Ransome's Honor (37 page)

“Thank you, my lady.”

After the viscountess moved away to see to other guests, William turned to Julia. “Shall we go? I should like to present my crew to you and show you the only home I can offer—humble as it is.”

The sparkling green of her eyes matched the ring he had placed on her finger two hours ago. “Yes.”

Alexandra
rose and fell on the choppy harbor. Matthews, who had been leaning over the gunwale railing, turned to yell over the deck, “Captain coming up, Mr. Cochrane.”

“Very good, Mr. Matthews. Bosun’s mates, pipe ‘all hands.’” Cochrane’s voice carried to them on the high wind.

Julia’s eyes danced with gleeful delight as she took in the aspect of the two gundecks and newly painted side of
Alexandra—
until she saw the men rigging the bosun’s chair.

“William, I’ve no need to be swung up. It has been a while since I have been on a ship, yes, but I believe I am still well able to climb up to the deck.” Her expression turned saucy. “Or even the shrouds to the mast top, if need be.”

The memory of their first encounter blazed clearly in his memory. “Aye, that I do not doubt. But no wife of mine will be doing any such climbing—”

Mutiny replaced her humor.

He sighed. “Unless she is properly dressed for it in a tunic and trousers. However, in the gown in which she was married, I would prefer she take advantage of the hospitality my crew offers.” He caught the rope-and-plank swing and held it steady for her.

She laughed and settled herself onto the board seat. “I suppose I shall have to go see about having some appropriate attire made then.”

William hastened up the accommodation ladder and reached the deck just as Cochrane assisted Julia from the bosun’s chair. His crew, all standing at attention and dressed in their best, crowded the quarterdeck, the men eagerly craning for a better look at their captain’s new wife.

He escorted her up to the poop deck, and the crew turned to face them. “Julia, I have the honor of presenting the officers and crew of His Majesty’s Ship
Alexandra.”
Looking out over his men, he raised his voice. “Men, I am pleased to introduce to you Mrs. Ransome, my wife.”

The men cheered, but the pounding of William’s heart drowned it out. His wife. He looked down at her in wonder. Hints of the ten-year-old Julia Witherington remained in the freckles across her nose and dimples in her cheeks. But standing beside him, Julia
Ransome
was his wife—the woman he had been falling in love with for the past twenty years.

He now understood—fully comprehended—Collin’s decision to resign his commission and stay in England to be with Susan. William’s ship, his career, his reputation—none of it mattered any longer. For, if asked, William himself would walk away from his crew, forsake his duty, and even sacrifice his own honor to provide for and protect Julia.

Love demanded nothing less.

Coming soon...Look for books 2 and 3 in Kaye Dacus’s Ransome Trilogy

RANSOME’S CROSSING

To get to her secret fiance in Jamaica, Charlotte Ransome disguises herself as a midshipman and joins the crew of one of the ships in the convoy led by her brother William. First Lieutenant Ned Cochrane had met his captain’s younger sister briefly—just long enough to be sure she is the wife he’s been praying for. But now he is about to leave for the Caribbean for at least a year.

An attack on the convoy gains Ned the promotion to commander he has long dreaded—especially once he discovers one of his midshipmen is actually Charlotte Ransome in disguise. After seeking the advice of Julia, William’s bride, Ned decides to keep Charlotte’s secret...and hopes to win her love. Charlotte will soon discover that losing her heart to Ned is not the greatest danger she’ll face on this Atlantic crossing.

RANSOME’S QUEST

The pirate El Salvador has haunted the waters of the Caribbean for almost ten years. When he snatched Charlotte Ransome, it was a case of mistaken identity. Now Charlotte’s brother, whose reputation in battle is the stuff of legend, is searching for him with a dogged determination. But another rumor has reached El Salvador’s ears: Julia Ransome has been kidnapped by Shaw—the violent and bloodthirsty savage feared by all other pirates and from whom El Salvador was trying to protect her.

When word reaches William of Julia’s disappearance, his heart is torn—he cannot abandon the search for his sister, yet he must also rescue Julia. Ned Cochrane offers a solution: Ned will continue the search for Charlotte while William goes after Julia. William’s quest will lead him to a greater understanding of faith and love as he must accept help from a sworn enemy and have faith that Julia’s life is in God’s hands.

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THE HAWK AND THE JEWEL

Mysterious happenings at Ravenscroft, a shipboard adventure, and the discovery of documents that hold the key to a country’s destiny lead Sunny and Brandon on a journey from friendship to long-awaited love.

WINGS OF THE MORNING

Smokey captains the fastest ship on the Atlantic, but she longs to settle down and have a family. In Dallas Knight, it seems her dream will come true—but their love places her in a life-threatening confrontation with pirates and prison.

WHO BRINGS FORTH THE WIND

Tanner Richardson, the volatile duke of Cambridge, sees his wife with another man. Misinterpreting the situation, he erupts into rage and throws her and their unborn baby out. Tanner’s anger smolders—until the night he is shot...

THE KNIGHT AND THE DOVE

When the king commands Bracken to marry, high-spirited Megan is chosen to fulfill the edict. Unskilled in the ways of love, Bracken finds Megan captivating, yet he cannot seem to voice his feelings until he almost loses her forever.