The Buccaneer(77)

With her pleasure in Zeena's compliment banished to the back of her thoughts, she anxiously sought to appease her own concern on the subject of love. "How did you know you were in love?"

Zeena laughed. "A hard question even for the most intelligent person to answer." But Zeena attempted to offer her opinion. "Love is an elusive emotion, much sought after and hard to maintain. But then, how can one hold onto something so fragile without causing pain?"

Catherine felt the truth of her words.

"Don't look so sad," Zeena scolded. "Pain brings understanding and growth and all things must grow and mature. Even love."

Catherine shook her head, the challenge of Zeena's words confusing.

Zeena reached across the table, covering Catherine' hand with hers. "You are young, like the love you feel. Let yourself mature with that love and you will gain much. I did."

Catherine smiled and squeezed Zeena's hand. "Your love for Santos shines in your eyes."

Zeena laughed gaily. "Santos is impossible, wonderful, infuriating, enriching—" She stopped abruptly, her laughter settled, her voice soft. "He is the love of my life. His breath is mine, mine is his. I love him to the depths of my soul."

Her declaration moved Catherine to near tears. "Will you marry him?"

"If he wishes. If not—" She shrugged and stood, her long body stretching to a confident stance. "We are married in our hearts. I need no paper to tell me what we both know. Our life and love we will share forever. But this is acceptable to me. It may not be enough for you."

Catherine pretended ignorance, for she had on occasion fantasized of marriage to Lucian. "Why would I think of marriage?"

Zeena smiled gently. "Love also shines in your eyes."

o0o



Lucian read the letter again and then stared across his massive desk at Santos. "He wants her returned."

The coldness in Lucian's voice made Santos shiver. "What does he offer?"

"A handsome sum." He dropped the letter on the desk and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he thought.

"He has no knowledge of your wealth or he would not have extended such an offer."

"This means he knows nothing about me."

Santos nodded. "Unless —"

"Unless what?" Lucian snapped. He didn't care for surprises. He had trained himself to always be prepared.

"Unless a political friend makes him aware of your involvement with the Crown and your petition."

"My petition concerns Lucian Darcmoor and is no way connected with Captain Lucifer. The court has been petitioned to return the Darcmoor lands to me since I was mistakenly pronounced dead. Having survived my ordeal on foreign shores I wish to return and resume my duties as the Earl of Brynwood. No one is aware that most of those years were spent as the pirate Captain Lucifer."

Santos disagreed. "A man with political power can uncover many hidden secrets."

"Or bury many of his own," Lucian countered, and stood, walking to the doorway that opened onto the veranda from his study.

Santos moved to join him. "What will you do?"

"Abelard's name still isn't completely cleared and will remain blemished until I provide the documentation proving otherwise."

"And will you?"

Lucian folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the door frame. "When I am ready."

"And Catherine? Will you return her as he requested?"

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "He did not request. He demanded that I return his daughter safe and sound, and promptly."

"A mistake," Santos said, shaking his head.

"A big mistake. He is in no position to give orders. He may make a request or better yet beg for her return, but demand? Lucian shook his head slowly.

Santos attempted to calm his captain's mounting anger. "He's upset and most likely frightened for his daughter. He isn't thinking as rationally as he should."

"Defending the enemy?" Lucian asked, his stance rigid.

"Justifying his actions. What would you do if you discovered Catherine was being held by a pirate?"

His response was instantaneous. "I'd go out and hunt the bastard down, and then kill him."

Santos was surprised by his vehement tone. "Then you can empathize with him. He seems to care deeply for Catherine and love can—"

Lucian turned on Santos like a rabid animal. "Love? Abelard doesn't know the meaning of the word." He stepped out onto the veranda, pacing back and forth, raking his hair with his fingers. "He cares for no one but his precious self. At the moment he is probably more concerned by the problems this inconvenience represents. If he cared at all for his stepdaughter, he would have acted calmly, thought the matter over, and approached me with respect. Instead he demands I return her or else. Or else!" He repeated with fury.