****
Gage settled himself on his armchair and closed his eyes. They had finally set sail, and he was beginning to discover that captaining a ship was much harder work than Caspian had ever made it appear. He rubbed his forehead, where a nagging headache had begun to form. Not only did he have to deal with gaining the men’s respect, but now he had to care for a woman and a baby. And that was no one’s fault but his.
A night’s rest would do him good.
He opened up his Bible to get a bit of reading done by lamplight before he retired for the night, but a shrill scream interrupted him. Every muscle in his body tightened. Was Lady Shaw being harmed?
Gage leapt to his feet, grabbed a pistol, and headed out of the cabin, intent on saving the lady. A child’s wail followed the woman’s scream. He skidded to a stop in front of Lady Shaw’s door and barely avoided a collision with Mr. Douglas.
“What’s going on, Captain?”
Gage ignored his first mate and pounded his fist on the door. “Lady Shaw?”
The woman didn’t answer and Gage didn’t give her much time to, either. He shoved the door open and peered inside, pistol at the ready. Adam trailed behind him, cutlass in hand.
A shrieking gasp met Gage’s ears. The moonlight flickered through the porthole and illuminated the cabin. Lady Shaw sat upright on the cot, clutching a wriggling Emma to her chest. Emma released a heart-wrenching wail and Lady Shaw’s eyes widened.
Gage glanced about the room, but saw no immediate threat, so he entered. The woman must have been dreaming, because no one was in her room to cause her to scream. He faced Adam once more. “I think I can handle this, Mr. Douglas. You may go back to your station. Thank you.”
Adam bowed and left the companionway. Gage closed the door behind him. He fumbled around in the dark for a moment before he finally lit a lantern that rested on the tiny table. Lady Shaw began to scramble to her feet, but Gage laid a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Emma shrieked and reached her little arms out to Gage.
“No, milady, there’s no need to get up. I-I just came to check on you because I heard you cry out.” He stretched out his arms. “Could I hold Emma? Perhaps she would calm down and you can get some sleep.”
“Please do, Captain Thompson. I suppose I woke her up and now she just won’t settle down.” Lady Shaw swung her legs over the side of the bed as she handed the girl off to him.
Gage hefted the babe up in his arms and bounced her against his chest. The child’s wails morphed into giggles and squeals of delight. He could not resist a chuckle himself. After a couple moments, he swung her back to his chest and snuggled her face against him. Lady Shaw flashed him a smile as she gazed at the baby.
Rocking the girl back and forth, Gage nodded to the woman. “What made you scream, milady?”
Gage dragged over the small, wood-framed chair and positioned it next to her.
The lady drew her coverlet up to her chin, and only then did Gage realize he had barged into a woman’s bedchamber while she slept. And the lady wore only a nightgown. He felt his face heat at the realization.
“I’m sorry to have disturbed you, Captain. I simply had a nightmare. I am truly sorry; I have had that nightmare before, and I don’t doubt I will again.” Lady Shaw pushed at a long strand of orange-red hair that had escaped its braid.
“No, no, miss, it was no trouble at all.” Gage bounced Emma on his lap and brushed his fingers across the little girl’s face. My, but this baby was sweet. She giggled and grabbed his finger, then stuck it in her mouth. He grinned and observed Lady Shaw, who stared at him. “What was your nightmare about, miss? My mother used to tell me if I talked about whatever bad dream I had, it would go away.”
****
Ivy could not move her gaze from the rough-looking privateer captain who gently held a baby girl. It was such an endearing sight that she wanted to hug the man. Besides, he had made Emma happy within a matter of seconds when she had been wailing at the top of her little lungs just a moment before!
Her mind drifted back to the question he had addressed to her. She blinked. “Oh, it’s just a nightmare I’ve been having…about something happening to my little brother. That’s why I’m so anxious to get back to him. I don’t want anything bad to happen while I’m gone.”
