Their expedition had reached Vanuatu in the New Hebrides without incident. But then Cuthie had betrayed the trust placed in him and marooned the Brotherhood on the island, sailing off inThe Minervawith Jamie still aboard. A Portuguese whaling ship had found the Brotherhood a month later. The whaler reported sailing through the wreckage ofThe Minerva. All hands on board were assumed lost.
When the Brotherhood finally made it back to London a year later, they had reported all this in a formal inquiry to the Admiralty. The sinking ofThe Minervawas ruled a tragic accident. Everyone assumed the case was closed.
But then Captain Cuthie and his first mate, Robert Massey, had surfaced two years ago. Another inquiry had been conducted, informal this time. Nothing had come of it.
But then, when Jamie herself had appeared the previous winter, many had voiced grave doubts as to what specifically had happened aboardThe Minerva.
All of which explained why the procurator fiscal and Judge Admiral wished to pose more questions about the ship’s sinking.
“How can I best help her?” Kieran asked. “Aside from being patient, of course.”
“I’ve worked with a few ex-soldiers who struggled with this sort of thing,” Alex said. “Talking through the events seemed to ease many of the symptoms.”
“But, as ye say, it may be that my wife doesnae remember the events because they were so traumatic.”
“That does seem to be a wee bit of a Catherine Wheel,” Andrew offered, setting his hat more firmly atop his head. “Jamie suffered a trauma that caused her to lose her memory, but in order to restore her memory, she needs to relive the trauma.”
Alex nodded, expression grim. “It might help if she engaged in activities that were common aboard the ship. The familiarity of them might shake memories loose.”
“The question remains, of course, if the procurator fiscal will be understanding of her injuries when we meet tomorrow?” Kieran clasped his hands behind his back, forcing himself to breathe through the worry and anxiety banding his chest.
“Aye,” Andrew nodded. “Alex and I have used what influence we have to keep this matter quiet. But if legal accusations are made . . .”
Kieran swallowed.
Mutiny.
Andrew didn’t say it. But it hung there, looming between them.
Kieran’s behavior during those last couple hours beforeThe Minervamarooned them on Vanuatu could be viewed as mutinous. If Cuthie pressed the matter, Kieran could find himself swinging from the end of a rope fairly quickly. That was always his fear, was it not? That one of these inquiries would lead to formal charges of some sort.
“Stop worrying about it,” Alex muttered at his side. “It will do no good. Worry is simply borrowing tomorrow’s trouble and stealing today’s joy.”
“Yes. But if charges are leveled against me, my time with Jamie may be cut short,” Kieran said. “If she knew we were handfasted, maybe she would be less skittish and more willing to accept me.”
“I disagree,” Alex shook his head. “I think knowing you two were handfasted would cause her alarm and anxiety, causing her to retreat. It’s been over six years since ye last saw her, Kieran. Much has changed for both of ye. You need to relearn one another. Woo your wife again.”
“I like that idea,” Andrew said. “I wouldn’t mind wooing my Jane one more time. Lot of fun tae be had in wooing. Do ye need some suggestions?” He said the words conversationally, but there was a teasing gleam in his gaze. “Friendly advice?”
Kieran rolled his eyes. “I think I can manage the wooing on my own, thank ye.”
“Are ye sure?” Andrew smoothed a hand down his waistcoat. “I’m happy tae lend ye snippets of my vast knowledge on the subject.”
“I dinnae need your sorry advice, Andrew,” Kieran snorted. “It’s a wonder Jane tolerates your ugly mug.”
“I think the same thing every day,” Andrew agreed cheerfully. “I’m a fortunate man.”
“Besides, the true fun beginsaftera successful wooing,” Kieran continued.
“True that. But perhaps you’ll see success in short order. Jane says a new wardrobe always cheers up a lass,” Andrew chuckled, “so mayhap Jamie will be more amenable.”
“One can hope.” Kieran nodded. “She is with the dressmaker now in the great hall. They all but shooed me out the door.”
The friends walked on for a few moments, the endless breeze rippling the sea grass lining the tops of the cliffs. A pair of gulls raced by, their calls soaring over the wind.
Kieran paused and surveyed the ocean undulating before them.
Alex nudged his arm. “Let Jamie ease into being here, and don’t worry about the future. For now, we will simply celebrate the fact that she has returned tae us.”
