Chapter Ten

T hey were three days into the return journey to the islands. Delilah stood on the deck of The Sun Catcher , and even the wood of the ship seemed to sing with happiness to be leaving London. The wind caught her hair and tugged it gently. She was free of the pins and all the other little intricacies that made you presentable in London society. Her skirts were less full because she had removed most of the petticoats that went with her dress, and Delilah had left the corset out of her way of dressing entirely as soon as she was back on her ship. She winced remembering how Aunt Bibbie's staff tightened it until her breathing was restricted.

Aunt Bibbie —

Her thoughts turned to the only woman she could ever call mother. That goodbye was always the hardest. It had hurt her watching tears well up in her godmother's eyes as they hugged goodbye.

"Please don't cry. Then I'll start crying too." Delilah gently wiped away the tears from Aunt Bibbie's cheeks.

"Don't pay attention to an old woman." A watery laughed escaped her. "I am always a sentimental fool."

"Sentimental, yes, loving beyond measure, yes—but never a fool." Delilah kissed the damp skin of her cheek lightly. "A year will fly by, and I will return to London."

"Maybe with a babe in arms?" her godmother asked hopefully.

Delilah laughed. "If the universe wills it, then it will be so."

"Then it is so," she said firmly. "Now go to your sunshine and your happiness. Write me letters and tell me everything."

"I will," Delilah promised. "There might be a stack when a ship comes to port."

"I'll read each one happily." Her godmother pulled her into an embrace. "I love you, sweet girl."

"I love you too, Aunt Bibbie," she whispered as tears clogged her throat.

It was the only part of leaving London that Delilah hated, and she watched the tearful goodbye between Juno and her godmother as well. They took the carriage to Julian's estate to see his father, and that goodbye was more jovial, but there was still a sadness in her father-in-law's eyes.

Cameron Herschel would stay for another year to ensure all was in place to keep Julian's assets growing, and then he would follow his friend to the island. Delilah doubted it was only for business purposes since his farewell to Juno seemed more affectionate. Leaving trusted people in place was key, but Julian would travel to London a few times a year as needed. Delilah would make her usual one journey a year to bring in her rum barrels and to see Aunt Bibbie.

She'd watched the sun rise over the city as The Sun Catcher pulled away from shore, and with another ship on its tail. Julian's own vessel followed them out to sea, with a hull ladened with goods to make a home on the island. Junior Carver was on that ship too, giving directions in Julian's stead while he traveled with her. By day he worked with her crew, and at night they dined together before he held her in his arms while they slept, her body still tingling from the aftermath of their coupling.

Delilah found that she enjoyed it more than she ever thought she would, and as her instincts took over, Julian became more excited at her exploration. But before that, at night after dinner, she loved to come up on deck to see the evening sky and the stars. Interrupting her thoughts, Julian came up behind her, his large hands splaying over the flatness of her stomach. Now, even with her clothes, she could feel the warmth of his touch instead of the hard bones of the corset digging into her ribs.

It was still chilly at night, but if the wind kept its momentum and continued to push them forward, in days the warmth would change the air, and the color of the sea would turn from dark and murky to lighter blue as they crossed into the Caribbean.

"I've never seen you smile as much as you do on this ship." He pressed a kiss on her neck, making her shiver.

"I am on my way home." She leaned her head back against his shoulder. "And you're with me."

She heard Julian's audible intake of breath before he spoke. "It makes me happy that you count me as a positive on this journey."

A light laugh escaped her. "I should hope so. We'll be together as husband and wife for a long time."

He handed her the enamel mug that was brought to them on deck. When she took a sip, the warmth of the tea, honey, and rum flowed down her throat and warded off some of the chill.

"Mmm, thank you." Delilah licked her lips. "Soon you'll feel that warm breeze and we won't need this."

Julian took a sip of his own drink. "Speak for yourself. I've slept like a baby after having our nighttime ritual."

"Well then, at this time of night, we have a cup of a tea." She turned in his arms. "No matter where we are, together or apart, we'll have our ritual."

"I agree." He touched her lips with his in a light kiss. "Maybe we should go down. We certainly do not need you to fall ill."

Delilah shivered and rubbed her arms. "I think that is a very good idea. Is the night crew in place?"

"As always, Captain." He saluted. " The Sun Catcher 's night watch is in the crow's nest."

"You are enjoying that entirely too much," Delilah said in dry amusement. "Every night I'm the captain, I see."

"It can be another ritual, but it may not work on land." Julian went down the stairs before helping her down. On the last three steps, he lifted Delilah off her feet against his body. "You, beloved, captain more than you know, the ship, my heart, the crew's loyalty to you—Junior's as well."

