And Sally did believe in such things.
Her breath hitched again. Who was she to turn away such a blessing?
“My family, though, Sebastian—”
“I would never keep you from them,” he said in a rush. “I wish to be a part of your family as much as I hope you are a part of mine.”
“Yes, but they need me—”
“Oh stuff and nonsense!” Rebecca’s voice came down to them and Sally and Sebastian turned, lifting their heads to see Rebecca, Hattie, and even her father watching with unbridled amusement.
“Can’t a young lady have any privacy?” she muttered.
“I agree with Rebecca, for what it’s worth,” her father said. “I’ve told Minerva and I said it again to Abigail—I’ve raised you girls to be independent for a reason. The highest blessing for a parent is for his children to form lives of their own. Families of their own.”
“I think Father just gave you his blessing,” Rebecca said with a wink to Sebastian.
Sebastian straightened his shoulders. “Captain, I was hoping to have a word with you if you have a moment.”
“I should think so,” her father grumbled. But his grumbling was tempered by a smile as he stuck his pipe in his mouth and turned to head back inside. No doubt already on his way to his study.
“Do you mean—” she started, turning back to Sebastian.
“Take this leap with me, Sally,” he pleaded. “I know we both have issues to sort through and families who need our help. But I want you at my side, and I want nothing more than to be by yours. I want to face your troubles with you. I want to experience your joys at your side.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want to experience all life has to offer with you. Will you do that with me, Sally? Will you trust me with your happiness?”
She nodded, tears spilling once more but this time it was the only outlet for this crushing happiness. Her heart felt as though it might burst from her chest as he kissed her hard, sealing the moment as though this right here, right now was their sacred vow.
“I love you, Sally,” he whispered when he pulled back, ignoring her sisters’ laughter and cheers up above.
“I love you too, Sebastian.”
“I cannot wait to make you my wife.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Stay right there. I’m going to go make it official with your father and then I expect to give you a run for your money out there.” He pointed to the place where she’d accidentally tackled him.
“Reliving that first run-in?” she asked with a laugh.
“Just so,” he said, already moving toward the door. “But this time when I catch you—” He glanced back with an impish grin. “I don’t plan on ever letting go.”
Epilogue
One year later…
* * *
Sebastian slipped his fingers through Sally’s to keep her from fidgeting once more with the letter she’d just re-folded for the tenth time. With a sigh she returned it to the pocket hidden in the folds of her gown.
“Sally, my love, you have nothing to be nervous about,” he said.
“I’m not nervous.” But her protest was a bit too quick, and she cast him a quick smile. “Oh, all right, I’m a little nervous.” She patted the letter now safely tucked in her pocket. “I wish Minerva could be here in person for this meeting.”
He squeezed her hand, tugging her toward him to kiss her temple. His darling Sally, so strong and so clever. It was a rare sight, indeed, to see her so anxious. “I’m sure she wishes she could be here as well.”
“It’s just as well she did not try to travel back for this. A sea voyage can be an ordeal during the best of circumstances but with a baby on the way, I’m glad she’s home safe and sound, and with Marcus looking after her,” she said.
He grinned down at his wife, who shared his silly smile. They hadn’t told the others yet. It was still too soon to be certain. But when talk turned to Minerva’s burgeoning family, it was getting harder and harder for him and Sally to hide their own delightful surprise.
Soon enough they’d be able to share the news, and as a family they would celebrate. But today’s family gathering was for another reason entirely.
Laughter from the far corner of the drawing room had them both looking over to see his father and Rebecca playing chess. Or bickering over chess, as was usually the case. The two had been thick as thieves for ages now, and once the earl had taught her to play chess, they’d discovered their favorite pastime together.
“At least Rebecca isn’t anxious about this meeting,” Sally said. “Unlike Father.” They both turned to look at the captain, who was paler than normal and his features set in a grim expression.
“Perhaps I ought to talk to him,” Sally said.
Sebastian released her hand so he could slip an arm about her waist. “Abigail seems to be calming him,” he said. “He’s in good hands.”
And indeed, Sally’s elder sister seemed to be in her element as she talked quietly with their father, putting him at ease and comforting him just like she did with her little army of students and, more recently, her twin baby boys.
Caleb had gone to put the twins down for a nap as they waited for their guest of honor, but he walked back into the room now. The former pirate thoroughly filled the space, making the large room appear small.
A man of his size tended to do that to a room.
“She’ll be here any minute,” Sally said.
Sebastian could hear the tension in her voice though she’d done an adequate job of sounding like her normal calm, practical self. He squeezed her waist again, a silent show of support. “Shall I fetch Hattie?” he asked.
Caleb gave a short grunt. “I’ll get her.”
He headed toward the library. No one needed to be told where Hattie could be found in the earl’s house. She could almost always be found in the library, which the earl had told her was hers to use whenever she pleased.
