented for consumption...roasted chicken, new potatoes roasted to perfection, carrots glazed, crusty french bread, wine with a plum pudding for dessert. She wondered how he could have such fare on a ship, but she knew he spared no measure of comfort for himself and that he had killed, robbed and intimidated whoever he wanted to afford himself such luxuries. As she looked at him, she saw visions of the day he had murdered her parents and rage filled her heart and revenge gurgled up into her throat until she thought she would choke. How she longed to charge him and thrust the dagger deep into his black heart. But knew she stood no chance right now, surprise was her best asset so she must bid her time until an opportunity presented itself. But make no mistake, kill him she would, she only hoped she could make him feel a small measure of the suffering he had inflicted on so many others.

  So, Gabriella sat and mechanically ate the food that was placed before her. She knew she would need to preserve her strength if she was going to outwit and eventually end this demon's life. The food could have been cardboard for all she tasted. He sat eating with his fingers, and slurping wine and she thought for all the refined things he had surrounded himself with, he was still coarse and uncouth. As he droned on and on about all his accomplishments her thoughts wandered to Rayne and Maria, for the first time she allowed herself the luxury of those thoughts. She wondered what they were doing, she prayed they were safe and understood her decision. Little did she know at this very moment they were pursuing her, Rayne pushing his men unmercifully and they gave no complaint, as they knew their Capitan was desperate to find Gabriella. 



Rayne Ch. 08



The crew of the Eclipse gave their captain a wide berth. For Rayne was a man driven, he was exhausted, haggard and beside himself with worry. 

Maria wasn't in much better shape, as she too was out of her mind with worry. She prayed for a vision that would lead Rayne in the right direction, bringing them to Gabriella's side, but no visions came. She paced the cabin like a lioness caged, wringing her narled, aged hands as she racked her brain for anything she might have overlooked that might be of some help. Yet nothing came to mind, and finally in total exhaustion she laid upon the bunk just to rest her tired feet and mind. 

Almost instantly she fell into a deep trance-like sleep and the vision started. Mist swirled eerily and inky black waters seemed to echo the sounds of pain and death. Straining to see thru the mists, yet she could not make out where or what was there. She could see herself as if from a distance on her bunk; her brow furrowed in concentration and hears her moans of pain as blinding pain ripped thru her head. The pain was so bad, yet she tried to distance herself from it and concentrate on the vision instead. The winds began to pick up and the mist swirled and there on the inky black water sat The Scarlet Flame, listing, no signs of life upon it. Maria strained harder and harder to see all that she could see. The decks were red with blood and she saw many men laying in macabre fashion, and at first she thought all were dead, but then there were some signs of life. Moaning from the men, slight movements, coughing and retching, at least there were some still alive. But search as she might, she saw no sign of Gabriella. She tried to take in every detail, something that would guide them to the ship, and she noticed that the mists were gone and the North Star shone brightly...and that the bow of the ship pointed directly north. The vision started to disappear, and then just as it was almost gone, she saw the sash that Gabriella always wore snagged on the railing of the ship, ripped and fluttering in the breeze.

Maria staggered from the bunk, head pounding, but with a single thought driving her onward; she must reach Rayne and point him in the right direction. The old crone all but dragged herself up the steps to the deck, and screeched for Rayne. He was at her side instantly and one look at her and he knew the vision had at last come. He was fearful of exactly what it had been, yet he longed to know. Maria imparted all that she had seen and Rayne turned and shouted the orders to turn due north to the helmsman that had taken over when Rayne had raced to Maria's side. 

Rayne helped her down the stairs back to her cabin, and mixed the powders in a small drink for her so that blissful sleep would come to ease the pounding in her head that the visions always brought. Just before she drifted off to sleep Maria whispered "she is gone,"

Rayne wanted more. What had she meant gone? Did she mean gone as in not on the ship? Or gone as if she were among the dead? No, he wouldn't let himself believe that, not until he had proof positive, not even if it meant sailing the seas till his dying day! He pushed the crew almost beyond their limits, but they all gave and gave willingly; they knew they could expect no less should any of them need Rayne to do the same for them. 

Through the night the ship cut through the water and with the first light of day, the sailor in the crow's nest hollered. There sat The Scarlet Flame, listless just as Maria had seen it in her vision. They approached cautiously and used the grappling hooks to board the ship. The stench on the ship was horrible, the decks were indeed awash in blood, the dead lay bloating in the rising sun and the dying lay moaning and pleading for help or someone to put them out of their misery. 

The men and Maria went from man to man seeing what could be done, if anything to save them. Rayne raced thru the ship looking for Gabriella, but she was nowhere to be found. They questioned each man, but most were so delirious they didn't even comprehend what was being asked of them. 

Then, the cabin boy was found terrified but without injury, hiding in the flour barrel. The lad was almost tongue-tied with fear, and if the situation hadn't been so grave Rayne might have laughed at him. The boy was quite a sight, covered in white from head to toe with only his eyes peering out owlishly at the sailors surrounding him. Rayne calmed him as best he could which was difficult as he just wanted to shake the truth from the lad. He finally managed to get out of the boy that the devil had swooped down on the ship in the middle of the night and his talons had ripped apart the sailors and then he had flown off with Gabriella in his grasp. When asked which way the devil had flew with her, he pointed west.

Dread ripped thru Rayne, for he knew the foolish boy believed it was the devil, but he and Maria exchanged tormented glances, they knew it was a devil alright, it was Torquemada that had captured Gabriella. Sick dread filled Rayne and a fear like nothing he had ever experience squeezed his heart. He feared that he would be too late to save his love, but, he swore that he would hunt that bastard down and put an end to his life for the torment he had inflicted on Gabriella. And, if that bastard harmed one hair on her head, but he knew there was no if, he knew she was being tortured probably that very minute and the thought made him want to retch.

The wounded men were taken care of and a skeleton crew placed aboard The Scarlet Flame and they shadowed Rayne's ship as they headed west at a fast clip. It had already been two weeks since she had been taken from the ship, and he didn't know how long she could survive and if she survived physically, he feared her mind would snap under the madman's torture that he knew was sure to be heaped upon his beloved. 

All day long the winds held and they made good time, until late afternoon when the winds died down and finally ceased all together. The lull lasted thru the night, with the ship barely moving and Rayne let Maria talk him into turning over the helm to one of the other helmsmen. She reasoned with him that he would do Gabriella little good if they found her and he was too exhausted to think much less fight. 

It was sound advice and he knew she was right. So, he went to his cabin and fell into a troubled slumber. He kept seeing Gabriella being tortured, raped and beaten over and over again. When he awoke his mood was made no better by the fact that the winds still had not picked up. During this listlessness the sailors kept busy repairing sails and cleaning decks, anything not to dwell on what was on everyone's mind. 

Red worked diligently on the maiden he was carving, and unaware that she was taking on the likeness of Gabriella. When Rayne noticed what he was doing, it was like being dealt a physical blow the longing to hold her was so strong and he wondered if he would ever hold her in his arms again. How he longed for the chance to teach her all the secrets that lovers share. But even more, he longed to share his life with her, to make her his wife. That thought, unbidden as it was, shocked him to his very core. He, who thought love, was a mockery, thanks to Lionel, longed for that bond with this woman who he realized had become everything to him. He was standing behind Red, who was unaware that Rayne was there, and he reached out a hand and laid it on 'Reds shoulder. 

"When this is over and Gabriella is safe, and you've finished the carving, it will go on my ship Red."

Rayne turned and walked away and a very shocked Red looked after him, and the crotchety old sailor had a tear in his eye, for he didn't think there was a prayer that she was still alive.

After nearly a week of listlessness a storm blew in, and it was the worst storm that Rayne had ever ridden out. There were times when he feared the ship would spit asunder and they would all go down with it, but with the dawn of a new day the storm finally abated, and the winds blew strong and they were once more speeding westward. Maria swore it was an omen, that the storm had cleansed the ocean and that it meant that Gabriella was alive. Rayne wasn't so sure, but wouldn't voice that doubt as he refused to take the hope that she clung so desperately to from the old woman that he had grown so fond of. Only time would tell, and time right now, was his biggest nemesis.



Rayne Ch. 09



The days fell into a nerve-racking routine for Gabriella, with Torquemada playing with her like a cat plays with a mouse. Teasing her with torture and humiliation and at the same time, treating her like a lady. She knew it was all a ploy to gain her trust so that she would let her guard down. She was not that gullible and watched his every tactic, learning his thought processes. He wouldn't catch her off guard, but perhaps she would be able to play the part of trusting fool and he would be the one caught off guard.

Each day she was allowed free roam of the ship, while she knew he watched her every move, so she tried to appear relaxed and serene. While in actuality her nerves were stretched to the breaking point and her mind screamed for him to make his move. The game was wearing her down mentally, but she refused to show it or let him win this game! 

In the evenings, she was given her choice of beautiful dresses to wear, with all the garments, shoes and jewelry a woman could need or want to dress the part of his female guest of honor. Little did he know that she always picked a dress that allowed her to hide the tiny dagger so that it was always within her reach. that alone brought her some measure comfort. Dinner each evening was always a palates delight, especially given that they were in the middle of the ocean. 

What Torquemada had not taken into consideration when he started his little emotional game was that Gabriella was no ordinary woman. The longer he played this game, the more time she had to consider her options and contemplate his next possible move. She knew that once he caught on that this wasn't working the way he had anticipated this game would be over and the torture would begin.

Torquemada watched Gabriella stand in the bow of the ship the wind whipping her long blue-black hair, the sun kissing her skin turning it to a golden hue making her enormous green eyes appear even darker and she became more alluring. Yet, he could find no sexual desire for her, she was a grown woman, and in his perverseness that held no appeal for him. He much preferred helpless, someone who held no real challenge to him. He cursed her silently for thwarting his plans of all those years that he had searched for her. Now that he finally had her within his control, she still held the upper hand, and he knew he must not let her know that. 

He could just picture her disgust and hear the laughter if he tried to force himself up on her and his flaccid member would only hang limp between his aging thighs. He had some powders he had picked up on one of his travels, that should it come down to it, he could partake of that in a glass of wine and he would be up and throbbing, but he much preferred to have his cock twitching and throbbing because of her begging him for mercy. 

In the meantime he would bid his time and watch and learn all he could about this strong woman. For he had no doubt that he could break Gabriella's spirit and diminish her to a quivering, begging mass of humanity, for he had done so with men that were generals and kings, men of power. He chuckled to himself, she was but a woman, and she dared to think she could best him. He knew that if he could ever see fear on her comely face that it would provide sexual stimulation for him.

Little did he know that he really did not know this woman, for she was forged of steel thanks to the atrocities she had seen this demon thrust upon family and friends and that her resolve to see him dead only made her stronger. She refused to let herself dwell on thoughts of Rayne, it made her to feminine and vulnerable to her emotions, and she must remain emotionless at all costs. 

So, she walked the decks to keep her muscles active and her thoughts at bay. That evening as the two adversaries sat across the table from one another eating the meal that the cook had prepared for them Gabriella was disgusted by the slurping and smacking sounds coming from Torquemada. It was all she could do to force the food down her throat and she only did so because she knew she would need all the strength she could muster. For she knew he grew impatient and would soon make his move, she only hoped it would be his last!

"Gabriella, you are more quiet than usual this evening, is something on your mind?"

Gabriella looked at him, her thoughts screaming "On my mind? Why yes, as a matter of fact I was contemplating the many ways I could slit your despicable throat!" But instead she demurely said "no, I suppose the salt air has made me sleepy, there is nothing else on my mind." She watched his face closely beneath a fringe of eyelashes to see if he was gullible enough or vain enough to believe the drivel that had just fell from her mouth. She could tell by the confident look on his hideous face that he indeed believed every word she allowed to grace his ears. She was thankful that he did not have access to her inner thoughts and schooled her features to not give away anything she was really feeling or thinking.

Torquemada sat back watching her, looking for a glimpse into her inner workings, and saw nothing other than a simpleminded female who thought she could beguile him into letting her go unscathed for all the trouble and frustration she had put him thru. It never entered his mind that his captive might be as devious and beguiling as he himself was. He was in for a very rude awaking.

She tried in vain to befriend some of the men under his control; however, they wouldn't even so much as speak with her. She was sure it was out of fear of retribution from Torquemada. They gave her a wide berth at all times. Gabriella knew she could expect no help from that quarter yet she still attempted daily to befriend them to sway them to her predicament, but it was to no avail.

That evening started like all the rest, Gabriella dressed for dinner, slipping her stolen dagger into her pocket and joining Torquemada for dinner. Yet there seemed to be something different in his demeanor. He was more cocky and self assured than she had seen him thus far and that bothered her, causing her to clasp the dagger thru her gown with the hand she had in her lap. Stroking it seemed to bring her some measure of comfort, bolstering her resolve that she would find a way to use it when the time came.

Little did she know that Torquemada had dumped the powder from the secret compartment of his ring into his glass of wine, for he tired of this waiting game. He was convinced that he had Gabriella all figured out, that she had lost all of the bravado that she had initially exhibited the night he had boarded her ship. 

Following dinner the cook came and cleared the dishes away and Gabriella sat waiting, muscles tense and nerves stretched to their limits. Torquemada roamed the cabin, waiting for the powders to take effect. Within an hour the powders were having the desired effect and his member started to harden, and desire flared up within his gut. He approached her from behind as she sat in the chair. She felt his despicable presence behind her long before his hand brushed across her barred shoulders. It was beyond her control the shudder that raced through her body. But it wasn't a shudder of fear, it was one of revulsion.

Torquemada, sadly, mistook it for one of fear. He grinned an evil grin behind her back and licked his lips in anticipation of the torment that he would soon heap upon her person. "Ah, my lovely senorita, you and I will enjoy many a night here in this cabin, beginning tonight" he breathed into her ear.

Try as she might, Gabriella couldn't squelch the angry words and they tumbled unbidden from her sensual lips, "you and I will not enjoy anything together, not here, not ever."

Torquemada was taken aback and infuriated beyond words and his hands painfully gripped her shoulders, as he hissed "one of us will, trust me, one of us will!"

Gabriella was out of the chair and turned to face her adversary, and awaited his next move. She longed to whip out the dagger and slash at him, but she knew he must be in closer proximity for her to have any chance at doing any damage, and for now he was out of her arms reach. If only she had her sword, she would have him dancing a new tune and it would be she who held the upper hand, but alas, she didn't have that luxury. 

She didn't have long to wait, for Torquemada in one quick move grasped her arm and pulled her hard to his body and forced his mouth onto hers. Gabriella's head reeled from the stench of his breath. It was fetid and his person reeked and her stomach threatened to empty the contents of the meal she had just forced down. It took all the will power she had to force it to stay down.

He ground his lips on hers, and his free hand squeezed her breast painfully. All Gabriella could think of was freeing herself from his grip and she twisted in an attempt to get out of his forced embrace but it was futile. Instinctively she bit down hard on his lip until she tasted his blood. Torquemada immediately released her and swore vehemently 

"You filthy bitch!" he screamed in pain.

"It's not I who is filthy, you whoreson, it is you! It is little wonder you have forced yourself on small children, no woman would ever look twice at you!"

