by Bree Wolf
Stupefied, Claudia blinked, then turned her gaze toward the voice. Her breath caught in her throat when she found Captain Duret sitting by the table, her precious son in his arms and a wickedly amused smile on his lips. “You talk in your sleep,” he commented, humour in his voice as he dangled a small jewel at the end of a golden necklace in front of her son.
Clearly curious, Aiden lifted his little hands, his eyes following the small gem as the light from the candle perched in the middle of the table reflected in its sides. Belatedly, Claudia realised that night had fallen.
“Nothing untoward, I assure you,” Captain Duret elaborated, winking at her. “However, I was able to gather that your son’s name is Aiden,” he glanced down at the giggling child, “and that your husband is a fearsome Scotsman who kisses you when you talk too much.” He chuckled low in his throat. “Did I miss anything, Madam?”
Feeling heat rise to her cheeks, Claudia pushed herself onto her feet, determined to retrieve her son from this infuriating Frenchman. However, the moment she rose, her head began to spin, and she lost all concept of up and down.
In the blink of an eye, Captain Duret stood before her, his warm hand once more settling on her shoulder, pushing her back down. “You’ve slept like a rock for hours, Madam. I suggest you take it slow.” Then he leaned down and handed her her son.
With the feel of Aiden’s warm body once more in her arms, Claudia sighed, her heart calming its frantic pace. “Thank you,” she whispered, lifting her eyes to meet the captain’s.
A teasing grin played on his lips. “I’ve had many mademoiselles swoon at my feet,” he chuckled, “but never from exhaustion.” He arched his brows at her in a wicked manner. “At least not that kind of exhaustion.”
Unable not to, Claudia laughed. “I have no trouble believing that you’re quite popular with the ladies,” she teased, feeling at least slightly refreshed after her long slumber and more like her old self. Strangely enough, when he was not keeping her son from her, Claudia found Captain Duret to be an endearing and fascinating man. Perhaps some privateers did have manners and morals after all. Still, her initial gratitude towards him could not trump her own curiosity, and so she could not refrain from adding, “However, I wonder what Lady Juliet might think of your conquests.”
Instantly, his smile vanished, and his face grew dark. For a long moment, he regarded her with caution, all his earlier ease vanished. “What do you know of her?” he demanded, his voice controlled. Still, Claudia sensed raw emotions hiding beneath.
“Nothing really,” she said with a shrug.
His eyes narrowed. “How do you know of me?”
“From my brother,” she reminded him, gently rocking her son in her arms. “I overheard him and my mother speak of you almost a year ago. He mentioned you and Lady Juliet and how a number of peers had come together to free her from an undesirable match.”
A low grumble rose from the captain’s throat before he began stalking around the cabin, his green eyes thunderous and his body filled with an almost desperate need to move. His jaw clenched, and he exhaled a long, arduous breath before his fist came suddenly flying toward the wall.
Taken aback, Claudia sucked in a sharp breath. However, before his fist could collide with the wall, he uncurled his fingers and merely struck the wooden panels with his open palm, the echo of the contact reverberating in the small space.
Seeing the bewildered expression on Claudia’s face, Captain Duret inhaled a deep breath and then shrugged. “There’s no good reason to damage something that will fetch me a small fortune, n’est-ce pas?”
“None at all,” Claudia mumbled, surprised by the depth of the captain’s emotions. Perhaps Lady Juliet−whoever she was−had meant more to him than a simple conquest. And she quite obviously still did.
Remembering her own unfortunate situation, Claudia decided not to tease the captain further…at least not about Lady Juliet. “You’re nothing like I thought you’d be,” she told him, a smile on her face.
Quickly, humour returned to his eyes, and he chuckled. “Is that so? May I ask what you were expecting, Madam?”
Claudia shrugged, trying not to remember what Mr. Adams had told her. “Someone fearsome, no doubt. Ruthless and without conscience.”
“And you’re convinced I’m not that?”
