1

England 1875

Garret Bradford was a nobleman with a wild streak. The second son of the Duke of Williamshire, he knew he would never have to inherit that role. He led his life carelessly, anything to anger his father. He even began to dabble in the shipping and workings of a ship. His father abhorred the new talents his son was picking up and warned him against them. His mother, the Duchess, had warned her husband not to push him too far. Garret ignored his father and decided to leave and live on his ship. Not too long after, he was branded a pirate for his actions at sea. His family shunned him, and he could care less. Before word got around to everyone, he attended a ball at the height of the season. That’s when he saw her. Twirling in the center of the dance floor with a British naval captain. Garret knew Keira the moment he walked in, having known her since they were children. He had wanted to court her for some time, but the naval captain always held her interest, or least her father’s. Keira was a wild spirit and she was beyond rebellious. Marriage to Dominic was already assured, so he had heard. Her father is a General in the Royal Army and both of her older brothers being naval captains as well. He knew, though, that Dominic would bore her and when she lashed out, he would put her in her place and break that which he loved so much about her. When the song finally ended, Dominic led her off the dance floor in his direction. Dominic left her to find refreshments and Garret moved closer to have a word.

“Hello, my little she-cat.”

“Good evening, Garret. I am surprised they let you through the door.”

“Not everyone knows yet. You were the first I told and my reasons behind it.”

“Garret, eventually people are going to know.”

“Would you come with me?”

“You know I can’t.”

“Because of Dominic?”

“Because my father and brothers and now Dominic would hunt us to the ends of the earth.”

“This was your fathers doing right, a match between you and Dominic?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to?”

“Father says I will be happy or learn to be. Dominic says he will cherish me forever.”

“He’ll break your spirit. You are too wild and rebellious for the likes of him.”

“I will be okay, Garret.”

“I hope so.”

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“Came to say goodbye. Couldn’t very well leave a note. Once word gets out, I’ll be finished in society’s eyes.”

“Like you have ever cared about that.”

“But you do. It’s why your temper only flies behind closed doors. And why you are doing as your father bids.”

“You know too much about me, Garret Bradford.”

“And you know everything about me, Keira Eddington.”

“Dominic is returning.”

“Then this is where I leave you. I hope to see you again in the future.”

“Me too. God be with you, Garret.”

Garret was gone before Dominic returned. She fought the tears she felt swelling up. She and Garret had been promised to one another once. Then his family shunned him and to recover from the humiliation her father feared, Dominic stepped in and her father was overjoyed. What they didn’t know was the Garret Bradford had the one thing that Dominic longed for; her heart. She knew Dominic cared for her, but she knew that Garret was right about him. She could never be the dutiful wife he needed.

In the weeks that followed, she was sure that Dominic would propose, and she wasn’t wrong. Near the end of the season, he did just that. Everyone congratulated her on her success on such a fine choice like she had a say. It was to be months away before they got married only because he was called back out to sea along with her brothers. Her father had pressing business as well that always kept him away, leaving her alone at the London townhouse. Most times she would sit alone in the garden of the large house or read the books in the library. One evening, three months later, Dominic returned. He had feared the worst after hearing a rumor that Garret planned on taking the only woman he loved since she was unmarried. Garret and Dominic had enough run-ins and Garret had gotten bold. He decided one day that he would simply take Kiera and knowing if she were unmarried, she would go with him. Dominic rushed the wedding and had a special license made for the occasion. Afterward, he questioned her about Garret and their relationship. She didn’t lie to him when she said she loved Garret as much as he loved her, even though he was now branded a pirate. Dominic grew furious and claimed her virginity that was too painful for her to endure. Once he was done, she banished him from her bed. The next morning, he was gone. He left a note saying he would wipe Garret from the earth if that’s what it took for her to love him. She spent the next month alone with just the servants. She cried most nights thinking about what Dominic had done. The servants were always allowed to dismiss early when it was just her. One night she was in the garden when she thought she heard someone jump over the back wall. She rose to see if she heard right. A few minutes later, she was standing in the lantern glow with Garret. He gave her a brilliant smile that made butterflies swirl in her stomach. He took her by the hand and lead her straight to her room where he knew they would be alone. Once inside, he locked the door. He knew no one was here. She knew she should be careful. Garret had been a pirate for months now. Dominic was currently hunting him down for crimes he committed. Against her better judgment, she threw her arms around his neck and he spun her around. Once back on the ground, she took a step back to look at him. He was a rugged pirate, stubble played at his chin and he wore a billowing shirt that teased her with the sight of his dark chest hair. His midnight-black hair had grown and was windswept. Then she came to those emerald green eyes and she stayed there. Garret was different, and she knew he was dangerous, based on the stories. But right now, he was the same man she knew and loved. Finally, she broke away and sat down. She motioned to the seat next to her and he took it with a dazzling smile.

“Garret. What are doing here?”

“Come to see you.”

“You know that Dominic…”

“Is currently hunting me. Why is he so passionate about finding me?”

“Dominic told me that he loves me and that his heart will always belong to me. We ended up getting into a fight because I told him as much as I would like to be a dutiful wife to him in all aspects, I could not. I told him my heart belonged to someone else.”