The taunts infuriated him, and he reached for her and she twisted away, his hand only making contact with the neckline of her gown, which ripped from the force of the tension being put upon it. The gown hung down off of one shoulder, exposing the top of her left breast. The creaminess of the bared flesh only seemed to excite him further, and he could wait no longer to see all of her in her naked glory. He quickly grabbed her before Gabriella had time to react and she felt the tug on the gown heard the rip and the dress fell exposing her to the waist for his eyes to feast on. She almost reacted by crossing her arms to cover her breasts from his searing gaze, however she knew he would see it as weakness and she managed to refrain. Instead she tossed her head defiantly and looked him in his eyes and only the slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed the full hatred that she felt for this monster!

He saw the look and recognized it for what it was, loathing, pure and simple and he slapped her hard across her face causing blinding pain and the taste of her own blood in her mouth where her teeth cut into the tender lining of her cheek. A small drop of blood appeared at the corner or her mouth and she slowly reached up and wiped it away with her thumb, her eyes never leaving his. It galled him that she would show no fear of him. It was a new experience for Torquemada and it bothered him more than he was willing to admit. 

Her other hand, hidden by the folds of the gown slowly closed around the dagger and she smiled knowing that sooner or later she would use this jeweled piece of cutlery to carve his face to ribbons and slit his throat! Her smile seemed to drive him to madness and he backhanded her hard across the face. She staggered backwards at the swiftness of the attack and fell sprawled across the floor. Before she could regain her feet he was upon her, pinning her to the floor through sheer brute strength, his mouth on hers again, brutalizing it, forcing his tongue into her mouth and making her gag. His free hand pinched her nipples unmercifully, twisting and pulling, yet she still refused to cry out! Clamping her lips closed and willing herself to retain some shred of dignity.

She could feel his cock hard against her inner thigh and the thought of him touching her, forcing her almost made her lose her mind, yet she struggled on, bringing up a knee in an attempt to knee him in his crotch, but he had her pinned too tightly and she only caused him to laugh manically. He bit her neck, and breasts leaving marks that quickly turned to bruises. His free hand shoved her skirts up and he painfully grasped her inner thighs, pinching and squeezing until he reached the apex of her thighs and his hand harshly grasped her mons, squeezing and pinching making him moan in anticipation. He thrust and humped her leg as his eyes glazed over in lust and spittle drooled from the side of his mouth. It wasn't even so much the desire to have her; it was the desire to break her spirit that drove him on.

Gabriella would not give up without a fight and struggle, but it did no good, she simply was no match for him in this situation, and she tried feverishly to get her left hand free so that she could reach the dagger, but he held that hand tightly in his grasp. "Patience!" she schooled herself, but it was difficult when she knew that her brutal ravishment was only moments away!

Torquemada tore the pantalets away, the only barrier between his cruel hands and her woman's flesh and he brutally thrust his fingers inside of her. There was no moistness like when Rayne had stroked her to a fevered pitch. He was met only with a dryness that caused her soft flesh to tear and still he thrust his fingers relentlessly into her, reaching down and freeing his throbbing member free of the confines of his breeches. Panic swirled upwards through Gabriella for she could see no way of averting the inevitable, but swore she would have her vengeance on the bastard for submitting her to this atrocity!

He inched upward on her body until his pulsing cock brushed against her woman's center and with one rough thrust he entered her. As much as it nearly tore her asunder in the dryness of it all, she tore her mind away from what was actually happening and paid attention to all other aspects of the situation and realized that he was so engrossed in the rape of her body that he had completely let her left hand go and she ever so slowly moved it downwards and managed to locate the pocket of her gown and her fingers closed around the dagger. 

She stroked it lovingly for a long second before withdrawing it and brought it swiftly upwards intending to bury it in the demons throat, but at the last second Torquemada caught sight of the blade and turned his head in an effort to escape it. Instead of slitting his throat, a long gash from the corner of his left eye, down his cheek and through his bottom lip was opened. The wound was deep, cutting his cheek to the bone and his left eye immediately had a droop to it, signaling that the nerves and tendons had been severed. His lip hung down, and blood spurted all over both Torquemada and Gabriella and she glorified in the warmth of the stickiness.

Torquemada immediately fearful of what the bitch had done, lost complete interest in the brutal rape of Gabriella, and his cock now hung limp and flacid. He howled in both outrage and pain and leapt from her semi nude body and grabbed a linen napkin from dinner and held it to his wounds to staunch the flow of blood. He cursed and raved like a lunatic and Gabriella sat uncovered and laughing at the damage she had done.

Had Torquemada not been so concerned with his own damages, he would have killed the bitch then and there, but that would have ended her life and his torments and he had not broken her spirit yet. 

He opened the cabin door and bellowed for his surgeon who arrived posthaste. As the physician examined the wounds he not once wondered how she had not managed to kill the man and a shudder ran through his body as he feared exactly what the retaliation would be.

Torquemada had two of his lieutenants summoned and screamed that Gabriella was to be thrown back into the hold of the ship with no food or water. 

The order was carried out immediately and as she sat rocking to and fro, trying to maintain a grip on her sanity, she smiled gleefully that while she might not have killed him, yet, but he would have something to remember her by and she knew the next confrontation would not go well for her, but then again, this one had not gone well for him!

And so, the games began... 



Rayne Ch. 10



Gabriella awoke, stiff and pain shot thru her arms and legs. The long night spent in the cold, damp hold of the ship had taken its toll. She gingerly stretched her arms attempting to work the cramps out of her muscles. She winced in pain as the cramped muscles protested. She attempted to stand, only to get the same response from her legs. But she was used to hardship, and this was nothing compared to the days when she had ran and hidden from Torquemada when she was a child and he pursued her relentlessly. She knew she was a strong individual, in a way it was him who had made her into the strong woman she was.

She hadn't allowed herself to think of either the night before events, or the consequences of those actions. Now, even though it was dark in the hold of the ship there were little slits of sunlight that filtered through the cracks in between the boards of the deck, so it was not inky black, and she allowed her mind to wander back over those very events. She knew how foolish it had been to attack him and not finish the job, not end his life. But the alternative was unthinkable to her. She shuddered to think what would have surely happened had she not attacked him. He would have had his way with her, and the thought of him entering her body was so unpalatable that bile rose in her throat, causing her to retch.

Her resolve was strong; she would not let him defeat her in any way. She would not beg for food or water or for his mercy, for she knew he had no mercy in his black soul. She slumped to a less uncomfortable position, her hands and legs cramped from the small space. She could see the rats scurrying about just out of the small shafts of sunlight, their eyes red and beady and a shiver ran up her spine. She hated rats more than anything in the world except for Torquemada! She prayed that her resolve would remain strong and that she would not weaken when night descended and the sun no longer kept the vermin in the corners and away from her.

All day she sat in the hold, sweat pouring from her body, her hair a tangled mess and her thirst became a nagging need, which she forced from her mind. As evening descended her stomach rumbled and growled in protest, and her thirst grew, still she pushed thoughts of quenching water and mouthwatering food from her mind. She had napped throughout the day in an effort to stay awake the night, to fight off the rats that she knew would come. Just as she had known, with darkness the scurrying got closer, and the rats inched ever closer to her body, causing shivers of revulsion to wrack her body. She took the only thing she had her shoe and slapped at them, causing squeaks and more scurrying. But she quickly learned that the rats were not above dining on their own if they were no longer living and she found small measure of comfort in that.

It was well after midnight when she dozed, so tired was she. One brave rat ventured close and when no swat was aimed at him, he grew bolder still and Gabriella awoke, a scream tearing from her throat as he bit her upper arm. But he paid the price as the shoe came down on him, squishing his tiny little brain out. She hated herself for the scream that had escaped her, as she heard the men laughing, knowing exactly what was happening below their feet. She only wished it had been Torquemada's brains that were spattered over the board where the dying, twitching rat convulsed in the throes of death. But she strengthened her resolve to let no more screams escape her lips, no matter what!

Torquemada had been on deck, unbeknownst to Gabriella, and he had heard her scream. It had brought a smile to his thin lips and his man root had quickened, twitching to life at her suffering. Oh how he was going to enjoy her screams and pleas for mercy!

Thus the day turned into days and after 3 days she was indeed a pitiful sight. No longer did she look beautiful, she looked like a street urchin, filthy and bedraggled and her thirst was so great that she could no longer even moisten her lips for her mouth and tongue was so dry that there was no moisture to be had there. Her stomach continued to growl and grumble but she no longer paid any attention. As she dozed fitfully the hold door was opened and the sunlight streaming down blinded her, causing her to throw her hands up to prevent the brightness. She was once again hauled unceremoniously up the steps and dumped on the deck. She couldn't see who was around her, the sun searing her eyes, feeling like they were being burned from their sockets. So she cowered on the deck, trying to get her bearings in a defensive crouch. A demonical laugh reached her ears and she knew without a doubt that Torquemada stood there in triumph.

"What's the matter Gabriella? Not enjoying your cabin mates? I suppose you're used to a little better accommodations. You know, if you would have been a little nicer to me, you could have remained in your cozy cabin. So what do you have to say for yourself? Do I hear an apology forming on those once beautiful lips? Hmmm?"

Gabriella tried in vain to form the words, to force them from her lips, but her throat was too dry and nothing but a raspy noise was produced.

"On my, how remiss of me, would you like a small drink?" he asked torturously.

She wanted to tell him what she would like was another chance to slice his bloody throat. She be damned if she would beg him for water. But Torquemada took her look and silence as a request and ordered a drink be given to her. Gabriella took the water and all her resolved melted away, for she had wanted to refuse it, but her thirst was too great, and she greedily sucked it down. God, it felt good sliding down her throat, and she was careful not to spill a drop, for she knew she wouldn't be offered more. She kept the dipper close to her mouth even though the water was gone, she needed a moment to find her voice and choose her words. She knew if she begged, he would give her water for a bath, to drink and food to eat, but she also knew what else lay in wait for her. She schooled her face into a look of defeat, wanting him to believe he had beaten her. Slowly the water seeped through her dehydrated body; bring scant relief, but enough to reaffirm her vow. She looked up into the demons face and it was gleeful like a child at Christmas who was about to receive the very gift he had asked for. A small smile graced her lips and she very slowly spoke and enunciated so very clearly, "Go to hell, bastard!"

The shock registered on his face before he could disguise it, but it was quickly wiped away. He glowered at her and barked the orders to his henchmen "take the bitch back to her hole, and see to it that the deck above her is covered. I want no drop of moisture to reach her, and no light to grace those planks!" Then he sneered into her face, his fetid breath causing her stomach to roll, "let's see how long you can last with no sleep, no water and no food. Your little four legged friends will be nibbling on your toes within twenty-four hours! Take her!"

Gabriella wanted to scream out, to beg for mercy, but she clamped her lips tightly and slumped, catching the two men half dragging her off guard. As they lost their grip on her, she lurched away and gained freedom. She ran looking for a weapon, but only made it a short distance as she was surrounded by the men. Torquemada laughed at her, at her desperation.

"Give me a sword and fight me like a man!" she screamed at him.

"Oh no my dear, you forget I have seen your work with a sword. None of my men are eager to forfeit their lives to your blade this day." 

Why oh why had she thought he would fight her like a man, he was no man; he was a coward that used others to do his dirty work until he could wear his opponent down and then have the upper hand. Why had she not listened to Maria? Why had she not trusted Rayne? It was in that moment that Gabriella let herself admit, at least to herself, that there was no way she could win, not against these odds. But she raised her chin, looked him squarely in the face and as they dragged her past her nemesis, she spit in his face. Hoping it would be enough to infuriate him to the point that he would lose control and run her through and through. If she was to die, she preferred quickly to the horrors she knew he had planned for her. But he only laughed at her attempts, seeing them for exactly what they were.

The hold was almost welcoming to being in close proximity to Torquemada, but that too was short lived as a heavy sail was laid over the decks immediately above. Any little bit of cool air from the ocean breeze was blocked, and it soon became a sweat box, and the rats no longer had to stay out of the sunlight, and they became bolder and bolder. Now there was no relief from them, and she knew she could only last so long before she wouldn't be able to keep her eyes open. She let her mind roam, back to the night Rayne had initiated her in the art of making love, or at least the beginnings of it. How she wished now that he would have taken her at least she would have had the memory of her first time of being with a man be one she would treasure. But she knew that eventually Torquemada would take her, and it would not be a treasure, it would be a nightmare. She didn't know if her mind could endure that act. The memories and the darkness, the incessant suffocating heat, the motion of the boat her head dropped farther and farther until her chin rested on her chest and she dozed.

It was late when she awakened and she longed for a breath of air, a sip of cool water, a crust of bread, for any relief. But she knew there was none coming. No one knew where to search for her, there was no one coming to save her, and she wept quietly. Gabriella was worn out, emotionally, physically and mentally, she slept, deeply the sleep of the exhausted. 

She was dreaming; she was floating in the water it was cool, so cool, but something kept pricking her. On her feet, on her arms, her face it was interrupting her quiet languid swim and it was slowly pulling her to the surface of wakefulness. She sat bolt upright, swinging her arms and kicking her legs, the rats! They were biting her all over! There was squeaking and scurrying but the bites oozed blood and in horror she wondered how many had bitten her and how disfigured she would be. But a brittle laugh escaped her, for what did it matter, Rayne would never gaze upon her again; she would die on this ship, at the hand of Torquemada or from infection or starvation. She sat and laughed bordering on hysteria and the eerie sound drifted upwards and the sailors gave each other uneasy looks. Afraid she had lost her mind or turned into a witch!

For two more days and nights she sat in the filth of the hold. The stench had grown much worse as the pile of dead rats grew from Gabriella's efforts. She had designated one area of the small hold to relieve herself in. The first few days of her internment in this hell the smell had nauseated her, but she had grown accustomed to it she supposed. 

She didn't realize how much weight she had lost in the time that she had been in this man made hell, but she felt her gown, tattered and filthy as it was, had become looser on her. She even wondered just how filthy she would have to be before Torquemada would be so disgusted with her that he would either just kill her or toss her overboard. She need not have wasted her efforts with those thoughts, for he would never forego his pleasure at humiliating and torturing her. She knewhe longed to hear her beg him, for food, water, even for him to take her to free her from the hold!

On the fourth day, so weak she could barely stand, she was once again dragged from the hold and she fully expected the same treatment she had gotten last time. But instead she was doused with seawater and brought to the cabin she had stayed in before and a tub of warm inviting water awaited her along with a whole pitcher of water for her to drink. She was immediately suspicious but her thirst was greater than her suspicion! She saw herself in the mirror and barely recognized her own self! She was thin to the point of gauntness, her hair a matted tangled mess. The bite marks from the rats were red and infected and there were dark circles under her eyes and her cheeks so thin they were sunken. She was but a shell of her former self. She couldn't stand the sight of herself and turned away, climbing shakily into the tub, too weak to stand any longer. She lingered over the bath not knowing what was to come, or when she would have another chance to be clean. She almost no longer cared, the rats, although fewer in numbers, were almost more than she could abide.

When the water was cold and after she had exhausted herself just scrubbing her skin and hair, she climbed from the tub. She rummaged thru the trunk where the under clothes had been kept and pulled on clean ones. The closet still held the gowns and she found the one that was the least ill fitting and tugged it on, having to stop many times to rest. After quite some time had passed there was a knock on the door and she was led to Torquemada's quarters where a mouth watering meal sat, along with Torquemada himself. She was leery and stood with both hands on the chair back awaiting his command.