Captain Thompson tickled Emma and glanced up at Ivy. Her breath caught in her throat when he looked at her in that manner. What on earth was wrong with her? This man was a privateer. She should not be enjoying his company. Ivy stood, still clutching the coverlet from the cot against her chest.
“Captain, I know this is your ship, but it is really improper for you to be in here with me at night. If anyone from back home in England found out about this, my reputation would no doubt be in shreds.”
“Now, now, I only came in here to fend off some unknown danger. I will leave the second I get this child to fall asleep. There’s no reason you should be stuck awake all night waiting for her to doze off. I agreed to take her with us just as much as you did, sweetheart.” He presented her a grin so beautiful, her breath stopped in her throat and her face heated. Not only was this man incredibly handsome, but he was so caring. Had he just called her sweetheart?
She needed to stay away from him. A man so confusing was not something she wanted to bother with. All she needed to do was get home to William before something terrible happened to him. There was no need to worry herself about some pirate like Captain Thompson.
“Very well, sir.” Ivy settled back down on the edge of the cot and tried to ignore the presence of this man in her cabin.
The man rocked Emma back and forth, murmuring soothing words. The girl’s eyes slowly drooped shut.
“Wherever did you learn to care for a baby, Captain Thompson? Do you have children of your own?”
“Oh, no, miss, I’m afraid I do not have any children to call my own. I suppose I have simply always enjoyed spending time with young ones, and they tend to enjoy the time they spend with me.” He winked at her.
“I see. I love my brother like he is my own child. I’ve practically been a mother to him starting a couple of weeks after he was born and my mother got sick.” She wrung her hands in her lap.
“Sorry to hear about your mother’s misfortune, Lady Shaw.” Captain Thompson kissed Emma on the forehead. The child was snoring quietly, her little head resting in the crook of the man’s arm. Her short copper ringlets hung in disarray, some strands randomly sticking out. When Ivy glanced at the captain, she noticed his hair stuck out in much the same manner. She stifled a giggle. The man gazed at her with somber eyes for a moment before she remembered his statement.
“Oh, my mother is all right. She just…retires to bed most of the time, and, well…”
“I understand, milady.” He gazed down at Emma and a sweet smile quirked his lips. “Well, I believe our little one is fast asleep. I suppose I shall leave and let the both of you get some rest.” Captain Thompson stood and gently transferred the baby to her arms. His arms brushed against hers for a moment and Ivy felt heat creep up her neck to her face. Finally, she settled Emma in her arms.
Captain Thompson offered her another breathtaking grin. Was the charming captain ever without a smile or wink?
“Good-night, milady. I hope you sleep well.”
Chapter Six
Addie Thompson Poole’s mouth watered when she noticed the apple perched on a stand in the center of the market place. The midday sun only enhanced its ruby color. She could already imagine the crunch of biting into it, the sweet juice dripping down her chin.
Years had passed since her life on the streets, years since her brother had been forced to break the law simply to keep them both alive. And now, she didn’t have Gage. All she had was an empty brocade bag. Nothing at all left from Jacob Poole. Worthless man.
Addie had sold everything they once owned, even the grand home in which they resided in the most opulent neighborhood of Charles Towne. But she still could not pay all of the gambling debts Jacob had owed.
The debts she had never even heard of until after the man had died.
She gazed at the apple longingly.
Her stomach grumbled.
It was a very tempting idea to take the fruit and run. No one was watching. She could get away with it. Her belly ached for the opulent food her husband had gotten her used to dining on every day over the last year. Now she had nothing. Worthless man.
Aimee squeezed her eyes shut, stopped a moment, and then continued on her way. Had her letter reached Gage yet? Would he come for her? As of now, she was unable to send post to him to tell him how low her money supply had sunk because she could not afford to send him anything. She hated to be dependent on any man, but Gage was the exception. Her brother had been there for her through everything, good and bad. Besides, she had no honorable way to make a living for herself. The men who her husband was indebted to let her go after she had sold all she could. Now she survived without the help of any man.
