The Rogue Pirate’s Bride (26 page)

He held her a long time—their bodies pressed together, their hearts beating together. Just when she felt his arms relax, felt him fall into sleep, he whispered, “Raeven.”

***

He woke alone. He was not in the room he’d been given. That room had been dark and masculine in color and décor. This room was much smaller and brighter. The walls were papered in yellow and the windows covered by white and yellow curtains. He lay in a small brass bed, the white coverlet tangled about his feet.

Bastien sat, looked about the small room, and knew she was gone.

He didn’t need to see her clothes missing. He didn’t need to ask the staff if she’d gone down for breakfast. He didn’t need to search for her in the garden or the library or any of the other rooms.

She was gone.

He felt her absence and could have cursed himself for not seeing this coming. She’d been different last night, and now he realized it was more than fatigue or eagerness to be with him again. She’d been saying good-bye.

“Merde.”
He sat just as her door opened and a maid stepped inside.

“Good morning, Miss Russell—oh!” She gaped at his nakedness and hastily backed up. “I’m sorry. I’ll come back.”

“Don’t bother,” Bastien growled. “She’s gone.”

“Yes, my lord.” The maid closed the door, and Bastien pulled on his breeches and shirt and stalked out of the room.

Julien met him in the hallway, rolled his eyes. “You might try being discreet. This isn’t a pirate ship.”

“I wish it were. It’s harder to escape.”

“Escape? Who’s escaped?”

“Raeven. She’s gone.”

“I see.”

Bastien brushed past him. “No, you don’t. I need to go after her. I’m going—”

“Nowhere.” Julien grabbed his shoulder, held him fast. “It’s going to take several days to negotiate with the navy, and until then, you’re by no means safe from Newgate. If word leaks that Captain…” He paused, looked about. “That you are here, the public will clamor for your execution. You have quite the reputation for harassment of British ships.”

“Exaggeration. One or two skirmishes with the British Navy, and everyone’s out for your neck.”

“Yes, well, yours isn’t safe yet. You’re not going anywhere until I say you can.”

“Oh, really?” Fury welled inside him, aimed more at himself than his brother, but Julien was standing there. “I’ll go when and where I want.”

Julien crossed his arms. “Fine. But don’t come back here.”

Bastien blinked.

“You think this is just about you? You’ve been on your own so long, you don’t consider anyone else. Your being here puts me,
ma mére
, your whole family in jeopardy. Armand and Felicity will be here soon. You endanger them, as well.”

Bastien scowled. “If I’m so dangerous, why the hell did you bring me here?”

“You’re my brother. But I have a wife and child to protect. The Foreign Office would like nothing more than to find reason to accuse me of treason, spying. They’ve tried it before. These negotiations with the navy are delicate and need to be kept from public scrutiny. I’ll undertake them, and I’ll win, but I need you to give me time before you show yourself in public again.”

Bastien fisted his hands. “And Raeven?”

“She left you.” The implication was clear. For the first time, Bastien felt himself doubting. Perhaps she didn’t love him. Perhaps she’d saved him only out of guilt. She’d lost Percy and couldn’t bear the responsibility of losing another person she cared about.

He knew where she was. She’d gone back to her father, back to the
Regal
. And wasn’t that where she belonged?

The hell if it was.

“I’m going after her, Julien,” Bastien said. “So you’d better hurry those negotiations.”

Julien looked grim. “I’ll do my best.”

Bastien nodded. He’d give his brother two days, and then he’d go get Raeven. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.

Raeven stood on the deck of the
Regal
and watched the men ready the ship for departure. They’d been docked for a week, and she’d spent six nights without Bastien.

Six long, lonely nights.

And he hadn’t come for her. She hadn’t really expected him to come, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t hoped, hadn’t longed, hadn’t wished on every measly star she could spot in this hazy-skied city. And the reality was Bastien wasn’t coming. He had his family now, had his title, and soon would probably have a rich, titled wife.

A marquise. Yesterday she’d asked Fitzwilliam Wimberley for the title of the wife of a marquis, and he’d given her a strange look and then the answer.

She didn’t care if he gave her a thousand strange looks. She didn’t care if the whole crew watched her with sideways glances. She knew she was just standing on the deck, not doing anything, not helping as she always did. She knew she was red nosed from crying. She knew she was clutching her stupid skirts to keep them from tangling about her ankles in the wind.

Why had she worn a skirt or brushed her hair? It wasn’t as though anyone cared what she looked like.

A warm hand settled on her shoulder, and she spun around with a yelp. Her father tightened his grip to calm her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s my fault. I was thinking of something else.”

“You were thinking of him. The pirate.”

“No, I…” She looked down at the deck. “Yes, I was.”

Her father nodded, seemed resigned. He studied the men on the yardarms. “I was surprised when you returned the day after we docked. I thought you might run away with him. I certainly made sure you had the opportunity.”

Raeven gaped. “You thought I would—what do you mean you made certain I had the opportunity?”

