“Take it easy, Grandmother. I’m just having fun. Now, let’s turn this ship around and go back to Canterbury. I need to find the woman I love.” When he looked out at his crew, they were all glaring at him now. Nairnie was the only one smiling.
Since Mardon had wasted two days brooding in his cabin, it took them just as long to get back to Canterbury. Anxiety coursed through him. He hoped Emmaline was all right. The first thing he decided to do when he saw her was to apologize and then hold her so tight that he swore he’d never let her go.
It seemed like forever but, finally, the ship docked at Canterbury.
“This will be a short visit,” said Mardon. “And no pillaging or plundering while we’re here.”
“We’re pirates,” Aaron reminded him.
“I don’t want to cause any trouble in Emmaline’s hometown. Now, I’m going to go try to find her father’s manor house because that’s where I hope she’ll be.”
“What do you want all of us to do while we’re waiting for you to find your true love?” asked Aaron, still sore at him over this whole thing.
Mardon looked up and saw Canterbury Cathedral in the distance. “Well, Aaron, why don’t you make a stop at church? It would do you and the others good.”
“Go to hell,” spat Aaron, looking out at the crew. “Go get a drink or a whore,” Aaron called out. “But don’t go far. Oh, and no raiding.”
The crew didn’t like that idea, but did like that they’d get some time on shore.
“Come with me, Aaron,” said Mardon.
“What for?” he griped.
“Well . . . you’re my brother.”
“Like that means anything to you right now.”
“Quit being so bitter. By the way, I don’t even know if I’ll find Emmaline. And if I do, there is no guarantee she’ll forgive me.”
“All right. Since you put it that way, I’ll come with you.”
“Me, too,” said Nairnie, hurrying over to them. She wore a new dress that was made of purple velvet and laced up the front with leather ties.
“Nairnie, what is that you’re wearing?” asked Mardon.
“I made a new gown out of Emmaline’s auld ones,” she said. “It’s what she wanted me to do.”
“Aye, but . . . purple?”
“I like it,” she said, squinting one eye. “Mock it just once and ye’ll be sorry ye ever said a thing.”
Mardon held his hands up in the air and laughed. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare.”
They walked down the gangplank and headed to shore.
“So, how are ye goin’ to find this manor house?” asked Nairnie.
“I don’t know,” Mardon answered. “I suppose I’ll just have to ask someone.” They began to walk. “Excuse me,” he said to the first man he saw. “Do you know where I’d find the manor house of the late Lord . . . Lord . . .” He stopped in midsentence, realizing he didn’t even know Emmaline’s maiden name. This was going to be harder than he thought.
The man turned around and he smiled. “Mardon? Aaron? Nairnie? What are you doing here?”
“Benedict,” said Nairnie, opening her arms and pulling the man into her embrace. “Son, it is damned guid to see ye again.”
“Son?” asked Aaron.
“Boys, this is Autumn’s husband, Lord Ravenscar. Have ye forgotten him already? I raised him as a child. He was like a son to me.”
“Of course. Good to see you, Ravenscar,” said Mardon. “How is our brother, Tristan?”
“Why don’t you ask me that yourself?”
They turned to see Tristan walking down the dock, a skein of rope thrown over his shoulder. He looked happy and relaxed.
“Good to see you, Brother.” Mardon clasped arms and slapped him on the back.
“What’s the rope for?” asked Aaron, clasping his arm as well.
“Tristan is the new captain of my fishing ship,” Benedict told them.
Aaron groaned. “You really went back to that after swearing you never would, Tristan?”
“I did. And it feels right,” he told them.
“Good for you,” said Mardon.
“What brings you here?” Benedict asked.
“Mardon is lookin’ for a woman named Lady Emmaline de la Croix.”
“A lady, huh?” Tristan raised a brow. “What’s been going on since I left the Falcon, Brothers?”
“He’s fallen to the same low as you,” Aaron spat.
“Aaron, stop that.” Nairnie hit him on the arm. “Tristan, it is wonderful. Mardon has fallen in love.”
