Within a Captain's Hold (30 page)

She clutched Sarah’s gift to her chest and doubted she’d ever lay eyes upon this place again, but she would never forget a single moment. As they rode away, she looked back at the lovely grass hut and the small white blooms she formed into the shape of a heart at Sarah’s door. Her hand dipped to rest protectively over her belly. Even though her heart was broken and any hope of a future with Jaxon dashed, she had a new purpose. A new life grew within her. With or without him, her future would be filled with love.

Annalise smiled through her tears. “Good-bye, dear Sarah.”

“Annalise, we need to board.” Alice slipped her arm around Anna’s waist and guided her toward the gangway.

“Where could he have gone? I can’t leave like this.” Jaxon had delivered them to the
Cornwall
and that was the last she’d seen of him.

“Perhaps he’s like Sarah and doesn’t care for good-byes.”

“No. It’s clear what he doesn’t care for…is me.” Still she scanned the crowd for him as hope was the last thing to die. “Was I so wrong in thinking he’d come to love me?”

“I don’t have your answer, but we’ve still got each other and a long voyage ahead of us to figure things out. The sooner I’m away from this cursed island, the better. Come along.”

Aboard, they joined the other passengers lingering along the railing. The ship was alive with uniformed seamen performing their duties as the anchor raised and the ship made its first move away from the dock.

A heaviness settled on Annalise as she left Alice’s side to stand at the rail. Jaxon hadn’t even said good-bye. He’d let her leave without a second glance. Cast her aside like some forgotten piece of clothing.

The
Cornwall
passed by the
Scarlet Night
as she sat at her mooring, waiting for her next adventure. Was he there? Was that where he’d wave his final farewell?

Her decks were empty. No one stood in the fantail, nor the gracious curve of windows that lined the captain’s quarters. As she recalled counting the panes of glass in those very windows, tears obscured her view. It was over. They were over.

Her hand rested on her stomach. The thought that her child would never know his father cut her deeply. A sob racked her. It was more than she could bear. The tears now flowed free.

“Miss?” A seaman approached her on the left.

She averted her face and wiped her eyes. “Y…yes?”

“You’re wanted in the captain’s quarters. There appears to be some confusion as to your accommodations.”

She frowned. “What sort of confusion?”

“I can’t say, Miss. I have orders from Captain Oliver to escort you below.”

The ship reached open water, and the sails overhead caught the first bite of the wind bowing snow white against the blue of the sky. The
Cornwall
began to fly over the waves.

She followed the wide shoulders of the young man as he led her down a roped galley way and back to an ornate door. He gave two quick raps, nodded to her smartly, and held the door open for her to pass.

Captain Oliver sat behind a wide desk looking very much like a well-educated eagle. A set of wire-rimmed spectacles hung off the end of a hooked nose. The white of his hair matched the thick bush of eyebrows that roofed eyes the color of chocolate and cream. His uniform was pristine. Logbooks and parchments lay scattered before him.

“Missus Steele?”

Missus Steele.
The words scraped over the raw wound of her heart. “Yes, Captain. Although I believe Mistress Gatherone is more appropriate now.”

He adjusted his glasses and peered at a ledger. “You’re listed as a married woman on the ship’s manifest.”

“Better that I correct that misconception now. You see, my husband made the arrangements, but--”

“So you
are
married?” Sharp eyes met hers. He pulled the glasses off his nose. “Which is it? Are you, or aren’t you?”

“I suppose technically I am still married.”

“Well, then putting you in the cabin for single females is an error.”

“My traveling companion, Alice Tupper is single.”

“Ah, I see the confusion, now.” He replaced his glasses, dipped his pen, and made a notation. “You’re to be in the forward cabin. Starboard side. We’ll be happy to inform Miss Tupper of the change.”

“But I’ll be fine with the single women.”

“Not according to your husband’s wishes.”

“Please, Captain.” She rubbed her forehead. The man’s muddled disorder was beginning to give her a headache. “I don’t need a separate cabin. Certainly it is clear to you that I’m not traveling with my husband.”

