Finally, one night as James helped Aaron back to bed from the window seat in his room, Aaron spoke. "Where's Ike?"
James sighed, steeling himself for his next words. "He left a note."
Aaron glanced up into his eyes and an instant of unspoken communication passed. "Ye tol' him I died, din't ye?"
James nodded somberly. "If he had stayed just a few hours more, I would have told him the whole truth. As it was, he was so distraught by the situation that he left. He said he was headed back for Tortuga."
"Tortuga," Aaron breathed. After a moment, he shuddered from head to toe. "Poor love. Hope he finds him some happiness, eh?"
James nodded, the idea surfacing in his mind at that instant that Aaron was actually at ease with Ike's departure. "He truly loved you, you know."
Aaron nodded and gave James a grim smile. "As a child, he was a bright lad. Reminded me of a new shilling, shiny an' full of promise. Hope he finds himself a girl and settles down. I suspect he'd make a fine fisherman."
James nodded encouragingly and lifted Aaron's legs up onto the bed, covering him with the quilt as soon as he was settled. He waited until Aaron was sleeping before he rose to prepare himself for bed. As he blew out the candle on the bedside table, he paused and looked out the window toward the harbor. A cloud scudding along the horizon looked strangely like a black ship with black sails. It caused a chill to walk up James' spine.
)O(
It took nearly a month before Aaron could act on his own. Between Rodney and James, he was well cared for but the two men could only spend so much time with him. James did request and receive a few days' leave from Mercer, his excuse being that he had to deal with the business of Aaron's illness, death and funeral. Instead, however, Mercer knew full well that James was in mourning for the pirate whom he had loved.
So it was early December when a fully recovered Aaron found himself bored and at loose ends in his room. Wondering if there was something to read in the house, he ventured down the stairs to the first floor. Aaron heard a sound from the back of the house and cautiously headed that direction. The door was open between the dining room and the kitchen, as he discovered, or he might have knocked. He poked his head inside cautiously just as Rosemarie looked up.
"Ah, Cap'n Johnson, 'tis a pleasure to see you up and about! If you don't mind, sir, I can use a spot o' company," She said pleasantly, the smile lighting up her blue-grey eyes.
Tentatively, Aaron entered the room, suddenly aware that the door to the garden was open, as were the windows to allow for a nice breeze to carry the heat out. He carefully avoided coming anywhere near the woman, feeling vaguely like a cur from an alley who finds himself in a wealthy man's kennel as he skirted the opposite side of the room from her. He made his way around the room until he was at the door. He pressed himself against the door-jamb and breathed deeply the scents of jasmine, honeysuckle and the ocean. When he heard Rosemarie's voice, very near his right shoulder, he started and jerked away.
"Take a turn in the garden, if ye wish," She said then realized she'd frightened him. She stepped back. "My apologies, Captain. I din't mean--."
Aaron tried to give her a smile. "'Tis all right, milady. I just--I'm a coward. And I ain't a captain no more. C-Call me Aaron."
Rosemarie's eyes went wide and her mouth grew grim. "I'll not hear such things from you, Captain. Rodney told me what ye did to save that lad and our own Captain Dunbar. By no means are ye a coward. And-And if the Captain holds you in such high regard, there must be something mos' special about ye. You've been through a trial, such as those in the Good Book went through, like Daniel in the den o' the lion or Job and the whirlwind. There's no call for anyone t' think less of ye, especially not yourself."
Aaron couldn't look at her suddenly and buried his face in his hands. He didn't know if she could see him shiver but he did know that he couldn't let her see him cry. It was bad enough that James saw him at his weakest moments. He was trying to rein himself in when he felt her work-roughened hand touch the back of his.
"Captain, are ye all right?" She pulled lightly at his wrist and drew his hands away from his face. "I meant no offense, sir."
"None taken," He responded and grimaced at the sound of his voice. Despite all the care he took--and he hadn't touched a dram of rum since before Ike left--it didn't seem to be getting any better. Worse, it was still just as painful.
