Beloved Castaway (37 page)

“I was captain of a vessel until recently,” Josiah said, “and I had occasion to ask that same question.”

“Is that so?”

Activity swirled around them, but Josiah kept his focus on the captain. “Aye.”

“What did you do?”

“I took those passengers aboard with the promise of payment.” He shrugged. “And now I ask you to see them to the completion of a voyage I have been rendered incapable of completing.”

He seemed to be thinking, then suddenly turned away. “What happened to your vessel? You mention an auction.”

“Aye, she developed a leak that we thought was patched. I sought help for a gravely ill crewmember only to find the patch did not hold. The
Jude
was lost, although there is some hope the wreckers salvaged enough to bring a decent sum at auction.”

“A pity, that.”

“Aye.”

The captain made an abrupt turn and headed back in the direction they’d just traveled. “Have you anything to offer as promise of payment should the auction not be successful?”

Josiah nodded. “I am now employed as wrecker on the
Caroline
.”

His thick brows went up. “Micah Tate’s vessel?”

“Aye.”

The captain grinned. “Well, why didn’t you tell me so? I make a monthly trip to this lovely locale, barring any unforeseen delays. Are you amenable to making payments each month until the sum is settled?”

“I am.”
 

He dared not add up the total of his debt. Better to pile one atop the other and give no heed. All were his by rights to settle, and settle them he would. He shook hands with the captain and made to leave.

“Son?”

Josiah turned. “Aye?”

“We sail at dawn.”

“So soon?” He felt like a fool as soon as the words were out. “What I mean is, I figured you’d be in port a day or two.”

“Generally we are, but seeing as we’ve been delayed, we’ll make an exception this month.”

“Of course,” he muttered as he wove his way through the crowd milling along the docks.
 

By the time Josiah reached the boardinghouse, he had decided what to say when he saw Isabelle. Just to be sure, he circled the block, then returned to the steps. One more moment to practice, and then he knocked.

Isabelle opened the door, and he promptly forgot every well-rehearsed word. Instead, he stood on the steps like a fool, his only thought being to notice how well her green dress matched her eyes.

“Josiah?” Mrs. Campbell’s voice cut through the fog of his thoughts. “Come in, come in. Is it dinnertime already? I was so excited about the
Amberjack
’s arrival that I must have lost track of time.”

“Oh, no,” he said to her retreating back. “It is early yet.”
 

It was then he noticed that Isabelle was not looking at him but past him toward the harbor. “So the vessel has arrived?” she said.

“Aye.” He felt his breath catch but made an effort to force the words.

Isabelle closed her eyes for a second, and he dared not think of what that meant.
 

“Isabelle, do invite the captain in.” Emilie appeared in the door behind her. “Forgive me, but I couldn’t help seeing you round the corner. I was just reading with William. Are you already here to fetch him?”

Josiah shook his head.

“He’s come about the
Amberjack
, Emilie,” Isabelle said.

“Indeed?” Emilie smiled. “I heard the commotion and thought perhaps the vessel was in port.”

“Only just,” Josiah said. “I wonder if Miss Dumont is about. I’d prefer to have this conversation only once, and I need to speak to all three of you.”

“She’s making rounds with the doctor. I can fetch her.” Isabelle reached for her bonnet and stuck it on before hurrying past Josiah, leaving the distinct scent of lavender in her wake.

“Josiah!” William ran toward him and launched himself into his arms. “You’re early. Can we go fishing?”

Mrs. Campbell peered in from the back porch. “A pity you want to leave. I’ve got a batch of sweets out here in the kitchen that I need some help with.”

The lad scampered away without so much as a good-bye, leaving Josiah smiling. The smile faded when he caught sight of Isabelle coming up the steps with Viola behind her.
 

Was that a tear she swiped away?

That settles it. I cannot let her leave.
 

Yet he could not force her to stay.

Viola burst through the door, her face flushed. “It was the most amazing thing. I just helped the doctor deliver a baby. I—oh, hello, Captain Carter.” She shook her head. “I mean, Josiah.”

“Vi, dear, whose baby did you deliver?” Emilie asked as she positioned herself on the settee and pulled the Dumont woman down beside her. “Two of the children who come for lessons have siblings on the way.”

