Only With Your Love (Vallerands #2)(90)

“Commander Matthews,” Max said, “I have lived in New Orleans all of my life. Throughout the years I have made it my business to know what goes on here. And it was obvious you would have to take a stand against the pirate threat sooner or later.”

There was utter silence in the room. Max met the commander’s challenging stare with an implacable expression.

“What have you come here for?” Matthews asked bluntly.

“To ask if you would consider delaying the attack.”

“Delay it? Why in the name of all that’s holy would I consider that? Good God, man, to hear such a thing from you, after your son was victimized by those devilish bastards—”

“He is still being victimized by them,” Max said quietly.

“What do you mean?”

“They still have him. My son Philippe is still on the island.”

“What kind of rot is this? If your son is still on Isle au Corneille, then who has been living with you for the past—” Suddenly Matthews’ jaw dropped open.

“My other son. Justin. Otherwise known as Captain Griffin.”

The commander stared at him in icy fury. “By God, he’s going to hang for this! And perhaps you along with him!”

“Before you make any decisions,” Max said calmly, “you may want to hear me out. I have an offer for you—”

“Bribery won’t work with me!”

“My son has offered to help in the attack on Legare. He claims that before your forces arrive he can dismantle most of the island’s defenses.”

“I don’t believe it. Even if he were able to accomplish such a feat, why would he? Why should I trust him? Or you, for that matter?”

“Because he and I want the same thing,” Max said gravely.

“And what is that? To make fools of the navy?”

“To save Philippe. Surely by now you understand the Creole sense of blood and loyalty. I would give my life in exchange for any member of my family. In that respect Justin is no different than me or any other Creole.”

Matthews’ hard stare relented. “I’ll hear you out, Vallerand. I don’t promise to agree to anything. But I will hear you out.”

“That is all I ask,” Max replied with relief.

Chapter 12

Curbing his impatience, Justin hovered at the side of the parlor and averted his eyes as Max said goodbye to Lysette. Three days had passed since the Duquesne ball. Tonight the exchange for Philippe would be made. If everything was going according to plan, by now Aug had smuggled a dozen men onto Isle au Corneille. In a matter of hours Justin would gain Philippe’s safety and be taken to the island where he would send Dominic Legare to the devil.

“You had better return in one piece, bien-aimé,” Lysette warned, smoothing the lapels of Max’s coat. She had utter faith in her husband’s strength and resourcefulness, but that would not prevent her from worrying about his safety. “It is a great trial to have you as a husband, but I have become rather accustomed to you. And I would prefer to keep you at least a few years more!”

Max grinned and brushed a kiss on her lips. “Just keep the bed warm for me, little one.”

“At least you will have Alex along to watch over you,” she grumbled, and pulled away. She went to Justin and hugged him quickly. “Be careful, Justin. My only comfort is that you seem to have as many lives as a cat.”

“It’s Philippe you should be concerned about,” Justin said grimly. “God knows what hell he’s been through.”

“We will take care of him, Celia and I…” Lysette looked around as if just becoming aware of Celia’s absence. “Where is she?”

“In the garçonnière,” Justin answered. Neither he nor Celia had wanted a farewell scene of any kind.

Lysette met his eyes with a pitying, questioning glance. “Justin, I do not know what is between the two of you, but—”

“Nothing,” Justin said curtly.

Lysette was kept from pursuing the matter by Alexandre’s arrival. She went to her husband as he pulled on a heavy black cloak. “Max, when will you come back?”

“First Alex will bring Philippe home,” he said, kissing her gently. “I will return later.”

“How much later?” Lysette asked suspiciously. Her hazel eyes narrowed. “You are not planning to be with Commander Matthews’ expedition when it attacks the island, are you? I will not have it! There is no need for you to do such a thing, your place is here—”

Max gestured for Alex and Justin to leave and then began to back out of the room after them. “I’ll be safe aboard a gunboat, petite.”

“You are not needed in the attack as much as you are needed here. You have three young children to consider, not to mention a wife—”

“And a son in danger,” he said, slipping into the entrance hall.

Lysette called after him anxiously. “Maximilien Vallerand, ecoutes-moi bien—if you are hurt in any way whatsoever I will never forgive you!” She heard his soft laugh, and she stamped her foot in frustration as he left the house.

Celia knelt by the bed and tried to pray, but her concentration was broken by nagging thoughts. She combed through every recollection of the previous day, everything Justin had said to her.