"Very good, sir," She answered, a timid smile starting on her lips. "If ye wouldn't mind, Aaron, I've been busy baking all mornin'. I made two apple pies but I tried a new recipe given t' me by Rear-Admiral Mercer's cook. Would you like to try a piece? T' tell me what you think?"
Aaron caught a whiff of cinnamon, apple and vanilla as he raised his head and his stomach growled fiercely. He managed a shaky smile of his own. "I'd be most obliged, milady."
)O(
By tea-time, Rosemarie knew several things for certain. One, that Aaron was a good man who had had the misfortune to fall into a bad lot in life. She had no doubt he had been a pirate--he told her that himself willingly enough. She had no doubt he had been a killer and a thief. Deep down, though, she had sensed a good heart in him and a core of decency that kept him on his own, oddly defined, path of righteousness. Something else she knew for certain was that Aaron loved Captain Dunbar as fiercely as she had ever known anyone to love another. When they had first started talking, she had thought it was just devotion to the man for having been rescued by him. As the hours wore on, though, Aaron had let details slip that were not the kind of things any but a lover or husband would know. At first, repelled, she had prayed to God for guidance. Whether it was sheer coincidence or divine inspiration, though, it was at that moment that a ray of sunshine had entered the kitchen window and given Aaron a golden glow. He was speaking of Captain Dunbar at the moment and his eyes had shown nothing but love and joy. It nearly brought her to tears.
So it was that she now stood at the door to the kitchen and peered into the dining room. Captain Dunbar and Aaron were sitting at the table enjoying the tea and delectables she had prepared. In Dunbar's company, she saw Aaron relax, his smile come easily, the strange hiccupping laugh ring out at the occasional thing that was said. At one point, James Dunbar took Aaron's hand in his and leaned close to whisper something to him. It made Aaron smile sinfully then bestow a kiss upon Dunbar's mouth. Ashamed that she was spying on them, Rosemarie had turned away and begun to clean the kitchen to prepare for dinner. If they were both happy and the Lord was right with it, it was hardly her place to judge two good men.
)O(
Chapter 29:
Winds of Change
It became a daily occurrence for Aaron to visit Rosemarie in the kitchen, spending hours listening to her prattle on about her life or what was happening in Port Royal. She felt sorry for Aaron betimes as he seemed to want to go outside, to enjoy the feel of the elements on his flesh, but the fear kept him from it. Worse, the deception that she was a party to, that Captain Johnson had died and been buried in the cemetery, meant that he had to hide whenever there was a guest. Not that he wanted to see those people but it must have been terribly lonely for him.
When the gossip came, though, that Captain Dunbar was to be promoted to Commodore and sent to Nassau to take command there, Rosemarie felt her heart skip a beat. Everyone told the same story so she knew there had to be some truth to it. As much as she feared for her own welfare, she was much more afraid for Aaron. She had come to love him like a son and she didn't want anything bad to befall him. She worried silently for several days, telling Aaron nothing as she didn't want to alarm him unnecessarily if the rumors turned out to be false.
It had been almost two months since Aaron Johnson had been buried in the little cemetery beside the church when Captain Dunbar requested her to join him and Rodney for a talk. Her heart in her throat, she stepped into the Captain's office to stand before his desk.
"I am sure you have heard the rumors," He began, his green eyes regarding them both with a certain aff
ection. "I am to be promoted to the rank of Commodore a fortnight from today and, in three months, I will be posted to the fort at Nassau. As of that time, I will have no more need of your services. I have prepared you both wonderful letters of recommendation and will be more than happy to help you locate suitable employment. In fact, I have already recommended both of you to the Governor and to several of the local plantation owners. You should have no difficulty finding a position elsewhere."
"Additionally," He stood and smiled. "I will be giving you each a bonus of twenty pounds sterling to reward you for being such hard workers and devoted servants. If either of you would care to accompany me, I would be most pleased."
For a moment, neither of them knew what to say. Finally, after a glance at her, Rodney managed to say, "Captain, you are too good to us. As much as I would like to come with you, my family is here. It would be very difficult to move them so very far away. Thank you for the offer but, no, thank you."