Josiah stepped back to let the ladies chat. Soon enough, they would remember he stood in the room, and he would be forced to deliver the news of their swift departure.
 

Isabelle met his gaze, then quickly looked away as she sought out the chair nearest the door. Finally, the ladies tired of their talking and looked to Josiah. “Do tell us why you’ve gathered us here,” Emilie said. “And please, sit with us. There’s a comfortable chair next to Isabelle.”

“Thank you, but I prefer to stand if you don’t mind.” He focused his attention first on Emilie, then on Viola. Looking at Isabelle while he delivered the news was impossible. “As you’ve noticed, the
Amberjack
has arrived. Since I was charged with the responsibility of delivering you to England, I have purchased passage for the three of you and William aboard the vessel as far as Cuba. From there, the captain has assured me he can assist you in finding a London-bound vessel.” Josiah paused to take a breath. “The problem is the vessel sails at dawn, so you must decide soon. Actually, now.”

His speech duly delivered, Josiah punctuated the statement with a forced smile.

“Well, now,” was Emilie’s reply as she leaned back against the settee’s horsehair cushion.

“Indeed,” Viola softly added, her fingers cradling her chin as if in thought.

Neither would look at him.
 

“Isabelle?” Emilie said, turning to face her sister. “What say you of the kind gift Josiah has bestowed on us.”

“No, Emilie,” Josiah corrected. “ ’Tis not a gift.”

“I see,” she said. “Then you’ll not take offense if I do not accept it?”

“What?” Josiah shook his head. “But I thought. . .that is. . .”

“Josiah,” Emilie said gently, “I’ve come to love it here in Fairweather Key. Honestly, I think the Lord sent me here to teach these children. Besides William, there are a half dozen others in my care on most days. Were it possible, I might take on more.” She paused to offer what seemed to be a genuine smile. “So you see, while I am forever in your debt for your kindness, I cannot accept it.” Her smile faded. “Oh, but if you wish William to attend a proper school, I will understand completely. I know I am not as qualified as the teachers in—”

“Don’t make me go, Josiah! Don’t make me go!” William burst through the door and latched onto Josiah’s leg. “Miss Emilie says I am an apt pupil. Isn’t that right?” When Emilie nodded, William pointed to Josiah. “You said you wanted me to get a good education. I have that here.”

“Caught with my own words.” He shrugged. “Fine, I shall not require it.” He put on a serious look as he pried the boy off his leg and knelt. “I shall not require it yet,” he added. “But I reserve the right.” He glanced over the boy’s head to Emilie. “What say you, Miss Emilie?”

“I think it’s a fine compromise.”

“There,” Josiah said, “we’ve compromised, William. Perhaps you’d go and help Mrs. Campbell now?”

“Aye, Sir Josiah,” he said with a mock salute before skittering away.

Viola cleared her throat and rose. “I, too, greatly appreciate your offer of passage to England.”

“But?” Josiah supplied. “You’ll not be wanting a ticket, either?”

She shrugged. “I’m afraid not. You see, I’ve just helped deliver a baby.”

“Yes, I heard,” he said.

“And there’s the matter of Dr. Hill.” She blushed. “What I mean is, he’s never had a proper nurse, and I’ve been learning for weeks now. It would be a shame to throw all of that learning away, don’t you think?”

Josiah chuckled. “Indeed.”

This was going quite well. Two of the three ladies had declared themselves ready to remain in Fairweather Key. Now to speak to Isabelle.

“So,” he said as he planned his reaction to her decision to stay, “Isabelle, what say you on the matter of passage aboard the
Amberjack
?”

“First, I must echo Emilie and Viola’s thanks. I know this must have been an expensive purchase.”

He withheld his smile, waiting. Rather, he shrugged.

“It was a grand gesture all the same, one I will not soon forget.”
 

She ducked her head, then lifted it again. Outside, Josiah could hear William’s laughter mixed with the cry of a gull.

“And?” This from Emilie. “Really, Isabelle. Do not keep the man waiting.”

“And. . .” She paused to worry with the hem of her apron. “I wonder if you might tell me what time I should board the vessel?”

“Vi, dear, I wonder if you might come upstairs a moment. I’ve been thinking of teaching William about medicines, but I’m uncertain as to which plants are used for what. Do you think you can help me?”

