Father, Im so sorry about the ship, she whispered as he drew her into a hug. I never meant for this to happen. Tears trailed down her face.
Hush, Nicole, he said, his voice thick. I dont care about anything as long as youre safe.
You werent supposed to come after me, she admonished, then added in a derisive voice, Id planned to save the day for everyone.
Its past, now. Were going to be fine. He gave her another crushing hug before he turned her to his crew. They worried about you.
When she saw them all fit and safe, she broke into a watery smile. Everybodys well? Several nodded smiles in return, some as watery as her own. Then her father turned her again. Maria! She stood beside her father with her arms open. Nicoles face crumpled despite all her best efforts, but it didnt matter as she ran to her.
Inside her motherly embrace, Nicole shook in what felt like a great unburdening. Maria understood unrequited love. Hadnt Maria loved her unwitting father for so long, even now loved him? Shed been through this hurt before, too.
Nicole could feel Maria sharply waving away the crew, a couple of whom patted Nicoles head as they departed. Nicole was glad. She didnt know if she could stop crying.
But even over the sound of Marias soft Portuguese endearments, she heard her father mutter to Chancey, Hes a dead man.
No, Father! Nicole said, turning from Maria. If you go after him, then Im not finished with him. I want this finished! I want him out of my life forever. Her tears stopped as anger drummed through her. Ive decided to claim my birthright and keep my promise to Grandmother to find a husband.
Father shook his head. You dont have to do that. Not anymore.
I want to, Nicole said, more certain of her future than shed been in months. Im going to wed. Im going to bask in security and never be cold or scared. She gently pushed away from Maria and ran a sleeve over her eyes. I refuse to be weak or vulnerable again.
Well, Captain? Bigsby asked when theyd docked in London and finished unloading the cargo. What will you do? The doctor didnt need to specify about what. Nicole was the only subject theyd talked about the entire voyage back.
Activity on the deck stopped. Everything fell silent. The entire crewsailors in the rigging, men sweeping the deckspaused, waiting for his answer. Their animosity had dimmed throughout the voyage. Probably because they saw he was wearing down. He looked around at all of them, saw Jeb nodding .
The last three months had introduced Derek to a new level of loathing his life. He was never without the regret that ate at him. As soon as hed left, hed doubted his decision. But for once, hed wanted to do the right thing, the best thing for Nicole. Chancey was right about him. She could do better.
Then, halfway back to London, Bigsby had brought up the killing blow to his resistance: She could do better, but could any man love her more than you do?
No. It wasnt possible.
He resented everything that kept him and Nicole apart. That resentment had grown into a poisonous rancor so strong, it could no longer be contained.
He would divorce his wife.
And break his deathbed promise to his father. A divorce would devastate his mother and embarrass the family even more, but that couldnt be helped. He refused to imagine a life without Nicole, and she deserved to be married.
Im going to find her. He walked away to the sound of cheers and clinking coins as bets were paid.
During the hackney ride to his London home, he wondered if she would even have him. Then the memory of their last night together flashed into his mind. Hed loved her, holding nothing back because hed known it would be their last time together. And shed given him everything .
He looked up when the cab stopped in front of his town house and ran a hand down his face to pull himself together. As soon as he stepped down, his mother and brother greeted him from the front door with welcoming smiles.
Derek, youre finally home! Amanda called in surprise, then added, You look like hell. He smiled wryly before looking up to see his brother jogging over.
Welcome home, Derek. We read about the win. Congratulations. He offered him a hearty handshake.
I never thought Id say this, but its good to be home.
When his mother had them settled in the sitting room with tea and a light repast, Derek recounted the highlights of the race, purposely omitting Nicole from the story. But throughout the telling, his mother looked edgy, as if she couldnt stay still in her seat. He could swear Grant cast her quelling glances.
When he cut short his tale, she said in a rush, We, um, have something to tell you.
Mother, dont you think we can discuss this later? Grant interrupted warningly. As you said, Derek looks as though hes had a hell of a journey. We can wait until hes settled.
Amanda pressed her lips together. Well, Ive waited weeks to see this thing resolved, and Im sure hell want to know what were talking about.
Indeed, Derek said with a sigh as he leaned back in his seat. Whats happened now?
With one last look at Grant, his mother grasped Dereks hand and turned a sympathetic face to him. Your wifes pregnant, she revealed abruptly. I see I dont have to tell you that you can by no stretch of the imagination be the father.
Chapter 25
No, you quite do not, Derek answered, running his palm across the back of his neck.
Shes three months along, his mother explained.
Are you certain? he asked, not wanting to get his hopes up prematurely. Theyd been through this before. If she was indeed carrying another mans child, in his familys eyes he would have no choice but to divorce her. How do you know this?
Shes showing, she said, then added in a confessional tone, and not prettily.
Mother, please! Grant interjected. Im sure this information is overwhelming enough as it is. Lets keep to the facts. He turned back to Derek. She wants to dissolve the marriage to wed some foreign count. Apparently, its his child.
His mother nodded, agreeing happily with what Grant had said. She appeared to be struggling not to clap her hands.
He has even more money than you do, she said, as if that explained everything. In Lydias case, he supposed it did. Now her unprecedented visit to his ship made sense. Shed been shrieking for money, probably because she wanted to impress and snare the rich count. Poor, misbegotten bastard. But better him than Derek.
His mother sighed, I cant wait for this nightmare to be over. Youll be able to remarry
You wanted me to remarry? he demanded sharply. In all remonstrances, shed never said such a thing.