Lud, but Gabrielle had missed her.Had missed them both.
Sails flapped impotently in the wind above them as Merrick led a small band of his pirates over the bulwarks and dropped onto the deck of theResolutewith a resounding thump.His men pointed blades and pistols at Cadan’s crew.
“I am Captain Edmund Merrick of the shipRedemption.And you are?”
“Cadan Hayes, captain of theResolute.”Cadan replied.
Drawing his cutlass, he pointed it at Cadan’s throat.“And just what, pray tell, are you doing with my daughter?”
Horrified, Gabrielle leapt down the quarterdeck ladder.“Nay, Father.He has done me no harm!”She charged him and placed a hand on his arm, but he nudged her aside.
“We heard he kidnapped you!”Merrick’s face reddened in rage.
“Nay!”Gabrielle glanced at Cadan.“Rather, he saved me.Please, Father, Lower your blade.”
Squealing, her mother jumped over the railing and joined them, flinging an arm around Gabrielle and drawing her close.
Finally, Merrick withdrew his cutlass, still eying Cadan with suspicion.Gabrielle flew into his arms, soaking in his scent and strong presence.Her mother joined them, and they all embraced, tears spilled down Gabrielle’s face.“I have so much to tell you.So much has happened.”
“We would hear it all, daughter.”Merrick kissed her forehead.“Your brother and sister are most anxious to see you.”He glanced at theRansomandRecklessdrifting in the sea behind theRedemption.
“And I, them, Father!I have missed you all so much.”
“We were so worried for you, darling!”Charlisse cast a wary glance at Cadan before embracing Gabrielle again.“We heard…we thought you’d been kidnapped, and we’ve been searching for you for months.”
Gabrielle wiped her tears.“You have?I thought you’d be angry with me.”
Charlisse slipped a strand of Gabrielle’s hair behind her ear.“My precious baby.Never.”
Her father cupped her chin.“We will always love you.”
Renewed tears spilled down her cheeks, and she shared a glance with Cadan, who stared at the reunion with both shock and joy.
“Lower your weapons.”Turning, Merrick ordered his men, and with a few grumbles they sheathed their blades.
“I have something to tell you.”Gabrielle took a step back.“Someoneto show you.”Fear threatened to steal her newfound joy.How would her Godly parents react to Matthew?
Chapter 38
Two months later
Heart tight, breath heaving, Gabrielle took her father’s hand as he assisted her up the companionway of theResoluteand onto the quarterdeck.Her mother hurried behind her, gathering the train of lace that spread out behind Gabrielle’s wedding gown.A breeze ripe with salt and tropical flowers wafted over her, sending curls dancing over her neck.Halting at the railing she glanced across at the foredeck where pirates crowded to witness the proceedings, men from both Cadan and her father’s ships, Sloane and Jackson among them.Sloane, looking just as strong as ever in his seventies now, winked her way.She smiled in return.
Cadan’s crew lined the quarterdeck.Soot, Hellfire in his arms, gave her a knowing grin.Beside him, Durwin fumbled his hat in his hands and barely met her gaze.Cadan had released him from the hold, forgiven him, and given him a position on the ship, though not first mate.He’d have to earn that title.
Below, garlands of colorful tropical flowers were draped over railings and hung on the bulkheads while gardenias and roses littered the deck, filling the air with their sweet scent.A canopy of white lace stood near the starboard railing while beyond, theRedemption, theRestitution, theRansom, theReckoning, and theRecklessrocked idly in Kingston Harbor.Morning sun showered a sparkling blanket of saffron and silver over the rippling waters that led to the city of Kingston beyond.
Spread across the main deck, attired in their finest, stood her family—her brother Alex, his wife Juliana and their son Caleb, her sister Reena and her husband Frederick.Lady Isabel and Kent, Frederick’s parents, stood to their side, while next to them Rowan and Morgan were chasing a young Rose over the deck.Her family, her growing family, for she’d learned that Reena was with child—her first—and Morgan ripe with her second.
A fiddle began playing and all eyes raised to her.
But her thoughts, her heart were on Cadan.She shifted her gaze to the canopy, but she couldn’t see him beneath it.Sudden terror wrenched her heart.Was he there?Was she to be jilted once again?
Her father must have sensed her fear, for he smiled and extended his elbow.“Shall we?”Dressed in black breeches and tight-fitting doublet with metallic lace trim, he looked more handsome than she ever remembered.
Her mother slipped beside her.“He’s there,” she reassured Gabrielle with a smile.No one would ever guess the lady was well over fifty years, for despite the gray streaks brightening her hair and a few lines at the corners of her eyes, she had a vibrancy, an inner joy that captivated all who met her.And brave.The lady was the most courageous person Gabrielle knew.This day, however, she’d abandoned her breeches for an embroidered gown of purple silk with belled sleeves and a veil of silver lace.
Gabrielle stared down at her own ivory gown with quilted petticoat, hanging tassels, and rose-colored trim.She ran a hand over her smooth satin bodice and fingered the curls dangling about her neck from her elegant coif, embedded with pearls.Her hands shook.Her mother grabbed them.“’Twill be all right, precious.”Then bending, she gathered up Gabrielle’s train of gossamer lace, and together, her parents escorted her down the ladder and onto the main deck.
