“Ten days is sufficient,” growled Devon with a chilled comportment that excluded all argument.
“May I be sunk in everlasting hell if I have not departed by then,” Le Trompeur made a study of his nails.
“Make haste with your repairs and one final word of caution.” Devon swept his hand to the door. “Do not lay a hand on anything that is mine, otherwise your visit will precipitate your departure to the nether world. My sword will target a more vital organ the next time.”
Beneath a flash of hostility, Le Trompeur vented incredulity, daring a flitting glance up and down Claire. “By the saints, whatever do you mean? It’s as if I took Holy Orders. I assure you, Captain Blackmon, my thinking is clear and your message well read.” Le Trompeur bowed with mild amusement.
Abu Ajir flew in the window and perched on Devon’s shoulder, turned his head and eyed Le Trompeur with its cold black eyes. The Frenchman’s amusement vanished. He stepped back, caught Claire staring then straightened abruptly. Had she seen a flash of fear in the Frenchman’s eyes? Was he superstitious? He strode from the room with a cavalier, “Au revoir.”
Devon raked his hands through his hair. “Now what was so important that it couldn’t have waited?” He dropped into his chair, propped his feet upon his desk. Most women would have cowered in front of the French pirate.
“Lily and Robert−you’ve made a grievous error concerning their future.”
He stared at her over his steepled fingers. Instead of her being concerned of Le Trompeur’s threats, she worried over an entirely different matter. “Sit down, Claire,” he commanded. “Do you understand the damage you’ve done?” He sighed through his teeth. Removing himself from her proximity, sleeping on his ship at night had not released that howling beast that had taken up residence in his head.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“Le Trompeur has seen you here. I don’t trust him. He’s dangerous.
“That’s not the matter I wish to address. My concern is for Lily and Robert. How can you not allow them to marry? Your command defies any rational thought and is cruel. I cannot believe you made such an unconscionable decision.”
Hell.
He folded his arms. “So what do you want me to do about it?”
“Do about it? I cannot believe you made such a dreadful decision. They are made for each other. How could you tear them apart?”
Reason. His mind floundered. He must focus on reason. It did no good to think about Claire. He’d been a fool to hope. She had one path and he had another.
“You’re going back to England where you belong. Lily is going with you. I will not have you living a life alone. End of discussion.” He attempted to do what was honorable. Some sense of pity for her stole into his soul as he remembered her painful story. He remembered every word and deed about her heartless bastard of an uncle.
“If you have any sense of humanity, please allow them to marry. Don’t let them be torn apart, to abandon all hope, to live sad and lonely lives when they need to be together.”
Her thick lashes were spiky with tears. Did she realize she talked of Devon and herself?
“Before I consider your wish regarding Lily and Robert, you must agree to a concession.”
Claire stiffened at his suggestion. Her lovely face mirrored the suspicious direction of her thinking.The promise. A long forgotten memory flickered across Devon’s mind as he gazed at her. “We’ve come a long way for our parting to not end on friendly terms.”
“Of course. What is the concession you demand?” she said guardedly.
“If you had all the money in the world,” Devon gauged her, “What would you wish for?”
Claire walked to the window and gazed out to the sea. “At one time, I desired a modest home in the city, a place with my children to love and a husband to−all very simple. But now−” She sent him a rueful smile, her voice tinged with sadness. “That’s all behind me.”
She didn’t finish, but Devon filled in the blanks. He knew in that instant Claire would never marry again. In a roundabout way, she was informing him exactly of that notion. Despite her denying their marital status, her incredible moral nature would prevent her from committing such a sin and dishonoring the vows she had spoken to him.
“Above all,” she added, “A place for my family that was Safe. Sound. Secure.”
“We all have those dreams, Claire,” Devon interrupted.
Claire nodded her head, the wistful yearning heard in her soft voice. “I guess the reality is, I’ll be getting my freedom.”
Devon frowned, thinking of her bittersweet words. She’d convinced herself that a future between them was impossible. “Have you given any thought on how a single woman with very little means will survive?”
Claire drew a long steadying breath, “I’ll make do. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again. What was the concession you required?”
Devon rose and walked to her side. A constriction in his chest kept his arms at his sides when in actuality, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms. Her huge eyes were shining and she swiped at a single tear. He produced a handkerchief and made her blow her nose. She got hold of her sorrow, but barely.
