by Jody Hedlund
“I have no doubt God will bring the right woman into your life, a woman who will see the wonderful, godly man you’ve become and love you exactly the way you are.” She thought of the woman who’d come ashore earlier, the surgeon’s daughter. “In fact, maybe you’ve met her already.”
He smiled sadly. “Whatever happens, you’ll always have a special place in my heart, Angelique.” He kissed her hand again. After giving a nod upward toward Pierre, Jean squared his shoulders and limped away.
She watched him go, fighting the urge to run after him. But the proud way he held his head told her that to chase after him would only wound him further. She needed to let him go with a measure of his pride still intact.
She watched him silently until he disappeared, and afterward she turned and stared up at the cedar tree. She wanted to wait for Pierre to climb down to her, but something told her that this time she needed to be the one to go to him.
With a shaky breath she bunched her skirt into one hand and ducked under the canopy of branches. She placed her bare foot on the lowest branch, the bark scratchy against her tender sole. Then she looked up.
Pierre was leaning back against the trunk and peering down at her. “It’s about time.”
Heat flamed into her cheeks. “You knew I was listening?”
He grinned. “In that gown I think I’d be able to notice you even if you were a mile away.”
Gingerly she started to climb, her feet not yet having developed the calluses that would come after a summer of going barefoot. “I suppose that’s why you noticed me when you were talking with Red Fox and Yellow Beaver by the barn?”
He reached out a hand to help her up the last several steps the branches provided. “I didn’t dare look at you,” he said as she lowered herself on the branch next to him. “If I’d allowed myself even one glance, I would have marched over to you, slung you over my shoulder, and carried you to St. Anne’s to marry you myself.”
“And I don’t think I would have resisted.”
“Of course you wouldn’t have.” His tone was warm and playful. “Since when have you been able to resist me? I’m irresistible, you know.”
“I can resist you if I want to,” she teased, pivoting so that she faced him.
“I’d like to see that.” His dark eyes sparkled and matched his smile. The shadows from the branches above only made his face more handsome.
“Very well.” She lifted her fingers to his lips and traced the edges, skimming the fullness of his mouth.
His smile faded, and the spark in his eyes changed to a flash of desire.
She let her fingers make a trail to his smooth chin, then to his neck, giving herself the liberty to taunt him.
He leaned toward her, determination etching his features.
Her middle fluttered in anticipation of his kiss. But when he lowered his head near hers, she placed her hands on his cheeks to slow his descent. She forced his head back and instead rose so that she was leaning into him, so that her lips were near his but not quite touching.
She grazed lightly against his mouth, taking a soft nibble of his lower lip.
He gave a low moan.
She leaned in closer, but then pulled back so only her breath touched him. His mouth chased hers, but she quickly turned and all he found was her cheek.
“You’re teasing me.” His whisper against her ear sent a shiver through her.
“I’m resisting you.”
He pressed a kiss against her ear, the heat of his breath making her tremble. “I admit,” he whispered, “you’re the irresistible one. I can’t stop myself from wanting to kiss you every time I see you.”
She smiled. “Every time?”
“I’ve had to use way too much restraint around you,” he said quietly, “more than humanly possible for any one man. I’m thinking it’s about time to cut the chains holding me back. But first you have to answer Jean’s question.”
“What question?”
“You will marry me, won’t you, Angelique?”
At the worry that flickered in his eyes, she caressed his cheek. “Jean was right. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved. And no matter where you go or what you do, I want to be by your side for the rest of my life.”
“You know I can’t stay on the island. I have to leave this afternoon. I can’t take any chances that the British might see me alive.”
“I don’t have much to pack. I can be ready whenever you are.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I’m going with you, Pierre, as your wife. I want to be with you the rest of my days, whether that’s in a canoe in the wilderness or sitting up in this tree on our island.”
He studied her face as if testing her words. “I guess it’s settled then, because I won’t go anywhere either unless you’re there with me.”
Joy bubbled deep inside her. “And if I climb down this tree and go to St. Anne’s for a wedding at noon?”
“I’ll be right by your side.” He smiled. “In fact, I’ll race you there.”
She smiled back. “What are we waiting for?”
“For this.” He leaned in to her, his breath warm and eager. And when his lips met hers, she knew she was right where she belonged, that no matter where they went she was where she wanted to be for the rest of her life.
Author’s Note
Michilimackinac Island is known to most of the world as Mackinac Island, a popular tourist and vacation destination in northern Michigan. But long ago, before the island became famous for its horse-drawn carriages, fudge, and Grand Hotel, the island was important for its strategic location in the fur-trading business.
Fur trading in the early 1800s dominated the Northwest. Great Britain, France, and the new country of the United States of America all had holdings in the Great Lakes region. Michilimackinac was in a pivotal location and of great importance to the fur industry.
In their efforts to gain the upper hand in the profitable trade in beaver, fox, mink, otter, and other pelts, the nations fought for control over the tiny Mackinac Island and even built an army fort on the bluffs of the island for its protection.
