“We made a promise to each other,” snapped Mardon.
“You can’t go back on it, Tristan. Not over a wench. We’re brothers.” Aaron glared at him.
“That’s true,” he said, feeling awful to leave them in this position. “So, mayhap it’s time that the two of you give up piracy and settle down to raise families as well.”
“Never,” snapped Aaron.
“Are you daft?” Mardon growled. “If you want to spend your life as a pauper, then do it. But I’m going after that treasure. All we have to do is figure out what the rest of the clue said, and we’ll find it before Nereus does.” He got up and started up the stairs to the sterncastle.
“I’m with him.” Aaron shook his head and followed Mardon.
“Tristan, I’m sorry,” said Gavina. “I never meant to put ye in such a position with yer brathairs.”
“They’ll get over it. In time. I hope.” Tristan’s heart broke as he watched his brothers talking to the other pirates. They all shunned him now for his decision. He was giving up much to be with Gavina, but it was all worth it. “I just wonder why our father is playing games with us from the grave.”
“What do ye mean?” asked Gavina. “Because there was no treasure?”
“Aye. Why did he move it and just leave a note?”
“Mayhap yer faither did it as a precaution,” said Nairnie.
“How’s that?” asked Tristan.
“Ye said he didna want ye boys to turn back to piracy.”
“Aye, that’s true.”
“Then mayhap he figured if ye ever found the map, he was goin’ to make it hard for ye and then mayhap ye’d give up the hunt for guid.”
“I doubt it. Our father wasn’t that clever of a man. It’s more likely that he just kept changing his mind where he wanted to hide it.”
“We’re approachin’ Ravenscar, Cap’n,” called out Stitch.
“Good. They’ve got a deep dock, so take us right in.” Tristan stood up, bringing his wife with him.
“He was talking to me, not you, Tristan.” Mardon looked down at him from the sterncastle. Aaron was at his side. Tristan felt as if he were deserting his brothers. It wasn’t a good feeling. He started to question his decision in his mind, and was ready to start pacing again. But when he felt the gentle touch of Gavina’s hand on his arm and saw the love shining in her bright blue eyes, all doubts left him and he knew he’d made the right choice for the first time in his life.
“Aye, you’re not the captain anymore, or have you already forgotten?” Aaron called down to him.
“Nay. I haven’t forgotten,” said Tristan, releasing a deep sigh. Damn, he was really going to miss his brothers.
Chapter 21
The next day, Tristan stood on the dock with his arm around Gavina, watching his ship and his brothers sail away. Gavina carried her little brother, Rab, in her arms, attached to her hip. She was so happy to have found him that she’d yet to let him go.
“We’re glad to have you here,” said Autumn, a pretty woman with bright red hair.
“Aye, and we’re happy you decided to stay in Ravenscar, since we’d miss Rab too much if you took him from us.” Her husband, Benedict Ravenscar, was once known as the Beast of Ravenscar, but only because he took the identity of a truly evil man. Gavina and Tristan hadn’t been there long, but it was enough time for Nairnie to explain things and for the crew to get the supplies they needed to repair the ship. Tristan also told Gavina that he’d paid someone to bury her father and give him a headstone and that they could visit his grave soon.
Benedict had agreed to let them stay in his castle for now. Once Autumn talked to Rowen and the king pardoned Tristan, things might be different. Gavina and Tristan might find a new place to settle down, and even go back to visit Tristan’s sister, Gwen. For now, they had to wait, so Ravenscar was their new home.
“I can’t wait for you to get to know all of our children,” said Autumn. “I think you two will be very happy here.”
“Thank ye for yer kindness,” said Gavina. “And thank ye for takin’ guid care of my wee brathair, Rab. I only wish my faither was still alive to see Rab again.” She hugged her brother and gave him a kiss on the head.
“Gavina, can I go play with the other children now? We’re takin’ the dogs to the garden to play ball.”
“Oh, so ye have a dog? How nice.” Gavina put her brother down.
“We have a few more dogs than just one,” said Autumn.
“Really? How many?”
Rab ran off and joined a group of children. To Tristan’s surprise, about a dozen dogs ran after them. He started laughing.
“This is going to be even more interesting than sailing with Nairnie,” he told his wife.
“Speaking of Nairnie, where is she?” Gavina looked around. “I thought she’d be here to watch the Falcon leave.”
“Mayhap she couldn’t stand pirate life anymore,” said Tristan with a chuckle. As he watched his ship sail away with his crew and brothers, he saw something else that he never expected to see. “Then again, mayhap she likes it more than we know.”
“What do ye mean?” asked Gavina.
“Look.” He pointed to the bow of the ship where the galley used to be. There at the rail was someone waving at them.
“Is that . . . Nairnie on the ship?” asked Gavina.
“It sure is,” he answered. “Nairnie, what are you doing? Get down here at once,” Tristan shouted.
Nairnie held her finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet. Then, she threw them a kiss and her head disappeared from the rail as she ducked down on the ship.
“I’m surprised to see her there,” said Gavina.
“Not as surprised as my brothers are going to be once they find out.” Tristan laughed heartily, pulling Gavina into his arms.
