“Well, at least you can make out the shapes of things, people, horses, carriages, and such.”
“I could make out the pointy nose on Nurse Hatchet this morning.” He couldn’t help the unkind remark. The woman had been plain old mean.
Wendell choked back a chuckle. “Now, now, Renna would have our hides if she caught us snickering over Nurse Thatcher’s pointy nose. However, I will agree that the woman’s brisk manner is often uncalled for.”
“I agree. More’s the reason I preferred to be in Renna’s care.” The captain grew pensive, wondering over the change in Renna the last few days. She had seemed to avoid him, even declining to take their usual walk. Finally he decided to ask about it. “Is Renna unhappy that I’m coming to stay with you?”
Wendell paused in thought. “Um, no, she’s not unhappy about it.”
“She’s been distant lately.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
He waited for an explanation, and when none came, he pressed further. “I don’t have to have my sight back to see there’s something amiss between Renna and me. Did I offend her?”
“No, no, it’s not you at all, Captain. It’s Renna.” Again he paused momentarily. “I’m going to be honest with you,” he stated at last. “You deserve that much given Renna’s recent behavior, and since you’re coming to live in our home for a while, I think it best you know.”
The captain’s curiosity was sorely piqued.
“But please don’t tell Renna I shared this matter with you. She would feel embarrassed. However, I believe that in telling you, you might prove part of the solution.”
“You’ve got my word, and from what I can recall, it’s honorable.”
Wendell nodded. “Very good. The problem is, Renna is a very self-conscious and insecure young woman when it comes to the birthmark on her cheek.”
“Birthmark?”
“You haven’t seen it?”
“No. Facial features are still a blur.”
“Hmm, well, then she was right. Renna thought you hadn’t seen it yet. But she’s taking precautions for when you do. She’s hardening that tough outer shell of hers. She’s afraid to be hurt. You see, she has come to care about you—our entire family has—and Renna is certain that, because you’ve been accustomed to socializing with beautiful and affluent women, you will decide she’s an ugly toad once you see it.”
“A toad?” He hung his head back and laughed. “Wendell, your daughter would have to really be a toad before I thought she was ugly, and even at that, Renna would be beautiful in my eyes.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” An unmistakable note of pleasure edged Wendell’s voice.
“But now I’m curious. What does her birthmark look like?”
“It looks like a violet horseshoe that goes from her jawline to her ear to her nose and back. But in all honesty a person doesn’t even notice it after a while—after the initial surprise wears off. In fact, Matthew Benchley, my associate, thinks highly enough of Renna to want to court her.”
“Really?” For some reason the idea troubled the captain greatly. The man’s last name, Benchley, was still so familiar, and yet he still couldn’t place it . . .
“Yes, Matt is looking for a wife,” Wendell continued. “He feels being a bachelor holds something of a stigma in the business world. Matt says being unmarried makes him seem irresponsible, and he wants bankers to think his business ideas are worthwhile ventures.”
“And have you given your permission—for the courtship?”
“I would if Renna wanted me to. Matt would be a good provider, and I know Renna would like to have children someday. But, unfortunately, she doesn’t like Matt well enough for a courtship.”
“Wendell, your daughter doesn’t like Benchley. Period.”
Wendell sighed. “I’ve told Renna that love might come later and that she could build a good life with Matthew Benchley. He’s got money—”
“Money isn’t everything, Wendell. I’m learning that the hard way.”
“True, but wealth is worth something—”
“Not enough to enter into a loveless marriage. My first marriage was devoid of true love, and I’ve come to realize just how miserable it had been for Louisa and me.”
Wendell grew quiet as the horses clip-clopped down the streets.
“I’m a candid pirate, aren’t I?” A sarcastic chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I hope I haven’t offended you with my straightforwardness.”
“No, you haven’t offended me. In fact, I’ll consider what you’ve said about Renna and Matt.”
The captain couldn’t help a smile. “Wendell, your daughter seems very capable of falling in love with the right man.”
