Ivy nearly collapsed with relief, but she forced herself to remain standing. She was not about to give poor Gage yet another person to go rescuing. “Oh, thank God, you are all right.”
But his face was grim.
“What’s wrong, Gage?”
He nodded down at Reed and pushed past her, straight to the beach. “He’s not all right, Ivy.” Although he tried to steady his voice, Ivy could sense the tremor of terror in it.
Gage reached the shore with Ivy close on his heels. Ivy squeezed her eyes shut against a wave of nausea. Reed was not okay. Eden’s son was not okay.
“Take Emma.”
Ivy grabbed the child and held her soaking wet body tight against hers in an effort to keep her warm. She checked to make certain the girl was breathing properly. The little one seemed frightened, but all right. There were no visible injuries or setbacks. Not so for Reed. Gage gingerly set the boy down on the dry sand.
Reed’s face was washed over with a bluish tint. Ivy sucked in a breath of shock. Would…would he be all right?
“Can you hear me, little man?” Gage shook the child’s shoulders. He failed to respond.
Gage leaned down and put his mouth to Reed’s, breathing air into his lungs. He pulled back after a long stretch. “Come on, little man.”
Nothing happened. Ivy’s heart sank.
Gage moved to face her. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the ocean water. He shook his head. No! God, please. This child means everything to Eden and her husband. Please.
Ivy fell into Gage’s arms.
A scratching sound met her ears. Coughing. Coughing? She glanced down at Reed’s limp little body. He was coughing!
Gage, hope lighting his chocolate brown eyes, rotated the child onto his side. Water poured out of his mouth. After another fit of coughing, his violet-blue eyes opened. Ivy had never been happier to see someone’s eyes in her entire life.
“I kept Emma above the water.” Concern drew tight lines on Reed’s small face.
“Aye, that you did, little man. That you did. Emma is all right.” Gage drew the boy into his arms, laughing in relief.
Ivy wrapped her hand around the child’s small hand. “Reed, we were so worried about you.”
He pushed himself until he was sitting up, facing the two adults. “I am all right. Where are Mama and Papa?”
“They are still in town. Did you want to see them?” Gage brushed a wet lock of hair off of the boy’s forehead.
“Oh, I can wait. I don’t want them to worry about me or think I can’t take care of a little sibling.”
“All right, little man. I’m proud of you, do you know that?”
Reed’s face brightened into a smile as Gage hugged him.
After a moment, Gage leaned backwards and pulled Ivy and Emma with him until they were lying back against the sand. He slung an arm around Ivy’s shoulders. She leaned her head against his chest. “Ivy?” He trailed a finger along the inside of her arm.
“Yes?” She closed her eyes against the soft glare of the afternoon sun.
“By fire and thunder, what were you doing running out into the ocean?”
“I…I couldn’t see you. I was not going to stay safe and dry on the shore while you and Reed and our…Emma drowned.”
Gage inhaled a long breath. “How did you expect to save us when you don’t even know how to swim?”
Ivy stiffened. “How do you know I do not know how to swim?”
“Because I know you, and if you knew how to swim, you would have run in front of me to go save the children yourself before I even got a chance to do it myself. Besides, I know Eden never used to know how to swim. I figured you would not, either.”
“Well, you are correct. But I would have found some way to get to you.”
He leaned to the side and pressed a kiss against her nose. “I am glad you did not have to, my dear.”
****
Gage twisted his head to the side and kissed Ivy’s cheek. The freshness of citrus engulfed him like a pleasant, heady sort of perfume. He smiled. Oh, how he loved this woman. Emma crawled over from Ivy’s arms until she rested on his stomach. He patted the dripping wet tyke on the back. They all were in desperate need of some towels and a change of clothes, but that would have to wait.
Ivy’s soft hand wrapped around his. The dear woman was soaked from head to toe as well. He twisted a lock of her copper hair around his finger. Most of it had tumbled down from the blasted bun she always tied it up in. Well, he would not get caught complaining about that.
