The Sea Sprite

by Ruth Langan

  “Newton.” The housekeeper’s voice was high-pitched with frenzy. “I need help with this sideboard.”

  Gryf looked up as he descended the stairs. The old man had the face of a man going to his own hanging. “What’s wrong, Newt?”

  “Mistress Coffey always gets herself worked up like this when we’re having visitors. Move this. Fix that.” He shrugged. “As if they ever notice all that’s been done.”

  “Who’s coming to visit?”

  “The young vicar and his wife. You’d think it was the king himself the way the old biddy barks her orders.”

  “Newton,” came the housekeeper’s voice, even louder. “I need you now.”

  “You see?” With a shake of his head the old sailor started toward the dining room.

  Gryf couldn’t help grinning as he turned toward the parlor, where the rest of the family had gathered before dinner. Whit was ensconced in a nest of pillows and quilts on a chaise, listening intently to Geoffrey Lambert relating a tale from his seagoing days. In a chair beside him sat Noah. With Bethany and Kane visiting MaryCastle frequently, the two lads had become fast friends

  Whit looked up as Gryf entered. “You should have been here, Gryf. Captain Lambert and his crew once fought off three pirate ships at one time.”

  “And beat them all, I have no doubt.” Gryf accepted a tumbler of ale from Darcy and gave her a long, lingering smile, remembering the tryst they’d enjoyed in her room not an hour ago.

  “Aye. He sent them all to Davy Jones’s locker.”

  “You’ve become quite a seafarer, lad,” Geoffrey remarked. He tried not to dwell on the way their houseguest was looking at his granddaughter. But the attraction between Gryf and Darcy was so dazzling, a man would have to be blind not to notice.

  “I’m going to go to sea like you did, sir.” Whit stroked the puppy who lay nestled on a pillow beside him. “And some day I’ll be captain of my own ship.”

  “A noble endeavor.” The old man turned to Gryf. “The lad was telling me that you’re a natural at sea.”

  Gryf sipped his ale. “I feel comfortable aboard ship. I like to think I was a sailor before my accident.”

  “Do you recall nothing of your past?”

  “Nothing.” Gryf met the old man’s questioning glance. “I’ve been told by those who’ve witnessed such things, that my memory might return in bits and pieces, or it might be lost to me forever.”

  Ambrosia turned a nervous glance on her sister. Before she could put her thoughts into words, the sound of a horse and carriage could be heard approaching.

  They streamed out of the parlor and hearded toward the front door just as Libby opened it to admit a tall, handsome young man and a beautiful woman, each carrying a child in their arms. Behind them trailed half a dozen more children.

  There were warm greetings all around as the three Lambert sisters greeted the young woman who had married the former deacon in their village. There was an even warmer reunion between Noah and the children he’d once lived with, before his adoption by Bethany and Kane.

  Before Darcy could handle the introductions, the young vicar turned to Gryf with an outstretched hand. “Gray Barton. I say. Nobody told me you’d been found. Look, Jenna. It’s Gray, home from sea.”

  As the young woman hurried toward him Gryf held out a hand. “Sorry. I seem to be confused with him a great deal. My name’s Gryf. I signed aboard the Undaunted in Wales.”

  “Gryf.” The young couple shook his hand and offered their apologies.

  To ease their discomfort he turned his attention to the children. “Are these all yours?”

  “Aye.” The young bride blushed. “That is to say, they are now. When Ian met me, I was operating the Mead Foundling Home. Now that he’s vicar at the Mead chapel, and we run the foundling home together, the children really belong to both of us.”

  “Gryf would understand that, since he has befriended a homeless lad himself. Come on,” Darcy called. “I’d like you to meet him.”

  As their guests followed her to the parlor, Gryf could feel them studying him just the way Darcy’s family did, when they thought he wasn’t looking.

  Once in the parlor they were introduced to Whit, who in turn introduced Fearless. The pup became instantly popular with the small children, who gathered around to pet him and exclaim over him.