"Gabriella, sit, please. Let me help you a plate."

She eyed him suspiciously for she knew he was up to no good and it involved her.

When she hesitated, he repeated, more forcefully "sit!"

Gabriella sat, her eyes feasting on the food, her mouth salivating and her stomach growling.

"Dear, dear that's certainly not very lady-like. You know you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble and self inflicted anguish. All you had to do was cooperate. As you can see, I have a rather nasty scar thanks to your handiwork."

She winced at the direction this conversation was heading, and she knew she was about to pay for that scar and pay dearly. She wanted to refuse the food, but her body overruled her mind and will and she sat mechanically and picked up the fork, eating gingerly, knowing as starved as she was she couldn't put too much food in her stomach or it would reject it. 

They ate in silence, a silence that was deafening to her. Her mind having too much time to roam and consider what possible torture he had in mind for her and yet unwilling to allow herself to admit she pretty much knew what he would demand.

After the meal the cook cleared away the dishes and Torquemada poured her a sherry and insisted that she drink it. Within a few sips her head swam and her eyes flashed into his, knowing he had put something into her drink. No words were spoken but those flashing green eyes said more than words ever could and that look caused Torquemada to shrink back for a moment, almost afraid of what she was capable of. It was at that moment that she collapsed into blissful darkness, the void of the unconscious.

When she awoke she found herself in Torquemada's bunk and her immediate thought was he had ravished her, taking what should have been taken by Rayne, given of her own free will. He saw the look immediately as he had been sitting and watching her awaiting her to awaken. She tried to sit up, only to find her hands and ankles were restrained, tied to the four corners of the bed. Panic welled up in her, and he saw it in her eyes, on her face.

"Not so sure of yourself now, are you Gabriella? Well no matter, I just decided that I really didn't want to add to the scar collection...at least not on my own person."

Those words cause terror to course through her veins and she struggled in vain at the bonds that held her every so securely. He stood and slowly walked to the bed, as her struggles increased. He laughed gleefully.

"Yes my little captured dove, struggle against those bonds that excites me even more!"

Those words sliced through her terror and she immediately went still.

"Oh surely you wouldn't deprive me of that little bit of amusement? Well, no matter, I am sure I can find other ways to amuse myself."

With that he reached out his hand and traced the slight swell of her breasts and revulsion filled her. He saw the look of pure hatred radiating from her eyes and face and it infuriated him. He pinched her nipples through the dress and grabbed at her woman's center through the dress. Still she refused to move, she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Further infuriated he grabbed the neckline of the gown and ripped it to her waist, leaving her torso bare. She disgusted him, so thin was she that she had taken on an almost boyish body, angular and gaunt, and that boyishness excited him. He climbed onto the bunk, straddling her waist, limiting her breathing and making her feel as if she were suffocating. He ran his hands over her body, squeezing and pinching her as he moved his hands. He leaned forward, kissing her breasts, flicking his tongue over her nipples awaiting a response. But she made not a sound, she just watched him from eyes that were fast losing their spark. 

Although Gabriella was silent, her mind was screaming "Nooooooooooooo!"

He viciously bit her breasts leaving welts which seemed to excite him, and he bit harder and harder till blood oozed from the wounds and his teeth marks were covering her upper body. She felt him harden at the sight and the fight went out of her. She had to face reality, she couldn't possible fight him off in the condition she was in, yet her mind refused to accept it. She didn't know how much more she could endure and retain her sanity. She felt his weight leave her and almost sighed a sigh of relief but it was short lived. He had only moved to give him access to her dress, which he slit with a knife laying bare her entire body. He shoved a finger into her dry woman's center, and cursed that she was so dry that he had to force his fingers inside. 

Gabriella's mind was shutting down; she felt her world slipping away and only numbness in its place. Torquemada slapped her hard across the face but got no response, not even a moan. He reached for his knife intending to stab the bitch through her black heart for depriving him of his fun. But at the last moment, he refrained, reaching instead for the cat-o-nines and using the handle to brutally rape Gabriella, over and over again till blood coursed down her thighs and still there was no sound, no movement, for her mind had snapped as soon as the rape had begun. 

Torquemada was furious, for she had still escaped him and cheated him again. He cursed her and hit her repeatedly across the face until at long last, bloodied and bruised and barely recognizable, he had her removed to the other cabin and hung by her hands over her head and still nude to a hook from the ceiling, her feet barely touching the floor. But he couldn't hurt her anymore, for she had escaped mentally to a place he could never reach.



Rayne Ch. 11



Maria awoke in a cold sweat, a scream just below the surface. The dream had returned, and as yet she had said nothing to Rayne. For the dreams had been vague, just a feeling of doom and suffering. But not tonight, there had been nothing vague about this, it was clear and decisive, and she knew Gabriella had been hurt very badly and if they did not reach her soon, she might be lost to them forever. She never hesitated for a moment, climbing from bed as quickly as her bent old frame would allow, and grabbing just her shawl to throw over her flannel night gown, she hurried to Rayne's cabin. She entered without even so much as a knock. Rayne was instantly awake, so lightly did he sleep these past weeks. He recognized the slight misshapen frame of Maria, and he was immediately on his feet.

"What is it Maria, what have you seen?"

She hesitated, not wanting to reveal the entire scene she had seen, she didn't know if his mind or body could take it. 

"You must hurry Rayne, she is in bad shape, and we are but a few days away from her!"

"How do you know this?" he asked tersely.

Maria gave him a look that silenced any further questions before she responded "I can only tell you that I feel it, we are near, perhaps less than a few days. But if we don't arrive very soon, all will be lost, if it hasn't been already!"

Rayne, never questioning the validity of her statements was already bounding out the door, taking over the helm himself. Barking orders that they hoist all available sails and increasing the speed the ship sliced through the inky black waters. For the remainder of the night and the following day he refused to leave the helm. And Maria remained by his side until she collapsed from exhaustion. Red carried her to her bunk, only to have her return as soon as she awoke.

It was late the following night when the sailor in the crow's nest sighted a ship that seemed to be in no hurry bearing the crest of Spain. Immediately Rayne was informed and Maria closed her eyes, meditating on Gabriella, calling to her spiritually. She could get no sense of a response as she usually could when she was close to her. A worried frown creased her brow, hardly noticeable amongst all the other wrinkles in her old and now tired face.

"I fear we are too late Rayne, I cannot feel her, yet I don't feel her gone either. I am sorry; I know I am of no help to you right now."

Rayne couldn't bear the pain that ripped through him at her words.

Tersely, between gritted teeth he ground out "we are not too late, she is there and she is alive!"

Maria had not the heart to tell him of all the dream; she had only given him what he needed to know at the time. She wouldn't be the one to rip away his last shred of hope, for she might be wrong, although she seldom was Just this once she prayed she was. 

Rayne, had his sailors dropped sail, keeping the man in the crow's nest to make sure the other ship hadn't spotted them. He called the men to the deck and told them of his plan. They would shadow the other ship until that time that the moon ceased but before the sun started to kiss the sky, the darkest is always before the dawn and this time he would use to his advantage then and only then, they would attack. The attack would be silent but it would be deadly. His only command was that Torquemada be taken alive, his death would be by Rayne's hand and it would be very slow, deliberate and painful. It would be the longest night of his life, and after what seemed to be an eternity, the sails were raised and the ship sped forward reaching the sleeping ship before an alarm could be raised on the Spanish galleon. 

They swarmed aboard, each of Rayne's men driven by the need to find their Capitan's woman and they would do whatever it took to secure the ship. They all knew that heaven help the misbegotten fool if he had harmed one hair on her head. They had watched the Captain all these long weeks and months and knew him to be a man possessed. If she were dead, they feared for his sanity. 

The Spanish men were sliced to ribbons, the deck ran red with Spanish blook. Not one of Rayne's men spared mercy, for they feared one sailor left alive might raise a warning. The few men left were subdued in record time and without a warning being raised. The fools had slept at their posts for the most part and aided Rayne's plan. A disgruntled sailor with a cutlass to this throat lead the way to Torquemada's cabin door which Rayne kicked in with one swift foot planted to the middle of it. The door splintered under such abuse and Torquemada was jerked from his pleasant slumbers to find himself at the end of a long and deadly saber being yielded by a very deadly calm Rayne.

"Where is she?" Rayne hissed, his eyes glittering rage.

Torquemada hedged, for he knew if Rayne saw her in the condition she was in, barely alive and her eyes glazed in the manner of a mad-woman that his life was over. He doubted his crew would have given him the location, but then sadly he overestimated their loyalty and then the night was shatterer by Maria screeches.

Torquemada was snatched unceremoniously from his bunk and thrust along the passage way towards the sound of Marias screeching and wailing. Rayne's heart dropped to his toes, for he was fearful of what he would find when he reached the end of that journey and arrived at the cabin the ruckus was coming from. He shoved the man he knew was responsible for whatever he was about to find to his knees and barked the order "if the swine moves, or you think he moved, behead him!"

He strode through the door, his heart pounding. The sight that met his eyes was worse than anything he could have ever imagined. There hung his beloved, almost a skeleton, so thin was she. Her hair filthy and matted with dried blood, the room reeked of death, and her eyes starred, seeing nothing, her hands tied above her head and secured to a hook in the ceiling. He thought she was dead and all he could think of was that he had to cut her down and cover her naked body that showed so many signs of the torture and abuse that had been heaped upon her.

With one swift arch his saber, the very one he had once battled Gabriella with sliced through the ropes and he caught her as gently as possible in his arms as she fell. Tears streamed down his face, and his men, uncomfortable and frightened by the sight of their fearless Captain so moved, shuffled out of the room and closed the splintered door to give him some privacy to grieve the loss of his once beautiful Gabriella.

He cradled her close sobbing quietly and Maria sat in the floor beside them, rocking to and fro mumbling incoherently. Rayne gently brushed the matted hair from her face and there was a slight movement one that he felt more so than actually saw, so small and slight that he thought at first it was involuntary on the part of his beloved body from the physical strain put on it. He felt a feeble push an attempt to push him away and heard a barley coherent "no more, please!" hardly more than a whisper. Maria immediately was on her knees beside him speaking in a crooning tone of voice, the Spanish flowing rapidly. The words couldn't possible register with Gabriella but the tone and sound must have, for she closed the glazed eyes and collapsed.

Rayne swept her into his arms, and strode from the cabin leaving behind the scene of her horror and the stench of death. He quickly quit Torquemada's floating chamber of horrors and boarded his own ship, taking her directly to his cabin where he ordered clean water and bandages. How he wished Javonnie were by his side now. His skills would be of great service to Gabriella. But he wasn't and he was confident that between him, Maria and the current ship physician, they could attend to her physical needs. But it was her mental needs that bothered him more than he would allow himself to admit. As soon as Maria made it to his cabin, he pulled her aside and spoke quietly to her.

"Take care of her Maria, I have some unfinished business to attend to, and then I will be back, and I will never leave her side again!"

Maria knew that he meant ever word, and she felt a shiver run down her spine, for she knew Torquemada was about to pay for all the wrongs he had committed both against Gabriella as well as any other living soul he had ever tormented. The shiver was because she had never seen this side of Rayne, this quiet, dangerous, deadly side.

Rayne had Torquemada dragged to the deck of his own ship and the few men left of his crew were shoved front and center to watch Torquemada pay for his sins. Torquemada trembled in fear, he knew he could expect no quarter from this man, and he knew he was a coward through and through when it came to his own pain. Rayne circled around him several times before he spoke, and at the sound of Rayne's voice Torquemada jumped at the low, deadly calm quality.

"Give him a sword Red."

Red looked uncertainly at Rayne, but did not question his command. He strolled forward and tossed Torquemada his sword.

"You, sir, will fight me. I will end your miserable excuse for a life, but before I do, you will pay for all the torment you have forced on Gabriella. There will be far more misery heaped on you in one short space of time than you ever dreamed possible. Now pick up your sword and fight!"

Torquemada retreated and refused to lift his sword, instead he wheedled in a begging voice, "you don't dare kill me! You will have to answer to the Spanish government, which I represent. So your threats don't frighten me!"

Rayne hissed "you fool...you will never be found, at least not enough, if anything, to be recognized. Your crew will vanish just like you will, as if you never were. Pick up your sword and fight!"

But, Torquemada clung to the hope that if he refused to fight that Rayne was too honorable to just simply murder him. He was wrong.

When Rayne saw that he refused to lift his sword to defend himself, he decided he needed a little motivation.

"Nice new scar there on your throat, did my little Gata scratch you in anger?"

Torquemada spit at the mention of Gabriella's name. He was livid at the mention of the nasty cut that little bitch had given him, another half inch and the witch would have ended his life.

"Yes, she did that, and she paid dearly for it" he ground out before he chose his words, his misfortune.

Rayne effortlessly swung his razor sharp saber and made a matching slice on the opposite side of Torquemada throat, so quickly that he was confused as to where the red rivulet of blood sprang from momentarily.

"Anything else you would like to offer up?"

Torquemada knew his time on earth was down to minutes, so why not goad Rayne into ending it quickly.

"Yes, she begged for more when I raped her, she said I was more man in bed than you ever could be!"

Rayne threw back his head and laughed, and ceased abruptly, a look of fury on his handsome visage.

"Oh you are a fool, for I know the true depth of her loathing of you. She would rather be torn limb from limb by sharks than ever surrender to you. I know she never succumbed to your torture and what you got, you took forcibly!" Rayne ground out this last part, the knowledge like a knife twisting in his gut.

Another flashing arch and Torquemada's left ear landed on the deck at his feet. It was then that he lifted the sword to defend himself. He flailed wildly and clumsily with the sword, never leaving a mark on Rayne, while with each thrust Rayne's counter thrust lopped of another ear, a wound opened up on his left forearm, then his right, a gash in his left leg, across his chest. Torquemada's men shrank back in horror and fascination at the same time, at the effortless macabre scene that unfolded before them. 

After over an hour of this sword play. Torquemada made the ultimate mistake in saying "I should have killed that filthy puta when I had the chance!"

The words had no sooner left his lips than his head landed at his feet. His mouth still open from speech before his body hit the deck. Rayne looked at the body still twitching in death and ordered him dumped in the ocean for sharks to finish the work; his few remaining men were beheaded and tossed after him.

Rayne ordered the supplies and anything beneficial loaded onto his ship and then torched Torquemada's ship, he never wanted his beloved Gabriella to ever have to see either Torquemada or this ship ever again. He headed for home, his home, not England, leaving the helm in his first mates capable hands and went below to help Maria and be there for Gabriella. The entire voyage he had berated himself for letting Gabriella out of his sight. He should have known she was up to something, that she would try to put his welfare before her own. Foolish little vixen, had she but confided in him, he could have saved her from so much horror.

As he entered the cabin he saw Maria had finished cleaning Gabriella, removing months of filth from her with loving hands. She had brushed the mats as best she could from her long tresses. She looked at Rayne and shook her head in answer to his unspoken questions. She motioned him away from the bed, not sure how aware Gabriella was of what was going on and being said around her.

"Both of her arms are displaced from being suspended for God knows how long."