“What did he say to that?”

“He reminded me that you are a pirate and I told him it was yours long before then. He was outraged and swore if the only way he could have me was to remove you from this world, then he would.”

“And you agreed?”

“I told him I would hate him and that I would still love you, even if you were in hell. Then he stormed out and swore to not return until he thought I could love him.”

“A wedding?”

“A small one. A special license was made up.”

“Did you consummate it?”

“Unfortunately. He was rough and unkind to me. Hate and vengeance were there, and I knew it was my fault.

“Don’t ever think that. Did he hurt you?’

“Yes. Some of the bruises have healed and gone but others...”

Before she could finish, she began to cry at just the thought of what Dominic had done. He wiped away her tears with his thumb. He looked at her and felt his heart tug at him. Then he remembered the gift he had brought. He reached into his pocket and handed her a small box.

“What is this?”

“Something I procured in the jungles southward. I saw it and thought of you.”

She opened the box to see a black cat pendant on a silver chain. She stared at in awe and then hugged him.

“It’s beautiful.”

“This particular cat is known as a jaguar there. Some are so full of fire and spirit that they call them she-cats.”

“What you call me.”

“Yes. I just had to get it for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, I have another gift for you before I must leave again.”

“What is that?”

“Correcting his mistake.”

“Which is?”

Instead of answering he put the necklace down and began kissing her. Her head began to swim as she tasted the rum and brandy and smelled the sandalwood mixed with salt from the ocean that was only him. She knew he should have been her first. It was at that thought she knew what he meant by Dominic’s mistake. Garret was going to make love to her. He pulled at the strings of her nightgown and slid them effortlessly off. She was bared to his view and he drank all her in. Then, in an instant, his face was a dark mask of furry that even made her shudder. She could imagine him being a pirate and wanted to shield herself. Before she could act on any thought, he reached out and stroked the tenderness on her skin she knew were the bruises Dominic had left. She closed her eyes and wanted to stay this way with only Garret. She knew she had no need to fear him. He surprised her by laying her flat on her back on her bed and gently kissed each mark on her skin. He then started on his own path, taking in her whole body as he never had before. Making mental note of what she liked and where. He quickly undressed and they were both completely naked with one another. His hands traveled on her as if they had a destination in mind. Every touch lite her skin on fire as he roamed over her body. Her own hands began on their own path. Exploring her pirate as she never thought possible. She ached for him to be inside her and almost as if reading her thoughts, he plunged deep inside her. A moan escaped her as she felt the intrusion. His slow rhythmic pace left her hungry for more. She felt as if they were molded to each other. He rode in and out of her in sweet tremors. He never knew a woman such as her, even after traveling the world and tasting a variety of women. He knew long ago his heart was hers and hers was his. He caught her cries of pleasure in his mouth as they climaxed. She felt as if she could almost float. Then, her flood gates opened, and she felt warmth creep over her. He joined her in the climatic feeling and collapsed on top of her. They laid there a while and she gently smoothed the hair on his head as he held on close to her. Then, realizing his full weight was on her, he moved to her side. After catching his breath and stared deep into those aqua blue eyes. He pushed back a strand of her blond hair from her face. He claimed her lips and sat up.

“That should’ve been your first time.”

“I wish it had been.”

She watched him rise and get dressed. He picked up her nightgown and sat it next to her on the bed. She had sat up to meet his gaze.

“Do you have to go?”

“I do. Someone may have already noticed my ship in the harbor.”

“Will you return?”

“Of course.”

They both smiled, and he kissed her goodbye. He left through the window and she watched him disappear into the night. She closed the window and slipped her nightgown back on. She picked up the necklace where he had left it on her dressing table. She put it on and fingered the cat. She returned to bed and drifted off to sleep.

Garret returned to his ship where his first mate, Andy, was waiting.

“Did you take care of your business here?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“She’s lovelier than I remember.”

“Did she enjoy your visit?”

“Yes.”

“One day, I will have to meet this Keira.”

“One day, you might.”

With that said, they got underway and left. Andy knew everything about the captain and where his heart was. He knew all about Keira and knew no other woman could turn Garret’s head. Some have tried but to no anvil. He was spoken for, even if they each could not act on it. Andy knew Garret had bedded her and saw the boyish gleam in his eyes. Garret was supposed to give her the gift and part from her forever. He knew she married and it hurt him. After what she said about Dominic and seen what he had done, he impulsively wanted to fix her. Now, she was in his blood and there would be no way out.

Over the next month, Keira couldn’t stop thinking about Garret and the night they shared. She never took the necklace off and dreaded the day Dominic returned. Then, as if that thought whisked him to her, Dominic was there. He looked fierce in his uniform and proper. His skinned was a bit bronzed and his brown hair was windswept despite it being tied at his nape. His grey eyes pierced into her very soul and it sent a shiver through her spine. He marched right up to her and stood only inches from her.

“Well, are you not going to greet your husband home, like the dutiful wife you are?”

