To her credit, she barely reacted. In fact, to his surprise, she smiled.
“I figured you would.”
“You did?” he asked.
“Of course,” Lola replied. “If I was in the same situation, I wouldn't leave my best friend either. It's who you are, the sea is your true mistress, and I would never take that away from you.”
“I would have thought...” Wesley said. “Given how happy Miss Annabelle is to have her husband home...”
“I'm not like the other girls,” Lola said, quickly. “You should know that.”
“So...” he paused. “I have your blessing?”
“Of course you do,” she smiled. “Being married to you is a dream come true. Being married to an Earl is a cherry on the cake. However, being married to a pirate? That's just an adventure tale for the ages. I'd never give that up.”
“What are you two talking about?” Matheson spun around, curious.
“Wesley is going to join Aaron on his pirate ship,” Lola said a matter of factly. “For King and Country, the pirate way.”
“I'll do that,” Matheson said, nudging Corrigan. “Do you want to go?”
“Yes,” Corrigan turned around and Lola smirked.
“Should you go tell Aaron now, or will it be later?”
“Perhaps later is best,” Matheson responded, as they turned back to the front.
The list of memories was long, and most of them were funny stories. After all, Aaron was quite an amusing person to be around.
When the line finally ended, the priest, who appeared to have almost fallen asleep, stood up.
“I will now invite his brother-in-law, and his title holder, Lord Harold, to speak.”
“What?” Harold asked, in shock. Annabelle nudged him in the ribs.
“You have to.”
“I don't have anything prepared,” Harold whispered to her in horror.
“The women can't do it, and we don't have any other family,” Annabelle replied. “You have to do it. Go now.”
“Oh, great,” Harold whispered to himself, as he got up.
He climbed up to the podium, looking out at the huge crowd. The only thing that kept him from bolting to the door was the fact that he saw a glimpse of Aaron on the balcony, clearly enjoying this. Harold was not a fan of public speaking, but short of acting like his emotions were exploding, he didn't see any way out of this.
He took a deep breath, and leaned forward.
“Aaron Bamber...Lord Aaron Bamber...was my best friend,” he started. “We started out as boys in Spithead. Twenty years we sailed together...and I was honored to have sailed with him. He was the truest friend anyone could have had...and my only regret....is that he could not stand beside me at my wedding, to become my brother in front of the world.”
Aaron, up in the balcony, smiled, sadly. He didn't expect Harold to deliver such a heartfelt speech, but this was tugging at his heart strings.
“I know that the circumstances surrounding his death...are stunning,” Harold bowed his head. “But I ask that you remember him, not as he died...but as he lived.”
He was surprised to find tears spilling down his face. He went to wipe them away impatiently. At the last moment, he left them.
Yes, Aaron was alive. However, the man he was speaking about had died, and Harold now had to face a life virtually without him.
“As a kind gentle soul, who would stop at nothing for everyone's happiness, everyone's smiles, and everyone's friendship, I am honored to call Aaron Bamber my brother. Thank you.”
If he spoke any longer, he was in danger of his voice cracking. Instead, he glanced up to the balcony, where Aaron nodded, with a smile. He gave a small nod back, and went to sit down.
“That was beautiful,” Annabelle said to her husband softly.
“He deserves it,” Harold replied. “Although he is listening and will tease me relentlessly after.”
“Mmm,” she laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
“Please stand,” said the priest and everyone rose, half unsure of what they were doing next. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
“Lord Aaron Bamber is now safe. He is already on his way to heaven to enjoy all which awaits him there. Let us say this final farewell to his body as we commit Aaron Bamber's physical form to its natural end. Lord Aaron Bamber, we bless you and thank you for being a part of our lives. We honor your life on Earth and we pray for your peace ever-after. We will not forget you. Go well into the kingdom of heaven. Please sit.”
“This so eerie,” Lola whispered, glancing over at Shauna and Gwendolyn, who seemed to be doing a perfect imitation of a grieving family. It sent shivers down her spine, because she never wanted to see it. She knew there was a chance she would be at Aaron's real funeral one day. However, today, it was a game that she didn't want to play.
“WAIT!” came a voice from the back of the church. Everyone turned, and to their surprise, Mr. Doren was standing there.
Wesley leaned forward to Harold in surprise
“What is he doing here?” he asked.
Doren soon answered Wesley's question himself.
“I wish to speak, if that's alright.”
No one could find a reason to stop him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
SURPRISE VISITOR
SURPRISE VISITOR
There were whispers throughout the church as Mr. Doren made his way to the front. All of the sailors who were on the ship were confused. Doren had been the enemy; Doren had been the one they all conspired against. It was Doren constantly at the captain's side, influencing his choices, justifying his ways. Why on Earth would he want to speak at Aaron Bamber's funeral?
“Do you think he's going to expose us?” Wesley asked Harold, who shrugged.
“I don't know,” Harold’s admitted. “But if he does, I'm prepared to run a sword through him. We couldn't have gone through all this trouble only to have it wasted now.”
“Stop,” Annabelle warned them. “Look at him. That isn't a man who is here to cause trouble. That is a man who is here to grieve.”
