Carried Home (18 page)

 

Gage beamed as his sister fingered the fresh, bright fabric. Oh, the joy that had brightened her face! His gaze drifted over to the other side of the cabin where Ivy sat on the bed, playing with Emma. The poor thing. There had been a few times this afternoon Ivy had been left looking alone while he and Addie spoke of the past. She no doubt was missing her brother terribly when she saw him reunited with his younger sibling. He moved over to her side and brushed a lock of hair out of her forehead as Emma giggled and played with a piece of lace on Ivy's dress.

Slowly, Ivy's eyes rose up to meet his. They were filled with adoration, confusion, and a hint of sadness. She looked over at Addie, who lounged in one of Gage's armchairs. Addie smiled sweetly in their direction and then stared out the porthole, where the docks were bustling with nighttime activity.

Gage ensnared Ivy's hand in both of his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He would let her get to know Addie, and they would soon get together like a small family. He hated to see Ivy feel out of place. Maybe after dinner together and they had shared the cabin for a few days, they would feel more at ease near each other. Gage would hate to see the two most important women in his life uncomfortable around each other.

His thoughts were interrupted as one of his men carried in a tray of food and deposited it on the table. Another man trailed in behind him with cups and a pitcher of water . They sent a few long gazes in Addie's direction, but after Gage thanked them, they exited the room.

“Oh, this smells good!” Ivy commented. Her face brightened.

Hunger rumbled in Gage's stomach as he leaned to the table and sniffed. Yes, it did smell good. Platters of rice, poached pears, and roasted chicken and vegetables lined the table. Steam and savory scents wafted towards him. A plate of cheese on the far side of the table completed the menu.

Addie gasped as she took in the wide array.

Ivy's eyes twinkled in appreciation. “Oh, Gage, this is amazing! I was growing so sick of the dried food we were eating during the voyage.”

Gage flashed her a wink. “I made sure we would have good food while we were at port.” He circled the table, pulling out chairs for the women. Once everyone had settled, he positioned himself between the ladies. He said a blessing, and they began to eat.

“It is nice to eat here without the rest of the crew, Gage. They have become more reasonable, but still…I appreciate the privacy.” Ivy cut a small piece of pear off of her plate and popped it into Emma's mouth.

“Aye, miss. I just never thought it was proper for me to invite you here to dine alone with me.” He shrugged.

“The food is delicious, brother.” Addie sank her teeth into a chunk of chicken. She was eating faster than he had seen anyone eat in a while.

Gage felt a frown crease his forehead. “Have you eaten well since your…since Mr. Poole passed away, Addie?”

She lowered her eyes. “After I secured my position at the milliner's shop, I would dine in a tavern when I had enough money, but I despised being harassed by the other customers. The milliner's shop was too close to the wharves for my liking.”

Something sour sank in Gage's stomach. “They didn't…hurt you, did they, Addie?”

“No, no, I got away. There's nothing to worry about. I just taught them to keep their eyes and hands to themselves and I started to limit the times I went there because I did not like the patrons.” She nibbled on a chunk of cheese.

Ivy slipped a spoonful of rice into her mouth and then drank a sip of water before speaking. “I am sorry you've had to go through everything that has been thrown your way, Addie. It sounds like you have had an unpleasant life, and you are still quite young.”

Addie shrugged. “I know everything that has happened is for a reason. I may not know what it is right now, but I will someday.”

A smile tugged Ivy's lips upwards. Gage had trouble tearing his gaze away from those pretty lips. “That is true.”

Emma grabbed a chunk of a roasted turnip off of Ivy's plate and tossed it into the air. It landed square on Gage's nose. He raised his eyebrows. Emma giggled and pointed. After a moment, Ivy and Addie shared a look and burst into laughter. Gage joined them as he wiped off his face. He watched Ivy and Addie, who smiled at each other. Finally, they seemed more comfortable together. He released a sigh as he leaned over to poke Emma on the cheek.

****

Eden's heart seemed to soar high above, near the stars that glittered in the black sky. In a few hours, they would land in Charles Town. A trace of doubt raced through her body. Would they finally find her brother? Perhaps they were not even following the correct facts. They could be chasing another man. Not her beloved brother.
Oh God, please let it be him this time. Please. I need to know he is okay. I need to hug him again.

