Passion's Furies, page 21
“I told you you’d regret continuing to involve yourself in this rebellion.”
“And I told you that I don’t care one damn about your opinions toward the way I live my life!” Jacinta spat, bracing her fists against her hips. “You thought that farce of a wedding would make you lord and master over me, Dikembe? Think again!”
“I only expect you to master three things,” he returned. “How to be a lover, wife and mother.”
“Mother?” Jacinta repeated the word as though it put a bad taste in her mouth. Her smoky brows narrowed as her anger got the better of her. “Mother. No way will I ever give birth to one of your half-white bastards!” she raged, gasping the instant the sentence touched her ears. Even she was appalled by the ugliness of the spontaneous remark. She could see the hurt clearly in Solomon’s dark eyes, and she knew her words had cut him deep.
Solomon’s reaction lasted but a moment. “That’s it,” he muttered, pulling open the door and storming out into the hall. “Mary!” he called, beckoning one of the upstairs maids.
The young woman hurried over, eager to see to her employer’s beloved houseguest. “Yes, Mister Solomon?”
Solomon’s voice was soft in spite of the anger roiling inside his body. “I want you to get started packing all Miss Jacinta’s things. Get help if you need it. I want this done quickly,” he instructed.
Mary curtsied. “Yes, sir,” she promised before rushing off.
“What are you doing?” Jacinta demanded.
Solomon didn’t bother to look her way. “Preparing to take you home.”
“I am home.”
“My home. Your new home.”
“Never.”
“You’d prefer me to take you by force then?” He suggested, finally turning a stony glare in her direction. “Because as badly as I’d like to throttle you right now, I’d be most agreeable to it.”
Thoroughly unnerved by the savage gleam in his pitch-black stare, Jacinta made a mad dash for the front door. Solomon caught her easily, one arm snaking around her waist while he kicked the door shut with the tip of his boot.
“Dammit! Solomon!” Jacinta hissed, struggling against him, her legs flailing wildly behind her. “Stop!” she insisted, sounding breathless as his arm beneath her breasts threatened to cut off her air supply.
Solomon turned her in his arms just as he approached the bed.
“Let go!” Jacinta commanded, preparing herself for the collision when he suddenly dropped her to the center of the bed.
“Never will you be mother to my children?” Solomon taunted, ripping the shirt from his back before going to work on his trouser fastening. “We shall see about that,” his voice grated, and he hated that she had managed to rouse the vicious temper he always tried to hide.
Jacinta kicked out, but Solomon caught her ankles and pulled her down to the center of the bed. “Get off!” she bellowed, bucking her legs against him when he’d settled between her thighs. “Solomon…damn you.” She continued to fight even as the tingle of pleasure surged through her.
Solomon was forceful, yet even more appealing. Jacinta cursed him and herself as she succumbed to the throbbing urges. When it was over, he did not pull her close. Instead, he moved to his side of the bed, his back toward her. Jacinta cried herself to sleep, torn between the growing love she felt for the man and fear of leaving the only life she’d ever known.
* * *
Early morning sunlight fought past the heavy dark green drapes. Jacinta squeezed her eyes shut tightly, hoping to ward off the glare beaming against her eyelids. She could have slumbered several hours longer, but it was not to be. She felt the bed shake and raised her head to find that Solomon had slammed a heavy case upon it.
Jacinta turned amidst the disarray of covers. She winced at the aches that pulsed to life in the intimate areas of her body. Her cheeks burned as memories of their rapacious lovemaking surfaced in her mind. In his embrace, she would always be wanton, in a constant state of desire for his touch and affection. In his embrace, she forgot about their differences, her responsibilities, his aversion to the way she led her life. All that mattered was the cloud of pleasure upon which they floated.
The beautiful vision brought a slow frown of concern to her face. Sadly, they could not spend an eternity in a passionate embrace. A marriage certainly couldn’t survive on it, and Solomon seemed intent on their marriage being real in every way. Did she dare hope that his feelings could go deeper than the physical? Did she dare hope the same for her own?
