by Vale, Jennae
Lizzie backed away. “Oh.” She’d missed him and so wanted to feel his touch, but she kept her distance. “What is it?”
In two strides, he was holding her in his arms. “I missed ye, Lizzie.”
“Where have you been? I was worried about you.” All of her angst and anger came out in those words.
“I’m sorry, but I had good reason.”
She waited for him to continue.
“I was busy securing our future,” he said with a smile.
She’d never seen him grin that way before. The dimples in his cheeks were more pronounced, his eyes twinkled with happiness, and he looked even more handsome than usual, if that were possible.
“Our future?” Lizzie stopped. “What are you saying?”
“I love ye. I wish ye to be my wife.”
She thought she might be hearing things. “Are you sure?”
Rourke laughed. “I’m verra sure.”
“Where will we live?” she asked. “You’ve sent the men away.” She’d heard what he said, but had been caught so off guard, that all she could think about was the house that wasn’t being built.
“We will live at the governor’s mansion.”
It made no sense to her. He knew they couldn’t stay there. “But, we’ll have to leave when the new governor arrives.”
“That’s what I came to tell you. He’s here.”
Rourke was filled with a joy that Lizzie couldn’t comprehend. Why was he so happy? “What?” She couldn’t be more confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ll explain, but first what do ye say? Will ye be my wife?”
“I love you, Rourke. Yes, I will. I will be your wife.” Shaking off all the worry and confusion, Lizzie couldn’t contain her excitement a moment longer as she leapt into his arms. He spun her around and then gently set her down.
“Come here, lads,” Rourke called to Daniel and Jamie. “Yer sister has agreed to be my wife.” Rourke pulled all of them, including Jamie, into a hug.
Daniel’s muffled voice said, “We’re going to be a family.”
“We are,” Lizzie said, warm, happy tears forming in her eyes.
“Ye, too, Jamie,” Rourke said, ruffling his hair.
“I’ve never had a family,” he said with a huge grin.
“Now you do,” Lizzie said.
“Shall we go home?” Rourke asked.
“Wait,” Lizzie stopped. “You had something else to tell me. You said the governor was here on the island.”
“He is.”
“Who is it? Is he at the house?” What would they do when he arrived? Where would they go?
“Not yet.” He took a deep breath before speaking again. “Lizzie, I’ve been appointed governor of Manta Cay.”
“What? How?” If she was confused before, she was even more so now.
“Ye remember the gentlemen we met in Charleston, Abner and Michael? They are the king’s emissaries. They were in Charleston to meet with the governor there and will visit others as well. After much discussion, they decided I should be made governor here as a reward for aiding them in their hour of need. We spoke at great length in Charleston while ye were with Caroline Forsythe. They said they were impressed by me and felt if anyone could govern this island, it would be me. They will tell the king of their decision when they return to England, omitting a few minor details, of course.”
“You mean that you’re a pirate,” Lizzie said.
“Was a pirate.”
“No longer?”
“Of course, I had to assure them I would no longer be the captain of a pirate ship.”
Jamie’s mouth hung open on hearing this.
“The Dagger’s new home will be Manta Cay. She will remain my ship, but Hawes will be the new captain. Lynk will be his first mate, and Jordy will likely be the quartermaster. I could no’ ask the men to give up their livelihood, but I will no longer be involved.”
“I can’t believe you’d give it all up. I thought you loved the adventure of the open sea.” Lizzie said.
“Ye are my new adventure, Lizzie. Ye’ve owned my heart from the moment I set eyes on ye, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my days with ye.”
Epilogue
Manta Cay, six months later
Lizzie and Rourke strolled hand-in-hand down the beach of their private cove. They’d built a one-room cottage that was their own special hideaway. A place they could go when they wished to be alone and unbothered by happenings on the island.
“I am so happy and at peace here,” Rourke said, squeezing her hand.
Lizzie smiled. She was, too. “So, what do you think of my plan to make Manta Cay more like Charleston?”
“It’s a fine plan, but what are your reasons?” He was proving to be a good governor for the island. He was meticulous with the records he kept and fair in his dealings with the ship captains who anchored in his port.