“But---” Harold started, as Doren took to the podium. However, he said no more when the gunner cleared his throat.
“Thank you for allowing me to speak,” Doren said, looking at his hands. “I know I am not well liked among this group...but I could not pass up the opportunity...not when there will not be another one.”
Up in the balcony, Aaron leaned forward. Of all the people that he expected to come to his funeral. Mr. Doren was last on the list. Yet, it seemed the man had words that were fighting to get out.
“Lord Bamber was...not a friend,” Doren said. “On the ship, we had opposite duties...opposite values...opposite...goals...”
There was a rumble throughout the crowd, tensing. If this man was here to speak ill of Lord Bamber, there were so many who were ready to oppose him. However, it didn't seem that was what Doren was here to do.
“However, despite all of that...he always had a smile, a kind word to say...always managed to speak well of others, even in the face of adversity. I never before had met such a man...and I know I will not meet such a person again. He was...”
Doren cast his eyes upstairs and Aaron practically tumbled back in his chair, trying to avoid it.
“I'm sorry he's gone,” Doren said. “I was honored to have served with him.”
“Mr. Doren,” Annabelle surprised everyone by getting up and reaching out her hands. He looked equally shocked, as if he had forgotten how to move forward. Aaron's twin knew how to put everyone at ease just as much as he did, and she grabbed his hand. “Thank you. Thank you.”'
“M’lady,” he dipped his head. There were still whispers through the crowd. This time, they were rather shocked, as everyone watched Annabelle lead him to the front row. “Thank you, M’lady.”
“He would be glad to make amends,” Annabelle replied, with a smile.
In the balcony, Aaron raised an eyebrow. Wonders never did cease, it appeared. He briefly con
sidered bursting out and giving everyone the surprise of their lives, but decided against it.
He did wonder, however, if he could trust Doren. With the captain dead, Doren's constant support for the past twenty years was now removed. The ship would be broken up, its crew scattered under new Captains. Unless they were exceptional, men did not remain on the flagship for very long, because it saw no action. At least, it wasn't supposed to see action, Aaron thought to himself.
What would happen to Doren? Was there a place in Aaron's life for a reformed, broken-hearted sailor?
At the altar, the priest gained order, and opened his book, speaking the final words.
“We have been remembering with love and gratitude a life that touched us all. I encourage you to help, support, and love those who grieve most. Allow them to cry, to hurt, to smile, and to remember.”
“Why am I crying?” Lola asked softly, wiping away her tears. She had been stunned by Doren's words, and surprised that this funeral affected her at all. She was normally so used to controlling her emotions.
Annabelle reached back to take her hand with a soft smile.
“It's a sad day,” she said. “Nothing will ever be the same.”
“That,” Lola acknowledged. “Is very true.”
“Grief works through our systems in its own time. Remember to bless each day and to live it to the full in honor of life itself - and of Aaron Bamber. We often take life for granted, and yet it is the greatest gift God gave us. The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So then, go in peace, and the God of all peace go with you. Amen”
“Amen,” the congregation echoed.
“I think we're supposed to go first,” Annabelle said to Harold, who helped her up. “The reception should be set up at the house by the time we return.”
“Right,” Harold replied. “Several more hours of greeting people and smiling.”
“Aye,” Annabelle replied. “And then this can be over.”
They filed down the aisle, with people reaching out with flowers or to offer prayers. It had been a beautiful ceremony, but Annabelle could barely wait to be in the carriage before she blurted out what had been on her mind for the last few minutes.
“What is Mr. Doren up to?” she said, surprising Harold.
“You offered him such genuine condolences,” he replied. “I thought that you were sincere.”
“Well, I am sincere in the fact that I'm sorry he's sad. But who expected him to shed real tears.”
“That's what your brother does to people,” Harold replied, as everyone else got into the carriage. It was a tight squeeze, but they had decided that Aaron would remain in the church until it was empty, and exit by himself. “Mr. Wesley? You're thinking?”
“No,” Wesley said, in surprise “He didn't strike me as anything but genuine. That took me by surprise.”
“Surprising the great mind of Earl Rippon,” Harold said. “That is a feat.”
“I'll say,” Lola replied. “But I suppose funerals do bring out something in people that was hidden.”
“Yes,” Annabelle said. “If he actually dies, I'm going to have a riot on my hands.”
“Although a second funeral would be just Aaron Corrigan's,” Harold pointed out. She laughed.
“That is true. Everyone put on their sad faces, so we can get through the reception.”
It wasn't until late that evening that she finally managed to sneak upstairs to see her supposedly dead brother. He was lying on his bed, reading a book and perfectly content. It was a bit of a shock, after mourning him for five hours.
“Hello,” he said, sitting up. “How was that?”
“Odd,” she said, sitting on the edge on his bed. “Could we never do that again?”
“I don't know,” he grinned. “I rather liked it. All those people saying nice things about me and forgetting about all the ridiculous things I had done. We should do it once a month or so.”
Annabelle rolled her eyes at him.
“Don't set your heart on it,” she replied. “I received a very badly timed message that the ship you inquired about can be purchased and sea ready in less than a month.”