“Of course.”
 

Their chatter continued until a door closed upstairs. Finally, he and Isabelle were alone.

“So,” he said as he watched her rise, “you will finally see England.”

“Yes, I will.” She walked toward the door and reached for the knob. “I’m sure you’ll understand if I tell you I must see to preparations.”

Josiah moved in her direction, intent on brushing past her to make his exit. Like a moth to a lantern, however, he felt drawn to her, even as he knew it would only bring disaster.

She is leaving.

He paused, so near he could once again smell the jasmine scent of her.
 

She refuses to admit she loves you.

As if he could not help himself, Josiah reached to capture her wrist. He expected Isabelle to protest.

She did not.
 

She would have me kiss her.

So he did.
 

---

Isabelle could have spent the rest of her life lingering in Josiah’s arms. It was as if this place, this protected safe place, was where she was meant to be.

Reality forced itself upon her.

Without a word, she broke the embrace and raced up the stairs. Bypassing the room where Emilie and Viola chatted about herbs and poultices, she slipped into the darkness of her own bedchamber. With nothing to pack but the dress Viola had found for her, Isabelle was left to fill the hours until dawn.

The sound of the door closing downstairs drew her to the window. From her vantage point, she could see Josiah cross the street and head for the docks. He lived on the
Caroline
now, this she knew from William; and he’d been working hard to bring the vessel back to its original glory. He had also been accepted into the community of wreckers. This she’d learned from the doctor, who often made trips to the docks after a salvage operation was completed.

His shoulders slumped and his head down, Josiah walked briskly. Still, Isabelle mentally calculated how long it would take to catch up with him.

Or she could call to him through the open window. Even now with the breeze and the sound of the surf, he was not too far away to miss hearing her call his name.

All the more reason to close the window, which she did.

“I’m doing this to protect you, Josiah,” she whispered as the man she loved disappeared into the evening’s shadows. “And I won’t cry. I just won’t.”

But she did.

Chapter 32

J
osiah was on the docks when the wind caught the
Amberjack
’s sails. He remained carefully hidden in the crowd, although he almost gave away his hiding place when he spied Isabelle marching toward the gangplank, her backbone straight and her attention focused ahead.

She carried a small satchel and wore a cloak that must have been loaned to her by Mrs. Campbell, such was its vintage. Her golden curls were hidden under a proper traveling bonnet of sky blue, and she held her Bible against her chest as if it were precious gold.

What a contrast to the woman he’d met on the docks in New Orleans such a short time ago. Then, she’d been a mystery to him, a sea siren who caught his attention and set him on guard.

Today, she was all that and more, except that she had captured his heart and seemed intent on taking it with her to Cuba, then on to London, eventually settling at Clapham, where no doubt she would waste away without him.

“Probably not, but I would like to think she would miss me.”

“Oh, I’m sure she will.”

Josiah jumped at the sound of Mrs. O’Mara’s voice. He searched about for something clever to say. Failing that, he merely shrugged. “I can hope so,” he added.

“I understand the charges against you were dropped,” she said, though he barely heard her for watching Isabelle climb the gangplank.

“Aye.” She disappeared onto the deck, and he could focus on his former jailer. “Judge Campbell was kind enough to rethink the charges.” He saw Micah Tate’s red hair across the plaza and waved. “Forgive me, Mrs. O’Mara, but I must be off.”

She grasped his hand and held him in place a moment longer. “You’re a good man, Josiah Carter. Someday, if the Lord decrees it, she will find her way back to you.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I hope you’re right.”

“And I hope ’tis sooner rather than later,” she replied.

---

For a week, Josiah started and ended the day at the docks, certain Isabelle would find a way back to him. Sooner became later, and then later became not at all. Eventually, Josiah stopped looking for Isabelle to return.

With William busy learning, Josiah was free to throw himself into turning the
Caroline
into a vessel Micah Tate could be proud of. When the auction that would include items from the
Jude
was announced, Josiah decided funds leftover from purchasing the
Jude
and Isabelle’s ticket on the
Amberjack
would be used to purchase new sails for the
Caroline
. Tate protested, but he placed the order all the same.