  “Dinner is ready,” Mistress Coffey announced.

  They filed into the dining room and found it transformed. The table, which usually held no more than ten, had now been extended to accommodate twenty. Crystal and silver glittered under a chandelier aglow with dozens of candles.

  “It looks like a splendid royal ball,” one of the children said with a trace of awe.

  “It does indeed.” Geoffrey Lambert held a chair for Winifred Mellon, while around the table the others took their places. “Mistress Coffey, what’s the occasion?”

  The old housekeeper beamed as Gryf carried Whit to a chair beside Noah.

  “It’s the lad’s first time downstairs with the family. And since we have company here, as well, I thought it the perfect opportunity to make Whit feel welcome.”

  “You’re…doing this for me?” The boy’s eyes widened, and for a moment he feared he might embarrass himself by blubbering like a baby. No one had ever made him feel so warm or so welcome. And these kind people did it all so naturally. In the short time he’d been at MaryCastle he’d already begun to feel as if he’d always belonged here.

  Seeing his distress, Darcy drew attention from him by saying, “And what better way of welcoming Whit than by introducing him to all these smiling faces. As you take your places, children, why don’t each of you tell a few things about yourself.”

  For the next few moments the children explained how they happened to end up at the Mead Foundling Home, and into the loving care of Vicar Ian Welland and his wife.

  Gryf leaned over to whisper, “Well done, my dear.”

  Darcy beamed, while Noah related his own childhood. “Before I was adopted by my new parents—” the smile he gave to Bethany and Kane had everyone swallowing a lump in their throats “—I used to live at the Mead Foundling Home, as well.”

  “You did?” Whit couldn’t hide his surprise.

  Noah nodded. “Before I found a home in Mead, I was a pickpocket, living on the streets. But at Mead I always had a place to sleep and enough to eat.”

  “And now you’re the son of an earl.”

  Noah laughed as he picked up his fork and began to eat. “Being the son of an earl isn’t the important thing. Being the son of a man who loves me is.”

  Darcy saw Whit glance across the table at Gryf before he followed suit and began to dig into his own meal.

  She swallowed back the lump in her throat, and worried that it might become a permanent affliction. Lately there’d been so many times when she’d been nearly reduced to tears. But at least this time they were indeed happy ones.

  “How are the repairs going on the Undaunted?” The vicar, content after such a fine meal, sat in the parlor sipping tea and enjoying the sounds of the children, seated around Whit and Fearless.

  “With winter upon us, we’re in no rush to finish.” Geoffrey Lambert accepted a tankard of ale from the housekeeper. “But she’ll be seaworthy in plenty of time for her spring cargo run.”

  “And your new house, Riordan?” The vicar smiled. “Will it be ready by springtime, as well?”

  “It had better be.” He glanced at Ambrosia, and she blushed and looked away.

  Watching them, Darcy thought how perfect they were together. They were so blindingly happy with each other. And every day was like a new and special gift.

  It was the way she’d been feeling with Gryf, since they’d finally admitted their feelings for each other. She couldn’t wait to slip away to his room. To spend the night in his arms. She glanced over and could see him watching her. As if, she thought with a jolt, he were reading her mind.

  She smiled, and he returned the smile, then gave her
a wink that had her heart tumbling in her chest.

  At a burst of laughter from the children, the vicar said, “It’s a shame we have to leave. They’re having such a grand time.”

  “Why not stay the night?” Geoffrey Lambert glanced toward the housekeeper for approval. “We have plenty of room.”

  “I do thank you.” The vicar shook his head. “But I’ll be leading a service in the chapel on the morrow. And we have a long ride ahead of us back to Mead. I’m afraid we really have to leave.”

  Kane caught Bethany’s hand. “We ought to return to Penhollow Abbey, as well.” Seeing the frown on Geoffrey Lambert’s face he couldn’t help laughing. “I’m not taking your granddaughter away forever. Just for a few days. I really do have some work to see to from time to time.”