Rayne shook his head in understanding, and knelt beside the bed, speaking softly to Gabriella.

"Gabriella, I have to manipulate your arms back into the sockets my love. This will be painful, but there is no other way to do this and the sooner it is done the sooner it can begin to heal."

There was no response and for a scant moment he thought she was indeed gone. With the help of the physician a quick pull and rotation and the left arm was in place with an ear piercing scream from Gabriella. While it was like physical blow to know he had inflicted more pain on her with more to come with the other arm, at the same time it was sweet music to his ears, for I meant she was still alive! The procedure was repeated on the other arm, followed by another howl of protest from the patient after which she lost consciousness. They let her rest while the cook prepared a thin broth for Maria to spoon down her.

Rayne sat behind her resting her back across his lap and cradling her bound arms and head for Maria to slowly spoon nourishment into her malnourished body. After they had gotten all that they could into her, she quietly left the room, leaving Rayne to hold Gabriella. She had never seen a man so deeply touched, his love clearly displayed on his face as he looked at the pale, deathly still Gabriella.

All through the night Rayne whispered reassurance to Gabriella, promising her warm sunshine, sparkling beaches, a hacienda with cooling sea breezes to help her recuperate, if she would just stay with him till he could get her there. He was afraid he wouldn't make it there with her still alive, but he refused to think about that possibility. It would be weeks before they could reach his home, and those weeks he left the running of the ship in his crew's capable hands. Gabriella slept for most of the journey, and the few moments she would awaken there was a blank look in her eyes that shook Rayne to his core. Maria schooled him patience, and spent her days in Rayne's cabin as well, murmuring loving words in Spanish. Rayne knew not what she said, but the murmurings of the old lady would quiet Gabriella when she became agitated, and sooth her it seemed.

Each day she seemed to gain a little in strength and at long last Rayne breathed a sigh of relief for it seemed her physical health was on the mend. He had rarely left her side, only to cleanup and change clothes, and then he was back. If Maria had entertained any doubts about his loyalty or love, those were long gone. He was like man possessed, and she was amazed at the loving, gentle way he handled Gabriella for a man so big, strong and physical. She had watched from the deck the end of the battle with Torquemada and knew that he possessed the strength of ten men when fighting for his love. She knew Gabriella would be protected for the rest of her life and this caused Maria to breathe easier.

After many weeks, land was sighted and they sailed into the harbor of his home. There was Navia waiting on the dock, and her face briefly registered surprise and dismay when she saw Rayne striding towards her, holding a beautiful woman so protectively in his arms. It was obvious that this woman had been through an ordeal, it was also obvious that Rayne deeply loved this woman. Navia quickly hid her feelings and rushed ahead to prepare a room.

Damn, Rayne chastised himself; Navia hadn't entered his thoughts since the night Gabriella had gone missing. How could he be so callous he asked himself? He had been consumed with finding Gabriella and then willing her to live. He knew he would have some serious explaining to do, and he would face that, but first, he had to get Gabriella into a room and settled. She still was never awake for more than a few moments at a time, and when she was, she still had that unseeing stare, as if she were alive yet dead.



Rayne Ch. 12



Gabriella seemed to be more at peace since coming to the island, even though she spent most of her time sleeping, the rest starring unseeingly into space. She didn't seem to respond to any external stimulus, not even Rayne or Maria. Navia was an extremely talented cook and prepared many dishes that Maria could get down her in her comatose state. Rayne had broken away from sitting with Gabriella to explain to Navia the situation.

"Navia, I should have warned you that I was bringing Gabriella here. We met in England and then she was abducted and my sole focus was on finding her before she was harmed." 

Rayne hung his head, clearly upset that he had not found her before the damage had been done. Navia had loved Rayne more than she ever thought possible to love a man, but she had always known while Rayne was fond of her, she knew she never had held his heart. She had hoped this day would never come, but knew it had been inevitable.

After a long breath, she began to speak in that beautiful melodic island accent she had, "Rayne, you have been so good to me. You have always given me the choice to be here in your beautiful home, allowed me to run it as if it were my own. You owe me no explanations. I will help you care for this woman Gabriella, for it is clear to see that you love her and only her as a man should love the woman he wants to spend his life with. For you to love her, I know she has a good heart, and as long as she does nothing to hurt you, I can be happy."

Rayne listened to her words incredulously. He had expected a tirade of furious words, as would have been her right, as he probably would have if the tables were turned. Navia was truly an amazing woman, and he had never been more grateful to have her at his side. He reached out to her and drew her close to him, thanking her for taking Gabriella into not only the house that she called home, but into her heart. Navia brushed his thanks away and walked from the room to go see if Maria needed anything. Maria assured her there was nothing that she had not already seen to, so Navia took her basket and left to wander to the market place for fresh vegetables and goods for the following days meals.

Maria marveled at the home where Rayne had brought them to. The sound of the ocean so soothing and close, the warm breezes kissed Gabriella's face where she lay in an over-sized bed which was dressed in the softest of linens. Navia had brought in several camisole type night dresses that had fit Gabriella perfectly. Navia had blushed profusely when Rayne had been the one to place Gabriella into the slipper tub filled with warm water and scented with tropical flower oil Navia had provided. Between Maria and herself, they had scrubbed as gently as possible, Gabriella and managed to get all the tangles and matts from the months of neglect and abuse out of her hair. When she was dressed and her hair had dried, it spread out across the pillows in a billowing black cloud of beautiful tresses. Navia stood gazing at her for a long moment, thinking how beautiful and yet fragile she looked. She could only imaging the abuse this poor girl had suffered from all the scars, bruises still bluish green and healing wounds on her body. She never asked that had happened, she felt it was too painful and harsh, and she wasn't sure she even wanted to know. She was a constant guest in Gabriella's room and Maria slowly relaxed, confident that Navia meant only to help, and that she held no malice for the woman that had captured Rayne's heart.

Rayne slept in Gabriella's room each night, his overly large frame draped into a small lounger near to her bed. He didn't want his love to awaken in the middle of the night and be frightened. He was afraid she would awaken and fear she was still in Torquemada's cruel grip. He spent as much time as was humanly possible with her, refusing to leave the room at all for weeks. Maria forced him to return to running his businesses, attending to correspondence, but even with that he was in her room by her side more than he was not. Eventually life settled into a routine and he would awake and then go bath and change into clean clothes, return to her room for breakfast, which sometime he could coax her to eat, sometimes it was Maria that got food into her. After that he would read to her and then he was off to attend to his shipping business, answer correspondence and he had sent letters to Javonnie to have him attend to anything that was pressing back in England. He had explained all that had happened and described Gabriella's condition to his friend. He knew it would be a long time before those letters reached him, but he knew eventually there would be a response. Perhaps Javonnie could offer some assistance, something that might help break the daze she appeared to exist in.

Navia was very concerned as the days turned to weeks and then months and there was no response from Gabriella. No spark of recognition to the two people that should have been able to pull her back from the black abyss that the torture had pushed her into. She searched through herbal remedies, looking for something that might help pull her back. Finally she made the long trek to the other side of the island to see the medicine woman. She spoke of Gabriella and that she had endured incredible pain, abuse and torture. The medicine woman nodded knowingly and shuffled through her hut reaching for first one herb and then another. She placed them into the small wooden bowl she used to mix herbs and began to crush them with a pedestal like an apothecary would. Slowly the leaves and twigs turned to a course powder. The old woman slowly rose from her chair her bent and crooked old frame slow to move and mumbling in her quiet incessant ramblings she shuffled over to a row of jars with covers. She picked up several and put them down before she put two in her apron and then turned to a cabinet with some small branches with berries that she had hanging there from their drying. She made her way back to the table and put a couple of pinches from the jars and then the leaves and berries into the small bowl. She resumed her mumbling and mixing. After much mumbling and mixing she reached for a small vial and carefully put the mixture in it and handed it to Navia.

"Put a dash into a drink or any food you can get down her. It may take many weeks for this to begin to work. If she can be brought back from the land of the living dead, this will work. Should you need more, come back."

With that said, she turned and shuffled off to the back of the house and Navia was left to see herself out. But she was used to this routine, it was just the way the medicine woman was. She didn't waste breath or a lot of words, she put more stock in actions than words, and she always had. Navia made the long trek back to the house. She was undecided if she wanted to tell Rayne what she wanted to do with the powders she had in her basket. She didn't know how he would react to the medicine woman's herbal powders. Nothing else seemed to be helping the woman Gabriella, what was there to lose? Over the time that she had been there, Navia had spent a lot of time helping Maria care for her and somehow she had formed a deep attachment to this beautiful silent woman. As she brushed Gabriella's hair she wondered what it would look like put up in ringlets and pretty hair combs. Her skin, you could tell, had once been flawless and even with the marks still visible, she was a strikingly beautiful woman. She could tell just by the way Rayne cared for her, spoke to her and handled her that he loved her deeply. This knowledge actually brought her comfort to know that he had finally met his soul mate. She had always known she was not that woman, but she was grateful for the time she had gotten to be in his life. She would always be grateful for his kindness to her and her family. The all had decent tasks to perform for him that enabled them to live more comfortably than some on the other islands. They were all well cared for, Rayne was a decent man and honorable.

Once she arrived back at the house she squeezed the fresh oranges and mangos along with the juice from fresh pineapple and made a refreshing drink for Gabriella. She started to add the powder, but hesitated, perhaps she should at least let Maria know and make the decision as to whether or not she felt it was worth the chance. She didn't want to upset anyone unnecessarily. She carried the glass of juice and slipped the vial of powders in her apron pocket. She entered Gabriella's room and she and Maria were sitting on the balcony enjoying the sea breezes. At least Maria was enjoying it, Gabriella as usual, showed no sign of being aware of anything around her. 

"Miss Maria?" she spoke softly to Maria.

"Si, Navia, what is it my child?"

"I have brought Miss Gabriella some fresh juice."

"That is nice of you Navia; I know she appreciates all that you do for her. Perhaps one day soon she will be able to thank you herself."

"I was hoping that soon she will open her eyes and really see. I have done something that I hope you won't be angry about." Navia hedged, unsure how what she had to say would be received.

Maria looked sharply at her, finding it hard to imagine her doing anything that would harm Gabriella. "What is it Navia?"

"I went to see the island medicine woman; she is very old and very knowledgeable of herbs and medicines. I told her of some of what Miss Gabriella had been through and how she seemed to be awake and asleep at the same time. About how she doesn't seem to recognize the people she should. I have some powders that the medicine woman mixed for her and she said to put them into her food and drink. But I didn't want to do this without your permission."

Maria studied the young woman in admiration. She was trying desperately to help Gabriella; most women in her position would be doing the opposite.

"I am sure you meant well, and little one, I don't see how it could hurt! Have you told Rayne about this?"

"No, I didn't want to get his hopes up in case it didn't work."

Maria shook her head in agreement and held out her hand for the vial. She opened it and put a little of the powder into her palm and studied it, and smelled it. It was a pungent smell and some of the herbs she recognized by their smell and the colors in the powder. She shook the powder into the drink and began to spoon feed it to Gabriella. Between the two women they got almost all of the juice down her. In the weeks that followed Maria and Navia kept their secret and when Maria told her the vial was almost empty Navia said she would return for more. Maria asked to go see this woman with her. Navia hesitated only momentarily, seeming to know that the medicine woman wouldn't mind. Maria had a way about her that she knew the two women had a lot in common and could learn from each other. So together they made the trek and as she had anticipated, the two women immediately took to one another, discussing herbs and remedies, learning from one another. After that initial visit, about once a week Maria would make the trek to visit her new friend and discuss possible herbs to help Gabriella.

It was well into the second month of the powders being put into Gabriella's food and drink that Maria sat talking to her and for the first time since finding her above Torquemada's ship there was a slight twitch of her lip, almost a smile, albeit it was fleeting. Maria could have jumped for joy. But she said nothing to Rayne, it was too soon and too small of an improvement to get his hopes built upon. But she told Navia immediately and she too was overjoyed. When Maria made her weekly visit to her new friend, Navia kept Gabriella company. She rubbed lotion into her hands and arms, feet and legs, talking to her all the while in her lilting native voice.

"This will help keep your skin soft and help vanish the scars. Not that it matters, you are so beautiful. When we finish with your lotion, I am going to brush your hair for you and if you're not tired, I will arrange it for you, I am not very good at that, but it will be a change for you."

Navia was busy rubbing in the lotion and there was a touch on her hair. Her eyes flew up looking up into Gabriella's face. Her eyes weren't blank, there was life there and Navia was suddenly shy. She was unsure what she should say, she didn't want to say anything to upset her. She continued to look in surprise at the woman she had spent so many hours with, and Gabriella looked at her tanned face in curiosity. She didn't know who this woman was, but she recognized the voice that had come to her when she floated in dreams, it had soothed her and the hand on her arms and feet had been gentle, and as she had brushed her hair, she had been gentle as well.

Just these thoughts and concentrating on looking at her had left her exhausted, she simply said "thank you" and drifted back into sleep.

Navia could hardly wait for Maria to return! When she did Navia was waiting for her at the gate.

"Miss Maria...she spoke! Her eyes were alive!"

Maria hurried as fast as her bent frame would allow to Gabriella's room, but she slept deeply. But this sleep was a different sleep than that which she had been lost in. It was, for the first time, a natural sleep.



Rayne Ch. 13



Rayne took the stairs two at a time so great was his hurry to reach Gabriella's side. Once outside the door he hesitated, so much to say yet he knew not what to say. For the first time in his life he was filled with fear; fearful of so many things. What condition mentally and emotionally would she be in? Had Torquemada subjected her to so much torture that she would turn from him as well? Was her mind so shattered that she would have no recollection of him, of their time together? His hand mid-way to the door knob he stood transfixed as if rooted to the spot.

He stood so long lost in his thoughts that Maria, with the help of Navia reached the top of the stairs and brushed past him into the room. He followed quietly behind, stopping just inside the door and leaning with his back against the door frame, taking in the scene before him. Maria reached Gabriella's side and Navia stood at the foot of the bed. Maria reached out a weathered old hand and brushed aside the hair that lay across Gabriella's face. Gabriella's eyes flickered open, and focused on the face belonging to the hand that caressed her face. Recognition flashed in her eyes and a smile graced her lovely lips.

She breathed, more than said "Maria..."

It was more of an endearment than a question and the old woman who had waited so long to hear words come from the girl she loved so deeply as she would have a child of her own flesh and blood stood with tears of joy coursing down her cheeks.

"Si' quidera, it is your Maria."

Gabriella lay looking into her face just taking it in for a long moment before noticing the beautiful your woman at the foot of the bed. With the question clearly on her face Maria spoke up.

"This is Navia; she has helped me care for you all these long months."

Gabriella focused her gaze on the woman and Navia ducked her head, suddenly very shy.

"Thank you" a simple heartfelt sentence that bespoke volumes more than words ever could.

Navia, a little more at ease spoke in her melodic island voice "you're welcome, it was no trouble."