Claudia shook her head. “Not after seeing you with my son.”
The expression on his face softened. “My cousin is with child at present.”
“So, you shall be an uncle then?” Claudia said before her brows drew down. “No, that’s not right. You said she was your cousin, so…”
Captain Duret chuckled, “She’s like a sister to me, so I think uncle would be appropriate.”
Returning his smile, Claudia nodded to him. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Sitting down on the chair he had vacated before, his green eyes sought hers in earnest. “How did you come to be on this ship? I questioned Mr. Adams. However, he seemed disinclined to share your story, and I did not think it right to torture a potentially innocent man in case I had misunderstood you.”
Claudia’s eyes widened. “Where is he?”
“He is being detained,” Captain Duret replied. “Tell me what happened.”
Sighing in relief at this rather unexpected source of assistance, Claudia told him her tale of woe; how she had run off to Scotland, discovered she was with child, given him up only to learn of his kidnapping a few days later. She told him about Garrett, how they had found each other again and then about the moment she had stepped onto the ship, following her son, forced to leave her husband behind.
Now and then, Captain Duret offered a humorous comment, but mostly he listened to her tale with a sober face, compassion darkening his eyes every once in a while.
“Will you help me get back to Scotland?” Claudia asked when she had finished. “Or will you take us as prisoners back to France?”
Captain Duret sighed, “I have a duty to my country, Madam.” Still, the look in his eyes whispered that he would only need a small incentive in order to disregard it.
The Voile Noire’s captain seemed to be a truly compassionate man. A man who knew the importance of family.
“You said your brother spoke to you of me,” he asked suddenly, his gaze narrowing as he leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his thighs. “Who is your brother?”
“Lord Ashwood.”
“You’re Lord Ashwood’s sister?” he exclaimed. “Oui, I believe I’ve heard his name mentioned when I was in London.” His brow furrowed. “I might even have met him. A stuck-up sort of fellow with a murderous glare who doesn’t know how to smile?”
Claudia laughed, “More or less, yes, that’s my brother.”
“It’s a small world, n’est-ce pas?” He leaned back in his chair. “What did he tell you about me?”
“Nothing,” Claudia replied, and a grin claimed her lips as she leaned forward conspiratorially. “I was listening at the door.”
This time, it was Captain Duret who laughed. “I have no trouble believing that! You strike me as one who always finds trouble no matter where she goes.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Claudia replied with a bit of a haughty expression. “My brother’s opinion of me is too severe. He always fears that these tales might inspire me to foolishness, and so he tries his best to keep me ignorant.”
Captain Duret chuckled, “After what you’ve just told me, can you truly fault him for it? His assessment of your character seems to be spot-on. You remind me of my cousin. In fact, it was she who insisted going to London in order to assist…Lady Juliet.” Once again, at the mention of the ominous lady, his smile faltered, and his eyes became thoughtful.
“Why did your cousin insist?” Claudia asked carefully.
For a long moment, Captain Duret held her gaze as though not certain whether or not to trust her with this information. “Because they’re half-sisters. Violette, my cousin, is originally from England. It’s a rather long st
ory.”
“And she is now married to the Earl of Cullingwood?”
Captain Duret nodded.
“And they succeeded,” Claudia said, watching the young captain with rapt attention. “Lady Juliet was freed from her betrothal.”
Again, he nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor.
“Have you heard from her since?”
His head rose, and his green eyes regarded her with caution.
Claudia smiled. “You do not hide your affections for her well. Any fool would be aware that you care for her.”
His jaw clenched, but he did not say anything.
“Has your cousin been in contact with her?”
Captain Duret sighed, “I do not know, but Violette has been at sea most of the time, and now that she is expecting, she and her husband are in France with her mother.”
“As far as I know,” Claudia began, remembering how she had scoured the betrothal and marriage announcements when she had been locked away at Crestwood House−anything to keep her mind occupied, “Lady Juliet is still unattached.”
