The Uncharted Series Omnibus

by Keely Brooke Keith

  As John disappeared up the stairs, Bethany filled Isabella’s plate then sat at the side of the table by the hearth. Connor said the blessing and reached for the serving spoon that was tucked into the edge of Lydia’s steaming chicken casserole. Lydia sat beside him and gave him a half smile as she snapped her napkin open and laid it on her lap.

  John shuffled back into the kitchen and heaved a sigh as he sat at the head of the table. “Pass the bread, please, Bethany.”

  Bethany glanced at her father as she set the breadbasket in his waiting hand. “Did the elders come to a decision?”

  “We did.” John took a roll and set the basket near Connor. “Justin will leave at sunrise.”

  Even though she knew it was coming, the news shocked Bethany. Her breath caught and she dropped her fork on her plate. The unmannerly clink drew everyone’s attention. Isabella flinched, Lydia scowled, Connor raised his eyebrows, and John’s chewing jaw went still. Bethany pushed back from the table. “No, Father! He will die. He will drown and you know it. Remember what happened to Luke and Walter? Lydia, you’ve experienced the ocean’s violence. Has everyone forgotten that? Don’t let him go, Father. Please. He will die.”

  “Beth,” Connor said her name like she was a child. He patted the air as if to calm her from across the table. “He needs to try to reach that ship.”

  “No, he doesn’t. He will die out there. Or is that what you want?” She glanced back and forth between her father and Connor as she sent out the accusation, hoping one of them would feel convicted. “Justin was right: I am his only friend here. I cannot believe neither of you care about a man’s life. He will drown in the ocean just like Luke and Walter did.”

  Lydia left the table and busied herself at the sink. Connor set down his fork. “Neither Luke nor Walter knew how to swim. Mercer has undergone extensive water survival training in the navy. I am not worried about him drowning. He will be smart about it and will return before dark if he can’t reach the ship. And as far as you being his only friend: he is not your friend, Bethany.”

  “Connor is right,” John interjected. “His intentions with you have not been honorable.”

  Bethany detested the feeling of everyone being against her and guessed that was how Justin had felt the whole time he’d been in the Land. She shook her head. “He shouldn’t be sent away just because he doesn’t share our customs. He hasn’t had a fair chance here. Especially from you,” she said as she looked at Connor. “He is your countryman and fought beside you in war. You should try to help him, not make him leave.”

  Connor leaned an elbow on the table and pointed at her. “You and Everett make quite a pair. He’s mad right now because he thinks I’ve taken Mercer’s side and that I’m going to leave the Land too, and you’re mad because you don’t think I’ve stood up for Mercer. You are both wrong. Do you want to know what I’ve been doing? I’ve been spending every evening with Mercer trying to keep him from ruining you, from upsetting the village, and from exposing the Land. He knows the elders here won’t enforce their authority over him, so I’ve had to work hard to keep him cooperating. If he wants to leave, I’m going to help him go. He has the training and the ability to get to that ship—if it is even possible—and he is willing to keep his mouth shut about this place, but if anybody riles him any more, he’s liable to renege on that promise. So stay away from him, and Everett had better hold his peace for one more night, too.”

  Connor leaned back in his chair. Bethany stared at her hands, but she could feel Connor still looking at her. She felt bad for upsetting him, but she also felt bad for Justin. Her chin began to quiver and she tried to make it stop. “Can I at least tell him goodbye?”

  “No,” John answered. “Connor and I are going to help him get his boat to the water tomorrow at sunrise. I will tell him for you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Bethany stacked clean dinner plates into the cupboard. The clank of their ceramic edges echoed through the quiet kitchen. She folded a damp dishtowel and wiped the empty table, then glanced at Andrew. He was sleeping in his bassinet, and the only movement of his tiny body came from the gentle rise and fall of his respiration. She watched the baby for a moment, and then blew out a heavy breath under the weight of her worry for Justin. If he knew someone cared, he may not make such a dangerous choice like going into the ocean. And if it were not for such strict cultural boundaries, she could go to him and tell him she cared.

  Bethany flinched when someone tapped on the window of the back door. She turned to see Roseanna Foster, who was wrapped in a black woolen shawl. Roseanna opened the back door and let herself in. “Hello, Bethany.” She flashed a friendly smile as she glanced around the room. “Where is everyone?”

  Bethany wiped the table once more. “Aunt Isabella went to bed and Lydia is in the cottage with a patient. Father and Connor are helping Justin get his boat ready for tomorrow.”

  “Good. I was hoping I could speak with you in private.” Roseanna unfurled her shawl and draped it over the coat hooks on the wall behind the door. “When Everett got home, he told me what happened today.”

  “Which part?” She asked as she pulled a chair away from the table and motioned for Roseanna to sit.

  “About the ship and about Justin leaving tomorrow.”

  “Did Everett send you to speak to me?”

  Roseanna frowned at the question as she lowered herself into the seat. “No. He is at Levi’s and doesn’t even know I’m here. When he told me Justin would be rowing out to sea in the morning, my first thought was of you. I know the men aren’t friendly with Justin, especially my son, but you spent ten days in quarantine with him and you form attachments easily. I wanted to see how you were taking it.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Foster—”

  “You’re grown now—call me Roseanna.”

