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burned, but she was fully conscious and clinging to Aug as if he were a lifeline. The other two prostitutes
were with him.
We must leave the island, Aug said. A schooner is moored on the other side. There is still time to
reach it.
You re taking them? Justin asked, gesturing to the women.
Aug nodded. They wish to go. And the men will welcome them.
There s no question of that, Justin said dryly.
Come, we must hurry.
Justin was quiet.
Celia tightened her arms around his neck and hid her face against him, afraid he was thinking of leaving
her here alone. Justin& take me with you, she begged. Please don t leave me, let me go with you
Shhh, quiet, he said, smoothing her hair. Doucement.I m not going anywhere. He glanced at Aug
and smiled. Goodbye,mon ami. And good luck.
They will hang you, Aug said quietly.
We re staying here, Justin replied with finality. His blue eyes locked with Aug s black ones. Suddenly
he grinned. You called me Vallerand.
Aye. Aug touched his forehead in a brief salute, smiled at him, and left with the women.
Feeling the tremors running through Celia s body, Justin soothed her gently. It s all right,mon coeur, I m
not going to leave you. You re safe in my arms, and it s all over now.
Legare is dead? she faltered.
Yes.
And Risk
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He s dead. Justin eased her head back and kissed her forehead. His bloodshot eyes stared into hers.
Celia& did Risk or any of the others& hurt you?
No, no.
He seemed to relax a little, stroking her hair.
You could have escaped with Aug and your men, Celia said. Why didn t you? I would have gone
with you. You know I would have
No. There s still a bounty on my head. I couldn t live with the possibility of you being in danger ever
again. Justin took her scraped hands in his, regarding them broodingly. His dark head bent, and he
kissed her rough palms.
It would not matter
Oh yes, it would, he said. And I m tired of being a fugitive. I d rather face a hangman s noose than
run any longer.
No, she cried, and wrapped her arms around him.
He winced. Careful of the ribs, he said through his teeth, and released a taut sigh as her grip loosened.
What will happen next? she asked miserably.
Justin stared off into the distance, scanning the smoke-obscured horizon. A certain Lieutenant Benedict
is probably landing his men and combing the island for me. No doubt my father will be at his heels.
A-and you& you intend for us to just sit and wait for them? Justin& how can I sit and wait
when& when this might be the last time you ll ever hold me, and why are yousmiling?
He bent his head over hers, his teeth startingly white in his sooty face. We have a little time together. I d
choose spending a few minutes with you and dying tomorrow over having a lifetime without you
Bien,that is fine for you, she choked, but I will not be satisfied with a few paltry minutes!
He laughed. Well, there s still reason to hope. My father isn t finished with Governor Villeré yet. And
he s accomplished the impossible before. His lips nudged at hers. Kiss me, he murmured, but her lips
were pressed tightly together as she tried not to cry. Tell me you love me, he said against her cheek,
her chin. He caught at her lower lip with his teeth. His warm breath fanned over her skin. That s all I
care about. Tell me.
I love you, she whispered, and slowly her lips parted beneath his. In the back of her mind she
wondered how he could kiss her like this when they were about to lose everything. He caressed her
throat with his hand, and her breath caught. Suddenly she had to pull away with a gasping cough. I m
sorry, she said hoarsely. I m sorry
He hushed her with a low murmur and kissed her neck, and then his lips returned to hers. In
consternation she thought she should convince him to go after Aug. They could escape somewhere that
was the only way for them to be together. But his arm was tight around her, his mouth gently ruthless
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against hers, and she could not think anymore. She let his arm support her, her head drop back, and her
mouth open to his lazy exploration. There was no way of knowing how much time passed& he made her
forget everything but the warm lips against hers and the stroking hand that kindled her nerves to aching
delight.
She gave a muffled protest as he pulled away from her. Justin kept his hand at the back of her neck and
watched as a six-man detail of sailors and marines approached them. He was faced with an assortment
of bayoneted muskets. Holding his arm over his ribs, he stood up slowly and reached down to assist
Celia.
Lieutenant Benedict arrived, looking determined and excited. It was not difficult to see that his pride had
been wounded at having been taken in by Justin s charade. Captain Griffin, he said. It would be wise
of you not to offer resistance.
I don t intend to, Justin said.
Benedict looked at Celia. Step away from the prisoner, Madame Vallerand.
She did not move. Justin ducked his head and touched his lips to her ear. I love you,vas-y, he
whispered, and gave her a little push. She walked away from him with a sob. As the men moved around
Justin and secured his wrists, Celia saw a tall, black-cloaked man in front of her. The rising sun was
behind him, partially blinding her.
She recognized Maximilien Vallerand s deep, authoritative voice at once. Celia, you willful little fool&
She went to him in relief, and he placed his cloak around her, steadying her with a fatherly arm across her
shoulders. He asked if she had been hurt, and she murmured something in reply, but her attention was
focused on Justin. She flinched as she saw the men tug at his bruised wrists.
Lieutenant Benedict, Max said coldly, you seem to need reminding that my son provided the means
for you to capture this damn island.
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