It had been weeks since she’d dined on a full meal. The last several days she had been lucky to acquire even a few bites of food. She did not wish to be reduced to begging. Hot rays of sun bore down on her, causing a steady stream of sweat to slide down her back. Her vision swirled.
Although Addie thought herself a strong woman, she felt like she would faint if she did not get out of this awful late summer sun, and quickly. But she had nowhere to go. She had no home, and no one would want to take in a homeless widow. And who could blame them?
Addie stumbled across the street and spotted a large, ornate door. A church.
The Archers, the family who had adopted her and Gage, had been a churchgoing family, but Addie had not stepped foot in such a building since she had married Jacob. Jacob had scoffed at her when she suggested attending church the first Sunday of their marriage.
Addie opened the heavy door and cool, refreshing air greeted her. Surely whoever was here would have something for her to fill her belly with before she had to resort to begging or stealing. Maybe they would let her work for her food.
****
Adam Douglas stared at the horizon where dark storm clouds billowed, as cool gusts of air slapped against face. He ran a hand through his hair to push it out of his view. The Siren’s Call bobbed in the deep water and rose back up again. Sea mist washed over Adam’s face.
The sky continued to darken, and a wave of worry washed over him. A storm was brewing, but how violent was it? Memories flooded back to him of another ship, another terrible storm, only about a year ago. He clenched his fists and tried to rid his mind of the memory. He could still see James’s young face, hear his pleas for help. There was nothing Adam could have done. There was nothing anyone could have done to help him.
He cringed at the distinct memory of a splash that had met his ears, despite all of the howls of wind and battering of rain. No, this splash was James’s body meeting the ocean. Adam had tried to follow after James, but he was attached to a lifeline that cut his reach short. The other men told him James was a goner for sure, and in a tempest so strong there was nothing to be done. They would lose a dozen other lives just to save a single one. But that didn’t help Adam. James’s face, his eyes wide, a scream tearing out of his throat, still haunted Adam’s vision.
James had gone under the surf immediately, never to be seen again. Moisture dampened Adam’s eyes. James had been a young man, but he had a wife and a baby at home. And now they were alone. Alone, with no one to care for them. James had saved Adam years before. And this was how he was repaid. Adam had been sent below after the event, when the crew saw he was not thinking correctly. Sent below at a time when the entire crew’s presence was demanded. He still could not forgive himself.
He did not think he ever would.
Adam scratched his chin and shook his head, trying to forget the horrifying memory. The ever-darkening skies held no comfort for him. Besides James’s death that night, many other men had come close to losing their lives, Adam included. The ship had almost capsized. By the grace of God, they had survived the night.
Wind whipped against his face. A droplet of rain landed on his sleeve.
Many other ships had not faired quite so well. A feeling of dread clenched his stomach, threatening to tear it in two. He took a deep breath. Right now, he needed to stop thinking of such things.
A masculine grunt sounded behind him. Adam twisted to see his new captain, Gage Thompson. The man’s face scrunched together in thought. He faced Adam.
“Are you all right, Mr. Douglas?”
Adam flinched at the sound of his name. “Yes, Captain Thompson. Please forgive me. I seem to have simply been…lost in my thoughts. Was there something you needed?”
“No, Adam. I was just wondering what you thought of the storm approaching. Some sailors back at Port Royal warned me that there may be a hurricane in my path and I fear I may have heard correctly.” The captain clasped his hands together behind his back.
Adam squeezed his eyes shut for a moment to try to forget the pain and ignore the fact they had sailed straight into what seemed to be a vicious storm. “It does look much like a hurricane, Captain. Aye, I fear that is what we approach. To me, our best choice would be to turn around and wait out the tempest back at the port. We would risk many lives to continue. I believe we could beat the brunt of the storm if we stopped and sailed straight back now. ”
Captain Thompson rubbed his face with his hands. “I’ll go see what the crew thinks about the issue. I do not wish to put anyone in unnecessary danger.”