Tears welled up in Eden's eyes and, despite all of her efforts to blink them away, spilled down her cheeks. She quickly batted them away with the palms of her hands. It would not do to have either Reed or Caspian come upon her and see she had been crying. Goodness, she had found herself crying at the drop of a hat in the last few weeks. Perhaps her emotions were running higher than normal because she had recently discovered she may be with child.

A strong hand rested on her waist, and a familiar scent of wood and spice wafted over her. Caspian leaned down and scrutinized her face. His warm breath fanned over her lips. He frowned. “You've been crying, my love.”

“No, Caspian, it is nothing to worry about.” She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

He gently nudged her back. “My wife was crying. I think that is something to worry about.” Caspian gently wiped wetness from her face with the pad of his thumb.

She gave him a weak smile. “Don't fret, dear. I was just thinking about Adam. You know how I fret about him.”

He sighed as he cupped her face in his hands. “Sweetheart, we will find him. Your brother will be safe.” He brushed his thumb across her lips.

“Mama! Papa!” Reed's tormented voice bounced from the other side of the ship. Eden swung around. The child raced up the companionway and across the deck. He skidded to a stop in front of her and Caspian.

“What is it, my son?” Caspian crouched down to Reed's eye level.

“I had a terrible dream!” He threw himself into his father's open embrace.

“Oh, sweetheart, I am sorry.” Eden lowered herself to her knees and rubbed Reed's back. Tears filled her eyes at the fright in her child's voice.

“I…I was so frightened…” Reed hiccupped between breaths.

“Honey, it's all right. You're fine. Everyone is fine.”

“What happened in your dream, Reed?” Caspian rested his elbow on his knee as he wiped the tears from his son's face.

The child's face crinkled up. “I don't want to talk about it.”

Eden sighed and smoothed sandy curls away from Reed's face. The poor thing. She hated to see him upset. Pulling his head back to rest on her chest, she spoke into his ear, “Reed, darling, everything is all right. It was simply a dream.” Sparkling blue-violet eyes gazed back up at her. Something tugged at her heart. She loved this boy so much.

“Now come on, Reed. Let's get you back to your bed.” Caspian rose and stretched his arm out to his son, offering to help him up.

“Oh, Papa, please, no!” Reed sniffled. “I am too frightened.”

Caspian's eyes met hers. She nodded. “All right, Reed. You may sleep with your mama and me. Just this once.”

Eden smiled. Her husband had really become good at understanding their son and what he needed. And when the child had a startling nightmare, it was best he was comforted by his parents.

She squeezed Caspian's hand as they made their way down the companionway to their cabin. “I love you.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you too.”

****

Addie awoke that morning with a crick in her neck. But she did not care. No, she was safe on Gage's ship. She did not have to worry about sewing nonstop or being harassed at a tavern, or if she would even make enough profit to eat. Even if there was nowhere for her to garden on this vessel, for once in the last two years she was safe. Safe. The feeling warmed her heart.

She found Ivy sitting upright on her cot, still in her nightgown, rocking Emma in her arms. The woman yawned, and then smiled when she noticed Addie. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?” Ivy laid Emma back down on the cot and covered her with a corner of the coverlet.

“Yes, I did. Thank you for asking.”

Addie swung her legs out of the hammock and managed to exit the contraption without embarrassing herself. Although she had always slept in the hammocks when she was younger, it had been years since she had done so. It would take her a while to get used to it again.

Addie stretched her arms over her head. “I'm hungry.”

Ivy laughed. Her stormy gray eyes twinkled. “Gage usually sends Adam down to give us some fruit and tea, or some biscuits.”

Addie cringed. Adam. Wasn't that the man she had treated poorly yesterday? Well, no matter. He was a man. She should not feel guilty for treating him poorly after so many men had treated her poorly. And yet she did. He seemed kind.

“Is something wrong, Addie?”

She blinked. “Oh, no, Ivy. Nothing at all.”

“Hmm.” Ivy rose and moved to the porthole. Addie joined her. Although it was early in the morning, the town was already bustling at work. The ship gently bobbed up and down against its moorings.

A knock sounded on the door. “It's Mr. Douglas, ladies. I've come to bring you a meal.”