Her stormy gray eyes met his and they were filled with such admiration that his heart seemed to cease beating altogether. He propped himself up with an elbow against the sand, leaned over her, and lowered his lips to hers. She made a soft noise at the back of her throat and tore her hand from his, only to wrap both her arms around his shoulders. Gage took that as an invitation to deepen the kiss and run a hand through her beautiful orange curls. She moved a hand up and down his arm.
He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. She tasted like salty water, but it was the most pleasant flavor he had ever tasted. Just as he leaned in for another kiss, a small hand landed on his back. “Hey, Uncle Gage? Are you gonna marry Lady Shaw? Because if you are kissing her like that, I think you should marry her. It’s what my Mama and Papa did.”
Gage immediately pried himself away from Ivy and stood. Why, he had all but forgotten they were not alone while he was busy kissing the woman senseless. He knew his face was turning red, but maybe not as red as Ivy’s. She also stood, balancing Emma against her hip as she brushed sand off of her skirts. It was no use, though. They would all have to wait until their clothes were dry to get the sand off of them.
The woman was going to wear a hole in her skirt if he did not stop her soon. “Ivy.”
Her hand stilled.
“Look at me.”
She looked at his chin.
“Look at me in the eyes, my sweet.”
Her gaze made it to the bottom of his nose.
“Ivy.”
Finally, her eyes met his.
“I have been meaning to ask you something for a while now.”
She swallowed.
“And little Reed here just reminded me what that question is.”
****
Ivy’s heart jumped into her throat. Was Gage really going to ask her what she was thinking he was going to ask her?
The charming man bent down on one knee. The sun brought out the bronze streaks in his hair and the golden flecks in his chocolate brown eyes. Those eyes regarded her with such admiration and adoration that Ivy’s stomach twittered with pleasure. This man, this wonderful man, was looking at her in such a kind way.
“Ivy, my dear, I love you. I have loved you ever since I first saw you on Captain Emery’s ship that day you came running to save your friend. I love you more than I ever thought I would be able to love, and I would be honored to call you my wife.” He pulled an engraved silver ring out of his pocket. A small clear gem sat in the center of it.
Excitement coursed through her. “Gage, I love you, too.” She crouched down until she was resting on her knees before him. “I want nothing more than to marry you.”
His face brightened with a large smile. He winked, and then leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. Finally, he pulled back, grabbed her hand, and slipped the ring on her finger. And then burst out in laughter.
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “Is it funny that I agreed to marry you, sir?”
He pulled her against his chest. “Ivy, my beautiful, beautiful betrothed, it does not amuse me that you agreed to marry me. I was laughing because I have spent the entire day desperately trying to propose to you because I was afraid the ring would not fit you properly and we would need to get a silversmith to fit to your size while we were still in Charles Town. But it fits you perfectly.”
Ivy pressed a kiss against his jaw. Although he had probably shaved this morning, stubble scratched her lips. “I could not be
happier, Gage. And I want our wedding to be soon.”
Reed gasped. “My Papa is a captain so he is allowed to marry people. He could marry you both tonight.”
Gage beamed, allowing Ivy a glimpse of his charming white teeth. “Why, that is an excellent idea, Reed.”
Chapter Thirty
Gage could not stop staring at his soon-to-be wife. After everything had settled back at the beach and Caspian, Eden, Adam, and Addie had returned, the group had moved to the deck of Caspian’s ship, the Dawn’s Mist. Now, they were in the middle of a wedding ceremony. Gage’s and Ivy’s ceremony. His heart leapt at the thought. This woman was about to officially become his.
Ivy stood across from Gage, and she seemed to only have eyes for him as he only had eyes for her. Caspian was interposed between them, reading from his Bible. Eden stood at Ivy’s side, holding a now-sleeping Emma. Reed leaned against his mother, and Adam had a hand on his sister’s shoulder. Addie smiled beside Gage, paying a lot more attention to Adam than Gage would have liked. He was tempted to nudge her with his elbow to make her stop her gawking.
