The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (29 page)

Jewel nodded.

“Well, I guess we’ll be havin’ a double wedding today.” Annie grinned.

“You’re getting married, too?” Jewel squealed with delight. After Annie confirmed the news, Jewel hugged her. “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you. Derek is a fine man.”

Jewel stood and nervously moved to the porthole. “Would you think me silly if I told you I was nervous?” She tugged at the bottom of her lip with her teeth. “Everything has happened so fast. Do you suppose I’m doing the right thing?”

“Of course ye are, lass. ’Tis only natural tae be jittery. I must be confessin’ I’m a wee bit high-strung, too.” Annie slipped out of bed and stretched.

“Let’s put this nervous energy to work, and be findin’ something tae wear.”

“Let’s look through the trunks,” Jewel suggested.

They spent the morning searching for the right garments. Then the remainder of Jewel’s things were packed and moved to Adam’s cabin. They had not seen the men all morning, but word had been sent that the wedding would take place just before sunset.

Jewel pondered how Adam would dress. She hadn’t seen him in anything but sailor’s garb since they had been aboard ship. It would be nice if they could have a large, elaborate wedding, but she knew that wasn’t possible.

Her stomach tightened at the mere thought of her husband-to-be. She wondered if this feeling was love or seasickness. Adam had said he loved her . . . hadn’t he? All day, she had to pinch herself to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

As the day wore on, Jewel fought down her panic. She wanted to marry Adam, but she wished she’d been brave enough to tell him her memory had returned. Perhaps in a little while she could, but not yet.

She stood in front of the mirror, pulling on her sea-green dress. She wanted to wear white, but couldn’t find anything appropriate. The gown of heavy satin had a simple cut, and would have to do. It had long, fitted sleeves and a high neck trimmed with beige lace. Her cheeks and mouth were the softest pink. The fire-opals around her neck reflected the green of the material, lending a special glow to her complexion. She sat brushing her hair until it flowed loose and silky about her shoulders.

“Are ye ready, lass?” Annie asked. She ran a hand over her cream-colored gown, looking very much like a bride.

Jewel stared at her reflection in the mirror. A slight disappointment crossed her face. “A bride should wear white, not green. I don’t look like a bride, do I?”

Annie touched her arm. “Lass, ye are beautiful. Adam would want ye even if ye were in rags.”

“As I recall, that’s the way he found me.”

Both chuckled and drank a toast to their upcoming marriages. One glass led to another, and soon only a small portion of the wine was left in the bottle.

A knock at the door brought them back to reality. Charlie stood at the door when Annie opened it. He blushed as he looked at them, then nodded his greeting.

“Captain said it’s time. I came to escort you both topside.” They followed Charlie to the top deck. Jewel smiled when she saw the crew, all of whom had taken special care with their appearance. Clean-shaven with hair slicked back, they glanced at her, then looked quickly away and shifted their feet nervously. They seemed ready to celebrate their captain’s marriage.

The sun had just met the horizon, and filled the sky with a blaze of orange. Vibrant flame-colored rays shot out from an orange ball mingled with copper and gold, contrasting with the cobalt blue of the sea. Jewel couldn’t believe such beauty existed. It might not be in a church, but she definitely would have a memorable wedding under God’s sky.

Nervously, she glanced around for Adam, and found him standing at the helm staring out to sea with Derek. Broad shoulders filled the same evening coat he’d worn at the Christmas party. He turned to Derek, giving her a view of his profile. She had every right to be nervous. After all, she was marrying a man she barely knew. Perhaps she should back out before it was too late. She should tell him she’d regained her memory. She should tell him she wasn’t of his ranking. But he turned. Their eyes met. And she was hopelessly lost
. No matter who she really was, she loved him.

He walked toward her, his steps long and effortless. He took Jewel’s hand. Her cold, icy fingers trembled. He smiled at her, slipping his arm around her waist.

She felt strangely calm from his closeness, and hoped this was a good sign.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” he murmured just before they joined Annie and Derek.

