Hope stood at the bow of the Enchantress and leaned back on the foremast. A gust of wind, sweetened by the Caribbean, eased over her as the ship rose and plunged over a turquoise swell. A spray of salty mist showered her face and neck, and she smiled and shifted her gaze to the setting sun in the west. A bouquet of purple, red, and orange spread over the horizon as flickers of bright gold sparkled over the waves.
She was finally going home.
Captain Poole had begrudgingly agreed to drop her and Nathaniel, Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, and Miss Elise as close to Charles Towne as “his good sense would allow him to go within range of the filthy, pirate-hanging town.”
Elise.
Warmth spread through Hope as she remembered the little girl leaping into her arms when she had first boarded the Enchantress from Falkland’s ship. Overcome with joy, Hope had been reluctant to release Elise, fearing she was only a dream conjured up by continual prayers for the little girl’s safety. But the trembles coursing through Elise were real enough—no doubt due to the gun battle and being aboard a pirate ship—and after comforting her for hours, Hope had finally eased the little girl to sleep, nestled in her berth.
She closed her eyes, feeling the last rays of the sun kiss her face. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for Elise, and thank You for sending Nathaniel to rescue me. Thank You for his love, a love I no more deserve than I do Yours.
Unable to find Nathaniel, Hope had ascended the foredeck to pray and watch the sun set. Perhaps he would find her here. She hoped so, for she had many unanswered questions. What had changed his mind about her? And what was the strange ship that followed them off their larboard quarter?
A warm, strong hand touched her shoulder. Flinching, she opened her eyes to see Nathaniel’s handsome face smiling down at her. His hungry gaze took her in like a man long deprived of sustenance. He ran his palm over her cheek.
“Oh, Nathaniel, how can I ever thank you for saving me?” Hope’s throat burned, and she swallowed, afraid to embrace the love beaming from his eyes. She dropped her gaze to the bloodstained slash in Nathaniel’s breeches. “Once more, you risked your life for me.”
Nathaniel stretched out his leg. “Falkland wields quite a skilled sword.”
Hope huffed, but then a giggle escaped her lips. “The look on his face as we sailed away, leaving him foundering in the water.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “Indeed. Especially after Captain Poole threatened to come back and finish the job.” He gazed across the darkening sea. “Have no fear. He’ll make it to Charles Towne.” He grinned. “Albeit a bit later than planned.”
The ship bucked, and Hope gripped Nathaniel’s arm. “His welfare is of no concern to me. I hope I never see him again.” She took in a deep breath of salt-laden air, amazed at the truth of the words she’d just spoken.
Nathaniel cupped her chin and ran his thumb over her cheek. A warm tingle swirled within her, and she took a step back. Nathaniel affected her like no other man ever had. It frightened her, for she no longer wished to give in to every impulse storming through her.
She clutched her hands together and squinted toward the sun still sinking beneath the sea. Glittering feathers of gold and crimson spanned the choppy waves. A breeze tore a curl from her pins and fluttered it over her neck, but she no longer associated it with her inability to be pure, for God would give her all the strength she needed in that endeavor. “Falkland can still harm you.”
“How? I’ve nothing left for him to destroy.”
She faced him. “You still own a ship.”
Nathaniel’s gaze slipped to the two-masted vessel behind them. A sense of longing tugged at his features.
“Is that your ship?” Hope’s voice squeaked in disbelief. “The one that sails behind us?”
The cloud of sorrow dissipated from his eyes, replaced by a glimmer of satisfaction. “Not anymore.”
Hope furrowed her brow. Dread clutched her heart.
“I gave it to Captain Poole.” He waved the ship away as if it were but a trifle.
The words sank like anchors in her belly. “Why?” But she already knew the answer.
“Do you think he aided in your rescue out of the goodness of his heart?” Nathaniel chuckled and ran a hand through his hair.
“What of your crew?”
“Most of them stayed in Kingstown to find work on other ships. Some joined the pirates. All save Mr. and Mrs. Timmons and, of course, Elise.”
Hope shrank back. “You gave up your last ship to find me when you didn’t know for certain whether I went with Falkland willingly?”
He shrugged and gave her a playful grin. “It worked out well.”
Hope shook her head. “You’ve lost everything because of me. And”—she glanced at the wounds on his leg and arm and the bruise on his forehead—“I’ve nearly killed you—several times.”
Her foolish actions had caused the man she loved unthinkable pain and loss. Turning her back to him, she stormed to the railing.
His boot steps thudded behind her. Strong hands grabbed her waist and pulled her back against him. His arms wrapped around her as his hot breath swept down the side of her neck. “Worth every timber, plank, sail, and wound.”
Placing her hands atop his, Hope lowered her gaze to the restless sea below. Elation and fear tangled in her throat. His loving words soothed her doubts. As hard as it was to believe, Nathaniel must truly love her. Yet she couldn’t stop entertaining one fear. Why would he attach himself to a woman with her sordid past?