“Really?” Tristan and Benedict exchanged glances. “So . . . where is this Lady Emmaline?”
“We dinna ken,” said Nairnie. “When we were on the island trying to find treasure, Emmaline left the ship.”
“Treasure?” Tristan perked up. “Did you find the treasure that Father buried?” His eyes showed his excitement and Mardon knew how much Tristan must really miss being along on the hunt. He had always loved looking for treasure.
“The bastard gave us more clues,” said Aaron.
“Watch yer mouth, Aaron,” warned Nairnie. “That is my son ye’re talkin’ about and yer faither.”
“Sorry, Grandmother.”
“Do it again, and I’ll beat ye with my ladle when we get back on the ship.”
“Oh, Nairnie, you still have that ladle?” Tristan seemed amused.
“It’s a bigger and better one, Tristan,” she told him. “And it’s gettin’ lots of use.”
“Benedict,” came a female voice.
Mardon turned to see Autumn and Gavina getting down off a horse and cart. They headed over to join them. They all greeted each other and, after a minute, Mardon tried to excuse himself.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go. I’m not even sure where to find Emmaline’s father’s manor house, but I’m hoping that is where she is.”
“Emmaline?” asked Autumn.
“Aye, her name is Lady Emmaline de la Croix. She’s a widow of a Frenchman,” explained Nairnie.
“That Emmaline?” Gavina’s eyes widened. “Oh, Mardon, I think you’re too late.” She slipped her hand into Tristan’s.
“What do you mean I’m too late?” asked Mardon. “Do you know her? Has something happened to her?”
Autumn spoke up. “We’ve just come from Canterbury Cathedral where I often help the nuns heal the sick. Gavina is learning to do it as well.”
“That’s nice. Do you know where I can find Emmaline?” asked Mardon, feeling more desperate by the moment.
“I know the Lady Emmaline you speak of,” said Autumn. “She is a novitiate of the convent.”
“Aye, she used to be. Have you seen her?” Mardon was becoming very anxious now.
“We just left her,” said Gavina.
“Where is she?”
“She’s in the Canterbury Cathedral,” explained Autumn.
“Come on, Aaron, let’s go. We’ll take your horse and cart,” Mardon told the girls. They headed off with Nairnie right behind them.
“Wait, Mardon,” Tristan called out after them.
“No time to talk,” said Mardon, helping Nairnie into the back of the cart and climbing up to the bench seat. Aaron got in next to him.
Tristan ran after them, jumping into the back of the wagon next to Nairnie as Mardon tore away so fast that he almost lost them both. “Mardon, Autumn just told me something that I think you should know.”
“What is it?” Mardon asked over his shoulder.
“You can’t go into Canterbury Cathedral.”
“If that’s where Emmaline is, then that is where I’m going and no one can stop me.”
“But you don’t understand,” Tristan tried to explain. “There is a mass going on right now.”
“I don’t care.”
“It’s a mass where some of the novitiates are taking their vows to become nuns,” Tristan told him.
“I told you, I don’t care.”
“Well, you should care, Mardon. Becaus
e Lady Emmaline is one of them.”
“Nay! Hold on,” Mardon shouted over his shoulder as he urged the horses to go faster. “One way or another I am going to get there before Emmaline takes those vows.”
Chapter 19
The sun streamed in through the stained-glass windows of Canterbury Cathedral as Emmaline kneeled in front of the bishop along with two other novitiates, waiting to take their vows and become nuns.
Her heart ached for Mardon, and she didn’t regret her time spent with him. She wanted more than anything to be with him again, but he’d made it quite clear that she didn’t belong on his ship. He was right, and she just had to accept it. A pirate ship was surely no place for a woman.
She listened as Mary and Agnes took their vows and the bishop blessed them, welcoming them into their new service to God. Being a nun was the last thing she wanted, but she had no other choice. There was nothing else left for her, nowhere else to go.