Lizzie had good reasons for wanting to improve the island, but one in particular that she hadn’t shared with him yet. She was pregnant and had vowed that if she had a daughter, she didn’t want to keep her from exploring all of Manta Cay. She wanted her to have a freedom that Lizzie hadn’t known until now. “We would attract more residents. Sugar cane is an abundant crop in the Caribbean. Those who have shown an interest in starting plantations would want a thriving town that would serve everyone’s needs.”
“What of the pirates?” he asked.
“They could stay, but with the understanding they were to keep away from those who were not pirates. The docks and town could remain for them to inhabit, but we could open up another part of the island for everyone else. What do you think? We could have a Broad Street of our own with merchants and craftsmen. Even an inn or two.”
“It sounds as if ye’ve given this a lot of thought,” Rourke said.
“I have,” she replied. “Manta Cay can be a very lonely place to grow up.” She spoke from experience. “I want Daniel and Jamie to have friends and a tutor if possible.”
“They’ve become close. Almost brothers.” Rourke bent down and picked up a perfectly-shaped conch shell. He examined it before placing it in his pocket. “For Daniel.”
He was such a thoughtful man. Daniel had taken an interest in sketching the natural flora and fauna of the island. “He’ll be pleased,” she said. Lizzie felt blessed that she and Rourke had found each other and now had a lifetime of love ahead of them.
“I’ve been thinking,” Rourke began. “At a future time, would ye like to sail to Dunnet Head with me? I’d like ye to meet my family. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen them, and I want them to know they can be proud of the man I’ve become.”
“I would love nothing more.” She smiled up at him.
“We would wait until our…yer plans for Manta Cay have begun to take shape, of course.” He stopped and turned her to face him before wrapping his arms around her waist.
“They would be your plans as well, sir,” she said.
“There are times when I think ye would have been a better choice for governor.”
“Don’t be silly. You are, of course, the governor, and I am here to help you in any way I can.”
“We will be governor together, then,” he chuckled.
“That could be the best idea you’ve had to this point.”
“I’ve had many good ideas, not the least of which was to wed the most beautiful, clever woman I’ve ever known.” He touched a finger to her nose, causing a giggle to escape her lips.
What could she say to that? His words warmed her heart. “I am a lucky woman.”
They turned back, having walked a good distance from their little cottage. The waves lapped at their bare feet and the bright sunshine warmed their faces. “Shall we go nap?” He feigned a yawn.
“A big, strong man like you, tired in the middle of the afternoon? I don’t believe it.” A knowing smile lit her face.
“’Tis almost unbelievable, but true nonetheless.” He gave her a devilish
wink.
He unlatched the door, enabling her to enter before him. The windows were open, allowing the sunlight to filter through along with a soft breeze that kept the room from being overly warm. Rourke stretched out on the bed and held out his arms to Lizzie. She wasted no time joining him.
“Rourke, you are going to be a good father,” Lizzie said.
“Well, then we’d best get to work.” He pulled her close, nuzzling her neck with his nose.
“You’ve already done good work, husband.” She pushed back so she could see his face. It took a moment before he understood her meaning.
“Are ye?” he asked.
“Yes, my love. I believe we’ll have a daughter some time this winter.”
“Daughter? How do ye ken it will no’ be a son?” he said, his eyes wide.
“’Tis only a feeling I have.”
“Am I really to be a father? Or is this a dream?”
She cradled his face in her hands. “You are awake. This is no dream,” she assured him.
“Come to me wife. I wish ye to ken how much I love ye.”
She happily surrendered herself to him as she knew she would do all the days of her life.
THE END
About the Author
Jennae Vale is a best selling author of romance with a touch of magic. As a history buff from an early age, Jennae often found herself day-dreaming in history class and wondering what it would be like to live in the places and time periods she was learning about. Writing time travel romance has given her an opportunity to take those daydreams and turn them into stories to share with readers everywhere.
Originally from the Boston area, Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where some of her characters also reside. When Jennae isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, and daydreaming, of course.
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