His words warmed and humbled her, and this time it was she who pressed a kiss against his lips. "Come, husband, and warm me in our bed."

Even their silence spoke volumes, and with gaze meeting gaze, they undressed. Naked in the center of the captain's quarters, Delilah and Julian gravitated toward each other as if they were being pulled by some unseen force. She gasped at the connection of their bodies and was swallowed up by his fevered kiss.

He moved, taking her with him, until he sat on the bed and Delilah straddled his taut, muscular thighs. His large hands splayed across her back, and the heat of his palms on her skin radiated outward while their kisses became wanton—frantic—as she pressed her body more intimately to his. It would be so easy for her to take his cock into herself and drive them both to the brink in a fast ride to the finish line.

However, Delilah knew the nuances of his lovemaking now and knew that Julian would tease her and himself to the brink of madness before satisfying their need. It was almost spellbinding the way his touch could cause her to be lost in a swirling mass of passion. She undulated slowly against his groin, seeking the sweet relief of her ache.

"Beloved." He stilled her hips with a firm grip of his hands. "If you keep moving so sensuously, I will be forced to take you right here and now."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Delilah nipped at his lips. "You cannot expect me to be still with such feelings coursing through me."

"Quite right, what was I thinking?"

Julian's hand in her hair tilted her head back so he could kiss his way down her chest. Delilah lifted her arms above her head before clasping them and arching backward so he could reach her breasts. His hands braced her back, and with a groan, he feasted at her nipples, licking, sucking, and tasting, until Delilah a soft cry escaped her, the sensations pooling at her core. A guttural sound of pleasure escaped him. With a soft growl, Julian lifted her, and his body followed hers to the mattress as they fell.

Without hesitation, he moved down her body, and he laid his hand on the flat expanse of her belly as he settled between her legs. He had done this before. The anticipation made Delilah hold her breath, and she shivered when he pressed a kiss on the rise of her mound.

"I would like to do something if you allow it."

Delilah lifted his head to look at her. She licked her lips, nervous at this new, unknown request.

"What?"

"I would like to trim your hair," Julian asked politely.

"You mean down there?" she asked in shock. "That is something we should never let a man see, just as we keep our monthlies secret."

"There'll be no secrets from me, Delilah. I am your husband," he said firmly. "I will bring you warm towels to soothe your aches and rub balm on your stomach in those times, such as it would please me to take care of this aspect of your routine as well."

"Very well." She gave a stiff nod, still unsure of what pleasure could be derived from this action.

Julian moved quickly with determined steps, and soon she was lying on a towel while he used trimming scissors to cut the soft down of hair between her legs. With each soft clipping sound, the way he ran his fingers over the aroused lips of her sex soon had Delilah's hips shifting with desire. Each light touch of his hand grazed the secret bud that brought her pleasure, and as he parted the lips of her pussy to continue his manicure of her mound, a groan escaped him.

"I can see your essence flow from my touch." His voice was a low growl. Julian finished his task, washed, and dried between her thighs, and removed his instruments before kissing Delilah hungrily. "You don't how erotic it is to care for you intimately."

"Is it?" she gasped. "One would not have thought. Will you be doing it more than just tonight?"

A soft chuckle escaped him. "As often as possible. now for the taste I crave."

Julian worked his way back down her body, and his breath against her core made her hips jerk in response. With a rough tug, he brought her against his mouth. Delilah was unable to hold back the cry as his tongue delved between the soft folds and found the bud hidden under the soft flesh of her clitoral hood. Julian drove her higher with each lash of his tongue, and when he parted the lips of her sex to suck at her clit, she closed her eyes and start fireworks behind her lids. The heat his lips and tongue created swallowed her and drowned her in need. Delilah arched her back and undulated her hips, greedily seeking more.

"Oh stop—no, don't stop," she cried out and buried her hands in his hair.

"Exactly," Julian said firmly. "I won't stop until I taste your essence against my tongue."

A low whimper escaped her as more pleasure assaulted her senses. She wondered how woman survived such madness as this, but the thought filtered away when he penetrated her with his tongue. Delilah called his name as she crested into the pulsing pleasure of her release, and Julian groaned his approval, licking at her essence with his talented tongue.

Biting her lips did nothing to keep her carnal sounds at bay. He drove her to the brink again, penetrating her with his finger while he licked and sucked at her clit. Her breath released in frantic pants as the coil tightened within her once more, and the pleasurable ache became almost unbearable as he fingered her until another soft scream escaped and her body quaked with the power of her release.