  “Oh, thank you, Roseanna…” Bethany sat and laid the dishtowel on the table. “I’m in love with Everett and—”

  “I’m glad to hear it!” Roseanna interrupted, beaming.

  “Yes, well. He detests Justin. My father and brother and brother-in-law all detest Justin. They all tell me to stay away from him, but...”

  “But?”

  “But I’m his only friend. I can feel his loneliness and my heart hurts for him. I don’t think he has been given a fair chance. Connor said Justin wants to leave and the elders aren’t making him go. Justin told me himself he doesn’t feel like he belongs here. But I watched two of my friends die in the ocean once, and I don’t want that to happen to Justin.” Tears warmed the corners of Bethany’s eyes. She folded the edge of the dishtowel. “He may die tomorrow and they won’t let me say goodbye to him.”

  Roseanna inclined her head as she patted Bethany’s arm. “I had a feeling this would be tearing you up inside. You are sensitive—you inherited that from your mother. Sweet Bethany. A girl should have her mother on days like these. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”

  Bethany blotted her tears with the towel and looked at Roseanna. “Thank you.”

  “I don’t know what for.”

  “You came. You knew I was hurting and you came. That’s what I want to do for Justin, but I can’t, can I?”

  Roseanna shook her head. “No, love. You should respect your father and Connor and Everett and do as they say. They are trying to protect you and you must let them. That’s one of the ways men like them show love—by being protective. It’s not just men, I suppose. I must admit when I think of a man I don’t know trying to get you alone, something rises up inside of me that makes me want to protect you, too. Lydia is the same way. You’re a sweet girl, and young, so we all want to keep you safe. I understand it’s hard on you, but you should stay away from Justin.”

  “Stay away from Justin,” Bethany repeated the words she had been told so many times. She nodded her head and drew a deep breath. “Thank you, Roseanna.”

  * * *

  The quilt rustled as Bethany rolled onto her side. Bluish light from the full moon shone through
the space between the frilly curtains on her window. She pushed the covers away and sat on the edge of the mattress. As she stared at the oval moon, she wondered if Justin were still awake too. Of course he would be—he was the one who was going to die in a few hours.

  She took slow, quiet steps to her dressing table and sat on its cushioned seat in front of the mirror. The hours of tossing and turning in bed had tangled her hair. She watched her moonlit reflection as she tugged the comb through the knots and thought of Justin. He may not belong in the Land, he may not like her village or her family and friends, and he may not share their customs or sense of propriety, but he was still human and deserved the kindness of a friend. She picked up her silver bracelet and fastened its clasp beneath her wrist. As she touched the little charm that dangled from the bracelet, she remembered what it was like being locked in quarantine, alone and bored. It was Justin who talked to her and entertained her. Now he was stuck in the Land, alone and bored. She owed it to him to at least say goodbye and let him know there was one person who saw him as a human being. More than that, she needed to know he was leaving on his own accord and that he was truly aware of the ocean’s danger.

  Bethany tiptoed to her open wardrobe and pulled a red velvet dress off its hanger. After lacing her leather ankle boots, she picked up her woolen coat and draped it over her arm, then she slowly opened her bedroom door, turning its knob in small increments to keep it from squeaking. She held her breath as she closed it, hoping no one would notice she was gone. Then she crept down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out the back door.

  As Bethany buried her arms into the sleeves of her thick coat, she glanced up at the clear night sky. The full oval moon—now directly overhead—lit her path as she furtively hurried away from her family’s safe, warm home and into the village. There was not a soul in sight and she found it both terrifying and comforting to know she would not be seen going to a man’s house alone. Justin had been right: Bethany was not like the rest of them. She understood what he was going through. Knowing that she was doing the right thing impelled her past the shadowy graveyard to the old cabin where Justin was spending his last night in the Land.

  The cabin’s porch steps creaked as she climbed them. Warm light from a fire inside colored the thin muslin curtains over the front window. She hoped he was still awake as she knocked on the dense wood door. A cold breeze whipped through the porch and brought a copper wind chime to life. Bethany flinched as the flat tones sang through the air. She knocked again—this time louder—and heard footsteps on the other side of the door.

  Justin opened the door, shirtless. He stared at her and then a slight grin curved his lips. “Hey, beautiful.”

  “I’m so sorry to bother you this late at night.” Bethany glanced at the dark lines of the tattoo on his chest, then up at his half-closed eyes. “May I come in?”

  He stepped back and held the door open. The warmth of the fire felt good on Bethany’s cold face. She unbuttoned her coat as she walked into the cabin’s only room. When she turned back to Justin, she noticed he had locked the door and she remembered how dangerous Connor said it was to live in the outside world. She wished there were a way Justin could stay in the Land where it was safe.

  “Have a seat,” Justin motioned to the short divan pushed against the timber wall. He picked up a silver flask as he passed the table then held it up. “Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thank you.” Bethany shrugged out of her coat and flopped it over the arm of the divan as she sat. Though he had only lived in the cabin a month, it smelled like him: mysterious and masculine. She watched him step to the divan and thought his gait looked a bit staggered, but it was the middle of the night. “Did I wake you?”

