•••
Renna felt queasy, listening to Matthew Benchley. The individual he described certainly sounded like her pirate. And hadn’t he said he’d been engaged to a woman named Elise? He’d all but admitted to everything Benchley said. But for some odd reason he wasn’t revealing his identity. Renna didn’t know why the captain would keep it a secret, unless he didn’t realize he was that man—this Brian Sinclair. But he had to be. There was no mistaking the circumstances.
Da and Mum entered the parlor. The captain removed his hand from Renna’s. She’d barely remembered he’d placed it on top of hers. It felt so natural. But Renna felt sure she was only an admission away from losing her pirate forever.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” Mum said.
The captain and Benchley stood, and Mum smiled. “Please be seated.” She gathered the skirt of her gold and black plaid dress and lowered herself into the armchair that matched the one in which Benchley sat. “Our dinner will be ready shortly.”
Da ran his hands down the front of his waistcoat. “I’m anxious to eat. Lunch was meager today, eh, Captain Blackeyes?”
“Meager, but tastier than hospital food any day.”
A grin lifted the corners of Da’s mouth before he eyed the seating arrangement. Renna had a hunch her father would prefer if she sat beside Benchley, but she’d rather be parked next to a reptile.
“We were discussing our day at the Chamber of Commerce,” Benchley informed him and Mum.
“Oh, well, seeing as the ladies are present now, I suppose we can talk about something more . . . um . . . sociable.”
Mum gave him a grin before folding her hands in her lap. “Our Ladies for Christ group at church is organizing a picnic basket auction.”
Renna caught the suggestive look in her mother’s eye, and liquid dread ran through her.
“It’s for all the unmarried men and women in our congregation. You see, a bachelor bids on the picnic basket that most appeals to him and then eats with the woman who made it.” Mum leaned forward, smiling at Mr. Benchley. “Except he has no idea who that woman is until he’s bought the basket.”
“Sounds fun.” Benchley sent a quick smile Renna’s way. “I’m a gambling man, so I’d be willing to make a bet and eat with a nice lady.”
Renna noticed he didn’t use the word “pretty,” and she lowered her gaze when his eyes lingered on her cheek.
“All the women at the Illinois Street Church are reportedly good cooks,” Da said with a chuckle.
“But Renna outshines them.”
“Oh, Mum.” A blush heated her face.
“The best part, Mr. Benchley, is that the money made from the purchase of the picnic baskets will go to those families who lost husbands and fathers in the war.”
“A noble cause,” Captain Blackeyes—that is, Sinclair—said.
“Yes, those of us who served in the war certainly appreciate it.”
Renna noticed a veil of tension hanging between her pirate and Benchley. But then Mum stood and announced she’d begin serving dinner. Not another word was spoken on the subjects of shipping companies and boating accidents, even though Matthew Benchley’s cold stare seldom left the captain. Renna guessed that Benchley knew the truth too—that Captain Blackeyes was really Captain Sinclair, and he hated him.
Once they’d finished eating and everyone retired to the parlor, Mum excused herself to do dishes and refused Renna’s help. But instead of returning to the parlor, Renna ambled to the back hallway, where she grabbed her knitted shawl. Then she made her way outside.
Da had constructed the wood, semi-covered porch that extended into the backyard. Renna liked to retreat out here to steal a quiet moment and think. She breathed in the cool, fresh air. The rain had stopped, only drizzles here and there when the treetops dried themselves in the night breeze.
Gazing up at the clearing sky, she saw a web of clouds waft across the moon. Lord, why do Mum and Da want to match me with Mr. Benchley? He had admitted to being a gambling man. Didn’t that tell her parents all they needed to know about the man?
Suddenly a shadowy figure stepped onto the porch. A gasp escaped her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
It was her pirate. Renna relaxed.
“Benchley just left.”
“I can’t say as I’m disappointed to see him go.” Hands on the railing, she turned to look out over the darkened yard.
Her pirate chuckled, a deep, rich sound. “Your sentiments are quite obvious—at least to me.”
She groaned.
“But I believe your parents are beginning to see Benchley’s true colors. In your father’s defense, Renna, the man is quite professional at work.”
“That may be. But I’ll not be set up. When I fall in love, it’ll be a man of my choosing.”
“Yes, so you’ve mentioned in the past.”
She heard the smile in his voice. Then he stepped in closer. Renna’s heart thumped in her chest. Still she mustered the courage to turn and consider him beneath the dim glow from the dining room window and the half-concealed moon. He had removed his dark glasses and seemed to stare right through her. Except he’s blind. He can’t see me—or my birthmark. Oh, but he made for a handsome pirate all the same. No wonder Elise Kingsley took leave of her senses.
“Throughout dinner, I’ve been thinking . . . ” He took another step toward her. The angles and planes of his swarthy features came into view, although a shadow of whiskers had darkened the lower half of his face. “I know who I am and where I’ve come from.”
“You’re Captain Brian Sinclair, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I hail from Wisconsin, specifically Milwaukee. I remember everything.”
Renna’s heart crimped. Soon he’d be out of her life forever. “We should contact your family.”