Gabriella remembered the sound of this voice, when she had slept and dreamt and floated on the clouds high above. It was the sound of this voice that had kept her from giving up. The sound of it had been so soothing from the troublesome and painful memories that she had hid from for so long. She didn't know where she was or how this woman came to help care for her, but she would be eternally grateful. She laid quietly, all these thoughts flitting through her mind, and then, unbidden came the remembrance of another. The man she had loved with all her heart that she had tried so hard to protect from the madman that had tormented her so savagely. She turned questioning eyes back to Maria, and so low that it took a moment for the question to register, she spoke.

"Rayne?" She was half afraid of what the answer would be. Surely all that she had endured had not been in vain. What good had it been for her to cling to life so vicariously if it had been for naught?

Maria looked towards Navia and beyond and Gabriella followed the line of her gaze. Navia stepped aside and suddenly there he was, seemingly filling the room with his very presence. Rayne, her eyes feasted on his handsome visage. He looked just as she had remembered him. It was that vision that had forced her to cling to life, to not give up during the long nights in the hold of the floating prison. It was the memories of his lovemaking and the promise of all that he would teach her that had caused her to endure the long days of rape and torture. She wanted to look into his eyes, but was afraid of what she would see. She couldn't abide it if there was pity or worse there. But, Gabriella was no coward and with a deep breath, she allowed her eyes to reach his and was jolted by the intense look there. A look filled with worry, pain, fear and most of all love.

Rayne had been so fearful that she would have no recollection of him, or far worse, she would reject him and his love. But instead he saw mixed emotions, but the strongest was love. He moved forward on feet that were slow to move, not even realized that he walked until he reached her side. He reached out a hand to stroke her face, a face that registered recognition that looked more beautiful that he had ever dreamt possible. Made all the more so by just the emotions displayed across it. He leaned forward his face even with hers, his lips brushing across her forehead, across her eyelids and finally claiming her lips in a kiss so gentle that it was like butterfly wings brushing them.

Maria and Navia left the room leaving them to continue their emotional reunion in private. But neither Gabriella nor Rayne even noticed their departure. She breathed in the scent of him, as he sat on the bed, gathering her in his arms. His hands tangled in her hair as he rained kissed all over her face and lips. He had been afraid this day would never happen and he was indeed a happy man. Gabriella wanted to touch his face, stroke his hair, kiss his lips, this was what had kept her alive, for deep in her heart she had known that if there was any way possible Rayne would find her and save her. She had put her trust in the man she loved and he had not let her down.

There were no words spoke, they didn't need words between them right now, they only needed the touch of one another for now. Rayne swept back the covers and lifted Gabriella into his arms and strode out onto the balcony and sprawled into a chair pulling her into his lap and cradling her in his arms. Holding her as if he would never let her go. The twilight had started to fall, and stars began to twinkle in the sky. The sound of the waves on the beach far below were soothing, the breezes were soft, kissing her skin, the scent of tropical flowers hung heavy on the air. She tucked her head under Raynes chin and stoked his chest and at long last she spoke.

"I have dreamed of this moment for so long, and clung to it as fiercely as I knew how. Fearful that you wouldn't want me after all that Torquemada did to me. If you don't, I will understand, not many men would."

She looked up into Raynes face, and was surprised to see wet tracks glistening on his handsome face. Tears flowed from his beautiful blue eyes and a sob tore from his chest.

"Not want you? I felt as if I were dead when I thought I had lost you. I searched the seas and pushed my men till most would have dropped from exhaustin to find you. And that mad man will never hurt another living soul. I dispatched him straight to the gates of hell, and even that was too good for him. If I could only have found you before he had a chance to..."

Gabriella hushed him with a kiss, deep and searing.

"It is done, and it is over. I am just grateful that you found me and ended my lifelong torture. Let's never speak of him again."

Rayne led her from the balcony back to the room, and laid her gently on the bed, climbing in beside her. He wanted more than anything in the world to make love to her but felt it was too soon, so he held her and caressed her face until they both fell asleep. They slept the deep sleep of those who are deeply content and in love.

When the morning sun slanted across the horizon he lay sleeping deeply as she gazed at him, enjoying the chance to just watch him. His eyes flickered open and he was looking straight into Gabriella's smiling green eyes.

"Good Morning mi' amore" she whispered.

A smile curved the corners of his sensuous lips as he kissed her good morning. Rayne knew that his body would react quickly to Gabriella lying next to him, and that if he didn't get out of the bed soon, he wouldn't be able to control his natural desire to make love to her. He slid from the bed and promised to return soon. By the time he returned, Gabriella had wandered out to the balcony and stood with the morning breezes ruffling her hair and making the thin white gown cling to her body. The sight was feast for his eyes and his body. He felt himself quicken at the sight and quickly averted his gaze to safer fodder. He crossed to room to the balcony and sat the breakfast tray on the low table and they sat one on each side of the table to break their fast.

"Tell me about this place. It's so beautiful and you seem to be so at ease here."

Rayne knew he would have to tell her about Navia and hoped it wouldn't affect the natural affection the two women had formed. 

"This is my home my island. I found this island with only a handful of people living here eking out a living when I left England."

"Why did you leave England?"

Rayne hesitated and decided that she deserved to know the truth, the whole truth about him, so he began the tale that seemed to come from so far in the past. He left out no detail, even the truth about Simone. He could have chuckled at the fiercely possessive look in her eyes over that part of the story. Then there was sadness over the part about Lionel and their quarrel. But understanding as the story progressed and he explained Lionels controlling nature. There were smiles over his childhood and the soft look he got when he spoke of his mother and father. When she learned of Navies' role in Raynes life she expressed curiosity and hope that Navia would remain a part of their lives. When the story was finished she asked to see his island, which so far she had only seen from the balcony.

Rayne told her that he felt she could use a little rest he didn't want her overly tired, and that if she would agree to rest he would take her for a ride in the afternoon and show her the island. She reluctantly agreed, feeling completely rested, but knowing Rayne would have his way. So, she laid on the chaise lounge and napped the rest of the morning away. 

At lunch Navia and Maria arrived with a tray and she asked if they would stay and join her for lunch. Navia was shy and now Gabriella understood why. But over the course of lunch Navia seemed to relax quite a bit and Gabriella engaged her in telling her more about the island. You could tell by her words and vivid descriptions that she greatly loved this island and the people, her people that lived there. 

Rayne arrived as promised and insisted on carrying her down the stairs. From the chaise lounge he swept her effortlessly into his arms and strode confidently down the stairs and out to the awaiting carriage. The carriage carried the crest of Quinhurst and had richly appointed leather seats. The matched bays pulling it were exquisite animals and responded to the lightest of touches. Over the next two hours he drove Gabriella over the island and pointed out the busy shipyard and workers loading and unloading cargo. There were fields with crops in them with field men and women busy at their tasks. There were happy dark skinned children playing around small well built thatch topped huts both along the beaches and up into the rolling hills in the middle of the island. 

"When you are stronger there is a place I want to take you. It is my favorite place on the island."

Gabriella knew she would like that, sharing something that was special to Rayne, and knew instinctively that it would become special for her as well.

As much as Gabriella hated to admit it, the ride had tired her out, which in turn frustrated her, for she wasn't nearly ready for the ride to be over, but knew she would accomplish nothing arguing. Besides, he was right, she didn't want to over-do it her first time out of the house. She had not realized how weak she was. Gabriella was not used to so much inactivity.

They returned to the house to be greeted by Maria.

"Chica, there is a glowing blush in your cheeks; this outing has been good for you."

But she could tell Gabriella was tired and she whisked her up the stairs clucking all the way about her doing too much too soon. Gabriella sank down into the enormous slipper tub Rayne had moved to her room and relaxed amongst the warm scented water. She soaked for over an hour before Navia arrived with a beautiful gown for her. It was not elaborate, very simple watered silk in emerald, very low cut and trimmed in black lace. 

When she had finished helping her dress she told her that Rayne had requested that their dinner be set up on the balcony. So, Gabriella wandered out to the balcony enjoying the evening breezes that seemed to kiss her skin and calm her soul. She never heard him enter the room and was surprised by the soft kiss along her shoulder where he placed it. He wrapped her in his strong arms and just held her close inhaling deeply of the scent of her. 

Navia appeared with their meal of island fare. There was blacked fish with a rice dish, fresh vegetables from the massive gardens, fresh greens and tomatoes with freshly made oil vinaigrette dressing lightly drizzled over it. There was a basket of freshly baked rolls that smelled mouthwatering. There was a bottle of wine that had a full bodied bouquet that was perfect with the fish. 

Gabriella hadn't realized just how hungry she was until Rayne chuckled at her tucking away her food. She blushed profusely and started to apologize when he assured her he enjoyed watching her eat. When Navia cleared away the remains of their meal, she left a bowl of berries the perfect sweet accompaniment to the meal. Rayne had her join him on the chaise where he held her closely and fed her the berries evoking a memory of another meal they had shared in what seemed a lifetime ago.

Gabriella turned in his arms to look up into his face. She reached up and caressed his face, closing her eyes as her hand touched his face as if memorizing every detail of him to her heart. Rayne's nerves were stretched tight as he could no longer control his needs. He claimed her lips in a soft kiss that quickly deepened into a passionate demanding kiss that ignited her feelings and spiraled out of control. Her hunger for him fed on the kisses and caresses. Rayne didn't know how much more he could take and still be able to stop. Gabriella sensed his hesitation and breathed her plea.

"Rayne, make love to me. Finish what you started so long ago. I feel like I have waited a lifetime for this moment!"

He needed no further encouragement and lifted her into his arms and strode to the bed, laying her gently on the large bed. He joined her there kicking off his boots and resumed the searing, breath stealing kisses. His hands roamed at leisure over her body, caressing through her gown her breasts causing her nipples to harden into tiny pebble-like buds. A deep moan built in her throat burst from her lips as she began an exploration of her own, of his body. Somewhat timidly at first but quickly emboldened by his caresses and her mounting need. With his help she pulled his shirt off giving her free rein of his chest. 

She became the aggressor, pushing him onto his back and spreading hot moist kisses across his face, neck and across his chest. Her pearly white teeth worried his nipples and to her delight they too ruches like her own had. Rayne slid her gown off her shoulders and made short work of it, adding it to the mounting pile of clothes beside the bed. His eyes feasted on the beauty of her body, and he kissed and caressed each and every scar left behind on her body as if he could remove the memories by his touch. His breeches joined the pile of clothes and his manhood sprang free, standing proudly from his body, engorged by his desire. The size seemed enormous to Gabriella, but she felt no fear, for she knew he would never hurt her. She hesitantly reached out her hand to caress his hardness and was surprised at the odd combination of rock hardness and satiny smoothness like hot, hard silk. At her touch it involuntarily jumped and she was amazed at the sensitivity and her power to create such a reaction.

Rayne took a ragged breath and managed to rasp out "Gabriella, I am at the point of no return, I won't be able to stop myself if you continue to touch me like this."

"I don't want you to stop; I never want you to stop!"

That was like music to his ears, and with a growl he rolled her to her back and began in earnest to arouse her. His hands caressed her breasts, quickly followed by his mouth. His tongue flicking over her nipples creating elicit responses from Gabriella. The feelings evoked a fire that swirled deep in her belly, radiating heat throughout her body. Her back arched not wanting his mouth to leave her breasts, her hands tangled in his long mane of blue black hair pulling him ever closer. He nibbled and licked his way down her belly, her warm skin driving him insane with need. The musky smell of her womans center egged him ever downward until his lips brushed across her mons covered in soft raven curls. He parted her hidden jewel box and slowly and deliberately flicked his tongue over her hidden jewel causing her body to jerk involuntarily in response. He began to nuzzle her and lick and suck until she felt she would lose her mind. She seemed to not have any control over her own body, it solely responded to his touch causing involuntary reactions and she made soft mewling sounds which escalated in response to her impending climax. He felt her wetness on his face and her cries of release told him she had climaxed. Rayne gave her only moments to catch her breath and when she would have reached out to do the same to him, he stopped her, telling her he could wait no longer to make her truly his. Gabriella understood that his need was even greater than hers had been. He rolled to his back taking her with him, she instinctively moved over him, and he held her perfectly still as he slid her down the hard length of his pulsating shaft. Her eyes opened wide at the full feeling and she was consumed with feeling all of him inside of her, but he controlled her movements as best he could, not wanting to hurt her in any way. But Gabriella had a mind of her own and she bucked her hips seating him full into her. 

She rocked her hips and Rayne thrust upwards, the feeling was all that he had thought and more. For the first time in his life it wasn't just a sex act, it was driven by love. They were lost in the throbbing pulsating feelings that swirled around them, consuming them. Gabriella bucked wildly as did Rayne and they both reached the edge of the precipice and hung there for a space of a moment before tumbling over wild cries erupting from them both. Gabriella collapsed on his chest, exhausted and completely satiated for the first time in her life. Arms wrapped around each other, bodies pressed tightly together they both fell into the sleep of lovers with the moonlight caressing their bodies the stars twinkling overhead.



Rayne



"Ah Mr. Rayne and Mr. Javonnie. It has been ages since you have gifted us here at Xavier & Xavier's with your presence. What can I help you two gentlemen with today?"

Both Rayne and Javonnie were well acquainted with Freidman and knew that whatever they required would be fulfilled in the most efficient and timely manner possible by this exuberant tailor.

"Freidman, we have only arrived in London late last night, and find we are to attend a ball this evening. As you are aware, I've been traveling abroad in much warmer climates and I'm sadly lacking in the appropriate evening apparel as is my friend here. It most important that Mr. Sumner looks especially dashing this evening. So, do you think you can help us out of this spot we're in?"

Freidman knowing full well that he would be handsomely rewarded for pulling off such a feat was already mentally ticking off the suits in the gentlemen's size range he had available for alteration. "Of course it will be difficult, but as usual, if it can be done, I can do it!" Freidman said with his usually enthusiasm. Javonnie had stood listening to the entire exchange between the two men with a look on his face that clearly let Rayne know he knew he was up to something. As Freidman scurried off to pull together two evening ensembles he and Rayne sat in the private viewing room sipping coffee.

"Okay, what are you up to? 'Mr. Sumners must look especially dashing this evening'? Don't even try to tell me you're not up to something."

"Oh, I just thought by now you would have come to your senses and realized that you're about to let a perfectly good woman get married to a man that hasn't a clue how to be a man. Now, you tell me could you live with yourself if you allowed that to happen?" Having said that, Rayne sat back to see what Javonnie would say.

He looked incredulously at Rayne before asking "Just what do you expect me to do? I mean this ball is to announce her engagement. Don't you think it's a little late for me to do anything about it now? Don't you think I haven't thought of every conceivable scheme that I could come up with to stop this? But nothing I come up with is believable." As Javonnie ranted on and on Rayne wondered what Javonnie would say if he could hear himself. Yep, the guy had it bad. Rayne, feeling badly for his friend, wanted to put him out of his misery so he simply said, "Abduct her."

Javonnie stopped in mid-sentence and said "What?"

"Simple, abduct Veronica."

"Oh yeah right, like that's gonna work." But Rayne could see he was giving the suggestion serious thought. "Just how do you propose I accomplish this abduction?"

Rayne hadn't thought that far in advance, so he was silent for a few moments before suggesting, "Aren't you familiar with the Mulholland's gardens and house?"

"Well of course. I've been there dozens of times."