By the time of the War of 1812, the Americans had been in control of the island for close to fifteen years. So it was with great disappointment and fear that the American captain in charge of Fort Michilimackinac lost the island at the beginning of the war after the British invaded and pointed their cannons at the fort.
As portrayed in Captured by Love, the American men who refused to sign the Oath of Allegiance to the invading British Army had to leave Mackinac. Those who remained had to swear allegiance to King George.
The British had a decided advantage over the Americans during the war because they had cultivated friendships with the area’s Indian tribes. The British plied the Indians with presents in order to win their loyalty. And so with the help of their Indian allies, the British regained control of the upper Great Lakes for the duration of the war.
Most of the events surrounding the War of 1812 on Mackinac Island happened the way I’ve portrayed them in Captured by Love. The British Army and the islanders faced starvation from blockades on several occasions. The Americans really did attempt to reclaim the island by invasion at one point and bungled the entire effort. I tried to retell the battle the way it occurred, along with an odd diversion in which the British left the battlefield supposing an attack was happening elsewhere on the island. When the war ended in December 1814, the people on the island didn’t receive the news until spring, when the first ships began to arrive.
While the main characters of this novel are fictional, I used the names of real war heroes, captains, and colonels, as well as the names of places that exist on the island today. The fort still sits today on the bluffs of the island, with the stone officers’ quarters, soldiers’ barracks, and storehouse. In fact, you can even peer down into the infamous Black Hole.
The voyaging and fur-trading era played an important role on Mackinac Island for many years. The term voyageur
is associated with the men who paddled the canoes, the freight haulers of the fur trade. The canoes would leave from eastern ports loaded with trade goods, food, and other supplies. The hardy voyageurs would paddle the canoes out into the wilderness, where they would trade the goods to the Indians for the profitable pelts that were in high demand, especially back in England.
After the War of 1812, Jacob Astor took control of the Great Lakes fur trading with his post on Mackinac Island, and free traders like Pierre struggled to survive against the growing businesses of fur magnets like Astor’s American Fur Trading Company. Astor made his millions in the fur trade, though by the early 1820s the region had been harvested of most of the pelts, while the demand for beaver was on a steady decline. It wasn’t long before he pulled his company out of the area.
After the fur-trading era, it’s a wonder that life on Mackinac Island continued. Yet despite the harsh winters and isolation, the determined islanders continued to persist, turning instead to fishing for their survival. And then as steamboats came into use, the island became a tourist destination for the millionaires of the Midwest due to the scenery, interesting geology, and pleasant summer climate. It continues to be a favorite tourist destination to this day.
It’s my hope that through Captured by Love, you will come to appreciate the history behind this popular island. But more than that, I pray you will seek your refuge in the Solid Rock, the One who is there for us no matter where we go or what we experience. He is the constant presence and help amidst the shifting sands of our lives. May you look to Him to see you through your most difficult days.
Acknowledgments
Numerous talented people had input into the making of this book. First, I must thank my dedicated and fabulous editors at Bethany House. I’m forever grateful for your help, encouragement, and challenges that continually push me to become a better writer.
Thank you to all the Bethany House staff who read, edit, and put hours into designing my books and covers. I’m so thankful for your dedication time and time again.
I also appreciate the marketing and sales staff, who do a remarkable job of promoting my books both in stores and online. Thank you for your innovativeness and hard work.
A special thanks to my mom for listening and brainstorming with me during the initial stages of this book’s development. Thanks for coming with me on my research trip to Mackinac Island and putting up with all my note-taking during our sight-seeing. I appreciate your letting me talk on and on about the characters and their histories as if they were real people. And thank you too for reading the manuscript in first-draft format and giving me your excellent feedback.
I’d like to thank my friend Karen Lehman and her children for educating me on the art of raising chickens in Michigan, which I learned isn’t as easy as it appears! Thanks for letting me experience the chickens up close and personal, including the dust, dirt, and all. The information was invaluable to a city girl like me whose idea of raising chickens has been limited to “raising” eggs off the shelf and putting them into a grocery cart.
A huge thank-you to my fellow Bethany House historical author, Regina Jennings, for critiquing Captured by Love. It’s truly a labor of love to provide feedback on a full-length novel. I appreciate each and every suggestion you made that pushed me to make this story better.
I want to thank my many writing friends for always being an encouragement to me. Thank you for cheering me on, standing by my side, and always being there to listen.
Finally, I thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to read this book. One of the best things about being an author is knowing that readers are enjoying my stories. I love hearing from you! So always feel free to visit my website, jodyhedlund.com, and drop me a line at [email protected].
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the bestselling Rebellious Heart, A Noble Groom, and The Preacher’s Bride. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband and five busy children. Learn more at jodyhedlund.com.
Books by Jody Hedlund
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The Preacher’s Bride
The Doctor’s Lady
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Rebellious Heart
Captured by Love
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