Carried Home (5 page)

****

Ivy could not move her gaze from the rough-looking privateer captain who gently held a baby girl. It was such an endearing sight that she wanted to hug the man. Besides, he had made Emma happy within a matter of seconds when she had been wailing at the top of her little lungs just a moment before!

Her mind drifted back to the question he had addressed to her. She blinked. “Oh, it's just a nightmare I've been having…about something happening to my little brother. That's why I'm so anxious to get back to him. I don't want anything bad to happen while I'm gone.”

Captain Thompson tickled Emma and glanced up at Ivy. Her breath caught in her throat when he looked at her in that manner. What on earth was wrong with her? This man was a privateer. She should not be enjoying his company. Ivy stood, still clutching the coverlet from the cot against her chest.

“Captain, I know this is your ship, but it is really improper for you to be in here with me at night. If anyone from back home in England found out about this, my reputation would no doubt be in shreds.”

“Now, now, I only came in here to fend off some unknown danger. I will leave the second I get this child to fall asleep. There's no reason you should be stuck awake all night waiting for her to doze off. I agreed to take her with us just as much as you did, sweetheart.” He presented her a grin so beautiful, her breath stopped in her throat and her face heated. Not only was this man incredibly handsome, but he was so caring.
Had he just called her sweetheart?

She needed to stay away from him. A man so confusing was not something she wanted to bother with. All she needed to do was get home to William before something terrible happened to him. There was no need to worry herself about some pirate like Captain Thompson.

“Very well, sir.” Ivy settled back down on the edge of the cot and tried to ignore the presence of this man in her cabin.

The man rocked Emma back and forth, murmuring soothing words. The girl's eyes slowly drooped shut.

“Wherever did you learn to care for a baby, Captain Thompson? Do you have children of your own?”

“Oh, no, miss, I'm afraid I do not have any children to call my own. I suppose I have simply always enjoyed spending time with young ones, and they tend to enjoy the time they spend with me.” He winked at her.

“I see. I love my brother like he is my own child. I've practically been a mother to him starting a couple of weeks after he was born and my mother got sick.” She wrung her hands in her lap.

“Sorry to hear about your mother's misfortune, Lady Shaw.” Captain Thompson kissed Emma on the forehead. The child was snoring quietly, her little head resting in the crook of the man's arm. Her short copper ringlets hung in disarray, some strands randomly sticking out. When Ivy glanced at the captain, she noticed his hair stuck out in much the same manner. She stifled a giggle. The man gazed at her with somber eyes for a moment before she remembered his statement.

“Oh, my mother is all right. She just…retires to bed most of the time, and, well…”

“I understand, milady.” He gazed down at Emma and a sweet smile quirked his lips. “Well, I believe our little one is fast asleep. I suppose I shall leave and let the both of you get some rest.” Captain Thompson stood and gently transferred the baby to her arms. His arms brushed against hers for a moment and Ivy felt heat creep up her neck to her face. Finally, she settled Emma in her arms.

Captain Thompson offered her another breathtaking grin. Was the charming captain ever without a smile or wink?

“Good-night, milady. I hope you sleep well.”

 

Addie Thompson Poole's mouth watered when she noticed the apple perched on a stand in the center of the market place. The midday sun only enhanced its ruby color. She could already imagine the crunch of biting into it, the sweet juice dripping down her chin.

Years had passed since her life on the streets, years since her brother had been forced to break the law simply to keep them both alive. And now, she didn't have Gage. All she had was an empty brocade bag. Nothing at all left from Jacob Poole.
Worthless man.

Addie had sold everything they once owned, even the grand home in which they resided in the most opulent neighborhood of Charles Towne. But she still could not pay all of the gambling debts Jacob had owed. The debts she had never even heard of until after the man had died.

She gazed at the apple longingly.

Her stomach grumbled.

It was a very tempting idea to take the fruit and run. No one was watching. She could get away with it. Her belly ached for the opulent food her husband had gotten her used to dining on every day over the last year. Now she had nothing.
Worthless man
.

Aimee squeezed her eyes shut, stopped a moment, and then continued on her way. Had her letter reached Gage yet? Would he come for her? As of now, she was unable to send post to him to tell him how low her money supply had sunk because she could not afford to send him anything. She hated to be dependent on any man, but Gage was the exception. Her brother had been there for her through everything, good and bad. Besides, she had no honorable way to make a living for herself. The men who her husband was indebted to let her go after she had sold all she could. Now she survived without the help of any man.

It had been weeks since she'd dined on a full meal. The last several days she had been lucky to acquire even a few bites of food. She did not wish to be reduced to begging. Hot rays of sun bore down on her, causing a steady stream of sweat to slide down her back. Her vision swirled.

Although Addie thought herself a strong woman, she felt like she would faint if she did not get out of this awful late summer sun, and quickly. But she had nowhere to go. She had no home, and no one would want to take in a homeless widow. And who could blame them?

Addie stumbled across the street and spotted a large, ornate door. A church.

The Archers, the family who had adopted her and Gage, had been a churchgoing family, but Addie had not stepped foot in such a building since she had married Jacob. Jacob had scoffed at her when she suggested attending church the first Sunday of their marriage.