"Well then, I suggest you attempt to get her alone and try to first talk some sense into her. Tell her you love her. If she chooses not to believe you and you feel like it's gonna take you longer to convince her than time permits let me know and I will manage to get her into the garden near the back gate. We will have the coach waiting there and we can whisk her away before she or anyone else is any the wiser" Rayne finished with a wide smile amazing even himself with this spur of the moment plan.

Javonnie just stared at him like he had taken leave of his senses. "You really expect me to believe this harebrained plan of yours is actually going to work?" Javonnie rolled his eyes heavenward and leaned back in the chair. But Rayne could see the wheels in Javonnie's mind turning and knew before the night was out, his "harebrained" scheme would most likely be a reality.

Freidman returned with a very elegant charcoal gray evening suite with a pearl gray silk shirt and matching cravat as well as a jet black suite with a white shirt and emerald cravat for the two gentlemen to look at. "I suggest that Mr. Sumners wear that black ensemble as he would look most dashing with his golden skin, Adonis-blonde hair and emerald green eyes. Perhaps a diamond cravat pin would be the perfect touch to compliment the outfit? While this elegant charcoal suite will be the perfect foil for your dark good looks Mr. Quinhurst" Freidman suggest with his usual expert opinion. Both Rayne and Javonnie agreed with the choices and moved into the dressing rooms to try the apparel on so that Freidman could see to any necessary alterations.

Rayne emerged first and Freidman began making the necessary adjustments assuring Rayne it could be accomplished within a few hours and delivered to the townhouse in plenty of time for the evenings festivities. Javonnie emerged looking quite handsome in the elegant black suite, with the cravat making his eyes seem even greener than normal.

"By jove Freidman, I believe you have succeeded in making my mangy friend here as handsome and dashing as possible" Rayne joked with a jovial grin at Javonnie who was preening in front of the large mirror. "Careful Javonnie, you are starting to remind me of a certain popinjay of our mutual acquaintance" Rayne said barely able to contain his laughter at the dark scowl he received for his wit.

"I could never be like dear Stevie even if I tried" Javonnie snorted, imitating the mincing steps of the referred to dandy and looking quite the fool for his efforts. He soon had Rayne howling with laughter at his antics, that is until Freidman managed to poke Rayne with the straight pin as he was attempting to pin the back seam of the trousers he wore.

"Hey Freidman, watch where you're poking that damnable pin!" Rayne shouted at the now nervous tailor who was desperately trying to apologize.

"Oh yeah right, make him nervous before he gets a hold of me, why don't you Rayne" Javonnie said with mock concern. "Guess I'll feel like a pin cushion by the time he's through with me from the way his hands are shaking. Now, Freidman, pay no attention to my friend here, he's suffering from a bad case of rejection from a certain lady of the feline persuasion." Javonnie received a glowering look from Rayne for his trouble and should have known it would be wise to let the subject drop, but this was Javonnie after all! "Yes siree, I don't believe I've ever seen his Dukeship here receive quite a set-down like that before." He leaned closer to Freidman and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "You know, the ladies always prostrate themselves at his feet, but not this lady. She flat out refused his advances without batting an eyelash. I fear the Duke here was quite undone by the lady's rebuff. You know, not knowing how to handle a refusal as it's never happened before."

"Javonnie, I believe that's enough, unless of course you would like to know what if feels like to have me really take my frustration out on you?" Rayne said with deadly quiet and a furious look on his handsome face. Freidman looked as if he was a mouse caught between two hungry cats and the look cause both Rayne and Javonnie to burst out in laughter. Freidman managed to get through the rest of the fitting and breathed a sigh of relief as the two gentlemen walked out the front doors of the establishment to the street. These two particular gentlemen could be very volatile but they always made it worth his time he thought as he looked down at the handsome tip he had received. The tip alone was more than he normally made in a month, so he shrugged his shoulders at the nervous tension their visits always brought him.

True to his word, Freidman had the suits delivered to the townhouse in plenty of time for Javonnie and Rayne to dress for the ball. Rayne had been dressed and sitting in the study for almost an hour before Javonnie put in an appearance.

"Damn Javonnie, you take longer to dress than most women. Why, I bet ole Stevie boy doesn't even take as long as you do to dress" Rayne just couldn't refrain from taking that little jab at Javonnie.

"Yeah, that may be so, but then Stevie doesn't stand a chance when I walk in the room either!"

"My, my, we are feeling confident tonight aren't we?"

"Have you spoken to your coachman?"

"My coachman will be in front of the estate where he should be. I have made arrangements with Scotty to be waiting in the back alley with the new landau I bought. Just incase your charm and good looks aren't enough to convince Veronica to call off this engagement."

Javonnie at least had the decency to look chagrined as he spoke, "I know I owe you for this one Rayne. I should have taken care of that little detail by proposing before I left to return to Tahiti. At least then she would have know what my intentions were. I just can't believe she wouldn't wait for me." Then as if it just dawned on him he looked over at Rayne with a stricken look.

Rayne seeing the very real fear mixed with denial on Javonnie's face cautiously asked "What?"

Javonnie cleared his throat and asked somewhat shakily, "You don't suppose she conceived that one time do you?"

"Good Lord Javonnie, you mean to stand there and tell me you didn't have the wherewithal to take the precaution to withdraw before…no, never mind, I can see you didn't. How could you let this happen? I mean it's not like this was the first woman you were ever intimate with. I happen to know for a fact there have been numerous women and times. Would you care to explain yourself?" Rayne exploded.

"Rayne, I know you're not going to believe this, but it was like it was the first time. I hate to admit this, but…I totally lost control of the situation and before I knew it we were both there and I spent myself before it occurred to me to pull out." Javonnie looked extremely uncomfortable with his admission and tugged at his perfectly tied cravat as if he were suddenly suffocating.

Rayne had never seen his eloquent friend so flustered and he had rarely seen him blush, but he stood before him now with his face a dull red and looking totally miserable with the situation. "Javonnie, I have to ask you before this gets totally out of hand. Do you love Veronica? Now hear me out. Are you in love with her, because once you take her from the ball by force, there will be no turning back. Her reputation would be totally ruined and you will have to marry her once the deed is done. Do you understand all of the consequences of your actions if you do this?"

Javonnie still looking miserable replied dismally, "All I know is that ever since you told me of this damned engagement this morning, I feel like someone punched me in my gut and the pain just won't go away. Every time I imagine that little prissy Stevie or any man putting their hands on her I am filled with a rage I can't control. And when I remember the night I spent in her arms, not making love to her, but making love with her I become so aroused I almost spend myself! God, that's embarrassing to admit. What's wrong with me? I've never felt this way about a woman before?"

Poor Javonnie, he had fallen and fallen hard, and he didn't even know it. "I believe you've just answered all my questions. Let's go. We've got a ball to attend and a engagement to stop."

As the two devilishly handsome men walked into the ballroom there was a twitter among all the mama's with daughters of a marriageable age as well as the married women looking for a discreet lover.

"Well, the wolves are circling" Javonnie muttered and Rayne grimly agreed.

"I suggest you find Veronica, isolate her as quickly as possible and try and talk some sense into her. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to let her know how you feel about her" Rayne suggested. With a nod, Javonnie searched the faces as they swirled past him on the dance floor. Finally he caught a glimpse of her talking with another couple and there was that twit Stevie hanging on her every word wearing a horrid puce suite that made him look like an overgrown elf. With a surge of confidence Javonnie knew at least his physic and handsome visage were a plus in his favor. He already knew that the beautiful and serene Veronica was a tigress in bed, and he knew little Stevie wouldn't know what to do with that side of Veronica. But he sure did he thought with a chuckle.

He approached Veronica with the stealth of a lion stalking its prey. When he stood directly in front of her he said, "Good evening Miss Mulholland, how very beautiful you look tonight."

Veronica had not noticed him as he had approached, in fact she had no idea he had returned from Tahiti. Her breath caught in her throat and the room tilted dizzily for a few seconds as she drank in the sight of him. Then her anger at his cavalier attitude towards their relationship caught up to her and she gave him a frosty greeting, "Why Mr. Sumner, I can hardly believe my eyes. I would have thought you were still off on one of your high sea adventures. And instead here you stand in my humble ballroom. You must be terrible bored with all of us common, uninteresting, everyday people."

The couples around them picked up the undercurrent of the conversation and had almost gasped at the barely veiled hostility with which Veronica greeted the gorgeous man who stood staring at her. Javonnie knew she was furious with him and that she had that anger on a very short leash, so he decided to push the issue just a little. Before he spoke again he let his eyes rove over her freely from top of her head to the tip of her dainty satin slipper with a look that clearly told everyone there he was staking his claim on her. Veronica shivered because that look was. so bold it felt as if Javonnie had actually run his hands over her entire body. She knew first hand how it felt to have Javonnie's hands on her body, that thought brought another round of shivers as well as arousal to her. She wanted to stomp her foot in frustration that he could make her feel so much with just a glance. How dare he come here after leaving her alone for so long without even the promise that he would come back or a declaration of his feelings?

The musicians began to play a waltz and Javonnie reached for her hand, even before he bothered to ask her for a dance. "May I have this dance, Veronica?" he asked softly.

Stevie, feeling way out of his element said in his wheedling voice, "Miss Mulholland, you said I could have this dance."

Javonnie kept Veronica's hand firmly in his as he turned and fairly snarled down into the little mans face, "She's changed her mind, twit, so go ask one of the wall flowers to dance." Stevie face turned the same shade of pink as his suite as he stood there looking like the idiot he was.

Veronica felt like laughing out loud at his expression, but anger at Javonnie held that emotion in check. "He may just challenge you to a dual over this obvious insult Mr. Sumners" she informed Javonnie with a frown on her beautiful face.

"One can certainly hope, love" Javonnie responded dryly. Javonnie used all of his charm as he cajoled "Please Roni, smile at me and tell me you forgive me."

"Forgive you? Why, whatever would I have to forgive you for? And please don't use that disgustingly male version of my name, you may address me as Miss Mulholland" she replied icily.

"Now Roni, you liked it when I called you that when I was last here. Remember when we were.."

"I remember when you were last here! I'm not a dottering old fool that can't remember so much as my own name. I also remember you sailing out of the harbor and not receiving one letter from you in all the months you've been gone, you inconsiderate, pompous, overbearing, egotistical,……..Oooooh man!" Veronica could have bitten off her tongue for letting all of that slip out. She had at least wanted to salvage her pride by letting Javonnie believe that he meant nothing to her. So much for that idea! Her eyes were swimming in tears and she absolutely refused to stand here on the ballroom floor in front of all these guests and him and cry. She twisted out of Javonnie's arms and raced off the dance floor. Rayne who had thought things were going pretty well shook his head. Damn, couldn't Javonnie ever do anything the easy way? He decided to work his way around the dance floor and out into the garden to apprise Scotty that it would seem that he would be having a somewhat reluctant passenger before the night was over.

Having notified Scotty and the two men inside the carriage of the upcoming chain of events Rayne was making his way back through the gardens when he heard Javonnie pleading his case to Veronica. He faded into the shadows to await the outcome of Javonnie's second attempt to straighten out this mess.

Javonnie began to speak to Veronica in that voice that could charm the devil right into giving up hell. "Veronica, darling, you're being silly. Of course I know you're angry but did you really think I wasn't going to come back?"

Rayne rolled his eyes heavenward. Didn't Javonnie know women hated to be told they were silly? He wanted to snatch Javonnie away from Veronica and tell him he better get down on his knees and start begging for her forgiveness. Because that was about the only thing that was going to save him at this point in the game.

"Silly am I? Well, it would seem to me that you're the silly one. Did you really expect me to sit here and wait forever, darling?" That the word "darling" was dripping with sarcasm should have warned Javonnie he was on thin ice. But no, he just plunged ahead still believing she was ready to forgive and forget.

"Sweetheart, I know I should have made myself clearer before I left, but, I did think after what we shared that you understood my intentions" Javonnie explained still in his most charming tone of voice as he reached for Veronica.

Veronica sidestepped his embrace and turned to face him with murder in her eyes, "Oh "sweetheart" your "intentions" were perfectly clear." This said in a voice that was raising about one octave with each word. "Your "intentions" were to seduce me, compromise me and then leave me to face the music alone, pining for your return. Well guess again my "darling sweetheart". I won't wait around being made a fool of by you any longer." Having finished her speech Veronica stood glaring at Javonnie with tears streaming down her face.

Javonnie at last caught on to the fact that he was going to have to pull all the stops out to convince her of his sincerity and he was begin to doubt that even then she might not be swayed to his path. He managed to capture her hands in his and he looked into her eyes as he said softly, "Veronica, I know I've been an absolute cad. I didn't intentionally set out to seduce you or compromise you. Or fall in love with you." This last was said barely over a whisper and Veronica (as well as Rayne) wasn't sure they had heard Javonnie correctly.

"What did you just say?" Veronica asked him, a look of hopeful incredulation on her face.

"It's true you know, I guess it just took me a while to identify exactly what these feeling were. But I do love you Veronica. I can't stand the thought of another man touching you, making love to you or giving you babies. And as for that little popinjay Stevie, he isn't man enough to remove your slipper, much less be a real husband to you."

At the mention of Stevie, whom Veronica had forgotten all about with Javonnie's startling declaration her present situation was brought home to her. She had the overwhelming urge to stomp her foot yet again. (A terribly unladylike habit of hers that the aunts continuously admonished her about.) After all, this was a ball to announce her engagement to the little twit. Ugh, now Javonnie had her admitting that she could hardly stand the sight of Stevie. It was hardly fair to Stevie as she had her god-like Adonis Javonnie to compare him to. Of course Stevie couldn't compete with Javonnie, she didn't know many men who could, except for possible the Duke of Darkness. But he was much too formidable for her taste. 




Rayne



"Veronica, aren't you going to say something?" Javonnie asked impatiently. Which was what Rayne himself was wondering.

"Well, you've made a fine mess of things Mr. Sumner!"

"Me? Mess? I stand here baring my soul to you, professing my love for you, asking you to be my wife, mother to my children and you accuse me of creating a mess of things? Blast it women, you're never satisfied" Javonnie said running his hand through his hair distractedly.

"Damn it Javonnie" Rayne wanted to shout, you were almost home free. Couldn't the man hold his arrogance in check for even one moment?

"Yes, you've made a mess of things. Here I am already promised to marry another man, at a ball to announce that very engagement and you show up and drag me out here, confess your love and expect me to just walk in and tell all these people, what? That I've made a terrible mistake, that I allowed one of the most notorious rakes and debauchers in London to make wild passionate love to me for one entire glorious night and then sail away into the sunset, without me? But oops silly me, I didn't know I was supposed to wait a lifetime for you to sail back into my life as if nothing had happened? Damn you Javonnie, how could you? All of this could have been avoided it you would have opened your mouth and told me of your intentions, or picked up a pen and written to me." Well-said Rayne chuckled to himself.

Javonnie sighed, took a deep breath and asked, "You're not going to be reasonable about this are you Veronica?"

"What exactly do you expect me to do Javonnie?"

Well, at least she had stopped calling him Mr. Sumner and was calling him by his given name. "Well, we could get Stevie boy out here so you could break the bad news to him in private. Then with that out of the way, we could speak to the aunts in the study and apprise them of the situation and since this is a ball to announce your engagement, why not do just that?"

"You lost me Javonnie," she said exasperatedly. "You just suggested I break my engagement."