Julian moved over her like a sleek, powerful cat to reach her lips and kiss her. Delilah could tase her own essence on his tongue as he rolled, taking her with him, until she straddled his body again. His kiss was ravenous, and she took his thick, erect shaft and poised it at the entrance of her sex. As she settled onto his cock, taking each inch into herself slowly—deliberately teasing him—a deep groan rumbled through him. Julian arched into the pillow, his neck and shoulders tense, as she slowly began to move.

"You've learned to torture me well." His voice was deep, rasping with need.

"I have a very good teacher."

He lifted his hips, pumping into her hard, and she cried out. "There is always more to teach, beloved."

The dance created just by them began, and their bodies met and retreated in unison. The slow pace soon took on a life of its own, carnal pleasure the power source and their completion spurring them on. Julian brought her down to him and kissed her, and when he took the lead, pumping inside her, Delilah's cries were muffled against his mouth. The urgent pace was casting the last of their control to the wind, such as the gusts that filled the sails of The Sun Catcher . The waves' motions beneath the ship were lost against their coupling in the master stateroom.

Julian's hips drove his cock deep within her with each hard thrust. Delilah felt his fiery gaze on her as she rode him with wild abandonment, giving in to the act she once feared. He gave up the last vestiges of his control and held on to her hips so that with each downward motion of her body, he could pound into her, driving them both to the edge.

One gasp—-then anther—-her head thrown back in a silent scream that never left her lips, and Delilah's body was as taut as a bow when her orgasm took hold. Julian's agonized groan heralded his own release, and both continued to move until they'd drawn out every last ounce of pleasure from each other's bodies. Delilah slipped to one side, and Julian was there to catch her and hold her in his strong, loving embrace.

"Maybe it's the island air, but that was marvelous." He heaved out a sigh.

She laughed lightly and then sighed herself. "Husband, we are out to sea a while longer, far from any Caribbean winds."

"Then it must be you." Julian kissed her tenderly. "I am a very lucky man."

"Yes, you are, and so am I." Delilah settled into his arms.

"Let me wash you before you fall completely asleep." He made a move to slip from the bed, but she would not let go. "Stay just for a little while longer."

"Very well, beloved." He settled back so she could snuggle into him once again.

Delilah didn't even know when she fell asleep, or that he cleaned her before returning to the bed. All she knew was that as the ship rocked gently on their journey home, she didn't worry about what might be. She had a husband who, with all his power and massive build, was still kind. He was worth more than any riches that might be offered. He gave her the one thing she had craved all her life, a sense of belonging—not to a place, but to someone who would put her above all others.

THE ISLAND WAS A GEM like no other. Julian felt a grounding and a peace from the first time he walked on the beach, which was just a short distance from Delilah's home. Her house was built of limestone and wood. The kitchen and some of the lower rooms featured carved rock bricks to keep the house cool, while the two bedrooms upstairs were wood. They would remodel soon enough, but Julian wanted his new bride to be comfortable with him and their lives together before proposing the change to the house.

He saw a difference in his wife as soon as she placed her feet on solid ground and breathed in the salt sea air. Delilah either wore leather sandals or walked around barefoot at home. Julian heard her joyous laugh ring out, in the house or outside, whenever she played with local children on the beach. That made him happy. Never once while she was in London did, he hear such happiness come from her lips. For a while he'd thought she was overstating her need to go home, because of the trauma she'd faced in London. Julian now understood she needed this land. Her existence depended on it. If she was ever forced to stay in London, he would watch all that she was wither away, until there was nothing left.

That day, he, she, and Junior went to the distillery to see how production could be increased by the next year's cane harvest.

"We've got plenty of barrels in our stockroom, but only half are full," Delilah explained. "We also have twenty barrels of the spiced and aged rum, but I would like to increase that to at least sixty barrels of each. There is enough cane molasses to keep production going until the new harvest next year in April. But as you can see, our barrel room is small, and we need to expand to accommodate more if we ramp up production."

"Your distillery is a separate building, correct?" Julian asked.

"Yes, we've got good acreage here, and it's just a small walk from there," she answered. "The reason being that if either one ever catches fire, we won't lose both areas, which would definitely cause us to have to rebuild from scratch."

"Well?" Julian looked at their new distillery manager.

Junior put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, then stroked his beard as he looked around. "How much limestone brick can you get?"

"As much as needed," Delilah replied. "The quarry can cut and deliver bricks by cart."

"We're going to have to brace all the rooftops for hurricane winds," he said as if only to himself.

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing. This is the time of year we get hit by one or two storms, and those winds can be strong," she agreed. "Luckily our roofs have stayed on, but a few times we were worried we'd lose them."