“Dear woman,” Captain Oliver lowered his glasses once more and smiled, “certainly it is clear to you that your husband is waiting for you in the forward cabin on the starboard side.”

When she got there, she was breathing as if she’d run the length of the ship. The rush of blood pounded in her ears as she opened the cabin door.

Jaxon stood holding a length of golden tissue silk and hair combs fit to grace the dark hair of a Spanish queen studded with small rubies, fat citrines, and pearls the size of spring peas.

“You forgot these.”

She hadn’t forgotten. She’d never forget. The familiar sounds of the ship sang around them. Wood strained and popped against the pounding of water against the hull. The great ship rose and fell as it sprinted along. Annalise braced herself against the rock of the ship and the rock of her heart as it raced.

He opened his arms wide. “This isn’t as grand as my cabin on the
Scarlet Night
, but I hope you’ll find it to your liking.”

“What are you doing?”

He lowered his arms and frowned. His gaze locked with hers. “Something I’ve needed to do for weeks--telling you I love you.”

Her breath caught and time seemed to stop.

When she didn’t speak, he continued, “I believed I could send you away. Believed it was best for you…for me.” He shook his head. “I was wrong. I need you, Anna. You’ve become the air I breathe. I want you with me, by my side, always.” He searched her eyes. “I’ve relinquished my commission so I can return to London and never be without you.”

“You left the
Scarlet Night
?”

“Gavin Quinn is more than capable of taking over the
Scarlet
. The men respect him. He’ll be a good captain, and I trust him.”

“But Jaxon,” she said his name in a whisper. “The
Scarlet Night
is
yours
. You’ve built her reputation. You’d give all that up?”

“She’s only a ship. I can live without her barnacles and bilge. I can’t live without you.” He cast the silk and combs aside and stepped closer. “So, I’m prepared to be a proper lord.” He lifted his hand. Her father’s ring caught the glow of the lantern light. “And I promise I won’t regret a single moment of my life as long as I’m with you. I want this. You. I want to love you and protect you and grow old by your side.”

Annalise didn’t dare move, didn’t dare blink for fear she was dreaming. Jaxon offered her all she’d ever hoped for but convinced herself would never be. Saying the words she’d longed for him to say. Laying his heart and his life at her feet. Giving up the
Scarlet Night
? Promising to grow old with her? Annalise didn’t realize she was crying until he reached out and wiped a tear from her.

“I-I don’t know what to say.”

“Tell me you still love me. Tell me I haven’t been a complete idiot and ruined everything between us. Tell me I can love you forever.” He ran his hands up her arms. His thumb grazed the ridge of her collarbone as he peered into her eyes before lowering his gaze to her mouth. “Or say nothing and simply kiss me.”

Anna ran her fingertips along the line of his jaw, relishing the texture of his unshaven face beneath her touch. She pushed back his dark hair and fingered the golden hoop in his ear.

He lowered his forehead to hers.

“You love me?” she whispered.

“Hopelessly,” he growled. The muscle in his jaw tensed.

She laid a hand there. “What about when I have silver threads in my hair?”

“Then I’ll favor silver threads.” He clutched fists full of her hair and kissed her.

Later, Annalise lay in Jaxon’s arms. Her body still stirred by their lovemaking and her heart bursting with joy. A thin hair of worry still tickled over her skin.

“Jaxon?”

“Mmmm?”

“Sarah gave me a gift today.” Annalise took Jaxon’s hand and slid it across the flat of her stomach, covering it with hers.

In the dim light, she watched his face as she told him. “She placed her hand here and said ‘Ye’re te have a man child. Wit de hair of flames and de eyes like de sky.’”

He frowned at first, but as comprehension lit in his mind, a look of wonder crossed his face. “You’re with child?”

She nodded. “And he’ll have beautiful blue eyes just like his father.”

“I’m to have a son?”

“That’s what she said.”

His fingers spread across her belly. “A wee babe.” Rising on one elbow, he lowered and placed a kiss there. “You’re giving me a son.” He kissed his way up her body and his mouth captured hers again, and again. “I love you, Annalise. I’ll love you both with all that I am for as long as I live. You’re my private treasure. I’ll never give you back.”

