Carried Home (20 page)

****

Eden chuckled at her brother's nickname for her. “Oh, Adam, that is a story meant for another time. But Father is well, I believe.” At least she knew he wouldn't be looking for her. After she had disobeyed him so defiantly by running away, and with the fiancé out of the way, the whole situation had been fixed. She was certain he would not send anyone after her. In fact, he had probably told London society she had died. No daughter of his would defy him, run away, and marry a pirate.

“Why didn't you write to me?” Eden's hands clawed into her brother's arms without her bidding. She had worried about his safety for years. Many had assumed him dead.

“I did, Ed. Although I began to suspect Father was intercepting my letters because I never received a reply.”

“How could he do that to us?” Tears stung Eden's eyes. All this time, she could have been corresponding with her beloved brother, her only sibling.

“You know he was dead-set against any son of his being a sailor. He feared it would tarnish our reputation.”

“Would you like to sit down in my captain's cabin and visit?” Gage gestured to the other side of the ship.

“You would allow us to?”

“Of course I would. You four go along. I am so happy for all of you. I'm going to stay up here for now and speak with Lady Shaw.”

Ivy raised her chin. “But Gage, I would prefer to stay with my best friend. I have missed her so.” She paused, her eyes lowered. “You could come along as well.”

Eden paused. What had passed between these two? Why had Gage acted so possessively of her earlier? Hmm. She eyed the couple suspiciously. They would make a good match, really. Gage was a sweet man, and Ivy, a caring person.

“Very well.” Gage led them to his cabin and made sure they were all settled comfortably before he left the room, declaring he had some business to tend to.

Adam ran a hand through his hair and twisted to face Ivy. “Lady Shaw…Lady Ivy Shaw. I knew I recognized your name. You were naught but a little tyke when I last saw you, playing with my Eden. When I first met you on this ship, I had supposed I may have known you from my days in London, making your name sound familiar, but I never remembered for certain. I had tried to block those days out of my memory. But, my, what a bright lady you have become in the years since.”

Ivy smiled at Adam. “Thank you, Mr. Dou—sir.”

“Adam, what…what happened to you? What hurt you?”

A shadow crossed over his face. “In '92, there was an earthquake in Port Royal, and I stupidly stood next to a building that exploded. I got caught in the fire and it singed my left side.”

Eden swallowed hard as tears welled up in her eyes. “Adam, that must have been terrible.”

A shrug rolled across his shoulders. “Tell me more about your husband, Ed.” He nodded towards Caspian.

“Oh. Well, Father lost a lot of money in a poor investment. So he soon decided it was time for me to marry.”

He raised his right brow. “He married you to a pirate? Now, I suppose it can be a lucrative business, but… he has always been so against sailing.”

Caspian chortled from his position in the chair on the other side of the room.

“No, not at all. He announced my betrothal to Lord Clive Rutger.” Eden's nose crinkled up at just the mention of the awful man's name. But he was gone now. And she had Caspian. There was nothing to concern herself about. “Do you remember Lord Rutger? He may have not been in town yet while you were there.”

Adam shook his head. “I don't remember him, but just by the way you said his name I have a feeling I know what kind of man he was.” He clenched his fists. “What was Father thinking? He has always been more concerned with money and status than either of our happiness or well-being.”

Eden nodded. It was true. Their father had not cared one bit that Adam had always longed for the freedom of the sea, just as he had not cared one bit that she did not want to marry a man who abused her. She recounted the tale of how her horrible fiancé had beaten her, how she had run away. How she had met Caspian and little Reed and never wanted to turn back.

 

Ivy remembered Adam now. How could she not have realized he was Eden's brother before today? Sure, he was quite a bit older than when she had last seen him. And, of course, the entire left side of his face was unfortunately marred. And he had changed his last name. However, now that she knew who he was, there was no mistaking it. He was certainly Eden's brother.

She smiled when she recalled all of the fun times Eden had told her and Aimee about. Why, she remembered stories of them gallivanting about at the docks of London and sneaking out their windows after bedtime. Eden had loved this man very much, and was devastated when she had believed she had lost him forever.

A knock sounded, then the door scraped open. Gage closed it behind him as he balanced Emma on his hip. It was a charming sight. He was the perfect father. Why, he cared about Emma deeply. She could tell. And he cut a handsome figure.
And
he seemed to only have eyes for Ivy as he entered the cabin.

Ivy bit her lip. Why did things have to be so complicated? And yet, she knew despite all of her original objections, Gage was made for her and Emma. In the deepest part of her heart she knew they would all end up together. It was inevitable. They would be a family someday. And what a pleasant thought that was.

Gage crossed the room, stopping next to Ivy and crouching next to her, Emma balanced in his lap. There were no other chairs in the room, and he, the captain of the ship, seemed content with sitting on the floor. That made her…love him even more.

She loved him. There was no denying it.

The warmth of his near body and his cedar scent wafted around, enveloping her.

“Who's this beautiful little girl?” Eden leaned forward and smiled.