  “Of course you do.” The old man shrugged. “But I’ve been enjoying having all my girls back with me.”

  “And you’ll have them again by week’s end. I promise.” Kane caught Noah’s hand. “Come on, son. It’s time we went home.”

  With hugs and handshakes all around, they prepared to take their leave.

  Gryf lifted Whit from the chaise and carried him to the front door, so that he could bid goodbye to his new friends.

  “You must come to Mead soon, Gryf.” Ian stuck out his hand. “And bring Whit and his puppy. The children would be so proud to show you around.”

  Gryf accepted the vicar’s handshake. “We’ll be there. I promise.”

  Everyone gathered in the doorway, waving and shouting as two carriages started away.

  When they were gone, Geoffrey Lambert turned away and looked at his two remaining granddaughters. “I’m glad your home isn’t yet completed, Ambrosia. I rather like knowing that you and Darcy are still here under my roof.”

  As he started up the stairs, Ambrosia turned to Newton. “I don’t know why Grandpapa should feel so sad about our leaving. Even when Riordan and I move out, we’ll be living right next door.”

  “Aye. So ye say, lass.” The old sailor gave her a gentle smile. “But ye must forgive ye’r grandfather. He sees the lot of ye all grown-up and living on ye’r own. And he knows ye’ll never be his little girls again.”

  “I don’t know about the others, Newt. But I’ll always be his little girl.” Darcy reached up to kiss his cheek. “And yours, too.”

  As she followed the others up the stairs, the old man touched a hand to his cheek. Then, not in the mood to have the evening end so soon, he slipped into his coat and made his way to the village tavern, where he could sip a pint with the sailors.

  The best part, of course, was knowing that when the stories had been told and retold, he could return to the comfort of home and hearth here at MaryCastle with the family that had become his own.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Newton Findlay.” Mistress Coffey stood in front of the door, arms crossed over her chest, eyes narrowed in challenge. “Just where do you think you’re taking the lad?”

  Newton was carrying Whit, who in turn cradled Fearless in his arms.

  “I promised the lad he could go down to the beach and watch us make some repairs on the Undaunted.”

  “It’s far too soon for that boy to be out of doors.”

  “He’s been taking his meals with the family now, and spending his evenings in the parlor.”

  “Aye. But that’s not the same as being outside. He could take a chill.”

  “I’ll see he’s kept warm.”

  “I won’t have it. The lad needs at least another week indoors.”

  “Cap’n.” The old sailor turned to Geoffrey Lambert, who was just coming out of his study. “What say you? Is it too soon to take the lad down to the shore?”

  “I don’t see why, as long as you don’t let him get too tired.”

  At that the housekeeper exploded. “I expected as much. The two of you always stick together. You probably talked it over before you even showed your faces.”

  The two old men winked at each other and walked past her.

  When they were outside, Whit looked up at the old sailor. “How do you do it, Newt?”

  “Do what, lad?”

  “Stand up to Mistress Coffey’s temper?”

  “I’d had years of practice, lad.” He sighed. “It feels like a hundred years or more.” Newton placed the lad and his pup in a wooden cart that had been lined with pillows and blankets. When they were bundled against the cold, he hauled them along the sandy beach until they reached the crew of men working on the ship, which was anchored in the shallows.

  “Ye’ll tell me when ye’re tired, lad?”

  “Aye, Newt.”

  As the old man walked away, Whit leaned back and watched the men crawling over the ship, sawing, hammering, and sealing the hull of the Undaunted with hot pitch.

  Catching sight of him Gryf turned from the timber he was sawing to saunter over. “So. You must be feeling a good bit stronger this morrow.”

  “Aye, Gryf.” Whit stroked the head of his pup, who began dozing in the thin winter sunshine. “I wish I could work alongside you.”

  “It can’t be helped, lad. You’ll lend a hand the next time there’s work to be done. By then you’ll be feeling fit.”

  “I hope so. I like being close to the ship.”

  “Do you miss it, lad?”

