15

                                                                        15

Jared walked in and found John in his study. He sat down and waited for James. Olivia and Monica were out. Once James was there, Jared started.

“He beat my sister. I don’t even know who she is by looking at her. He’s raped her and threaten her.”

“Where is she?”

“Still with him.”

“Why, in God’s name, sis you leave her?”

“She wrote a letter to Garret. After hearing what he does, what do you think he’ll do to the man who had harmed her in such a way?”

“Jared?”

“Her choice. I armed her to the teeth, however.”

“Good.”

“I just don’t know what will happen between now and when he finds her.”

“If he finds her.”

“I have no doubts that he will.”

Once Monica and Olivia got back, James told Monica. Jared took Olivia and told her. She fell apart in Jared’s arms and he felt that strange feeling again.

Once Jared left, James hired men to search for Garret, but keep a safe distance. The men found the island and met a Chinese man that informed them that Garret has not been home for months. The messenger took this back James and he presented it to Shawn. Shawn knew Choi the minute his description was given. He regretted his decision about Garret. He never realized Kiera’s life would be in such peril. He just hoped now that Garret would save her in time.

As the time went by and no one heard from Kiera, Garret, or Dominic, things seem to be hopeless. Monica and Olivia both were upset over the possible death of their friend. James had to admit that after almost two years of nothing, things seemed to be bad. Candice and John seemed to be down about the whole thing as well.

One afternoon, the ladies were having tea when they heard commotion downstairs. When they went o investigate, they saw Ben. Monica and Olivia rushed down to hear what he had to say.

“Kiera sent Jared a letter, telling him he need to him to come get her and she told him what the ship looked like that she would be on. He left as soon as he could to get her. Father sent me to tell you, your grace.”

“Where has she been? Is she alright? Did Garret find her? What of Dominic?”

“No one knows, only that she gave a description of the ship and she needed him to get her.”

“I hope she is alright.”

“Father said as soon as we know anything he will write you or have one of us inform you.”

“Very good. Thank you, Ben. Now return to the fort. I’m sure you wish to be there when she arrives.”

Ben left in a hurry. Monica gave a breath of relief as she knew Kiera was alive, but no doubt changed. Olivia started to cry. She had put off marriage and finding someone until she knew her friend was alright. Monica hugged her and they cried together. James saw them and only prayed nothing awful happened.

They all waited on pins and needles as they waited to hear something about Kiera.

The day Jared came Monica and James were out for the day and Candice and Olivia were Sophie. John welcomed Jared and offered him a seat.

“Please, tell me everything.”

“After I left, they were captured by pirates. The captain tried to force himself on her and beat her when she fought back. Dominic said it was hard to look at her. This pirate however was going to make easy money by selling Dominic, to Garret. From what Dominic said, once Garret saw who it was, he threatened to kill him if he didn’t get them both. After they both in Garret’s care, Kiera was nursed back to health. Kiera said after Garret saw her, he al most killed the other pirate. His first mate had to drag him off. While at sea, Kiera discovered she was pregnant. It turned out to be Dominic’s, but she had a miscarriage in a bad storm. Dominic and Kiera got into it and placed doubt in Kiera’s mind. It almost stuck, but apparently Garret messed that up. Once back at the island, Kiera found a woman in his bed and stormed off. Kiera adopted a wild cat there and the cat remained with her. This girl trying to get with Garret and when Garret kicked her out she told her father. Her father, Pierre, stopped at nothing to have her. Shelia wanted Garret and knew she would never have him, especially after Kier discovered she was pregnant. Pierre tried to kill her but was mauled by cats. Kiera left because all this was Shelia’s doing and yet she was walking around the house like she owned the place. Her and Dominic have gotten a divorce and is due to have Garret’s baby within the next couple of weeks.”

“My goodness, she has been through a lot.”

“In two years, she has changed so much that I don’t even recognize her anymore.”

Just then Monica and James walked in.

“Jared?”

“Kiera?”

“She’s well and fine, sort of. She’s been through a lot. With your permission, your grace, I would like to rest before heading back.”

“Of course. The guest room should be clean.”

Jared nodded his head and headed up stairs. Monica looked to the duke with pleading eyes.

“James, ride and tell your mother and sister to return and that it is urgent.”

“Yes, father.”

James left as soon as possible and Monica still stared at John. As soon as he knew they were alone, he told her the biggest fear that he was unsure of telling James.

“She’s pregnant.”

“Dominic?”

“No. Garret.”

“You’re worried about James.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll speak with him.”

“Very good.”

They went and sat in the parlor and waited for everyone else. As soon as they got there, Olivia ran to Monica and held her hand as John told them what happened exactly as Jared had said it, including the baby. Olivia and Monica started to cry at the thought of everything their closest friend had been through. James held Monica and no felt something on himself for not being able to have children. Olivia perked up.

“Is Jared still here?”

“Went to rest. He goes back tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Olivia sighed. She thought things between had changed, but they hadn’t. They all went to dinner and ate in silence as they could not find the words to say. As they began to get up, a soldier burst through the door with the butler close behind.

“Forgive the intrusion, your grace, but I must speak with Commodore Eddington.”

“He is abed.”

“It’s urgent.”

“I’ll go fetch him.”

James ran upstairs and when he told Jared of who it was and how he addressed him, Jared ran down.

“What is it? Is my sister alright.”

“Forgive me, Commodore, I came as quickly as I could. She has gone into early labor.”

“Jared, John and I will join you.”

“Agreed.”

The four of them left the fort at once.