The remark was left hanging between them until they reached the Fieldses’ home, and suddenly Captain Pirate Blackeyes found himself wishing Renna would fall in love with him.
Except I don’t believe in falling in love.
Wendell helped him up to the porch, where Johanna Fields greeted him.
“We’re pleased to have you staying with us, Captain.” He made out the gesture as she waved him into the house. “Dinner will be in about two hours, and Renna has promised me that she’ll make it home in time. So if you’d like to rest, Wendell will show you to your room.”
“Thank you.”
“This way, my friend.” Wendell clapped onto his right elbow. “Your quarters aren’t much to speak of. We had a large pantry off the kitchen that I converted into a bedroom for you. I thought it would be better if you were downstairs since your sight is impaired. We wouldn’t want you falling down the staircase, you know.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Two weeks at that hospital were more than enough. I’m so happy to be discharged.”
“I can imagine. I’d feel the same way.”
They made their way through the wide kitchen, and tantalizing smells lingered in the air. Several feet later they made a right turn.
“Here we are. If you need anything, I’ll be in my study, which is back through the kitchen and to the left before you reach the front door. Johanna will be about and can guide you if necessary.”
“Many thanks, Wendell.”
Alone in what reminded him of a whitewashed cabin, the captain found the bed and stretched out on top of it. He thanked God that he was no longer in that wretched sick ward. The only good thing about it had been Renna.
Thoughts of her gathered in his mind, her sweet voice, her gentle touch. The idea of another man courting her suddenly infuriated him. If I don’t believe in falling in love, then what are these emotions I’m feeling?
He wanted to know—needed to know; however, one thing seemed sure. Without Renna, he would never find out. He would just have to do something—anything—to close the distance between them that she had created.
•••
Renna arrived home long after dinner had been served. The captain could hear her voice in the kitchen.
“Where’s our new houseguest?”
He held his breath.
“The captain wants to speak with you.” Wendell’s reply sounded grave.
Brian nodded to himself. Good! Good!
“Apparently leaving the hospital was something of a strain and . . . well, he’s totally blind again.”
“Oh, no. He’d been doing so well.”
“Why don’t you go talk to him?”
“Yes. Perhaps I should.”
The captain smirked then quickly wiped any traces of humor off his face.
A knock sounded on the thin wooden door.
“Come in.” He sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in the ghastly charity garb he’d received from the hospital. How he’d enjoy a tailor and fine material right about now. But he had long ago forced himself to be grateful. Over his eyes he wore his dark glasses.
“I understand you’ve had a setback.” Renna walked in and came to stand beside the bed, the door open behind her.
“Yes, and it’s most discouraging.”
“I’m so sorry.”
The captain lifted his right hand, hoping he looked more helpless than ever.
It worked. She took his hand.
“Many times these things are only temporary,” she told him, sitting on the bed beside him.
The captain had to force himself not to grin. He couldn’t see her expression clearly, although he sensed her genuine concern. Best of all, the chasm between them had vanished.
Swallowing hard, he struggled with his next words. “I remembered something else—tonight as I waited for you to arrive home.”
“What is it?”
He shivered at the memory. “My mother. She had been aboard the schooner with me.” His voice broke. “On the day of the storm . . . ”
“Drowned?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“How tragic.”
His heart crimped. “I saw her, waving her arms frantically in the waves. I couldn’t reach her. I couldn’t help her.”
“There now . . . ” Renna’s grip tightened on his hand.
“And Elise too . . . ”
“Elise?” Renna inched back slightly.
“Oh, Lord!” His head ached as he remembered it all. The screams. The thunder and lightning. The hard, driving rain. “I never felt so helpless in all my life.”
“I’m sure you did what you could.” She hesitated. “Who is Elise?”
“She was . . . my fiancée.”
Renna slowly withdrew her hand.
He managed to recapture it. “It’s not what you think.”
“What a shame that you lost your love as well as your mother on that ill-fated day.”
