4

The next morning, Keira woke with a new feeling. One she knew only Garret could give her. He had told her he loved her. She talked about her pain and he listened. She was still facing him as she stared up at him. Carefully, she moved to the edge and removed his hand. She dressed and left the cabin. Andy was on his way to the cabin and almost bumped into her. She gave him a bright smile when he looked at her.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Andy. Garret is still asleep. Is Dominic awake?”

“Kiera, you are looking fine today.”

“A lot happened last night. I feel much better.”

“Renewed spirits?”

“Something like that.”

“Some of the crew is not awake yet, so let me accompany you down.”

“Thank you, Andy.”

He held out his arm and led them down to the hold. Dominic saw her and perked up, rushing to the bars to see how she was.

“Kiera?”

“Good Morning Dominic. Andy, a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

Andy stepped only out of earshot but was close enough to come to her aid, should she need it. Dominic looked her up and down and focused on her face.

“It’s been a month.”

“No need to remind me. I know how long it has been since I buried my Angel at sea.”

“And yet you look like a love-sick school girl.”

“Yes.”

“Garret told you he loved you. Only this time he meant it, unlike when you were kids?”

“Yes, he did.”

“Explains the glow. I don’t even have to ask if you love him. It’s plain to see. Tell me, do you think he could ever do anything to warrant dislike in you?”

“Doubtful.”

“I hope I am there when that day comes, dear Kiera. It will, one day.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He’s a pirate. Do you honestly think you can keep him happy long enough to keep him landlocked?”

She stared at the floor and met his eyes.

“Never thought about that did you? Question now is, if he can’t stay landlocked, will you go with him or will you be able to trust that he will abandon his mistresses and stay loyal to you? I may not you like Garret does, but I do know you won’t tolerate him going astray, if he ever marries you. Could you stand just being his mistress?”

“You are trying to make me doubt him. It won’t work.”

“It already has. It’s all over your face. You won’t be able to look at him the same without knowing the truth. Trouble with you is, will you actually ask him about it?”

“Shut up.”

“This will drive you mad.”

“Why did you do this?”

“I had to get something out of the divorce agreement.”

“You bastard.”

“Sorry, Kiera, it is what it is.”

She looked over to where Andy was standing, and he was no longer there. She began to panic.

“Probably heard the whole thing and went to wake your lover. Are you prepared to ask him now?”

She wasn’t. She turned and headed for the kitchens. Jerry was the only one inside and saw her face. He knew Dominic had stirred up trouble in her heart.

“Ignore him, lass.”

“What?”

“Dominic. Ignore him. He speaks from a jealous heart.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s all he’s been muttering about for the last month. Talking ‘bout how he was gonna get even wit ya.”

“But what he said?”

“The captain ever slept with one other woman. It was right after he heard about your wedding announcement. Drove him mad. He drank all the morning and night. Saucy wench finally coaxed him into bed.”

“Coaxed him?”

“He had enough drink in him. Killed him the next morning. I even offered him something for his pounding head and he wouldn’t take it.”

“Why?”

“Said he deserved to feel the pain after betraying ya like he did.”

“I was getting married, though.”

“Can you tell me, lass, then when Dominic bedded you the first time, that you felt no guilt in your heart?”

“I…”

“Exactly. Now, I’m not sure about getting him landlocked, but can you tell me you want him that way?”

“No.”

“He lives dangerously but part of you knew he would chose this life. You accept him this way. If you didn’t, you would have never slept with him all those months ago when he made a house call.”

She sat there thinking about what Jerry said and knew he was right. He came over and set a tray in front of her. She looked up at him and he gave her a wink.

“Don’t think too hard about it. Dominic is trying to hassle you. He loves you or at least his version of it. He doesn’t like seeing you love someone and that someone love you back.”

“He told me as much, that he couldn’t just sit by and watch it.”

“He didn’t. He planted doubt. I hope it doesn’t take root in your heart. Garret is a good man. A pirate, yes, but he is devoted to only you. If you were still in London, could you say the same for your husband?”

“I never cared enough. I knew Dominic was sleeping around, but not at the base. My father wouldn’t allow it.”