When she returned to her father’s manor house, she was lucky enough that the healer helped her. With the bottle of poison as proof, they were able to get her stepmother arrested for the murder of her father. However, since her reputation was tarnished now and she had no proof that the painting no longer existed, she wasn’t able to stay at the manor house. She also had no chance of ever being married to a nobleman, not that she really cared. All she wanted was to be with Mardon, but that was never going to happen again.
With nowhere else to go and no one to run to, she went back to the church to become a nun.
“Sister Emmaline, do you take the vow of poverty?” asked the bishop. “Do you promise to give up all your material possessions in order to live a life of labor and moderation in order to serve others?”
Her head instantly filled with thoughts of all the beautiful gowns and jewels she used to have. Her father had been a wealthy man. Even with what he left behind, she could have taken care of herself for the rest of her life without having to marry again.
“I do,” she whispered, feeling her body quivering beneath her black robe.
“And do you, Sister Emmaline, take the vow of obedience, agreeing to prayerful reflection and the laws of the church, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, giving all your love to God?”
She thought about Mardon and how she often disobeyed him on his own ship. Now, she regretted not listening to him and respecting him more. If she had the chance to do it over, she would honor and respect him. Even if he was a pirate, she knew deep down he had a good heart.
“I – I do,” she answered, folding her hands in prayer and closing her eyes. One more vow and she would be a nun for the rest of her life. This last vow was the one that was going to be the absolute hardest to take.
“And do you agree to take the vow of chastity?” the bishop asked her next. Her body stiffened and she felt tears come to her closed eyes. Never again would she be able to make love to a man. To Mardon. Her heart felt as if a blade were being driven into it and twisted. “Do you agree to never again marry or engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts, therefore remaining forever chaste, giving all your love to God?”
Never again marry. Remain chaste. Never again engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts. The words rang like a bell in her ears. Her life was over. Without Mardon in it, she supposed it didn’t matter because she would never want another man if she couldn’t have him.
She opened her mouth to answer. But before she could, she heard the door of the cathedral slam open behind her and the sound of running feet.
“Emmaline! Don’t do it. Stop. Please don’t take your vows,” she heard from behind her. She opened her eyes, jumping to her feet and spinning around to see Mardon in the cathedral, running up the aisle. His weapons hit his legs as he ran, making a clanking noise.
“You aren’t allowed in here, Pirates,” she heard the bishop growl. “No weapons in the church either. Get out, in the name of God! Leave these holy walls at once.” He nodded to several of the priests that were also attending the ceremony and they hurried down the aisle toward him with their arms outstretched. The nuns were in a semi-circle with the two newly initiated women, and ran to hide from Mardon.
Aaron ran in right behind Mardon with Tristan as well. She had to admit seeing three rugged pirates in a holy place was a little unnerving.
“Mardon? What are you doing here?” she asked, making her way toward him.
“Emmaline, I’m sorry,” he told her. “I was wrong. I never should have wanted you to leave.”
“What is going on here?” asked the bishop. “Somebody throw these men out.” The priests moved in closer.
“No one touches my grandsons or they will deal with me,” spat Nairnie, waddling down the aisle.
“Nairnie? You’re here, too?” asked Emmaline in surprise.
“Of course I am, lassie. Family needs to stick together.”
“Family?” she asked, feeling confused. “But I – I don’t have a family. Not anymore.”
“That’s not true, Emmaline.” Mardon took a step forward and was blocked by several of the priests.
“Please, let him through,” said Emmaline. “I need to talk to him before I take my last vow.”
“It’s too late,” said the bishop. “Sister Emmaline, return to me at once and let me bestow upon you the blessing of being a nun.”
“Not if I can help it,” said Mardon, getting down on one knee. “Emmaline, sweetheart. I know I did you wrong,” he started, getting a groan from Aaron.
“Hush,” Nairnie scolded Aaron. “Let him finish.”
“I have nothing to offer and I must be out of my mind to think that I, a pirate, would be lucky enough to have a lady, but . . . will you marry me?”
