Slowly, Caspian stood and walked towards her, a grin on his strikingly handsome face. She closed the distance between them, leaning her face against the strength of his chest.
He kissed the top of her head and leaned down to peer into her face. "Are you sleepy, love?"
She nodded, snuggling against his warmth. They had been up early, awakened by a fierce storm. Caspian had told her it was the edge of a hurricane they had narrowly avoided.
Reed clambered up to them, resting his little head against Eden's hip. "Mama? Papa? Can I sleep in here with you tonight?"
Caspian sighed and looked down at Eden. She shrugged, smiling at her husband. Ever since Caspian had remodeled the innards of his ship so Reed had a separate room and the couple could sleep alone, Reed had been none too happy.
“Yes, Reed. Just tonight, though. You need to start sleeping in your new cabin. You are six years old now.” Caspian ruffled the young boy’s hair, while Eden kissed his cheek.
She leaned towards her husband, whispering in his ear, “Remember, darling, he has hardly spent a night in his life outside of this cabin. He just needs some time.”
He groaned as Reed scurried off to sit on the bed. “Aye, but some nights alone with my new bride would be pleasant, as well.”
Eden felt her face heat at his words and she leaned her forehead against his shoulder, breathing in his scent of wood and spice. She slowly rotated from her husband. “Did you wash your face, Reed? I asked you to do that every night before bed.”
The sweet child sent her an impish smile before running to the water basin that sat on his father’s desk.
Caspian chuckled. “I must say, woman, you bring much civility to this ship of ours.” He offered her a wink and moved to sit in one of the two leather chairs in the far end of the cabin to pull off his tall boots.
Eden giggled and gazed out the glass porthole behind Caspian. She stared at the night sky, allowing her mind to wander as she watched the still darkness. What other ships were out there, she wondered. What other people, what other lives, were going on while she rested in this cabin, contented with her little family?
Caspian leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “Is something wrong, love?” he whispered, glancing over his shoulder at Reed, who knelt beside the bed, his blond head bowed in prayer.
“Oh, nothing, Caspian…I just…I’m worried about my brother, I suppose. Do you think he is alive?” Eden rose and moved to crouch in front of her husband. “I was just thinking, he could be out there somewhere, sailing on the very same sea we are in, and I could never know the difference.”
****
Caspian gazed into his wife’s eyes, entranced by how they stared back at him so sweetly.
He hated seeing the dear woman upset. With a gentle grip on her arm, he pulled her to stand before moving her onto his lap. She sighed and leaned back against his chest.
“Then I will begin searching for him, love.” He kissed her neck, inhaling her sweet scent of coconut and vanilla. “I say we make port at every city and ask around about his whereabouts until we locate him.”
“Oh, Caspian…thank you so much!” She threw arms around his neck.
“Aye, my sweet. It’s a joy to make you happy. Now, it’s time we get some rest.” After a slow kiss cut short by Reed’s giggling, Caspian released his wife and allowed her to move behind a screen to change into her nightgown.
Reed moved over to Caspian, tugging on the end of his father’s shirt that had come untucked. “Father, why was Mama upset?” The little boy’s bottom lip quivered.
Caspian leaned down, crouching so he was at eye level with his concerned son. “She is worried about her brother—we don’t know where he is. We will find him, though.”
Eden emerged from behind the screen, her coffee-colored curls now tumbling over her shoulders in waves against the creamy white of her lacy nightgown.
Caspian felt his body warm at the sight of his wife, who slowly walked over to him, hips swaying with each step. She offered him a wavering smile, and reached up to place her hand on his cheek. He moved to put his arms around her waist, but not before he noticed the slight frown marring her pretty features.
He had seen that frown too many times for his liking.
Caspian let out a long breath, sitting down on the bed and pulling her down with him. “Darling, we will find him. Do not worry.”
“If he’s still alive…”
Caspian cut off her fears with his lips. Reed climbed onto the bed and Eden’s lap, snuggling against her. Caspian pulled away from his wife.