He gave a slight incline of his head. “Would you help me write a letter to them?”
She couldn’t in good conscience refuse. “Of course.”
He came to stand beside her, his large hands closing around the rail. “By now Richard and Sarah should have discovered they have joint custody of my children. I presume they’ve married or are close to it. I knew they belonged together the first week Sarah arrived in Milwaukee to be my children’s governess. But I trifled with her, knowing Richard loved her, just because I ”—he shrugged—“I could. It was like a game that I knew I succeeded in. I regret it all now.”
Renna smiled. He’d been a black-hearted pirate, to be sure. But God had given him a second chance. Would he take it? Turn his life around? Completely change his ways?
“In any case, Richard Navis is the man I must contact.”
“All right. I’ll see that the letter is sent to him.” Sadness fell over her. Her pirate was getting ready to walk out of her life forever.
“Renna, please don’t tell anyone who I am just yet. Not even your parents. When the time is right, I will tell them.”
“What?” She blinked and turned to him. “Why?”
“I remember thinking that something was wrong with my schooner this summer—before the accident. You see, the boat drifted off course. I’d never meant to get so far out into the lake. When the storm approached, I couldn’t maneuver the Adventuress and get her safely into harbor.”
“You think someone tampered with it?” The implication horrified her. “Who would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know for sure. And I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone of–of murder. But I know my navigation skills aren’t to blame.” He inched his head closer. His voice was a mere whisper. “Days before the accident, Elise told me about her nephew, Matthew Benchley. She had argued with him. I never met him, but Elise said he threatened her with bodily harm if she sold the shipping company to me. Of course, she’d sold it already. However, she wouldn’t tell him. She was too frightened of his reaction to the news.” A rueful expression crossed his dark features. “I shrugged off the threat as typical female hysterics. I now know I should
have taken it seriously.”
Renna heard the remorse in his voice. She tipped her head. “You think he tampered with the boat?”
The captain lifted a dark brow. “Perhaps, although I have no proof. And until I can determine if there’s any real danger surrounding my circumstances, I can only trust a few people with my identity.”
“But Mr. Benchley obviously knows who you are.”
“Yes, but he doesn’t know that I know. Either that, or he’s playing along with me.”
Suddenly Captain Sinclair turned. His hands cupped her face, and Renna thought that surely he could see as his black eyes bore into hers. But of course she imagined it.
“Renna, is my secret safe with you?”
“Yes.” She whispered the reply, her lips just inches from his.
He released her. “Good.”
An odd feeling of disappointed coursed through her. She’d felt certain that this pirate-captain had been intent upon kissing her.
He grinned—she glimpsed it despite the darkness surrounding them, and it was a pirate’s smile if she ever saw one.
“Renna, Renna,” he said, “what shall I ever do with you?”
“W–what do you mean?”
He shook his head. “You were very close to getting yourself kissed just now—and quite thoroughly kissed too.”
Her heart leapt into her throat.
“But don’t worry,” he assured her. “You have my word that I’ll never be anything less than a gentleman.”
Renna thought it over, and pirate or not, she believed him.
An awkward moment went by. She looked away. “Would you like a cup of tea?” A shiver passed through her.
“No tea, but I’ll keep you company.”
“All right. Thank you.”
She moved to walk off the porch, and he stumbled loudly behind her. When she turned to assist him, they collided.
His hands went to her waist. “Sorry, it’s this . . . blindness.”
“Think nothing of it. I understand.” She set her hands on top of his then stepped back. Dropping his one hand, she guided him into the house, holding his other.
“How did you manage to get out here on your own?”
“Well, um . . . it wasn’t easy.”
“I would guess not.”
They arrived in the parlor, and she led him to one of the armchairs. He sat down.
“Da must have gone up to bed already. Mum is probably finishing the dishes. I’ll see if she will accept my help while the water heats for my tea. Then I’ll be back.”
“I’ll read while you’re gone.”
“You’ll re—”
It took a few seconds, but then Renna realized he joked. Smiling, she made her way to the kitchen. Mum had all but a few pans to finish washing, so Renna dried the clean plates and put them in the hutch.
Mum lifted the basin and carried the water outside. Renna heard her dump it before she hung up the metal washbowl.
“Well, I think I’ll call it a night.” Mum removed her apron. “See you in the morning.”
“Good night, Mum.” Renna noted her mother’s silent disappointment. Obviously she’d hoped Renna would take an interest in Mr. Benchley. But she didn’t, and after Benchley’s admission to enjoying the sport of gambling, Renna felt sure her parents wouldn’t desire a match between them. Da probably shared Mum’s discouragement.
Good. Renna made her tea. Maybe they’d stop husband hunting for her. She loved her parents, but their matchmaking had to cease.
Finding a wooden tray, Renna placed the teapot along with a cup and saucer on it. Next she carried it into the parlor.
“Are you sure you won’t join me?” She set down the tray on the table in front of the divan, noticing Mr. Blackeyes—rather, Captain Sinclair, had stood. He wandered about the room, feeling his way around.
“No, thank you. I prefer coffee.”