“Derek, are you ready?” Adam asked.

“Aye.”

“Let’s begin.”

They took their places in front of Adam while Jewel observed from the side. Annie couldn’t take her eyes off Derek as she repeated her vows, and he held her hands when he spoke. The service was beautiful, and the love in their eyes unmistakable. Jewel smiled as Derek kissed Annie. It was beautiful . . . love knew no age.

Derek looked at Adam. “Now, son, it’s your turn.”

Adam took Jewel’s hand, leading her over to where Annie and Derek had stood. The crew cheered. Adam smiled at his boisterous crew just as one of his men yelled, “It’s about time, Captain.”

Jewel blushed all the way to her toes. She peeked shyly up at Adam, and her blush deepened. Seeing the warmth of his smile, she felt her heart melt. His dark eyes held emotions she couldn’t read, but his smile warmed her.

The brief service went by in a flash, and then Derek asked, “Do you take Adam Trent, Duke of St. Ives, to be your lawful wedded husband?”

“Yes,” she said in a nervous voice that sounded strange. Was that really her voice? Was this really happening?

She heard the ceremony end. Derek laid a hand on both their heads. “What God hath brought together, let no man tear apart.”

Adam slid his arm around Jewel’s waist, pulling her to him in a possessive embrace. In a soft voice he murmured for her ears only, “If any man dare come between us, he’ll be a dead man.” He smiled sweetly, but she knew he meant every word.

Jewel raised an eyebrow in response. “Likewise, any woman, sir.”

Somewhere from within the group of men a cheer rang out. “You going to stand there all night, Cap’n, or are you going to kiss her?”

Adam chuckled. “Should we oblige them, my dear?” He cradled her in his arms, but instead of a chaste kiss as she’d expected, he kissed her with a searing kiss meant to brand her for life. Adam raised his head and whispered huskily, “We will continue this tonight, sweetheart.”

The men shouted their approval. Evidently they were happy that their captain had finally taken a wife.

The cook had prepared a feast, and had even found a case of champagne. Drinks flowed freely, and a festive mood prevailed as everyone enjoyed the celebration.

Jewel walked among the men, enjoying their lighthearted mood. Many of them played games and boasted of past feats. She found herself staring across the deck at Adam as he played a game of cards. God, the man was sinfully handsome. No man should look that good. And to think she was now looking at her husband. It gave her gooseflesh. He glanced up. His intense gaze caused her heart to skip a beat.

Smiling, she turned and went over to where a group of sailors gathered. She just couldn’t stand around and stare at the man.

As darkness approached, lanterns cast a soft glow over the deck. The weather had blessed them with a mild winter day, and an unusually warm breeze lifted her hair and teased her face.

Jewel made her way into the crowd so she could see what they were doing. They had fashioned a bull’s-eye on a board about twenty feet away. Wagers were placed on a barrel and then collected by the man with the best score. A sailor named
Billy had been the big winner so far. Andy was next to play. He stepped up, placing his wager on the barrel.

Billy threw his knife first, hitting a mark of forty. Then it was Andy’s turn. He threw his blade and it landed on number thirty. Both men continued back and forth for a total of five throws. Billy’s score was three forties and two thirties. Andy’s was two thirties, two twenties, and a ten.

Billy tossed back his head, laughing. “I’m the winner and still champion.” He held up the fistful of dollars he had collected off the barrel and continued to boast, daring any man to take his best shot.

Jewel looked at Andy’s dejected face and felt sorry for him.

“Come back, Andy, when you grow up a mite,” Billy gloated. “This here’s a man’s game.” Billy’s grin grew broader at the sight of Andy’s red face.

Jewel looked at Billy scornfully. The man needed to be taken down a notch. “Billy, can I play your game?”

His mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious, mum.”

“Oh, but I am.”

“This is a man’s game, mum. Captain Trent would have my hide if I let you do anything so dangerous.”