****
Ivy rubbed her sleep-crusted eyes and gazed down at the sleeping baby nestled in her arms. It was not so uncommon to awaken with a child cradled in her arms, due to the many times she had comforted William after a nightmare. But this little tyke was new.
Ivy smiled slightly as she studied Emma, who was snuggled in her embrace, still fast asleep. Dark copper eyelashes fluttered with each exhale. She made sweet, child-like noises that made Ivy miss William all the more. Ivy pressed a kiss on the baby’s forehead. What was she going to do with this little one? Of course, she could keep her, and would be happy to, but that would not be good for either of their reputations. She had no idea what would become of them when she got home, but there was no way she would allow the child to be abandoned.
A knock sounded on the door, startling Ivy. She glanced at the porthole, where no light streamed through. The skies were black. Who would knock on her door at this time of night? She yawned, then sat up, making certain not to jostle Emma.
“Who is it?” she called softly.
“Captain Thompson, miss. I’d like to talk to you immediately, if you are decent.” The man’s booming voice woke Emma. She whimpered until Ivy scooped her up into her arms.
“Hold on just a moment, Captain, if you please.” Ivy yanked the coverlet off the bed and wrapped it around her body to cover her nightdress. She had not thought to pack a dressing gown in the satchel she had taken from England in search of Eden, and she had purchased nothing since.
She rushed to open the door. Why on earth would the captain be visiting her at this time of night?
Captain Thompson entered and closed the door behind him. He sat in the wooden chair next to her sleeping cot. The man studied her from head to toe and sucked in a breath. “I didn’t know you were not awake yet, Lady Shaw. Please forgive me for disturbing you.”
“Why, Captain, I only rise in the morning. It’s the middle of the night!” Ivy bounced Emma in her arms.
Captain Thompson frowned. “It is the middle of the morning, miss.”
Ivy glanced back at the porthole.
He frowned for a moment. “Ah, the sky is dark because of a storm. That is why I came to speak with you.”
Ivy’s face flooded with heat. She never overslept. A second look at the window told her the sky was indeed smothered by a mass of dark, angry clouds. A shiver iced down her back. “Why do you want to speak to me of a storm, Captain?”
“Well, milady, I wished to inform you we ar
e approaching a hurricane.”
Ivy gulped. She had heard of hurricanes at sea, terrible storms that swept sailors away, never to be seen again.
“What about the hurricane?” Shouldn’t he be talking to his crew about the storm, not her? She knew nothing of sailing.
“Well, milady, the crew and I understand how violent storms like this can become. My men want to turn back for the port to wait out the storm. That would mean waiting a couple of days, perhaps even a week, delaying our trip.” His lips quirked upward in a sad, halfhearted smile.
Ivy’s stomach sank. The voyage was already going to be delayed by their stop in the Carolinas to visit Captain Thompson’s sister. She didn’t know how long she could wait before she had William safe in her arms again. They could not be delayed.
Emma’s head sank down on Ivy’s shoulder, asleep again. Ivy laid her on the bed, bunching blankets around her little body to keep her in place as she slept.
Ivy turned back to Captain Thompson, fury replacing the fear that was churning inside of her belly. There was no way she would let another day go by with her sailing away from her little brother. She trusted no one but herself with the boy’s safety. “Please, Captain, do not turn back. I cannot wait any longer to see William. We are already making a stop to find your sister in the Carolinas. Please, I could not bear it if we turned around and lost last night’s travel. I cannot sit in some port, waiting for a storm to pass, while I do not know what condition my brother is in.”
Captain Thompson’s grin vanished. His chocolate-brown eyes grew large. “Milady, I did not think you would object to this. The safety of my crew is obviously important—”
Carried Home Page 5