Page 23 of Stolen by My Knave
He nodded. “I believe you have me at a disadvantage.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Forgive me, but I don’t have patience for nonsense. Follow me and we’ll go someplace quiet to talk.”
He did as she bade and followed close behind her. They walked until they reached the library and went inside. She sat on a nearby chair and gestured for him to do so as well. Once he was seated, she began to speak. “To make us on even ground,” she began. “Please, call me Alys.”
Jack wasn’t sure if he liked that idea or not, but did as she asked. She was older than him, yet she wasn’t. Time travel was so odd. “Alys,” he said. “Is your mother really Evelyn Beckett?”
“She is,” Alys said. “It’s a rather long story. I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”
Any hope Jack had left evaporated with her words. “Did Elizabeth explain what happened to me?”
“She didn’t tell me much except you are Captain Jack Morgan, former pirate.”
He wasn’t sure where to begin. There was so much to say... He didn’t want to admit what he’d done, but there was no avoiding it. He had to own his actions and hope she didn’t hate him for them. She was his family and he wanted to have some kind of relationship with her.
He nodded and blurted, “Evelyn was my half-sister.”
Alys tilted her head and stared at him for several moments with her mouth hanging open. She closed it as suddenly as it had opened. Her silence was unbearable. Why wasn’t she saying something? It took all he had to not start babbling like an idiot.
After what seemed like an infinite amount of time her lips tilted upward and she laughed uproariously. She wiped a tear from her eyes and asked, “On what planet did it make sense to kidnap your own sister?”
It had been a horrible idea. At the time, it had seemed like a good one... He’d hated Evelyn for having their father’s attention. Once he had a chance to know her, he’d admired her. Jack would have protected her with his last breath if given the chance.
“I’m a bastard. We share the same father. I realize that doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I can’t regret my choice. In the end, I have to believe it worked out how it was supposed to. Can you tell me about your life?”
He wanted to know all Alys could tell him. Did she have a good life? Was she happy with Paul? Did she regret her decision to follow her husband through time? That was only the beginning of all the questions he had. But, of all of them, there was only one he really wanted an answer to.Does she hate me for what I did to her?
Alys sat back and folded her hands in her lap. “Paul and Evelyn gave me a chance and life I may not have had. They were my saviors.”
“I don’t understand,” he said. What was she trying to say?
Alys smiled at him warmly. Her lips quirked upward ever so often as if the entire conversation amused her—Jack wasn’t quite sure what to make of the duchess. She was nothing like what he expected. Hell, he wasn’t even sure what he had anticipated discovering about her. This woman was wild, elegant, and highly intelligent. Were those traits reminiscent of the century she’d grown up in?
“I didn’t have the whole story. I always thought her pirate was make-believe. Now it all makes sense. Time traveling is a family affair. If I didn’t already know Regina was happily married, I’d expect her to pop in for a visit.”
“The more you speak, the less it makes sense.” Was she playing games with him? He wouldn’t put it past her. Elizabeth seemed to like to draw things out to make things interesting. She’d unfolded her fount of information during their chess game in a similar manner. Jack wished she would get to the point already. This was the long way around and confusing him even more. So they all time traveled, did they? Except, apparently, for Regina...
“Did Elizabeth explain I’m from the twenty-first century?” She waved her hand. “Never mind that. Here’s my point: nothing is ever as it seems. I’m a highly-trained surgeon with more education than most of the men in that ballroom, yet I chose to stay with James and have a family. I have no regrets.” She smiled warmly. “My parents don’t either. You wanted me to tell you about them?”
“Yes, please.”
About bloody time!He wanted to shout at her but remained calm. Jack didn’t want her to realize how excruciating the exchange was. He’d been about to break down and beg—something he never did.
“They love each other beyond reason. It was the best example I had of what two people should be for each other,” she said. “My mother didn’t believe she could have children. So they adopted me. It wasn’t until I was five that she was able to give birth, and it was so stressful they didn’t try again.”
Had he heard her right? She was adopted? Hope bloomed where it hadn’t been previously, but he had to be sure... Jack’s gaze flew to hers. “Say that again.”
“About their great love story?”
He shook his head. “You’re adopted?”
“Oh, yes.” Alys nodded. “That’s what I meant when I said they saved me. They are the reason I had the opportunity to study medicine, the reason Regina was my sister, and in turn, the reason I ended up in the nineteenth century. It is all connected. I think that’s why you’re here too, having this conversation with me.” Her gaze softened. “Elizabeth thinks you need someone to talk with about time travel. If you ever need to discuss your experiences, I’m here.”
He nodded absentmindedly. This was so—amazing. He had to locate Elizabeth... “One day I may take you up on that offer, but for now I have to find my way back to the ballroom. I promised a few ladies I’d dance with them.”
Alys nodded. “Go. We’ll talk later.”
Jack nodded and practically ran back to the ballroom. Elizabeth wasn’t off limits. Everything Alys had told him was almost too much to take in. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. One day, he’d ask her more questions, but at that moment he had a higher priority. Elizabeth. Should he go to her right away? Did she realize his mistake in assuming they were related? How could she? He hadn’t told her about his connection to Evelyn. He owed her an apology... Hopefully she’d accept it and not make him squirm for too long.
He walked into the ballroom and stopped short. Elizabeth was surrounded by a circle of gentlemen. She was the center, and laughing as if she didn’t have the care in the world. He’d pushed her away over and over again. How could he have been so stupid? Of course he wouldn’t be attracted to someone he was related to. Fate wouldn’t be that cruel, but none of that mattered as he watched her blossom under the flirtations of the other gentleman.
Because he was too late... Elizabeth had more choices than any woman needed. Why would she choose an ex-pirate? He sighed and backed away from the ballroom. What he needed was a plan and time to implement it. He’d come back later and deal with Elizabeth and her flock of suitors.