Sally glanced up at him. “I still cannot believe your father offered to host this gathering.”
Sebastian laughed. “He’s come a long way this past year,” he said. And that was an understatement. If anyone had told Sebastian one year ago that his father would be welcoming a known criminal into his home, Sebastian wouldn’t have believed it.
But that would have been before Sally came along. Before she and her family had brought love back into this household. Now, Sebastian’s father wasn’t lonely and he wasn’t scared, and his life was filled with laughter and love. All thanks to Sally, though she’d never take the credit.
It had been nearly a year since Sally and her sisters had told the earl the truth, bringing him and Sebastian’s brother into their confidence as this family continued to grow and their circle of trust along with it.
They heard Hattie’s voice in the hallway as she laughed over something Caleb said.
The sound made Sally smile, and the sight warmed Sebastian all the way through. Truth was, he was anxious on Sally’s behalf. This past year had seen an array of changes for the Jones girls, and he hoped for her sake—for their sake—that today’s meeting would mark a turning point. He hoped for everyone’s sake that this conversation would help the sisters and their father to heal and to move forward, knowing that despite mistakes and betrayals and, yes, even piracy—all that was done was done in the name of love.
Did the ends justify the means? That was a debate Sally and her sisters had been having for a year now, even with Minerva in her letters, and they still hadn’t settled on an answer.
But they had decided unanimously—after several more run-ins and surprises and unexpected gifts—that while they might not be able to forgive their mother for her crimes, they did want the chance to know this woman who showed her love in such…unusual ways.
“It’s a good thing this girl has a dowry fit for a queen,” Caleb grumbled as he walked in with Hattie. “She’ll never make a match if she’s always hiding in a library.”
Sally and Hattie laughed at his teasing, but Sebastian thought
that perhaps he did have a point. Hattie was still extraordinarily shy around anyone who was not family, which could make courting difficult.
But as their mother had left a veritable fortune with Minerva in the form of a treasure chest, Hattie had a fortune in her own right and was in no rush to marry. Minerva and the other girls had divvied up the coins, giving each of the sisters enough money to be set for life, while still leaving a good deal stashed away.
Minerva had hidden the treasure in a cave along the coast where she now lived. Fate and fortune for future generations, she’d said.
Even their father and the earl had approved, grudgingly, of the gift their mother had given. After all, they had no way of returning the stolen goods, since they knew not where it had come from, and reporting it would only lead to unwanted questions and attention.
So Hattie, like all her sisters, was well cared for in their mother’s very strange way.
The sound of the front door being opened had Sally tensing and she shared a look with each of her sisters before they all turned to face the door.
“Hello, girls.” Their mother was striking—just like Sally, Sebastian thought. It was the way she held herself as she stood there, awaiting permission, it seemed.
Their father had sprung to his feet and his eyes were bright with emotion as he took in the sight of her. The sisters had all seen her at some point or another of the past year, but this was the older man’s first time beholding his wife in nearly a decade, and Sebastian knew he wasn’t the only one who turned away to give them a moment to regard one another.
Something seemed to pass between them, unspoken in the silence that filled the drawing room.
The captain cleared his throat and Sebastian tightened his grip on his wife, who needed his strength, for once, rather than the other way around. “Come in, come in,” the captain finally said in a voice hoarse with emotion. “Our girls have much to discuss with you, so you might as well get comfortable.”
Our girls. Sebastian looked around to see Sally, Abigail, Rebecca, and Hattie exchanging a teary-eyed look even as they smiled.
Sebastian’s father stepped forward, clapping his hands and taking the lead. “Yes, yes, have a seat. I’ll have the tea brought in.”
Sally smiled up at him. “I can hardly believe we’re all here in one room.” She patted the letter, which Sebastian knew was filled with Minerva’s sentiments and questions. “Even if some are only here in spirit.”
“Come, my love.” Sebastian led the way as the captain and Sally’s sisters found places to sit, with their mother in the center. “Let us talk.”
She nodded. “Talking is a good start.”
He leaned over to kiss her temple once more. His strong, striking wife. She knew as well as he that this moment was a start. And hopefully for everyone in this room…it was only the beginning.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed it, reviews are greatly appreciated.
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Be sure to check out Maggie Dallen’s next co-written series, A Maypole in Mayfair, in which four wallflowers find their wishes coming true in the most unexpected ways…
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About the Author
MAGGIE DALLEN IS a big city girl living in Montana. She writes romantic comedies in a range of genres including young adult, historical, contemporary, and fantasy. An unapologetic addict of all things romance, she loves to connect with fellow avid readers. Subscribe to her historical newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dgUNif or her contemporary newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bFEVsL
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Miss Sally's Unsuitable Soldier Page 13