“We leave in the morning,” his voice resounded in the quiet room. “I suggest you use the day to spend time with your father. You’ll not be seeing him for quite a while.”
“You’ve got my father fooled by this caring gentleman act of yours, but I know you’re simply a conniving jackass only satisfied when getting your way,” she snapped, the reality of leaving making her feel sour on the inside.
Solomon shook his head. “You always pay so dearly for that sharp tongue,” he sighed, dropping a shirt into the case. “What a shame you never think to curb it.”
Jacinta flopped back down into the bed and slammed her fists against the covers. “Solomon, please reconsider this,” she whispered, using her most needy tone of voice. “If you won’t stay for me, think of Poppa. It’ll be Christmastime soon, and with everything else going on it would be nice for a bit of warmth and cheer.” She shrugged, her gaze drifting off into the distance. “As much cheer as one can have in the midst of such circumstances,” she added.
Solomon stood still, his strong fingers curved over the edge of the case. His stare was riveted on her face, and he was utterly captivated by her sweetness.
Jacinta saw him staring and eased up, bracing her weight on one elbow. “Please, Dikembe, for Poppa?”
The enchantment on Solomon’s face faded into a look of smug wickedness. “Your Poppa wants you out of Charleston more than anyone,” he informed her happily.
Jacinta blinked. “You lie,” she breathed.
Solomon closed the case then moved over to where his wife lay on the bed. There, he sat next to her, bracing his fists on either side of her body. “Your father, Esa and myself included, were aware of your presence at the Vesey meetings during our stay on Regal,” he shared, smiling when he glimpsed her smoky gaze widen briefly. “It was one of the reasons for such an unplanned wedding ceremony.” He leaned closer. “Your father wants you out of this town—out of the South as far as you can go.”
Jacinta blinked, the trail of her gaze faltering on the bed linens. She felt stunned and angry. Most of all, she felt remorseful. She had put her father through so much. Now he was frightened—truly frightened for her safety. Jason McIver knew Solomon Dikembe was the only man who could take her away and keep her safe. Keep her safe and love her.
Jacinta looked up to search Solomon’s intense stare with her own. “What were the other reasons?” she whispered.
Solomon blinked and shook his head. “Other reasons?” he queried, clearly confused.
Jacinta hesitated before speaking. For a moment, she was fixed on the lone dimple that flashed in Solomon’s cheek each time he spoke. “You said my outings on Regal were but one of the reasons for the quick ceremony. What were the other reasons?” she whispered.
Solomon bowed his head, and Jacinta could see the vibrant muscle dancing its wicked jig in his jaw. Solomon was definitely contemplating. He knew that to tell her he loved her would only give her the power to hurt him more deeply.
“You should dress,” he urged, leaning forward to drop a quick kiss to her mouth.
Jacinta seized the moment of tenderness. Her tongue darted past his lips and she heard his surprised moan. His fists braced against the bed as he leaned into the kiss. Jacinta was kissing him in wild abandon, her lips suckling his tongue, caressing it with her own.
“Jaci…” he breathed, kneeling upon the bed to take her into his arms. He broke the kiss to trail his mouth along her temple and the line of her jaw.
Jacinta smoothed her palms against the fine material of his blue gray shirt. Her nails grazed the cords of his neck before her lips followed the same sensuous path.
Solomon massaged her bare back. He continued to lavish her dark skin with wet, worshipping kisses that showered her collarbone and the tops of her breasts. Jacinta felt a rush of confidence at the sound of the helpless sighs rising from the chest of the powerful man who held her so tenderly. Once his lips closed over an aching nipple, she cupped his head to savor the caress. Solomon pleasured the bud with his teeth and tongue, nibbling and bathing the peak while she gasped her appreciation.
* * *
“Poppa, are you certain about this? Is this what you truly want of me?” Jacinta was asking Jason later that afternoon when they strolled the grounds of McIver Estate.
Jason smiled, gathering his daughter close as they walked. “It is most certainly what I want.”
“To leave you?” she whispered, turning to face him with tearful eyes.