Addie opened the heavy door and cool, refreshing air greeted her. Surely whoever was here would have something for her to fill her belly with before she had to resort to begging or stealing. Maybe they would let her work for her food.

****

Adam Douglas stared at the horizon where dark storm clouds billowed, as cool gusts of air slapped against face. He ran a hand through his hair to push it out of his view. The
Siren's Call
bobbed in the deep water and rose back up again. Sea mist washed over Adam's face.

The sky continued to darken, and a wave of worry washed over him. A storm was brewing, but how violent was it? Memories flooded back to him of another ship, another terrible storm, only about a year ago. He clenched his fists and tried to rid his mind of the memory. He could still see James's young face, hear his pleas for help. There was nothing Adam could have done. There was nothing anyone could have done to help him.

He cringed at the distinct memory of a
splash
that had met his ears, despite all of the howls of wind and battering of rain. No, this splash was James's body meeting the ocean. Adam had tried to follow after James, but he was attached to a lifeline that cut his reach short. The other men told him James was a goner for sure, and in a tempest so strong there was nothing to be done. They would lose a dozen other lives just to save a single one. But that didn't help Adam. James's face, his eyes wide, a scream tearing out of his throat, still haunted Adam's vision.

James had gone under the surf immediately, never to be seen again. Moisture dampened Adam's eyes. James had been a young man, but he had a wife and a baby at home. And now they were alone. Alone, with no one to care for them. James had saved Adam years before. And this was how he was repaid. Adam had been sent below after the event, when the crew saw he was not thinking correctly. Sent below at a time when the entire crew's presence was demanded. He still could not forgive himself.

He did not think he ever would.

Adam scratched his chin and shook his head, trying to forget the horrifying memory. The ever-darkening skies held no comfort for him. Besides James's death that night, many other men had come close to losing their lives, Adam included. The ship had almost capsized. By the grace of God, they had survived the night.

Wind whipped against his face. A droplet of rain landed on his sleeve.

Many other ships had not faired quite so well. A feeling of dread clenched his stomach, threatening to tear it in two. He took a deep breath. Right now, he needed to stop thinking of such things.

A masculine grunt sounded behind him. Adam twisted to see his new captain, Gage Thompson. The man's face scrunched together in thought. He faced Adam.

“Are you all right, Mr. Douglas?”

Adam flinched at the sound of his name. “Yes, Captain Thompson. Please forgive me. I seem to have simply been…lost in my thoughts. Was there something you needed?”

“No, Adam. I was just wondering what you thought of the storm approaching. Some sailors back at Port Royal warned me that there may be a hurricane in my path and I fear I may have heard correctly.” The captain clasped his hands together behind his back.

Adam squeezed his eyes shut for a moment to try to forget the pain and ignore the fact they had sailed straight into what seemed to be a vicious storm. “It does look much like a hurricane, Captain. Aye, I fear that is what we approach. To me, our best choice would be to turn around and wait out the tempest back at the port. We would risk many lives to continue. I believe we could beat the brunt of the storm if we stopped and sailed straight back now. ”

Captain Thompson rubbed his face with his hands. “I'll go see what the crew thinks about the issue. I do not wish to put anyone in unnecessary danger.”

****

Ivy rubbed her sleep-crusted eyes and gazed down at the sleeping baby nestled in her arms. It was not so uncommon to awaken with a child cradled in her arms, due to the many times she had comforted William after a nightmare. But this little tyke was new.

Ivy smiled slightly as she studied Emma, who was snuggled in her embrace, still fast asleep. Dark copper eyelashes fluttered with each exhale. She made sweet, child-like noises that made Ivy miss William all the more. Ivy pressed a kiss on the baby's forehead. What was she going to do with this little one? Of course, she could keep her, and would be happy to, but that would not be good for either of their reputations. She had no idea what would become of them when she got home, but there was no way she would allow the child to be abandoned.

A knock sounded on the door, startling Ivy. She glanced at the porthole, where no light streamed through. The skies were black. Who would knock on her door at this time of night? She yawned, then sat up, making certain not to jostle Emma.

“Who is it?” she called softly.

“Captain Thompson, miss. I'd like to talk to you immediately, if you are decent.” The man's booming voice woke Emma. She whimpered until Ivy scooped her up into her arms.

“Hold on just a moment, Captain, if you please.” Ivy yanked the coverlet off the bed and wrapped it around her body to cover her nightdress. She had not thought to pack a dressing gown in the satchel she had taken from England in search of Eden, and she had purchased nothing since.

She rushed to open the door. Why on earth would the captain be visiting her at this time of night?

Captain Thompson entered and closed the door behind him. He sat in the wooden chair next to her sleeping cot. The man studied her from head to toe and sucked in a breath. “I didn't know you were not awake yet, Lady Shaw. Please forgive me for disturbing you.”

“Why, Captain, I only rise in the morning. It's the middle of the night!” Ivy bounced Emma in her arms.

Captain Thompson frowned. “It is the middle of the morning, miss.”

