For the first time since Blake had met Charlie, tears filled her eyes. “I would like that very much, milady.”
“And you, lad.” Viscount Hyde strode up to Pedro, who was leaning against a barrel. “I hear you’re a fine up-and-coming seaman. If Captain Keene won’t give you a position, you may have one on my ship.”
Pedro’s blue eyes lit like sapphires. “You mean it? I can?” For a moment, it seemed the boy would cry, but then he straightened and gathered himself. “I’d like that very much, my lord.”
“Good, then.” Viscount Hyde gripped his shoulder, then turned to Rummy. “A one-armed helmsman. I admit I didn’t believe my daughter when she told me.”
Rummy grinned but said naught as Finn approached and withdrew his pipe. “The best helmsman in the Caribbean, my lord. But only when ’e ’as a bottle o’ rum in hand.”
They all chuckled.
Emeline’s mother wove her arm through her daughter’s, and the look of love between them sent emotion burning in Blake’s throat. His own mother had cast him out, and he’d always blamed God for it. But the God he now knew as a Father would never do such a thing. He stepped forward. ’Twas the perfect time to make his announcement, to inform Emeline’s family, as well as his crew, of his plans. “Emeline may have told you I own an island.”
Viscount Hyde crossed arms over his chest and nodded.
“I understand part of your mission here in the Caribbean is to help the poor, the widowed, and orphans.”
Emeline stared at him curiously.
“I would like to offer my island as a refuge for those in need. There is plenty of food, fresh water, and an estate that can house hundreds.”
At first, Viscount Hyde merely stared at him, his brow furrowing. Emeline’s mother, however, clapped her hands together. “How wonderful!”
Caleb nodded his approval while grunts of shock filtered among his pirates.
The viscount stepped toward Blake, a look of admiration on his face—an admiration he’d never received from his own father. He swallowed down a burst of emotion as the man gripped his shoulder. “I am most pleased. Most pleased.”
“Wha’ ’bout us?” Finn spoke up, garnering grunts from the rest of the crew.
Blake scanned his men. “You are welcome to join us in our new mission, or I’m happy to leave you on an island of your choosing. Sam,” he called to the surgeon, “we could use a man of your skill and education.”
To which the old pirate nodded. Was it Blake’s imagination or did a smile replace the man’s perpetual frown?
Emeline glanced at her father. “After we explain the truth of God’s Word to them, that is?”
Viscount Hyde drew his daughter close. “So good to have you home safe, darling. And look what you have accomplished.” He waved a hand over the brig. “Egad, with God’s help, you have redeemed an entire pirate ship!”
At that last comment, some of Blake’s crew appeared to be having trouble breathing. Yet a wave of raw emotion swept over Emeline’s face at the compliment.
Then turning to Blake, her father raised an incriminating brow. “Now, where is this Ring my daughter tells me about?”
Blake flattened his lips, loathing even the sound of the foul relic. “I kept it under lock and key in my desk, my lord. I wanted naught more to do with it and would have tossed it in the sea, if not for Emeline’s insistence I bring it to you. She said you’d know what to do.”
“Indeed. Fetch it.” He glanced at Caleb. “My son will take it and dispose of it in a place where no one will ever find it.”
Lady Hyde wove her arm through Emeline’s. “Enough of all this. We have a wedding to plan!”
b
Hours later, Emeline found Blake at the bow of theSummons, one hand on the hilt of his cutlass, staring out over the moonlit waters of Kingston Harbor. “Father is ready to leave.”
Turning, he drew her close and kissed her forehead. “I wish you could stay on board.”
“It wouldn’t be proper.” She glanced up at him. “But in a week, I will be your wife.”
“I cannot believe it.” He eased a strand of hair from her cheek. “I never thought…never thought…”
“Anyone could love you?”