“Thank ye, Husband, for givin’ up piracy to stay with me,” said Gavina with a twinkle in her eyes. “I hope ye can get used to this kind of life, Cap’n.”
“Not captain, not anymore,” he corrected her, taking one last look as his ship sailed away without him. Part of his heart went with them, and he would always miss his brothers, his ship, his crew, and most of all, Nairnie. Piracy had been his life, and it didn’t feel right to break a promise to his brothers. He could only hope that they’d find women to love as well, and realize they no longer needed to be pirates. Tristan had a woman he loved now, and a new life awaiting him, as soon as he got that pardon. New promises for happiness were on the horizon, and that is one ship he couldn’t let sail away without him.
Gavina was his world now, and their love for each other would lead to better choices . . . a better life than piracy could ever give him.
“Tristan, what are ye thinkin’ about?” asked Gavina, snuggling up closer to him. “Are ye going to miss the Falcon and life on the sea, Cap’n?”
He smiled, pulling her closer and kissing her gently on the lips. “Don’t call me Cap’n, anymore,” he told her. “That’s no longer who I am. From this day on, just call me Tristan.”
From the Author
As the story closes, we see Tristan leaving piracy, and his brothers behind. However, life is all about choices and, this time, he’s made the right one. Love is always the answer. Now he’ll have a new life with his wife, Gavina.
If you’re wondering if Tristan ever met up with his sister, Gwen, and her husband, Brody, you’ll have to wait a little longer to find out. While Tristan’s story ends, I hope you will embark on the next journey to find out more about his brothers, the treasure and, of course, the antics of his meddlesome, boisterous, but loving grandmother, Nairnie.
The journey continues in Mardon – Book 2 of the Pirate Lords Series, so be sure to jump on board.
If you’d like to read about Rowen the Restless, you can find him as well as his first mate, Brody, in Restless Sea Lord – Book 1 of my Legendary Bastards of the Crown Series. You’ll also read about his brothers, Rook and Reed. This is one of my favorite series.
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p; Brody ends up with his own story in Pirate in the Mist, Book 1 of my Second in Command Series.
Autumn, the sister of the Legendary Bastards, and her husband, The Beast of Ravenscar, as well as Gavina’s little brother, Rab, are all in Autumn’s Touch – Book 3 of the Seasons of Fortitude Series. Here is where you will also find out more of Nairnie’s backstory. Nairnie is a main character in each of the books of this series.
All of these books are stand-alones and can be read in any order, and without prior knowledge of any of the others. However, if you are someone who likes to read the books in chronological order, I am including a list of these series in order for you.
The books in the Legendary Bastards of the Crown series are:
Destiny’s Kiss – Series Prequel
Restless Sea Lord – Book 1 (Rowen): Reviewer’s Choice, Books and Benches
Ruthless Knight – Book 2 (Rook)
Reckless Highlander – Book 3 (Reed)
This is followed by the Seasons of Fortitude Series:
Highland Spring – Book 1 International Digital Awards Finalist
Summer’s Reign – Book 2 RONE Award Finalist
Autumn’s Touch – Book 3
Winter’s Flame – Book 4
Second in Command Series:
Pirate in the Mist – Book 1 (Brody)
Secrets of the Heart Series:
Highland Secrets – Book 1 (Fia – Reed’s daughter): RONE Award Finalist, Raven Awards Runner Up, Wishing Shelf Award Finalist
Seductive Secrets – Book 2 (Willow – Rook’s daughter): RONE Award Finalist
Rebellious Secrets – Book 3 (Maira – Rowen’s daughter)
Forgotten Secrets – Book 4 (Morag – Reed’s daughter): RONE Award Finalist
Thank you, and please feel free to leave a review for Tristan on Amazon if you get the chance.
Elizabeth
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Rose is a multi-published, bestselling author, writing medieval, historical, contemporary, paranormal, and western romance. Her books are available as Ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks as well.
Her favorite characters in her works include dark, dangerous and tortured heroes, and feisty, independent heroines who know how to wield a sword. She loves writing 14th century medieval novels, and is well-known for her many series.
Her twelve-book small town contemporary series, Tarnished Saints, was inspired by incidents in her own life.
After being traditionally published, she started self-publishing, creating her own covers and book trailers on a dare from her two sons.
Elizabeth loves the outdoors. In the summertime, you can find her in her secret garden with her laptop, swinging in her hammock working on her next book. Elizabeth is a born storyteller and passionate about sharing her works with her readers.
Please be sure to visit her website at Elizabethrosenovels.com to read excerpts from any of her novels and get sneak peeks at covers of upcoming books. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads or BookBub. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss out on new releases or upcoming events.
Click to join Elizabeth Rose’s Readers’ Group.
Also by Elizabeth Rose
Medieval Series:
Legendary Bastards of the Crown Series
Seasons of Fortitude Series
Secrets of the Heart Series
Legacy of the Blade Series
Daughters of the Dagger Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Barons of the Cinque Ports Series
Second in Command Series
Holiday Knights Series
Highland Chronicles Series
Pirate Lords Series
Medieval/Paranormal Series:
Elemental Magick Series
Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Tangled Tales Series
Contemporary Series:
Tarnished Saints Series
Working Man Series
Western Series:
Cowboys of the Old West Series
And More!