  “No.”

  “I couldn’t sleep either. I had to make sure you were all right.” She watched his face, hoping to see a sign of approval for her kind gesture.

  “I’m fine.” He pressed the bottle against his lips and took a swig, then grimaced as he swallowed. “But that’s not why you came.”

  “I know you aren’t happy here and I hate that no one seems to be giving you a fair chance, but you don’t have to leave.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Are they making you go?”

  “No, it was my decision. But they are making it easy.” He sat beside her and exhaled audibly. The pungent scent on his breath stung her nose and she glanced at the flask. He set it on the doily-topped table beside the divan and put his arm across the cushion behind her. “I was hoping you would come see me tonight.”

  “Really?” She saw the light hit his eyes and recognized his look of desire. She scooted back an inch, but she was already pressed into the corner of the short seat. “Like I said: I came to make sure you were all right.”

  He chortled and moved his hand to her thigh. “I know the real reason you’re here. You’ve wanted me since the minute we met.”

  “Justin!” She scolded as she pushed his hand off her leg. “I came here to warn you about the ocean. You have no idea how dangerous the currents are around the Land and I’ve seen—”

  “You came to warn me?”

  “Yes, because—”

  “I don’t buy it.” His voice was quiet as he moved in close. “I’ll be fine, babe. I know what I’m doing. And so do you.”

  Bethany tried to sense his emotions, wanting to detect something positive in his intentions but she only felt his arrogance and anger. She drew her head back. “I thought we were friends.” He shook his head and reached for his flask. As he took another drink, she looked at the bottle. “Is that something you brought with you to the Land?”

  “It’s whiskey. I found it in the emergency supplies when Connor and I were getting the boat ready tonight. Felt like I struck gold when I saw it. Want a sip? It’ll loosen you up a bit.”

  “No, thank you.” Her venture outside the cultural boundaries was not being received as well meaning but as a solicitation beyond her intentions. She stood and reached for her coat. “I should leave.”

  “Don’t go.” He sank his hands into her hips and spun her around. “This is what you really came here for—” He pressed his mouth against hers. She tasted the drink on his lips and shoved her arms against his bare chest. His fingers moved and tightened around her waist. She feared he was not going to let go. Her heart hammered in her throat; everyone had been right about him. They had all tried to warn her: Connor and her father and Lydia and Everett and—

  Justin released her and drew a breath. She gripped her coat and backed away from him. For every step she took closer to the door he took one toward her. Then his expression changed. He stopped walking and wiped both hands across his face. “What am I doing? I am so sorry. I’m being such a jerk. Listen please, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

  His sudden vicissitude held genuine remorse, but she no longer pitied him. “Justin, how could you?”

  “I can’t help it. You’re so young and you show up at my place in the middle of the night and what am I supposed to think? Don’t leave. Please, forgive me, beautiful.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “Look, don’t be angry.” He gave a short chuckle and his arrogance returned. “I was doing you a favor. You’re from this freakishly old-fashioned society and have no idea how modern women behave. Do you know how most girls act when they meet a guy like me? You should thank your lucky stars that I was willing to show you a good time before you become a farmer’s wife and have to squeeze out a bunch of kids. No! You know what? You knew what you were doing coming here and I’m going to give you what you want!”

  Terrified, Bethany spun around and reached for the lock on the door, but he grabbed her hand. She tried to pull it away. “Justin, no!”

  “You want me as much as I want you.”

  “No, I don’t.” She tried to slide the lock out of the doorframe, but her fingers were shaking. “I want to go home.”

  “You’re such a tease.” Justin raised his voice as he pull
ed her hand away from the lock. He clutched her wrist in his fist, proving his strength.

  She tried to move away and when he did not let her, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her voice trembled. “Don’t—you can’t do this—I’m with Everett.”

  “No, at the moment you’re with me. You came to me in the middle of the night. That only means one thing.”

  She opened her eyes. “No. I came as your friend.”

  “You are not my friend. You’re just a tease,” he hissed.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You’re not as innocent as you pretend to be.”

  Her quivering knees vibrated the fabric of her skirt. “I’m not pretending anything.”

  “Then you’re an idiot.” Justin let go of her. “I want you, but I’m not going to force you.” He reached past her face and unlocked the door. Something dropped to the floor beside her and made a delicate clink, but she was too scared to look down. Justin’s venomous gaze was full of disgust as he stepped back. “Stupid girl! Get out of here. Go back to your Quaker family and your sheep-loving boyfriend.”

  Bethany whirled out the door. She ran down the porch steps as Justin spat angry insults from the threshold. She was halfway to the road when she heard his door slam. A dog barked outside a village house on the other side of the graveyard. She choked on a sob as she wrapped herself in her coat and hurried home.

  The cold air stung her face and neck, but her shaking fingers refused to button her coat collar. She tried to silence her weeping so as not to be heard while she sneaked home, but the trinity of fear, hurt, and regret unraveled the seams of her sensitive heart. Justin was wrong to grab her and kiss her, but he was right about one thing: she should not have gone to him.