13

Months had gone by, and Kiera told Monica she could get used to Dominic. He was sweet and kind to her. Mainly she was afraid something had happened to Garret and she couldn’t think of him as dead. A masked ball was being held and she wished she would come. Monica talked to James, knowing Olivia was also going to be there. She was looking for possible suitors. James agreed, knowing Olivia would need chaperoning. Monica met Kiera and was happy to see her friend in good spirits. She looked stunning in her ball gown.

James was at the Bradford mansion when he saw Garret in the study.

“What are doing here?”

“Surprised?”

“Yeah. We thought you were dead?”

“Did father not tell you?”

“Of course, but you are still my little brother.”

“Where is Kiera?”

“Garret, you should know something.”

“What?”

James told him about Dominic and Garret was furious. He told her she only accepted her father’s wish because she thought him dead. News of him being shunned for turning pirate hadn’t gotten out yet. He told them they would be at a masked ball. He could see her one last time and he went.

After the ball, Monica went with Kiera. She was trying to hold it together after saying goodbye to Garret. She couldn’t deal with his lose. Monica told her she would stay in London with Olivia and to be here for her. Kiera was grateful. As Monica and James saw to their duties, Kiera and Olivia got closer than ever and Olivia knew all there was to know about Kiera.

Monica was happy for Kiera the day Dominic proposed. It was a nice match, but she knew Kiera didn’t care. Dominic got called back to the fort to track down a man in the countryside causing havoc. After hearing it was Dale, James and Monica went back. Dale was swearing vengeance on James for taking Monica and making a mess of everything. If that wasn’t bad enough, she had gotten a letter from Olivia telling her what had happened to Kiera when Dominic returned.

With making threats, James needed his brother. He knew where Garret was. He had left it when he was here last. He wrote to him, telling him what was happening.

Garret sailed for England. Garret chased Dale out and told him if he caused trouble next time, he would go for a ride on his ship. The attacks stopped and James thanked his brother. But James knew Garret could not resist going to see Kiera, especially after Monica filled him about Olivia’s letter. He just hoped his brother didn’t get caught.

A couple weeks afterwards, Monica got a beautiful letter. Kiera and Garret had done it. He gave her a present and swore to be back. She could tell she was happy once more. All seemed well, with Kiera in a good place, Olivia back home, and Dale gone, she was sure nothing could go wrong.