Page 14 of Pirate's Intent
“Do you?” He tilted her chin and searched her eyes. “I will help win this war, then come home and marry you.” He fingered the brooch she had pinned to her dress. “Wear this and think of me until then.”
“Always,” she had whispered before his lips closed over hers.
“What happened to us, Thomas?” she said softly, taking in his appearance. Not tidy with gleaming buttons but casual without a cravat to be found. Rather, she could see the top of his chest. A rather sun-darkened, muscular chest at that. “How did we go from them to this?”
When he looked at her in question, Rose shook her head. “Never mind.” She sighed. “In truth, it no longer matters.”
“No,” he agreed. His eyes lingered on her, his demeanor hesitant.
She cocked her head. “What is it?”
“Why did you still wear it?” he said. “Why did you wear my brooch all this time?”
Something Hannah and Luke had apparently felt the need to discuss in their letters.
While it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she felt lost without it that was confessing too much. He might have saved her thus far, but he did not deserve all her deepest feelings in exchange. Not after the heartbreak he had caused her.
“Habit, I suppose,” she murmured. “It went well with most anything, and as you said, was underwhelming enough not to draw too much attention.”
Now her sister had it. What good would that do?
“Why do you suppose Hannah took it?” She frowned. “Some might say to draw the enemy away from me, but how are they to—” She widened her eyes when the truth occurred to her. “Oh, no, she means to let them know she has it, so they leave me alone, doesn’t she? To put her life on the line once again?”
“And my brother’s,” he muttered. “Based on her actions, I can only assume she means to try but fear naught, my brother will not allow her the opportunity.”
“Cap’n.” A heavy rap came at the door. “A word?”
“Aye, enter,” he called out.
Charles opened the door and nodded at Rose before addressing Thomas. “No sign of ‘em yet, but that don’t mean nothin’. Want to wait ‘til morn for a better look or head north-northwest now?”
No sign of who? She was under the impression they were in the clear. And why would they go in that direction when her uncle was southeast?
“North,” Thomas said softly. “And keep the lights to a minimum.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” Charles nodded again at Rose. “Ma’am.”
“I thought we were in the clear?” she said the moment the door shut. “And why are we heading north?
“It is best to remain vigilant and assume more might follow.” He sighed, sat back, his gaze softening this time when he looked at her. “As to heading north, I am afraid I have bad news, Rose.”
What kind of news could he have when they hadn’t seen each other in years?
“Go on,” she said, curious.
“As you know, your uncle tended to mistreat not just his kin, but his business partners,” he said. “Behavior that ended up having consequences not just for him but for you and your sister.”
“Yes,” she murmured.
He knew far more than she anticipated. She could see it in his eyes.
“You knew we were not returning to Virginia, didn’t you?” she said. “That he lost the plantation?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“What else do you know?” She considered him. “Obviously, about my husband.”
“Yes.”