“There is no danger to it, Billy. You’re only throwing the knives at a target. Surely I’ll be able to hit that board.” She smiled, baiting him. “Besides, Adam is playing cards. He’s not paying any attention. However, if you are afraid to face a woman, I quite understand.”

“Well, I don’t know. . . .” Billy hedged. She could tell he didn’t want Captain Trent mad at him.

“We could make it interesting, if you’d like. I tell you what. I’ll double the money you have in your hand.”

The lights flickered in Billy’s eyes as greed took over.

“It’ll be like taking candy from a baby. All right, mum, you have a bet. Would you like to take a couple of throws to warm up?” Billy thought for a moment. “You have thrown a knife before?”

“Yes, I’ve thrown a little, but if you don’t mind, I would like to use a knife I have in my cabin.”

“Don’t mind a bit, mum.” He grinned.

She went to the cabin, quickly found her knife, and returned topside.

Jewel rejoined the men, who were laughing and carrying on—especially Billy. She couldn’t help but hear his remark that this was going to be the easiest money he’d ever made.

Billy bowed. “Ladies first.”

Jewel glanced at the target for only a moment before she sent her knife sailing through the air, hitting the bull’s-eye just to the left. Still, her score was fifty.

Billy looked at Jewel, surprised. “Just a lucky shot.” The rest of the men grew quiet as he stepped up and threw his knife. His mark was forty.

Jewel threw again . . . her aim true and dead center.

Billy muttered to himself about her damned luck as he threw again. “Bull’s-eye—now that’s better.”

Adam had noticed Jewel leaving, and he wondered what she was up to, but his mind was brought back to the card game when Charlie spoke to him. Adam would play a few more hands, and then call it quits for tonight. But after a while he couldn’t concentrate on the game. He stood, stretching his long legs. After he took some gibes from his card partners, he decided to find Jewel. He had seen her disappear into the group of men throwing knives. “No.” Adam shook his head at the crazy thought. She couldn’t possibly be—

He walked up behind the group and watched. The men moved apart, providing him with a good view.

It was the last throw. Billy threw another forty. Then Adam’s wife stepped up and threw, and just like the previous four times, she hit the bull’s-eye, this time to the right of center.

Billy shook his head. “That’s the damnedest throwing I’ve ever seen. Here’s your money.”

“Thank you, Billy. It appears this is not only a man’s game, but perhaps a woman’s, too.” The men laughed at her comment. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go find Adam.”

“You don’t have to look far, madam.”

Jewel turned and found her husband standing in the crowd behind her. The sailors fell quiet. She couldn’t tell if Adam was angry or not.

Billy spoke first. “Didn’t mean no harm, Cap’n.”

Adam’s deep chuckle seemed to relax his men. “Looks like my wife got the best of you, Billy.”

“Aye, Cap’n, she throws a wicked knife. Best not make her too angry. Why, I bet
you
couldn’t even beat her.”

“Yeah, Captain, go ahead and throw. See if you can beat Miss Jewel.” The rest of the crew joined in with the taunt, egging Adam on.

Jewel wasn’t sure she liked this, but at least Adam’s smile hadn’t diminished.

“All right,” Adam drawled. “Would you men like to put your money where your mouth is?”

The men eagerly placed their wagers on the barrel. “We know you’re good, Cap’n, but yer miss’s blade is in the bull’s-eye.”

Adam picked up a knife from the barrel, holding it in his hand, testing the balance. “This will do.” He stepped up to the throwing line. Without hesitation he threw at the target. For just a moment no one said a word. Then Adam spoke first.

“I believe, gentlemen, I have just beat my wife.” He collected his money off the barrel and then reached for Jewel.

She smiled at him. “Must you always show me up by doing everything better than I do?” Adam’s knife had landed beside hers . . . dead center.

“Always, sweetheart,” Adam said, grinning at her. He turned to the sailors. “Now if you will excuse us, I think we shall call it a night.”

“Good night,” Jewel said as they left the men. She was glad Adam wasn’t angry. She liked him when he was in this playful mood.