Master of Paradise by Katherine O'Neal

Author:Katherine O'Neal
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: romance 1880s, pirate romance, high seas romance, 19th century romance, seychelles romance, captive romance, sexy romance, sensual romance
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

He put a finger to his lips to caution silence, and stared hard at the two men who stood at the top of the hill, looking out over the horizon beneath hands that shaded their eyes. From his stern glare, it seemed Rodrigo recognized them.

The men started their gradual descent down the hill toward the beach. As the interlopers turned to feel their way down a particularly steep granite slide, Rodrigo took her hand and pulled her along behind him. The coral cut her feet as they ran through the water. She had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. In a quick dash, Rodrigo scooped up their clothes, then raced with her for a nearby granite boulder.

From there, they could track the progress of the two men. They came relentlessly, pausing now and again to survey their surroundings as one pointed and the other listened with apt attention. Gabrielle now recognized one of them as Delon, the man to whose plantation she’d followed Hastings the night she’d left Mahé. Seeing him brought the memories back as freshly as if they’d just occurred. It brought with it a renewed hatred for her half brother, and a wave of grief for Cullen. All the things she’d managed so successfully to suppress.

As the men came closer, it became apparent they would pass right by the hiding place. Gabrielle pressed herself against the granite, her toes burning in the sand, willing herself to disappear. If Delon spotted them, he’d go to Hastings with the news. Hastings would tear the island apart until he found them.

Soon they could hear the men’s voices. They spoke in French, but both Rodrigo and Gabrielle spoke French and understood.

“It’s a bit hilly,” Delon was saying. “I’d prefer something flatter. We’ll have to clear a great deal of land to plant that many coconuts. Better flat land than hilly.”

“Are you certain this is a wise venture?” asked his companion.

“We feel confident copra will become the new money crop. Wait and see, my friend. Soon there will be copra plantations on all these islands. We’ll simply be the first.”

“But where will we get the money—not to mention the slaves—for such a venture? If I understand your plans, this will be one of the biggest plantations these islands have ever seen.”

“Don’t you worry about that, my friend. The governor has guaranteed it. There will be no end to the money or the slaves.”

“Speaking of Cross, where is he? I haven’t seen him for weeks.”

“He’s taken over the old Soro place on Fregate.”

“Fregate? Why there? It’s so inaccessible.”

“He likes that about it. Besides, how could he resist occupying the throne of his old enemy?”

Delon’s companion laughed at the image, but soon again frowned at the terrain they were surveying.

“Perhaps farther along, we’ll find land more hospitable. I must be honest and say I don’t take a liking to these hills.”

They moved along. Gabrielle slumped in relief, sitting with her back against the boulder, staring out at the sea. She didn’t have to look at him to feel Rodrigo’s tension.

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