Carried Home

by Heather Manning

  “What about the safety of my little brother, Captain? I have no idea how he fares. He could be ill. Don’t you understand? I would think you could, since you have a little sister of your own.” Ivy tried to steady her voice, but it shook with emotion. She needed to get to her brother. “Don’t you want to get to your sister as soon as you can, as well?”

  ****

  Gage ran a hand through his hair and then rested his elbows on his knees, his chin cradled in his hands. The woman had a point. He did long to return to Addie, to make sure she was safe, to get her home with him so she didn’t need to worry about a way to support herself. But what about his crew? Surely he could persuade some of them to agree to continue on. Some of them would be cocky enough to agree.

  He had heard of men who had sailed through hurricanes and survived. One captain had kept his whole ship intact and his crew alive after braving a violent storm. But how could Gage manage that? He had next to no experience as a captain, and he certainly had never sailed through a storm with a ship in his command. Could he do it? And how would he live with himself if something did happen to one of his men, on his account?

  He didn’t want to know how it would feel to be responsible for someone’s death, someone who was under his command. Suddenly the role of captain was much more difficult than he had imagined when serving under his best friend, Caspian.

  “What do you think, Captain? Would you please attempt to sail through it, for my sake? If we start on our way and conditions grow too poor, we could turn around and rest in a port to wait out the storm, could we not?” Lady Shaw sat down on the edge of the cot and rested a hand on his arm.

  She had soft hands. Very soft hands. He laid his hand on top of hers, enjoying how her ivory skin contrasted with his deep tan. Her eyes met his and his breath stopped in his throat. Gage suddenly forgot about the storm, forgot he had a decision to make that could put the fate of his men in jeopardy. And the fate of this beautiful woman before him.

  Stormy gray eyes, almost the color of the clouds overhead, searched his. A stubborn lock of orange hair had escaped from the braided coil at the base of her neck. Gage’s fingers itched to tuck it behind her ear, but he felt the act would be too familiar of him.

  He clutched his hands together in his lap and forced his eyes from hers. When she looked at him so sweetly, and her pleasing scent of lemon tickled his nose, it was hard to just sit there and be close to her. Gage pulled farther away from her and took a deep breath. She seemed oblivious to her effect on him.

  “Please, Captain Thompson.” The lady made eye contact with him and he swallowed.

  How on earth was he expected to resist her?

  “It is highly unsafe. Do you not want to make it back to your brother in one piece, with a whole crew?”

  Lady Shaw wrung her hands together. “Captain, please. I understand the risk, yet it is of utmost importance that I reach William as soon as I can. As I have told you many times before, I am truly worried about his safety. I don’t know what he will do being without me for so long.” The woman’s voice rose slightly, disturbing Emma. The child whimpered and shifted restlessly.

  Gage leaned forward and took the babe from her arms. He kissed the little girl on the cheek. She stared up at him with wide blue eyes. Lady Shaw stared at him in a much similar way, her beautiful eyes looking deep in his. How on earth could he upset such a wonderful woman? It wasn’t as if she were asking him to sail through a hurricane out of selfish reasons. No, she wanted to get back to her poor defenseless brother. There was no way he could deny her that. Besides, he wanted to get to his sister soon. Surely his crew could handle sailing through this storm.

  He leaned his forehead against the baby’s and shut his eyes. “I will try, miss. I will try.”

  ****

  “All hands on deck!”

  Gage stood on the main deck of the Siren’s Call, his fists planted on his hips. He grimaced as he gazed at the horizon. The stormy sea mist drenched him. What was he doing, sailing through what promised to be such a violent storm? To begin with, he was concerned about whether or not he had the strength in him to command a crew all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. Now, he was making himself responsible for the safety of his entire crew, and a lady. And a baby.

  He had only been in several storms at sea before, and none had been as severe as a hurricane. So now, Gage silently petitioned his Heavenly Father for the strength to get him through the coming hardship. Lightning cracked the black backdrop of sky. A moment later thunder groaned from above, shaking the ship.

