The True One (One and Only Series Book 2)

by Samanthya Wyatt

  They were destined to spend the next few months on board a ship together. His curiosity demanded he find out correctly which, or maybe both, were the true Giles. Disturbing as it was, assuming anything without facts would be unjust. Besides, he needed answers to more than the man’s character. And there was the mystery concerning his sister. For without a doubt, the fellow knew more than he declared.

  Chapter 16

  With his arms crossed and his feet braced, Stephen stood alone on the deck of the Sea Sorceress, his gaze following the water lapping at the cliff’s edge. Few clouds drifted while a soft breeze wafted blowing his red mane. He breathed deep of the salty, sea air. Home. A ship had always been more of a home than any dwelling or land, even English soil. It never ceased to amaze him, the deep gratification that sluiced over his core every time he stood just like this, immersed in the quietude around him.

  A glorious star filled sky. Gentle flapping of sails caught the north wind. He lifted his head higher, welcoming each gust as his skin tingled in anticipation. His body rocked with the rough waters of the cape allowing the current to soothe his soul. Closing his eyes, he gloried in the moment. Not too long ago, he’d thought never to be on the ocean again, let alone a ship headed for England. Never would he take life for granted again, or the gift of being at sea. Not that he had before, but he never thought his days on the ocean would come to an end—an end not of his choosing.

  It pained him, the loss of the Serpent’s Ghost. But the loss of her crew had nearly broken him. He, alone, would return home, but the memory of their lifeless bodies would haunt him to his dying day. When he’d hired his crew, he took on men who had no wives or family, hoping to avoid any attachments that would hinder the sailors or take them away from family responsibilities. He had thought his men would be sailing home with him—with great riches.

  He’d given most of his life to the sea. Only his duty to Kat, had made him return home as frequently as he did. But then, his love for his little sister had grown stronger since their parents’ deaths. If not for the rebel leader, he would have rotted away, his family never knowing of his demise. Unwilling to allow the monster prince to destroy him, he’d somehow managed to stay alive.

  His family.

  Taught muscles stretched. Stephen rubbed his stubbled chin. Soon his beard would grow back. For now, he’d return to his family. He strode to the stern, resting his arms on the rail. A full moon reflected off the water’s surface. He gazed at the white-capped waves of the swelling sea. The ship edged away from the cove under the dark of night, quiet as death. He silently cursed when a pang of guilt hit him anew.

  Serpent’s Ghost.

  His crew had not deserved their cruel ending. He would always carry the memories. If it took the rest of his life, he vowed to avenge their deaths.

  “Would you like me to leave you alone to your thoughts?”

  Stephen gave a slight jerk. He hadn’t heard Giles come up behind him. Given time, Stephen hoped his instincts would function again.

  “A change of thought would be appreciated,” he replied.

  “Reflecting on your crew? I understand. Believe me.” Giles propped his elbows on the wood and stared at the coastline.

  “You understand,” Stephen grumbled.

  “Talking helps. I too lost men and wondered why I lived.”

  A sense of camaraderie developed between them. “Guessed you’d been down this road before.”

  “Not too long ago I lived on the edge.” Giles words held no emotion. He spoke as if he were simply spinning a fable. “I dodged more bullets than those that found their mark, made my opinion of myself grow. I didn’t care. Danger meant nothing more than a challenge. The riskier the better. I had no regard for my own life. Seems like another lifetime.”

  “Yet, here you are,” Stephen said.

  “Yes. Finding you, following your trail, has brought it all back.” Giles turned to face him. “Give it time. Your wounds will heal. You’ll still carry the scars in your heart and the demons in your mind, but you’ll manage to go on.”

  “Maybe you did. But I will have my revenge.” Anger boiled inside at the words. He meant them with every fiber of his being. His knuckles ached from his grip on the rail.

  “You’re lucky to be alive. Let this go.”

  “Let it go?” Stephen roared. “Those bastards slaughtered my crew. For no other reason than we were in the wrong place. We’d found his cove by accident, for God’s sake.”

  “You’re in a foreign land. Things are different here.” Giles’ tone grew stronger.

  “By God, don’t preach to me. This land or any other, his kind of cruelty makes a man lose his mind. Rips his soul right out of his chest. I cannot overlook such a vile man. I will have my revenge. The Rajput prince will die.” He spun on his heel to leave.

  “Wait. Don’t you have something else to live for?” When Stephen hesitated, Giles continued. “She saved your hide.”

  The first thought in Stephen’s mind had been Kat. Then he realized Giles spoke of Jennifer. Yes, she’d saved his neck, his skin, and his sanity. He owed her a great deal. But she had nothing to do with the subject at hand. He owed a reckoning for his men, to honor them. To avenge their brutal deaths.

  “Do you know what that Rajput did to me? Not just to my body. He made me watch while he tortured and killed my crew. I would have told him anything, done anything to save them. But the heartless bastard refused to believe me and I didn’t know what lies would save them. He broke every bone in my body and a few I didn’t know I had.” Stephen’s weak attempt at humor helped him to remember the cutthroats had not killed his spirit.