Within a second, his eyes were back on hers, and Claudia could see that he was holding on to his composure by a thread.
“Perhaps she is waiting for someone.” Claudia sighed, “Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.”
Rising from his chair, Captain Duret strode toward the large windows, at present overlooking a pitch-black ocean. “That I’m aware of,” he said before he turned to look at her. “What about your husband? What will he do now?”
Claudia swallowed, her heart growing heavy now that their conversation was shifting back to her. “He said he would come for me, for us. He promised.”
Meeting her eyes, Captain Duret asked, “Do you believe him?”
“With all my heart.” A long sigh escaped her. “He will come,” she repeated, her voice determined as she lifted her gaze to look at the young captain. “Still, it will not be easy for him to keep his promise as he cannot simply seize another ship and pursue us.”
Captain Duret chuckled, glancing at her over his shoulder. “I would think not.”
Inhaling a deep breath, Claudia held his gaze. “Please, can you not take us back to Scotland?”
His shoulders tensed, and his gaze dropped from hers.
“If you take us to France,” Claudia hurried on, feeling her heart growing heavier, “he will not even know. He does not know what happened here. He will still head to the colonies, believing us there.” Shaking her head, she rose to her feet. “We will be apart for months, perhaps years.” Stepping up to the silent man, Claudia placed a hand on his arm. When his green eyes rose to meet hers, she allowed all her emotions to show in her voice, “Please. Please help us. I believe you know what it is to be separated from someone who holds your heart.”
His jaw tensed at the reminder of the woman he refused to discuss, and he turned from the window, facing her. “Our nations are at war,” he stated, his eyes hard as he ignored her reference to Lady Juliet. “I cannot simply approach the Scottish coast, let alone make for a Scottish port.” A hint of compassion came to his eyes as he shook his head. “I’m sorry, but it would be too dangerous. I’d be risking every life on this vessel, and I cannot do that in good conscience.”
Nodding, Claudia willed herself not to crumble at his words. “I understand. But can you not perhaps wait before heading back to France? Wait until my husband finds us?”
Sighing, Captain Duret ran a hand through his black hair. “You cannot be certain that your husband is indeed following you, and even if he is, there is no way of telling when−if at all−he might stumble upon us here.”
“He’s always found me,” Claudia replied, feeling tears streaming down her face. “He will come. He will find us. I know it.”
“If only I could be as certain as you, Madam.” Shaking his head, Captain Duret regarded her calmly. “Come,” he finally said, offering her his hand.
“Where are we going?” Claudia asked as she brushed the tears from her cheeks.
“To the Voile Noire,” the captain replied. “This vessel is to return to France as soon as possible.”
Claudia’s heart skipped a beat. “You’re not sending me back to France?”
Glancing at her, he held open the door to allow her to step through. “Not at present,” he all but grumbled, a hint of displeasure in his voice. Still, in the dim light of the moon, his eyes shone with humour. “You’ll stay with me for the time being…until I’ve decided what to do with you.”
Giving him a grateful smile, Claudia asked, “What about Mr. Adams?”
The young captain shrugged. “All prisoners will be sent to France and then ransomed back to England. It is the way things are done, Madam.”
As he stepped toward the railing, Claudia placed a hand on his arm, holding him back. “Thank you,” she whispered, seeing nothing dangerous in the green eyes that looked back into hers. “You’re doing the right thing. I promise you.”
For a moment, Captain Duret regarded her with a quizzical look before a teasing smile curved up his lips. “I’m not certain,” he whispered, a challenge in his voice. “Trouble will find you wherever you go. It might be wise to part with you as soon as possible.”
Claudia laughed, “You sound like my brother.”
Feigning a shocked expression, Captain Duret shook his head. “What an utterly terrifying thought!”
Again, he turned to the railing, and again, she held him back. “If you wish,” she said, seeking his eyes once more, hoping he could read her sincerity in her own, “I could get a message to the Lady Juliet.” His arm under her hand tensed. “No one would ever have to know. I will not breathe a word of this.”