Ivy beamed with pride. She thought her Emma was beautiful, too. “Our darling little Emma.” A copper curl danced across the little darling's forehead before Ivy brushed it away. They shared the same hair color. Maybe in the future everyone would believe she was truly her own child if she so wished.

“Our?” Eden's voice rang with the question.

Heat flooded Ivy's face.

Gage leaned so close his breath tickled her ear. “If you insist on not allowing me to be this angel's father, mayhap you should refrain from referring to her as ‘ours.' Repeatedly.” His chuckle rustled the hair at the nape of her neck.

“She's not…ours. I mean…she is, but…Gage?” Her voice was reduced to a squeak.

His laugh reverberated across the room. “We found little Emma being abandoned by her mother, who could no longer risk caring for her. So we took her in and now she's…
ours.”
He sent Ivy a wicked grin.

“Oh…” Eden eyed them suspiciously. Ivy wished she could sink into the floor boards and into the bay below. This was horrifying. Gage was a rogue.

“May I hold the baby?” Reed shot up from his chair.

Ivy chuckled. This boy was really sweet.

Eden sent a questioning glance to Ivy, who offered a shrug.

“If you are very careful, you may hold her. But make sure you sit on the bed. I don't want you to drop her, all right, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Mama. I wouldn't drop a
baby
.”

Gage walked with the boy over to the bed and gently handed Emma to him. They watched silently as the children played together for a few moments.

Adam and Eden picked up a conversation about their past, recalling one of their childhood adventures.

Ivy asked Gage about his sister. She had told him she would prefer to remain in her cabin for the evening rather than joining them.

Caspian reported to Gage about his ship and how they were faring. Gage talked about the struggles of learning how to be a good captain, and how Ivy had even taken over for him for a while.

Reed returned Emma to Gage as she began to fall asleep, then he bounded off to his father. “Papa, can Mama have a baby soon? I love babies.”

Eden's face blossomed to red at her child's comment. The entire room was silent before they all burst into laughter.

“What? Are you laughing at
me?
” Reed frowned.

“Shush, sweetie.” Eden rested a hand on her son's as a smile perked up the corners of her mouth.

Caspian chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair.

After a few moments, the group went back to talking and filling each other in on details they had missed. Ivy loved watching Eden. In the past few months she had known her, her cheeks had lost their pretty color, and her eyes, their sparkle. Now she realized the prospect of marriage to that horrible Lord Rutger had tortured her day and night. But now it seemed as if married life agreed with her very well. She was ready with a smile and a laugh. She was happy. And that made Ivy happy.

Soon, the night grew old. Caspian sat up straight and nudged his wife with his elbow. “Sweetheart, I know this is the first time you have seen your brother in years, but we should probably be leaving soon. Reed is practically asleep and the sun has already set.”

Ivy glanced down at her friend's son. Sure enough, he had dozed off against his father's leg, and a look out the porthole told her the sky had darkened considerably.

“Can we come back tomorrow?” Eden's forehead creased.

“When were you planning on setting sail, Gage?” Caspian turned to his friend.

Gage stood and stretched his legs out as he rocked a sleeping Emma in his embrace. “Tomorrow afternoon. But I am certain the men wouldn't mind waiting until the day after that. We garnered some treasure from another ship on the way out here, and they are probably itching to spend all of their money and sleep off their alcohol. We should be able to convince Ivy to delay her journey to get to her little brother by a day as well.”

“Could we meet tomorrow afternoon, then? Maybe your sister would feel like joining us. Perhaps, at the beach we found each other at today?”

Gage grinned. “That sounds wonderful. I will see if Addie wants to join us as well.”

****

“Oh, you will adore Eden! I really hope you decide to come. She is one of my best friends.” Ivy smoothed out her hair with a brush as she sat in the cabin that night talking to Addie.

Addie rested her chin on her hands. “How do you know these people?”

“Eden has been my best friend practically since I was born. We grew up together in London. She recently married Captain Archer, who used to be Gage's captain.”

“I know Captain Archer. He was like a brother to me for many years.”

Hmm. Ivy had not known that. “What do you mean?”

Addie cocked a golden-brown eyebrow. “Gage hasn't told you?”

“Told me what?”

“When I was around four years old, after our mother had died and our father left us, Caspian's family took Gage and me in as their own and raised us. Caspian is like my brother.”

“I didn't know that.” Ivy finished brushing her hair and began gathering it together in one long braid. “So do you suppose you would enjoy joining us tomorrow?
Gage said we could stroll through the city, and maybe stop to eat something at a nicer tavern. I think it will be pleasant.”

A frown formed on Addie's face. “I don't know…did you say Mr. Douglas is coming, too?”

Well, he was Mr. Trenton now. “Yes. I still cannot believe I didn't realize he was Eden's brother. It seems so obvious now that I know he is.”

“I…I will think about it. I will let you all know tomorrow. I am just not certain.”