Javonnie explained it once more patiently, "Announce our engagement sweetheart. Just think of how envious all those other single females will be. Then they will have to turn their attentions to my wonderful friend Rayne, the Duke of Darkness." The last part had been added for Raynes benefit, because Javonnie knew without a doubt Rayne was just behind the hedge listening to every word.

"Do you think it would really work? I mean could we do this? You know everyone is expecting me to announce my engagement to Stevie."

Javonnie was stunned by the look of hopefulness and doubt mixed on Veronica's beautiful face. "Baby, you just leave everything to me. You wait right here, okay? Promise me when I return you will be standing right here in this exact spot."

Veronica blushed becomingly before saying "Oh Javonnie, I do love you! Of course I'll wait right here you silly twit." There was a long silence as Javonnie pulled Veronica into his arms and kissed her deeply. Rayne moved quietly away to give the two lovers a few moments of privacy.

Javonnie came around the bend in the walkway and grinned at Rayne, "Guess you heard?"

"Every word. By God Javonnie, I didn't think you were going to pull it off there for a while. Stuck you foot in it didn't you son?"

"Never mind that now, I've got an idea. Can you keep Veronica company for a little while? Give me a half an hour and then meet me by the back gate."

"Javonnie, what are you up to?"

Javonnie gave Rayne one of his award winning smiles and started up the steps toward the ballroom where he turned and said "Keep her company, but keep your hands off of my future wife!"

Rayne rolled his eyes and returned to keep Veronica from having second thoughts.

Javonnie reached Stevie's side and clapped him on the back so hard the small-framed dandy almost went sprawling in the floor. He probably would have except Javonnie had a hold on his arm. As Stevie turned his owlish eyes toward the offender he was met with one of Javonnie's most brilliant smiles. "Stevie ole boy, I'd like you to join me in the study. You know old man, sort of a pre-celebratory drink" Javonnie winked. Stevie, who had long wanted to fit in with the crowd Javonnie ran with, known rakes and debauchers, jumped at the chance to rub it in that he was about to announce his engagement to the beautiful Veronica. Once Javonnie had him alone in the study he began to ply Stevie with Cognac. After several drinks of the strong spirits poor Stevie was well into his cups and easily convinced that the voluptuous Veronica was eagerly awaiting him by the back garden gate for a few stolen kisses. 

As arranged, Rayne excused himself from Veronica just in time to see Javonnie and Stevie weaving down the path. Stevie had a goofy smile pasted on his face in obvious drunken oblivion and Javonnie was looking extremely pleased with himself. "Okay, you've managed to get him drunk. Was that before or after you told him Veronica had changed her mind?"

"Actually, we never quite got around to that part. I decided it would be unjustly cruel to tell Stevie that bit of bad news without compensating him in some way."

"So, what exactly is it you've planned by way of compensation?"

Javonnie couldn't stop the laughter as it bubbled up in his throat and his chest rumbled with the sound of it. "I thought Red and Scotty could take him over to one of the houses of ill-repute that you and I used to frequent so regularly and let him wake up with not one but two of the brawdiest "ladies" the establishment has to offer. Of course it would be my "treat"."

Rayne had to admit, it was terrible clever on Javonnie's part and he would love to see the look on the little twit's face when he woke up with two naked "soiled-doves" as he referred to them. Yes sir, old Stevie was in for quite a surprise.

Stevie was soon deposited into the landau and on his way to a night he would never remember, or forget either for that matter!

Javonnie took Veronica by the hand and entered the ballroom. "Excuse me, could I have your attention please?" The musicians stopped playing and everyone turned to look with interest at the handsome man standing beside Veronica Mulholland. "I know you are all gathered here expecting to hear Mr. Finch and Miss Mulholland announce their engagement. Well, there has been a slight change in plans. Miss Mulholland is announcing her engagement tonight, to me." There was a great deal of twittering among the guests and the aunts approached with quizzical expressions on their faces. But when they saw the smile on Veronica's face, they were the first to offer their congratulations. 

Rayne inclined his head in a silent salute to Javonnie that said he totally approved of the way he had handled the situation. As the guests made their way to the glowing couple to offer congratulations Rayne caught sight of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen before. When she approached closer he had a nagging feeling that he had seen this woman somewhere before, but just couldn't put his finger on where he knew her from. He wrangled an invitation from one of the aunts as she drew nearer. "Miss Quientanilla, may I introduce the Duke of Quinhurst?" As the beautiful woman turned a momentary flicker of recognition flashed across her face. It was concealed so quickly that Rayne thought he had imagined it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Duke Quinhurst. It would seem that while your friend has stolen the night, you are the talk of the single women here tonight."

"The pleasure is all mine Senorita Quientanilla. I'm afraid people here in London tend to talk when they should be listening."

"Really? And what would they hear if they were listening?" she said with a provocative smile on her lush ruby red lips.

"Only that the other ladies present pale in comparison to your beauty."

"So, the things I've heard about you are all true, senor?"

The way she said the word "Senor" was so familiar. "Well, I'm not sure what you've heard, so it would be hard for me to confirm whether or not it's true, now wouldn't it?"

She liked his rapier wit and the banter with him was much better than the boring conversations she had had to endure so far this evening. "Senor, it's terrible stuffy in here, would you think me terrible forward if I asked you to escort me into the garden for a breath of fresh air?"

"Not at all, senorita, I rather like a woman that knows what she wants and isn't afraid to say so" Rayne bowed gallantly before placing her hand in the crook of his arm and leading her out the French doors to the moonlit garden beyond. He led her to an iron bench and after seating her he stood with one foot on the small seat leaning closer to her while resting his forearm on his knee. "You seem very familiar to me Miss Quientanilla, have we met before?"

"No, not to my knowledge and I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten if I had met you before" she said with the compliment thinly veiled. Rayne was quite good at this game, in fact it was one he excelled at. But he thought with humor, she didn't know just how good he was at this particular game and so thought she could turn his head with her compliments. He would let her think that for a while, but he knew he wouldn't play this coquettish game for long, before he demanded more than she would want to give.

"I understand you recently lost your grandfather, I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Unfortunately, my grandfather and I were not close and I had not seen or spoken to him in years. I am here only to sort through the estate and make necessary arrangements before returning home. What brings you to London Miss Quientanilla?" Rayne inquired politely.

"Last names are so formal, don't you agree? Please, Mr. Quinhurst, I much prefer you call me by my given name, Gabriella."

Rayne took in the sight of her beautiful skin and seductive eyes and her ruby red lips, full and pouty and felt himself quicken. "A beautiful name to fit an equally beautiful woman. By all means, I would be honored to call you Gabriella, but only if you consent to stop calling me Mr. Quinhurst, it makes me sound like my grandfather. That's a fate worse than death" Rayne said with mock horror.

"Very well senor, but what should I call you? Perhaps the Duke of Darkness?" Gabriella said somewhat impishly.

"Ah, I see you have already been treated to the entire sordid history of my background. Perhaps you could find it in your heart to simply call me Rayne?"

"Rayne, that's an unusual name, but then you are a most unusual man, aren't you?"

"Now, where would you get that idea, Gabriella? Do you know something you're not telling me?" Rayne inquired with a sardonic lift of his black brow.

"One can hardly help but pick up little tid-bits when you are all the ton has discussed for the past month."

"So, you've been in London for the past month?"

"Actually, I've only been here for a few days, I was, um detained on my way here by a small side diversion."

So was I, Rayne thought, as he once again thought of the beautiful Spanish woman in the leather breeches with the dancing emerald eyes and wildly disarrayed hair and the seductive smile. Those pouting ruby red lips. As these thoughts ran through his head he realized with a start that he was seeing those exact same features before him. Except that this woman's hair was smoothed into a perfect chignon and it was hard to tell if her hair was curly or not. His eyes narrowed as he studied the beautiful face tilted up at his and wondered if it could possible be…but, no, that would be impossible. This elegant lady before him couldn't possibly be La Gata. But then one would be hard pressed to see Rayne as he was tonight and the way he was when he was aboard The Phantom dressed as El Diablo and make the connection.

"Senor? Is there something wrong? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"Wrong? No, it's just that you suddenly reminded me of someone I recently met. You bear such a strong resemblance to her that for a moment I almost thought you might be her. But then that's preposterous, isn't it?"

"Senor, you have a friend, and yet you're not sure if I'm her? You must not be very good friends if you can't recognize her." He couldn't possible know! No one had ever made the connection. She had to get away from Rayne, to put some distance between them. She knew it had been foolish to play with this man, he was much too dangerous for these kinds of games. "I believe I am quite revived now, and perhaps we should return to the ballroom."

"As you wish senorita." Rayne had hoped he might convince her to dally in the garden for a short while. It had been a long time since he had bedded a woman, and this was the first woman he had felt any sexual attraction to since the night in La Gata's cabin. That had been the reason for his surly mood that Javonnie and his crew had been dodging. It was strange that this woman made him feel just like La Gata did.

Once inside the ballroom Gabriella was set upon by no less than half a dozen young swains begging for a dance. She flashed Rayne an apologetic look as she was swept onto the ballroom floor to the haunting strains of Mozart. Rayne joined Javonnie and Veronica to offer his congratulations and tease Javonnie that he guessed he would have to find him a new doctor for the ship. Veronica answered before Javonnie had the chance, "Yes, you had better! Next time he sails off, I won't be so easy to convince to give him another chance!"

"Easy!?! I thought we were going to have to make use of that landau before you finally gave in and consented to marry the fool!"

"Landau? What are you talking about Rayne?"

"Didn't Javonnie tell you about his little plan?" Rayne asked with devilment dancing in his eyes.

Javonnie with a murderous look on his face quickly answered, "No, we didn't exactly get to that part of the story, Rayne!"

"Javonnie, what is Rayne talking about?" Veronica asked. She could tell there was something going on between these two handsome friends, but she wasn't sure just what it was.

Javonnie took Veronica's hand in his and pressed a kiss to it before answering, "Darling, it is such a romantic story, I was saving it our wedding night. So that I could share it with you as we lay in our marriage bed sipping champagne and convince you of just how much I loved you and to just what desperate lengths I was willing to go to, just to make you mine. You wouldn't want to spoil that would you?"

Javonnie's charm came through for him again, and Rayne smiled knowingly as Veronica melted under that seductive smile of Javonnie's. Poor girl, she didn't stand a chance against the rogue! "I believe I will try to wade my way through the crowd of young swains surrounding your beautiful Spanish guest. I believe she owes me a dance."

"Rayne, you sure do seem to have developed a taste for Spanish women of late. I just hope you have better luck with this one!" Javonnie laughed as Rayne gave him a dirty look and made his way to the woman of whom he had just spoken. As Javonnie took a good look at the woman Rayne had indicated and he got a strange premonition that this woman would be a controlling factor in Rayne's life. He tried to shake off the feeling. He hadn't had one of these de´ja vu feelings in over five years. But even though he laughed and smiled the night away as he accepted congratulations from well wishers, but by the end of the night, if anything, the feeling was even stronger. He felt a certain obligation to Rayne to tell him of his "feeling". He had no fear that Rayne would laugh at his "feeling" because too many times in the past these "feelings" had proven all too fateful.

As he and Rayne rode home that night, Rayne was laughing and congratulating Javonnie on his stroke of genius in disposing of Stevie. Rayne noticed that Javonnie for all that he was trying to be attentive and jovial, he was somewhat subdued. "Come, come ole man. Don't tell me that you're already feeling the tightening of the noose?" Rayne joked.

"Oh, that not at all. Actually, I'm quite relieved that I was fortunate enough to get Roni to consent to marry me. It was what I wanted all along, only I was too bull-headed to admit it, although I will miss our days at sea Rayne. You know I could make a couple of more voyages with you, just until you find a replacement for me. I know Roni wouldn't begrudge me that."

"No sir, I'm not going to have you lose that woman, now that you've finally landed her! You just concentrate on getting her to the altar and keeping her happy afterward!"

"Actually Rayne, I do need to talk to you about something. I'm just not sure how to put this into words."

Rayne could see that Javonnie was dead serious and seemed to be somewhat upset about something. "Javonnie, I haven't heard you talk like this since the last time you had one of those damnable visions of yours."

"Yeah, I haven't had one since that time, that is not until tonight."

Rayne swallowed, with unease because he knew from experience, Javonnie and his "feelings" were never wrong. "Well, what is it?"

"Actually, it was sort of a vague feeling, but it did seem to involve the beautiful Spanish woman you were dancing with. Rayne, I'm sorry, I know you hate it when I get these visions, and I wish I could be more specific. But I don't think she's of any danger to you, it was more like…well, like she was your destiny" Javonnie finished lamely.

"My destiny, huh? Well, I must say, you've definitely had worse visions. I certainly don't mind having her in my future! It's strange that you should have a vision about her, it seemed like I had met her before. She closely resembles my little feline friend."

"Do you think it could be her? It is possible you know."

"No, I think I could have been sure if it was her, I guess it was just that they had the same eyes, but somehow I can't imagine Gabriella in leather breeches wielding a sword."

"You never know. Just be careful."

The carriage pulled up to the townhouse and Rayne bid Javonnie 'goodnight' as he went upstairs to bed.

Chapter 3

Stevie felt all warm and comfy as he hovered in that place between sleep and wakefulness. His head ached but the softness his head rested on made it feel much better. As Stevie slowly opened his eyes his vision was a bit blurred but it almost seemed like he was in a pink room. He blinked a couple of times to clear his vision and when it was fully restored he was astounded to find he was indeed in a pink room. The comfy softness he head rested on was a plump naked breast! He was almost afraid to move, but he wanted to find out where the warmth to his back was coming from, so he slowly lifted his head and glanced behind him and there he found another naked female pressed close to him. His movement had disturbed his "pillow" and as he was trying to decide where he was and how he got there his "pillow" reached down and closed her hand "around" him. Stevie boy let out a yelp, he was so startled.

"Now, now Stevie my boy. It's a little late to play the shy game don't ya think?" the red-haired "pillow" asked with a sly smile.

"How, how, how did I ggggget hhhere?" Stevie stuttered. When Stevie was nervous the stammer he had worked so hard to control manifested itself and it always caused him undue embarrassment. And Stevie was definitely embarrassed, especially since his other bed companion had awakened and was rubbing her naked form against his back. He could feel her hard nipples as they brushed against his naked back and her stomach and lower was pressed tightly against his buttocks as she moved suggestively.

"Why Stevie, you arrived with a couple of your friends last night, and you were celebrating getting you neck out of a noose you said" the large breasted red-head told him all the while stroking him while the petite blonde behind him continued to move against him.




Rayne



"BBBut I dddddon't remmmmbbbber bbbreakkking mmmmmy engagggammment!"

"Well, luck for us you did sweetie" this from the petite blonde.

"You shore was a tiger once we got you to purring!" the red head sniggered and the petite blonde giggled her agreement. "We weren't too impressed with your looks when you first came in, but you assured us that you could handle the two of us." She tightened her hold on his tool as she increased the movement of her hand and Stevie felt himself harden in spite of himself. "And you was as good as your word!"

"Even better!" the blonde giggled again. "Mayhap you wouldn't mind a little something to tide us over till you come back to see us sweetie?" the blonde wheedled.