Please visit http://elizabethrosenovels.com
Excerpt from Restless Sea Lord
Restless Sea Lord
(Legendary Bastards of the Crown Series - Book 1)
“I’m on my way.” Rowen walked around the corner of the building and when he did, he thought he saw movement in the shadows. Someone had been eavesdropping on their conversation and was hiding behind the rain barrel.
He ripped his sword from his side, reaching around the barrel with his free hand, and yanked the eavesdropper out into the open. He planned on slitting the man’s throat but stopped when he felt the small size of his arms. The sneak’s hood fell back revealing his face. Rowen swore under his breath when he realized it wasn’t a man at all but rather the witch lady from inside the tavern.
“Damn you!” he spat. “How long have you been hiding there?” He’d been so distracted by thoughts of his sister that he hadn’t even noticed the wench had followed him. This wasn’t good. If she’d heard their entire conversation, she could ruin everything.
“Let me go, Rowen the Restless,” she said, struggling in his grip.
“You know who I am?”
“I didn’t need to hear you and your brothers to figure it out. I saw your birds.”
Damn. Rowen knew those birds were going to give them trouble someday. His brothers had been way too careless. “You know too much,” he growled.
“Lady Cordelia, are you back here?” Her guard came around the corner. Just when Rowen was sure she was going to shout out, he did the only thing he could to shut her up. He pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his and kissed her hard.
“Lady Cordelia?” asked the guard, stopping in his tracks. “Are you all right?”
Rowen heard the sound of shouting and the war cries of his brothers and their armies, realizing the fools must have thought his kissing the wench was the signal to attack. Well, now that the plan was in action, he had no choice but to join them in their ploy.
Spinning on his heel, he hit the guard in the head with the hilt of his sword, sending the man sprawling on the ground.
“Nay!” Cordelia cried out. Rowen pulled her out of the way as a dagger whizzed past her ear and embedded itself into the rain barrel. Water spouted out, hitting the guard in the face. The man’s eyes opened and he sputtered, hurrying to get to his knees.
“God’s eyes, I don’t have time to protect you now,” Rowen said, kicking the sword out of the guard’s hand and then turning around to meet one of the king’s soldiers head on. Swiping his sword forward, he sank it into the soldier’s chest before the man could do the same to him. Cordelia screamed at seeing all the blood. She was going to ruin everything! “Keep your mouth shut unless you want to lose your head,” he warned, this time blocking her with his body as his brother, Reed, tossed a guard through the air. The man landed at their feet, and Cordelia peeked out from behind him and screamed again.
“Sorry about that,” called out Reed. “I didna see the lassie there.”
“You’ve got a girl?” shouted Rook, taking down two guards with ease. “This isn’t the time for that, you fool. Do something with her.”
“Just do your job and get the guards away from the cart and let me worry about the wench,” he spat, seeing a soldier running toward him with his sword drawn. Dressed the way she was, looking like an old hag, no one was going to think a noblewoman was right in the midst of the battle. And they wouldn’t care if a peasant was killed in the fight.
Brody climbed into the driver’s seat of the cart and waved his arm through the air to get Rowen’s attention, while his brothers kept the rest of the soldiers at bay. They had to leave now if they were to have any chance at all of getting the goods to the ship and away from the coast without being caught.
“Go,” he shouted, signaling Brody who slapped the reins and started the horses moving forward. The battle was still in full swing and he couldn’t just leave the
wench there unprotected. Besides, she’d heard too much. With one word from her, their operation could be blown apart. He had no choice but to take her with him.
“Let me go,” she cried out as he pulled her by the arm toward the approaching cart. When Brody passed by with the goods, Rowen tossed her into the back of the wagon. Managing to fight off another soldier, he then jumped up into the cart with her. They sped away toward the Sea Mirage, with Rowen wondering how he was going to explain this one to his brothers and his crew.
Restless Sea Lord
Excerpt from Autumn’s Touch
Autumn’s Touch
(Seasons of Fortitude Series - Book 3)
“Lord Ravenscar will see you now,” he announced as if she’d requested an audience with the beast. The guard slapped his hand against her back, propelling her forward into the room. Then Nelek stepped back out into the corridor and shut the door, leaving her alone in the dark lair of the Beast of Ravenscar.
She stood there silently, listening to the loud drumming of her heart reverberating in her ears. It took her eyes a moment to get accustomed to the nearly pitch black room. The only light came from the glowing embers of the fire at the hearth. Or were those the glowing eyes of the beast?
“Who are you?” came a deep growl from somewhere in the dark. “Come closer to the hearth so I can see your face.”
“I – I’m Lady Autumn of Mablethorpe,” she told him. Her body shivered from the cold, wet cloak clinging to her skin, but she was reluctant to remove it. After all, she was standing in a darkened room with one of the most infamous men in all of England. She remembered Lester telling her that Ravenscar liked to take young virgins to his bed. Nay, she would not make it easier for him to take advantage of her by discarding her outer garment no matter how wet and cold it felt against her body.
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