"Good to know." Junior paused. "Yes, it can be done if I can get a work crew together quickly. I'd say eight to twelve weeks before completion, and that's being generous, Your Grace."

"No more ‘Your Grace' nonsense. I'm not in London, and I hated putting on airs even then," Julian said in exasperation. "Call me Julian, or if you need more of a formality, Mr. Blackshire or sir."

A smile hinted at his lips. "I'll work toward Julian, Mr. Blackshire—sir."

"You are a frustrating man," Julian chuckled.

They toured the distillery building next, with Julian making mental notes on what they would need for expansion. Julian wanted his other two ships in port sooner rather than later with the supplies, so he'd get word to Cameron as quickly as possible.

"I'll send my ship back with messages on what we will need. Cameron will ensure each manifest is filled, and three ships can sail back," Julian told her.

"Tell me my costs, and I'll have the money ready immediately," she replied.

He shook his head at her stubbornness. "Beloved, you came to me so your profit wouldn't dwindle. I have more than enough to provide for you, this business, and our family when that time comes."

"Still, I would still like to invest in my own business," Delilah insisted. "The cost of the limestone brick will be mine."

Julian inclined his head. "Very well."

The trio concluded business, with Junior heading back to his own cottage by horseback, while Julian and she went by carriage back to her house. He looked out into the empty field that held only the brown husks cut from the sugarcane at harvest. Gazing at the tree line, he frowned. Julian could clearly distinguish a figure standing there as if spying on their home.

"We'll need to expand the house too," Delilah told him as he helped her down from the carriage.

"I agree on that," he said in a neutral voice even though her words pleased him. "I'll get Junior to hire a crew for me."

"You?" She looked at him in surprise. "I didn't know you were a carpenter as well."

"Do my hands look like those of a man who hasn't swung a hammer?" Julian held up his palms to her. "I will build our home expansion."

"I didn't mean to offend," Delilah said gently and took his hand. "You must remember the dukes and lords I met as I grew up. Their hands were soft as butter and just as slippery."

He gave an amused grunt. "The fancy men in society would die if there was any major conflict that caused them to fend for themselves."

"In that I agree," she laughed.

Julian's peripheral vision caught movement by the trees, but the person had moved deeper into the shadows. They were still there. He could feel them watching. His instincts told him this was nothing good in the least.

"What's wrong?" Delilah asked in concern.

"We are being watched, from the tree line," he said casually.

"It's probably one of the cane workers digging up some of the cane roots," she pointed out. "They do that and replant the ones that grew outside the borders of my fields."

"Then hide in the shadows? He moved back enough that the canopy of the trees hides him from our sight, but he's still there," Julian countered. "Let me get my horse, and I'll run him down."

"No, you won't," Delilah said firmly and took his hand. "Not everything is a conspiracy of danger. I am home and never felt safer. No one has a reason to harm either of us. We are bringing more work and business into a thriving community."

"Some of the men of industry might not be happy with your success, love." Julian allowed himself to be led into the house. "Why did you think your business became such a focal point of interest in London? They reported back to their cohorts, who tried to find every way to make you give up the thriving business you built."

"Well, you thwarted them by accepting my business offer and then proposing our marriage." She turned into his embrace right after she kicked off her shoes.

"It amuses me how you toss your shoes aside as soon as you can when we get home." He smiled down at her.

Delilah kissed his chin. "I'm a free spirit. One of these days, I will take you to the rock pool, and we will night swim in the nude."

A soft groan escaped him. "Can we do that now, please?"

"I was taught patience was a virtue," she said in a prim and proper voice.

Unable to resist, Julian kissed her hard. "I'm sure it is, but not for me."

"Hmm, I think you have many wonderful virtues," she teased.

He laughed. "Is that what we call them now?"

Delilah shook her head. "Men. You think that's the only quality women use to discern our attention. Dinner will be on the table soon. Juno and her mother will be placing dishes shortly."

Julian knew the routine with only a few weeks under his belt. Sometimes both Juno and her mother ate with them. It was so casual a life that he slept deeply each night and woke up feeling refreshed, something that never happened when he'd lived in London.

"What other qualities draw you to me?" he asked.

"You are incredibly handsome, for one." Delilah thought for a moment. "You have more honor and love in you than most men. Your kindness drew me to you, and the infinite care you put into courting me. You make me feel safe, loved, and cherished. Along with the way my body hums when you touch me, as a woman, that combination is too wonderful to pass over."

"Ah love." He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist before kissing her gently. "You disarm me with your sweet words."

"I love to make you as happy as you've made me," she answered between kisses.