****

The deck of the
Siren's Call
wobbled over a wave the next morning, but Gage stood tall, a grin on his face. The day was going to be perfect. He could feel it. Earlier, he had stopped by the silversmith's, who had given him the ring. For Ivy. On top of that, his sister had agreed to go along with him, Ivy, Adam, Caspian, and Eden for a walk about the town.

Gage patted his pocket to make sure the ring was still there and couldn't resist the temptation to take it out and look at it again. He rolled the smooth piece of silver over in his hand and rubbed his thumb across the small bits of blue and crystal gems circling the top. It would look positively lovely on Ivy's finger. There was no doubt of that. After pressing a kiss to the trinket, Gage gently tucked it back in his pocket.

He needed to find a time to propose to the little lady this afternoon. He wanted to make sure the ring fit her properly while they were still in Charles Town, so the silversmith could adjust it if need be. Not that adjusting the ring was his only reason to hurry. Giddy excitement and nervousness raced through him. When he asked her to be his wife, what would she do? Oh, how he wished she would smile and throw her arms around him and assure him she would love to be his wife. And oh, after he made her his…

“Gage?”

Her copper hair had been braided and then wound into a low knot at the back of her neck. Gage longed to run his hands through that silken hair and let it fall from its confines. She held Emma in her left arm, the child's legs balancing her against the woman. The child leaned against her chest, eyes closed in sleep. And, oh, the pleasure that filled Gage when he caught the expression on Ivy's face. She was happy to see him. And that made him incredibly happy. Her blue-gray eyes lit up and her pink lips curved into a smile. Why, if Addie wasn't standing right there next to her and she wasn't holding Emma, he would have taken her into his arms and…

“Is something wrong?”

Blast it all, she had caught him staring at her. His face heated. “No, no.” He glanced about the deck. “Nothing's wrong. Where is Adam?”

“Right here, sir.” Adam stepped out from somewhere behind Gage.

“Ah. Shall we head out, then?” Gage offered his elbow to Ivy out of habit, and then realized that that left his sister out. He flicked his gaze to Adam and nodded his head at Addie. If Adam would escort Addie, then Gage would be left with Ivy. Which he would not mind at all.

Adam offered his arm to Addie. She looked at it, then at Gage. He nodded. After exhaling loudly, she reluctantly placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to escort her. Gage took Ivy's hand and tucked it against his side, and the four began their journey to the beach.

By the time they made it there, Eden and Caspian were already perched on some rocks, waiting. Reed played in the sand with a piece of driftwood. Immediately, Eden ran to hug her brother and Ivy. Gage shook hands with Caspian.

“Oh, you brought precious little Emma!” Eden rubbed the little one on the back, adoration filling her eyes.

“There's no one back on my ship I trust her with.” Gage fingered a tuft of Emma's hair. Really, it was so much like Ivy's. When he made them all officially a family, it would look just like Emma had really been born to him and Ivy. He glanced at the woman out of the corner of his eye. Once he made her his wife, they would have lots of beautiful orange-haired babies.

Reed bounced up from his position on the sand. “May I please hold the baby?”

Ivy's face brightened. “Of course you can, sweetheart.” Ever so gently, the woman lowered their baby into Reed's arms until she was certain the boy had a good grip on the toddler. Emma wrapped her chubby arms around his neck and giggled.

“The beach here is beautiful.” Caspian nodded at the tall grasses that made up a large portion of their view. The sand was of a fine texture, but it seemed more like dusty dirt than the grainy sand that populated most of the Caribbean. Although it was still late summer, the water was colder by far.

Eden moved to Caspian's side and wrapped an arm around her husband's waist. “Yes, it is.”

Adam stood next to Eden and she laid a hand on his arm. Gage glanced at Addie. She scowled at Adam.

What had his first mate done to his sister? Or was it simply that Addie had always been feisty around any man, and he just noticed her attitude toward Adam? He glanced over at Caspian. No. She had never been impolite to Caspian. The man had been like an adopted brother to her, and she had treated him as such.

Gage's thoughts were broken when a soft hand landed on his wrist. He squeezed Ivy's fingers. This was a good sign. This meant she was still thinking the way he was. Now if he could only find a chance to get her alone so he could officially claim her as his own…

“So, are we ready to go?” Caspian spun around but kept Eden's hand on him.

“Father, I can stay here and watch Emma. So you all can go through the town while we play here.”

The corners of Caspian's mouth lifted. Gage had seen him smile more since he had found Eden than he had in years. “Reed, I don't know if you're old enough to stay here by yourself.” He looked to his wife.

“I know Reed. He's responsible.” Eden glanced up at Ivy. “If it is all right with Ivy and Gage, I think Reed and Emma will be fine. We are just going to be in town for a little while, and it doesn't seem like many people come through this area to bother them.” She indicated the empty beach surrounding them.

Gage clenched his jaw. Of course he trusted Reed. But that didn't mean the two of them would be safe all alone out here.

“I…I suppose they would be fine,” Caspian offered.