“Mmm,” he replied, with a smile. “That sounds wonderful. It will be a perfect time to set sail.”
“You know,” Annabelle said, quietly. “You could just stay here, hide out...”
“No,” he said. “It's not sustainable, Annabelle. For anybody. This is the best way.”
“I'm aware that it is,” she replied, with a sigh. “But it still makes my heart ache. The fact that I have to lose you and keep my husband...”
“You keep us both this way,” Aaron assured her. “Besides, Harold will make a much better Lord than I ever did. He takes things seriously, for one thing.”
“That he does,” Annabelle replied. “Although he will surprise me from time to time, I'm sure.”
“I can still surprise you as well,” Aaron replied. “I'm taking Wesley with me, and Matheson and Corrigan.”
“Oh, Lord,” Annabelle put her hands on her face. “You don't think that is a bit much?”
“No,” Aaron grinned. “It's an adventure. But I do have one request.”
“Aside from hide your identity, manage the purchase of a pirate ship, hide that purchase, and then pretend you are dead? Yes, dear brother, what would you like?”
“Find out what Mr. Doren has in his future,” Aaron leaned against the headboard.
“Doren?” Annabelle responded in surprised “Have you lost your mind?”
“People have been asking me that my whole life,” he answered. “And I think he's lost his way enough that he will come to us.”
“Aaron, that is a huge risk,” Annabelle replied. “He thinks you killed his Captain.”
“No, he doesn't,” Aaron replied. “He wouldn't have made that speech today if he thought I killed his Captain. Willcock was like a father to him. A grieving son would not turn up at his father's murderer's funeral to speak like that.”
“But then...what does he think?”
“That I am covering for someone,” Aaron answered. “Someone that he will never know. But he is a lost soul, like the rest of us. He is a good, loyal solider, and a strong gunner, which, as far as I know, I don't have on my crew. Wouldn't you rather I be safe with someone who can aim and fire quickly?”
“What if you are wrong?”
“We're pirates now, Annabelle,” Aaron replied. “We have to take risks. Please, sister, trust me.”
She met his eyes, incredibly hesitant. Yet Annabelle knew that once her brother had his heart set on something, he wouldn't back down.
“I'll try,” she said. “But that is all I can promise.”
“That is enough for me,” Aaron replied. “All anyone asks us in this life is that we try.”
Annabelle sighed. She knew that this was a risky move, at best. Aaron was right, though, they were pirates. Risks were now part of their lives, and all she could do was help him survive.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THE COUNTESS
THE COUNTESS
There was nothing suspicious about a large ship in the bay with neutral flags, nor about Harold wandering around it. Privateer ships, especially as the war grew, were more and more complicated.
The men loading the ship weren't in any particular uniform, and that was also fine. They weren't particularly drawing attention to themselves, nor were they doing anything out of the ordinary. Both Lady Bambers and the young heir to the title were surrounding Harold, which also wasn't uncommon.
The only uncommon thing was that there was no clear Captain of the ship. The captain would remain hidden in his cabin until they were safely at sea.
“He really did have to buy the biggest ship he could get his hands on,” Annabelle said, when she saw it for the first time. “It's reckless.”
“It didn't even make a dent in the finances, if th
at is what you are concerned about,” Harold replied. “What bothers me the most is how he used to carefully budget for books and meals when we docked, like the rest of us. I had no idea the....amounts I was dealing with until after the wedding.”
“He liked to be equal with the rest of you,” Annabelle said. “He wanted to fit in.”
“That he did not,” Harold replied. “But we never minded.”
“Sir,” Wesley came up behind him and Harold jumped. He also didn't recognize him. Without the constraints of a well put together uniform, Wesley seemed to have gained confidence. His clothing was dark, his frame seemingly taller, and his hair grown out. He seemed to be forming an identity that had been stripped away from him. “The captain would like me to inform you that we are half way done loading.”
“Ah,” Harold looked to the roadway. “The last members of the crew should be here momentarily”
“Aye,” Wesley smiled. “The Countess of the Seas will be happy to receive them.”
“He might as well have named the ship X marks the spot,” Harold muttered, not impressed with Aaron's choice of name.
It all seemed surreal, that they were doing this without him. By tonight, the Countess would be on dark waters, and he would be at home with Annabelle. He wasn't unhappy with where he would be, but it did tear at his heart.
He could never find a way to repay Aaron for what he had done. Even if he could throw himself in front of his best friend one day and take a bullet, it wouldn't be enough. Aaron had saved the title, saved Annabelle, saved Harold, and so many more. A life for his would only be the tip of the iceberg, and Harold knew it.
“I rather like it,” Lola joined Wesley with a smile. “What do you think, Gwendolyn? Do you like Captain Halloway's new ship?”
Halloway was the name Aaron had taken, to be referred to by his crew and his family. No one would guess that the mysterious Captain was the former Lord Bamber, healthy and ready to sail on a new adventure.
“I think it's so big,” Gwendolyn said. “A floating palace! Captain Halloway is going to have a lot of fun.”
Saving The Lord’s Title (The Regency Renegades - Beauty and Titles) (A Regency Romance Story) Page 16
