The Duchess out of Time

XXIII

Another two weeks past by quickly and uneventful on the Golden Empress, the crew were back into their usual rhythm. The bruises on Liz's neck and cheek had faded and were hardly noticeable anymore. It no longer hurt when she smiled or pulled a funny face when she told Henry a bedtime story. When Liz had finished translating all the letters the Captain took her translated manuscripts and locked them up safely with the original letters somewhere on the ship, known only to the Captain. At the time they were still miles away from England and the Captain didn't want his men to loose focus. He would rethink the letters once they found land, until then he had other priorities. Getting his men home safe without any more complications. In her desperate attempts for him to talk to her, she tried to pry out of him what he was going to do next with the information.

"I know someone who will take care of it when we get to England" He had merely snapped. His confusing reply gave Liz more questions than answers. Her brother hadn't been any help either. He had been cryptic when he told her that the Captain had important contacts. The men all gossiped about the plot to kill the King for a few days before it soon became old news. It seemed that they weren't that invested in stopping a royal assassination. All they cared about was getting home to England.

The Captain had given Liz a wide berth ever since that night even though he can't recall a single moment after the sirens singing started. Liz tried her hardest to tell him that she didn't blame or hold him accountable, but he merely grunted in her direction and wouldn't listen. He was annoyingly stubborn and he was using it as a perfect excuse to keep her at a distance. He had almost let her see him without his mask. How could he have been so stupid?

It was hard to believe everything Liz had been through in the last six weeks. She still had to pinch herself every once in a while to truly believe she was living in the year 1760. Her skin had tanned into a healthy golden glow from the hours of sunlight. Deep down she craved to have a long bubble bath where she could properly wash her auburn hair. The Captain watched her staring out at the ocean in a trace. Three more days, he kept telling himself. They were only three days off from the English coast and then she would be off his ship.

"Lizzie!" Edward called a little louder than necessary making her jump to see her goofy brother grinning at her. Scowling she turned back to the ocean letting the wind blow on her face.

"Where are you?" He asked her as he could see her mind was thinking beyond the sea. Her mind could help it but think about her father. What had happened to him on the yacht? Did he go overboard too? How long would it take for someone on board to realise that she was missing? She couldn't see her father forking out the money for an extensive search party but as much as the old man hated to admit it, she was important. She was his only blood relative alive. She was supposed to inherit his legacy of the Dukedom when he died, otherwise it would probably be given to some distant four times removed cousin. She couldn't stop the snort that left her lips; the mere thought of his home being run by strangers would have him rolling in his grave. He would refuse to die if he had it his way. Or maybe it would be return back to the crown.

"BOO!" A small yelp left Liz's lips as she felt a pair of small hands wrap around her leg. Edward and Henry were laughing as Edward plucked his son into his arms. Liz could help but smile at the beautiful picture before her; the only thing that was missing was Charlotte. Edward and Henry had become inseparable in their time together. Edward had spent every spare moment he could getting to know his son. He had missed the first five years of his life and he didn't want to waste another second. He often wondered how different his life would been if he had known Charlotte was alive. What it would have been like if they had been able to raise Henry together.

Edward didn't dare tell Henry who he was to the boy. It wasn't his place. Edward didn't want to upset the reality his son knew. This young boy already had this whole life thrown upside down when he was separated from his mother and kidnapped by pirates. Edward read Henry bedtime stories and taught him the constellations in the skies before he would drift off to sleep in Edward's arms. From one of their many conversations he had with the boy he realised that Charlotte had told stories of his father to him.

It warmed Edward's heart to know that Henry knew of him even if he thought he was dead. He would be forever thankful to Lord Thomas Williams. Henry spoke very highly of him. At first Edward was heartbroken to know that Charlotte was moving on and getting married but when he discovered that she had a prolonged engagement with no wedding date insight, he selfishly was glad. Maybe there was still some hope for him after all; maybe, just maybe there was a chance he could get his family back together.

He hadn't allowed himself the chance to dream for a family for six years. He didn't want to marry a young lady from the 18th century in case it had any repercussions throughout history. He could have been denying someone from being born. But now he knew Charlotte, the love of his life was alive; he wasn't going to pass up this second chance without a fight.

"You two are going to put me in an early grave" Liz chuckled.

"We wouldn't do that to you would we Henry?" Edward chuckled as both of them gave her a cheeky grin.

"Aunt Lizzie?"

"Yes Monkey" She smiled at Henry as he stuck out his tongue at one of her many nicknames for him. He got the nickname from his one and only attempt at climbing the ratlines. Liz practically had a heart attack when she saw the young boy trying to climb up towards the crows nest. Her strangled cry had alerted the rest of the crew of his mischievous attempts but it was her scream of terror that had Edward and the Captain running. Henry had slipped, his foot getting caught in one of the ropes as he hung upside down, dangling in the air. The Captain had cut the boy free as Edward stood underneath him to catch him. Liz had never been so fearful in all her life, it was the only time she ever raised her voice at him before she apologised to the tearful young boy. After that incident the boy was under constant supervision.

"How long until we get to England?" He asked.

"Three days" Edward promised as the boy began to grow excited. Liz didn't realise how much she longed for land and how excited she was at the very idea that she would be off the ship soon. Her excitement diminished as she realised that once she left this ship she would have to face reality.

"Don't worry Lizzie" Edward could see the panic slip for a mere second on her face. His sister used to be the easiest person to read. Deep down he knew she had the biggest heart out of everyone he knew and he was used to seeing her showing it on her sleeve. She had grown up over the last six years into a strong independent young woman. She now had the perfect poker face, something he thought would never happen.

"I will take good care of you. I promise" He hesitated for a mere second before he kissed her forehead and took Henry away to leave her to her thoughts for the rest of the afternoon.