  “Aye. But I can see the mast from the window of my room. And at night, when I close my eyes, I can hear the sound of the ocean. I’d almost believe I was still aboard ship.”

  “I’ve noticed the same thing. Darcy once told us that the villagers call their home Lambert’s Folly. But I think her father was a wise man. Being a man of the sea, he needed to be able to hear the slap of waves, and feel the pull of the tide. I’d want the same for myself if I were to build a home.” He turned to study the fortress that loomed over the beach. “It’s a fine sturdy structure.”

  At a shout from one of the sailors, Gryf looked up. “I’d better get back to work. Don’t stay out here too long, Whit. The sun’s warm enough if you’re working. But that air has a bite to it.”

  “Aye, Gryf. I won’t stay long.”

  A short time later Darcy walked down to the shore and found the boy and dog sound asleep, snuggled inside their quilts. With a laugh she went in search of Newton.

  “Newt. If you don’t mind, I think I’d better take Whit and Fearless back home.”

  The old sailor nodded. “I was thinking the same, lass. Ye don’t mind seeing to it?”

  “Nay. You stay here.” As she walked away she caught sight of Gryf and another sailor hauling a massive timber across the beach.

  Despite the chill in the air, Gryf was shirtless and sweating from his labors. The sight of all those muscles sent a thrill along her spine. She chided herself for her weakness. After all, they had been spending every night together, until they knew each other’s body as intimately as their own. Still, the sight of him gave her such pleasure.

  He’d left his bed this morrow with a quick kiss on her lips. He’d been up before dawn, and down at the beach working with the crew assigned to make repairs to the ship. Since he took his midday meal with the men, the only time she saw him was in the evening, when he joined her family at dinner, and afterward, in the parlor, where Newton and Geoffrey Lambert regaled them with tales of the sea.

  And then, of course, there were the nights. She shivered. Such delicious nights. She’d never known such happiness. Being held in his arms, being loved all through the night, was the sweetest thing she’d ever experienced. And waking beside him, sharing whispered secrets and carefree laughter, made her heart feel lighter than she would have believed possible.

  All the pain and anguish of the past months had begun to disappear, thanks to the love she now shared with Gryf. And slowly, gradually, she was beginning to believe that their newfound happiness could endure.

  Still, though she was loath to admit it, except in the deepest recesses of her heart, something was missing. She’d thought she would be satisfied just know
ing she had Gryf’s love. He had warned her, after all, that he could make her no promises. Not as long as his memory of the past eluded him. But in her heart of hearts she knew that she wanted more. She wanted what her sisters had. A vow. A union. A promise of unending love.

  She started hauling the cart with the sleeping boy and pup toward the house. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned to find Gryf standing behind her.

  “You looked so warm and snug and sweet this morning when I left you.”

  She dimpled. “I’d have been warmer if you’d stayed.”

  “You don’t know how tempted I was to do just that.” He framed her face with his hands and stared down into those blue eyes, feeling his heart swell with love.

  He glanced down at the sleeping lad. “It looks like we wore him out.”

  “Aye.” She laughed. “Just being in the air is enough to tire him. But it’s so good seeing color back in his cheeks.”

  “Aye. Though I must admit, I’m loving the color in your cheeks, as well.” He kissed her hard and quick, then kissed her once more, lingering over her lips before walking away.

  She watched him, wondering how it could be that a simple kiss from him could make everything seem all right. In fact, even the frugal winter sun seemed warmer now, because of Gryf.

  With a light heart she resumed hauling the cart, while her mind was already conjuring images of what they would do later tonight when they were alone.

  “Here, Libby.” Ambrosia and Bethany stopped the little maid in the upper hallway and relieved her of an armload of bed linens.

  “We’ll see to these,” Bethany assured her.

  When the maid was gone, the two sisters shared a conspiratorial smile before knocking on Darcy’s door. When she opened it they bustled inside, and began to help her make up the bed.

  “Where’s Libby?” Darcy began stuffing pillows into fresh cases.