“Let’s not worry about it any longer, sweetheart. We will begin searching first thing in the morning.”
Eden nodded and laid her head back against his chest.
Chapter Three
Ivy shifted away from her friends. Her boot stuck in the muddy street, forcing her to lurch her foot upward to free it. With an elegant swish of her skirts, Aimee crossed over, avoiding the mud, and placed her hand on Ivy’s arm.
Captain Thompson took a step towards them.
Ivy cast a pleading look at Aimee. “Please,” she whispered. She needed more than anything to return home as quickly as possible. Obviously, Aimee was not happy with being left alone with Captain Emery, but the girl would live. The man was not a monster by any means. He had gone out of his way to save their best friend, Eden. In fact, he was studying to become a minister. But for some reason he and Aimee had never gotten along well.
Aimee sighed, and Ivy recognized that she was softening.
Ivy turned to the pirate captain. “Sir, I beg you to consider my proposal.” She paused and patted her hair. “I don’t have the benefit of a lot of money, but I will give you what I have for your services, and I can gather more once we arrive in London.”
He bowed. “Thank you, milady, but I have no need for your money. I do not sail a passenger ship.”
Ivy’s heart tumbled to the ground, and she was unable to control the tears that flooded her eyes. “I—”
“However, I would be honored to escort you to England as my guest.”
Ivy blinked, unsure if she had heard correctly. “Truly, sir?” She held her breath.
“Aye, miss, I would not lie about such a thing. Please, your presence would be no burden to me.”
“Oh, thank you!” A warm wave of relief swept over Ivy. She would be home with William in no time at all, and all would be well. Besides, her family was short on funds right now and she had dreaded how much money he would demand for the voyage.
“Lady Shaw. Lady Dawson.” Captain Emery’s voice drifted from behind them.
Ivy spun around to see the man approaching from the docks. He waved, jogging to close the distance between them.
Aimee snorted in a rather unladylike manner and twisted in the other direction, a glare marring her pretty features. Ivy frowned. Her friend really needed to learn to be more civil to this poor man.
“Ah, Captain Emery!” Ivy began. “I have some happy news. Captain Thompson here has agreed to sail me back home in all haste.”
“After a stop in the Carolinas,” Captain Thompson interjected.
Ivy continued, pausing only slightly as Captain Thompson spoke, “We shall set sail tomorrow.”
Concern darkened Captain Emery’s eyes. “Are you certain you want to do this, Lady Shaw? I…I don’t know this man, or his reputation…it is highly unsafe.” He eyed the pirate captain.
Ivy paused. She had expected much more of a protest from Captain Emery, but the man didn’t look like he would try to stop her.
Thank you, God.
“Yes, Captain Emery. I need to get home to William, and if this man can help me get there sooner, I need to sail with him. If he was Eden’s friend, I can trust him. I am certain.”
Captain Thompson shifted his stance, and Ivy realized he was staring at her again with his chocolate brown eyes. Surely he was made uncomfortable by her and Emery’s discussion.
�
�Very well, then. May God be with you.” Captain Emery nodded to her.
Aimee released a groan of frustration.
Captain Thompson grinned fetchingly and bowed to Ivy. “I will leave you a few hours to bid farewell to your friends here, milady, while I attend to some business in town. Later this evening, I can meet you at the docks.”
“Sir.” Captain Thompson nodded to Captain Emery. “Miss.” He bowed to Aimee, and within seconds, he strode out of sight.
****
As Gage sipped his rum, he took in the setting of the tavern around him. Men lounged at the many rickety tables, slurping their rum and entertaining the wenches on their laps. He pitied the women and wondered what bitter turns in life had caused them to practice such a vile profession. Shouts and curses permeated the air, along with the occasional gunshot and the ever-present clinking of swords. Young men and women bustled from table to table, refilling mugs with rum in exchange for coins.