“No . . . I mean, yes, it’s a shame that she and my mother perished. But Elise wasn’t my love. I merely wanted her shipping company—and I obtained it too. I’d purchased it from her just days before the storm. I had been celebrating the acquisition out on the lake. Then ominous clouds began brewing to the north. I tried to sail the schooner to shore in time but couldn’t.”
Had poor navigating been a factor? Why hadn’t he been able to steer the vessel to safety?
“Did you eat dinner?” Renna’s soft voice intruded on his musing.
“No, I was waiting for you.”
“How very thoughtful, but I suspect you’re in need of some nourishment. I know Da came to get you after lunch, which means you probably didn’t eat at the hospital.”
“You’re correct, Nurse Fields,” he retorted. “The food at that institution is most atrocious.”
“Oh, it’s not so bad.”
For the very first time, he saw her smile. Not clearly. But he’d glimpsed enough to see how it lit his dull existence. His heart beat a little faster.
“Allow me to escort you to the dinner table, Captain Pirate Blackeyes.”
The smile in Renna’s voice caused him to grin. This first victory tasted sweet.
TWELVE
The last week of September the weather changed dramatically, making the season feel more like fall with its chilly nights and warm days. Then rain came. The captain had sensed the barometer falling even before the first drizzle landed on the windowpane. He’d felt it in his bones. Not an ache, as some people have, but an inclination.
Like the one he’d experienced out on the lake that fateful day. What had happened? Had it been his fault?
He sat on the divan in the Fieldses’ cozy parlor, grateful for the fire blazing in the hearth. He waited patiently for Wendell, his wife, and Renna to finish dressing for dinner. A week had gone by since he first arrived in their home, and he had regained much of his eyesight. Instead of rejoicing, however, he kept it a secret from Renna and her family. He felt certain that as long as he remained blind, Renna would continue her attentiveness, and he wanted that more than anything. Yet he had to admit it grew increasingly hard to continue his charade. Sometimes he had to close his eyes behind the dark spectacles he wore so he didn’t see the step in front of him or know what food lay on the plate before him at the supper table.
But Renna affixed herself to his side, and he conceded to her coddling. He once needed it—even looked forward to it. Now, however, he bristled beneath it. But it couldn’t be helped if he meant to continue with his plan of temporary deception. It appeared to be working better than he first thought.
And one thing was sure—Renna had feelings for him, feelings that went far beyond what a nurse felt for her patient. He’d seen the way she looked up at him so adoringly, and it pulled at his heart in the most peculiar way. While he pretended he didn’t observe it, the ardent expression on her lovely features was obvious—and, yes, hers were lovely features. True, Renna’s birthmark was a curiosity—at first. But Wendell had been right. One hardly noticed it after a while. But now the captain wondered over Renna’s insecurities. She had a kind, caring, devoted nature and a delightful sense of humor, and he found her petite and shapely figure physically attractive. What’s more, he enjoyed matching wits with her.
The captain blew out a long breath. If falling in love were an illness, he’d have to say he’d succumbed. Completely. Hopelessly.
But, of course, falling in love was for fables and fairy tales.
Wasn’t it?
“There you are.” Renna entered the parlor. She wore a deep green corduroy dress with a fitted bodice and flaring skirt.
Standing to his feet, he thought the color of Renna’s dress suited her features perfectly, especially her green eyes and wavy auburn hair. It was on the tip of his tongue to compliment her, but he quickly remembered to maintain his ruse. “I’ve been sitting here enjoying the warmth of the fire.”
“Yes, it does feel nice on a cold, damp day, doesn’t it?” She eyed him. “It appears you didn’t have any trouble dressing for dinner tonight. Even your tie is perfectly straight. And your hair . . . ” She smiled. “You must be getting accustomed to the feel of things, Captain.”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, I suppose I am.” Next time he would have to leave his tie a bit crooked. However, the cut of these clothes left something to be desired, and he longed for a visit to his tailor—
Whoever he was!
