Nicholas nodded, understanding how similartheir destinies were entwined.
“Mid-route, a fortuitous attack by aDanish ship saved us from the ruthless hands of the Corsairs. Withmy ship freed, and my crew restored, I moved forward on myexpedition. Because of our delay, we were caught in several stormsthat plagued the Caribbean at that time of year. Blown off courseseveral times, meant weeks of travel to make up the distance lost,and more agonizing time from you.”
“What was on the island that he would risklife and limb?” Alexandra said.
Nicholas picked up his chair and dropped itnext to hers. “Only one thing would drive a man to suchextraordinary measures.”
She turned her face to his, so close. Asmattering of delightful freckles covered her nose and the ringsaround her turquoise eyes grew darker with her question.
“Read on,” ordered Nicholas, his shoulderpressed to hers.
“At a remote island, I ordered the men todrop anchor. While they drew fresh water, and gained respite, I setabout the island. You may have guessed by now, my love, I had a mapin my possession given to me by a friend on his deathbed. I hadonce saved him from financial ruin and disgrace. He never forgotthat charity. How he came into possession of such a prize, I do notknow, but he promised riches of inestimable wealth.”
Alexandra’s face lit with excitement. “Atreasure, Nicholas.” She popped a piece of mango in her mouth andturned the page, gripping the book with her longfingers.
“While my crew cavorted, and played onthe island, taking needed sustenance, I searched the island. I didfind what I came for, hauling and secreting my prize aboard my shipbeneath the noses of my crew.”
Alexandra slapped down the book. “If he hadtreasure, then why didn’t he and Lady Jane reconnect?”
Nicholas combed his fingers through hishair. Was the sea captain prone to fancy? Loneliness coupled withtedium on an island could lead to the possibility.
She reopened the book and thumbed to thelast page read.
He regarded her quizzically. “Who isimpatient now?”
She made a tiny growl in the back of herthroat that he found diverting.
“I made the shores of England. You hadbeen married and were celebrating the birth of your son. My worldlay shattered. To find you had abandoned me wasincomprehensible.”
Alexandra shook her head. “I can’timagine.”
“The treasure?” Nick leaned back on the twolegs of his chair.
She flapped a hand in dismissal. “Is thatall you think about?”
“To have come so far and through manytrials was more than my heart could bear. I left England, sailingto this unmarked island, built this house and survived my daysknowing the love of my life belonged to another.”
“What about the treasure?”
“You are so anxious.” She blew out a breath,scanning through the entries in the diary.
No need to point out she was just as keen ashe was.
“Loneliness is abundant and wreaksdreadful suffering. The island and I is all there is. In the deepstill silence, I can feel your beating heart.”
“Today I came to a lagoon and thought ofyou, my darling. I would trade all the treasure in the world tohear your voice, to see your smile one more time.”
“With certainty, he’s daft.” Nick droppedhis chair to all fours. He rose, poured a flagon of rum andAlexandra lifted a brow. “I’ve had enough of lunatic ravings.” Heheaded out the door.
“He’s in love,” she shouted at him.
He liked the passion she put into the story,better yet, he liked the fact she followed him with book and candlein hand, reading as she went.
He flopped in his hammock. She sat besidehim and he smelled her scent and the jasmine flowers she placed inher braid. There was no remedy for the persuasive power of herscent. He breathed her into his lungs. Not one single cure toeradicate her scent.
“A dreadful storm has hit the island forthree days and I’m marooned inside. How I wish your son were mine.Jane, how could you have abandoned me? I deviate from anger tocrushing despair. I never told you why I left without saying a wordto you. I accepted the fact that you married Sir Dabney becauseyour heart changed. I loved you so that I wanted only yourhappiness. I sacrificed my own happiness for you.”
“About the, treasure Nicholas, I waswondering…”