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth.” The words Hope had read in Isaiah that afternoon eased over her. She lifted her face to the sun.
Nathaniel turned her around to face him. Specks of gold gleamed within his dark eyes. “I love you, Hope. Why do you not believe me?”
She swallowed, breathing in the scent of wood that always clung to him. “Nobody has ever loved me before.” Tears burned behind her eyes. “Not truly loved me.”
He brushed a curl from her cheek. “Then allow me the privilege of being the first.” His lips met hers.
Hope folded into his embrace, submitting to his kiss, and finally permitting herself to believe this honorable man loved her. He pressed her close, caressing her hair and kissing her with gentleness that soon rose to a hunger that matched her own. Heat exploded around her like a thousand cannons set ablaze. The ship, the sea, the sky melted away. Her knees weakened.
Withdrawing, he hovered close to her face. His warm, musky breath tingled over her skin. For the first time, Hope longed to give herself to a man completely, wholly, for no other reason than pure love.
But no.
Breathless, she spun away from him, searching for her traitorous wits amidst the passion that had set her insides aflame. “What will you do now? You have no ships left.” She waved a hand over her face and neck, directing the breeze to cool her torrid skin and remove the flush before she faced him again.
Nathaniel drew a deep breath and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. The woman caused every sinew, every fiber, every particle within him to explode. And then she tore away from him, leaving him in a cold sweat. He gripped the mast, dragging his fingers over the rough wood. A splinter tore at his flesh. Good. The pain would jar him from her trance.
“Perhaps God is trying to tell me something,” he finally said, cursing himself for the passion still thick in his voice. He cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should heed His call on my life to preach.”
“Preach?” Hope twirled around.
“I seem to have a talent for it.” Nathaniel shrugged, concerned by the anxious look on her face. Perchance she did not approve. Perchance she did not wish to marry a poor preacher. His stomach tightened. Regardless, he must follow the call of God on his life. The loss of his last ship had not left the gaping hole within him he’d assumed it would.
Instead, when he’d made up his mind to become a preacher, a peace like he’d never known had fallen on him. “I suppose I’ve been running from God for quite some time, hoping to make a name for myself through status and wealth, trying to remove the stain of my past.”
“Only God can truly cleanse you.” She gave him a sweet smile, her blue eyes beaming with an innocence that had not been there before.
“You learn quickly.” He returned her smile. A gust of wind blasted over him, cooling his skin. He tossed the hair from his face as the sails snapped overhead. “But I’ve also learned that status and reputation do not make a man. Look at Hendrick, Paine, Falkland.”
“You need say nothing more. Hendrick.” Hope blew out a sigh. “I cannot fathom a man who abandons his own daughter.”
“You read his note. Perhaps he truly believes she is not his child.”
“No matter. He is the only father she has known. Poor Elise.” The ship bucked, and Nathaniel reached out to steady Hope, keeping his hand upon her arm.
“But it is an answer to prayer in a way.” She gazed up at him. “I shall raise her as my own daughter, give her all the love she needs, and teach her about the everlasting love of God.”
Nathaniel forced a smile. What did he know about raising children? His only parent had been a prostitute. Lord, if Hope is to be a part of my future, I will need Your help with this.
If she was to be a part of his future.
“You will make a good mother.”
“With God’s help, I hope so.” She glanced toward the sun. The frown of its arc cresting the horizon reflected the one now forming on her lips.
Nathaniel drew her close, longing for her smile to return. “What troubles you?”
“Elise needs a father, too.” Her blue eyes searched his. Anticipation sparked in their depths.
Nathaniel looked away, unsure of the intent of her statement, unsure whether Hope would choose to live without the luxuries to which she’d grown accustomed.
When he looked at her once more, the gleam in her eyes had faded to disappointment, and she tipped her face down.
Lifting her chin, Nathaniel brushed his lips against hers. “I love you, Hope,” he whispered.
“I love you, too, Nathaniel.” Her words melted over him. “With all my heart.”
He pulled back and studied her. “I have nothing to offer you.”
“You offer me more than anyone else ever has.”
Nathaniel took Hope’s hands in his. His heart thumped against his chest.
“Then will you marry this poor preacher?”
Hope leapt into his arms, giggling, and showered him with kisses. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Embracing her, Nathaniel stumbled back as the ship lurched over a wave. Unable to keep his balance—or his concentration—as Hope continued planting kisses on his face and snuggling her body next to his, Nathaniel bumbled and slammed into the railing. The ship canted again, and quickly releasing Hope, he clutched the railing just before he would have toppled over the side and plunged into the sea.
Hope braced her feet on the deck and threw a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror.
He raised a patronizing brow her way, allowing a playful sparkle to fill his eyes. “Perhaps we should marry as soon as possible before you do indeed manage to kill me.” He chuckled, and she fell into his arms, her laughter joining with his.