“You must be….” The words spewed out of her mouth before she even had the door open. There before her stood a man who looked almost exactly like Jaxon. “Grayson?”
He stood staring back at Charlie, equally surprised not to see the person he was expecting to see.
“I am indeed,” he said frowning. “I seem to be at a disadvantage.”
“I’m Charlie,” she said stepping back. “Charlie Sinclair. Won’t you come in?” She didn’t offer any other explanation of who she was because she didn’t feel it was her place to tell her future husband’s twin that she was his fiancée.
She didn’t mean to stare, but if it weren’t for the scars, he and Jaxon would truly be identical. “I’m afraid Jaxon’s not here right now. He’s…. Would you care to sit down? I’m afraid there’s some bad news for your family.”
A stern expression crossed Grayson’s countenance. “Maybe you should just tell me.”
“There was a terrible tragedy. Your cousin Jimmy was killed. Jaxon has gone to tell your Aunt Pru. He was planning on picking up your mother on the way because he knew your aunt would need her sister. I’m sorry this news has come from a stranger.”
“Bad news is bad news no matter who delivers it,” Grayson drawled, his eyes roaming around the townhouse making sure nothing was amiss. It didn’t make sense for Jaxon to bring this man into his house and leave him to forage about unchecked.
“I wish Jax could have been here with you when you heard the news.”
Ever the attorney, Grayson eyed Charlie suspiciously.
“Jax not Captain Bloodworthy?”
It only took Charlie a moment to realize with the way she was dressed Grayson believed her to be a male member of the crew. She decided to have a little fun—find out if this brother had a sense of humor. She thought about telling him she only calls him Captain when they fought or when he ordered her around, but thought that might tip her hand.
“We’re not on the ship right now,” she hedged.
“Are you his valet?”
Charlie smiled. “I can’t imagine Jaxon wanting someone to help him get dressed, can you? I’m the new surgeon’s mate.”
“Oh.” His eyebrows lifted, as he was glad to have an explanation. “But now I’m confused. We heard The Dragon’s Lair came and dropped him off then set sail again—and apparently dropped you off, as well. Oh, heavens, he’s not hurt again?”
Charlie didn’t miss the concern in Grayson’s voice and knew he loved his twin. “He caught some shrapnel in the side, but he’s fine now.”
“Well, thank heavens for that.”
“I would offer you a drink, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t know where to find any.” Then it occurred to her she’d never seen Jaxon drink and she wondered if that was a family value or something that Jaxon rarely imbibed in.
Grayson eyed Charlie suspiciously, not understanding why a crewmember, even a high ranking one, would be offering him a drink of liquor belonging to his brother. It wasn’t his place to act the host in someone else’s home. “A drink would be nice. I know where he keeps it.” Grayson led her into the library. “What can I get you?”
“Brandy?”
“You’re a man of refinement, I see. But unfortunately brandy’s almost impossible to come by these days—at least in this house. Would you like Scotch instead?”
Charlie had never tried Scotch, but she agreed. After smelling it, Charlie took a swallow. It took her breath away. Had she known it was so strong, she would have only taken a sip.
Grayson laughed and brought the decanter with him as he took a seat in one of the wing chairs by the unlit fireplace. Charlie sat down in the other.
“I understand you’re a lawyer.”
“I am. Are you in trouble with the law?”
It was an impertinent question. Why would he make that assumption?
“Actually, my father passed away recently and I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do.” Charlie took another drink of Scotch and set the glass down on the table between the chairs. It wasn’t empty, but Grayson poured more into it. “We were at sea, but I’m guessing the banks won’t just take my word for it that he’s dead. Plus there is a business partner, Dr. Brody Kirk who was shanghaied by the same British warship that killed my father. I’m not sure what to do with the business account since I can’t talk to Dr. Kirk.” She’d like to keep the shipping company running even if it meant building another ship and hiring a captain.
“I see,” Grayson said picking up her glass and handing it to her.
“I have my own account in Charleston and my father’s personal account which I’d like to move here since I’ll be calling Chimerical Cove my homeport now. Can you help me with these matters?”
Grayson tapped his glass against hers, prompting her to take another sip.
“Absolutely,” he said reaching the decanter towards her and pouring more into her glass.
“Also, do you think there is any recourse to get my impressed men out of the British’s hands?”
“Your men?”
Charlie began the lengthy explanation sipping the Scotch as she spoke. As she told him of the initial attack by the British, she found each time she thought of the upsetting details, she took a sip and Grayson was quick to refill it every time she set the glass down.
Charlie leaned her head back in the chair and realized suddenly how strong the Scotch was. She had had way too much and was feeling drunk.
“That’s quite a fantastic story.”
“It’s all true,” Charlie said quickly realizing by his sarcastic tone Grayson didn’t believe her. “And there’s more, but I’ll leave that for Jaxon to tell you.”
She wished that Jaxon would come back soon. The alcohol was really getting to her and she didn’t want to be drunk right now.
“Oh, God, Imelia is coming and she’s going to find me here drunk. What kind of first impression is that going to make? Grayson, I’m not sure if you’re a scrupulous person. You may look like Jaxon, but I suspect you’re not a man of character.”