  “Somewhere in the back of your mind, you wanted to survive. And you did,” Giles pointed out. “Remember that inkling and focus on living. You’ve got a long way to go. Get your strength back. While your body recovers, so will your mind.”

  Stephen met his stare. “You give the impression you know what you’re talking about.”

  “Like I said,” Giles turned his gaze back to the shore. “I’ve been there.”

  Stephen shoved the hair out of his face and stepped beside him, facing the wind. “All the time in the world will not make me forget.”

  “No. But you can find a corner where you can bury the darkness. It will surface on occasion. You can allow the grief to swallow you whole, or you can stroke it, and then bury it again. The choice becomes more tolerable as time passes.”

  “This worked for you?”

  Giles gave a nod of assent. “Although, I did not have someone who cared for me while time healed my remorse.”

  “Jennifer has nothing to do with this.”

  “Oh, no? Didn’t look that way to me. Sparks were flying between you two.”

  “I couldn’t leave her behind.” Stephen hit the wood with his fist. “If the prince caught up with her . . .”

  “No sense traveling down a line of thought where it doesn’t exist.” Giles placed one hand on Stephen’s shoulder. “Take joy in the fact she is safe. And here with you.”

  “If you’re trying to change my mind by changing the subject to a more agreeable one, it won’t work.”

  “I merely mention there is a beautiful woman aboard this ship who seems a bit taken with you.” Giles spread his hands and gave a slight shrug.

  Stephen narrowed his gaze and gave a threatening look he’d used on many men with every intention to intimidate. Since the blasted man neared his own height, the task grew difficult of staring down his nose with a lofty glare. “Just why are you thinking about Jennifer being beautiful?”

  “Good God, man. I have eyes.”

  “I’ll be thanking you to keep your bloody eyes in their sockets. Or you might be sporting a black one or two.”

  The crafty grin flourishing Giles face suggested he wasn’t worried in the least.
He gave a two finger salute. “We’ve got some hard sailing ahead of us if we’re to avoid any ships that might come after us.” He turned and strode to the quarterdeck addressing the captain at the wheel.

  Leaning his hip against the wooden rail, Stephen scrutinized the two in conversation. Why had Giles risked his hide? And what about his friend, the earl? Nothing he could do until he arrived in England—going directly to the source of the problem. And find out just what his headstrong sister had been up to.

  Kat would have to wait. For now, he had another woman who needed his immediate attention. A magnificent creature. One he desired. He could not blot out the beauty crowding his mind or control the stimulation of his wayward body.

  Ahh, Jennifer. What was he to do now?

  A small lantern made it easier for Jennifer to see as her eyes scanned her surroundings. Since the cabin seemed large, she supposed it belonged to the captain. The first thing she spotted was the bed. A bit large for a cabin on a ship, but then this room happened to be quite large. She glanced to the heavy wooden table bolted in the middle of the floor. On the surface, she saw a bowl of apples. However, her stomach revolted at the thought of food.

  Once again, she had fled her home leaving all her belongings behind. True the items in her small house did not compare to the abundance of belongings in the bedchamber of her parents dwelling. Stephen, in his haste, allowed her even less. The things she’d brought with her when she’d run away with Johnny, she’d had to leave behind. Except for her blue gown. The one true surety that buoyed her during her trials.

  Glancing around she saw a bench braced against the wall at the foot of the bed. A large trunk rested in the corner. She chewed on the end of her finger. Any second she feared the prince or his men would find them. Every moment of waiting increased her worry. She placed her fingers at each side of her temples, hoping to rub away some of the painful pressure. She needed something to do to keep anxiety from attacking her skull.

  The rocking of the ship confirmed they exited the cove. Bitter sweet relief washed over her. Glad knowing they would soon sail in open waters—frightened they could yet be captured.

  She took a deep breath. No sense in hopeless speculation.

  Shadows flickered on the door. The longer she stared, the more she fretted. Where was Stephen? She spotted a set of carved doors, high in the wall on the other side of the cabin. If she counted her shortcomings, curiosity ranked top on her list. If she remained idle, she’d go mad. She opened one door. Objects, she supposed, used for direction or navigating filled the shelf. The second door contained several maps, papers and some books. She selected one and was just about to open it when there was a rap on the door.

  She stood in the middle of the cabin and watched the latch on the door lift. A wave of relief swamped her when she saw Stephen. A light entered his eyes and he smiled as though he too, was glad to see her. The band around her chest eased.

  “We’re well on our way.” He stepped inside and closed the cabin door.

  “Thank God.” One affliction gone, and another took its place. Her first impulse was to rush into his arms. Beg him to kiss her senseless. Drive every menacing thought from her mind.

  Her feet stayed rooted to the wooden planks.

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  His hair wild and free, whiskers grazed his chin, a probing glint in his eyes—her heart raced. Mad? She blinked, completely taken back by his question.

  “I couldn’t leave you behind.”

  Heaven forbid. He thought her cross with him. “I’m glad you didn’t,” she whispered.

  He opened his arms. Her heart in her throat, she ran to him. He crushed her in his embrace.