"Keep this up and dinner will have to be warmed later." Julian felt his desire rise like a wave coming to shore. He could never be so close to his wife and not desire her completely.

"I'll warm you later," she teased, using his own words against him.

"Write me a letter," he whispered against her ear.

Her breath hitched in her throat, and Julian felt her breath quicken. Just like his, Delilah's desire bloomed to life.

"We live together as man and wife," she pointed out.

Julian nodded. "That doesn't mean I no longer crave to see your words, and I will pen you letters as well. Our lineage will see them for generations after and know how their bloodline was started with love."

"A beautiful idea," she answered.

Julian didn't even hear the service cart in the small hallway that led from the kitchen to the dining room, until a voice came from behind them.

"You two." The friendly words came from Juno's mother. "I swear, by next year, I'll be washing nappies and solidly placed in a rocking chair as a nanny."

Ruby Boyce came from French descendants who landed on the island before the English became its owners. Her father, a French nobleman who left her mother with child, had led to the long wavy hair she kept neatly in a braided bun at her nape. Juno took on many of her features, except she had the lighter skin of her Scottish father. Ruby carried herself with an air of pride and more love and loyalty than she could have never learned from French high society. She cared for Delilah, and now him, like they were born to her, and having barely known his mother before she died, Julian loved the motherly attention.

"Babies," Juno said reverently behind her. "I can't wait for some of my own."

"You'll wait a little while yet," Ruby countered sternly.

"Not if Cameron has any say about it," Julian told Delilah in a low voice.

Juno giggled, and a laugh escaped Delilah before Ruby pinned him with her stare. "What did you say?"

"Not a word, madam," he said hastily. It felt like she would send him to bed without supper, not that he ever had to face such a thing.

She started placing the serving dishes on the table. "Good."

That evening's dinner was fish crisped in lard before being steamed with onions to form a sauce. It would be served over ripe breadfruit, one of the local vegetables. Julian did notice that they had a good supply of meats and poultry on the island, so their dinners were always varied. From his first bite of food, he understood why Delilah approached every meal in London with the practicality of just needing to eat so she wouldn't be ill. The flavors that played across his tongue only increased his appetite, which was good since his days were filled with work where he exerted plenty of energy. The calluses developing on his hands spoke to his labor. He'd never felt so alive.

They sat and said blessings over the food, a requirement for the household run by the very religious Ruby.

"Are you still planning to expand the house?" Ruby asked as she passed the first dish to him to take his portion. No matter how much he said not to, she insisted, since he was the man of the house, he should be first to take from the chafing dish.

"You're wasting your time. Ruby's rule will change only when we have children and they seem at the stage where they can eat solid foods," Delilah pointed out.

The thought of a life they created growing inside her warmed his heart, more than he would admit to Delilah until they did create a child. Ruby said more than once that you could manifest your wishes with thought. To speak the words could lead to a hex by someone who didn't have your best interests at heart. He'd seen enough in his travels to believe in the power of words, so Julian kept his thoughts to himself.

"The expansion will happen," he answered. "I was hoping to expand your home with Juno as well, into a cottage with two bedrooms akin to this house and add at least an indoor toilet."

"That would be lovely, thank you." Ruby beamed. "My family has strong men who can help dig the wells you will need."

Delilah smiled at him. "Thank you for thinking of Ruby and Juno."

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Your family is my family."

"The area does have an underground cave that leads to some gullies and out to the sea," Juno told him as she wiped her lips with a beige cloth napkin. "My cousin Leonard has found many that go straight out to the sea beyond the cliffs."

"That is what I'm hoping we find." Julian spoke around his food. "On the next ship with provisions, the supplies with explosives can help with that. I hope we can open up to an underground cave as a natural waste disposal. The fresh water that comes from the hills would not be affected in the least."

"Julian has an idea for a system to bring water into our homes using a series of pipes," Delilah boasted. "He is quite the inventor."

"Thank you, beloved." Julian felt a warmth spread through himself at her words.

Their dinner fell into a pleasant silence until a crash echoed in the dining room and a bottle shattered on the floor, spreading flames. Julian shot to his feet and took off his coat to try to beat the flames out. Delilah threw the flowers from a vase and dumped the water on the fire, and Juno did the same with the water in the porcelain basin and pitcher that sat on the cabinet by the door. After a few harried minutes, they had the fire out.

"Who would do this?" Ruby cried out.

"Someone on the island isn't as friendly as you might think," Julian muttered.

He looked toward the French doors that led to the stone patio and strode out to look across the field where he had seen the spy earlier. His instincts screamed that a new danger was upon them, and just like all the others before, it would be dispatched just as viciously as the person behind it tried to be.