Gage rubbed his hand against his face, scraping against the stubble he had forgotten to shave. He had been too concerned—first, with preparing his ship for the lady he had somehow invited on board, and later with assembling a substantial crew in Port Royal for their voyage. So far he had gathered twenty men, most of them rather unruly, and many young and inexperienced in sailing. But they were the best he could find under the circumstances, and he would take what he could get.
Blast, what was wrong with him? First, he stuttered like a fool in front of Lady Shaw as if he had never seen a woman before, and then he welcomed her aboard his ship to sail to England. Why, he had no business in England at all, and he had even less business consorting with a beautiful lady like her!
But her eyes had been so filled with anxiety, like her life depended on returning to England immediately. How could he let her be so upset without doing something to help her?
He did not even know her. For some reason, Gage had always felt like he had to protect every woman within his sight.
Gage sighed and glanced up as a tall man stopped in front of him. He boasted fine attire for a sailor, and stood straight with confidence.
The man cleared his throat, and Gage , realized the man had addressed him. “How may I aid you, sir? Are you looking to enlist in my crew today?”
The man scratched his chin. Only then did Gage notice the distinct scars marring the right side of his face.
Gage struggled to control a wince. He had seen many men in this profession with physical deformities, caused either from an accident in battle, or previously acquired, causing the men to be shunned by society and forcing them into a pirate’s life. What cruel misfortune had caused this man’s deformation?
“Aye, milord.” He bowed, and Gage detected a refined tone in the pirate’s voice. “Adam Douglas, at your service.”
Gage nodded. He forced himself to move his gaze from the man’s scars because he did not want to make him uncomfortable. “I am Captain Gage Thompson. What experience do you have in sailing, sir?”
Mr. Douglas raised a dark blond eyebrow. “I have been sailing for almost ten years now, and I have previously worked as both quartermaster and first mate aboard my fair share of merchant, privateer, and pirate ships.”
Gage grinned. If he got the rag-tag group of men he had just recruited to agree, a fine first mate stood before him. The man actually had more years of sailing behind him for one so young than Gage himself, who had begun sailing quite young with his adopted brother and closest friend, Caspian. Gage didn’t estimate this man to be more than two or so years older than himself.
“Why do you no longer sail under your previous captain, may I ask, Mr. Douglas?”
“I grew tired of his cruelty and didn’t have it in me to lead a mutiny, so I left the first chance I found. I heard you were previously Captain Archer’s first mate, and the rumor is he’s a fair captain, so I was hoping his tactics had rubbed off on you, perhaps.” The man lifted his eyebrows.
“Well, sir, I can only hope to be as good of a captain as Archer, but I assure you I will try. If you sign my articles, you have a place on my ship, Mr. Douglas.”
****
Guilt stabbed Ivy’s heart when Aimee’s misty green eyes met hers, filled with tears. They were back at the docks, near Captain Emery’s ship, waiting for the time when Captain Thompson would be ready for her. Now Captain Emery remained a few yards back from them to make sure they were safe among the riff-raff of the uncivilized town. He seemed to be minding his own business, and yet Aimee sent him an untrusting glare before leaning against a nearby barrel.
“Are you sure you have to do this? What if something happens to you?”
The warm salted-sea breeze seemed to mock them in its cheerfulness as it toyed with Ivy’s hair. “Aimee, believe me, I would not do this if I did not have to. But I will be perfectly safe. God is with me; I know that, so you have nothing at all to worry about. And Aimee,” she added, making eye contact with her dear friend so she knew Ivy truly meant her next words.
“Yes?” Aimee sniffled.
“Please, do not act as if Captain Emery were the devil himself. He truly is a good man; you just have to treat him properly. Please, allow him another chance to be your friend. I do not want your voyage home to be a miserable one.”
Aimee lifted her chin. “I’ll try, Ivy, but not for him. Only for you. That man can rot in the bottom of his little ship in the center of the sea, for all I care, but I will try.” She sent another feisty glare in the man’s direction, but if he heard her, he didn’t offer any indication.
