A brilliant smile lit Arianne’s face and more tears glistened in her eyes. “I would like that. Very much. Marcus. Marcus.” She repeated his name. “It will take some time to think of you as Marcus Thornton.”
Marco returned her smile, his heart swelling in his chest when his daughter turned and smiled at him, too, as if she understood what her father was willing to do for her.
“Would it become easier for you if your name changed as well? How does Mrs. Thornton sound to your ears?”
“You would…”
He nodded. “It’s something I had planned before my capture. The gown I had commissioned was to be my wedding gift to you. I want you to marry me, Arianne. I want you with me always.”
“Oh, Marco… I always thought the sea was your mistress. That you’d never tie yourself to one woman.”
“It’s only been you, Arianne. Since I met you. Only you.”
“Marco… I mean Marcus. Arianne Thornton sounds like a beautiful name.” The immense amount of pleasure beaming from her smile gave Marco a clue to her feelings. She would marry him. They would become a family.
“I have gold,” Marco said. “An immense amount of gold.” He pulled the ring out of his pocket. “And an inheritance that needs claiming. We can go to England. I can show you the delights of London. You’ve never been to an opera, have you? Living your life with your father among the islands, you’ve never experienced life in a place such as London. But, truly, that is only one place. We can live anywhere you choose.”
“Actually, I was born in Virginia,” Arianne said. “I’ve always wanted to return there. But what about you? Isn’t your home aboard the Rose? Won’t you miss being at sea?”
“These last years in prison have taught me one thing. My home is with you. Wherever you are, I will be, and the King of England himself can do nothing to tear us apart.”
“I love you, Marco.”
He smiled. “I know, my love.”
Arianne moved into his welcoming embrace and brought his child to him. He held them both, the most precious of a pirate’s treasure, clasping them tightly in his embrace. And planned to never let them go.
A word about the author…
Tricia Schneider is a historical and paranormal romance author. Before the supernatural took possession of her pen, she worked for several years in a bookstore as assistant manager and bookseller. Now she writes full-time while raising her four young children. She lives with her musician husband and three rescued cats in the coal country of Pennsylvania.
www.triciaschneider.com
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The Pirate's Lady Page 6