Grayson laughed. He sounded exactly like Jaxon. “I’m just trying to figure out if you are a man of character, Charlie. Here you are in my brother’s house after a very short acquaintance. You are ensconced in here like you own the place and you and my brother are best of friends.”
Charlie rubbed her temple. “This is going to be like Daniel all over again, isn’t it? Daniel doesn’t like me much either.”
“But he’s coming around,” Jaxon said suddenly from the doorway. He scowled at the pair of them.
Charlie jumped up from her chair and ran over to him. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. “Grayson thinks I’m a man,” she whispered in his ear as they parted.
Jaxon looked past her to his twin. The look of shock was priceless. He laughed so hard at his brother’s expression that it was almost worth it to come home and find her drunk.
Jaxon took her by the hand back to the wing chair. He sat down then pulled her into his lap. She fell with squeal.
“I see you’ve met my black-hearted brother,” he said to her. “And you’ve met my Charlie,” he said to Grayson. “I’ve barely been gone half an hour and I come back to find my fiancée is drunk with the brother who has stolen every girl I ever liked. Well, this one you can’t have.”
“You’re a girl?” Grayson was genuinely surprised. He had no inkling that Charlie was female.
“Poor Grayson, you should have seen your face when I kissed your brother. I didn’t know someone’s face could go from white to scarlet so quickly. It serves you right for refilling my glass every time I set it down.”
A smile graced Grayson’s countenance. “When we were kids, Jax would do stupid or dangerous things just to see if I’d follow. I almost thought he was testing me again.”
“It’s a good thing you came back when you did,” Charlie said closing her eyes and leaning her head against his. “But I’m afraid I’m in no condition to go to the dressmaker
with your sister now.”
“That’s why I came back. Imelia can’t take you today. Her children are sick.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen your aunt yet?” Charlie asked.
“Not yet.”
“I told Grayson. I hope that’s all right.”
“Jax, why don’t you put Charlie to bed and I’ll go with you,” said Grayson.
“You feel like sleeping it off, baby?”
“Very much so.”
“If you’ll excuse us for a few minutes, Gray.”
Charlie reluctantly vacated Jaxon’s lap and waited for him. He threw his arm around her shoulders and slowly they made their way to second story.
“I’m not usually such a lightweight,” she said, trying carefully not to slur her words.
“You barely touched your breakfast and that was hours ago. And that Scotch is very strong. I nearly became foxed myself just from kissing you,” he said leading her into his room. “Sleep in my room for now, baby. The other rooms aren’t made up.”
“I suppose I should be glad you have scruples. Because you could very much take advantage of my condition. I would absolutely let you have your way with me right now even with your brother downstairs waiting for you.”
He kissed her forehead. “Charlie, when we make love for the first time, you’re going to be stone cold sober because you won’t want your senses dulled with alcohol. And I’m not going to be rushed because someone is waiting on me. I’m going to take my time, so you will enjoy and savor every moment. And we are going to be alone in this house, so you won’t have to feel self-conscious that anyone else will hear us. We’re going to let the headboard bang against the wall and the bed ropes can creak and if you want to raise the rafters with your screams, so be it.”
“Stop teasing me.”
A wide smile crossed his face. It was slightly lopsided because the scar on his cheek resisted the movement. “Who’s teasing?”
“That’s a lot to live up to.”
“Have you ever known me to exaggerate?”
“Time will tell.”
“Minx. Get into bed.” He gave her another chaste kiss on the forehead. “Imelia is getting together a change of clothes for you. I’m going to pick them up on the way home.”
“Girl clothes?”
He loved seeing her get excited. “Aye, and maybe if you’re feeling more yourself when you get up, I’ll take you to the dressmaker myself.”
“Jaxon Bloodworthy, I love you. You make me so happy.”
She grabbed his lapel, pulled him toward her and kissed him in a soft, languid embrace.
“Charlie,” his voice rasped. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Jaxon sat beside his brother in the rented buggy seat. Grayson had taken the reins and Jaxon sat with his arms folded across his chest.
“I can’t believe you got her drunk.”
“I didn’t know Charlie was a girl.”
Jaxon looked at Grayson like he was insane completely ignoring the fact that he had been fooled the first time he met her. “How could you not know?”
“For starters, she wore trousers.”
“If you didn’t know she was female, why get her drunk? You were up to your old tricks.”
“I swear I wasn’t. I was trying to get him talking about why he was in your house calling you by your given name. He wasn’t being forthcoming so I thought I’d ply him with a little Scotch.”
“A little?”
Grayson’s shoulders sagged as he sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
They drove on further before Jaxon spoke again. “If you try anything with her, I promise you’ll regret it.”
Grayson didn’t turn his head. Although they were better about not fighting now that they were grown, there was still a tension between them that was never far below the surface. They both had conflicting feeling about the other one. They might love each other, but Grayson always felt the sting of rejection from Jaxon. He had tried so hard to be friends with Jaxon as they grew up, but Jaxon hated being identical and by default blamed Grayson. Eventually Gray got tired of being cast aside and did what he could to make Jaxon’s life miserable.