  Boots scuffled on the deck, and some men grunted. Gage whirled around to find most of his crew gathered on the main deck, as he had requested moments ago.

  Adam nudged his way to the front of the crowd and spoke for them. “Captain, what is it you called us up here for?” He cast a nervous glance over Gage’s shoulder at the dark storm clouds.

  Gage grinned, hoping it would either have a calming effect on the crew or himself. It did not seem to succeed either way. He took a deep, steady breath. “We are approaching a violent storm, possibly a hurricane, as you can obviously see.” He scanned the men’s faces, but gauged no reaction. “I see no adequate option but to sail through it.”

  A few men grumbled, but no one made any grand protest as Gage had feared they might. His stomach fluttered. He’d thought maybe, if the men complained enough, he would not have to do it. But whenever he closed his eyes, he could see Lady Shaw’s eyes pleading with him.

  Rain showered down on them, and a wave crashed over the rail. The ship rocked from side to side. Gage forced a smile on his face before they could see through to the seed of fear growing inside him.

  Chapter Seven

  Captain Caspian Archer kept an arm around Eden’s waist in a possessive gesture and held Reed’s hand in his other one as they strolled down the streets of Nassau. Both Eden and Reed flinched at what they saw as they walked through town. Scantily clad women draped themselves over balconies and porches, their faces painted unnaturally. Although Caspian and his family walked under the full light of day, almost every building they passed reeked of alcohol and foul body odors. A man leered at Eden, and she tucked herself tighter against Caspian’s side.

  Port Royal had been a rather vile town, especially for Eden, who had grown accustomed to the quant cities of England, but Nassau was practically overrun by pirates and privateers. This was no place at all for a lady. Or a child. Caspian squeezed his wife tight and willed Reed to ignore the prostitutes and violence around him. Why again was he taking his innocent family here?

  Because as long as he could protect them, Eden’s happiness was worth it. If she wanted to find her long-lost brother, then he would go to the ends of the earth to help her do so.

  Eden nudged him, shock evident in her eyes at what she witnessed. Only months ago, there may have been unbridled fear in her eyes, but today there was a quiet strength. Caspian leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead as they continued to walk. Reed tugged on Caspian’s arm.

  “Papa, I’m tired.”

  Caspian glanced down at his son’s drooping eyelids and chuckled. Yes, the poor boy truly was tired. He leaned down and hefted Reed in his arms. The boy leaned his head against his father’s chest and closed his eyes. Eden reached over and brushed a lock of hair from the child’s face.

  “Darling, how far away is this tavern you thought could help us? We have been walking for quite a while now.” Eden scrunched her nose up in thought.

  Caspian chuckled. “Do you suppose I should carry you too, my wife?”

  Eden playfully hit his arm. “You know I didn’t mean that.”

  “It is close now. Just a street or so further. I know a man who works there and sees a lot of the men who come through this town. Hopefully he will be able to remember if he has seen your brother pass through.”

  ****

  As the ship plunged over another wave, Ivy pressed a hand to her stomach. She had hoped she had gotten over her seasickness, but
in the midst of this storm, there was no hope for her. She squeezed her eyes tight and lay back against the cot. Oh, but she hoped this tempest would be over quickly! Emma, who sat curled in a ball on the other side of the bed, wailed.

  Ivy sat up to retrieve the child just as the ship dipped deeply to the left. Ivy was sent flailing through the air, only to land with a loud thump on the wood deck.

  Emma cried out again, this time stretching her short arms out above her head. Ivy scooped her into her arms, murmuring into the baby’s soft hair. “Shush, now, love. Everything is going to be all right, sweetheart. Shush, shush, shush.”

  The baby’s face was contorted with fear, but after a couple of seconds held tight in Ivy’s arms, she seemed to calm down to some degree. Ivy took a deep breath. How long was this awful tempest going to last?

  Ivy stood and braced herself against another wave as she rose to settle herself back on the bed. She braced her feet at the foot of the bed and held Emma close, since she did not wish to be sent flying again.