“Sometimes I drink a cup of coffee at the hospital. Here at home I prefer tea.” She watched as he carefully picked his way back to the armchair and sat down. “You look troubled. Aren’t you elated that you’ve remembered who you are and where you’re from?”
“It’s bittersweet, Renna. It’s a relief to have that part of my memory return, but it bothers me that my name didn’t appear on any list of dead or missing or in any obituary column.”
“My father said a compilation of such lists takes time.”
“But I considered myself an important man in Milwaukee.”
Renna poured out her tea, unsure of what to say.
“I can only presume that I wasn’t as important as I thought.”
“No. Da had no name to look for. It was like searching for that proverbial needle in a haystack.”
“I’m eternally grateful for his efforts. Please don’t misunderstand me, Renna. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, exactly. I’m . . . humbled, really.”
“I understand.” Renna sipped her tea. “But it could be your family wasn’t quick to declare you dead.”
“I have no family, save for my children. Besides, my attorney would have had to make quick work of declaring me dead in order to see that my wishes for my children be carried out.”
“I suppose that’s how Mr. Benchley learned of his aunt’s demise—through family.”
“On the contrary. Elise had a household of staff. Her family resides in Michigan.”
“Seems such an impersonal, even lonely existence.”
He snorted a little laugh. “In some cases that makes life easier.”
“Perhaps.” Renna thought of her parents and their well-intentioned matchmaking. She didn’t have to deal with meeting possible suitors during the war when she worked in Virginia. Then she thought of holidays and how this house seemed to come alive when her brother and sisters arrived with their spouses and children. Da often invited guests to join their celebration. Oftentimes they were people who had no one with whom to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas. “But that entity known as a family is so vital to one’s being. Even if that family is made up of a close circle of friends. It’s a part of you and influences your choices.”
“Then my family was a detriment to me.”
“Maybe so. However, you’ve said yourself that God has given you a second chance at this life. And your children . . . you must be eager to see them and let them know you are alive.”
“Yes . . . ” The captain paused momentarily before answering, “I can’t wait to see them, but the sad truth is they may not be happy to see me.” He stood and carefully picked his way to the divan.
She set down her teacup. “Here. Let me help you.”
“I’ll do this myself, Renna.”
The warning in his voice held her in check. In seconds he found his way and sat down beside her. Next he reached for Renna’s hand. His touch was warm as his palm folded around her fingers.
“I am not proud of the man I was before my accident. I’ve been thinking of all the wrongs I did, and I can’t imagine how I’ll ever make them right. My children may not want me back. I wasn’t the best father in the world.” He expelled a heavy sigh. “They needed so much more than I was capable of giving. Their guardian, Richard Navis, on the other hand, is a fine man and a devout Christian. Time and time again he tried to tell me about Christ and invited me to church. I didn’t listen until the day of my accident. As I bobbed in the dark, stormy waters of Lake Michigan, fighting for my life, I prayed that if God gave me one more chance, I’d turn into a churchgoing man. I promised Him.”
Renna smiled. “Looks like He took you up on your offer.”
“Indeed.” The captain nodded soberly as if realizing for the first time that a true miracle had occurred.
“But now what of Matthew Benchley and his aunt’s shipping company, Great Lakes Shipping?”
Her pirate shrugged his broad shoulders and released her hand. “I purchased it legally. Nevertheless, it appears I have a fight on my hands.”
“A fight—and your life may be in danger too?” Re
nna shook her head. “Then you must stay here in Chicago.”
“But my children—”
“Think of their safety. If someone attempted to kill you once, he’ll likely strike again. You may unwittingly put your children in harm’s way by going home.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” He pressed his lips together.
“And if you stay here with us, your children can make visits. You can reintroduce yourself to them so there will be no shock or ill feelings.”
“Another good point.” Slowly the captain nodded as a little smile worked its way across his shadowy face. “A reintroduction to my children. I like the sound of it.”
Renna liked the sound of it too, selfish as she may be. But it seemed too soon for good-byes.
Still, she knew they were coming just as sure as the dawn.
THIRTEEN
Tuesday morning Brian Sinclair sat in the small bedroom that the Fieldses had afforded him and secretly penned a second letter to Richard. He could trust his faithful steward.
Which meant he might question the letter written by Renna. However, Richard would recognize his employer’s handwriting.
Brian scribbled on. In his note, he divulged everything—that he knew who he was and that he could see. He explained about Renna and his feelings for her, whatever they might be. Then he went on to tell of his deception, something of which he wasn’t proud. But you must not let on that I can see, he wrote. For Renna’s sake . . . and mine.
Brian wrote of his misgivings regarding Matthew Benchley and explained in detail what had happened on the lake that fateful day. He instructed Richard to notify the authorities.
With the more important information out of the way, Brian proceeded to ask Richard to bring him some funds. He designated a generous amount for Dr. Hamilton and the hospital and, of course, the Fields family for their hospitality. Finally, he ended with, And please bring me some clothes. Not to sound ungrateful, but I feel like some poor slob off the docks in the charity rags I’ve been wearing!
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