“When we were kids, those girls kissed me because they thought I was you. I don’t think that’ll work anymore.”
“You know that’s not the point. You knew you weren’t me.”
“And you always blamed the girls as much as you blamed me.”
“They should have known who they were kissing.”
Jaxon shook his head. He couldn’t believe after all these years what happened as kids still bothered him.
“We looked exactly alike.”
“But our personalities are so different. Those were girls we knew all our lives and they couldn’t tell us apart.”
“And you think this girl is different? Do you think without the limp and scars she could tell us apart?” Grayson asked. “I guarantee if we blindfolded her and each kissed her or spoke to her she wouldn’t know who was who.”
“Damn it, Grayson, leave off. I’m not playing this game with you.”
If Grayson heard the warning and irritation in his brother’s voice, he ignored it. “You’re not even curious?”
“What I’m curious about, is why you always steal my girls instead of finding one of your own.”
“I’ve got to have one thing I’m better at than you,” Grayson said with a shrug.
“Grayson,” Jax gritted out. “I can see the clockworks turning in your brain. Heed this warning: I already beat up my favorite brother over Charlie. You, I might kill. If you think I’m playing games, try me.”
“You beat up Daniel? What did he do?”
“He tried to keep us apart.”
18
Breaking the news of Jimmy’s demise was the hardest thing Jaxon had ever done. To know that Aunt Pru left Jimmy in his care, and not to have brought him home, gnawed at Jaxon. Jimmy was eighteen, just a year older than Levi. His life had barely begun. Jaxon and Gray’s mother sent the field hands to fetch the preacher and the other children home from school and work.
Jaxon had been there three hours when everything began settling down. The memorial service date was set, the church calendar checked and the worship hall reserved, news sent to the newspaper, and all the family informed. Jax patiently waited for an opportunity to speak to his aunt alone. Finally, he was able to be alone with her on the porch. She sat in the rocker and he leaned against the railing.
“Aunt Pru, I know this is a horrible time for me to bring this up. I’ve done something I am terribly ashamed of, and I’d like to tell you about it before you hear it from any of my crewmembers. I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to forgive me, but I’m going to ask for your forgiveness, and then I’m going ask you for a favor.”
“My heavens, Jaxon. Surely, it’s not that bad.”
Jaxon raked his hand through his hair. “I already told you that this accident happened while we fought a French corsair. What I didn’t tell you about was the other ship, an American merchant vessel called the Arcadia. We found out afterwards, an English warship had disabled this ship earlier in the day and except for a single cannon, it was completely defenseless. The corsair attacked the Arcadia and we attacked the corsair. Afterwards, the second mate from the merchant ship came aboard our ship to help with our wounded. Charlie has had medical training from a doctor.
“While Charlie helped with our wounded, the Arcadia set sail. We didn’t know if it was intentional or accidental, but I was happy to have a loblolly boy, so I offered Charlie a job. Two hours later, we saw Charlie’s ship coming back. I took Charlie’s uniform and dressed Jimmy’s body it and his body was given to the Arcadia and told he was their second mate. All this so I could keep our new surgeon’s mate.”
“You didn’t bury him at sea yourself?”
“No ma’am. We had a memorial service for him. Jimmy was well loved by the whole crew. But no, it was left up to strangers to inter his body.”
&nbs
p; “I’m glad you are ashamed of yourself, Jaxon, because you should be,” Pru snapped.
“I am. After losing Jimmy, I wasn’t really thinking clearly. I didn’t know how I could I prevent anyone else from dying on my watch?”
“I hope it was worth it. This loblolly boy couldn’t save Jimmy. What makes you sure he has the skills to save anyone?”
“Aunt Pru, I don’t think Jimmy could have been saved by a real doctor, but Charlie’s at my townhouse if you should like to talk to her.”
“Her?” Aunt Pru jumped on the pronoun immediately.
“As it turns out, aye, Charlie is a woman. And I am madly in love with her. I’m afraid my conduct with Charlie had also been lacking at times. She has been sharing my cabin on the ship and since everyone makes the assumption we’ve had our wedding night already, we think it would be best if we were married as soon as possible. I know polite society dictates a long mourning period for Jimmy before we have a wedding. I would like to ask your permission to get married in a month’s time. We’d like to keep it small, just family and the ship’s crew, but if you prefer, we can elope and have a wedding elsewhere with just the two of us.”
Aunt Pru stood up. “Jaxon,” she said putting delicate hands on his cheeks. “I am so happy for you. Although I do not like what you did with Jimmy’s body, I know it was just an empty shell and since there was no way he could have been brought home, his body ultimately ended up in the sea. So I am going to forgive you. And I am going to grant permission for you to get married when you are ready.”
“Thank you Aunt Pru.”
“What did your mother say when you told her?”
“She doesn’t know yet.”
Pru’s eyebrow shot up as she dropped her hands to her side. “Betsy!” she yelled into the open window.
Moments later, Jaxon’s mother came running out of the house followed by cousins and siblings who were alerted by Pru’s raised voice.
“What’s the matter?”
“Tell her, Jaxon.”
“This is hardly the appropriate time.”
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