“Now, now…” Jason hushed, using both thumbs to brush the moisture away from her cheeks. “You’ll never leave me, and I’ll never leave you—not really. You know that,” he said, peering deeply into her eyes.
Jacinta knew what he meant, but she was still emotional. “I’m sorry, Poppa.”
Jason kissed her cheek, pulling her close again as they cuddled against a brisk November wind. “I understand you’re uncertain and a bit frightened, but Solomon Dikembe is a good man. I believe you know this. I love you, and I would never have chosen to give you to him if I didn’t truly believe he wouldn’t love, protect and adore you.”
Jacinta hid her hands within the folds of her wrap and bit her tongue. She didn’t want to tell her father how on edge she was about leaving her home. It was important that she remain the dutiful and cooperative daughter—she owed her father that at least.
“Poppa, just promise me you’ll be safe,” she said instead, turning to squeeze his hands into hers. “You don’t want to discuss this, but the rebellion is as much as set. You’re a powerful man in this town, and your involvement will certainly be sought.”
Jason patted her cheek. “I know this, my dear. I’ve been approached several times already,” he revealed, chuckling at the surprise in her brown eyes. “I’ll be fine here, but I don’t want you to dwell on the goings-on in Charleston. Occupy your time with thoughts of your husband. You have a lot to learn about allowing a man, other than your father, to care for you.”
Again, Jacinta bit her tongue to stifle telling her father that she could very well take care of herself. She kissed him instead, hugging him tightly and praying he could not feel her heart about to pound out of her chest.
CHAPTER 16
February 1822
When the Sheba docked in New York Harbor, the Dikembes were completely on edge. Solomon had crafted the stunning water vessel into the coziest, most sensual thing Jacinta believed she had ever seen.
The Sheba, with its grand cabins and massive dining hall, was one of the few luxurious ships of its kind. Of course, the fact that it was owned by a black man, commanded by another black man, and crewed by an entirely black crew, made it even more exquisite.
Solomon had wanted to acquire the ship ever since stories of Paul Cuffe reached his ears. Cuffe, a free black man, owned a 69-ton schooner that he sailed to purchase cargos of vegetables and other stock. White people were filled with alarm at the sight of a black man in complete command of such a possession, not to mention his charge of an all black crew. It had been an unprecedented occurrence in the mid 1700s. People wondered and worried over what impression this would have on their slaves. A black man with such a powerful tool could easily incite blacks in bondage to escape, or worse, rebel. Paul Cuffe, however, was angered by this assumption. Still, he refused to allow the views of whites, or anyone else, to interfere with his work. He considered himself a businessman pure and simple, conducted his affairs and left others to frustrate themselves over whatever underlying motives they might have had.
Solomon was inspired by this and strived to live his life, both personally and professionally, in much the same fashion. He was determined to carve out his place in the world and do his best to ignore the rumblings of those who feared the power he would acquire.
Jacinta did not fear her husband’s power, in spite of the fact that it had played a huge role in her father choosing him as her partner. Moreover, she celebrated the fact that men such as Solomon existed, black men who weren’t afraid to stand up against the brutality they faced. Men determined to reach out for the prosperity and well being in their grasps. If the Sheba were a testament to Solomon’s determination, then she had married a very ambitious man. Sadly, however, being surrounded by the beauty and luxury of the vessel had its drawbacks. With its color scheme of burgundies, golds and brownish hues, the Sheba instilled a sense of sensuality and comfort. The lavishness only fueled the urges which rested between the Dikembes—urges they’d made silent decisions not to act upon.
Solomon knew his wife wasn’t completely secure in the idea of leaving her home. Moreover, he knew her feelings had not a fraction of the depth of his feelings for her. Therefore, he kept his distance, hoping time would make all the difference.
Of course, this made the voyage seem much longer. Christmastime and the onset of a New Year came and went with little pomp and circumstance. Jacinta missed her home and her father more with each passing day. She dreaded thinking of what she would find to occupy her time in her strange new life.