  A knock on the door broke through the crash of the storm. “Who is it?” Although she shouted the words, she could hardly even hear herself through the din of wind and rushing water.

  “Adam Douglas, milady. The Siren’s Call’s first mate. Captain Thompson asked me to check on you.”

  Ivy felt a wrinkle form on her forehead as she staggered towards the door and opened it the tiniest crack. Goodness, when would this storm stop from tilting the deck to and fro?

  Mr. Douglas seemed decent, and spoke almost like a gentleman, but could she trust him alone in her bedchamber? He had a look about him that was almost frightening, especially with the large scar that sliced his face in half.

  Rain poured down relentlessly, seeming to come in all directions, despite the overhead coverings of the companionway. The poor first mate was drenched. She widened the door and stepped aside, allowing him entrance. He bowed slightly and made his way inside. Rain poured off him in sheets, soaking the floor of her cabin. Ivy noted a large coil of rope gathered in his hands.

  The ship plunged over a swell, causing Ivy to crash forward into Mr. Douglas, who threw his arms out to brace her. “This is exactly why I came, milady.” He held up the rope in his hands. “Captain Thompson told me you and the babe must be tied to something stationary during the storm for your safety.”

  Ivy frowned. She had never heard of such a thing before. Then again, she had never been in a storm at sea. “Must I, Mr. Douglas? I would hate to be so immobilized and helpless.” The deck teetered under her feet, and she wobbled. Mr. Douglas’s hand reached out to steady her.

  “Well, milady, Captain Thompson told me it was for your safety and the child’s. Should the storm become too violent, if the both of you are tied down, you won’t be tossed to and fro. I know of men who stayed below during a storm and got their bones crushed.”

  Ivy clutched Emma to her chest as the ship plunged downward, and then surged back up. Would the storm truly grow so fierce that the movement could break their bones? A shiver of fear etched across her back. Surely Captain Thompson would turn back towards the port if conditions became too violent.

  “But…what if I get stuck down here and need to leave?”

  Mr. Douglas briefly laid a reassuring hand on her arm. “You will be all right, Lady Shaw. I have not sailed with Captain Thompson before, but I am confident he is a good captain. He will do his best to keep everyone on his ship safe, and if anything should happen, he will send a trustworthy man down to help you.”

  “But what if something happens before someone comes to retrieve us, Mr. Douglas? I don’t want to annoy you, but I cannot be tied up with Emma relying on me.”

  The man glanced at the door, a frown darkening his face. He could be handsome, except for the side of his face marred by blurry scars. It almost looked as if part of it had melted like wax. Light brown hair curled tightly around his face, and his eyes were a dark forest green. After a moment, he pulled out an object from his waistband.

  The light of the single candle in the room glistened on the metal blade of a knife. Ivy almost allowed a gasp to escape her lips. This man, although he was a sailor on this…pirate ship, had acted in no way but honorably towards her. Surely there was nothing to fear from him.

  A smile brightened his face, making him more attractive. He held out the knife innocently; handle first, with the blade in his hand. “I will give you this knife to keep you safe. If you find you absolutely need to escape, you may cut the ropes with it. All right?”

  Chapter Eight

  If the ship inclined to the side once more, Ivy was certain they would capsize. She hugged Emma to her chest. “Oh, Emma. We need to pray that we survive this storm. I was not sure it was so bad earlier, but if we need to be tied to the bed to be safe, then perhaps it is something to worry about.”

  Emma tugged on a piece of her hair. “Mama.”

  Shock hit Ivy like a slap of seawater. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m not your Mama.”

  “Mama, Mama, Mama.”

  “If only I was your mama.” A vision of Ivy strolling through London with little Emma in her arms surprised Ivy. Oh, how she wished she was this child’s mother. But would it be right to raise the child alone? Surely the little one needed a father to help take care of her. Sadly, Ivy saw no father in Emma’s near future.

  “If only you had a papa as well.”