Fear ran through her as she knew why he was angry. He searched for Garret and yet Garret was here in this house with her.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

She dipped her head in a curtsy and forced a smile for him. He smirked and shook his head.

“Don’t play with me woman. I know he was here.”

She turned in an instant to hide her face.

“Who was here, my lord?”

“Garret Bradford.”

“Was he? I must have been out that day.”

“Nice try. I know he was here in the middle of the night. He left some time later.”

“Spying on me, my lord?”

“Go pack your things.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“You are sailing with me.”

“No, I will not.”

“You will obey me, as a dutiful wife you swore to be.”

“Fine.”

She left him and rang for her maid. She scribbled a note for Garret should he return, but she didn’t know when that would be. She packed only what she would need and entrusted the note to only Penny, her lady’s maid since she needed a lady’s maid.

“Guard this with your life and please send word to my father and brothers.”

“I will, milady. Please be careful.”

Keira nodded her head and hugged her dearest friend. She walked downstairs where Dominic was waiting. They left as soon as the luggage was loaded. A short time later they arrived at the docks and were sailing off to God knows where.

Penny did as she was instructed and sent word to her father. The General was outraged at Dominic’s behavior. He knew Keira could be a handful but to put his daughter’s life at stake. He ordered both of his sons to find their sister and return her safely here. Both Jared and Benjamin would stop at nothing to see their baby sister safe again. Her father started thinking that Dominic was not the man they thought.

Keira was out at sea for three months now. She didn’t mind the ocean and didn’t mind the ship. Dominic was another person on his ship and she couldn’t help but wonder what Garret might be like. At night, though, in the privacy of his cabin, Dominic was every bit the man she had come to know him as. Mean, ruthless, and uncaring. She had to wear large hats to hide the marks on her face and wear long-sleeved gowns despite the heat. Garret had been right, Dominic was going to try and break her. Finally, when she thought she could endure no more, she confronted Dominic at the helm. They argued for some time and didn’t hear when one of the men shouted that he had seen sails. She turned when the man approached and recognized Jared’s ship. She turned on him and saw his fear. Good, she thought. Jared was a higher rank than Dominic and had no choice but to drop sail and allow him to board. He quickly locked Keira in his cabin. Jared boarded soon after Dominic returned.

“Lord Jared, to what do we owe this pleasure.”

Jared’s look was cold as he stared down all the men and finally rested his look on Dominic.

“Where is my sister?”

“In London, I presume. Why do you ask?”

Jared shook his head and turned to the rest of the crew.

“It is a great offense to lie to a superior officer. I think I would promote the man who told me where my sister was.”

A small boy about seventeen came forward and admitted that three months ago, Dominic had returned to London and picked up Keira and she was now locked in his cabin. Jared thanked this boy and had him brought to his ship. He held out his hand for the key and Dominic produced it. Jared took careful strides to the cabin and unlocked it. Inside, he saw a shell that used to be his sister. She had her head down and wouldn’t look at him. He marched to her and lifted her head. What he saw next left murder in his eyes.

“My God, what has he done to you?”

“Jared. I’m so sorry.”

“Hush now. Don’t be. Father sent me to get you. Ben is already returned to him. He got Penny’s letter.”

“Bless her. I should really give her a raise.”

“She is very loyal to you.”

“What is going to happen now?”

“You are coming with me and we are going to try and raise your spirits again.”

It was then he noticed the necklace she had on. He fingered the small cat and looked at questionably.

“Surely Dominic did not take you this far south?”

“No, Dominic doesn’t know how to be kind, as I have learned.”

“Then who gave you this?”

“Garret. About four months ago.”

“That’s why Dominic came for you. He heard about Garret being with you.”

“Yes. He’s hell-bent on wiping him from this earth.”

“Dominic will never have you. As for Garret…”

“Jared, I know that look.”

“Can you fight him? Raise your own spirits?”

“I don’t understand?”

“Father will kill me if he knew.”

“Jared?”

“I’m going to find Garret and let Garret deal with Dominic. But in the meantime, I need you as Garret calls you. Can you do that?”

“Of course.”

A mischievous smile played at her lips as he sauntered from the room. He marched up to Dominic and he prepared for the worst.

“She refuses to leave with me. Says she vowed to be a dutiful wife and she will remain to do so. I want your ship docked within the month, do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And, Dominic, if you lay a hand on my sister again, I will kill you myself.”

Dominic bowed his head as Jared left. Once they were underway and Jared was out of sight, he went to see Keira. What he didn’t know was that Jared armed her to the teeth. Dominic walked in and saw the pistol in her hand. He hesitated.

“A gift from Jared?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you tell him you wish to stay?”

“I know my father got the letter I told Penny to send, but he wasn’t the only one I had a message sent to.”

“Garret.”

“Yes. I want him to be the one to find out what you have done to me and if the stories are true, he’s more of a monster than you try to pretend to be.”

“You would enjoy it if he killed me, wouldn’t you?”

“Now, yes. Before, Dominic, I could have made a good wife for you if weren’t so bitter.”

“I wanted you to love me.”

“You knew from the beginning I never could.”

“Because of a pirate.”

“Yes.”