Jean held up his hand.“I know better than to get in the middle of this squabble.I will wait outside.”
She knew Jonathan wasn’t finished, but he didn’t realize just how determined she could be.Elizabeth brushed past Jonathan and went to Annie.“We will find Dawson and Tiffany.Don’t worry.”
Annie hugged Elizabeth and patted her on the back.“I want ye to be very careful and bring that lad back home.”
Jonathan waited by the door.“I repeat, this is too dangerous.You should stay behind.”
Elizabeth clenched her hands by her side.Maybe she should appreciate Jonathan’s concern, but at the moment she didn’t.He wasn’t a mother, so he’d never understand.And right now he was in her way.“Perhaps it will be dangerous.But I’m going anyway.And I don’t have the time to argue with you, so get out of my way.”
“You never told me you had a son,” Jonathan said.
“I know.”She felt her cheeks heat as Jonathan opened the door.“It was ...what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I should think so,” he said as they hurried toward the stable.“One would think it would be a small fact that should have come up in our conversation before now.Like ...who is the father?”
Elizabeth stopped so suddenly that Jonathan nearly ran into her and had to back up a couple of steps.She glared up at him.“Jonathan, we are losing precious time!Look, there is a little boy out there who is helpless and scared.Does it matter who his father is?”
Jonathan started to say something, but stopped.He frowned as her words tumbled through his brain, making him feel very small indeed.He stared at her for a long moment “No, I suppose not.”He started walking again.When Elizabeth didn’t move, he turned and said, “Come, let’s go find your son.”
Chapter 20
Lafitte’s ship, theCiel Bleu, rose and fell in long, surging leaps as she bit into one wave after another.A fresh wind filled the billowing white sails overhead, pushing the ship along at a good pace under brilliant blue skies with only a few wispy clouds.
Elizabeth had positioned herself by the wooden rail where she could survey the horizon.The wind blew her hair and her hands gripped the rails dampened by the sea’s salt spray.
Jonathan stood at the helm of theCiel Bleuwith Jean.Dominic was stationed behind the big wheel of the ship.However, Jonathan’s mind wasn’t on Dominic—it was on Elizabeth.Feeling completely helpless and not knowing exactly what to do, he watched her.“We must talk,” Jonathan finally said to Jean.
They moved a few steps away from Dominic to keep him from overhearing.“It has been two weeks, and every day she has stood in the same spot,” Jean said.“We have made good time.I figure we will catch up with that scoundrel in the next few days.However...”Jean paused and sighed.“It breaks my heart to see Elizabeth so sad, even if I understand her worry over her missing child.She reminds me so much of Jewel.”
Jonathan gave Jean an incredulous look.“If you think it breaks your heart ...”Jonathan stopped a moment before continuing.“How do you think I feel?She has barely spoken two words to me since we left St.Ives.”He leaned back against the rail and folded his arms across his chest.“Perhaps she is blaming me for what happened.”
“I doubt that, my friend.She has been quiet around me as well.”Jean paused.“Have you tried to speak to her?”
Jonathan shook his head.“No.I thought I should give her time alone.”
Jean raised his brows a fraction.“Perhaps you have given her too much time, my friend.I must admit, I was surprised to hear she had a child.Adam has said nothing of this to me.”
Jonathan gave a sarcastic laugh.“The lady is full of surprises.”
“Has it occurred to you that the child is about three years old, about the same length of time since Elizabeth left New Orleans?”
Jonathan gaped at his friend.“I—I hadn’t thought about it.”
Jean folded his arms, his feet planted firmly on the deck as he stared at Jonathan sternly.“Did you compromise her?”
“I don’t believe that is any of your bloody business!”Enraged, Jonathan turned to leave, then thought better of it since he’d initiated the conversation.“Since you just saved my hide and we are on your ship, I’ll answer your question.”Jonathan paused before answering.“The answer is yes.But the lady was willing.”
“Well?”
“No.It’s impossible.Elizabeth would have told me about a child.She would have realized that I’d be very pleased over my own child.”
Jean smiled.“Women are fickle, my friend.And very unpredictable.I, most certainly, have never figured them out.”
“Yes, they are fickle, as I’m finding out.Elizabeth owes me plenty of explanations, but I’ll not press her until this ordeal is over.”Jonathan straightened and turned to look out over the water.“You don’t think Lee will hurt the boy?”
Jean spit.“He’s such slime.Civilization would be better off without him.And I, for one, intend to exterminate him quickly,” Jean added abruptly, venting his rage.Then he resumed control.“And, in answer to your question, I wouldn’t put anything past the scum.”
“Then you had better get to Lee first, because I intend kill him.”