A knock sounded at the front door, and Renna bit her bottom lip as an expression of apprehension washed over her face. “I suppose that’s Mr. Benchley.”
The captain smiled sympathetically. Wendell had taken his words to heart last week, but this dinner invitation had been in the works for some time, and he didn’t feel right about abruptly canceling it.
“Excuse me while I answer the door.”
“Of course.” The captain gave her a gentle smile.
She left the parlor, and he heard her voice in the small front hallway. “Come in, Mr. Benchley. May I take your coat?”
“Yes, thank you. And may I say that you look especially lovely this evening.”
The captain’s shoulders tensed.
“Thank you, Mr. Benchley.” Renna sounded less than enthused as she showed him into the parlor.
“Nice to see you, Captain . . . Whoever-you-are.” Benchley chuckled at his own facetiousness. He then extended his hand. But since he was supposed to be blind, the captain didn’t acknowledge the greeting thrust at him. Eventually Benchley dropped his arm.
“Please sit down, Mr. Benchley.” Renna claimed the seat beside the captain. The sweet scent of her subtle perfume wafted to his nostrils, and her elbow collided with his. “Oh, pardon me.”
He inclined his head.
“So . . . Mr. Benchley, I trust you had a good day today.”
“Quite good.” He cast a slight frown in the captain’s direction. But, at Renna, he smiled. “Any day is a good one when money is earned and invested wisely. A new shipment came in today from China—”
“Japan,” the captain corrected him. He’d been with Wendell at the Chamber of Commerce when the shipment came in.
“Oh, right . . . Japan. Anyway, we were busy in our department. Working closely with the merchants made me long for the day when I’ll be in charge of my ow
n shipping company.”
The captain had heard Benchley mention this shipping company several times now, and his interest continued to pique. However, until this moment, he hadn’t had the chance to ask about it. “May I inquire about the name of your shipping company and where it’s based?”
A steely look entered Benchley’s gaze. “The name’s Great Lakes Shipping, and it’s based in Michigan—that is, it had been based there. The company belonged to my Uncle Ralph Kingsley,” he said emphatically. “When he died, my aunt, his second wife, Elise Kingsley, nearly ran it into the ground, pardon the pun. Nevertheless, it supported her while she was alive. But she was killed earlier this month in a tragic boating accident. That’s when I discovered she’d sold Great Lakes Shipping to some scoundrel. My uncle had meant for it to be mine. And what a coincidence, eh, Captain? You were injured in a boating accident too.”
His heart drummed wildly in his chest as he realized Benchley was speaking of the woman he’d planned to marry in December—Elise Kingsley. Yes, of course, that was her last name. He had just purchased her shipping company—the very one to which Benchley referred.
Sitting back against the divan, he forced calm into his voice. “The names of your aunt’s friends . . . do you know them?”
A soft gasp emanated from Renna, and he knew she suddenly understood why he’d posed the question. But he quickly placed his hand on hers, praying she’d keep her knowledge to herself. He didn’t want Benchley informed. Not yet, although it was obvious that Benchley knew his identity.
“Their names? Hmm, let’s see . . . ” Benchley deliberately took his time searching his memory. “The only one I know who drowned was dear Aunt Elise’s fiancé, Brian Sinclair—”
A jolt of recognition reverberated to his soul. He knew that instant he was Captain Brian Sinclair.
From out of the corner of his dark glasses, he could see Renna’s face pale beneath the room’s lamplight. He’d have to speak to her later.
“Ah, yes, Captain Sinclair . . . ” Benchley sat back against the blue cushioned chair. “I never met the man, but he was a blackheart. He wooed and cooed Aunt Elise until she lost her senses. Then he convinced her to sell our shipping company . . . to him. She did because she was as smitten as a schoolgirl. I couldn’t reason with her. I tried on many occasions. But she had set her sights on marrying the rake and told me she’d give him anything. It appeared Captain Sinclair not only took Great Lakes Shipping but my aunt’s life too.”
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