“Come in,” Ivy called.

Addie turned around as the door opened. Mr. Douglas strolled in and set a tray of fruit on a tiny table next to the bed. He picked up the teapot and began to pour one cup. His gaze reached Addie's. A small smile raised one side of his mouth. “How are you today, milady?”

Why should he smile? Addie had been rather rude to him the day before. She moved towards the table to stand near him. “I am all right, sir.”

His eyes met hers and held their gaze. He blinked and then continued pouring tea. His hand shook. She reached out to steady the cup for him, thinking maybe the gentle sway of the ship on the waves was causing him trouble. Hot tea scorched her hand. She yelped and drew back.

Mr. Douglas immediately set the pot back on the table and lifted her hand. He pulled it up to his mouth and blew on it. “I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry, milady.”

“You're so clumsy! What are you doing?” Addie pulled her hand away from his grasp. Immediately, she regretted the harsh tone to her voice. It had been an accident.

Ivy sped over to them, concern tightening her eyebrows. She seemed to assess the situation and spun back around fumbling with the washbasin.

“I apologize, Miss Thompson. I was trying to blow on the burn to cool it down. I know burns are terribly painful.”

She bit her lip as she studied his face. Had it been burned? Is that what had disfigured the left side of his body? Well, she felt like slapping herself in the face if that was how he had been scarred and she was sitting here whining about a splash of hot tea. “What's done is done, I suppose.”

Ivy faced them once more and placed a cool, damp cloth on Addie's hand. Immediately, it soothed the pain of the burn. But it did not soothe the pain coursing through her as she took in the extreme disappointment on Mr. Douglas's face. After a moment, he backed away. “I apologize again, milady. If there is anything you are ever in need of, pray let me know. I am at your service.” With that, he turned on his heel and sped from the room.

****

What was that about? Ivy frowned as she tended to Addie's burn. The man had never been clumsy before, and Addie had certainly acted strangely around him. Odd.

She inspected the platter Adam had left on the table. Croissants, a treat since they were at port! Oh, but those were delicious. Aimee's mother, a Frenchwoman, had ensured that her cook made the French pastries once in a while. They were truly scrumptious.

After Addie had treated her burn, she joined Ivy in nibbling at the croissants. She was quite a change from the ravenous young woman Ivy had seen last night. “Addie?”

The girl's sea-foam green eyes slowly rose from the pastry to Ivy's face.

“Do you feel well?”

“It only hurt for a moment. I am fine.” She flaked off a piece of the pastry.

“I am going to be completely honest with you. I was not talking about the tea, Addie.”

She remained silent for so long, Ivy had given up all hope of receiving an answer. Finally, she said, “What happened to him?”

Ivy brushed the remaining flakes of the croissant off of her fingers and finished off her tea. “What do you mean, ‘what happened to him'?”

“What happened to Mr. Douglas? Why does he look like that?”

“You mean the side of his face?”

Addie gulped. “Yes. What made it look like that?”

Truly, Ivy did not know. She had never felt right to directly ask the man about it. But she had queried Gage on the matter once. “Gage told me he was burned in an unfortunate accident a few years back. It scorched the whole left side of his body, but mainly affected his face. The rest has mostly healed.”

“Oh.” Addie's face darkened in upset.

Realization hit Ivy. “Oh, Addie, don't worry about that!”

“I was…fussing because he accidentally spilled some warm tea on my hand, and here he was horribly disfigured by a fire. I feel awful.”

Ivy laid her hand on the young woman's shoulder. “Sweetheart, it is all right. I'm sure he didn't even think of it. He rarely seems to care about his face. Adam is a kind man. He wouldn't let something like that bother him, especially from someone like you. He knows you weren't acting maliciously.”

“I was cruel to him last night, too, Ivy. I do not understand what is wrong with me. I am being so rude when I really am so grateful to finally be safe once again.”

Ivy pulled the girl into her arms. “Darling, you have been through a lot during these past few months…or however long since your marriage. It is understandable you are a little jumpy and that would affect how you act around people. Don't worry. It'll pass soon, and I am certain you will go back to feeling like yourself quickly.”

Addie pulled away slightly. “Really?”

A smile stretched itself across Ivy's lips. “Really. Now enjoy your meal.”