  “Angel.” He bent his head to nuzzle the tender spot just below her ear.

  She grasped his shoulders and wiggled as close as she could get without liquefying and becoming one with him. His breathing thickened.

  Safe. The emotion hit her with a blow to her senses. Yes. Safe. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so secure or so protected as she did this moment. A tiny alarm flashed in her brain, warning her, she should not allow a man such control over her feelings. Locked in his arms, contentment thrust any forewarning away. This man, Stephen, made all the difference in the world.

  “You rouse my blood,” he muttered.

  She snuggled closer. Mmmm. How she wanted him. How she longed for his comfort, his embrace, his kisses. And more. His passion had created a wanton in her soul. He’d made her a woman. Those urges rose inside of her once more. Her skin tingled at the open mouth kiss on her neck. Shivers of delight and desire raced down her spine. He pressed his hardness against her belly. The bottom dropped out of her stomach.

  “Good God, woman you feel good.” He gave her a hard squeeze. “I must stop.”

  “Why?” She hugged him tighter.

  He gave a soft chuckle. “Because, with you in my arms, you’re irresistible.”

  She didn’t want him to stop.

  “It’s dark. You should rest. I’ll not take advantage of the harrowing day we’ve had.” He pulled away. “Do you require anything?”

  Only you.

  “Do you think we will be followed,” she asked.

  He skimmed his hands up and down her arms, creating warmth with his touch. “The captain is sure to put plenty of distance between us and any threat. You are not to worry your pretty head.”

  “And Giles? What is his part in this?”

  “Appears he came to India looking for me.” At her confusion, he continued. “My family sent him to find me. I’ve been gone a long time.”

  “From England?”

  He took a heavy sigh. “My sister, Katherine. She’s the only reason I go back there. Ever since our parents’ deaths I feel responsible for her.”

  “Responsible?”

  He gave a chest jarring sigh. “More than responsible. She’s always hung on my coattails. But, years passing, we’ve grown closer. She’s my little sister. She pulls at my heart strings with just her eyes. What do you think she’s like when she really tries to have her way?”

  A faint chuckle left her lips at the thought of Stephen’s scowl turning to helplessness while being confronted by a young girl with a pouting lip and the same color hair as her handsome sea captain.

  “I visit when I can.” He shoved his hands through his windswept mane. “I’ve lost track of time, but near as I can guess it’s been about two years since I’ve seen her. She’s a spitfire. A wonder my uncle isn’t deranged.”

  “You love her.”

  The corner of his tempting lip rose in an endearing smile. “You’d like her. She’d like you.”

  “Why do you say that? She doesn’t even know me. She might resent you bringing another woman home.”

  “Another woman!” He quirked a brow. “She’s my bloody sister.”

  “If she’s as possessive as you describe, she may not want another female anywhere near you. For any reason.”

  “Not possessive. Protective. Like I said we’re close. We only have each other. My aunt and uncle don’t count. Sure, they’re blood. But Kat was devastated when our parents died.” His voice dropped. “And she was worse when I left her.”

  Jennifer couldn’t stand to see his grief stricken eyes. Leaning her head on his chest, she slid her arms around his waist. Their conversation brought back images of her own sister. And how much she longed to see her family again.

  Even if they might not be as eager to see her.

  Chapter 17

  The first hint of dawn lit the morning sky with the sun’s rays streaking her golden glow across the horizon. Even the breeze embraced the beginning of a new day. Stephen filled his lungs with tangy salt air. With the wind blowing his unruly mane and the sun kissing his wind burned cheeks, he relished knowing he was alive. His sen
ses had sharpened. The sun seemed brighter. The wind more brisk. The air held more oxygen.

  For the first time in a series of months, he breathed without trepidation. Without the devil lurking over his shoulder hounding his days. Without pain from inflicted torture or worry of the next day’s happenings. Being back on a ship, he’d achieved some sense of normalcy. His male ego needed a healthy dose of self-assurance. The crew accepted his intrusions, mindful he had once captained his own ship. The loss of his men weighed heavy on his conscious, but he scorned pity.

  Last night, he’d slept on deck, under clear balmy night sky dripping diamonds. He missed long weeks and quiet nights on Serpent’s Ghost. Neither the creak of timbers nor the slap of waves against the seasoned hull lulled him to sleep. For the stars kept forming an angel’s face with gemstones for a pair of eyes. Leaving Jennifer’s cabin, his limit had been stretched tighter than a rope tethering a sail. Lust had him ready to change his mind, stay with the beauty who kept his body in a state of arousal. The ache for her consumed him. Drowning in her lavender eyes, inhaling the scent that was hers alone, he’d called on every fragment of strength he possessed to turn his back and walk away.

  He had no doubt, she would not have refused him if he’d asked to spend the night with her. Hell, her eyes had begged him to stay. Her curves were generous enough to stir a man to recklessness. But with a will he didn’t know he possessed, he used the head on his shoulders to make the correct decision. On a ship, discretion sailed away with the tide. He would not embarrass her or give the crew fodder for conversation.