“Garret?”

“You’re right. Thank you, Jerry.”

She went to get up and leave but Jerry stopped her.

“Stay and eat. The captain’ll come find ya. It’s too dangerous to be walking alone down here.”

“Of course. I nearly forgot.”

She sat back down and ate the breakfast Jerry had made. As she was finishing, Garret came rushing in. When he saw her, he gave a breath of relief.

“Don’t scare me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Andy came and got me. He told me what was said. I was coming to get you and Andy panicked cuz you were gone. Dominic wore a smug look and wouldn’t say anything.”

“So, what you come in here?”

“To ask Jerry if he had seen you.”

“He has.”

“I can see that. Are you finished, and we can go talk?”

“I’m done, but no need to talk. Thank you, again, Jerry. For everything.”

She walked up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek and turned from the room. Andy followed her up to the deck and Garret stayed with Jerry.

“What did you tell her? Andy said Dominic’s words had a strong impact on her?”

“I told her the truth. We talk a bit and I put her mind at ease. You should still talk to her, though.”

“I plan on it.”

Garret sauntered up to the deck where he saw her standing there. She had her head tipped up to the sun as she let the breeze flow through her unbound hair. Andy stood next to her at the rail and he noticed the crew staring after her. Once they noticed Garret up top, they only stole glances at her. Garret went up to them and Andy nodded and went to the helm. Garret leaned up against the rail facing her.

“Like the warmer waters?”

“Yes.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him. He saw so many emotions staring back at him, it twisted his heart.

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Talk about what?”

“You know what.”

“Why?”

“Please.”

“Fine.”

He took her by the hand and led them to their cabin.

He locked the door once they were inside; he wanted no interruptions. He just got her back and he wasn’t prepared to lose her again.

Three hours later, Garret returned to the deck. Andy noticed a strange look about him and asked him about it once he was at the helm.

“What is it?”

“What?”

“That look. What’s wrong?”

“We talked.”

“And?”

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?”

“After you left, he asked her if she would be okay with being just my mistress because he told her I would never marry her.”

“Would you?”

“I was promised to her once. It excited me to know she would be mine, not only her heart and soul, but she would have my name.”

“And now?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Garret?”

“I got used to not having to worry about that and I never really thought about it. You know as well as anyone I swore off marriage, even to her, after Dominic happened.”

“But that was before you knew what you do now.”

“I know.”

“What did she say?”

“She said she will not be my mistress. Right now, as she said, she’s being an unfaithful wife to a cruel man. That doesn’t bother her. She told me to think about it and that would determine if she actually got a divorce or not. I got so angry at the thought that she would chose to go with him and not stay with me all because I may not marry her.”

“Garret, it’s about a name.”

“What do you mean?”

“She would be shamed if she came home with a bastard after her divorce. While she is still married, even to Dominic, she would not be shamed for having a child. Knowing Dominic, he would claim it just to spite you.”

“You really think that’s it?”

“What else could it be. She’s freely giving herself to you without thought of the consequences because she is married. If you were to tell her no, she would leave you.”

“I can’t lose her.”

“So, why does this scare you?”

“I’m a pirate. She would be ruined.”

“Not if she never went back. She may fall in love with the island and never want to leave. You should think about it.”

Garret stood there after Andy had walked off thinking about what she had to consider. He wanted to comfort her and for her to know that he understood. On his way back to his cabin, he spotted the island. He smiled and decided it could wait. He knocked and poked his head in.

“We are getting close. Come.”

She stood and followed him to the helm. As they grew closer, she saw breathtaking views. Coral reefs and palm trees lined the beaches. She could exotic birds in the distance and saw people lined up on the deck. She saw other ships in the bay. She looked up at him, then.

“We share the island with two other crews. Not to worry, I truth the captains with my life. You know one of them.”

“Do I?”

“Do you remember Choi?”

“How could I forget?”

“That one on the end is his.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I remember his father was a warlord that had dealings with my father. An agreement was struck with them.”

“And all of us would play as they negotiated.”

“Yes.”