Rosemarie found herself nodding in agreement. She was gathering her strength and courage for the speech she knew was to come. The Captain extended his hand to Rodney, who shook hands with him firmly. When Dunbar turned to her, she extended her own hand and let him take it. He kissed it gently then released her with a pleasant grin. She hesitated as Rodney turned to leave the room. When he was out the door, she shut it firmly. At that, Rosemarie turned to look at her employer with serious misgivings in her eyes.
“Captain, sir, I know ‘tis not my place t’ question you on most matters but here, here, I must make my feelings known to you. You are, by far, the kindest man I’ve ever had the pleasure t’ cook for and I would wish nothin’ ill upon you. The plain truth of the matter is . . .”
)O(
At the sound of the door closing, James looked up to see Rosemarie still there. The expression on his face changed subtly to one of slight concern. He waited for several seconds. When James had to resist the urge to shake the words out of her, he settled for an impatient sigh and a doubtful look. “Please, Rosemarie, I do have business elsewhere.”
“I know, sir. My apologies,” She curtsied briefly. “I’m a God-fearin’ woman, Captain, and I will probably burn in the pits of hell for this but—You cannot abandon Aaron. Whether ‘tis the work of devils or angels, he canna live without you. I-He’s told me—Do you have any clue how he feels toward you?”
Taken aback, James stared at her for several seconds then shook his head. “I must say, my good woman, that I haven’t the faint--.”
“He loves you, Captain,” Rosemarie replied, her blue eyes saddened. “But more important, he needs you. You are the only thing keepin’ him here, in this world. If you leave him, it won’t be long ‘fore he does harm to himself.”
James studied her for a moment. "And Aaron told you this?"
Rosemarie shook her head, lowering her gaze to her clasped hands. "Not in words, sir. He don't talk much at all, ye know. But when he speaks, especially of yourself, he says volumes with his eyes. I-if ye don't feel the same toward him, sir, ye need to make that clear. 'Tis not fair for you to keep his heart captive if you don’t."
"Have you shared your concerns with the Captain?" James asked, his heart suddenly aching at the thought that Aaron might think he was being abandoned--again, James reminded himself.
Rosemarie's eyes rose and widened. "Absolutely not, sir. I didn't want t' worry him, ye see. Why do such a thing to him if the rumors weren't true? Wouldn't be Christian to hurt him like that."
James had to smile grimly at that. Hadn't he used some similar words to explain to Mercer why he couldn't turn Aaron and the Stern boy out of his home? The one detail he had failed to plan for when he accepted this promotion had been Aaron's fate. Who could have guessed that the Lord Above would speak to him so directly through Rosemarie?
James closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was time to deal with the matter, he saw that now. “Thank you for your concern. I will discuss the matter with Captain Johnson this evening.”
Rosemarie nodded. “Very good, sir, thank you. I-Cap’n Johnson’s a good man and he’s been mistreated something fierce. You’re good for him an’-an’ he’s good for you.”
James nodded in reply. "I know. I just have to figure out what I'm going to do about this. I just don't know how Aaron will take the news."
Rosemarie shrugged with a regretful look on her face then slid unobtrusively out the door. James sat back down in his chair and began to think. Plans were drafted then rejected in moments. Each one becoming more elaborate than the first and each having some fatal flaw. It frustrated him more with each attempt, especially in light of the fact that Aaron Johnson, as a human being, no longer existed. He was seriously considering getting ripping good drunk on Aaron's rum when something Chambers said to him a few days before returned to him. They had been discussing his potential promotion and James had asked Chambers if he would be willing to come along. He would be allowed to take a few select officers to fill vacancies the departing commanding officer would be leaving. It would be a very positive step for Ellis' career.
"I would be delighted, 'Commodore,'" Chambers had replied with a huge grin. "But perhaps you should consult Mrs. Dunbar? We wouldn't want to rouse any jealousy or suspicions."
"Mrs. Dunbar?" James had responded but at the wicked smirk on Chambers's face, he had understood the officer to mean Aaron. "No, I'm sure Mrs. Dunbar will have no objections."