* * * *

The sun was making ready to melt into the sea as Jaxon and Annalise strolled arm and arm up the deck to join Alice. He could have happily spent the rest of the day making love to his beautiful wife, but Annalise was eager to share their happy news with her friend. After that, she told him he could climb the rigging and shout it to the rest of the world from the crow’s nest.

Jaxon paused at the sight of Alice poised at the bow looking out past the bowsprit to the open ocean. Fingers of orange and crimson streaked the sky beyond. The wind lifted her hair in wild disarray. Sprays of water licked off the front of the ship to shower her with mist. She made a determined figure. He recognized her stance. Hands upon the hips, and legs wide riding the roll of the decks. He’d stood in that very spot, in the same way, countless times.

Alice Tupper stood like a captain.

Lisa A. Olech
is an artist/writer living in her dream house nestled among the lakes in New England. She loves getting lost in a steamy book, finding the perfect pair of sexy shoes, and hearing the laughter of her men. Being an estrogen island in a sea of testosterone makes her queen. She believes in ghosts, silver linings, the power of a man in a tuxedo, and happy endings. For more please visit lisaolech.com.

Be sure not to miss Lisa A. Olech’s sequel to Within A Captain’s Hold:

Read on for a special sneak peek of the next book in the Captains of the Scarlet Night series!

Learn more about Lisa A. Olech
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31711

Alice Tupper refused to look back. As the
Olivia Grace
pulled away from its docking, she didn’t line the gunwales with the others waving farewell to England. She stood at the farthest point in the bow instead, pulled her woolen shawl tight about her shoulders, and lifted her face to the freshness of the open sea. Alice focused on that point where the sea and the sky lay atop one another like lovers. That was where her new life would begin.

“Good Day, Miss Tupper. Ye’ve stolen my favorite place to stand.”

Alice turned and smiled at Captain Fredericks. He was a joyous soul who’d already won the hearts of his passengers. Albert Fredericks reminded Alice of Father Christmas after indulging in an overabundance of plum pudding.

“I’ve only sailed twice, but I love standing here as the ship plows through the water. It creaks and pops and pulls against the rigging like a bridle. And then, when the sails are full, it’s as if she breaks into a gallop.” She ran her hands along the highly polished rails and fittings. “I envy you. Once we arrive in Virginia, I imagine I’ll never have the need to sail again.”

“Well, then, you’re welcome at my bow anytime.”

Over the passing days, the other passengers became a tight-knit group, but Alice was hesitant to get too close with any of them. She preferred her books, long hours on deck, and keeping her secrets tucked away.

Alice twisted the beautiful gold ring she wore. She ran her finger over the ‘
A’
carved into the face with a tiny pearl cradled in the tail of the initial. Her only treasure. It was a farewell gift from her best friend, Annalise.

“Alice, running off to the new world won’t erase the pain. It will only take you too far from those who love you. But if you must go, whenever you feel lost and alone, look at this ring and know I wear its twin upon my hand and we will forever be linked.”

Annalise had been wrong. The farther the
Olivia Grace
separated Alice from England’s shores, the lighter the burden of her past became. Perhaps it would be easy to erase the events that continued to haunt those dark hours of the night.

To her traveling companions, she was a simple English governess heading to take a new position along the coast of Virginia. There were none to regale them with tales of the happenings in Port Royal. No one would ever guess she killed a man.

Alice raised her face as a spray of chilled sea mist dampened her cheeks. A baptism of sorts. She licked the salt from her lips and sighed. This was her rebirth. With each mile, a new Alice Tupper immerged from the tangled mess of the old.

More than a week into their journey, the day burned bright. The sun warmed her face. Alice closed her book when the call came down from the crow’s nest.

“Ship off the starboard.”

She joined Captain Frederick as he raised his spy glass toward the approaching craft.

“It’s an English Brigandine. Mayhap they be in distress. By the size of her, she could be one of those slave haulers.”

Soon the ship closed the distance between the two and came along side. Only a handful of men stood on the wide deck. A voice called out across the water.

“Ahoy, we be the
Delmar
. Permission to board?”