“He should have had an escort to Newgate of at least six soldiers. I detained four of them. I didn’t think even you, Raeven, could outwit six soldiers.”

She stared at him, and when he looked down at her, he laughed at the bewildered expression on her face. “But why would you do that? Why would you help when you knew I might run away with him?”

The admiral sighed, shook his head. “Because, dear daughter, you love him. He makes you happy. God’s nightgown, it pains me to admit it! You and a pirate. A rogue!” He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath.

Raeven was relieved when his color returned to normal and he didn’t begin coughing. He’d been coughing too much lately.

“But you’re not my little girl anymore. You love him, and as difficult as this is for you to believe, I do want you to be happy.”

The admiral had never been a man to show much affection, especially in front of his crew, but now Raeven wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Daddy! Thank you.” She buried her face in his blue coat. It smelled like him—oakum, boot polish, and the sea.

He stiffened at her sudden embrace then awkwardly put his arms about her. Finally, she released him, stood back, and gave him a teary smile. “But you’re not going to lose me to a pirate. He’s found his family again. He’s home where he belongs.” She looked about the
Regal
. “So am I.”

Her father shook his head. “You’ll always have a home here, but this ship is no place for a young woman. You need a husband, children.”

She was shaking her head, but he ignored her.

“Earlier this week, I asked for a few months leave from my post.”

Raeven blinked in surprise. “You what? Why?”

“I wanted to spend some time with you on land. See you settled.”

“And your health—”

“Is fine.” He waved away her concern. “But my request was denied. It seems the seas are heating up again. The Admiralty doesn’t think this peace with Old Boney will last much longer.”

Raeven nodded. She was glad. Battles and action would keep her mind off Bastien.

“And that’s why I’ve hired a new purser.”

Raeven sucked in a breath. She’d known this was coming, known one day a replacement for Percy would be found. She would be forced to accept her friend was never coming back. She cleared her throat. “Who is he?”

He nodded to someone who stood behind her, and she turned and looked into cobalt blue eyes. Bastien, wearing navy dress, saluted her. She stared at him, turned to her father, and stuttered, “What is this?”

The admiral shook his head. “It’s exactly what it looks like. He came here this morning, asking for your hand in matrimony.”

“What?” She turned to stare at Bastien, who only shrugged.

“I told the rogue no, of course. I’m not giving my blessing to any bloody pirate.”

“And I told him I’m not a pirate anymore.” The sound of Bastien’s voice, the lilt of his accent, washed over her. It was years since she’d last heard his voice. “I’ve joined the navy. I knew you were in need of a purser.”

Raeven shook her head. “Is this some sort of joke?”

“No.” Her father looked tense. “I have orders from the Admiralty to accept him for Mr. Williams’s position. Apparently, money can buy more than freedom.”

“It’s not just my brother’s money,” Bastien argued. “I
am
an excellent seaman.”

Raeven simply stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”

He looked her directly in the eyes. “I am very serious. I have signed on as purser on the HMS
Regal
. I know I can’t ever hope to replace Mr. Williams, but I will carry out his duties to the best of my abilities.”

“Why?” she asked. “Why would you do this?”

He cocked a brow. “Why else,
ma belle
? You left me. I figured I would have to come to you. I asked for your hand in marriage, but your father refused to give his consent.”

The admiral cleared his throat. “But I would not be overly dismayed if you married against my wishes.”

“It would mean abandoning my post,” Bastien drawled.

“I think we will find a way to make do.”

Raeven’s head was spinning, and her heart thudded in her chest. “I don’t understand,” she told Bastien. “You have your family now, your title, your—”

He took her hand, and the admiral muttered under his breath and moved away. “But I don’t have you,
mon coeur
. I need you,
mon amour
. Without you, the rest is meaningless. I want you to be my wife.”

His wife. “Your marquise,” she whispered.

He grinned. “Yes, that’s right.”

She shook her head. “But I don’t know anything about being a marquise. I don’t know anything about ducs and mansions and fancy balls.”

“Then we’ll learn together. Or, better yet, we’ll build a ship and sail it around the world. I think you and I would suffocate if we were confined on land too long.”

He was right, and she could imagine sailing the world with him. Just the two of them, making love under the stars…

“But you don’t want to marry me…”

He sighed. “Are you going to force me to bend a knee? Again? Very well.”

And to her astonishment, he knelt before her. This gesture generated calls from the
Regal
’s crew, most of whom had given up all pretense of working and were openly watching the scene. Bastien ignored them. “Raeven Russell, will you be my Mrs. Cutlass, my marquise, my petite cabin girl…”

She frowned and looked away. He took her hand in his, and when she looked back, his eyes were dark, his expression tender. “My heart, my love, my wife? Raeven, will you have me, a so-called pirate and a self-confessed rogue, as your husband?”

She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t stand. She knelt beside him and wrapped her arms around him. “Bastien, I love you.”