Ivy smiled at her friend’s pluck. She wished she knew exactly what had gone on between Aimee and Captain Emery to generate such strong hate between them. “That you will try at all pleases me, my dear friend.”
Aimee placed her hand on Ivy’s arm. “I will miss you so much.” A sob choked her voice. “Please don’t run off with some pirate like Eden did. What will I do all by myself?”
Ivy chuckled, pulling Aimee into a hug and not caring they were in a public setting. She patted her friend on the back as a horde of men paraded by, transporting the cargo of a nearby ship. “It will be all right, Aimee. I’m not going to get married to some uncivilized pirate. I am sure Eden has good reasons and knows what she is doing, but I would never do something like that. You have nothing to fear. I will be waiting for you when you return to London, and all will be well.”
Brushing a tear from her cheek, Ivy leaned against her friend. Somewhere behind her, a throat cleared obtrusively. She twisted to find the handsome Captain Thompson grinning at her, his white teeth flashing in the afternoon sunlight.
“Good evening, ladies.” He bowed slightly to each of them as Ivy pulled away from Aimee. The women nodded their heads in acknowledgement. “Captain.” He offered Captain Emery a smile before turning back to Ivy. Emery quickly filled the space between the women and the pirate, but remained silent as Captain Thompson spoke.
“Are you prepared, milady? I planned to give you a tour of the ship and allow you to dine and sleep on it tonight, so you are accustomed to it before we begin the voyage, if that suits you. This way, if you have any second thoughts, you may change your mind and return to your friends here.” He nodded to Aimee, who now stood next to Captain Emery, a glare darkening her face.
“Yes, milord, I am ready and must insist we leave as soon as we can on the morrow.”
The captain beamed. “I will try my best, Lady Shaw.”
Ivy turned to her friends to wish them farewell. Aimee sent her yet another pleading look, and Ivy blinked back tears when she saw her dear friend’s sobbing face. She sighed and drew Aimee into a long embrace.
“Everything will be fine. I will get home safely to William, and you will get back, too. Don’t worry. We will see each other in no time, my dear.” Ivy whispered before pushing away and gripping Aimee by the shoulders at arm’s length. “And remember your promise regarding Emery. Please.”
She squeezed her friend one last time before turning to Captain Emery. “I thank y
ou from the bottom of my heart for taking us to find Eden. There is no way Lady Dawson and I can ever repay you for your kindness.”
He bowed to her, bringing her hand to his lips. “It is the least I can do, milady. I shall pray for your safe return home every day.”
“I appreciate that greatly, Captain Emery. I will pray for you as well.”
Captain Thompson stepped forward, touching her elbow briefly. “The day is slipping away from us, Lady Shaw. Shall we be going?”
Ivy jerked her arm from his touch—after all, a man of his low class should definitely not be touching her—and nodded, giving her friends one last sad smile before following Captain Thompson down the docks to a longboat.
****
Gage resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands as some members of his newly acquired crew rowed him and Lady Shaw to his newfound ship. What was he thinking, cordially inviting this woman to join his voyage? Any other time would probably have been all right. But he had only spent the last two weeks as a captain after his friend Caspian had given him the ship. He hardly had enough confidence in himself to run the ship without sinking it, much less in captaining the ship and protecting a lady like her. He risked a glance at her out of the side of his eye. The sun, which was beginning to set, cast a glinting glow off of her copper curls which remained in their tight confinement atop her head.
She faced him, brow wrinkled in a frown. “Which one is yours?” She gestured to the many ships docked in the bay.
He pointed to the Siren’s Call, as he had renamed her, bobbing a few dozen yards to their right. Her masts stretched up, endeavoring to touch the clouds above them.
She glanced back at him. “How fast does she sail, Captain?”
He frowned, initially feeling uncomfortable but then realizing she only asked because she wanted to return to England as fast as possible.
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