Ivy glanced back at the porthole.

He frowned for a moment. “Ah, the sky is dark because of a storm. That is why I came to speak with you.”

Ivy's face flooded with heat. She never overslept. A second look at the window told her the sky was indeed smothered by a mass of dark, angry clouds. A shiver iced down her back. “Why do you want to speak to me of a storm, Captain?”

“Well, milady, I wished to inform you we are approaching a hurricane.”

Ivy gulped. She had heard of hurricanes at sea, terrible storms that swept sailors away, never to be seen again.

“What about the hurricane?” Shouldn't he be talking to his crew about the storm, not her? She knew nothing of sailing.

“Well, milady, the crew and I understand how violent storms like this can become. My men want to turn back for the port to wait out the storm. That would mean waiting a couple of days, perhaps even a week, delaying our trip.” His lips quirked upward in a sad, halfhearted smile.

Ivy's stomach sank. The voyage was already going to be delayed by their stop in the Carolinas to visit Captain Thompson's sister. She didn't know how long she could wait before she had William safe in her arms again. They could not be delayed.

Emma's head sank down on Ivy's shoulder, asleep again. Ivy laid her on the bed, bunching blankets around her little body to keep her in place as she slept.

Ivy turned back to Captain Thompson, fury replacing the fear that was churning inside of her belly. There was no way she would let another day go by with her sailing
away
from her little brother. She trusted no one but herself with the boy's safety. “Please, Captain, do not turn back. I cannot wait any longer to see William. We are already making a stop to find your sister in the Carolinas. Please, I could not bear it if we turned around and lost last night's travel. I
cannot
sit in some port, waiting for a storm to pass, while I do not know what condition my brother is in.”

Captain Thompson's grin vanished. His chocolate-brown eyes grew large. “Milady, I did not think you would object to this. The safety of my crew is obviously important—”

“What about the safety of my little brother, Captain? I have no idea how he fares. He could be ill. Don't you understand? I would think you could, since you have a little sister of your own.” Ivy tried to steady her voice, but it shook with emotion. She needed to get to her brother. “Don't you want to get to your sister as soon as you can, as well?”

****

Gage ran a hand through his hair and then rested his elbows on his knees, his chin cradled in his hands. The woman had a point. He did long to return to Addie, to make sure she was safe, to get her home with him so she didn't need to worry about a way to support herself.
But what about his crew? Surely he could persuade some of them to agree to continue on. Some of them would be cocky enough to agree.

He had heard of men who had sailed through hurricanes and survived. One captain had kept his whole ship intact and his crew alive after braving a violent storm. But how could Gage manage that? He had next to no experience as a captain, and he certainly had never sailed through a storm with a ship in his command. Could he do it? And how would he live with himself if something did happen to one of his men, on his account?

He didn't want to know how it would feel to be responsible for someone's death, someone who was under his command. Suddenly the role of captain was much more difficult than he had imagined when serving under his best friend, Caspian.

“What do you think, Captain? Would you please attempt to sail through it, for my sake? If we start on our way and conditions grow too poor, we could turn around and rest in a port to wait out the storm, could we not?” Lady Shaw sat down on the edge of the cot and rested a hand on his arm.

She had soft hands. Very soft hands. He laid his hand on top of hers, enjoying how her ivory skin contrasted with his deep tan. Her eyes met his and his breath stopped in his throat. Gage suddenly forgot about the storm, forgot he had a decision to make that could put the fate of his men in jeopardy. And the fate of this beautiful woman before him.

Stormy gray eyes, almost the color of the clouds overhead, searched his. A stubborn lock of orange hair had escaped from the braided coil at the base of her neck. Gage's fingers itched to tuck it behind her ear, but he felt the act would be too familiar of him.

He clutched his hands together in his lap and forced his eyes from hers. When she looked at him so sweetly, and her pleasing scent of lemon tickled his nose, it was hard to just sit there and be close to her. Gage pulled farther away from her and took a deep breath. She seemed oblivious to her effect on him.

“Please, Captain Thompson.” The lady made eye contact with him and he swallowed.

How on earth was he expected to resist her?

“It is highly unsafe. Do you not want to make it back to your brother in one piece, with a whole crew?”

Lady Shaw wrung her hands together. “Captain, please. I understand the risk, yet it is of utmost importance that I reach William as soon as I can. As I have told you many times before, I am truly worried about his safety. I don't know what he will do being without me for so long.” The woman's voice rose slightly,
disturbing
Emma. The child whimpered and shifted restlessly.

Gage leaned forward and took the babe from her arms. He kissed the little girl on the cheek. She stared up at him with wide blue eyes. Lady Shaw stared at him in a much similar way, her beautiful eyes looking deep in his. How on earth could he upset such a wonderful woman? It wasn't as if she were asking him to sail through a hurricane out of selfish reasons. No, she wanted to get back to her poor defenseless brother. There was no way he could deny her that. Besides, he wanted to get to his sister soon. Surely his crew could handle sailing through this storm.

He leaned his forehead against the baby's and shut his eyes. “I will try, miss. I will try.”