An Officer but No Gentleman(108)

“But when they started hurting, why didn’t you say something?”

“We had been in the South Pacific for months. It was warm so I went around barefoot just like everyone else. It was only when we went around Cape Horn that we hit cold weather and I put them back on. They were too small, but you know how it is when you’re out to sea; if you run out of something, you do without it until you hit your next port-of-call. What was the point of telling him? It was either wear them or get frostbite. If he had asked why I was limping, I would have figured out how to tell him, but he went right to Dr. Kirk.”

“I see your point.”

“He made such an ordeal of it, the next time; I just bought new ones before I could outgrow the old ones.”

“And you never went to him when you had nightmares?”

Charlie looked lost. “How could I ask for comfort from him when I killed the love of his life? If I had, he might have asked about the dream and I would have to tell him about the fire. I couldn’t. To be honest I’m not sure I would have ever told you if I didn’t feel cornered into it.”

“I’m glad you did tell me. A shared burden lightens the load.”

Jaxon would have liked to have brought up Zeb, but he knew it was something she would get defensive about. He truly believed, especially in light of the fact that John Sinclair did know about Charlie’s part in the fire, he let it go on as a punishment to Charlie. All it would have taken was a threat to put the bully off the boat at a foreign sea port and the boy would have straightened out.

“You’ll never have any more answers than what is in the letter. Just focus on the fact that he loved you and was proud of you.”

“Aye, you’re right.” Charlie looked pensive, but slowly began smiling. “You’re right, Jax. I’m not going to let this ruin our day. I don’t care what Grayson says. We are married in the sight of God and all the people who matter in our lives. We can take care of the legalities later.”

“Maybe Grayson can be our witness since he missed the first ceremony.”

Charlie smiled. Perhaps there was hope the twins could repair the rift between them. “I’d like that, too. Are you ready to return to the reception?”

“Before we go up, I’ve got a surprise for you…two actually.”

Jaxon stepped up to the locker and pulled out a uniform. Charlie could tell by the size it was for her.

“First mate? But I thought you already promoted Mr. Gander.”

“Aye, but we need someone to act in that capacity when we capture our prizes. Mr. Gander will be placed in charge of the other ship and you can be my mate.”

“Are you sure about this? Your men aren’t going to want to take orders from me.”

“I’ve already talked to them and asked for volunteers to be on your watch.”

“And you were able to put together a full watch?”

Jaxon shrugged. “Well, that’s your other surprise. I had to fill in an opening or two from the Arcadia’s crew.”

Her eyes grew wide with surprise. “Morty?” she breathed.

He nodded with a chagrined smile. “Aye, he’s your cousin after all. And that kid you were teaching to caulk the ship.”

“Benjy?”

She understood how difficult it was for him to allow Morty to join the crew.

With tears in her eyes, she put her hands on his cheeks. “Thank you, Jax.” Charlie kissed him then slipped her arms around him for a much needed embrace. “Did you notice Mabel has barely left his side all day. He’s been helping out on their farm. Her father’s been ill and Morty has been working with her mother bring in the last of the crops.”

Charlie felt his body relax a little.

“I hope things work out as well for them as they have for us.”

“Aye, me, too. I know he is wildly smitten with her and she likes him as well. So I am hopeful.”

A moment later there was a knock on the door and Grayson entered with the preacher in tow. “Reverend Fyfe believes if you just redo the vows that will suffice for the law. And we can take care of it right now before you go topside.”





39





It had been three years and Charlie still could not get used to the sounds and smells of battle. They had captured sixteen French and English vessels in those three years and had barely reaped any rewards. It was taking years for the Admiralty Courts to determine if a seizure was legitimate and then sell the ship and its cargo. The crew was especially weary of waiting for their money. It had become a burden for Jaxon to pay the crew out of his pocket with no income coming in, so he was forced to borrow money from Charlie. Lately, Jaxon had begun questioning whether he wanted to continue privateering. His bloodlust for the man who had keelhauled him had faded, and it just was not as important to him.