But Gage was doing his fair share of gawking himself. Ivy’s orange hair was now dried and tucked into a loose, wavy bun. Either her friend Eden had done her hair for her, or she had discovered somehow that Gage did not like it tied back so tightly. Charles Town harbor’s wind had pulled a few curls loose, and they danced around her collarbone. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled, and her complexion was lit with a becoming pink tone. She had changed out of Eden’s old dress—the one that had grown stiff from its dip into the ocean—and into another of her friend’s gowns. This one was a lovely turquoise that hugged her body in all the right places. The neckline scooped low. The sleeves and collar were trimmed with yellow rosebuds and white, frothy lace. She had never been more beautiful.
Gage feared he was doing a terrible job of listening to his wedding vows, but all he really needed to do was say “I do.”
Ivy started fussing with the lace on her dress. Gage reached forward and stilled her hand, offering her a grin and a wink. She smiled back at him shyly, and he kept her hand in his.
Caspian closed the Bible and set it aside. He turned to Gage. “Captain Gage Thompson, do you take Lady Ivy Shaw to be your wife?”
Gage squeezed Ivy’s hand. “I do.”
“And Lady Ivy Shaw, do you take Captain Gage Thompson to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Ivy beamed up at him. “I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Caspian clapped Gage on the shoulder. “You may kiss your bride.”
Gage grinned and pulled his bride closer to him. He could certainly grow accustomed to calling her his bride.
He thanked God for allowing this to happen as he leaned down and kissed the woman. Gage had certainly kissed her before, but this kiss was special. It was filled with promise and hope and passion and happiness. By the time he remembered to end the kiss because they were not alone, a fair chunk of time had passed. A glance around at his friends told him that the length of their kiss had not gone unnoticed. Eden’s face had warmed to a shade of pink, Addie had looked away, and Caspian was laughing silently. Gage squeezed Ivy’s hand and glanced down at her. Her face was bright red with a blush. He chuckled, pulled her closer, and kissed her cheek for good measure.
“Congratulations!” Eden rushed forward and hugged Ivy before Gage could kiss her again.
Adam shook Gage’s hand, and Addie hugged Gage.
He was certainly glad to have been able to share this day with his friends and his family. Gage silently thanked God for that and for the beautiful, brave, caring woman he was now allowed to call his wife. What had seemed to be one of the most difficult days in his life had turned out to be one of the best.
****
Ivy held her husband’s hand underneath the table as they dined in Captain Archer’s cabin directly following their wedding ceremony. Caspian had worked hard to prepare the cabin to accommodate all of them for a meal of the best food he could gather on short notice.
Gage speared a piece of roasted fish with his fork and popped it into his mouth. Ivy nibbled on a square of cheese contentedly.
The children had fallen asleep after they had eaten only a few bites of food and now rested on one of Caspian’s armchairs.
After the dinner was out of the way, Gage rose and helped Ivy up. “Well, I think my wife and I will be heading back to our ship for the night.” He ran a hand up and down her arm, shooting tingles across her body. “We truly appreciate all you have done to make this day pleasant for us.”
Caspian stood, closely followed by Eden. “Gage, you are like a brother to me, and your wife is like a sister to my Eden. You saved my son’s life today. It was no trouble at all for me to have my cook prepare a meal for you and Mrs. Thompson.”
Ivy smiled at the name. She adored it.
“I will escort Miss Thompson back to her cabin,” Adam offered.
Gage shot a glare at him, but did not refuse.
“Caspian and I can keep Emma with us for the night.” Eden smiled at her son and the baby.
Ivy glanced over at the little one. She was sound asleep. The thought of being alone with Gage for the night made her stomach jump in nervous anticipation. “That is kind of you, but—”
Gage squeezed her shoulder, cutting off her sentence. “We appreciate it.” Ivy swallowed. “Are you ready, my love?”
“Aye.” Ivy patted Emma on the head lightly, and then faced her best friend.
Eden hugged her. “Do not be nervous,” she whispered.