“What?” Emmaline blinked, not sure she’d heard him right. “B-but I thought you didn’t want me on the ship. That’s why I left.”
“I was confused, but I’m not anymore,” said Mardon, still down on one knee.
“That’s debatable,” mumbled Aaron from behind him. This time, he got an elbow in the ribs from Nairnie.
Gavina and Autumn ran in the door, hurrying to join them.
“What did we miss?” whispered Gavina.
“Nothin’ yet. Ye’re just in time,” said Nairnie. “Mardon just asked Emmaline to marry him.”
“What did she say?” asked Autumn.
“She didn’t answer yet, and will never have a chance to if you don’t all hush up,” Mardon told them. “Emmaline, please. Give me a chance to be your husband.”
“A pirate marrying a lady?” whispered one of the nuns, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Mardon,” said Emmaline, letting out a deep breath. “The last thing I want to be is a nun, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“What? Is this true?” asked the bishop.
“Yes, Bishop, it is,” said Emmaline, looking over her shoulder. “But neither do I want to be married to a pirate who raids and kills to take what he wants. That just isn’t right.”
“I understand.” Mardon slowly stood up. Then he held out his hands. “Emmaline, I will give up piracy, and I would give up everything I own just to have you as my wife for the rest of my life.”
“I’m leaving,” said Aaron with a wave of his hand through the air, turning and heading out the door.
“Aaron, get back here,” scolded Nairnie.
“Nay, let him go, Grandmother,” said Mardon. “He has to make his own decisions in life. I never thought I’d say it, but yes, Emmaline, I am ready to give up my ship, my crew, and everything I have ever stolen if you will be mine and give to me your heart of your own free will. I love you.”
Emmaline’s heart soared. A smile spread across her face and tears of joy leaked down her cheeks. “Yes, Mardon, I will marry you and be your wife. I love you, too.” She ran to him and fell into his arms. They kissed so passionately that Nairnie had to stop them.
“Enough, ye two. Have respect. We are still in a church.”
“Yes, you are,” said the bis
hop.
“Bishop,” said Autumn, coming to the front of the church. “I know it isn’t a normal request, but since you’re here, do you think you could marry Mardon and Emmaline?”
“Right now?” asked Emmaline, her heart beating faster. Was she really about to become Mardon’s wife?
“Aye, right now,” said Mardon, holding her hands and staring into her eyes.
“I – I don’t know,” she said, feeling her head spin.
“Do it, before the fool changes his mind,” mumbled Tristan.
“I’ll never change my mind, Brother,” Mardon said over his shoulder.
“I will,” said Emmaline. “That is, if the bishop would be kind enough to agree.”
“This is the oddest thing that has ever happened,” said the bishop. “Aye, I agree to marry you two but only if you’ll all leave the cathedral right away afterwards.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal,” said Mardon, walking up to the bishop where they both took new vows of becoming man and wife.
Chapter 20
Mardon walked out of the cabin of the Falcon the next day with his new wife, Emmaline, on his arm. It was by Emmaline’s request that they spent one last night on the ship before Mardon had to leave it and never look back.
He felt sad about leaving behind Aaron, as well as his crew, but being married to Emmaline was well worth the sacrifice. She had been ready to give up everything in life to be a nun. Well, he was willing to give up his old ways to be with her and make her happy for the rest of her life.
“Good morning, everyone,” said Mardon, feeling good in his new clothes that Nairnie had made him as a wedding present. She’d sewed a vest with brass buttons and had made him a red sash to wear around his waist. He still wore his weapon belt and one of his billowy-sleeved shirts. He didn’t give up the weapons since he needed them to always protect his wife.
“Good morning,” repeated Emmaline, blushing as she held on to his arm. She wore one of Autumn’s gowns made of bright blue that made her hair look so light it almost seemed white. She wore her hair down because he liked it that way, but had a small braid wrapped around the top of her head, reminding everyone she was a lady. Gavina and Autumn had helped her weave colorful ribbons into the braid.
Mardon (Pirate Lords Series Book 2) Page 20