“
Je t’aime
,
ma belle
. I love you.” He pulled back, held her by the shoulders. “But you haven’t answered the question, and I confess I’m eager to know if I’ll be forced to wear this uniform much longer.”

She laughed. “No. I mean, yes, I’ll marry you, and no, you won’t have to wear the uniform.” She grinned. “Unless you want. I think it suits you.”

He looked at her with something akin to horror, and she laughed again. It felt so good to laugh, felt so good to be back in his arms.

The sound of boots behind them had her looking over her shoulder. Her father stood grim faced. “Am I to congratulate the happy couple?”

Raeven leaped up. “Yes!” She hugged him hard, realizing as she did, this was good-bye. She pulled back. “But will you be all right without me? Will you take care of yourself?”

He straightened. “I’ll be fine.” To her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be happy knowing you’re well taken care of.” He gave Bastien a warning look. “Now, get the hell off my ship. The next time we dock, I’ll expect to see grandchildren.”

Bastien gave a mock-salute. “Yes, Captain.” He turned, swept her into his arms, and carried her, laughing, down the gangplank and back onto land. When they stood on the deck, he lowered her, and Raeven looked up at the
Regal
then into Bastien’s eyes.

“I love you,” she said. “I always have. From that first moment in Brest, I loved you.”

“I know.”

She frowned, but he reached into his coat and pulled out a paper.

“What’s that?”

“A special license. My brother has all sorts of connections. My family is waiting at the church now. Are you ready to be married?”

She gaped. “
Now
? Today? I-I’m not dressed, not—”

He put a finger over her lips. “I love you just the way you are, and yes, now. Today. I want you to be mine legally before you change your mind.”

She swallowed and nodded. Life with Bastien would never be predictable, never ordinary. She could think, or she could hold her breath and dive in.

She inhaled and prepared to jump.

It was the worst pain she had ever felt. She’d screamed until her throat was raw and only a hoarse croak would come out. Bastien stood beside her, held her hand throughout the ordeal. She’d told him to leave, told him he wasn’t supposed to be in the room, but he’d been steadfast, and after the pain became unbearable, she was glad to have his hand to clamp onto.

She wanted to say she forgot the pain when the midwife presented her with the howling baby girl. She took the baby in her arms, stared down at her red face, the shock of black hair, and the muddy blue eyes. Raeven didn’t forget the pain, but she did fall in love.

Instantly. Irrevocably.

She looked at Bastien and knew he felt it, too. She held the baby out to him. “Your daughter.”

He blinked. “You want me to hold her?”

“Don’t you want to?” She almost laughed at the look of pure terror on his face.

“Yes, but—”

“Then here.”

He took the squalling baby carefully in his arms, looked down at her, and immediately she ceased crying.

“There,” Raeven said. “She likes you. What shall we call her? Elizabeth? After my mother?”

He nodded, still staring, enraptured, at his daughter. “
Bon jour
, Elizabeth.
Bienvenue
.”

The midwife had barely finished her duties and the linens scarcely changed when the first knock came at the door. It was Sarah. “Raeven, can we come in now? Just Felicity and Rowena and I.”

Raeven smiled sleepily at Bastien. The baby was curled in one of his arms, and he had the other wrapped securely around her shoulders. “Your family,” she murmured.

“Allow one in, they’ll all be in.”

He was right, but she didn’t mind. Somehow his family had become hers, as well.

“Come in, Sarah.”

The door opened to admit the duchesse, the dowager, and the comtesse. All three of the women crowded around the baby and cooed.

“What have you named her?” Rowena asked.

“Elizabeth,” Raeven told them.

“Oh, I adore that name!” Felicity, who had a daughter of her own, beamed. “Hello, Elizabeth.”

“We might call her Eliza,” Sarah said.

“Call who Eliza?” Julien stuck his head in the doorway. He was holding Etienne, and the little boy smiled shyly. “Armand and the admiral want to know if it’s safe to enter.”

Beside her, Bastien gave a short sigh. “Why don’t we invite the servants while we’re at it?”

“Oh, I know Mrs. Eggers wants to meet the baby,” Felicity said. “And your friend, Bastien, Mr. Leveque.”

Raeven smiled. “Perhaps later.”

Julien and Armand stood at the foot of the bed. As usual, Armand was silent, but he gave Raeven a smile. Her father came to stand on the other side of her. “I heard you named her Elizabeth,” he said. “Your mother would have been honored.”

She smiled up at him. “I know you were hoping for a grandson.”

“Now that I’ve retired, I need someone to go fishing with me.” He smiled at the baby, who had begun to fuss. “But I think this little girl will have her mother’s spirit. She ought to keep me busy.”

Raeven took the baby into her arms, and Bastien leaned over and kissed his wife’s temple. “Do you think she’ll be able to sail in a few months? Our ship will be ready, and the world awaits.”

“She’ll have her sea legs before her land legs.”

“Just as it should be,” he murmured into her hair. Raeven had to agree.