Stevie wasn't sure how he got here, or why he was here. And he wasn't real clear on anything after joining Mr. Sumner for a drink. But however he arrived here he sure was grateful, because he hadn't ever felt anything like this before! He gave himself up to the ministrations of the two "ladies" sharing his bed. Mommy had always warned him about the sins of the flesh and he had always believed her. He should have known she was just trying to keep him from having a good time. He decided right then and there that he would be back to visit the "ladies" on a regular basis. Three hours later an extremely tired Stevie emerged from The Honey Pot wearing a rumpled suite and a goofy grin. Bertha and Belle had pure tuckered him out, but he had already arranged to visit them again the following evening. Yes siree, he had decided his life was going to be a bit different from now own. But first things first. He was on his way to see a solicited about a house. It was high time he was on his own, of course Mommy wasn't going to like it, but she would just have to get used to the idea. After all, he didn't want her monitoring his comings and goings. And he planned on doing a lot of coming and going. Suddenly he laughed out loud at his own pun when it suddenly occurred to him that he had never made a joke in his life.

Javonnie and Rayne sat observing Stevie as he emerged from the whorehouse and went off in peals of laughter at the look on Stevie's face. After Stevie was completely out of sight the two of them climbed down from the carriage and entered the establishment Stevie had just vacated.

"Good morning gents. What can we do for you? You're a mite early for business, but, we might be able to work something out for the right price" the bawdy proprietress suggested.

"Ah good madame, it's a truly tempting offer" Javonnie said in his most charming voice while pressing a kiss to the back of her beringed dimpled hand. "However, I came to conclude some business with Belle and Bertha. If you could be so kind as to either fetch them or direct me and my good friend to their whereabouts?"

The chubby Madame thought with regret that the handsome man was not here for entertainment. A glance at his companion and she almost made the sign of the cross. That one was handsome as the devils own, but he was much to dark and brooding for her taste. She directed the men upstairs and breathed a sigh of regret as they walked the direction she had indicated..

Belle and Bertha were still in bed as Rayne and Javonnie walked in. Both girls sat us with smiles wreathing their faces at the two handsome men.

Javonnie spoke first, "Ladies, I've come to settle a business arrangement that was made in my stead by my friend Scotty last night."

Before he could say another word both girls bounced out of bed and showered him with kisses. Javonnie was quite taken aback by their reaction and finally managed to disentangle himself from their arms and inquire "What is this all about?"

"Why, we want to thank you for sending us our Stevie boy! We ain't never had one like him!"

Javonnie was thinking he bet they hadn't. "A little on the shy side was he? I understand, I'll pay you double whatever Scotty discussed with you to make up for your disappointment."

"Oh we'll take the money, but he weren't no disappointment." The chubby one jiggled all over as she laughed and said, "I had my doubts when I got a look at his slight frame, he was so little, but he was big where it counted. If you know what I mean" she gave them both a wink. 

"Oooh, Bertha's right, Stevie boy was a wild man, I ain't never had a man stay hard the whole night! Why we just had to touch him and he was ready again. Not like a lots of gents who just wants to climb on top of a girl and rut and then leave. No sir, not our Stevie, he was willing to try anything we suggested."

Rayne and Javonnie stared in open mouth surprise at each other. Both speechless over what they had just heard.

"We can't hardly wait for him to come back! But he promised he'd be here tomorrow night, why, he's already paid in advance for the whole night for the both of us. It's us who should be thanking you if you're the one responsible for landing him in our bed!"

With their business concluded Rayne and Javonnie exited the building and Rayne burst out laughing. "Stevie boy sure did empress the ladies. It's a good thing you arrived back in London before he had his way with Veronica. Or else you're chances of winning her back might have been considerably slimmer!"

Javonnie shot Rayne a glare of warning, before exclaiming "Who'd of thought Stevie had it in him. And he liked it! Now, how do you suppose he's going to explain his all night absence from his 'Mommy'?" Everyone was very familiar with the fact that Stevie was a mammas boy and never crossed his "Mommy". So he would be hard pressed to explain his absence last night. Yes, Javonnie thought, he just might have the last laugh after all.

Chapter 4

In the weeks that followed the engagement ball, Javonnie and Veronica were busy making arrangements their wedding. There were dresses for the bridesmaids, flowers, and of course, the finishing touches to Veronica's wedding gown. Javonnie had asked Rayne to stand as his bestman and several of his closest friends, including Red, Tuff and Scotty, to act as groomsmen.

Rayne had arranged for a night on the town the night before the wedding as a farewell to bachelorhood for Javonnie. But he had assured Veronica that he would not let Javonnie out of his sight and he would make sure he was at the church on time. She had been extremely reluctant to agree to this outing, and Rayne could hardly blame her with Javonnies earlier exploits, but he gave her his word and he wouldn't break it. He actually felt quite pleased with himself for his part in bringing these two friends he cared so much about together.

He and Javonnie left the townhouse around eight that evening, having earlier made arrangements to meet Scotty, Red and Tuff at a favorite haunt, The Tin Horn a local bar. They whiled away several hours there drinking and flirting with the barmaids there. Javonnie had become enamoured with a red-head who had large breasts and firm bottom, the latter he had discerned from patting her on it every time she brought a round of drinks! Since Javonnie was showing signs of escorting her upstairs to a private room, Rayne deemed it time to move on to a different tavern. Under protest Javonnie joined Rayne and the other three gentlemen as they made their way to the The Blue Ell to continue the celebration. Rayne was taking his time consuming his drinks, as he wanted to maintain a clear head. After all he had given Veronica his word, and that wasn't something Rayne took lightly. He was determined that Javonnie would have a good time, but that he was not going to bed a wench tonight. Instead, Javonnie would be quite able to say his wedding vows with a clear conscience.

It was well past midnight, in fact it was closer to two in the morning when the four friends stumbled from the tavern to climb into the waiting carriage. Rayne, the most sober and last one to enter the carriage was just climbing onto the carriage step when he notices a woman walk from a warehouse further down the waterfront. He stepped back down onto the ground and watched with interested as she climbed into a waiting carriage. The woman had seemed familiar to him and as her carriage rolled past him he stepped into the shadows to watch her unobserved. Just as he had first thought, the woman was none other than Gabriella Quintanella. After she had passed by, without having seen him, he climbed into his carriage and rode home in thoughtful silence as his drunken carriage mates sang and carried on their revelry.

As Rayne stood in church the next morning next to Javonnie he saw Gabriella walk in and find a seat on the brides side. He wondered again, as he had last night, what she had been doing at that warehouse at that time of night, without chaperoned and unescorted. The more he saw of Gabriella, the more intrigued he became. She reminded him much of La Gata in mannerisms and certain nuances. Tonight would be an excellent opportunity to pursue both this matter and her, at the wedding ball.

The last of the guests had arrived and the pianist and organist began to play the wedding march. All eyes turned to the back of the church as Veronica, absolutely breathtaking, in a stunning gown of pristine white with rows and rows of seed pearls, beads, sequins, lace and net began her walk down the aisle towards her husband to be. A lifelong friend of her family, Judge Andrew Fredicus, escorted Veronica. Rayne finally tore his eyes from the vision of loveliness and glanced at Javonnie, who was looking extremely uncomfortable. He could almost see the wheels turning in Javonnie's head and knew he was feeling suddenly hemmed in. Rayne actually thought that Javonnie might bolt from the church, so he laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze that bespoke of his understanding. Javonnie glanced at Rayne with panic in his eyes and seemed to draw strength from the Rayne's gaze and a calmness descended on him as his gaze returned to his beloved as she slowly made her way down the aisle towards him.

It had suddenly occurred to Javonnie that he was gaining a very beautiful, desirable woman to spend the rest of his life with. That he would have someone to laugh with, to cry with, to share secrets and dreams with. Later they would raise their children together and grow old together. The panic that had been hard upon him moments before vanished as he realized what a lucky man he was. It was in a strong, clear voice that Javonnie and Veronica made their wedding vows, pledging their lives and love to one another. Even Rayne was touched by the ceremony.

Later, at the wedding feast and ball, Rayne managed to get the "aunts" to sit him next to Gabriella who seemed both surprised and somewhat disconcerted to find that she had been paired with Rayne.

"Good evening Gabriella, you are as always looking lovely" Rayne said in greeting as he held out her chair for her. Privately he thought to himself just how seductive she did look in the pale green chiffon dress that floated off her lovely golden shoulders with her hair was pulled back in her traditional chignon and held in place with emerald combs. The plunging neckline exposed a large expanse of her golden colored breasts, which caused his breath to catch in his throat. Especially since as he held the chair for her to sit, he could see straight down her decotague. He felt himself start to quicken, and groaned as he realized this was going to be a very long night.

"Senor, I would have thought as bestman to the groom, you would have sat with the wedding party?" Gabriella questioned, almost warily.

"Yes, well, you'll find I rarely do things people expect me to do. Besides, tonight is Javonnie and Veronica's night, let them be the center of attention, I much prefer to say in the "shadows" so to speak" Raynes words dripped with innuendo and Gabriella suddenly knew that Rayne knew about her rendezvous at the warehouse the night before. She didn't know how he knew, but she knew in his own subtle way he had just let her know, he knew. She would not panic, she could be wrong, but she didn't fool herself into believing that either. She just didn't know how much he knew about that meeting or her for that matter. She had hoped to avoid this, but it seemed fate wasn't with her this time. So, instead of avoiding Rayne as had been her plan since the engagement ball, she decided she would set out to charm him, thereby giving her the advantage and learn just how much he knew. But, she also knew Rayne Quinhurst was a very dangerous adversary, and she sincerely hoped that when the dust settled, he was standing on her side.

That decided she turned to him with her most charming smile and asked "Duke, oh I'm sorry, we did agree to first names didn't we?"

"Yes, Gabriella, we did" Rayne responded wondering at the sudden change in attitude.

"Rayne, I was wondering why it is I haven't seen much of you since the engagement ball?"

"Actually, I got the feeling that it was you that was avoiding me, senorita."

"You tease me now! Why would a woman avoid you Rayne? Every woman in London talks of you and hopes to catch your attention. Why would I be any different?" Gabriella queried.

Ah, so she had caught his subtle hint that he had seen her last night. Now she was wondering just how much he knew. She would be surprised to know he knew nothing, but would, through her own admissions and before this night was through. "I'm not certain why it is that you are different, but without a doubt you don't fall into that category you just described. Perhaps you upbringing was different, or perhaps because you are rich in your own right, and therefore not husband hunting? Whatever the reason, I am just grateful that you are different."

"Just how different do you think I am?"

"That would depend on the circumstance."

Gabriella knew that which he alluded to. He was bold, assuming that she would let him make love to her! But then again, her body seemed not to be her own when he was near. Even now there was a tightness in her stomach, her breasts tingled where his gaze seared them and there was a longing for something she knew not what when she was with him. For all that she had endured, she had managed to escape ravishment during those long horrible days in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. Just the memory of those horror filled times caused a shudder to pass through her.

Those were times that Gabriella tried hard to push to the deep dark recesses of her mind, only brought out when she was that other person, not the Lady Gabriella Quantinilla. It had been in 1479, when she was but twelve years old; that the Spanish Inquisition was at it's worst. Her mother and father were labeled as heretics because of their wealth and possessions. It had mattered not to the General Inquisitor, Thomas de Torquemada, that her father had taken the small fortune he had inherited from his father and worked long hours to assure his business was successful. She had been terrified the day the inquisitors had forced their way into their home and attacked her father. Her mother had tried to help Carlos and had been beaten severely for her efforts. After that it was an almost daily ritual of the inquisitors visiting their home until the fateful day when Thomas de Torquemada had come himself. When his lecherous eyes had feasted on the beauty of Gabriella, he had ordered her mother and father removed from their home and taken to the inquisitors' dungeons. Her father had begged Torquemada to at least tell him who his accusers were, so that he could prove they were lying. But, the Inquisition kept that information confidential, and once arrested the accuseds property was seized and those properties were administered by Torquemada. So it was general knowledge that people were accused of heresy to make Torquemada a rich and powerful man.

Torquemada had tried to seize Gabriella to bring her to his home, but she had slipped away during the scuffle with her parents as had been their plan. Gabriella had cut her hair and dressed like a boy and covered herself with filth until she no longer resembled the beautiful child she was, but rather she looked like a bedraggled street urchin. Thus, was she able to come to the inquisitors' dungeons to see her parents, at least from a distance. She was present the day they murdered her mother. Torquemada had used the strappado, a device that used ropes to strap her mothers arms and legs, and then weights were attached to the ends of these ropes. She had watched them strip her mother and using the strappado her mothers nude body had been stretched painfully, pulling her arms and legs out of their sockets until finally at long last she had died. Her father had been tortured using the aselli. This involved him being placed on a trestle with sharp-edged rungs and secured with an iron band. His feet were elevated above his heads, and a small piece of linen was forced into his throat. Then a jar of water was poured into his mouth and nose, producing a state of semi-suffocation. The inquisitor did this over and over stopping only to give her father a chance to confess to the charges. When he refused, they would repeat the procedure again. Once, during that time, her father had seen Gabriella's face in the crowd and his eyes had locked on hers in a silent command for her to leave and go into hiding as they had discussed when they first began to be harassed by Torquemada. With tears streaming down her face she turned and ran and never looked back.

The visions of her mothers' death and her fathers' torture that had also ended in his death haunted her dreams throughout her childhood. She and her maid Maria had managed to get themselves out of Spain and to England using the money her father had secreted away. For years she and Maria had lived with her fathers life-long friend Roberto Cantu. Roberto had escaped from Spain just before the inquisition had begun, and using his political clout as an attorney, he managed to arrange to gain control of the Quantinilla estate and holdings before Torquemada had claimed them. He had then set about rebuilding Carlos's empire for Gabriella. But Gabriella had vowed she would avenge her parents' deaths, and she wouldn't rest until Torquemada was dead.

"Gabriella?" Rayne spoke softly to the woman who sat in strained silence, her face drained of color and her eyes filling with tears. Rayne had to call her a second time and touch her shoulder to bring her back to the present.

Gabriella turned her face to Rayne and realized she must have been silent for a long time, because the guests seated around her were all staring with avid interest at her. She rose from the table and mumbled "Please excuse me, por favor, senor" before she hurried from the room.

Rayne could see that she was visible shaken and he wasn't sure exactly what had just happened. But he felt whatever had just taken place was brought about by his comments. So, with that in mind, he excused himself and followed Gabriella out into the garden. As he approached her on silent feet, she stood with her back to him and he could see by the way she trembled that she was extremely upset and when he turned her to face him, her cheeks were wet with tears. "Gabriella, what's this?" he asked as his finger traced the tracks of her tears.

"Rayne, I'm afraid I owe you an apology" she tried to smile, but instead her bottom lip refused to stop quivering. In an effort to get a hold of herself, she caught her lip between her pearly white teeth. The sight of her full lush lip caught between her teeth made Rayne feel so protective of her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and crush her to him and protect her from the world. Those thoughts and feelings themselves were alien to Rayne. He had never had these feeling for Navia. Oh he had cared what happened to her, but the thought of her being in someone else's arms caused him not the slightest concern. While the thought of Gabriella being in someone else's arms made him want to snarl and do bodily damage.