  The ship dipped deeply into the ocean. The ropes cut into Ivy, but held her in place. Their pressure against her skin panicked her. What if they capsized? Her hand reached the knife that Mr. Douglas had offered her.

  “Papa?”

  “Yes, a papa.” Ivy loosened her grip on the blade. “A papa would help take care of you. He would protect us. But you do have a Papa, my dear. God loves you because you are his child. Just like I am and…and Captain Thompson…” Ivy’s insides tingled at the thought of Captain Thompson also being a child of God. She had always been taught that she, a lady was far above those of more lowly birth. And yet she went to church with commoners. Everyone was welcome in their Father’s arms.

  Emma leaned against Ivy’s chest and smiled. “Mama.”

  “Oh, my darling.”

  Shouts hailed down from the main deck. How long would the men need to struggle against this storm?

  The ship plunged to the side once more, further than it had before.

  They were going to capsize. There was no doubt of that. And Ivy would not allow Emma to be caught down here below the waterline when the ship capsized.

  Ivy fingered the knife before she struggled against the binding ropes.

  ****

  Please, Dear God. Some help would be much appreciated. Gage pried the soaked hat off his head for a moment, shook the water off, and then repositioned it back on his head. He raised his eyes to the skies. They continued to dump water on his ship. The waves and wind buffeted them around and around, up, down, and sideways. Sometimes the deck tilted so far to one side, Gage feared they would capsize.

  Although the men grumbled about their condition, they obeyed his orders faithfully. It seemed as though they understood how serious a situation they faced. Many a man had died in such a storm at sea.

  Lightning cut across the black sky. Only a second later, thunder rumbled.

  Despite the situation, a cold resolve enveloped over Gage. He confidently barked orders to his men, and they obeyed, tying the sails back up and doing whatever needed to be done in the effort to save their ship.

  Adam had returned to the main deck and was assisting both Gage and the crew, repeating and carrying out orders. He had said in a few words that Lady Shaw and Emma were safe in their cabin below, fastened to the cot. A wave of nausea slapped Gage at the realization of what he was putting them through. A lady of her stature should not be subjected to a storm so violent, but there was nothing to do. If he sailed through this successfully, they would arrive at their destination all the sooner and Lady Shaw would be reunited with the brother who was so precious to her. Besides,
the further they entered the storm, the sooner Gage would be able to find Addie and protect her from all the dangers of the world. He understood where Lady Shaw’s way of thinking came from.

  The deck tilted violently to the right. Gage was forced to grab onto the foremast to keep from tumbling over. They continued to tilt until the deck lay nearly perpendicular to the churning sea. Finally, the ship righted and Gage could breathe again.

  Adam, his face a greenish hue beneath his scars, stumbled towards Gage. He stared in horror at the rising sea around them. The last thing Gage needed was for one of his men to freeze on him. He needed his first mate. This man appeared to be well experienced with life at sea. So why was he behaving so?

  Gage grasped the man by the shoulders. “What’s wrong, Mr. Douglas? Are you all right?”

  Adam blinked, wiped droplets of rain off his forehead with his wrist, and looked down. “I am fine, Captain. Don’t worry about me.”

  Gage frowned but released him. It would do no good to slow down any member of his crew. A moment after Adam vanished from sight, a soft hand landed on Gage’s arm. He spun around. Lady Shaw stood behind him. She had Emma wrapped around her waist with a sheet. Lady Shaw’s bronze curls were soaked with rain. The woman stumbled as the ship plunged over a wave, but righted herself after a moment.

  Fury kicked Gage with full force after a moment. What on earth was she doing up here? Adam had told him she was safely tied to her bedpost. Gage held her arm and immediately led her back towards the companionway. He would not allow himself to be responsible if anything happened to her or the babe.

  The ship plunged to the side, causing Lady Shaw to jolt forward. She landed hard against him and he could not help but throw his arms around her. To steady her, of course.

  Her sweet citrus scent mingled with the salty rain and ocean water as she strained against his arms. By the time she disentangled herself, her face was a bright shade of cherry red.