Holding her gaze, he inhaled a deep breath. “You must be hungry, Madam,” he said, once more offering her his hand. “Allow me to escort you to the Voile Noire.”
Sighing, Claudia accepted his offer. Still, she could not help but wonder what had happened between the French captain and this unknown English lady. Perhaps once Claudia was back in England, she ought to seek out Lady Juliet and hope to learn from her what it was that stood between those two.
Claudia could not deny that she was utterly curious.
Chapter Thirty-Five – Lost Hope
The days out at sea all blurred together, and Garrett felt as though it had been months since he had last seen his wife. Once again, he felt that lump settle in the pit of his stomach, filled with dread and fear and utter longing. It reminded him painfully of the time he had spent looking for her after their impromptu wedding in Gretna Green. Why was fate forcing him to be forever searching for her?
With each day that passed, Garrett’s hope waned. He would not give up. Certainly not. Still, he could not deny that it felt as though the world was against them, as though their love was simply not meant to be.
“We’ll find her,” Finn stated resolutely as they sat in their cabin. “Her and yer son. Have faith.”
Garrett snorted, running his hand through his unkempt hair. “I keep telling myself that same thing, but I canna deny that a part of me fears ‘tis only wishful thinking.” Glancing out the small porthole, he took in the wide expanse of the sea. “I’ve never been on a ship. I dinna know that…” He sighed, then turned and met his friend’s gaze. “I never imagined it to be this wide. How can we find anyone out here? ‘Tis like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Sighing, Finn nodded. “Aye, ‘tis true.” Rising to his feet, he paced the length of the room, his green eyes distant as his thoughts were drawn inward. Garrett did not know what had caught his attention, but he saw the steel that came to his friend’s eyes as he stopped and lifted his gaze, his eyes seeking Garrett’s. “’Tis the way of the world to put obstacles in yer way, to test yer strength, yer resilience, yer determination.” He took a step closer and grabbed Garrett’s shoulder, squeezing it. “It helps ye understand what ye want and how much ye want it.” A knowing smile came to his face. “Do ye love her?”
; “Aye,” Garrett replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“Do ye want her back?”
“Aye.”
“Can ye imagine yer life without her? Even for a moment?”
Garrett’s heart clenched painfully at the thought, and he felt his muscles tense at the pain radiating through his body.
Finn laughed, “If she is yer life, old friend, yer heart and soul and the breath of yer body, then ye will find her. Ye must believe that Fate wouldna keep two people apart who belong together, but she might test ye. Prove yerself, and she will grant ye yer greatest wish.”
Touched by his friend’s words, Garrett nodded, knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that Finn had spoken about his own search for love and the one woman who was his other half. Although he had found her many years ago, he had not known then that they had been meant for each other. Doubt and fear had kept them apart until the yuletide season of the previous year.
Ever since Finn had claimed Emma as his, he had been the happiest of man.
Garrett could only hope that Fate would smile upon him as well.
“Sail ho!”
The shout echoed through the ship like the shock wave of a cannon splashing into the water right beside them. Garrett could feel it in his body, in the way his muscles jerked to a halt, in the way his heart froze, and his breath lodged in his throat.
The look on Finn’s face almost mimicked his as the smile disappeared, replaced by a tense look of apprehension. “Go,” he breathed, his voice faint in the stillness of the cabin.
In the next instant, Garrett bolted for the door, hearing a number of footsteps rushing here and there on deck. He flung himself down the gangway and up the ladder, emerging from the hatch with wide eyes as he scanned the horizon.
“Do ye see anything?” Finn asked behind him as they came to stand on deck, both craning their necks.
“There!” Garrett finally said, spotting a tiny dot on the far horizon, and for a moment, he simply stood and stared.
“Let’s go speak to Duncan,” Finn urged, pulling on his arm.