When the ship docked early one February morning, Jacinta received a shock. New York’s climate was terribly cold for one of her southern blood. She instinctively cuddled close to her husband when he assisted her from the Sheba’s deck. Thankfully, the breathtaking ankle-length sable coat, with a matching hat and hand warmer, kept her very toasty. Still, the biting wind managed to chill her to the bone.
Solomon kept a protective arm about his wife’s tiny frame as they made their way along the harbor. Jacinta’s eyes were wide like a child’s as she observed the sights. New York was a town on a grand scale which, in her opinion, far exceeded anything Charleston had to offer. The harbor teamed with bodies and smelled of fish, musk and men. Their loud rough voices carried in the chilly air and mingled with the sounds of gulls overhead. Ship’s crews issued orders as their vessels arrived to port. Jacinta was intrigued by the new visions and by the fact that she was in the midst of it. Ensconced in Charleston all her life, she realized that she’d never given any real thought to the lives led by others.
“Steady…” Solomon urged, keeping his big hands secured around her upper arms as he guided her through the narrowing space along the harbor. The chilly wind kissed the water-slicked wood of the dock to produce a sheer coating of ice that could easily cause a fall. Solomon tried to keep his mind focused on getting them safely to the carriage awaiting them. He found his thoughts wandering, however, to the soft fragrance of coconuts that followed Jacinta and teased his nostrils. Though she was covered by the thick fur, its sensuous touch only reminded him of the way her bare skin felt beneath his fingertips. Over the last several weeks, he had been slowly going out of his mind. Despite their tender encounter just before leaving Charleston, their emotional distance had remained. Solomon didn’t trust himself to not want to throttle her for whatever complaint she might make. So he stayed away from her—watching her become more desirable as the long weeks passed.
“Cold?” he asked, watching as she raised her hands to warm her cheeks against the sable hand warmer.
“I’m fr-freezing,” Jacinta admitted, before pressing her lips together to prevent her teeth from chattering.
“Freezing?” Solomon parroted in an incredulous manner. “ ’Tis quite refreshing in my opinion,” he said, grinning when his wife fixed him with a sour glance. “New York’s weather can be a bit rough, especially on those who’ve lived their lives in warmer spots.”
“Is it always like this?” Jacinta asked, unconsciously snuggling deeper into Solomon’s hard frame.
Solomon’s broad shoulders rose beneath his heavy black wool cloak. “This is nothing—wait until tonight,” he warned, chuckling when she groaned. “You’ll feel better once we get inside the carriage. We’ll get some hot tea inside you and you’ll be fine.”
The promise brought a happy smile to Jacinta’s lips and gave her the strength to brave the cold. “Do you have a home he-here?” she asked while they walked.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Solomon said, tugging on the brim of his black top hat as he spoke. “I don’t really do much business here, and so I usually stay with friends,” he explained.
Jacinta felt a rush of glee as they approached the street lined with carriages. “Are we heading there now?” she asked, almost screaming in delight when Solomon responded with a nod.
“Thomas,” Solomon greeted a finely garbed young dark man.
“Mister Solomon,” Thomas replied, smiling broadly as he shook hands. “I pray your trip was satisfactory?”
“Very much,” Solomon confirmed with a nod, before turning. “I’m afraid my wife is a bit unused to the temperature. By chance would you have anything warm inside the carriage?”
“Even better—I have brandy,” Thomas proudly announced, appreciating the hearty clap Solomon placed upon his shoulder. “This way, Mrs. Dikembe,” he instructed, his soft gray stare twinkling as he appraised the tiny dark beauty in his presence.
“Thank you, Thomas,” Jacinta whispered, accepting his hand.
“Very beautiful, Mister Solomon,” Thomas saw fit to add once Jacinta was inside the cab.
Solomon’s grin was a combination of pride and appreciation. “Very,” he agreed and followed his wife.
Thomas checked to ensure the curtains were secure before the cab’s windows, then shut the door and went to take his place at the front. Meanwhile, the Dikembes settled onto the plush black velvet cushioned seat. Solomon settled a thick, gray blanket across their laps, taking extra care to tuck Jacinta in. Then, he poured two snifters of the rich brandy.