After saying goodbye to Caspian, Gage wrapped an arm around Ivy’s waist and led her out of the cabin. The sun had fully set now, and twinkling stars lit their path.
They walked together in peaceful silence off of the gangway and onto the still-bustling Charles Town docks. Gage sent one mischievous look her way, and before she knew it, she was in his arms, lifted like a sack of potatoes, and speeding toward his ship.
“Gage, there is no reason for you to carry me!” She squeaked through a fit of laughter.
He pressed a lingering kiss against her earlobe but did not slow his pace by a second. They were now making their way up the gangway to his ship. “I am going to carry you across the threshold, my love.”
Goodness, but she could not be happier than she was this instant. This amazing, charming, strong man was hers. And they were about to make their marriage complete. Butterflies raced through her stomach as Gage carried her across the deck of his ship.
None of the crew was up and about on the main deck, a fact that comforted Ivy. She could just imagine their teasing and was glad she did not have to endure it on this happy night.
Her husband balanced her against himself as he used one hand to open their cabin door. He set her down inside the cabin and then kicked the door shut. “I did not get a chance to tell you that you look beautiful.” Ivy glanced down at her borrowed turquoise gown. Eden had told her it brought out the blue in her eyes. “Your hair makes me crazy, you know that, sweetheart?” He reached up and pulled the pins out of her hair. Orange ringlets tumbled down to her shoulders. He ran his fingers through them.
“I love you, Gage.”
“I love you too, Ivy.” He pulled her close for a kiss and Ivy felt all of the nervous tension escape her body. She trusted this man. He was meant for her, and she was meant for him. There was no other place she would rather be than in the arms of her wonderful husband.
****
The next afternoon, Ivy stood on the deck of the Siren’s Call with her child in her arms and her husband at her side as another ship approached at a fast pace. Already an hour away from Charles Town, they had parted ways with Eden and Caspian, who had promised they would all meet in London eventually. Gage made faces at Emma, who giggled uncontrollably. He kissed the side of her neck.
“It’s the Cross’s Victory, Captain.” Adam stepped up next to them. “Do you know a ship by that name?”
“That’s Captain Emery’s
ship, Gage!” Ivy frowned. What were he and Aimee doing near Charles Town?
“I see. Hmm.”
Ivy held her husband’s hand and balanced their daughter against her chest as they waited for her friends to sail nearer.
Finally, they were near enough for Ivy to clearly make out the people on the deck. Aimee stood on one side and Captain Emery just about as far from her as the confined space would allow, with the crew between them. That was typical of them, though. As was the frown on Aimee’s pretty face.
“Heave to, gentlemen!” Gage called to his crew. He kissed Ivy on the forehead. “Sorry, my darling, but I will have to see to the crew.”
Her husband helped his men bring out ropes to lash the ships together. The second the ships were close enough, Aimee propelled herself over the bulwarks onto Gage’s ship. Captain Emery raced over and leapt onto their ship as well.
Gage reached Ivy’s side and looped an arm around her waist.
Ivy smiled at her friends as they made their way over to her. But they did not look nearly as pleasant. “What is wrong, Aimee? Are you all right?”
Aimee gestured to Matthew with a look of hatred before turning back to Ivy and Gage. “Ivy, I would like to introduce you to my husband, Matthew.”
About the Author
Bestselling author Heather Manning is a young lady who loves to read—and write. After she won several writing competitions, her first book was professionally published and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller. She is an active member of her local ACFW chapter and lives in Kansas City, Missouri where she attends high school, sees plays, devours donuts, and acts in community theatre. You can find Heather on her blog: heathermauthor.blogspot.com.
Also from Heather Manning
Chapter One
London, England
1696
Lady Eden Trenton dashed into her bedchamber and slammed the oak door. The bang sent an echo through the chilled room. A loud crash sounded behind her, but she ignored it. At one time she would have felt guilty if something broke as a result of her temper, but now she truly did not care. She threw herself onto her four-poster bed and curled into a ball.
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