The plan he decided on was simple, even if it did have one large fatal flaw. Nonetheless, he decided it would be the course to take. He only had to wait until after they had eaten this evening to set it in motion.
)O(
They ate a fine meal that night, as if Rosemarie sensed that something was afoot. James recalled that he hadn't tasted Rosemarie's shepherd's pie since before Ike Stern left. He missed it but he also understood that the dish reminded Aaron of both Sterns. In the general scheme of things, a favorite dish was certainly no loss compared to Aaron's sense of well-being. As they had grown accustomed to, they took their wine to the salon and made themselves at ease on the davenport. James poured them each some wine. He caught Aaron’s hand as he reached for his glass and spoke.
“I have a proposal to make before we indulge. You needn’t answer tonight but I ask you to consider it carefully, all right?”
Aaron nodded, his eyes more worried than usual. When James gave him a reassuring smile, Aaron grew even more troubled.
“I’ve been asked to take command out of Nassau and mention has been made that this might strengthen my chances at a post in the admiralty. I would very much like you to come with me,” James paused then, “As my wife.”
James stared at Aaron in an effort to catch his gaze. To his dismay, Aaron wouldn’t look at him at all.
“How would that be, mate?” Aaron rasped. “I- Last time I checked, ye needed a woman t’ marry.”
James sighed and looked away. “You’re right, of course, but—we practically live as man and wife now. Should you don a wig and a dress, who could or would know other than what we tell them? I am not the only one to find you surpassingly beautiful to behold. We can tell everyone that you are an heiress I met on my last visit to Port-au-Prince. What do you think?”
When Aaron finally looked into his eyes, James swallowed hard. “Ye’re daft, mate. It’d never work. I know nothin’ about being a fancy lady, let alone some high-toned heiress. Nah, James, if ye must go t’ Nassau, go an’ worry not about me. I’ll do as I must, thank ye kindly.”
James sighed and captured Aaron's chin in his hand to prevent him from looking away. "Now, you see, that is a true difficulty. You tell me to 'worry not' about you but you don't seem to understand that I have no choice in the matter. I love you and I worry about you even when you are sleeping beside me. There is no one else in this world that I want by my side for the rest of my life. So I have no choice but to take you with me."
For a long time, Aaron said nothing, just gazed into James' eyes. James saw a variety o
f emotions in those blue depths. Fear, of course, James knew that was inescapable; a bit of anger and resentment at the predicament they were now in. Finally, though, he saw love there, love for James, if for no one else. Aaron gulped loudly after a moment and spoke.
"But ye can't do that, Jamie. Aaron Johnson's dead an' buried. Even if he weren't, the Governor'd have me--and you--arrested. It's not--," Aaron shook his head and drew away.
James reclaimed Aaron's hand, holding it up to his own to compare them for size. He looked up to see Aaron watching him suspiciously. After a moment, James fished a small package out of his pocket, something wrapped in a handkerchief. He opened the cloth and drew out a small band of very plain gold. Aaron's eyes narrowed as James took the band between his forefinger and thumb and slid it onto the third finger on Aaron's left hand. The fit was perfect.
"It is," James insisted, holding Aaron's hand up to the light. "This was my grandmother's wedding band. The fact that it fits you like this is my sign. We were meant to be together, Aaron. Please just think about this at least. Wear the ring and consider it. I have to go where the Navy sends me, my Raven. Don't deny us both what happiness we can have."
Briefly, Aaron stared at the gold band on his finger. James offered him his glass of wine and Aaron shook his head. James just watched him as he left the room then climbed the stairs toward their bed chamber. James sat back with a heavy sigh and set to work on the wine. He hoped that all Aaron needed was a little time.
)O(
Chapter 31:
Transformation
He wasn’t at all sure why he was wandering about the foyer of a grand home—not Dunbar’s present home, he was certain—in nothing but his nightshirt. The marble tile was so cold on his feet that he thought his limbs would break apart. He was reaching for a pair of dark oak doors when the voice reached him.
The Sea's Rough Magic Page 21
